 I’m dedicating time to meet with District 4 constituents both virtually and in their own neighborhoods — to hear what’s on your mind and to provide information on a variety of issues. Please save these dates:
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Marshall Park Neighborhood Association: Annual Ice Cream Social 6-7:30pm Tuesday, August 4th at Marshall Park, 9700 SW 12th Drive.
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Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood Association: 7-8:30pm Tuesday, August 11th at Fire Station 16, 1715 SW Skyline Boulevard.
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Homestead Neighborhood Association: 6:30-8:30pm Tuesday, September 1st at OHSU Old Library, 3286 SW Research Drive.
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Bridlemile Neighborhood Association: 7-8:30pm Wednesday, September 9th on Zoom.
 This month I attended the Ashcreek-Crestwood Summer Picnic at Smith School with City Administrator Lee and Councilor Zimmerman!
I enjoyed meeting with neighborhood association leaders like Board President Marianne Fitzgerald, entertainers like band Mojo Holler, and dedicated volunteers with the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET)! Learn more about this program at portland.gov/pbem/neighborhood-emergency-teams.
 “(We) try to improve livability and get the most vulnerable on the streets help,” Bruce Studer, President of Pearl District Neighborhood Association, recently told KGW-TV. "We can’t wait for anybody else.”
Bruce was talking about Pearl Patrol, a new program in which volunteer teams serve as the neighborhood’s “eyes and ears.” These community ambassadors help ensure timely responses to public safety concerns; share resource information with unhoused people; and help promote events.
The team developed a training guide that earned praise from Portland Police Bureau representatives and homeless services professionals. Central Precinct Cmdr. Derrick Foxworth Jr. (left), Sgt. Zach Kenney (right), and two other officers recently did a walk-along to show their support.
To get involved, email Pearl Patrol Program Manager Linda Witt at lindawittextra@gmail.com. I would love to see programs like this replicated in other neighborhoods throughout the central city!
 Last week I participated in a City of Portland delegation visit to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.
Tribal leaders invited City leaders to learn more about their rich cultural history and to discuss shared priorities. On behalf of the City, I was honored to present a blanket to Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy as a symbol of renewed relationships between our governments.
Here in District 4, the Grand Ronde satellite office at 4445 SW Barbur Boulevard provides programs for enrolled tribal members in the Portland area. Services include resource referrals, application assistance, food distribution, a cultural lifeways curriculum, and educational classes and other activities to build community connection.
 Last week I attended a 1920s-themed centennial celebration for the home of the Portland Timbers and Thorns, Providence Park! Did you know:
- Before the Multnomah Athletic Club developed the site as an athletic field, it was a large Chinese vegetable garden, supplying produce to much of Portland.
- The venue was previously known as Multnomah Stadium (1926-1966), Civic Stadium (1966-2001), PGE Park (2001-2011), and Jeld-Wen Field (2011-2014).
- Past events held on the grounds include: a visit from President William H. Taft in 1909; the National Football League’s first overtime game in 1955; a concert by Elvis Presley in 1957; decades of professional baseball; dog racing; college football; the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup; and the final professional game for soccer legend Pele in the North American Soccer League’s Soccer Bowl ’77.
 Love was in the air at Darcelle XV Plaza as 22 couples exchanged vows — both legally and symbolically — in a mass wedding to kick off Pride Weekend.
I was honored to serenade the guests with a performance of “It Had to Be You.” The evening also featured drag performer Poison Waters, DJ Leo, Voodoo Doughnuts for everyone, and big celebratory dance party!
 What a colorful parade at Portland Pride, one of the largest Pride celebrations on the West Coast!
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Portland and around the world. From left, Fire Chief Lauren Johnson, Councilor Ryan, Congresswoman Bonamici, County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, Councilor Zimmerman, and Senator Merkley joined the festivities downtown.
 This week I met with Alisha Sullivan, Executive Director of Nightlab, the organization formerly known as Willamette Light Brigade, which produces the Portland Winter Light Festival. She told me about Illuminate Bridge City, a bold vision to light seven Willamette River bridges, starting with Morrison, Hawthorne, and Broadway.
Activating public space during evening hours, particularly in colder months, has been proven to increase foot traffic and public safety. According to an ECOnorthwest estimate, Illuminate Bridge City could spur 800,000+ visits to events and activations with bridge lighting — supporting 300 potential jobs and bringing $51 million in total economic contributions!
 District 4 offers so many amazing safe and beautiful routes for bicycling. This month I finally was able to get out for a ride that took me across Sellwood Bridge!
 The Oregon Historical Society recently participated in a nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating the 250th anniversary of its first reading in 1776. Reading this monumental document honors our shared history and reaffirms the principles of freedom and unity that continue to guide our nation.
Readers included former Governor Ted Kulongoski, former Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Secretary of State Tobias Read, Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan Flynn, U.S. District Judges Mike Simon and Adrienne Nelson, and Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim Edwards.
This month Oregon Historical Society is displaying the first U.S. flag known to have been raised over Portland after Oregon became a state in 1859. The flag, created by Ann Elizabeth Bills, has been carefully presented in full for one of the few times in its history.
 Join the City of Portland and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe for a free National Night Out kickoff celebration from 4-7pm Friday, July 31st at Director Park!
This nationwide event brings neighbors together with public safety agencies in a fun, family-friendly setting. National Night Out is about more than meeting first responders — it’s about fostering trust, increasing transparency, and building relationships that help create safer, stronger communities.
Nonperishable food donations will be collected during the event. Complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided while supplies last. Activities include a live DJ, giant Connect Four, hacky sack, cornhole, soccer, football, and other lawn games and activities.
 Let’s go for a walk! I’ll be joining Oregon Walks and my District 4 colleagues Tuesday, August 11th at this fun and casual event where constituents can discuss plans for our city and district. It’s also an opportunity for people to connect with each other, build community, and get some exercise.
Meet at Salmon Springs Fountain at 8am, then we’ll walk on the waterfront for about 1.5 miles. RSVPs aren’t required but are appreciated by emailing info@oregonwalks.org.
Oregon Walks advocates for safe, convenient, and attractive walking conditions as an essential part of thriving, sustainable, and connected communities. It was launched in 1991 as the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition before changing names in 2012.
 ► The New York Times lists Portland Japanese Garden among “7 Gardens So Serene, You Won’t Believe They’re in the City”! Gabe Castro-Root writes: “Explore bonsai, bridges, ponds and pagodas at the 12.5-acre garden, which overlooks the city from a hillside perch…. The Flat Garden and Sand and Stone Garden, both examples of the karesansui — or dry landscape — style, pair neatly raked stones and pebbles with manicured shrubbery, trees and other plants. Sip a cup of tea and have a sweet treat at the cafe. On a clear day, visitors can take in stunning views of Mount Hood.”
► Nordstrom celebrated its 125th anniversary with a downtown block party featuring food, four bands, and family-friendly activities. The company’s history in Portland dates back to 1950, when it opened a shoe store on Broadway. The downtown location has been around since 1977. “It’s so important for us to be here in the community,” manager Courtney Posey told KOIN-TV. “We want people to come downtown and to enjoy restaurants and to enjoy other retailers, small and big.”
► Riverplace Marina will soon have an anchor restaurant once again, as Cay Bar & Grill prepares to open later this summer. The Oregonian reports that the Vietnamese restaurant is a family affair, led in part by Minhthy Nguyen and her son, Khoa Tran. Her father, Tri, also has a history in District 4 restaurants: He was once known as the “soup sorcerer” for his infamous 60-gallon vats of etouffee, clam chowder, and other recipes at Jake’s Famous Crawfish.
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