The Lents Neighborhood Association looked into the issue of changing Portland’s commission form of government at this week’s meeting.

Several problems were identified with the current system, including the fact that the lack of districting has lead to a majority of our City Council representatives being from closer-in Portland.

The presentation and discussion begins at 25:20.

It was also interesting to learn that the New Copper Penny sign has found a new home! Though it is enormous, and I can’t imagine where it will be placed, the sign is now owned by my favorite bar in Lents: The Eagle Eye Tavern.

In the past two weeks, there have been ten fatal crashes on the streets of Portland, KOIN 6 reports. Be careful out there, folks.

5,500 volunteers collected 49,000 pounds of trash during SOLVE‘s Earth Day event! This year marks the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The FOX 12 story is here.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH

82nd Ave Parade of Roses:

The theme of this year’s parade is “Roses in the Heart of Portland”.

The parade begins at 9:30 am just north of Eastport Plaza Shopping Center, travel north on 82nd Ave, turn west on Yamhill St and finish at 78th Ave.

Here’s how it went last year:

After the parade, there’s New Year in the Park, a free event celebrating Cambodian, Lao, Thai and Burmese New Year at Glenhaven Park ( at SE 82nd Ave & Siskiyou from 9:30 am to 6 pm).

Eastport Plaza Shopping Center, 4000 SE 82nd Ave * 9:30 am

Earth Day Event at Gateway Green:

“Join Friends of Gateway Green, on Sunday April 27, to help clean up the park—and the multi-use path that leads to and borders the park. We’ll also be pulling English Ivy, especially around the native plant seedlings that were planted in February.”

Register here.

Gateway Green, directions * 9 am – noon

Have a great weekend!