Next Monday, the 2010 Spirit of Portland awards will honor 17 people and organizations who've helped make our city a better place. In addition, Commissioner Fish will present three Commissioner's Awards. This year, Nick has chosen to recognize the following groups of people for their contributions to our community:

• Daimler Trucks North America, which stepped up as presenting sponsor of the Washington Park Summer Festival, allowing Portland Parks & Recreation to continue this long-standing and much-loved tradition

• DePave, which works to foster livable cities through the removal of unnecessary pavement in urban areas

• Ted Gilbert, a passionate and dedicated advocate for a number of worthy causes in our community, including affordable housing and the revitalization of East Portland