Portland, Ore. -- The City of Portland today announced the launch of CivicApps for
 Greater Portland, an open source design contest to showcase regional open data and promote collaboration between citizens and government to create applications, or “apps”, that address civic issues and benefit the greater Portland community. The CivicApps event includes two separate phases: Idea Gathering and more...

A new program being launched this week by the City of Portland Bureau of Technology Services—with support from several regional affiliates—aims to strengthen transparency in local government, reduce City government spending by becoming more efficient and create technology jobs in the region. The Open Data Initiative (ODI) is a regional effort to promote increased transparency and openness in government by making more...

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...

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Art on Alberta will hold its 11th Annual Art Hop with the theme, “ABC: Art Builds Community.” Over 15 blocks of NE Alberta Street will be closed to car traffic to accommodate over 150 artists, craftspeople, music, dance and theater performances, interactive art events along with food and other vendors. This is a free arts event for kids of all ages. Registration for more...

Time to get down and dirty with free seminars and workshops that give hands-on opportunities to learn how to garden naturally and safely this season Buds are sprouting, flowers are blooming and the grass is growing again—spring is here and Metro wants to help residents get outside and get growing. Throughout the summer, Metro and the Oregon State University Extension Service are teaming up with local organizations and more...

Update: This article has been revised. Corrections and clarifications are noted at the end. We regret the errors. 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 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...

Event date: Mar 20, 2010

Event location: Friends of Trees

We only have a few more planting events this season and March 20th promises to be a huge weekend for new trees! With two events in Portland, one in Tualatin and one in Vancouver, Friends of Trees will be planting several hundred trees—and we need your help! All you need to do is simply show up around 8:45 a.m. at the staging sites listed below. Friends of Trees will provide morning refreshments, gloves, and tools, as well more...

Event dates: March 24th, 2010

Event location: Sacred Heart Villa- Community Room, 3911 SE Milwaukie

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event date: Mar 31, 2010

Event location: OMSI

Explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight! This month’s event features our newest exhibit, Space: A Journey To Our Future, demos and activities, such as Stoopid Beer Tricks and Science on a Sphere, star gazing with Rose City Astronomers (weather permitting), and $3 planetarium shows, Starry Nights LIVE! And Laser Michael Jackson. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. Visitors 21-and-over only; ID will more...

Event dates: April 12th, 2010

Event location: Montavilla Community Center, 8219 NE Glisan

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...