From NeighborhoodNotes.com: If you were a tourist, you'd probably be surprised to discover that Portland, a city with such a reputation for rain, is home to so much al fresco dining and drinking. But it makes sense. When the sun is out, so are we. And, whether we're ready to start the day or call it a day, we often flock to one of our city's many superb outdoor patios. So, next time the sun is shining, here are some patios that you should visit. Interurban This small, saloon-slash-gastropub specializes in two things: small plates of well-made food and strong drinks stirred by people who know what they're doing. For instance, that big ice cube in your glass? That's not their way of glomming on to the latest trend; thats their way of making sure your bourbon stays cold without getting watered down. Seriously, ask the bartenders about their ice program, and how they aspire to have ice that's as transparent as a clean window, all in the service of keeping your drink colder, longer. Forecast: This patio seats approximately 40 or 50 and is split in two levels, including a deck with five large brushed metal tables and a built-in, wooden banquette. The best time to grab a spot is during weekend brunches, otherwise you're leaving it to chance, especially if the weather's warm and sunny. READ THE REST at NeighborhoodNotes.com:

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Six Portland patios that are great for outdoor dining, drinking

I have this idyllic vision of al fresco dining during that brief interlude that passes as summertime in Maine:

Patios with soft lantern light and colorful dinnerware and a shiny gas grill; or a quilted blanket spread on the shore, a charcoal fire smoldering in the sand; or chairs-in-bags streamside with a cracking wood fire.

The sun is setting brilliantly or the stars are shining brightly. The smells of food cooking are stimulating stomachs hungry after a day of outdoor fun. A cooling breeze is blowing lightly.

Perfect.

And very rare.

As we seasoned Mainers know, storm clouds mysteriously blow in from nowhere just as soon as the last of the tablecloths and glassware and condiments are hauled out. Raindrops splash on fresh loaves of bread, the wind scatters the napkins around the yard, the temperatures drop.

Or, maybe the weather holds. But the bugs come out, dive-bombing the drinks, buzzing the sticky sweet ribs, gnawing on exposed skin. The smell of DEET replaces the sweet smell of roses.

You know it happens more often than not.

But do we give up? No.

Mainers are a hearty bunch. We will not be thwarted or stymied by random acts of nature. We WILL get out of our kitchens.

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When it's 75 degrees out and the sun is shining or setting, who can help but gravitate towards outdoor patios for that Sunday brunch, afternoon Panini or early evening cocktail. Given our famously good weather, youd think there would be sidewalk cafes everywhere in Southern California. In fact, we are a bit behind most of the rest of the world in that regard. But Katie Burbank, Senior Community Manager at L.A. East, says there are plenty of gorgeous restaurant patios for dining, drinking and people watching.

"I just went to Austin a couple of months ago, and I realized how rich Austin is with the patio culture, and got very envious, and then realized, 'Wait a second. I live in L.A., there are so many places to go, all over for patios,'" she said.

Some are well known, like The Alcove Caf & Bakery in Los Feliz. Others are more tucked away, like the secluded patio at the Cliffs Edge in Silverlake with that giant coral tree in the middle. If you fancy a hike after your bite, theres always the adorable little Trails Caf right in the heart of Griffith Park. And if youre looking to get high literally head to Perch in downtown Los Angeles for cozy, outdoor fireplaces and dramatic rooftop views. If youre looking for soaring ocean views, The Resort at Pelican Hill offers Italian cuisine and a striking seaside setting.

For you desert rats, theres no shortage of hot patios, many with cooling misters, such as La Brasserie Bistro and Bar in Palm Springs, which might make you say Oui! to more outdoor dining. But where are those hidden gems? Well get expert Katie Burbank's low down and take calls from listeners to get their hottest tips on the coolest places for patio dining this summer in Los Angeles and beyond.

Eveleigh Location: 8752 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Notes: "It is breathtaking at right about sunset. They have this beautiful little atrium in the back, and you can eat, and they have a great mixology program as well. Monday night they have great bartending specials." Website

Habana Location: 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA Notes: "[It's] absolutely gorgeous at night time. It's very Havana, Cuban, and they have tons of lights that just light up the patio area. It's at this place called The Lab, an open air market." Website

The Churchill Location: 8384 W. 3rd St. (at S Orlando Ave.), Los Angeles, CA Notes: "It's attached to the Orlando hotel. They have a fireplace outside so you can do day to night day drinking if you're a day drinker, or you can enjoy a nice meal in the evening." Website

In Los Angeles and Los Angeles County: Abricott in Pasadena Blue Dog Beer Tavern in Sherman Oaks Cafe Laurent in Culver City Cafe Stella in Silver Lake Cowboys and Turbans in Silver Lake Eclectic Wine Bar & Grille in North Hollywood El Gallo Grill in Los Angeles Figtree's Cafe and Grille in Venice Fiori Market in Pasadena Greystone Manor Supper Club in Los Angeles Heirloom Bakery in Pasadena L.A. Buns in Downey La Playita in Hermosa Beach Mike & Annes in Pasadena Nelson's in Rancho Palo Verdes Ray's Restaurant at LACMA Rive Gauche Cafe in Sherman Oaks The Cat and Fiddle in Los Angeles The Raymond Restaurant in Pasadena Vinoteque in Los Angeles Zip Fusion Sushi in Los Angeles

Elsewhere: 29 Palms Inn in San Bernadino County Boccali's Pizza and Pasta in Ventura County Dutch Garden Restaurant in Santa Barbara Fisherman's Seafood Restaurant in San Clemente Las Casuelas Nuevas in Rancho Mirage Madison Square & Garden Cafe in Laguna Beach Molly's Souper in San Bernadino County River's End Cafe in Seal Beach Schooner or Later Restaurant in Long Beach Summerland Beach Cafe in Summerland Zin American Bistro in Palm Springs

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Best spots for outdoor dining in Southern California

Is there any summer pastime more pleasurable than lounging on a patio while sipping prosecco as the setting sun ignites the horizon aglow?

Fellow hedonists, rejoice but keep those fingers crossed. Though it may have been slow to arrive, it looks like Vancouvers patio season is finally here. And the choices for al fresco dining have never been better.

The city already boasts many spectacular outdoor venues. Lift, Carderos, The Teahouse in Stanley Park, Monk McQueens and The Galley Patio and Grill at Jericho Sailing Club rank high among our waterfront favourites. Downtown, Brixs old-world courtyard, the rooftop patios at Joe Fortes and the Yaletown Keg, and the casual Gallery Caf at the Vancouver Art Gallery rival some of the nicest terraces in the world.

But in a location so abundantly blessed with natural beauty, there can never be too many outdoor dining spaces. Thus, this years crop of new (or newly improved) patios is making us giddy with thoughts of warm summer days drifting away into sultry summer nights. Let me tell you more:

Breezy Beach Vibe Cactus Club English Bay: 1790 Beach Ave., Vancouver; 604-681-2582. Cactusclubcafe.com Wow, this is the patio Vancouver has been longing for. And judging by the lineups (reservations not available), most will still have to cool their heels before getting in. But with warm sand crunching under those flip-flops (the 104-seat, ground-level patio blends almost seamlessly into the seawall) and panoramic views of English Bay, these tables are well worth the wait. Rob Feenies classics are all available here (if you havent tried his breaded-chicken rocket salad, do yourself the favour). Still, this menu rises above other Cactus Club restaurants with several site-specific dishes and a premium (yet value-priced) wine list. Best sundowner bet: scallop-salmon ceviche with the lightly fizzy azul vinho verde.

South Beach Cool Reflections: 801 West Georgia St., Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver; 604-682-5566. Rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotelgeorgia Vancouver meets Miami at this swishy fourth-floor courtyard that features a central fire pit, infinity water pools, private cabanas and plush teak sofas. Howe Street traders have never had it so luxe. Good thing their days finish early because this urban oasis doesnt take reservations in the evening (and by 6 p.m. on Friday, the wait is about two hours), though there is always Sunday brunch. Best sundowner bet: grilled albacore tuna with Mot Ice Imperial.

Tiny Tiki Bar The Hideaway at Narrow Lounge: 1898 Main St., Vancouver; 778-737-5206. Narrowlounge.com/hideaway You dont always need a view to create a fantabulous outdoor venue. This 20-seat nook, nestled into an east-end parking lot, has been a hipster secret for a couple of years. But now that tiki aficionado Rocket Rod is manning the bar, his Pernod-flecked, fruit-layered rum punches live up to the lushly thatched, twinkly lit exterior. Best sundowner bet: fish tacos with an authentic Trader Vic mai tai.

Flower Power Truffles Caf: 5251 Oak St., VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver; 604-505-4961. Trufflesfinefoods.com The magnolias may be fading, but the laburnum and rhododendron walks are ablaze in blooms. And for a mere $28, you and a friend can enjoy a three-tiered tea service with a front-deck view from the new $22-million visitors centre. The daily panini, scones and croissants dont come close to comparing with the citys finest. But the macarons and chocolates are pretty good, the price is sweet and the garden view is unparalleled. Best sundowner bet: Afternoon tea for two.

Lofty Mountain Views Seasons in the Park: 33rd Ave. W. and Cambie Street, Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver; 604-874-8008. Vancouverdine.com Oh, my! If youve never had the pleasure of being perched over the city with verdant gardens below and the snow-capped North Shore mountains in the distance, get thee quick to this newly redesigned peach of a restaurant. The experience is astounding, especially now that the bar had been punched out with windows and the kitchen has been equipped with a new fire-burning apple-wood grill. Best sundowner bet: Tuscan flatbread with a tequila margarita (honestly).

Smooth Sailing Pier 7 restaurant + bar: 25 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver; 604-929-7437. Pier7.ca We havent been yet, but we just know its going to be great. Dino Renaerts (formerly of Fraiche and Diva at the Met) is the head chef and director of operations for this newly launched two-storey restaurant (with patios on both levels) that graces the waters edge of the North Shores funky Shipbuilders Square. Where else are you going to find live theatre under landscaped cranes? Best sundowner bet: Seafood platter with creative cocktails.

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Al fresco dining in abundance, if sun also rises

Nine urban moms may be Illinois most unlikely soybean farmers this year. These Illinois Farm Families Field Moms, Chicago-area moms who have been touring Illinois farms to get their food questions answered, are planting soybeans in their backyards or on their patios today, May 14. Part of the Field Moms Acre project, the backyard beans are a hands-on way for the city moms and their families to learn what it takes to grow one of the states most important agricultural crops. Guiding the Field Moms from planting through harvest are veteran soybean farmers Ron and Deb Moore, Roseville, Ill., who are growing more than 600 acres of soybeans on their family farm this year. One acre of their farmland also will serve as the Field Moms Acre throughout the growing season. The Field Moms are planting their soybeans on the same day as the Moores plant the Field Moms Acre. The city soybeans will be watered only when the Moores farm receives rain. The Moores and the moms will check in with each other through online video chats to compare crop progress on the farm and in the city. Throughout the experiment, the Field Moms also will learn about soil conditions, weather impact, pest control and the cost of raising and marketing the crop including seed, fuel and transportation costs to sell the soybeans. The moms will tour the Field Moms Acre in Roseville on June 9. Moms particularly want to be connected with the food they feed their families. They want to know how its grown and whats in it, Deb Moore says. Most moms and consumers dont realize soybeans are used in thousands of food products and are an important feed for the animals we and other farmers raise on our farms. Once the Field Moms Acre is harvested, the Moores and Field Moms will donate the acres profits to charity. The Moores have been farming for more than three decades. They raise soybeans and corn on 1,000 acres in Warren County, and also have 250 acres of pasture for their feeder cattle. Meanwhile, the Field Moms live in and around Chicagoland. They have been touring Illinois farms during the last year, blogging about their experiences and sharing their new knowledge with their children, family and friends. To learn more about the Moores, their farm and the Field Moms, visit the Illinois Farm Families website, WatchUsGrow.org. Illinois Farm Families are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board, and Illinois Beef Association through farmer-funded checkoff or membership programs. We are committed to having conversations with consumers, answering their questions about food, farmers and farming, and sharing what really happens on todays Illinois family farms. More than 94 percent of Illinois farms are family owned and operated. We are passionate about showing consumers how we grow safe, healthy food for their families, and ours. We invite you to visit us at http://www.watchusgrow.org.

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Chicago-Area Moms to Moonlight as Soybean Farmers in New Illinois Farm Families® Initiative

RICHMOND, Va., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --May is a perfect time for outdoor activities such as sprucing up yards, cleaning out gutters, painting houses and building patios and decks. It's also national electrical safety month, and Dominion Virginia Power is encouraging customers to remember how to stay safe around electricity.

"Electric wires, transformers and poles are an important part of our lives, working silently and dependably day after day, but it is important to remember that electricity must be used safely and treated with the utmost caution and respect," said Rodney Blevins, vice president, electric distribution operations for Dominion Virginia Power. "We urge everyone to exercise caution around electricity and to make sure their children are cautious, too," Blevins said.

Virginia's Overhead High Voltage Line Safety Act requires that contractors who are planning to work within 10 feet of overhead high-voltage lines call Dominion toll-free at 1-866-DOM-HELP, or 1-866-366-4357 before starting work. This allows the proper safety arrangements to be put in place before the work begins.

Underground power lines are just as dangerous as those that are overhead. Call Miss Utility at least three working days in advance of your project to ensure that the underground lines are marked before you dig. The Miss Utility number is 811.

Other ways to stay safe include:

Another important consideration for electrical safety these days is portable generator safety. Improperly installed generators can be hazardous to homeowners and can flow power back into the de-energized power lines, endangering utility linemen who are working to restore power during outages.

Carefully follow the manufacturer's installation instructions when connecting a portable electrical generator. Dominion offers specific online safety tips on home electrical generators. If you are not sure how to do it, contact the manufacturer or call a qualified electrician.

Also make sure generators are properly ventilated and carbon monoxide fumes do not enter living spaces.

Additional home safety tips and information are available at http://esfi.org/ and at http://www.eei.org/newsroom/energynews/Pages/20100503.aspx.

Dominion Virginia Power is a subsidiary of Dominion (D), one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,500 megawatts of generation, 11,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,300 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system with 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at http://www.dom.com.

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Dominion Virginia Power Encourages Electrical Safety During Outdoor Maintenance, Planting Projects

More downtown Winnipeg restaurateurs want to open outdoor patios this summer, according to a business organization that can help those restaurants cut through the red tape.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ says it usually gets just a few applications every year for its program to help restaurants build outdoor dining spaces.

"But for whatever reason, this year we have eight requests in," Stefano Grande, the organization's executive director, told CBC News.

"It's really nice to see our restaurant owners make a decision to move in that direction."

Grande said the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ accepts three applications every year. This year's recipients are:

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has the expertise to guide restaurants through the process of getting city licences for their proposed patios.

"We know the bylaws inside out, so we know what will or won't work even before we go to the city," he said.

"We'll work with that business owner; pretty much anything that we bring forward we know is going to be accepted."

Grande estimates that there are more than 30 patios in all of downtown Winnipeg.

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Demand for patios in downtown Winnipeg warms up

(Crain's) Dogs will be welcome at more Chicago patios if the City Council passes a new retail food ordinance next week. But while that would be progress in the eyes of some proprietors (and patrons), the action likely won't end the debate over what is allowed when guests brings their pooch to dinner or drinks.

Under the new law, your favorite haunts could become as popular with the canine set as they are with their owners. The ordinance is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to streamline business licenses to 48 types from 117. If passed, the rules governed by the city's four-year-old dog-friendly area license would be folded into the main food retail license. Aldermen will review the proposal at a May 8 joint hearing between the budget and licensing committees and take a vote with the full City Council on May 9.

I welcome the change because people were not buying the license but yet I'd seen dogs on patios, said Didier Durand, chef and owner of Cyrano's Farm Kitchen, the Barrel Room and Cyrano's Caf on the River Walk. Right now, 98 businesses hold the $450 biennial supplemental permit out of 11,944 licensed retail food establishments.

When Mr. Durand first offered a $5 doggy menu a decade ago at what was then Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar, there were no city regulations and most live animals were banned from food-service locations under state law. He backed former Ald. Gene Schulter, who co-sponsored the law to make legal what had been going on for years anyway. The council passed the dog-friendly ordinance in September 2007. The first license was issued Jan. 16, 2008, to Blackie's restaurant in the South Loop.

Now the chef and owner of two standard poodles, Princess and Duchess, says he gets four to five dog guests a day and up to 25 when a dog cruise sets sail. Legally, all he's allowed to serve them is water.

He doubts that the new ordinance will alleviate the confusion over doggy do's and don'ts. What if the guest brings their own food? How do we enforce that? he said. According to city records, he doesn't have a current dog-friendly license.

Nor do many other outdoor spots. Travel website BringFido.com lists 251 fido-friendly restaurants in the city, many of them submitted by site visitors. The site doesn't check for licenses for the restaurant list, says Melissa Halliburton, founder and president of the Greenville, S.C.-based company.

Even when restaurants have a license, they are fuzzy about the regulations. Bistronomic owner and executive chef Martial Noguier was disappointed to learn that the $10 scratch-made menu for dogs he announced last month was illegal.

Four Treys Tavern in Roscoe Village allows dogs inside the bar. We don't serve food, so dogs are welcome, said Jeanine Richard, daytime bartender, adding that she had three dogs there the other night.

Yet, according to current city code, which is expected to carry over to the new ordinance, other than service dogs, pups can't be inside the premises or where food is made.

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Will Chicago dining go to the dogs under new rules?

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Top 5 patios in Charlotte for good times

Town houses and single-family residences are in the works in northwest Midland after two votes by the Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday.

In two unanimous votes, the commission approved a zone change for a nearly 40-acre tract on the west side of Holiday Hill Road, as well as a preliminary plat for 135 residential lots.

The land, which is a proposed expansion of the Los Patios Addition and is just south of Briarwood Avenue, was first annexed in 2009, said Jim Compton, senior planner. At that time no development proposal for the area existed so it was zoned for "future development."

The developer requested the zone be changed to that of a town house dwelling district and one family dwelling district. The single-family zone would take up just more than 36 acres of the proposed neighborhood. Compton said the construction proposal calls for a slightly higher density than is typical but the plan is consistent with what already exists in the Los Patios area.

"We just see this as an expansion of the subdivision design that has been successful in the past," Compton said.

The developer will have to add public improvements.

Compton said the plan is to extend Crowley Boulevard through the west end of the subdivision and to add a new collector street on the north end.

The neighborhood will be a welcome addition for the housing industry. The Permian Basin Board of Realtors reported last week there were just 170 homes for sale, down from the more than 600 for sale in April 2011.

The Planning and Zoning Commission also approved a zone change for Glen Miller Homes' construction in section eight of the Greathouse Addition.

The change will allow for the homes proposed along a cul-de-sac to be constructed with a 10-foot setback from the street rather than the typical 15 feet.

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Planning and Zoning approves Los Patios housing expansion