http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/index.php Portland and surrounding area community news and information http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886589594790300 For devout sustainability folks, there may be something a little troubling about the idea of chopping down a tree once a year just to cover it with lights and decorations to beautify your living room. But fret not: most environmentalists say you shouldn’t feel any more guilty about chopping ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886587138624300 sIs there anyone out there who isn’t trying to rein in holiday spending this year? Crafting or purchasing handmade gifts can make cutting costs feel like a good thing rather than a burden. Several local studios offer make-your-own-gift classes if you need help that doesn’t come from a ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886581900175000 Of all the reasons for hating Portland’s supposedly green parking ticket dispensers, consider this one: Each year, they produce more than 9 million pieces of little sticky-backed paper that clutter the floors of cars before they finally are disposed of — in the trash. You probably ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886572976604100 Randy White may be a radical, but he can still speak the language of business. A former corporate software expert, he represents the considerable brainpower behind a new “community relocalization computer application,” boardroom argot if ever it existed. On the other hand, the new ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886575181467500 Can the mantra of sustainability overcome the financial problems caused by the growing recession? Local developer Daniel Deutsch thinks so — especially in Portland, where sustainability is a value shared by many different kinds of businesses. Deutsch is spending millions of dollars to ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886577322494600 Dave Thompson loves his electric cars. The Southeast Portland resident owns a used Global Electric Motorcar that he bought on eBay several years ago. Built by Chrysler primarily for retirement communities, Thompson says the so-called GEM car is the answer to high gas prices. He drives it all over ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122955487327869100 Jody Wiser is tilting at windmills. While other Portland greenies and politicians are going gaga for wind power, the former Irvington Elementary School teacher argues the state is throwing away tax breaks to lure windmills that provide few permanent jobs and would locate here anyway. “This ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122955478461859800 Mayor-elect Sam Adams believes Portland is the wind power center of America – and he wants to commit $12.5 million in city funds to prove the point. Adams wants to loan the money to Vestas-American Wind Technology Inc., the largest wind turbine manufacturing company in the country, to help ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886584594369600 FARMERS MARKETS • Portland Farmers Market We’re down to the final two markets of the year. Dec. 20 is a special solstice market with seasonal carolers and special hot drinks. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 South Park Blocks between Montgomery and Harrison ... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=122886579354434600 Most kids aren’t exactly health food nuts. Students at Portland Public Schools are no different. They love pizza. They hate beets. But Kristy Obbink, director of nutrition services at PPS, says that the district’s Harvest of the Month and Local Lunch programs, which put farm-fresh ...