In the Oregon Housing Blog

Selling the Public on Public Housing

Sarah Goodyear on TheAtlanticCities.com

Steve Duin: Is Portland learning from its mistakes?

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

Burying the Cleaver- Tension Between Hales, Cogen Gives Way to Deal on Crisis Center

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

2013 Rose Festival Kicks off May 24

In The Skanner News

Portland housing agency extends its REACH

Wendy Culverwell in the Portland Business Journal

Rebuilding Oregon's housing policy

Joanne Zuhl in Street Roots

The Portland City Council will recognize and honor the Grant High School Constitution Team for winning first place at the National Finals of the 26^th annual We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competition in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony will be held during the Council Meeting on May 29 at 9:30am.

Nick, who proudly serves as a judge each year in a regional We the People competition, will read a Proclamation on behalf of the Council.

Grant’s championship team placed first among fifty-six of the nation’s best high school teams competing in Washington, D.C.  The We the People competition, designed to simulate congressional hearings, teaches students about the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.

In 2012, the Lincoln High School Constitution Team won nationals, making this the second year in a row an Oregon school earned first place!

The Grant Constitution Team brings great distinction to their school and our community. Congratulations to the students, coaches, teachers and parents, as well as the Classroom Law Project, sponsor of the local We the People program.

Grant Constitution Team finishes first in nation; second year in a row Oregon team wins

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Champion Grant High Constitution Team: "We Care About Everyone"

Matt Kauffman in Willamette Week

Photo courtesy of The Oregonian

This morning, Nick was honored to march with kindergarteners from the Parkrose School District to promote a 100% graduation rate in Oregon by the year 2025.

The march today signified the educational journey this year’s kindergarteners will go through to graduate from Parkrose High School in 2025! The morning was filled with music and cheers from the Parkrose High School band and cheerleaders, multi-cultural dances by current high school students, and a special focus on the importance of education and achieving your goals.

Oregon is falling behind in education. Our current generation of young adults ages 25 - 34 is less educated than their parents’ generation. Almost a third of our students are failing to graduate with a regular diploma after four or five years in high school.

This is unacceptable.

The “40/40/20 Goal,” launched by Governor Kitzhaber, states that 40% of Oregonians will earn a bachelor’s degree, 40% will earn an associate’s degree or post-secondary credential, and the remaining 20% or less will have earned their high school diploma by 2025.

These kindergartners took the first step this year in making the 40/40/20 goal a reality.

Working together, we can ensure all Oregon youth have a high school diploma by 2025!

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Portland as one of 38 communities nationwide awarded grant funding to protect low-income children and families from the dangers of lead-based paint and other home safety hazards.

The City of Portland, through the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB), will receive $3 million to create healthier homes for 300 local families. The award is part of a $98.3 million national allocation to address hazards, train workers in lead-safe work practices, and increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning. PHB will partner with the Community Alliance of Tenants, the Community Energy Project, Growing Gardens, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, the Healthy Homes Coalition of Multnomah County, and Multnomah County on this work.

This grant is especially important for our community, which has a high number of homes built before lead-based paint was banned in 1978. Exposure to lead-contaminated dust can lead to tragic health consequences for children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and physical impairments. At high levels, it can cause kidney and central nervous system damage and can lead to anemia.

This significant award speaks volumes about the Portland Housing Bureau's track record of working efficiently and effectively with local partners to create safer homes for low-income kids in our community.

The City of Portland has a strong track record with this competitive grant. Since 1998, and including this latest award, the City has received $20 million from HUD's Lead Hazard Control Grant Program. That funding has helped create safer homes for more than 3,300 local kids. This grant will allow PHB to continue helping local children get off to a healthy start.

Portland Gets Another $3 Million from Lead Abatement in 300 Homes

Oregon Housing Blog

House Bill 2417 would ask Oregonians who sell a piece of property, like a house, to pay an additional $5. The revenue raised by the increase would go into a fund to help Oregon’s veterans find a safe and affordable place to call home.

Today, 1 in 6 Americans who are homeless are veterans. Veterans aged 18 - 30 are twice as likely as their peers to end up homeless. That is unacceptable.

Our partners at Central City Concern are asking you to show your support for House Bill 2417 and add your name to the list of Oregonians supporting the bill.

Together, we can help ensure that our veterans get the homecoming they deserve.

Testimony for House Bill 2417

Traci Manning, Director of the Portland Housing Bureau

This Friday officially kicks off the 2013 Portland Rose Festival!

Since its start in 1907, the Portland Rose Festival has promoted Portland as the “summer capital of the world.” The festival is organized each year by the Portland Rose Festival Association.

Enjoy events like the Dragon Boat Races, a carnival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and three spectacular parades – the Starlight parade, the Junior Rose Parade, and the Grand Floral Parade. The Grand Floral Parade is the centerpiece of the festival. It’s the second largest all-floral parade in the United States, and the largest single-day event in Portland.

This year, Nick and his son are proud to represent the City in the Starlight Parade on Saturday, June 1.

This year’s Grand Marshal of the Rose Festival is fourth-generation Oregonian Gerry Frank. Gerry is an author, veteran, statesman, businessman, and volunteer. Gerry also served as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield for 20 years. Congratulations Gerry!

Start your festivities off by attending the opening night firework show this Friday. If you can’t make it this Friday, there’s a second firework show on June 7.

To see a full list of this year’s festival events visit the Portland Rose Festival website.

Portland Rose Festival Kicks Off May 24

In The Skanner News

photo courtesy of Portland Rose Festival

Summer vacation is right around the corner. Have fun and stay healthy at one of Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) many summer camps!

There’s a summer camp for every kid at the many parks and community centers around the city. Swimming, tennis, basketball, art, dance, and music are just a few of the options available to keep kids active during their time off from school. Tots (age 1) to teens can participate in PP&R camps.

Summer camp is a great way for kids to build social skills, confidence, make new friends, and have fun!

Registering is easy. You can mail, phone, fax or walk-in your registration form to any PP&R facility. You can also register online on the PP&R website.

To see the full list of summer camps, take a look at PP&R’s online catalog.

Get out in the summer sun and have some fun!

The Wonder Weeders help reduce or eliminate herbicide use, and contribute to the overall beauty and health of the garden. They are essential to the success of the North Portland rose garden.

You don’t need to have the “greenest” thumb to be a Wonder Weeder. Just commit to at least an hour of weeding and bring your own weeding tool and gloves.

Being part of Wonder Weeders is a great way to connect with the community, be outdoors, and help maintain one of Portland’s oldest public gardens.

Wonder Weeders meet once a month to weed the garden.The next weeding party is June 3. Email penrosegarden@gmail.com for more information.

Don’t forget to join us on June 27 for the Peninsula Park Centennial Celebration from 11 am - 11 pm!

Wonder Weeders Work Party

Peninsula Park Rose Garden

June 3, 8 am - 12 pm

This afternoon, Nick was proud to attend the Grand Opening of The Fields Park in Northwest Portland!

The Fields was created through a partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, the Portland Development Commission, and the Pearl District Neighborhood Association. The Fields is the third park outlined in the Portland River District Park System Urban Design Framework Study. The four parks included in the Framework were Jamison Square,Tanner Springs Park, The Fields Park, and a potential Riverfront Park.

The celebration featured a Native American blessing of the land, a poetry reading by Founding Co-chair of the Pacific Northwest College of Art Barry Sanders, and artwork done by local school children.

Along with being a fantastic outdoor space for people, The Fields is a great place for your dog. The Fields was created with our four-legged friends in mind. It features different amenities for dogs of all shapes and sizes.

The Fields Park is located at NW 10^th and Overton. Come out and play!

The popular $5 5K run/walk series starts up again this Sunday at Fernhill Park!

5K run/walks are scheduled in neighborhoods around Portland from May to October, and are a great way for you to stay in shape for a great price.

The series started last year, and brought over 2,000 runners and walkers to races around town. This year, we are planning for even bigger turnouts. Portland Parks & Recreation has added more courses for all types of athletes - some flat, and others with more challenging inclines.

The race on Sunday is sold out, but the waitlist is still open. If you are interested in running you can visit the $5 5K series page on the PP&R website to be added to the waitlist.

You can also enjoy other fun activities like climbing a 40-foot rockwall, music, various kid activities and much more.

Lace up, cut loose, and have fun!

Can’t make it this weekend?  Visit PP&R’s website to sign up for a future race!

$5 5k run/walk

Fernhill Park

Sunday, May 19

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Last week, we were proud to announce that Legacy Emanuel Hospital has generously donated $200,000 to add a water feature to the makeover of Dawson Park.

The North Portland park was featured the Portland Observer this week, highlighting the $2.1 million renovation scheduled for the park. The interactive water feature, as the Portland Observer reported, was “originally suggested by neighbors during extensive public involvement and heavily supported.”

Other renovations to the park include a large central lawn area, a new playground, flowering plants, new picnic areas, barbeque grills, and much more.

The park will also include art panels by local artists that tell the history of the park as an important center for the African-American Community.

Nick was proud to partner with Legacy to make the fountain feature part of the park’s remodel.

As Nick said about the renovation, “the generous gift from Legacy Emanuel will greatly add to the amenities and improvements at Dawson Park, and will be a neighborhood treasure for generations to come.”

Renovation for the park is scheduled to begin this fall.

Dawson Park Love

In the Portland Observer 

photo courtesy of the Portland Observer

Dawson Park Improvement Brings Resources to the Neighborhood Hit Hardest by Gentrification

Bruce Poinsette in The Skanner News

Dawson Park Love

Mike Leighton in The Portland Observer

New Pearl District affordable apartment highlights misperception of neighborhoods wealth

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Hales, Cogen Strike Deal over Crisis Center, Needle Exchange Program, Other Services

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Hales Cogen Reach Budget Deal that Funds Mental Crisis Center

Aaron mesh in Willamette Week

Court Intrigue- How Will Charlie Hales Divvy up the Bureaus?

Denis C Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Sunday Parkways roll into new era

Jennifer Anderson in The Portland Tribune

Sunday Parkways draws thousands of cyclists to outer Southeast Portland

John Killen in The Oregonian

Portland park rangers build bridges to the homeless

Tracy Berry on KGW.com 

This year, the City is facing a $21.5 million shortfall. Mayor Hales asked all City bureaus to develop a budget proposal with a 10% cut.

On April 30, Mayor Hales released his proposed budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year, which includes a number of difficult cuts.

Tonight’s public hearing gives you the chance to have your voice heard. Tell us what programs and services are most important to you. The hearing will begin at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers in City Hall.

Public Hearing on City Budget

City Hall, Council Chambers

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Tonight

On Monday, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recognized the City’s efforts to preserve affordable homes in our community. “Getting It Done” describes the Portland Housing Bureau’s campaign to preserve the affordability of 11 key buildings with expiring federal rent subsidies by the end of 2013.

“Three years ago,” the story reports, “housing prices in downtown Portland were soaring, effectively shrinking the supply of affordable housing, forcing those who couldn’t pay out of the area. With assistance from HUD, the Oregon Department of Housing & Community Services, the Portland Housing Bureau launched its “11x13” initiative, promising to stem the tide and preserve the inventory of affordable, privately-owned and publicly-assisted housing in downtown. Looks like that promise was kept.”

Partnering with other government agencies and our exceptional non-profit partners, we focused our energy on the 11 buildings at risk of converting to market rates. Together, we helped non-profit partners acquire these buildings, renovate them, and renew their contracts with HUD to keep the rent subsidies in place for 20 more years.

In April, we were proud to announce that thanks to the hard work of many partners, we successfully met our goal, preserving the affordability of more than 700 apartments across the 11 buildings and ensuring that more than $160 million of federal rent subsidy remains in our community over the next two decades.

Don’t forget to join us on Friday for the Grand Opening of Portland’s newest natural area and dog park - The Fields Park!

The Fields was created with your four-legged friends in mind. The park’s design followed neighborhood desires – for both human and furry visitors. The Park is located at NW 10^th and Overton, and features different amenities for dogs of all shapes and sizes.

The grand opening begins at noon. Join us and enjoy live music, art by neighborhood school children, light refreshments, and plenty of play time.

We’ll see you and your dogs there!

The Fields Park Grand Opening Celebration

NW 10^th and Overton        

Friday, May 17

Noon

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has organized its First Annual Portland Police Bureau Youth Summer Camp!

PPB Officers and high school and college athletic coaches will work with campers to develop specific sports skills and foster good sportsmanship.

During the day, campers will go to motivational assemblies, learn skill development for different sports, and put those skills to use while playing their favorite sport. Lunch is served daily to every camper. There is something for everyone at camp: baseball, fishing, cheerleading, journalism, and much more

Camp runs from June 17-21, 9 am – 2:30 pm. The cost is $35, or a reduced rate of $20 for families that qualify for free or reduced lunch during the school year.

Don’t miss this chance to participate in a really fun opportunity during your summer break from school!

For more information on the summer camp contact Deborah Monk at (503) 823-4849 or click here for the application.

Portland Police Bureau Youth Summer Camp

June 17 – 21, 9 am – 2:30 pm

Marshall High School

3905 SE 91^st   AVE

$20 - $35

Warm summer days are just around the corner, and that means it’s time to get ready for Portland Parks & Recreation’s 2013 Summer Free For All!

Join us June through September for live music, movies, and other festivals all while enjoying your favorite neighborhood park.

Thanks to our many sponsors who’ve made this year’s awesome Summer Free For All possible.

To see the full Summer Free For All schedule, visit the Portland Parks & Recreation website.

We’ll be there -- hope you will too!

On Saturday, Nick enjoyed a convertible ride in the 51st Annual St. Johns Parade.

Since 1962, the North Portland neighborhood has celebrated its rich history with a springtime parade.  This year, neighbors embraced the parade theme "Vintage Family Fun."

Nick was joined by the Goldberg family - Cody, April, Harper, and Lennon.  Last year, we celebrated the grand opening of Harper's Playground in Arbor Lodge Park.  The fully accessible playground was spearheaded by the Goldberg family in honor of young Harper, who has a rare condition called Emanuel Syndrome.

Thanks to St. Johns for hosting such a fun event!

Some photos courtesy of Bill Barry

This Mother’s Day kicks off the 2013 Portland Sunday Parkways season!

Sunday Parkways is a great way to stay connected to your community while being healthy and active. Walk, bike, or roll down city streets and participate in tons of fun events along the way.

This Portland event started in 2008 with 15,000 participants and a single 6 mile bike ride through North Portland. The series has grown more popular each year. Record numbers showed up last year, with 103,350 people traveling 41.3 miles throughout the city. Last year, we also added a walk-only route.

The first ride is this Sunday in the Lents neighborhood in East Portland. The event starts at 11 am and is a total of 7 miles.

Add a little extra something to your ride by wearing a costume, playing music, or even have a group theme. It’s all about you having fun and staying healthy.

To see a full listing of the 2013 season visit the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s website.

East Sunday Parkways   

May 12, Mother’s Day

11 am - 4 pm

Free!

Multnomah County homeless report says at least 56 died on street in 2012

Dana Tims in The Oregonian

The O Takes Its Shot at Bureau Assignments. Here's Ours!

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury 
 

Mayor Charlie Hales holds the bureaus a bit longer: Portland City Hall Roundup

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Parks Foundation Announce Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Donation to Dawson Park Water Feature

on PDXtraffic blogspot

Veterans such as Lecester Shakier find places to live thanks to broad effort to cut homelessness

Mike Francis in The Oregonian

Throwing Away the Truth- The Fight Over the County Crisis Center Is More Complicated Than We Know

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center donates $200,000 to install water feature at Dawson Park

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Appeal to the Baseline- The retail politics of the Hales budget creates winners and losers

Aaron Mesh in The Oregonian

Mt. Tabor Community Garden Officially Opens

Allen Field in the Southeast Examiner

Hacienda CDC hosts open house for recently completed futsal court

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers in Northeast Portland

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

City park rangers tell Mayor Hales they want a union

Don McIntosh on NWlaborpress.org

Portland artist Natalie Sept's portraits celebrate 'unseen' restaurant dishwashers

Kelly House in The Oregonian

Yesterday, we were pleased to announce that Legacy Emanuel Hospital is investing $200,000 in a remodel of Dawson Park in North Portland.

Their generous contribution will help install an interactive water feature in the park.

The water feature is just one of the new amenities that will be added to the park. With the neighborhood in mind, interpretive panels will also be installed in the space to share the park’s rich history.

The remodel design was created through extensive community outreach. Now, thanks to Legacy Emanuel, neighbors will see their vision come to life.

“The generous gift from Legacy Emanuel will greatly add to the amenities and improvements at Dawson Park, and will be a neighborhood treasure for generations to come,” Nick said about the Legacy Emanuel’s donation.

The remodel for Dawson Park is scheduled to begin this fall.

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center donates $200,000 to install water feature at Dawson Park

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Parks Foundation Announce Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Donation to Dawson Park Water Feature

On pdxtraffic blogspot

The story, by Mike Francis, illustrates the barriers faced by our veterans who are unable to afford to rent a home.

The HUD/VASH voucher program provides rent assistance to homeless veterans through its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). The Portland area received 305 of these vouchers, but they help with rent assistance only.

VASH doesn’t pay for application fees, security deposits, and other costs associated with moving into a home.  Those costs have been a barrier for many veterans, and they have not been able to use their VASH vouchers.

As Mike Francis wrote in his story, “For want of a nail, in other words, a battle to house veterans was being lost”

The City was proud to partner with United Way,Multnomah County, and Home Forward on “Operation 305” – an effort to ensure our veterans used each of those 305 vouchers. Each partner invested $10,000 to help cover moving costs for HUD/VASH holders, and help them overcome the roadblocks to secure a home.

Operation 305 has been a success – in fact, we surpassed our goal.

Thanks to a great team effort, 308 veterans now have a safe, affordable place to call home.

Special thanks in particular to the Portland Housing Bureau’s Ending Homelessness Initiative Manager Sally Erickson and her team for their outstanding work.

Veterans such as Lecester Shakier find places to live thanks to broad effort to cut homelessness

Mike Francis in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is looking for volunteers, ages 16 and up, to survey the Cully Neighborhood.

The survey is part of Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). The NRI is more than just receiving Habitat products. It’s a holistic approach to creating change in our neighborhoods that have the greatest need for stability.

Volunteers will work in pairs going door-to-door to ask neighbors how they feel about the quality of life in their neighborhood. The 20-minute survey provides the community an opportunity to have their voices heard.

For more information on volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East contact Danell Norby at (503) 287-9529.

The first day to survey is tonight starting at 5 pm.

Cully Neighborhood Surveying

Tonight, 5 pm – 8:30 pm

Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers in Northeast Portland's Cully community

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Click here to see the other dates and times for surveying.

photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East

This morning, City Council was pleased to welcome two groups of outstanding local youth.

The Jefferson High School Men's Basketball team earned first place in the 2013 5A State Basketball Championship this year, bringing pride to the city, state, and Jefferson High School family. Nick was pleased to read a Proclamation in their honor.

As Jefferson player Hayden Hall noted: they are students first, and athletes second.  Congratulations to the team!

Council members were also pleased to meet the 2013 Rose Festival Court.  The fifteen princesses hail from local high schools, and each shared their interests and accomplishments with Council. The Rose Festival Queen will be crowned on June 8 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Rose Festival kicks off with its first events the weekend of May 18 - including the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.

Yesterday, Nick was proud to attend the Grand Opening of the new Hacienda CDC futsal field!

The project represents Hacienda’s commitment to providing a continuum of services for the Cully community. As Larry Bingham reported in The Oregonian “the court, paid for through individual and corporate donations, brings to a park-deprived area of the city a state-of-the-art facility.”

Futsal is a variation of soccer played on a smaller field and mainly played indoors. The new field was created through a partnership with the City, Hacienda CDC, the Portland Timbers, Verde, and Adidas.

Thanks to all of our partners for building a safe place for children to play in the Cully neighborhood.

Hacienda CDC hosts open house for new Northeast Portland futsal court

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Yesterday, Nick was proud to attend the grand opening of the final phase of The Yards at Union Station.

The Yards is a multi-building apartment community which has brought more than 620 beautiful new homes to the River District, nestled at the foot of the Broadway Bridge.

The neighborhood, which includes market-rate and workforce apartments as well as apartments affordable to very low-income families, has been developed in several phases over the last 20 years.

The Yards supports a core belief we all share: that our neighborhoods are healthier and stronger when they’re open to all, and that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. It also reflects our values around sustainability - developed on a former brownfield site, the new building achieved LEED-Silver certification.

Over the last 20 years, the City, through PDC as well as the Portland Housing Bureau, has invested more than $20 million in the Yards. PHB was very proud to invest $5 million in this last phase, which brings 80 affordable homes to the neighborhood.

Thank you to all of our partners, including GSL Properties, City Real Estate Advisors, and Chase, who brought this final phase home.

For those moving into the Yards, welcome home!

On Monday, The Oregonian featured a story in their Living section about one of our former staff members, Natalie Sept.

Natalie, who now works for U.S Representative Suzanne Bonamici, wasn’t featured for her work in the office, but for her work on the canvas.

Natalie’s new art installation showcases people in our community working in the background of the food industry. Her paintings give a face to the often-unseen dishwashers, who work hard behind the scenes of the great restaurants our city has to offer. Natalie’s 19-question interview for the dishwashers gave them a voice.

This month you can catch Natalie’s work at the Radio Room on NE 8^th & Alberta. Her talent will also be showcased at a one-night-only showing at The Cleaners at The Ace Hotel downtown.

Congratulations to Natalie on her wonderful artwork!

Portland artist Natalie Sept's portraits celebrate 'unseen' restaurant dishwashers

Kelly House in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

Now, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars knows it too!

Sophia has been named one of two Presidential Scholars for the state of Oregon's high school class of 2013.  She will travel to Washington, D.C. next month to accept the honor.

Sophia will be attending Yale University in the fall.  We're very proud of Sophia - it's clear her future is very bright!

Congratulations to Sophia and fellow honoree Raghav Tripathi.

Cleveland, Westview students are Oregon's Presidential Scholars for 2013

Betsy Hammond in The Oregonian

Join us on May 17 for the Grand Opening of Portland’s newest green space - The Fields Park!

The Fields, located at NW 10^th and Overton, was created with dogs in mind. Portland Parks & Recreation held focus groups to learn what dogs and dog owners wanted in their park. The ideas came rolling in and some amenities added to the park include a small/shy dog area, benches, double entry gates, and a water fountain.

The grand opening begins at noon. Join us and enjoy live music, art by neighborhood school children, light refreshments, and plenty of play time.

The Grand Opening celebration is May 17, but this morning the park officially opened!

We’ll see you and your furry friends there!

The Fields Park Grand Opening

NW 10^th & Overton

May 17, noon 

Portland's newest dog park, The Fields Neighborhood Park, opens at noon today

Monique Balas Sepcial to The Oregonian

Each May, our nation recognizes the ways that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders helped build our great country. We remember how they have made our country bigger and brighter.

In 1978, congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution recognizing the first week of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week. This time of the year was chosen because of two historical events that happened in our country’s past. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in America. The second milestone was on May 10, 1869, when the transcontinental railroad was completed, finished in large part by Chinese laborers.

In 1992 the month of May was permanently designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

In his Proclamation for this special month, President Obama said, “We can reaffirm our legacy as a Nation where all things are possible for all people. So this month, as we recognize Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are fulfilling that promise in every corner of our country, let us recommit to giving our children and grandchildren the same opportunity in the years ahead.”

Their story is the American Story, and this month we honor them all.

Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage Month Proclamation by President Obama

photo courtesy of DN-0089489, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum.

We are expecting some fantastic weather this weekend. Take advantage of the sun and head out to one of our beautiful parks.

If you haven't been there yet, check out Whitaker Ponds Nature Park. Thanks to filmmaker David McFarland for showcasing one of our hidden gems in the midst of a busy industrial area.

Whitaker Ponds Nature Park

7040 NE 47th Ave

Ndamukong Suh's $250,000 check helps Grant High turf field supporters break ground

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Suh, Nike team up for new Grant HS track, field

Jeff Thompson on KGW.com

Suh's donation helps Grant HS tackle field of dreams

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

If you don't pick up after your pet, it'll cost you $150

On KPTV.com

Whitaker Farm proposal at former school site won't happen this summer

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Peninsula Park Rose Garden nears centennial: Q&A with volunteer Ann Gardner

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Champion Grant High Constitution Team: " We Care About Everyone"

Matt Kauffman in Willamette Week

Grant Constitution Team finishes first in nation; second year in a row Oregon team wins

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Portland's Intertwine a natural place one step removed

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

This afternoon, Nick was proud to join Detroit Lions football star Ndamukong Suh, Nike, Portland Public Schools, and the Friends of Grant Athletics to announce that Grant High School is getting a new turf athletic field and a new synthetic track!

“We would not be breaking ground on this new field and track without the many years of hard work by the Grant Community” Nick said about the project.

Students at Grant have never had a turf athletic playing surface, and their track was in such poor condition that it was closed last year due to safety concerns. The project for a new field for Grant has been underway for more than 12 years. Because of our wonderful partners, this project is now a reality.

Ndamukong graduated from Grant in 2005. The NFL star’s Ndamukong Suh Family Foundation donation was the final piece needed close the loop and get this project started.

Grant High hopes to have the field and track completed before the start of the 2013 high school football season.

Thank you to Ndamukong, Nike, PPS, and Friends of Grant Athletics! You all have made it possible for the Grant Generals to play on one of the best sports facilities in the city.

Ndamukong Suh's $250,000 check helps Grant High turf field supporters break ground

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Suh, Nike team up for new Grant HS track, field

Jeff Thompson on KGW.com

Suh's donation helps Grant HS tackle field of dreams

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

Last week, students from David Douglas High School planted a tree grove to celebrate the 60 different nations represented in their East Portland school!

The tree planting allowed students to be part of a hands-on stewardship program that expandsPortland’s green infrastructure. The new trees will increase the city’s urban habitat, manage stormwater, shade classrooms and improve the schools grounds.

50 Students from science, leadership and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes participated in the planting. The David Douglas ESL students won this year’s Bill Naito Community Tree Award for their work with the non-profit Friends of Trees.

The tree grove will have both international trees and trees that are native to thePacific Northwest. The planting is part of a variety of events the school is hosting leading up to Portland’s World Environment Day on June 5.

Thank you to David Douglas staff and teachers, along with all the many partners who made the grove a reality.

photos courtesy of Anne Downing

This afternoon, Nick was pleased to join his colleagues as the Mayor read a proclamation in honor of Older Americans Month.

Since 1963, May has been officially recognized as Older Americans Month. The month honors and celebrates older adults and their contributions to our communities. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is Unleash the Power of Age.

We were honored to host County Commissioners Loretta Smith and Judy Shiprack and Lee Girard from Multnomah County’s Aging and Disability Services.

Older Americans Month Proclamaion

City Budget Office

Safety net funding fares well in city budget

In Street Roots

Mike Abbaté's letter to Parks Staff

City of Portland budget: 'Not a happy day,' Mayor Charlie Hales says amid proposed cuts

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland's Mayor Releases Budget: City Faces $21M Deficit

April Baer on OPB.org

Hales: 'Tough budget' brings widespread city layoffs

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

Mayor's Budget Unveiled

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Hales' Budget Cuts Mounted Patrol, Keeps Fire Stations

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales proposes police and fire cuts to bridge $21.5 million budget shortfall

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Northwest Pilot Project recently released their annual Downtown Portland Affordable Housing Inventory report.

The City is proud to partner with Northwest Pilot Project in their work to secure affordable housing for older adults in our community. Their annual report shows the number of homes in downtown Portland that are affordable to someone who works full-time, making $8.95 an hour.

This year’s report gave us something to celebrate. The report shows that 2013 is the first year in 30 years with an uptick in affordable homes in downtownPortland.

A large part of the upswing is because of our successful 11x13 initiative, which sought to preserve the affordability of 11 buildings which were at risk of losing their federal subsidies by the end of 2013.

With our partners, we have preserved affordable homes for more than 650 vulnerable Portlanders since 2008.

In 2012, supported in part by City funding, local non-profit Cedar Sinai Park acquired three of our 11x13 buildings - the 1200 Building, Lexington Apartments, and Park Tower- preserving more than 300 affordable downtown apartments and ensuring almost $60 million in federal subsidy to our community over the next 20 years. 

In March, Northwest Housing Alternatives acquired one of our last 11x13 buildings – the Hawthorne East – and will preserve 74 affordable homes for older adults.

Thanks to our many community partners for their outstanding work to ensure that local families are able to have a safe and affordable place to call home.

Congratulations to Grant High School’s Constitution Team on winning first place at the 26^th annual national “We the People” competition!

The “We The People” competition included three days of simulated congressional hearings on the U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Grant High School won first place, competing with schools from 45 states and the Washington D.C. 1,400 students participated in this year’s national competition.

In January, Nick was honored to be a judge again this year at Lake Oswego High School for the regional competition.

The last time Grant went to nationals was in 2011, where they placed seventh. This year they took the gold!

Great job Grant on representing Portland with your tremendous win!

Grant Constitution Team finishes first in nation; second year in a row Oregon team wins 

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Champion Grant High Constitution Team: "We Care About Everyone"

Matt Kauffman in Willamette Week 

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

Friday night, Nick attended three big events.

First up was the Oregon League of Conservation Voter's 16^th Annual Celebration for the Environment. Each year, the dinner brings people from across the state together to celebrate our shared commitment to political action on behalf of Oregon’s environment. Special guests this year included Senator Jeff Merkley, and State Representative Ben Unger.

Next up, Human Solutions’ 25^th Anniversary Gala and Auction. Human Solutions helps the most vulnerable members of our community build pathways out of poverty. Funds raised at this event support programs that shelter and house more than 750 people each night. Congratulations to the Human Solutions team on 25 years of service and success!

Lastly, Nick was honored to attend the Asian Reporter Foundation’s 15^th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet. The event honors young scholars, respected elders, and community groups. Over $980,000 in college scholarships has been awarded over the last 15 years. The Most Honored Award is given to seniors in recognition for their lives and accomplishments. This year, as in years past, Nick was honored to help present scholarships and awards at the event.

It was a great night filled with great people celebrating Portlanders working to make a difference in our community.

Congratulations to all!

Photos by David Nguyen

Nick was proud to march with Marc Jolin and our partners from JOIN in the 7^th annual 82 Avenue of the Roses Parade on Saturday.

The annual neighborhood parade, one of a number of community events held throughout the day, celebrates the growing and vibrant East Portland community. Dozens of community partners, bands, and other groups were featured in the parade, one of the first events to informally kick off the Portland Rose Festival, which begins May 19.

The parade began at Eastport Plaza, 82nd and Holgate, and made its way to 82^nd and Yamhill, wrapping up at Portland Community College’s southeast campus. Council members Charlie Hales, Amanda Fritz, and Steve Novick also marched.

Yesterday, Nick was proud to join members from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and City of Portland partners to celebrate Portland’s newest natural area - the Foster Floodplain.

The dedication of the Foster Floodplain kicks off local celebrations between Earth Day and World Environment Day on June 5. World Environment Day is annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action.Portlandwas chosen this year by the UNEP to be the host city for this special day.

The Floodplain’s innovative design takes a natural approach to reducing local flood risks that also improves fish and wildlife habitat along Johnson Creek. The project restored over a half mile of the creek for native salmon, trout and lamprey.

In so many ways, we have learned that healthier watersheds ultimately mean healthier communities.

Thank you to all our community partners who made the Foster Floodplain a success.

Don’t forget to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5!

Robert Goldfield in the Portland Business Journal

Furman wants Portland and Oregon to give Greenbrier reasons to stick around

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

Nike expansion will have a ripple effect

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

PDC hits financial turning Point

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Portland Mayor Hales to deliver first State of the City address

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

With weekly gatherings, military veterans hone their music skills and create bonds

Steve Beaven in The Oregonian

The Parks have Eyes

Cari Hachmann in The Portland Observer

Housing executive looks to lift up those left behind

Donovan M. Smith in The Portland Observer

Multnomah County homelessness problem dire and likely to get worse, experts say

Dana Tims in The Oregonian

Ending "No Section 8" Policies

On OPB's Think Out Loud

Community farms cultivate payment plans

Kelly House in The Oregonian

VIDEO Portland Parks Holds Free Swim Classes and Hires Lifegaurds for Summer Fun

In The Skanner

Northwest Housing Alternatives acquires 71 affordable units

Lee Fehrenbacher in the Daily Journal of Commerce

Join us on May 11 for the 2013 Festival of the Birds at Sellwood Parkand Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

Portland Parks & Recreation is partnering up with US Fish and Wildlife to host this celebration in honor of migratory birds. Families and bird lovers get the chance to spend the day outdoors learning about birds.

Oaks Bottom Refuge is an important spot for migrating birds. Birds get the opportunity to nest and re-fuel from traveling distances as far away asArgentina. Oaks Bottom is Portland’s first Migratory Bird Park!

At the event you can participate in guided bird walks, enjoy live music and stories, kid’s games, see live birds from the Audubon society and experience much more “bird-oriented” activities.

For more information about the Festival of Birds, visit Portland Migratory Birds’ website or call (503) 823 - 3601.

2013 Festival of Birds

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and Sellwood Park

May 11, 9 am – 3 pm

Yesterday, The Portland Observer ran a story on our fantastic Park Rangers program.

The story by Cari Hachmann highlighted the great work that the Rangers are doing in our community to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy our Gold Medal system.

Last year, we were proud to introduce an expanded downtown Portland Parks & Recreation Rangers program throughout our city’s parks and natural areas. The rangers focus is not just on enforcing park rules but connecting with the community by acting as an extra set of eyes and ears to keep our parks safe and fun. These rangers are our “parks ambassadors.”

All Rangers have been certified by the Department of Public Safety and have trained with Oregon State Parks, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s office, and the Portland Police Bureau.

But that’s not what makes them special.

Beyond their formal training, PP&R wanted to make sure that they brought on rangers that could truly connect with the community that they would serve. The Rangers’ ability to connect with who they are serving has truly made our Park Rangers a success!

Thank you and great job Park Rangers!

The Parks have eyes

Cari Hachmann in The Portland Observer

photo courtesy of The Portland Observer

This morning, Nick was honored to attend the Habitat for Humanity Portland/ Metro East Hope Builder Breakfast.

Habitat for Humanity is a fantastic organization, dedicated to providing homeownership opportunities to families who otherwise would not be able to afford to buy a home. Habitat chooses qualified families with the greatest need who are able to pay an affordable monthly mortgage with a 0% interest rate.

Habitat’s program is unique - families must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity to qualify for a Habitat home. This means spending at least 500 hours helping to build their home, or even paying it forward and helping build a Habitat neighbor’s home.

The idea of Habitat is a “hand up, not a hand out.”

At the breakfast, attendees were able to see first-hand the wonderful work by Habitat and their volunteers. Families who have been part of Habitat’s homeownership program were present, including guest speaker and homeowner Bylinda Tollefsen. Bylinda is the first person in her family to ever own a home.

Bylinda moves into her Habitat home next month!

Thank you, Habitat, for making it possible for families to achieve the dream of homeownership.

photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Portland/ Metro East

Yesterday, Nick was a guest on OPB's Think Out Loud for a segment about Speaker Tina Kotek's proposed legislation to reform the Housing Choice Voucher - or Section 8 - program statewide. He joined Phil Owen of the Rental Housing Association of Greater Portland, a group representing mostly small landlords in the Portland area.

Section 8, administered by local housing authorities, is the nation's largest housing program. Here in Multnomah County, Home Forward (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland) administers more than 8,000 vouchers, which deliver more than $50 million in rent assistance to our community each year. Who uses vouchers in our community? In large part, voucher-holders are older adults, families with children, people with disabilities, and people from communities of color.

When Nick took office in 2008 he convened a task force to identify common-sense strategies to make the Section 8 program work better for landlords and renters. The good work of Jill Riddle and the team at Home Forward ultimately helped more renters with vouchers successfully find apartments, and has become a model for the rest of the state.

But a fundamental question remains. Currently, Oregon law allows landlords to refuse applications from voucher-holders. Does someone who uses a voucher to pay part of their rent deserve the same treatment as someone who doesn't? We believe they do.

Speaker Kotek's legislation will address this question by removing the exemption allowing landlords to refuse to process applications from voucher-holders. It will also expand the improvements made by Home Forward to the rest of the state.

The legislation will not force a landlord to rent to a voucher-holder. Rather, it will require them to accept and process applications from voucher-holders through their normal screening criteria. This will put people with vouchers on a level playing field with other renters and give them a fair chance at an apartment of their choosing.

The City of Portland strongly supports Speaker Kotek's bill, which is currently with the Join Ways and Means Committee in Salem. We're proud to be part of the broad coalition working to pass this bill, and look forward to the day when participants in the nation's largest housing program receive equal treatment in Oregon's private housing market.

Think Out Loud: "Ending 'No Section 8' Policies"

Speaker Kotek's proposed legislation

On Monday, The Oregonian published a story about how Community Supported Agriculture farms (CSAs) are making it possible for everyone to have access to fresh, local produce.

In the past, CSAs have worked with members paying one larger lump sum at the beginning of the growing season, and in return they receive a weekly basket of farm-fresh produce from their local farmers. In the end, those CSA members would save significantly more money compared to buying at grocery stores. But the up front cost for seasonal membership was simply not affordable for many hardworking families.

But times are changing.

In her story, Oregonian reporter Kelly House features one of our partners, Zenger Farm, and the work they did to reconstruct payment plans so that CSAs would be able to accept food stamps as a method of payment. Zenger Farm is an urban farm that models, promotes and educates sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, community development, and access to good food for all.

Kelly writes that in the past, CSAs “have long been criticized as a savings open only to those with ample disposable income.” Because of the work of Zenger Farm and other local farmers in Oregon, it’s becoming possible that anyone, no matter the financial means of paying for the produce, can become members.

Nick strongly supports increasing access to fresh food for all Portlanders, and supports the local food movement - including Oregon’s Farm to School legislation and Zenger Farm’s Urban Grange.

Community farms cultivate payment plans

Kelly House in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

Congratulations to White Bird Dance for 15 years of supporting the art of dance in our community.

White Bird focuses their energy on bringing new, emerging dance companies and performances to the Portland community. Since 1997, over 350,000 people have enjoyed dance thanks to White Bird.

They have brought performances from around the world to Portland - from Los Angeles to Asia, Chicago to Australia.

Congratulations to White Bird co-founders Walter Jaffe and Paul King for 15 great years.  Here's to the next 15!

Video by Magaurn Video Media

On Saturday, Nick was proud to attend the Grand Opening Celebration of the Mt.Tabor Community Garden.

The garden was over ten years in the making and adds 85 new garden plots in Portland. It's so popular, it already has 250 people on the waiting list.

This garden was a true community effort. Community members served on the design steering committee and helped develop a “Good Neighbor Agreement” that serves as a model for future garden projects.

This was a momentous occasion because it celebrated the final Grand Opening of our 1,000 Gardens Initiative that we started in 2009. Not only did we meet our goal of adding 1,000 new community gardens, we surpassed it!

Although it’s the last official 1,000 Gardens garden, there are several more gardens already in the works for the coming year.

Our vision is that one day there will be a community garden in every neighborhood, and a learning garden at every school in Portland.

Special thanks to Friends of Portland Community Gardens, Board Chair Allen Field, Ames True Temper Tools, and all the community and neighborhood members that made this garden grow!

To learn more about Portland’s community garden program or to sign up for a garden plot, visit the Portland Parks & Recreation’s community garden website.

On Saturday, Nick was honored to receive the 2013 Lamplighter of the Year award from Operation Nightwatch.

For over 30 years, Operation Nightwatch has served our community with their motto, "keep the light on."  

They provide food, warm clothing, socks, and most importantly: a sense of community to those experiencing homelessness.

Operation Nightwatch presented Nick with the award to recognize his work to end homelessness in our community.  He was pleased to be joined by JOIN Executive Director Marc Jolin, Street Roots Director Israel Bayer, community advocate Steve Weiss, New City Initiative Coordinator (and prior Lamplighter Award recipient) Paul Schroeder, and Portland Housing Bureau staff member Ryan Deibert.

Special thanks to Operation Nightwatch, Executive Director Gary Davis, Board member David Groff, and all of our community partners who work tirelessly to ensure everyone in our community has a safe and decent place to call home.

To celebrate, the Friends of Portland Community Gardens and the Portland Parks Foundation invite you to a benefit screening of the award-winning documentary Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?

This new documentary reveals how crucial honeybees are to the environment, and how bee populations are on a major decline. All over the world, mass quantities of bees fall victim to Colony Collapse Disorder, where worker bees in a colony abruptly disappear.

The screening starts at 7 pm at the Bagdad Theater. After the film there will be a Q & A with the director and producer, filmmaker Taggart Siegel.

Tickets are $9 at the door. All proceeds from the benefit will go to Friends of Portland Community Gardens.

We hope you can make this special event!

Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling us?

Bagdad Theater

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 7 pm

21 & over

Join us tomorrow, April 20, as we showcase Arbor Month at the Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University.

This year we decided to make the move from Arbor Day to Arbor Month. Throughout the entire month of April, Portland Parks & Recreation is hosting events to honor and celebrate those who work tirelessly to enhance the city’s urban forest.

Tomorrow’s fun-filled celebration includes an award ceremony presented to our city’s fabulous tree advocates, a hands-on “Tree-magination” area, and other family-friendly activities from 8:30 am - 2 pm.

Portland also will be recognized for the 36^th year in a row as a “Tree City USA!”

Celebrate our beautiful urban forest all month long. Visit the PP&R website to see a list of events to celebrate Arbor Month.

Arbor Month Showcase Event

PortlandFarmers Market at PSU

April 20, 8:30 am – 2 pm

The Oregonian Editorial Board

Details of Scrapped Nike South Waterfront Deal Emerge

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Hales and the Board of Directors

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Council Majority Now Back Campaign for Safety Net Cash

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Jesse Beason talks Portland safety net

In Street Roots

Challenge after Boston Marathon bombings: preserving tradition

The Oregonian Editorial Board

Portland Parks seeks members for River View Natural Area advisory committee

Jonahthan Maus on bikeportland.org

We Are the Safety Net coalition fights to maintain city funding through tough budget

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

On Portland City Council agenda, a small park 100 years in the making

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

BRIDGE Housing Expands to Pacific Northwest

on housingfinance.com

Portland budget group finds nearly $5 million in possible savings

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Don’t be fooled by those April showers, summer is just a couple of months away!

Learn to swim at one of Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) 13 pools. PP&R offers swim lessons for everyone, no matter your age or skill level.

Registering online is a good way to beat the last minute rush. You can also register by phone or mail. Your neighborhood pool will start registering walk-in sign-ups beginning June 15.

You can register online now on the PP&R website or call (503) 823-5130 to have a summer program guide and lesson registration form mailed to you.

Swimming is a skill that lasts a lifetime; it’s never too late to start.

Last week, Nick was proud to attend PMAR’s First Citizen Banquet, where Jean DeMaster and Sophia Kecskes were presented with the First Citizen and Future First Citizen awards.

The First Citizen Award is presented annually by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors (PMAR). The award honors civic achievements and business leadership.

This year’s First Citizen, Jean DeMaster, has spent over 40 years working tirelessly to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness get off the streets and into housing.

Jean’s storied career includes time as the Executive Director of Children’s Club, the YWCA, and Transition Projects. While with Transition Projects, Jean opened the first homeless shelter and transitional housing facility that was solely for women. The shelter is named Jean’s Place in her honor.

Jean now serves as Executive Director of Human Solutions. Last year, she was proud to  open the Rockwood Building, a multi-service center to serve homeless and low-income families in the Rockwood area.

Our office’s very own Sophia Kecskes was given the Future First Citizen Award – an award and $5,000 scholarship that is given annually to an outstandingPortlandhigh school senior. 

Sophia has been an active in the youth community since she was 13.  In just the last two years, she has volunteered over 400 hours to the Multnomah Youth Commission. She is an outstanding leader and a wonderful example for other youth in our community. We all know she has a bright future ahead of her.

Congratulations to our First Citizens! Thanks for all you do to make a positive difference in our community.

photos courtesy of Bill Barry, Barry Foto

This morning, Nick, Mayor Hales and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum welcomed Sara K. Pratt, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to City Hall.

Ms. Pratt met with jurisdictional partners and community leaders, and led a spirited discussion about Fair Housing challenges and opportunities in our community.

Nick was pleased to read a Proclamation during the City Council meeting, declaring April 2013 Fair Housing Month in the city of Portland.

We were also joined by 5th grader Ashley Robinson, who won this year's Fair Housing Council of Oregon Fair Housing poster contest - featuring the theme "Diversity Creates Better Neighborhoods." 

Special thanks to Ms. Pratt, Attorney General Rosenblum, and our other special guests for joining us!

Fair Housing Month Proclamation

This year, the community is rallying again in the face of a $22 million budget shortfall.  The "We Are the Safety Net" campaign supports the Portland Housing Bureau's 13-14 budget requests, which will support needed programs and services for some of our community's most vulnerable.

We Are the Safety Net coalition fights to maintain city funding through tough budget

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Jesse Beason talks Portland safety net

Street Roots

Portland Parks & Recreation is looking for volunteers to help complete an inventory of trees this summer.

PP&R is seeking volunteers in the Brooklyn, Richmond, and Woodstock neighborhoods to help to gather information on sizes, health, site conditions, and other tree facts.

PP&R’s Urban Forestry team, which manages and regulates over 1.2 million trees in our city, will use the information to create a neighborhood tree guide for the maintenance and growth of the neighborhoods’ tree canopies.

To sign up to volunteer visit the PP&R website.

Brooklyn, Richmond and Woodstock neighborhoods are looking for tree inventory volunteers

Steve Beaven in The Oregonian

Tomorrow, Mayor Hales and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will join Nick to host Sara K. Pratt, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Ms. Pratt will lead a discussion on Fair Housing issues in our community and nationwide, and will provide local leaders with an update on the federal budget and new HUD rules impacting our community.

Following breakfast, the City Council will hear a presentation about Fair Housing and proclaim Fair Housing Month in Portland.

We're grateful for our strong partnership with HUD  - from Secretary Shaun Donovan in Washington, D.C. to Mary McBride and Robin Prichard in the Pacific Northwest - and are so excited to host Deputy Assistant Secretary Pratt tomorrow.

Fairness Matters: Report to City Council

Portland Housing Bureau: Fair Housing

Join us on April 20 for the Grand Opening of the Mt.Tabor Community Garden.

The Grand Opening celebrates a first and a last for us. The Mt.Tabor Community Garden is the first community garden in the Mt.Tabor neighborhood. The event also celebrates the last grand opening of our 1,000 Gardens initiative.

In 2009, we pledged to create 1,000 new gardens by the end of 2012. Not only did we reach our goal, we surpassed it.

The new community garden was generously sponsored by the Friends of Portland Community Gardens and Ames True Temper Tools. A heartfelt thank you to all the neighbors and community members who made this garden such a success.

For more information about Mt.Tabor Community Garden contact Carrie Vogelzang at (503) 823-1612.

Mt. Tabor Community Garden Opening

SE 64^th and Lincoln St.

Saturday, April 20

2 - 3 pm

The subcommittee identified a number of savings – many of which could be on-going savings to the City each year. The subcommittee focused on long-term savings to Portland taxpayers, rather than “quick fixes.”

In the report, the subcommittee notes that “the city could save millions by reducing overhead and improving efficiency.”

They propose savings in three main categories: protecting diversity gains in public safety bureaus, cutting more than the Mayor’s suggested 10% from certain bureaus, and reducing materials and services costs in the City’s Office of Management and Finance budget.

Over the next two months, Nick will work with his Council colleagues to craft a responsible budget that addresses our short-term deficit while protecting the core services and programs that Portlanders value.

Portland budget group finds nearly $5 million in possible savings

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Subcommittee One Report

Subcommittee Two Report

On April 6, KATU News featured one of our community’s everyday heroes.

Sylvester Simmington has been volunteering for Portland Parks & Recreation for almost 30 years. He spends his time at Peninsula Park cleaning up the grounds and helping parents with young kids by being a second pair of eyes - making sure no one gets hurt or lost.

What makes Sylvester an Everyday Hero? It is more than the work he does. Rather, it’s how he does it. Rain or shine, Sylvester is there helping out. He always has a smile on his face and makes sure to check in on park staff and visitors alike.  He doesn’t want anybody to feel like they were left behind.

Next time you go to Peninsula Park say “hi” to Sylvester, and thank him for the great work he does to maintain our Gold Medal parks system.

Thank you Sylvester – for 30 years of service and just getting started!

Everyday Heroes: Keeping Portland parks beautiful

Steven Dunn on KATU.com

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Multnomah County, Portland hit "reset" button in long-term homeless effots

Dana Tims in The Oregonian

City dollars jump start housing projects

Wendy Culverwell in the Portland Business Journal

Portland City Council approves minimum parking requirement for large apartment buildings

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

Take That Lichfield: Tiny Fence Now At Tiny Park

Ifanyi Bell on OPB.org

Portland Thorns recognized at City Hall

Michael Berk on KGW.com

Controversy Over Guinness' Smallest Park" Designation

Lawrence Dechant on abcnews.com

A Lesson on the Golden Rule

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Whimsy enters UK vs. Portland smallest park debate

on KGW.com

City of Portland to Recognize Thorns FC

JonannaW on Stumptownfooty.com

International Rose Test Garden surpasses 10,000 roses -- curator's career goal

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Portland's Tiniest Park Title Under Fire From UK

Cassandra Profita on OPB.org

Portland Parks & Recreation looks forward, asks public to look critically at park systems future

On Oregonlegaljournal.com

On Tuesday, The Oregonian published a story about the crisis of nutrition and hunger among older adults in our community.

Nancy Haught wrote that “Older Americans are a particularly vulnerable and growing group when it comes to buying and eating nutritious food.”  Millions of households that include older adults in this country struggle with food insecurity. Food insecurity means lacking consistent access to nutritious food.

Older adults often lack consistent access to nutritious food. Many older adults are living on a fixed income and cannot afford to fill up their grocery carts – so they end up buying food that is filling, but not necessarily nutritious. 

Older adults may not know about support systems in place like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Meals on Wheels, and the Oregon Food Bank. Others may think the application process for SNAP is too difficult, or that they might be taking resources from other Americans who need assistance more.

Thank you, Nancy, for your informative and eye-opening story on this important issue.

To learn about SNAP benefits, call the Oregon Safety Net at 1(800)-723-3638 or

call 2-1-1 to connect with 211Info to find resources in your area. 

Want to help older adults in our community? Sign up to volunteer with programs like Meals on Wheels or the Oregon Food Bank.

A nutrition safety net for seniors

Nancy Haught in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

This morning, Nick was pleased to read a Proclamation in honor of Portland Thorns FC's inaugural season.

In late 2012, the National Women's Soccer League was established. Portlanders were thrilled to learn that the Rose City would welcome its own women's team - the Portland Thorns.  The Thorns team is led by a number of world-class and Olympian athletes.

We were honored to welcome Thorns forwards Christine Sinclair and Danielle Foxhoven - both graduates of the University of Portland Pilots - along with Head Coach Cindy Parlow Cone and Chief Operating Officer Mike Golub.

Portland Thorns recognized at City Hall

Michael Berk on KGW.com

Go Thorns!

Portland Thorns FC Proclamation

City of Portland to Recognize Thorns FC

JonannaW on Stumptownfooty.com

Papa’s Pizza Parlor is donating 50% of all food proceeds to East Portland Concerts at Ventura and Parklane Parks.

The East Portland Concerts are part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Summer Free For All. The Free For All is a series of summer concerts, movies, swim lessons, and playground activities for everyone to freely enjoy throughout the city.

The Papa’s Pizza event ends tonight at midnight. Remember to bring the attached flyer with you.

If you can’t make it out for pizza today you can purchase “Fundraiser Bucks” to give as gifts or use at a later time. With “Fundraiser Bucks,” Papa’s Pizza will donate 25% of your purchase to support the concerts.

For more information on the East Portland Concert Series contact Linda Robinson at (503) 261-9566.

Papa’s Pizza Parlor

Today!

16321 SE Stark

11 am - midnight

The Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT) is teaming up with La Bonita North restaurant to raise awareness for renter’s rights. Join them for some delicious food and conversation - all while supporting renters’ rights.

The City of Portland is proud to partner with CAT. CAT works to educate & empowerOregontenants to demand affordable, stable & safe rental homes.

All day Friday, April 19, La Bonita North will donate 20% of its proceeds to CAT to help them continue their great work. CAT staff will be there to enjoy the delicious food and be part of conversations to inform and promote tenants’ rights from 5 – 6 pm.

Eat, enjoy, and support!

To get more info on the event or to learn more about CAT’s fabulous work visit their website.

La Bonita North

2710 N Killngsworth

April 19, 10 am - 10pm 

Still have what it takes on the court? Come out and play on April 24 during Portland Parks & Recreation’s basketball event for some area high school alumni.

The basketball games - “Old Timers”- will be hosted at Peninsula Park Community Center. To play, you need to be 27 or older and be an alumnus from Grant, Jefferson, Roosevelt, or Holy Redeemer High Schools.

Connect with old friends and meet new ones.  Find your old competitive side and most importantly: have fun.  As Michael Jordan put it, “Just play. Have Fun. Enjoy the game.”

To learn more about the “Old Timers” game or to sign up to play, contact Danielle Solomon of PP&R at (503) 823-6175 or danielle.solomon@portlandoregon.gov.

“Old Timers” Basketball

April 24, 7 pm- 9 pm

Peninsula Park Community Center

Grant, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Holy Redeemer basketball players sought for "Old-Timers" event

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Chris Bonner and Marc Jolin in The Oregonian

City Council Won't Make Developer Add Parking on Division Street

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Council Will Talk Apartment Parking this Afternoon. Temper your Expectations

Dirk VanderHart in The Portland Mercury

Letters: Section 8 proposal would help end housing discrimination

Kyle Busse and Victor Merced in The Oregonian

City apartment parking rules could change

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

The Incomplete Charlie Hales

Denis C. Theriault and Dirk VanderHart in The Portland Mercury

Paranoid Parking

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Portland City Council to take up proposed parking minimums for apartment buildings

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

Fish Will Try to Amend Apartment Parking Rules on Thursday

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Letters: Section 8 Housing

Chuck Fisher and John Miller in The Oregonian

Today, we came across an interesting article on the Oregon Housing Blog that reports how older adults are struggling to afford their homes in retirement.

The report shows how renters aged 65 and older spend, on average, 46% of their income on housing. Many older adults living on fixed incomes just cannot compete against the housing market’s growing rents in the community.

The blog links to Robert Powell’s article “Housing, health-care costs are retirement killers,” which examines how the cost of housing for older adults is a major burden after retirement. Powell writes “the inescapable truth about retirement is that housing is year-in and year-out a budget buster.”

The Portland Housing Bureau’s top priority is to build and preserve affordable homes.  In 2008, we launched the 11x13 campaign when we identified 11 buildings that were at risk of losing their federal subsidies by the end of 2013. With our partners, we have preserved affordable homes for more than 650 vulnerable Portlanders. Many of the 11x13 properties secure affordable homes for older adults in our community.

Thanks to our partners for helping us ensure that everyone – including older adults in our community – has a safe and affordable home.

photo courtesy of Oregon Housing Blog

Portland Center Stage’s (PCS) spring show, Clybourne Park, is giving theater goers the chance to support local housing nonprofits.

Two of our community partners, in partnership with PCS, are offering a $5 discount on tickets to the show. Ticket holders can use one of two promotional codes for the savings, and PCS will donate $10 to the housing nonprofit!

Proud Ground, through a unique land trust model, provides opportunities for lower income families and individuals to achieve the dream of homeownership. To support Proud Ground, enter “PROUD” in the promo code section when you buy tickets online.

The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) works to end housing discrimination in Oregon and Southwest Washington. FHCO provides landlord and tenant education, and helps enforce the laws which protect individuals from discrimination. To support FHCO, enter “FairHouse” in the promo-code section.

Clybourne Park shares a story about neighborhood racial tension in 1950s Chicago. The play makes us evaluate what has or not changed in our society. The playbill asks: “When our houses become our homes, and our neighborhoods become our identities, what will we do to protect them?” The play gives the audience a chance to re-live the challenges of the 1950s, and examine those that are still happening today.

Enjoy an evening of theater and support your local nonprofits!

Clybourne Park

April 9 - May 5

PortlandCenterStage

Main Stage

Buy tickets online

We support the Portland safety net.

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East recently announced that 23 families in our community will now have a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.

The 23 families represent 119 people, including 46 children, who were living in the most desperate housing conditions in our community. Now, because of Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program, these families will be able to buy their home without paying more than 30% of their income on their monthly mortgage.

How does Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program work?

Qualified families send in their applications, and Habitat reviews them. Families are chosen when they have the greatest need, and have the ability to pay an affordable monthly mortgage. This year, Habitat received a record 370 applications.

Habitat’s program is unique - families must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity. This means spending at least 500 hours helping to build their home, or even a future Habitat neighbor’s home.

On April 6, Habitat will host a warm welcome for the new families at Habitat’s Key Ceremony and Home Dedication where the 23 families will have the opportunity to tour a Habitat home and meet their future neighbors who have already completed the homeownership program.

Thank you Habitat for Humanity for the work you do in providing homes to our community!

photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East

As proposed, the changes will require buildings of more than 40 units to provide one parking space for every four units. They will also require loading spaces for large buildings, allow parking spaces to be provided off-site, and allow developers the option of providing fewer spaces in exchange for offering carshare and bikeshare facilities.

We have heard feedback from neighbors, developers, community groups, and others about this proposal. Some think it goes too far, while others think it doesn't go far enough. There are many factors to consider: our Climate Action Plan goals, our community's desire for ground floor retail, the additional cost to developers, the different impacts of large and small buildings, the cumulative impact of clusters of new development, and more.

Ultimately, Nick agreed that the proposal didn't go far enough. Tomorrow, he will propose an amendment which would require parking for buildings of more than 30 units, rather than 40, and would ask larger buildings to provide proportionally more parking than small. For buildings of 31-40 units, the requirement would be one space for every five units. For buildings of 41-50 units, it would be one space for every four units. Larger buildings with 51 or more units, would have to provide one space for every three units.

We believe this option is a thoughtful and balanced approach. It will help preserve the livability of our neighborhoods through a period of great change while staying faithful to our Climate Action Plan goals and our desire to promote active ground floor retail on main streets.

Nick is also concerned about the lack of affordable options in Portland's growing neighborhoods. As part of the Comprehensive Plan, he will be asking staff to research and develop recommendations for bonuses and other incentives to encourage developers to offer affordable homes.  As our city grows, it's our responsibility to make sure our neighborhoods remain open to everyone.

The Council session tomorrow begins at 2 pm and will include time for community members to address Council with their questions, concerns, and ideas. We look forward to a lively discussion of this important issue.

Fish Will Try to Amend Apartment Parking Rules on Thursday

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Paranoid Parking

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Portland City Council to take up proposed parking minimums for apartment buildings

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

The Editorial Board wrote that while "Speaker Kotek and Commissioner Fish are right to seek a level field for all people who seek shelter and have money to pay for it," the board writes that "this bill misses the mark."

Community leaders disagreed. Over the last couple of days we noticed several letters to the editor responding to the editorial. John Miller, Executive Director of the Oregon Opportunity Network writes that "we all benefit from a thriving housing market, and this is a great step forward."

Jean DeMaster and Sarah Zahn from Human Solutions acknowledge that "HB2639 is an excellent solution to the issue of housing choice," and acknowledge speaker Kotek for "her hard work and balanced approach to this bill." The bill is further supported by Chuck Fisher, executive director of the Salem-Keizer Community Development Corporation, who states "we all live in subsidized housing."

We are proud supporters of Speaker Kotek's Legislation and pleased that leaders in our community share the value that renters statewide deserve a level playing field.

Letters: Section 8 proposal would help end housing discrimination

Kyle Busse and Victor Merced in The Oregonian

Letters: Section 8

Chuck Fisher and John Miller in The Oregonian

Letter:Section 8 bill wouldn't create an unfair burden for landlords

Sarah Zahn and Jean DeMaster in The Oregonian

Join us tomorrow to help remove invasive plants in Forest Park.

On Wednesday, volunteers will join forces with the No Ivy League of Portland to battle invasive English ivy in the park. The No Ivy League removes English ivy from host trees in Forest Parknot because the vine plant isn’t beautiful to look at, but because it’s destroying many of the native plants that make up the park’s ecosystem. The No Ivy League removes the invasive species by hand, rather than chemical or mechanical removal.

To volunteer in Forest Park, meet at the No Ivy League’s Field Headquarters at 10 am tomorrow near Lower Macleay Trailhead. Wear weather-appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves and tools will be provided.

Can’t make it tomorrow? The No Ivy League meets every 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday for mid-week restoration and invasive plant removal.

Forest Park Volunteer Day

April 3, 10 am-1 pm

Lower Macleay Trailhead

2960 NW Upshur

This summer Portland Parks & Recreation is partnering with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Environmental Services and other partners to restore Westmoreland Park’s wetland area and Crystal Springs Creek.

The restoration will add 389 native trees, along with boardwalks and overlooks, paths, a picnic area, and more for everyone to enjoy.

These additions will be great for humans, but the goal of the project is for our underwater neighbors. The restoration will support the recovery of salmon and trout species, which have not had access to the stream since the 1970s.

PP&R is the only parks district in the entire nation to be certified as Salmon-Safe. When the restoration is complete, salmon will once again be able to pass through the cool, clear waters of Crystal Springs Creek.

To learn more about the project visit the PP&R website or call (503) 823-5300.

In Street Roots

Oregonian Editorial: "Bias in Section 8 proposal"

In The Oregonian, March 2013

Oregonian Editorial: "A Shared Path to Fair Housing"

In The Oregonian, June 2012

How much is that tree worth? Portland Parks & Recreation puts a price tag on it

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

A Myth-Busting City Audit

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Portland Parks rolls out Arbor Month with community events throughout April

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

City Council moves on changes to arts tax: Portland City Hall roundup

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Mt. Tabor Park is the new home of a Doug Fir sapling that may or may not have been stolen from world's smallest park

Steve Beaven in The Oregonian

'American Winter' Families Struggle To Survive Fall From Middle Class

Karen Grigsby on npr.org

City rallies to help homeless veterans

Robert Britt in Street Roots

Portland Auditor: City must clairfy core responsibilities and rework relationship with county

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

While "Speaker Kotek and Commissioner Fish are right to seek a level field for all people who seek shelter and have money to pay for it," the Board writes that "this bill misses the mark."

This is a change from the Editorial Board's earlier position. In June of last year, they wrote that "the Legislature should support Portland Rep. Tina Kotek's drive to require all landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers."

We believe that everyone in our community should have housing choices. We've invested significant funds over the last few years to support high-quality, affordable homes in neighborhoods from Hillsdale to Cully, Lents to the South Waterfront.

Speaker Kotek's bill will require landlords to treat voucher-holders the same as any other prospective renter. This is an important step forward for the Section 8 program, and an important step forward for civil rights in Oregon.

A shared path to fair housing

The Oregonian Editorial Board, June 2012

Bias in Section 8 proposal

The Oregonian Editorial Board, March 28 2013

Oregonian editorial board flip-flops on Section 8 legislation

Street Roots, March 28 2013

Join Portland Parks & Recreation during the entire month of April to celebrate our trees.

Arbor Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1872, and is now recognized world-wide as a day to honor our trees. Here in Portland, we like to celebrate all month long!

In April, discover Portland’s 300 Heritage Trees and learn how they work around the clock filtering our water, cleaning our air, cooling the city, providing wildlife habitat, and doing a wide-range of other helpful and healthy things for our city.

PP&R cares for 1.2 million trees in our City parks and natural areas, and oversees an additional 240,000 street trees across the city! The amount of Portland’s land covered by trees - known as the urban canopy - has increased by nearly 3% during the past nine years. Currently, 30% of Portland’s surface area is covered in urban forest. The success is due to efforts undertaken by important partnerships among PP&R and the Tree Stewardship Coalition, Friends of Trees, and the Bureau of Environmental Services.  

To learn more about the City’s Arbor Month activities please visit the PP&R website or call (503) 823-5300.

Portland Parks rolls out Arbor Month with community events throughout April

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. For too many, that dream is out of reach. Some 1,700 people in Multnomah County sleep outside each night, including nearly 500 veterans. It is a national disgrace that anyone should have to choose to sleep outside, and especially troubling that women and men who served our country have to make that choice.

To combat this, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) partners with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to administer the VASH program. VASH - VA Supportive Housing - is a joint effort to move veterans and their families out of homelessness and into permanent housing through a combination of rent assistance and a wide variety of services.

Last year, as Street Roots reported, our community faced challenges getting VASH vouchers into the hands of veterans who needed them. At one point, nearly a third of the vouchers allocated to the Portland community were unused. Not only did that mean homeless veterans remained on the street, it meant we were leaving significant federal subsidy on the table.

Recognizing that bottlenecks in the referral and lease-up process were keeping veterans from being successful, the Portland Housing Bureau convened a group of VA and social service representatives to meet monthly and work through the obstacles. Sometimes that was as simple as finding a way to help fund rental application costs, a cost not covered by the VASH voucher itself. Other times, it meant tackling longstanding systemic problems.

The group eventually hit on a significant idea - if the City, County, United Way, and Home Forward each donated $10,000 to a pot of flexible funding for costs like bus tickets, application fees, and rental deposits, the success rate for VASH voucher-holders would increase significantly. Mike Boyd, with the Portland VA Medical Center, told Street Roots the change was like "night and day."

Thanks to the strong partnerships among government agencies, non-profits, and the private sector, our community came together to solve this problem.

VASH isn't the only way we're supporting veterans. From dedicated spots at Bud Clark Commons and Gray's Landing to innovative work at Transition Projects and legislative efforts in Salem, our community is stepping up in a big way to prioritize men and women who served our country.

City rallies to help homeless veterans

Robert Britt in Street Roots, March 2013

Photo: Bud Clark Commons, courtesy David Nguyen

If this question has been plaguing you, have no fear: the tree has found a new home.

Portland Parks & Recreation Stewardship Coordinator Susan Hawes, along with Friends of Mt. Tabor volunteer Darvel Lloyd, re-planted the once-missing tree this morning at Mt.TaborPark.

The small tree made big news when it went missing from Mill Ends Park - the smallest park in the world - earlier this month. A few days after its disappearance, the tree was laid back at the park, roots and all. But PP&R had already replaced the tree, so the sapling needed a new home.

The exact location of the tree’s home will remain a secret - to ensure the sapling stays healthy and safe.

Regardless of the reason the tree was taken, we’re happy it has found a new home.

Mt. Tabor Park is the new home of a Doug Fir sapling that may or may not have been stolen from the World's Smallest Park

Steve beaven in The Oregonian

New home for tree yanked from world's smallest park

Teresa Blackman on kgw.com

At the 2nd Annual Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence, a very diverse body of youth engaged in deep conversations about their experiences with the seven types of violence and restorative justice. Youth analyzed the 70+ policy recommendations that were developed at last year's summit and created action plans surrounding the specific issues.

Nick was was pleased to join the youth at the afternoon session to hear about the group's work.  Other elected officials and community leaders included Mayor Hales, police officers, religious leaders, school officials, and youth workers from across the City and County. Local leaders committed to various actions, ranging from continuing to fund youth programs (like Summer Youth Connect), to police officers committing to engage in deeper conversations with the youth with whom they engage about the specific local causes of violence.

Perla Alvarez, 18, said, "The really great thing about the summit is that it is youth-driven. It's one of those rare chances for community elders to hear first-hand what's on our minds."

This summit was held by the Youth Against Violence Committee of the Multnomah Youth Commission (MYC). The MYC, the official youth policy body for both Multnomah County and the City of Portland, is a group of young people, ages 13-21, that strives to provide a voice for youth in the County & City's work. In addition to its advisory role within local government, the MYC works to change policy affecting young people, as well as stereotypical community perceptions.

All youth are encouraged to apply to be a member of the Multnomah Youth Commission. Applications are due Monday, April 29, 2013. For more information and to download an application, visit the MYC's website.

Photos from the Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence 2013

Helen Silvis in The Skanner

American Winter premiered on HBO earlier this month to critical acclaim, and won "Best Documentary" at the Portland International Film Festival in February.

American Winter follows eight Portland families through the great recession. Many of the families considered themselves "middle-class," but because of the loss of a job or a child getting sick, these families found themselves struggling to provide the most basic needs for their families.

The film challenges stereotypes about poverty and restores the human face to families hurt by the recession.

American Winter on HBO

March 26, 9:05 pm HBO East

March 27, 12:05 pm HBO West

March 29, 12 pm HBO East

Available now on Xfinity On Demand

'American Winter' Families Struggle To Survive Fall From Middle Class

Karen Grigsby Bates on npr.org

Last year, we were proud to introduce an expanded downtown Portland Parks & Recreation Rangers program throughout our city’s parks and natural areas.

On Saturday, The Oregonian featured Park Ranger Katie Gribbon and her partner, Ranger Dustin Meyers, for their work with some of our most frequent park-goers in the winter - people experiencing homelessness.

Katie has a passion for reaching out to our community’s most vulnerable. She connects with people to learn what they need, and how she can be of service. Some decline help, but that doesn’t stop her from always making that connection.

Katie and Dustin hand out resource guides, gloves, hot cocoa, and other basic needs to those sleeping outside. In return, many have become allies for the Rangers - an extra set of eyes in the city’s parks when rangers aren’t there.

Compassion is what steers the rangers to do the right thing. Katie explains that “it’s always good when someone knows that they have even one person supporting them.” The rangers look at themselves as “park ambassadors” – not just rule enforcers.

Thank you Katie and Dustin for the wonderful work you do to support our parks and community members.

Rangers help ease winter for a park regular:the homeless

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Have fun every Friday with your preschooler (ages 2-5) during one of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Ladybug Walks.

Ladybug Walks are a fun way to connect youngsters with the beauty of the natural areas in our city’s backyard. Hold worms, touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, and investigate different types of leaves alongside trained PP&R naturalists.

All explorers adventure out with ladybug backpacks, fully equipped with tools to investigate the world.

There’s no need to register - just show up at the scheduled park with your adventure hat on! Rain or shine, the Ladybug Walks venture onward.

To learn more about Ladybug Walks or see a full schedule, visit the PP&R website.

Ladybug Walks

Fridays through November 1

$3 per child, no extra charge for adults

Full schedule

Happy Friday everyone!

It looks like we'll be getting some sun is in the forecast. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, take a look at this Portland Parks & Recreation video on Forest Park. You might just want to get out and enjoy the incredible parks our city has to offer.

Novick Says City Apartment Permit "Messed Up Six Ways to Sunday"

Aaron Mesh in the Willamette Week

5 Questions for the Gantz brothers about the toll of the great recession

Barbara Raab on NBC News

City Commissioners Weren't Told About New Plans for Division Street Apartments

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

A Mammoth Parking-Free Apartment Building Is Skirting Further Public Scrutiny

Dirk Vanderhart in The Portland Mercury

Developer Seeks revised permit for halted Southeast Division Street apartments

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

Police, fire can't avoid cuts in budget

Steve Law in Portland Tribune

Portland Parks & Recreation says Waud Bluff Trail won't open this weekend

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

City looks to cut the safety net

Jake Thomas in Street Roots

Nonprofit developer REACH Community Developmet names Daniel Calliere new chief executive

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

Can you make minimum wage and expect to call home affordable? According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, a home is considered “affordable” if a person spends no more than 30% of his or her income on rent or mortgage payments. Families spending more than 30% of their income to rent a home are considered “rent-burdened.”

Out of Reach 2013, from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, reveals a startling fact: no full-time worker earning minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment in any state in America.

What does this mean? That hardworking families across the country are either priced out of the housing market entirely or are rent-burdened, spending so much of their income on rent that they’re unable to save enough to buy a home, save for retirement, and take advantage of traditional wealth-building strategies.

Out of Reach 2013 reports that hardworking families across America must work far more than 40 hours a week to avoid being rent-burdened. A particularly telling graphic shows how many hours a week a person would have to work to afford a 2-bedroom rental. The findings are shocking. For example, someone earning minimum wage in California would have to work 129 hours a week – the equivalent of more than three full-time jobs – to afford a home. In Oregon, a minimum wage earner must work more than 70 hours a week – nearly two full-time jobs – to avoid being rent-burdened.

It’s clear that hardworking Americans are hurting. Increasing rents, stagnant wages, and a shortage of affordable housing has made it impossible for hardworking families to achieve the American dream.

The answer, according to this report, is an expanded supply of affordable homes dedicated to the lowest-income renters. Housing costs vary across the nation, but the lack of affordable housing affects low-wage workers in every corner of the country.

To read the report or to learn more about Out of Reach 2013 visit the National Low Income Housing Coalition website. 

photo courtesy of Out of Reach 2013

March 9, Friends of Arbor Lodge held a work day at Harper’s Playground.

Around 45 people showed up, many from the Timbers Army, to provide some TLC to the neighborhood park. Volunteers weeded tree wells, laid fresh wood chips, painted picnic tables and benches and performed many other beautifying upkeeps.

Harper’s Playground opened last fall in Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland. Cody and April Goldberg led the effort to build the new playground, inspired by their daughter Harper. Harper’s Playground builds community by providing a completely inclusive playground where children and adults of all abilities can play together.

To stay in the know about Arbor Lodge volunteer events “like” Friends of Arbor Lodge on Facebook. For upcoming work days at Harper’s Playground, “like” Harper’s Playground on Facebook, too!

Older adults living on a fixed income will remain in their homes at Hawthorne East.

Northwest Housing Alternatives (NHA) recently purchased the affordable apartment building in Southeast Portland. NHA has been serving our community for over 30 years by investing in low-income families, seniors, and people with special needs.

Hawthorne East is home to 74 older adults who enjoy access to convenient public transit, fresh and healthy food, and a vibrant inner Southeast community.

The purchase of Hawthorne East supports the City’s 11x13 preservation campaign by securing the property’s affordability for 60 years. In 2008, we launched the 11x13 campaign when we identified 11 buildings that were at risk of losing their federal subsidies by the end of 2013. With our partners, we have preserved affordable homes for more than 650 vulnerable Portlanders.

NHA will work to revitalize and rehabilitate Hawthorne East to support the building’s long-term sustainability. A Residence Service program provides education opportunities, financial workshops, nursing visits, and other services to promote the success, stability and independence of all those who call Hawthorne East home.

Last night, Nick was honored to join KGW's Live@7 to discuss the premiere of American Winter on HBO.

American Winter will be shown on HBO over the next month, and is available on HBO On Demand.

For more information about the film and to pre-order a DVD copy, visit www.americanwinterfilm.com. 

American Winter on HBO

View the HBO schedule online

Comcast schedule online

Talk Box - Commissioner Nick Fish on 'American Winter'

Stephanie Stricklen on KGW's Live@7

HuffPost Live: American Winter

with Jacob Soboroff

From middle class to homeless

AM Northwest

Our American Winter

StreetRoots.org

"American Winter": Documenting the downturn

Kai Ryssdal on marketplace.org

American Winter, documentary on the recession's grip in Portland, makes HBO debut

Molly Young in The Oregonian

Keep your youngsters active in both mind and body by enrolling them in one of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Summer Day Camps.

PP&R camps help kids build social skills, confidence, make new friends and have fun!

Tots (age 1) to teens can participate in PP&R camps. There is something for everyone. Campers have oodles of activities to enjoy including environmental education, creative play, music, science, sports, arts & crafts, cooking and much more!

Register online or call (503) 823-PLAY to sign up.

Registration is now open. Turn off the tube and sign up now!

On Monday night, our community will be in the national spotlight with the HBO premiere of American Winter.

American Winter is a powerful documentary that follows eight Portland families through the great recession.

The film left me with conflicting feelings of shame and pride.

Shame because so many middle class families who play by the rules have to choose between paying rent and feeding their children.

Shame because so many hardworking families live in a "one strike and you’re out" economy – at risk of falling through the cracks because of a sick child, layoff, or foreclosure.

But also pride in the dedication of our partners – from 211Info to Human Solutions and Impact NW – who work tirelessly to support families in need.

Pride because we live in a community that believes we are all in this together.

I hope you will watch American Winter Monday at 6pm or 9pm on HBO. The film challenges stereotypes about poverty and restores the human face to families hurt by the recession.

My hope is that the film changes the debate in this country. Together, I believe we can turn an American Winter into an American Spring.

American Winter HBO Premiere

March 18, 6pm HBO East

March 18, 9pm HBO West

March 19, HBO On Demand

View the HBO schedule online

Comcast schedule online

American Winter, documentary on the recession's grip in Portland, makes HBO debut

Molly Young in The Oregonian

He also had the honor of making the very first purchase at the new location - a beautiful book of photos from National Geographic.

By selling donated home supplies at great prices, the ReStore helps local families take on home repair projects they might not otherwise be able to afford. Proceeds from the ReStore support Habitat for Humanity's homeownership mission. Not only that, the ReStore keeps millions of pounds of materials out of the landfill each year.

The new ReStore is beautiful and inspiring. We hope you'll check it out - to donate, buy, or both!

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Letter: Pier Park sequoia removal had community input

In The Oregonian

Multnomah County, Portland eye grant to identify housing hazards facing disabled seniors

Dana Tims in The Oregonian

Cavities in Their Campaign

Michael Munkvold in The Willamette Week

Portland's Public Gardens Grow

In Edible Portland

Portland School Board approves lease with city of Portland, NAYA for Lents project

Nicole Dungca in The Oregonian

Donor helps world's smallest park in Portland

On KGW.com

City receives a $3.25 check to cover tree planting at world's smallest park

On KATU.com

Village Gardens will raise money for market gardens, incubator kitchens at University of Portland fundraiser

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Come out this Saturday to celebrate the beauty of vultures during Welcome Back Vulture Day at Leach Botanical Garden.

Turkey Vultures are fascinating creatures. Large nostrils allow the vultures to smell their prey from 2 miles away! During the winter months, vultures migrate to warmer climates. As spring approaches and the weather warms up, the city is welcoming the birds back home.

Leach Botanical Gardenis hosting a family-friendly event beginning at noon on Saturday. Enjoy making arts and crafts, learning fun vulture facts, and meet Ruby, the Portland Audubon’s Turkey Vulture.

Welcome Back Vulture Day

Leach Botanical Garden

6704 SE 122nd Ave

March 16, 12 pm - 3 pm

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Portland, Ore. Approves Earned Sick Leave Policy

KJ DELL' ANTONIA in The New York Times

Portland City Council Votes to Require Sick Leave

Steven Dubois on abcnews.com

Oregon City Requires Paid Sick Leave

Melanie Trottman in The Wall Street Journal

Portland, Oregon Becomes Fourth American City To Adopt Paid Sick Day Law

Jane Farrell on ThinkProgress.com

Earned Sick Leave Measure Passes in Portland

Jackie Tortora on afl-cio.org

City Council adopts sick leave policy

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Portland requires firms to offer sick leave

On KTVZ.com

Portland passes citywide sick leave ordinance

Jeff Thompson on KGW.com

Portland City Council votes unanimously to approve sick leave policy

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Unanimous Vote, Loud Applause for Earned Sick Leave in Portland

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Today I voted to support paid sick leave for Portland workers. The final vote was 5-0.

I believe sick leave is both a public health and social justice issue.

Too many low-wage workers have to choose between coming to work sick or losing a day’s pay. Too many parents have to send their kids to school sick rather than take time off and risk losing their job. And, too many food service workers pass their illness on to others.  

The ordinance we adopted today is not effective until next year—giving the State legislature the opportunity to act. My preference is for a state-wide solution that benefits all working families in Oregon.

Based on the feedback we received I supported amendments to Commissioner Fritz’s proposal, which strengthened the ordinance by simplifying its requirements and reducing the regulatory burden on employers providing an equal or better benefit.

I am committed to ensuring that the rule-making process is inclusive and transparent.

Portland City Council Votes to Require Sick Leave

Steven Dubois on abcnews.com

Portland City Council votes unanimously to approve sick leave policy

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Unanimous Vote, Loud Applause for Earned Sick Leave in Portland

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Congratulations to our 1,000 Gardens team for a wonderful feature in the Spring 2013 issue of Edible Portland.

The local magazine showcased the initiative in a feature story.

In October, we celebrated reaching our Climate Action Plan goal to develop 1,000 new garden plots in the community. Just last Saturday, we officially opened the 1,000^th plot at Helensview Community Garden.

We would not have reached our goal without the hard work and dedication of volunteers and community members, our over 30 partners, and our gardens staff like Emily York and Laura Niemi.

Thanks to everyone who helped bring gardens to our neighborhoods. You all are community champions!

Portland's Public Gardens Grow

Edible Portland, Spring 2013 edition

Growing your own vegetable garden provides some fantastic benefits, and the Oregon Food Bank has added fighting hunger to that list.

Harvest season is just around the corner, and so is Oregon Food Bank’s Plant a Row program. Plant a Row gives gardeners the opportunity to fight hunger in the community by donating some of their home-grown produce. Gardeners simply add extra plants or an extra row in their vegetable garden, and at harvest time, donate the produce to an OFB agency.

During the 2012 harvest season growers donated over 80,000 pounds of nutritious produce to food pantries, soup kitchens, and other agencies around the Portland metro area. This is equivalent to two semi-trucks full of produce!

No amount of food is too small to donate. All produce is welcome, but refrigeration space is limited so OFB encourages gardeners to focus on foods that transport well. Produce like tomatoes (slightly before ripe), green beans, Zucchini, hot peppers, cucumbers, collard greens and Swiss chard, and winter and summer squash are foods that are easily transportable.

For gardening resources, or to find a partner agency near you, please visit the Oregon Food Bank website or call Sopkin at (503) 282-0555, Ext. 2260.

The Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) is committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. PHB’s work would not be possible without its mission-driven community partners.

While PHB and its community partners work to create safe and affordable homes in the city of Portland, our partners are also working hard to do the same in neighboring communities.

Northwest Housing Alternatives is constructing Alma Gardens, their first affordable housing community in Washington County. Alma Gardens is just steps from TriMet’s Max station at Orenco Station, and is surrounded by retail shops, medical services, and grocery stores. Alma Gardens will be home to 45 older adults in Washington County.

REACH CDC recently received $750,000 in federal Home Investment Partnerships funds. The nonprofit is using the grant to increase affordable housing opportunities in Washington County.

Our partner, Proud Ground, recently merged with Clackamas County Land Trust to expand their affordable homeownership opportunities in the community. Proud Ground recently helped a local family buy the first Proud Ground home in Beaverton.

Thank you to all of our partners for your work in ensuring everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home!

As Orenco lands vanish, Northwest Housing Alternatives grows senior community in Hillsboro

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian

REACH lands $750,000 for affordable housing project

Suzanne Stevens in the Portland Business Journal

Proud Ground makes Beaverton home affordable for first-time buyers

Dominique Fong in The Oregonian

Photo courtesy of The Oregonian

The grand opening of the Helensview Community Garden was a huge success!

Nick was proud to join community members, Portland Parks & Recreation partners, and City Commissioner Amanda Fritz in the sunshine on Saturday to inaugurate the newest community garden in Portland.

Nick shared with the crowd that the event was momentous — “it’s two firsts and a last.”

Helensview is the first community garden in partnership with the Parkrose School District, it’s the first community garden in the Sumner Neighborhood, and it is the last garden in our 1,000 Gardens initiative.

Special thanks to Scott Somohano, Chair of the Sumner Association of Neighbors and the champion of this park, Helensview School Principal Kris Persson, and all the community members and partners who made this garden possible.

Helensview Community Garden to build Sumner Neighborhood pride

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Portland Parks to open 46th community garden

On KGW.com

Driving down Naito Parkway you might pass by Mill Ends Park and not even notice it - but the Guiness-certified “World’s Smallest Park” made national headlines last week when its lone Douglas Fir sapling was missing.

Mill Ends Park is located at SW Naito Parkway and Taylor. The smallest city park is part of Portland lore, and is said to be home to a family of leprechauns. Mill Ends is 2 feet in diameter, and was given its name by Oregon Journal writer Dick Fagan, who could see the plot of land from his office window.

Legend says that Fagan captured the leprechaun patriarch, who granted him a wish (per leprechaun tradition). Fagan’s wish? A park of his own. In 1976, Mill Ends officially became a Portland City park.

On Wednesday, Portland Parks & Recreation replaced the missing Douglas Fir with a new one. Perhaps thanks to some leprechaun magic, the missing tree turned up Friday morning - laid carefully on its side next to the new one.

PP&R staff is evaluating the old tree. If the tree is ok, it will be planted in another park.

The leprechauns have been too busy rejoicing to give any official comment on the park, but sources tell us that they are incredibly grateful to PP&R staff for providing them with the new tree to provide shade from the sunny months ahead.

Tiny Tree Returned To Tiny Portland Park After Theft

Cassandra Profita on HuffingtonPost.com

Donor helps world's smallest park in Portland

On KGW.com

City receives $3.25 check to cover tree planting at world's smallest park

On KATU.com

Tree stolen from Portland's Mill Ends Park returned--maybe leprechaun magic, maybe remorse, officials say

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Teeny-tiny Portland park has an itsy-bitsy theft

Michael Pearson on CNN.com

Stolen tree from world's smallest park in Portland found

KGW staff

Only Tree In World's Tiniest City Park Stolen

Cassandra Profita on OPB.com

PP&R offers a variety of lessons and aquatic activities for swimmers of all ages and skill levels at six indoor community pools.  PP&R offers water fitness classes, lap swims, open play swims, and more. Group, semi-private, and private lessons are available.

For more information, and to sign up for classes, contact PP&R Aquatics at (503) 823-5130.

Join Portland Parks & Recreation this Saturday to celebrate the new and improved Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Bluff Trail!

Construction for the wildlife sanctuary trail was completed in December. The final piece of the project, the native re-vegetation planting, was finished at the beginning of this year. After all the great work to revitalize the trail, it is ready to be enjoyed.

The revitalized trail includes 500 feet of slip resistant boardwalk, rock walls at the north and south trail entrances, wildlife and bird observation deck, and more.

Join us for refreshments, kids’ activities, bird watching, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. There will also be guided nature walks and a photo display of the project.

For more information about the trail, please call (503) 823-5300 or visit the PP&R website.

We’ll see you there!

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Bluff Trail

March 9, 10 am - 1 pm

Look for tents in the south meadow of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

Steve Beaven in The Oregonian 

Lone tree stolen from Portland's smallest park

KGW staff on KVTB.com

Portland City Council set for second public comment on sick leave: Portland City Hall roundup

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Despite critiques from business interests, Portland sick leave proposal moves forward

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Portland Fair Housing Action Plan Update

July 2011 - March 2013

Commissioner Fish Section 8 testimony

Commissioner Nick Fish testified in support of Speaker Tina Kotek's Section 8 bill

Portland Open Space Sequence in downtown Portland joins National Register of Historic Places

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

City digs deep to fix $25 million shortfall

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Portland's South Waterfront shows signs of evolving into a neighborhood

Rebecca Koffman Special to The Oregonian

City Council letter in Support of HB 2639

The City Council supports House Speak Tina Kotek's bill to reform the Section 8 program in the state of Oregon

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish testifies in support of state law that would end 'No Section 8' policy

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Helensview Community Garden to build Sumner neighborhood pride

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Portland Parks & Recreation Presents the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Bluff Trail Restoration Celebration

On PDXTraffic.blospot.com

Portland Parks to open 46th community garden

On KGW.com

We are delighted to share that Portland’s Halprin Open Space Sequence has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The Open Space Sequence was born from architect Lawrence Halprin's vision for community in the heart of Portland. His innovative design links fountains, plazas, parks, and other open spaces with the bustle of the city.

In his own words, Halprin explained that "the space is choreographed for movement with nodes for quiet & contemplation, action & inaction, hard & soft, yin & yang."

The Sequence links some of Portland's most well-known downtown Portland Parks & Recreation spaces - the Ira Keller Fountain, the Lovejoy Fountain, and Pettygrove Park.

“They are spaces designed not to simply look at or to sit in, but to wade into, to dance upon, to become part of the work itself” Nick says about the beautiful landscape.

The National Register of Historic Places has 88,000 properties on their list - only 200 are noted due to landscape architecture. The Open Space Sequence is a wonderful addition to the list because it “was not inspired by architecture, but by nature,” notes Director Abbaté.  

The Sequence has been maintained through a wonderful public-private partnership between Halprin Landscape Conservancy, surrounding property owners, and the City of Portland.

We are so honored and proud to have this spectacular sequence in our city!

Portland Open Space Sequence in downtown Portland joins National Register of Historic Places

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

The City has prioritized this legislation in its 2013 Legislative Agenda. Portland Housing Advisory Commission (PHAC) members Deborah Imse of Multifamily NW and Marc Jolin of JOIN also testified in support.

The bill is a thoughtful and balanced approach to strengthening the Section 8 program statewide. It creates new protections for landlords who participate in the program, including a Landlord Guarantee Program, while removing the exception which currently allows landlords to reject applications from Section 8 voucher-holders without processing them.

As written, Oregon's current law has the effect of limiting choice and concentrating poverty. Under Speaker Kotek's bill, landlords will be required to treat voucher-holders like any other prospective tenant and process their application through normal screening criteria.

There are nearly 7,000 voucher-holders in Multnomah County alone: half are families, one-third have a disability, about half are people of color, and one in five is an older adult. Section 8 is the largest housing program in America, and it's important that we get it right. This balanced legislation will make the program more user-friendly while protecting the rights of all Portlanders in our rental housing market.

Nick and the City Council are proud to support this bill, an important step forward for civil rights in the state of Oregon.

HB 2639

"Portland Commissioner Nick Fish testifies in support of state law that would end 'No Section 8' policy"

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

City Council support letter

Commissioner Fish's testimony

City of Portland 2013 State Legislative Agenda

Join Nick, community members, and partners on Saturday at the grand opening of the new Helensview Community Garden!

Helensview is the 46^th community garden in Portland, and adds 450 new plots for community members to grow their own food.

The garden is part of our 1,000 Gardens initiative, launched in 2009. This garden is the first developed in partnership between the Parkrose School District and Portland Community Gardens program. The Gardens program has provided gardening opportunities for the physical and social benefit for Portland neighborhoods since 1975.

Come celebrate with us this Saturday, March 9, beginning at noon. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Helensview Community Garden Grand Opening Celebration

Helensview School

8678 NE Sumner St.

March 9, 12 pm - 1 pm

Helensview Community Garden to build Sumner neighborhood pride

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

This year, Portland Parks & Recreation’s Peninsula Park will celebrate it’s 100^th anniversary.

To mark the occasion, some local youth have started filming a documentary to share during the park’s centennial celebration this June.

PP&R is offering a recreational film class at the park’s community center for youth aged 11-17. The students are learning the ropes from two film professionals about how to create a documentary film. From lighting to sound, to asking the pressing questions that require more than just a yes or no answer, these students are turning out to be quite the filmmakers.

The documentary features beautiful shots of the park, including the oldest rose garden in the city, and interviews with park experts about how the park has transformed over the past century.

The rest of the documentary film will be shot on Saturdays over the next nine weeks.

Local students will have another opportunity to participate in a class in April. To learn more about the class or to register, please call PP&R's Recreation Coordinator at (503) 823-3620

Teens make documentary about Peninsula Park in Portland Parks & recreation class

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

March is National Women’s History Month – a time to highlight the contributions of women in history and contemporary society.

Women’s History Month began in 1911 as the first International Women’s Day. In 1981, after increased popularity from a Sonoma, California-recognized Women’s History Week, Senator Orrin Hatch along with Representative Barbara Mikulski passed a Congressional Resolution proclaiming Women’s History Week.

The day turned into a week, and the week into a month in 1987 when Congress expanded the focus to the whole month of March!

On Wednesday, Mayor Hales will proclaim March as Women’s History Month in the City of Portland. The City will host events throughout the month to honor women.

For more information about Women’s History Month please contact Janis McDonald at (503) 823-5358.

Women’s History Month Proclamation

Portland City Hall

March 6, 9:30 am

photo courtesy of womenshistorymonth.gov

This year, the City is facing a $25 million shortfall. Mayor Hales has asked all city bureaus to develop a budget with a 10% cut.

Make sure your voice is heard, and tell us what programs and services are important to you. The hearing will be held at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) Gymnasium, beginning at 6:30.  

Public Hearing on City Budget

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization

Gymnasium

Wednesday, March 6

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Can’t make it on Wednesday? Visit the City’s Budget Office online to see future opportunities for comment.

The Portland Saturday Market returns to Waterfront Park and Ankeny Plaza this Saturday for its 40th Year. The season-opener celebration will kick off with gift card give-aways, live music, and over 250 booths to buy local products and delicious food.

The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 4:30 pm until Christmas Eve.

Get out, have fun, and shop local!

American Winter wins audience award for Best Documentary

Portland International Film Festival

Fish: City Parks Bond Measure Grounded by "Headwinds"

Aaron Mesh in the Willamette Week

Parks bureau backs away from bond plan

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

Portland Could Generate Renewable Power in City Water Pipes

Cassandra Profita on OPB.org

Supporting Water Fluoridation for our Beloved Community

Avel Gordly and Tricia Tillman in The Skanner

Council tackles cost of historic designation

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Why we need labor laws like paid sick time: Guest opinion

Helen Moss in The Oregonian

Every day, I have the opportunity to meet and talk with people who use and love our parks.  Recently, the Portland Parks Foundation funded a public opinion survey.  Parks Director Mike Abbaté and I have listened closely, and understand that Portlanders are asking us to continue to stretch our dollars and past investments a little further right now.

While Portlanders are not ready to invest in a new Portland Parks bond effort this year, we are beginning a conversation about the most pressing health and safety needs in our Parks system.  We start this work from a very good place.  From the survey, we also learned:

• Portlanders believe we have done an excellent job creating and maintaining our Gold Medal system, often through sheer will and elbow grease.  Nine in ten Portlanders (91%) give positive marks to the quality of the parks, programs, playgrounds and community centers.
• Portlanders trust us as responsible watchdogs of taxpayers’ money. Nearly two-thirds (66%) say the Bureau "is probably efficient with the money they have."

I invite you to visit Portland Parks & Recreation’s website to take a survey, and tell us what you think are the most pressing needs in our parks and recreation facilities. 

At the same time, the City is crafting its 2013-2014 budget.  With an expected $25 million shortfall, we anticipate difficult cuts to our programs and services.  Follow the PP&R budget process online, and visit the City Budget Office online for upcoming public hearings and opportunities for comment.

Thank you for your continued support of our wonderful Portland Parks & Recreation system.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Parks bureau backs away from bond plan

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

Nick was honored to join Grammy Award-winning artist Thara Memory and community members at Emmanuel Church last night for the City of Portland’s Creating Community Artfully celebration.

This year marked the celebration’s second year, and community members enjoyed an art sale, live music, kids’ activities, and more in honor of Black History Month.

This year, the celebration also paid tribute to the late great Obo Addy - musician, composer, and band leader.

Obo Addy was one of Portland’s famed African musical composers and performers. Addy was one of the key originators of the seminal music movement known now as “worldbeat.” Addy was also a prominent member of the first generation African musicians to bring their tradition and popular music to Europe and America.

His legacy lives on with other prominent African and African American artists, including Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding.

Creating Community Artfully was a great success, and we hope it will continue for years to come. Thank you to the Portland Water Bureau’s Tim Hall, and creative visionary S. Renee Mitchell for organizing this wonderful event.

Join us on Wednesday, February 27 from 5:30-6:30 at Peninsula Park Community Center, to honor longtime Peninsula Wrestling Club Coach and North Portland icon Roy Pittman.

Coach Pittman has worked with over 60,000 young men and women during his time coaching, many of whom have won state, regional and national titles. Coach Pittman focuses on more then just winning. He wants his students to recognize the process of growth and risk-taking they go through while in his program.

Coach Pittman is a high school state champion, collegiate wrestling champion, Olympian, mentor, motivator, inspirational speaker and dedicated community advocate. He founded the Peninsula Wrestling Club in 1970, and helped place Portland and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) on the national radar.

Coach Pittman retired in 2000, but continues to rent space from PP&R to run the wrestling program. In 2007 the East Gym at Peninsula Park Community Center was rededicated in his honor.

Coach Pittman works with youth to overcome any financial, transportation or other barrier to make sure that everyone can participate in his programs.

Thank you Coach Pittman for your dedication to our community’s youth!

Tribute Event for Coach Roy Pittman

February 27, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

Peninsula Park Community Center

700 N. Rosa Parks Way, east gym

Nick was pleased to join Elders in Action and community members on Saturday to celebrate and honor local leader and dedicated volunteer Steve Weiss, who recently celebrated his 70^th birthday.

For over 17 years, Steve has been an inspiring advocate.  Steve joined the Elders in Action Commission in 2000. Along with his involvement with Elders in Action, Steve is active in a number of community organizations like Independent Living resources, Community Alliance of Tenants, Oregon State Council of Retired Citizens and many others.

In 2007, Steve received the Oregon Governors Volunteer Award, and is a five-time recipient of the Multnomah County Volunteer Award.

The 70th birthday celebration honored Steve for his embodiment of the very best of civic spirit, and how he inspires us all with his steadfast advocacy on behalf of older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income Oregonians.

Nick was honored to present Steve with a City of Portland proclamation, naming February 23, 2013 a Day of Recognition for Steve.

Thank you Steve for your outstanding service!

Photo courtesy of Elders in Action.

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Reach lands $750K for affordable housing project

Suzanne Stevens in the Portland Business Journal

Portland's oldest rose garden is new again

Rod Hill on KGW.com

Murmurs: We Could Charge County officials to Use the Loo.

Willamette Week Editorial Staff

American Winter Explores Families On The Edge In Metro Portland

on OPB.org

'American Winter' focuses on Portland's poor

On KGW.com

On March 15, come show your support for Village Gardens at their first annual spring fundraising event!

Village Gardens promotes healthy food access, community leadership, economic development, and community health in partnership with North Portland community leaders.

The fundraising event will strengthen Village Gardens’ mission to support community access to local, healthy food, as well as educating our youth about community gardening and urban livestock.

The event will be at Bauccio Commons at the University of Portland from 6 pm – 8 pm on March 15. The night will be filled with community members sharing stories, and enjoying delicious food and drink to celebrate Village Gardens’ great work.

For more information about Village Gardens and the fundraising event, visit their website at http://villagegardens.org/

Village Gardens First Annual Fundraising Event

Bauccio Commons,University of Portland

6 pm – 8 pm

Join us on Saturday for the City’s next Fix-It Fair.

Fix-It Fairs are free and open to the public. Come learn simple and effective ways to save money and stay healthy. Saturday’s fair will be held at Ron Russell Middle School from 9:30 am - 3 pm.

The event features exhibits from numerous community partners and an extensive schedule of workshops throughout the day.

Available workshops include water and energy savings, home and personal health, food and nutrition, bike tune-ups, and more. All Fix-It Fairs provide free lunch and free child care.

This event also offers workshops taught in Spanish!

To learn more about Fix-It Fairs, visit the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability’s website, or call (503) 823-4309. En Espanol (503) 823-4000.

Fix-It Fair

Ron Russell Middle School

3955 SE 112^th Ave

9:30 am - 3 pm

Portland is being recognized for being green!

The United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP) has selected Portland to host this year’s North American World Environment Day on June 5.

Portland was selected to host the celebration because it is repeatedly ranked number one among the top ten green cities in the United States.

Join us for a series of community events from Earth Day on April 22, to World Environment Day on June 5. This year’s World Environment Day theme “Reduce your Foodprint,” aiming to reduce food waste.

The UN General Assembly established World Environment Day in 1972. Today, it is celebrated in more than 120 nations and focuses international attention on environmental issues.

For more information about UNEP, World Environment Day, and local events, please contact Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox with UNEP or Linc Mann at the Bureau of Environmental Services.

On Sunday afternoon, a large line formed outside the Portland Art Museum’s Whitsell Auditorium for the premiere of the new documentary film, American Winter.

The beautiful and unique film premiered to a sold-out audience.

American Winter gives viewers a glimpse of the lives of eight Portland families who struggled through the U.S.’s economic downturn. The film shows us that even in the richest country in the world, too many of our families fight to pay bills, buy groceries, or care for their sick children.

American Winter was filmed in Portland, but can be easily placed in any town or city in the U.S. 

Special thanks to filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz for bringing this stirring film to life. And thank you to Senator Jeff Merkley, Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek, Mayor Charlie Hales, Commissioner Steve Novick, former Governor Barbara Roberts, and former Mayor Tom Potter for attending and showing support for the film.

Nick would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the families in the film who shared their stories with us.

For more information on American Winter, and to pre-order the DVD of the film, please visit www.americanwinterfilm.com . American Winter will premiere on HBO on March 18 – visit HBO’s website for full listings. 

'American Winter' focuses on Portland's poor

On KGW.com

American Winter Explores Families On The Edge In Metro Portland

On OPB.org

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Looking at the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression from the eyes of everyday people

On 90.7 fm KBOO

Death, taxes, and increasing water and sewer rates: Portland City Hall roundup

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Fiscal Bluff

Aaron Mesh in the Willamette Week

Murmurs: the Other Side of Portlandia Gets its Due

In the Willamette Week

P:ear marks 11 years as the community their homeless youth never had

Sarah Hottman in The Oregonian

It's National 2-1-1 Day!

Chuck Sheketoff on BlueOregon.com

American Winter on Carl in the Morning

on carlwolfson.com

Housing and homeless services face deep cuts

In Street Roots

$6.4 Million in One-Time Money is On the City Hall Chopping Block

Aaron Mesh in the Willamette Week

Sick Leave ordinance gets first hearing at Portland City Council

on nwlaborpress.org

within REACH

REACH Community Development, Inc.

Don’t forget – Joe and Harry Gantz’s film, American Winter, premieres this Sunday at the Portland Art Museum’s Whitsell Auditorium.

Online ticket sales have closed, but there will be tickets for sale at the door beginning at 2:30pm on Sunday.

Working with 211info, the filmmakers tell the stories of eight families struggling in the aftermath of the worst economic crisis in generations. Filmed over the course of one winter, American Winter captures a perfect storm of declining resources and a rising tide of need. This powerful film presents an intimate and evocative snapshot of the challenges facing our country.

American Winter premiere

Sunday, February 17 - 3 pm

Portland Art Museum Whitsell Auditorium

1219 SW Park Avenue

General admission is $11

Immediately following the premiere, the filmmakers will host a benefit reception for 211info.

211Info Benefit Reception

Sunday, February 17

Immediately following the film

Portland Art Museum– Fields Ballroom

Sign up online to attend

Looking at the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression from the eyes of everyday people

On 90.7fm KBOO

Murmurs: The Other Side of Portlandia Gets its Due.

Willamette Week Editorial Staff 

Nick was proud to join the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) and community partners at the grand opening of Kah San Chako Haws yesterday afternoon.

Kah San Chako Haws, “East House” in Chinook, brings Portland its first modular affordable homes. The Portland Housing Bureau was proud to support the project with a $1,221,147 investment.

Kah San Chako Haws, in the Lents neighborhood, brings high-quality, affordable choices to families – many of whom are Native American – of modest means. 

While most new affordable housing developments take anywhere from 18 to 24 months to build, Kah San Chako Haws was completed in just over a year. It is an innovative, sustainable building – achieving LEED Gold certification – and is supported by Section 8 vouchers provided by Home Forward.

Congratulations to the team that brought this vision to life, and to the families who now call Kah San Chako Haws home.

Some assembly required: Kah San Chako Haws affordable housing project uses modular construction

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

Kah San Chako haws takes shape in SE Portland

David Nguyen

In November, Nick was thrilled to join the United States Women’s Soccer Team during a team practice at Jeld-Wen field.  The next night, the U.S. won their exhibition match against Ireland’s Women’s team.

Even more excited were the young women from Parkrose High School’s Varsity soccer team, who got to enjoy the practice and meet some of their idols.

Emotions ran high, and Oregonian photographer Randy L. Rasmussen captured one particularly inspiring image.

Nick was delighted to receive a framed copy of the photograph, which is now displayed proudly in his office at City Hall.

A true fan of soccer and the future of our youth, Nick was proud to have helped make this dream a reality for the young women of Parkrose High School.

U.S. women's soccer team meets fans at Jeld-Wen Field

Randy Rasmussen in The Oregonian

U.S. Women's National team rolls to easy win against Ireland

Geoffrey C. Arnold in The Oregonian

Please join us on February 17 for the premiere of American Winter at the Portland International Film Festival.

Working with local non-profit 211Info, filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz document the struggles of eight Portland families.

This morning, Nick was proud to join Carl Wolfson for Carl in the Morning to discuss the film and Sunday's premiere.  Listen to the interview online here.

American Winter premiere

Sunday, February 17 - 3 pm

Portland Art Museum Whitsell Auditorium

1219 SW Park Avenue

General admission is $11; buy tickets online now

Immediately following the premiere, the filmmakers will host a benefit reception for 211Info.

211Info Benefit Reception

Sunday, February 17

Immediately following the film

Portland Art Museum – Fields Ballroom

Sign up online to attend

Today, February 11 (2/11) is National 211 Day, a day to recognize and thank the often life-saving number: 2-1-1.  Millions of Americans depend on the services 2-1-1 lines provide nationwide.

Special thanks to our own 211Info for being a great partner and supporter for Oregon families.

American Winter on Carl in the Morning

www.carlwolfson.com

It's National 2-1-1 Day!

Chuck Sheketoff in BlueOregon

Actually the question in Portland is: where can I rent?

The “City of Roses” is not always coming up roses when it comes to someone trying to find a rental home.

Portland’s vacancy rate is just 5.2% - which means only about 5% of rental homes are currently vacant, available for the next renter. Our vacancy rate is one of the lowest in the country - the national average is 8.7%.

Tight rental markets are particularly hard on low-income individuals and families. With fewer rental homes available, it’s that much harder to find one that’s affordable. Too many hardworking families are having to choose whether to buy groceries or pay rent.

The City is proud to partner with the Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering renters, and helping them access (and keep) safe, affordable homes.

Elisa Harrigan, CAT’s Executive Director, recently spoke on OPB’s Think Out Loud about Portland’s vacancy rate and the rental market.  Take a listen and gain some insight into what’s happening in our local rental markets.

Gauging Oregon's Rental Market Economy

on OPB.org

Photo credit: OPB

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Eastside parks get $800,000 makeover

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

East Portland Parks Project Invests Record Funds in Under-Developed Greenspaces

Lisa Loving of The Skanner News

Parks announces E205 Initiative completion

Mark Ross in the Mid-county Memo

Amanda Fritz and Dan Saltzman urge Mayor Charlie Hales to fund summer youth programs: Portland City Hall roundup

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Hales takes bureaus, outlines budget schedule

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Portland Parks & Recreation completes 18-month E205 Initiative to refurbish parks in East Portland

Daniel Moran in The Oregonian

Portland Parks & Recreation's $5 5K races expand to six parks this summer

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Forest Park update: wildlife report, new Parks Director chimes in, media goes crazy

on bikeportland.org

The 10 best U.S. cities for urban forests

Wendy Koch in USA TODAY

American Forests Names the 10 Best U.S. Cities

on americanforest.org

Where to get free help with you 2012 tax return

Brent Hunsberger in The Oregonian

Oregon bill would end Section 8 discrimination

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland Commissioner Seve Novick asks state for delay on reservoir requirements

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Does the brisk winter morning air have you dreaming of summer?

Enjoy this video from our 2012 Summer Free For All, and remember that summer is just around the bend!

The Summer Free For All provides opportunities for the community to get outside and enjoy some free fun in the sun. Activities include free movies in the park, live music, and healthy lunches for kids in our playgrounds.

So power through the cold months and start to turn your gaze at the glorious summer to come. Summer Free For All will return, better than ever!

Need help with your taxes?

CASH Oregon is providing free tax preparation for hard-working families.

CASH Oregon is committed to improving the financial health of low-income working families and individuals. Once again this year, CASH Oregon will support families by helping them with the often daunting task of preparing their taxes.   

CASH Oregon is partnering with AARP Tax-Aid at 140 different tax sites around Oregon with free tax preparation and tax credit outreach.

To learn more about the organization, check out CASH Oregon’s website. If you are looking for a site for free tax preparation, click here for their list.

Where to get free help with your 2012 tax return

Brent Hunsberger in The Oregonian

American Forests, a non-profit group that restores and protects forests, evaluated cities by their park land per capita and their efforts to create green spaces and make them accessible to the public.

The other cities in the top 10 list were Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York City, Sacramento, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Portland boasts a total of 1.2 million trees in our city parks and natural areas!

We're also famous for the decision to transform a huge highway stretch into Waterfront Park—a largely unprecedented action. In 2012, Waterfront Park was named one of the best public spaces in the country by the American Planners Association.

The benefits of our healthy urban forest include removing carbon dioxide, controlling stormwater and flooding, and providing a restful, stress-reducing oasis.

Portland is close to meeting its goal of having 33% of our city covered by an urban tree canopy by 2030. According to a Portland Parks & Recreation 2012 report, our canopy has grown 2.6% over the last 10 years; we currently have 30% urban canopy coverage.

We are proud of Portland's efforts, and of our continuing recognition as one of the nation's greenest cities!

As American Forests writes, "trees don’t grow up overnight, but a healthy urban forests’ benefits can be enjoyed by generations."

The Best Urban Forests

By Melinda Housholder, American Forests

The 10 best cities for urban forests

By Wendy Koch, USA Today

Yesterday, Oregonian reporter Daniel Moran highlighted the completion of our E205 initiative.

E205 brought much-needed parks improvements to our underserved neighborhoods in East Portland.  40% of Portland families with children live in East Portland neighborhoods, but there were fewer parks for them to enjoy.

Last week, Portland Parks & Recreationstaff were proud to present the completion of E205 at City Council. 

The Oregonian spoke with East Portland neighbors, who are thrilled with the changes.  Hazelwood resident Linda Robinson shared that “these parks are available in a way that they weren’t before… they get used when just those simple, basic amenities are added.”

Park upgrades included playgrounds, drinking fountains, surface trails, and much more.

Over the last 18 months, E205 has brought new life to 12 parks in East Portland.

Now, our East Portland neighbors and their children can enjoy our Gold Medal parks system.  

Learn more about E205 online.

Portland Parks & Recreation completes 18-month E205 Initiative to refurbish parks in East Portland

Daniel Moran in The Oregonian

Parks announces E205 Initiative completion

Mark Ross in the Mid-county Memo

Eastside Parks get $800,000 makeover

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

East Portland Parks Project Invest Record Funds in Under-Developed Greenspaces

Lisa Loving of The Skanner News

Portland Parks & Recreation has submitted a requested budget for FY2013-14.  

Following the Mayor’s request to propose a budget with a 10% cut, PP&R has submitted a proposal that includes programs and services that are most critical to the bureau’s mission.

The remaining 10% of the bureau’s budget is submitted as add back proposals ranked in priority order.

As of February 4, Mayor Hales has assumed management of all City bureaus.  He will keep them throughout the budget process. As a result, individual Commissioners will not be acting as official advocates for the bureaus they manage.

I will be looking for ways to deliver services more efficiently, including better coordination with partners like Multnomah County.

I am committed to working with Mayor Hales, my colleagues, and the public to craft a responsible budget that maintains the core services and programs that Portlanders value. 

Portland Parks & Recreation’s budget proposal, timeline, and a message to Parks staff from Director Mike Abbaté are all available online: www.portlandonline.com/parks/budget.

February is Black History Month!

All month long there are events around the city for reflection and celebration to grow awareness that Black History is American History.

Black History Month began in the United States in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association of Negro Life and History dedicated the second week in February as “Negro History Week.” The 2^nd week in February was chosen because both Fredrick Douglass and President Lincoln’s birthdays were in that week.

The week grew in popularity throughout the decades, and in 1976 the federal government expanded Black History week to Black History Month.

On Wednesday, February 6 City Council will issue a Black History Month Proclamation at 9:30am in City Hall Chambers. Other events around the City of Portland include films, a Taste of Soul Luncheon at the Portland Building, community events, and a market place.

Get out and about in your community to reflect and celebrate!

To learn more about what the city is doing in honor of Black History Month check the City's activities calendar.

We have an inspiring story to share with you.

Recently, Oregonian columnist Steve Duin wrote about Mark Gunderson, a veteran struggling with homelessness.

In December, Mark was issued a VASH voucher. The VASH program provides veterans with rent assistance to help pay for a home, and case management and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The challenge is that once he was issued a VASH voucher, Mark only had 90 days to find an apartment or else the voucher goes back into the pool. And with a tight rental market, many veterans are having difficulty finding an apartment to rent.

Here’s the good news: Mark has secured a new home at Weidler Commons, and is scheduled to move in today!

Weidler Commons is owned by our partner, Northwest Housing Alternatives, which has been serving our community for over 30 years.

There are many unsung heroes to thank, including the VA, Home Forward, and Mark’s case manager.

But special thanks go to Cascade Management CEO Dave Bachman, who read Steve Duin’s column and stepped up to rent Mark an apartment.

The VASH program was created to help men and women who served our country move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. But the program doesn't work if landlords don't rent to our veterans.

Recently the Portland Housing Bureau was proud to partner with Home Forward, Multnomah County, and United Way to help veterans overcome barriers to successfully using their vouchers.

Yesterday I attended a town hall on veterans and homelessness with VA Assistant Secretary Mooney and local leaders and partners. We discussed the progress we have made together, and the challenges ahead.

Thanks to strong partnerships, our community has helped nearly 270 veterans find a place to call home. That's a great success, but there are still dozens of veterans looking for homes to rent.

We call on landlords in our community to join with Cascade Management and others to open their doors to our veterans.

For more information on the program, email Home Forward at landlordservices@homeforward.org, or call (503) 802-8333, Option 6. Home Forward has created this fact sheet about how you can help.

Mark Gunderson is a veteran of Portland's war on homelessness

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

Mr. Gunderson finds his dream house

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

VIPs, volunteers and staffers convene to discuss veterans issues during annual homeless count

Mike Francis in The Oregonian

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

With one hearing down, Portland City Council pushes forward on earned sick leave rule

Ryan Kost in The Oregonain

Portland homeless being counted

KXL News

Mult. Co. surveys number of homeless

Ashley Korslien on KGW News

VIPs, volunteers and staffers convene to discuss veterans issues during annual homeless count

Mike Francis in The Oregonian

Whitaker site proposal in Northeast Portland could be a model for urban farming

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Charlie's in charge---Hales will take bureaus next week: Portland City Hall roundup

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Days before 2013 Legislative Session, council members outline top priorities: Portland City Hall roundup

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Return of Chucky: Portland needs to make big spending cuts. Charlie Hales is swinging the ax

Aaron Mesh in The Willamette Week

Sick leave ordinance goes before Portland City Council

Don Mcintosh on nwlaborpress.org

N Williams, NoPo Greenway projects seek funding support

Jonathan Maus on bikeportland.org

City county gear up for one-night count of homeless

On the Street Roots blog

Whitaker School site to be community farm? Proposal open house Wednesday in Northeast Portland

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

VIDEO: Peninsula Park Rose Garden Celebrates 100 years with 3,000 Shrubs and a Lot of Mulch

Lisa Loving of The Skanner News

We invite you to share your thoughts on the Whitaker Community Farm proposal.

Please take a moment to fill out the survey and tell us your ideas!

(You will need to create a "portlandonline" account to access the link. This will only take a few seconds before directing you to the survey page:  https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/61359)

You can also e-mail Nick directly at: nick@portlandoregon.gov or call Emily York at: 503-823-3594

Since 2007, the former Whitaker School site (at the corner of NE 42nd Ave and NE Killingsworth) has sat vacant. The community has long expressed interest in the future of this Portland Public Schools (PPS) property.

PPS indicated that long-term development of this site would not occur within the next five years, so we are working with the community and partner organizations to explore a temporary farm project as a way to activate the space, grow healthy food, and provide opportunities for job training.

For more information on the project see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Whitaker site proposal in Northeast Portland could be a model for urban farming

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

Photo courtesy of the Oregonian

They were joined by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Multnomah County Commissioners Deborah Kafoury and Diane McKeel, and staff from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, and Congressman Kurt Schrader.

During the meeting, we updated Assistant Secretary Mooney on our local work with the VASH program, heard from her about Washington's new focus on veterans and what that means for cities like Portland. 

We shared feedback about what the VA and Congress can do to help us better serve veterans in our community.

Nick was also honored to join Assistant Secretary Mooney and Congressman Schrader last night for a volunteer shift with the Street Count. Every other year, the City coordinates a one-night Count to find out how many people locally are sleeping outside. The information we collect helps us better understand the challenges we face and refine our strategy to fight homelessness. It also helps us make the case for additional federal resources to strengthen our work.

We're fortunate to have very strong partnerships with our local VA, Home Forward, Multnomah County, and service providers across the City. We also enjoy the strong support of our elected representatives in Salem and in Washington.

One veteran on the street is too many, and it will take all of us working together to win this fight and make sure every veteran in our community has a place to call home.

VIPs, volunteers and staffers convene to discuss veterans issues during annual homeless count

Mike Francis in The Oregonian

Mult Co surveys number of homeless

Ashley Korslein, KGW News

Portland homeless being counted

KXL News

Please join us on February 17 for the premiere of American Winter.

Working with local non-profit 211Info, filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz document the struggles of eight Portland families.

It is an honest, groundbreaking film - and reminds us why it is so important to fund our safety net services.

American Winter premiere

Sunday, February 17 - 3 pm

Portland Art Museum Whitsell Auditorium

1219 SW Park Avenue

General admission is $11; buy tickets online now

Immediately following the premiere, the filmmakers will host a benefit reception for 211Info.

While there is no cost to attend the reception, we encourage you to sign up as a "partner" of 211, and donate what you can to help their mission. 211 will also accept donations at the reception.

211Info Benefit Reception

Sunday, February 17

Immediately following the film

Portland Art Museum – Fields Ballroom

Sign up online to attend

Special thanks to the Gantz brothers for making this important film, and to 211Info for their great work.

But most of all, thanks to the families in the film who share their stories of struggle and hope.

We hope to see you on the 17th!

Can’t make it on February 17? There is a second screening on Monday, February 18 at 7:30 pm at Cinemagic theater.

Nick was proud to join his Council colleagues this morning to celebrate the completion of our E205 initiative.

On a beautiful spring day in 2011, a visit to a strangely empty East Holladay Park sparked the vision for E205.

East Holladay is in the heart of Hazelwood, a neighborhood full of families with children, but the park didn’t have the amenities kids deserve. In East Portland, this story is familiar in too many neighborhoods. Families and children are growing up without a great neighborhood park.

This was the inspiration for E205.

Nick secured a $500,000 special appropriation in the 2012-13 budget, which was matched by generous private donors and system development funds.

Over the past twenty years, the City has purchased acres of land in East Portland, and completed master plans for future parks (including Parklane and Beech, among others). But it hasn’t had the funds to build out new parks.

Nick challenged his Parks team to target small improvements with big impacts - so families could enjoy their parks now, not wait until they were fully developed. The Parks team found creative ways to deliver park improvements, stretching every dollar spent. We were guided by four key goals: equity for East Portland, making progress now, leveraging resources, and investing up to $1 million.

Over the last 18 months, E205 has brought new life to 12 parks in East Portland.

Working with neighbors to identify their priorities, we have added drinking fountains, trails for walking, hiking, and running, playgrounds, benches, off-leash dog areas, lights, benches and more.

Special thanks to the great team at Portland Parks & Recreation, our many community partners, and all the neighbors in East Portland who helped make E205 a success!

Portland Parks & Recreation has replaced 3,000 roses in Peninsula Park with beautiful new, more disease resistant roses for the Centennial celebration.

Right now the garden is full of stakes that mark where the 3,000 donated roses will be planted. Groups of volunteers are fertilizing the spot where each plant will be set in the soil.

The planting will begin in February, and PP&R needs your help! We are looking for 30 volunteers on February 19-21 to help plant the roses.

The roses were generously donated by Weeks Roses, Star Roses and Baileys Nursery, but the garden still needs some support for an essential piece of the garden. The garden needs mulch – a lot of it. Mulch is critical to keep moisture and warmth in the soil, and protect the roses from midges, a parasite that attacks the plants.

To volunteer to plant roses, please send an email to penrosevolunteers@gmail.com. To learn more about the Centennial, or make a contribution to the mulch fund, visit www.portlandparksfoundation.org.

Since 2007, the space where Whitaker Middle School one stood has been vacant. PPS has no set plan for the area in the next five years and we have a unique opportunity to do something wonderful with this land.

The Whitaker Farm Project will be an area for the community to have a garden where people will learn to grow their own food. Growing food together can help us fight hunger and poverty, while providing opportunities to learn life-long skills.

To learn more about the project, join us at the open house this Wednesday.

Community Open House: Whitaker Farm Project

January 30,  6 – 7 pm

PCC Metro Workforce Training Center Auditorium

5600 NE 42nd

Whitaker School site to be community farm? Proposal open house Wednesday in Northeast Portland

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian

On Thursday, BridgeTown Inc. held their first Night Strike of 2013.

Night Strike is a volunteer-led event to help people experiencing homelessness. Each Thursday, volunteers gather on Naito parkway under the Burnside Bridge to provide a free dinner for our community’s most vulnerable. Volunteers also help out with foot washing, haircuts, shaves, and provide portable showers.

Sleeping bags, warm clothes, and hygiene products are also passed out to those in need.

Not only does Night Strike provide some essential basic necessities, it also provides a wonderful human connection. One guest, Nate, said that “Night Strike is humanizing…this place helps remind you it’s not all that bad.”

From 2011’s Homeless Street and Shelter Count, we know that on any night, there are about 2,700 people sleeping outside or in emergency shelters, and nearly 2,000 more are living in transitional housing after being homeless.

With a rising tide of need, and fewer resources each year, we count on partners like Night Strike to make a difference..

To get involved, contact Justin Spahn, BridgeTown’s event director at (503) 664-0653. To learn more about Night Strike, or to find a list of items to donate visit the Night Strike Page on BridgeTown‘s website.

Night Strike

Thursdays 7pm

2^nd Avenue & W. Burnside

Night Strike dinner provides hot meal with dignity, for city's homeless

Sara Hotman in The Oregonian

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

Night Strike dinner provides hotmeal with dignity, for city's homeless

Sara Hottman in The Oregonian

Portland Parks & Recreation offers documentary class for teenagers

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

COYOTES in the city

Joseph Gallivan in the Portland Tribune

'Healthy Kids, Healthy Portland' political group forms to support fluoride: Portland City Hall roundup

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

CAT Volunteer Questionnaire

Renters' Advocacy Flyer

We are Portland

On Thursday, Nick had the honor to once again participate in the “Teacher for a Day” program.

This year, Nick enjoyed teaching with 5^th grade teacher Julie Daniels at Lent School in Southeast Portland.

One of the day’s lesson plans included vocabulary words for the week.The word that stood out for Nick was “inspired.”

Inspired is exactly how Nick felt about his experience as a teacher.

He was inspired by a dedicated teacher who puts all of her students first every day, and by the young people who welcomed him into the classroom and demonstrated their passion for learning.

Special thanks to the Lent School community, Julie Daniels, and her students for a wonderful and inspiring experience, and to the Portland Association of Teachers for organizing the event.

Interested in film? Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is looking for youth ages 11-17 to be part of their documentary film class!

The class starts tomorrow at Peninsula Park Community Center. Explore color, texture & composition while applying you own creations to a moving image. The class provides students with experiences using digital media to tell stories, share and explore their world.

The film that they make together will be shown at the park’s Centennial celebration on June 27.

The class is eight weeks long and runs from 12 – 2 pm. The cost is $50; however PP&R offers scholarships and will not turn anyone away for not being able to pay.

To register for the class, visit Film As A Fine Art Medium on the PP&R website. The course number is 395786.

This is a great way to learn, meet new friends, and have fun!

Documentary Film for Teens

PeninsulaParkCommunity Center
Saturdays beginning Jan.26

Portland Parks & Recreation offers documentary class for teenagers

Casey Parks in The Oregonain

Fix-It Fairs are free events that are held every winter to learn simple, affordable ways to save money and stay healthy at home. The event has ongoing exhibits and hourly workshops with tips on water and energy savings, gardening and growing your own food, how to keep you home safe and healthy, and many more.

The event is family-friendly and offers a number of services which includes fee lead blood testing, hourly door prizes, and a free lunch.

The fair is a great way to learn new skills, stay connected in your community and above all have a good time.

For more information about Fix-It Fairs please call (503) 823-4309 or visit their webpage on the BPS website.

Can’t make it this weekend?  Join us for the next Fix-It Fair on February 23 at Ron Russell Middle School.

Fix-It Fair

Self Enhancement, Inc.

3920 N Kerby Ave.

9:30 am -3 pm

The Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT) is looking for volunteers for their Renters’ Rights Hotline.

CAT’s mission is to educate and empower tenants to demand affordable, stable and safe rental homes. Their hotline helps those who are experiencing difficulties with the Oregon renters market. Issues range from rising rents to unfair treatment. The hotline is designed to educate and empower renters to solve their renting problems.

Hotline volunteers will receive formal training starting in February.

If you are looking for a way to be involved in your community, want to be an advocate for renter’s rights, or are just looking for a great opportunity to help, please sign up to be a hotline volunteer!

To learn more about volunteering, check out CAT’s flyer or contact Justin Buri at (503) 460-9702 or at volunteer@oregoncat.org.

CAT Renters’ Rights Hotline Training

Saturday, February 2

12 pm - 4 pm

2710 NE 14^th Ave

(On the Corner of NE 15^th & Knott at St. Augustana Lutheran Church on the #8 TriMet bus line.)

My Story and the City of Portland are looking for 5 community partners to receive free arts programming for “We are Portland.”

“We are Portland” is a mobile portrait studio that gives local youth an opportunity to photograph their families, friends, and neighbors. “We are Portland” empowers youth and builds community through the arts.

Youth will learn new skills through fun workshops and then exercise their artistic abilities by taking free family portraits for their friends and neighbors. The portraits will also be part of a citywide exhibit aimed at broadening the understanding of the city’s demographics and capture a changing Portland.

Interested housing communities should send a letter of interest to My Story, which will take full applications this spring.  For more information, contact Alex Ney at (503) 234-0717 or at alexney@mystoryworkshops.org.

To learn more, visit My Story online, and take a look at this flyer about the project.

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland Japanese Garden turns 50: Rediscover it on its golden anniversary

David Stabler in The Oregonian

Ten-year plan to end homelessness gets regional redux

Street Roots Staff in Street Roots

Oregon film industry keeps rising

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

New Blanchet House serving Portland's homeless

Cathy Marshall on KGW.com

Getting it right in testing for discrimination against Portland renters

The Oregonian Editorial Board in The Oregonian

Did you know that January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month?

4 million people nationwide suffer from glaucoma- a disease which damages the optic nerve and can destroy eyesight. It is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S.

Nick was recently diagnosed with glaucoma, and is undergoing treatment to improve his eyesight.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but there are ways to reduce it from furthering the effects on your eyes. Treatment ranges from glaucoma surgery, lasers, eye drops, and other medication - depending on the severity of the situation. Many people don’t even know they have glaucoma until it’s too late for preventative treatment.

Save your sight - have regular eye health exams!

For more information about glaucoma, visit the National Eye Institute online, and contact your local ophthalmologist to make an appointment today.

In partnership with Hands On Greater Portland, PP&R invites you to help plant native trees and shrubs at the Mitchell Creek Natural Area this Saturday. In an effort to improve the fish habitat in Mitchell Creek, the area has been dubbed a high-priority restoration site. Community volunteers have been incredibly helpful with removing invasive Himalayan blackberry plants; now it's time to re-plant!

Please wear long pants and long sleeves, sturdy walking shoes, and bring a water bottle. Volunteers will be provided with tools, gloves, water, and granola bars.

Saturday, January 19

9 am to 12 pm

Mitchell Creek Natural Area

Meet at: SE 156th & Clatsop

Volunteers are asked to register before participating. For more information, contact Stewardship Coordinator Susan Hawes at: susan.hawes@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-5937.

Find other opportunities to volunteer this weekend - and year-round - at www.handsonportland.org.

After 60 years in their old building, the Blanchet House of Hospitality has found a new place to call home.

The old Blanchet House was small, old, falling down, and supporters feared that the program there would not be able to continue. It was time for a change.

The Portland Housing Bureau was proud to invest a $4 million grant for a new building on NW Glisan, and donated the land to build. Supporters of Blanchet House raised $13 million to cover cost for the project.

The new Blanchet House is just across the street from the old building and is more equipped for the services Blanchet offers. The old building required visitors to wait in a line outside for their meal; the new one allows people to be out of the elements and into the warmth inside.

Blanchet House provides meals to anyone who is in need. Blanchet House also provides a home to men who need help getting back on their feet. Residents work 8 hour days, six days a week to prepare meals for Blanchet’s guest.

Even through the change, Blanchet House’s mission remains the same: to feed, clothe, and offer shelter and aid to those in need. As it has for the last 60 years, Blanchet House continues to make a positive difference in our community.

New Blanchet House serving Portland's homeless

Cathy Marshall on KGW.com

The Portland Housing Bureau is proud to work with mission-driven community partners to remove barriers to housing choice in our community.

This year, we will work with the legislature to enact Section 8 reform, contract for a new round of Fair Housing testing, and continue to help our veterans utilize their VASH vouchers.

Our work was recently highlighted by The Oregonian:

City to test anew for housing bias

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Getting it right in testing for discrimination against Portland renters

The Oregonian Editorial Board

For more information on Fair Housing in Portland, including our Fair Housing Action Plan, please visit the Portland Housing Bureau website. 

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has reached their $12 million fundraising goal!

Habitat works to create successful homeownership by partnering hardworking families in need with the community to build healthy, affordable homes.

Their fundraising campaign, “A World of Hope: It Starts at Home,” is the first campaign our local Habitat has done since it was founded in 1981. A World of Hope began a little over a year ago, when landowners were looking to sell off land during the housing market’s downturn. Habitat for Humanity saw this as a great opportunity to bank some land, and create new homes for families in our community.

The large plots purchased can fit 30-40 homes each - instead of the one or two homes on the land that Habitat for Humanity usually has to work with. Homebuyers can purchase a Habitat home with a zero percent interest loan.

To qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, families must make 30 to 60 percent of the median household income ($20,800 to $41,640 for a family of four).  Homeowners must make payments on time, and put in 500 hours of “sweat equity” on Habitat construction sites.

Through their homeownership programs, Habitat for Humanity supports entire communities, helping them grow and thrive.

Altogether, Habitat expects to build 150 homes for families with the total land purchased.

Habitat for Humanity plans to ramp up house production in Multnomah County after completing its $12 million fundraising campaign

Anneli Tostar special to The Oregonian

The Sports Car Club of America, Oregon Region is hosting a “Tire Rack Street Surviving” driving school.

The one-day event places students in real life emergency situations, with an experienced driver in the passenger seat to provide instant feedback. The class teaches students how to be prepared, providing valuable lessons and techniques for safe driving.

Licensed drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are welcome to come. Each student must provide their own vehicle in good working condition, and provide proof of insurance for the class.

Stay safe, and stay alive with the helpful tools given in this informative and important event!  For more information, visit the Street Survival website.

Tire Rack Street Survival Teen Defense Driving Class

March 24, 2013

$75

8:30 am - 4:30 pm Portland International Raceway

The Springwater Corridor is a multi-use trail, and part of the 40-Mile Loop which was inspired by the 1903 Olmsted Plan. The vision was to have a parkway and boulevard loop to connect park sites. Most of the wildlife found along the Corridor are those species capable of co-existing with humans.

After enough invasive weeds are removed, we will be able to spread native wildflower seed to create a more colorful, more diverse, and healthier green space!

Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and be ready to get you hands dirty. PP&R will provide gloves, tools, and snacks; you bring a smile and a friend. For more information, contact Marissa Dorais at (503) 823-7016.

Sellwood Gap Clean-up: Springwater Corridor Trail

Sunday, January 20

10 am - 1 pm

Meet at SMILE's "Golf Links Park" located at the south end of SE 13th Ave adjacent to the Springwater Corridor.

In October, we were proud to celebrate achieving our 1,000 Gardens goal!

One of the last completed gardens was the NE 72^nd Avenue Community Garden in the Cully neighborhood.  Nick was proud to join Verde, the Let Us Build Cully Park! Coalition and Portland Parks & Recreation staff to celebrate the important milestone.

The garden is the starting point of a brand new park that’s in the works for the Cully neighborhood.

The Let Us Build Cully Park! Coalition is a coalition of 17 community service organizations that focus on economic, environmental and social benefit to the community. The garden is just one step in their journey.

Enjoy this moving video that shares the project’s story.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s $5 5K series will kick off on May 19 at Fernhill Park.

5K run/walks are scheduled in neighborhoods around Portland from May to October, and are a great way for you to stay in shape for a great price.

PP&R $5 5Ks started last year, and brought over 2,000 runners and walkers to races around town! This year, PP&R has added some new courses - some are flat, and others have more challenging inclines.

On your mark, get set, go!

To learn more about the $5 5Ks please visit the PP&R website or Facebook page.

PP&R is expecting the garden to have 84 plots, four of which will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible with raised beds. You can apply for a variety of plots, ranging from a ten square-foot starter plot, to a standard plot at about 200 square feet.

Plot fees, which range from $10 - $85, include water and access to the tool shed. Gardeners are in charge of seeds, weeding, and other garden needs.

There are 47 community gardens located throughout the city - with more than 2,000 plots which can be rented out to Portlanders.

Some gardens have years-long waiting lists, so don’t wait!  Be part of your community and enjoy the benefits of tasting veggies that you have grown. To apply for a plot, please apply online on the PP&R website or call the community gardens office at (503) 823-1612.

New Community Garden Plots

John McLaren in The Southeast Examiner

Photo courtesy of The Southeast Examiner

Anneli Tostar special to The Oregonian

City receives 19 applications for affordable housing funds

Wendy Culverwell in the Portland Business Journal

New Community Garden Plots

John McLaren in The Southeast Examiner

Personal trainer helps 93-year old maintain her independence

on KATU.com

93-year old inspiring others to work out

on KPTV.COM

Central City Concern's Old Town Clinic Named National Health Care Leader

Andrea Damewood in The Willamette Week

Did you or someone you know lose your home to foreclosure between January 2008 and December 2011?

In February 2012, the State Attorneys General reached a joint settlement worth $25 billion with Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. The five banks were found to have violated the law when processing many foreclosures nationwide.

About 2 million borrowers may be eligible for financial compensation if their home was foreclosed by one of the above five mortgage lenders. Eligible borrowers received notice in the mail to file a claim.

If you received a notice, remember to file your claim by January 18. 

If you believe you are eligible for relief, but have not received a claim form, contact the National Mortgage Settlement Administrator at 1-866-430-8358. To file a claim online, go to www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is the largest philanthropy foundation devoted to health and healthcare in the United States.  RWJF has teamed up with the Group Health Research Institute to create a national program designed to identify creative practices that make primary care more accessible. The project goes by LEAP, Learning from Effective Ambulatory Practices.  

The clinic will play host in mid-February as the LEAP team will do a three-day visit to assess how the clinic makes staffing arrangements to make primary care more accessible and effective for patients. Best practices will be put into training, and technical assistance materials to create a better resource for patient care-driven facilities.

The Old Town Clinic is a federally qualified health center, and is operated by Central City Concern (CCC). CCC's Executive director Ed Blackburn and his staff are part of Health Share of Oregon, the largest Coordinated Care Organization in Oregon.

Three cheers for the Old Town Clinic for its fantastic work, and for the care it provides to the residents of Portland!

Central City Concern's Old Town Clinic Named National Health Care Leader

Andrea Damewood in The Willamette Week 

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Developers vie for tax abatements for affordable housing

Lee Fehrenbacher in the Daily Journal of Commerce

And the Survey Says...We Asked, They Answered: City Hall Staffers Open Up - and Unload!

Denis C. Theriault

Portland City Council to Consider apartments without parking

Jim Redden in The Portland Tribune

Portland Habitat for Humanity reaches $12M capital goal

Wendy Culverwell in the Portland Business Journal

Portland Parks & Recreation wants your feedback

on SwanIslandTMA.com

Reach gets half-million from Meyer trust

Andy Giegerich in the Portland Business Journal

At 93 years old, Willa Asbjornsen is testament that you can look good at every age.

Willa was in an assisted living facility, but she wanted to move back home – and regain her independence. 

Her daughter Allison understood Willa’s desire to go home, but would only allow it if she began to work out with a personal trainer to regain her strength. Willa needed to be able to meet the basic needs of daily life on her own.

And that’s just what Willa did.

Willa has been working with Holly Howard, a Portland Parks & Recreation personal trainer, for 5 years now. Together they do exercises to help build strength, mobility, and flexibility. The two have become life-long friends and Willa has pushed herself to limits she never dreamed of seeing.

Way to go Willa!

PP&R has personal training, group exercise classes, fitness centers and pools available across the city. For more information, please visit the PP&R website.

93-Year-Old Woman Maintains Independence with Portland Parks & Recreation Personal Trainer

On pdxtraffic.blogspot.com

93- year old inspiring others to work out

On kptv.com

Personal trainer helps 93-year-old maintain her independence

On katu.com

Forest Park, the largest urban forested area within a city limit in the U.S., provides the perfect home for wildlife.  Portland Parks & Recreation has published its 2012 Forest Park Wildlife Report, which documents the flora and fauna of the forest.

The Report was completed by wildlife biologist John Deshler. John led teams throughout the park to take a comprehensive wildlife inventory, and to create a report to help plan future park research and management efforts.

Information was gathered in a number of ways, including our first-ever volunteer-based Bioblitz. A Bioblitz is a 24-hour study led by experts to survey a designated piece of land and document its wildlife.

To read the full report, and to learn more about the BioBlitz, please visit the PP&R website.

OPB Oregon Field Guide: Episode 2408

Couples braved the bitter cold on Wednesday as they lined up in front of the Portland Parks & Recreation offices for a chance to reserve a spot to tie the knot at one of the city’s parks this year.

On the first business day of the New Year, throngs of brides and grooms-to-be waited outside, some before sunrise, to reserve one of PP&R’s 180 wedding locations. Couples are seen on a first-come first-serve basis, so many couples decided to withstand the winter chill. Phone reservations are only taken after the last person in line has been helped.

Congratulations to all those getting married in our Parks this year!

To learn more about how to reserve a PP&R facility for your ceremony, check out the PP&R wedding brochure online.

Couples brave the cold to get coveted wedding reservations

Melanie Wingo, KATU News

Melanie Wingo on KATU.com

Developers vie for tax abatements for affordable housing

Lee Fehrenbacher in the Daily Journal of Commerce

Temps drop, volunteers seek out homeless

KGW News

For Landlords: Help our Vets Find a Home

Northwest Academy will not buy YWCA building in downtown Portland

Jillian Daley special to The Oregonian

Steve Duin: Mark Gunderson is a veteran of Portland's war on homelessness

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

What to expect from Portland's new City Council, which takes off Tuesday

Beth Slovic in The Oregonian

Fitness for everyone, at every age

Janie Nafsinger in The Oregonian

PHB is leading a homeless street count, and we need volunteers.  The count helps us better understand homelessness in our community, and the need for services.

PHB is looking for volunteers to help with “One Night Shelter” counts - volunteers gather information about people sleeping in emergency shelters, motels, and transitional homes.  Other volunteers will help with a street count, visiting areas around Multnomah County where people are sleeping outside, without shelter.

Volunteers can also help with data entry following the count.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary Welch at Mary.Welch@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-3403. Although not required, organizers encourage those who wish to volunteer attend one of three training sessions being held.

Sign up today to help! Additional information is available on PHB’s website.

Temperatures are dropping, which means people experiencing homelessness in our community are even more vulnerable on the streets.

Thanks to our mission-driven non-profit partners, like JOIN, volunteers are reaching out to those on the streets, offering help, warm blankets, and clothing.

If you or someone you know needs help, or you are able to donate time, money, or warm clothes to those in need, please call 2-1-1 from any landline or (503) 222-5555 to find out more.  You can also visit www.211info.org online.

Special thanks to KGW for covering this important issue.

Temps drop, volunteers seek out homeless