See our January newsletter for the story of the Children’s Arboretum bridges dedicated to Dick and Gyrid Towle.

Click here for photo of work under way on bridge

Click here for photo of completed bridge

November 13th General Meeting

Tuesday 7 – 8:30pm
Columbia Community Church
420 NE Marine Dr. 97211

Meeting Agenda:

• Board Elections
• Recognition Awards
• Special Guests
• Committee & General Business
• Reports

This will be the last General Meeting for 2012. We will elect 4 seats on our 2013 board. We will recognize our neighbors whom have been instrumental in making our neighborhood a great place to live, and there will be time to visit with neighbors and our special guests from businesses and organizations whom have worked with us this past year. Refreshments will be provided.

Partnership between Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Fruit Tree Project and the East Columbia Neighborhood Association

Saturday September 22nd 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday October 13th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Columbia Children’s Arboretum orchard has more than 40 apple trees, planted in 1977 by Columbia School Children. The orchard is maintained by Portland Parks & Recreation and the East Columbia Neighborhood Association. This orchard is a wonderful resource for the community and produces a lot of fruit. Your help is needed to make the most of the orchard. This event will focus on removing the over-wintering habitat of orchard pests by composting rotting apples, raking leaves and of course harvesting fruit!

For more information and registration contact Karl Dawson 503-823-1650 or karl.dawson@portlandoregon.gov

Water bills to increase 100%

On September 5th, City Council will vote on a proposal from the Bureau of Environmental Services to begin direct billing everyone in the PEN2 drainage districts for stormwater fees. It is important that City Council hears what you think, and as soon as possible so they are aware of your opinion prior to the vote on Sept 5th.

For residential properties this proposal amounts to approximately an additional $15 month fee on your water bill. Since we are billed quarterly, you will see a $45 increase in your quarterly water bill, or $180/year. This is in addition to what you pay to Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD) on your property taxes. Businesses will see 100-200% increases.

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