BY BETSA MARSH

 Like a glacial breeze off Oregon's Mount Hood, Portland blows away the cobwebs of same-old travel.

Instead of dutifully slogging through museums, how about pulling up a chair at a sidewalk cafe, sipping chai or a microbrew, and asking your server where he would go? Or rent a bike and see how many neighborhoods you could breeze through before happy hour. And what's not to love about a city that embraces not one but two happy hours - about 5-7 each evening, then a second-wind version about 10 p.m.-midnight

Portland's in a festive mood

A new season of outdoor fun kicks off

By DESTON NOKES
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Bikers- Light up! Drivers-Be aware!On November 30th,  Sam launched Portland's first Bike Light Parade at the Community Cycling Center. This parade kicked off our winter cycling safety campaign, "See and Be Seen." We brightened up a chilly Alberta Street Last Thursday with an array of bike lights, Christmas lights, reflective gear, glow sticks, and more. Although Sam's bike was bright enough to leave you seeing spots, he had some serious competition in the all of the "Best and the Brightest" contest categories. Any bike that arrived without proper lighting departed with a free set of front and back lights installed by Jeff Bernards, the founder and operator of the Get Lit campaign.

Portland is fortunate to have visionary leaders in the arts. We are lucky to have leaders who are collaborating in wonderful ways.

During April and May this year, Portland hosted what could be the beginning of an incredible co-programming and collaboration between local arts organizations. Portland's Month of Mozart began with the creative minds behind Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre, WhiteBird and Oregon Symphony.

Dear Portland Oregon Visitors Association Colleagues,

As you know, I’m excited to work with you as your new Commissioner Liaison beginning Friday, July 1, 2005. 

If you don’t already know me, allow me to tell you a little bit about the aspirations I have for myself and my staff.  I gravitated to public service because my upbringing exposed me to the important role government can play in helping those in need.  Sometimes government serves its citizens well, and sometimes it doesn’t.  My mission is to always make it work better. 

To quote POVA’s slogan, “It is not easy being green, and we are working hard to keep it that way!”  As a Portlander, I am proud of our environmental stewardship, and believe it is one of our greatest attributes. As a former board member, I have a genuine passion for the mission of POVA. Based on my past experience, I also have an understanding of the issues the visitors industry faces. I look forward to working in partnership with you.

Although I encourage humor in the workplace (especially about me), my commitment to public service comes from personal experience; it is something I take very seriously.  I tend to work hard and expect a lot of my staff because Portland is truly a great city and its citizens have high expectations.  I love my job and I can’t imagine doing anything professionally that is more exhilarating.

I want to invite you and your colleagues to meet me and my staff in an informal setting at my next monthly ‘First Thursday Open House,’ July 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., in my City Hall office, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 220.  We can share beverages, wine and hors d’oeuvres and view the guest artist’s installation. 

In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact me or Greg Leiher, Public Liaison, or Warren Jimenez, Senior Policy Director for Jobs and Economic Development by telephone at 503-823-3008.

I have posted this letter on my blog, CommissionerSam.com, and I invite you to publicly post questions and comments in response to this letter.

Thank you for your commitment to the City of Portland.

With warm regards,

Sam