Take a step back in time Friday, July 1 and participate in East Portland Community Center’s 14th Annual Independence Day Parade.

The old-fashioned neighborhood Independence Day parade steps off at 11:30 a.m., with pre-parade activities beginning at 10. Pre-parade activities include face painting, hot dogs, a climbing wall, and crafts at EPCC.

The colorful processional of all ages, from kids on their patriotically decorated bicycles to a military honor guard, winds through the community, including a  stroll through the nearby CherryWood Village Retirement Community before returning to the community center for more fun. Watch the festivities or join in the fun yourself. Dress up in your celebratory Americana best and march with the band.

A notice was posted recently at John Luby Park requesting feedback on turning a portion of the park into an official off-leash dog area.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s Ali Rice, 503-823-2967, is asking for your opinion on whether to turn a little over an acre at the south end of the park into an official off-leash dog area.

Should a portion of John Luby Park be converted into an off-leash area for dogs?

The area proposed is the only part of the park without towering Douglas Fir trees.

The area has been an unofficial off-leash area for years.

East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., hosts the 13th Annual Independence Day Parade Thursday, July 1.

Festivities are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parade is from 11:30 a.m. to noon-12

Pre-parade activities include face painting, temporary tattoos, free popcorn, a rock climbing wall, crafts and live music.

The parade has become a favorite community event over the years with decorated tricycles, bikes, wagons and scooters with participants of all ages.

Call Ali Rice, 503-823-3456 for more information.

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We received an e-mail — too late for the February issue — from Ali Rice at the East Portland Community Center about a class on traveling in India.

“Don’t put off the adventures you want to experience. Travel and yoga instructor Jenna Roberts wants to help empower those with the will but unsure about the way, to enjoy the possibilities of fascinating travel abroad.