U of P Reading Fair April 3rd

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The University of Portland’s 17th annual Reading Fair is set for Sunday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Chiles Center on campus, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. The event is free and open to the public, and hosted by Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society.

Every student will receive a free, new book of their choice for attending.

The fair’s theme, “Reading Around the World,” is designed to be a multicultural approach to literacy that will engage students from pre-kindergarten to middle school. Events throughout the day include arts, crafts and games that focus on reading as well as an obstacle course and storytelling performances.

Funding for the event is provided by Associated Students of the University of Portland (ASUP), the University Bookstore, and Bon Appétit Management Co. For more information, please contact the School of Education at 503-943-7135 student organizers Kati McConn at mcconn12@up.edu and Sarah Moran at moran12@up.edu, or professor Hillary Merk at merk@up.edu.

City Holds Alberta Bar Summit to Address Issues

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In an attempt to find solutions to conflicts between bar patrons and neighborhood livability on Alberta and city wide, the mayor’s office is holding a series of bar summits between bar owners, police, OLCC, and other city officials to find solutions to persistent problems.

The summit concerning Alberta Street was held on March 16th at St. Andrew. Numerous alcohol-related concerns were the focus of a letter from KNA to the Mayor and City Council regarding Last Thursday.

According to Oregon Liquor Control Commission Regulatory Services Director Linda Ignowski, there are 53 liquor licenses from 9th to 39th and Alberta Street, which includes both 46 on and seven off premise licenses.

Read the press release and leave a comment here.

As we learn more about the outcome of this process, we will keep you updated.

Vision Zero action plan to target neighborhood danger spots.

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From Vision Zero:

The Stakeholder Advisory Committee (StAC) for Vision Zero Oregon’s King/Humboldt/Boise’s Roadway Safety Action Plan will begin looking at neighborhood road problems. These problems were collected through stakeholder interviews, a public survey, and a March 2011 community walking tour. The Vision Zero project will use the perspectives and expertise from the StAC to make a plan to increase road safety in the King, Humboldt, and Boise neighborhoods. This project will look at ways to reach “Vision Zero;” a vision of roads that don’t have any deaths or injuries for people walking, biking, or driving.

Both StAC meetings are open to the general public. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, March 23
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
(Amelia Room, 4134 N. Vancouver Avenue)

Wednesday, April 20
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
(Amelia Room, 4134 N. Vancouver Avenue)
Continue reading →

Community Livability Grant funds available in Interstate URA

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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).

Vision Zero Traffic Safety Meeting

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From Vision Zero:

Please join us for our first Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting on March 23.

We are inviting anyone and everyone to join us in identifying safety hazards in the King, Boise, and Humboldt neighborhoods and work towards developing a range of solutions that citizens can pursue. During the meeting we’ll briefly introduce the project and summarize our current findings in the neighborhood. After that we’ll break into small group with you the public to discuss more specific unsafe locations and behaviors.

When: Wednesday, March 23 – 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Where: Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (Amelia Room, 4134 N. Vancouver Avenue)

Details: Please arrive by 5:30 to promptly get started. We’ll provide delicious refreshments.

If you have questions about the Stakeholder Committee or the project in general, please feel free to contact the Public Outreach Coordinator, Michelle van Tijen (503-893-8777) or (michelle@visionzerooregon.org).