On Saturday, October 5th, invited speakers, project staff, and cycling enthusiast gathered at the Gateway Green Park to celebrate the full reopening of the outdoor recreation area for bikes. The southern portion of the hilly and wooded park situated between two freeways was closed for years as crews constructed a second track for the MAX Red Line expansion. The restoration of this Portland Parks & Recreation facility was one of the final steps in the light rail service enhancement project called A Better Red, and today’s ribbon cutting marked that milestone.
Linda Robinson and Ted Gilbert (center) with others cutting ribbon
In early April, construction crews began working on the southern portion of the off-road cycling and outdoor recreation area. The newly completed TriMet transit bridge and track placement required significant earth-moving work, creating the opportunity to completely rebuild this section of the park while adding a universally accessible entrance that should attract new park users. Now, people can cross a bridge adjacent to MAX tracks that take visitors to the park’s high point right from the Gateway Transit Center. While parkgoers could always use the Interstate-205 Multiuse Path to access the park’s center and north entrances, this new southern approach is more direct and separates bike commuter traffic from park users.
Bridge leading from Gateway Transit Center to the Gateway Green Park’s southern enterance
Wilde foliage and newly planted trees in the southern section will take several years to approach the natural maturity seen in other areas of the park. However, this section of the track still offers mountain bike riders the winding gravel-based paths that make this a popular destination. Pedestrians will also enjoy Gateway Green Park, which has several benches and natural scenery. Despite wooded views, visitors are always aware of Interstate-84 and I-205 traffic surrounding the park. This land was once just unused space leftover from freeway construction, explained Ted Gilbert from Friends of Gateway Green. Efforts to transform this area into something other than scenery for motorists began in 2005. Gilbert and Linda Robinson, among many other community members, worked for years to create this park, securing funding and support. This ceremony commemorates the completion of the park’s third phase of development and delivers on its founders’ goals for this public resource.
Several vendors were onsite with loaner bikes and other transportation information as part of both the celebration and the Take Your Kid Mountain Biking Day, presented by NW Trail Alliance. Gateway Green Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and features a Portland Loo restroom, bike trail, pump tracks, and skills areas. Access to the park is easier than ever when entering from the Gateway Transit Center on NE 99th Avenue.
On September 30th, contractors working for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began installing speed bumps on SE Harney Street, working northward towards SE Division Street. The roughly ten-day project will connect the southwest corner of Mt. Tabor Park with people walking, biking, and rolling from the South Tabor, Foster-Powell, and Mt. Scott-Arletta neighborhoods.
Brix Paving Northwest crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to construct the traffic-calming devices on the new Greenway route. Asphalt speed bump application requires outdoor temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so construction is weather-dependent. Crews will not need to close roads during installation. However, drivers in the area may experience delays and need to follow signage instructions and flagger directions to navigate around work sites. Motorists parking along the 60s Greenway may find some curbside spaces temporarily prohibited in spaces near construction activities.
Portland Maps image with the 60s Neighborhood Greenway route shown in blue
Street painting contractors will return to the greenway next month to apply sharrows, new crosswalk striping, and bike boxes to the road surface. Crews will also install new wayfinding signage along the route to help travelers navigate this part of the Safe Routes to School network. PBOT will daylight intersections as needed by removing some parking spaces near intersections where a stored vehicle blocks visibility at crossings.
In addition to painting and signage, PBOT plans to improve seven intersections along the new greenway. Road crews will add enhanced crossing treatments along SE 67th Avenue at SE Foster Road, SE Harold Street, SE Woodstock Boulevard, and SE Duke Street. Other intersections include SE Flavel Street at SE 68th Avenue, SE Harney Street at 72nd Avenue, and SE Division Street at SE 64th Avenue. Each of the seven intersections will receive new signage and high-visibility crosswalk striping. Workers recently completed curb ramp reconstruction at the SE Duke crossing.
Temporary enhanced crossing at SE 64th and SE Division near Mt. Tabor Park multi-use path
PBOT placed temporary crossing enhancements at SE Division Street and SE 64th Avenue as part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s new paved bike path and pedestrian accessway leading to Mt. Tabor Park. Contractors working for TriMet will reconstruct this crossing at a future date with input from PBOT staff during TriMet’s Powell-Division Safety and Access to Transit project.
When complete, the 60s Neighborhood Greenway will provide a comfortable route for people to walk and bike between Mt. Tabor Park and the Springwater Corridor. Portland has more than 100 miles of neighborhood greenways throughout the city that encourage lower traffic and low speeds for non-motorists safety while still allowing local access for people living on those streets.
Article and Photos by
Jacob Loeb
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will give away 3,000 trees to residents this fall. The annual event now offers 1,000 more trees than the previous year, allowing more people to reserve a free tree to plant in their yard. Registrants can select from 22 tree types, and Montavilla residents will receive free delivery this year. Tree availability is limited, and participants have care responsibilities that come along with participation in the program. This work is part of Portland’s efforts to increase the urban tree canopy and make tree ownership more accessible.
Residents must pick up reserved trees at one of four collection events throughout the City. Montavilla residents can have the tree and supplies delivered this year with registration code “AHMP” or choose the September 22nd date hosted near the Mt Tabor Community Garden on SE 64th Avenue and SE Lincoln Street. That option offers collection times between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Outside the free delivery zone, PP&R Urban Forestry staff can provide yard tree delivery and planting for Portlanders with limited mobility or who need additional accommodations to participate. People who can not plant the tree as anticipated must agree to return it to Urban Forestry so people on a waiting list can have a chance to participate in the program. During the pickup or delivery, Parks staff will provide planting instructions and a watering bucket filled with mulch to assist with a successful planting.
Watering buckets filled with mulch that will accompany trees
This free tree giveaway is the eighth year PP&R will provide Portland residents with free trees. The Tree Planting and Preservation Fund, which gathers money from tree removal payments, supports this program. “When trees come down and aren’t replaced, that typically happens in development, developers put money into the tree fund, and then that money has to be used for tree planting or preservation,” explained Molly Wilson, a Community Tree Planting Specialist at PP&R Urban Forestry. However, additional funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund, now augmenting the budget, allowed the program to expand service to more Portlanders.
City staff are working to grow the Portland tree canopy, which has declined in recent years as housing density and other factors reduce urban trees. Programs like this annual giveaway are predominately successful at adding more trees to the urban tree canopy. “We monitor our trees to see how many trees planted are still in the ground. The first year when we go back, we find that 70 percent are alive and in the ground. Then we find, based on weather, about 94 to 95 percent [of the previous 70 percent] survive the second year.” explained Wilson. Beyond that, tree species selected by the program tend to make it to maturity after those early years. “It’s a low-cost way to get high-quality trees providing shade, cooling, and other environmental and health benefits,” said Wilson.
Residents can only plant trees at a location inside Portland city limits, and they must exist on the person’s property or planted with permission of the property owner. This program is different from the street tree program, with these trees needing to live within the ground in a private yard, not between the curb and sidewalk. After the tree is in its new home, participants must provide the tree with 15 gallons of water per week from May through October for at least the first three years. “Certainly, not all the trees make it, but generally, I think people are doing a nice job of getting their trees in the ground in good locations and being really thoughtful about the trees they pick out. When they register or pick up their trees, we provide them with a planting and care booklet that talks about proper planting,” said Wilson.
Example of street tree location not acceptable for this free tree program
Program designers shaped the initiative for all Portland residents with space to plant a tree. “We want to reach renters more and make sure that trees are accessible for renters,” said Wilson. “We find that about five to eight percent of the trees go to rental properties each year, which is great, but we would love that number to be even higher.” Gathering permission to plant can be a barrier for some people. PP&R recommends renters share their passion for tree canopy expansion with property owners and explain their commitment to care for the tree over its first three years. Not all yards are suitable for planting trees, but if it can take root at least ten feet from a building, there should be enough room for it to thrive. When completing a tree reservation, people can request a consultation about selection and placement before pickup or delivery. Urban Forestry staff will answer tree questions post-planting to help owners take care of the young trees. People will also be on an email list with watering season reminders and other helpful instructions.
Molly Wilson recommends people reserve trees early, as there is a set number of trees, and the type an applicant is interested in may run out. If the form is no longer available, Portlanders should look for a wait list opportunity on the program’s web page.
On September 6th, Government officials and honored community members gathered in front of Erv Lind Field (Normandale Field) to celebrate its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This community stadium at NE 57th Ave and Hassalo Street is the only sports facility in Oregon constructed primarily for a women’s sports league team. It served for decades as a gathering space for LGBTQ+ Portlanders during an oppressive period of the City’s history.
The event occurred in the stadium seating area surrounded by the annotated pictures of athletic achievement displayed in “Portland’s Hall of Fame and Honor.” Players with the Rose City Softball Association, Oregon’s largest LGBTQ+ sports organization, provided a backdrop to the scheduled speakers, with the Amateur Softball Association’s six-foot-tall World Champions trophy flanking the podium. The Erv Lind Florists won the national women’s softball championship in 1964, bringing the prize to the home field used by the team since 1948.
Left to right: Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, Kristen Minor, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer, Fern Wilgus, Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan, and Tim Bias
The story of the field extends beyond its contribution to gender-inclusive athletic achievements. This location also served as one of the earliest and longest-lasting gathering spaces for LGBTQ+ Portlanders when the City was intolerant of known LGBTQ+ venues and community members. U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer noted that hidden history and the importance of surfacing its significance to the City and nation. “I grew up in Portland, and there’s a back story here that I wasn’t aware of as a kid in this neighborhood,” said Blumenauer. “I’m so pleased that we are making this recognition clear. We’ll have plaques that people can see and savor this significant permanent part of Portland’s history, celebrating it all in its rich diversity. As I’m winding down, with 114 days left until I’m a civilian, it’s been delightful to see the progress we’ve made in terms of historic preservation. We are a national leader in recognizing historic contributions of the LGBTQ community.”
U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer
Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson expanded on the State’s leadership in recognizing places that supported LGBTQ+ communities. “I’m honored to be here to celebrate the addition of these landmarks to the National Historic Registry and want to thank everybody who made this reality. It brings me incredible joy not only to be Oregon’s First Lady but to be a part of our State’s first LGBT First Family. There was a time in my life where I never thought I would have the choice to be married, yet because of the work of so many people that came before me, I am blessed to be married to one of the first out Lesbian governors in the country. Who also plays a little softball. With the addition of the Erv Lind Field and Crystal Hotel, Portland becomes the proud home to 3 of 30 sites of Queer significance on the National Historic Registry. 10% of the nation’s significant gay historic landmarks are right here in Portland,” said Kotek Wilson. “The contributions from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, and queer community cannot be overstated. From fierce advocacy to rich cultural history. Once again, Oregon is leading the way in protecting underrepresented groups, and [Gov.] Tina [Kotek] and I are so proud to be a part of that.”
Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson
Fern Wilgus spoke at the ceremony, representing the many softball players who relied on the community around Erv Lind Field to help them express themselves in a restrictive society. She shared decades of stories about players’ accomplishments and dedication to the second families created around the game. Wilgus explained that while telling her stories, she would still honor the trust that had developed among the softball players of her time, even decades later. “Some of these names are going to be full names because they have passed, and I hope I don’t have thunder hitting me, and some of the names are going to be just first names because a lot of people have not yet come out for one reason or another. I did as soon as I got home and out of the military because I was free at last,” explained Wilgus. She also acknowledged that the league was not fully accepting of people’s true selves with rules that required players to dress feminine and, to Wilgus’s heartfelt disapointment, prevented people of color from participating. However, looking back at the transformation and support enabled by Erv Lind Field and the softball players drawn to that place, Fern Wilgus feels her dreams were realized.
Fern Wilgus
Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio helped usher in this recognition with a funding package focused on equitable historic preservation. “With those resources, the staff at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, specifically Cayla McGrail, have spent years working to document LGBTQIA+ historic sites across Portland. Erv Lind Field is more than deserving of that designation,” said Rubio. “Immediately after the inauguration, 44,000 fans came to this field to watch the Amateur Softball Association World Championship women’s softball tournament in 1948. In the years after its inauguration, this field became a place of camaraderie and community for softball players and fans alike.” Portland Parks and Recreation Director Adena Long noted the contribution of historian Kristen Minor in preparing the National Register nomination, along with the contribution of Parks staff Brett Horner and Marty Stockton.
Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio
Portland Commissioner Dan Ryan summarized with humor and excitement the importance of landmarks like Erv Lind Field, which have shaped Portland into the more accepting community it has become. “Just this week, under the category of, ‘No kidding,’ there was an article that said this City has the most lesbian couples of any city in the nation. As a safe and welcoming place for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, Erv Lind Field opened the door to this City that we have today,” said Ryan.
Commissioner Carmen Rubio is running for Portland Mayor and Commissioner Dan Ryan is running for Portland City Council in District 2. Montavilla News does not endorse candidates, ballot measures, or government initiatives.
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.
On September 4th, the City of Portland proclaimed September 6th through 15th as the City’s first Geek Week. The Portland-wide celebration follows Rose City Comic Con with over 300 events hosted by nerd and nerd-adjacent small businesses, including locations in Montavilla. Attendees will find game tournaments, cosplay parties, trivia nights, and film screenings. This new promotional initiative intends to expand the City’s reputation as a favorable community for traditionally geeky passions like board games, comic books, science fiction, and fantasy.
Portland City Council Item 762 Proclaiming the Geek Week 2024
The Portland event enables visitors and residents to explore their interests beyond the convention center and venture out to places often offering year-round themed events. A newer Montavilla business, Board Bard Games, at 7960 SE Stark Street, has a full day of gaming fun planned for Thursday, September 12th, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. All attendees receive a free Warhammer model, paints, and a brush. Store staff will accommodate drop-in attendees while supplies last, but they recommend that people reserve space ahead of time. Organizers say this event is not just for enthusiasts. Members of the “Kill Team Cascadia” game club will teach attendees how to paint and play with miniatures, tailoring instruction to players’ skill levels.
Graphic courtesy Geek Week PDX
People looking to take a break from Warhammer can swing by the Covert Cafe at 803 SE 82nd Avenue on the 12th for Star Trek Trivia from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Other Montavilla events include a classic trivia night on Tuesday, September 10th at 6:30 p.m. hosted by East Glisan Pizza Lounge at 8001 NE Glisan Street. On Wednesday, September 11th, Threshold Brewing at 403 SE 79th Avenue will hold its regular “Trivia on Wednesdays” starting at 6 p.m.
Geek Week PDX seeks to celebrate the region’s dreamers, artists, creators, and innovators by expanding on a widely attended convention. Starting Friday, people can find more events to satisfy their science fiction, fantasy, and gaming interests. Event organizers invite people to visit geekweekpdx.com to learn about activities happening across Portland and to help support this first in what they hope will become an annual event.
On Tuesday, September 3rd, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will begin repairs to the Mt. Tabor Dog Off-Leash Area to address erosion concerns. This approximately three-week project requires crews to temporarily close portions of the canine recreation area as they install erosion control measures near the SE 68th Avenue entrance. PP&R anticipates crews can maintain visitor access to the eastern portion of the dog off-leash area during construction but encourages people to follow posted signs regarding access.
SE 68th Avenue entrance
The September project will address ongoing erosion and instability issues and revegetate the center portion of the off-leash area. Crews must remove debris that slid down the hillside, piling up against the southern fence and impacting the SE 68th Avenue entrance accessed by the public street in the center of Warner Pacific University’s campus. New fencing will protect the dog off-leash area and preserve the hillside by improving stormwater handling while maintaining the health and stability of the park’s ecosystem.
Eastern Off-Leash Area entrance
PP&R timed this work ahead of the rainy season in hopes it will prevent further erosion and improve conditions for the dogs and people using this park resource through the winter. At the end of the project, parkgoers should see enhanced access to the Mt. Tabor Dog Off-Leash Area and enjoy improved conditions within its fenced boundary. People with dogs can access the eastern Off-Leash Area entrance from SE 70th Avenue. A pathway through the park guides visitors to the gated entryway. City staff ask for the public’s assistance during construction to keep people and pets safe. They instruct visitors to follow directions on all posted closure notices, keep pets under their control, and stay clear of construction areas.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified the eastern entrance
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.
On August 22nd, officials and invited guests gathered for the 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project groundbreaking ceremony. Speakers looked toward the future of the former state highway while acknowledging the decades-long work needed to achieve that vision. This collection of improvement projects along 2.5 miles of 82nd Avenue will invest $55 million towards repairs needed to increase safety and improve road conditions. Work now underway represents a significant portion of the $185 million allocated to updates along the commercial corridor, and the community has an opportunity to shape the next wave of project priorities through a survey.
PBOT provided rendering of potential 82nd Avenue streetscape after years of development and improvements to transit
Projects currently underway or entering the construction phase will deliver 14 new pedestrian crossings and eight new traffic signals. Road crews will repave four miles of 82nd Avenue, and workers will upgrade street lighting for better visibility on both sides of the street. People can expect sidewalk reconstruction in limited areas, with upgraded curb ramps to meet modern accessibility standards and stormwater handling improvements along the road’s edge. Mid-street medians and left-turn controlling infrastructure in specific locations will address safety needs while allowing customers access to businesses. In an effort to increase the tree canopy, contractors will plant trees and other foliage in medians and along sidewalks where street width and underground utility obstructions allow space.
From left to right Zachary Lauritzen, JJ Kunsevi, Jacob Loeb, Commissioner Mingus Mapps, and Rep. Khanh Pham (photo by Nancy Chapin)
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is hosting an online Open House to help people learn more about these projects and future enhancements planned on and around 82nd Avenue. Raimore Construction is leading work along the corridor, which will extend through Fall 2026. The current 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Construction Schedule is available online.
Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the Building a Better 82nd Community Advisory Groupand spoke at the August 22nd groundbreaking.
Speakers seen in main photo from right to left: PBOT Director Millicent Williams, State Representative Khanh Pham, Jacob Loeb – 82nd Avenue Business Association, JJ Kunsevi – Student Representative to the Portland Public Schools Board of Education and a Senior at McDaniel High School, Jeff Moreland Sr. – Raimore Construction, and Zachary Lauritzen – Oregon Walks. Photo by Nancy Chapin
On Saturday, August 17th, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby returns for its 25th year of gravity-induced fun. People will gather starting at 10 a.m. along SE Reservoir Loop Drive in Mt. Tabor Park to watch contestants roll with increasing speed down the extinct urban volcano. Over 150 volunteers will assist racers and attendees on the derby day, which lasts until 4 p.m.
Photo by Crossett Freilinger
In the summer of 1997, Paul Zenk and Eric Foren loosely organized a small group of friends to race down Mt. Tabor’s windy roads in an event that would create the inaugural PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. The event has grown yearly to include 42 racing teams and between 7,000 to 10,000 spectators. This free-to-attend race features highly engineered carts and some haphazardly crafted contraptions that all rely on gravity for propulsion. People wishing to attend should anticipate walking some distance to the event and bringing water or other refreshments. Some concession items and merchandise are available for purchase at the event.
Update: The 25th PDX Adult Soapbox Derby took place on August 17th with good weather and large crowds. Below are photos from this years event taken by Jacob Loeb.
On September 7th, the Belmont Library at 1038 SE Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard closes for renovations that will more than double its size with a two-story addition to the original 1924 brick building. Demolition crews will remove portions of the building added in previous updates, clearing the way for the modern amenities seen at other voter-approved library expansions. Starting August 31st, patrons will only receive at-door service from library staff as they prepare the space for construction.
Draft renderings of Belmont Library courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors
Belmont Library is one of several options for Montavilla residents. Despite its modest 5,420-square-foot capacity, this branch is one of the busiest locations in the entire Multnomah County Library system. During the closure, people can visit a temporary branch at 3557 SE Hawthorne Boulevard starting Monday, September 9th. Limited services at this storefront will include holds-pick-up, Lucky Day items, all-hours book returns, and free wireless printing. Patrons can also use the recently refreshed Gregory Heights Library at 7921 NE Sandy Boulevard or the new two-story Holgate Library at 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard.
Draft renderings of Belmont Library courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors
Crews will create dedicated areas during the Belmont Library remodel that offer more to do than read, similar to what staff revealed last month at the Holgate Library. Children and their caregivers will find an ample interior educational play space with books, games, and other age-appropriate learning tools. Community groups will gain flexible meeting spaces with updated technology and internet throughout the facility. A teen area will provide space for homework and creative expression with access to modern technology. As with other recent library investments, new community-reflecting art will adorn the expanded building.
Draft renderings of Belmont Library courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors
Bora Architecture and Interiors led the design efforts for this $28 million project that will deliver an approximately 15,000-square-foot modern library. People should expect a year of construction starting next month. The builder anticipates the Belmont Library will reopen around spring 2026.
Update: A previous version of this article said the Belmont Library would reopen in late 2025 or early 2026. That timeline was updated to spring 2026.
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.
The 11th annual Montavilla Jazz Festival (MJF) will begin at the end of August with a weekend full of music events in the neighborhood and locations across Portland’s Eastside. The three-day celebration of local artistry starts on Friday, August 30th, and runs through Sunday, September 1st, with free and ticketed events. Each year, MJF brings music fans of all ages to the neighborhood and expands the general appreciation for jazz.
The yearly late summer music programming spans outdoor locations such as Mt. Tabor Park and Montavilla’s SE 79th Avenue Street Plaza. Neighborhood businesses will also become venues during the festival, including BoneJax, Montavilla Brew Works, Vino Veritas, Beer Brats & Beats, Portland Metro Arts, Threshold Brewing & Blending, and Beer Bunker’s patio. The MJF website has a detailed list of event locations, times, and links to secure tickets or reservations when necessary. Area businesses Yaowarat, Vino Veritas, Threshold Brewing, and The Observatory will offer nightly food and drink specials and entertainment during the three-day event. The Academy Movie Theater will participate in the celebration through special showings of the 1958 film noir classic “Elevator to the Gallows,” featuring a jazz-rich score by Miles Davis. Beyond the Montavilla area, Strum, The 1905, and Alberta Rose Theatre will host additional MJF performances.
Thanks to Prosper Portland’s Scale Up Grant for summer 2024, MJF can offer more than twice the number of performances than the previous year. It is the only Portland festival focused on original music from the city’s jazz artists. Preferences will feature the rising stars and creative artists connected to Portland. The 29 events include free concerts, three student stages, and a return to Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater for two free concerts on Friday, August 30th.
Lynn Darroch, photo by Brenda Moseley and provided courtesy MJF
For the second year, MJF honors the late Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish’s contribution to the city’s jazz community by presenting an award in his name. On August 31st, presenters will deliver this year’s Nick Fish Jazz Community Award to writer, broadcaster, and performer Lynn Darroch. The jazz radio host on KMH is also an author and recording artist with an in-depth perspective on the local musicians who shape the regional jazz sound.
With added free events and more Montavilla locations, this is an excellent year to explore Montavilla Jazz’s contribution to the music community and discover a new appreciation for a foundational style of American music. People interested in attending should look at the event schedule now to find out if they need reservations or tickets to particular shows. Everyone should plan for a busier weekend around event locations starting on August 30th and consider visiting local businesses with MJF specials for unique menu options.
