Home Design & Remodel Fair discussed on KUOW

Did you happen to hear Roger Faris singing the praises of our Well-Home Program (which he started) on KUOW's Weekday program yesterday?

He was marvelous! He & Marcie Sillman even mentioned our upcoming Home Design & Remodel Fair!

If you missed it you can download an mp3 of the entire podcast here. A full list of KUOW podcasts is here. Roger comes on after the first break at about 15 minutes in and the Home Fair discussion begins at about 47 minutes.

Thanks so much to Roger, Marcie & KUOW! We could not have asked for a better mention!

The Home Design & Remodel Fair will be at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


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The PNA and the Living Building Challenge

The PNA was mentioned recently in Portland's Daily Journal of Commerce regarding our goal of reaching the standards of the Living Building Challenge.

You can read more about what we're doing here.

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PNA Facebook Group Forming

If you're on Facebook, take a look at the new Phinney Neighborhood Association group. You don't even need to be a PNA member to join! Today you even get to see a Sneak Preview of the February Membership Newsletter that will go out to members only by snailmail and email in the next day or two.

As a matter of fact Judith Wood, PNA Volunteer Coordinator, just gave me this interesting tidbit to add to the electronic version of the newsletter:

"In 2008 the PNA recorded a total of 25,725 hours given by 1,067 volunteers."

This is truly amazing! Thanks to all involved!

Blatant pitch for email newsletter signups: The above detail about the volunteers, and some other items are not in the paper version because there just isn't room. If you STILL get the old-fashioned, tree killing, version (on paper) of the the newsletter PLEASE consider SWITCHING TO THE EMAIL VERSION ASAP! It also saves us lots of money which can be put to better use in these difficult times. To make the switch email chardell@phinneycenter.org!


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Time for a change

This morning we tumbled out of bed, slammed our feet into shoes and ran for the car pulling on our coats. The inauguration of President Barack Obama had begun and we were late for the breakfast party at the Neighborhood Center. We arrived, found a seat near some friends and watched as the Vice President took his oath of office.

Finally Barack Obama took his oath and the room went silent to hear his inaugural address.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things….”

And a young voice filled the quiet room “Change. Change!”

I picked up my son and the diaper bag and headed to the nearest restroom.

-Photo by Cheryl K.

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PNA Arts Spotlight

The PNA is fortunate to count a teaching artist among its staff. Jeanne Dodds, a working artist, focuses her own art on scientific illustration. However, she also has a passion for teaching and has been an artist-in residence for many local area schools. At the PNA, Jeanne has taken on the roll as Arts Coordinator and looks forward to sharing her excitement about the Arts with the community.

One way community members can get involved is to join the Arts Committee, which meets a few times a year. Currently there are five to ten active committee members who gather in June to select a years worth of art to be shown in the PNA gallery. Artists not currently associated with a commercial gallery are encouraged to submit a portfolio of their work that is then included in the pool from which committee members choose art to be displayed at the PNA.

Additional calls for art reflecting Earth Day, Dia de Los Muertos, and the Northwest Fine Arts Competition are announced by the PNA throughout the year.

Jeanne recognizes that the potential of the art gallery within the PNA has barely been tapped. First Friday evening openings occur monthly for gallery shows as well as fourth Friday evening celebrations highlighting performance art and the spoken word.

“I want to do more outreach relating to the exhibits,” enthuses Jeanne. She hopes to offer classes relating to the monthly exhibits for both children and adults. Her goal is to make art more accessible for the entire Phinney Community.

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