This weekend is RiverFest, a three-day free festival with many fun activities to do and watch near the Willamette.  Rick Bastasch of the Office of Healthy Working Rivers, Patti Howard in my office, and many others have worked hard to provide a wide range of options for Portlanders and others to experience and cherish the Willamette. 

I was assigned leadership of the Office of Healthy Working Rivers in January, and I had already booked my vacation out of town for this weekend.  Next year, I will be able to plan so I can enjoy both events.

Photo by Barry Peril

Earlier in August, I was asked to contribute to the Urban Willamette photo essay series in production by photographers Barry Peril and Dale Shank, ably assisted by Donna Feifer. Their SPECTACULAR site is here.  It carries a beautiful series of illustrations showing many different ways in which our river is both healthy and working.  The Office of Healthy Working Rivers is gearing up to help both aspects of the Willamette be more evident.