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Portland Police Bureau and Fred Meyer Team Up for Students Sunshine Division, the Portland Police Bureau, and Fred Meyer teamed up on Thursday, Aug. 21, to give 250 Portland-area children a back-to-school shopping experience at the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer. Photo courtesy of Portland Police Bureau. Sunshine Division is partnering with the Portland Police Bureau and Fred Meyer to provide a back-to-school shopping experience for 250 Portland-area children in need on Thursday, Aug. 21. Sunshine Division’s 23rd annual Izzy’s Kids “Shop With A Cop” event will take place from 7 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer (8955 SE 82nd Ave, Happy Valley). Portland Police Chief Bob Day and Sunshine Division Executive Director Kyle Camberg will share brief remarks to welcome families before shopping begins. Each child will receive a $165 Fred Meyer gift card and be paired with a Portland Police Bureau officer or local first responder to help them shop. Gift cards are provided through Sunshine Division’s Izzy’s Kids program. Photo courtesy of Portland Police Bureau Fred Meyer will offer significant clothing discounts during the event and provide free school supplies and toiletries for every child. Columbia Sportswear is also contributing backpacks for participating children.  Families will begin checking in around 7 a.m. near the Fred Meyer Garden Center. Representatives from Sunshine Division, Fred Meyer, and the Portland Police Bureau will be available for interviews. “This event not only provides clothing and school supplies for hundreds of children whose families can’t afford them; it also creates an opportunity for law enforcement to have a positive, lasting influence on young people in our community,” said Officer Rashida Saunders, Sunshine Division’s Bureau Liaison. Children selected for Izzy’s Kids “Shop With A Cop” are identified based on their financial need and referred to Sunshine Division by agencies across the Portland metro area. Registration for this year’s event is full.    “Every year, we see children and families light up with joy from simply being able to choose their own clothes,” said Kyle Camberg, Executive Director of Sunshine Division. “A fresh set of clothes can give kids a boost of confidence that helps them focus and learn more easily.” The Izzy’s Kids program was founded in 1981 in honor of Sunshine Division’s late board chair, Isabel Hoyt. Thousands of kids have received new school clothing through this program over the years, which today serves approximately 500 children annually.

New Home for Women, Children Exterior New Home (Photo Courtesy of Union Gospel Mission, Portland) Union Gospel Mission is preparing to open a brand-new building in Washington County at 18555 NW Rock Creek Blvd, Portland, OR 97229. The new facility will provide addiction recovery and transitional housing for up to 80 women and children at a time. On Saturday, August 16, more than 100 volunteers from Sonrise Church of Hillsboro came together at the LifeChange Center for Women and Children to help ensure the home is ready to welcome its first residents in late August. The Mission recently completed construction on the 53,000-square-foot building, which features 52 resident rooms for single women and women with children who are seeking to overcome addiction, escape domestic violence, and heal from trauma. The new home includes an education center, a children’s activity center, a commercial kitchen, a counseling center, and a chapel. Over the next 10 years, UGM expects to offer more than 2,000 women and children a chance at new life. “We want to make sure that any woman in our community who finds herself in an unsafe, unstable situation has a safe place to turn. This new home, Angela’s House, is designed to help women move from instability, abuse, trauma, and addiction, to safety, love, trust, community, and hope,” said Matt Stein, Union Gospel Mission Executive Director. Sonrise is one of many volunteer groups who are coming to the Mission throughout the Month of August to help complete the move-in and set-up of this new home.

A Recap of the Q Center Storytelling Event (L-R) Storytellers: Tim Seelig, choir director, Reid Vanderburg, singer, Kathleen Saadat,poet activist, Horatio Hung-Yan Law, visual artist and Host/Curator Sandra de Helen, writer. August 9th we had the largest crowd ever for our storytelling event at the Q Center focusing on elder Queer storytellers. This was such a loving community. Elders are rarely celebrated and there was such enthusiasm, many of the audience members volunteered to help us set up when the staff person didn't arrive to open the room with the chairs and sound equipment. They were such a supportive group and really responded heartily to the stories of "Courage, Grace and Grit." Many were visibly moved, wiping a tear or two or joyously laughing. At one point at the end, Tim Seelig led the audience in a chorus of "You Are My Sunshine." We continue to get these spontaneous moments of collective humanity and it's inspiring. Excerpt from Sandra de Helen's story about the grit to keep writing: "In my twenties, I had several poems published. Won a few more contests. Feeling proud of myself, I signed up for a creative writing class at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. Before the semester was over, my professor, Tom Sexton, told me I’d never be a poet— because I didn’t write like a man. He pointed to a woman in our class who had nine children, and said she could write like a man. So because of his harsh words—and my own insecurity—I stopped writing poetry. That was 1970. It took courage to keep writing through rejection and silence. It took grit to write when no one was asking for it. Grace? That came later. Excerpt from Horatio Law about discovering art during the AIDS pandemic: "For gay men coming out during that time, liberation came with a terrible price amid the joy of discovering one's gay identity and sexuality. I was surprised. It was also tainted with uncertainty and prospect of horrible sufferings and death. In the middle of this whirlpool of loss and fear, mystery and shame, one could easily get lost about your goals in life or questioned your reason to live. And then there was this question about my own mortality. It dawned on me that if I were at all serious about this art thing, I better start doing something about it. That's when I realized I need to listen to my heart. And follow that whisper. It is said that art is about living. If I were an artist, I would explore every part of myself." Excerpt from Kathleen Saadat's story about climbing a rockwall: "What, what does it mean? The grace, the goodwill, the kindness, the empathy, the caring, all of which helped me up the rock. They pushed me up the rock, they pulled me up the rock. It was the grace. Not what you say before dinner, but it was that feeling of having a group of people that cared about you, want you to succeed." Excerpt from Reed Vanderburg about being trans in his younger days: "I understand now with several decades of hindsight that the commonality between me and my partner is we were both trans. But the difference is my partner had always had this male persona inside and knew it, just didn't know you could do anything about it. And then one day my partner saw an article random in a magazine about a trans man and thought. Oh my God. You can transition that direction. I had no idea. And came home and said to me, I've always felt like a man inside, and if I had the money, I'd have an operation tomorrow." Excerpt from Tim Seelig about aging and recently deciding to skydive: "Being old takes courage. It takes courage to get out of the house. It takes courage to put on our clothes. It takes courage not to wear elastic pants, just on special occasions. A few weeks ago, four weeks ago, I faced yet another little ladder and I looked at it and I thought, okay, here we go. And I climbed up with the help of some people got in this little metal tube and it took off and went to 14,500 feet and I jumped. Wow. The landing was beautiful and I did not say I want to do it again. I think about the grit. It's taken all of us to get here." Join us for our next storytelling event on Aug. 30th at 2pm at the North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth) with a focus on Black female affinity!

Proving that passion and a powerful mindset can defy age and expectations Johnnie Reid, a 62-year-old African American athlete who works at the State Attorney’s office in Naples, Florida. Johnnie Reid, a 62-year-old African American athlete who works at the State Attorney’s office in Naples, Florida, just broke a national record at the National Senior Games in Ames, Iowa. She ran 100 meters in 13.6 seconds in the 60-64 age group. This, however, is not the first time that she has broken a record. In 2023, she also broke a record when she ran 50 meters in 7.36 seconds in the same age group. Last week, though, while in Iowa, she broke her own record running 50 meters in 7.23 seconds. Reid, once a high school track runner, rediscovered her passion for the sport at age 50—and she says she’s now faster at 60 than she was a decade ago. Her return to competition began when a friend encouraged her to enter the Senior Games in Fort Myers. One race was all it took to reignite her love for the sport, and she’s been chasing speed ever since. Back when her son left for college, Reid was searching for a project to fill her “empty nest” years. The answer came from her own past. “Running had brought me so much joy as a teenager,” she recalled. “When I started training for the Senior Games, it clicked instantly. I jumped right in and never turned back.” Over the years, Reid has drawn inspiration from the remarkable athletes she’s met at the Senior Games. “The seniors I’ve met there are amazing,” she said. “They’ve become my heroes and ‘she-roes,’ pushing me to keep going and give my best.” Her growth as a competitor hasn’t just come from years on the track—it’s also been fueled by a willingness to learn and adjust. Just weeks before competing in Kentucky this year, a friend pointed out that she was leaving the starting blocks incorrectly. Reid went home, turned to YouTube for guidance, and discovered how to improve her drive: explode out of the blocks, stay low, pump her arms at maximum speed. “When a race is over in seconds,” she said, “every single movement matters.” In addition to sprinting, Reid competes in shot put and javelin, following a rigorous weekly schedule that balances track work, strength training, and skill practice. Monday nights are for sprint drills at Naples High School, running distances from 100 to 300 meters and refining her block starts. Tuesdays are reserved for shot put practice, while Wednesdays find her at the NCH Wellness Center lifting weights, squatting, and doing plyometric exercises like box jumps and lunges. When asked what advice she would give to others aiming to train at a high level or pursue goals like competing in the Senior Games, Reid said her message is simple: if she can do it, anyone can. “You have to see it in your mind and put it in writing, almost like creating a vision board,” she explained. “My personal mantra was, ‘I am the fastest woman in my age group,’ and I kept working until that became my reality.”

Peace & Unity Fest Returns Portland’s most uplifting summer festival is back! The Peace & Unity Fest will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, inviting families, neighbors, and friends to come together for a day filled with music, culture, and connection. Hosted by Y.O.U.TH (Youth Organized & United to Help) and presented in partnership with 1803 Fund, No One Left Behind, Portland, Pacific Refugee Support Group, and Play Grow Learn, this free community festival blends entertainment with impact. Guests can enjoy live DJ music by DJ George, a Back-to-School Giveaway providing free backpacks and supplies, vendors and food trucks showcasing Portland’s diversity, and youth and family activities designed to inspire joy and unity. “The Peace & Unity Fest is our way of showing that when the community comes together, healing and hope are possible,” said Imani Muhammad, Executive Director of Y.O.U.TH . “This is more than a festival—it’s a reminder to practice the concepts of Peace & Unity in our families and community, one person at a time.” The event will be held at 16126 SE Stark St. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with the backpack giveaway beginning at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

PCC, MHCC Launch CDA Program to Train Next Generation of Preschool Teachers Student works with kids in Early Childhood Development Center (Sylvania). The Child Development Associate: Preschool (CDA) Program, with support from the Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County (CCR&R), WorkSource Portland Metro and WorkSource Gresham, is a 12-month certificate designed to equip students with the essential skills, training, and support needed to become effective preschool educators. The program blends PCC’s workforce preparation courses with MHCC’s Vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages (VESL) instruction, using an Integrated Education and Training (IET) model and CCR&R providing the CDA training courses.   A key part of this support is WorkSource Gresham providing a dedicated Career Pathways Specialist for the recruitment, intake, ongoing support, support services, and regular check-ins with all of the students and a VESL instructor at MHCC and PCC.  “This flexible, part-time program is tailored to meet the needs of busy students, providing wrap-around academic, employment, and support services throughout the journey,” said Bryan Jones, PCC’s manager of Career Pathways & STEP programs. “It is demanding, but it truly prepares students for a successful teaching career. Students graduate ready to enter the workforce and grow in the field.”  A key highlight is the program’s real-world application. Students complete 480 hours of hands-on fieldwork in preschool or in-home childcare settings, reinforced by paid internships through PCC’s Opportunity Center PDX Metro Works program. These internships allow students to earn income while gaining professional experience in early childhood education.   “By leveraging local and state expertise and resources, the program is designed to meet the specific needs of our region, while offering a portable national credential to students,” said Kristen Kulongoski, Manager for Adult Basic Skills and Career Pathways at MHCC. “It also establishes a long-term educational and career pathway for both new and current early childhood education professionals.”  Participants also benefit from one-on-one support through Career Pathways, Workforce Gresham & STEP coaches at both colleges.   Upon completion, graduates earn a national CDA certification that is recognized and portable across states.    The graduates begin their careers with competitive wages ranging from $17–$19 per hour, with opportunities to earn up to $22 per hour in full-time positions. The program also provides a clear pathway to continued studies in early childhood education. After completing the program, they can continue their education and career pathway in an early childhood education degree program of their choice. For more information on STEP and Career Pathways at PCC, visit https://www.pcc.edu/career-pathways/

Film Festival Features Dynamic Films, and Captivating Readings along with a New Showcase Addition Regina Taylor, Actress/director/playwright/educator/activist The Pacific Northwest Multicultural Readers Series and Film Festival (PNMC Fest) kicks off its third year on August 14, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. The event includes a film festival, a reader’s series of plays, a formal gala, and master classes. The festival is produced by the Passionary Theatre under the leadership of Artistic Director, Jerry Foster. This year’s festival ambassador is award-winning actress, playwright, and director, Regina Taylor. Taylor earned a Golden Globe Award, NAACP Image Award and two Emmy nominations for her role as “Lily Harper” in the television drama, I’ll Fly Away. She was the first Black woman to play “Juliet” on Broadway’s Romeo and Juliet. Taylor will kick off PNMC Readers Series with her newest play, Exhibit. Winner of the Theatre Aspen Solo Flights Award, Exhibit is a solo performance written and performed by Taylor. The PNMC Fest features other celebrity guests from film, television, and theatre. Confirmed attendees include actor Javon Johnson (Tyler Perry’s The Oval, American Soul), actor Roscoe Orman (Sesame Street, The Wire), director Allie Woods (Founder member of the Negro Ensemble Company), Aduleco-award winning playwright Jeannette Hill, award-winning director Bobby Yan, along with an outstanding list of other talented artists. The reader’s series features nearly thirty scripts will be read, many featuring celebrity actors of stage, film, and television. The film festival will feature thirty independent, award-winning selections and some from overseas representing Italian, French and German artists. The event will screen a special presentation of Bull Street, starring award-winning actress Loretta Devine, a family fights to keep their land amid small-town legal and backroom shenanigans New to the PNMC Fest this year is Youth Artists Expo. Classes and activities will be held for young people, ages 15-20, interested in filmmaking and theatre. Industry celebrities will also share their experiences of the diverse opportunities available in these professions. Festival “all access” tickets will give attendees access to: Master Classes for skill enhancement in the film and theatre industries, a networking reception and celebrity conversations. The PNMC Fest runs August 14th-16th and will be hosted entirely at the DoubleTree Hotel located at 1000 NE Multnomah Drive. The first PNMC Fest in 2021 was a virtual gathering with readings and film screenings shared over Zoom. For the full list of events and tickets, please visit at www.pnmcfestival.org .

A commitment to transformative education is seen in students answering the call to serve their communities Ivonne WPU Nursing Grad At Warner Pacific University, purpose isn’t a slogan. It’s a calling. And for this year’s graduating class, it’s a calling they answered with conviction, compassion, and courage. Two of those graduates, Ivonne, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing recipient, and Jacob Ribail, who earned his MBA, exemplify what it means to pursue an education that transforms not only their own futures but the lives of others. Ivonne chose nursing because she was drawn to spaces where urgency meets impact. Her clinical rotations, especially in psychiatric care, revealed a deeper passion: serving vulnerable populations often overlooked in conversations about healthcare. After graduating in May, she began her career at Oregon State Hospital, stepping directly into the work of mental health advocacy and compassionate care. Her time at Warner Pacific was defined by more than academics. As a student government leader, she grew into a voice for her peers, balancing a demanding course load with a commitment to justice, service, and equity. Her journey was not easy. There were long nights, moments of doubt, and the weight of responsibility, but it was deeply formative. “WPU has been more than just a school,” Ivonne said. “It’s been a community that challenged me, supported me, and shaped me into the person and nurse I am becoming.” Jacob’s path to purpose was shaped by both community and ambition. A member of the Men’s Soccer team and a resident assistant, he also worked as an intern in the School of Business while completing his graduate studies. With roots in the Seattle area, Jacob returned home after graduation and is now pursuing opportunities within Costco’s corporate division. This next step is fueled by his belief in business as a tool for leadership and impact. “WPU is a special place, and I have been blessed to be able to spend the past four years there,” Jacob said. Their experiences reflect the heart of Warner Pacific: a Christ-centered, Minority-Serving, and Hispanic-Serving Institution committed to equipping students not only with knowledge, but with the spiritual foundation and moral courage to serve others and lead lives that reflect Christ’s love in action. Here, students are not just prepared for careers. They are prepared to step into their God-given calling. Whether in hospitals or boardrooms, on soccer fields or in city councils, Warner Pacific graduates are sent out as servant-leaders, equipped, empowered, and grounded in faith. From Portland to the world beyond, Ivonne and Jacob have joined a growing network of alumni who are reshaping systems, challenging norms, and bringing hope, healing, and purpose into the communities they serve. Their stories are not exceptions. They are the fruit of a university that believes wholeheartedly in the transformative power of Christ-centered education and in the students who are called to carry it forward. At Warner Pacific, we don’t just educate with excellence. We educate with purpose. To learn more or explore how to start your journey, visit warnerpacific.edu .

Send-Off Celebration Held Portland Fire Boat (Photo Courtesy of Portland Fire & Rescue) On Monday, August 4, 2025, Portland Fire & Rescue held a send-off celebration at Fire Station 21, located at 5 SE Madison, to honor the historic David Campbell Fire Boat. Commissioned in 1927, the David Campbell served Portland’s waterways for nearly a century before its official retirement in 2021. Throughout its 100 years of service, the vessel played a vital role in numerous significant incidents, consistently providing a reliable and effective platform for firefighters responding to emergencies on the city's rivers. There are many generations of firefighters who have had the pleasure of witnessing the David Campbell do exactly what she was designed to do--pull water up from the river in large volumes and extinguish fires. Its most recent opportunity was nearly 10 years ago with a 5th Alarm Fire at the Red Lion on the Columbia River where crews were stretching hand lines and using the large aerial master streams from the ladder trucks without much success. The David Campbell arrived on scene and turned the corner for us, putting the needed gallonage on the fire to allow us to finish the job from the land side. In the years since the David Campbell’s retirement, members of Portland Fire & Rescue have worked with local nautical historians in hope of finding a publicly accessible home for the vessel, so the history of the David Campbell can live on. After many years of work, the final location was determined to be the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Attendees watched the final water display and send-off of this historic vessel as she made her last voyage to drydock storage, where she will remain until the spring of 2026, when she is scheduled to be trailered to the museum in Astoria for all to enjoy.

New playground, skatepark, paths, and more Berrydale Park AFTER 2025 improvements (Photo Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation) Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of Berrydale Park in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood on Friday, August 8, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone. Berrydale Park has undergone significant renovations and now features a brand-new playground, a skateboarding area, improved pathways, upgraded lighting, street enhancements, newly planted trees, and much more. Deputy City Administrator for Public Works Priya Dhanapal will be attending and offering brief remarks, as will City Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angela Morillo. "Berrydale Park’s transformation shows what’s possible when we invest in strong infrastructure and work across city teams," said Dhanapal. "Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Bureau of Transportation delivered not just a playground and skate area, but safer streets, better lighting, improved accessibility, and resilient park infrastructure that will serve the Montavilla community for decades to come." Park improvements include a new playground, a dedicated skateboarding area, new park lighting, and accessible pathways throughout the park. Additional upgrades feature new accessible picnic tables, more benches, drinking fountains, and trash cans. The Portland Community Garden has been expanded with new fences and gates, while the baseball field received upgrades such as accessible bleachers, a revitalized infield, and a new irrigation system. Street improvements by PBOT include a new sidewalk, curbs, curb ramps, and street trees along the south side of SE Taylor Street, as well as new walkways, stormwater drainage, landscaping, and curb ramps on SE 89th Avenue. “The reopening of Berrydale Park is a beautiful example of what happens when public resource investments are driven through a definition of public safety and livability,” says District 3 City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane. “That includes safe spaces for our children, families, and communities to gather and play.” "I’m thrilled to celebrate the reopening of Berrydale Park – a cherished space for families and neighbors in Montavilla to connect, play, and heal,” says District 3 Councilor Angelita Morillo. “When we invest in shared green spaces, we invest in community safety and wellbeing. I’m proud to represent this beautiful neighborhood and am excited for its bright future."

Oregon Lottery’s efforts to educate and support responsible gaming being recognized Oregon Lottery's Krystal Smith (left) and Stacy Shaw accepted four NCPG awards for the agency's efforts around responsible gaming Oregon Lottery’s efforts to educate and support responsible gaming initiatives are being recognized nationally with four top awards. Each year, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) honors individuals and organizations from around the world for their significant impact in the fields of problem gambling awareness, research, and responsible gambling. Oregon Lottery earned awards in the following categories: • Corporate Social Responsibility Award for Oregon Lottery’s overall program • Corporate Public Awareness Award for Oregon Lottery’s “Safer Play” PSA campaign • Corporate Multicultural Communications Award for Oregon Lottery’s “multicultural digital/print media marketing campaign” • Don Feeney Award for Responsible Gambling Excellence (individual honor) - Stacy Shaw, Oregon Lottery senior manager for product marketing "These awards reflect how deeply safer play is woven into everything we do," said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. "It's more than just a requirement. It's a shared commitment for the entire agency and is rewarding to be recognized as a national leader." The awards ceremony took place on Friday, July 18, in Columbus, Ohio, during the National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling 2025. “Over the past year, we have invested in our Safer Play Program to conduct research, offer marketing outreach, and provide resources that let us reach more people on their help seeking journey,” said Shaw. “Receiving these awards shows that our peers and colleagues see the impact of this important work, which we are excited to continue." Since 1992, one percent of Oregon Lottery profits have funded problem gambling treatment and prevention efforts throughout Oregon. Since that time, over $148 million in Lottery funds has supported those services. Oregonians can access online tools and connect with free, professional counseling by going to the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource (OPGR) website. Celebrating 40 years of selling games since April 25, 1985, Oregon Lottery has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery, visit www.oregonlottery.org.

TriMet to Close Skidmore Fountain TriMet will close Skidmore Fountain MAX Station on Aug. 24 (Photo Courtesy of TriMet) TriMet is permanently closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, starting Sunday, Aug. 24. The TriMet Board of Directors voted to close the station last year, after a yearslong process of community engagement and outreach. MAX currently has to make three stops to serve stations spaced closely together on 1 st  Avenue in Downtown Portland. As a result, trains move slowly along this stretch, causing trips to take longer. Once the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is closed, MAX trains will proceed directly between the Old Town/Chinatown and Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX stations. Those stations will remain open, continuing to serve riders along 1 st  Avenue. TriMet first proposed closing four stations on the MAX Blue and Red lines in 2018. he goal was to speed up trains and reduce travel times for riders in Downtown Portland. Three of the stations — Kings Hill/SW Salmon, Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave — closed permanently in 2020. Skidmore Fountain is the fourth station we considered for closure. Since TriMet closed the stations in 2020, trip times through Downtown Portland on the MAX Blue and Red lines have been about a minute and a half faster. Closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station will save riders another 45 seconds every trip. In speeding up MAX service in Downtown, we focused on stations that were less than 600 feet from another station. The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is just 500 feet from the closest station. For comparison, a two-car MAX train is about 200 feet long. In 2018, when TriMet first proposed closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, they asked riders and the public, including employers located in the Skidmore Fountain area, for their feedback. In response to the input they received from the community, they postponed a final decision on whether to close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, waiting to see if ridership at the station increased. Historically, Skidmore Fountain has been among their least used stations along the MAX Blue and Red lines in Downtown Portland. The station has not seen ridership increase over the past five years, so in January 2024, they once again proposed closing it, which their Board approved in April 2024. Today, average weekly ridership at the Skidmore Fountain Station is less than half of what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the employers in the area have closed, moved elsewhere or transitioned to remote work. The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is located between two nearby MAX stations on the Blue and Red lines: the Old Town/Chinatown MAX Station, which is about 500 feet (two blocks) to the north, and the Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX Station, approximately 1,000 feet (four blocks) to the south. If you currently use the Skidmore Fountain Station, you can use either of these stations instead. You can also access the Portland Saturday Market, held at nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park, from these stations. TriMet will be making changes to MAX schedules and some bus lines on Aug. 24 as well. Visit  trimet.org  to plan your trip. Be sure to set your travel date for Sunday, Aug. 24, or later.