FRIDAY
Training for volunteering with OPAL. This event was on the City of Portland’s website, so I have to assume they’re doing work that encourages safe interactions with public safety officers.
“Due to our strong stance against militarization of public space, many people have been reaching out to volunteer with OPAL. We maintain our belief that militarization of transit is a false solution. We require all new volunteers to participate in on boarding to make sure that they understand our goals and values.”
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon 3202 SE 82nd Ave., Suite B * 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
I don’t know what to think of this, but it came up on my Facebook feed last night, and it’s on the same topic of police encounters, so I’m sharing the video below. There’s tons of progress to be made regarding police accountability, but it’s a difficult job and it’s best to follow their instructions, know your rights, and deescalate, deescalate, deescalate.
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Sometimes the best way to learn about your neighborhood is to just take a walk. Last weekend I learned that the former location of Duff’s Garage (RIP) has been reopened at Eastside Bar & Grill (FB page and show listing). They’re still booking bands, the owner said, with a little more variety than before.
I don’t know anything about the bands playing Friday, but I’m going to assume it’s not polka: Rotting Slab, Damage Overdose, Kinnefret (CA), BattleAxe Massacre. If that’s your kind of thing… enjoy!
Eastside Bar & Grill, 2530 NE 82nd * 9 pm – 2 am * ???
SATURDAY
It’s wrong to play favorites with all the awesome organizations working hard to make East Portland a better place to live, but the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, is doing consistently doing interesting interesting community-building work. They hosted the Portland City Council this week, and just announced MicCheck!, a cultural event series.
It all kicks off July 25th, with a film “American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs”. The trailer and more info is here.
APANO is also hosting an info session on arts grants from Portland Institute for Contemporary Art:
“Many of you have seen the value of the Precipice Fund (provides critical support for artist-driven organizations, projects, initiatives, and publications that exist on the edge of new practice) grants program and what it can mean to the Portland, Astoria, and Eugene artists’ communities, especially at a time when artists and small, unincorporated artist-run spaces and collectives are facing unprecedented challenges in a rapidly gentrifying city.”
PICA info session, APANO JAMS, 8114 SE Division St * 1 pm – 2:30 pm
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What’s another excellent group working hard in East Portland? Green Lents. Their Garage Sale is Saturday. The sales are all over Lents, and the map is here.
Lents neighborhood * 9 am – 3 pm
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Join Grow Portland for a Hands-On Seed Saving class. Register here.
“Join us for this daylong class on how to save seeds from the garden. Seed saving is a fascinating, useful and satisfying garden pastime — whether you are interested in saving money, preserving genetic diversity, connecting with the seasons, providing pollinator habitat, or supporting local community self-reliance.”
What to bring: lunch, notebook, hat, gloves, water, sun protection, questions and a camera (optional).
Menlo Park school garden, 12900 NE Glisan St * 10 am – 3 pm * pay what you will
SUNDAY
This should be interesting. The Annual Blessing of the Animals at The Grotto (a Catholic outdoor shrine and sanctuary). Here‘s a link to its history.
“People and pets of all faiths are welcome. (Pets must be properly restrained.) We give thanks for the joy, the beauty, the love, the fidelity, the encouragement and the comfort that our animal companions have given to us.”
8840 NE Skidmore St * 2 pm – 3 pm
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Academy Theater’s summer series features The Goonies all weekend!
7818 SE Stark St * 11:40 am, 4:15 pm, 9:35 pm * $4 for adults, $3 for youth and senior citizens
Village Portland @ Lents 