June 4, 2013

Yesterday, Mayor Charlie Hales reassigned the City’s bureaus among his Council colleagues.

Nick is now the Commissioner in Charge of the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services, as well as liaison to Venture Portland, Elders in Action, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

For the last five years, Nick had the honor to serve as Commissioner in Charge of Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB). We made a lot of progress with both bureaus.

Portland Parks & Recreation won the Gold Medal for excellence in park management in 2011, we strengthened public-private partnerships with programs like Summer Free for All, Gateway Green, Buckman Fields, and Harper’s Playground, we invested in parks in East Portland neighborhoods, created 1,000 new gardens, and expanded our Park Rangers program.

Working with our community partners, the Portland Housing Bureau made substantial progress during the worst recession in generations. Together we built the award-winning Bud Clark Commons and Gray’s Landing, launched the first-ever Fair Housing Action Plan to combat discrimination, preserved hundreds of federally-subsidized apartments for older adults and people with disabilities, streamlined the VASH voucher program for our veterans, reformed the Section 8 voucher program, developed the first Severe Weather Emergency Plan, secured millions in new funds for removing hazardous materials like lead paint from homes, and protected the Safety Net each year.

The new bureau assignments are effective today. Nick is proud of the work he has done with PP&R and PHB, and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges that come with his new assignments.

Our Opinion: City bureaus get fresh sets of eyes

Portland Tribune Editorial Board

City Hall Shaken, Stirred

Denis C. Theriault

Assign of the Times

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Nick Fish: Losing housing bureau 'bittersweet'

In Street Roots

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales explains bureau assignments

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Hales Announces Major Bureau Shakeup

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Mayor Charlie Hales assigns city bureaus, scrambles them

Ryan Kost in The Oregonian

Hales Makes Big Changes with City bureau Assignments

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Hales hands out surprising bureau assignments

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

June 4, 2013

Head out tomorrow to the Rose Festival’s 2013 Fred Meyer Junior Parade.

The Junior Parade is the oldest and largest children’s parade in the nation. The first parade dates back to 1907 when 2,000 boys and girls from 23 schools marched through Portland’s streets. The parade officially became part of the Portland Rose Festival line-up in 1936.

The parade’s Grand Marshal this year is Rojo the llama. This is Rojo’s first year as Grand Marshal, but he has marched in the Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade for the past 11 years. Rojo is a therapy animal, and has visited children’s hospitals, senior communities, schools, and children and adults living with disabilities in the local area. His specialty: making people smile.

Three new sections have been added to this year’s parade. Be active. Play safe. Stay healthy. presented by Randall Children's Hospital shows kids how fun it is to be active. The  Procession of the Species presented by Laurelwood Public House showcases  pets in our community. Finally, Kids on the Go! presented by Yellowbook highlights kids on bikes, unicycles, or stilts.

The parade also features 32 marching bands, the Rose Festival Clown Prince, Fred the Bear from Fred Meyer, and much more.

Don’t miss this fun-filled family event!

Fred Meyer Junior Parade

Tomorrow, June 5 at 1 pm

Hollywood District

NE 52nd and Sandy Blvd

Rose Festival's Junior Parade puts the spotlight on the kids

Beca Stanek in The Oregonian

photo courtesy of the Portland Rose Festival

June 5, 2013

Our own Sophia Kecskes has been featured as a 2013 “Academic Achiever” by The Oregonian!

Sophia graduates from Cleveland High School this month with the honored title of Valedictorian. The community has recognized Sophia’s remarkable achievements, including receiving the “Future First Citizen” award for civic leadership from the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors.

Sophia was also named one of two Presidential Scholars from Oregon. Next week, President Obama will present her with the award. She was also chosen as one of just twelve of the scholars to travel on an international relations trip to China this summer.

Sophia serves as co-chair of the Multnomah Youth Commission; she has been on the commission for the last five years. Nick brought her on to his team two years ago as his Youth Liaison helping with special projects in his office. Sophia also plays varsity lacrosse and participated in speech and debate team.

This fall, Sophia will attend Yale University where she will pursue a degree in international relations. “I’ve grown up with so much privilege, and it makes me uncomfortable to think that a lot of people don’t have those same opportunities. I want to do work to reduce the injustice and reduce some of those inequities on a global scale,” says Sophia.

Congratulations Sophia – we are proud of you!

Cleveland High School's Sophia Kecskes uses local politics to help empower others: Academic Achievers 2013

Nicole Dungca in The Oregonian

Photo courtesy of The Oregonian

June 6, 2013

Last week, we were pleased to welcome a new art installation from our friends at p:ear!

The installation, titled Art Out, features six original pieces by homeless or transitional youth who created their work at p:ear.

p:ear is a wonderful organization that builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives.

Last month, Nick was proud to serve as Honorary Chair of p:ear’s annual “p:earblossoms” fundraiser. The event marked the 11^th year of p:ear’s work supporting homeless youth.

Timing for this wonderful art show is perfect - on Tuesday, Mayor Hales named Nick the new Commissioner-in-charge of Arts & Culture. 

To learn more about p:ear, and to purchase artwork, visit their website.

Be sure to stop by our office in June and July to see the unique and beautiful display.

June 6, 2013

We were thrilled to learn this morning that Bud Clark Commons has been named the 2013 Residential Architect Design Awards Project of the Year!

Residential Architect is published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).  Last year, Bud Clark Commons was awarded the AIA's "Creating Community Connections" award.

The unique eight-story building was designed by Holst Architecture.  Named for former Portland Mayor Bud Clark, the Commons provide a continuum of services. Our community partners Transition Projects and Home Forward provide access to healthcare, shelter, and counseling to help homeless people transition from the vulnerability of the streets to a more permanent home. It includes a walk-in day center with access to services, a temporary shelter with 90 beds for homeless men, and 130 efficient, studio apartments for very low-income individuals.

Bud Clark Commons creates pathways to self-sufficiency for people without a place to call home. Being named "Project of the Year" is a tremendous honor. The City and the design team at Holst Architecture have proven that design and function are not mutually exclusive.

Watch the judges discuss Bud Clark Commons

Announcing the Winners of the 2013 RA Design Awards

Residential Architect online