Time is running out to register for this year’s Ready. Safe. Go., the annual FREE crime prevention, safety and emergency preparedness event happening on April 25, 2009. You can choose from 21 classes designed to meet your needs and interests during three, hour-long morning sessions. And then stay for the afternoon to see what others are doing in different areas around the City during the volunteer recognition event honoring community members who help make Portland a safe and livable place to live, work and play.

Preregistration is required by April 9.

For more information, a list of classes, or to register, click on the following link or call 503-823-4064.

http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=41151

http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/?c=29385&a=237812

GRAND OPENING KINGS FARMERS MARKET
SUNDAY May 3rd
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
NE 7th & Wygant
40 Local Vendors

Concordia residents will soon have a farmers market within minutes of their homes. This spring, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, in partnership with Portland Farmers Market, will open the Sunday King Market. The market will be located at NE 7th and Wygant, adjacent to both King Elementary School and King School Park. It will run from May 3 through September 27, from 10 am to 2 pm, and will feature 40 vendors.

“The King Market was created in response to overwhelming community demand to have a farmers market in their backyard,” says Ann Forsthoefel, Executive Director of Portland Farmers Market. “We are thrilled to bring our farmers and other vendors to inner Northeast Portland this year.” Paige Coleman, director of the NE Coalition, adds, “We are excited to partner with Portland Farmers Market to bring a thriving market to our corner of the city. With the King Market Advisory Council, we will be developing creative ways to provide fresh and good food for all. Together, we are dedicated to the health and well-being of our neighbors.”

The Sunday King Market will showcase the bounty of the region’s farms, from produce to fresh flowers, cheeses to meat. Prepared food will also be available. In addition, the market will feature chef demonstrations, cooking classes, and a line-up of other food education events, as well as musical performances. The market is expected to become a family-centric destination for residents and a fresh supply source for many of our local restaurants. Please help make it a success by visiting it frequently and making sure your neighbors know about it. Contact David Sweet, co-chair of the King Market Advisory Council with questions, david [at] sabingreen.net.

A Call to Business Owners, Families, and Individuals!

There’s no better way to spend a summer evening than gathering with friends and family in Fernhill Park for music, dancing and family fun. For the last four summers, the Fernhill Concert Series has been an unqualified success, offering high-quality entertainment to the neighborhood with five free concerts. The Fernhill Concert Committee in conjunction with Portland Parks and Recreation has been hard at work trying to raise money for the series. However, fundraising has been very slow this year due to the troubled economy and we are still looking for local businesses and individuals to donate anything they can to help make the concerts happen! It doesn’t matter if you are a business owner, a family, or an individual, WE NEED YOU to help raise the money to produce another memorable concert season in Fernhill Park.

As noted above, this year we are strongly encouraging individuals and /or families to contribute to the concert series, and any contribution (e.g., $5 or $10) is greatly appreciated. Contributions are tax deductible.

If you are a business, institution, or individual and feel you can become a Fernhill Concert Sponsor by contributing $250 or more, please see below for the benefits of sponsorship!

If you are a business, institution, or individual and feel you can become a Fernhill Concert Sponsor by contributing $250 or more, please see below for the benefits of sponsorship!

The benefits to you and your business:

• A chance to give to your neighborhood
• A tax deductible contribution staying “close to home”
• The option to display, give, or sell items at the concerts
• Your Business Name Recognized:
Displayed at all concerts
In the city-wide Summer Concerts Brochure (25,000 circulated)
In the Concordia News, reaching 5000 households
On the Portland Parks and Recreation website
Thanked over the “P.A.” at concerts

Here are the options:

Presenting Sponsor: $2500 or more
Business name included as presenting sponsor of one night of the concert series with opportunity to MC and welcome audience to the concert. Logo and name on the concert banner displayed at all concerts, listed as Presenting Sponsor for one night in the series in the city-wide printed schedule, on the Portland Parks and Rec website, recognized from the stage at all concerts and featured in press materials.

Major Sponsor: $1000 and up
Logo or name on the concert banner displayed at all concerts, in the city-wide printed schedule, on the Portland Parks and Recreation website, and announced at all concerts, plus mentioned in press materials.

Contributing Sponsor: $500 and up
Name in bold on the concert banner displayed at all concerts, in the city-wide printed schedule, on neighborhood flyers, on the website, and announced at all concerts.

Good Neighbor Sponsor: $250 and up
Name in the city-wide printed schedule, on neighborhood flyers, on the website, and announced at all concerts.

Concert Fan: under $250
For individuals and families who do not wish to be a sponsor, but would like to contribute.

Free concerts in a neighborhood park are one of the best ways to build community and increase safety for neighbors. We hope you will consider becoming a sponsor of this series in its fourth year. Every sponsor is invited to have a presence at the concerts to vend or give away products or just meet your neighbors. If this option interests you, please talk to us, as some restrictions apply.

Sponsorship commitments are needed ASAP but payment is not due until June 1st, 2009. If you are a business, please let us know how you would like to participate as a sponsor by contacting Judith Yeckel, Concert Production Manager at 503-249-8159 or 503-823-5446. If you are a family or individual and would like to contribute to the Concert Series, please make checks payable to PP & R/Fernhill Concerts and mail to:

Judith Yeckel, Concert Production Manager
Portland Parks and Recreation
1120 SW 5th Ave., Ste.1302
Portland, OR 97204

Invoices will be sent upon request. Thank you very much for your consideration. The concerts can not happen without the support of the community!

(thanks Katie)

Learn how to tackle small projects at home in a lead-safe manner. Qualified participants receive a free kit of safety materials.

Call 503.284.6827 x107 or email lead at communityenergyproject.org

Wednesday March 25th from 6-7:30 pm at Community Energy Project Office, 422 NE Alberta Street.