CANCELLATION NOTICE
Many events are being cancelled and we are updating this site as we are notified of cancellations. We encourage you to check with individual venues before heading to any event.
Local Headlines
Police Bureau Pledges Ongoing Reforms
By Midge Pierce A spike in gun violence has added steam to Portland residents who talk of leaving the City and its problems behind. New Police Chief Jami Resch gets …
Police Bureau Pledges Ongoing Reforms Read More
Hawthorne Pave and Paint Project
By David Krogh The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is undertaking a project which will impact SE Hawthorne Blvd. from SE 24th Ave to SE 50th Ave. The SE Hawthorne …
Hawthorne Pave and Paint Project Read More
Pilot Program to Address Non-Emergency Police Calls
By Nancy Tannler At the Lents Neighborhood Livability Association meeting (LNLA), a presentation was given that explains Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty’s plans to assist the police and fire departments with …
Pilot Program to Address Non-Emergency Police Calls Read More
Courts Create Confusion on Homeless Camping Bans
By David Krogh As previously reported in The Southeast Examiner, the City of Salem recently instituted a ban on camping on public property aimed at curbing homeless camps and litter …
Courts Create Confusion on Homeless Camping Bans Read More
Burnside Bridge: Retrofit or Rebuild?
By Midge Pierce Despite living in an earthquake zone, few Portland residents think about the danger of crossing the Willamette River on our aging bridges. Yet for 40,000 cars crossing …
Burnside Bridge: Retrofit or Rebuild? Read More
Richmond Considers Parking Permits
By Midge Pierce Few issues rile up Portlanders quite so much as parking. On the eastside, it is dividing those who seek it from those who seek to reduce it. …
Richmond Considers Parking Permits Read More
Fixing Our Streets
By Don MacGillivray The congestion and poor condition of Portland streets is a frequent public complaint. The first effort at “Fixing Our Streets” was a 10 cents per gallon gas …
Portland’s Struggle with Affordable Housing
By Gabe Frayne Jeanne Favini looks back with a mixture of bitterness and embarrassment at the moment she realized she faced an imminent choice between homelessness or moving into her …
Portland’s Struggle with Affordable Housing Read More
SE Uplift Names New Executive Director
SE Uplift announced that Leroy Eadie has been hired to fill the Executive Director role that was vacated when Molly Mayo left. He comes to the organization with over 25 …
SE Uplift Names New Executive Director Read More
OCCL Seeks 3.96 Resolution
By Midge Pierce Code Change 3.96 would reform Portland’s public engagement system, and is intended to give marginalized communities more voice. After accusations that Office for Community and Civic Life …
OCCL Seeks 3.96 Resolution Read More
Campaign Fund Complaints Hit Council Candidates
By David Krogh Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, his election opponent Ozzie Gonzalez and City Council candidate Jack Kerfoot were hit with campaign finance complaints on January 9. Ronald Buel, representing …
Campaign Fund Complaints Hit Council Candidates Read More
Police Strive to Turn Tide of Crime and Negativity
By Midge Pierce A perfect storm of conditions: an unprecedented police shortage, anti-police sentiment and diminishing crime prevention activity may threaten Portland’s safety. This summer’s contract negotiations could add to …
Police Strive to Turn Tide of Crime and Negativity Read More
Commissioner Nick Fish Passes Away
By David Krogh Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish lost his battle with stomach cancer Thursday, January 2 and passed away at his home with family present. Only two days prior, …
Commissioner Nick Fish Passes Away Read More
RIP Gains Traction Amid Calls for More Density
By Midge Pierce Like it or not, quadplexes and possibly six or eight plexes are likely coming soon to Portland’s single family neighborhoods. That is the expectation following city council …
RIP Gains Traction Amid Calls for More Density Read More
Painting the Streets Red
By David Krogh During the last week in October, City crews painted two of the bus only lanes in downtown Portland’s transit mall a bright shade of red as an …
Painting the Streets Red Read More
Council Wrestles Over Contentious Code and Infill Proposals
By Midge Pierce As old Portland and new spar over the City’s future, Commissioners are in the hotseat hearing issues that split the City and blame current residents for past …
Council Wrestles Over Contentious Code and Infill Proposals Read More
Treating Portland’s Water: Filtration vs. UV and Ozone
By Nancy Tannler On December 4, 2019 City Council Commissioners Amanda Fritz, Nick Fish and Mayor Ted Wheeler voted to proceed with Portland Water Bureau’s (PWB) plans to construct a …
Treating Portland’s Water: Filtration vs. UV and Ozone Read More
Oregon’s Primary Coming Up in May
By David Krogh May 19, 2020 is the date for Oregon’s primary election. Regarding the Portland City Commission, there are three positions up for grabs. The positions and candidates registered …
Oregon’s Primary Coming Up in May Read More
PCC Reaches Agreements with Faculty and Academics
By Jack Rubinger Portland Community College (PCC) reached tentative agreements with the Federation of Classified Employees and the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals December 13 for successor contracts covering …
PCC Reaches Agreements with Faculty and Academics Read More
City Takes Trees and Climate Seriously
By Midge Pierce As Fire Drill Friday climate protests swept the globe imploring action to save the planet, Portland took steps to curtail carbon emissions and protect the urban tree …
City Takes Trees and Climate Seriously Read More
OLCC Bans CBD + Alcohol
In late December, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) adopted a rules amendment to ban the inclusion of CBD in manufactured products. They will be taking a closer look into …
OLCC Bans CBD + Alcohol Read More
New Seasons’ New Owners
By Midge Pierce Since New Seasons announced its sale under Good Food Holdings to South Korean E-mart, reactions at both the Hawthorne and Sellwood stores ranged from shrugs, to chagrins …
New Seasons’ New Owners Read More
Oregon’s Distracted Driving Fines Are Highest in the Nation
By David Krogh Oregon’s distracted driving fines are the highest in the US. Rosenblum Law, a New Jersey law firm, conducted a survey and determined that first time offenders in …
Oregon’s Distracted Driving Fines Are Highest in the Nation Read More
Walkabout Kicks Off Alliance
By Midge Pierce A coalition called Inner Powell Alliance (IPA) has formed with Creston-Kenilworth, Richmond, Hosford Abernethy and Brooklyn Neighborhood Associations to improve safety and livability along Powell Blvd. With …
Walkabout Kicks Off Alliance Read More
Neighborhood Associations Live Another Day
By Midge Pierce Score a success for neighbors seeking to retain a pipeline to City Hall. Postponement of a code change vote that could have upended Portland’s renowned Neighborhood Association …
Neighborhood Associations Live Another Day Read More
Preschool Education Addressed, Funding Increased
By Don MacGillivray Housing costs, transportation, homelessness and poverty were the highest concerns from Oregonians surveyed in a recent poll conducted this fall by DHM Research. Other high priority issues …
Preschool Education Addressed, Funding Increased Read More
Helping Oregon’s Veterans
By Nancy Tannler After twenty-two years in the military watching over the lives and well being of her fellow soldiers, Sergeant Tina Kennedy returned to civilian life only to see …
Helping Oregon’s Veterans Read More
DOZA: Changing the City’s Design Review Process
By David Krogh By the year 2035, the City is expected to grow by 123,000 households. Since Portland’s leaders have determined Portland will grow up and not out, most of …
DOZA: Changing the City’s Design Review Process Read More
Congestion Pricing
By Don MacGillivray Road congestion has almost reached the breaking point. Rush hour traffic is terrible on many freeways and arterials. Unless a major solution is found, the situation can …
The District Office
By Jack Rubinger The District Office, at the corner of Stark and MLK, is one of Portland’s first cross-laminated timber buildings; a new and exciting innovation using decarbonized methods and …
Solve Volunteers Clean Up
By Larissa Gordon From Astoria to Brookings, Baker City to Medford, over 5,500 dedicated volunteers came out in full swing, Saturday, September 21, to take care of Oregon as part …
Solve Volunteers Clean Up Read More
A Day of Climate Action
By Midge Pierce Greta Thunberg should take heart. The planet’s children have issued a spectacular message that climate is a ticking timebomb. As schools emptied across the globe on September …
A Day of Climate Action Read More
Cracks in Code Change Surface
By Midge Pierce The fate of the city’s Neighborhood Associations continues to shift following Commissioner Chloe Eudaly’s threats to Council colleagues for their refusal to support a controversial code proposal. …
Cracks in Code Change Surface Read More
What do Neighborhood Associations do?
By David Krogh Every part of the City of Portland is included within a neighborhood, and all of these have Neighborhood Associations (NAs) which residents and businesses can be involved …
What do Neighborhood Associations do? Read More
RIP Eyes Anti-displacement
By Midge Pierce Just as Portlanders were getting used to the idea of three and four-plexes in their single family neighborhoods, a proposal surfaced to allow six-plexes. Locals leery of …
RIP Eyes Anti-displacement Read More
Congestion Pricing and Congestion
By David Krogh Portland area interstate highways, feeder streets, and even City streets have become more and more congested in recent years. That suggests two very different, yet interrelated areas …
Congestion Pricing and Congestion Read More
NAs Vow to Keep Portland Neighborly
By Midge Pierce If you value public input on landuse, transportation, infrastructure and livability, thank Neighborhood Association pushback for postponement (and perhaps reconsideration) of a City Council vote on a …
NAs Vow to Keep Portland Neighborly Read More
Officer Calls for Patience
By Midge Pierce In the face of protests, car thefts, Next Door burglary reports, public drug use, “sharps” (preferred word for needles) on streets and playgrounds and a general rise …
Officer Calls for Patience Read More
History of Neighborhood Associations
By Don MacGillivray Controversy, criticism, and change challenge neighborhood associations today. It is not just city problems troubling the neighborhood system, but the possibility that the fifty-year system of public …
History of Neighborhood Associations Read More
Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy
By Midge Pierce A silver lining of the attack on Neighborhood Associations is the growing outreach to under-represented groups. It’s not always easy, as groups that do not share language …
Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy Read More
A Solution to Climate Change
By Meera Ramachandran A scary book can help some folk nestle into the mood of the Halloween season. With the fall around the corner, it’s good to know about a …
A Solution to Climate Change Read More
More and More Scooters Coming
By David Krogh Note: The Southeast Examiner discussed the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT’s) implementation of a new one-year pilot project starting next April for e-scooters in our June issue …
More and More Scooters Coming Read More
Homelessness in SE Portland
By Jack Rubinger One of the dangers of getting used to the homeless problem in Portland is that you start feeling numb, then angry, then sad, then you just want …
Homelessness in SE Portland Read More
Paint the Town Green
By Allen Field Approximately two hundred and fifty volunteers, young and old, fanned out from locations near 82nd Ave. and the Central Christian Church on SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. …
Paint the Town Green Read More
Phoenix Reborn
By David Krogh An old boarded up triangular brick building on Foster Rd. is about to be reborn. Located at SE 67th St., it originally got its start as the …
Code Challenges Neighborhood Clout
By Midge Pierce A City Bureau under Commissioner Chloe Eudaly is rushing a code change to Council that, under the guise of equity and inclusion, weakens government accountability and eliminates …
Code Challenges Neighborhood Clout Read More
RIP’s search for land: Responsible Growth or Demolition Derby?
By Gabe Frayne On a quiet street off of NE Glisan, a one-story, century-old cottage fell to the wrecking ball three years ago to make way for a modern single …
RIP’s search for land: Responsible Growth or Demolition Derby? Read More
State Bills Passed in 2019
By David Krogh A stress filled and sometimes chaotic 2019 Oregon State legislative session is now over. Several bills that passed are noteworthy and will be briefly examined as follows. …
State Bills Passed in 2019 Read More
Overreach Called War on Neighborhoods
By Midge Pierce A riddle making the rounds goes, “What do you get when you co-opt worthy goals of inclusion and diversity behind closed doors? A bureaucratic power grab and …
Overreach Called War on Neighborhoods Read More
SE Updates
By Midge Pierce RIP Gets Red Carpet It’s all over but the shouting. The passage of HB 2001, the nation’s first statewide ban on single family zoning, makes Council approval …
Associations May Go Dark Under New Code
By Midge Pierce Portland Neighborhood Associations’ fragile tethers to City Hall are growing ever more tenuous. That’s because changes in the Code for the Office of Community and Civic Life …
Associations May Go Dark Under New Code Read More
Commuting by Water Taxi
By Don MacGillivray Farsighted leaders have for many years, dreamed of ferrying commuters and tourists on the rivers around the region. Water-borne commuting remains a desirable option, but it will …
Commuting by Water Taxi Read More
Prepare for More Oil Trains in PDX
By Don MacGillivray Ever since the creation of the oil fields in the Dakotas and Central Canada, the Pacific Northwest has been concerned that railroads will ship large amounts of …
Prepare for More Oil Trains in PDX Read More
PBOT in the News
By David Krogh Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has been receiving substantial publicity lately and much of it is negative. Here is a composite detailing several media reports. Sidewalk Repairs: …
SE Updates
By Midge Pierce Family Housing Relief Coming Some one hundred and eighty low-income families should get needed affordable housing in a five-story, Home Forward development that could break ground next …
What Densification Means to Portland
By Midge Pierce The June walkout of state Senators gave critics of pending legislation like statewide upzoning in HB 2001 time to amp up objections before a final vote was …
What Densification Means to Portland Read More
Franklin Teacher Awarded
By Jack Rubinger Myron Ryan, a Franklin High School metalworking and manufacturing teacher, has received the Circle of Excellence Award from OnPoint Community Credit Union. He will receive a $1,500 …
Franklin Teacher Awarded Read More
Cleveland Robotics Goes to the Worlds
By Jack Rubinger Cleveland High School’s robotics team, The Pigmice (FRC 2733), recently wrapped up one of their most successful competition seasons at the FIRST Robotics Championships, also known as …
Cleveland Robotics Goes to the Worlds Read More
SE Updates
By Midge Pierce The Kids Are Alright Grade school kids are leading the way toward racial understanding and sensitivity at Buckman Elementary. This spring 19 Buckman students, under the guidance …
Railroad Retracking Becomes Possible Reality
By Midge Pierce Imagine inner Eastside without those infuriating mile-long trains stopping you in your uh, tracks. A pipedream? Not according to a 20-something with a railyard redevelopment vision and …
Railroad Retracking Becomes Possible Reality Read More
Stringent Parks Budget
By Don MacGillivray This year’s budget for the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau (PP&R) indicates a major disconnect between PP&R and the City’s annual budget process. Parks needs …
Stringent Parks Budget Read More
Opportunity Zones Provide Capital Gains Tax Break
By Gabriel Frayne Jr. It’s been over half a century since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development labeled the Buckman neighborhood a “pocket of poverty,” but apparently Governor …
Opportunity Zones Provide Capital Gains Tax Break Read More
Housing: Is Bigger Better?
By Midge Pierce Despite massive construction and a reported 16,000 empty units, more housing has yet to move the needle significantly on affordability. Now, with state legislation on the docket …
Housing: Is Bigger Better? Read More
City Budget Cuts Hits PP&R Hard
By Don MacGillivray The City of Portland held a large Town-Hall Meeting April 2 to review and discuss the forthcoming City Budget at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) …
City Budget Cuts Hits PP&R Hard Read More
SE Updates
By Midge Pierce Demolition Harms Climate Too When it comes to climate change, our ecologically-minded city is steeped in contradictions. The sustainable practice of preserving the embodied energy of existing …
Litter & Graffiti CleanUp
Metro and KINK Radio holds the second annual “Paint the Town Green” litter and graffiti cleanup events, Saturday June 1, from 9 am-1 pm. Last year’s inaugural event spanned five …
Litter & Graffiti CleanUp Read More
Community News May 2019
Montavilla Farmer’s Market opens Montavilla Farmers Market invites you to join us as we kick off our 13th season on May 5th! We’ll have fresh local produce, baked goods, sustainably …
Community News May 2019 Read More
Climate Action Plan
By Midge Pierce Addressing climate change is ever more urgent as weather gets weirder, polar ice sheets melt and fires get hotter. A glimmer of good news is that Portland’s …
2019 State Housing Bill Updates that Affect SE Portland
By David Krogh HB2001 was amended by the House Committee on Human Services and Housing and was referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committee on April 12. Per the …
2019 State Housing Bill Updates that Affect SE Portland Read More
Educational Crisis Builds Funding Pressure
By Midge Pierce The expectation that dozens of teaching positions will be eliminated next year despite the Portland Public School (PPS) Superintendent’s proposed four percent budget increase, will likely motivate …
Educational Crisis Builds Funding Pressure Read More
City Club Initiates Public Meetings for De-Commissioning Discussion
By David Krogh The City Club held a public meeting Wednesday, April 10, in the community room at McMennamin’s Kennedy School to initiate public discussion on its recent study, New …
City Club Initiates Public Meetings for De-Commissioning Discussion Read More
Fritz to Retire in 2020
By David Krogh City Commissioner Amanda Fritz announced on April 5 that she would retire after her current term is up in 2020 and not run for re-election. According to …
Fritz to Retire in 2020 Read More
Laurelhurst Neighborhood Receives National Historic Recognition
It’s official! After years of work by hundreds of community volunteers, the Laurelhurst Neighborhood has been added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. The National …
Laurelhurst Neighborhood Receives National Historic Recognition Read More
Local Effects of 2018 Tax Act
Jim Houser, owner of Hawthorne Auto Clinic, hosted a Town Hall with Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Senator Ron Wyden last month to speak with local business people about President Trump’s …
Local Effects of 2018 Tax Act Read More
Clarifying PERS Benefits
By Don MacGillivray The Public Employee Retirement System(PERS) began in 1946 and includes many types of public service employees. The employee breakdown is: public school – forty-three percent, state government …
Clarifying PERS Benefits Read More
SE Updates
Yes, It Could Happen Here The geyser that erupted last month on NE Skidmore was caused by a break in a hundred-years plus, thirty-inch diameter water pipe and could happen …
State Bills Affecting Housing and Planning
By David Krogh Several bills in both the State House and Senate are being considered which will provide major changes to how future planning occurs and housing needs are met …
State Bills Affecting Housing and Planning Read More
New and Revised Taxation Plans
By Don MacGillivray With the Oregon legislature in search of more funding for public schools, various new or revised tax plans are being advanced. Democrats believe that a new tax …
New and Revised Taxation Plans Read More
Don’t Blink – More Change Coming
By Midge Pierce Pro-growthers score a big one RIP, the Residential Infill Project’s elimination of Portland’s single family neighborhoods, moved closer to fruition with the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) …
Don’t Blink – More Change Coming Read More
RNA Carries On
By Midge Pierce Perplexed Richmond residents filled tables, pushed together in a symbolic gesture of welcome, as the Neighborhood Association held its March meeting despite the absence of a board …
Music Millennium Hits 50
By J. Michael Kearsey Back in 1969, a person known as a Millennial was just a twinkle in every young granny-glassed eye: an adjective that pertained to the thousand years …
Music Millennium Hits 50 Read More
What is HB2003
By David Krogh HB2003 is yet another affordable housing bill sponsored by State House Speaker Tina Kotek, but, the bill attempts to strike into the heart of Oregon’s affordable housing …
SE Updates
By Midge Pierce Watchers Eye OCCL Warily Infighting within neighborhood associations like Richmond comes at a contentious time when city playbooks seem to weaken associations, according to municipal observers. Watchers …
Crime Keeps Coming Whether We Listen or Not
By Midge Pierce Portland’s police force has hit a decidedly rough patch. The bureau has a hundred vacancies to fill, internal morale is low and public mistrust of police appears …
Crime Keeps Coming Whether We Listen or Not Read More
Imbroglios Threaten Future RNA
By Midge Pierce Turmoil that has roiled the Richmond neighborhood years ago has resurfaced to plague a community frequently hailed as among the nation’s most livable. Undeniably, it’s one of Portland’s most engaged. …
Imbroglios Threaten Future RNA Read More
Preservation Wrap up: Grassroots Makes a Comeback
By Midge Pierce In growth-centric Portland, preservation is taxing and grassroots clout is growing to protect architectural and cultural treasures and oppose practices that lead to demolition and gentrification. A …
Preservation Wrap up: Grassroots Makes a Comeback Read More
Rethinking Commission Form of Governance
By David Krogh The City Club has thrown a curveball at the Portland City Council. This pitch takes the form of a study and accompanying report which points out severe …
Rethinking Commission Form of Governance Read More
Eastbank Esplanade Improvements: Temporary Closure Ahead
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), and the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), will be making …
Eastbank Esplanade Improvements: Temporary Closure Ahead Read More
New Alignments Push Back Against URM Policies
By Midge Pierce A potentially powerful alignment of diverse interests has coalesced to oppose City requirements that unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings post placards warning of possible collapse in the Big …
New Alignments Push Back Against URM Policies Read More
Major League Baseball in PDX
By Don MacGillivray Is the dream of major league baseball in Portland possible? A growing number of Portland’s notables think so. Craig Cheek, Nike executive, Mike Barrett, former Blazers broadcaster, …
Major League Baseball in PDX Read More
SE Updates
By Midge Pierce Record Funding Found to Tackle Homelessness Low income housing relief is coming to SE. The Mayor bills the just-announced Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative as a “first of …
High Tech to Grass Roots
In response to the Portland housing crisis, JT, a software developer, has tapped the housing design experts at Communitecture and the edible garden and permaculture specialists at Witch Hazel Designs …
High Tech to Grass Roots Read More
Empty Apartments Pale in Comparison to China
By Don MacGillivray Much criticism has been leveled at the City about housing development of recent years. It seems that the city is over building apartments that will remain vacant …
Empty Apartments Pale in Comparison to China Read More
State Housing Bills Reflect City Proposals
By Midge Pierce As goes the City, so goes Salem with bills on the legislative docket for rent control and densification. Mayor Ted Wheeler indicates support for the bills similar …
State Housing Bills Reflect City Proposals Read More
Business Owner Fights TriMet’s Overcrossing Project
By Jonathan Maus, editor and publisher of BikePortland This article originally appeared on BikePortland.org bikeportland.org/2018/12/20/business-owner-uses-attorney-and-electeds-to-fight-trimets-carfree-gideon-overcrossing-project-293425) Neighborhood transportation advocates in SE Portland are sounding the alarm about TriMet’s Gideon Overcrossing project. They …
Business Owner Fights TriMet’s Overcrossing Project Read More
URM Year End Update
URM Year End Update by Gabriel Frayne Jr. The battle between URM building owners and the Portland City Council over seismic upgrades ended the year on a litigious note as …
Metro Urban Growth Boundary
By Don Mac Gillivray Predicting how much our region will grow is the job of the Portland Metropolitan Service District (Metro) and it isn’t easy. The current approximate population of …
Metro Urban Growth Boundary Read More
Homelessness in Portland Part II
By David Krogh There is no simple solution to eliminating homelessness, much less addressing it in a meaningful way. November’s edition introduced this topic. This part explores remedies. Homelessness is …
Homelessness in Portland Part II Read More
RIP Positions Intensify
By Midge Pierce Sweeping land use reform that would eliminate single family housing is all the rage in entering 2019 as Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek proffers a statewide mirror …
RIP Positions Intensify Read More