Portland, Ore. -- The City of Portland today announced the launch of CivicApps for
 Greater Portland, an open source design contest to showcase regional open data and promote collaboration between citizens and government to create applications, or “apps”, that address civic issues and benefit the greater Portland community. The CivicApps event includes two separate phases: Idea Gathering and more...

A new program being launched this week by the City of Portland Bureau of Technology Services—with support from several regional affiliates—aims to strengthen transparency in local government, reduce City government spending by becoming more efficient and create technology jobs in the region. The Open Data Initiative (ODI) is a regional effort to promote increased transparency and openness in government by making more...

Citizens from all parts of Portland were afforded the opportunity to learn about, and weigh in on, the 2010-2011 budget process during three separate community budget forums held throughout the first week of March. The events were held at Montgomery Park in Northwest, Mt. Scott Community Center in Southeast and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization’s community space in Northeast.

 The City’s Office of more...

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Art on Alberta will hold its 11th Annual Art Hop with the theme, “ABC: Art Builds Community.” Over 15 blocks of NE Alberta Street will be closed to car traffic to accommodate over 150 artists, craftspeople, music, dance and theater performances, interactive art events along with food and other vendors. This is a free arts event for kids of all ages. Registration for more...

Time to get down and dirty with free seminars and workshops that give hands-on opportunities to learn how to garden naturally and safely this season Buds are sprouting, flowers are blooming and the grass is growing again—spring is here and Metro wants to help residents get outside and get growing. Throughout the summer, Metro and the Oregon State University Extension Service are teaming up with local organizations and more...

The best of this week’s upcoming sports events Friday, March 12 SportFight XXVII - Wild Card If you took the advice offered in this column last week, you witnessed five straight hours of nonstop mixed martial arts action at the jam-packed Roseland Theater last Saturday night, highlighted by three incredibly brutal girl fights and a jaw-dropping performance by a 50-year-old fighter (that’s right, 50!) who more...

Event date: Mar 12, 2010 → Apr 30, 2010

Event location: Murdoch Collections

Murdoch Collections will host Field Work, an exhibit of contemporary paintings by Portland artist Arn Strasser. The exhibit kicks off March 12th with an opening from 6 to 9 p.m., and runs through Friday, April 30, 2010 at Murdoch Collections, 2219 NW Raleigh Street in Portland. Both the gallery and Strasser will be donating ten percent of artwork sales from Field Work to the Oregon Food Bank. Strasser’s paintings are full of more...

Event date: Mar 20, 2010

Event location: 7034 N Charleston

Audubon Society of Portland will provide technical assistance to neighbors to add native plants, & reduce invasives in their yard. March 20th is site visit day! Participants will receive an onsite, one hour consultation and site plan worth $100. Discounts and possibly free native plants depending on yard readiness. Once you’ve completed the recommendations, you can proudly display a Certified Backyard Habitat sign! All this more...

Event date: Mar 20, 2010

Event location: Friends of Trees

We only have a few more planting events this season and March 20th promises to be a huge weekend for new trees! With two events in Portland, one in Tualatin and one in Vancouver, Friends of Trees will be planting several hundred trees—and we need your help! All you need to do is simply show up around 8:45 a.m. at the staging sites listed below. Friends of Trees will provide morning refreshments, gloves, and tools, as well more...

Event dates: March 27th, 2010

Event location: NW 10th between Everett & Flanders

Isobel's Clubhouse is open every Saturday morning from 10:00 - 11:30 AM. There will always be a craft of activity, and you're also welcome to just come, hang out and play with other families. What should I bring? The activity changes each week so please check our monthly calendar. Sometimes our crafts involve paint, glitter and other fun things. So you'll want to know if you should dress for more...

Event date: Mar 20, 2010

Event location: Central Library

Thanks to the advocacy of journalists, lawyers and politicos, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger recently announced changes aimed at improving government openness. What does this mean for concerned citizens? Join the Society of Professional Journalists as we discuss the meaning of open, transparent government. Moderator: Lee van der Voo is an independent journalist based in Portland and serves as Sunshine Chair for the Oregon more...

Event date: Mar 21, 2010

Event location: Gadsby Building, 1306 NW Hoyt Street, 3rd Floor Conference Room

This comprehensive Seminar will answer your questions about Bio-Identical Hormones in understandable terms. Including Thyroid and Adrenal Function (What Most Doctors Don’t Know). See What Dr. David Can Do For YOU. There will be time for questions & answers after the presentation. Weakness Fatigue Disturbed sleep Reduced Libido Osteoporosis Heart more...