The controversy around the change to City code rolls on. Finally, the Office of Community and Civic Life put out a FAQ on the changes. Read that here. If this had come out on the front end, we could have avoided a lot of the acrimony that flared up. 

Sunnyside neighborhood advocate Mary Ann Schwab testified at City Council this week on the issue, and… it didn’t go well. Despite the fact that the FAQ and Commissioner Chloe Eudalysays that both the NAs and coalitions will continue to be funded, Schwab and some other neighborhood advocates still have their doubts. 

It was sent in July 22nd, before new information came out, but this letter from the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association expresses concern with the process and the proposed code changes. A quote: 

“The audit also shows a severe mismanagement of funds within Civic Life, resulting in extremely inequitable financial distributions, favoring affluent, gentrified neighborhoods. Instead of taking responsibility for previous mistakes and implementing safeguards, Civic Life has vilified NAs and is working diligently to remove them from city code.”

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OPB did a fun piece on East Portland’s Portland Picklesthis week. 

They talk to some of the college-age players who are hosted by local families for the season. They also focus on Dillon, the Pickles mascot, and the co-owner humbly claims that he’s one of the 10 or 15 greatest pickles in the world. I know he’s at the top of mylist.

The Pickles crank up again next weekend, August 9th! Here’s the schedule.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND

Rosewood Night Out Party (event):

“Community BBQ at 5, live Music with Friends of Noise and a movie at dust, thanks to Portland Parks & Recreation! Thank you to our wonderful sponsors Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Portland General Electric!

Food provided by Pacific Seafood! Bring a refillable water bottle for Rockwood Waterr to fill for ya! Check out over 40 community organizations and get resources!”

Also— Movies in the Park showing “Black Panther”. The movie begins at dusk.

Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark St * 5 pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD

Rocky Butte Farmers Market:

After 1,000 people showed up to the market last month, the organizers of the Rocky Butte Farmers Market are having another one! For more information, read this story from PDX Food Express.

Dharma Rain Zen Center, 8500 NE Siskiyou St * 10 am – 2 pm

Lovin’ Local (event):

“Lovn’ Local is a volunteer ran art pop-up event meant to bring artists and their audience together to celebrate local creatives!”

Remedy Gallery @ Milepost 5, 850 NE 81st Ave * 11 am – 4 pm * free

First Saturday of the month Garden Curator led tours (event):

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“On the first Saturday of the month, Garden Curator Courtney Vengarick will show you what’s blooming and of seasonal interest, provide useful and engaging information, and sharing fun stories about the adventurous creators of the Garden, Botanist Lilla Leach and pharmacist/civic leader John Leach.”

Leach also had a groundbreaking for their upper garden project this week— so come see what’s planned!

Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122nd Ave * 11 am – noon * free

Vanport Jazz Festival (event):

Featuring: WAR, Queens of Soul Jazz (Althea Rene’ & Jeanette Harris), Euge Groove, Eric Darius, Jazz Funk Soul (Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp & Paul Jackson Jr.), and Andy Stokes.

This is a history on the tragic history of Vanport, and the musical legacy its displaced community created.

Colwood Golf Course, 7313 NE Columbia Blvd * noon – 9 pm * $60 – $75

Once Upon a Time Family Theatre:

“Once Upon a Time Family Theatre is a magical mix of theatrical simplicity and grand storytelling for kids and their families. There’s always a slight twist to the traditional story that keeps these productions fresh. Though simply produced, these delightful and engaging productions will soon have everyone fully absorbed in the interaction of live theatre.”

This month’s production: “The Firebird”.

Portland Metro Arts, 9003 SE Stark St * 11:30 am * children $1, $2 adults $2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4TH

Farmers market:

For the full list of producers and things happening at the market, go here.

Montavilla Farmers Market, 7700 block of SE Stark St * 10 am – 2 pm