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 relevant to a wider audience. But, what are these debates all about? Should our water storage system be covered? Should 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...

Like two rivers merging together, Portland’s breakfast scene and food cart movement are starting to create a flood of fabulous, outdoor options for your morning meal. While it’s hard to keep up with the flow, here’s an attempt to show you around the burgeoning world of breakfast food carts. It all started with the waffle, really. Way back in 2006, food carts were already happening when FlavourSpot appeared on 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...

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...

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: 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 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 date: Mar 18, 2010

Event location: Disjecta, 8371 N Interstate Avenue

Art Spark is a monthly mingling for artists of all sorts! This month, celebrate the PDX biennial 2010 AND a chance to win a show at DISJECTA. To win a show visit www.portlandartspark.com for details This is a great event to make connections in the art world for your art career or just hang with creative community! Get on the Yellow line, head north, get off at Denver stop! Need more info? Contact Tonisha Toler ttoler@racc.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...

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 dates: March 22nd, 2010, April 26th, 2010, May 24th, 2010

Event location: Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church

University Park Neighborhood Association Board Meeting. Everyone invited to attend and participate. For more information contact: chair@universityparkneighbors.org more...

Event dates: March 25th, 2010, April 29th, 2010, May 27th, 2010

Event location: Holy Redeemer School, Small Hall

The Piedmont Neighborhood Association Board meets every month on the second Thursday. While these meetings are open to the public, they are specifically for items on the PNA Board agenda. PNA Board meetings are most likely held at the Peninsula Park Community Center's Fire Side Room. However, the location may change. If you wish to attend a PNA Board meeting, please contact the PNA Chair at CHAIR@PIEDMONTNEIGHBORHOOD.COM for more more...