In my experience, any interaction with a government agency is about as fun as having teeth pulled…read more However, both of my visits to the Multnomah County building, the first to apply for passports for my two baby sons, and the second to make a correction to a typo in one of them (not the fault of Mult. Co, BTW), the gentleman working window 8, whose name I have shamefully failed to note, was friendly, patient, and helpful, answer questions and ensuring that all forms were filled out properly, and all fees and required documents clearly specified. What could have been a painful, confusing process was mitigated by his professional attitude, knowledge, and patience. Many, many thanks to this gentleman!

Probation kept my sister on for years charging her excess fees then losing her payment receipts…read more I'm not impressed & would never work here. When I called to assist no calls were ever returned. When my father wrote letters to arrange housing for her, they never responded. We wanted to relocate her case to Sacramento to help her ourselves, but the courts had to be contacted directly as probation failed to forward our requests. IM NOT IMPRESSED!

It's a huge building, well ordered and with lots of light. You sign in and are given a special tag…read moreto wear with the room number. Parking is a breeze even if you have to pay for it. Besides, the workshop I attended was free of charge. And taking public transportation, depending on where you live perhaps, can be fun in Portland. Back to the Metro Regional Center. I attended a social media workshop for marketing your own business -- in case you missed that from my pictures. Interestingly, Yelp was mentioned a number of times as far as getting more testimonials written about your business. Unfortunately, being an editor and writing coach, I am not sure my business fits the Yelp model, but now you know! And you can always shoot me a DM. Even though I had been asked to bring my own lunch -- this class being offered from 12:30 to 2:30PM -- the SBDC hosted the event with plenty of vegetarian options to snack on (yay, Greek wine leaves with rice) and the water was nice and cold. Definitely will try to attend more meetings here.

Metro, Metro, Metro...how I love you…read more I once felt overwhelmed with the thought of decreasing my day-to-day footprint on the Earth. I like to lead a healthy & low impact existence but it isn't always convenient. Sure, now we have the big blue bin that I can throw my paper, plastic bottles and cat food cans into, but where do I recycle my block styrofoam or my old computer parts for free? Where can I get some info on how to compost my food scraps at home without buying some $15 book on home composting? How about a list of DIY at-home green cleaners made with ingredients from my local Freddy's? And then, there was Metro. Not only does Metro have free pamphlets on all of this info plus more, you can also get all of the info off of their website at: http://www.metro-region.org/ and save trees (if your a hippie like me and can't help but consider those lovely trees) They have info on: - nature & local GreenScene activities - garbage & recycling - sustainable living - getting around Portland w/o a car - planning & conservation For those of you with families out there they have "Story & a stroll at Tryon Creek" geared towards kids in nature. If you are a novice green-thumb like me in the spring/summer they offer FREE classes on natural gardening. Or even if you don't recycle at all, but your neighbor asks you what they can do with their old car tires, you can give them Metro's recycling # 503-243-3000, and you have just done your good deed for the day. Overall Metro gives me good balance. I can be lazy, yet proactive. I let them gather the info and then I take advantage of it. Thanks for doing the legwork Metro, now I can feel better about myself! ; )

Not sure why so many negative reviews. This small post office services the downtown neighborhood…read moreand businesses across from Tom McCall Park on the waterfront. Yes, to get there if driving you have to navigate one way streets, but most are locals and walk. if driving, come down SW 1st and park right out front in the 15 minute spot. I've been utilizing this post office for years and the staff is always friendly and helpful. When I ask for the lowest price on return packages, they check various options without hesitation. While I've never used their passport services, which seems to be where issues are, I have bought supplies and sent out multiple packages, purchased holiday stamps and visit here to return prepaid packages - all with no issue and friendly service.

The rudest staff members not recommended for passport appointments No customer service at all the…read moreway they speak with customer is way rude.

I love the Belmont Library in the Mult Co Library system - it's the closest one to my house! (I…read morelive between Cleveland HS and the Clinton Street Theatre.) I find our entire library system to be excellent, and I *always* vote to support it when it comes on the ballot. I'm eagerly looking forward to the branch reopening in a mere 10 days! Yipee!

The Belmont branch library is located in a nice building in what appears to have been a former…read morechapel. I love libraries. What is good about this branch is that you can have books put on hold and shipped here from other branches. Not a whole lot of tables and chairs for reading. The selection of books available is limited yet appreciate the lucky day books aka popular books on offer, staff picks, and new books. Take advantage of your local library!

Ok so after spending 2 weeks in the clark county jail In Vancouver I have to give this jail 2…read morestars . Now I figure considering it's a jail that's pretty good. Clark county was awful . The food I wouldn't let my dog eat ,the staff are complete assholes when they don't have to be . Do not reccomend getting caught doing anything in clark county that will get u put in jail plus just drive to portland your less likely to get caught and if u do at least the jail there isn't too bad as far as jails go. The food is edible ,your get kool-aid with your meals and the staff all in all are nice as long as your not fucking around and being stupid .Its much cleaner then clark county and the male staff are much hotter by far ladies just saying .

Every time I've been arrested in Portland the booking prosess has been smooth and expedite. Staff…read moreis nice enough if you are. They will let you go with a court date as long as your not violent or wanted someplace else and even then they try to work it out and give you a court date for there too. Doing away with the cash bond system is working out here and I'm more likely to show for court in this system then the old. Would give more stars except for it's jail so.

Children's swim classes for my grandson opened for registration last Thurs at 9:30 am. I was told…read morethat was the earliest time anyone could enroll. I had the info ready and at exactly 9:29 I called. I was on hold for approximately 90 seconds and when the operator came on she said the class I wanted was full. In fact she said every class was full. IN 90 SECONDS OF BEING ON HOLD???? I had her put him on every waitlist. The next day I get an email saying they removed him from the wait-list at my request. I never requested any such thing. Either it's all Shady or the staff is completely incompetent

These folks get a well-deserved 5 stars!…read more Because of the complexity of my company's reservation, it took two phone calls to complete everything. Esther and Rolando were both very helpful. I even got a phone call 2 days later to let me know my permits were approved. Then, I needed to go to the PP&R office to pick up the permits and access key. Things didn't go completely smooth, because some notes didn't get added to my reservation in the computer system. BUT, they were very nice and very helpful. They got it figured out and I was in/out within about 10/minutes.

Would be 5 stars, but I can't recommend the chef. The concierge (TSI) desk staff were professional…read moreand courteous. I cannot say enough about employees Russell and Baker. Above and beyond service and a benefit to the establishment. Really everyone on staff are attentive and obviously committed to making your stay a memorable experience. My room was cozy and well appointed. Some may find the rooms too rustic, but I found all of my needs met. I was also treated to a beautiful view of the Portland skyline. Imagine waking up at 5 AM to see the sun rising over the city? It seemed as though some of the other guests never wanted to leave! In fact, I encountered several repeat visitors. My stay was brief but one I am not likely to forget. So, if you visit Portland for rioting or to commit general tomfoolery, you too will have the benefit of their hospitality.

I had a friend that was a regula here. We decided to call it the Multnomah County Inn to make it…read moresound kinder and friendlier. Didn't really help. Visiting was a pain in the neck. You were shook down like you were being incarcerated yourself, and forget wearing anything with a V neck ladies. They send you home to change. Surly officers. Basically a living hell. I don't recommend a visit in any capacity.

The Portland Chinatown was aesthetically so pretty, with moral all around, red light posts, street…read morenames in Chinese and English. There was a gorgeous Chinatown gate at the intersection of 4th Ave and Burnside St. In front the gate, there were dragon statues. There was some a net hanging under the arch that severely undermined the beauty of the landmark. There were few restaurants and shops around. But whole place was a ghost down. I have never seen a Chinatown so dead in the middle of the day. There were suspicious people sitting/sleeping on the sidewalks. We were spooked so much so, we just walked a bit around the main gate and left. Unfortunately among the fourteen Chinatowns I have been around USA, this was by far the most mediocre one.

I haven't been to this Chinatown too much. I am very fond of the entrance going into this…read moreneighborhood however and I really do enjoy the Chinese Gardens that are here. And like a lot of these types of neighborhoods there is a lot of history there as well. While I have been to but a handful of Chinatown's in large cities or more or less the equivalent the Seattle version is my favorite. Part of me grading it the way I did is that there is a considerable amount of shuddered store fronts here , many blocks look rundown and the local and international flavor just quite isn't as cheerful or as noticeable. But there are parts. Like I said I really enjoyed the gardens here and it is worth a visit all the same.