Welcome to your weekend. If you missed it, there was a Montavilla Neighborhood Association meeting this week… and at the meeting there was a presentation from Montavilla Co-op and SMART (Start Making a Reader Today).
Both are seeking volunteers from the neighborhood, as is the MNA board.
Portland Police are have one of several town hall meetings to discuss beginning a pilot body camera program, Saturday morning.
East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave * 9 am – 11 am
Black Storytime:
“The African and African American experience comes alive for children from birth to age 6 (with a favorite adult and other family members). In a positive and affirming environment, have fun with books and stories, songs, and movement activities. Black Storytime builds language and literacy skills your child needs to be ready for kindergarten.”
The following six acclaimed authors will read on the theme of Peace and Justice. Omar El Akkad, Alicia Jo Rabins, Sam Roxas-Chua 姚 , Rachel King, Mary Milstead, and Stevan Allrea.
Both organizations, as well as the MNA, have opportunities for volunteers available.
SMART is needing substitute volunteers to help students in local schools with their reading. Their representative said now’s a good time to get involved because neighbors can take on substitute shifts without having to commit to a full school year.
SMART has opportunities in all three of the public schools in Montavilla.
Montavilla Co-op is seeking volunteers for their board as they reach a critical threshold in their mission to bring a member-owned grocery store to the neighborhood. The co-op representatives also answered some challenging questions about the co-op’s progress.
Here’s a page on the co-op’s website where questions about their progress are answered. You can also submit your own questions there.
The MNA board also considered a proposal to allow Angela Todd, one of the founders of the Montavilla Initiative, become a member of the MNA. She said her volunteer work in the neighborhood and the fact that she lives on the boundary line as reasons she should be accepted.
Also, board member Patricia Sanders stepped down from the board. She said she needed more time for personal projects, including those regarding Montavilla history.
The MNA is seeking volunteers for its board, as well as help with other elements of the organization.
Since there’s a serious winter storm headed our way, before you head out to any of these events it would be a good idea to make sure it hasn’t been cancelled.
KPTV weather believes the snow will start after 7 pm Friday, and that the roads will be icy Saturday.
If you know anyone’s who is sleeping outside, help them find shelter by calling 211 on your phone. The Montavilla Emergency Warming Shelter (website) has been open all week, and is seeking volunteers and supplies.
Portland Central Church of the Nazarene near 99th and Powell is also open, in a partnership with Agape Village. This shelter can house up to 150 folks.
APANO has chosen Chi Nguyen as their new executive director. According to their newsletter, they’ll have an event to welcome her at their new building on SE Division and 82nd Ave in late April:
Here’s a paragraph from the release about her background:
“During Chi’s seven-month interim period, she greatly expanded the capacity of APANO’s internal administrative systems while leading the organization through an extremely successful election cycle and responding to the humanitarian crisis in Sheridan, where 123 asylum-seekers, most from SE Asia, were detained in a federal prison. Chi brings a unique combination of business, political, education, and social justice experience, as well as important perspectives key to APANO’s work — as a Vietnamese immigrant and refugee, parent, member of the LGBTQ community, former elected official, and successful business owner. Before joining APANO, Chi started the socially-minded company AutoMedic and served as a city councilor in King City, Oregon. She also teaches at Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management.”
It’s great to see more live music in East Portland. EastSide Bar & Grill (schedule) has a cool variety of music nearly every night. Check out their schedule here. And this weekend:
Fri: rockabilly with Roostertails Sat: rock from Blackflash / Echocheck / Moonraker Sun: open jam (5 pm – 9 pm) with Ron Fast
EastSide Bar & Grill, 2530 NE 82nd Ave * 9-ish pm
FRIDAY, FEB 8TH
Black History Month: STEM Spotlight:
“All of February, come by SE campus Mt. Tabor Great Hall and check out the TV screen to see a display of black leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn about the wonderful contributions these people have made to furthering education, research, and more!Mt. Tabor Great Hall, 2305 SE 82nd Ave
SATURDAY, FEB 9TH
“The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in many Asian cultures, celebrating life, good health and prosperity. Join us to bring in the new year with cultural performances, educational activities and light refreshments. Happy New Year!”
“Don’t miss out on buying your special valentine a special gift from a local vendor. The gift means more when it comes from a local vendor. We will have a variety of special gifts for your loved ones. Come out and shop. Also, while you are shopping, we will be having a Raffle drawing throughout the day.”
Pay It Forward Store, 16126 SE Stark St * 10:30 am – 5 pm
“Bring extra seed you have saved in your garden to share with others and discover new varieties. Local gardeners and farmers will have the opportunity to learn about seed saving and take home seeds. If you do not have any seed to share, you are welcome to come too— we normally have plenty of seeds.”
IRCO Community Room, 10323 NE Glisan St * 2:30 pm – 4 pm
SUNDAY, FEB 10TH
Winter stock up market:
For the full list of producers and some of the special fall produce available, go here.
Montavilla Farmers Market, 7700 block of SE Stark St * 10 am – 2 pm
One of the inventive artists at MP5, Kim Bookman, is having an art show, and I don’t think we could say it any better:
“Vagina Interrupted: a Farewell Fundraiser show… ALL ABOUT VAGINAS! Come take a look and splash a cup of wine while celebrating, nature’s ultimate pocket! Let’s get up close and personal shall we. This is a graphic show with graphic imagery so let’s leave the kiddos at home. There will be snacks, wine, music and perhaps a performance or two and a very special appearance by Regina, Portland’s largest and plushiest vagina!!”
Milepost 5, 850 NE 81st Ave * 6 pm – 9 pm
Black history presentation:
“World Stage Theatre has partnered with Black Student Union groups from Portland metro high schools to create Black History Month displays. Each group has chosen a specific time period in history to highlight the African American experience to do collective research and curate pieces for the displays. Midland Library will host David Douglas High School’s display.”
The display is part of a citywide Black History Festival (schedule) here in Portland.
“Rogue Pack returns to Fertile Ground with “Creating Life Inside,” a devised play based on writings by young men ages 15-17 at Donald E. Long Detention Center [in Montavilla] who are awaiting trial.”
“Experience these youths’ account of life in prison, as well as their memories, and fantasies, heroes, and dreams. They describe their “heartless background”, present situation and their hopes for the future. Join us for talk-backs each night to discuss current issues around youth incarceration with people who work closely with the justice system.”
The play is being held Fri & Sat, these are the show’s final showings.
Sellwood Playhouse, 901 SE Spokane St * 7:30 pm * $20 suggested, sliding scale
Holiday screening at Academy:
You’ve seen it before, but “Groundhog Day” is worth trying again until you get it right.
Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark St * show times * $4 for adults, $3 for youth & seniors
SATURDAY, FEB 2ND
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 Princess & the Pea”
Portland Metro Arts, 9003 SE Stark St * 11:30 am * children $1, $2 adults $2
Ants Ants Ants Family Music:
“A fun sing-along family music band that kids of any age (1-100) will enjoy! With their three-part harmonies and amazing guitar work, these ants put on a show that fans won’t soon forget. See them perform songs from their new album, ‘Why Why Why?'”
Holgate Library * 11 am – 11:45 am
SUNDAY, FEB 3RD
Eastside Bar & Grill, 2530 Ne 82nd Ave * 5 pm – 9 pm * free
For people who are committed to bettering their community, the Martin Luther King Jr Tribute event was one of those events that really refills your tank. We filmed this one song from Portland’s Bridge City Soul.
Foster Powell Neighborhood Association gives a detailed breakdown of the draft report of a 82nd Ave study. Read more about what’s being considered here.
“Rogue Pack returns to Fertile Ground with “Creating Life Inside,” a devised play based on writings by young men ages 15-17 at Donald E. Long Detention Center [in Montavilla] who are awaiting trial.”
“Experience these youths’ account of life in prison, as well as their memories, and fantasies, heroes, and dreams. They describe their “heartless background”, present situation and their hopes for the future. Join us for talk-backs each night to discuss current issues around youth incarceration with people who work closely with the justice system.”
The play is being held Fri & Sat, this weekend and next.
Sellwood Playhouse, 901 SE Spokane St * 7:30 pm * $20 suggested, sliding scale
“Johnson Lake has experienced a number of changes over the last century. It was a popular swimming hole until the Vanport flood of 1948 which flooded the lake and made it murky. Since then the lake has experienced pollution, but clean-up projects – in fact, the Council’s very first native planting – have helped to restore the property surrounding the lake.”
Johnson Lake Property, NE 92nd Ave & NE Colfax St * 9 am – noon
“Join the Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for Groundwater 101 – a FREE educational workshop that teaches groundwater basics including local geology and hydrology, the role groundwater plays in our drinking water system, and what we can do to protect this important resource that lies beneath the cities of Portland, Gresham, and Fairview.”
“Join us for this wonderful retelling of Victor Herbert’s classic operetta. Music, sets, costumes and cast will combine to whisk you away to ‘the land you’ll oft recall as the best of all… TOYLAND!'”
Portland Metro Arts, 9003 SE Stark St * Sat & Sun – 2 pm * $10 adults, $7 children & seniors
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27TH
Talk Time:
“Talk Time is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. First come, first served.”
@ 2:40 – A representative from the City of Portland‘s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability gives a presentation on a historical resources study planned for Montavilla.
It’s a pilot project, and the only one being done in Portland.
The board is also looking for more board members. For contact information, visit their website here.
@ 1:20 – The general meeting ends, and the MNA board meeting begins.
![Creating Life Inside @ Sellwood Playhouse, Portland [from 25 January to 2 February]](https://portland.carpe-diem.events/data/afisha/o/dc/65/dc65f7b39f.jpg?1548437018)
