At the March Montavilla Neighborhood Association meeting, Jonathan Lewis with the Office of Community & Civic Life gave a presentation on the City’s homeless camping program and the phone number for reporting (non-violent) neighbors having a mental crisis without contacting the police: 503-988-4888. There was also a presentation on public safety.

Muz Afsal from Southeast Uplift spoke about some upcoming workshops, including a community conversations called “Exploring Power and Privilege with Courage, Creativity, and Compassion” set for March 25th.

A new board member also stepped forward to serve the MNA. David Onley does a lot of excellent service work in the community, and for full disclosure, is a friend and has contributed to Village Portland.

Seats on the board are still open if anybody would like to step up!

This week, we published a new Montavilla Memories column by Pat Sanders. Read it here.

In this column, Sanders explores her process behind learning about Montavilla’s former library.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH

Live music:

Weekends mean live music Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at Montavilla Station.

Montavilla Station, 417 SE 80th Ave * Fri & Sat 9ish pm

SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH

Leach Spring Garden Fair (event):

“Join us in celebration of Lilla Leach’s birthday by preparing for the gardening season. Rain or shine, this promises to be a fun, helpful, and inspiring way to get ready for spring!”

“Community Seed Exchange, compost demonstration, tool Sharpening by Sharpening4u, garden tools for sale by Red Pig Garden Tools, naturescaping & rain garden info and more by East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Xerces Society (invertebrate conservation) table, OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners ™ experts to answer your questions, and Leach Manor House & Stone Cabin Open House” 

11 am – nature walk, pruning workshop

noon – native plants for the home garden

1 pm – ethnobotany garden tour

Leach Garden, 6704 SE 122nd Ave * 10 am – 2 pm

SUNDAY, MARCH 17TH

The symphony in East Portland:

“The award-winning Oregon Sinfonietta, now in its 46th season and conducted by Dr. Donald L. Appert, is a full symphony orchestra of about sixty musicians that draws together community musicians from the greater Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area. The orchestra performs four free concerts per season at the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church in SE Portland.” 

Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10501 SE Market St * 3 pm 

Cooking Around the World Club: No-Bake Desserts: 

“Families can learn with their kiddos how to make simple healthy desserts. There will be something for everyone, whether it’s for an afterschool snack or a special weekend treat. It’s easy, it’s healthy, it’s fun! Samples will be given at the end of the program.”

Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd * 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm