Sign up for Community-Supported Agriculture produce!

The folks at Grow Portland (http://www.growportland.org) have announced a new way for Portlanders to order fresh produce from local growers. Read on for details:

The Growers Alliance (http://www.growportland.org/growers-alliance) is a grower-led marketing collective managed by Grow Portland. The Growers Alliance was created in 2010 to help immigrant, refugee, and beginning American farmers reach direct markets with their produce. We’re offering a new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pick-up spot at the Urban Farm Store on SE Belmont this summer.

To join our CSA, Portland residents sign-up and pay in advance of the season to receive a weekly box of freshly harvested, organically grown produce from our growers. Our season is 28 weeks long (May-November), and we offer different sized boxes of produce depending on the family size. These details can be found in our 2012 CSA brochure: http://www.growportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012_GP_CSA_Brochure.pdf.

Transforming the Heart: 9th Annual Buddhist Festival in the Park

We recently received notice of an upcoming event in Colonel Summers Park. Read on for details.

Transforming the Heart
9th Annual Buddhist Festival in the Park
Saturday, June 2, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Colonel Summers Park
SE 17th and Taylor, Portland, Oregon
http://www.PortlandBuddhistFestival.com

• Dharma Talk and Panel Discussion on the Theme of Transforming the Heart
• Ceremony with Blessings for All Beings
• Activities for Children
• Tabling by Buddhist Communities
• Workshops
• Shared Food (Potluck from Buddhist groups)

On the theme: Together we discover the Buddhist tools to transform our hearts.

Domyo Burk of Bright Way Zen gives the keynote talk of the day. Domyo was ordained at Dharma Rain Zen Center, and continues the nurturing of the Dharma with a new community on Portland’s west side.

Four panelists from various traditions will discuss the theme of “Transforming the Heart” and respond to questions from the audience.

While the Dharma talk and panel discussion occur in the park’s main shelter, the children’s pavilion will be busy with story times, crafts, and other activities.

Activities for children and adults come together in a Ceremony for Transforming the Heart, with blessings for people and pets. Participants may offer incense and receive blessings from ordained Buddhists.

Many different Portland area communities will be represented at the booths. Pure Land, Zen, Vajrayana, Vipassana, and non-sectarian groups will share news and information about their communities.

The festival is free, and all are welcome. Organizers ask for mindfulness regarding waste.

Schedule

11 am: Tabling by participating groups, also throughout the day
12 noon: Bells, Opening Ceremony
12:15: Workshops: 1. Starting a Practicing with Sacred Space; 2. The Ethics of Buddhism, or, What Does it Mean to Be a Buddhist? (see also Children’s Pavilion)
1:00 pm: Keynote speaker: Domyo Burk, Bright Way Zen
2:00 pm: Transforming the Heart Ceremony with Blessings for all Beings
3:00 pm: Panel Discussion: Stan Shiigi, Oregon Buddhist Temple; Heidi Enji Hoogstra, Dharma Rain Zen Center, BPF Portland; Sakula Mary Reinard, Portland Friends of the Dhamma; Prajwal Vajracharya, Dance Mandal.
4:00 pm: Free prize drawing

Children’s Pavilion Schedule

12:15 pm: Workshop: Chanting and Drumming by Jason Litts
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Scavenger Hunt and Cooperative Games
1:00 pm Storytime with craft by Heidi Enji Hoogstra
2:00 pm: Transforming the Heart with Blessings for all Beings
3:00 pm: Storytime or Activity TBD
4:00 pm: Free Prize Drawing and Closing with Dance Mandal

Participating groups include:

• Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Portland (main sponsor)
• Oregon Buddhist Temple
• Dharma Rain Zen Center
• Vancouver Nichiren Sangha
• Zen Community of Oregon
• Bright Way Zen
• Dance Mandal
• Portland Friends of the Dhamma
• Portland Insight Meditation Community

 

City Proposes Ban on Food Cart Liquor Licenses

We recently learned that the city of Portland has petitioned the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) to disallow the issuing of liquor licenses to food carts. Here’s the text of the notification that we received from the OLCC:

OREGON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION

The Commission has received a petition for rulemaking requesting amendment of the following administrative rule:

OAR 845-005-0331 Licensing Exterior Areas

HOW TO COMMENT

If you want to comment on the petition, please write to:

Oregon Liquor Control Commission
9079 SE McLoughlin Boulevard
Portland, OR 97222
ATTENTION: Jennifer Huntsman
Email: jennifer.huntsman@state.or.us
Fax: (503) 872-5110

The Commission has received a petition requesting the amendment of OAR 845-005-0331 Licensing Exterior Areas. The petitioner is the City of Portland. The petitioner requests to amend this rule by adding a new section (6) regarding licensed premises that are exclusively outdoors. The proposed language would prohibit issuing an annual license to such a premises, but would allow for the issuance of a temporary sales license.

A copy of the petition may be obtained by contacting Jennifer Huntsman, Rules Coordinator at 503-872-5004. The petition is also viewable on the OLCC web site: http://oregon.gov/OLCC. Go to the Laws and Rules button, then follow the link to “Current Petitions Received”. For questions, you may contact Jennifer Huntsman, Rules Coordinator, by email (address above) or call (503) 872-5004 (or toll free within Oregon: 1-800-452-6522).

“If a petition requests the amendment or repeal of a rule, before denying a petition, the agency must invite public comment upon the rule, including whether options exist for achieving the rule’s substantive goals in a way that reduces the negative economic impact on business.” (OAR 137-001- 0070)

This notice is OLCC’s invitation for public comment on the petition, including comment on whether options exist for achieving the rule’s substantive goals in a way that reduces negative economic impact on business. You may email, fax or mail your comments, but all comment for the record must be in writing.

**Written public comment must be received by 5:00 pm on May 11, 2012**

 

Submit your feedback on a pedestrian crossing at Burnside & 16th

The Kerns Bicycle & Pedestrian Project is a new group that working to have a crossing created at the intersection of East Burnside Street and SE 16th Avenue. As part of their effort, they are initiating a survey to:

1. Collect the feelings of our community regarding the bike & pedestrian needs
2. Demonstrate support for bike & pedestrian improvements
3. Prioritize bike & pedestrian needs to guide advocacy

You can help with this important effort by taking the survey at the link below. It’s short and should take you no more than a few minutes:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KernsBikePedSurvey

A street party is tentatively planned for Burnside and SE 16th on Friday, June 1st, during the morning and afternoon commute times. The purpose is to highlight the need for a safe crossing at this location for pedestrians & cyclists, including residents and students of Buckman Elementary, Central Catholic High School, Da Vinci Middle School, & Benson Polytechnic High School. Crossing enhancements are planned by the city in the next two years, but highlighting the need can help ensure there is follow through on the plan.

American Heart Association Heart & Stroke Walk, May 19th 2012

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, the American Heart Association will hold its Annual Heart & Stroke Walk. Approximately 5,000 participants will gather at Vera Katz Esplanade to make the 5K walk. See below for a route map.

Prescription Drug Turn-in

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Program and the Portland Police Bureau will hold a Prescription Drug Turn-In event on Saturday, April 28th from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at three locations in the City of Portland.

Event: Prescription Drug Turn In. This is a free event.
When: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Where: Fred Meyer – Gateway, 1111 NE 102nd Avenue
Contact: Katherine Anderson Crime Prevention Coordinator 503-823-3432

Look for the Portland Police Bureau mobile precinct in the parking lot next to NE 102nd Avenue.

If you can’t make the East Portland location, there are two other events being held in Portland on Saturday, April 28th from 10am to 2pm:

• Fred Meyer-North Interstate 7404 N Interstate Avenue
• Mirabella Retirement Community, 3550 Southwest Bond Avenue

Portland Police Officers and Crime Prevention staff will be onsite for the anonymous turn in of unused or expired prescription medications, to share information about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and to answer community and media questions regarding this issue. All medications will be incinerated.

Please consolidate all pills by putting them into a sealed sandwich baggy if you have a large amount to dispose of. Make sure that liquids are in a tightly sealed, leak proof container. NO SHARPS!

Acceptable items for disposal: Prescription medications and samples, all over the counter medications, vitamins, pet medications, medicated ointments, and liquid medication in leak proof containers.

Items not accepted: Thermometers/Sharps/Syringes, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, inhalers, EpiPens.

Liquor License Renewals South of Burnside

We recently received an e-mail from the city about the upcoming expiration and renewal of all liquor licenses for establishments south of Burnside. This is your opportunity to provide input to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). Read on for details.

Liquor License Renewal – South of Burnside

All liquor licenses South of Burnside within the Portland City Limits (East &West) will expire on July 1st, 2012, unless renewed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). As part of the renewal process, the City of Portland makes recommendations to the OLCC on renewal applications using information gathered from neighbors, community organizations, and public safety officials. The City of Portland is home to approximately 2,900 liquor license establishments, about half of which are coming up for renewal. Neighbors, Neighborhood and Business Associations, and Community Organizations have a very important role in this process.

The annual renewal is an opportunity for communities to address problems or concerns with licensed establishments in their neighborhoods. Concerned neighbors and community organizations wishing to oppose a license renewal south of Burnside should advise the Office of Neighborhood Involvement as soon as possible. Licensed establishments not identified by the City of Portland as problems are processed as though they received a “favorable” recommendation.  Opposition received by individuals and organizations is considered by the City before a recommendation is made to the OLCC. If neighbors have concerns but do not wish to formally oppose the license renewal, this is an excellent opportunity to engage in problem solving to address concerns informally.

Information about liquor establishments with ongoing problems must be received by May 15th, 2012.

Please contact Theresa Marchetti, City of Portland Liquor License Specialist, at 503-823-3092 or theresa.marchetti@portlandoregon.gov.