Support microenterprise development with a $3.50 lunch purchase

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From Hacienda CDC:

Farmers market patrons can feel good about supporting not only a local business, but a local economic development initiative by simply purchasing a lunch this summer. Beginning in May, Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC) will publicly launch the new Latino Food Vendor Incubator project, a social enterprise supporting micro-business development for low-income Latinos. Aspiring microentrepreneurs will gain practical experience and financial support through catering sales and at local farmers markets, while simultaneously receiving training in a classroom setting.

“My children inspire me to be successful despite a number of obstacles, so here I am fighting,” says Irma Orduña, a participant of the program. “My dream is to open my own restaurant called El Ranchito, and that seems within reach now.”
The Incubator project, popularly known as Micro Mercantes, has roots as an informal cooperative of Latino tamale vendors. However, a high demand for culturally specific training opportunities, as well as a large market for local food in Portland has led Hacienda CDC to restructure the program to serve more entrepreneurs. Participants will now follow a structured three-year curriculum and culminate in the soft-launch of their own business. This model opens the program up to a stream of participants instead of serving a static group.

The initial launch of the Latino Food Vendor Incubator project is supported by a three-year grant from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, with the vision of becoming a self-sustaining program by the conclusion of the grant. The first class includes four tamaleros, or tamale vendors, and one Colombian arepa vendor. Beginning Saturday, May 5, Inocencia and her brother José will serve tamales from a recipe out of Puebla. Find them in Hollywood Farmers Market (4420 Northeast Hancock Street, Portland, OR 97213). Beginning Sunday, May 6, Fernando and his wife Elizabeth will work the King Farmers Market (4815 Northeast 7th Ave) dishing out savory Colombian arepas. Beginning Saturday, June 2, find Paula at the St. Johns Farmers Market (N Lombard & N Philadelphia) serving a variety of tamales oaxaqueñas. Beginning Sunday, June 3, Graciela and her daughter-in-law Maria will be at the Montavilla Farmers Market (7600 Block SE Stark St.) serving another version of tamales from Puebla. Beginning Tuesday, June 5, find Irma and her daughter Lupe at the Oregon Health & Science University Farmers Market (700 SW Campus Dr) serving tamales. Do not miss her famous tomatillo salsa, another recipe from Puebla, Mexico.

Hacienda CDC develops affordable housing and builds thriving communities in support of working Latino families and others in Oregon by promoting healthy living and economic advancement. For more information, visit www.haciendacdc.org

Northeast Sunday Parkways Bike Ride, May 13th!

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2012 Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways, May 13th!

Celebrate Mother’s Day or just a delightful May Sunday by participating in the Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente on May 13th, 11 am – 4 pm.

Portland Sunday Parkways is about opening streets and connecting neighborhoods.  All people – walkers, runners, bicyclists, mobility device users, seniors, adults, and children – enjoy a day of healthy physical activities right here in Northeast Portland.  The May 13th event will show off the Going Street Neighborhood Greenway and Woodlawn, Alberta, and Fernhill Parks.  The route is eight miles of traffic-free streets with no start or end.

Dress comfy. The parks are programmed with activities for young and old.  Bring some cash. The Sunday Parkways Marketplaces adjacent to the parks have enticing food and beverages.  Merchandise vendors will offer a variety of goods, all easy to transport.  And community organizations offer information to keep us in the know.

Don’t forget there are four more Sunday Parkways: North, June 24th; Southwest, July 22nd; Southeast, August 26th; and East, September 30th.

Also, Sunday Parkways needs volunteers; is always interested in having local vendors and community groups participating; and is greatly appreciative of any donations.  (For every dollar the City invests in this year’s Sunday Parkways, it will leverage two dollars in community support from sponsors, grants, vendors and people like you to sustain this healthy active living program.)  To find out more about these opportunities, visit www.PortlandSundayParkways.org or call 503 823-7599.

Meeting agenda, for our May 9th KNA meeting.

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King Neighborhood Association General Meeting

King Neighborhood Facility, 4815 NE 7th Avenue

May 9, 2012 – 6:30 to 8:30 pm

KNA General meeting draft agenda.

6:30    Welcome and introductions; approval of minutes and agenda; announcements.

6:40     Update from the Portland Police Bureau.

6:55     Update from the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN).

7:00     Woody Broadnax: June 19th Green Voter Registration Drive at   MLK/Alberta, on July 21-22.

7:05     S.A.C.K. – disaster preparation on a neighborhood scale. Portland St. students.

7:15     King facility: Kate Keefe Sullivan, Flea; Trace Salmon – office space in the building.

7:30     Dr. Maila Davenport: King Boise World Tree Project.

7:40     Updates: 7-11; communications funds; Portland Playhouse & parking; Soil to Soul’s Backpack campaign; King clean-up, & publicizing it; Movie in the Park.

8:10     By-laws; NA structure.

 

  • May 19th: King Neighborhood Clean-up: bring your refuse to us at the N. Precinct parking lot!

Neighbors envisioning a local Black History Museum – meetings weekly, Saturday from 6-8 pm, Irvington Village, 420 NE Mason in the King room. More info, 503-288-2863 or 503-284-6017.

New liquor license applications: Africa Food Market, 4069 NE MLK; Carpacchio Trattoria, 3500 NE MLK; Brandini Pizza and Pasta, 3513 NE MLK; Cedo’s Café, 3901 NE MLK; Selam Market, which is moving across the street to 3636 NE MLK; Black Cat Café,

Find us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/kingneighborhood

Questions? Other events we should know about? tell us –

info@kingneighborhood.org, or 503-823-4575.

The King Neighborhood Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 in the King Neighborhood Facility at 4815 NE 7th Avenue, unless another location has been designated ahead of time. Our next meeting will be held on June 13, 2012.  You can subscribe to our electronic newsletter and check out our community calendar at www.kingneighborhood.org. You can send us an email at info@kingneighborhood.org. Find us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kingneighborhood.

 

Solarize Northeast Registration Ends May 15

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May 15th, 2012–Last Day to Register for Solarize Northeast!

Have you been thinking about putting solar on your home, but were not sure if solar was right for you? Sign up today, and receive a free solar site assessment. Northeast Coalition of Neighbors has partnered with Mr. Sun Solar, Umpqua Bank and Neil Kelly to offer area homeowners an easy and affordable pathway to solar as well as opportunities to improve their homes’ comfort with energy efficiency improvements. Tax credits and cash incentives, along with a variety of financing and ownership options, provide homeowners with an affordable pathway to energy independence.

Attend our final free workshop on Saturday, May 12th and learn how solar energy can work on your home. The workshop will cover the basics of going solar, explain tax credits and cash incentives, and review financing and lease options.

Final Solarize Workshop:
May 12th, 11am Umpqua Bank, 1745 NE Alberta Street

Register for Solarize Northeast today at Solarize.necolation.org or contact Gene Lee at Solarize@necoalition.org, 503-823-4113. Registration deadline is May 15th.