The short program, which is also celebrating the University of Oregon purchasing books by lived experience authors, includes State of Oregon Senator Lew Frederick and award-winning lived experience poet Sherry Levine. There will be time to visit the table of various Portland and Oregon mental health non-profits and support groups.
Meet others who are thriving and creating a better City of Portland and world for all of us, no matter their emotional states.
The University of Oregon N.E. Portland campus librarians chose to purchase the 13 books listed below, most written by mental health lived experience writers. They put them into the university system where students and the public can read them and check them out.
The books being celebrated and available to check out of the University of Oregon Library NE Portland include:
Free legal help will be available at from 1pm to 4pm on Friday, October 23 at Cascadia Health! You may qualify for help with criminal or eviction record expungement, charge reduction, driver’s license reinstatement and waiving traffic or criminal fines, lifting warrants, and small business business and legal advice.
Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged to be sure you are seen. Please pre-register by Sunday, October 18 at this link: https://bit.ly/communitylawclinic
You are invited to an evening of jazz on Saturday, August 22, featuring Marilyn Keller & True Friends, at the Ainsworth United Church of Christ.
Come and enjoy great music, fellowship, and food while supporting Ainsworth United Church of Christ. The event begins with complimentary snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and a no-host bar. Tickets are $40 advance; $50 at the door and can be purchased online at Ticket $40.00 | Ainsworth United Church of Christ.
Or… looking for ways to up your fruit tree game? Portland Fruit Tree Project offers full price, discounted, and free fruit tree care services as well as free educational opportunities so you can DIY. Despite their name, they can help with ALL fruity plants including trees, shrubs, and vines. Learn more: https://portlandfruit.org/tree-care/
Join us for a free community event at Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary School on August 8th, 11am–2pm, featuring a giveaway of 200 backpacks and school supplies, a food bank, BBQ, and fun activities for youth.
The event is hosted by First AME Zion Church, Clara Peoples Satellite Food Pantry, Cascade Pacific Council, Scouting America, and the Order of the Arrow Cascadia Chapter.
Minds Matter Portland connects motivated, low-income high school students with the people, preparation, and opportunities to help them achieve success in higher education and beyond. Join their volunteer community and be a part of helping students achieve their college dreams! They are seeking writing tutors, math tutors, mentors, and classroom facilitators.
Minds Matter Portland was founded in 2006. Over the last 20 years, 100% of Minds Matter students have been admitted to 4-year colleges with significant financial aid. 85% of Minds Matter students go on to be the very first in their families to go to college. With the program recently expanding to Hillsboro, they now have two sites serving students and the need for volunteers is stronger than ever before.
On a personal note, I have also volunteered as a mentor with Minds Matter for 4 years, and have found it an incredibly rewarding journey. If you’d like to hear more about my personal experience, please email serena@eliotneighborhood.org.
All neighbors are invited to join these upcoming meetings to discuss and help shape the future of the Billy Webb Elks Lodge.
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You’re Invited to a Community Update & Feedback Session
We invite members and the broader Portland community to participate in a four-part public meeting series. These gatherings are designed to shape the future of the Billy Webb Elks Lodge through five core pillars: Community Voice, Membership Growth, Leadership Succession, Financial Sustainability, and Cultural Legacy.
Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
All meetings will be held at Works Realty Portland, Oregon. Time: 6:00 pm
Our Goals:
Cather Community Feedback – Understand the needs, expectations, and vision of our members & neighbors.
Strengthen Membership Growth – Explore strategies to welcome new members while deepening engagement with current ones.
Plan for Leadership Succession – Ensure continuity through mentorship, development, & future leadership pathways.
This phase represents a significant step forward in restoring and strengthening our lodge as a cornerstone of the community. Your feedback will directly influence decision-making and help ensure the project reflects shared priorities and values. We look forward to your participation and support!
Albina Library will close to the public starting May 18, 2026 to install brand-new lighting, door operators, artwork and more. The construction will last through May 24 and the library will reopen on May 26, following the Memorial Day holiday.
Midland Library will close to the public on May 26, 2026 to install upgrades to the restrooms, the sewer line, the community gallery and more. Please note Midland will also be closed on Monday, May 25 for the Memorial Day holiday. The library will reopen on June 7, 2026.
During these brief closures, due dates will be extended and holds will stay on the holds shelf an extra week. Patrons do not need to change their holds location. If there are questions about due dates and holds, patrons may contact the library directly.
At Albina, updates include:
A refinished Knott Street entry with refinished doors, wood panels and new accessible door operators.
Accessible door openers on the ADA restrooms, terrace and courtyard doors.
Lighting for the hanging sculptures in the Russell Street lobby.
New exterior sculptures from artist Greg Robinson from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
Contingency funds that benefit the community
Multnomah County Library is hard at work to build, expand and renovate library spaces for the public as a result of the voter-approved 2020 Multnomah County Library Capital Bond. Most of the newest upgrades at Albina are part of the contingency funds through the library capital bond projects. These funds are the result of completing a library project and using the project savings that come from good financial stewardship.
The library bond project teams have adhered to cautious financial management of the projects due to increased materials costs as a result of inflation during COVID-19 and beyond. The Library has remained committed to staying within budget and time constraints.
The community is invited to use alternate locations while Albina is closed:
