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Small business is big business: it accounts for more than half of the private work force in the country and more than half of all sales. Small business also has the highest potential for growth of any sector of our economy, creating roughly 60 percent of all new jobs. You are the economic engine of America!

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Business Association Meet and Greet
Join Commissioner Sam Adams at the Jupiter Hotel on June 25th 5:30-7:30 for a social get-together with the BDA leaders, PDOT Director Sue Keil, BES Director Dean Marriott, and our business liaisons. Sam and the directors want to hear from you, so bring your district's unique perspective and give them the street level information. Tell them what needs to be fixed and what improvements you'd like to see.

Please RSVP to Maureen Yandle by June 15. Do not skip this opportunity.

Ornamental Tree Lighting
The City's guidelines for ornamental lights in street trees are straightforward, common sense instructions for either seasonal lights or non-seasonal, such as Nob Hill and downtown. Annual permits, fees, and regular inspections will be required. The annual fee starts at $35.00 for 1 - 10 trees and continues to $250 for more than 501 trees, although a person or corporation could string lights if they met the requirements.

Urban Forestry also requires a Letter of Guarantee that the district will set aside sufficient funds to repair or replace any tree they deem injured by the lighting. The APNBA's Board of Directors is discussing covering the guarantee as a member benefit, but the decision waits on more information. This has yet to go to council for their approval.

Sign Ordinance
The council will be asked to approve a raise in the fee for signs, generally 7 1/2% from current rates for the next five years. For A board signs, the fee will raise from $45.00 a year to $48.00 in 2008. There is also the option to purchase a two year permit or a permanent permit that would allow a business to lock in current rates for as long as they needed an A-board.

Good in the Neighborhood
The 15th Annual Good in the Neighborhood Multicultural Music and Food Festival will be held June 23rd and 24th, 2007, 12 noon at King School Park, NE 6th and NE Humboldt. Over 6,000 people are expected to visit during the two days of fun, music, food and festivities. The Parade starts on Saturday, 11:00 AM. The Festival offers a main stage, multicultural Stage, ethnic cuisine, clowns, storytellers, a “Kid Space” area, and arts & crafts from around the world.

Giving our time and resources
American households are extraordinarily generous, both in time and money. According to the latest report from MetLife, which sponsors an annual series on American giving, 89 percent of households make an average annual contribution of $1,620.

Volunteers provide many intangibles, such as demonstrating the amount of support an organization has, providing work for short periods of time, and support on a wide range of projects, making it difficult to put a dollar value to their time. Figures for 2006 count 44 percent or 83.9 million American adults donating their time. Based on the $18.63 hourly rate for volunteers, this represents the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239 billion.

2007 Events
May 31: Last Thursdays NE Alberta, www.artonalberta.org.

June 1: First Friday Art Quest - 6:00 - 9:00PM Greater Brooklyn and Sellwood. Contact Madeline Janovec, 503.231.8346.

June 1: First Friday - 6:00 - 9:00PM Division/Clinton. Sleeping Bee Gallery, Tamara Adams. Contact Rin Carroll Jackson, rinzart@spiritone.com. http://www.firstfridayart.com.

June 3: First Sunday, Old Town Chinatown, A day of family-friendly activities. It's Kid's Day at Saturday Market with activities from 11 to 3 near the main stage. The brochure “Walk Historic Old Town” is available at the Saturday Market kiosk, the gate of Portland Classical Chinese Garden and other key locations. Further information about where to go and what to do in Old Town is available at www.oldtownchinatown.net.

June 6: Junior Rose Parade, 40th to 52nd on Sandy, The Parade starts at 1:00 PM. If you want to get a good spot, you should show up around 11:30AM along the parade route. Parking is very limited so car pooling and Tri Met are great alternatives. Don't forget the MAX station at Hollywood. Jan Tolman, 503-281-5497. http://www.rosefestival.org/events/juniorparade/

June 7: First Thursday, Pearl District, 5:0 - 9:00 PM, http://www.firstthursday.org.

June 14: Second Thursday, Hawthorne District, Justin, 503.963.8200.

June 21: 3rd Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00PM Hollywood District.

June 23/24: Good in the Neighborhood Music and Food Festival at King Park, 6th and Humboldt, Cheryl Roberts, 503.282.1288.

June 24: Rose Festival Cruise In - Parkrose High School, Mark Eves, 503.227.6226.

June 25: Commissioner Adams' Business Association Meet & Greet, Juniper Hotel, 800 East Burnside, 5:30 - 7:00PM.

June 28: Last Thursdays, NE Alberta, www.artonalberta.org.

June 30 : First Annual Artichoke Community Music Folk Festival, 11 AM - 11 PM, 31st & Hawthorne. Old-time, Celtic, Brazilian, singer-songwriter originals, Marimba band, Bluegrass, World Music and Jam Sessions, Songwriter Competition, Vendor booths, Children's events, Instrument repair, Local artisans, and other musical non-profits such as Ethos, Make Music PDX, and more! www.artichokecommunitymusic.org.

Tell us about your event - Contact the Editor.

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