This week, August 23-29, we are saluting Portland, OR! The City of Portland has been referred to as the most environmentally friendly or “green” city in the United States and the second most in the world. The city and region are noted for strong land-use planning and investment in light rail, supported by Metro, a distinctive regional-government. Portland is known for its large number of microbreweries as well as its coffee enthusiasm. It is also the home of the Trail Blazers!

Click here to see this week’s Portland poster to and to display your hometown pride!

This week, August 16-20, we are saluting Wilsonville, OR! Once a small farming community, Wilsonville is now a fast-growing city of about 17,000. It has a diverse economy strengthened by leading firms in the high-tech industry and numerous warehousing and distribution facilities, including Xerox, InFocus, Mentor Graphics, Flir Systems, Sysco, Orepac, Hollywood Video and many others. Wilsonville is not only an economic engine for the region, but it is also a carefully planned city with high-development standards that draws residents, families and businesses seeking an attractive, environmentally sensitive community.

Click here to download this week’s Wilsonville poster and display your hometown pride!

This week we salute Gladstone, OR! Located at the junction of the Clackamas River and the Willamette River. Gladstone has something for everyone: parks, boat launch, sports fields, and a Senior Center. Gladstone’s council-manager form of government is one of the region’s most efficient municipal organizations. It is truly a town to grow with.

VANCOUVER, WA saluted August 2-6

Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west. The Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Hood are less than two hours away. The spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area lies 30 minutes to the east. Vancouver combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charm and abundant recreational opportunities.

SALEM, OR saluted July 26-30

Salem, OR the capital city of Oregon and its second largest city, lies in the center of the lush Willamette River valley.  Thriving businesses abound in Salem and benefit from economic diversity.

Salem has an excellent K-12 school system and five institutions of higher education. Over 13 public or private universities and colleges are located within a 70-mile radius of Salem. Salem offers a wide array of restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, ranging from historic sites and museums to events that appeal to a wide variety of interests – from sports tournaments to Arts Fairs, theater and music. From our vibrant downtown, several parks and our historic district are within walking distance. 1,869 acres of park land invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors.

Surrounded by green pastures, fields of flowers, gardens, vegetables, orchards and vineyards, Salem’s year-around and summer farmer’s markets overflow with locally raised produce and hand-crafted products. Salem is the perfect base for a tour of Oregon’s wine country or a visit to any or all of the many extraordinary gardens in the city and the surrounding area.

YACOLT, WA saluted July 19-23

Yacolt is a quiet rural setting north of Battle Ground, Washington. This beautiful section of Clark County is not for those seeking the conveniences of other densely populated areas of Clark County. Yacolt offers a peaceful solitude that puts one a “bit” closer to nature and a slower pace of life.  Yacolt is a town in Clark County, in the Portland-Vancouver metro area. The community name derives from an Indian term for “haunted place”.

Simon In The Morning salute Yacolt

The Town of Yacolt was awarded a Clark County Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $109,300 for our Town Park Improvements, which included a full size Tennis Court, half court basketball, a flat surface play area that allows skateboarding, rollerblading, biking.  The Town of Yacolt also moved into a New Town Hall building.  This year North Clark Little League will be hosting the Washington State Softball Tournament for 10-11 year olds.  This is very exciting for our small town.  North Clark Little League has never hosted a State Tournament and we hope this will bring future tournaments to Yacolt.

James Otto performs in Yacolt, WA!

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad does a variety of train rides throughout the year.  It is a 10 mile trip from Yacolt to Lucia Falls through beautiful North Clark County.  It stops at Moulton Falls County Park where you can get off the train and participate in activities depending on what the Theme of the ride is.  For a complete list of fares and schedules you can go to www.bycx.com.

CORNELIUS saluted July 12-16

Cornelius, OR is located 25 miles west of Portland, Oregon and 10 miles east of the Coast Range in the fertile Tualatin River Valley, Cornelius is surrounded by high-tech industries, nurseries and farmland. Cornelius, population 10,955, is a small but thriving city in the heart of the Silicon Forest of Oregon.

Living in Cornelius provides a mix of both the rural and urban, with many local merchants and city services within walking distance of the center of town and many highways offering access to larger cities with numerous attractions and resources.

Cornelius residents have a chance to know their neighbors and see their friends in this family oriented community.

The Mayor, City Council and city staff welcome resident input and encourage community participation in the various civic and government sponsored activities in town. Active community members give vitality to Cornelius, Oregon’s Family Town.

Jose and family joins Simon In The Morning to talk about Cornelius!

“I’ve lived in Cornelius now 4 years and counting, I maintain a blog about Cornelius in my free time, click here. I’m immensely proud to be a resident of Cornelius.  It’s quiet and peaceful.  It’s small, the city is only 3 miles wide, and I like that I can spot changes in my town on my commute to work. It’s improving… city leaders are very resourceful and manage to stretch budget dollars and apply for grants to pay for new roadways, streetlights, trees, etc. that make this city more modern, more livable. It’s part of the “Metro” Area, yet offers larger home footprints, with yards, and smaller pricetags.  It is just a short drive either North or South to a wonderful display of actively worked farmland. Large barns, big farming rigs/tractors, you name it. Its just a wonderful sight when going about your everyday errands or commuting. It is exciting to be in Cornelius as our beautiful Main Street Project welcomes people to town, you can find produce at excellent prices at Grande’ Foods and my wife and I love catching premiere movies without battling crowds at Cornelius 9 Cinemas.”