by David Sweet

Food lovers rejoice!  The weekly celebration known as the King Farmers Market begins its fourth season on Sunday, May 6th. Located on NE 7th Avenue between Alberta and Prescott Streets, the market will be open from 10 am to 2 pm every Sunday through October. The market will again offer a wide selection of the freshest local fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, cheese, eggs, fish, wine, baked goods, plant starts, hot food, and cut flowers. Musical performances and the adjacent King School Park and playground make this the ideal family destination.

Also continuing at King is the Fresh Exchange incentive for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. SNAP shoppers receive a dollar-for-dollar match (up to an additional $7 per week) to spend at the market. Since 2009, Fresh Exchange has provided more than $33,000 to SNAP shoppers at King, helping to ensure that everyone in our community can enjoy our neighborhood farmers market. Fresh Exchange is supported by individuals, organizations, and businesses in the community, including a generous annual donation from the Sabin Community Association.

The King Farmers Market is a weekly neighborhood festival celebrating the abundance of the Pacific Northwest. We hope to see you there.

by Annmarie Phelan, Resolutions Northwest volunteer mediator

Conflict happens in the best of neighborhoods and to the best of neighbors: dogs bark, music is played, fences are altered, tenants and landlords disagree. It is the response to such conflict that determines how satisfying life in your community will be. At times you can resolve the conflict on your own, and other times you need some guidance. For the situations when you want some assistance, there is Resolutions Northwest’s (RNW) Neighborhood Mediation Program, providing services at no cost to Portland residents. Mediation allows you and your neighbor to sit down and have a conversation, facilitated by a neutral, third-party mediator. More than 90% of mediations end in an agreement that works for everyone involved. And most mediations require just one 2-hour session. So, before your next conflict gets out of  hand, contact Resolutions Northwest at 503-595-4890 or on the web at www.resolutionsnorthwest.org, and we’ll assist you in finding a solution that works for both you and your neighbor.

The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) invites you to connect with North and Northeast Portland’s leading practitioners for dynamic presentations and discussions about trends and resources in education, health care, food, transportation, capital, jobs and housing.  Join two focus areas to  both learn and share your knowledge as we begin a community asset mapping project.  Create your own new connections as we discuss the components of a healthy community!

When: Tuesday, April 3rd, 7pm to 9pm, Doors Open at 6pm for networking and snacks
Where: OAME, 4134 North Vancouver Ave.
Who: The Community Economic Development Council of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods