Project Grow

OUR BLOG HAS MOVED!

2011-08-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Project Grow blog has a new home, it's now more integrated with our main site. All new posts will there from now on.

Find it here...

» » Our new blog « «

To my sweetheart, forever and ever

2011-08-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

I'm happy for my wedding
I hope
I hope and I pray it comes through
with all my heart and soul
For I want this
With more than anything else on earth
I hope and I pray
that he will love me too

He told me
a number of times
He loved me.
I told him that right back.
I hope and I pray
That he comes closer and closer to me
I want to get
closer
and closer
to him.

I don't want to ever leave him.

If anything is wrong
I want to hear about it
I don't care if it is
bad
good
or sad
I don't care
I just want to be there for ever
and ever.

-Ginger Matthews

John Mosser's 8-11-11 Playlist.

2011-08-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

Some kind of friend Barry Manilow
Mandy- Barry Manilow
Everytime you go away- Paul Young
Laughter in the rain- Neil Sedaka
If ever you're in my arms again-Peabo Bryson
My Life-Billy Joel
Lotta Love-Nicolette Larson
Bad case of loving you - Robert Palmer
Windy-The Association

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2011-08-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

Team Together: Gets together every Friday

2011-08-01T18:23:00.001-07:00

What a way to end July. Ideas! Celebrations! Shared information!
Below are our notes from our Friday Team Together Meetings. They are amazing. As always, you are welcome to crash them.

Love,
All of us from Project Grow

Minimum Wage:
Patsy: "Watch your P's and Q's. No arguments. No fights. No nothing. Just do your jobs."
"That's the only thing I will ask. "
Catie: Do you want me to keep making you homemade calendars?
Patsy: Yes. I made up a choice. Instead of painting, you guys going to be secretaries. The whole ship kaboom.
A friend of mine, is going to be sit side by side by me. She is my secretary. Everyone will get minimum wage.
stacey: What is minimum wage?
Eleanor: Minimum wage is how much money we get by the things we do as Project Grow. Gardening farm, studio management. My father and I have been fighting this for people and adults with a minimum wage.
Everyone celebrated the idea of minimum wage. Yay!

Stacey has an idea for a show
Stacey: My own gallery. Painting, Crochet. Knitting. Wants to have a show! The weaving. Various

Not everyone wants to be an actor
Chanel: cried all night and day about people at Safeway not wanting to be her movie.

Going to the beach
Sonya: Will be on vacation next month. But will call us to say hi!
Dan: Caught us up on the beach trip. Everyone went to look at galleries. Charlie was buried in the sand. The road was blocked off.

Rummage Sale
Eleanor: Rummage Sale on August 27th.Sonya thinks this is amazing and wants to help as does Stacey and Dan and David C. with handing out fliers.
Stacey wants to sell clothes!
Ginger: What is for sale?
All sorts of things?
Can we sell cothes?
Tim: as long it is really clean.
David C: Rock and Roll! Cds too.
Stacey: What will happen with the money?
Dan: We can pay our bills and buy more art supplies?
Stacey: Can we give it to homeless?
Everyone: sure!
Catie: Big surprise we made home made waffles!
James: sounds delicious.
Zach: mmmmmmm.
Patsy: Will there be something to drink that is sugar free?
Emese: We had talked about sun tea.

Coffee run today!
Eleanor would like to organize one. Who wants to go?
Coffee run: Eleanor, Eddie

New time sheet system for
Time sheets:Patsy, Stacey, Eric, Tim, Tina, Dan (phone answering when Patsy is not here)
To learn new job skills
To self manage and self motivate

Exciting things!
Chanel: Turn new york into Tokyo! Residency!
QT: First solo show!

Brainstorming creative ways to get Catie's art out there
Catie: sell art pages
Emese: Make original art
Shannon: she could make I spy books!
Stacey: Where's waldo kind!
Catie: yea!

Picnic!
Dan: where?
Zach: Here
Emese: Maye we can even bring in some healthy food!
Dan: like grapes.
Monica: How about pineapples?
James: Pineapple helps digest beans!
Fascinating.
Steven: I like watermelon.
Ginger: Kiwis.
Chanel: Blackberries. Raspberries.
Stacey: Fruit Salad.

Today instead of burritos...a new idea
Tim: Instead of burritos, truck style diner for lunch!
Who else wants to go?
Kristin and Dan

Street art show
Zach: wants to be a curator of the Street art show.
Stacey: also.

Bowling
Dash: Will contact the bowling alley at PSU to see if we can go there for free.

Tina and Tanya's birthday today!
Zach: it's tina and tanya's birthday!
Let's sing them happy birthday!
Lorna: Speech!
Tina and Tanya: Thank you!
They went to visit baby bunnies. Heaven.

newly fired pottery from the kiln!
Tim: Look at the stuff that was fired!

The best night EVER!: Reflections on the World Naked Bike Ride part of Pedalpalooza.

2011-06-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

Forrest Hellum-Willits joined 10,000 other bikers for Pedalpalooza's World Naked Bike Ride.

One million people. Naked. And Nuded.
All through town. A nice guy.
It feels good with our naked bodies. Nude People. Lots of people are cheering. Music and noises.
It's really fun.
We're going to do it next year too.
by the way, I farted on Saturday. There's going to be a whole lot of people there...a whole lot. There were 200 people on skateboards.
It feels like heaven.
There were a whole bunch of cops.
I was so excited to go! Tons of lights! All over the city.

Beautiful! Sexy.

A Painting and a Poem by Patsy Blaiser

2011-06-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

“ A Dozen Red Roses Have Opened My Heart
P.S. I’m close to my mother and dad and everything and that’s how special they are to me because I love them very much and I said why? And I will take a dozen red roses and go out to the cemetery and put some flowers on their grave. ”

By Patsy Blaiser
June 21, 2011

The red, the yellow and the blue
It’s shaped like a flower
In my heart
Why is that?
Everyone can see me happy
And everything goes right
This area goes from there and this part here is my area
To me, I’ve got somebody in my life
And the flowers are meant to be
Belong to a certain party I know
I wish that he would come up here
And look at the painting that I did
Oliver
He’s nine
He is taller than I am
And he’s really nice to me
He helped me out a lot
He showed me how to be
And the numbers
And the alphabet
And stuff like that
And he said
He makes me happy
He helped me out and everything
When I get stuck
He helped me
To me,
It’s opened my heart up
Every time I see it (this painting)
It tells me my heart has opened up wide
And my life is very special
And that’s why I love these flowers
It talks to me
Because I pray to God
And it has butterflies on it
Along with the flowers
Along with a dozen red roses
I like someone in my life
And he cares about me
He would help me out a lot
That’s what the flowers telling me
I had to tell somebody
It also tells me
A certain party I know will help me out

It’s You.

Harvest: Week 1!

2011-06-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

WEEK 1 – 6/14/11

Packing List:

+Bag of Magenta Orach
+Arugula
+Mizuna & Mustard
+Bunch of Radishes
+Bunch of chives
+Lovage
+Half-dozen of eggs
+Spinach
+Mint

Hello Shareholders!

What an exciting day it is. We've been looking forward to this day since last November, and it is finally here! The first of 18 weeks of deliveries, and it's a great showing of June's offerings in this cool maritime spring (summer, supposedly). The real "June" winners (peas and strawberries) are still a week or two out, but look forward to them. All of our heartier offerings tend to be later season crops, but the light fare offered in this box will hopefully complement the hot weather we wish to see soon. Wishful thinking. There are obviously excellent salad opportunities offered in this box, but don't discount the cooked possibilities of the orach, arugula, spinach, and even the radish greens.
Right now at the farm, we're still planting, scrambling to get the fields in order and accounted for, and work hastily on our various non-food farm projects. The new farm/garden site up on Legacy Emanuel's property is moving along, with infrastructure being added steadily. Tim is still waiting for his knee to recover enough to get back to kneeling/lifting/moving without crutches, while James and everyone else have been working hard without fail. Oh! Save the date! Our third annual North Portland Farm Throwdown is on Saturday the 25th, featuring good (free) beer from Ninkasi, The amazing Jeffrey Jerusalem, SAFE, and Malaikat dan Singa performing outside in the farm. It's always a blast, and this year will be even nicer since we're not working to fancy the place up until the last moment.
Once again, make sure to leave this week’s box flattened and ready for pickup next week! We hope you enjoy this food!

-The North Portland Farm

"Love is a Battlefield"

2011-06-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

Forrest's second poem on a day sure to be filled with beauty.

Project Grow will be Closed for two weeks....April fools!!! - Larry

2011-04-01T13:14:00.001-07:00

"What's red, what's blue, what's green? How are you tunring upside down? You've got no brain!" - Patsy

"Shoe's untied!" Ricky

"Woof, woof, ruff, ruff, ruff!" - David L.

"You've got a stain on your T-shirt" - Eddie

"April fools! I'm not here!" - Kelly

"Emese's shirt is on backwards!" - Zach

"What's a hijacker doing on an airplane? He's holding hostages on the airline too much." "What's a bear cub doing in the cupboard? He's looking around for food. Ham or cheese." - John

"I'm going home sick. I'm coming back Tuesday." - Sonya

"Larry is an April fool!" - Lorna

"What's black, white, and red all over? A blushing zebra" - Tina C.

"You're a bowling pin! April Fools!" - Dan

"Leprechauns steal Easter eggs!" - Jamond

"You're shirt is on backwards!" - Steven

"A ship was passing a small island. On the island was a man frantically waving his hands. The passenger asked the captain 'who was that man?' and the captain replied "I don't know, every year we pass the island he goes mad!" - Jen

"A man walks into a bar....ouch!" - Ilene

Happy.

2011-03-21T11:35:00.001-07:00

Bowling. Bowling. James and Tim are my friends. Ice cream. Music. Cake. Pizza. Tacos. Hot sauce. Blueberries. Strawberries. Chips. Mmmm mmmm. Good. Sauce is good. I like people who sing a song. Cookie favorite. Pizza. My friend. Tim and James. Friend. Happy Friend. Joy. Joy. Happy.

A found conversation

2011-03-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Everyone once in a while, a conversation is so beautiful, so fun, that the fingers of the listener are moved to record it. There are too many moments like this in Project Grow.
These recently found notes depict a brief slice of such a conversation.

Forrest: The first thing, I will not die alone.
Emese: I don't want to die alone either.
F: I want to die with your self.
E: You just said you don't want to die alone. What do you mean?
F: God is always, is always by my side.
E: How do you know?
F: Because my mom told me to (motions hands in a wave) to take my body and take my skin, my bones to ash and be reborn to a new you. Then I'll be alive again.
E: Why doyou mean by a new you?
F: You know, It's like a ... When somebody dies, and they put you in a fiery grave and you turn into an ash, then there will be a bowl or something. Then you put the ashes in it.
E: How does that lead to rebirth?
F: Um. (bounces pencil on his forhead)

Starts are starting with Vigor!!!

2011-03-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

strawberries. i cant eat hot stuff. Project Grove office, I was born and raised on a farm.. Like turnips and potatoes and growing beans and grapes and things like that... Pears apples, spinach, spinach.. They grow on the farm. Carrots, turnips, onions, that grows on a farm.. cantaloupe, coconut, and things like that cherries, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe and they grow on the farm.. and jam.. strawberries. what I love about the farm is born and raised on the farm cotton balls, bananas, turnips, green beans and tomatoes and cucumbers and things like that cauliflower. and that was about it.... did that help you out? and sweet potatoes. and pickles... oh, and turnips! Don't forget the turnips!!

About Beef Jerky

2011-02-17T09:43:00.000-08:00

Forrest: As you can see, it's an animal.

Vitaliy: Meat. It's meat.

Forrest: It tastes like horse shit. Nahhhhhhhhh! Just kidding.

Vitaliy: Just kidding!

Forrest: First you take a cow... fire him up. Chop it into strips. The inside... is all chewed up by me. It's all meaty. Chewed up, by my teeth. ... And sometimes ... I put it in my milk.

Book of Spell. Part II. Forrest

2011-02-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

the moon is high
sleep all day long
like a stars chilling out on the moon
and the planet
is a wonder full place to live

short shit is eating his way
like jay bow in a sky low funny
do
slow
mellow
shallow
willow
lay low
bottle
tell ow fell ow door low

the shadow still standing
tall like a stone before me and so long my happy
cry will howl at the moon
when the sun go down
into dark time it make me not happy
but the light shine upon my happy soul
you too will follow that path
it is time to go for that light
and you can talk to me
if you want to
and human soul will become the shine of you life
and all so be happy for all the time
we need the moment of my life

it is fine
my happy mine
will be the last
it is not the end of me
and all so i will

be back soon

A new friendship

2011-02-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

the book of spell-Forrest Hellum Willits

2011-02-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in My Mind by Forrest Hellum

2011-01-19T12:17:00.000-08:00

Angels are watching us below.
Praise the lord.
There's goodness in our hearts.
I'm feeling glad I've got sunshine.
Drum city and bass.
Rainforest.
Let's play some music.
VistaPrint.
Too much space.
You make me crazy.
I'll be you.
Come on now.
Bless your soul.
Just like you.
Just like fun.
Freaky stuff now.
Hello my friend.
Take me outside.
I love you very much.
Love is a beautiful thing.
Sun is rising, it's your day.

Crazy Picture: Eddie Butler

2011-01-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

It's half and half. Half black hair, half blond hair. Half long hair, half short hair. He doesn't like his long hair. He wants his short hair back. We don't know why.

The Rose

2010-12-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

The stem that's growing is from a rose stem. And that it's just growing in water. It's going to be planted outside and roses are going to grow on it! Well if we plant it out here where the goats are, they'll probably eat it. How about if we plant out here next to the garlic? In between the garlic and the goats.
Roses are pretty, they smell nice, and they make your house smell fragrant.

Tina Cousin

The Story of My Life: A poem by Forrest Hellum

2010-12-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

Nice day out
Be the spirit within you
Always be truefull
And feel the love of happiness
Soul of eyes
And beauty of the one you know
I am the one you seek
that
A true meaning of life
If you dare
Go
Pass my life
to you,
and you
Soul mate.

Dear Shimizu Takashi (Director of Grudge)

2010-12-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

I want to make the Grudge 1, Grudge 2, Ju-On 2 in New York City. With me, Teresita, Jessica, and Emily. I want to come out of my aunt Holly's stomach. All gray and Bloody. I want to scare my uncle. My uncle Michael. In a hospital in New York City. I am everybody's in the whole wide world worst nightmare. Thank you so much. It will be perfect.
Love,
Chanel Conklin

Preparing for OPEN

2010-12-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

On Thursday 12.2.10, the Project Grow family pulled together to run some errands for Open. One group went to Sunlan on Mississippi Avenue in North Portland to purchase gallery appropriate bulbs. To celebrate our successful mission, we dropped by Blue Gardenia to sip on some hot chocolate and chat. Team Together!

A found poem

2010-11-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

Organizing the studio this weekend, one of Forrest's poem scribbled on a scrap piece of paper was found.
The sun
And the trees
Blooming in the wind
:/God is sweet and so are you:/
O happy Day
The beautiful soul.

Thank you for being a friend, Betty White.

2010-11-18T18:38:00.000-08:00

Dear Betty White,

Why don't you come to Portland?
Come to Portland. Come to Project Grow. Come meet my best friends. They're perfect. And they're beautiful.

We love you. You are pretty.

-Chanel Conklin

A Video of our Visit to Fairview: by Black Dog Art Ensemble

2010-11-18T18:03:00.001-08:00

The magnetic birthday hug

2010-11-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

Try it next time! Approach someone who has a birthday and the next thing you know, others are drawn closer and closer and closer until the full effect of the magnetic birthday hug is felt and there is a whole group of people appreciating and loving each other. Happy Birthday, Zach. We love you.

Dear Sir- Patsy Blasier

2010-11-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Sir

College growth

Up and Down

Open and out

It will be open all day

Can open out weekdays, 24 hours a day,

I can see so many wonderful things here

Dresses, shirts, paintings, poetry, flowers

You can also see the goats, the farm, the sculptures

Things like that. Pretty stuff.

...and yarn.

They have to go through me.

Up and out

Poetry Grove.

ORAn't You Glad We Were at the ORA Conference

2010-10-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

"It was like inspiring. Well it just, it just, it just, what I said makes sense. I mean, you know, it's true. Cause people like me weren't even there. To be honest, we may be disabled but we are good people too. Sometimes we gotta stand up for our rights, you know what I'm saying?"
Larry Supnet, who spoke at the ORA conference so eloquently about his experiences as an identified adult

the HAUNTED STUDIO

2010-10-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

THE HAUNTED STUDIO
OCTOBER 30th
SATURDAY
5:30 pm to 9 pm
at ProjectGrow

Some poetry from Sonya...

2010-10-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

I like you.
I like going out.
I don't know.
Friday,
What do you think?
I hope to get more money
I like my friends
This weekend.
I don't know.

I like this meeting.
I want to do it again.
I like going out,
Thursday night.
I like Halloween.
No more going outside,
this year.
I like that
You get more money.
I like painting.

You're not going to believe this....

2010-10-13T19:20:00.001-07:00

As Caitlin, the hard working farmer pictured says, "You're not going to believe this.." but it was another beautiful day in North Portland. Much work to be done. And so many great farmers who jumped at this opportunity. (Note Chanel and Tim, 'supporting' Caitlin.)

This is a great poem. You should put it on the computer for everyone to see.

2010-10-08T00:13:00.001-07:00

The creativity inside the studio is lured outside by the October sun

2010-10-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

John and Zach work with bright ink to complement the beautiful day.

The brilliant William studied Jeff, Buckaroo, and Abby and painted them.

Dillon shared his love of Annie with the goats and sang to them.

Babs found utter joy. Working on a soft expression of her passions near her beloved goats.

Welcome, Larry!

2010-09-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

The gent in the middle of the group hug, is Larry. He is a comedian. An artist. A writer. And a genuine fun guy, with lots of spice. We are so glad he is at Project Grow.

Happy knits, you made us happy.

2010-09-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

We received a beautiful, soft truck full of donations from Happy Knits. And then we had a yarn party. And we are going to continue to party for a long time working with quality wool. Thank you, Happy Knits.

Calm in the Chaos: The Poetry of Forrest Hellum-Willits

2010-09-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

Love is, Love is good,
Pumping through veins to my heart,
The hallways of gold

A Tribute

2010-09-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

Taj Majal

2010-09-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

Taj Majal is a palace in India.
I want to go to India and ride an elephant.
Me and Charlie and Dasha make Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in India. Disney Land and Walt Disney World. (Will you send this to Scott?) I won't eat snakes or leeches. Ewwwww. [laughs] Like me and Charlie are taken hostage. By the bad guys. Dasha in a cage. In a lava.
I want to write something.
"nononono Wake up Dr Jones! Wake up Charlie you are my best friend!
no she says I am all right sisters miss pink fairy.
Charlie let's get out of here.
Me, Dasha walk on the bridge.
Dasha says, oh my god, is he nuts.
He's not nuts he's crazy!"
Chanel Conklin
With a prop for her next movie, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Watch for its release soon!
(Also pictured, Tina Cousin and Charlie Foster)

Questions for people who work with other people with disabilities...

2010-09-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

...and for the people who are disabled.

Mark "Joe" Depner, 2010

Scoooooped them up...

2010-08-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Actually I was just checking out the eggs. And I seen the eggs and I scooooped them up. I got most of the eggs out of one square. I only got two out of the other. And the eggs are from our own chickens.
Tina Cousin

The waffles were good

2010-08-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

Jamond: Waffles were good.
Maurice: I had chocolate in it.
Poppa Hot Sauce, that's my nickname!
Jamond: I got nuts... Waffles were good.
Maurice: Loved the waffles. The waffles we ate.
We'd love to go there again. We liked that!
Charlie is a nice driver. He joined us on the bus.

Sweet Bridge

2010-08-25T13:57:00.001-07:00

I like the St. John's Bridge. This is the Poppa Hot Sauce Blog. It was a nice bridge to draw. Sweet bridge. Nike hike. I like our friends, from Major Panda. They came too. Let's go again! - Maurice

Like a fallen snow - Patsy Blasier

2010-08-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

There is more life in things inside than out

2010-08-24T16:42:00.001-07:00

Patsy Blasier
The Pointing of An Arrow - 2009

It reminds me of a sea shell
And everything
It tells/shows me
That there is more life in things inside than out

I'd like to see someone like these things
And everything

I was thinking "Sea Boat"
I was thinking "The Water Lilly"
It's just like you're floating in the water
And you feel like you are swimming in a glass of water

It also reminds me of Emese
Someone that went out in the water and saved her life
She was drowning
It just popped into my head
Then it led to happy things
And she's had a handful, a bow, of red roses
("I wonder what she will say to reading this")

And the story is

To Be loved In The Sea

And there is more fish in the water than there is out

The Poet of Portland: The Photography and Poetry of Forrest Hellum-Willits

2010-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

The hole in the wall.

It's like the chips are going into the hole in the floor.

All the way to the floor and come right back out.

It's like eating chips off the floor.

This Saturday: A fundraiser at Port City

2010-08-17T19:47:00.001-07:00

Thanks, Stock!

2010-08-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

Awww. Thanks, Stock and friends! We are so excited to start this project. We will start working on publishing bike and wheel chair maps to urban fruit finds, fliers, and gathering supplies. Look for invites soon!

We are in the next Stock Dinner! You should be there too.

2010-08-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

Stock is amazing. A chance to directly support artists' visions. Join us. RSVP to portlandstock@gmail.com as soon as you can. Spaces fill up fast!

Our project:

1. Project Summary: (100 words)
ProjectGrow (www.growinginalldirections.org) is an arts and farming organization that is inspired by and celebrates everyone’s right to a meaningful life (regardless of intellectual category), the opportunity to connect with the world, the viability of art as a career choice, and the place of farming in an urban environment. We would like to start a canning project, where we seek fruit and other edible plants growing in our urban community, establish a relationship with our neighbors in order to acquire it, and together as a unified group, preserve it by canning it. This project creates community and celebrates nature.

2. How will you use the funding toward the realization of your project? (50 words)
The funding acquired from stock will allow us to gather the necessary supplies, some will be borrowed, some will be bought, and some can be rented. We’d also like to design an exhibit that will require certain materials (lighting, wood for shelves) to be shown at a gallery.

3. How will it manifest at the next Stock event? (100 words):
At the next stock event, ProjectGrow is prepared to share at least 10 jars, of jam and pickled vegetables. ProjectGrow artists will especially decorate each jar. Artists and farmers participating in the program as well as neighbors will jointly present the experience through photographs, recipes, and by sharing the ‘fruits’ of their efforts with everyone at the next Stock event.

4. Why is this project important? (100 words)
This project creates community, bringing together once institutionally segregated adults (with developmental disabilities), children of all ages who enjoy sweetness on their tongues, and neighbors isolated by our modern paradigm. We would like to celebrate the abundance of the season, shirk the excesses of our culture gathering fruit that grows in our urban neighborhood, and honor traditional preservation for the colder months, rather than shipping fruit in the winter from thousands of miles away. All this can be accomplished through a beautiful community event, of gathering fruit, coming together to jam/pickle, and through an aesthetically inspiring presentation in an exhibit.

Harvest Day

2010-08-08T13:36:00.001-07:00

Harvest Day from Lasercave on Vimeo.

Pancakes and...

2010-07-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Portraits!

A visit to Fairview

2010-07-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Fairview Training Center: to some a place of horrors, to some a childhood home, to others a fragment of history too few remember.

Accompanied by Scott Ray Becker and Corky Miller, filmmakers and our friends,we visited Fairview with former residents, Charles, Bill, and Ricky.

We visited the buildings that remained, remembered those that once filled the halls, and collectively imagined what the future may look like.

Thanks to Sam Hall and James Santana for the wonderful welcome.
Ricky, Charles, and Bill were invited to take photographs and Corky and Scott volunteered their energy and passion to record the experience. We are excited to share these documents with you soon!

We love New Seasons!

2010-07-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

North Portland Farm produce now for sale at New Seasons Arbor Lodge (Interstate and Rosa Parks). We are so excited.

The Ballad of Dr. Evil and Mad Man

2010-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Mad Man tries to keep Dr Evil on the right path.

How Our Ducks are Doing!

2010-07-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

The ducks are doing good. They are getting bigger. The ducks names are Country (in the above photos), Ashley Annie, and Ed.

By: Kristin Loftis

It Feels Good

2010-07-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

It feels good!
It feels good! to be 71.
It feels good to be 71, warm.
It feels good to get a hug.
It feels good when someone gets you flowers.
To write someone a card for a happy birthday.
When he is on my side it feels good.
To be called princess.
and have Marie as my middle name.

Pancakes and Portraits! Sunday: 11 am to 3 pm

2010-07-20T21:32:00.001-07:00

Independence Now!

2010-07-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

We were moved to express our views on the budget cuts at Pioneer Square at Thursday's rally. Thanks to Yulia for organizing this event! Great protest poster by Kelly Hankin!

Learn My Art: Mural pt. 1

2010-07-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

We're PARRtial to PARR Lumber!

2010-07-15T13:51:00.001-07:00

I like Parr lumber so much. Cause Marshall is a nice guy. Doug is too! Marshall and Doug are nice. They have a whole bunch of people there. And Shauna. They sell saws and all that. We had hot dogs there. Sausages. Two cricket hotdogs! We walked around.[breaks into the song he sang at the kareoke] "Bye Bye miss American pie, drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry. the good ol' boys who drink whiskey and rye say this will be the day that I die this will be the day that I die." Guess what I saw all that wood that say there like that [motions hand against the ceiling] how come? I go to Parr everyday. Guess what? I go down there on Saturdays and have an egg salad sandwich.
-Steven
We are so thankful for Parr Lumber for being such great friends with all of us. We had a phenomenal time at the Parr-BQ.

Good to be in the 'Neighborhood'!!!

2010-07-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the lovely and talented folks at Neighborhood Notes for their beautiful and insightful article on us. We feel loved. Thank you.

Protest this Thursday downtown!

2010-07-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Join all of us at Project Grow at a rally planned downtown Portland in Pioneer Square Thursday at noon. This rally is to bring attention to the abrupt budget cuts passed by the governor that will be influencing those funded through the Brokerage system in Oregon. Brokerages are: in-home or other personal supports that assist an individual to live in their own home or with family or friends and to fully participate in community life, including work. The rights of individuals relying on these services to experience freedom and the liberty of choice is compromised with this budget cut.

See you Thursday, July 15th, at noon at Pioneer Square in Portland! Email protestthecuts@gmail.com if you want to be included in future opportunities to advocate for better services and a more public decision making process!

Monday. Funday.

2010-07-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

We have room! Over the weekend we scrubbed and painted and moved into the space that wraps around the gallery. Now, in our new studio, we have room to twirl, make giant paper mache elephants, and tell jokes. Our gallery now houses the finished pieces as well as art from our friends at Major Panda and the EC. Come by. Dance with us. Paint a masterpiece with Kelly and Dan. Or just enjoy a cup of tea while listening to beautiful chaos.

Love. Project Grow

Got a lot of love to give-Vickie

2010-07-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

This summer I'm going, if, I'm just waiting for my brother to get well and then I'm going to the beach. And he is doing the, he is a little bit sore yet. (To Tim) Brother, how's my tomato doing? (Tim) It's doing well, it's your love, fertilized with love. [Vickie giggles] I have a lot of love to give. [Turns back to Emese] And my life history... I took care of my grandmother also I took care of my dad and when I was working in California I had to run back to Oregon cause my mom was in the hospital in Prineville, I only got to see her for just a little bit. When I left she was gone. Right before Mothers day. And then Daddy died on his birthday, he went to sleep. He did not know nobody. Even his own kids. I took care of him also, he didn't want nobody to take care of him. Also, momma always treated her kids love and affection. She was always there for me when I was sick, really sick and down. I was in the hospital three or four times. I was operated here. My tube were tied. Because if I had a baby the baby and I could die too. I knew people like me in Mollalla in Easter Oregon, we were in the same age. I went to 4H. I even grew beautiful roses. We nicknamed our grandparents. My mom's mother was big grandma, dad's was little grandma. My grandpa was a logger. When he gets a check he always goes to the tavern. My grandma didn't get no sleep at all.

When Danny and I got hooked up, his house parents wants me to come up and move up there. They love me like a part of their family. When I was sick not too long ago, he called me. He is my baby. We always meet each other at the Rose Quarter in the morning, he gives me a big hug when he sees me. When I came here, I met Danny the first time, and he fell in love with me. he says, 'I love you sweety, I want you for my girl'. Also, he when he comes back, he is bringing me something, a surprise. I don't know what it is. He says be on your best behavior. Let Patsy and Dave watch over me until he gets back. We are engaged to be married. We love each other.

Tattoo Skirt

2010-07-06T19:44:00.001-07:00

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Today, Jamond and Chanel collaborated on making an ordinary white skirt, into a one of a kind piece of art. Come on in! Wear something white, sit next to Jamond or Chanel, and become a piece of art.

Harvest Day!

2010-07-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! Come play with us!

2010-07-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Independence day means freedom - Patsy

2010-07-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

I like to be by myself. I'm going to do things what I like to do. And I don't. I ask for help. I want a place of my own. And everything. I just want somebody to help me. Independence day means freedom. I like to do things for myself. Things like that. And everything. I am an American. I like to do things on my own. Try not to have anybody help me and everything. I love to cook and bake. Only thing I would ask is somebody to take me to the store. And everything.

I like to do things with my family. And everything. We'd do things together. We'd put on picnics, camping overnight, things like that. That's why I'd like to try to get another computer for up here. I love to read. And I get a few mathbooks and stuff, and I don't get no help on that.

On our picnic's we'd eat chicken. Pot roast. Tato salad. Baked beans. Turnips. Now I can't eat them because of my stomach. Oh and also ice cream and cake! They don't hurt my stomach. When I was a little girl, about 12 years old, I followed in my mom and dads footsteps. We do things together. We go down to the beach and walk. And everything. I want to do the same things with you guys. My dad asked me 'what would you like' and I'd say, 'some wings and some work books'. And he'd say, 'that's no problem honey'.

I'd like something to do, I like to do things with my hands. and I'd like to go back to school. Get my education.

I got my freedom and I can do what I want to.

City of Portland - A painting by Maurice

2010-07-02T11:03:00.001-07:00

'By Maurice 'Spaghetti'. My beautiful painting. I did a good job! And I got it on the log [blog]! I did a good job with that painting! You like it?'
-Maurice M.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

2010-06-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons
Non-discrimination
Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
Equality of opportunity
Accessibility
Equality between men and women
Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities

Our Community

2010-06-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, at last. This Saturday we will be celebrating, pondering, and discussing what it means to be a community at our discussion panel. Moderated by the effervescent Sandy Sampson, the panel is composed of P:ear youth, Project Grow artists, and City Repair.

The evening begins at 6 with music to inspire mingling until 7. At 7 the panel will begin. You are welcome to join in on the conversation or listen while sipping on wine.

We're glad you are in our community.

An Octopus! - The Process of Jamond Williams

2010-06-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Shapes.
Rainbow.
Brown and Green.
And Red. Black. Orange! That's it.
An Octopus!
An elephant, a doggie. Woof Woof.
Favorite.

Enjoying Some Sun for the Shop Hop

2010-06-21T23:07:00.000-07:00

Jigsaw Puzzle

2010-06-21T11:42:00.001-07:00

It's a jigsaw puzzle. I just started drawing shapes and I connected them and then I colored them. To make a picture. And it turned out to be a puzzle! -Eddie

He is an artist. -Maurice

We did an exciting thing! [field trip review]

2010-06-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

Project Grow visited EcoSpeed, the world's best electric assist! Thanks to Lisa Bleier, our good friend, for arranging this wonderfully informative experience.

Zach: I had a good time enjoying the ladies and guys talk about the electric bikes and how they work.
Dan: yea. And asking them questions.
Zach: I learned that I liked the different people that were talking about the bikes.
Kelly: It was fascinating! I liked the bikes the bikes that they showed off. They got a lot of skillz!
Dan: How they put them together and stuff, the gears and everything.
Zach: Someone rode the bike down the street. I may get a bike again!
Dan: I asked what I could do to do it to my bike and he said it costs 2500 dollars to put a motor on my bike.
Zach: That's a lot of money.
Dan: I can save up the money.
Endale: I liked the trick bike!
Dan: I liked it when they rode around the parking lot.
Maurice: I liked the bikes turning into motor bikes!
Dan: They are nice people. Lisa is a nice person. She also said, thank you very much for setting it up with her. That's what she said. Thank you for showing us around. Those things aren't even loud! They are quiet. I liked it when they turned on the throttle, the electric starter. I liked those. And the one she showed to us was a neat one.

Come spend some time with us! Hoedown! Community!

2010-06-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

Come celebrate the reclaiming of land. Just months ago the new lot was covered in blackberries, bottles, and old car parts. Now it’s not only beautiful, it’s growing food. See the new lot for yourself, and join us in a night of celebration - there will be live music, beverages, and fun.

Live music by:
SAFE / Jeffrey Jerusalem / and a special guest

Project Grow Panel Discussion about "Community"

Take part in the next installment of our lecture / discussion series...
6-7 pm Cello Music
7-8 pm Panel Discussion with members:

w/ p:ear youth & City Repair & Project Grow artists

*p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth, through education, art and recreation.
*City Repair is an organized group action that educates and inspires communities and individuals to creatively transform the places where they live.
*Project Grow is an art, yoga, farm, and music program inpsired and empowered by adults with developmental disabilities located in inner North Portland.

Thanks to Widmer for the love and support!

Once in a Lifetime

2010-06-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

Once in a Lifetime from Lasercave on Vimeo.

The Flower Loves Me

2010-06-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

Flowers make me feel happy. And the flower loves me. Thank you so much for being my friend forever. I want to keep you forever.
Chanel Conklin

The Poetry of Math (or math in motion)

2010-06-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

"I like how I did it! And that's it! Nothing to it! The next one I'm working on is 'My Handwriting Skills', that's my next book. That's all she wrote! "
A book written and bound by Kelly Hankin.

Dancing with the Ducky: Next Tuesday. 7 pm.

2010-06-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Celebrating that oh so elusive Portland sun...

2010-05-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Jamond's Celebration from Lasercave on Vimeo.

Knock Knock

2010-05-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

Dan: Knock Knock.
Dasha: Who's there?
Dan: Precious.
Dasha: Precious who?
Dan: You're precious!

Eddie: Knock knock.
Dasha: Who's there?
Eddie: Spilled beans.
Dasha: Spilled beans who?
Eddie: Uh-oh, I spilled the beans!

Jamond: Knock knock.
Dasha: Who's there?
Jamond: Kevin.
Dasha: Kevin who?
Jamond: Dan McClary knows Kevin!

Love radio

2010-05-28T11:39:00.001-07:00

It's fabulous. That's it. - Eddie Butler

Dancing with The Ducky

2010-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

'I want it all' from Lasercave on Vimeo.

Hot diggidy.
Ok....Disco.
House of hairs.
Fever of life.
John Travolta.
Stayin' alive!
She said it!
We do it the bump. Ba ba ba ba ba baaa welcome to the club.
Cool and the gang.
L Gabarge. Ll Cool J.
Knock you ouuuuuuttt.
Shaka Khan. Janet Jackson.
I'll teach you how to dance.
David 'Ducky Fresh' Crittendon
David will be teaching the next 'Learn my art' workshop on Tuesday the 8th at 7 pm. Be there.

A Scary Story By Chanel

2010-05-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Me and Jessica Emily to make the Grudge movie in Tokyo and New York City. I going to grab people into the attic and kill them. And I am going to come out of the attic the three girls who play football I want to scare them I came out of the attic all gray in my Grudge costume and scare them. “huy come guy please let me I can open the door sorry Allison is screaming she saw me come out of the attic all gray. “Please please please please please please please Please please please please please please pleasePlease please please please please please pleasePlease please please please please please pleasePlease please please please please please pleasePlease please please please please please please Please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please why did you do it to me? Why did you take me to that place? Why did I have to do with you? What did it have to do with you? Allison wait. She dig me. vissica and miss youki.

Our old friends from the EC visit Project Grow at Sea Change Gallery

2010-05-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Lady in Red from Lasercave on Vimeo.

The wonderful folks of the EC visited us and joined us for a video shoot (thanks to Brenda Hutchinson for the videography and friendship).
"They are nice people that we love so much. We'd like to say we're glad they come to see us. And also we could say, they were surprised they came to see us! They saw the gallery and the art work that we did. And, walked with us to the park. And, let's see what else, saying hi and everything visiting with us. It was great! It was good. We did a good job making the popcorn.
We popped it in the pan on the stove. There was oil. Lotta salt. Lotta flax oil. Nutritional yeast. Right. The secret ingredient.
Thank you very much for letting us be their company. If they like, they are welcome to come see us. We can give them a tour of our space. If they want, they are welcome to do that. Remember?
We should say: "We liked it!" They were nice people." - Dan 'The Man' McClary

Peace Choir w/ art from Project Grow this Saturday!

2010-05-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

"This bag is for peace. Peace, no war. Because we are in the middle of a war. It's not good." Eddie made a purse to contribute to the Peace Choir this Saturday, selling for only $20!

Space in a land

2010-05-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

the sky are blue and the death is wonder full thing to life in heaven with a lot of dogs
and with human soul of space in a land
-Forrest

Learn My Art

2010-05-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow: Harrell Fletcher.
Art: Bookmaking.
Missing: You!

Two Flags

2010-05-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

Photograph by Cody Lunceford.

Day 2. Making Space.

2010-05-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Jamond Williams at Sea Change Gallery.
Engaging the stairs that are at our residency.

Day 1. Making Space.

2010-05-05T07:58:00.001-07:00

"I've dreamed about this all night!" Patsy Blaiser.
Making Space. Sea Change Gallery.

Beatle's Sing Along! Friday 5.7.10. 6 pm to 10 pm

2010-05-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

At Sea Change Gallery! See you there.

We Do All Different Things

2010-04-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Cody!

2010-04-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

A cake in honor of Cody's birthday. Unfortunately he was unable to attend!

Cody's Birthday from Lasercave on Vimeo.

Shake Your Tail Feather

2010-04-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

Chicken

2010-04-13T11:54:00.001-07:00

Emese: What do you need?
Babs: Chicken, Paint, Sheep
Emese: That's Project Grow!

Cricket James is Cricket Dancing

2010-04-08T14:30:00.001-07:00

The Muse from Lasercave on Vimeo.

Duck CAM

2010-04-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

Duck Cam from Lasercave on Vimeo.

Where have you been all our lives...

2010-04-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

Three ducks. Utter LOVE!