The Portland City Council will present Spirit of Portland Awards from 7 to 9 p.m. October 27, and east Portland will be well-represented among recipients. As if to emphasize this, the ceremony this year will be held at the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave. All are welcome, and there will be cake and light refreshments.

Spirit of Portland Awards ceremony is 7 to 9 p.m. October 27 at the East Portland Community Center

You want to hold public office and represent, among others, the people of east Portland. Well, Democrat Jefferson Smith thinks there are some things you should know.

That is why, last month, District 47’s State Representative Smith — who has not ruled out a run for Portland’s Mayor himself — organized a pair of guided tours of the area, and invited candidates — whose jurisdictions if elected would include the area — to learn about it and the issues people who live there face every day. The response was considerably less than universal, but the following people showed up for the two tours: Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz and a challenger for her seat, State Representative Mary Nolan; Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, and Alissa Keny-Guyer, who is running to earn the appointment for the remaining term of House District 46, recently vacated by Ben Cannon; State Representative Lew Frederick; Multnomah County District Attorney candidate Kellie Johnson; and Metro Council candidate Bob Stacey.

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.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s East Portland Community Center is at 740 S.E. 106th Ave., behind Floyd Light Middle School. Call Ali Rice at 503.823.3450, or e-mail her at Ali.Rice@portlandoregon.gov to find out how to join the fun.

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.

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

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.

A PSA from Portland Parks & Recreation follows:

“Portland Parks & Recreation encourages public without air conditioning to go to cooling rooms and lobbies at five designated community centers throughout the city
Wading pool late hours are also extended through at Thursday, July 30

“In response to the extreme heat wave this week, Portland Parks & Recreation is encouraging the public who are without air conditioning to go to one of five community centers that are open for people to come and cool off in designated rooms or lobbies. Locations, hours, and bus line information is below.

Portland Parks & Recreation opens outdoor pools for the summer this Monday, June 22. Free swim lessons and free open swims are also offered as part of PP&R’s “Summer Free for All”
The outdoor pools — open through August — are located at these parks or schools: Creston, Grant, Montavilla (on Northeast 82nd Avenue at Glisan Street in east Portland), Peninsula, Pier, Sellwood, and Wilson.

In addition, PP&R operates six indoor, year-round pools: Buckman, Columbia, East Portland Community Center, Matt Dishman Community Center, Mt. Scott Community Center, and Southwest Community Center.

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability airs its recommendations for its East Side MAX Station Area Project tonight at an open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the East Portland Community Center & Pool, 705 S.E. 106th Ave.

Planners will recommend traffic and transportation improvements and some zone changes for the area within a half mile of six east side MAX stations.

Read all about what the bureua intends to do in the “Planning Processes” section of Perlman’s Potpourri in the June edition of the Mid-county Memo.

Have you been dying to learn about the City of Portland’s land use and development review processes?

Would you like to get hands-on experience with a land use review case study; one that includes a review of a development proposal and site plan, identification of relevant issues, and effective ways to respond to the approval criteria?

If so, you, the public, are invited to attend a free Land-Use Workshop Saturday, January 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave. Multipurpose Room #2

Will you or your loved ones be protected when the unexpected happens?
Receive detailed explanations on necessary documents everyone should have in place for their own security.

At the East Portland Community Center Saturday, April 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon find out about the difference between wills and living trusts and come to an understanding of which is right for you. Have all your questions answered here — free.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s community centers are now requesting online registration or contact them by phone at 503-823-3450. The East Portland Community Center is at 740 S.E. 106th Avenue.

The free seminar is being conducted by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys through the law offices of Richard B. Schneider, LLC
2455 NW Marshall Street, Suite 11, phone number 503-241-1215.