March 1, 2013

March has arrived, and that means it's time for the nation's largest continuous public market to start up again!

The Portland Saturday Market returns to Waterfront Park and Ankeny Plaza this Saturday for its 40th Year. The season-opener celebration will kick off with gift card give-aways, live music, and over 250 booths to buy local products and delicious food.

The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 4:30 pm until Christmas Eve.

Get out, have fun, and shop local!

American Winter wins audience award for Best Documentary

Portland International Film Festival

Fish: City Parks Bond Measure Grounded by "Headwinds"

Aaron Mesh in the Willamette Week

Parks bureau backs away from bond plan

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

Portland Could Generate Renewable Power in City Water Pipes

Cassandra Profita on OPB.org

Supporting Water Fluoridation for our Beloved Community

Avel Gordly and Tricia Tillman in The Skanner

Council tackles cost of historic designation

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Why we need labor laws like paid sick time: Guest opinion

Helen Moss in The Oregonian

March 1, 2013

Join us on Wednesday, March 6 for a public hearing on the City’s 2013-2014 budget.

This year, the City is facing a $25 million shortfall. Mayor Hales has asked all city bureaus to develop a budget with a 10% cut.

Make sure your voice is heard, and tell us what programs and services are important to you. The hearing will be held at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) Gymnasium, beginning at 6:30.  

Public Hearing on City Budget

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization

Gymnasium

Wednesday, March 6

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Can’t make it on Wednesday? Visit the City’s Budget Office online to see future opportunities for comment.

March 4, 2013

March is National Women’s History Month – a time to highlight the contributions of women in history and contemporary society.

Women’s History Month began in 1911 as the first International Women’s Day. In 1981, after increased popularity from a Sonoma, California-recognized Women’s History Week, Senator Orrin Hatch along with Representative Barbara Mikulski passed a Congressional Resolution proclaiming Women’s History Week.

The day turned into a week, and the week into a month in 1987 when Congress expanded the focus to the whole month of March!

On Wednesday, Mayor Hales will proclaim March as Women’s History Month in the City of Portland. The City will host events throughout the month to honor women.

For more information about Women’s History Month please contact Janis McDonald at (503) 823-5358.

Women’s History Month Proclamation

Portland City Hall

March 6, 9:30 am

photo courtesy of womenshistorymonth.gov

March 5, 2013

This year, Portland Parks & Recreation’s Peninsula Park will celebrate it’s 100^th anniversary.

To mark the occasion, some local youth have started filming a documentary to share during the park’s centennial celebration this June.

PP&R is offering a recreational film class at the park’s community center for youth aged 11-17. The students are learning the ropes from two film professionals about how to create a documentary film. From lighting to sound, to asking the pressing questions that require more than just a yes or no answer, these students are turning out to be quite the filmmakers.

The documentary features beautiful shots of the park, including the oldest rose garden in the city, and interviews with park experts about how the park has transformed over the past century.

The rest of the documentary film will be shot on Saturdays over the next nine weeks.

Local students will have another opportunity to participate in a class in April. To learn more about the class or to register, please call PP&R's Recreation Coordinator at (503) 823-3620

Teens make documentary about Peninsula Park in Portland Parks & recreation class

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of The Oregonian

March 6, 2013

Join Nick, community members, and partners on Saturday at the grand opening of the new Helensview Community Garden!

Helensview is the 46^th community garden in Portland, and adds 450 new plots for community members to grow their own food.

The garden is part of our 1,000 Gardens initiative, launched in 2009. This garden is the first developed in partnership between the Parkrose School District and Portland Community Gardens program. The Gardens program has provided gardening opportunities for the physical and social benefit for Portland neighborhoods since 1975.

Come celebrate with us this Saturday, March 9, beginning at noon. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Helensview Community Garden Grand Opening Celebration

Helensview School

8678 NE Sumner St.

March 9, 12 pm - 1 pm

Helensview Community Garden to build Sumner neighborhood pride

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian