11 Years of Activism in Portland

January 8, 2014 by albertkaufman 2 Comments

Activism, Ours

I’ve been living in Portland for 11 years now. 11 years of activism. I noticed last night as I was updating this blog (for better SEO and righting some images) that I was putting out a lot more activism over the last couple of years than I am now. Issues like billboards, getting rid of the yellow pages, cheering on the first Obama administration, holding voting parties, idling, population growth, and saving the Tillamook State Forest – all were big issues for me in 2009.

These issues all still persist, but I haven’t been focusing on them as much. I’ve started fan pages for a few, and I continue to put a shout out for an issue when I see something about it in the media, but my own activism has definitely shifted some. I’ve also been working hard to develop my business and I hope that eventually, that will pay me enough to devote more time to the activist areas that I care about. Actually, in one area, Farm My Yard, I have been dedicating a bunch of time to – keeping the website up, updating the FB fan page, and I’m meeting with someone today to discuss building an app for the project. So, I guess I’m not done saving the world.

And, some issues come back around – like my current project regarding the Oregonian’s slide to the Tea Party Right on BlueOregon. They’ve been lying to us more and more about their tea party agenda, and I want to do what I can to call them out on it.

So, I guess I just want to say – don’t worry, I’m still at it. And perhaps I’m partially writing this to myself to remind myself that I’m still busy trying to change the world, I’m just mixing it up more with my effort with people and small businesses to help them with their marketing and getting the word out.

Yesterday, as I was heading to a client meeting I was thinking about being 52 and wondering who I could find to take on the various efforts I’ve started or care about. I was thinking about asking in the dance community to see about training some folks who are 20 or 30 years younger than I am, but no one came immediately to mind. And, I suppose activism is not for the faint at heart. You have to have support in your life – people who really are there to back you – and a process to keep you from falling down when things get hard. I’ve been using Co-counseling for that for many years to good effect, but many people don’t have a process to discharge their fears when they come up against things that are hard – government agencies; industries fighting back; a right-wing media.

All good things for me to think about – succession – who are the next activists? Who cares enough about the issues that I do to take them on? And, how do I reignite some of the causes that I cared about and still do but which I have let come off of the table? Perhaps I’ll do a little spreadsheet and see where things are and put that up for myself and others. and for now, happy new year 2014 – let’s see what we can accomplish!

Filed Under: Activism Tagged With: activism, albert kaufman, farm my yard, getting rid of the yellow pages, help!, idling, phone books, Portland, succession

Idling

July 27, 2010 by albertkaufman 1 Comment

(updated 7.25.24 with new infographic below from iturnitoff.com) + new video from Desi Lydic!

and now – 5.25.24 – Just read this.

I’ve contacted a variety of folks in the Portland and Oregon region recently to talk about starting a public awareness campaign around the issue of engine idling. Given that more people are wanting to stop their cars (hopefully) to talk on their cellphones or text, idling is probably increasing. At a time when we should be thinking about more ways to save oil, rather than waste it, and also if we wish to have cleaner air, an idling awareness campaign in our region seems useful. Here’s a link to a brochure by the City of Portland that stresses that leaving your car on for longer than 10 seconds wastes more gas than stopping the car and re-starting it again (and other health and environmental benefits of reducing idling).

Also, OEC has a great video here for their “It’s not cool to idle at school” campaign. Their downloadable PDF on the issue is here.

Also, the City of Denver has done a great job on this issue with their Engines off, Denver campaign.

And, NYC is doing its share. A short film about their law passing here. Turn off your car, folks!

If engine idling is an issue that you care about, and you’d like to be a part of a working group in the Portland/Oregon area to work on it, please let me know @ albertkaufman@gmail.com – Thanks!

Filed Under: idling Tagged With: anti-idling, benzene, clean air, cleaning the air, fresh air, idling, Oregon, Portland, saving gas

The Summer of 2009

July 3, 2009 by albertkaufman Leave a Comment

Happy Summer 2009

Happy Summer – from AlbertIdeation!

Hello, I wish for you a great summer, that life is treating you well, and that you, your friends, neighbors and family are healthy.

I traveled to Sierraville, CA for a fantastic rebirthing workshop, recently. It was very inspiring and I intend to write more about my experience, soon. Here is a short paragraph from something that the leader, Leanord Orr, wrote:

“To practice the Presence of God means to live in a way that feels peaceful so that we feel our Divine Nature every day, making us feel loving, creative, and productive. The daily spiritual practices with earth (good diet, food mastery, and exercise); water (bathing); air (conscious breathing); fire (sitting with it); and meditation renew our divine energy.

My simple recommendation for today would be to learn more about earth, water, air and fire – I’ll say more soon 🙂

July 2nd, 2009: 5:03PM: 90 degrees – In Portland we’ve got stronger heat than normal: a good time to remind everyone to water new trees that have been planted in the last 3 years.

3 gallons 2-3 times a week is best
Ask your neighbors if they’ve watered their new trees, usually most people don’t mind if you water for them
register your tree (if it’s a fruit tree) with thePortland Fruit Tree Project or your local version – don’t have a fruit tree project for your City?
Drink lots of water yourself.

If you like what I do in the world and would like to support me financially, please click here to reach paypal. This is a convenient way for me to receive contributions If you have another way you’d like to support what I do, please let me know, thanks.

In the heat people tend to sit in their cars, eat lunch, make a call, all the while idling their car. This next piece from the City of Portland explains idling simply and kindly. Copy, paste and distribute, por favor!

IT’S YOUR E-MISSION!

Have you ever left your vehicle idling for more than 10 seconds while waiting to pick up your child at school or while at the drive-up window at the bank? Most of us have. Here are some very good reasons to rethink this common habit:

Vehicle emissions are the largest contributing factor to air pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels releases several types of air pollutants that are detrimental to our health. These include sulfur dioxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other toxins contributing to the formation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. Children breathe 50 percent faster and inhale more air per pound of body weight than adults. Studies have shown a direct link between many respiratory diseases and pollutants found in vehicle exhaust. In fact, asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization for children under the age of 15.

Excessive idling is expensive. Over 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting your engine. Idling for 10 minutes a day uses an average of 22 gallons of gas per year, and gets zero miles to the gallon. Excessive idling is not good for your vehicle either. It can actually damage your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems, whereas frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and starter motor.

For the children, for yourself, and for the environment, please remember to keep your emission down and turn off your car if it isn’t moving!

1-2-3 TURN THE KEY!

All my best from the City of Roses!If you would like to meet for a rebirthing session, please let me know.

‘Om Namaha Shivaya: “Aum” or “Om” means “Infinite Being.” “Shivaiya” means “Infinite Intelligence.” “Namaha” means “Infinite Manifestation.” “Aum Namaha Shivaiya” is a very high quality thought.’ **

Happy Solstice, perfect weather and good thoughts to ya!

Albert Kaufman

**Leonard D. Orr, The Owner’s Manual for Human Beings, Ignorance & Wisdom