The 2019 Vanport Mosaic Festival returns for its fourth event May 21-June 2, organized by community-driven nonprofit Vanport Mosaic.

“Through exhibits, documentary screenings, tours, performances and dialogues, we will celebrate the lessons of resilience and resistance as defined and told by historically oppressed communities,” reported the festival’s Facebook page.

The multi-disciplinary festival has received the Oregon Heritage Excellence Award, the Spirit of Portland Award and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s Achievement Award. Returning sponsors and funding sources are Oregon Historical Society, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, Multnomah County Drainage District, Port of Portland, Regional Arts & Culture Council and Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.

The festival is seeking more sponsors, funders and volunteers. For details, contact Info@VanportMosaic.org or visit Facebook.com/events/318232912147588.

Photo courtesy of Vanport Mosaic Festival, Oregon Historical Society digital file no. ba018658

Sundays Parkways – the annual, safe, family-friendly event – is in its 11th year. Roadways in Concordia and nearby neighborhoods will be closed to traffic Sunday, Sept. 23, so you can walk or ride the eight miles that connect four parks. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

Oil your bike chain, adjust the axle nuts on your skateboard, charge your Segway or electric scooter and/or change the shoestrings in your sneakers. Sundays Parkways comes to northeast Portland Sunday, Sept. 23.

Street closures and vendor booths in the parks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. provide a safe walk or ride for people of all ages. There are eight miles of streets closed to vehicular traffic for you to wend your way through neighborhoods and parks in Concordia and nearby neighborhoods.

The route is largely on Ainsworth and Going streets, connected by 9th and 55th avenues. Visit PortlandOregon.gov/ transportation/article/676060 for the map that designates all of the roadways and the four parks.

Woodlawn, Alberta and Fernhill parks offer activities, music and food. At Khunamokwst Park is a Bilingual Bike Fair sponsored by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Andando en Bicicletas en Cully Group. That bike fair offers bike safety information for young and forever young cyclists.

This is the final of five Sundays Parkways in this, the PBOT event’s 11th year. Total attendance in the first decade’s 44 Sundays Parkways events is estimated at nearly 900,000 people.

This is the first year PBOT has worked with Olde World Puppet Theatre to showcase as many as 66 tall and small puppets through an exhibit with themes that range from mermaids and birds to giants and sharks.

By Greg Raisman | Portland Livable Streets Specialist

Dancing to live music is just one form of entertainment at Last Thursdays. This year’s events are June 28, July 26 and Aug. 30.

Get ready for another summer of fun, art and delicious food at Last Thursdays on Alberta!

Some of the highlights this season include: more local art, new and free interactive activities, and a special Native American culture and art area. We are especially excited for a new Native American crafting circle at 21st Avenue, three special interactive installations from Alberta Art Works and several Portland-themed mini-golf holes that will be free to play.

Please come and support the local artists who bring their wares to share with the community. Last Thursday continues to be a fun and engaging place to buy local art, sample delicious cuisine and enjoy a car-free stroll down the street.

This summer’s street vending and performance events will take place on June 28, July 26, and Aug. 30. Alberta will be closed to motor vehicles from 15th to 30th avenues from 6 to 9 p.m.

When you go, keep your eye out for the interactive Last Thursday art booth.

During all other months of the year, Last Thursday art openings and events are celebrated in the brick and mortar stores along Alberta Street. Last Thursdays are produced by the same team at the Portland Bureau of Transportation that brings you Sunday Parkways.

For additional information, please contact me at Greg.Raisman@portlandoregon.gov or 503.823.1052.

Greg Raisman is a Livable Streets Program specialist with 17 years of experience at the Portland Bureau of Transportation. He manages Last Thursdays, helps produce Portland Sunday Parkways and supports the large painted intersections in neighborhoods around the city. When he’s not building community, find him enjoying local restaurants and breweries.

There’s no January issue of CNews headed your way. We gave our volunteer writers December off to spend the holidays with families and friends.

HOWEVER, we aren’t missing a beat on the community calendar that you usually find on Page 12. Find it here instead!