Life in Portland Blog

Urban Nest 2014 Holiday Food & Clothing Drive

The holiday season brings a variety of elements to the table - family, fun, food, festivities. But for many folk, Thanksgiving & Christmas are times where it's not only a struggle to celebrate, but it's difficult to even stay afloat. 

In 2013, Urban Nest's fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank was a big success - we managed to donate several large boxes of non-perishable food items for families in need. This year, we're doing it all again - but in conjunction with an equally worthwhile cause, raising much-needed supplies for the incredible organization,Central City Concern. Both could use your help, and Urban Nest is here to make giving even easier. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated! 

And to make things a little more festive, when you swing by and drop off your donations, you'll be entered into our Holiday Raffle! At the end of the drive we'll draw names, and lucky winners will receive vouchers to some of our favorite local shops, including Pip's Original Doughnuts, Baby Doll Pizza, Tin Bucket,Alma Chocolates, and Ink & Peat.

So stop by one of our two offices between Monday, November 17th and Friday, December 19th, and bring your non-perishable food items for Oregon Food Bank, or one of the listed items for Central City Concern.

Oregon Food Bank Donation Needs

Central City Concern Donation Needs

Urban Nest Realty Drop Off Locations

3041 N Williams Ave.
Portland, OR 97227

 

233 NE 28th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232

 


Keeping Your Pets Safe On The 4th Of July

July 4th is fast approaching, and many of us are already planning a weekend of backyard BBQs and bright, explosive fireworks. Except not everyone is excited about the upcoming celebrations. Just ask any local animal shelter, and they'll tell you that more pets go missing on Independence Day weekend than any other time of year - and that many of those who do are never reunited with their families. The commotion and fireworks might be thrilling to us, but to our beloved pets, they can be confusing, frightening, and disruptive. We cannot completely isolate them from their once familiar neighborhood being filled with strange flashes and loud noises, but we can take several simple precautions to protect them from the additional anxiety, danger, and stress.

1. Bring your pets indoors. Keeping them inside is the best way to avoid your kitty bolting up a tree, your pup getting stuck where they don't belong, or either of them running away from home in fright. Ensure that any identification tags and collars are up-to-date and secured.
2. Act normal. Animals can sense when their owners are stressed or excited, and react to these emotions. Talk to them in calm voices, make sure they can easily access their safe, quiet places, and don't forget to give them plenty of hugs and love...and the occasional treat!
3. Play music or have the television on to help mask loud noises, and keep the windows and doors closed for extra soundproofing and security. Birds and other small pets such as hamsters and ferrets can also suffer firework anxiety, so make sure the whole family is together and looked after!
4. Consider calming treatments. If your pet is especially nervous or high-strung, speak with your vet about what can help keep them calm on the 4th of July. Devices such as Thundershirts can help your dog or cat feel safer (acting as a firm 'hug' to comfort your pet), and Feliway offers many products that can calm and soothe. 
Urban Nest hope you and your families have a wonderful long weekend, full of fun, festivities, and fireworks, and that your furry friends are safe and happy for the Fourth of July.

More Agent Love

Tina Schafer was greatly surprised and thrilled when she received an enormous gift basket as a Thank You for assisting a challenging sale into a successful closing – and Urban Nest staff took turns hiding behind it, it was just that big! Way to go, Tina!

Donations of the Sugar Plum Fairies

We had a very pleasant surprise at the NE 28th Ave office this morning – a troupe of adorable kids came visiting with their donations to the Oregon Food Bank! They belonged to a local childcare, and their caretaker, Allison, had just taken them all to Whole Foods where they each got to choose an item they wanted to give to a hungry family in need, all as part of their Two Weeks Of Giving initiative. Our delighted UN staff had just enough time between “Awww”-ing and snapping photos to offer the kids a thank-you treat of candy canes and gingerbread men for being so kind to others during the holiday season.

kids.jpg

There’s still plenty of time left to give, so please feel free to stop by any time between now and Friday, December 20th, to say Hi, and to make your much-needed contributions of non-perishable items to our Food Drive (and maybe even pick up a candy cane while you’re here!)