July 2023 Newsletter

RNA General Membership Meeting

Thursday, July 13, 2023, 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.

Hybrid Public Meeting

In Person: Linfield University, Building 2. Park in any unmarked space.

Zoom: https://bit.ly/russellmeeting2023

It’s the same every month!

ProLogis Update

On April 27, 2023, the Russell Neighborhood Association joined the Argay-Terrace Neighborhood Association, Parkrose Neighborhood Association, and Parkrose School Board in urging city officials to issue a moratorium on the ProLogis development to give us time to review the health and safety impacts of such a development in our neighborhood. Since then, Russell NA received only one response to our letter. Join us this Thursday, July 13 as we review the response from Commissioner Rubio and hear from a new neighborhood organization working to stop the development. The Parkrose-Argay Opportunity Coalition is made up of neighbors organizing work groups, outreach, installing air quality filters, and more. Check them out on Instagram.

Movie in the Park Event Update

The countdown has begun! Get excited for our Movie in the Park event on Friday, August 25 at Thompson Park! Hear from the event planning committee on their plans for pre-movie activities and our marketing strategy.

Summer Free For All is Back with the East Portland Arts Festival!

It’s time to start getting excited about the 2023 season of concerts, movies, festivals, and cultural events, starting with the East Portland Summer Arts Festival in Ventura Park. Launched in 2022, the theme of this year’s arts festival is Celebrating Black Excellence. The festival will run from 4:00 - 8:30 p.m. each day, and attractions include multicultural music and dance performances, free drop-in mini music lessons, arts and craft activities, and more will be provided by Portland Parks & Recreation's very own Community Music Center and Multnomah Arts Center. The headliner is the incredible PJ Morton, the multiple Grammy Award-winning keyboardist for Maroon 5 and an accomplished neo-soul, R&B, and funk songwriter, singer, and producer!

July 8, 2023
- Screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- Sebe' Kan Youth African Dance

July 9, 2023
- PJ Morton: Live in Concert!

Find more information here!
Article provided by SFFA

Tree Canopy and Heat Wave Resistance

Getting involved with tree health and improving the canopy in East Portland will play a vital role in enhancing our neighborhood's resistance to the impacts of heat waves. Trees provide much-needed shade, reducing surface temperatures and mitigating the urban heat island effect. By increasing the tree cover, we can create cooler micro climates and lower ambient temperatures, making our community more resilient to extreme heat events.

Get involved with tree health in the community or in your own backyard! Check out these resources for taking care of your own trees and inspecting neighborhood trees.

Care for Young Trees this Summer

Help Inventory Trees this Summer

New District Map Drafts Released

The Independent District Commission released three draft maps based on extensive community input. They represent three ways to divide the city into four districts for city council representation and elections.

The maps share the following characteristics that affect our neighborhood:

All communities east of I-205 are in a single district.
The Parkrose, David Douglas, Reynolds, and Centennial school districts (the four non-PPS school districts) are in a single district.
Neighborhoods along the northern part of Portland are in a single district, with the exception of neighborhoods in the Parkrose school district.

How to comment on draft maps

The Independent District Commission invites community input on the draft map options by Saturday, July 22. Public input in any language is welcome. Submit public input to the Independent District Commission by:

Calling 3-1-1 and sharing comments verbally
Sending an email to: DistrictCommission@portlandoregon.gov
Sending a letter to the Office of Management and Finance, Independent District Commission, 1120 SW 5th Ave., Room 901, Portland, OR 97204
Providing verbal testimony at one of the IDC public hearings hosted on:
- Sat., July 8 from 12-2 pm at APANO: 8188 se Division St., Portland, OR 97205
- Sun., July 9 from 1-3 pm at SW Community Center: 6820 SW 45th Ave., Portland, OR 97219, Multipurpose Room
- Wed., July 12 from 6-8 pm at Portland Building: 1120 SW 5th Ave., Portland, OR 97204, Room 108
- Thurs., July 13 from 6-8 pm at Self Enhancement Inc. 3920 North Kerby Ave., Portland, OR 97227, Auditorium
- Fri., July 14, from 12-2 pm, hosted virtually via Zoom
- Sat., July 15 from 12-2 pm at Charles Jordan Community Center: 9009 N Foss Avenue Portland, OR 97217, Gymnasium
- Sun. July 16 from 1-3 pm at Youth PDX: 16126 SE Stark St., Portland, Oregon 97233

Info for article gathered from IDC website.

Upcoming Events

August 25 at 7:30 p.m.: Russell Neighborhood Movie in the Park!
- Join neighbors at Thompson Park for free activities, music, food, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie! Movie begins at dusk.
July 8 and 9 from 4-8:30 p.m.: East Portland Summer Arts Festival at Ventura Park.
- July 8: View a screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever + Sebe' Kan Youth African Dance
- July 9: PJ Morton Live in Concert on July 9.
July 11 from 5-7:30 p.m.: Community Event at Gresham Library
- Multnomah County Library is building a large, new library in East County. The building project team wants your feedback to help design the new East County Library. Share your ideas and excitement for the future of this new East County Library!
July 19 from 5-9 p.m.: Summer Nights Market hosted by Historic Parkrose at the corner of NE 104th Ave and Sandy Blvd.
- Join them for an evening night market, live music, community resources, food, drinks and fun interactive activities for all! All are welcome to this free, family friendly community event hosted by Historic Parkrose!