Arbor Lodge Newsletter – May 2026

May 2026

Message from the Chair

I’m not sure if the expression “April showers bring May flowers” holds up anymore. It feels like the season is starting  earlier and earlier. And with gardens shooting up early, so are the weeds. Please consider joining neighbors and SOLVE volunteers on Saturday, May 23 to help weed and mulch Arbor Lodge Park so we can maintain our pesticide-free status. 

Are you excited for the neighborhood association to host more events? Please consider joining our events and fundraising committees. We need a few good volunteers to make the magic happen.

Thanks!

Kevin Micalizzi, Chair, Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association

Neighborhood Meeting

When: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 7:00-8:30 pm

Where: Historic Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N Brandon, or via Zoom.

Agenda:

April Meeting Summary

In case you missed it, our April meeting covered shelter updates (new planter, upcoming trash compactors), a decision to reduce trash pickup to once monthly, and the formation of new events and fundraising committees. The board also submitted a $5,000 grant for the annual tree giveaway combined with a winter craft event at The Offbeat, and flagged drug activity at two nearby hotspots for police follow-up.

Wanted: Community Volunteers!

Help Make Arbor Lodge Thrive

Do you miss fun events at the Arbor Lodge park, like summer concerts?

Would you like to see events in spring, fall, or winter too?

We can make this happen—but we need your help!

Who We Are

The Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association (arborlodgepdx.org) is looking for neighbors of all ages, cultures and backgrounds, who have a little time to help our community.

How You Can Help

We are starting two small volunteer teams:

  • Fundraising Team: Help raise money by devising fundraising opportunities, applying for grants, working with local businesses, or asking neighbors to sponsor events.
  • Events Team: Help plan fun activities like music events, educational events, fix-it fairs, or craft fairs. 

The two teams will work together, but each has its own role.

Why Volunteer?

Meet new neighbors and make Arbor Lodge an even better place to live

Help bring fun events back to the park and neighborhood

Share your ideas and creativity- your imagination is the limit!

Interested?

If one of these teams sounds right for you, please reply to this email and we’ll get

back to you soon. Can also contact Peggy Shannon, Arbor Lodge Board Member directly at 503 984 5016.

ODOT to Close I-5 southbound in the Rose Quarter in September for up to five weeks for Structural Repairs

(Thank you to the Overlook Neighborhood Association for catching this one!)

PORTLAND – Starting Sept. 11, all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in the Rose Quarter will close around-the-clock for up to five weeks. Construction crews will work 24 hours a day to conduct critical repairs and improve safety in this 2-mile section of I-5.

Drivers that are going into downtown Portland can exit at the North Broadway exit near the Moda Center. All other vehicles on I-5 southbound will be detoured to I-405. The Oregon Department of Transportation predicts significant delays and unpredictable travel times on many routes in the city.

“We are asking everyone to plan ahead,” said David Kim, ODOT’s statewide project delivery manager. “Many drivers have no other options than to drive through this area. If you have flexibility to change your travel plans, whether that’s traveling during off-peak times, using public transit, or planning an alternate route, please do.”

During the closure in September and October, ODOT predicts travel times on I-5 near the project site could be two to three times longer than a typical travel day if every driver sticks to their normal travel patterns. Congestion on I-5 southbound during the morning and afternoon commutes is expected to extend into Vancouver.

“This project team is really committed to having this work over as quickly and as safely as possible,” said interim ODOT Director Lisa Sumption. “I know it’s not ideal, but this single five-week closure is cheaper, faster and safer for workers compared to weekend or single lane closures that would go on for months. I appreciate everyone’s support as we make these safety improvements.”

For more information contact Rose Gerber at 503-779-6927

Help for When it’s Hot 

Cooling for Those At Risk

If you’re at risk for heat-related illness, consider applying for a cooling unit from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund.

Guidance From the County

Heat can especially impact our most vulnerable community members including seniors or anyone over 50, infants, children, those living alone without AC, people with chronic conditions, and our unsheltered neighbors. 

Stay safe! 

Find tips for how to keep safe from the heat and when in the water. Some people, including our veterans, may try to tough out the heat. But heat illness can affect anyone. Visit Heat Illness and First Aid for more information about risks and symptoms to watch in ourselves and others. 

Stay informed! 

Prepare now! 

Arbor Lodge Tree Team

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for tree walks this summer. We’ll share more details as we get closer.:

  • 8/02/2026 – Kelly Point Park
  • 9/13/2026 – Overlook Park

Want to share your love of trees?

The Tree Team meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm to talk about trees and tree policies, and to plan events like tree walks and bike rides. We would love to have you join us! We meet at  Double Mountain Brewing at 1700 N. Killingworth. Please check arborlodgetrees.org for more information.

Arbor Lodge Shelter

Shelter Updates

  • Do Good’s Ruck March Fundraiser is May 25 Memorial Day Ruck March to Support Veterans — Do Good | Serving Underserved Communities
  • Shelter supplies list/donation suggestions have been updated on the Arbor Newsletter
  • Heat-preparedness; our shelter has a water fill station, and we’re encouraging folks to HYDRATE. We typically see lower numbers in the shelter, with the weather being nicer. We are, however, continuing to get folks indoors (especially in higher temps). Our day center (9020 N Lombard Street) will provide relief for folks who are not enrolled in the Arbor Shelter Program. 
  • Working with Elizabeth O’Malley (City of Portland) to get the lot across the street from the shelter fenced in. No updates as of today. 
  • Q3 performance measure actuals:
    • Occupancy % is 92%
    • Participants served YTD (thru Q3): 388
    • Avg length of stay: 72 days
    • Exits to permanent housing: 14% YTD (only representative of those we have confirmed outcomes) – 19% in Q3

Abor Lodge Shelter Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Updates

Around the Neighborhood

Events

[See the North Portland Events Calendar]

Highlighted Events

Other Neighborhood Calendars

Support ALNA

Money


The Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit. Donations are always welcome to help us continue our work for Arbor Lodge. Delivering neighborhood & park cleanups, the porta potty in Arbor Lodge park, and concerts like Jazz in Arbor Lodge Park.   https://arborlodgepdx.org/donations

Volunteer

Love keeping up with everything that’s going on around Arbor Lodge? We need someone to help us build the events list for the newsletter each month. Just reply and let us know if you’re interested. Thanks!

Share Your Ideas

If you have an idea for a future newsletter topic or neighborhood project, please let us know using the Arbor Lodge Ideas form. 

Resources

We’re working to collect more resources on our arborlodgepdx.org site. Let us know what we missed.