One month into 2012, and we're quite busy at 1000 Friends of Oregon. With the legislative session about to get underway, the Land Use Leadership Initiative launching, and our staff working on important regional and local planning and land use processes at all four of our offices, we've hit the ground running this year. Here's some of what we've been working on lately:

Public Open House - Thursday, February 9, 2012
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Moreland Presbyterian Church
1814 SE Bybee Boulevard
Entrance: Use ramp off parking lot to double glass doors
(TriMet Bus #19 or #70)

Come learn about the proposed street pavement rehabilitation on SE Bybee between SE 14th and 23rd Avenues. The street rehabilitation involves grinding out the old pavement and replacing it with new from curb to curb. Sidewalk curb ramps will be upgraded where necessary to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. Other work, such as replacing aging underground sewers at SE 18th, 19th and 21st Avenues may be done in conjunction with street rehabilitation. This will minimize future repairs under the new asphalt.

Oregon IS sunny enough for solar! This FREE workshop will teach you why Solar Energy is a smart choice in Oregon.

Saturday February 4, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
At SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main St, Portland
Please RSVP at www.solaroregon.org or call 503-231-5662

When Community Outreach of Our United Villages first opened its doors in July, 2002, we had a vision, hopes and dreams.  Our vision, one we continue to aspire towards, is neighborhoods recognizing and building on the strengths, talents and resources of each individual to create a more vibrant community.  Our hopes and dreams, to bring people together to share ideas and build positive relationships, were so simply stated they were perceived by some as lofty.  Although our pathways for manifesting this dream have varied over the years, our commitment to community is as strong as ever.
 

Help identify the skills and abilities community members want in Portland's mayoral and city council candidates. Join us for a unique community forum this Thursday, January 19th. Portland voters deserve to know whether mayoral and city council candidates have the skills, temperament, and wisdom to serve our community effectively if we elect them. Join to share your experience working with city council members and use this information to identify the skills and abilities we want and need in our elected city leaders............more............

Support the Wikman Building
Neighborhood Grange Hall
4420 SE 64th

A coalition of community organizations is collaborating to acquire the Wikman Building - originally built in 1919 as the Arleta Library - and restore it for community use. The partners envision a combination of entrepreneurial and community-building activities such as a multi-cultural community center, grocery co-op, farmers market, business incubator, commercial kitchen and internet café, which would also offer multi-purpose rooms for meetings, classes and events.

How you can help:

25th Annual Fix-It Fair Season Features Free Resources to Save Money and Stay Healthy
These free events include exhibits, hourly workshops, lunch and childcare.
 

Kicking the plastic bag habit: practice makes perfect Learning something new takes practice, time and patience. So does forming a new habit, like remembering to bring a reusable bag to the grocery store.

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement and SE Uplift are excited to offer the sixth year of the City of Portland’s Neighborhood Small Grants Program. We invite neighborhood associations and community-based organizations in Portland to apply.

This year, a total of $46,058 is available to neighborhood and community-based organizations in the Southeast Uplift coalition area.  Grant proposals may range from $1,000 to $7,500. Learn more!