SCRAP’s volunteer art show.

It’s the tail end of the two month- volunteer art show at the SCRAP (School and Community Re-use Action Project) Re:Vision Gallery. Go down and see the show, and then wander through SCRAP’s wonderland of used-and-reusable items. In the last few weeks, I’ve picked up holiday cards, some yarn in a friend’s favorite color, several blank books (including two of those hardbacked large-sized drawing books), a framed photograph of the Stark Street Ferry, some stencil-paint crayons, a block of foliage foam…. I have a hard time not loading up when I go to SCRAP. Anyway, a few photos of the items in the current show in the gallery:

Wanna show your work in SCRAP’s Re:Vision gallery?

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The dream of the nineties is alive in Portland.

I’m sure you’ve seen the promo video for the upcoming web-series Portlandia. If you haven’t watched it, you ought to.

Among the satirical pokes it takes at our fine city, it mentions unicyclists…and what d’you know, I spotted one the other day crossing MLK at Morris Street:

One of my first blogposts here was “in motion, on MLK” – unicycling wasn’t one of the methods of transport that I saw that day, though.

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Praying for Portland Police.

A (pointed?) message from the Irvington Covenant Church this holiday season:

For some thoughts from Portlanders who follow policing in our city closely, please visit Rose City Copwatch; on youtube, an interview with Kristian Williams, who writes about the history, theory, and practice of policing (I’m reading one of his books right now); and Rev. Chuck Currie’s response to the recent promotion of Leo Besner to the rank of sergeant in the Portland Police Bureau.

Also, the Albina Ministerial Alliance has advocated strongly, again and again, for police accountability in Portland. In November, the Alliance called for reforms in policing. Rev. T. Allen Bethel of the Maranatha Church stated, “We do not want any criminal element in our community held unaccountable,” including “citizens employed by the police bureau.”

 

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North by Northeast Community Health Center at 3030 NE MLK.

The North by Northeast Community Health Center opened in 2006 at 3030 Northeast MLK Boulevard, thanks to the work of Pastor Mary Overstreet Smith and Dr. Jill Ginsberg. It is a neighborhood clinic offering health services to low-income uninsured adult residents of the following zip codes: 97211, 97212, 97217, 97227, and 97203.

This video features an introduction to the clinic, its founders, and the services it provides:

The clinic is open on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 pm; please check their website for a list of services provided through the clinic. Thanks to all who are involved for this wonderful contribution to our North and Northeast neighborhoods.

 

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‘I don’t eat chicken’: MLK Boulevarders respond to Obama’s election.

I just found this article, but it’s certainly not untimely to revisit the feelings and expectations that the election of Barack Obama to the presidency had for folks. In an article for the Portland Tribune in November 2008, Peter Korn headed to MLK Boulevard to chat with folks in the area about the just-finished election, and their hopes for what might come next.

Interviewees include Gloria McMurtry of Reflections, just off MLK; Paul Knauls, long-time area activist – including one of the founders of the Union Avenue Boosters Association – and owner of Geneva’s on MLK; Chad Debnam, former chair of the King Neighborhood Association; and Nate Jackson, owner of ‘N The Cut, a barbershop on MLK.

 

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the Candy Korner: delivering smiles.

I blogged about the Candy Korner not so long ago (during one of my sugar-free phases), but I wanted to take note of their adorable website: candykorner.net.  With a mission statement to ‘make people happy and deliver smiles,’ this shoppe is one that I hope thrives in our neighborhood.

Candy Korner (4606 NE MLK) has a facebook page, as well; here is a lovely Oregonian photo of a gentleman watching the Juneteenth parade on MLK from the doorway of the Korner.

 

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Christmas Blessings: My Father’s House Ministries toy/shoe give-away today.

My Father’s House Ministries:

Pastors Jerry and Annie Gutierrez would like to invite you for Service every Friday at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6pm.

Services are held at:
New Song Community Center
2511 NE MLK Blvd.
Corner of NE MLK Blvd and Russell Street

Infant and Toddler care will be provided.
Doors open at 6pm for every service.
For directions or more information call 503-488-5481 or log on to http://www.mfhmportland.com.

 

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A little gay, at MLK’s Local Lounge.

A sign tonight in front of Local Lounge caught my eye:

 

 

Tomorrow (Saturday), Local Lounge gets a lot more gay, with a queer dance party called F/U/C/K:

 

Local Lounge has been flying the rainbow flag, literally, over the boulevard for several months now:

 

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Suck My Flick this weekend at Curious Comedy.

Bring your short films (less than ten minutes) or come see what local video craftspersons are generating at Suck My Flick, hosted by Curious Comedy:

You can see a whole cornucopia of past entries at www.suckmyflick.org! Suck My Flick is organized by Dusty McCord of portlandfilm.org, and Tamara J. Brown, who also hosts an Open Mic night at the Alberta Street Pub.

 

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Paul Rutherford & Tosten Mueller at Dunes.

Check out an amazing free jazz performance at The Dunes by trombonist Paul Rutherford (RIP) and bassist Torsten Mueller:

Pretty amazing. Wish I’d been there.

Dunes is at 1909 NE MLK; its myspace with show listings is here.

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