Over on OregonLive.com there is a great article on testing the soil around your home for lead.
While lead is naturally occurring, at elevated levels it's especially dangerous to children and can cause severe learning disabilities and behavior problems. Older homes that have been painted and scraped have a higher risk of contaminated soil, as do those near major thoroughfares from leaded-gasoline use back in the day.
That doesn't mean you should stop gardening if you have lead in your backyard, though. The key is taking precautions -- such as what vegetables you grow, and where and how. But more on that in a minute.
First comes the all-important soil testing. It lets you know what's possible.
At varying distances from the house, I dug down into the dirt about a foot, mixing from all layers, before placing each sample in its own zip-top bag. Then, I dropped them off at Wy'east Environmental Sciences in Portland, which had best local price I could find, at $20 a test.
2009-07-01
Testing Soil for Lead
2009-06-22
Piedmont Sunday Parkways
yeah, that's right! I've renamed Portland Sunday Parkways! :)
Much fun was had yesterday at Piedmont Sunday Parkways. Below are a few pics I snapped when not pouring 15 gallons of Tang for the thirsty bikers. You can read more about the event and watch short videos on StreetFilm.org or on BikePortland.org
Rose Garden Volunteers Needed
This weekend during Portland Sunday Parkways I had the pleasure of speaking with Portland Parks Maintenance Supervisor Peggy Glascock. Amongst the discussion topics, we talked about a need for volunteers to help deadhead the roses in the Peninsula Park Rose Garden. OregonLive.com has a nice article covering the topic (HERE) .If you are interested in working in the garden, there are two orientations coming up soon (June 29th & July 6th @ 9am). Volunteers are to meet at the gazebo. If you have gloves and pruners you like, bring them! People can call with questions: Peggy Glascock 823-3642, or Steve Pixley, Parks Volunteer Coordinator, 823-5121.
The Pool Is Now OPEN!!
The Peninsula Pool was built in order to fill the need created by the closure of the bath houses that had been in use on the Willamette River. These structures were closed due to increasing pollution in the Willamette. As popular as the pool is with people, it also has a history of being enjoyed by Humboldt penguins. In 1957, when the penguins were scheduled to make their debut at the Washington Park Zoo, the zoo's penguin facilities were not yet finished, so the Peninsula Park Pool was used as a holding area until their own space was ready.
2009-06-16
Update! June Key Delta House
2009-06-12
Original Practice Shakespeare Festival (Ops Fest)
As previously posted here, and recently talked about over at one of my favorite local blogs Around The Sun...
This Sunday, at 2pm in Peninsula Park (just north of the gazebo) Original Practice Shakespeare Festival will perform "A Midsommer Nights Dreame."
From their web site:
First Folio editions of Shakespeare’s plays include all the cues an actor needs to perform his or her role without rehearsal. This allows the truest reaction to the story as it progresses. The Ops Fest performs using the same performance techniques as they did in
Shakespeare's own time, which means limited rehearsal; an onstage prompter; fast-paced, energetic acting; and lots of audience interaction. This lends a much more immediate, organic, improvisational feel to the performances
Neighborhood Town Hall on the Economic Crisis
Tuesday, June 30, 7 pm - 8:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments
and to browse tables on resources and organizing projects.
St. Charles Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave., Portland.
Call Jobs with Justice at 503-236-5573 to reserve free childcare or
for information. Also see www.jwjpdx.org. Spanish translation
available.
Over 800 people participated in the Jan. 31st Town Hall on the Economic
Crisis. One of the projects that people were interested in was to
present neighborhood town halls. The idea is to reach out to people who
are less likely to come downtown to events. In addition to short
presentations, on how we got into this economic mess and new ideas for
ways out, there will be time for people to share experiences and
thoughts about solutions. Break out groups will gather to discuss
practical actions around the critical issues of jobs,
foreclosures/renters’ rights, & health care.
Speakers and groups that will be tabling include, Robin Hahnel,
Economics professor at PSU, Alan Hipolito from Verde, Oregon
Tradeswomen, PCC Workforce Development, Acorn, Transit Riders' Union,
and Fire Your Bank.
Please attend if you are interested in grassroots organizing around the
economic crisis whether you are from N/NE Portland or another
neighborhood!
2009-06-05
Sunday Parkways - Details
The nice folks over at PDOT have posted a list of all of the activities, food and entertainment that is to be had during the upcoming North Portland Sunday Parkways. Click HERE for complete details.
The following will be in Peninsula Park...
Activity Vendors/Sponsors
On Point Community Credit Union
FootTraffic
Hoopshine hula hooping
Clif Bar
Prananda yoga
Alberta Coop Grocery
Teatro Graxa Stilt Walkers
Pedal Bike Tours
Metropolis Cycles
North Portland Connections
Port of Portland N.
Runway Extension Project
ZipCar
Sixth Street Gallery/Mosaic Arts
Alliance
Portland Parks
Parks City Nature
REI/ Parks
Free Ready
Rider Workshop from BTA/Bridge Pedal/Safer Routes to Schools
The Portland
Pounders Wheelchair Rugby Team
Suzanne Lady DC
Piedmont Neighborhood Association
Food Vendors
The Limp Noodle
Urban
Opportunities Voodoo Donuts
Headwaters Café
NW Hot Dogs
Village
Crepery
Zuppa
Al Forno Ferruzza
Fuego
Entertainment
Shannon Tower Band
Stumptown Jug Thumpers
The Sprockettes
Portland Recorder Orchestra
2009-06-03
Sunday Parkways Volunteers Needed
Thousands of people will be out walking, biking, rolling, and running in the traffic-free streets, plus enjoying music, food, entertainment and activities in some of Portland’s beautiful parks.
Over 400 volunteers are needed for the North Portland Sunday Parkways to be successful. As a volunteer you will receive a really cool Sunday Parkways t-shirt, an informational training, snacks and so many smiles it will knock your socks off!
To volunteer, go HERE or email Janis McDonald or call Janis (503-823-5358)
Sunday Parkways
On June 21st North Portland will host Portland Sunday Parkways.
From their web site:
Opening streets to walking, bicycling, rolling, and roller blading - without having to watch out for cars!
Sunday Parkways are 7-8 mile "temporary parks" along city streets connecting neighborhoods and residents in North, Northeast and Southeast Portland.
A relaxed, non-competitive, FREE event featuring a variety of activities in several parks and along the routes.
Intersections are staffed by volunteers allowing residents to get to and from their driveways, with larger streets supervised by Portland Police Bureau staff and certified flaggers.
Sunday Parkways gives Portlanders a chance to get out and be active right in their own neighborhood. Participants walked, biked, rolled, ran, strolled, and roller bladed along the route to activities in the parks as well as to nearby shops and businesses in the vicinity
(photo from Sunday Parkways www site)
Traffic Advisory! Late Night Closures on I-5
Beginning Monday night, June 1, the contractor working on the Interstate 5 Victory to Lombard (Delta Park) widening project will begin to install five new sign bridges on I-5 between Marine Drive and Lombard Street.
This work will take place Monday through Friday, beginning June 1 through June 19, from 11:30 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. the following morning. The sign bridge installation requires several intermittent full closures of I-5 each night, lasting approximately 20 minutes each, in both directions of I-5 between Marine Drive and Lombard Street. Lane closures on both directions of I-5 will begin at 8 p.m. during the weeknight work. Crews will begin opening lanes at 4:30 a.m.; all lanes on I-5 will open by 5 a.m.
During the break in between the intermittent full closures, one lane will open on I-5 in both directions. Equipment including a large crane and workers will remain on I-5 during the break between closures. Motorists should expect delays when traveling through the area during the next three weeks and use an alternate route, such as I-205, if possible.
Detour Routes During Full I-5 Closure for Sign Installation:
o Northbound traffic on I-5 will be detoured off the freeway to U.S. 30 Bypass/N. Lombard Street East (exit 305 A), east to Oregon 99E (Martin Luther King Boulevard), north to Marine Drive, and west back to I-5 north
o Southbound traffic on I-5 will be detoured off the freeway to Oregon 99E (Martin Luther King Boulevard)/Marine Drive (exit 307), south to U.S. 30 Bypass/N. Lombard Street, and west back to I-5 south
Flaggers will be positioned at the intersection of N. Lombard Street and N. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to help trucks through the intersection.
**Motorists should expect delays during the closures and when traveling through the I-5 Delta Park project area. Please be aware of crews and equipment in the roadway.
For more information regarding the Delta Park project, please visit: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/I-5DeltaPark/index.shtml
MLK / Columbia / Lombard Transportation Open House
The City of Portland's Bureau of Transportation is hosting a public open house on Thursday June 4th from 4 to 7pm at the Oregon Humane Society's Education Hall (1067 NE Columbia Blvd).
They ask that you "Drop in any time between 4 and 7pm to share your thoughts and comment on preliminary ideas for improvements."
Pie-Off
I just received notice that the 3rd annual Portland Pie-Off will be held in Peninsula Park on August 16th.
PDX Airport Futures
How will PDX development in the next 30 years affect you and your neighborhood?
Learn more about how PDX will meet the region’s future air service needs. Discuss development and sustainability concepts, and natural resources, transportation and noise impacts with the City-Port planning team. Share your views on how we can best involve the public on an ongoing basis about PDX planning and development activities. Come to an Airport Futures public meeting to learn more and offer your thoughts.
Draft documents from this planning process will be available for review and comment at the June 4 and 10 public meetings. Some of the documents are available for advance review as well on the Airport Futures website.
Thursday, June 4, 2009 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Harney Elementary School Cafeteria
3212 E. Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Portland Fire & Rescue Training Center
4800 NE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR
Related Link:
PDX Airport Futures
http://www.pdxairportfutures.com/
Piedmont Artist Erects ZooBomber Parking
Local Piedmont artist Brian Borello (also key player in the Bryant Street Bridge project), working with artist Vanessa Renwick bring to life a functional public art installation at the corner of 13th and West Burnside.
You can read a little more about the project over at BikePortland.org. Also you can enjoy this video:
Neighborhood Watch Program
Greetings all, summer is here.. And now is a great time to get out and get involved with your Neighbors. How about starting or re-establishing a Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is a program of the Crime Prevention Program of the City’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement. The Neighborhood Watch Program increases safety and security in neighborhoods by involving as many households as possible in a united crime prevention effort. To begin a Neighborhood Watch you should contacting neighbors to determine interest. You can find more information about Neighborhood Watch at: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=41438&a=26674.
Safer Routes
The City of Portland has released a 4 page "Safer Routes" newsletter aimed at bicycle saftey for the family. Click HERE for more information.
Cirque Du Cycling - Saturday June 13th
Cirque du Cycling, presented by Laughing Planet Café, is part circus, part bike
street race and a benefit for Self Enhancement, Inc.
It's a day filled
with bike watching and riding fun!
* Art bike parade
*
Criterium-style street race (with two-way racing!)
* Free three-mile family
ride
* Live entertainment
* Beer garden
* Exhibitors
Come
watch live entertainment and music all afternoon, and an evening criterium
street race with a two-way racing right down the middle of Mississippi Avenue.
Come relax in the beer garden, bring your bike, settle into your lawn
chair, peruse the shops of Mississippi Avenue and prepare to be awed by
spectacular bicycle tricks and riding feats.
2009-05-20
Shakespeare in the Park
On Sunday, June 14th Original Practice Shakespeare Festival will perform "A Midsommer Night's Dreame" (before you ask...that's how it spelled on their www site).
The show is scheduled to start at 2pm.
(from Neighborhood Notes)
Neighborhood Traffic
Recently, a neighbor asked what could be done about the speeding cars that frequently cut through his street. I'm sharing my response here with you in hopes you find it useful as well:
You...and every one of your neighbors...needs to do two things:
1)
contact the City of Portland's Traffic Safety Hotline 503-823-SAFE and report
the problem. More information here:
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=40515
2)
contact the City of Portland Police Bureau's Non-Emergency line and file a
complaint. 503-823-3333
With both PDOT and PPB the more people that call
in and raise the concern the greater the response. In fact, every time I meet
with our local PPB officers they encourage us to speed dial their non-emergency
line for ANYTHING as it all gets logged. The more people complain, the higher it
goes on the priority list.
2009-05-18
Peninsula Park Sunken Rose Garden Tours; volunteer needed
Greetings,
As you may know, on Sunday, June 21st Portland is having our Sunday Parks Way Celebration where the roads are closed to cars and only bike or foot traffic are allowed in the streets (on the route only of course) The Piedmont Neighborhood Association will be in our Peninsula Park to greet and share information about our association on that day.
Our plan is to give away lemonade, give tours of our Rose Garden and tell stories about our neighborhood.
We are looking for volunteers to give Rose Garden tours that day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. And we are looking for people who know the history of our neighborhood to tell a story or two that day.
If you are a buff or know a history buff, email me or call to volunteer an hour on June 21st. It is going to be fun!
Shaun Sullens
shaunsullens@msn.com
503-349-2273
Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. See how.
2009-05-08
Portlanders examine long-range plans to shape transportation and livability
(PORTLAND, OR) - Imagine getting around Portland twenty years from now, with streetcars serving neighborhood business districts and an extensive network of bikeways so safe, comfortable, and attractive that more than a quarter of all trips are made on a bicycle.
That's a future that could come true if the City adopts a new Streetcar System Plan and a 2009 update to the 1996 Bicycle Master Plan.
The public is invited to help shape this transportation transformation at a series of six May open houses around the city to showcase the two long-range plans. Visit the open house event in your community to learn more about the City's strategic investment in green transportation:
Neighborhood Time and date Location
North Portland 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.Mon. May 11, 2009 Roosevelt High School Cafeteria
6941 N. Central, Portland 97203
Central City and Northwest Portland 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.Wed. May 13, 2009 Portland Building, Room C, 2nd Floor
1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland 97204
Northeast Portland 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.Thur. May 14, 2009 Grant High School Cafeteria, _
2245 NE 36th Ave, Portland 97212
At each event, you may drop in anytime between four and seven, and there will be brief remarks by a member of Mayor Adams's staff at 6:00 p.m. There will be bicycle parking, light refreshments, and certified childcare in English and Spanish.
The 1996 Bicycle Master Plan made Portland the top bicycling city in the nation and became recognized as a national model. Over the past dozen years, the City has successfully implemented many elements of the plan and created robust programs to encourage bicycling. The results: each year more people are choosing to bicycle! For example, in 2008, daily bicycle traffic over the Willamette River bridges was more than five times higher than in 1995, and 20% of all trips over the Hawthorne Bridge were made by bike. The Bicycle Master Plan 2009 update project is taking a fresh look at the next steps to make Portland a world-class bicycling city. The bicycle plan is expected to go to City Council in October, 2009.
The Streetcar System Plan looks at extending development-oriented transit throughout the City. Far outstripping the original ridership projections, the downtown streetcar now carries over 11,000 passengers per day, and ridership growth averages 15% per year. Construction of the Eastside Loop Streetcar will start this summer, with service beginning in 2011. Where else should streetcar service be located? The Streetcar System Plan is a big picture look at the City of Portland's transportation network and how streetcars might fit into this network in the future. The plan identifies a citywide network of potential streetcar corridors integrated with TriMet's existing and planned transit system. The streetcar plan is expected to go to Council in August, 2009.
According to Metro growth projections, the City of Portland's population is expected to grow from 575,000 to approximately 725,000 by the year 2030. In that same time, the region's population may grow from 1.9 million to 3 million people. As the City of Portland prepares for this growth, new cleaner, greener transportation and development strategies must be a part of the solution. Both the Streetcar System Plan and the Bicycle Master Plan are key elements of the transportation strategy in the proposed City-County Climate Action Plan, and are being coordinated with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability's Portland Plan process. In addition to proposing new networks, these two planning efforts include funding and implementation strategies.
For more information on the Bicycle Master Plan, visit http://portlandonline.com/transportation/BicycleMasterPlan, e-mail bicyclemasterplan@pdxtrans.org, or call 503-823-4638.
For more information on the Streetcar System Plan, visit http://portlandonline.com/transportation/StreetcarSystemPlan, e-mailportlandstreetcarplan@pdxtrans.org, or call 503-823-5611.
###
From Bureau of Transportation
Contact: Ellen Vanderslice, 503-823-4638 (Bicycle) or Patrick Sweeney, 503-823-5611 (Streetcar)
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=39132&a=239173
2009-03-25
Piedmont Neighborhood and Sunday Park Ways
"Sunday Parkways" is coming to the North and we want you to be a part of the planning!
The Piedmont Neighborhood Association is organizing a brain-storming gathering to decide how to best represent
Thousands of people travel from all over the city to experience
Come to the gathering, bring your ideas and energy and enjoy some refreshments and your neighbors on:
When: Thursday, April 9th,
Where:
What: Bring your ideas on how to celebrate
Windows Live™ SkyDrive: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Check it out.
2009-03-06
Sunday Parkways Cafe
Portland Sunday Parkways Cafe
Sunday Parkways is coming to North Portland again and we want YOU to be a part of the planning! Come to the Sunday Parkways Café to brainstorm ideas and make this event your own. Bring the kids- we want their voices too!
What is Sunday Parkways?
7.5 miles of car-free, active fun!
Visit: http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=46103
To see the magic that was Sunday Parkways 2008.
Saturday,
March 7th, 2009
9am-11am
Historic Kenton Firehouse
8105 N. Brandon Ave
*Light refreshments provided
Questions? email Katie at katie_steinhauer@antiochsea.edu
2009-02-12
Colored Pencils Art Culture Night
Portland's Immigrants Come Together to Showcase Diversity of Arts and Culture
America's immigrants have always unpacked new vitality and new possibilities. Colored Pencils Art Culture Night is an effort to re-assert the cultural wealth of immigrants into newcomer and settled Portland. Mark your calendars for Friday, Feb. 27, and join artists and performers in an evening of culture and art at the Center for Intercultural Organizing office, 700 N. Killingsworth, Portland.
The event is founded by Ronault L.S. (Polo) Catalani, Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Coordinator for the City of Portland, Office of Human Relations. "So much humanity depends on the vision and vocabulary of every community's musicians, writers, painters and crafters. Portland has always been an energetic port city, a commercial crossroads of indigenous nations, idealistic settlers, and optimistic immigrants," says Polo.
For more information check out The Sentinel's website at: http://www.portlandsentinel.com/?q=node/4059.
Enjoy!
The Restorative Listening Project
2009-02-03
Native Plant Sale!
The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conversation District is holding a native plant sale. You have until Sunday, Feb 11pm to place your order. Native shrubs and trees range in price from $2 to $3!
From their site...
Pre-Ordering is easy!1. Select the plants you want and add them to your cart.
2. Check out just as you would at an online store but do not send payment.
3. Pay for and pick up your plants on Saturday, February 21st between 10am-3pm at our office 5211 North Williams Avenue, Portland.
Visit their Native Plant Sale www site to order.
2009-02-02
Friends Of Trees Planting in Piedmont
Friends of Trees is seeking volunteers for their tree planting event on Feburary 14th in Piedmont (also Boise, Elliot, Humboldt, King and Sabin). Neighbors will plant trees in their own neighborhood.
Visit the Friends of Trees web site and click the Volunteer link. You can also contact our neighborhood coordinator Kathleen at rowlands-rugge@hotmail.com.
Although it is too late to order trees for this planting, you can visit their www site and click on "Order Street & Yard Trees" to set up an account to buy trees for your yard or parking strip. Once you set up an account, Friends of Trees will arrange for the city of Portland to inspect the planting site and issue a permit.
I'll be volunteering again this year and I hope to see you the morning of 14th!
Fix It Fair
22nd Annual Fix-It Fair is a free event designed to save you money and connect you to resources. Join your neighbors and talk to experts about how to spend less and stay healthy.
February 7, George Middle School, 10000 N Burr Ave., Portland Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Day long exhibits and hourly workshops provide information and resources for:
* water & energy savings,
* home & personal health,
* food & nutrition,
* community resources,
* recycling & yard care,
* lead testing & more!
Free lunch and childcare provided.
Organized by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability in partnership with other City bureaus, Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric and the Portland Development Commission.
2009-01-30
Rosa Parks Max Station
A Salute to Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama after refusing to give up her seat to a white man while riding on a segregated bus.
Rosa Parks' courageous act drew national attention to simple truths: A public transit system paid for by all must benefit all, and civil rights must be protected for all.
Rosa Parks Station
In honor of Ms. Parks' courage, TriMet is proud to announce the renaming of the Portland Blvd Yellow Line MAX Station to the Rosa Parks Station at 10am on her birthday, Wednesday February 4th, 2009 at New Seasons (corner of N. Interstate Ave & Rosa Parks Way). Join us!
2009-01-29
Redistricting of Police Precincts
Last night North Portland neighbors gathered together to discuss the proposal of closing the North Portland Police Precinct with Assistant Police Chief Brian Martinek. Below are notes from that meeting.
HISTORY: About October/November 2008 all bureaus in the city were notified that there would be reduced revenue for the city by 2 to 2 1/2 percent. PPD looked at a list of 92 priorities that were considered core to their mission, they ranked them by priority. The list was cut to 88 from 92. The proposals are due to the Office of Finance and Management on February 2. The budget forecast comes out in March, every bureau will be affected.
However, at the meeting it was determined that the forecast was worse than originally thought and the cuts would likely go to 5%; possibly a little higher for FY 09 and 10. (FY for Portland is July 1 - June 30).
The proposals will be sent to the city commissioners and the mayor to be finalized at the end of June.
The proposal goes from 5 Portland precincts to 3 precincts, restructuring management. The training center that is located in Clackamas and the Justice Center will be moved to the North Precinct building. The traffic center will be moved to the SE precinct. Both of these moves will result in approximately 1/2 million $$$ in lease cost savings. This also results in centralizing the training.
The North Precinct building will remain a full service building. It will not be a home base for officers, however, there will be officers still working out of the building. They will need to pickup their equipment from the NE Precinct before going to the N precinct. North Portland will be primarily a training facility, but will meet the needs of the community. There will be Captains added to remaining precincts to oversee day to day operations; Commanders will be responsible for community initiatives.
Not leasing a traffic building, results in 3 1/2 million $$$$ given back to the city.
The proposal will result in 21 additional patrol officers, however, several others will be demoted, ie commanders, sergeants (the patrol officers will come from the ranks that will be demoted).
It was stated that response time will not be affected, in fact, it may improve. For example, during shift change, there is a lag time, by consolidating; it gives the opportunity for more shifts. Most likely, they will go from 3 shifts to 5 shifts.
The community would like to see better communication and more transparency between police and the community. For instance, there were people at the meeting wanting to know why there was very little communication/notice time of the cuts.
There is a possibility there will be cuts in officers able to attend neighborhood meetings.
The current map was designed on call load. It will likely be tweaked so not to divide neighborhoods.
The 3 precincts will be North (MLK and Killingsworth), SE (106th and between Stark and Washington) and Central (downtown).
Bottom line, police are dedicated and the priority will be given to safety on the street said Assistant Police Chief Brian Martinek.
For the Sentinel article: http://www.portlandsentinel.com/?q=node/3986.
2009-01-20
Portland Is Better Together!
Portland City Council went into the community this afternoon to launch an initiative to encourage and better connect Portlanders to resources they might need during the national downturn that has hit families and businesses particularly hard.
"My City Council colleagues and I understand the importance of having a strong support network in place at all times, but especially in times as challenging as these," Mayor Sam Adams said.
The action by City Council highlights goals of the Portland is Better Together initiative, which encourages Portlanders to Give Help, Get Help, and Choose Local.
In announcing Portland is Better Together, Mayor Adams and the four City Commissioners – Amanda Fritz, Nick Fish, Randy Leonard and Dan Saltzman – took the lead in addressing the need by volunteering at Oregon Food Bank.
"The President-elect has issued a call to service, challenging all Americans to not only 'look after ourselves, but each other,' " Commissioner Fish said.
"Volunteering with an organization like the Oregon Food Bank has a
direct impact on the quality of people's lives and health."
At portlandisbettertogether.com, the community will find:
- links to direct neighbors and businesses to organizations that can help them;
- options to explore volunteer needs and find where to make donations;
- ways to support local businesses and strengthen our economy;
- outlets to read and post local stories, nominate a community hero,
- or take the "I Choose Local Pledge;"
2009-01-13
Free Workshops!
One of my favorite Portland Blogs is Around The Sun. Amy Reyes' posts about free events and local deals weekly.
Check out her recent post titled "Free Workshops on Lowering Energy and Food Bills."
The two workshops that are coming up are on Wednesday, January 21st and on Wednesday, January 28th. Both at Lent Elementary School. Both events are being sponsored by ROSE Community Development. Please see her blog post for more information.
N/NE Patching Up Old Wounds
Steve Law with the Portland Tribune has a recent article on touches upon many of the events over the last 60 years that have impacted Portland's African-American community.
At the end of the article, I found the following detailed events very eye opening...
- 1948: Flooding overruns Vanport, a wartime city near present-day Delta Park in North Portland, destroying 5,295 housing units and displacing 17,000 people, 35 percent of them black
- 1960: Memorial Coliseum completed; 476 housing units destroyed, 46 percent of them occupied by blacks
- 1961-1966: Interstate 5 freeway through North Portland completed; displaces 125 homes occupied by blacks and numerous black-owned businesses
- 1964-1973: Albina Neighborhood Improvement Program; Portland Development Commission spends $2 million on home-repair loans in inner North and Northeast Portland, builds Unthank Park near North Shaver Street and Kerby Avenue, makes sidewalk and other improvements
- 1970-1973: Emanuel Hospital urban renewal; with city’s assistance, 188 nearby homes and black commercial node at N. Russell and Williams are cleared to make way for hospital expansion; Emanuel halts work in April 1973 with loss of federal funding, leaving some blocks undeveloped for decades
- 1970-1975: Neighborhood Development Program – using $14 million in federal Model Cities funds, PDC pays for home-repair loans and community services in inner north and northeast neighborhoods
- 1993: Oregon Convention Center Urban Renewal Area expanded to include part of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; city excludes residential areas because of bad blood left from Emanuel land clearing
- 2000: PDC creates Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area, in tandem with extension of MAX line along Interstate Boulevard
- 2008: PDC begins study to expand urban renewal in North and Northeast Portland
Gang Activity
2009-01-08
PNA Bylaws
The PNA Board has unanimously* voted to present the following alterations to our bylaws:
- Change general meetings from monthly to quarterly. Our goal with this change is to allow
the board more time to organize meetings that are more productive and beneficial. - Repeal board term limits. Currently the bylaws limit board position participation to
two years. Two year limits do not allow for continuity in the NA's efforts.
*1 absent
PNA Email List
 |
| From Historical Pics |
If you are not already on our email list, you sign up by popping over to http://www.piedmontneighborhood.com/ and then clicking the Mailing List link. Emails from the PNA go out about once a month.
Of course, we will never share or sell the information you submit.
Sunday Parkways 2009 shhhhh
I've been sworn to secrecy regarding a proposed 2009 return of Portland Sunday Parkways as many details as it is still evolving. So until I can give you better information, I present to you BikePortland.org's video from Sunday Parkways' 2008 event.
New Crime Prevention Coordinator
North Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) has a new Crime Prevention Coordinator. Everyone please welcome Mark Wells to the neighborhood!
Mark has asked all who are active in the community or just interested in crime prevention to fill out a questionnaire. Click HERE for the questionnaire. When finished, you can fax to 503-285-5614.
Soon we'll be hearing from Mark regarding 2009's efforts like Graffiti Cleanup, Spiffin' Up Albina and others. As soon as I hear, it'll be up on our blog!
Mark's contact information is...
Mark Wells
Crime Prevention Program Coordinator
8134 N. Denver
Portland, Oregon, 97217
Phone: 503-823-4098
Fax: 503-285-5614
Email: Mark.Wells@ci.portland.or.us
