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Welcome to Summer! And welcome to our Guide to July -- featuring community events, our favorite activities in District 3, updates from our office in the community, resources, and our mid summer reads. Use the table of contents above to jump to whichever section you'd like. Thanks for being here!
Upcoming Events From Team Morillo
Team Morillo Office Hours
Ever since I decided to run for office, I knew that I wanted to open the doors of City Hall to the everyday Portlanders who have never had a seat at the table. I want my office to do more than just pass great policy – I also want to use my position to advocate for my people. That' s why I'm proud to share that in 2026 I've invested more of my office dollars into community engagement and constituent services work than ever before.
I'm also proud to announce a new series from my office: Team Morillo Office Hours. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, from now until the end of the year, members of my staff will be posted up at Worker's Tap in Southeast Portland, ready to answer your questions from noon to 2:00 pm.
Whether you need help with a permit or want to pitch a policy idea, Team Morillo Office Hours is the place for you to come make a face-to-face connection with our staff and get plugged into your local government. I want to hear from you!
My District 3 Picks for August
Summer in Portland is packed, but here are our top picks for activities and community events in District 3 for this time of year.
🗣️EXPRESS YOURSELF
With fascism on the rise, it's critical we stay connected to our sense of creativity, imagination, and of course, our ability to scream at the top of our lungs in the void.
- Every Wednesday at 6:00, join the Scream Society at Eastbank Esplanade to, as the event page states, "just show up and scream." Meet at the Eastbank Esplanade between the North OMSI lot and the Hawthorne Bridge. More info here.
- Bring your dog to the Kernside neighborhood for their upcoming Pet and Owner Lookalike Contest on Sunday, August 16th, happening in the heart of Kernside: Ankeny Rainbow Road Plaza. It's free to enter and the contest begins at 1:45.
- Do you love going dancing but you also love being in your jammies by 10? We have great news for you: Daytime Dance is hosting summertime dance parties at Wonderlove that will have you home by 9. Featuring house and dance music with some live instrumentation, the next one happens Saturday, August 15th starting at 5:00. More here.
🚴🏼♀️BIKE SUMMER
We are finally reaching the end of BIKE SUMMER: our favorite part of the year! You can check out the full calendar of group rides at Shift2Bikes, but here are some of our favorite rides coming up in District 3:
- Join the Portland Bureau of Transportation for a family-friendly ride showing the traffic safety improvements, heritage trees, and affordable housing that is making the Jade District a livable home for everyone. Don't have a bike? Free BIKETOWN will be included for attendees that need to borrow one. Happening Friday, August 21st at 5:00 at PCC Southeast. More info here.
- On Thursday, August 27th, join local Filipino Portlanders and those who love them for the 2nd annual Filipino Friendship ride. This 8 mile, party-paced ride features games, snacks, and a great playlist. Meet at Laurelhurst Park at 6:00 pm.
- Neighbors in Creston-Kenilworth are meeting up on August 29th at 10:00 am to restock free fridges and pantries across Southeast Portland. Feel free to bring your own food to donate, help carry some of the food sourced from groceries4grout or just tag along. More info here.
👩🏻👧🏻👧🏻BRING THE LITTLES
If you've got little ones, Portland is a great place to be in the summer. Whether you're cooling off at a splash pad or enjoying the A/C at a nearby theater, there's plenty to fill the days. Here are our favorite August activities that are family friendly:
- We are SO excited to finally have the new and expanded Belmont Library back in action after a two year remodel. Join neighbors for a celebration of the new space and plenty of activities all day on Saturday, August 15th, with a ribbon cutting at 4:30.
- Free summer Lunch + Play is wrapping up its final week with Arts programming from at Mt. Scott Park (10:30-2:00) and Creston Park (10:00-1:30) from Tuesday, August 18th – Friday August 21st . More info here.
- On Saturday August 22, the Richmond Neighborhood Association, in partnership with Portland Park & Recreation, and the HAND and Sunnyside neighborhood associations, will show Cool Runnings in Sewallcrest Park. Starts at 7:30, more info here.
🐦⬛THAT'S SO PORTLAND
District 3 is famous for its cast of characters, public art, and experimental events that just make you go "wow, that is SO Portland." Here are our faves for August.
- We are so proud to host this annual, quintessentially Portland tradition right here in District 3. It's the Adult Soap Box Derby and it's back on Saturday, August 15th at Mt. Tabor. Bring a blanket and stake out a spot early to get the best views of Portland whimsy and craftsmanship on display. Starts at 10:00 am and wraps at 4:00.
- What's more Portland than Plaid? Post up at your favorite Plaid Pantry on Sunday, August 16th to watch as Portlanders race the Plaid 100: a self-paced 100 mile ride to visit all 53 Plaid Pantry stores in Portland by bike (solo or as a relay). At least they won't run out of snacks.
- Portlanders love cats – in fact, the most recent Sunnyside Cat Walk welcomed over 300 people and dozens of cats. Join other cat lovers for an encore on Sunday, August 23rd: at 5:00 pm for a stroll around the neighborhood and maybe a few pspspspsps's.
- On Wednesday, August 26th, Peacock is hosting some of Portland's favorite AAHNPI Drag performers for Avatar: The Last Genderbender –yes, it's an Avatar drag show. Two of our favorite things.
🛍️CELEBRATE SMALL BUSINESS
We are proud to be the home for so many small businesses in District 3 – from critical community spaces like the Woodstock Café to bustling centers like the Fubonn Market, District 3 is a hub of economic activity. Here are some ways you can support our small businesses in July:
- The 10th annual Jade International Night Market is back on Saturday, August 29th at PCC Southeast! Join APANO, Portland Community College, and our other community partners to celebrate the rich cultures of the Jade District and experience local venders. The festival runs from 4:00 till 10:00 with performances starting at 5:00 pm. More info here.
- For the 43rd year, it's back on Sunday, August 23rd: the Hawthorne Street Fair! Visit one of Portland's original "shop local" districts where you can explore over 200 businesses while enjoying vendors, food, music and more in a car-free zone from SE Cesar Chavez to SE 30th Avenue on Hawthorne. Runs from 11:00 to 5:00.
- On Sunday, August 30th, everything in the Artifact alley can be yours for just $1. And they really mean everything — that includes clothing, accessories, home decor, furniture, and more. Best of all? The profits go to their rotating list of local non-profits, and this month it's Kids Drumming and Summer Camp. Artifact's $1 sale starts at 11:00 am, but the early bird gets the handbag!
🌈PRIDE FOREVER
Pride may have "ended" but here are our top pics in D3 for carrying the energy straight through the end of summer.
- Join some of Portland's premier Black artists, drag performers, singers, comedians and designers on Friday, August 14th for BLKOUT: a new variety show at Peacock in Southeast Portland. Starts at 8:00 pm, tickets here.
- Get out of your shell and into a convo at Sapphic Summer 4Ever, a chill daytime dance party happening at the White Owl Social Club on Sunday, August 16th. It all kicks off at 4:00 pm and wraps at 8:00. Tickets here.
- Our friends at the Marie Equi Center are hosting Community King: A Drag King Show & Resource Fair on Sunday, August 23rd, hosted by the one and only, Mr. Gay Pride Portland: Willy Wankme. Catch a show and learn about local resources – whether that's relating to basic needs, community, or queer art & entertainment. Starts at 1:00 pm, sliding scale tickets here.
🎉BLOCK PARTIES
Summer is prime time for taking a stroll to meet your neighbors and get connected. You might even get lucky and pick up some Trimet swag one of these days.
- National Night Out is a nationwide event that brings neighbors together with local public safety agencies in a family-friendly setting. Meet the people who serve in the City, learn about programs and services, and build relationships that help create safer, stronger neighborhoods. Friday, August 14th from 4:00 to 7:00 at Normandale Park.
- The Kerns Picnic is back on Tuesday, August 16th, and this year, neighbors are gathering donations for Friends of Seasonal and Service Workers as well as Transition Projects. Join Kerns neighbors from 6:00 to 8:30 pm for an evening of live music, free food, and a "very special" raffle.
- For those of you in the Taborhood, join your neighbors on Wednesday, August 26th for the Taborhood Block Party at All City Church. Enjoy free food, games, prizes, crafts, live music, skateboarding, basketball, and opportunities to meet local businesses and organizations that help make our community special. Runs 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
- On Sunday, August 30th, My Voice Music – a youth music non-profit for 9-24 year olds creating original rock and hip-hop music – is closing down one block of SE 89th Avenue just north of Stark for the My Voice Music Block Party from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. The event will include live music, DJs, skate ramps and basketball from Dream Big City, the public reveal of a new youth-led mural, and more. More info here.
🍔EAT UP
Have you heard that Portland is a foodie town?
- Hurry up while there's still time: now through August 16th is Portland Burger week, hosted by the Portland Mercury. At participating restaurants, you can get burger specials for $10 while supplies last. Our faves are the Kylar at Steakadelphia in South Tabor, the Sleepover Burger at Wolf's Head in the Central Eastside, and the Tortitas de Papa Burger (vegetarian!) at Gold Dust Meridian in Sunnyside.
- On Saturday, August 22nd, beloved Southeast dive bar The Vern is hosting their Summer Fiesta at the Vern, a fundraiser for NW Immigrant Rights Project. Join between 5:00 and 10:00 to play the raffle, or enjoy good tunes and food specials. More info here.
- Save some room for the annual Italian Festival of Portland, hosted by St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in beautiful Southeast Portand on Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd. Your kids will love the grape stomping! Tickets are only $7 here.
My Office in the Community
My favorite part of my job is getting out of the City Hall and among my people. Here's a snapshot of where we've been the past month:
- Constituent Coffee – World Cup Edition: before Night Council in July, I spent my lunch hour speaking with constituents at Mad Greek Deli as we waited for the semifinal game to start. Thanks to everyone who came – I really enjoyed our conversation!
- Portland Pride Party: Before July Night Council, we hosted a Pride celebration in honor of the Mayor's proclamation for Pride month.
- Francisco Aguirre's ICE appointment: Our office stood with Portland minister and longtime immigrant rights activist Francisco Aguirre and his recent ICE check in to demand sanctuary for our brother seeking asylum.
- CEIC Neighborhood Cleanup: We joined neighbors in the Central Eastside to make the block sparkle in preparation for HappyLucky's big Pride party.
- Portland Pride Parade: We had so much fun marching in the parade this year with City of Portland workers! Thank you to everyone who came out!
- North Tabor Neighborhood Association: Thank you to the NTNA for hosting D3 Councilors to hear your feedback and answer questions.
- Multnomah County Juvenile Justice: We took a tour of the Juvenile Justice Center to get a firsthand look at the garden project the school is implementing with PCEF dollars.
- Ground Score Brainstorm: Thanks so much to Ground Score for hosting community leaders in one space to learn more about your work and collectively problem solve together.
- Brooklyn BBQ: Shoutout to the Brooklyn Neighborhood Association for putting together another spectacular event!
- Self Enhancement, Inc. Site Visit: The Councilor and her staff met with SEI leaders to find connections in our work.
Recent Reads
It's hard to follow everything that's happening in our city, region, state and country right now. Here are some of the most interesting reports that I've been noodling on lately:
- Liberation School: The roots of Black August
- Portland Mercury: Records Show City Staff, PR Firm Coordinating to Polish Urban Alchemy's Image
- Oregonian: NE Portland's Lloyd Center celebrates last day with bike rides, ice skating and a full day of events
- KATU: Portland's no-right-on-red ordinance passes unanimously
- Willamette Week: Court Rules Gender-Affirming Treatment Must Still Be Covered by Obamacare
- Mother Jones: Cops Love ICE's New Shock Gloves. Parents Want Them Out of Schools.
- NPR: Portland Adult Soap Box Derby combines speed and pageantry
- Citations Needed: The Disempowering Politics of ‘Inevitability'— Data Centers and LLM as ‘The Future'
Thanks for reading! I hope to see you soon!
in solidarity,
Team Morillo