A one-week, multi-disciplinary art exhibition and music event
Presented at Milepost 5 in conjunction with Portland Art Center

Gardeners and backyard enthusiasts, check out this new, free book, GardenSmart Oregon. It provides helpful information and photos of invasive plants, along with native and ornamental plant alternatives that can be planted in their place.

As transportation commissioner, Sam responds to the developing demands of constituent commuters by expanding mass transit and alternative transportation options. This is especially important as gas prices keep rising and Americans, nation-wide, consider alternatives to car-commuting. Check out this NBC news story for a broader perspective on the issue.

Sam and Dan recognize that Portland and Portlanders are early adopters of and innovators in the field of sustainability. From renewable energies to watershed management to alternative transportation, the city and its people are devoted to sustainable lifestyles, business practices, and urban development.

During the political season some can feel pressured to make inaccurate or misleading statements for perceived gain, and regrettably the current season is no exception. Many inaccuracies have been uttered about the proposed new crossing at NW Flanders Street over Interstate 405 that would reuse the center span of the existing Sauvie Island Bridge. This is a terrific project as the facts clarify.

City Commissioner Sam Adams announced today action items the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) will take in response to the impact of high fuel prices on Portland's transportation budget. Adams and PDOT officials addressed the fact that rising fuel prices are projected to generate $2.7 million less Gas Tax revenue in Fiscal Year 2007-08 than forecasted six months ago and see this trend continuing for the foreseeable future.

The City's budget process required PDOT to make cost escalation estimates in October 2007 for a budget submitted in December 2007. Today's prices require substantial adjustments to those estimates.

Whatever one thinks of the federal government's plan to stimulate the national economy, tax rebate checks are in the mail for nearly anyone who filed a 2007 tax return.   The Oregonian reports that many of us will pay down debt or increase savings.  The president of Parkrose neighborhood business district reminds us to "buy local" if we're going to make purchases.  Click above for the full articles or finds excepts below. 

Commissioner Adams was at City Hall to congratulate Rob Widmer of Widmer Brothers Brewing who crossed the finish line Thursday five minutes ahead of his brother, Kurt, who drove.

The event, a Bicycle Commuter Challenge, kicked off National Bike Month by showcasing the efficiency of riding your bike to work instead of commuting by car. Two paths from the Cadillac Cafe in Northeast Portland to City Hall on SW 4th Avenue were traveled by bicyclists. Rob arrived after 16 minutes of following the same route as Kurt, who traveled by car and arrived after 21 minutes, while Kim Seymour, of David Evans and Associates, biked along the NE Tillamook bike boulevard and the Eastbank Esplanade, a low-traffic route, arriving just 2 minutes later than Kurt.

Symbol of our success!The Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) and its bicycle community partners earned Portland the “Platinum” Level Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists. The coveted "Platinum” designation of “Bicycle Friendly Community,” recognizes those communities that have quality conditions for bicyclists and cycling safety. Portland is the first large U.S. city to gain the designation and joins Davis, California, as the only other Platinum city in the country.

“When Portland received the Gold award in 2003,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League, “we challenged the community to increase ridership to get to Platinum. Bold leadership, community-wide involvement, and a lot of hard work have resulted in a 144% increase in bicycle use since the 2000 Census – impressive results by any standard.”

The League’s reviewers noted that Portland has coupled modestWeather is no barrrier in Portland when you want to ride. but smart investments in infrastructure, with outstanding education, promotion, and encouragement activities to make cycling a practical and safe option for many more Portlanders than ever before. Education and enforcement programs are now helping drivers and pedestrians interact more safely and predictably with the increasing numbers of cyclists on the road. Only 0.7 % of the Office of Transportation's budget is spent on bike infrastructure. However this small investment yields significant ridership. currently 6% of trips taken are by bike.

The Office of City Commissioner Adams is currently looking for self-motivated and intelligent individuals to join our team as interns.

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Portland is blessed with abundant rainfall. With it, our city grows lush and beautiful. But all of this rain comes with a challenge: our annual average of 37 inches creates a staggering 20 billion gallons of stormwater runoff every year.