Our October 10th Chili Cook-Off was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who entered a recipe, tasted and voted, helped set up, and came out to connect with neighbors. It was great to see such a strong community turnout.

Holiday craft fair

• Support local makers and get a jump on your holiday shopping!
  • When: Friday, November 13 (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM) & Saturday, November 14 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
  • Vendor Tables: Available for $25. If you would like a vending space, contact Anna: annabonte76@gmail.com

Winter coat and blanket drive?

We discussed the possibility of working with Cultivate Initiatives on a winter coat and blanket drive. We'll need to discuss this and hopefully kick it off at our November meeting.

Parkrose United Methodist Church craft group

Did you know there's a neighborhood craft group at the church? Anna floated the idea of working with this group to knit or crotchet hats or other items for the proposed coat/blanket drive. At any rate, if you'd like to participate in the group, here are the details:

• When: Tuesdays, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Weekly)
• Where: Parkrose United Methodist Church
• Details & Contact: Email parkroseumc1@gmail.com or check out the Parkrose UMC Crafts Group page.

Sacramento Elementary: Volunteers wanted

• Sacramento Elementary is asking drivers to strictly travel in one direction during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up to keep students safe. The school needs donated directional signage and neighborhood volunteers to make signs and raise awareness.
• Help is also wanted building some sort of permanent barrier around a particularly sappy tree on the playground. They'd like something like a fence or benches around the tree.
• If you can help, please reach out directly to Marisa (Sacramento Elementary PTO Vice President) at marisa@foodinjars.com.

Upcoming events with Councilor Loretta Smith

Coffee with a Cop & Community:

The next Coffee with a Cop & Community session will focus on gun violence and mental health resources. Light refreshments will be provided.

• When: Friday, October 23, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Where: Our Just Future (2nd Floor), 10550 NE Halsey St.
• RSVP: Sign up online here​

Resource fair

Councilor Loretta Smith's office is hosting a resource fair to directly connect District 1 residents with available city programs, local nonprofits, and community organizations. There will be information and assistance on utilities, housing, employment, childcare, family resources, and other local services.

• When: Thursday, November 12, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th Ave)
• RSVP: Sign up online here​

Notes from the October PHAN Meeting

(Note: These are unofficial recap notes from our October 13th meeting).

• Portland City Council met recently regarding civic engagement. With the Office of Community & Civic Life currently down to one person, discussions are underway about integrating Neighborhood Association engagement into a larger civic engagement department placed under City Council rather than the City Manager.
• Neighbors brought up street-sweeping disparities between downtown and outer East Portland. Malynda (from Councilor Smith's office) clarified that sweeping schedules are posted online and that citywide budget constraints limit sweeping off main commercial corridors to once per year.
• Speeding and failure to stop at crosswalk beacons were raised. Neighbors were encouraged to bring specific traffic hotspots to Councilor Smith’s Coffee with a Cop meeting.
• A PSU student is currently researching neighborhood parks. Attendees discussed ideas for more activation:
  • Reviving summer day camps
  • Basketball hoop installations.
  • Adding a covered picnic area.
  • Expanding winter park activations to balance warm-weather sports leagues.
• Neighbors discussed inviting the League of Women Voters to present on ballot measures and ranked-choice voting, including a mock ranked-choice ballot at next year’s chili cook-off.

Next Meeting:

Our next monthly PHAN meeting will be Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 PM at Parkrose United Methodist Church.

Questions or want to get involved? Contact us at officers@parkroseheights.org.