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The City of Portland, Oregon

Nick Fish (In Memoriam)

City of Portland Commissioner

phone: 503-823-3589

Email: nick@portlandoregon.gov

1221 S.W. 4th, Room 240, Portland, OR 97204

Soaking up the storm

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) works hard to manage storm and wastewater in Portland.

January 21, 2016

The Bureau of Environmental Services works hard to manage storm and wastewater in Portland.

The Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant processes an average of 70 million gallons of wastewater a day. On Sunday, we had heavy rains, and the plant processed nearly 240 million gallons!

The plant is the largest in Portland. It collects and treats storm and wastewater 24 hours a day, every day, for 600,000 customers. There are dozens of pump stations and thousands of miles of sewer lines that bring wastewater to the plant.

Environmental Services also tackles storm and wastewater with the Big Pipe, which helps protect the Willamette River. Before, heavy rainstorms and stormwater runoff from our streets would cause our sewer system to overflow, dumping millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Willamette - up to 50 times a year!

Since the Big Pipe has been installed, sewer overflows have dramatically reduced, improving the Willamette River’s water quality. Everything caught in the Big Pipe goes directly to the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Learn more about the Big Pipe and the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant by visiting the Bureau of Environmental Services’ website.

Straight Talk: Islamophobia

Last week, Nick was honored to appear on KGW’s Straight Talk.

January 25, 2016

Last week, Nick was honored to appear on KGW’s Straight Talk.

Nick joined host Laural Porter, and local faith leaders Wajdi Said, co-founder of the Muslim Educational Trust, and Jan Elfers, executive director of Ecumenical Ministries.

They discussed the importance of combating Islamophobia and bigotry in our community.

Check out the videos!

Straight Talk: Islamophobia (Part 2)

Laural Porter in KGW News

Bodies in Motion, Bodies at Rest

Join the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) this Thursday to celebrate the Portland Winter Light Festival.

January 26, 2016

Join the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) this Thursday to celebrate the Portland Winter Light Festival.

RACC and the Hollywood Theatre collaborate on First Thursdays for a projection series named Night Lights. February’s projection is a special collaboration with the Light Festival, called Bodies in Motion, Bodies at Rest.

Local artist Fernanda D’Agostino teamed up with seven Oregon video artists to explore people’s senses and sensibilities. The projection investigates the psychology and science of movement, as well as analyzes cultural identity, life experiences, and different perceptions. 

Check out RACC’s website to learn more.

Bodies in Motion, Bodies at Rest

Regional Arts & Culture Council

Thursday, February 4, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

411 NW Park Avenue

Arts Equity Grants

The Regional Arts & Culture Council is investing $100,000 in Arts Equity Grants to local nonprofit organizations!

January 27, 2016

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) is investing $100,000 in Arts Equity Grants to local nonprofit organizations!

The Art Equity Grant Program provides financial support to nonprofits that provide arts and culture programs and services for diverse communities, including communities of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ communities, persons with disabilities, and other under-represented communities.

Grant awards will range from $1,000 - $7,000 each.

Nick is proud to serve as City Council liaison to RACC, as it is committed to funding diverse and accessible art programs that reach all people in our community.

Letters of Interest are due by February 24 at 5:00pm. Applicants who meet the objectives of the Grant Program will be invited to submit a full application in March.

Interested in applying? RACC is hosting three free information sessions to help community members learn more about the Arts Equity Grant and how to apply. The next one is Thursday, January 28, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at RACC’s offices. 

Check out RACC’s website to learn more.

Arts Equity Grant information session

Thursday, January 28, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

RACC’s offices

411 NW Park Ave, Suite 101