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...

Has anyone ever told you that you seem to have a lot of opinions? Do you have strong ideas and a feeling that you could "get stuff done" in your community? If you fit this description and are between the ages of 13 and 21, the Multnomah Youth Commission (MYC) is the place for you. The MYC started in 1996 with the goal of providing youth voice in the decisions that are made by our elected officials and to change any more...

I’ve learned two key things in the four months I’ve been writing this column: 1) businesses, especially restaurants, will always take longer to open than the initial announcement predicted; and 2) the stream of new Portland businesses making their debut doesn’t show any sign of drying up. You should see the list of rumors I’ve kept to follow up on—every time a place finally graduates to reality, there more...

Seeking fun-loving volunteers Help formerly homeless families get adjusted to their new homes and community. This may include helping them: buy groceries on a budget, learn how to cook, move furniture, sign-up for programs, find resources, figure out transportation, learn housekeeping tips, learn how to budget, learn computer skills, read/write, or find a job. Prior to serving, a volunteer must meet with the Volunteer 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...

The best of this week’s upcoming sports events Sunday, February 28 Portland State Vikings vs. Weber State Wildcats It’s PSU’s final home game of the season, and it's gonna be a doozy. Not only are the Viks hosting powerhouse Weber State—a team that has won 9 out of their last 10 games and sits atop the Big Sky Conference—but the way things are stacking up, they could also be playing for the more...

Oregon Volunteers, the Commission for Voluntary Action & Service, is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Oregon Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards shine the spotlight on trailblazing individuals, businesses and nonprofits that are creating positive change throughout Oregon. The awards are given at both the regional and statewide levels, and will honor individuals and groups in the following more...

Plans for the Waud Bluff trail—a quarter mile paved path and pedestrian bridge that will connect N. Willamette Boulevard by University of Portland to North Basin Avenue on Swan Island—have now gone through the City’s pre-application conference, moving the project one step closer to realization. The Waud Bluff trail originally received $1.2 million in 2004 from the Oregon Department of Transportation through a more...

Plans call for doubling recycling, robust sustainability efforts, new jobs and benefits at Metro Central transfer station For the first time since it opened in 1990, operations at the Metro Central solid waste transfer station are changing hands. Metro and Recology Oregon Recovery Inc. have signed an estimated $38 million, seven-year contract that will signal considerable changes for the northwest Portland facility that takes in more...

Mayor Sam Adams and City Commissioners today announced three vacancies for public advisors to participate in review of budget requests submitted by all City bureaus. Positions are open until filled. However, budget activities for the Board commence March 15, 2010, with orientation and training offered in advance. The Community Budget Advisory Board participates in City Council budget deliberations, advises Council regarding more...

Event dates: March 9th, 2010, April 13th, 2010, May 11th, 2010

Event location: BES Water Lab

Friends of Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association Meeting. Everyone invited to attend and participate. For more information contact: barbaraquinn@clarion-design.com more...

Event dates: March 9th, 2010, April 13th, 2010, May 11th, 2010

Event location: Columbia Community Church

East Columbia Neighborhood Association Meeting. Everyone invited to attend and participate. For more information contact: rlsx@aol.com more...

Event dates: March 10th, 2010, April 14th, 2010, May 12th, 2010

Event location: HIstoric Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N Brandon

Kenton Neighborhood Association Board Meeting. Everyone invited to attend and participate. For more information contact: info@historickenton.com. more...

Event dates: March 11th, 2010, April 8th, 2010, May 13th, 2010

Event location: Former Hayden Island Yacht Club

HINooN (Hayden Island Neighborhood Network) The City of Portland's Official Neighborhood Association for Hayden Island, Portland, OR 97217 1. Mixed use of sustainable, compact, urban, community places. 2. Basic retail services within highly desired residential clusters. 3. Accessible, efficiently managed, and well connected transportation modes. 4. Safe, convenient, popular, and cost-effective more...

Event date: Mar 13, 2010

Event location: Interstate Fred Meyer Parking Lot - Look for the Portland Police Bureau Mobile Precinct

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Crime Prevention Program and the Portland Police Bureau’s North Mobile Precinct will be in the parking lot of Fred Meyer, 7404 N Interstate Avenue, on Saturday March 13, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to take back your unused prescription medications. The purpose of the one day event is to destroy unused and potentially dangerous prescription drugs anonymously in a manner that more...

Event dates: March 15th, 2010

Event location: Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N Brandon

North Portland Land Use Group meets the third Monday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Kenton Firehouse. Contact Mary Jaron Kelley for more information: mary@npnscommunity.org. more...

Event date: Mar 16, 2010

Event location: Writers' Dojo, 7518 N Chicago Avenue

Please join the Writers' Dojo and Reading Local Portland in raising relief funds for Haiti. While the first wave of urgency has passed, Haiti will continue to need help for a long time to come. Mercy Corps, a world-class international aid organization with its headquarters right here in Portland, is working to help repair Haiti's infrastructure—and we all have a part to play. On Tuesday, March 16, the Writers' more...

Event dates: March 16th, 2010, April 20th, 2010, May 18th, 2010

Event location: Community Education Center

Portsmouth Neighborhood Board Meeting. Public is invited to attend. For more information contact: Greg Wilhelm, gregw72@yahoo.com. more...

Event dates: March 16th, 2010, April 20th, 2010, May 18th, 2010

Event location: Kaiser Town Hall

Overlook Neighborhood Association Board Meeting. Everyone invited to attend and participate. For more information contact: info@overlookneighborhood.org more...

Event dates: March 18th, 2010, April 15th, 2010, May 20th, 2010

Event location: Chief Joseph School Lunchroom/Assembly Room, 2409 N. Saratoga

General Meeting. For more information contact: Chris Duffy, chrisduffyalna@yahoo.com more...