To our Neighborhoods of Portland,

If you were able to join us at Neighbors for Change on February 7th, thank you for attending! We hope you were able to take a class to learn a community or resilience skill. And we hope you were able to engage with other community organizations.

If you weren't able to attend, that's okay! We are hosting our No Kings rally along Waterfront Park at the Battleship Memorial on Saturday March 28th at Noon. We hope your Neighborhood Association leadership can attend showing representation for our civic leadership. And we hope you can elevate this invitation to your neighbors whom you represent.

What to expect:

• A large crowd! On October 18th we estimated a crowd size between 50,000 and 70,000 people. We hope your neighbors can help us exceed those numbers. Try to use Tri-Met!

  1. Political, Mutual Aid, Resiliency, and Community groups tabling to promote membership in their groups. Come interested and be prepared to learn.

  2. A march between 2-3 miles in length. For security reasons, we will not announce the route ahead of time. However, we can share that it will end where it begins on the waterfront.

Join us and @NoKingsPortland on Saturday, March 28th, to show this inept federal administration that Portland says "NO KINGS!"

Come and be part of a one-of-a-kind, historic, people-powered protest installation! As a part of the No Kings/50501 Portland protest on March 28, join us, Blcksmth and team as we create a massive message… spelled out by US!

Third Thursdays on Mississippi Ave. Businesses are open late, vendors, music and specials!

For more information, please contact Rose Gerber, 503-779-6927, Rose.Gerber@odot.oregon.gov.

The public is invited to attend an upcoming meeting for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project:

• On Wednesday, March 18, the Historic Albina Advisory Board (HAAB) and Community Oversight Advisory Committee (COAC) will meet from 5:00–6:30 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.

Please visit the project’s events and meetings page for more information.

Anyone can observe the meeting and share comments via email, phone or online:

• Email comments on specific agenda items to i5rosequarter@odot.oregon.gov with “HAAB Public Comment” or "COAC Public Comment" in the subject line.

• Submit comments via phone at the project’s hotline: 503-470-3127.

• The facilitator will also provide an opportunity for online participants to provide comments during the meeting for up to two minutes via phone (the number is provided at the beginning of the meeting and listed on the events and meetings page).

Comments received by 11:00 a.m. the business day before the meeting will be shared with advisory committee members in advance. All written and voice recorded comments received will be added to the meeting record.

All project committee meetings are open to the public. If you require accommodations or would like more information, please contact the project team at 503-470-3127 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE

For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation services, interpretation services or more information call 503-731-4128 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

Si desea obtener información sobre este proyecto traducida al español, sírvase llamar al 503-731-4128.

Nếu quý vị muốn thông tin về dự án này được dịch sang tiếng Việt, xin gọi 503-731-4128.

Если вы хотите чтобы информация об этом проекте была переведена на русский язык, пожалуйста, звоните по телефону 503-731-4128.

如果您想瞭解這個項目，我們有提供繁體中文翻譯，請致電：503-731-4128

如果您想了解这个项目，我们有提供简体中文翻译，请致电：503-731-4128

On March 17 at 3:00 p.m. my "Right to Know Who's Policing You" ordinance will come to the Community & Public Safety Committee, and I'd love to have your support!

Sign up to testify!

If adopted, the legislation would:

• Prohibit all law enforcement from wearing facial coverings to conceal their identities while engaging with the public, with exceptions for undercover operations, specific tactical operations, and specific, reasonable health and safety risks.

• Require all law enforcement to display visible identification, including name, agency, and badge number.

• Allow our local police to verify the identities of unidentified individuals who are attempting to detain Portlanders, and authorize Portland Police to document any such encounters. 

The "Right to Know Who's Policing You" ordinance will promote transparency and accountability, which are critical for there to be public trust in law enforcement. That's why many other cities and states are doing the same—like St. Paul, MN and Denver, both of which just passed similar legislation.

It's also why the Oregon State Legislature just passed the Law Enforcement Accountability and Visibility Act, which requires all law enforcement agencies operating in the state to have masking policies and display visible identification. This law sets the floor, not the ceiling, and explicitly says local governments can set stronger policies. I believe Portland should lead on this issue.

You can support this ordinance in three ways.

• Sign up to submit written testimony or testify in-person or virtually at the Mar. 17 Community & Public Safety Committee meeting at City Hall.

• Email and call the other members of the Community & Public Safety Committee and ask them to vote YES on the "Right to Know Who's Policing You" ordinance.

• Spread the word to your fellow Portlanders and on social media using the link bit.ly/RightToKnowPDX and the hashtag #NoSecretPoliceInPortland!

As the federal judge who recently upheld California's identification law said:

"...the Court finds no cognizable justification for law enforcement officers to conceal their identities during their performance of routine, non-exempted law enforcement functions and interactions with the general public."

Every day, I hear from Portlanders asking us to do something, and now the State Legislature has required us to do something. Let's show the City that Portlanders want true community safety by turning out in support of the "Right to Know Who's Policing You"!

In solidarity,

Sameer Kanal
Councilor.Kanal@portlandoregon.gov 

REGISTER HERE

Do you live, work, or love to visit North/Northeast Portland? City Club's invite you to meet District 2 City Councilors Sameer Kanal, Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and Dan Ryan at this special event presented by City Club of Portland's Program Committee.

With one full year of experience in these roles, and a full year of working under Portland’s new form of government, there’s much to discuss! Hear the Councilors reflect on the challenges and achievements of the past year and the opportunities they see going forward.

Willamette Week’s City Hall and neighborhoods reporter Sophie Peel will moderate, drawing on questions submitted at registration to shape the discussion. After the panel, the Councilors will stay briefly for an informal meet and greet, offering attendees the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly.

District 2 Local Transportation Funding Open House

Date: Tuesday, March 3

Event Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Cafeteria (4906 NE 6th Avenue)

Join the conversation about local transportation funding and weigh in on a variety of options and opportunities at an open house in your district.

Portland is experiencing a transportation funding crisis. Since 2020, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has cut over $42 million of General Transportation Revenue–backed expenses. These significant cuts to the city's discretionary transportation revenue impact all our work. Our streets are falling apart, our bridges are aging, and we can’t afford to make the safety improvements our communities are asking for. The cost of transportation construction has gone up, and funding hasn’t increased to pay for it.

The longer we wait to repair our transportation assets, the more expensive and expansive the problems get.

Portland City Council is talking about how to solve this problem. Come to an open house to learn more – and give us your feedback – about:

• the options to raise more money

• the kinds of things that the city would spend the money on

• ways to review and monitor the spending

The students are looking at Skidmore this week, but if you are concerned about air quality or traffic on your street, please let us know!

"Do you worry about air quality or traffic safety in your Albina neighborhood? Would you like to help your neighborhood association collect related citizen science data this spring?" 

• "Come to a gathering on Monday February 23, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, organized by the Lewis & Clark College Environmental Studies Program and hosted by First A.M.E. Zion congregation, 4304 N Vancouver Ave. You will hear about related student projects and how you can help. Light refreshments will be served."

• "Bonus tour of the beautiful, historic First A.M.E. Zion sanctuary! First A.M.E. Zion, the oldest Black congregation in the region, recently received major funding toward redevelopment to better serve community needs."

• "Can't make the Feb 23 gathering? If you live, work, or regularly visit this area, feel free to complete this online form [QR code] to share your air quality and traffic safety concerns." 

Third Thursdays on Mississippi Ave. Businesses are open late, vendors, music and specials!

Mysti Krewe of Nimbus presents:

The 2026 Portland Mardi Gras Parade

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Mardi Gras Day

Mississippi Avenue

Start Time: 7pm

Want to help make this event a success? Volunteer info here.

On Fat Tuesday, the heart of North Portland beats to the rhythm of brass and drums as the Portland Mardi Gras Parade lights up Mississippi Avenue.

This free, family-friendly event unites Portlanders of all ages in a celebration of creativity, joy and community. Expect dazzling costumes, puppets, dance troupes, marching bands, and our 2026 Grand Marshall Reggie Houston to bring flair to the streets.

Catch beads, signature hand-decorated umbrellas, and smiles — or join in the Second Line as the parade winds down to Cook Street for after-parade festivities.

Bring the little ones early for the Kid’s Costume Pageant at Luke’s Frame Shop (Albina & Mississippi) at 5:45 p.m., and then roll right into the parade at 7:00 p.m.

Local businesses up and down Mississippi host Mardi Gras specials, live performances, and themed events all evening.

Full details available at PortlandMardiGras.com

Mysti Krewe of Nimbus presents:

The 2026 Portland Mardi Gras Ball

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Wonder Ballroom 128 NE Russell St Portland, OR 97212

Start Time: 7pm

End Time: 11 pm

Contact: Laura Lawrence

portlandmardigras@gmail.com

(503) 697-0564

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Best Party in Town.

When February nights feel dark and gray, the Wonder Ballroom transforms into a sparkling wonderland bursting with color, music, and joie de vivre. Dance to the irresistible sounds of live Cajun/Zydeco music, and a Soul Review with local chanteuse Kris Deelane. Feast on Louisiana-style food from Bayou Brothers Cajun Boils.

Don’t miss the costume contest, king cake, photo booth, and plenty of lagniappe (that little something extra that makes Mardi Gras magic). Costumes are encouraged but not required — just bring your joy and let the rhythm move you. Each year the Krewe announces the Ball theme on January 6. Past themes included “Mardi Gras Galaxy” and “Enchanted Forest”.

Watch social media for the 2026 Theme Announcement!

Full details available at PortlandMardiGras.com

MEETING DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

MEETING TIME: 5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM LOCATION: In-person at Albina Library and online

More info: Project website

Time to reset the posters and do a little Mississippi Ave litter clean up.

Meet us at the corner of Mississippi Ave and Fremont street. Bring gloves and a hammer to help scrape off posters.

The posters will return quickly! This just keep them in check. About 2 years ago, Pacific Power scraped them all clean after decades of poster build up. As you can imagine, it took weeks to complete!

We invite you to engage with 50501/No Kings Portland and other local grassroots groups at the Neighbors for Change Civic Action Fair. Here, you will learn about the tools to help create sustainable change.

Meet representatives from local organizations focused on grassroots support, mutual aid, safety, and policy change. Participate in workshops on conflict de-escalation, lawful protest, community resilience, and civic education. With family-friendly activities including live musical performances, Drag Queen story hour, art installations, a KidZone activity space, and photo ops with the Portland Frog Brigade!

Join us and @NoKingsPortland on Saturday, February 7th, for this free, family-friendly community-building event. Always remember: We are strongest together.

Visit: Neighbors for Change Sign Up for more info.

February 4th, 6p.m. at the new Albina Library on Russell. 205 NE Russell St, Portland, OR 97212

Learn about NET and emergency preparedness if there is a big earthquake or emergency event.

Presented by PBEM and NET, Jonathon Tasini

Please join Senator Lew Frederick, Representative Travis Nelson and myself for a Town Hall on Saturday, January 31st at 12:00PM. 

Location: PCC-Cascade, Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building Auditorium, 705 North Killingsworth Street, Portland, 97217

We will be discussing the upcoming short session next month and taking your questions.

Friends of Trees is planting FREE trees in the Boise neighborhood on January 17. Click HERE to pick out a tree for your yard and/or click HERE to volunteer on the planting team. 

• Street Trees: pick tree by mid November to leave enough time for the free permitting process (handled by FOT). Planting strip must be 4ft+ wide. 3 years of tree maintenance provided. 

• Yard Trees: No permits, just pick a tree by mid December

Remove & Replace a dead or dying street tree: Apply for a free removal/replacement permit here, then email the PDF permit right away to portlandpermits@friendsoftrees.org. Permits must be received at least one month before your planting date. (mid December)

Third Thursdays on Mississippi Ave. Businesses are open late, vendors, music and specials!

About ACES :
ACES is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to international cultural and educational exchange. Our mission is to provide high-quality cultural exchange experiences that promote global understanding. We believe that personal interaction is the key to fostering true connection, friendship, and peace among people around the world.