"Connect" - a skills and ideas sharing project - is a new coalition of private and public organizations and individuals in the Portland Metro Area. Connect will facilitate partnerships, synergy, and group action.

Connect will cater to community oriented individuals and organizations such as non-profits, however it is open to any member, group, or business who wants to meet and work with others. Long-term goals will form with the interests of those who join.

We will provide a venue for an informal, fun social gathering on a quarterly basis to encourage relationship building, as well as ideas and skills sharing.

The Venue: The legend grows, as the secret of Northwest Fresh is out. From musicians to artists to activists to strategists, we all meet up to BUILD, and coalesce around the vibes that will facilitate the PARADIGM SHIFT that IS happening on the planet. This is an inclusive movement, and we want YOU to be part of it. Please join us for a night of the finest Oregon homegrown sound in the state's premiere venue, the Crystal Ballroom, as we raise awareness and come together to create change.

Saturday, March 20-- 21 plus $5 entry Doors at 8:30

Remember TLC Farm's fantastic birth story five years ago?  Thousands of people across the region wove their efforts to protect the land and co-create Portland's most integrated and unique community sustainability education center!  Have you been out to see what's evolved?  This Saturday is a great chance: come on out and learn the ins and outs of TLC Farm's land projects, programs, history and future possibles. From 1-3pm Jenny Leis will be leading an extended tour, so call up a friend and enjoy the spring equinox and sunny weather together at TLC's lovely land.

The Loo-Wit Group of the Sierra Club invites you to a free screening of: 

“A Sea Change”

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

6:15pm-7:45pm

New Battle Ground Library

1207 SE 8th Way

Battle Ground, Washington

 In this international film festival selection, a retired educator and concerned grandfather stumbles upon startling information: Our oceans are increasing in acidity.  What does this mean? And more importantly what does this mean for Sven’s 6-year old grandson?

Building Strong and Sustainable Meal Programs for Oregon's Kids

Join us for a day of information sharing and networking to learn more about how to feed Oregon's children during the summer and afterschool.

April 9th, 2010 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (lunch provided)

Location: The River Center, 3000 S. Santiam Hwy, Lebanon, OR 97355

Cost: free

Those encouraged to attend: current summer food/afterschool sponsors and sites, school districts, parks and recreation departments, libraries, faith based organizations, community leaders, emergency food providors, health and nutrition educators, affordable ousing managers, funders, county agencies, anyone with a mission to serve children and families

If you are looking to purchase a home in a community setting where you know all your neighbors or would just like to learn about cohousing, check out Daybreak Cohousing tonight, Thursday, March 18, 6:30-8 pm. They are actively seeking new members and invite you to their social and tour on site at 2525 N. Killingsworth Street. (#72 Killingsworth bus or Max to the Killingsworth station).

Daybreak Cohousing was named one of the nations “top 10 green cohousing developments” by Natural Home Magazine (January 2009). The community provides a physical design that encourages social interaction while respecting personal needs for private space. Homes have most of the features of conventional homes, and members also enjoy extensive common facilities.

The Inter-Religious Action Network invites you to join us for the 2010 Community Faith Forum Faith & Health: Nurturing, Inspiring and Sustaining a Compassionate Community.   Faith community volunteers are stepping up and providing more service to those in need.  The 2010 Faith Forum is offering a special workshop that will focus on how we can keep our volunteers inspired and valued.Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Roy Green, will invite us to explore what it means to be a compassionate community with story, teaching, personal reflection, and exploration of six sacred questions for promoting spiritual health. 3 special sessions will be offered.  

Wednesday April 7th, 2010  8:30 am—12:30 pm

POSITION: Volunteer Coordinator

PROGRAM: HomePlate

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Approx. 15 hrs/wk, 7 months (longer with pending grant funding)

HIRING RANGE: $14.00-$15.00 per hour

START DATE: ASAP

CLOSE DATE: March 23, 2010

Insights Teen Parent Program has been providing parenting education and support services to teen parents through home visiting and support groups for over 30 years.  We offer 9 different programs with specialties including child development, domestic violence, homelessness and foster care involvement for teen parents or their children.

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for the day to day maintenance and repair of the Richmond Place housing facility. Primary responsibilities include minor repairs and maintenance, cleaning and preparing apartments for new clients, monitoring apartment use, stocking the residential facility with needed supplies, overseeing major repairs by outside contractors. This is an on-site, live-in position; rent and utilities are included as part of the compensation. Supports people of all genders, races, ethnicities and backgrounds.

Local Catholic Campaign for Human Development Community Organizing Grant Applications due Thursday April 15th.

CCHD Local Grants fund grassroots community organizations who are focused on the systemic causes of poverty, and who address institutional change, not just individual change. People living in poverty must have the dominant voice in the organization; leadership development must be available to all low-income participants.

Past projects include: -electronic Know Your Rights resources for the homeless community -cultural support circles for Latina workers in Astoria -accessible voting for the blind in Eugene -organic farms for immigrant workers

Seeking students to travel to DC for Population Connection's annual Capitol Hill Days this March

Contact: Peggy Kendellen, Public Art Manager

503.823.4196  |  email: [email protected]

March 17, 2010

Photo opportunity: artist Mauricio Saldana installing art benches along North Denver Avenue 

WHO:             Artist Mauricio Saldana

WHAT:           As public artworks designed in collaboration with Greenworks PC, these seven benches along Denver Avenue feature precast concrete bases with granite bench caps and carved granite relief pilaster. Each bench features  images related to the Kenton Neighborhood, past and present, including trolley, birds, historic fire truck, books, and more.

Contact: Mary Bauer, Communications Associate

503.823.5111  |  email: [email protected]

March 17, 2010 –

Portland City Council accepts RACC’s “State of the Arts” report

With 220 artists and supporters looking on, Portland City Council this morning unanimously accepted the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s (RACC’s) “State of the Arts” report.

The National MS Society, Oregon Chapter is looking for a volunteer that has photography skills, either professional or hobbyist, to take event photos during Walk MS Portland.

The volunteer will work with the event coordinator to determine what types of images are required and in what capacity they will be used. The volunteer will photograph participants, volunteers, speakers, etc. noting details for photographic captions. Volunteer must have own equipment.

Walk MS creates a hope-filled and fun experience for everyone affected by MS, while raising vital funds for local programs and services. Families are drawn closer together, co-workers are united for a greater good, and people gain a better understanding of how we will achieve a world free of MS.

There are only a few more planting events this season and this Saturday promises to be a huge weekend for new trees! With two events in Portland, one in Tualatin and one in Vancouver, Friends of Trees will be planting several hundred trees – and we need your help!

All you need to do is simply show up around 8:45am at the staging sites listed below. Friends of Trees will provide morning refreshments, gloves, and tools, as well as guidance from experienced volunteer crew leaders. We just ask that you wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather (which looks very promising!).

The Portland Metro Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a non-profit organization that sells new & used building materials and supplies. The proceeds go toward building simple, decent and affordable housing for low-income families in the Portland/Metro area.

The ReStore is seeking individuals interested in being a part of our Volunteer Truck Crew for picking up donations of building materials.

A typical shift is 1x a week or every other week; starting at 9am & back between 1-2pm.

For Drivers: -You must have experience driving large trucks. Our truck is a 26 ft. box truck—comparable to a large U-Haul.

-You must have a clean driving record and valid driver’s license.

For Drivers & Pick-Up Assistants: -You must be able to lift 60+ lbs.

Trillium Festival and Native Plant Sale

Friends of Tryon Creek State Park

April 10th & 11th  10am to 4pm

It is that time of year again when the trilliums are blooming and the Friends are celebrating spring.  We are expecting even more people at our Trillium Festival this year and need your help. 

Volunteers will sell native plants, carry plants to cars, direct traffic and parking, run children’s activity stations, face paint, sell raffle tickets, and help with tear-down. 

Help is needed April 10th and 11th for morning (9:45-1) and afternoon shifts (12:45-4) during the event itself. 

Tear down help is needed April 12th from 9-noon.