Last week I attended Portland Art Museum’s Summer Soirée, where British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori unveiled his monumental mural “Mountains Full of Blessings” — transforming a section of the urban street grid into a pedestrian plaza haven.

Last week I toured the Bull Run Filtration Project, which is creating jobs and investing in infrastructure to help our community thrive.

This week I attended the opening of a plein-air exhibition at Oregon Art Center.

The Multnomah Neighborhood Association has been keeping busy this summer! 🕊️ Tomorrow they will dedicate a memorial bench in honor of civic advocate Moses Ross from 5-5:30pm at Village Park. Attendees are encouraged to stick around until 7:30pm for the First Friday Concert in the Park.

This morning I welcomed civil rights leader Kathleen Saadat to City Hall as she delivered public comment to Council about the need to set aside personal egos for the greater good. I couldn’t agree more.

The 9th Annual Goose Hollow Days continued this week with a festive picnic at Providence Park! Every year, a series of events highlights topics of interest — history, sports, arts, community, nature, and more — in this neighborhood of 7,000 residents and businesses.

Last night Portland Japanese Garden hosted a reception honoring the 35th anniversary of the Oregon-Toyama Sister-State Relationship.

Yesterday Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a four-alarm fire at the 116-year-old, eight-story former Centennial Mills Warehouse.

This week I attended the opening of The Malarkey, a woodfired steakhouse and seafood grill helmed by Portland-born celebrity chef Brian Malarkey, in the Pearl District. A welcome addition to the neighborhood!

Now in its third year, Rockstar Energy Open is set to electrify downtown with the world’s best skateboarding competitions!

“We built four garden beds and a tool shed; I’d never built anything before.” “It felt professional … like an adult trusted us.” “I learned that I can start a gardening company.”

I really appreciated last week’s Oregon Historical Society program “How Willamette Week Does It: An Evening with the Newsroom.” At a time when freedom of the press is under federal attack, local independent journalism is more important than ever.

Last week Mayor Wilson, Councilor Zimmerman, and I met with Casey Baker, General Manager of the Hi-Lo Hotel, to discuss recent livability challenges in the central city. I admire his perseverance and willingness to have an open conversation to consider solutions.

Lots of fun at Yoga in the Park this morning! The Pearl District Neighborhood Association invites people of all experience levels to this free summer series as part of its effort to foster a healthy, connected community.

Whether you are commuting in Portland or planning a trip through the area, the Oregon Department of Transportation would like travelers to be aware of a major closure of all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Portland between Interstates 84 and 405 starting September 11 and lasting up to 5 weeks.

This week I met with Alisha Sullivan, Executive Director of Nightlab, the organization formerly known as Willamette Light Brigade, which produces the Portland Winter Light Festival. She told me about Illuminate Bridge City, a bold vision to light seven Willamette River bridges.

Love was in the air at Darcelle XV Plaza as 22 couples exchanged vows — both legally and symbolically — in a mass wedding to kick off Pride Weekend.

On select Wednesday evenings starting tonight, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts takes advantage of the summer weather to present the Music on Main concert series. Due to extreme heat, today’s performance will take place inside the Hatfield Hall Rotunda Lobby.

“(We) try to improve livability and get the most vulnerable on the streets help,” Bruce Studer, President of Pearl District Neighborhood Association, recently told KGW-TV. "We can’t wait for anybody else.”

Last week I participated in a City of Portland delegation visit to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.

Let’s go for a walk! I’ll be joining Oregon Walks and my District 4 colleagues Tuesday, August 11th at this fun and casual event where constituents can discuss plans for our city and district. It’s also an opportunity for people to connect with each other, build community, and get some exercise.

What a colorful parade today at Portland Pride, one of the largest Pride celebrations on the West Coast! This year marks the 55th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Portland and around the world.

This week I attended the Ashcreek-Crestwood Summer Picnic at Smith School with City Administrator Lee and Councilor Zimmerman!

Join the City of Portland and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe for a free National Night Out kickoff celebration from 4-7pm Friday, July 31st at Director Park!

District 4 offers so many amazing safe and beautiful routes for bicycling. Today I finally was able to get out for a ride that took me across Sellwood Bridge!

Last night I attended a 1920s-themed centennial celebration for the home of the Portland Timbers and Thorns, Providence Park! Did you know:

Today the Oregon Historical Society participated in a nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating the 250th anniversary of its first reading on this day in 1776.

Summer Free for All is back! This wildly popular Portland Parks & Recreation program builds community through free, inclusive, and family-friendly activities. Here are the cultural events coming to District 4:

This weekend I celebrated Independence Day at a Goose Hollow neighborhood street party with a special visit from Station 15 firefighters! They let Anan Raymond and my grandson, Kale, take turns in the driver’s seat.

Happy 250th, America! I recognize that we are living through some tough times. Our democracy and the rule of law are being challenged at the federal level like never before.