Our older son, Luke, played center on the Wilson High School varsity football team that was the undefeated champion of the Portland Interscholastic League in 2003. Luke and I both learned that winning the games was the direct result of training hard and faithfully over the summer. Football coaches all over Oregon are currently pushing their teams in "Daily Doubles", with practice and weight-training sessions both early morning and late into the evening, to get their players game-ready for September and October.

I've been running Daily Doubles this month, too, finishing up a summer of rigorous, diligent grassroots organizing in every area of Portland. This past week, I worked more than 50 hours on the campaign. That included three 12-hour days of no-breaks campaigning criss-crossing all over Portland, plus Sunday with three hours in neighborhoods followed by 8 hours nursing at OHSU. Over the course of the week, I met with Portlanders in 15 neighborhoods, including attending three Business Association meetings and two Union events. Thank you for your support, Laborers Local 483 and National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 82!

At the Letter Carriers' Stewards' Barbeque:

Tom Chamberlain, my neighbor from West Portland Park. Evidently his Fire Fighters jacket is still one of his favorites - I noticed it particularly, since Portland Fire Fighters Local 43 has endorsed me.

Photograph by Jamie Partridge

A particularly sweet memory for the week came on Thursday, when a woman came up to me in the evening twilight after the delightful concert at Ventura Park, in the Hazelwood neighborhood of East Portland. "You were at the business meeting in Westmoreland early this morning," she said. "I am certainly going to vote for you now I see you here too!" It's very meaningful to everyone involved, making connections like that. And the more I weave around Portland, the more I'm able to create partnerships between folks working on similar issues in different areas. I intend to keep doing that if I'm elected.

On Saturday, I volunteered all morning in Eliot (North Portland) and South Tabor (Southeast) at two Portland Public School sites on Community Care Day (separate post on that later), knocked on doors in Rose City Park (Northeast Portland) near Providence Hospital in the afternoon, and enjoyed a well-attended house party in the Sunnyside neighborhood off Hawthorne (Southeast) until late into the evening.

I am also working on preparing to be in office, as well as getting elected. This past week, I met with Mayor-elect Sam Adams, a member of the Portland Development Commission, program directors at the Partnership for Safety and Justice, a Multnomah County leader, a SW neighborhood advocate for electoral reform, and Portland Business Alliance staff. I participated in the City's Health Care Policy Committee, which met in the Planning Commission's room in the 1900 SW 4th building. That place elicited both fond memories of meeting there twice monthly while serving on the Commission (I missed only three meetings, in seven years), and renewed determination to win the election. I want to have a binding vote on the Council when I voice the concerns of working people living all over Portland, especially after the Planning Commission forwards its recommendations on the Portland Plan.

I couldn't do all these meetings and events without support from dozens of volunteers, and Ellen, Amanda M, and Ted, our excellent staff. To continue the football analogy, I am the quarterback of our team, but I certainly rely on coaches, linebackers and receivers, and cheerleaders all over Portland. Maybe even a few of those curmudgeons who yell advice like "Catch the ball!" from the bleachers can be helpful, too.

Our campaign team is game-ready for September and October. We have put in the necessary time, training, organization, and hard work over the summer. Join us! As with high school football, everyone is welcome on the squad, everyone can contribute. See the Volunteer page for options for how you can help push towards our winning season.

Our campaign is rocking and rolling. The past few days, when the temperatures soared over 100 degrees, I wondered if any staff or volunteers would suggest reducing our schedule of events and activities. Far from that, our team managed the busiest weekend of the summer almost flawlessly.

Here we are at the Multnomah Days parade in SW Portland on Saturday:

Photograph by Robert Wilson
(who showed up to help despite working graveyard shift currently)

That's Stuart Fishman of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 555 carrying the banner. It was good to have two representatives of Local 555 sporting union colors in our group at that event. Members of Communications Workers of America Local 7901 helped out at the Hawthorne Street Fair, where Super-Volunteer Richard Ross captained our team. One of the great things about Public Campaign Financing is that unions and other endorsing groups such as OLCV can't give checks to support candidates - their members, like everyone else, can help "only" by showing up and talking with their co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Democracy in Action.

Parade-watchers in Multnomah Village gave us a delightful reception. Cheers, applause, shouts of encouragement - although I must report that some of those were for my young supporters who amazingly were out of bed at 10 a.m. to help. Carter Crail of Markham Elementary rode his bike, and Wilson High School graduates Colin Corbett (seen walking behind me in the photograph) and my son Luke who drove the Zebra Car, received lots of yelled good wishes. It was especially fun for me to reconnect along the parade route with SW neighbors I haven't seen in a while. One of those was Inge Stupak, a teacher at the excellent Little Lambs Preschool at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in SW Portland - now, and when my children were enrolled there 18 years ago. She found me after the parade and said, "We were wondering, is that OUR Amanda Fritz who is running for City Council? Yes it is!" It's been totally wonderful in this campaign, finding out how many people and groups all over Portland think of me as "Our Amanda Fritz".

After the Multnomah Days parade (the shortest of the summer), my team manned the information table in the village, while I drove the Zebra Car over to Raymond Park in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood in outer Southeast Portland for their community event, with lots of interesting booths alongside ours. I was given an impromptu briefing on neighborhood issues by a Neighborhood Association leader, including strolling up to SE 122nd - again with no regard for the heat.

From Powellhurst-Gilbert, I went to the Woodstock Neighborhood Association picnic at Woodstock Park. We couldn't have a table there unless both candidates participated, so I went by myself and my friend Terry Griffiths took a break from her pottery sales to introduce me to her neighbors.

Following that, I spent a couple of hours walking up and down Hawthorne, meeting interesting and delightful folks. One couple hailed me with "We saw you this morning in Multnomah!", proving that people other than candidates don't let the weather slow us down in Portland. That was the case at my next stop, a block party in Overlook (North Portland) where Steve and Nancy Rawley welcomed me with a tall cup of refreshing lemonade. The final two events of the day were in the relative cool of the evening- two parties in the Arnold Creek neighborhood in SW. Those brought the day full circle both geographically and in context, as both hosts are parents whose children (now grown) were at Jackson Middle School and/or Wilson High School with my sons.

On Sunday, we had a minor organizing glitch in that I was so engrossed in talking with neighbors at our booth in Lents Park, I almost missed the parade at Lents Founder's Day. We scampered and walked the last half turn, making that the Fastest Parade of the summer for our marchers. I didn't catch the name of the volunteer who delivered watermelon to our table afterward, seeing that I was too busy to come over to get it myself. Absolutely delicious - thank you for your kindness. That watermelon kept me going as I stopped by Oaks Park in Sellwood on my way home to change for work, and then put in my regular shift at OHSU. Where it was air-conditioned, and I got to wear nurse-shoes instead of candidate-shoes - yay!

A special thank you to volunteers Robin Denburg and Bob Fambro, who on Thursday and Friday evenings knocked on doors with me in high-90s heat in Concordia (Northeast Portland) and St. Johns (North Portland), respectively. And thank you to all the neighbors who opened your doors those evenings, and appreciated our efforts to bring the campaign to homes even in the hot weather. If I am elected, I will be out in neighborhoods citywide next summer, too - regardless of the temperatures.

When I started nursing school in 1979, one of the first things I learned (after handwashing, and making beds), was a lesson in transparency and accountability:

If it wasn't documented, it wasn't done.

There are exceptions, of course. Failing to document a problem doesn't make it go away, in fact mistakes in patient care require extraordinary levels of paperwork and notification. And some practices in nursing aren't documented because they are expected, routine. Handwashing and making the bed correctly are considered "standard of care" - the default is that it was done, unless otherwise noted. You may assume my campaign is making phone calls, planning outreach, organizing volunteers, etc., whether or not I take the time to blog about it. But for many aspects of patient care, for 29 years, my proof that a special task was done is the RN's note documenting that it was done.

So, here are my nurses campaign notes for the two weeks since the last time I summarized recent activities:

* I met with Northeast Portland's Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, and with State Representatives Mike Schaufler and Carolyn Tomei, both serving districts partly in outer SE Portland, to discuss legislative priorities.

* I toured arts-related businesses near North Killingsworth with Jim Brunberg of Mississippi Studios, and sustainable development showcase the Mississippi Avenue Lofts condominiums, with developer Bill Jackson. It's exciting to see real-life evidence of how visionary business decisions translate into jobs and neighborhood vibrancy for Portlanders.

* I completed questionnaires and interviewed for several more endorsements from groups. I hope to post their names on our ever-expanding supporters page soon. The Teamsters gave me their endorsement last week, which gave me particular delight since I remember their support of the OHSU nurses' strike in 2001-2.

* I attended the farewell/good luck party for Sam Chase, leaving the Community Development Network to become Commissioner Nick Fish's chief-of-staff. Sam and I first worked together when he was covering school issues for Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury, and I was still immersed in the Markham Elementary School PTA. Then he became a community leader on affordable housing, and I served on the Planning Commission and the Tryon Creek Watershed Council, before we volunteered for three years concurrently on the board of the Coalition for A Livable Future.

* I attended the Portland Area Business Alliance lunch, and Business Association meetings in Multnomah, Lloyd District, Belmont, and Hawthorne.

* Another busy Saturday was filled participating in the Parkrose Cruise-In, the Fremont Fest and parade, a Bus Project voter registration drive on MLK Jr Boulevard, the opening day of a wonderful local artist's gallery show on SE Division, the Oregon Buddhist Temple's O Bon celebration, and the "How Oregon are you?" party in North Portland. Yes, all those activities were on one day.

* Portland Fire Fighters Association Local 43's annual picnic at Oaks Park was fun, and gave me opportunities to thank the Fire Fighters for both their service and their endorsement of my campaign. Fire Commissioner Nick Fish attended, and graciously encouraged me to meet-and-greet with him.

* On consecutive evenings, I was given tours of Centennial in Southeast Portland by Patty Hicks, and Hayden Island in North Portland with Ed Garren. Very different, both delightful neighborhoods where "affordable housing" still has meaning.

* I met with Planning Director Gil Kelley and Principal Planner Steve Dotterer, to discuss the Portland Plan. Mayor-elect Sam Adams has asked me to pay particular attention to this project in the transition period before he takes office in January - and hopefully I do, too. I sat in on the City Council hearing on the Work Plan for the project.

* On National Night Out, I attended neighborhood parties in Lents, Centennial, Argay, and Concordia, meeting old friends and making new ones at each location.

* I met with the interim executive director of a non-profit, with a faculty member from Portland State University, with a member of the Portland Business Alliance, and with two Portland Development Commissioners.

* I reviewed each week's City Council Agenda on my Next Up at City Council regular feature on my other blog site. I wonder if there has ever been a candidate for City Council, other than City Hall insiders, whose preparation has included analysis of the Council agenda every week for two years prior to taking office.

* At a meeting of the Partnership for Safety and Justice, I watched a video on some of the work of Central City Concern and the challenges of re-entry into society after incarceration. Other participants related their personal stories of the barriers to finding housing and work after serving time in prison.

* I gave a presentation on citizen involvement and parks advocacy in Portland, to a group of international and nationwide visitors participating in a conference.

* I attended the Bicycle Transportation Alliance/City of Portland celebration for the city's platinum designation for bicycling, at which Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Mayor-elect Sam Adams, and former Mayor Bud Clark spoke. I like being part of the crowd clapping and cheering, as well as being out in front of it.

* I listened to two hours of testimony on homelessness at Sisters of the Road Cafe, and another two at the SAFE Committee hearing at the First Unitarian Church.

* I spoke at the "Health Care Roundtable for Women & Families" forum organized by Oregonians for Health Security, giving my perspective as a health care provider in Portland for 22 years.

* I knocked on doors in the Hayhurst, Maplewood, Irvington, Hayden Island, Marshall Park, Markham, and University Park neighborhoods.

* I wore jeans and got messy (yay for both!) at the Hawthorne Graffiti cleanup (see post below), shopped while campaigning at the Hayden Island Patio Sale accompanied by Ed Garren, and enjoyed Pamela Plance's best-I-ever-had berry cobbler while meeting St. Johns neighbors at the Friends of Pier Park picnic. Campaigning can be fun! That was yet another busy Saturday. We have another packed agenda this coming weekend, August 16 and 17, so please call the office at 503-235-2295 if you can help - anywhere in the city, something is happening near you.

* I suddenly realized this past Sunday would be the last day before the election on November 4 that all five members of our family would be home. So we spent a happy couple of hours taking family photos, in case they're needed for propaganda.

Those photographs document that we did indeed see each other for that day. But as you can infer from the list above, our family has not had time to be together very much more over the past two weeks. That's OK. From birth, our kids have been used to both their parents working nights and weekends in hospitals. They don't even ask to see the documentation on what I've been doing when not at home.... but here it is, for everyone else.

I was given a delightful compliment a couple of days ago. For the first time in weeks, there were no major parades or street fairs scheduled on Saturday. With a "free" morning on my calendar, I volunteered to help at the Hawthorne Business Association's Graffiti Cleanup, organized in partnership with the Office of Neighborhood Involvement's Graffiti Abatement Program. After hearing the instructions from ONI's Marcia Dennis and as the group broke up into teams assigned to 10-block sections of the district, a young woman came over and gave me a hug.

"Thank you for coming!", she said. "With any other politician, I'd assume you were just here for a PR event, but with you, I know you're here to do the work."

Photograph by Louie Berry

For the record, that goop that appears to be paint dripping from my roller onto the sidewalk, was there before we started. The only mess I made has now dried onto my painter's pants as a permanent reminder of the event.

I learned a lot about graffiti removal and abatement from Marcia and my work partner, Louie. He has virtually eradicated graffiti in his neighborhood, Madison South, by persistently removing it as soon as it goes up. I'd already learned that as the most effective action, in the presentation at a Hollywood Boosters lunch earlier this year by Goodbye Graffiti, a professional removal company. New York City almost eliminated graffiti on subway trains, by systematically cleaning them then removing cars from service as soon as they were re-tagged.

There was a surprising amount of vandalism on Hawthorne. Once I started looking for it, I noticed tags and/or stickers on almost every traffic sign, every utility pole, every newspaper box, and every bus shelter/bench. Most of it is not spray paint - it's done with markers and stickers. The stickers annoyed me the most. Paint and marker comes off relatively easily with the solvents the graffiti removal teams use (products which may be purchased at local stores). Stickers, often embellished with marker pens, take a long time to scrape off - and almost no time to slap on. I couldn't even feel impressed at the art and effort, with stickers.

Some things I learned:

* Cleaning the front of city signs is illegal. Apparently removing the tags also removes the reflective coating, so only city staff are allowed to attend to the front of signs. Volunteers may clean the back and poles, however.

* TriMet is responsible for bus shelters. And tagging on TriMet property is an automatic felony. With lack of funds, also seen in City graffiti-abatement programs which have been cut in recent years, I'm told TriMet sometimes waits and replaces the entire shelter or bench, rather than removing each tag as it goes up. Other times, TriMet is very prompt. Many of the tags on the shelters were scratched into the windows, i.e. not cleanable, but there were some on benches that were easily removed, scraped off with persistence, or painted over.

* Newspaper and advertising boxes are considered private property, and the vendors are supposed to keep them clean. Few do, and the City doesn't have staff to enforce the rules. I'm interested in re-evaluating all the regulations and fees for street boxes. As sidewalks become busier, we need to review the people-habitat and make sure it is safe, uncluttered, and visually appealing.

* Research shows that providing legal places for "graffiti art" tends to increase, rather than reduce, tagging on other sites near the graffiti wall. The abatement experts recommend we should stop calling them "graffiti artists". The difference between art and graffiti is PERMISSION. But even when artists have permission, installing graffiti art increases tagging nearby.

* Although stapling papers to utility poles is illegal, don't waste your time peeling them off. There are layers on layers on layers. The City Ombudsman, Michael Mills, reviewed this issue on page 2 of the 2007 Ombudsman's Survey Report (pdf) posted on the City Auditor's section of PortlandOnLine. Enforcement was suspended after his investigation, due to concerns about complaints of content-based removal. However, there are volunteers who actively remove posters and signs from utility poles. And, Marcia Dennis tells me that PGE, Pacificorp and Qwest have all signed on to prosecute offenders should anyone be arrested in the act of attaching posters or signs to their poles. When Marcia receives information about a sign or poster showing up in quantity on those poles, she sends a letter to inform the responsible company of the laws that apply and that they have violated, in hopes of educating them and gaining their cooperation in getting the signs removed.

* When painting over tags, make a neat line around the pole, or a regular shape on a wall or fence. The more orderly the area looks when you're done, the less likely it will be tagged again.

* Removing graffiti is hard work, especially since I am out of practice with my favorite volunteer task, pulling ivy. I would like to see people convicted of placing graffiti required to work on its removal - particularly those horrible stickers. I'm told that happens sometimes.

It took only a few hours to clean several blocks on both sides of the street, though. If all the nearby businesses and residents in every neighborhood commercial area took ownership of their streetscape and removed the tags immediately, the problem would be easier to eradicate than invasive weeds in the forests. If elected, I will encourage Business Associations and Neighborhood Associations to partner to recruit/appoint Graffiti Abatement committees, like many have Block Watches, parks volunteers, Neighborhood Emergency Teams, etc. I will happily volunteer to help, often.

Addendum 11:05 am: Thanks to Marcia Dennis for providing additional information after seeing the first draft of this post, and for sending the photo she took, below. I was so intent on my task, I didn't notice she took it.

Photograph by Marcia Dennis

Note: Posting of photographs taken during the volunteer event should not be taken to imply endorsement of me or my campaign by photographers, people in the images, or the event sponsors. I'm sure if other candidates had shown up, they too would have been provided with courtesies and a warm welcome.

Here is a set of questions and answers on issues affecting homeless people, posed via email in July to both candidates for Portland City Commissioner # 1, and posted on Willamette Week's Blogwire. Willamette Week reporter Amanda Waldroupe and the Mercury's Matt Davis attended the "Truth Commission" event yesterday, hosted at Sisters of the Road Cafe and organized by their Civic Action Group. It was intended to encourage people experiencing homelessness to tell others about their lives. Amanda's report is on WWire, Matt's on Blogtown. Commissioner Nick Fish and I sat in the audience listening to almost two hours of citizens telling about their experiences with homelessness in general, and the City's Sidewalk Obstructions (aka "Sit-Lie") and Anti-Camping ordinances in particular. It was attended by a standing-room-only assembly of concerned folks.

Before you skip this post, thinking, "That will never happen to me or anyone I know", consider:

It's estimated 50% of personal bankruptcies are due to an uninsured medical emergency.

And that more than 50% of women living on the streets became homeless when fleeing domestic violence.

Most of the folks speaking yesterday didn't talk about how they became homeless, or what they might need to become housed. They related mostly the problems they encounter in a city that has thousands more people needing emergency shelter than there are beds... and two ordinances that make it illegal to rest outside of shelters.

As I said in my responses to Willamette Week's questions, I will work with the Council to solve problems affecting provision of affordable housing, jobs, and social services. I will use my experience as a nurse in the disjointed mental health care "system" in Oregon to push for cost-effective improvements and coordination that will save money for basic needs, including affordable housing. People placed in housing need services like job training and mental health treatment to help them succeed and become independent. I will work with Multnomah County to ensure that agencies with the most expertise are provided with adequate resources to promote long-term resolution of the factors causing homelessness. We need a well-rounded, coordinated approach to provision of housing and services. I will work with Commissioner Fish, the rest of the Council, Multnomah County, and state and federal legislators to improve systems and make them more cost-effective.

I hope Nick Fish will continue as Commissioner in charge of the Bureau of Housing and Community Development next year. His experience in housing and law provides a good foundation to solve even these tough problems -- especially if augmented with my knowledge in mental health care and neighborhood social services. I was impressed that Nick sat and listened at the meeting last night. He didn't make a grandstanding speech, and he didn't make a token appearance then leave - he stayed to hear every heartfelt personal story. Folks experiencing homelessness don't have much. Commissioner Fish gave them his respect by simply being there and staying, listening attentively.

A final note, to Patrick Nolen, Michael Buonocore and others in the Civic Action Group, and to those who perhaps felt you didn't have much to give and maybe there wasn't even any point in mustering the courage to speak: Thank you. I arrived feeling very tired, in the middle of a week when there are over 50 hours of events, appointments, and tasks on my campaign calendar, plus two eight-hour shifts at OHSU. "Remind me again why I'm working so hard?", I was thinking to myself as I walked in Old Town Chinatown to the event, while yet another get-your-own-dinner evening passed at the Fritz homestead. Listening to the speakers, I felt grateful to the goodheared people of Portland - some down, but not out. Many wanting earnestly to find solutions to challenges and problems. We have many faces, many voices, but we are all in this together.

"Oh yes, that's why I'm working so hard", I thought, as I made my way home with the bounce back in my steps. The Sidewalk Obstructions law will be reviewed by Council in June of next year, because it was written with a sunset clause of two years from its adoption. I want to have a vote on the Council when that happens. I want to hear the other sides to the issues, and I want to be a leader in finding real solutions that help more Portlanders. That's why I'm working so hard to win this election.

From Ed Garren's invitation:

Pamela Ferguson and Ed Garren, in conjunction with the Hayden Island Community Book Club, are hosting a "Meet and Greet" , this Tuesday evening, with Portland City Council Candidate Amanda Fritz. <= That's me

This is an opportunity to meet Amanda, and discuss with her personally any issues which you may have, and have her meet our wonderful community here on Hayden Island. We will also have yard signs and other information to share.

Amanda is a publicly financed candidate, so no contributions will be solicited or accepted. The event is free, and fully accessible.

The event is:

Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 6 PM,
at the South Shore Club House
in the South Shore Community of the Hayden Island Manufactured Home Community

The entrance to South Shore is on Hayden Island Drive, in front of Northwest Rugs, on the south side of Hayden Island Drive.

Ed, Pamela, and I plan to meet and greet at the Club House for an hour or so, then walk around the island hoping to chat with neighbors. Since many of the homes on Hayden Island are in communities that don't allow traditional canvasses, we planned this evening to connect with residents and business operators in alternative ways. ~ Amanda

Please join us!

... with a little help from my friends.

Another busy weekend, made fun by all who stepped up in support.

This is us at the Division-Clinton Street Fair and Parade:

Sadie and Jennifer

Pat Wagner, looking lovely despite the long drive from Linnton to SE 50th/Division where the parade started

Always nice to get a hug from the Mayor-elect

Photographs by Erin Swetland

After the Division-Clinton event, I went to the East Columbia Neighborhood Association picnic at the Children's Arboretum. This was my third or fourth time participating, and it was as fun as ever. A great example of a small group of valiant volunteers bringing together hundreds of neighbors to socialize and enjoy a beautiful park. My supporters Maryhelen, Chris, Ellen, Dick and Gyrid made sure I felt welcome and met their neighbors. Delightful.

A busy mother of two small children carved out nearly three hours of her weekend to help me later on Saturday afternoon, introducing me to her neighbors in the Mount Tabor neighborhood. At one of the doors we knocked on, the response was, "Oh yes, we are friends with Rochelle Lessner, we support you already!". At another, "You came to my father's funeral, of course I'll take a yard sign". I love experiencing how connected Portlanders are to each other. And I want to expand and improve that connectedness. On Sunday afternoon, I canvassed in the Wilkes neighborhood, near Gresham in outer NE. Folks there continue to feel disenfranchised and not heard. It was good to be door-knocking with Larry, son of Alice Blatt who has done so much for the community in Wilkes. As when I canvassed in Boise and Eliot, near NE Fremont and MLK, some Portlanders have heard promises from politicians and been disappointed many times before. Walking with a well-known longtime neighborhood resident helps foster trust once again, but I am very aware that I must follow through once elected in order to connect disadvantaged neighborhoods to the full benefits of Portland.

On Sunday, in addition to the Wilkes canvass, I attended the Hillsdale Blueberry Pancake breakfast (yum!) and the Columbia Slough Regatta near NE Marine Drive/166th. Campaigning at its most fun - good friends, good food, and a delightful paddle on the Slough with my Official Guide, Susan Barthell of the Bureau of Environmental Services. Gliding on top of the water, watching the baby small green heron, and saying "Hello, I'm running for Portland City Council" to fellow travelers floating in the other direction.... an experience I will always remember. Thank you to all the volunteers and friends who supported events this weekend.

Photograph by Arlene Kimura

Well-meaning folks who aren't currently volunteering with our campaign are apt to say to me, in person or emails, "Hope you're enjoying the summer with your family!"

I'm enjoying the summer, but I have to make sure to put "Eat dinner at home" on my calendar once a week, as otherwise I hardly see my children and spouse. I've been working hard since the primary on May 20, leaving not even enough time to blog much. People sometimes ask why I don't cut back a little, when we won such a convincing victory to take a big lead into the runoff. I give three main answers. I'm a nurse, and nurses work hard. I'm used to putting in 110% effort at every task, every day - it's simply who I am and what I do. Plus, Portlanders are funding this race with Public Campaign Financing. Both now and when I'm elected, I will make sure taxpayers' money is used wisely, and that includes working as hard as humanly possible myself, to win the election and do a good job once in office. And I'm enjoying being in neighborhoods all over Portland, greeting old friends and making new ones, building connections so more and more Portlanders will know they have a friend in City Hall if/when I'm elected. I plan to be active in visiting neighborhood events next summer, too.

We're having fun. Here are some photographs by volunteer Colin Maloney, of the team marching in the GOOD in the NeighborHOOD parade. The parade starts by the Urban League headquarters at N Williams and Russell, runs up Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, and ends at the King School and Neighborhood Center park on NE 6th off Alberta. The temperatures were fine when we started, beginning to get toasty by the end of the march. Many thanks to all our supporters both marching and watching the parade.

Last weekend, supporters and/or I participated in the TriMet Street Fair in Old Town, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, the OregonDemoForum (a gathering of statewide Democratic leaders) in Welches, the East Precinct Open House, and a fundraiser for the Portland Women's Crisis Line. Oh, and I worked Saturday and Sunday evenings on the inpatient psychiatry unit at OHSU.

Coming up on Saturday 7/26 and Sunday 7/27, I'm scheduled for events in SE, North, NE, and SW, plus knocking on doors in the Mount Tabor and Rose City Park neighborhoods. There are many happenings during the week, too, especially in the evenings. Please join me at a community gathering in your part of town, or call the office and schedule a convenient time to introduce me to your neighbors. Call 503-235-2295 to volunteer.

Photo by Robert Wilson

My interpretation of what the well-dressed future City Commissioner, who owns a zebra car, wears for the Portland Pride parade. Outfit courtesy of eBay, where I sniped the leather jacket for only $25. The dress and Victoria's Secret sneakers came off eBay, too. Accessory tea cup from the Pearl Bakery - my thanks to the woman in line who recommended the orange-anise roll (not pictured, having been consumed in short order).

The Pride parade, and indeed the whole festival, was delightful. Well-organized, good-hearted, neighbors supporting neighbors and enjoying each others' company. I was moved almost to tears by the welcome I was given along the parade route. Not only enthusiastic clapping, but cheering and yells of encouragement. I felt many, many people recognized and shared ownership in the amazing result we achieved together on May 20. That I am part of something huge here in Portland, a growing movement connecting every group and every neighborhood together and into City Hall. Gay, straight; black, white, and every skin color; men and women; young and seasoned; eastside, westside; labor and business. We can do great things when we do them as neighbors seeking a better Portland for all.

Special thanks to the couple standing at a corner who sang the first two lines of "Iron Man", and even remembered my words (check here if you don't). And thanks to Bill who is the wonderful Official Driver of the Zebra Car, and to Carol, Ellen, Jim, Lan, Les, Pat, Rebecca, and Robert, who marched with me. Go to the Volunteer page to sign up to help at the next parade - it's FUN!

It's going to be an interesting and busy summer, combining campaigning, preparing for office, and continuing to provide practical help in neighborhoods all over the city. Oh, and making space for a little re-connecting with my family, too.

A sampling of the 19 campaign-related activities I attended over the past week:

Friday evening, I participated in a tribute/farewell for Wilkes Community Group leader Ross Monn, who is moving to Spokane. The room was packed with well-wishers, including Mayor-elect Sam Adams, US Senate nominee Jeff Merkley, Metro Councilor Rod Parks, Commissioner-elect Nick Fish, many Neighborhood Association leaders, and staff from several City bureaus, Metro, and the Port of Portland. It's good to know that the work of volunteers is recognized and valued in Portland. Everyone at the event had learned and achieved results from knowing Ross, and we all wish him well in his new neighborhood. It was satisfying for me to feel special connections to the elected politicians, the staff, and the community leaders assembled at the East Portland Neighborhood Office. Like Ross, I've worked hard to develop positive relationships with people in all three stakeholder groups, over many years.

On Saturday, I spent time at:

* HOST (Home Ownership a Street at at Time) Development's Helensview project in the Cully neighborhood. This 52-home project, selling family houses with several bedrooms at under $200,000, is building homes that are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. The homes are energy-efficient both in site and structure design and materials, and ongoing energy costs. This development offers buyers tax-abatements to reduce property taxes for the first ten years - demonstrating that the City's subsidy programs help regular families with lower incomes, and they are not limited to Urban Renewal Areas. I reviewed the "Homebuyer Opportunities Areas" maps and policies while serving on the Planning Commission. It's a good program, that helps improve neighborhoods and support first-time homebuyers.

* Portland Parks & Recreation's Mt. Tabor Yard Open House, outlining the community task force's work so far in planning upgrades for maintenance and horticultural facilities at this site. The process will add the Yard to the Mt. Tabor Park Master Plan. I am impressed with the improved working relationships between bureau staff and management, neighbors, at-large parks advocates, and Laborers Local 483, the main City union involved. I'm also glad the current version of the City Budget includes full funding to complete the planning process - something I mentioned as an important need in my answer on the City Budget in the City Club forum in May.

* Jobs with Justice's Immigration Forum and Training, held at Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 501's hall on SE Foster Road. I learned lots of good information there, but perhaps the best was when it was announced the Hilton hotel workers have a tentative agreement on their contract. It was fun to celebrate that victory with hardworking people, many of whom helped on my campaign, too.

* The Portland Pride mixer at the Q Center on SE Taylor near OMSI. A highlight of the event was the announcement of this year's Spirit of Pride award to Laura Calvo... who is also a supporter of Amanda for Portland 2008. Many, many good things and good people are coming together this year. I was happy to hear that Pride organizers are taking particular care to be fair to both candidates in the Sest # 1 race. To determine order of appearance in their Parade, they shuffled the two entry forms and inserted them into the stack of participant papers blindly. I like knowing the process was managed so neither candidate was favored. The Pride Parade is coming up on June 15 - call the office, 503-235-2295, to join me marching!

* The Starlight parade. I arrived by the China Gate too late to squeeze through the crowds to the front, but I enjoyed watching some of my friends from Old Town, including supporter Carl Roberts, delighting in the show. Most entries received a smattering of applause; the one that was greeted with everyone clapping enthusiastically was the "Boatload of Survivors" - a boat-on-a-float carrying pink-hatted breast cancer survivors. I am looking forward to leading improved awareness on health care issues on the Portland City Council, and better collaboration between the City, Multnomah County, the state, and health care providers in the community and institutions.

I watched the Starlight Parade at 3rd and Burnside... after finding parking at 14th and Overton. Walking back to my car through the Pearl on the warm Spring evening was reminscent of being in London. The good parts of London -- I found the experience delightful. I'm glad to know there are over 1,000 affordable new homes in the Pearl, and that it's developed into such an exciting, attractive neighborhood.

Yesterday, my youngest child graduated from Wilson High School. Ali and I shopped and ate lunch in the Lloyd Center, then she sang the National Anthem at the ceremony at Memorial Coliseum. She earned Performing Arts Honors, National Honor Society, and the Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM), as well as being voted Female Singer of the Year by her peers. And yes, I am proud of her -- perhaps especially since support services from Mom during her senior year were sometimes less than adequate, due to my campaign. It will be strange to be talking in the runoff to November, saying "I was a Portland Public Schools parent" rather than "I am a Portland Public Schools parent". Being an active parent volunteer in Portland's public schools has helped me grow into a community leader ready to help City Hall understand and support the school districts better. And after Ali turns 18 in June (one more vote - yay!), then when she and her two brothers are all in college in September, I will be able to focus even more time on City of Portland issues. I'm looking forward to that... as well as enjoying the here-and-now, this week and over the summer.

Former State Representative Mike Fahey and Portland Public Schools Development Director John Branam have endorsed me in the runoff for Portland City Commissioner #1. I am honored to have earned the support of these two former candidates for the seat, especially since they heard all my position statements over the past 5+ months, and gave many great answers themselves. Mike's labor supporters and John's school affiliates, in particular, were likely torn between the good choices offered in the primary.

John wrote to his supporters yesterday:

"Portland's future is bright. We are an amazing city because of our location, our history, our values and our people. Even as I cycle off the campaign I will continue to work, as do each of you, to make our city the most livable in America. As I shared during my run, doing so means becoming increasingly serious about the quality of our schools, while also working to sharply reduce our carbon footprint and support our small businesses. Additionally, it is imperative that we further evolve, as a city, into one that values all voices at the table, and whose leadership embodies this value by leading us in a collaborative manner.

Which brings me to a most important thought. As you can imagine, I had the privilege of getting to know my fellow candidates quite well while on the trail. In fact, we spent quite a bit of time together. I also became incredibly familiar with our city, and City Hall, and believe I have a very clear sense of the kind of leader Portland needs. As between Amanda Fritz and Charles Lewis my choice is clear: I absolutely support Amanda Fritz for Portland City Council. Amanda has the collaborative leadership style Portland needs, as well as the thoughtful experience to move our city in the right direction. Thus, even as I take time to reconnect to those parts of my life I neglected during the campaign, I will actively support Amanda's campaign for City Council. Please join me in doing so, she is the right choice for Portland."

Mike Fahey is also already helping me connect with his supporters. Look for joint appearances at events over the summer and into the fall, and active participation of new volunteers coming to my campaign thanks to these endorsements.

I am very happy to have the support of these two fine men ... and more so to call them friends, after five months of running in the same race. As John often said in the campaign, Portland needs collaborative leadership. Mike talked repeatedly of jobs and helping working families. It is surely a testament to our positive, issue-oriented styles and shared values, that within a week of Election Night, John and Mike are working with me on a newly united goal.

Thank you, Mike Fahey and John Branam!

Wow! What a great victory we achieved together, as shown by the election results! Thank you so much for your support and participation in our shared campaign. Going into the General with a 30 point/44,000 vote lead is certainly a happy place to start!

It took long months of work by many, many people for us to achieve the win on Tuesday, and it will take even more effort to secure the Commissioner # 1 seat in November. All five of the other candidates for Position 1 were worthy opponents, and one-on-one the race will surely heat up.

Jeff Bissonnette, John Branam, Mike Fahey, and Chris Smith are amazing, smart people who truly care about Portland. I learned from each one over the course of the primary campaign. I know from my experience two years ago how difficult it is to stop suddenly at the end of the primary, after so many months of hyperactivity and pressure. I expect Jeff, John, Mike, and Chris to continue doing good things in and for Portland. I will be watching and cheering their ongoing activism.

I plan to keep running hard, all through the summer. I went to events and did a TV interview yesterday - and then wore my Amanda for Portland button to my required CPR class, and gave information to two more voters when they asked about it. Today, I'm going to the Johnson Creek Watershed Council fundraiser, and volunteering at a Wilson High School arts performance. Wearing my button! Please keep wearing yours, and get contact information when anyone comments on it. My goal is to double our vote count in November.

Note: Yard Signs - Please keep yours stored until September, if you have space.** If you'd like the campaign to pick it up and return it to you after the summer, please call the office at 503-235-2295. The office will be closed for the holiday weekend, so leave a message and one of our volunteers will pick up your sign next week.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, let's remember our blessings, enjoy our freedom, recognize the sacrifices so many have made, and celebrate!

** Addendum on yard signs - Yes, we want you to take them inside or return them to the office for storage until the fall, please. We want your neighbors and passersby to notice them as if for the first time, come September :)
But keep wearing those buttons and talking to your neighbors!

You are warmly invited to

Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th, from 7 - 9 p.m.

for our Election Night Party and Volunteer Recognition. Family-friendly, accessible, fun.

Public Transit: Tri-Met Buses #17, #77, #9 and Portland Streetcar

Accessible entrance on the NW 10th Avenue side by Hot Lips Pizza. On-street
parking is available nearby.

I'll be speaking at 7:30 p.m., so please come early and enjoy music and refreshments while we wait for the first count. Bring a folding chair if you want, as seating is limited, otherwise just come with a big smile and your family/friends, or by yourself.

Photo by Dennis Jaffe

My once-in-a-lifetime ride on the back of a Corvette, at the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA) parade on Saturday (see below). I was back again today, at NE 122nd and Halsey, waving to passers-by with my older son, Luke. Lots of honks, waves, and thumbs up. I feel happy to have made so many more friends, all over town, in the past eight months.

At the Alberta ART HOP street fair on Saturday, I talked with several artists. In responding to their questions, I said I'd posted some of my views on funding for arts and culture here on this blog. In checking to make sure the links were clear, I found my previous statements on the topic hadn't been cross-posted on this site. So here they are:

From Mercury Blogtown several weeks ago:

Arts are vital to the cultural, educational, and economic infrastructure of our region, as well as our city. Yet although both the cultural/entertainment aspects and the economic factors benefit the whole Metro region, the City of Portland already picks up most of the funding for arts and culture organization through the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC). I will work to encourage Clackamas and Washington Counties, Metro, and the State of Oregon to contribute their fair share to support the arts in the community and in schools.

The traditional reaction on support for cultural resources and activities is to consider arts for their aesthetic and soul-satisfying qualities. In 2008, however, "Creative Arts" is one of the known growth industries for Portland, the Metro region, and Oregon. We tend to think of "starving" and "artist" in the same phrase, but for thousands of Oregonians,

Arts = Jobs
Graphic design and advertising fit well with our existing concentration of technology-based businesses. Arts industries generate over $300 million in spending in the Metro region, and support over 10,000 jobs. I will support economic development programs that promote good paying jobs in creative arts industries.

Right here in the heart of Portland, in the Central Eastside Industrial District, successful companies are producing films, commercials, and graphic art such as Nintendo games. If I am elected to the City Council, I will support not only leveraging funds for non-profits in the community via RACC, but also other ways the City can protect and add good jobs in creative arts industries. Keeping the Central Eastside's Industrial Zoning to ensure preservation of large warehouse spaces for production, is one example. Another is considering the impact of traffic flow changes in the Burnside-Counch couplet on sound studios nearby. I will work with the State to continue and enhance economic development incentives with proven success, to ensure that our film industry can compete with other locations.

My daughter is heading to Southern Oregon University in September, to try out for the Acting specialty in their Theater major. SOU hosts one of the premier drama programs on the West Coast, in partnership with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Knowing the odds of my daughter becoming a star are low, I'm glad I know there are many good-paying jobs off stage, in design and production. But hey, here's Ali's mom, with a good chance of winning a seat on the Portland City Council, thanks to Public Campaign Financing and my years of service in our community. Sometimes surprising things happen.

My response to the Regional Arts and Culture Council's questions is posted [below, after the break]. Willamette Week made fun of my answer, saying the details I gave on the sources of funding put the reporter to sleep. I believe we need a new City Commissioner who will pay attention to important details, particularly when watching over taxpayers' money and looking for ways to bring more good paying jobs to Portland.

In the Oregonian yesterday, on the Letters page (format and authors' neighborhoods added):

Fritz tends to city

In "East Portland no longer ignored" (May 6), a City Council candidate is quoted saying the lack of attention to East Portland issues is "the most surprising discovery of (his) campaign."

We support Amanda Fritz, who has worked with us in East Portland for more than 10 years. On the Planning Commission, Fritz was a strong advocate for our concerns. She brought the Southwest and East Portland parks volunteers together to form a citywide partnership and helped us with grant applications for improvements.

She has worked alongside us on school cleanups and neighborhood projects many times. She regularly attends Business Association meetings in Parkrose.

Fritz has plans for providing improvements in all 95 neighborhoods by using taxpayers' money wisely. She has shown us she cares about public services, jobs and schools in East Portland.

Vote for Fritz to elect a new city commissioner who knows and supports every area of Portland.

ALICE BLATT, ROSS MONN (Wilkes neighbors)

LINDA ROBINSON, ARLENE KIMURA (Hazelwood neighbors) Northeast Portland

LINDA BAUER (Pleasant Valley neighbor) Southeast Portland

***************************

I will be in East Portland again today, at the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA) Fun-O-Rama parade and community festival. Come join us! I'll be at the 111th Square Fair after the parade, and I'd love to meet you and answer any questions you may have about me or my plans for Portland.

Last week, I marched in the St. Johns parade. So fun! Some observers commented that I walked instead of sitting in a car - so green, y'know. And also about my red heeled shoes .... here's a secret: they're actually comfortable. Today, I'll be riding in a convertible for the parade. It's an honor accorded only to dignitaries and members of the Business Association. I joined GABA this spring after visiting several times, because the members are so friendly and constructive, and because I support their goals. So I am honored to be offered the special treatment. Also, this may be the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this homely woman with the misbehaving hair to ride a parade in a convertible. As hard as I've worked serving Portland over the last 20 years, I hope you agree I've earned the treat.

Update, 15 hours later, 10:48 p.m.:

Well, riding on the top of a shiny black Corvette in the GABA parade was indeed a memory to cherish, and I thank Randy, the owner and driver, for his kindness. But when the "VIP cars" finished the route at the head of the parade, I ran back five blocks (yes, ran in the red shoes) and completed the route again, marching with my supporters towards the end of the line-up. In our group, we had folks young and older carrying the banner and signs, a bicycle, a unicyclist juggling, Mrs. Portland International 2008 (Kyle Ziegler of Parkrose), and of course the zebra car. And I enjoyed walking with my friends, even more than riding on top of the VIP car. So if I'm elected, next year I will be back in the Gateway Fun-O-Rama parade, and I will be happy marching.

Oh, and second Update - those red shoes aren't so comfortable after being worn in 90 degree heat for 15 hours.

The Portland State Daily Vanguard has chosen to endorse Amanda Fritz for Portland City Council! In their 05/09/08 edition, Vanguard staff wrote:

City Council seat 1

Fritz is involved

"Amanda Fritz has been a watchdog of Portland politics for years, commenting on issues and improprieties through her blog. A nurse at OHSU, she is very aware of the problems with the city, such as the faltering public school system, and will come to the city council with fresh ideas and innovative solutions. Although Charles Lewis is a very knowledgeable, intelligent candidate, he represents stagnant Portland politics. Fritz is a refreshing alternative."

How delightful, that the 50 year-old mom is recognized by the Portland State newspaper as the candidate of refreshing change from politics-as-usual in Portland. Very astute, PSU students.

Over the last week of the campaign, I will be all over Portland at events. Please come to talk with me (and/or to show your support - call the office at 503-235-2295 to participate) at any of the following:

Meet-and-Greets

Sellwood: Wednesday, May 14, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Lovecup Coffee Shop, 8235 SE 13th Avenue. Yes, that's today. Sorry for the late notice... stroll over if you catch this in time.

Old Town Chinatown: Friday May 16, Noon - 1 p.m., Monte Rossa Espresso, 327 NW 4th Ave

St Johns: Sunday May 18, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Johns Booksellers, 8622 N. Lombard

Parade

Saturday, May 17, morning - Gateway Fun-O-Rama parade and 111th Square Fair - details here (pdf)

Street Fair

Saturday, May 17, afternoon - Alberta Street ART HOP

Town Hall at Expo Center

Saturday, May 17, 5 p.m., at the Greener Homes and Gardens Expo

Fundraiser Walk

National Alliance on Mental Illness - NAMI Walk. Sunday, May 18, 1 p.m. - a gentle 3 mile stroll along the Willamette River starting on the Eastbank Esplanade. Join me and other professionals, advocates, and clients involved in working on social service issues in Multnomah County.

Sign waving

The traditional end-of-campaign visibility work. Come join us, literally standing on street corners smiling for votes! Most campaigns hover around downtown. We've waved close-in, and also in St Johns in North Portland, Hillsdale, West Portland Park in deep SW, NE 122nd and Halsey in East Portland, NE MLK and Ainsworth at the intersection of the Woodlawn and King neighborhoods, NE Cully & Prescott, and NE Sandy/82nd in Central Northeast Neighbors' territory. Tonight we'll be in Sellwood, tomorrow SE Foster & 82nd, over the weekend...??? Call the office at 503-235-2295 to join the fun.

Amanda for Portland 2008 has been a citywide campaign from the moment I filed on October 4. Outreach and inclusion will continue through the count on May 20, and beyond. Join us!

I have earned endorsements from major newspapers, labor unions, business owners, elected officials, community leaders, workers, and hundreds of Portlanders. Last week, I also won the endorsement of the Multnomah County Republican Party, adding to my previously-announced endorsement by the Multnomah County Democrats.

Amanda Fritz is the only candidate for the Portland City Council to be endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Is that surprising? What on earth could the leaders of the two main parties in Multnomah County have in common, with so much polarization at the national, state, and local levels? Why would both Democrats and Republicans endorse the same candidate for Portland City Council?

In fact, Portlanders of all parties – and none – care about spending taxpayers' money wisely, providing city services fairly and efficiently, and treating one another with respect. I will help Portlanders avoid traditional patterns of divisive political scheming pitting Eastside against Westside, business against workers, developers against neighborhoods, and City staff against the citizens they serve. As a Public Campaign Finance Fund candidate, I am in a unique position to focus on civic needs, creating a new way forward for Portland that transcends political labels.

In another nice endorsement last week, the Portland State University Daily Vanguard called me "a refreshing alternative" to "stagnant Portland politics". I am glad that my Council seat is nonpartisan, and proud that both Democrats and Republicans know that I will help Portland prosper when voters elect me to the Commissioner #1 position.

Note: According to County Elections data, Portland has approximately 377,000 registered voters - Democratic: 50.8%; Republican: 20.1%; Non-Affiliated: 24.3%; Other: 4.8%.

Super-Volunteer Dennis Jaffe models the nifty Amanda Fritz bike flag. Photo by Robert Wilson.

Stop by our office at 3525 NE Broadway, and get one of these spiffy flags installed on your bike, while you wait, for the super-low price of FREE (with Public Campaign Financing).

This next week sure would be a good time to fly the colors as you ride :)

It has been a busy couple of weeks, and as I surface to take a gulp of air, I realize I haven't yet posted thanking Willamette Week for their endorsement. Very sweet. My younger son chided me for my answer in the interview to the question of, "Where would you get a tattoo and what would it be?", saying, "C'mon, Mom, you don't actually have to get a tattoo, just pretend, go along". Happily, apparently the response to that question wasn't a major determinant in the decision.

From the Willamette Week endorsement:

"Fritz has convinced us she may be the only candidate in this race who won’t carry a rubber stamp into the Council. More likely, she’ll bring a magnifying glass and a red pen.

Fritz trumps all her opponents when it comes to knowledge of the city budget and its programs. She obsesses over detail and can be tenacious. She will make bureaucrats lose sleep. We foresee Council meetings grinding to a halt while Fritz and Randy Leonard get testy over the finer points of item 382a on the weekly consent agenda. But that’s OK: Let the bureaucrats sweat a bit. City Hall isn’t a clubhouse."

Thank you, Willamette Week!

Photos by Debbie Kaye

A dog, ruby slippers, a bicycle and a zebra car - illustrating the parade theme of "There's no place like home" in Portland, Oregon.

Thank you to everyone who marched/rode/drove with me, and to all who waved, clapped, and shouted encouragement along the route. Good work, organizers and volunteers of the parade!

Do you or did you ever have a mother? Then Sunday afternoon's Meet-and-Greet is for you!

Stop by

Bill's Pizza Baron, 2604 SE 122nd Ave
from 3:30pm - 5pm this Sunday, May 11.

Bring Mom, or come by yourself, and chat with the only mother running for Portland City Commissioner Position 1. Let's talk about what kids, families, parents, and educators need from the Portland City Council. Or about anything else you want to ask or say.

Photo by Tristan

Tuesday morning, I was up early at 6 a.m. to take my daughter to an Advanced Placement (AP) exam at Rose City Park Elementary School, sadly closed as a neighborhood school and now being used for testing. So afterwards, I had a rare opportunity to stand outside Wilson High School waving to fellow parents - usually, I'm part of the stream of cars dropping off students. On Monday evening, I was in the campaign office, reviewing lists of volunteers and wondering who to ask to help hold the banner. Who should phone in but Ruth Adkins, fellow Wilson mom, Portland Public Schools Board member, and super-busy person. "Can you help me wave at morning commute tomorrow?", I asked. "Well, I'm helping with the PTA's Teacher Appreciation Week breakfast, but sure, I can leave for 15 minutes for that", she answered.

And so we did. The bag behind me on the grass holds groceries I picked up on the way back from Rose City Park, to donate to the events for the teachers - a week of appreciation gifts for Wilson staff, organized by a woman who just had surgery, and another whose husband is battling stomach cancer.

If you want to get things done, ask busy people to help.

Tune in to KBOO, 90.7 FM and on the Internet here, tonight at 6:35 p.m., to hear me talk live on the "Labor Radio" show about issues that matter to working people in Portland. Call in with questions, 503-231-8187.