Community Livability Grant funds available in Interstate URA

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) will have funds available in fiscal year 2011-12 for community livability projects in the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area (ICURA). PDC’s Community Livability Grant Program began in the Interstate Corridor URA in 2006 and expanded to the Lents Town Center URA in 2010. The program has awarded nearly $2 million to more than three dozen projects that improve livability for residents and enhance the unique nature of the Interstate Corridor and Lents Town Center neighborhoods.

For the Interstate Corridor URA Map, click here.

Up to $300,000 in Community Livability grants will be awarded in the coming fiscal year in each of the two urban renewal areas. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business associations and neighborhood groups.
Individuals or groups interested in submitting an application are strongly encouraged to learn more about project eligibility, completing the application, and the evaluation and selection process by attending an information workshop. For ICURA: Thursday, April 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Legacy Emanuel Hospital, 2801 N. Gantenbien, Room 1075 in the East Wing.

The grants support a wide variety of community benefits: historic preservation, open spaces and gardens, community and cultural centers, social services, jobs training, and the growth of local businesses. The work is not always visible, but investment supports each organization’s ability to benefit the community.

Grant applications are due to PDC by Monday, May 10 at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed by Community Livability Committees for each urban renewal area, which will make recommendations back to PDC. Decisions will be announced by Thursday, June 30, and projects can begin as soon as the grantees have formalized a Letter of Agreement with PDC.
Since 2006, PDC has awarded approximately $1.8 million in Community Livability Grants, ranging from $5,000 to more than $100,000. Projects receiving awards have included:

• Green/energy efficient upgrades to a historic building
• Preservation of historic assets: Kenton’s Paul Bunyan statue; Historic Columbian Cemetery
• Improvements to small community open space and community fruit garden
• Added outdoor performance space
• Exterior improvements to a music center
• A wheelchair ramp for a community medical center
• New shade trees and benches at Humboldt School
• Heating, electrical upgrade, and doors for a new art center in Kenton
• Exterior building improvements for a community center in Boise
• A new furnace and energy efficient improvements for a child care center
• Historic building improvements, including acoustic upgrades, new solar power and sustainable storm water runoff

Details about the grant program, highlights of two recent projects and a downloadable application are available at: www.pdc.us/clg, or contact Susan Kuhn at kuhns@pdc.us; 503-823-3406 (Interstate Corridor URA).

Art on Alberta to Cease Art Hop

photo by Heather Zinger

From Art on Alberta:

In June of 2010, Art on Alberta decided to undergo an organizational transition. We were invited by the Regional Arts and Culture Council to take part in their Cultural Leadership Program, which gave us the opportunity to work directly with professional nonprofit arts consultant George Thorn over the course of the next two years. Thorn has decades of experience as a consultant to nonprofit arts organizations around the United States, and we felt the chance to be able to redefine ourselves after ten years of serving the Alberta Arts District was an offer we couldn’t refuse. We’ve been working closely with Thorn to redefine our role within the community with the intent to remain true to our original mission of bringing exceptional arts and educational programming to Northeast Alberta Street.

Our strategic work thus far has led us to redefine our main focus for 2011. This focus includes restoring a 1960s teardrop trailer into a mobile art gallery to host rotating, monthly shows that can travel around the street, neighborhood, and city to promote Northeast Alberta Street’s arts identity. Watch for its presence this spring!
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At Curious Comedy This Week . . .

From Curious Comedy Productions:

What a busy week we have ahead of us! Here’s what we’ve got going on:

Wednesday
Mr. Ben’s weekly kids show. Relax and enjoy a beer while Mr. Ben entertains your kids. Doors 3:30, Show 4:00. Suggested donation of $3 per person or $10 per family.

Thursday
Open Court offers you the chance to join the Curious Comedy Playas onstage for a long form improv set, or just come watch. Either way, it’s only $5. Doors 7:30, Show 8:00
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This Week at Curious Comedy

From Curious Comedy Productions:

Hello Curious Comedy Community! We have been busy busy busy here at Curious Comedy and here’s what we have to share with you this weekend:

Wednesday
Mr. Ben comes to Curious to play music for your kids. Come sit back and enjoy a beer while your kids get to sing and dance the afternoon away. Doors 3:30, Show at 4:00. $6 per adult, $3 per child.
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SCRAP Re:Boutique Grand Opening

Come to the grand opening of SCRAP’s Re:Boutique, a consignment boutique featuring the amazing work of local reuse artisans!

Sunday, February 27 • 10:00am – 6:00pm
SCRAP
2915 NE MLK Blvd
Portland, OR

Come celebrate the creativity and innovation of some of Portland’s most talented reuse artists. All items in the Re:Boutique are made from at least 75% reused or reclaimed materials. During the grand opening, drop by our free craft corner – we’ll provide the supplies! There will be epic tower building, turntable art, and pennant flag making. Plus get 25% off SCRAP materials when you purchase something from the Re:Boutique.

Featuring Thai Mama Eggrolls food cart outside in the parking lot. Yum!

www.scrapaction.org