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Open your door
According to Sr. Joyce Rupp, each of us has a Sacred Door, which allows us entrance into the dwelling place of the divine. Hosted by The Grotto, the “Open the Door” retreat is a chance to seek and rediscover this mystery of God.
Sr. Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, retreat leader and conference speaker. This retreat will include creative ritual, quiet reflective times, and opportunities for group dialogue. Silence that nourishes growth and deepens wisdom will be honored and respected during this weekend.
This retreat will be held on two days: on Friday, Nov. 15 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A book signing from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m will follow the Saturday session. Cost for the Friday night session is $15. The Saturday session, which includes a lunch, will cost $40. You may also sign up for both sessions for $50.
Space is limited, so you must pre-register by Friday, Nov. 8. For more information, please call Gayle Diehl at 503-261-2408. The retreat will be held at the Grotto, on the corner of N.E. 85th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard.
Night of savings
The Lloyd Center is once again hosting a “Magical Night of Giving” on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. This is a special night of shopping and savings with exclusive discounts available. The Parkrose Lions Club is selling tickets to this event for $5 each and retains all proceeds from tickets sold. You can also enter to win prizes from the numerous raffle drawings taking place during the course of the evening. Come and be part of this festive event and support Parkrose Lions Club. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Don Green at 503-252-5288.
City offers help to small businesses
As part of the City of Portland’s efforts to improve its building and land use regulations and customer services, the City is improving access to information and services, particularly for small businesses.
The City has initiated new “after-hours” services at the Office of Planning and Development Review. A series of brown bag seminars will be offered. In addition, a new, easy to use guide with tips on locating, expanding, or building a small business in Portland entitled “A Small Business Guide to Development Services” is available.
The Office of Planning & Development Review (OPDR) will be open expanded hours to assist with small business owners who may not be able to visit during OPDR’s regular business hours. After hours assistance will be available on Thursday, Nov. 7, Thursday, Nov. 21, Thursday, Dec. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 19 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Bring your questions about remodeling, relocating, or upgrading your business site. The Office of Planning & Development Review is located at 1900 SW 4th Ave. For more information, please call OPDR at 503-823-7822.
Hand-crafted heaven
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church invites the community to its annual holiday bazaar, A Dickens of a Christmas, which is nearing its fiftieth year. This event is one of the largest in the Portland area, featuring 95% hand crafted items made by church members. Items include a full-sized quilt, other quilted items, many types of hand painted wooden decorations, hand embroidered towels, painted lighthouses on the half shell, gourmet foods and many other items. The bazaar will also include a snack bar featuring soup, sandwiches and pies.
Don’t miss this great event on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Matthew’s Church is located at 11229 N.E. Prescott St. For more information, please call St. Matthew’s at 503-252-5720.
Neighbors and businesses connecting
Commissioner Jim Francesconi is hosting a dialogue with neighborhood and business leaders to improve collaboration between neighborhood associations and neighboring businesses. On Saturday, Nov. 16, a half-day discussion will bring together neighborhood and business leaders to discuss a variety of challenges that affect their communities, such as parking demand, crime, trash, and community resources, among others.
In announcing the event entitled Making Our City Neighbor-Business Friendly, Commissioner Francesconi is building on other City efforts, including the recently formed Small Business Advisory Council, to support a positive climate for small businesses and, in particular, neighborhood businesses. “Portland is known for its unique web of neighborhood businesses located where people live and work. We also have a well-respected neighborhood association system. This day of dialogue is an effort to recognize the complex challenges that arise in business districts and adjacent neighborhoods and to improve working relationships that enhance the vitality of each area,” said Francesconi.
The dialogue will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organized by Jennifer Johnson, Small Business Advocate with the Portland Development Commission, and David Lane, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, attendees will focus on identifying common interests, looking for increased opportunities for partnerships, developing a specific action plan for increasing neighborhood-friendly business practices, and identifying specific recommendations for City Council.
For more information, please call David Lane at 503-823-4519.
A special shopping opportunity
Metro West Women’s Club and Serendipity Center invite you to a unique holiday party at Our Children’s Store. This grown-up holiday gift store benefits the Serendipity Center and other children’s programs. Enjoy an evening of shopping, refreshments and fun. Take care of a few people on your Christmas list and support local children’s organization at the same time. This special event will take place on Monday, Nov. 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Our Children’s Store, on the corner of N.E. 12th Avenue and N.E. Weidler Street. For more information, please call Our Children’s Store at 503-281-7709.
Homemade treats and great variety
The Parkrose United Methodist Women are inviting friends and neighbors to their annual Holiday Bazaar Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many tables of gift and home items will be present for browsing and buying. The bake sale will include freshly baked apple and pumpkin pies. Lunch all day includes hearty beef vegetable soup, sandwiches, and dessert. Parkrose United Methodist Church is located on the corner of NE 111th and Knott.
Fall rummage sale
The big Fall Rummage sale at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 17405 N.E. Glisan will be held on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. This year it will feature household items, all kinds of clothing and furniture. The sale will be held in Murdock Hall on the St. Aidan’s campus between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, please call 503-252-6128.
Let your voice be heard
The City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) will hold a special evening meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to encourage public comment and discussion about City Code and the ONI Guidelines that set forth the roles and responsibilities for recognized neighborhood associations and acknowledged organizations in Portland’s neighborhood system. The meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Rose Room at City Hall, 1221 S.W. 4th Ave.
A taskforce of neighborhood leaders - called the Guidelines, Review, Empowerment, and Assessment Team (GREAT) - has been charged with reviewing the Guidelines as required by City Code. The Guidelines, last adopted by City Council in January 1998, require that they be reviewed and updated every four years. The taskforce has just begun review of the Guidelines. In addition, the taskforce has spent the past year analyzing and developing a working draft of recommended updates to Chapter 3.96 of City Code. This section of Code defines the functions of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, district neighborhood coalitions and neighborhood associations.
This is an opportunity for individuals to speak up who have something to say about the role of neighborhood associations and business associations in City government decision-making efforts. In addition, the role of Communities Beyond Neighborhood Boundaries, a Guidelines policy incorporated in the late 90’s encouraging other community-based groups to be acknowledged by the City, will also be reviewed.
Taskforce meetings are open to the public. More evening public meetings will be held throughout the process. There will be public hearings later on. Regular taskforce meetings take place the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Lovejoy Room.
For more information, please call Brian Hoop at 503-823-3075, bhoop@ci.portland.or.us, or TTY: 503-823-4519.
Monthly Group Meetings
Keep yourself “in the know”
All Maywood Park residents have a chance this month to be involved in their government. Keep yourself informed about the laws and ordinances that govern your life. The Maywood Park City Council meetings are open to the public. Find out what is in store for your future, and make sure you have a voice in the government.
The Maywood Park City Council meeting for November will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on the Maywood Park campus of Mt. Hood Community College, 10100 N.E. Prescott St. Meetings are usually located in room 223. Look for the sign in the front window.
For more information, call the Maywood Park City Council at 503-255-9805. Citizens are also encouraged to write in with their concerns, which will be discussed during the meeting. Address your concerns, comments, or potential solutions to the Maywood Park City Council, 10100 N.E. Prescott St., Maywood Park, OR, 97220.
Learn from other business owners
The Gateway Area Business Association (GABA) invites all business owners and managers of Gateway Area businesses and non-profit organizations to join this thriving group. GABA is an effective way to meet with other business owners and enjoy some of the many great events sponsored by GABA. Each month features interesting speakers, and an update on Gateway area events.
The association will meet on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 11:45 a.m. in JJ North’s Grand Buffet banquet room, 10520 N.E. Halsey St. Featured spotlight speakers are Sheryl Bayne from Oregon Telco Credit Union, Nancy Yaeman from Portland Metro Performing Arts Center School, and Raymond D. Miller, MS, Counseling and Psychology, Family Counseling, Master of Addictions counselor for drug and alcohol and substance abuse. The annual election of new Board Members will also take place at this meeting.
For more information about GABA or how to become a member, call President Fred Sanchez at 503-256-3910.
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