I love astrology. Not that I believe in it, but I don’t not believe in it. It’s just that the lure of reducing the maddening idiosyncrasies and inexplicable appeal of anyone anywhere to a function of their birthday is irresistible. Astrology is compelling because it implies that if you study it, people – in all their wacky glory – can be predictable and ultimately understood. Of course I’m a charming communicator with a love of information and a small mountain of half-finished projects in my garage. I’m a Gemini. You?

The Chinese zodiac thrills me even more. With ruling signs (12 animals) that reign for a year at a time, Chinese astrology can be applied not just to individuals, but to the character of graduating classes and generations, and even the years themselves.

January 23rd ushered in the year of the Dragon. As the only mystical animal in the zodiac lineup, the Dragon is set apart. Dragon people are said to be larger than life, and Dragon years are said to bring enormous change. The Dragon shakes things up. Maybe the Mayans got it right. Maybe they anticipated the arrival of this Dragon. Maybe there’s a transformative shift in consciousness coming, and maybe 2012 will bring it. Or maybe the Mayans and students of every kind of astrology are looking for patterns in chaos.

Whatever you sign, whatever you believe, Happy Year of the Dragon! Change is inevitable. May the coming changes serve us all.

The City is looking hard at this neighborhood in their planning process for the next 25 years. At the center of the conversation (and the geographic location) is the I-5 and I-84 interchange that happens at Leftbank’s back door. City planners, area stakeholders, ODOT, PDOT and citizen activists have worked over the last year and a half to narrow the redesign options from infinite down to about three. The process has brought problems and potential solutions into sharp focus in order to make recommendations to the City this summer. Many proposed changes have fantastic potential in terms of safety and urban planning. But, one of the options still in the running affects Leftbank in a way that deeply concerns me. It calls for rerouting N Vancouver so it no longer runs behind Leftbank, but instead runs diagonally replacing what is now Flint St. north of Broadway, then onto what is now Wheeler St., directly outside Leftbank’s front door. It’s hard to represent the plan with just words in a single paragraph, so I encourage everyone invested in the neighborhood to attend the N/NE Quadrant Project Open House:

Lloyd Center Mall – west end near Nordstrom
Thursday, February 2, 2012
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
event flyer

As a Leftbanker, you know what challenges the neighborhood already, and what inspiration has brought us this far. Please bring your voice to this conversation.

Sometimes I keep my head down and slog through the decidedly unsexy parts of my work. You know, drafting agreements, tracking budgets, connecting dots between tenants and property management… And sometimes I take a breath, I look up, and I notice the fantastic range of things that are made, decided, or first conceived of in this building. Sometimes I wish I were a fly on the wall in every office so I could take in the full range of creativity and dedication this place is so rich with.

When Daniela Caine joined the Hive, I was introduced to her freelance design work through her company the gestalter. Turns out Daniela, like nearly every Leftbanker I know, has eggs in more than one basket. She’s also part of a recently launched company designing and selling patterns for children’s clothing. While Daniela designs for a number of larger companies (including Nike, Adidas, and Columbia), Figgy’s is an inspired, personal venture. Just for fun, when you click on the link in that last sentence - see if you recognize Leftbank.

There isn’t enough time in the day to take in and fully appreciate all that Leftbankers do, but I had to share this irresistible spark. Daniela makes me wish I could sew.

Follow this link to see a slideshow of some of the incredible spaces that add up to Leftbank.  The building is nearly full and the community nearly complete.  To learn about workspaces that are still available or to join the wait list, email us - or click the ‘leasing’ tag to the left for more information… more

If you like Leftbank, you must love Portland.  And if you love Portland, you must know Portland Monthly magazine.  The current cover story is “The 50 Most Influential Portlanders” edited by Zach Dundas.  I’m a not-so-secret admirer of several folks featured there.  more

What do William Shatner, The Dooby Brothers, Phyllis Diller, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Eartha Kitt, Jimmy Stewart, Kenny Rogers, Ronald Reagan and Bugs Bunny have in common? more

Certified B Corporations address social and environmental issues through the power of business. Currently 454 companies have met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency and earned certification. Why does certification exist? Why do companies get certified? From the B Corp website:

“B Corporations’ performance standards enable consumers to support businesses that align with their values, investors to drive capital to higher impact investments, and governments and multinational corporations to implement sustainable procurement policies.”

Are you part of a B Corp? Do you do business with any B Corps? 30 of the 454 are located in Oregon. Not too shabby. Two are here in Leftbank. FMYI and Blue Tree Strategies have both been part of this place from nearly the beginning. Obviously passionate about their work and pushing the B Corp agenda, they’re working together to spread the word. Check it out.

Been planning this progressive party at Leftbank.  Have you ever been to one of those?  Can’t say that I have in my adult life, but I remember my parents gearing up for the annual neighborhood progressive party in the 70s.  Weeks of planning mapped out where the night would begin, who served martinis and appetizers, who would have the honor of presenting the main course, and where the party would end with desserts and a nightcap.  As a kid, I watched TV with my big brother and the sitter, trying desperately to stay awake long enough to spy on the portion of the party that happened in our house.  That rarely happened, but several times the clamour of an entire party walking down the street pulled us from the TV to the window.  We watched our parents among the congregation of neighbors - dressed up and smiling, talking and laughing - as the party moved to the next station.

Somebody had the idea that we need a progressive party here at Leftbank .  And yes, we do.  So a group of us have mapped out the evening and rallied a bunch of the neighbors to join in.  It’s loosely planned compare to the parties I’m remembering.  But that sounds right in our community of work neighbors, with a party happening at the end of the work day.  But in this freer form progressive party, other planners and I wondered how we’d keep people together.  Progressive parties are fun because people move through them together, after all.  Decided we must have a pied piper.  I found one.  His name is Steve.  Steve is the president of the Rose City AccordionClub.  He is a delight to talk to.

I guess it’s clear that i’m nostalgic about the progressive party idea.  Yes, I know it’s not the 70s.  Yes, I know my nostalgia gives away my age.  But can I help it if I hope there’s fondue?  Haven’t heard there will be any.  Though I have it on good authority that someone’s planning gourmet jello shots.  I surely hope to see all you other Leftbankers there.

August 25th is shaping up to be a big night! Leftbankers will roll through the Progressive Party from 5:00-7:00.

Then from 8:00-11:00, the 2nd annual Bowling for Boobies is happening a stone’s throw from here at Interstate Lanes. For $10, you’ll get unlimited bowling, use of the open pool tables, and a raffle ticket. For $20 you get all of that and more. The “more” includes pizza, t-shirt, autographed bowling pin, and opportunity to compete for prizes.

Leftbank Café grillmaster Jordan and a friend launched the event last year inspired by the friend’s mom. She beat breast cancer. They want to help more women beat it. Contribute your dollars and your victorious spirit to the effort. Wear silly shoes and have fun, too.