November 6, 2013

Willamette Week's 2013 Give!Guide is now live and ready for donations! 

Over the last 10 years, the Give!Guide has helped Portlanders donate over $7 million to mission-driven nonprofits throughout the community.

Nick was honored to share his story for the Give!Guide's campaign video, urging Portlanders of all ages to support our community organizations.

One goal of the Give!Guide campaign is to encourage donors aged 18-35 to get involved and give. There's something for everyone - with nonprofits supporting animals, education, the arts, health, the environment, and more.

Even $10 can make a difference, and it adds up. And with your donation of $10 or more, you will recieve coupons from local Portland busineses - including Salt & Straw, Stumptown, and ¿Por Qué No?.

Visit www.giveguide.org to learn more and donate today!

November 7, 2013

Seventeen local community groups have been awarded Community Livability Grants from the Portland Development Commission. $1.2 million was awarded to help support Hacienda CDC, the Earl Boyles Commmunity Center, SE Works, and more.

The Livability grants were awarded to organizations that foster vibrant and healthy neighborhoods in the Interstate, Lents, and Gateway Urban Renewal Areas. 

One of the largest grant recipients this year is Southeast Portland's Zenger Farm.  The urban farm is one of the largest in Portland, and our first Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. CSAs provide a new way to get fresh and local produce instead of going to the grocery store. With CSAs, community members can buy a membership at the start of the growing season so they can take home a portion of the farm’s harvest.

In the past, CSAs were thought of as only benefitting higher-income families with a disposable income – but Zenger Farm reconstructed payment plans so their CSA would be able to accept food stamps and reach more families.

The PDC grant will help Zenger Farm bring their "Urban Grange" vision to life. The Urban Grange will feature 8,960 square feet of classrooms, food processing facilities, a commercial kitchen, offices, and community meeting areas. As Zenger Executive Director Jill Kuehler explains, "the Urban Grange will allow us to double our programs." Zenger has been fundraising over the last year, and they hope to break ground next spring on the $1.9 million project.

Zenger Farm, Hacienda snag PDC grants

Andy Giegerich in the Sustainable Business Oregon Blog

November 7, 2013

On October 28, we lost two distinguished and beloved Portlanders – Dr. Nohad Toulan and his wife Dirce Moroni Toulan.

A public funeral service will be held on Monday, November 11 at the Portland Art Museum’s Kridel Ballroom, beginning at 12:30pm.

I hope you will join us on Monday as we honor Nohad and Dirce's legacy in our community, and express our love and support to their children, family, and friends.

Public Funeral Service for Dr. and Mrs. Toulan

November 11, 2013 – 12:30pm

Portland Art Museum – Kridel Ballroom

1219 SW Park Avenue

November 8, 2013

The Oregonian’s Stuart Tomlinson highlighted the success of Portland’s "Big Pipe" today. Bureau of Environmental Services employees Linc Mann and Mike Ciolli provided a grand tour of the Big Pipe, and explained how it’s working to keep our rivers cleaner.

The construction of the Big Pipe was part of a federal mandate to protect the Willamette River. With heavy rainstorms, stormwater runoff from our streets would cause our sewer system to overflow – often dumping raw sewage in our rivers up to 50 times each year.

The $1.4 billion project is the biggest reason Portland sewer and stormwater rates have gone up in the last decade. Fortunately, by moving early to meet this legal requirement, Portland has saved millions of dollars in construction costs. Cities like Baltimore, Sacramento and Cleveland are beginning their "Big Pipe" projects, and each have price tags much higher than Portland.

Thanks to our investments in upgrades to our sewer infrastructure to prevent overflows, our local waterways are cleaner and safer for people and fish.

To learn more about the Big Pipe and its effect on our environment, visit the BES website.

The Big Pipe: Portland's sewer and stormwater project shows it can handle Big Rain

Stuart Tomlinson in The Oregonian

The Big Pipe: Portland's sewer and stormwater project shows it can handle Big Rain

Stuart Tomlinson in The Oregonian

Who could run for potential water board?

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Hales Wants to Spend $214,500 on City Hall Bioswales

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Portland police reforms agreement: FAQs

Maxine Bernstein in The Oregonian

Trust Issues

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

Water and sewer board will make ballot, supporters say

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Water Rebels Don't Like Charlie Hales Calling Them "Clowns"

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Complaints Against Water Measure Petitioners Rolling In

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

Goofus & Gallant Go To City Hall

Aaron Mesh in the Willamette Week

Forest Park will have a road map under new public-private partnership

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

City scales back utility money for bike boulevards: Portland City Hall Roundup

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland People's Water Trust proposed ballot initiative moves forward

Melissa Binder in The Oregonian

Mt. Tabor reservoirs: what should happen now? (survey)

Melissa Binder in The Oregonian

Portland can transform, honor Mt. Tabor reservoirs: Guest opinion

Guest Columnist Kim Lakin in The Oregonian