What do you do if you throw a party and no one you invited comes?

That’s what happened Saturday, March 9 to Growing Gateway ecodistrict board members and community organizers Colleen Gifford, Arlene Kimura and Linda Robinson at their kickoff party for Re-Energizing Gateway, the ecodistrict’s first project.

Growing Gateway threw a part to announce Re-Energizing Gateway, the ecodistrict’s first project, but none of the senior homeowners invited attended.

Using a $5,000 grant from the East Portland Action Plan for the party, organizers failed to attract one person the project claims to want to help.

According to head organizer Linda Robinson, the third annual Ventura Park free summer concert series, funded by grants from the City, attracted an average of 300 to 400 people. The musical groups were Chata Addy & Susuma, David Correa and Cascada, and The Midnight Serenaders.

At the Ventura Park summer concerts, organizer Linda Robinson, left, solicits donations to help fund her City sponsored concerts.

“Passing the hat” at shows’ intermissions brought in more than $1,000 in contributions toward next year’s concerts.

The Portland Community Gardens program has scheduled an organizational meeting about the new community garden to be installed this spring at the Hazelwood HydroPark at N.E. 117th Avenue and Holladay Street.

The meeting is today, Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the East Portland Neighborhood Office, 1017 NE 117th Ave., adjacent to the Hazelwood HydroPark.

Anyone interested in the design and layout of the community garden, or who might be interested in renting a plot there once it’s constructed is encouraged to attend.