Trying to update database with textarea...

Sorry . dont saw the where part, your right ;o)
For the Form stuff you have to sumit the form by an submit event:

Code:

<form action="/..." method="post">
<textarea name="postNote" rows="8" cols="80"><?php echo $n->request_notes; ?></textarea>
<button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

You can't submit a form by an html anchor.