 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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Far Southwest Neighborhood Association: 7-8:30pm Tuesday, October 27th on Zoom.
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South Burlingame Neighborhood Association: 6:30-7:30pm Thursday, November 19th on Google Meet.
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Old Town Community Association: Noon-2pm Wednesday, December 2nd at District 4 Coalition Office, 434 NW Sixth Avenue #202
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Hayhurst Neighborhood Association: 7-8:30pm Monday, December 14th at Vermont Hills Church, 6053 SW 55th Avenue
 This week I joined forces with the Maplewood Neighborhood Association for a “walk and talk” through this tight-knit Southwest Portland community.
Our walk started at the largely residential neighborhood’s only business, Maplewood Coffee & Tea. Then we strolled past Maplewood Elementary School to April Hill Park, passing through some “snickets” (a narrow alley between houses) along the way. There were even a couple of quirky sights and an inspirational quote from Dolly Parton!
 I recently met with the Homestead Neighborhood Association.
This West Hills neighborhood includes two significant medical complexes — OHSU and Portland Veteran Affairs Medical Center — and hundreds of acres of undeveloped forests and parks. Our conversation covered traffic safety, invasive vegetation management, baseball fields, and more.
 Last week I had the opportunity to meet online with Bridlemile Neighborhood Association to hear about the issues that matter most to their community. We had a thoughtful conversation covering a range of concerns from Moda Center to land-use decisions to vacant buildings.
I always enjoy hearing what motivates people to dedicate their time and energy to making their neighborhoods stronger. I’m grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn, and build connections with constituents.
 Last week City Councilors joined Mayor Wilson, Chief Johnson, and Portland Fire Fighters’ Association Local 43 Vice President Kris Webb to remember and honor the first responders who lost their lives from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
I was working in Governor Kitzhaber’s office when the tragic events took place; it’s hard to imagine 25 years have passed since then. As time moves forward, it becomes even more important to continue sharing the stories of those who died and ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten, especially for younger generations.
Every day I am grateful for the public safety officials who serve and protect Portland. I will continue advocating for the resources and funding they need to do their jobs, because strong public safety is essential for the well-being of our community.
 This week I met with Isa Peña and Heather Stuart of Innovation Law Lab, an organization of lawyers and activists working to advance immigrant and refugee justice. They oversee the Universal Legal Representation program, which has enrolled 26,000 Oregonians to receive free legal services.
In the face of escalated attacks on immigrant communities, Innovation Law Lab has fought back. After the federal government launched “Operation Black Rose” to make warrantless arrests, they sued — and Oregon became one of only three states to block the practice. In the Legislature, they won protections to safeguard schools where immigration agents show up.
Innovation Law Lab is part of Oregon for All, at OregonForAll.us/resources.
 This week I met up for coffee with Janie Gullickson, Executive Director of The Peer Company.
Formerly known as the Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon, they provide free, low-barrier recovery services for mental health and addiction. They also run a peer-led day center inside downtown’s Behavioral Health Resource Center.
Janie shared her personal journey with mental health, meth addiction, crime, and recovery, and how it led her to this work. I was honored to meet her.
Next month The Peer Group will break ground on a major project in District 1: Alyssa Daye Gardens will provide 31 units of permanent supportive housing for families experiencing houselessness and behavioral health challenges.
 That’s a wrap for the 2026 season of Portland Sunday Parkways!
Special thanks to the Portland Bureau of Transportation and all of the downtown businesses, volunteers, and attendees who participated this week. I spotted some Public Works bureaus as well as talented folks from Darcelle XV Showplace, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Benson Hotel’s jazz scene along the way.
 Last week I attended the first half of Lincoln’s Return: A Public Conversation, which was presented by the City of Portland Office of Arts & Culture.
Back in May 2024, the City reassured Portlanders that this historic monument, which was toppled during 2020 demonstrations, would return to the South Park Blocks. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until 2 years later that the public learned a key detail: Lincoln would return without a platform, jeopardizing a historic asset that warrants added protection.
Mayor Wilson has announced that after listening to months of public debate, the sculpture will return next spring to its original plinth. Never forget: Citizen action works!
 Last week I had a great time introducing the final concert of Summer Sellwood Sessions! The Apricots entertained an appreciative crowd of all ages at Sellwood Park.
While the summer series has concluded, Sellwood Community House will kick off a Winter Concert Series from January to May at Oaks Pioneer Church to help fund next year’s performances.
I hope you were able to visit The Shack this year. Its 2026 impact report boasts amazing numbers: Participating families came from 73 different ZIP codes! (Also: The Drumstick was the most popular frozen treat, with 1,742 sold!)
 This month I visited the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU with a tour provided by Maryanna Ramirez. The exhibits were amazing, including “High Drama: Japanese Prints of Theater, Heroes, and History”; works by Indigenous artist Jeffrey Gibson; and nearly four decades of prints by British-Indian sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor — who’s best known for creating “The Bean” in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Initially founded in 1933 as an Asian art museum, the collection has since broadened to include works from around the world. Admission is free!
 Last week I went to the Pearl District for Art & Design on 9th, a celebration of the intersection of community, art, design, and creativity. I visited showrooms and galleries to experience the people, places, and artistry that define this vibrant neighborhood.
 ► Oregon Walks has come up with a clever way to explore the city: an 11-mile walk from District 1 to District 4! Taking place from 8:30am-3:30pm September 27th, “The Portland Promenade” will begin at Luuwit Park and eventually make its way to Old Town’s Ankeny Alley before concluding at downtown’s Pioneer Courthouse Square. Along the way there will be a marching band, a chorus of singers, and even a portable karaoke party! Oregon Walks staffer and Food Court 5000 founder Krista Catwood tells The Oregonian, “I’m just looking forward to people going through parts of Portland they haven’t been through before and looking at it with a new set of eyes.”
► OPB reports on the “Sneaky Squatch PDX Art Hunt,” which concludes Sunday as part of Geek Week PDX. Visitors can follow clues throughout the city to discover Sasquatch artwork hidden at local businesses and in public spaces. The collection ranges from 2-inch miniatures to a 200-pound ballerina Sasquatch, offering plenty of opportunities for colorful photography, video, interviews, and stories about Portland’s creative community. “Some of them are in landmark locations like City Hall or the Keller Fountain,” artist Moni Sears says. “Then there’s a lot of comic book shops and game shops that the geek community are likely to be hanging out in anyway.”
► Did you know that downtown was once home to a club where Sammy Davis Jr. got his first standing gig; a recording studio where The Kingsmen created “Louie, Louie”; and a dance studio run by a woman who was in the first U.S. production of Swan Lake? Architecture writer Brian Libby maps out all of this on a walking tour in his new book, In Search of Portland: Exploring a Transforming City. He tells Willamette Week, “People don’t quite realize how much the city is continually changing and rebuilding and remaking itself.”
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