A Clear Diagnosis: Public Health, Our Communities, and Oregon's Challenge

Noted public health expert Dr. Richard Jackson visited Oregon last month for a week of talks cosponsored by 1000 Friends. He came with a clear message: we are facing a public health crisis, it's rooted in the way our communities are shaped today, and we have to take action. Over 650 Oregonians in nine cities heard him speak, and you can, too. Click here to read about his message and watch a video of his speech in Portland.

Introducing "Land Use Is": Your World, Our Work, Oregon's Future

What's the key to the way we know and love Oregon today, and to the Oregon we leave for tomorrow? At 1000 Friends, we believe much of it comes down to land use planning. We're pleased to introduce a new campaign highlighting the connections between land use and your community. We're calling it "Land Use Is", and it begins with a clear message. Land use is your world, and it's a choice. Find out why on our new page, and stay tuned for profiles exploring what land use planning means to your life.

Learning from the Land Use Revolution: Sy Adler Speaks in Salem (VIDEO)

Nearly forty years after the creation of Oregon's landmark land use planning program, the people and stories behind its conception and implementation remain as relevant as ever. PSU Professor Sy Adler tells those stories in extraordinary detail in his new book, "Oregon Plans: The Making of an Unquiet Land Use Revolution." Professor Adler spoke in Salem on June 7, part of our 2012 McCall Society Speaker Series. Couldn't make it? Watch a video of his presentation here.

Pedalpalooza 2012: Seven Things We Learned While Biking in Helvetia

Last month we joined our friends at Westside Transportation Alliance and Helvetia Community Association for a fun and informative ride through this lovely part of Washington County. The ride, part of the June Pedalpalooza month, was an opportunity to learn about the area's history and productivity, and the work some are doing to protect it. Here are some lessons that really stood out to us.

Meet Ted, Our 2012 Paul Gerhardt Intern

1000 Friends is pleased to welcome Ted Sweeney, an energetic Portland native and recent UO graduate, as our 2012 Paul Gerhardt Intern. Ted will spend the summer researching issues related to Oregon infrastructure spending. We asked Ted to introduce himself by sharing his Oregon Story. He discusses working at Multnomah County's Outdoor School, enjoying Eugene's Ninkasi Brewing, and his pride in his native state in this Q&A. Check it out.

Upcoming Events

Monthly Buzz: Central Oregon Update
Wednesday, June 11, 8:30-9:30am
The Environmental Center
16 NW Kansas, Bend

Join our Central Oregon staff for our monthly check-in on land use happenings and advocacy opportunities in the Central Oregon region. This monthly conversation is growing every time we hold it! Learn more here.

Jackson County Regional Plan Hearings
Throughout July and August
Bear Creek Valley cities

The Jackson County Regional Problem Solving plan (aka RPS) is nearing the finish line. After changes to the plan were requested by LCDC this Spring, the county has adopted revisions. Now each participating city must do the same. This is the last opportunity to comment before the plan returns to the state for consideration. Find out the schedule in your community--click here.

Save the Date: Willamette Valley Wine Party at Lemelson Vineyards
Saturday, August 18, Time TBA
Lemelson Vineyards, Carlton, OR

We're thrilled to partner with Lemelson Vineyards for a unique celebration of Oregon's wine economy this August. Many more details to come. Stay tuned!

Save the Date: Bend at its Best!Sunday, September 16, Time TBA
Bend, Location TBA

We're throwing a party in September to celebrate all of the things that make Bend a great place to live, work, and play. Get ready for a day of bike rides, local food and beer, and music. We'll share more details soon, but we are looking for volunteers to help make this party a success! If you're interested, contact Ben Gordon at ben@friends.org.

Check out our calendar to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming events around the state.

Regional Updates

Join the Conversation

Let 1000 Friends and the power of social media help keep you up-to-date on our work and related topics. In case you haven't been following us, here's some of what you've missed:

Join Us!

July 6th
President Obama is expected to sign a long-overdue federal transportation bill today. Unfortunately, the bill falls far short of where we need to be going, expressing a 20th-century mentality rather than a forward-looking vision. Our thoughts here.

July 2nd
What does it take to be a highly successful urban area in the tech economy? According to Richard Florida, it's the "3 Ts": Technology (duh!), Talent, and Tolerance. And in his list of top US tech metros, two Oregon cities perform well: Portland metro at #4, and Corvallis at #14. When we make great places to live, talent comes and success follows.

June 28th
After a visit from Dr. Dick Jackson last week, Roseburg's local paper has some strong words about how to make the city healthier. Great editorial. Read it here.

June 22nd
After a fantastic talk at City Club, we enjoyed the afternoon discussing affordable housing with our Land Use Leadership Initiative at two fantastic, affordable communities in the Pearl District: The Ramona Apartments, and REACH CDC's Station Place Tower, with its gorgeous rooftop garden. A great way to end the week!

June 20th
More and more Americans don't want to live in places like this. Those that do have plenty of options to choose from. But a New York Times columnist argues that many communities haven't yet realized that the American Dream is changing. Has yours?

Follow Us!

July 3rd
CEO of major mall developer on future of #retail: "Opportunities in the suburbs, but I really think downtown is it." ow.ly/bZyLt

June 29th
#Cities grew faster than their suburbs last year, says @todayshow. The last time that happened? A century ago: ow.ly/bV2lA

June 27th
#LandUseIs: walkable neighborhoods with higher property values across housing types, as a UW study finds. http://ow.ly/c4lmp

June 22
Our Land Use Leadership Initiative is talking #affordablehousing with Ed McNamara of the lovely Ramona apts in NW PDX. pic.twitter.com/niju92bb

June 21th
An Eastern #Oregon town needs help. Can you help #HalfwayOR save its rodeo and county fair? ow.ly/bJOoP

June 19th
Interesting piece on #SalemOR's Gaiety Hill neighborhood, a #walkable place where neighbors build strong bonds. ow.ly/bGpDg

June 15th
An #infographic says it all: Vast majority of Americans support planning to help their communities in new poll. ow.ly/bBK89

June 14th
#BigBox stores in decline, as real estate analysts report concern about their long term future, reports @WSJ: ow.ly/bAFJO

June 13th
#Oregon's #ag economy creates value well off the farm. Newhouse Mfg #inRedmond has built farm equipment for 55 yrs. http://ow.ly/c4lwD (pdf)

June 11th
Our friends @RethinkPlaces just brought a clear message to #LakeOswego leaders: #walkability = thriving downtown. ow.ly/bvaRH

June 7
Congrats to #BoringOR on its new Dull partnership! "A pair for the ages," so they say. ow.ly/bqIqi #Oregon #sortofexcitingactually

1000 Friends of Oregon | 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 201, Portland, OR 97204
503-497-1000 | info@friends.org
© 2012, 1000 Friends of Oregon, All Rights Reserved.

Oregon Stories is 1000 Friends' monthly e-newsletter, with updates on our work and important happenings across Oregon and the nation. Questions, comments or story ideas?  Please email craig@friends.org.

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