The ABCs of Land Use issues in Portland: a workshop, 1/28.

Are you interested in learning more about Portland’s land use and development process?

Neighborhood associations and leaders often are asked to respond to land use notices or to help neighbors who are struggling with a land use issue. Many neighborhoods have a land use chair or other volunteer who is the point person for responding to these requests.

It can really help to learn more about how the land use system works and how to advocate for the community’s interests most effectively. Also, it’s often comforting and helpful to share experiences with other neighborhood activists facing the same challenges.

The ABCs of Land Use workshops were designed to meet this need. The neighborhood coalitions, the Planning Bureau, and ONI have teamed up to host ABCs of Land Use workshop in different parts of the city a few times each year.

The next ABCs workshop is being hosted by Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition on Sat. January 28, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southeast Uplift office.

Learn the basics of how the City of Portland’s land use and development review processes work. Get hands-on experience with a land use review case study, including review of a development proposal and site plan, identification of relevant issues, and effective ways to respond to the approval criteria.

You can register for the workshop on line at: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?&c=57317

 

Invasive species removal at King school grounds continues Jan. 14th & 16th. Please join us!

We are having a second round on the invasive species removal at the King Facility Parking Lot, next Jan 16th, for MLK day. I talked with Americorps and they seem very interested in helping us in the project. Hopefully they will send some hands the 16th.

The Portland Farmers Market is also planing to bring a small crew on Saturday 14th, a tent and some snacks. So far, it is unlikely that we will have an excavator on this day.

I estimate that now we are around 20 volunteers, but some will come on the 14th and others the 16th. We would love to have 20 more folks helping us. Please join us!

We have a truck to do the trips to Metro on Saturday, but still none for Monday 16.

The land we’re clearing of invasive species, and prepping for later installation of native plant species, borders the King Facility parking lot, at 7th & NE Wygant.

We are also looking for someone to watch kids so we can provide day care for the volunteers.

Let me know if you can help.

Diego Gioseffi
808-779-3435

Portland Parks & Rec budget meeting next Monday eve.

Portland Parks & Recreation will soon submit their proposed budget for the next fiscal year.  As directed by Mayor Adams, their budget reflects cuts of up to $3 million.  This impacts important programs and services including: community centers, park garbage and restroom service, street trees, and SUN Community Schools.

Learn more about the recommendations at www.portlandparks.org and then join us:

WHAT: An opportunity to share your thoughts about the proposed budget with Commissioner Nick Fish and Director Mike Abbaté

WHEN: Monday, January 9th, 2012 6:30pm-8:30pm

WHERE: Multnomah County Boardroom @ 501 SE Hawthorne (at the corner of SE 6th Ave.)

Childcare and translation are available, please call Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong at 503-823-5113 by January 4th.

Forum to Identify Abilities Needed in Mayoral, City Council Candidates

[THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SENT OUT AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMUNITY GROUPS ORGANIZING THE EVENT.]

A broad coalition of community and neighborhood groups invites you to participate in a unique community forum on Thursday. Jan. 19, 2012, from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Church in SE Portland.  Participants will share their good and bad experiences working with Portland mayors and city council members.  Participants will use the information to create a list of the skills and abilities community members believe city elected officials need to serve the community effectively.  Community organizations and individual community members will be able to use this list of skills and abilities to help them evaluate mayoral and city council candidates.

See below for more information. 

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JOIN US FOR A UNIQUE COMMUNITY FORUM!!

Help identify the skills and abilities community members want in Portland’s mayoral and city council candidates

Portland voters deserve to know whether mayoral and city council candidates have the skills, temperament, and wisdom to serve our community effectively if we elect them.

Join other Portlanders for a unique community forum in which community members will share their experiences working with city council members and use this information to identify the skills and abilities we want and need in our elected city leaders.

A wide range of community and neighborhood organizations have joined together to sponsor this forum. The forum co-sponsors will use the input from the forum to develop a list of desired skills and sample questions community organizations and individual voters can use to help them evaluate mayoral and city council candidates.
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Art & Culture Night at Open Door Gallery!
Friday, December 30, 2011 – 5:30 – 10 pm

Open Door Gallery, 3802 NE MLK Jr. Blvd (between Fremont & Failing), Portland, Oregon
Portland’s very own Multi-nationalities singers, song writers, spoken words artists and traditional performers gather together for farewell 2011 party.

Rocking Open Door Gallery in the heart of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Celebrating Colored Pencils event 3 year… anniversary with local alumni performers and new talents. Celebrating Portland’s diverse cultures!

5.30 pm : Artists Reception

6.00 – 10.00 pm : Open Mic/spoken words/music jammin by old & new CP performers/DJ dancing

Traditional food vendors will be selling food & drinks through out the night.

Student/seniors/kids: Free, $10 suggested donation to support our project

www.coloredpencilsart.com
newportland@coloredpencilsart.com


SIKU KUUMBA/DAY OF CREATIVITY – A KWANZAA CELEBRATION

Saturday, December 31, 1:00pm until 5:00pm

OPEN LIVE STUDIO JAM AT THE OPEN DOOR GALLERYJoin us for a live open session FAMILY AFFAIR with artists at work doin’ what we do…

The afternoon will feature painters, jewelry makers, spoken word artists and more creating in the presence of all who attend. We will also feature a CREATION STATION so you can get your ART-ON if you feel the need.

The Gallery will be open…KINGS TREASURE MARKETPLACE will be up and the potluck will allow all KITCHEN ARTISTS to strut their stuff.

If you would like more information please call me at 503.422.3076…….MR. BOBBY