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...

I have a dear friend (who shall remain unnamed) who credits kombucha with curing her lifelong bout with flatulence. Knowing nearly nothing about the fermented elixir, but thankful for its effect on my friendship, I was intrigued when offered a sample at Whole Foods recently. Now, this wasn’t just any sample. It was a sample of what appears to be a new tea trend brewing in town: kombucha on tap. A BRIEF 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...

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...

The best of this week’s upcoming sports events Saturday, March 6 Rumble at the Roseland 50 If you’ve ever seen a Rumble at the Roseland event, you understand the pure adrenaline rush of watching two amateur fighters square off in the octagon for pride, bragging rights and maybe, just maybe, a shot at becoming the next MMA star to come out of Portland. After all, it was this event that launched the careers of UFC more...

Event dates: March 18th, 2010, March 25th, 2010

Event location: NW 10th between Everett & Flanders

Please join us for Infant Play Group at Isobel's Clubhouse. What will we do?  The infant play group is for families with children aged 0 - 12 months, and older siblings are welcome. This program was developed with a special understanding of new parents' need to connect with their parenting neighbors. Whether you want to compare notes, be part of a group that understands the changes in your life, find out more...

Event dates: April 8th, 2010, May 13th, 2010, June 10th, 2010

Event location: Dynagraphics, 300 NW 14th Avenue (at Everett)

Get involved! Attend the monthly meeting of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association's Board of Directors. Hear committee reports and keep up on the latest! Board Chair: Joan Pendergast Email: jpenderx@mac.com more...

Event dates: March 12th, 2010, March 19th, 2010, March 26th, 2010

Event location: Isobel's Clubhouse on NW 10th btwn Everett & Flanders

Please join us for Story Time and Open Play at Isobel's Clubhouse. What will we do? As part of open play, kids can dress up in costumes, play with toys, listen to music, play games or color with crayons. We’ll also read stories, and you’re welcome to bring a book to share. What is the recommended donation? The recommended donation is $3 - $5 per family per hour. You can bring cash, or you're more...

Event date: Mar 12, 2010 → Apr 30, 2010

Event location: Murdoch Collections

Murdoch Collections will host Field Work, an exhibit of contemporary paintings by Portland artist Arn Strasser. The exhibit kicks off March 12th with an opening from 6 to 9 p.m., and runs through Friday, April 30, 2010 at Murdoch Collections, 2219 NW Raleigh Street in Portland. Both the gallery and Strasser will be donating ten percent of artwork sales from Field Work to the Oregon Food Bank. Strasser’s paintings are full of more...

Event dates: March 13th, 2010, April 10th, 2010, May 8th, 2010, June 12th, 2010

Event location: Food Front Co-op, 2375 NW Thurman

Help keep Northwest District clean! Contact: Phil Selinger Email: selingep@msn.com Phone: 503-224-5122 more...

Event dates: March 13th, 2010, March 20th, 2010, March 27th, 2010

Event location: NW 10th between Everett & Flanders

Isobel's Clubhouse is open every Saturday morning from 10:00 - 11:30 AM. There will always be a craft of activity, and you're also welcome to just come, hang out and play with other families. What should I bring? The activity changes each week so please check our monthly calendar. Sometimes our crafts involve paint, glitter and other fun things. So you'll want to know if you should dress for more...

Event dates: March 15th, 2010, March 22nd, 2010, March 29th, 2010

Event location: 1425 NW 16th Avenue

Families! It’s cold, rainy and wet. Looking for a large, indoor, kid-friendly place to run, throw balls, play games and enjoy healthy play?  Please join us for Isobel's Indoor Active Play. Thank you Joan Pendergast for sponsoring March!  When: 3:30-5:00 p.m. on every Monday through March 29th Where: Pearl Court Activity Center 1425 NW 16th Avenue (at Pettygrove) Cost: $5 - $7 donation per more...

Event dates: March 15th, 2010, April 5th, 2010, April 19th, 2010, May 3rd, 2010, May 17th, 2010, June 7th, 2010, June 21st, 2010

Event location: Bank of America, 1245 NW Lovejoy

Please use 13th Avenue side entrance. Contact: Jan Valentine Email: jangrammy@gmail.com Phone: 503.715.2822   more...

Event dates: March 16th, 2010, April 20th, 2010, May 18th, 2010, June 15th, 2010

Event location: Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, 121 NW 2nd Ave

C'mon down, neighbors! Contact: Reid Decker Email: reid@saturdaymarket.org Phone: 503-222-6072 ex 11 more...

Event dates: March 16th, 2010, April 20th, 2010, May 18th, 2010, June 15th, 2010

Event location: University of Oregon, Room 150

You're invited! Contact: Patrick Gortmaker or Paul Veroeven Email: patrick@kalbererco.com or Paul@saturdaymarket.org more...