Samantha Swindler

Milwaukie

Features Writer and Videographer at Oregon Live (The Oregonian)

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Articles

Habitat for Humanity is opening a new thrift store in the Portland suburbs

1 week ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

Habitat for Humanity’s Portland chapter will hold a grand opening Friday for its new 18,500-square-foot home improvement thrift store. The new ReStore is at 16160 S.W. Upper Boones Ferry Road in Tigard, in a business park off of I-5. It will be the fourth ReStore for the Portland chapter, which has retail locations in Beaverton, Gresham and East Portland, as well as an online store. Friday’s grand opening begins at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Tigard Chamber of Commerce.
12 Portland area thrift stores that are actually cheap

1 week ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

Whether it’s to save money or the environment – or just for the thrill of the hunt – Portlanders love a good thrift shop. It’s part of how the city got its distinctively quirky style. As a longtime thrifter and frequent participant in the Portland’s annual Goodwill Hunting Thrift Crawl, I’ve been to many of the second-hand stores around Portland. But which thrift stores offer the best bargains? That’s the treasure I set out to find on a recent thrifting crawl.
Injured bald eagle recovering after surgery at Think Wild in Bend

2 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

A seriously injured bald eagle is recovering in Bend after receiving orthopedic surgery from Think Wild, a nonprofit wildlife hospital. The female bald eagle, estimated to be between 2 and 3 years old, was found in a field east of Redmond on March 16. The bird had multiple traumatic injuries, including wing bruising and fractures to its left femur, shoulder and beak tip. A resident found the injured eagle, which was lethargic and unable to fly.
Portland Bangers’ single game tickets go on sale soon

2 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

Season tickets are already sold out for Portland’s newest soccer team, the Portland Bangers, but Tuesday is your chance to get single game tickets. A limited number of single game tickets will be available starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, at portlandbangers.com. Prices will range from $23 to $40, said Courtney Schmidt, team general manager.
Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale will have 100 sales across Lincoln County

2 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

It’s time again for thrifters and deal-seekers to head to Lincoln County with their trucks, trailers and small bills. The 25th annual Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale returns over Easter weekend, with about 100 yard and estate sales taking place April 18-20 throughout Lincoln City. For the first time, Newport is joining in the listings, too. “We get calls year-round about this,” said Lori Arce-Torres, executive director of the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event.
Famous or infamous on I-5? Uncle Sam billboard property is being sold

2 weeks ago | tdn.com | Samantha Swindler

The famous (or infamous) Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 in Washington between Centralia and Chehalis near Exit 72 may finally, for real, be coming down. Generations of Oregon drivers headed to Seattle would recognize the 40-foot-by-13-foot billboard, featuring a hand-painted wooden portrait of Uncle Sam next to a marquee that spelled out various conservative political messages over the years. It was installed in the 1960s on property owned by late turkey farmer Al Hamilton.
Famous or infamous on I-5? Uncle Sam billboard property is being sold

3 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

The famous (or infamous) Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 in Washington between Centralia and Chehalis near Exit 72 may finally, for real, be coming down. Generations of Oregon drivers headed to Seattle would recognize the 40-foot-by-13-foot billboard, featuring a hand-painted wooden portrait of Uncle Sam next to a marquee that spelled out various conservative political messages over the years. It was installed in the 1960s on property owned by late turkey farmer Al Hamilton.
This Oregon coast town is celebrating the ‘World’s Shortest Park Trail’

3 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

Tiny news from the Oregon coast: The town that’s home to the now also claims the World’s Shortest Park Trail. Clocking in at just 135 feet, the trail is on the southeast side of the new Schooner Creek Discovery Park at 4815 S.E. 51st St. in Lincoln City. The World’s Shortest Park Trail is flat and paved, making it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. And at just 0.02557 miles, it’s manageable for even the most indoorsy of hikers.
Where to buy bonsai plants and learn the art in Portland

3 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

Looking to get started in bonsai? The Portland area is home to several bonsai nurseries and gardens that offer plants, classes and supplies. Local bonsai practitioners also offer advice and host workshops on the gardening art. Here are some resources to get you started on your bonsai journey:Collect trees yourself. Individuals can harvest trees under 2 feet tall from national forests, including Mt. Hood National Forest, without a permit, if the trees are collected roadside along forest roads.
Bonsai is big in Portland. Here’s how you can learn the gardening art

3 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Samantha Swindler

During a recent gathering of the Bonsai Society of Portland’s open studio workshop, dozens of people gathered at the Milwaukie Community Center with shears, wires and even toothbrushes to shape and sculpt their miniature trees. The Bonsai Society of Portland is one of the oldest and largest bonsai clubs in the country, claiming some 600 members and now celebrating its 60th year.