In the Pacific Northwest we’re used to heavy rain and all that it entails. But the recent rains have led to a level of flooding and hardship that people are calling a “100 Year Event”. I most recently heard people talking about this at Breitenbush where I spent new years and learned that two of the newly built bridges that span trails there had been washed out. Next up have been the January rains which have led to roads washing out, peoples’ houses being flooded and lots of landslides. Some towns like Vernonia, Oregon, seem to be having repeat flood events and the recent news is of thousands having to leave homes around the state, car accidents and lots of property damage.

My main question is “is this global climate change and its effects?” If so, are those who are calling this a “100 year event” actually missing the possibility that this may be how life here will continue to be from now on – rainy, with more and more rain and displacement.

I’ve long been following demographic trends around population growth and have been making the connection between our increased numbers and our effect on the environment. More pollution, species loss, rapid glacier melt, and running out of resources like oil have all been shown to be happening on an upward trend for years. What is less obvious is how all of this effects our world in places like Oregon, where we’re in a situation like the frog in the slowly heating water – we probably won’t change what we’re doing until the heat is turned way up, otherwise, the frog, in this scenario slowly boils and dies. Now, with the current rain, we have a warning sign that can’t be ignored.

Will we be smart and move towards actions that will slow global climate change or will we continue to adjust to its adverse effects and grin and bear it? Some smart moves that I think Oregonians could take that might increase our chances of experiencing a better future would be to plant trees and stop clear-cutting the ones we have. This would improve our (and the rest of the world’s) air quality, help control storm water and erosion problems and keep hillsides from sliding. I also think it would make sense for there to be some sort of program to move people out of floodplains and onto higher ground.

If there’s a chance that this year’s rains might repeat regularly what other moves should we as a society consider to avoid the high costs of the damage and to keep us all safe and dry? I’m sure there are hundreds. Should we be removing any extra pavement that exists as the group Depave works to do? Should we be planting millions of fruit and nut trees to make ourselves more food self-reliant and cut down on shipping costs of food? Are millions of new community and backyard gardens in our future? I’d love to see a state-wide or bioregion-wide analysis done of how we currently use our land and other resources and plug in possible weather events into the equation. I’m sure that would shed light on how prepared we will be for any future contingencies.

Will we learn from the current weather event? I suggest we treat it not like a “100 year event” but plan for the possibility that it may happen again next week, and next year. Let’s plan for the future not be run over by it.

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I posted this article on Daily Kos and there have been 100+ comments in one day. It’s a very interesting discussion of this topic. I highly recommend giving it a read – some very cool analysis, ideas, links and videos on the topic.

1. Saturday, January 28th – house concert with Jonah Matranga from California.  8pm – $10-ish donation-style, good times for all. Hear Jonah’s music @

• http://jonahmatranga.com/yard-sale
• http://facebook.com/jonahmusic
  http://youtube.com/jonahmatrangadotcom

2. Monday, February 20th, 7:30pm.  Mother: Caring for the 7 Billion – showing at the Hollywood Theater with discussion about film.  - Free - http://motherthefilm.com

3. Saturday/Sunday March 3-4 10am-5pm – SE Artwalk – Wileyware (earrings, glassware, candleholders, buttons and Marcia Wiley in person!) showing at KORU House, 1704 SE 22nd, More information about the art walk at http://www.seportlandartwalk.com/

4. Saturday, March 10th, 8:30am-1pm – Friends of Trees Tree planting – Irvington.  Meet at Holliday Park Church of God at 21st and Tillamook, NE.  Music by the Ten Spiders, bring blank t-shirts and tote bags for silk-screening.  Breakfast and lunch provided – and are usually both very hearty! More info at http://albertideation.com/2011/10/21/irvington-friends-of-trees-2012-planting-coming-soon/

4. Saturday, March 25th, 7pm – House Concert with Dana Lyons at the Happy Clam, 7pm  Also featuring discussion by local anti-corporate activist Paul Cienfuegos

Hope your Winter is going well!  Stay warm and dry!

Albert 

Blueoregon also has a presence on Facebook.  Why am I writing like Ernest Hemingway? Perhaps, too much Moon Over Paris…

A great resource for media/political/social science jobs in Portland is Mac’s List

Happy Holidays – here’s a little musical holiday gift from me to you:

For starters, right now I’m listening to a special feed from Folkalley.com – a great folk music station that I listen to, often. Their regular stream is great and the holiday stream is lovely, too.  I grew up listening to folk music and this station reminds me of a program we listened to on Sunday nights called “Music You Can’t Hear on the Radio”.

 http://www.folkalley.com/holiday/

Jazz: my favorite jazz station is KMHD. It’s a Portland, Oregon station, and they stream on the web, too.  One of the best radio stations in the world.  I particularly enjoy the Divaville show!

Grateful Dead and Jam Bands: nugs.net!  As a card-carrying Deadhead (first show Philly’s Spectrum in 1976!) this station fills my need for the latest and past gems of the Jam-Band world. Click on the Free Stream on the top right of the site.

Groove Salad!

Groove: electronica/trance – Groove Salad on SomaFM.  Thanks to Alex Kain for turning me onto GrooveSalad over 6 years ago.  It’s a station I turn to whenever I want a delicious mix of groovy beats and electronica.

Radio Paradise. This station is an eclectic mix of rock n’ roll, upbeat folk-rock and everything else good in those worlds. I love the people involved who are always giving away tickets to Costa Rica and sound like they’re on a happy cloud, generally.

Last, but not least, a quick mention of Spotify which we play in our office (either that or Pandora). I’ve just recently gotten turned onto Spotify, but it’s like having all of the world’s music loaded into your iTunes at once. You can search for any artist and generally find something. You can also search for a specific song (something you can’t do on Pandora..) and make your own set lists and do more research-oriented listening. If you pay their monthly fee, there are no commercial interruptions (or, you can be clever and download Mutify (PC), or Smutify (MAC), to mute the commercials). It’s an incredible resource if you’re interested in expanding your musical horizons and hearing and sharing what you find.

I wish you a fantastic musical holiday season.

Peace,

Albert Kaufman

For a comparison between different email marketing programs, click here.

I took part in a show with Jim Lockhart and Richard Carpenter recently to discuss population growth and other environmental issues.  I got to be the star and so thought I’d put this out into cyberspace for my own record of my current thinking and hopefully to entertain and enlighten others.  Let me know what you think.

http://youtu.be/bfA44l5R6Xw

When I entertain, I really like to have time to talk to people and enjoy myself. What helps me do that is guests who make themselves feel at home. They can do that by: looking first and asking questions second. The attitude I’d love people to have is that my house is their house (mi casa, su casa!) and that if they need anything they can search for it themselves before asking me. Here are some easy things that any guest has permission to find in my house (and perhaps yours): a corkscrew, the bathroom, a lighter, any kinds of dishes; handtowels; a blanket; etc. That’s the first step in lessening the burden/distraction level for the host – look for things yourself first and assume that your host would much rather be having a great conversation than answering your location question.

Second, come to the event early and ask if there is anything you can do to help set up. Better yet, come early and just start jumping in and doing the obvious. Does it look like the tables and chairs are set up for maximum flow? If not, move them so they are. Are the dishes done? If not, do them. Is there a last minute need that the host has – ask and then run out and get the order filled.

Are you shy? Are you nervous at parties? Well, getting there early and adding your sweat and energy into getting things in order will help make you feel more a part of things and your host will love you for it. Also, there’s an old marxist saying that if you put your labor into something it’s more yours. True here, too.

Some more things you can do to make the party flow better – act like the host. Feel free to play greeter and be close to the door. When people come you can welcome them, take their coats, and take any food or drink they’ve brought and bring it to where it needs to go. Imagine how much more ease you’ll create by doing this. How’s the music? How’s the lighting? How’s the ambiance? How’s the temperature? These are all things that the host may or may not be good at and/or might be too busy to mind. Feel free to adjust.

When more visitors start taking on the attitudes and actions outlined above, gatherings will surely go better. I’ve been taking on this attitude for years and I think it’s helped the hosts of events I’ve attended have a much better time. And when the host is having a good time it gives a signal to everyone that it’s time to have a good time.

Feel free to try this out over this holiday season and let me know how it goes. If you have any questions, please ask and if you have any further suggestions, leave a comment. Thanks!

Albert

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I have been a Constant Contact business partner for the past 4 years. I know the product and company well.  As a business partner, I hear about improvements early.  I also get other perks – one of them being a small monthly percentage of the $ that people who sign up with my affiliate link pay to Constant Contact.

1. To sign up as an affiliate of mine if you’re just getting started, simply click on this link and sign up.  If you’d be willing to share this link with people, I would appreciate it greatly.
                                             http://pdx.be/cc-ak

Now, here’s my offer to you!

1. I will look over an email from you and provide feedback on things I would do to improve your email such as provide layout advice, additional social networking effective practices, and feedback on better use of graphics.
2. I will provide you with support for any problems you’re experiencing if you don’t want to go through Constant Contact’s (excellent, btw) support system
3. I will provide some consulting around increasing your reach.
4. If you like I will send you (from time to time) an email that outlines changes in Constant Contact.
5. I will share tips and tricks for integrating your e-mail newsletter into social media platforms.

If any or all of that sounds good, please either take the actions above, or contact me for further discussion via email or phone (503-358-0029)

Thanks for your good work in the world.

Albert Kaufman
Albertideation

http://albertideation.com/menu-of-services/

PS – the affiliate program with Constant Contact is rewarding.  Here’s a little background if you’re interested.
http://www.seodenver.com/constant-contact-affiliate-program/

here’s how to sign up!
http://www.constantcontact.com/signup/application.jsp