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Help Boost My Newsletter
I have always loved sending out a Friday newsletter since I was in the classroom. I know I have casual readers out there, but I also know that I have newsletter devotees who rely on my weekly updates for news snippets, resources, and events. I love delivering this information to your inbox every week, and I’d love your help in getting some new subscribers! If you like my newsletter, can you forward this to your friends, family, and neighbors? They can sign up HERE or through my Council landing page!
The 81st Anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings
The 81st anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are on August 6th and 9th, respectively. As someone of Japanese ancestry, I want to honor the victims and survivors by declaring my hope for a safer, more peaceful world free of nuclear weapons and drawing attention to a group, Back from the Brink, who are doing the good work of reducing nuclear risks and pushing for disarmament. They have led Congressional Resolutions, one introduced by our very own Senator Jeff Merkley here in Oregon. Billions of dollars spent every year on weapons, including nuclear weapons, take our tax dollars away from programs and investments that address real security issues like the need for affordable healthcare and housing, good jobs and safe streets.
Moda Update
This past Wednesday, we devoted a City Council meeting to public testimony on the Moda Center. Once again, it was affirming to hear so many passionate community voices share stories and talk about their connection to the Blazers while advocating for Portlanders. A few youth testified, which, as a teacher, always feels special. You can watch the public testimony HERE (testimony starts after the 43:00 mark).
Then, on Thursday, Council met to discuss amendments to the existing term sheet, and frustratingly, all proposed amendments failed. This was disappointing. However, Council President Dunphy was clear at the beginning of the discussion that this is not over. He will be checking in with the negotiation team and will likely bring a package of synthesized amendments to the August 12 meeting. So while I know people are very frustrated with President Dunphy, I ask you to please hold tight; he hopefully will be the seventh vote to make some important amendments. Because it’s a resolution, we can amend and pass it on the same day. Tune in on August 12 HERE.
 Meeting at Coral Story with Division Clinton Business District. From left to right: Nick Brodnicki, TKL, Morning Dove Barranger, Rachel Hoffman, Alan DeLaTorre
Division and Clinton Business District
This summer, I had a chance to meet with Nick, Morning Dove, and Rachel to learn about the Division Clinton Business District. I appreciated learning about the challenges and opportunities that accompany organizing and running a business district. It’s a lot! Please show up for these folks by supporting D3 businesses along SE Division, SE Clinton, and throughout District 3. Visit their cool shops, tell others, and show up to their events! To learn more about the Division Clinton Business Association check out their July newsletter, consider attending Show Up for Small Businesses on August 13 (more below) and/or save the date for the Clinton Street Fair on September 12.
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As I prepare to begin another semester of classes in just a few weeks, I’m looking forward to bringing all that I have learned at this internship into the classroom with me. Through getting involved in different policy projects, I have learned so much about the public sector, the legislative process, and the opportunities to effect meaningful change at the local level. I know these lessons will stay with me as I advance through the next two years of college.
It has been gratifying to see the interaction between my studies and the work that I’ve been able to do in City Hall. For example, this past spring, I took an intermediate microeconomic theory course, where I studied how consumers make choices under different market conditions. I most enjoyed learning about externalities — outcomes of economic activity that impact third parties — and ways to respond to them. This summer, I used this concept to support my research of data centers and the tools that local governments can use to prevent negative effects. This fall, I’m excited to bring this policy development experience into the environmental economics seminar that I’m taking at school.
Overall, I appreciate that the next time I listen to a Portland City Council meeting while folding my laundry or doing the dishes, I’ll be a little better informed about the work taking place. I’m looking forward to finding other opportunities to leverage what I’ve learned in City Hall to enrich my academic journey!
MultCo Master Gardener Demonstration Garden (Aug 8)
The Multnomah County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden is hosting a free, family‑friendly drop-in event with self‑guided tours, children’s activities, gardening Q&A, and free educational materials and seed packets (while supplies last). Visitors can explore fruit, vegetable, native plant, and pollinator sections, and talk with partners like Multnomah County Vector Control and Oregon State University Master Preservers, along with Master Gardeners offering advice on preserving harvests, creating pollinator habitat, and more. The garden entrance is on SE 57th Ave. Sat, Aug 08, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Visit Event Website
Show Up for Small Business (Aug 13)
The Office of Small Business is partnering with The Division Clinton Business District, Better Portland, PIE, Latino Founders, Portland Metro Chamber, and Built Oregon for this month’s Show Up for Small Business on August 13 (note the date change!) at the ModHaus food cart pod (3829 SE Division St). It’s a time to celebrate and directly support the small businesses that make Portland unique. You can learn more and RSVP HERE.
Jenny Yang’s Comedy Show + Clear Clinic Fundraiser (Aug 13)
Jenny Yang is bringing her national comedy tour to Portland, with all proceeds supporting Clear Clinic. Her tour raises funds for local groups helping immigrants during an especially difficult time, a cause close to her heart as an immigrant and activist herself. Clear Clinic provides free legal services to Oregonians and works to dismantle racial, social, and economic barriers in the legal system. This event will be held at Fubonn Marketplace (2850 SE 82nd Ave) on Thursday, August 13 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets will sell out fast! https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/XjtEIA?vid=1rjm13
RSVP for August LGBTQIA2S+ Webinar (Aug 14)
On Friday, August 14, noon to 1:00 p.m., please join the Oregon Gerontological Association for an event with Brandy Penner, Executive Director of the Oregon LGBTQ+ Aging Coalition, for a webinar: “LGBTQIA2S+ Older Adults in Oregon: Understanding Strengths and Responding to Challenges.” Please register and learn more at bit.ly/OGA_August2026 to get the Zoom link. Or email admin@oregongero.org with questions. Intended audience: Anyone serving or engaging with LGBTQ+ older adults!
From Injustice to Action: Japanese American Leaders in Oregon (Aug 15)
Join the Japanese American Museum of Oregon (JAMO) for a panel discussion with some of the people featured in Standing for Justice: The Japanese Americans Shaping Oregon, including Lynn Nakamoto, Peggy Nagae, Mari Watanabe, Elisa Dozono, and Tiffany Koyama Lane. Learn about their lives and what inspired them to pursue careers focused around civic engagement and the protection of civil rights. Hear directly from these local Japanese American politicians, lawyers, and judges on how we can all work towards justice here in Oregon. August 15, 1:00 p.m. JAMO Annex (431 NW Flanders St). RSVP here.
Celebrate the grand opening of Belmont Library! (Aug 15 + 16)
It’s time!!! The expanded Belmont Library (1038 SE Cesar Chavez Blvd) will be open soon! Join our very excited book community for two days of free, fun-filled community events to celebrate.
--Saturday, August 15, 2026
Music with Maeve Stier, Soprano & Accordionist; 10:00-11:00 a.m.
The Reluctant Dragon; 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jazz for the Whole Family; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Edible Wild Plants: Free Foods From Foraging to Feasting; 3:00-4:30 p.m.
--Sunday, August 16, 2026
Explore Audio Visual Equipment; 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Bossa PDX: Music of Brazil; 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Rez Rhythm Fitness with Gigs; 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Musical Playtime: A Family Dance Party with Eli Rosenblatt; 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Kernside Serenade (Aug 16)
On the third Sunday of each month, head to the Ankeny Rainbow Rd (2720 SE Ankeny St) for Kernside Serenade for live music, comedy, and a pet costume contest. The next one is Aug 16, 2026, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Learn more HERE.
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