Oregon Faith Report asked readers, “Who do you think could use some extra thankfulness from fellow Oregonians this Thanksgiving?” Survey results showed almost half felt the greatest recipients should be soldiers. No one placed a vote for volunteers, but in many cases volunteers are among all [...]
by Jessica Nelson
Oregon Employment Department
The number of working poor in the United States increased slightly between 2006 and 2007. The working poor are individuals who were in the labor force for at least 27 weeks during the year, but still had incomes below the official poverty [...]
National Association of Wheat Growers and other agricultural organizations are urging consumers to add farmers and American agriculture to the lists of things they are thankful for when tallying up their blessings over turkey and pie. The national celebration of plenty is also a reminder [...]
HealthDay News — The holiday season means you’ll be faced with a seemingly endless buffet of food temptation. While some people simply give in and eat too much, others deny themselves any holiday treats.But there are ways to navigate between overindulgence and deprivation, according to Julie [...]
By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting,
This recession has shaken people up, but what will be the lasting effects on consumer behavior? That’s one of the key questions as we look forward at the nature of the recovery. I’ve been arguing for a “return to normalcy,” in which people [...]
By Wayne Loder, The Compassionate Friends
With the holidays upon us, families that have suffered the tragic loss of a child are often trying to figure out how they can simply survive the season. Unfortunately, those very people who most care about them, relatives and close friends, [...]
By American Farm Bureau Federation,
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 12, 2009 – Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 24th annual [...]
By Olivia Rossi, RN, MSN, ACSM
Your Personal Trainer
There’s an ache in the air of autumn. It’s called nostalgia. Nostalgia means “to return home,” home to memories, to the old days, to the longings of times past, some happy, some sad but all about life. For [...]
Oregonian, Emily Somers created and directed this fantastic breast cancer awareness fundraiser video called the Pink Glove Dance. Medline features these pink gloves so that health care providers can show their support and Medline itself donates portions of each box sold to breast cancer awareness. The video is an additional [...]
Miller Nash LLP
Oregon and Washington Law Firm
Measure 49 was passed into law almost two years ago. The litigation resulting from Measure 49 has been minor compared to that which resulted from Measure 37, although several potentially significant cases are still pending. The Department of [...]
The latest consumer products that are being caught up in the regulatory spotlight are flat screen TVs, rum, and raw oysters.
Flat screen TVs
In California, the California Energy Commission (CEC) is considering new efficiency standards for television screens smaller than 58 inches. If adopted, TVs sold [...]
Georgene Rice of KPDQ-FM interview with the Oregon Moms in Touch State Coordinator, Karen Ables, and Prison Facilitator, Valerie Eaton
Background: The Moms in Touch organization celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year at over 1000 sites worldwide, including 19 host sites in Oregon. The theme of [...]
Washington Domestic Partnership Law Impacts Employee Benefits and Family Leave
by Dennis Westlind
Stoel Rives LLP, Attorneys at Law
Washington voters recently approved Referendum 71, giving registered domestic partners all of the rights and responsibilities of married couples under Washington state law. Prior domestic partnership [...]
Oregon Women’s Report Survey Results, when presented with three recent events.
Comments:
- Wow. That’s a tough one though!
- No excuse for the pilots llack of attention
- All three are horrible situations. #1 is flat out child abuse, #2 puts thousands in danger, and [...]
BEIJING, Nov. 18 /Christian Newswire/ — At 10:13 AM (Beijing time), nearly 200 nervous-looking Public Security officials seized two Chinese human rights lawyers outside the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, who were trying to establish a meeting with President Obama before the end of his visit to China. Five human rights [...]
By American Farm Bureau Federation
AFBF applauds Senate delay of Climate Change Bill
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman applauded the decision by Senate leaders to delay consideration of climate change legislation until the spring of 2010. “This move offers a great opportunity for lawmakers to [...]
By Kylene Fickenscher
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Stephanie Stano, founder of Recycle Your Mat, and Zenana Rose of Zenana Spa are developing successful businesses within a specific niche market. By delivering innovative ideas to an untapped market, and supplementing their products with strong connections to the community, these [...]
New Web site provides economic data about the importance of anglers, hunters and wildlife viewers to Oregon’s counties
By Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Salem, Ore.— A new interactive Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Web site offers a county-level view of the $2.5 billion spent in Oregon by fishing, [...]
Barran Liebman LLP
Oregon Law Firm,
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, the Senate released its take on health care reform through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. While in some ways similar to the recent House bill, the Senate bill reflects some key differences of [...]
Family-Faith Review: The Twilight Saga - New Moon
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting,
The Twilight Saga: New Moon—Lovelorn gothic romance sequel in which a well-mannered vampire (Robert Pattinson), anxious to protect the mortal high school student (Kristen Stewart) who has captured his heart [...]
HealthDay News — When a U.S. government task force recommended that women wait until they’re 50 to get their first mammogram to check for breast cancer, reaction was swift. Critics such as the American Cancer Society vowed to stand by its advice that annual screening begin [...]
By National Association of Wheat Growers,
NAWG, U.S. Wheat Associates and other agricultural organizations are urging growers to contact their Members of Congress about the importance of passing legislation to ease trade restrictions with Cuba. Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) will be introducing legislation with Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), [...]
Faith and Family Film Review: The Blind Side,
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting.
The Blind Side —Inspirational family drama, based on real events, in which a wealthy white couple (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) in Memphis, Tenn., offer shelter to a homeless black [...]
Washington, D.C. – A new report based on a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press finds that more than eight years after former President George [...]
by Sandy
Reluctant Entertainer
Medford, Oregon
How many times, over and over, do we head to the grocery store – just like we do laundry, dishes, cook meals, and make the beds! Rarely do I look forward to going. I think the only times are if [...]
Oregon congressional members, Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkely and Peter DeFazio recently sent a letter to the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture seeking a moratorium on mining in the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area. The letter follows a similar one sent last month by Oregon Governor, Ted Kulongoski.
The [...]
From Regional Multiple Listing Service
Sales activity continued to outpace levels from the same month last year in the latest RMLS™ Market Action report. Inventory was also down in several areas, including Lane County, Portland and Clark County.
Both pending and closed sales increased in 9 out [...]
By Traci Scott,
Oregon Faith Reporter,
A provocative new book, “Onward Christian Athletes: Turning Ballparks Into Pulpits and Players Into Preachers” examines how conservative, evangelical Christianity has become increasingly prominent in the professional sports world. The book was written by Tom Krattenmaker, a Portland-based writer specializing in [...]
By Oregon Small Business Association,
Although Oregon’s nearly 400 commercial wineries are generally pleased with this year’s robust harvest, a combination of economic and other added factors may spoil the season for the state’s $1 billion wine industry.
The lingering economic recession, combined with sagging consumer demand, continued [...]
More Housework for Husbands Leads to Sparks in the Bedroom
By Traci Scott,
Husbands have long known they can boost their chances of having sex with their wives if they bring home roses and chocolates. But according to recent studies, husbands are more likely to ensure a [...]
José Pinomesa, Chairman
Oregon Independent Auto Dealers Association
It is now November and the sale of vehicles has slowed down quite a bit. I have always said that those with money will always buy what they want when they want. The problem we have now [...]
Dr. Eric Fruits,
Econinternational
Oregon’s legislators are quick to complain that they had to find $2 billion in state budget cuts in the last legislative session. These complaints are a bit disingenuous when, in fact, as the figure above shows, the legislatively approved budget has [...]
Climate rally draws hundreds in Portland
By Ecumenical Minisitries of Oregon,
Today over 1,000 Portlanders gathered in Pioneer Courthouse Square joined people in 181 countries to mark the International Day of Climate Action at the Oregon 350 Climate Action Rally to call for quick action on [...]
By Erika Weisense
Milwaukie Writing mom,
Since first introduced in 2001, Apple’s iPod has taken the world by storm, occupying a huge share of the portable music device market. As an iPod owner myself, I can attest to this modern Walkman’s wonderful qualities: It is amazing to [...]
Oregon, Washington combine for three-country trade mission
Oregon Department of Agriculture,
Pacific Northwest potatoes will be the main course of a 10-day trade mission to Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong that includes the top agriculture officials in Oregon and Washington among delegation members. The promotion [...]
Mission Network News Reports,
“Religious freedom advocates are pleased following President Barak Obama’s visit with Chinese President Hu Jintao, who spoke out about the need for religious freedom in China. President Obama also emphasized the importance of freedom of information in a question-and-answer session with college [...]
One story that has been gaining more and more traction in the media lately is how the Obama administration is inflating their number of jobs "created or saved." In particular, the data on the recovery.gov site has shown things such as millions of dollars going to congressional districts that [...]
New Oregon law has ramifications for employers
By Matt Lowe,
Odonnell and Clark and Crew,
Portland law firm
Do you have, or do you know of, an employee who always seems to complain about company policies and how those policies violate the employee’s “right” of free [...]
By Braxton Alsop,
New Wineskins Blog, Oregon
The plot of the film version of Where the Wild Things Are is as simple as it is brilliant. Feeling neglected and ignored by his older sister and mother, Max lashes out and, when his mom yells at him [...]
County re-shaped by tourism, environmental restrictions and sinking timber industry
By Gene Whisnant,
State Representative
Deschutes County has beautiful and plentiful natural resources which are unmatched by most counties in the US. Our snow covered mountains, forests, and pristine streams provide recreational opportunities which all enjoy [...]
What BB King told women at the recent Portland concert
Guest opinion,
At age 84, Blues legend B.B. King toured in Oregon last week, and came with a message. In the middle of the blues concert he stopped playing and addressed the audience. To paraphrase what the [...]
ALBANY GA — Nov. 15, 2009 — Sherwood Church, home of the hit independent movies FLYWHEEL (DVD only), FACING THE GIANTS, and FIREPROOF (2008’s top indie film), at its Sunday evening service tonight, announced the theme and title for Sherwood Pictures’ fourth movie. Senior Pastor Michael [...]
By Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,
SALEM, Ore.—The Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover, a small shorebird which is listed as threatened under both federal and state Endangered Species Acts, appears to be responding to recovery efforts in Oregon but remains vulnerable according [...]
Oregon Faith Report Reader Survey,
Join the discussion, 8 new faith questions can be answered here.
1. In the Fort Hood base shooting what is your leading concern? (A) A rush to judgment or unfair blaming religion for a single person’s act. (B) The Army is not addressing combat stress, [...]
By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting
I’ve updated my economic forecast for 2010. Here’s a chart showing quarterly growth rates:
Key features: consumer spending on durables dips this quarter (after cash-for-clunkers), then grows at a pace that mixes conservative attitudes with pent-up demand and limited [...]
By John Hart,
American Federation Farm Bureau,
Not every legal dispute merits the attention of the U.S. Supreme Court. Only the most serious and far reaching issues tend to make it to the highest court in the land. A case that should be considered is [...]
International Christian Medical Conference under the Theme “Spirituality and Medicines” Brought 400 Doctors from 30 Nations
The 6th International Christian Medical Conference was held at President Hotel on October 30 and 31, 2009 under the auspices of Ukraine Organizing Committee of WCDN (World Christian Doctors Network), whose [...]
More than 417,000 New Jobs Needed in Oregon To Revive and Grow the Economy
U.S. Chamber’s Campaign for Free Enterprise Travels to the Northwest
PORTLAND, OR—Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign traveled to Oregon to engage local business leaders in an ongoing effort to [...]
CareerBuilder Survey Reveals the Most Unusual Requests or Suggestions Hiring Managers Received
CHICAGO, November 11, 2009 - Hiring managers nationwide took some time to bring levity to the workplace in a new CareerBuilder survey. More than 2,900 shared the most memorable requests or recommendations they have received in the office suggestion [...]
Family-Faith Film Review: 2012
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting
2012—In the disaster movie to end all fiasco flicks, a doomsday cataclysm results in billions losing their lives as the earth’s crust breaks apart, dismantling civilization and rearranging the continents. Director Roland Emmerich gives his [...]
Toymaker, Playskool, is pushing their giant size dinosaur as the perfect gift for your child this Christmas. Only $250.00! It is big enough that you can sit on it. It also plays music (at $250.00 it better do something extra!).
I have to ask myself just [...]
Family-Faith Film Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting
Fantastic Mr. Fox —Droll stop-motion animated adventure, set in the animal world of rural Britain, in which the titular vulpine creature (voice of George Clooney), now a respectable newspaper columnist with a wife [...]
By Patrick Emerson
Oregon Economics Blog
The Oregonian reports on Portland having received a rating as one of the safest walking cities in America—Portland was #9. But is it really a safe walking city?
The methodology is seriously flawed. It is clearly designed to make a [...]
Oregon State University Extension Service, Seed Laboratory
The Oregon State University Seed Laboratory is the official seed laboratory of the state of Oregon. Twenty-two permanent staff and 10 to 20 seasonal employees serve thousands of customers in Oregon and beyond. “Up [...]
HealthDay News– When it comes to teaching healthy behaviors, boys’ high school team sports might be doing more harm than thought. New research suggests that for teenage boys, participation in team sports may encourage unruly behavior such as fighting and binge drinking.
Girls, on the other hand, [...]
Question of the Week:
By Randy Alcorn
Eternal Perspectives Ministries
Sandy Oregon
Do you believe in guardian angels? Do we each have one?
Because references to “guardian angels” are now part of the modern angel preoccupation, it’s possible to throw out the baby with the bathwater. [...]
United States Using Less Water than 35 Years Ago
Assistant Secretary Castle Gives Atlantic Water Summit Keynote Address
WASHINGTON, D.C.–The United States is using less water than during the peak years of 1975 and 1980, according to water use estimates for 2005. Despite a 30 percent population [...]
Below is a moving newsletter article by Oregonian Rick Johnson who runs Better Dads ministries. He was invited to speak at a men’s conference in Canada and came away changed himself.
By Rick Johnson, Oregon
Better Dads.net Ministries
The Promise Keepers Game Day 2009 [...]
Mark Burles
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Public Affairs , Seattle
I think the biggest decision the Obama Administration confronts in preparing for his upcoming visit to China is not what issues to raise with his hosts, but how to raise them.
Addressing the key topics first, [...]
By Kay Helbling
Did you know that the local and state police in Oregon are using a new laser technology to ticket tailgaters? A fellow client of my hair dresser found out the hard way after a recent trip down Hwy 217.
A lot of things change over [...]
Polls show recession not over, and publis wants business to help not government
From Oregon Small Business Association,
82% of Americans think the recession is not over
62% said business will play a larger role in helping the economy recovery than government
45% rated the economy as [...]
By Erika Weisensee
Milwaukie writing mom
According to the website www.flu.oregon.gov — the site to visit for the latest H1N1 information — as of November 6th, Oregon had received only 17% of the vaccines needed for its priority groups.
Those priority groups include: Everyone six months to 25 [...]
Grants for Innovative Projects will Harness Oregon’s Resources
Press Release of Senator Ron Wyden
Washington, D.C. – Continuing efforts to advance alternative energy resources and break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced nearly $40 [...]
Medical Teams International Joins Trailblazers In Helping Homeless
By Medical Teams International,
(PORTLAND, Ore. Nov. 6, 2009) — Medical Teams International successfully held its largest, one-day mobile dental clinic yesterday at the Rose Garden in Portland. In support of the Portland Trailblazers’ 14th Annual Harvest [...]
Portland & Keizer eyeballing additional telecom taxes without public vote
By Pac-Tech Alliance,
Both citing declining revenue from traditional wireline taxes the cities of Portland and Keizer have announced they are considering additional taxes on wireless telecommunications and other utilities without a public vote (even though [...]
Olivia Rossi, RN, MSN, ACSM
Your Personal Trainer:
The Great American Smokeout—Thursday, November 19: A Day to Start to Stop Smoking—For you, a friend or a family member—This is the day.
Each year, the American Cancer Society holds the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November. [...]
From PBS Religion and Ethics Deborah Potter,
Christian Fuhrer became pastor here in 1980, when the world outside the church was divided by the Cold War and Germany was split in two, most visibly by the wall the East German government built in Berlin in 1961. The Communist state was [...]
Lumber industry sees hopeful signs of slow recovery starting in 2010
By Western Wood Products,
PORTLAND, Ore. – Western sawmills, mired in historic lows in housing and lumber demand, should see signs of a recovery in 2010 after five straight years of losses, according [...]
By Traci Scot, Oregon Faith Reporter
It was mixed results for two highly-touted gay-rights measures in states on opposite ends of the country.
In Washington, voters approved Referendum 71, also referred to as the “everything but marriage” law, which expands rights for domestic partners. It was the first [...]
The OSU Socratic Club will sponsor a debate on the topic, “Euthanasia: A Good Death?” on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. in Gilfillan Auditorium on the OSU campus. The speakers are Jerome Wernow and Lani Roberts.
Euthanasia poses a moral dilemma that stands at the forefront of contemporary discussion [...]
Written by William A. Van Vactor
Miller Nash Law Firm,
Introduction
In 2005, recognizing that Oregon’s land use system needed to be updated to reflect current times, Governor Ted Kulongoski and the Oregon legislature created the Big Look Task Force to review Oregon’s land use planning [...]
Oregon Muslim, Evan Wicks, interview on KATU-TV: “Islam condemns something like this under any circumstances. I understand their anger, but they’re angry at something they don’t understand, Not all Muslims believe the same and my interpretation of Islam is under no circumstances, under no pretenses, [...]
Sharon Lacey,
Portland comedian
A funny thing happened on the road to dementia Part 4
May I take a few moments to vent? Nothing major, but these things just annoy me ….
• Starbucks: May I please just order a SMALL, MEDIUM, or LARGE? Do I really [...]
Oregon Court of Appeals Upholds Claim of Negligent Failure to Investigate
by P.K. Runkles-Pearson
Stoel Rives LLP, Attorneys at Law
In Steele v. Mayoral et al., the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that a plaintiff could take to the jury her claim that her [...]
CINCINNATI, Ohio, — By all accounts, the murdered Catholic Nun in New Mexico was worried about crime and her safety; she was killed on October 31st and her killer(s) are still at large. “It is very sad to see another incident occur in the Christian community [...]
NCBA Member Testifies During Congressional Estate Tax Hearing
By National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
WASHINGTON (Nov. 4, 2009) –Arthur Uhl, member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and chairman of NCBA’s Tax and Credit Committee, testified today during a U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee [...]
Latest Wells Fargo survey: expectations for increased revenues improve small business owner optimism
Outlook also better for capital spending and credit availability
From Wells Fargo Bank,
Optimism among small business owners improved during October, driven by improved outlook for revenue, capital spending and hiring, according to the latest results [...]
Faith-Family Film Rview: A Christmas Carol
by Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting
A Christmas Carol—Lavish, well-crafted but frequently eerie 3-D animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic 1843 novella in which miserly misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge (voice of Jim Carrey) is urged to change his ways by [...]
FRIDAY, Nov. 6 (HealthDay News) — If an inept or abrasive boss is ruining your workday, you may be taking that stress to heart, literally. New research links having a poor supervisor to a higher risk of heart attack, and that’s not all: people who don’t [...]
Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding Ballot Measure Victories In Ohio and Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 2009 – “Our congratulations go out to the Ohio and Texas Farm Bureaus this morning for the leadership roles they played in important and meaningful victories [...]
Faith and Family Film Review: The Men Who Stare at Goats
By Catholic Office of Film and Broadcasting
The Men Who Stare at Goats—Fact-based satire, set during the early stages of the Iraq War, in which an eccentric military veteran (George Clooney) regales a reporter [...]
From Curt Kipp,
Digger Blog
Oregon Association of Nurseries
The consortium looking into this is called Comprehensive Automation for Specialty Crops (CASC), and has a Web site at www.cascrop.com. Here’s a video on the subject from Washington State University:
Survey conducted by the Oregon Community Foundation
Challenged by the recession, survey results show that nonprofits must take steps to contain costs and continue to serve their communities. In 2009, private donations have decreased by 50% while the demand for services has increased 12%.
The Oregon Community [...]
By Jean Tracy, NW Author
KidsDiscuss.com, Parent Newsletter
Do your children avoid homework? Would they rather relax and watch television?
Many families rush to sports, music lessons, and other appointments. When there are too many daily events the family feels scattered, out of touch with [...]
Question of the Week:
By Randy Alcorn
Eternal Perspectives Ministries
Sandy Oregon
Do you believe that everyone should live modestly? (Would that be $30,000 per year, or $50,000, or $100,000, or…?) How do you measure this? Should everyone have the same amount, or are some called [...]
By Oregon Tax News,
The federal government spends about the same amount of money funding environmental lawyers as it does to protect endangered species according to an investigation conducted by a Wyoming lawyer who defends farmers and ranchers involved in environmental lawsuits.
According to the Capital Press, [...]
By Tim Duy,
Oregon Economic Forum
Index highlights:
• The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators rose 0.1 percent in September to 84.4 from a revised August figure of 84.3. The behavior of the Index remains consistent with an imminent end to the recession [...]
Cancer awareness has become so popular the cause has become a novelty. Is this good or bad? Some say promotions have gone so far they show disrespect in making light of the cause. Others say it draws important attention to the still very serious [...]
Respect Life is theme of the Tobin Lecture
Portland Archdiocese,
Respect for life will be the theme for this year’s Tobin Lecture on Saturday, November 14 at All Saints Church (3847 NE Glisan) in Portland. The program will run from 9:30 am until noon. Keynote speaker [...]
HealthDay News– Want to be a happy married couple? Consider having kids. A new study found that having children boosts happiness. And the more, literally, the merrier. But unmarried couples shouldn’t expect to find greater happiness through child-raising. The study, published in the Oct. 14 online [...]
The makers of the popular hit independent movies, Facing the Giants and Fireproof, are slowly announcing their fourth film. Fireproof went on to make $33 million at the box office.
Christian Today reports, “Movie-making church ministry Sherwood Pictures will be announcing the title and story line of its next movie [...]
Dr. Eric Fruits,
Econinternational Blog
The Oregonian reports that Oregon state officials deliberately underestimated the cost the governor’s tax credit scheme to attract “green” companies and to encourage “green” projects. The Business Energy Tax Credits (BETC) are huge give-aways: Enterprises that don’t pay taxes (like [...]
Land Swap Proposed for Old Rajneeshee Commune
By Oregon Faith Report,
A Christian-based summer camp run by Young Life is working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on a land swap that incorporates a former site of the Rajneeshee commune. The land exchange is part of [...]
