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.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH

Youth prisoner theatre (event):

“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

Live music at Eastside Grill (website):

9 pm – Drone Riders 

10 pm – Saint Jacks Parade

11 pm – Cherry Bomb 13

Eastside Bar & Grill, 2530 Ne 82nd Ave * 9 pm * $5

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH

Stewardship Saturday (event):

“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

Groundwater 101 (event):

“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.” 

Mckinstry, 16790 NE Mason St * 9 am – 1 pm

Portland Metro Arts winter showcase (tickets):

“Babes in Toyland”

“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.”

Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd * 12:30 pm – 2 pm

Montavilla Neighborhood Association general and board Meeting:

“Brandon Spencer-Hartle, from the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, will give an overview of the pilot Historic Survey of the Montavilla “Main Street”, explain volunteer opportunities, invite submissions of historical information and answer any questions.”

To learn more, see the City’s article on the project. If you’d like like to get involved email board member Patricia Sanders: patricia@montavillapdx.org

Montavilla United Methodist Church, 232 SE 80th Ave * Mon, Jan 14th, 6:30 pm – 9 pm

Well, it’s sad to say… O’Neill Public House has closed for good. One of their bartenders said that it was the classic tale of raised rent.

O’Neill had music every night of the weekend, and their Sundays usually featured two Irish jam sessions and an Irish-inspired band. There’s still plenty of live music to be had in the area, but the venue will be missed. Here’s hoping something awesome replaces it.

Some things close, and others open…

Near 99th Ave and Powell St, Portland Central Church of the Nazarene is opening a warming shelter this weekend. A sign up page for warming shelter volunteers is here.

A tiny village is also being built on their site.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH

Now playing at Academy Theater all weekend:

“In a world where journalism is under attack, Marie Colvin (Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike) is one of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time. Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontlines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless, while constantly testing the limits between bravery and bravado.”

Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark St * show times *  $4 for adults, $3 for youth & seniors

Live music at Eastside Grill (website):

“Punk Rock @ 9pm with The Wild Jumps, Ron Fast Banned, Erik Anarchy, The Living Skins, Feral Drollery”

Eastside Grill, 2530 NE 82nd Ave * 9 pm * ???

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12TH

Vestal Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser:

“The money raised goes to support educational opportunities and experiences for Vestal students such as field trips, Playworks, and school events.”

Vestal Elementary School, 161 SE 82nd Ave * 9 am – 11 am * $3 for individuals, $10 for families 

Nigerian dance party:

“Dance and celebrate with Jujuba, a 10-piece afrobeat and juju ensemble featuring Nigerian master talking drum legend, Nojeem Lasisi.”

First come, first served.

Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * 3 pm – 4 pm

Snow Soup (event):

Come enjoy Snow Soup, a musical arctic version of the old French folktale “Stone Soup,” in which hungry strangers convince the wary people of a town to each share a small portion of their food to make a meal for everyone to enjoy. Featuring a clever arctic fox, lemming, walrus, polar bear, and a magical narwhal! 

First come, first served.

Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd* 2 pm – 2:45 pm

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13TH

Winter market: 

Winter vegetables, new nut butters, pastries, elixers… and so much more at this month’s winter Montavilla Farmers Market. For the full list of producers and some of the special fall produce available, go here.

7700 block of SE Stark St * 10 am – 2 pm

Inside Gaza:

“Jewish Voice for Peace will present a firsthand account of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip (event). Dr. Clyde Farris, an orthopedic surgeon from West Linn, recently returned from a trip to Gaza where he worked with a team of Palestinian orthopedic specialists.”

Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont St * 7 pm – 8:30 pm

There are so many of your neighbors working to serve their community and help the less fortunate, during the holiday season and year round. Hear Montavilla‘s radical service organization for women, Rahab Sisters, on KBOO.

This community radio station has been serving the community for 50 years, and are having their winter pledge drive now.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14TH

Live acoustic music with: Three for Silver w/Andrew Alikhanov.

The O’Neill Public House, 6000 NE Glisan St * 9:30 pm – 1 am

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15TH

Radical Craft Fair:

If you’d like to learn more about this volunteer homeless shelter in the neighborhood, or if you’d like to get trained to help, go here. 

Sts Peter + Paul Church, 247 SE 82nd Ave * 6 pm -9 pm * $5

Holiday Gifts for Refugee & Immigrant Portlanders:

“During this Holiday Season, are you giving away gifts to families in need? If so, please consider buying some gifts for Portland’s newest refugee and immigrant families to ensure they have enough resources to celebrate with their loved ones in their new homes. I am hoping to collect enough gifts for 30 families!”

“As a thank you for your generous offer, you will get to meet your sponsored family members & hear the authentic stories of coming to Portland! Also, you will enjoy diverse live performances and food while exchanging love and compassion with our newly arrived refugee and immigrant families!”

For more on the event, and a list of requested gifts, go here.

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, 10301 NE Glisan St * 11 am – 1 pm

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16TH

Talk Time: 

Talk Time is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. First come, first served.

Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd * 12:30 pm – 2 pm

In this story, the NW Examiner looks at progress on work enhancing community service opportunities and strengthening transparency in Portland’s advisory bodies. The story points out that the project is actually reversing transparency by removing open meeting requirements for many City advisory bodies.

The head of the Office of Community & Civic Life, the City agency leading the reform project, hasn’t responded to the editor of the Examiner, but they have just issued a survey seeking feedback from the community. It can be found here.

***

Developer Randy Rapaport is adding to the food cart pod on Stark Street in downtown Montavilla, according to reporting from Willamette Week. A stage, and a total of 13 carts, including an incubator cart with rotating chefs, will join the handful carts and art space there now. It shall be known as… Pegasus Landing.

***

There’s a Montavilla Neighborhood Association meeting next week. The agenda said there’ll be a presentation by the Oregon Department of Transportation and another from 82nd Ave Project, presented by Michael Sonnleitner.

Montavilla United Methodist Church, 232 SE 80th Ave * Thurs, Dec 10th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 

***

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

Solve Volunteer Action Training:

***

Talk Time:

 “Talk Time is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. First come, first served.”

***

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH

East County Community Orchestra winter concert:

Downbeat is at 3 pm.

David Douglas High School, 1001 SE 135th Ave * 3 pm 

***

Tonight (Thursday, November 29th) there’s a community meeting about a public health assessment from Precision Castparts Corporation.

Here‘s more information on the report about the toxic threat from the manufacturer, and a story from Pamplin Media about how neighbors question the validity of the report.

Lane Middle School Library, 7200 SE 60th Ave * 6 pm – 8:30 pm

***

When it comes to supporting independent media, community media outlets like Open Signal and Metro East provide much to the Portland area including training, equipment, studio space, and an opportunity to broadcast on local cable stations.

A proposed regulation change could eliminate local oversight and funding for this community service. Until December 14th, the Federal Communications Commission is taking comment on the issue.

To learn more, read this. You can submit a comment by going here and clicking “+Express”.

***

Portland City Council held a town hall on the Oregon 2019 legislative session. We have video of the meeting here, and Portland Mercury‘s reporting is here. Much of their story focuses on the plan to transfer 82nd Ave from state to city management.

***

And if you still need a tree and want to support a good cause:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH

Community Cooking Workshop w/ Community Chef Paula Hernandez: 

“Please join us and Community Chef Paula in cooking a community meal together, as Paula leads us in cooking the traditional foods of Mexico!  During our workshop we cook family style and then eat together.”

For more information and registration, go here.

Zenger Farms  * 6 pm – 8:30 pm * $5 – $15 sliding scale

***

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST

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: “Hansel & Gretel”

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

***

Cooking Around the World Club: Favorite Holiday Recipe Swap:

With Thanksgiving behind us, now the Christmas holidays are really kicking off.

Little Boxes is a great opportunity to explore new local businesses, The Grotto is opening their lights and choir event, and Village Portland is hosting a Portland Timbers watch party at Eagle Eye Tavern on Sunday.

***

Montavilla Farmers Market Everybody Eats fund raiser:

“Right now, 1 in 7 Oregonians are experiencing food insecurity. But this holiday season, you can help!

Everybody Eats helps households in need access fresh, quality produce through a dollar-for-dollar SNAP match. At the Montavilla Farmers Market, we’ve provided more than $60,000 of matching funds to families in our community.”

Donate here.

***

Little Boxes, Portland’s 8th Annual Holiday Shopping Experience:

On this Black Friday / Small Business Saturday weekend, learn raffle tickets for each of the 200 participating local businesses you visit, and earn more tickets for your purchases!

Check out the participating businesses here and prizes here.

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER 23th

The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights: 

The Grotto‘s Christmas Festival of Lights opens tonight at 5 pm. New for this year, they will be lighting their 150-foot cedar Christmas tree at 4:45 pm. From 6 pm to 9 pm, there are four caroling groups performing.

The choir schedule for the event is here.

The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore St * 5 pm – 9 pm, nightly through Dec 30 * $12; senior(65+) / military: $11; children (3-12): $6 children (2 & under): free

***

Eastside Bar and Grill is one of several spots in East Portland that hosts live music. There’s a show tonight, and you can keep up with their schedule on their Facebook site.

“Ah, Black Friday! The day after we supposedly reflect on what we’re thankful for and then shove a 5 year old out of the way at Target to get a discounted TV. After your shopping shenanigans, come out to see your favorite quirky indie rock, LIBIDO CORNUCOPIA, joined by CAT BATH & THE AFTERMATH and newcomers ALL HYPE!”

2530 NE 82nd Ave * 9 pm * $5 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24th

Black Storytime (event):

“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.”

 Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * 11:15 am – 11:45 am 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25th

The fine folks at Eagle Eye Tavern have allowed us to host a watch party for the Portland Timbers playoff run. They have a projector, good sound, and if you’re not familiar with the bar— it’s a comfortable, friendly place.

They’re playing Sporting Kansas City (the Wizards), and it’s the first of a two-leg match. (Yes, it’s complicated.) If you’re not into sports, just pretend it’s a thrilling combination of dance and theatre.

Eagle Eye Tavern, 5836 SE 92nd Ave * 4:30 pm 

***

Sunday jam sessions:

The O’Neill Public House has music every weekend, and hosts jams on Sunday.

At 2 pm is the bluegrass slowjam, and at 10 pm there’s an Irish traditional session.

The O’Neill Public House, 6000 NE Glisan St * free