Tadpole Tales for Tykes

57_20130115_102725Children aged 3-5 with their parents are invited to a short story and guided nature walk. Watch birds fly overhead, search for hidden animal homes, and learn about local trees and flowers. Topics will vary each week at each location. Topics include: pond life, birds, dirt and worms, and mammals. Routes are accessible to strollers. Families are welcome to bring a snack. Advanced registration required by emailing intern@columbiaslough.org or calling 503-281-1132

Appropriate for what ages? 3-5
Day/Date: Wednesdays, March-May

Time: 10 -11 AM

Cost: $3 admission/donation per child, no charge for adults.

Location/Address: Locations change each month…
• March: Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, 7040 NE 47th Ave, Portland
• April: Columbia Children’s Arboretum, 300 NE Meadow Ln., Portland 97211
• May: Columbia Slough Water Quality Facility, 19595 NE Sandy, Portland

Phone Number (for general public for more information): 503 281-1132

Web site: http://www.columbiaslough.org/calendar_detail.aspx?calendar_id=231

Conduct a Tree Inventory in your Community in 2013

treinvApplications are due January 15!

Walking around your neighborhood, do you see areas available for tree planting, street trees in need of maintenance, and neighbors who are concerned but don’t know where to begin? Urban Forestry is helping Portlanders take action to improve their community’s street trees by conducting tree inventories and creating neighborhood tree plans.

Communities begin by forming tree teams and gathering volunteers to conduct a street tree inventory. Volunteers are guided by Urban Forestry staff, who provide training and tools. Together, information is collected on tree species, size, health, site conditions, and available planting spaces. Data is analyzed and findings are presented to neighborhood stakeholders. Achievable strategies are set by the collective body to improve existing trees, identify opportunities for an expanding tree canopy, and connect the neighborhood with city and non-profit resources. The result is a Neighborhood Tree Plan. The plan identifies the current status and health of neighborhood street trees and provides recommendations for neighborhood action.
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Emerson Street Garden Harvest Celebration

Saturday, October 20th, 1-3pm
Emerson Street Garden, 822 NE Emerson

Join your neighbors in celebrating nature’s bounty at this fun, family-friendly event. Learn about sustainable gardening, neighborhood history, and the inspiring story of the Emerson Street Garden. There will be a potluck, planting party, and pumpkin decorating for the kids!

At Emerson Street Garden we’re sowing seeds and growing community.

Contact Rob Rouse at 970-497-9053 for more information.

Alberta Main Street News

From Alberta Main Street:

Alberta Main Street Demonstrates Results

We are pleased to report some of the accomplishments we’ve achieved working together with our businesses, commercial property owners, community partners and local residents over the past fiscal year. We have many reasons to celebrate but still have more work to do. As we launch our annual fundraising campaign, we hope you will support our efforts!
July 2011 – June 2012 Accomplishment Highlights
-New Jobs: Net increase of 75.5 new jobs created on NE Alberta Street.
-New Business: Net increase of 8 new businesses between NE 10th – 31st Ave.
-Increased Revenue: 80% of Alberta Street businesses with comparison data reported increased revenue from 2010 to 2011.
-Low Vacancy Rate: Alberta Street’s commercial vacancy rate is 4.6%, well below the Portland regional average of 7%.
-Community Investment: Volunteers contributed over 2400 hours of their time and talent. Based on the Independent Sector’s value of volunteer time this equates to a cash equivalent investment of $53,832.

Read more…

Alberta Main Street provides the organizational infrastructure to lead Alberta Street. As an independent non-profit organization, the majority of our funding is generated from contributions from people like you; people with a stake in developing and maintaining a healthy and vibrant Alberta Street.
Please help us start this year strong and invest in Alberta Main Street. Your contribution to Alberta Main Street is tax deductible and we thank you in advance for your support!
Support Alberta Main Street Today!


Trick or Treat Alberta Street!
Come trick or treat with us this Halloween from 3 – 6PM on Halloween. Look for the “Trick or Treat Here” sign in the window at participating Alberta Street businesses.
The first 100 kids to visit Umpqua Bank Alberta will receive a reusable trick or treat bag. More info….

Friends of Last Thursday to make changes to event

Changes in store for Last Thursday next year as recently released by FOLT:

New For Next Year:

Friends of Last Thursday has been working diligently to pay for the costs of the event and to minimize the impacts of 20,000 visitors to our district. We have come to realize that the only way to keep the event sustainable is to implement changes for nest year.

WHAT CHANGES?

ALL VENDORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN UP TO VEND.
While it will remain FREE for all artists, crafters, creatives, musicians and performers, all other vendors will be charged a fee. This includes food vendors carrying a temporary or restaurant food license. This will give accountability to all vendors and repeat offenders will not be allowed to vend at Last Thursday.

LAST THURSDAY WILL END EARLIER.
One big problem is underage drinkers and the after hour violence from youth gangs.

before next season starts visit: http://www.lastthursdayonalberta.com for more info.