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...

Update: This article has been revised. Corrections and clarifications are noted at the end. We regret the errors. Recent events in Portland’s water world have been exciting, controversial and downright confusing. November’s E. coli scare and Boil Water Notice caused neighbors to question the safety of Portland's drinking water—questions that made Portland’s ongoing reservoir and treatment debates more...

CALENDAR ADVISORY Save the Date! Portland Plan Phase II Workshops The Portland Plan will be the City's road map for the next 25 years, guiding our direction as the city grows and changes. We face some real challenges, and our response to those challenges will create the Portland of 2035—the city of our children and grandchildren. We understand that jobs, education, public health, equity and sustainability are more...

Today, Commissioners Saltzman, Leonard and Fish joined with Mayor Sam Adams in expressing their support for a proposal to kick-start funding for the city's new bicycle transportation plan. The final vote on the funding proposal will take place at the second reading of the ordinance next week. Today's proposal follows Mayor Adams' commitment to bring a funding proposal back to City Council within thirty days of last more...

The City of Portland, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, today released two locally produced Public Service Announcements to encourage Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) households to fill out their 2010 Census forms. Portland is the only city in the nation to produce a public service announcement in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct outreach to the LGBT community about the Census and changes to more...

In June 2009, Portland Stock made an unforgetable splash into the blogosphere and Portland art scene with this intriguing post: “Stock: Clear soup broth, investment, estimation, faith, gathering, accumulation, appraisal, cash, assets, a stem, tree, or plant that furnishes slips or cuttings. Ancestry, lineage. Merchandise.” This creative, vibrant grassroots public dinner event boldly aspires to be and embrace each of more...

The City of Portland’s SmartTrips program is revving up for another successful year as the SmartTrips Green Line program gets underway at the end of March. SmartTrips is an individualized marketing program sponsored by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. The program, which was implemented by the city in 2004, is designed to reduce drive-alone trips by increasing biking, walking, carpooling and public transportation more...