Nancy's Portland, OR Blog

Nothing says summer like a blocked-off street, crowded with entertainers, neighborhood food vendors, and craft peddlers. Street fair season has officially begun!

In July, there are at least three great street fairs worth checking out:

July 12
Mississippi Street Fair

June 28 + 29
Good in the Neighborhood (held in NE Portland)

July 26
Division + Clinton Street Fair

Also check out the Portland street fair schedule for the rest of the summer. If you know of fairs I don't have listed here, please feel to email me at portlandor.guide@about.com.

I've always loved picking berries. Going directly to the farm for food feels fantastic, and so does having a fridge (and freezer) full of delicious fruit. Plus, you save a lot of money by picking your own.

I recommend heading to Sauvie's island for your berry-picking adventure. It's not too far, and while you're there you can also enjoy the beach, a hike, or a bike ride.

Before you go, visit the official Sauvie Island website, and call the farms to make sure they've got what you want. Prepare to get a little bit dirty, and bring your own containers if you've got 'em.

Living without a connection to the Internet makes me uncomfortable, and of course, it's an occupational hazard since I write for the Web. As a laptop-toter, I have the option of working just about anywhere. And with so many Portland coffee shops and other public places offering free wireless service, I rarely find myself having to pay for this necessary service.

But it still bummed me out when I heard that MetroFi is ending their "free wireless" service for the city of Portland. The idea was wonderful, the execution was lacking. I tried. From my SE Portland neighborhood, I had "MetroFi" pop up on as an available wireless network on my machine, though it never seemed to actually deliver. Were you ever able to connect to their network? And if so, was it reliable enough to use for more than just a few minutes?

We're not the only city that got our hopes up about having free Wi-Fi. MetroFi's other projects in California and Illinois are also kaput.

Luckily, there are plenty of resources for finding free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city. Try WiFipdx, locate a place to hunker down, and take a minute let these generous businesses know you appreciate what they're doing.

I'm not sure where June went, but the Fourth of July is right around the corner. With any luck, we'll have a sun-filled holiday, and it'll be prime for the perfect picnic.

There's plenty of other options for your day, too. Did you know Oaks Park stays open all day on the 4th? Rides and entertainment will only cost you $4! Get the details on the fireworks and other events in Portland, too.

Big trips can be fantastic, but sometimes, a three-day weekend can do the trick, too. In that case, I recommend sticking pretty close to home, so you minimize your time getting to and from your destination. Budget Travel Magazine just wrote a story on Oregon and Washington Getaways starting at $89, and it's worth a read.

And if you plan to stick around town, consider becoming a AAA member if you're not one already. They give discounts on local attractions such as Beavers and Timbers tickets, the Japanese Garden, and the Family Fun Center.

Portlander Kathy Belge covered this year's Gay Pride festival. See her photo gallery and read her Lesbian Life blog on About.com. Also, see what the media has said about Portland as a gay-friendly destination.

The Multnomah County Library has summer promotions to encourage reading and writing.

The Teen Writing contest is open to students in grades 6 – 12. To enter, write your best prose or poetry (under five pages, in English) and submit it. Entries will be received until July 31, 2008 (or until there are 100 submissions, whichever comes first.) For submission information, check the library website.

For adults, the library is holding a Read 4 Life promotion. Here's how it works:

• Pick up a Read 4 Life card at any Multnomah County Library.
• Read or listen to 4–6 books
• Complete the Read 4 Life card and return it to any Multnomah County Library by August 31, 2008. All entries will be eligible to win McMenamins gift certificate and the grand prize of a stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon.

  Hint: If you can, stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel this summer. The rooms are all literary themed and it's right on the ocean.

Good news for day laborers in our city: Now there's an official location to gather and find work: at the corner of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and and Everett Street. Those looking for work as well as those who need help can utilize the site.

To keep things fair, workers are chosen through a lottery system. The site is open from 6 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday, and when it's fully operational, there will be large tent for shade, with donated coffee and bread.

Not surprisingly, the center is controversial, begging the question: Is Portland promoting the exploitation of an illegal workforce? What do you think?

OK, so maybe we're not going car-free anytime soon, but the Towards Carfree Cities conference is happening this week in Portland: June 16-20, 2008 at various venues around town.

To sum up the goal of the event: "The conference program unites diverse interests, from city planners to developers to environmental activists to transportation service providers, around the common goal of reducing communities’ dependence on automobiles."

Events include an art exhibit and a "Depaving Day," where a parking lot will be turned into a space for community gardens and sitting areas.

Find out more about the Towards Carfree Cities conference.

The doughnut shop made famous by putting such ingredients as Pepto Bismol and Captain Crunch inside (or on top of) their fried creations has expanded. In addition to their original store at 22 SW 3rd Avenue in downtown, you can now get sugared up at the new Voodoo Doughnuts location at 1501 NE Davis (Davis and Sandy). Need a doughnut delivery service? Call 'em at 503.241.4704.