Livability & Environment

 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

Check out the newest feature on PortlandMaps: airport noise maps. Click here for a great example.

PortlandMaps now shows the noise levels around the Portland International Airport and how they impact surrounding neighborhoods. There are a number of maps showing noise levels at different distances from the airport, the aircraft landing zones and the areas impacted by noise.

The elderly community in Portland has very specific concerns and resource needs, which city government realizes are important to recognize and assist with where appropriate. Many local organizations, including Elders in Action, AARP, and various community groups, are already working on behalf of this community.

We're committed to making sure that Portland is the City That Works for everyone, we have generated lists of some resources that might be useful for those seeking direction within the elder care community. These resources are useful for elderly individuals as well as friends and family of elderly persons looking for support. To view these lists, click on the PDF file attachments listed below.

 Source: usinfo.state.gov

Arbor Day and Earth Day are just around the corner and Portland is gearing up for fun activities and community service events throughout the city. Arbor Day events kick-off on April 4 with more than a week of tree planting and recognition events. Earth Day is April 22 (observed on April 19), with a variety of activities for all ages.

Join the Earth Hour movement!

On Saturday, March 29 at 8 p.m., people from across the world are teaming up to turn off their lights for an hour to help promote awareness of global warming.

Click for more information (PDF)

Please join me for a special screening of "the Silent Invasion".

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) needs your help in updating the Stormwater Management Manual. This is your chance to comment on the revised draft before it is adopted by City Council in late spring. The public review period is open until Friday, April 4 at 5 p.m. Comments can be submitted online at the BES website, or questions can be directed to rsmith@bes.ci.or.us.

Ecoroof at People's Food Co-opThe city requires all new residential and commercial developments to manage stormwater runoff on-site. The Stormwater Management Manual helps developers and property owners choose the best way to do so on their property. The management practices in the manual focus on landscape facilities, such as ecoroofs, planters and bioswales. The updated manual will be available in July 2008.

A positive city audit shows that BES has strengthened its construction contract management process using recommendations from the last city audit, which was done in 1998.

Clay Street Flyer

Join the City of Portland in celebrating our newest Green Street. The festivities begin with YOU. Help Portland kick off the design phase for the Green Street project on SE Clay Street from the Willamette River to SE 12th Avenue. It's St. Patrick's Day, so wear green and celebrate the greening of our city.