Guest post by Montavilla Neighborhood Association Chair Brian Wong.

The Montavilla Neighborhood Association meets on the second Monday of every month and addresses neighborhood concerns with an emphasis on livability and community development. Meetings are open to all. If you live in Montavilla, you are already a member! Next meeting is February 8th, 7 p.m., Montavilla Community Center on NE 82nd Avenue and Glisan.

2010 Neighborhood Calendar

This year will be a very busy year in Montavilla. We are happy to report that there are at least five local events coming up this calendar year. Some of the events are directly supported and coordinated by the MNA Board, others are supported and coordinated by other local groups. Either way, this will be an exciting year. Here is what is coming up. Information provided by Southeast Uplift (www.southeastuplift.org). All events are seeking partners for resources, volunteers, and funds.

JOIN Community Mural Project. JOIN will create a permanent mural at their new Home and Day Service Center in the Montavilla neighborhood, located at SE 80th and Halsey. The mural project will be a collaboration between JOIN, the Marshall High SUN School, p:ear and the Montavilla Neighborhood Association. The mural will culminate with an unveiling ceremony to bring community groups together for relationship building and education. Contact Marc Jolin, mjolin@joinpdx.com.

Bridger Elementary PTA, Living La Vida Healthy! Carnival. A neighborhood carnival promoting healthy summer habits while having fun! Taking advantage of Bridger’s Spanish Immersion Program, this carnival will incorporate concepts of diversity and culture. This event will also feature a neighborhood bike ride. Contact Romanna Flores, bridgerpta@gmail.com.

Montavilla Neighborhood Association, Montavilla Health Fair & Movie. The Montavilla Neighborhood Association’s will coordinate a kids’ carnival, a health fair and a movie night. The wide range of activities will reach a large number of community members from varying age groups and backgrounds. The event is scheduled all day August 21st at Montavilla Park on SE 82nd and Glisan. Contact Brian Wong, wong.brian57@yahoo.com, 971-221-4718.

Creative Science School, Montavillage Spring Fair. The parents group at Creative Science School will organize the first annual Montavillage Spring Fair, which will celebrate the Montavilla neighborhood, build relationships among community groups and reach across all demographics of the neighborhood. Contact Gloria, happyphantom@earthlink.net.

Montavilla Neighborhood Association, Montavilla Jazz Festival. Montavilla Neighborhood Association is planning a jazz festival for summer 2010. This 1-2 day live jazz event will feature local musicians. Portland’s jazz scene is fantastic – let’s honor this treasure! [And introduce others to our neighborhood through this event.] Those interested in helping pleae contact Fritz Hirsch, Montavilla Neighborhood Association Vice Chair, (503) 568-7804, fritz.hirsch@gmail.com.
 

MNA Seeking Treasurer

Montavilla Neighborhood Association is looking for a Treasurer! This crucial position is open and needs to be filled. No experience is necessary, just a passion and interest in the overall betterment of your community. Just like any home or business, it is hard to get things done without herding checks to the correct point of destination. This position takes skills you already have and gets you connected to your own neighborhood. Contact Brian, wong.brian57@yahoo.com, 971-221-4718.

Land Use: Portland Main Street Program

Our ever busy Montavilla Neighborhood Association Land Use Committee, chaired by Lew Scholl, has focused recently on coordinating with the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) to generate interest in the new Portland Main Street program (www.pdc.us/mainstreet). This program has been applied nationally with great success and has the potential to significantly improve the Stark Street business district and the entire business environment of the neighborhood. The METBA quarterly meeting in January hosted the main speaker, Claudia Plaza, Main Street Program Manager for Portland Development Commission, Claudia Plaza. The program is a natural fit for the neighborhood business district as it seeks to “advocate a return to traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community”. For more information contact Lew Scholl, lewscholl@msn.com.

Rose Festival Parade to End in Montavilla

As springs marches towards us (although it already feels like it is here), the 82nd Avenue Business Association announces that for the fourth year in a row that the Rose Festival begins with a parade. This parade begins at Eastport Plaza and ends in Montavilla. If you are interested in entering the parade or any of the events, contact Saddee Daniels, sdaniels@eastportplaza.com. More information at www.eastportplaza.com.

Vestal Community Garden Ready for Gardeners

It’s hard to believe that blacktop once covered the Vestal Community Garden. And now the garden is ready for Vestal students and community members to grow and learn together. This could not have been achieved without the support of organizations and individuals passionate about creating a unique community gathering space centered around food production and environmental stewardship. Opening ceremonies are on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Vestal School library. Vestal School is located at 161 NE 82nd Ave. Contact Laura Benjamin, laurabenjamin.vestal@gmail.com, 503-916-6437

Neighborhood Tree Plantings

Last year, Montavilla planted a record number of trees, with the help of Friends of Trees. We would love to beat this record. We only need 9 more households to register! Trees can be planted on your property for $25 - $75, less than most nursery shrubs. Registration deadline is February 8th and can be done at www.friendsoftrees.org. More information? Contact Jennifer, jennifer_montavilla@yahoo.com.