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...

Over 70 East Portland residents recently packed into the cafeteria at Ron Russell Middle School, located just south of Powell Boulevard on Southeast 112th Avenue, to provide input on the efforts of the Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability to explore viable and sustainable ways to improve the Southeast 122nd Avenue corridor. The corridor consists of the land within a quarter mile east and west of Southeast 122nd Avenue more...

The 2010-2011 fiscal year budgeting process is underway for the City of Portland. March marks the beginning of serious budget discussions by and between citizens and city staff. Citizens get their first chance to sound off on the city budget during three community budget forums that are taking place this week. The first will be held tonight, March 1, at Montgomery Park (2701 NW Vaughn Street) from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The second more...

Portland-based architecture and urban planning firm SERA recently held a public forum at Ron Russell Middle School in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood to discuss the possibility of implementing its civic ecology pilot program within the neighborhood. Tim Smith, a principal with the firm, addressed several members of the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association, concerned citizens and representatives of the neighborhood more...

So many Portland stories have something to do with creativity, forward-thought and collaboration. The story about the burgeoning Stark Street business district in the Montavilla neighborhood is just such a feel-good story that I’m eager to write. Part of the larger Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association, the area along SE Stark Street between 82nd and 75th has been experiencing explosive growth in the past few more...

Zimmerman Community Center is developing our 2010 program schedule, and we've created a survey to help our efforts match your needs. Click here to take survey. What activities, groups and speakers would you like us to organize in the coming year? You can use the survey to share that information. Once we've heard from you, we'll determine which of your needs we can meet, and then bring together community more...

This past Monday, several dozen foodies gathered in an industrial pocket of Northeast with a couple of the most well-known local chefs. They sat behind the only windows still lit up well past factory closing time, having a lively dialogue about Portland's thriving and innovative food culture. But they weren't at some buzzed about new restaurant in the next up-and-coming neighborhood. They hadn't scored a coveted more...

The Savvy Collaborative, a social and biz resource for creative women, and souk partner on many fronts. On Wednesdays, The Savvy Collaborative hosts Savvy Days @ souk where Savvy members and guests gather to work, share ideas and foster motivation in a relaxed environment. Most Savvy Days @ souk include a brownbag over the lunch hour from 12-1 pm and a Think Tank from 1-2 pm. Brownbags are casual conversations about business or more...

Portland State University's Art department is offering something I am very excited about. They have gifted us with what they are calling the Monday Night Art Lecture Series. The lectures are free to the public and the line up of speakers is really special. Local, national and international artists chosen by current graduate MFA students have been invited to speak about their work.Frances Stark, a personal favorite, will be speaking on more...

Doggie Tales is a cute title for a bold piece of journalism. The Sentinel's publisher and managing editor, Cornelius Swart, addresses an issue that I, and I'm sure many, are not aware even exists.When you think of dogs in Portland, you think of one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country. Dogs are part of the family, treated like surrogate children—even dressed in doggie clothes.Swart and Judith Mowry, one of the creators more...