Not necessarily by chimps, for chimps, but a fascinating experiment in self image.  Eat your heart out James Cameron.

Photo by Justin Doty

Across the Willamette were perched 2 of The Ardea’s namesake, the Blue Heron. 

Big thank you to Karen for her excellent birding eyes which spotted them.

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Here’s a clip from “The Unchained Goddess”, a film produced by Frank Capra (”It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, and many other defining films of mid-twentieth century Americana) in 1958 focused on mankind’s contribution to climate change. 

The long and the short of this?  Climate change science is nothing new, and all semantics and politics aside, there is a tipping point on the horizon, and we really don’t want to be on the other side of it.

Putting it together, bit by bit.

                                               Photo by Tom Carroll

This year residents of the South Waterfront Community took part in a Community Garden. Spaces were made available to members of the South Waterfront Community and reserved by those interested. Take a look! There are a variety of crops ranging from tomatoes, peppers, spices, flowers-the list could go on and on. Just like Portland takes pride in commuting by bike or Mass Transit, residents of Oregon certainly can appreciate the joy of cultivating their own gardens. What a great way to connect members of a community.

Get out in the sunshine and enjoy your last summer days at the Willamette River for Riverfest 2009.

Photo by Tom Carroll

Saturday, August 22, will be a big day at the South Waterfront. So put on your walking shoes and take a stroll down the waterfront, hop on your bike, or take the Streetcar. The South Waterfont Festival will begin at 11AM with fun, festivites, and music. Join The Pampered Pooch for their Open House hosted from 10AM to 4PM ,where your pooch can bob for a tennis ball in the kiddy pool outside. Plus, any dog that participates receives a goodie bag with home made dog cookies, a certificate for 10% off a grooming appointment, and your pup can even keep it’s tennis ball.

Please feel free to visit our riverside apartment living here at The Ardea. Where your pets are always welcomed!

Summer is still here! Don’t miss Movies on the Green at Cyan/PDX apartments. This weeks series featuring the 80’s classic, Romancing the Stone, Friday, August 14, 2009  . The festivities will begin at 7pm and the movie will start at 8PM. Drinks and appetizers will be provided.  Be sure to bring along a blanket or lawn chair for the turf field, invite friends, kick off your shoes, sit back and relax, and enjoy the show. Cyan/PDX is located at 1720 SW 4th Ave.

Golf courses.  They are expansive, rolling, great little examples of nature, right?  Well, not exactly.  In our march for recreation we have created these vast plots of land that consume thousands of gallons of water each day, get blasted with chemicals, and stripped of biodiversity.  The clearcutting of land and smoothing of terrain has other nasty effects as well, as stormwater runoff becomes a complicated issue and high winds tend to get amplified along the treeless channels.  As the world moves to a greater sense of eco-consciousness we are starting to see the ideas of sustainability extend to even our past-times.  Treehugger has a nice, short article showcasing five examples of Links done right, boasting some familiar names as well as some unexpected benefactors. 

This is not to say that you should avoid supporting your local ‘pitch and putt’, but everyone can take part in influencing those who run these establishments and letting them know that having a sensible carbon & water footprint is important to you, their patrons.  Small steps everywhere add up to huge impact. 

Picture courtesy of www.southwaterfront.com

Join in for Riverfest 2009 at the South Waterfront on Saturday, August 22, 2009. This  free, family friendly festival provides for a great opportunity to celebrate life and living on the river. Live music, food, beverages, fun activities, and attractions are sure to provide for a good time. Join your neighbors for Riverfest 2009 on the South Waterfront. Additional events will also take place throughout various areas along the river Thursday, August 20, 2009 through Sunday, August 23, 2009.

Riverfest 2009 at the South Waterfront is proudly a South Waterfront Community Relations Collaboration.