When was the last time a graduate of one of Portland's high schools was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy?
I don't know the answer to that question, but I am thrilled that Grant High School alumnus Ndamukong Suh is one of five contenders for college football's highest individual' [...]
The Street Roots Auction is now on line! From their site:
Wanting to improve your quality of life and help out Street Roots? Look no further.
Trying to figure out what exactly to get your family and friends this holiday season? You’ve come to the right place. Street Roots has partnered [...]
I do not like campaigning.
In both of my campaigns for a seat on the Portland City Council, I felt like a puppy sitting in a cage at the Humane Society, paws against the wire, tail wagging, eyes pleading, “Pick me! Pick me!”. I found the constant rounds of two-minute interactions [...]
(Yes, there is a World Toilet Summit. And it's important. ~ Amanda)
Guest Post by Carol McCreary
Friends,
Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human. This simple message is resonating. Now PHLUSH has been asked to share with the world some of what we have learned together here in Portland.
Thank you [...]
Hi, friends, remember me? We used to talk here every day. I've been... busy. It was nice to have three days off this past weekend, to remember other important things -- such as telling Portlanders about interesting items on the City Council Agenda.
Last week, the Portland City Council passed a' [...]
As you may have noticed, I don't have much time for blogging these days. Or reading newspapers or surfing web sites, for that matter. I happened across this on KATU's web site, and I think it's sweet enough to take a couple of minutes to post.
This is a press release' [...]
This photo was taken at Kelly Point Park, where the Willamette joins the mighty Columbia. Today, Portland observes World Water Day, with events starting with a walk alongside the Willamette at 1 p.m. Many fun, free, family-friendly activities - please participate!
The theme of World Water Day this [...]
Yes, 'tis folly, I just took a half hour away from budgets and answering emails, to set up brackets for the mens' and womens' NCAA basketball tournaments.
Join me in attempting to predict the winners:
Mens' Tournament : Go Vikings (click on link to sign up, by March 19)
Women's Tournament : [...]
Congratulations to the Jefferson High School men's basketball team, this evening winning the State 5A Championship. As expected, the team showed high style not only in how well they played, but also in being gracious winners. A credit to their families, coaches, school staff, and our city.
[...]At Chris Smith's request, I've added the RSS feed option to all pages of my City web site with significant potential for changing oontent.
Please let me know if anyone who uses this function needs further changes.
Please let Chris know (by posting a comment here, which I'm confident he'll' [...]
Mayor Adams has posted the Press Release with his decision to return to work on Monday, on the front page of his City web site. Here is my response:
Yesterday, two young women were killed and seven people injured in gunfire on Portland's streets. Recently, a man with no home [...]
NOTE: Due to the absence of two members of the Portland City Council on Wednesday, no hearings are scheduled at the usual times that day. All business will be considered on Thursday afternoon.
Coming soon: Plans for more evening meetings, with a schedule for visits in neighborhoods in all parts [...]
I spent the morning planting trees with Friends of Trees in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood of SE Portland. It's east of I-205, north of Foster Road. We met at Zenger Farm, a working urban farm with many interesting sustainability features such as solar panels for the building's porch, and [...]
Dear AmandaFritz.com blog friends,
Please come to my City Commissioner Swearing-in Ceremony,
Saturday, January 3, 2009
6 p.m.
(Gathering starts at 5:45 p.m.)
Multnomah Center
7688 SW Capitol Highway
Easy access from I-5 South - take Multnomah exit, turn right at first traffic light, left into Multnomah Center parking lot. If that lot fills, [...]
We're all probably familiar with the email scam running, "You don't know me, I'm the widow of a rich person in Africa who wants your bank account number to entrust you with millions of dollars". Over the past few days, a friend of mine has been the victim of a [...]
Our family's friend Ryan Bowen is making headlines, and today was interviewed on National Public Radio, by bicycling from Los Angeles to Washington DC for President Obama's Inauguration. Ryan played football at Wilson High School with my son Luke, and stays at our home when he is in Portland since [...]
I am writing this sitting at my computer at home, with the window cracked open to let in a little cold, fresh air. Listening to the willow tree rustling, because it's covered with ice and the wind blowing through the branches sounds like splintering glass. Looking out, I see my [...]
The Portland City Council Agenda this week lists a very, very rare event: An evening hearing, outside City Hall.
WEDNESDAY, 6:30 PM, DECEMBER 17, 2008
-- WEATHER PERMITTING --
Special Meeting Location
LOCATION: MIDLAND LIBRARY
805 SE 122ND AVENUE
1770 TIME CERTAIN: 6:30 PM - Adopt the East Portland Action Plan as a touchstone [...]
Steve worked Sunday, at Oregon State Hospital's Portland facility. Had the results been different on November 4, I would have been working at OHSU, which would have presented a challenge since we only have one snow-worthy vehicle. As it was, I stayed home, worked on reviewing job applications (300 [...]
This coming week's Portland City Council Agenda is here.
There are lots of interesting items on Wednesday morning, including these Time Certain hearings:
*1684 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM - Authorize settlement of claims with Northwest Natural Gas Company (Ordinance introduced by Commissioner Saltzman)
1685 TIME CERTAIN: 10:00 AM - Establish the 82nd [...]
Here is the notice sent out by staff at the City's Office of Cable and Franchise Management, giving a different perspective on the items I covered in Next Up at City Council yesterday. Bold emphasis added by me.
On Thursday, December 4, 2008, 2:30 pm at 1221 SW 4th, city [...]
It has been a busy, interesting, and generally pleasant three weeks since November 4. Challenging, too, although that term will forevermore be qualified in my mind with the follow-up thought, "at least you're not running in heels from street corner to street corner breathing exhaust fumes while waving at motorists". [...]
The Oregonian yesterday published an OpEd with my name and photograph, responding to their editorial immediately after the election that called for pulling the plug on Public Campaign Financing. I appreciate being given access to the forum. I think it's important for you to know, though, that what was [...]
I am taking next week off - not from this blog, but from my current schedule of 12 hours of meetings and events six days a week. Although I am more careful about driving-for-pleasure now with heightened awareness of global warming and Peak Oil, I hope I see vistas [...]
Thanks to Albert Kaufman who posted this information from Kyenne Williams, Solid Waste & Recycling, City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development, 503-823-5054, in the comments on an old post:
The best way to reduce or eliminate deliveries of unwanted phone directories is to contact each publisher.
* DEX/Qwest: Go [...]
Guest Post by Carol McCreary et al
Today is World Toilet Day. As a member of the World Toilet Organization, PHLUSH (Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human) is joining activists from all over the world to
1) raise the status of the discussion of toilets,
2) recognize and professionalize the [...]
The Portland City Council Agenda this week has an extra-long Consent list. Last week, Commissioner Sam Adams was sick, and Commissioner Dan Saltzman was absent, so the Council did not have the required four votes to pass the Consent package. Mayor Potter asked if any Commissioners wanted to pull [...]
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were [...]
All City of Portland bureaus have been asked by Mayor-elect Adams to propose cuts of 2.5% and 5% for the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Portland Parks & Recreation is asking for your input on which of their services are most important to you. Rank your priorities as a first [...]
It's so nice not being a candidate any more! It is remarkably refreshing to be able to go item by item carefully through the following Portland City Council Agenda, instead of the rushed process of skimming-and-posting-briefly-hoping-I-didn't-miss-something-crucial, that has been necessary most weeks this year. I realize I still have to [...]
Yay! The Portland City Council Agenda for Wednesday contains this Ordinance:
Parks and Recreation
*1503 Authorize acquisition of approximately 4 acres of property in the Gateway Regional Center Urban Renewal District in accordance with an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Portland Development Commission (Ordinance)
My friend and colleague Linda Robinson, with other [...]
Here's the Portland City Council Agenda for the coming week. I've been following the details of the Council's Agenda items, every week, for almost two years now. I've learned a lot. Even on weeks where nothing catches the attention of newspaper journalists, there always seems to be something of [...]
The Portland City Council Agenda this week begins with two Citizen Communications by members of the Montavilla In Action group. They are working to address and eliminate prostitution on 82nd Avenue. According to the students in Matt Sten's class at Madison High School on 82nd, where I visited on [...]
This week's Portland City Council agenda is here. I only have time to note three highlights:
1367 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM - Community Watershed Stewardship Program wins Carter Award (Presentation introduced by Commissioner Adams)
We don't celebrate successful programs as often or as widely as we should. Well done, Environmental Services [...]
The Portland City Council Agenda for tomorrow and Thursday is the usual mixture of communications, reports, admistrative rules, contracts, and hearings. If I had time, I'd follow up on:
1357 Adopt City 2008-2012 Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Plan (Second Reading Agenda 1324)
It's a second reading, meaning I missed the [...]
At a delightful houseparty last night, hosted by Carol McCreary and owner Kaebel Hashitami at the Sequential Art Gallery in the Pearl District, we were discussing the need to share information between community groups -- especially when someone has implemented a really good, innovative project that works. "When someone comes [...]
My youngest child leaves for college today. I will be working a half day, seven hours, on my current temp job, then driving Ali and her stuff down to Southern Oregon University in Ashland. I'll be back tomorrow in time for the Metro Policy Advisory Committee meeting, I hope.
Stressful? [...]
It's 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, as I sit at the dining room table starting this post. The house is quiet. After a lovely summer letting in fresh air and the roar from I-5's flow, the windows are closed. My family members are sleeping - probably even Maxwell in New [...]
The hottest topic on this week's Portland City Council Agenda:
WEDNESDAY, 6:00 PM, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
1301 TIME CERTAIN: 6:00 PM- Consider the proposal of Haertl Development Company, applicant and Colwood Partnership, owner and the recommendation from the Hearings Officer for denial of a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Zoning Map [...]
Guest post by Linda Robinson, Chair, Citywide Parks Team
Portland Citywide Parks Team Meeting
Thursday, September 18, 2008
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Portland Building, Forest Park Room, 13th Floor
1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland
Topic: DRAFT ASSET DISPOSITION POLICY
Guest: Brett Horner, Manager
Strategic Planning Projects
Portland Parks & Recreation
One of the [...]
This is a photograph from Burning Man 2008. When I saw it on our computer wallpaper this morning, it brought to mind the people waiting on the top of the World Trade Center for the helicopters to arrive, and the office workers hurrying down the emergency exit stairs and [...]
Sorry I'm posting this less than twelve hours before the Portland City Council starts working through the Agenda for this week. Some interesting items:
The Consent agenda kicks off with a $50,000 total allocation for four contracts to consultants to provide facilitation services for the Bureau of Planning. The [...]
From Wellstone Action!:
"Being an organizer means putting the needs of the community above yourself and your ego. Your task is to influence the powerful with little more than the common will, and do so while developing the leadership of those around you. A good organizer is always working to [...]
All the action is scheduled for Wednesday morning on this week's Portland City Council Agenda - nothing on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday.
Close to the top of the Regular Agenda:
*1234 Pay claim of Gwen Price, Personal Representative of the Estate of James Jahar Perez, Jr. (Ordinance)
Yesterday, Saturday August 30, 2008, was a happy day for the Fritz family, with each of the five of us choosing our favorite mode of independent leisure activity. Steve is at Burning Man, where he always experiences amazing, wonderful things. I read in the Oregonian today there was a [...]
A short Portland City Council Agenda this coming Wednesday morning, and no meeting Wednesday/Thursday afternoons. Two members are absent, so no Consent or emergency items, either.
The first item on the Regular Agenda made me happy:
1194 Appoint Mary Anne Cassin, Mike Golub, Bob Sallinger and Tricia Tillman to the Portland [...]
Steve left for Burning Man last night. This photograph from last year illustrates how some 30,000 people turn the Black Rock Desert into Black Rock City, Nevada. Once again, Steve is an official photographer for the event, charged with documenting the art exhibits in a section of the camp. [...]
Guest Post by Holly Zhao, Women for Women International
The 2008 Run for Congo Women is coming to Portland! The Run for Congo Women is a grassroots run/walk that was started in Portland and has since grown into a global movement. It is dedicated to generating support and awareness for [...]
Jumping straight to the fascinating stuff: The Portland City Council Agenda this coming week features a set of land use hearings on Thursday afternoon.
THURSDAY, 2:00 PM, AUGUST 21, 2008
1186 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM - Accept Staff Report and Recommendation and Order of Council for Debra Byers Measure 49 [...]
The most significant item on tomorrow's Portland City Council Agenda, in my opinion, is on Wednesday afternoon:
WEDNESDAY, 2:00 PM, AUGUST 6, 2008
1114 TIME CERTAIN: 2:00 PM - Approve a work program to update the City Comprehensive Plan, establish a public engagement committee and program and direct the Bureau of [...]
With so much concern about the economy, the war, health care, and other vital issues, I'm glad an estimated 60,000 people were able to take time away from their cares to watch people and planes plunge into the Willamette yesterday.
Steve took the photograph, of course. I spent the day [...]
A short Agenda for the Portland City Council tomorrow morning, and no meeting Wednesday afternoon or Thursday. Citizen Communications slots continue to be taken by advocates for people experiencing homelessness, and by those opposing the decision to end the lease of Peterson's convenience store downtown.
Then nineteen contracts on [...]
The Portland City Council Agenda this week shows hearings Wednesday morning, Wednesday at 6 p.m., and Thursday afternoon. The Wednesday evening hearing is the culmination of a process we've followed on this blog:
1031 TIME CERTAIN: 6:00 PM - Adopt and implement the North Interstate Corridor Plan and amend [...]
