Portland: This is Radio Free BGB

Our fan base (hi Mom and Dad) has noticed and complained that the blogs are falling further and further behind. So in an effort to remedy this situation, it was agreed that Portland should be blogged in one entry. A mighty challenge given the number of events we had in that city. But never fear, your hardly loquacious, not-even-close-to-an-English-major blogger stepped up to the plate. Here goes:

“We’ve been looking forward to your visit all summer,” Colleen’s mom told us when we arrived at the Wearn household in Portland late Tuesday evening. “Me too,” my stomach agreed as I chowed down on the feast of Mexican lasagna spread before us. A delicious breakfast spread the next morning (and the following two mornings) confirmed my tummy’s inner monologue. After the bussers were sufficiently fueled up, (with food, not veggie oil), we headed to the McCall waterfront for first of our many Portland events. A fairly uneventful morning, but we were pleased to meet many of Colleen’s friends and father’s coworkers. The afternoon saw the bus parked in front of OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), where we met lots of very curious kids and parents. Many thanks to OMSI not only for providing us with a great parking spot, but also for the passes to BodyWorld3, which we oohed, aawed, and eewed at after we finished presenting.


Another day, another great breakfast later, we were back on the streets, spreading the word about sustainability and alternative energy. A chance meeting in the neighborhood lead to a invitation to come visit the Nike headquarters and be guests on the company’s in-house radio program: KAOS: Radio Free Nike. While the rest of the crew sat around eating doughnuts, Whitney chatted up Nike’s sustainability team on the air. Following the show, we got a tour and learned about some the company’s responsible fabrics and products. We then got to see some of those products and buy them at the employee store (I like to think making purchases as practicing what we preach, though that may be a stretch). More learning ensued at the Portland Office of Sustainable Development as our guide Mike showed us around their Gold LEED certified building. Next stop was a farmer’s market, where we again parked the bus and tabled. To end the day, we joined a group of Portlanders with alternative fuel vehicles for a parade around the downtown. The parade ended on Marshall Street, where we showed our bus off to the crowds out for First Thursday (a monthly street and gallery art exhibition).

Thus ended two days of fun in Portland. To the Wearn family: Thank you very much for your gracious hosting. Your porch is definitely vying for the top spot on my “best places to sleep while driving a big green bus around the country” list. To Colleen (who left us to start her job in Hanover): We miss you already. Good luck!

Hayley and the curious crowds at OMSI

Radio Free Whitney

-esther

fact-o-the-day: Nike's new brand, "Considered", aims to create sustainable products. All Nike footwear is created with a Sustainability Index to move toward eliminating waste and toxic substances.