By ANDREW WILKINS

Pre-pandemic, it was so much fun to gather East Portland opportunities for entertainment, community, and service from around the internet and share them with our readers every week. Not all the events were hosted by folks with media savvy or a big budget— so I hope my curation was a helpful way to get folks engaged.

I also enjoyed learning more about the awesome folks who call East Portland home, and what they were up to. It also allowed me to focus on events that did spotlight service or nature— not just big money events focused on consumption.

As we gingerly creep back to some sort of normalcy, I was curious to see what’s going on. Thankfully, a lot!

I appreciate you giving it a look and supporting our indie media venture. And if you’re not quite ready to venture out, there are a few online options… and at the least: here’s a new “Life in the Village” cartoon from contributor Anne Cascadian.

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We’ll be sharing this wider soon, but Village Portland is looking for a videographer to help us with a new project that very likely will become a series. It’s a cool collaboration with another Portland indie media organization about an issue critical to East Portland. We need someone to shoot and edit the piece, that should end up around 10 minutes long. Pay is to be determined.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 30TH

As throughout the pandemic shutdown, the Multnomah County Library has a variety of great online events. On Friday, you can learn how to market through YouTube, crafting for tweens, and reading help for early readers.

SATURDAY, MAY 1ST

Mt. Tabor nature series

Would you like to have a fun outdoor activity on Mt. Tabor? The Friends of Mt. Tabor Park are continuing their 2021 Spring Nature Series series continues in May!

On Saturday is an Ivy Basket Making Workshop. It’s for all ages. Learn about the entire series, their COVID precautions, and register here. There’s also a Queer Nature Writing Walk that same day!

Mt. Tabor Park * 10 a.m. * free

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Mothing workshop

“Have you noticed moths circling and zigzagging around lights on a summer night? Scientists are still not sure exactly why they do this, but we can use the behavior to make observations that contribute to the Spring 2021 City Nature Challenge.”

During the workshop, you’ll learn how to observe, photograph, and add your findings to a database through iNaturalist— a hub for community scientists.

Learn more and register (required) here.

Leach Garden, 6804 SE 122nd Ave. * 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. * free

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Pollinator workshop

Rather enjoy the weekend from the comfort of your own backyard? Learn about how to attract polinators through this class from East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District. Learn more and register (required) here.

“In this workshop you will learn about the different kinds of pollinators that might be living in your garden, discover a plant palette to help attract and support pollinators, and go beyond the bloom to consider ways to provide shelter, water, nesting, and overwintering sites.”

online * 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. * free

SUNDAY, MAY 2ND

Montavilla market

The Montavilla Farmers Market is back on its weekly schedule today! Learn more about their vendors here, and if you didn’t know, they need volunteers to make the market a success.

7700 block of SE Stark St. * 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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Enjoy your weekend!