Portland, Tennessee Blog

The full Napier article can be found here:
http://portlandprogressivenews.com/news1.html

Could someone tell me more info about the benefit for Trinity Napier? I haven't seen either of the papers this week. Thanks!

Some of you may have read in the newspaper about a benefit for Trinity Napier to be held Feb. 21 at the high school...Please support the family's efforts.

We probably won't go to dinner and bowling if we don't get any response, but we would go to dinner at Toot's @ 5pm then head over to Southern Lanes both on Scottsville Rd in Bowling Green. I will get checking this blog for anyone interested.

Sports nut....keep scrolling down and look for the referee. I hope that is what you are looking for.

Where is the sports thread for January?

Denise,
drop me an email with all the info for Saturday night at pastormike@libertyfwb.org
thanks
mike

Thank You for those who have responded to Church referrals, I felt uncomfortable with my wording so I had them delete my comment, however those who caught in time Thanks for the suggestions.I was trying to stay in the community, after living in the city the reason I moved to the country was for the sense of community.Has anyone tried NorthPointe in White House? Don't forget dinner and bowling this Saturday anyone who would like to join my husband and I.

Courtney, After doing some checking I found that the comment in question was removed at the request of Denise and not for any other reason. I'm sure she appreciates everyones suggestions.

Beth, Glad you liked April! Someone else told me the Wal-Mart in Franklin was busier than Christmas today too.

Denise, Same here. You would probably like Northeast Church in Hendersonville. You can check them out at www.godwhy.com They are suppose to be expanding and hopefully they will have a church closer to Portland.

Walmart in Franklin was being raided yesterday, so I figured I would go back today...not much better. I have this special knack for actually having to have go to the store right before a storm. Im not sure if its my timing or the weathers's.

Btw, Judy, loved April...will be going back, thanks again!! *S*

So did everyone get out and raid the Grocery store today? Will we dodge the bullet? I hope so!

Denise, I read your question about the Christian Church before someone removed it. My husband and I are in the same situation. We are not from here and are from a "Christian" church. We have yet to find anything near this area. It is mostly Baptist and that is not an option for us. The one that has been so-so and somewhat close to our old church is Cornerstone in Madison TN. It is pentacostal themed, but with a lot of our same beliefs. We decided to continue to belong to our old church and that's where we tithe.

Okay, we all have alot of negative going on right now. How about those who are interested in getting out for a somewhat cheap fun evening contact me regarding dinner and bowling this Saturday Jan 31. Keeping contacted with our community through activity will help us get through this time together.

I don't know about the Year of the Ox, but glad the years of the Oaf are over ,and the next four are the years of Obama ! LOL

Happy Chinese New Year to you, too !

I think this year will be a tiny bit better than last year...and then things will steadily get better ---already it's off to a good start !

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Have a happy and prosperous new year) everyone. Hope the Year of the Ox is a good one for Portland. It hasn't started too good.

The purpose of putting the newspapers and the headlines on the blog is to provide a springboard for dialogue and debate here on the blog. Admittedly it doesn't seem to have started many debate threads. Some people seem to appreciate it as a quick overview of the city's headlines so I've continued posting the Media Roundup. We'll see how things progress here on the blog and I'll make a decision whether to change the format, keep the same format or discontinue the feature. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

I totally agree with gw on the fact that the TVA should have insurance for accidents...after all we have to have homeowners and auto insurance right?

As far as the utility bills go, ours seem in line with the bills we get when I lived in another state. Actually my last bill for our other house, *we havent sold it yet*, was $238 and we dont even live there!! *sigh*

Im not really sure about having the newspapers on here either. Maybe the poster thinks that is where the opinions will come from. If you click on the link under the post, the typed headlines will appear. What I did find funny was the guy that posted the headlines early and has now been charged with hacking into the papers computer system. What was he thinking???

Having the newspapers on the blog is interesting because it shows which newspaper covers what stories and that may help people decide which newspaper to purchase. You're not suppose to read the stories on the front page. That's not what they're there for, either.
The best thing about having the front pages on the blog and to have Brian list the stories each newspaper covered is to hold each staff accountable for being a community newspaper. I know people on both staffs.

I don't see the point of putting the little pictures of the front pages on here either....we all know what the town's papers look like....and we'll go buy them if we want to read them. I don't like having them or the news stories on the blog. Seems out of place to me. I thought a blog was for opinions ...not the news.

Regarding the electric bill...mine was over $200 and I'm really scared to get the next one in Feb. I have lived here 4 1/2 years (all elec no gas) and never had a bill that high...makes me mad and I have to say I feel like TVA is gouging all of us unnecessarily. When gas prices came down, electricity didn't, but high fuel prices were quoted as being part of the reason for the increase...now we have to pay for the "messy" mess...shouldn't they have "insurance" to cover things like that????

I do not like the front page of the paper posted on here. You can't read it, so what's the point.

I was wondering where the front pages of the Progressive and the Leader are? You guys always post them each week and I haven't seem them for this week's issue.
It is something we really like. Please continue the process.
Thanks.

I'm sure I'm not alone in being in economic quandry. Not sure what to do with 401K, not sure whether it would be worthwhile to refinance--not to mention uncertainty of jobs and future income. We'd like to consult with a fee-only financial advisor, but it is difficult finding someone to trust for financial advice in the current economic climate especially since it was created in significant part by unscrupulous financiers. Does anyone have any experience with any fee-only financial advisors in the area?

If we could get our elected officals to force TVA to drop the fuel surcharge and lower the rates back down at least 18 percent then maybe people would have money to purchase stuff and help the economy.

Just for everyone's info gas prices have been dropping while the stations have been raising their prices. I guess they need to line their pockets a little more and pay their high electric bills.

I don't know if this is accurate, but I read the per home cost of the ash cleanup will equate to about $15 per home. I think I read that on one of the news web sites. I guess the proof will come in the next bill, eh?

I doubt they'll go down now since the whole ash spill in East TN. They'll be passing that on to all of us they said.

I'm ready for spring......

Well my Gas, Water, Trash bill was $150 and the electric was $93. My daughter lives in Franklin in a much older home and her gas (only) bill was $325. YIKES!! I know it was supposed to go down on the electric, but also hear it will go back up to pay for the ash spill in East TN, that stinks!! Why must us poor little citizens pay for all the problems, geesh..... first we bail out the US financial/bank/wallstreet mess, then the auto mess, and now the messy mess... All this while 401k's look like shrinky dinks. I guess they figure we are getting a good enough break with fuel prices down so lets hit them somewhere else! Enough already!

This month my electric bill was $190. Usually, the highest it gets is $90 which is a big difference!

I thought they were going to decrease the electric rates since the cost of fuel has went down. Anyone heard anything?

E-gads! Ours was $232....we don't have gas ... only electric.

Wouldn't have been so hard to swallow if not for that $52 TVA fuel cost adjustment charge on the bill. THAT made me really mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get this...I actually used less wattage than we did the same month last year....and our bill was much higher!!!!

Student, try going to the community web site www.portlandtn.com look under news papers any of them that are online should tell you so and perhaps a link for them there.

MDL, My electric bill hasn't been bad at all, but then again I have Gas Heat and that has been running about $150. My electric bills are normally low in the winter and high in the summer.

How has everyone's electric bill been? Mine has been ridiculous!

I was just wondering if there was a way to read either of the Portland papers online. I'm away at college, but still want to know what's going on at home! I'm tired of squinting at the teensy pictures of the front page :)

DC, I live in the same Portland you do :) I guess having been someone that spent 30+ years in South Florida I consider the humidity and temps here very tolerable. After going back to Florida last April to be with my mom after surgery for 3 weeks I realized then what I didn't miss, the humidity is horrible down there starting at 9am until after the sun sets, and Mid April temps in the upper 80's / low 90's. We may have a few weeks of high humidity but it doesn't compare to what I lived in 9 months of the year down in Fl.

Ann, I just read your comments about the mail.

The mail is a serious matter. Don't bother complaining locally....take your complaints to the Postmaster General of the United States. Tell them and see what happens. Bet you'll get faster results than telling the local postmaster.

Judy (usually low humidity and tolerable temps) What part of town do you live in the Humidity is horriable at my house every year. I've lived at the same place for 38 years. I also lived in the saudi desert for a few months with temps above 120 and it's much worse here.

Beth, Well you I'm sure tornadoes are nothing new to you having lived in AL... yikes!

Portlands crime is not bad at all compared to other areas, it can just be some what of a culture shock if you're coming from a bigger city environment. Took us awhile and at times I'm still puzzled but all and all it is a great place to live.

Re Postal Problems:
Have you all contacted the postmaster regarding these issues? Personally where I live we haven't had any problems, thankfully. Start at the Post Office by talking to Howard (Postmaster) OR Byron (assistant Postmaster) I used to do alot of shipping and the two of them were always ready to listen and worked to resolve my complaints or problems I encountered with shipments very timely.

We've had problems with our postal delivery person too. Just to name a couple, we've had things returned as undeliverable to family members with the name and address clearly printed on the envelope. My mother who lives out of state was very concerned! We were scratching our heads about this until we started getting our neighbors mail. We figured it got put in someone elses mailbox. The best was when we got our water bill and several other peoples water bills on our street.

Judy, I have an appt with April tomorrow *S*.

Oh great, more tornadoes....wonderful! I best be getting a new radio. The one that we had while living in AL only went off when the sun came out *sigh*.

Not to step on toes or anything, but we have lived outside of two metro areas in the last 8 years and the crime here is not nearly as bad as it was there. I have noticed that most of the crime here is being committed by folks that know their victims, i.e. the teacher and her students, the woman charged with burning her previous place of employment etc. Those to me arent considered *random acts of violence*, not like the folks getting robbed at banks and in mall parking lots during the holiday season. I just think in a small town such as Portland, if you choose your friends wisely, then you most likely will not be a target. Just my opinion. *S*

Hmm, was thinking we've gotten papers before afternoon. Well thanks for clarifying, glad to know I didn't miss anything!

Glad to hear the rumors about 5 Chefs are false! It's the one place in Portland I make sure to mention when folks from out of town are planning a visit!

Beth, Well I know what you're going thru, I was basically a Floridian prior to landing in TN, we took a 3 yr detour in Upstate NY first before before landing here, and I'll take this weather anyday to that in the cold north, but this has been an extremely cold and long winter, atleast comparing it to the almost 12 yrs we've been here. You will love the summers here, usually low humidity and tolerable temps but spring at times can be stressful with bad weather and tornadoes, get yourself a good weather radio because Portland has no tornado sirens.

Thanks Judy!! I will be sure to look into those recommendations :). As far as the weather goes, we moved from the southeast coastal area and this is a shocker!! The last snowfall I saw was 6 years ago. Im wondering what summer is going to be like......

PRobably because both papers come out on Wednesday afternoons. I picked mine up on the way home, as usual. I usually buy both papers but the progresive had all crime on the front again. I'm so tired of seeing gloomy news on the front. If I was moving to Portland I would reconsider based on all the horrible news on the front page most weeks. People want to move here to get away from the crime found in the inner city.

Went to numerous places in town yesterday a.m. to purchase a Leader and Progressive (gasp, she was going to buy both!) and everyone was sold out early! So what'd I miss? Was it that much of a news filled week?

Hi Beth, Welcome to the Blog and Welcome to Portland. As for Family Physicians, Dr Taylor has the best hours (evenings and Sundays) and is taking new patients. He has 2 NP in his office along with himself, so apts are usually same day. Dr Porter is another don't know much about his hours, but as a new patient it is a bit of a wait for an apt. His office is in the new brick building heading south toward Gallatin before you get to Hwy 76. As for a Hair Salon my only experience has been with Total Image and April Simon, perhaps others could have more suggestions. Good luck, hope you are enjoying this wonderful :( weather!

Hi there. My husband and I are new to Portland. I was wondering if anyone could give us a reference for a family doctor and a hair salon? Two totally difference requests, I know, but a girl has to have her priorities if she is going to begin the job hunt :)

Thanks in advance!

We have been having issues as well on North Russell. The mail woman will not close our mail box all the way and water gets into the box. Never had a problem with the previous mail man.

I would like to have a Portland Post Office Blog. I hope to find out from others how their postman is doing. Ours is damaging our mail consistently, as well as putting it in the wrong box. We get others mail and they get ours. All my immediate neighbors are tired of it, and so are we. Electronics left in rain all day without any plastic bag. Pictures that clearly state "Do not crease" folded tightly and shoved in the box. Most packages have been opened, I even had a new cell phone missing out of the box with only the charger and papers remaining. The problem has got worse since I complained to the Post Office.

Kathy - Well hey there cuz, glad you came here to clear that one up, and YES we want later hours to eat at the only nice place in Portland.... been telling you that for everrrrrrrrrrrr!!
Welcome to the Blog!

Kathy--
Thanks for clearing that up. We'll be watching for future information regarding dinner on the weekends and looking forward to having a real option for dinner in Portland.

Reference to 5 Chefs
As the Manager of 5 Chefs let me clear up a few rumors. We have never mentioned closing the restaurant, however business is slower than usual but I believe that is to be expected with the condition of our economy. But, we have considered opening up on Friday and Saturday Nights in the near future, if we continue to get the support that we need from the community. We do take pride in our menu and desserts and great atmosphere. Being a Portland native I personally take pride in knowing that we have something great to offer people in Portland and surronding areas. Thank you for your continuous support and we look forward to doing business with you in the near future. We appreciate your comments and suggestions.

mg62, Yes, how sad they aren't open later hours, I do enjoy eating at 5Chefs, but rarely get there during the day unless it's take out. Awesome desserts.... I'm Bad! ;)

I have heard that there is no truth to the rumor regarding 5 Chefs closing--although it is still true that they don't serve dinner except for catered parties. How sad for us!

Hope it's an early dinner, as Five Chefs closes @2pm on the days they are open

Referencing the Recreation/Activity Group we would like to see if anyone is interested in joining us for dinner and bowling. Scheduled for January 31, we can either eat dinner at Five Chefs (we haven't eaten there yet and if rumor has it we better experience it) or in Bowling Green where we will bowl. Please respond via my personal blog @ dlmitchell.wordpress.com.

I agree and there won't be anything easy for some time to come.

Well I disagree with the poster below. I have never in my 66 years ever seen such an excitement and level of optimism over an incoming administration. I wish the best for President Obama and offer him my full support and prayers. The job will not be easy, but I stand behind my new President.

I find it hard to beleive that the five chefs would close after all the time and money that has been spent on that place.

I was wondering what's wrong with Obama? He's having problem with his appointees. Didn't I hear the man he wants to put in charge of the IRS, didn't pay his taxes? What's that about?
I got a little nervous when I heard Obama talking about how the U.S. is in worst shape than he thought.
You know what that means, don't you...that gives him an out to not get done some of the things he wants done.

About six years ago my family had to find a place to move. We were shown a place owned and rented out by someone pretty well known in town. We were told that the place had had a previous bug problem but it had been taken care of. When we were shown the rental property the "taken care of" was bug bombs everywhere. Well the place was still crawling. They were visibly crowding all the corners, crawling out of the inside of the fridge etc. We were shocked! Even more shocked that they were showing it to us as a rentable place to live knowing that we have children etc. They needed to call a professional exterminator and tent that place and even then who knows... the other places shown to us weren't much better, roaches, rodent droppings etc. We did eventually find something better and didn't have to settle but I can't imagine what someone without that option would do. This person rents their properties obviously. Council people know this person and higher ups have to be aware of this.

Repost from another thread:

I would like to form a recreation/activity group. Activities would be anything from camping, hiking, canoing, sight seeing. Getting together at local restuarants and cook outs, etc. My husband and I fairly new to TN in Westmoreland both in our 40's and enjoy the outdoors and good company.

Posted by: Denise at January 15, 2009 01:12 PM

Does anyone know if the family that needed a heater got one?? I have a very small elec htr that would at least heat 1 sm room. With blankets, maybe the woman and her children could stay warm.

this was posted on Portland Freecycle. Maybe someone on here can help.

If anyone has a kerosene heater, or electric heater that you are not
using, please send me a email.

My best friend is a single mom of 3 kids and their heater stopped
working lastnight. It blows cold air and not warm. She does not have
the money to pay a company to help fix it. I am trying to do what I can
to help her get something, even if it is small to help her and her kids
out for the night. If you have any form of a heater I will pick up
today ASAP! It's so cold in her house!!! I would like to get it before
her babies get home from school! Please email me with information on
how to either fix her heat or if you have any form of heat that you
don't use! Email me please!

Thanks for your time and understanding
triplechezzburgerbooty@yahoo.com

Be A Census Taker

http://www.portlandtn.com/

I've heard a few rumors that Occasions / 5 Chefs may be closing. Anyone else heard anything? It would be a shame - it's about the nicest thing Portland has.

I go into peoples homes for a living, and I can tell you this, the conditions described here are more common than you may think.

Great comment about the renters. People who want a good clean place to live will keep even a rat hole clean. The first place I rented when I moved out was a trailer that I would call a piece of fecal matter, but that would not do it justice. Let me elaborate.

There has been hamburger in a refrigerator with the power turned off that had been in there for who knows how long that stunk up the whole house when I moved in. It only had wood heat, and a stack of logs outside I would have to split (and when I did the landlord came and picked it up to use at his house), and the floor caving in in spots. Just to name some of the problems it had.

However, with the help of my now wife, then girlfriend (you know its true love when they still date you even when you live in a place like that) and her sister,it was cleaned up and was a nice place for a poor full time worker/college student.

I think Warren Buffet once said, "money doesn't change anybody, it just makes them more of what they already are. A jerk with no money is an even bigger jerk with a million dollars." I think the same is true with most people. If they are going to live in filth, and allegedly beat their kids, then it doesn't matter who rented to them. The place would have still been a mess, and the kids still would have been mistreated.

I mean really. If you don't respect yourself enough to keep your place a decent place for human life, then why should we expect they would have any more respect for their children. It's just a horrible story all the way around. If the abuse allegations are true, I hope those kids and find a loving family to raise and nurture them they way they deserve.

Judy -- well said! When I talked about periodic home checks, I did not necessarily mean monthly...at least two or three times a year, with notice to the tenant would suffice (I too have been a "rentor" and firmly believe in the right to privacy, but did not mind if the landlord visited occasionaly with notice). However, I have to concede to you that people who live in that kind of filth would do so no matter where they live. Anyway, I just hope those children are well taken care of now and in the future..

I have mixed feelings about the issue of Landlord/Tenant. Landlords have an investment and don't buy and rent property to not make a profit. Get the wrong tenant and see how much profit you make!! If I was a tenant the last thing I would want is my landlord coming to do a check on the premises every month. I would probably find somewhere else to live. Along with rent paid is a right to privacy although any landlord has the right to enter the premises at any time with or without notice, but "must have good cause". Granted there are areas in this town that you know darn well aren't fit for dogs to live in but offer rent that might be considered low or offer weekly payments, there are also decent places to rent but one will pay the price, a price that many cannot afford leaving them no other alternative than what most consider the undesirable rentals. I don't know what TN law is regarding landlords responsibilities with rodents and pests, but in other states they must provide pest control only when Rodents (rats/mice)are present, not critters.

I don't think the landlord is to blame for the conditions one lives in, people who live like this will do so in a rental home or a home that they purchased. You don't get critters like that if you live in and keep a clean environment, they (the critters) will find somewhere else to go and vacate said premises... Of course a little Black Flag helps to speed up that process. The parents need to be held accountable, maybe if they got more than a slap on the hand it would make them take notice and change how they live, as long as there is always someone else to pass the blame onto they will just continue living in squaller. Just my opinion.

On the child abuse issue: someone who rents out property for a profit should be accountable for the extermination of rodents, pests, etc. as well as the upkeep of the property. Periodic home checks will promote cleanliness on the tenants part (if not, evict). As for the parents who allowed their children to live in such squallor, not much can be said. We can throw blame around between the rentors and/or the owners of the property, but ultimately it is the children who suffer. Periodic in home spot checks by the landlord would have at least brought this to someone's attention and could have been reported. Nonetheless, there will always be scrupulous, careless landlords, just in it for a buck, and there will, unfortunately, always be neglectful parents.

How about regulating the tenants?How do you think it feels to rent someone a decent place to live and when you walk in a week or so later and find the kind of filth shown in those pictures.Then when it comes to evicting them for violating a signed rental agreement to "keep the premises clean and in good order"they stop paying.You give them a 10 day eviction notice,then you have to pay 137.00 for a warrant to be served,wait 2-3 weeks to go to court,get a judgement for the money you are owed but you know you'll never get,and they are still allowed to stay for 10 more days until the judgement is final.Now who needs to be regulated.Take a walk in those shoes.

Jerry, do you really want the City codes officials to determine whether everyone's living conditions are "fit" or not? I don't see why it matters whether you rent or own....they'll be coming by your place to see if you're in compliance (in their opinion). By the way, you'll be paying additional property taxes to fund your recommendation. Be careful what you wish for...

As far as the child neglect story, I, too, think that the city should do a better job of regulating the slumlords, but it's not going to happen. Good ole boy network. We all know that. Where does codes come in all of this? I think they should regularly inspect these rundown rental properties. Many of these property renting folk are just looking for a buck and rent out properties not fitting for a dog to live in. I am sure we have all seen them. Maybe we can contact Phil Williams from Newschannel5 to investigate our city's possible loyalty to the slumlords.

Well, I hope someone runs against them. It would be nice to have a choice when I go to vote. Also I think we need some new blood on the council with some new ideas and new propective for this town.

Hey, glad to hear the mayor is running for another term. I think he has done a good job.
Mike Callis, Alan Dyer and Luther Bratton are also up for re-election. I don't know if anyone is going to run against them, so they will probably all three get re-elected.

On the child abuse story, I blame the parents for letting their children live this way but I also blame the landlord or slumlord for not doing something about the condition of the mobile home.
I know there are times when money is tight and you have to do the best you can with what you have and the slumlords know this. They know they will be able to rent out their rundown, bug infested, holes in the floor houses or trailers so why spend money to fix them up. If one trailer in that park has roaches more than likely they all do.

If the father was abusing his children, DHS needs to send them to a safe place. This is a sad story. I'm sure many children live like this all the time and do not know any better.

I just read the child abuse story. With everything that happens in the world, I don't know why a picture of roaches on a childs dinner plate shocks me so, but it does. What were they thinking?

The Progressive is online.

Which one of these papers is online?

I am the Receptionist @ Portland City Hall & I have been taking the Resumes for the Shoals Company.
Shoals Technologies is a new company coming to Portland. The company will manufacture component parts for "solar panels". City Hall has been taking Resumes for them but as of today I have been informed that you can go to the plant & they will give you an application.
They are going to try to begin hiring by the end of January (if everything goes as scheduled)
The plant is located out Hwy 52 West (going toward I-65) It is located on the right hand side of the road (up in the field) before you get to the BP Station or the 4-way stop at
Hwy 52 & Hwy 31W. There is a turning lane there to go up to the company building.

What's shoals?

I just found out that Wrasslin will be coming to Richland Gym on Jan 24th. The King of Wrestling Jerry the King Lawler will be in action. Tickets are very affordable starting at $8.

I am a big fan of professional wrestling and pumped that Jerry Lawler is going to be in town.

Shoals is now taking applications thru their front door.

Portland Medical Center closed? Ouch:/

Just curious..anyone make any New Year Resoultions?

I didn't exactly. I've been wanting to exercise more for 2 months now. It would be easier with a partner. I'm use to walking, but up for any challenges. If anyone would like a workout buddy, even if just one afternoon a week, please let me know.

I love going to Walgreens especially if the lady who has all the coupons is working at the cosmetics checkout lane. She walks around the store and checks out what you have in your cart. If you have something she has a coupon for she tells you to check out at the cosmetics counter.
The pharmacy staff has always been friendly and helpful and the store seems to be spotless.

I too had a great experience at Walgreens. On Christmas Eve, at about 8:00 PM, my wife and I were wrapping the last of our Christmas gifts when *gasp* we ran out of tape. I ran out to HG Hills... closed, knew Fred's would be closed... Food Lion... closed, CVS... closed, Mapco.... sold out, and just as i was heading out to the interstate to check the Shell station, I noticed the lights on at Walgreen's. Not only did they have tape, but they were advertising an asfter Christmas sale where I bought some decorations for next Christmas at a very reasonable price.

The only bad part is a memory card I bought from there is not working in a digital photo frame when we were assured by a clerk that it would. Seeing as how I have already tried another card in it and it didn't work either, it might not be the card's fault. Guess, I'll be finding out how good they are on returns.

Walgreens gets my vote as one of the best run retail businesses in Portland. Whereas I never could seem to fill a prescription without problems at CVS, I have not had a single problem since switching to Walgreens right after they opened. Whereas I only sometimes got my digital pictures that I ordered from CVS, Walgreens has never messed up a single photo order and in every case they were ready well before the promised time and have always been good quality. Clean, efficient, cost competitive, pleasant to do business with...that's what keeps retail dollars in Portland.

I saw all of the television stations doing a top stories of the year thing for 2008. And I thought what would be my top stories for Portland.

Here are my top five:

5. Firing of football coach at high school.
4. GSI Commerce leaving town.
3. Shoals Technologies bringing 400 jobs to town.
2. Binkley trial.
1. The closing of Portland Medical Center.

Went into Walgreens earlier to check their Christmas markdowns & I was truly impressed! They had everything at 75% off, plus candy that wasn't even Christmas wrapped, for that too. So I stocked up and got 19 bags for $15. I saved $42!

I'm really warming up to them. I love their photo developing. We got our family pics done by Picture Perfect(awesome job and very budget friendly) and they were put on a disc. I got a huge package for only $5. Plus any others were 19 cents each!