Well, Montavilla neighbors are ecstatic about the opening of Fressen Bakery (7075 NE Glisan St).

Their website is beautiful and says they offer “high quality artisan breads, pretzels, and pastries in the German tradition. Give ’em a visit!

***

It’s been a lot of fun working with Katie Penna, one of several great neighborhood activists who have stepped up recently to work with Village Portland. Part of the core vision of Village Portland is to help neighbors tell their stories (through words or video), so if you’d like to get involved… I can be reached at andrewtaylorwilkins@gmail.com. 🙂

Happy spring!

***

SATURDAY

“Join us for our 2018 Eggstravaganza! [FB invitation] There is something for everyone! Just added!!! Roaming characters, cotton candy, a bounce house AND THE EASTER BUNNY!!

Incredible face painters Carnival games Food and fun!

Easter egg hunts start at 11 am!”

The Bridge is a church, learn more about their community here.

The Bridge, 8747 SE Foster Rd * 11 am

***

Friends of Trees planting: Beaumont-Wilshire, Cully, and Roseway neighborhoods.

Native American Youth and Family Center, 5135 NE Columbia Blvd * 9 am – 1 pm 

***

Friends of Noise (website) is a really cool organization for budding musicians… they throw all ages shows and teach kids the skills that it takes to make shows happen. There’s a workshop on how to run a PA in the day and an all-ages show in the evening (calendar).

Freinds of Noise, 7320 NE Sandy Blvd * noon – 2 pm * free

*** 

“¿Está aprendiendo inglés? 正在学英语吗？Учите английский? Học tiếng Anh? 

Talk Time is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English.”

Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * 3:30 pm – 5 pm 

***

SUNDAY

Annual Glenwood Park Egg Hunt (FB invitation):

“Hi everyone, time for our annual egg hunt. All are welcome. Plastic treat stuffed eggs provided, but please bring more to share! No real eggs please. 

Meet at the Glenwood city park playground in the northwest corner of the park. We will “hide” the eggs starting t 12:30 PM and hunt will begin at 1 PM. Last year there was some confusion about the start time (so sorry). The MC will have a whistle and will blow it to get everyone’s attention. This way you will know who is running the event :)”

Glenwood Park, SE 87th Ave * 12:30 pm 

***

Enjoy your weekend!

After a cold, snowy week, temperatures will be dipping back down near freezing Sunday night. The City’s emergency warming shelters were activated this week, a well as the volunteer-run warming shelter at St Peter & Paul Episcopal Church (247 SE 82nd Ave).

If you’ll notice on the map of shelters above, the (not listed) Montavilla warming shelter fills a big gap between inner Portland and Gresham / outer East Portland.

For the most updated information on warming shelters and how to volunteer and donate, visit 211.

Volunteers and supplies are also needed for the volunteer-run Montavilla shelter. Their last update said they were running low on supplies, and their Amazon wishlist is kept updated if you’d like to make a donation.

Contact the Montavilla shelter organizers here: montavillawarmingshelter@protoonmail.com.

***

After a cold, snowy week, temperatures will be dipping back down near freezing Sunday night. The City’s emergency warming shelters were activated this week, a well as the volunteer-run warming shelter at St Peter & Paul Episcopal Church(247 SE 82nd Ave).

If you’ll notice on the map of shelters above, the (not listed) Montavilla warming shelter fills a big gap between inner Portland and Gresham / outer East Portland.

For the most updated information on warming shelters and how to volunteer and donate, visit 211.

Volunteers and supplies are also needed for the volunteer-run Montavilla shelter. Their last update said they were running low on supplies, and their Amazon wishlistis kept updated if you’d like to make a donation.

Contact the Montavilla shelter organizers here: montavillawarmingshelter@protoonmail.com.

 FRIDAY

Live music at Vino Veritas in Montavilla:

“Jake Khawaja is a formidable young pianist on the Portland scene. Jake is a School of Rock graduate who has turned his focus to jazz apprenticing with Grammy Nominee Randy Porter. He is in the top ensembles at Portland’s prestigious Alan Jones Academy of Music and Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra, and is one of this year’s Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble Grasshopper Composition finalist mentees.”

Vino Veritas * 7 pm – 10 pm * free

***

It’s opening weekend of Madison High School Theater Department’s presentation of Disney’s “High School Musical”. The show runs for two weekends. For more information go here. 

Hibbard Theater, Madison High School, 2735 NE 82nd Ave  Fri & Sat @ 7 pm, Sun @ 2 pm * $15, students $8, seniors $10

***

The mighty Montavilla Station has live bands on Friday and Saturday, and there’s alway a blues jam on Sunday. You’ll get some nice surprises occasionally, but most of the music ranges from blues rock all the way to blues, with a bit of classic rock mixed in.

417 SE 80th Ave * 9-ish * free

SATURDAY

On Jan 17, Portland City Council approved an ordinance to lower speed limits from 25 miles per hour down to 20 MPH. A pedestrian hit by a driver at 25 MPH is nearly twice as likely to die compared to someone hit at the lower speed, according to City data.

“FREE corrugated plastic yard signs (see image) reminding people driving that ’20 IS PLENTY’ will be available for community members to display in their yard.”

“PBOT plans to install approximately 2,000 new 20 mph speed limit signs. This will more than double the number of residential speed limit signs on Portland streets. As is the case today, not every residential street will have speed limit signs.”

More information on the change can be found here.

Madison High School, 2735 NE 82nd Ave * 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

***

Cycling park Gateway Green is having a community gathering (event):

 Stop in to see a draft park design and tell us what you think. Share your ideas about:

“Natural habitat restoration; Improved pedestrian and bicycle access to and within the park; Expanded opportunities for a variety of recreation and outdoor activities for people of all ages and abilities.”

“We are working with the community to create a comprehensive park design. Efforts are underway to develop other recreational activities beyond cycling features, protect and restore natural habitat, and improve access to and within the park.”

Presentations are held at 10:30 am and noon.

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, 10301 NE Glisan St * 10 am – 1 pm 

SUNDAY

Pete Seeger: The Man and the Music:

“Gather around for songs and stories of a folk hero! Together with the Pacific Northwest musical duo Hank and Claire, you will learn how Pete Seeger’s social activism on labor, civil rights, war and the environment inspired his music. We’ll share the stories of Seeger’s life, historic photos and sing-along songs. Join us and share the joy of singing in the community!”

Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * 2 pm – 3:15 pm * free

***

“Explore the benefits of gardening with Native plants!We will introduce you to common native plant communities in Portland, show examples of species that do well in similar growing conditions, share successful planting tips that will help them thrive and more! A native plant slideshow will highlight characteristics and desired growing conditions of many local favorite native groundcovers, shrubs and trees. You’ll walk away with loads of information so you can decide which native plants will work well in your yard.”

Gresham City Hall Council Chambers, 1331 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham * 1 pm – 3:30 pm

***

Portland Mercado is hosting a farmers market every Sunday until March 24, and I imagine it will be lovely.

“Support Local Growers, Artisans and Entrepreneurs in our Indoor/Outdoor Farmers Market. Kids Activities, Live Music, Food Demonstrations, Chef @ the Market Cooking & Education Program.”

7238 SE Foster Rd * 10 am

Solutions to critical pubic issues like air quality, discarded syringes, and homeless services in East Portland are gaining the most ground at the neighborhood level.

At its November board meeting, the Lents Neighborhood Association had representatives from Multnomah County Health Department to discuss syringe disposal and the air quality near schools.

For more information on the air quality issue, the Tribune covered it this week. Learn more from the presentation at the LNA meeting (beginning @ 1:37:00).

The Montavilla Neighborhood Association is holding its monthly board meeting this Monday, December 11th. The meeting’s agenda is here.

Montavilla United Methodist Church, 232 SE 80th Ave * 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm
December 11th, 2017

FRIDAY

“Join the Montavilla Business Association in Downtown Montavilla for discounts and specials on drinking, shopping, tasting, and holiday merriment! In the spirit of the season, please bring canned food to donate to the United Methodist Church food pantry.”

Also on Saturday, Santa will be at Vino Veritas (7835 SE Stark). You can also create crafts, drink hot cocoa and have your photo taken with the jolly elf.

Donations for the United Methodist Food Pantry are gladly accepted both evenings.

SE Stark St * 5 pm – close 

***

There’s an art opening at Milepost 5 this evening. There will be original art from Cooper Jamieson and usually snacks and drinks are served. It’s the last show from Artists Milepost art director and friend Lawrence Kirk.

Here’s a few artistically chosen words about the art of our artist:

“Cooper Jamieson is a 2016 Lewis & Clark alum who just does not know what he is looking for. Right now, Cooper’s looking for his notes for what to write. Cooper is a current PhD student at University of California, Los Angeles for theoretical and computational chemistry. He collaborates with the biochemistry and chemical engineering departments in order to elucidate pericyclase enzyme mechanics. Despite having such specificity in his education, it does not seem to help answer the question: what is Cooper looking for.”

“The work on view is a superimposition of altered images. Moments or emotions layered against one another. Adding all these layers together does not yield an obvious net moment, emotion, or story — these are not commutative operations. In other words, these images don’t know what they are looking for either.” 

Milepost 5 Gallery, 850 NE 81st * 6 pm – 8 pm 

SATURDAY

“We are proud to announce that the 7th annual NAYA Winter Marketplace will take place on Saturday, December 9th from 10am – 4pm in the NAYA gymnasium! Come support our community’s vendors for one-stop Christmas shopping. Arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry and more just in time for the holidays!”

NAYA Gymnasium, 5135 NE Columbia Blvd * 10 am – 4 pm 

***

KXL’s Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis (YouTube intro) will be at Invoke celebrating the grand opening of the Ground Zero store there. In the spirit of the season, there may be some Krampuses there as well…

“Clyde Lewis, radio host of Ground Zero will be there along with GZ items such as books, magazines, t-shirts, tote bags, decals, and more!”

Invoke, 414 SE 81st Ave * 2 pm – 6 pm 

***

“Create a cityscape that sparks! Use beautiful glowing paper collages, cardboard, copper tape, LED lights and batteries to light up your city in this amazing interactive art piece.  At the same time you’ll learn a little something about electrical circuitry.”

Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Boulevard * 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm * free 

SUNDAY

“A resource and meal share hosted by Portland Assembly’s Montavilla and East Central NACs. Please share this invitation with your houseless neighbors.”

For volunteers or donors:

“We’re hoping to create a supply stock, that will allow us to make more cold weather kits, and to prepare for the opening of warming shelters, as we move into more severe weather. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for training and volunteer opportunities at the Montavilla NAC-hosted warming shelter.”

For a list of supplies needed go here. They’ll also be signing up volunteers for the warming shelter. The shelter will be hosted at St Peter & Paul Episcopal Church (247 SE 82nd Avenue).

SEUL, 3534 SE Main St * 2 pm – 5 pm 

***

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) is the current film in Academy’s holiday series.

Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark St * $4 for adults, $3 for youth & seniors  * 12:00, 5:05, 9:35

Check out a bunch of new stories at villageportlandmontavilla.com, including a look at the new mural at the 82nd MAX stop!

FRIDAY

Canada provides 35 weeks paid family and medical leave, Mexico 12; while the United States remains with Papua New Guinea as the only nations in the world that don’t have a paid medical leave law. With interviews from leading policy makers, economists, researchers, and activists, “Zero Weeks” makes a compelling case that this is another critical social program where the US lags behind the rest of the world.

From the screening’s Facebook event:

“At some point in our lives, all of us will have a sick partner, an aging parent, a new baby or adopted child, or get sick ourselves. And since taking care of family is non-negotiable, we all need to be able to take time from work without worrying about losing our jobs or going into serious debt. This is why Oregon needs a paid family and medical leave insurance program and why Family Forward Oregon is bringing you this special screening of Zero Weeks, the fourth documentary by award-winning director, Ky Dickens. Dickens was inspired to make a film about paid leave, after facing financial depletion, emotional turmoil and guilt of having “not enough time,” due to a lack of paid leave, after the birth of her first child.”

After the screening, a panel of leaders will share thoughts on what a paid family and medical leave insurance could mean for Oregon. This is a child friendly event.

Kelly Elementary School, 9030 SE Cooper St * doors @ 5 pm, screening @ 6 pm * free

***

There’s a fundraiser for the Montavilla cold-weather shelter, featuring a film on skinhead culture called “The Story Of Skinhead” and DJs spinning “best of Boss Reggae, Two Tone, and Antifascist Oi!”

From the Facebook invitation:

“The City doesn’t have enough resources to ensure our houseless population don’t suffer from the potentially fatal effects of our harsh winter weather. The Montavilla NAC (Neighborhood Action Council) which is part of Portland Assembly will be running a volunteer community led warming shelter for the second time this year.”

“RASH will be teaming up with the Montavilla NAC to help get much needed supplies for the warming shelter. If you are interested in volunteering your time or want to cook a meal please email, montavillanac@protonmail.com. Thanks for supporting your local community!”

More info about Portland Assembly can be found here. Here’s the story I wrote last year about the awesome effort that was organized to make the Montavilla cold weather shelter a reality.

Cider Riot!, 807 NE Couch St * 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm * donations accepted 

SATURDAY

Fall Social and Swap with the Gardeners of Montavilla:

“Bring your seeds, cuttings, yourselves, your desire to talk about plants, a dish to share – any or all of the above! Everyone is welcome.”

1563 SE 85th Ave * 2 pm – 5 pm 

***

“Support the garden while you kick off the holiday season! Our festive holiday event includes freshly made wreaths and swags, cut greens, baked goods and an Artist Market featuring work by local glass, ceramic, metal and fabric artists. Vendors this year include Barley Beads, Durham Arts, Smashed! Boozy Jams, Twig & Moth, Dick Brooks, Amy Griggs, Nicole Curcio, Kiss My Biscuit, and Shy O Jewelry.” 

“Experience the winter garden and sip hot cider in the Manor House while you shop.” 

Floral arranging workshops are being held from noon – 1 pm. Bring your own vase. $10 per person, $5 for members.

Leech Garden, 6704 SE 122nd Ave * Fri & Sat, 9 am – 3 pm * free admission 

***

Winter Wonderland Bazaar! “Please join us for Portland Arthur Academy’s 5th Grade Winder Wonderland Fundraiser. Handmade gifts from local artists, food, raffles and more!! There will be free kids activities and pictures with Santa.”

Ascension Church basement, 7507 SE Yamhill St * 10 am – 3 pm 

SUNDAY

FRIDAY

The Montavilla East Tabor Business Association is encouraging everyone to shop local during the post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend. If you’re on Facebook, check out their event for deals and details.

***

The Grotto’s 30th Annual Christmas Festival of Lights opens tonight!

Opening ceremony is at 5:15 pm, and there are four choir groups performing, the last beginning at 9 pm. There are multiple choirs performing every evening throughout the holidays (schedule).

“Presenting the sights, sounds and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world.  The festival features nearly 160 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Offering a family-oriented blend of traditional celebration and serene reflection, the festival theme reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers to many thousands of families from around the Pacific Northwest.”

“New this year:  Improved parking, with an overflow lot (on busy nights) with free shuttle at St. Rita’s Church, near the intersection of NE 102nd and Prescott.”

8840 NE Skidmore St * 5 pm – 10 pm * adults: $11; seniors (65+) / military: $10; children (3-12): $6; children (2 & under): free

SATURDAY

The Montavilla Food Co-op is sponsoring a one-day market featuring local artisans and crafts people:

“In celebration of passing our 600 Member Owner milestone, we’re making our annual Small Business Saturday event a preview of what the co-op will be like once it opens!”

“This event will feature local artists, bakers, crafters, start up businesses, farmers and more! Promoting our neighbors with an event to feature their goods to the rest of the community is a good example of what the co-op will look like once we sign our lease.”

Wix Insurance Agency, 8037 SE Stark St * 11 am – 4 pm 

***

KingPins Cosmic Bowling is discounted on Saturday nights:

“When the lights go down for cosmic bowling, the fun goes up at KingPins! Bowl under black lights while the latest music videos play on our 16 foot wide projection screens and laser lights race across the lanes. It’s like no other bowling experience you’ve had!”

3550 SE 92nd Ave * 9 pm – 1 am * $11, all you can bowl 

***

EastSide Bar and Grill, 2530 Ne 82nd Ave * 9 pm – midnight * ??? 

SUNDAY

“Practique inglés o español y ayude a los demás que están aprendiendo en un ambiente amable. Los participantes hablan la mitad del tiempo en inglés y la otra en español. Están bienvenidos los principiantes.”

“Practice English or Spanish and help other learners in a friendly atmosphere. Participants speak half the time in English and half in Spanish. Beginners welcome.”

Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * 3 pm – 4:30 pm * free