For Cheap, Green Thrills, Go to the Park

Blog   |   by Kim   |   May 18, 2009

People are drawn to the many city parks because of some deep need for the natural, and for some community connection, even from a distance.

Oregon Artists Transform Ocean Debris Into Knowledge

Blog   |   by Jennifer Prediger   |   April 11, 2012

Volunteers create art supplies out of marine trash and assemble the pieces into giant sculptures.

Shipping Container Homes: An Easier Way of Life?

Blog   |   by Taraneh Arhamsadr   |   April 27, 2015

Learn more about what's driving the latest "tiny" home craze.

Saying Goodbye to Back-to-School Shopping

Blog   |   by Anne   |   August 5, 2008

Save Money and Have Fun: DIY Halloween Decorations

Blog   |   by Ethan Freeman   |   October 12, 2012

These five do-it-yourself decoration ideas will help you put your family and home in the Halloween spirit—without spending a ton of money.

Moving Without a Car, and Other Tips for Going “Car Light”

Blog   |   by Kevin A. Straight   |   December 18, 2012

Do you really need to own a car "just in case" you have to move every few years? A car-free enthusiast responds to his critics.

Big Media, Big Bullying, and What You Can Do About It

Blog   |   by Emily Long   |   May 13, 2013

Big media companies spend huge sums on anti-bullying messaging, but the real power lies in our own ability to filter their product.

Want to Change the World? Focus on Partnership Rather Than Domination

Blog   |   by Riane Eisler   |   April 9, 2018

Dr. Eiser suggests that the best way to overcome conventional divides between right and left, religious and secular, is to focus on partnership systems based on mutuality and caring.

Power Tools to the People: BORROW THIS IDEA

Blog   |   by Jason M. Hatch   |   October 4, 2011

The founder of Oregon's first tool library describes how he borrowed an idea and created a real resource for his neighborhood.

Rethinking Design for a More Equitable World—for the Incarcerated and for Us All

Blog   |   by Asha Klass   |   April 26, 2020

Asha Klass asks, where do the spaces I occupy come from? Who are they designed for? Who has power in and over them? How can they be more fair to people and the land?

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of… Versailles?

Blog   |   by Mark Valentine   |   July 25, 2012

For many people, the unlikely stars of "The Queen of Versailles" are iconic expressions of the American Dream.

What Happened to Self-Reliance and the Do-It-Yourself Ethic? (Part 2 of 2)

Blog   |   by Addison Del Mastro   |   July 6, 2012

Self-reliance and the “can-do” spirit aren't gone. They're just dormant, drowned out by a fast-paced lifestyle and cheap consumer goods.

Community in Action Challenge: Share With Others

Blog   |   April 3, 2018

Sharing frees us from having to earn, buy, and consume ever more stuff, reducing our debt and our environmental impact—all while strengthening relationships with our neighbors.

7 Fun Ways to Bring More Meaning to Valentine’s Day

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   February 12, 2014

Looking for a way to move beyond candy hearts? Check out our seven ways to make Valentine's Day more meaningful.

Helping Your Kids Give Back: 11 Fun Holiday Service Ideas for You and Your Family

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   December 6, 2012

Looking for ways to incorporate volunteering into your holiday season? It might just be your family’s favorite memory this year.