This weekend

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Under the radar of most people, there’s a lot of grassroots organizing happening in East Portland. Even the conflicts show that people care passionately about their neighborhoods and are committed to staying involved locally.

It’s interesting to see the variety of initiatives and events being organized by both neighbors, and the City, to help people take on the issues that matter to them. I do my best to help spread the word about cool organizing ideas happening in East Portland, and there are a few new ones:

Jennifer Young, a neighborhood organizer in Lents is hosting a fund raiser Saturday for several neighborhood projects (see below). I’m also curious to see how the new livability pilot program initiated by Portland Police’s East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team develops.

FRIDAY

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Live music at The Blue Room Bar at  Cartlandia with Steve Hale.

8145 SE 82nd Ave * 8 pm – 11 pm – free

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SATURDAY

Fund raiser for Lents community projects (FB invitation):

“Please join us on Facebook Live-under my [Jennifer Young] profile— or what will be a fun filled telethon. We are raising money for a community garden project which will create a safe space for low-income families. We are also working on a community intersection mural project in Lents.

We will have an auction! We will take live on air pledges calls! We will have special guests! I will keep you posted about auction items and a link you can access to pledge/donate to these fantastic projects.

Please tell your friends! We would love to talk to you live or have you stop by to say hello. Share this widely. Let us entertain you for three hours!”

Jennifer Young’s FB page * noon – 3 pm

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It’s the last weekend of the Winter Farmers at Portland Mercado:

“Support Local Growers, Artisans and Entrepreneurs in our Indoor/Outdoor Farmers Market. Kids Activities, Live Music [by traditional Cuban band Ache Son], Food Demonstrations, Chef @ the Market Cooking & Education Program.”

Portland Mercado, 7238 SE Foster Rd * 10 am – 2 pm 

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Sacred Lattice Collective presents a seed swap and medicinal plant start sale:

“Bring your seeds to exchange and prepare for your medicinal plant garden! This event is free and open to everyone.”

Milepost 5, 8155 NE Oregon St * 11 am – 2 pm 

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SUNDAY

“The Post”, “The Last Jedi”, and seven other second-run movies are showing this weekend at Academy Theater.

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

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This weekend

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There was a Montavilla Neighborhood Association meeting this week. Many ways to get involved were discussed, including a neighborhood history project. For the meeting summary and video, go here.

FRIDAY

“This will be a fun evening of LIVE STAGE PERFORMANCES about what it means to be a refugee, immigrant, and Muslim in Portland. There will also be performances of different cultural music and dances. We hope that you will join in, but you are welcome to watch and mingle.

We welcome all Portlanders, of all ages, especially refugee and immigrant families. We will have food carts on site serving throughout the evening. We invite you to have dinner here in the outdoor courtyard. This is not a fundraiser. There is no admission price.”

“Portland Parks & Recreation, via the Parks for New Portlanders program, also hosts events such as the Portland World Cup Soccer Tournament, and New Portlanders Cultural Celebration and Family Day. These events are often many newcomers’ first experiences with their City government, and helps people new to Portland access Portland Parks & Recreation offerings and other City services.”
East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave * 6 pm – 9 pm 
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Live music with MINT…
Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people on stage, people playing musical instruments and guitar
The Blue Room Bar at Cartlandia, 8145 SE 82nd Ave * 8 pm – 11 pm 
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SATURDAY

Story time for children from birth to three-years-old and their guardian: black story time ( noon – 12:30 pm) and Chinese (Cantonese) story time (2 pm – 2:45 pm).
Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave
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Parkrose Sandy Blvd litter clean-up:
“Spring is nearly here! Let’s keep up the garbage clean ups we started last year and add some seeds to the bulbs we planted last fall. This cleanup will cover Sandy Boulevard between 99th and 121st Place.

Flower seeds will be handed out for planting in the planter strips between the sidewalk and the curb. We will also want to toss seeds in the vacant area between 121st and 122nd just south of Sandy and at Senn’s Dairy. If you have seeds or popsicle sticks to donate, please comment and we’ll be in touch.

City of Portland’s Graffiti Abatement Team will be joining us for this clean up as well, if you see any graffiti please comment here so that we can compile a list for them.

We will meet at Parkrose Hardware to begin our clean up. Parkrose Hardware has kindly offered their dumpsters to us so this is where we will likely end to get rid of the garbage collected :)”

Parkrose Hardware, 10625 NE Sandy Blvd * 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm 

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“The Portland Happiness Center invites you to the 1st MINI HAPPY FEST, to celebrate International Happiness Day! (Tickets)

The word Happiness has taken the world by storm…but what about our world – our beloved Portland. Join us to celebrate a happier life, where we can live in a place where people respect each other, support diversity, and have a beautiful and supportive community. Inspiring Talks and Performances from:

+Rodrigo Baena, Founder of the Portland Happiness Center

+Logan Sullivan, Humanitarian, Advocate, and IMPACTivist

+Lewis Child, Singer, Song-writer, Educator

+Katherine Calvert, LCSW, MSW, Teacher

+Stefano Laboni, Actor, Comedian, Laughter Therapist

+and many more!”

Tabor Space Sanctuary, 5441 SE Belmont St * 3 pm – 5 pm * * $20 donation recommended

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“Every Saint Patrick’s Day we have a blowout party all day (FB invitation), hosting music and dancing from noon to 1:30am!

SCHEDULE:
noon Elizabob
1:30 Sprygg
3:00 Kinvara
4:30 Humours of Circumstance
6:00 Stomptowners
7:30 Sky in the Road
9:30 Bilgerats & Pyrettes
11:30-1:30am Charlie Mopps”

The O’Neill Public House, 6000 NE Glisan St * $10 * all ages until 9 pm 

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SUNDAY

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“This month, our Third Saturday guided tour is a bird walk with Brad Vrilakas. He’ll help you locate and identify birds using sight, calls, song and habitat.”

“Bring binoculars if you have them! Meet in front of the Gift Shop, next to the Manor House. First come, first served, limit 15.”

Leech Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122nd Ave * 11 am – noon * free

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This weekend

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If you missed it, there was a Portland City Council candidates forum at Bipartisan Cafe in Montavilla. You can watch the forum here.

There’s a Montavilla Neighborhood Association membership and board meeting on Monday, March 12th.

According to the agenda, the board will discuss potentially supporting: a grant for LGBTQ defense organizing; a spring cleanup; a proposal for a Montavilla Oral History Project; and a budget for a Montavilla Homeless Forum. The agenda is here.

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

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MNA board members and a group of neighbors concerned about the honesty of last fall’s MNA election are scheduling an appointment to see neighborhood association records, one of the concerned neighbors said. This agreement was made and approved by a judge to settle those concerns about the election.

For more background and a statement from one of the board members, see the most recent This Weekend post. I offered an opportunity for the concerned neighbors to make a statement about the issue, and Evelyn Macpherson, one of the concerned neighbors, responded here.

FRIDAY

“The David Douglas High School is proud to present this hilarious farce comedy! When the locals in a small Russian hamlet learn that an undercover government inspector is coming for a surprise visit, an unfortunate case of mistaken identity sends the whole village spiraling into a world of panic and greed. Witty, smart and wildly satirical, this timely and spirited adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic play exposes the corruption of a provincial town with biting hilarity.”

Buy tickets online and find times for Sat & Sun here.

Howard F. Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave * 7:30 pm * $8 students & seniors * $10 adults
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SATURDAY

Learn how to engage government agencies at this neighborhood training program:

“The Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Program is working with the Portland Police Bureau in educating the community on community engagement with the City of Portland. The Crime Prevention Program’s crime prevention coordinators will be attending and speaking about services and training available to the community to organize and support community partnerships in preventing crime and the fear of crime.”

Limited seating is available. Please RSVP to: cassondra.rosales@portlandoregon.gov

737 SE 106th Ave * 10 am – noon

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Build a City That Sparks

“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.”

Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd * 2 pm – 5 pm * free 

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“Shinrin-Yoku… combines leisurely walks on gentle paths under forest canopy with guided activities and meditations.”

“Developed in Japan in the early 1980s as an antidote to the stress of modern life, on-going scientific research shows that ‘Forest Bathing’: boosts immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells; reduces blood pressure; reduces stress; improves mood; increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD… “

Leach Botanical Garden,  6704 SE 122nd Ave * 11 am * free

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SUNDAY

Winter Farmers Mercado, every Saturday until March 24 at Portland Mercado:

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

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Mrs. Doyle & the Teapots: “Piping hot Irish traditional music served the old fashioned way with a twist of native wit! Andrea Wild from The Stomptowners will be joined by Teresa Baker on keys & Preston Howard on his mighty pipes.” 
The O’Neill Public House, 6000 NE Glisan St * 7 pm – 9 pm * free 

One concerned neighbor responds to the MNA election controversy agreement

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editor’s note: I reached out to the neighbors concerned about the honesty of the MNA election, in light of the recent deal reached. (For background on the issue, see the most recent Last Weekend post.) Evelyn Macpherson shared her thoughts below:

I am concerned about making a statement. I take issue with many of the points within Amanda’s [Rhodes, Montavilla Neighborhood Association vice chair] letter on behalf of the MNA and its members of which I am one.

I was involved in a large effort on behalf of MNA members to right some wrongs within the organization and I have received nothing but grief from the board for my concerns. The concerns of nearly 200 others who weighed in on the grievance seem to be of no consequence to the current board members.

Many neighbors were concerned for their own involvement in our grievance. They asked to not have their name signed for the purpose of remaining anonymous and possibly saving themselves from personal scrutiny by what appeared to be a hostile group of board members. But we managed, still, to find 59 people who were willing to sign it. The effort has not been treated with due diligence.

I am grateful to Ben [Kerensa] for attempting to reach a civil arrangement. All any of us wanted was to make sure our NA was in order and following procedure whilst making every effort to include all voices of our neighborhood. I believe we can move past this, but not without some sadness for what could have been. I hope to see the MNA board do positive things for our neighborhood and when they do I will support them.

In the meantime, I have not felt welcomed or valued in my efforts to serve through the MNA and I will be seeking other outlets for my gifts and talents to be spent. This outcome of Ben’s lawsuit is not fair or right, but it is civil and it reflects my and other’s intent to build bridges.

I want avoid more conflict even when consequences of loss and dismantlement of the MNA would be just and right. They have not proven to serve our community as a whole. They have refused the rights of members based on their own emotional responses. Even worse, they have carelessly slandered well meaning individuals and groups of neighbors. With that, do be looking for some connection opportunities as they roll out. I, for one, am thrilled for the upcoming year. Some truly rewarding and life-giving things are coming down the pipe.

 

This weekend

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It seems an agreement has been reached over the lawsuit about the October 2017 Montavilla Neighborhood Association election. A group of neighbors feared the ballot box was stuffed, and wanted to see the election records and member roles to prove that it wasn’t, but board members were reluctant to release them based on privacy concerns.

The deal stipulates the group of neighbors will be able to only see the MNA records, but Ben Kerensa said he and the concerned neighbors he’s spoken with are still suspicious. Other concerned neighbors want the MNA to follow the law requiring that the MNA member list be available to all members.

The deal was approved by the MNA at an emergency board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 28th, but a judge still needs to sign off on it.

Amanda Rhoads, MNA vice chair, gave me a statement Thirsday night, March 1st, detailing her thoughts on the situation. Late Thursday night, I also reached out to the concerned neighbors (through Kerensa) to offer their own detailed reply, and I hope they take the opportunity to respond.

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On to the East Portland happenings this weekend:

FRIDAY

Since I live here, I’m more clued in to all the goings on over here at Milepost 5. I scour the web looking for groups and venues putting on cool art and culture events in East Portland, but am always open to suggestions and tips!

“You are invited to the opening of Jamondria Harris’ & Stephanie Adams-Santos’ shows at the Denizen Gallery.  Jamondria Harris’ March exhibition, ‘priest/ess’, explores the construction of the sacred consciousness of a child of the Maafa centering african-diasporic spiritual traditions. priest/ess opens with a ritual & a reading & will have additional curated events.”

“Both exhibitions explore the construction of non-binary & syncretic holy spaces as a crucial technique of anti-kyriarchal spiritual praxis for queer people of color. In April, Stephanie Adams-Santos’ exhibition, “La Selva”, explores themes of spiritual pathfinding and entanglement.”

Denizen Gallery, 850 NE 81st Ave * 6 pm – 9 pm, ritual @ 7:30 pm * free

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Along with making Willamette Week’s top ten IPAs this week with their East Glisan Mosaic, Montavilla Brew Works is debuting a new sour today:

“You asked for it, so we brewed a sour! This kettle sour ale is brewed with German Pilsner malt and hops, inoculated with Nancy’s yogurt and finished with 42# of Red Raspberry puree in the fermenter. Aromas of honey and soft fruit. Tartness reminiscent of “Original Spree Candy”. Get Sour!”

Montavilla Brew Works, 7805 SE Stark St * 3 pm – 10 pm 

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SATURDAY

Newell Briggs

Folk Songs & Stories from the Rural South:

“Newel Briggs sings old slave songs accompanied by his guitar, mandolin and banjo. Raised by his grandparents, the first people in his family to be born free, Newel’s grandma sang songs such as “Loop de Loo,” “Miss Mary Mac,” “Ham Bone” and “Shortnin’ Bread.” Learn about the history behind the songs and the evolution of African American music through his stories.”

Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * noon – 1 pm

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“Join us to help clean up 82nd Ave starting on the I-84 bridge and heading south. Litter grabbers, gloves, safety vests and bags provided.” 

Eastern Cathay, 1411 NE 82nd Ave * 10 am – noon

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“Free yard signs promote 20 mph speed limits! The City is providing FREE “20 is plenty” yard signs and bumper stickers to raise awareness about Portland’s new 20 mph residential speed limit.”

 Parking lot of Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave * noon – 4 pm  

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“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.”

“Sleeping Beauty” is this month’s production. Buy tickets online here.

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

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SUNDAY

Winter Farmers Mercado, every Saturday until March 24 at Portland Mercado:

“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 

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Enjoy your weekend.

This weekend

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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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

This weekend

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If you missed it, on Tuesday the Lents Neighborhood Association hosted a livability town hall.

A wide range of issues were addressed, and Danielle Outlaw, Portland’s new police chief, gave a impromptu speech.

We livestreamed the event, and the video is here:

FRIDAY

White Noise Project 9 – Remembering Quanice Hayes:
“This month the Whitenoise Project is excited to partner with Don’t Shoot Portland, APANO and Artists Milepost for a special reading, our first of 2018.

On Friday Feb. 16th we will be remembering Quanice Hayes, taken from his family and the community too soon last Feb. 9th, and raising money for his family and the family’s legal fund.”
“The Whitenoise project is a reading and discussion series aiming to center voices from under-repesented communities (PoC, Queer, Femme, WoC, and people with disabilities).”

With: Teresa Raiford, Glenn Waco, Jamila Osman, Kalimah Abioto, Tanya Dickerson.

If you cannot attend, you can still donate here.

Milepost 5 Theater, 8155 NE 81st Ave * 7 pm – 9 pm * $5-20 suggested donation
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SATURDAY

Pageturners

“Engage in stimulating conversation about books, exchange perspectives about characters and plot, and get to know your neighbors.”

“‘Read Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream’ by Joshua Davis. This story of four Latino teens who win a prestigious national robotics competition is both inspirational and sobering.”

Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd * 10:30 am – noon * free

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“Why There Are Words PDX is coming to Leach Botanical Garden! This award winning literary series, originally founded in the Bay Area in 2010, is now bringing the voices of new and established authors to Portland. Please join us for “Evolve,” our inaugural event, with readings from six acclaimed authors: David Beispiel, Elyse Fenton, Jacqueline Keeler, Margaret Malone, Sara Quinn Rivara and Wendy Willis.”

Light refreshments will be served.

Leach Garden Manor House, 6704 SE 122nd Ave * 4 pm – 6 pm * suggested $10 donation 

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“Open Mics at Arte Soleil are your time to showcase your talents to the community. Music, spoken word, comedy… are all welcome! Sign up at 6:30 pm with entertainment starting at 7 pm. Open art studio is also available, along with coffee, tea and light snacks for purchase.”

“In order to help keep the lights on 🙂 , we ask for your support, however that may look for you. Small donation, purchase of a beverage or shopping in our creative arts gift shop. All ages welcome.”

Arte Soleil Gallery,  5530 SE 122nd Ave * 6:30 pm – 10 pm 

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SUNDAY

Winter Farmers Mercado, every Saturday until March 24 at Portland Mercado:

“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

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World at Our Door: Music from Portland's Immigrant Communities

World at Our Door: Music from Portland’s Immigrant Communities:

“Embrace the beautiful sounds that are finding their way to Multnomah County through a vibrant immigrant community. We’ll introduce you to new and emerging musicians: Iraqi Ronny Hermiz, Somali Dino Mumun and Bhutanese Santi Rai. Come prepared to boogie!”

Midland Library,  805 SE 122nd Ave * 2 pm – 4 pm * free 

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Enjoy your weekend!