Coming of a successful Founders Fair, it seems the Lents Neighborhood Association is looking for someone to head up the organization. (If you missed it, or not subscribed to the email notifications for new stories, our story on it is here.)
The Montavilla Neighborhood Association meeting is Monday. Here’s the agenda. Interim chair Jonathan Ogden was interviewed on KBOO recently. Among other business, the board plans to add four new members to the board.
Four people who were improperly appointed are slated, but others could be considered as well. Their term will run until October, when the yearly elections are held.
I’ve volunteered for several NAs in Portland, and trust me folks, it’s rewarding yet frequently challenging way to serve.
FRIDAY
“Guardians of the Galaxy” and five other second run movies are showing at Academy Theater this weekend.
Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark St * $4 for adults, $3 for youth & seniors
SATURDAY
Friends of Gates Park are hosting a potluck as part of the plan to develop the space into a park. See the Facebook invitation here, and an update from East Portland Neighborhood Office here.
Gates Park, SE 136th and Mall St * noon – 4 pm
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Enjoy the fine art of karaoke at Chinese Village (520 SE 82nd Ave @ Stark) and Candlelight Restaurant and Lounge (7334 NE Glisan St).
Unfortunately, Chinese Village’s kitchen is closed for a few months for renovation… fuel to the fire of rumors that something new is planned for the site.
9 pm-ish * free
SUNDAY
All Irish, all day, at the O’Neill Public House: from 2 pm – 5 pm, it’s a Irish slow jam; from 7 pm – 9 pm Mrs. Doyle 7 the Teapots perform; and from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm, there’s a traditional Irish jam.
The O’Neill Public House, 6000 NE Glisan St * free
Are you here for Fremont Fest photos? If so, welcome!
I enlisted my friend Erik Hadland to gather media at the Lents Founders Fair Sunday, and since he was going to Fremont Fest anyway, he took a bunch of amazing photos and video.
Let me tell you a little bit about Village Portland:
People care a lot about their neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. Everybody has a smartphone in their pocket. The internet is available to reach to the entire world for free with just a few clicks. Small businesses really want to reach their neighbors and support local news and information.
The intersection of all these ideas is Village Portland.
Enjoy the photos and video (Fremontaineers? Fremonters? Freemontairians?) and take a look at at some of the stories we’re telling in East Portland, specifically in Montavilla. Village Portland Lents is newer, but definitely an exciting part of the plan.
That farmers market, that street fair… the new apartment building, new cafe, that bar with a rockin’ band… they may not appeal to the whole city, but it matters to your neighborhood. We’re working on telling these stories, and am looking forward to expanding into new neighborhoods.
Thanks and respect to all the neighborinos who made Fremont Fest happen! It definitely takes a village…
Sponsored by the Montavilla East Glisan Business Association, it’s the second of three summer First Friday events on East Glisan and Stark Streets. For participating businesses, explore the streets or check here.
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Movies in the park, with Disney’s “Moana” and the excellent Speaker Minds (Hip-hop, funk). It’s all sponsored by the City of Portland, Centennial Community Association, Rosewood Initiative, and the East Portland Rovers.
Village Square Parking Lot, SE 162nd and Stark St * free
SATURDAY
The Portland Pickles take on the Medford Rogues all weekend! Buy tickets here.
Walker Stadium, Lents Park, SE 92nd Ave & Holgate Blvd * Fri & Sat @ 7:05 pm; Sun @ 5:50 pm * $7 – $9
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“As we experience an eclipse first-hand this summer, explore how humans have interpreted eclipses from our beginnings on the African savannas to modern times. We will examine some of the great myths and superstitions about eclipses immortalized in our earliest art and writings and then delve into the lives of the great scientists who helped humanity realize the actual science behind solar and lunar eclipses.”
This looks great… Oregon Walkways: Lents Founders Fair (FB invitation). To volunteer go here. There’ll be a ring of activities focused on the SW corner of Lents Park. For a map of the event and more information, visit Oregon Walkways website.
“Join us for the second annual Oregon Walkways, an open-streets event that celebrates our communities and encourages walking. This year, we’re partnering with Lents Neighborhood Association and Green Lents to bringing the event to the historic Lents neighborhood, with 1.5 miles of free, family-friendly fun featuring craft and food vendors, live music and dancing, community booths, games, the Belmont Goats, and even a chicken beauty contest! Come explore Lents!”
Throughout Lents * 11 am – 4 pm * free
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Last Sunday, the Montavilla Street Fair was lovely. We went out and took some photos and video, if you missed the piece it’s here.
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The Montavilla Neighborhood Association board has changed the general meeting time to the first Sunday of the month. Several key members have resigned from the board, so now could be a good time to get involved.
Organizers said 13,000 attended the Montavilla Street Fair on Sunday, July 30, and it seemed like a great time was had by all.
The street fair had 140 vendors, up from 100 last year, and were able to increase the payment to the musicians too, said Stephen Rice, president of the Montavilla East Glisan Business Association, who organized the street fair.
My friend and I randomly met Rice and Lukas Strong, event organizer, after the street fair at Redwood (7915 SE Stark St) enjoying happy hour drinks and the air conditioning. We started talking after I asked Strong for a photo of his amazing turquoise Montavilla shirt. Strong said the event took 15 to 20 volunteers to put on, and Rice added that it needed a budget of $20,000.
My favorite thing about publishing on a website is the flexibility it gives me. Words, photos, video, audio, web links… I can choose the best mix to tell the story most effectively.
This kind of event is best told with visuals, and I hope we were able to capture some of the sweet scenes and relaxed atmosphere of the street fair. My friend Erik Hadland helped out with video and photography.
Here’s a few video clips from the festival, backed by music from the excellent Denny Bixby band. There were three stages and music all day. If you want to find one, the music schedule is here.
I saw a lot of interesting businesses and organizations, and what looked like several new ones including: Nature Commode, a composting portable toilet company; Cold as Ice Creamery (411 SE 81st Ave), an ice cream shop; and Vino Veritas (7835 SE Stark St), a neighborhood wine bar and bottle shop.
A lot of the business owners looked too busy to talk, but I was able to catch Dana Cofer, the owner of Vino Veritas, which I think is the newest business on SE Stark.
Small businesses have always excited me, and I enjoy learning about their owners and the story and values motivating all the hard work it takes to be successful. That’s one of the main goals of Village Portland: to help neighbors learn more about and support neighboring businesses and organization.
It was great meeting Dana and several other small business owners, and I look forward to helping share their stories.
We ended the evening at Montavilla Station (417 SE 80th Ave) for the Sunday blues jam with Bolt Upright… a neighborhood tradition that’s been happening weekly for over five years.
Movies in the Park with “Zootopia”. Echoes of Yasgurs (classic rock) begins the evening. The City of Portland’s full list of movies and concerts is here.
Knott Park, SE 117th and Knott * entertainment @ 5 pm, movie @ dusk * free
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In a recent Facebook post from the Division Midway Alliance, both Whelan’s Irish Pub (11709 SE Division St) and Duke’s Bar and Grill (146 SE Division St) were suggested as great spots to hear Irish and country live music. I get out a lot, but apparently I need to get out even more…
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SATURDAY
I’ve been out of town for the part two weeks seeing family and exploring the South. Saturday’s Montavilla town hall on homelessness has been postponed.
In a letter from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, Paul Leistner, ONI Neighborhood Program Coordinator, said that the town hall must conform with public meeting laws which generally requires open attendance for the press and public.
Including vendors, local resources and homeownership opportunities, and youth activities include blow up basketball, water slide arts and crafts. Free and open to the public.
Live music from: Erotic City Prince Tribute Band, Fito Roberts featuring Canacul, 2 for 30, and Ice Cold Blue. I couldn’t find anything about the other bands, but Erotic City is amazing. The lead singer used to have a vintage shop up on Alberta Street full of velvety, fuzzy, and of course purple, Prince-like clothes.
Lents Park 92nd & SE Holgate * noon – 6 pm
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SUNDAY
Sunday is the Montavilla Street Fair. There’ll be three stages, and vendors will line SE Stark from 76th to 82nd. Click here for the music schedule; here to volunteer. Click here for photos from last year.
This event is sponsored by the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association and dozens of local businesses. The Montavilla Flea Market is happening Sunday as well.
Montavilla Street Fair, Stark from 76th – 82nd * 11 am – 5 pm
Montavilla Flea Market, 408 SE 9th Ave, 11 am – 4 pm
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More movies in the park! “Sing” (trailer) is playing at Earl Boyles Park, with entertainment from Echoes of Yasgurs (classic rock). The movie is in English with Spanish subtitles.
Earl Boyles Park, SE 112th and Boise St * entertainment @ 5 pm, movie @ dusk * free
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粵語故事时间 / Chinese (Cantonese) Storytimeat Holgate Library, “Storytime presented in Cantonese for children ages 0-6 years with adult.”
Live music at O’neill Pub: “The Smut City Jellyroll Society is a wild and crazy bunch of fun loving musicians playing blues and early jazz from the 1920’s and 1930’s.”
The O’Neill Public House, 6000 NE Glisan St * 9:30 pm – 1 am * free
SATURDAY
9th Annual Portland Slavic Festival is this weekend! The event’s website is here. Here’s the list of what’s happening:
“Gala Concert; workshops and educational seminars; soccer championships; unique light / musical performances; evening entertainment; local services and vendors; grand prize – New Car; playground for children; delicious food all day; clowns; lottery and prizes; fun for children and adults of all ages.”
Ventura Park, SE 115th Ave & SE Stark St * Sat & Sun, 8 am – 9 pm * free
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2017 Summer Community Care Festival at Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (FB event) :
“Multi-cultural children’s activities, arts and entertainment will share the Sokhom Tauch Community Center … with community resource tables, social services and ways to be involved in the larger community.”
“The Portland Zine Symposium is an organization that hosts, among other events, a yearly free conference and zine social exploring facets of independent publishing and DIY culture. This event has been held in Portland, Oregon every summer since 2001 and hosts over 150 tablers from around the world each year, as well as many free workshops, panels, and discussions.”
APANO JAMS, 8114 SE Division St * Sat & Sun, noon – 6 pm * free
Training for volunteering with OPAL. This event was on the City of Portland’s website, so I have to assume they’re doing work that encourages safe interactions with public safety officers.
“Due to our strong stance against militarization of public space, many people have been reaching out to volunteer with OPAL. We maintain our belief that militarization of transit is a false solution. We require all new volunteers to participate in on boarding to make sure that they understand our goals and values.”
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon 3202 SE 82nd Ave., Suite B * 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
I don’t know what to think of this, but it came up on my Facebook feed last night, and it’s on the same topic of police encounters, so I’m sharing the video below. There’s tons of progress to be made regarding police accountability, but it’s a difficult job and it’s best to follow their instructions, know your rights, and deescalate, deescalate, deescalate.
Sometimes the best way to learn about your neighborhood is to just take a walk. Last weekend I learned that the former location of Duff’s Garage (RIP) has been reopened at Eastside Bar & Grill (FB page and show listing). They’re still booking bands, the owner said, with a little more variety than before.
I don’t know anything about the bands playing Friday, but I’m going to assume it’s not polka: Rotting Slab, Damage Overdose, Kinnefret (CA), BattleAxe Massacre. If that’s your kind of thing… enjoy!
Eastside Bar & Grill, 2530 NE 82nd * 9 pm – 2 am * ???
SATURDAY
It’s wrong to play favorites with all the awesome organizations working hard to make East Portland a better place to live, but the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, is doing consistently doing interesting interesting community-building work. They hosted the Portland City Council this week, and just announced MicCheck!, a cultural event series.
It all kicks off July 25th, with a film “American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs”. The trailer and more info is here.
“Many of you have seen the value of the Precipice Fund (provides critical support for artist-driven organizations, projects, initiatives, and publications that exist on the edge of new practice) grants program and what it can mean to the Portland, Astoria, and Eugene artists’ communities, especially at a time when artists and small, unincorporated artist-run spaces and collectives are facing unprecedented challenges in a rapidly gentrifying city.”
PICA info session, APANO JAMS, 8114 SE Division St * 1 pm – 2:30 pm
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What’s another excellent group working hard in East Portland? Green Lents. Their Garage Sale is Saturday. The sales are all over Lents, and the map is here.
“Join us for this daylong class on how to save seeds from the garden. Seed saving is a fascinating, useful and satisfying garden pastime — whether you are interested in saving money, preserving genetic diversity, connecting with the seasons, providing pollinator habitat, or supporting local community self-reliance.”
What to bring: lunch, notebook, hat, gloves, water, sun protection, questions and a camera (optional).
Menlo Park school garden, 12900 NE Glisan St * 10 am – 3 pm * pay what you will
SUNDAY
This should be interesting. The Annual Blessing of the Animals at The Grotto (a Catholic outdoor shrine and sanctuary). Here‘s a link to its history.
“People and pets of all faiths are welcome. (Pets must be properly restrained.) We give thanks for the joy, the beauty, the love, the fidelity, the encouragement and the comfort that our animal companions have given to us.”
8840 NE Skidmore St * 2 pm – 3 pm
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Academy Theater’s summer series features The Goonies all weekend!
7818 SE Stark St * 11:40 am, 4:15 pm, 9:35 pm * $4 for adults, $3 for youth and senior citizens
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