Around Downtown Hillsboro
https://afterword.blog/posts/around-downtown-hillsboro
Urban planner, musician, gardener, and habitual maker of things. I use this space for short updates, photos, and longer reflections on place, music, design, travel, and daily life in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Updates
afterword.blog Around Downtown Hillsboro
I don’t really connect with memes romanticizing the 1980s when a lot of kids experienced neglect and abuse at home. Most children today, even with concerns about screen time, probably have healthier and more engaged family lives overall.
On the fence about this personally. I see how these can get younger folks to try tobacco products, but it was the only thing that helped me quit smoking 10 years ago after many failed attempted with patches, lozenges, etc.
The Oregon Supreme Court has upheld a Washington County ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, vapes and hookahs.
opb.org Oregon Supreme Court OK’s Washington County’s ban on flavored tobacco sales The decision comes amid changes at the federal level. The Food and Drug Administration recently authorized the sale some fruit-flavored tobacco for adult use. It’s been a long week of back to back meetings with justice system partners and I need to eat my feelings for a moment.
Some light rail adjacent neighborhoods in the western burbs are becoming more dense than most of Portland’s east side. Long ways to go in terms of complete neighborhood energy, but it’s trending in the right direction.
Field Notes
Around Downtown Hillsboro
Combined a little work and pleasure today and took some photos in and around the courthouse. Downtown Hillsboro keeps getting better, and it feels meaningful to play a small part in that work. Also tried a new food truck serving Detroit style pizza, which made this Michigan native very happy.
Decapped Easter Bunny
As usual, we spent easter at my in-laws’ house in Kalama. It’s usually pretty chaotic, but I do appreciate the effort my kids’ grandparents put into the event. Lots of food, huge Easter egg hunt, yard games. It was also unseasonably warm, which was both amazing and slightly scary.
Rhododendron and Mt. Hood
I finally went skiing on Mt. Hood after living in Oregon for over a decade! In the worst year for snow in a generation! I switched from snowboarding to skiing to same if I'd enjoy it more and I'm glad I did. It was much easier on my body. We rented a place near Rhododendron, a nice little cabin with a fireplace and hot tub. Staying with friends and their kids was an experience I'm not sure we were ready for, but overall it was a good experience. I'm hoping I can make it back at least one more t
Long Weekend in Alaska
A short but memorable trip to Alaska. This has been a bucket list item I’ve been picking off for 25+ years of road trips and other domestic travel. Following this, I’ve officially visited all 50 states.
Turn, Turn, Turn
It was a busy week full of social events and soccer. My coworker had a BBQ yesterday and I hosted a neighborhood potluck at the park today. I was too busy to take many photos, but it was a good turnout. I’m really trying to organize and build community. It’s the hole in my life I’m trying to change. In the same way, this morning I also went to my second ever Catholic mass. I went alone to the 8 am. I’ve been trying a few churches out to see how I feel about them, community-wise. While I’m agno
Wallowa Lake, OR
We piled into the van and headed to Joseph, Oregon for a long weekend in a cabin on Wallowa Lake.