Portland Notes: April 24, 2007

I just returned from a trip to San Diego. Apart from a few footnotes of nice places, it lacks much of the uniqueness of businesses which makes our town so great. I’m definitely happy to be a Portlander for almost two years running now! And now Portland Notes:

• Portland’s big annual literary festival – known as Wordstock – has put out a call for writers for a first time short fiction competition. The winner receives a first prize of $1,000 and publication in the December 2007 issue of Portland Monthly magazine. The deadline is July 15 and the festival this year is Nov. 9-11. 
• You ever wonder what it’s like to bike some of Portland’s tougher climbs? Check out this OregonLive entry for more details and a YouTube video made by some guys who recently climbed hills around town, some of which had grades of 20 percent. Oh My!
• Our city’s finances are looking up – so much so that there’s $2.9 billion available to fund various projects.
• Portland is in the top 10 U.S. cities making the best use of renewable energy in city operations, coming in at number 3.
• Congratulations to the Avalon Spa at The Avalon Hotel for getting top spa honors from the Mobil Travel Guide.
• ShermansTravel.com, a travel information Web site, has rated Portland one of their top ten underrated U.S. cities which are “oft-overlooked by even the savviest of travelers.”