Mayoral Debate Feb 16, 7-8:30

The Examiner’s mayoral debate — focusing on greater Northwest Portland neighborhood issues

Thursday, Feb. 16, 7-8:30 p.m.

Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center
1819 NW Everett St.

The NW Examiner will host a debate involving the top three candidates for mayor; Eileen Brady, Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith.

The debate will focus on neighborhood and livability issues of special interest to the westside neighborhoods served by the newspaper.

The public is invited and there is no admission charge.

Free off-street parking at:

• Northwest 19^th and Flanders (two lots)
• Northwest 18^th and Davis (St. Mary’s Cathedral lot)

NW Children’s Theater: Busy Town

This is a unique sponsorship offer that will allow us to draw attention to our friends and neighbors in Nob Hill.

Northwest Children’s Theater and School is looking to partner with the Nob Hill Business Association on our upcoming production of Richard Scarry’s Busytown. “Busytown is buzzing with activity. But what do people do all day? Take a tour of Huckle Cat’s lively neighborhood to see! Meet Sergeant Murphy, Farmer Alfalfa, Dr. Lion, Grocer Cat and more as Richard Scarry’s intricate Busytown books come to life!”

In the spirit of the play we want to introduce our audience to NWCT’s own “Busytown.” To that end we will be creating a full color map of Nob Hill drawn in the style of Richard Scarry’s books. The map will feature call-outs for each sponsoring organization, with corresponding map key highlighting contact information and a brief description of your business. We will also create a large-scale print of the map for a lobby display that will be present at our 18th Street location leading up and during the run of Busytown. Sponsoring organizations will be invited to offer coupons and information below the display.

The details:

• Busytown is NWCT’s spring break production, created for families with children ages 4 & up
• The spring break production brings in an audience of 8,000+ and continues to grow each year
• Nob Hill Businesses may buy into this joint sponsorship for only $250
• The partnership includes:
  - Map call-out with special illustration
  - Presence in the lobby display
  - 4 tickets to Busytown for your organization
  - Mention in one of the five Nob Hill newsletter features in the NWCT “Spotlight” (our constant contact newsletter that reaches an audience of 9,000+ families)
• Busytown has 16 public performances and 12 school matinees scheduled with TBA dates available

Please contact Nick Fenster with any questions or suggestions regarding this sponsorship. If you would like to find out more about this and other opportunities to partner with the Children’s Theater (which brings in an audience of over 55,000 annually) you can contact Nick at: 503-222-2190 x13, or email him at
nick@nwcts.org.

www.nwcts.org
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northwest-Childrens-Theater-and-School/109167265786123
http://www.youtube.com/user/NWChildrensTheater

CoHo Advertising Promotion

Take advantage of deeply discounted rates and support one of Portland’s cultural gems this season when you advertise during the last two shows of the season at Coho Productions.

CLICK TO OPEN THE ADVERTISING INFO

Cirque du Soleil Partnership Enrollment

Nob Hill Business Association
In partnership with Scarlett Marketing

Cirque & Dine Restaurant Enrollment Form

Name of Event: Cirque du Soleil “Ovo” Promotion
Date of Event: April 5 – May 24, 2012

Please DOWNLOAD:
Cirque du Soleil Partner Form

Please complete the form and return to:
Joshua Ryan, Scarlett Marketing, 2356 N. Menzies Court, Portland, OR 97217.
Email: jryan@scarlettmarketing.com or call 504-810-4380 with questions.

For information on Cirque du Soleil’s OVO visit:
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/default.aspx

Thank you for your participation!

Chinese New Year Celebration

At Child’s Play Toys

Saturday, Jan. 21  from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Revised Parking Plan Position

NOB HILL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
NW PARKING PLAN POSITION – Updated December 20, 2011

To avoid any misinterpretation and to resolve any confusion that may have resulted from our previous statement, we wish to clarify our position:

The Nob Hill Business Association does not support the current NW Parking Plan for the following reasons:

1.    Our membership has clearly expressed their opposition to the Plan at Public  Meetings and through emails and phone calls to the Association.

2.    There are stakeholders that have not been heard.

• Many institutions were not represented on the SAC committee, such as public and private schools, apartment owners, renters, service providers, and commercial property owners.
• When the SAC Committee extended the boundaries to avoid overspill, the affected stakeholders were not invited to the committee.
• Some SAC committee members have resigned leaving a lack of proper representation on the Advisory Committee.
• Some of the businesses and institutions may realize a hardship with the 85% FTE Permit Allowance.
• Some of the institutions and non-profit groups may realize a hardship with the Permit Fees.

3.    Now is the wrong time to create new barriers for customers to visit our businesses.

Nob Hill has recently been affected by a major construction project that has driven customers to others areas.  We are only now getting customers to come back to the pre-construction levels.
The installation of meters and limited parking during the current economic downturn will further deter our customers from shopping at our businesses.

4.    The current plan puts Nob Hill at a disadvantage with competing shopping areas.

Unlike other areas with a high density of businesses and residences there is no significant off street parking structure in the Nob Hill District that accommodates the long term user.  This Parking Plan, using meters and limited parking , has no option for extended parking.  If someone wants to shop or dine beyond a 3-hr. limit, they must move their vehicle.  Most of the parking structure sites referred to in the Plan will not be developed.  Even if they are developed, we would only add 650 spaces.

The area businesses do not want to be the first “neighborhood” to have meters.  To avoid an unfair competitive disadvantage for our business district, we want a definite plan in place to install meters/parking limits in other like areas at the same time the meters are installed in Nob Hill.

Holiday Open House Dec. 14th

A Family Healing Center, PC

Wednesday December 14th 4:30pm-7pm

Flanders Professional Building, 2250 NW Flanders Suite 112, Portland, OR 97210

Contact info: 503-241-5007, afamilyhealingcenter.com

Join A Family Healing Center for their Holiday Open House. This is a great opportunity to meet our physicians, get a tour of the clinic, and learn about the wide range of Naturopathic services we provide including pain management, pediatric care, and women’s medicine. Enter to win a free door prize plus enjoy fabulous hors d’oeuvres and good company!

Breakfast with Santa – Dec. 12 at Good Sam

Please join us for Breakfast with Santa in the Legacy Good Sam cafeteria 8 am.-10:30 a.m.

Breakfast with Santa at Good San is $5 per person; children 3 and under are free; pay at the door;

RSVP appreciated at 503-413-7012

Presented by Legacy Good Samaritan Volunteer Services.

Everybody is warmly welcomed; please invite your communities.

Menu:

cage-free scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, whole wheat pancakes with syrup, assorted beverages.

NHBA Parking Plan Position

To be presented to the City of Portland

November 25, 2011

Nob Hill Business Association Parking Position to City of Portland

The Nob Hill Business Association supports the current Parking Plan; however, we do have some suggested changes and issues that need to be addressed BEFORE implementation of the plan. We continue to remain open to discussion with all the stakeholders to solve this complicated parking situation.

CHANGES:

• A 3 hr. limit for all meters and limited parking. We must avoid confusion by using simple signage. Example: 3 HR. LIMIT, 9AM – 7PM, Sundays Exempt, Permit Holders Exempt. The “Hr. Limit” should be very large, “time” smaller, and “permit exemption” very small. People who possess permits know they are exempt.
• Meter Rates should be $1.00/hr.

ISSUES:

There are stakeholders that have not been heard.

• Many institutions were not represented on the SAC committee, such as public and private schools, apartment owners, renters, service providers, and commercial property owners.
• When the SAC Committee extended the boundaries to avoid overspill, the affected stakeholders were not invited to the committee.
• Some SAC committee members have resigned leaving a lack of proper representation on the Advisory Committee.
• Some of the businesses and institutions may realize a hardship with the 85% FTE Permit Allowance.
• Some of the institutions and non-profit groups may realize a hardship with the Permit Fees.

Now is the wrong time to create new barriers for customers to visit our businesses.

• Nob Hill has recently been affected by a major construction project that has driven customers to others areas. We are only now getting customers to come back to the pre-construction levels.
• The installation of meters and limited parking during the current economic downturn will further deter our customers from shopping at our businesses. We wish to remind the City of the Hollywood District where meters were installed and then removed due to lack of business.

 The current plan puts Nob Hill at a disadvantage with competing shopping areas.

• Unlike other areas with a high density of businesses and residences there is no significant off street parking structure in the Nob Hill District that accommodates the long term user. This Parking Plan, using meters and limited parking , has no option for extended parking. If someone wants to shop or dine beyond a 3-hr. limit, they must move their vehicle. Most of the parking structure sites referred to in the Plan will not be developed. Even if they are developed, we would only add 650 spaces.
• The area businesses do not want to be the first “neighborhood” to have meters. To avoid an unfair competitive disadvantage for our business district, we want a definite plan in place to install meters/parking limits in other like areas at the same time the meters are installed in Nob Hill.

Please submit all questions and comments to: nobhillportland@gmail.com

Special Advertising Opportunity

The Oregonian is publishing a special section in December called Community Focus: Downtown Portland.

This special section will highlight things to do and places to see in Downtown Portland, including Nob Hill and the Pearl. The section will be delivered to all of our subscribers as well as non-subscriber households in the downtown area. This is a great marketing opportunity for Nob Hill businesses to reach new customers as they plan day and weekend trips to explore downtown.

View the complete FLYER here

Reach over 575,000* daily Oregonian readers at a special rate!

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your business and reach new customers as they plan day and weekend trips to explore all that Downtown has to offer!
In addition to full distribution to subscribers in the seven-county metro area, your advertising message will be delivered to non-subscriber households in the Downtown area.
The section will also appear for 30 days on OregonLive.com, the area’s No. 1 news and information website!**

RATES
$60.00 per column inch (B&W)
$75.00 per column inch (Full Color)
Ad Reservation Deadline: Mon. Dec 12, 2011

To advertise, contact Steve Urban at 503-221-8314 or surban@oregonian.com

*SOURCE: Scarborough Research 2011R1 (3/10-2/11) BASE: 7-Counties; Polk, OR, Yamhill, OR, Washington, OR, Multnomah, OR, Clackamas, OR, Marion, OR, Clark, WA. Schedule: 1 daily Oregonian.

**SOURCE: comScore Hybrid Media Metrix 2010 Monthly Average

Fall Favorites at Besaws

Click to view the complete Besaws newsletter

As the days grow shorter and shorter, the rains get heavier, and our NW neighborhood trees turn from green to gold and red, it’s time for us at Besaw’s to put our garden to bed. Chef Michael Uhnak has been busy this week turning fall leaves into the soil, and planting our cover crop of clover and peas.

In preparation for the winter darkness ahead, we’ve stuffed our outdoor hanging baskets with harvest gold mums, dried berries, ornamental cabbages and crisp green apples. And we’ve turned up the warmth in the restaurant, on the patio and on our Menu with cozy and comforting Fall treats for all our favorite Besaw’s visitors.

Starting this November, look forward to our famous FRIED CHICKEN & WAFFLES – with Draper Valley chicken, cheddar-chive waffle & pure maple syrup served every evening! Also look for seasonal ingredients like winter squash and greens, sage and pickled goodies from the summer garden. For dessert, a roasted pumpkin cheesecake with maple glaze, or honey baked pears with candied ginger streusel. Perhaps you’d like a nightcap? Try a BESAW’S HOT BUTTERY RUM – with Myers Dark Rum, cardamom and cinnamon.

And don’t forget Brunch! Warm your belly with our favorite latte, CAFE BRIAN – with chocolate, vanilla and whipped cream. Try one of our homemade cinnamon rolls on the side, or some of our OATMEAL PANCAKES – with brown sugar and dried cranberries, perfect for a relaxing breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving.

Please note: Besaw’s will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, as we will be home with our friends and families. We are open for regular hours on Wednesday the 23rd of November, and on Friday the 25th. Please bring your family and friends for brunch on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th!

As we approach the Holiday Season, it’s fitting that Besaw’s Featured Charity is Sisters Of The Road:

Since 1979, Sisters has operated in the Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood. At that time, the Cafe was anonymously christened when a circle containing three Xs – the hobo symbol for good food and hospitality – was chalked on the pavement outside the restaurant door. This symbol became Sisters’ logo.

Sisters’ customers, volunteers and staff have been creating community for more than three decades by building long term, stable and mutually supportive relationships. Creatinv a safe, hospitable space which offers delicious, nourishing food are our priorities in the Cafe.

Sisters Of The Road exists to build authentic relationships and alleviate the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever.

Please help us support Sisters Of The Road by clicking here.
We’re thankful this and every year for the continuing support of our patrons, our devoted staff and all friends of the Besaw’s family. We are so looking forward to serving all of you throughout the Holiday Season and beyond.

Cheers!

Monster Mash! at Child’s Play

Child’s Play is celebrating Halloween with a Monster Mash this Saturday, October 29th, from 11am to 2pm.  We will be having games, crafts, and prizes.

Readings by Public House Theatre

Staged Readings

Presented at Coho Theater

Death of a Salesman
by Arthur Miller
October 24-26, 2011 | 7:30 PM

Pygmalion
by George Bernard Shaw
February 20-22, 2012 | 7:30 PM

A Raisin in the Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
March 5-7, 2012 | 7:30 PM

For more info, visit: Public House Theatre

Parking Information Open House

OPEN HOUSE: NOB HILL PARKING INFORMATION

Thursday, Oct. 13
5:30 – 7:30PM

Metropolitan Learning Center Auditorium
2033 N. W. Glisan

Presentation will begin at 6:00PM SHARP. Light refreshments will be served.

Holiday Village 2011

Holiday Village 2011

December 10, 2011

Sponsored by Nob Hill Business Association

NHBA is sponsoring Holidays in Nob Hill to create a festive holiday atmosphere in the district and encourage people to play, shop and eat in the neighborhood.  We need you to make this an exciting event.  Plan a special event on Saturday Dec. 10^th.  We’ll include it in our Holiday Brochure, press releases and emails.

Holiday Village Events

These events are already scheduled:

• Santa @ HomeStreet Bank from 11am-1pm,

1:00 – 4:00pm Santa is available to appear at other businesses

• Carolers and Elves will be strolling through the streets
• Metro Toy Drive donation sites throughout the district

We would like a variety of events that cater to different  age ranges, interests, etc.

Here are a few ideas:

• Open Houses
• Trunk Shows
• Demonstrations (cooking, crafting, etc.)
• Holiday Tea
• Puppet Show
• Performance
• Classes
• Philanthropic Events (all philanthropic events will be listed in the brochure free of charge)

Remember, your event does not have to be holiday themed!

Who Can Participate?

Any business can participate.

Marketing

• Event Brochure

NHBA will provide an event brochure that will include all store events happening in the Nob Hill District from November 26^th – December 31^st.  The events brochure will be distributed to stores, schools and businesses.

Cost to list your event in the brochure:
NHBA Members: Free
Non Members: $50 per event listing in brochure or $25 for name listing only in brochure
Free for philanthropic event listings

• Emails, Press Releases, Facebook Posts & More
• If you plan it, let us know and we’ll promote it

 Deadline to submit event information to NHBA is Wednesday, October 26.

Please return the Participation Form.  See form for details:

Word Doc
PDF

For more information, please contact Pat Fiedler by email at childsplaypat@aol.com

Concierge Party Oct 23

Concierge Party

October 23, 2011

Location TBD

Join NHBA in showing our appreciation of the front desk staffs at our area hotels.  We will be providing gift bags to all attendees.  These gift bags will include donated gift cards, small trinkets, flyers/brochures, etc. from Nob Hill businesses.  This event is planned by the hotels, and they have invited representatives from NHBA to attend.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in participating, please complete and return the form below.

Word Doc
PDF

Forms and donations must be delivered by Wednesday, October 19 to Child’s Play at 2305 NW Kearney.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Pat Fiedler at childsplaypat@aol.com.

Public House Presents “To Kill a Mockingbird” with a Twist!

Join Public House Theatre in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beloved novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, brought to life by an ensemble of seven actors embodying more than 20 characters. Both male and female actors play both male and female characters of all ages as well as different skin colors. This unique adaptation of a well-known and historically-noteworthy play is told through the eyes of Jean, the grown-up daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch, who, as a young girl nick-named “Scout,” witnessed both the prejudice and compassion of her hometown in the 1930’s American South. This fast-paced, music-infused production is sure to delight and move audiences as they re-experience the classic story of Atticus, Scout, Dill, Tom Robinson, Calpernia, Boo Radley and more in the intimate 99-seat CoHo Theater.

• Performance Dates: September 9 – October 1, 2011, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:00pm.
• Location: Public House Theatre Company performs at CoHo Theater, 2257 NW Raleigh St., Portland 97210.
• Tickets: Single tickets are $24 for adults, $19 for students/seniors and $14 for all Thursday tickets. Season tickets start at only $37!
• To purchase tickets, please see www.publichousetheatre.org <http://www.publicplayhouse.org> or call 503-922-0532.

Northwest District 
Parking Plan Development Meeting

Northwest District Meeting Date: August 16, 2011

Topics:

• Department of Transportation’s Northwest Portland On-Street Parking Concept Plan
• Portland’s Northwest District Parking Plan Development – Meeting #12 Notes (PDF 1.8mb)
• Northwest District: Paid Parking and Permit Program Options – Recommended Parking Management District

Please join us at our next General meeting

Ellington Bargain Hunting

http://www.bargainhuntingpdx.com/

Northwest Portland Ministries’ 6th Annual Fall Auction

Sharing the Bounty

Saturday, October 22, 2011, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Multnomah Athletic Club
1849 Southwest Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 223-6251

Your bid could win a week at the La Quercia Italian villa if you attend Northwest Portland Ministries’ 6th Annual Fall Auction, Sharing the Bounty.

Or, enjoy a staycation in an ocean view condo in Gearhart, Oregon (photo above).

Other auction items include a golf package at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club and a guided hike in Forest Park.  Score a $100 Nike gift card just by playing a game of Heads or Tails with us!

The auction will be Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Multnomah Athletic Club.  It includes dinner with  silent and live auctions.  Our annual Spotlight Award honors our treasured volunteer, the late Roz Spiekerman.  Tickets, $60 before October 8; on or after October 8, $75.  Patrons, $100.  Details at www.nwpm.org or call 503.221.1224, x103.

Tickets are available at nwpm.tofinoauctions.com/auction2011/register

Slabtown Neighborhood Festival Sept. 17th

To All Slabtown Neighborhood Businesses and Residents:

Since we’re unable to have use of the Con-way lot at NW 23rd & Savier this year due to the upcoming development, we’ve arranged to use the NW Portland Library parking lot and the lot between McMenamins Tavern & Pool and 23rd Avenue Market to hold our 5th Annual Slabtown Community Festival.

The date of the neighborhood festival is set for Saturday, September 17th.

We’ll kick-off the event at 11 a.m. again this year with a Friendly House Kids & Pets Parade starting at Wallace Park and running down Thurman Street to the library’s lot. Their arrival will signal the start of the stage entertainment and festivities that will go on until 6 p.m.

I’ve attached the support and sponsorship levels for this year’s celebration along with a list of last year’s sponsors (that we trust has your name on it). Also, for you newcomers, I’ve included our “What the heck is Slabtown” info.

We hope you’ll join us again at your festival!

Thanks,

Mike Ryerson
Slabtown Community Festival Planning Committee

Attachments: Sponsor Packet (PDF) and What is Slabtown (Word)

Portland Local Leaders Forum Aug 9-10

Portland Local Leaders Forum

Aug 9-10, 2011

Join us for great food, drinks and lively discussion on the keys to business success in Portland.  Attend one or both of these free events at the Portland Local Leaders Forum, a two-day event, bringing local business leaders and small business owners together to share new solutions and ideas that can help make small- to medium- sized businesses more successful.  This invitation is to you, from Dex One.

Gain first-hand knowledge and learn about the keys to business success from author and entrepreneur, Barry Moltz. Connect and listen to personal stories from local business owners and a panel of your local business leaders as they tackle issues in today’s Portland business community.  We encourage you to experience this unique business event that specifically focuses on your community while enjoying some of the finest artwork and museum collections in the Portland Art Museum.

Portland Local Leaders Forum details:
Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Avenue

DAY ONE, Tues., August 9, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Barry Moltz (Business Insanity Talk Radio) and a panel of local business leaders tackle the key issues in today’s Portland market. Bring your business issues to the table with our discussion panel and the Portland Business Alliance’s very own VP of Membership & Small Business, Erin McDonough, as they address real business issues in your community, head-on.

DAY TWO, Wed., August 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
“Getting Your Business Unstuck” Seminar
Barry Moltz will offer techniques and strategies that will give you a competitive advantage, followed by a Q&A session. Enjoy a light continental breakfast and engage in this spirited seminar on social media, online marketing and word-of-mouth, geared specifically to small business.

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience for one or both of these free events, as space is limited. Register FREE!

Storytime with Bernice the Dog!

Saturday, July 30

2pm

Join us on Saturday, July 30 at 2pm to meet Bernice, the star of the award winning children’s book Bernice! Bernice, a Newfoundland Retriever, and her owner, author Rob Adamowski will be at Child’s Play Toy Store to read their story! Free! All ages!

Sidewalk Sale Photos

Sidewalk Sale July 8-10th

Get Your Nob Hill Sidewalk Sale Guide Here!

Click the image to open a full size version in a new window:

Top Ten SEO Tricks to Get Traffic to your Business (Classes Coming)

The Search Marketing Team (SMT), a Portland SEO company, will be hosting a series of classes tailor made for small business owners who would like to take better control of their site’s ranking.

The classes, Beginner SEO I and Beginner SEO II will be held most Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the NHBA. Please visit www.thesmt.com for more information, and to RSVP (required)

In addition, the SMT is sharing this Top Ten list (below) which includes several of the items that will be covered in the classes:

Top Ten SEO Tips:
1. Keyword research – figure out the words used by people you want to visit your site.
• These are generic search terms, NOT the proper name of your company
• Use free tools such as Google’s Keyword tool: https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
2. From the beginning:
• Use one of these keywords each time you name a new web page or post
• Use one of these keywords each time you name a new photo you intend to upload
• Use one of these keywords in the TITLE tag for your page (in HTML)
• Use one of these keywords in the META description tag for your page (in HTML)
• Use one of these keywords in any subheads you have in your copy
• Use one of these keywords in the FIRST and LAST sentences of your copy (when possible)
• Use one of these keywords in the FOOTER of your page
• And whenever possible, put these keyword in Bold and Italics and Capitalize the First Letter of Each Word
3. Build a website that is easy for the search engines to understand
• Make sure you have a robots.txt saved at the root level of your domain
• Make sure you have a sitemap.xml saved at the root level of your domain
4. Build clear text links (or a menu or HTML version of your sitepmap) to all parts of your site.
5. Backlinks:
• Links and “Likes” are like votes for your site and you can’t rank well without them
• Backlinks must be relevant to the content of your site and they must be from reputable websites
• Backlinks must be DoFollow, many sites only offer NoFollow links, which do you no good because they are not “counted” by the big three search engines
• Whenever possible, make sure you are using one of your keywords as the “anchor text” in your link
• Backlink to a variety of pages on your site, not just your main, or home, page
6. Submit your site details to search engines:
• Google, Yahoo and Bing all have a facility to submit a list of all the pages in your site via your sitemap
• Do not use automatic submission software
7. Content is king:
• Build great content and keep it up to date each week (or every day in competitive markets)
• This is the key to good SEO
• Search engines love sites like blogs, which are topical and regularly updated
• Regularly upload new photos and/or videos
8. Be social:
• Every time you update your site, be sure to mention it on Facebook, Twitter and sites like these
• The more friends and followers you attract to your site, the larger your reach becomes
• Place Google’s new +1, Facebook, Twitter and other social badges in an unobtrusive, but visible place on your site for more “likes”
9. Get crawled:
• One great way to make sure your site is indexed after you post something fresh is to “ping” it
• For this we use www.pingler.com
10. Watch your back:
• Pay close attention to your closest competition
• In all browsers there is an option to “View Source” which will display their source code
• Look for their and description and keyword tags
• These will show you what they are targeting and this can help you adjust your SEO as needed

Common BlackHat Don’ts:

1. Keyword Stuffing – Placing a large number of instances of the targeted keyword phrase on your page.

2. Hidden Text – Text that is set at the same color as the background or very close to it or hiding text behind an image.

3. Cloaking – Presenting different information to the search engines than a human visitor would see.

4. Doorway Pages – Pages added to a website solely to target a specific keyword phrase or phrases and provide little in the way of value to a visitor.

5. Redirects – This isn’t always bad, but when used as a black-hat tactic it is most commonly paired with doorway pages with little or no substantial content.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution and follow Google’s Quality Guidelines:

1. Avoid hidden text or hidden links.

2. Don’t use cloaking or sneaky redirects.

3. Don’t send automated queries to Google.

4. Don’t load pages with irrelevant keywords.

5. Don’t create multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content.

6. Don’t create pages with malicious behavior, such as phishing or installing viruses, trojans, or other badware.

7. Avoid “doorway” pages created just for search engines, or other “cookie cutter” approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content.

8. If your site participates in an affiliate program, make sure that your site adds value. Provide unique and relevant content that gives users a reason to visit your site first.

Healing Hurting Hips & Knees: Treatment Options and Approaches

Legacy Health invites you to learn about a range of treatment options available for hip and knee pain due to arthritis.

Discover new technologies available and how these influence success, recovery and longevity following hip and knee replacement surgery.

A question and answer session will follow presentation.

Presented by Ira Weintraub, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon

Tuesday, June 7, 2011
6-7 p.m.
Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
Building 2, Auditorium
1040 NW 22nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97210

FREE-Preregistration is required. Please call 503-335-3500 or register online at www.legacyhealth.org/classes

NW Portland Sewer Reconstruction Project Update

NW Portland Sewer Reconstruction Project

Construction Update

Contact: Stephen Sykes, 503-823-7898, stephen.sykes@portlandoregon.gov

Updates

• Next week the construction crew on NW Everett St will continue installing sewer laterals that connect existing buildings to the new sewer. This crew will continue connecting buildings to the new sewer at NW 20th Place and will work toward NW 16th Ave. On street parking will be removed from both sides of NW Everett St in the work area. Traffic on NW Everett St is moving through the construction area in one travel lane. Once laterals and stormwater inlets are installed the contractor will begin preparations for repaving the sewer trench areas.
• The contractor will replace stormwater inlets in NW Marshall St between NW 24th and NW 26th Avenues next week. Preparations for paving will follow. Paving may occur in two phases depending on weather and availability of the paving subcontractor. Repairs to the concrete traffic island in NW 25th Ave will occur over the next two to three weeks.
• The contractor will continue installing sewer main line near NW 19th Ave next week followed by installation of laterals between NW 17th and NW 19th Avenues on NW Flanders St. A week of paving work will follow lateral installation.
• Date change: Construction on NW Davis St between NW 16th and NW 19th Avenues is expected to begin the week of May 23rd near NW 16th Ave.
• Road closure signage will be placed near all construction areas. Local vehicle access will be allowed.  On street parking will be removed in the construction area.  Sidewalks will generally remain open, but some crosswalks and sidewalks may close temporarily to ensure pedestrian safety.
• Work on NW Hoyt St and NW 22nd Ave is complete.
• Work on NW Upshur St is complete.
• Work on NW Marshall St at NW 21st Ave is complete.

Traffic and Pedestrian Impacts

Construction of the manholes and pits may temporarily close some intersections to through traffic. Traffic flow will be maintained on NW Everett with the assistance of signage and flaggers. Other project streets will be closed to through traffic during work hours. Flaggers and construction signage will direct the flow of traffic around the construction areas. The city will remove on-street parking in and near the construction areas to keep private vehicles out of the work area during the day and to allow for storage of construction materials. Normal construction hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contractors are allowed to work the same hours on Saturday but typically do not work on weekends.

Next Steps

Construction will likely take seven months and will likely run from February to September 2011. Please call or email to be added to a project updates email list. The contractor is proposing to work on this project in the following order, please refer to the map below:

1)                  NW Everett Street and NW Flanders Street

2)                  NW Hoyt Street at NW 22nd Avenue

3)                  NW Upshur Street at NW 19th Avenue

4)                  NW Marshall Street and NW 21st Avenue

5)                  NW Marshall Street and NW 24 – 26th Avenues

6)                  NW Davis Street

7)                  NW Broadway Avenue at NW Irving Street

Stephen Sykes – Community Outreach and Public Involvement
City of Portland Environmental Services
1120 SW 5th Avenue Room 1000
Portland, OR 97204
phone:  503.823.7898
cell:  503.823.8341
fax:  503.823.6995

The NWDA 2011 Annual Meeting & Election

Winemakers Dinner – featuring Guardian Cellars

Wednesday, May 18th
6:30pm

Elephants Delicatessen ~ NW
In our Garden Room
115 NW 22nd Ave, Portland 97210

Enjoy wines from our new favorite WA winery, Guardian Cellars, paired with a four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Scott Weaver. Help us welcome special guest owner-winemaker Jerry Riener, who will present these fantastic new vintages. Space is limited, so reserve today.

Call 503.299.6304 to make reservations. Dinner is $36.95 per guest and includes wine.

May Food Drive

NW Portland Ministries has kicked off its May food drive with thirty food barrels distributed in the neighborhood.  In addition, raffles throughout the neighborhood have already begun!  Juliet Hyams from NW Portland Ministries needs any information regarding raffles, etc. for their press releases.

View the calendar for all the dates & locations to donate food in Nob Hill!

Please contact Juliet Hyams by phone at 503-473-1557 or email at juliet_hyams@nwpm.org.

Clean & Safe Retail Community Discussion

A recap of today’s Clean & Safe Retail Community Discussion

Today, the Clean & Safe District held a meeting with Mayor Sam Adams to discuss livability and safety issues in downtown this summer. More than 70 retailers, property managers and owners discussed their concerns and were able to ask questions of Mayor Adams and Central Precinct Commander Vince Jarmer.

Several audience members expressed concerns to the mayor about what appears to be a growing population of “summer travelers” in the downtown core. These are young people who hang out, frequently in large groups, on downtown streets, impeding retail and other business activities. The mayor acknowledged that he has also taken note of a growing number of these young people in the downtown area, and said he would work with Clean & Safe and youth service providers to address issues related to these groups.

Mayor Adams said downtown livability and safety is his top priority this summer and is committed to continuing targeted police missions to deal with illegal activities on downtown streets. He is also working on the implementation of the new Drug Impact Areas, which will have a new, specially dedicated assistant district attorney to prosecute downtown drug crimes and ‘walking beat’ police officers to suppress drug activity.

Mayor Adams and Central Precinct Commander Vince Jarmer also stressed the importance of calling Clean & Safe and Portland Police.

• For Clean & Safe, call 503-224-7383, any time you see any activity that concerns you such as loitering, animal control, graffiti, etc.
• For Portland Police, call 911, any time you see criminal activity in progress.

The mayor stressed that these calls greatly assist in the allocation of resources and inform the city and police bureau about what is happening on downtown streets and sidewalks. In addition to the new Drug Impact Areas, prosecutor and walking beat cops, there is also:

• Opening of Bud Clark Commons. Next month, the new resource center will open and will provide a host of services for individuals experiencing homelessness and in need of help. Clean & Safe and Portland Police officers will be referring individuals in need of assistance to the center.
• Crime Prevention Consultation. The city’s Downtown Crime Prevention Coordinator, Michael Boyer, will be going door-to-door and offering his expertise on enhancements a property or store can implement to prevent crime. He can be reached at 503-823-5852.

Downtown Clean & Safe is also working with the Portland Police Bureau to address areas where problems seem to be growing. Today, for example, I asked our security firm, Portland Patrol, Inc., to station officers on the Pioneer Courthouse block to address issues related to growing groups of people hanging out there. If we see problems shift to other areas, we will address those in the same manner.

We will be holding a follow-up meeting with Mayor Adams later this summer. More information will be shared once we have the details. Please remember that any time you have a concern, contact Clean & Safe at 503-224-7383 or if you see criminal activity, please call 911.

Thank you for your support of Clean & Safe and keeping downtown Portland a vibrant and livable community.

For more information about today’s meeting, click here to see the mayor’s office presentation.

Shane Abma
President, Clean & Safe
Questions Call: 503-224-7383

Sizzling Summer Extravaganza

Sponsored by Nob Hill

July 8 – 10

Restaurant Event Saturday, July 9

If anyone is interested in helping with this event, please contact Mike Conklin (Lucy’s Table) at meconklin@hotmail.com

Advertise in Portland Tribune

PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Advertise in the Summer Fun Guide.  This guide will be inserted in 5 different publications, including the Portland Tribune.  Date of the publication is May 26th, Advertising Deadline is May 12th.  For further information, please contact Wendy at wbeyer@portlandtribune.com

OPERATION NIGHT WATCH

Gary Davis from Operation Night Watch spoke to us at the last meeting about their ecumenical night ministry which offers friendship and community to Portland’s homeless.

Their Hospitality Center is located at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 1432 SW 13th.  It is open Thursdays thru Saturdays 7:00 – 11:00 PM.  For more information, call 503-220-0483.

Volunteers Needed – Nob Hill Cleanup

Nob Hill Cleanup - Volunteers Needed!

Denay Love from CleanScapes, is coordinating with the NW Neighborhood Assn. on Saturday, May 14.  She needs volunteers to help with graffiti removal on Monday, May 23rd.

If interested, please call her at once so she can secure the necessary supplies.

Contact Denay Love by phone at  503-222-4555 or 1-206-427-9502, or by email at denay.love@cleanscapes.com

NHBA General Meeting

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 8:30am

Holiday Inn Express  (23rd & Thurman)

Please bring your marketing materials and/ or promotional flyers!

Congratulations Blaine Bartholomew

Congratulations to Blaine Bartholomew from Umpqua Bank!

He will be receiving recognition at the Community Rewards event on May 14th at 6:30pm, at St. Patrick’s.  This event is sponsored by The Examiner.

Affordable Websites

Kristin Schuchman from Mixed Media gave a short presentation on marketing at the last general meeting.  One of Mixed Media’s services is creating affordable websites that are EASY to update.

If anyone would like any further information, contact Kristin by email at kristin@mixedmediapdx.com or phone at 503-754-2636.  Or visit their website at www.mixedmediapdx.com

City of Portland “Listening Lounge”

Discuss Jeld-Wen Field Event Impacts in Your Neighborhood

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Metropolitan Learning Center

2033 NW Glisan St. – in the Auditorium

5:00 – 8:00 PM

This is your opportunity to voice any Zone L Parking Issues.

Come join us at the Metropolitan Learning Center for the “Listening Lounge.”  You will have an opportunity to talk and listen to staff from the Timbers organization, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Community Policing and Trimet.  Tell us what you think about neighborhood livability issues, parking permits, public transportation and business and resident impacts.

For more information contact Kyle Chisek at the Portland Bureau of Transportation, 503-823-7041.

Losing Weight for a Lifetime: Current Treatments for Obesity

Legacy Health presents bariatric surgeon Valerie Halpin, M.D. and dietitian Kelly Laschkewitsch, R.D., with Legacy Good Samaritan Weight Management Institute, as they discuss issues surrounding weight loss including:

• Psychological factors
• Do diets work?
• Role of physical activity
• Surgical options and outcomes

Thursday, April 28, 2011
6 – 7 p.m.

Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
First Floor, Wistar Morris Conference Rm.
1015 N.W. 22nd Avenue

FREE.  Preregistration is required by
calling 503-335-3500, or online at legacyhealth.org/classes.

www.legacyhealth.org

3rd Annual Regional Graffiti Abatement Summit

2011 Regional Graffiti Abatement Summit

For law enforcement, district attorneys, elected officials, agencies, business & residential community leaders

April 19, 2011

8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Tiffany Center-Crystal Room

1410 SW Morrison St.

(On the MAX line)

Main speaker: Sgt. Dwight Waldo, San Bernardino CA Police Department*

Other highlights: Multi-Jurisdictional DA Panel*; How to organize & sustain volunteer cleanup; All-star awards; Informational displays.

This FREE event includes lunch.

To REGISTER please contact: Marcia Dennis, City of Portland Graffiti Abatement Coordinator at 503-823-5860 or Marcia.Dennis@portlandoregon.gov

Or Bill Allen, Friendly Streets billallen@friendlystreets.org

Waste Reduction Tips from CleanScapes

Greener St. Patrick’s Day

This St. Patrick’s Day, create a global table for an Irish feast from local farmers and producers.

If you missed your chance to shop at one of the year-round farmers markets in Ballard, theUniversity District or West Seattle, you can still purchase local foods at grocery stores, or order directly from producers such as Olsen Farms, Full Circle Farms, Bill the Butcher,Bob’s Quality Meats or Rain Shadow Meats.

Cabbage, red potatoes and sustainably raised, grass-fed beef are in season and can be yours for a fraction of the environmental cost.

Looking to make green eggs and ham? Give Blue #1 and Yellow #5 a break and try a natural food dye from Nature’s Flavors or Seelect.

The Big Picture

Do you know the carbon footprint of your food?

Most produce grown in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before it gets sold⁽¹⁾. Purchase Chilean grapes or apples from New Zealand, and your food has traveled more than 6,000 miles from farm to table.

In addition to the energy and fuel used to transport our food, there is also the energy used during production. Approximately 23% of the energy used in our food production system comes from processing and packaging food⁽²⁾.  Every year, the US food system uses as much as France’s total annual energy consumption – 10 quadrillion Btu⁽³⁾.

You can decrease the resources required to produce the food you consume by learning what is fresh in Washington State, plan meals around seasonal availability, and learn what is sold from local producers in grocery stores or farmers markets.

By supporting locally grown meals, you can help reduce packaging and fuel used to transport food from across the U.S. and around the world.

Sources: (1) Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture “Food, Fuel and Freeways” | (2) New York State University “Fossil Fuel and Energy Use” | (3) Earth Policy Institute | About – BTU | NRDC What’s Fresh Tool | NRDC Simple Steps | Bon Appetite Low Carbon Diet Calculator

Click the picture above to read more waste reduction tips from CleanScapes.

Portland Business Safety Summit

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
University of Oregon in Portland
White Stag Block, 70 NW Couch Street

RSVP before February 18 by emailing BJ Bachmeier.

Calling all building and business owners and managers in Portland’s downtown and close-in business districts. Come learn about current public safety issues and tools available to police, security and private entities. Voice your concerns and ideas on how to address on-street drug dealing and drug use, aggressive panhandling and intimidating behavior in public.

“Are we doing everything we can to work together to address public safety concerns, have a voice on the use of public spaces and support business in our city?”
- Mark Schlesinger, Chair of the Alliance’s Public Safety Committee

AGENDA

Second Saturday Clean Ups Every Month

Volunteers meet at 2 locations in the Northwest District Association to clean litter along the streets.

Join your neighbors and local businesses for a social clean up on the second Saturday of each month.

• Refreshments are provided at both locations.
• Clean Ups last approximately 1.5 hours.

2nd Saturday Clean Up

South

Location: Umpqua Bank
Address: 467 NW 23rd Ave
Time: 9 AM

North

Location: Food Front
Address: 2375 NW 23rd Ave
Time: 9 AM

You’re Invited! Nob Hill Social Feb. 16th from 5 – 7pm

Please join us for our
Annual Nob Hill Business Association Social

February 16, 2010

5:00 – 7:00pm

Hosted by Lotus Antiques at 2215 NW Quimby St.

• Refreshments
• Door Prizes
• Entertainment provided by Pierre Ouellette of Paul Revere and The Raiders

My Furry Valentine Dessert Social Feb 14, 12-9pm

Monday, February 14th

• Time: 12pm to 9pm
• Location: Finales – 901 NW 21st Ave, Portland OR 97209

All of us at Finales absolutely LOVE animals & have been searching for the right opportunity to help the ones that can’t stand up for themselves. That’s why we have decided to make Valentine’s Day, the day of unconditional love, a day to give back to them.

Finales will be giving 20% of proceeds on Valentine’s Day to the Oregon Dachshund Rescue, Inc. All these pups, and many more like them, need our help. And that help can be as easy as picking up a treat for your own sweetie!

Get more information at the Finales website