FMTP Annual Winter Program
Mark your calendars for March 20, for the Annual Meeting and Winter Program of Friends of Mt Tabor Park at Western Seminary (SE 55th & SE Hawthorne, in the Chapel). The Annual Meeting begins at 7 pm followed by featured speaker, Commissioner Amanda Fritz, the seventh woman to serve on the Portland City Council in 160 years. ]
Commissioner Fritz is in charge of Building and Development Services and Portland Parks and Recreation, and is a retired registered nurse, and the mother of three graduates of Portland Public Schools.
In her years in office, she has been a champion of social equity issues. Under her leadership, the equity office, housing the Commission on Disability, was established, the ADA transition plan was passed through City Council, and the Model Employer Policy for the City was established.
To further social equity, Fritz has led Portland in establishing minimum standards for employers to provide sick leave and to ensure that all persons working in the city will have the right to earn and use paid sick time.
Previously, she was responsible for the City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement. She continues to support public participation through political transparency and community outreach.
Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Workshops prepare you for anything
Get Ready for Anything: Before and After a Disaster is a free workshop series scheduled for April and May in the Sellwood-Moreland, Woodstock, and Brentwood – Darlington neighborhoods.
Falling so near to the March 11 second anniversary of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, the series reminds us that the offshore Cascadia Subduction Zone threatens Oregon with a similarly disastrous event.
“If we think ahead and plan how to keep ourselves and our families safe, we develop confidence in our ability to cope with a major disaster,” says series coordinator Liz Bryant of the Woodstock Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) and www.PREPOregon.org.
“Planning together with neighbors helps us all come through a disaster well and recover quickly.”
Workshop 1, Make a Plan and Build a Kit teaches how to create a family emergency plan, communications, getting everybody together, and planning for children, pets and household members with special needs.
In a major disaster, you and your neighbors will be each other’s closest source of help.
Workshop 2, Help Friends & Neighbors Get Prepared, the second workshop, show how to engage neighbors in getting their households ready, and how to organize to help each other after a disaster.
Workshop 3, Secure Your Home Against Disaster will address the safety of your living environment, with important information for both renters and homeowners.
Workshop 1 is offered in all three areas: Saturday April 5, 2 to 5 pm, Brentwood-Darlington Community Center, 7211 SE 62nd Ave.; Sunday, April 13, 2 to 5 pm, Moreland Presbyterian Church, 1814 SE Bybee Blvd.; Saturday May 3, 2 to 5 pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 3915 SE Steele St.
Workshop 2, is also offered in all three areas: Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 to 9 pm, To Be Determined. For updates see GetReadySEPDX.wordpress.com. Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 to 9 pm, SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave.; Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 to 9 pm, Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 SE Steele St.
Workshop 3, will be offered once, in the Woodstock area: Saturday, May 31, 2 to 4:30 pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 3915 SE Steele St.
For information contact: Carol Foley, 253.709.4310; Liz Bryant, 503.235.3230; or email GetREAdySEPDX@gmail.com
PUBLIC DESIGN WORKSHOP #1 FHS
TaborSpace Dining Room, 5441 SE Belmont Ave.,
Saturday, March 8, 9 am – 12 noon.
The new Franklin High School is taking shape. Get involved in modernization as they move to schematic design process. Visit FranklinBond.pps.net or join the mailing list at FHSMod@pps.net
Free childcare.
Portland Public Water District Forum
May 2014 Ballot Measure
March 6, 7 – 9 pm
Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5541 SE Belmont St.,
Basement dining hall
Chief Petitioners Floy Jones and Kent Craford discuss the history supporting the need for utility reform and review specific provisions of the Portland Public Water District ballot measure.
Topics: Prohibit privatization; regionalization; blending Bull Run water with lower quality sources such as the Willamette; ensconce Bull Run protections in the City Charter.
There will be plenty of time for Q and A. Stop City Hall abuses, get the facts and get involved.
Visit www.waterreform.org or Portlanders for Water Reform on Facebook for information.
Recycling Tips
Bonita Davis, Certified Master Recycler, Sunnyside Neighbor
Q. What do I do with my CFL (Compact fluorescent lights) bulbs when they burn out?
A. CFL’s are recyclable, as are fluorescent tubes. A CFL will last for years, and now costs much less than when first introduced. The choices have expanded from wattage to include color temperature and shape. A 60 watt CFL will last approx. 8,000 hours and have a 7 year lifespan or more. The new LED’s are slightly more expensive than CFL’s, but list a 22 year lifespan, and both have a yearly cost of just over $1.
Many local SE stores, (including hardware, building re-use stores, home improvement stores, and battery and lighting retailers) have drop-off areas for recycling bulbs and fluorescent tubes. It isn’t always obvious- so ask at the counter.
There may be a nominal charge to cover transporting and handling expenses. For help finding a drop-off site, go to www.oregonmetro.gov and click on Find A Recycler, or call Metro Recycling Hotline, 503.234.3000, open 8 – 5, M – Sat.
Want to learn more about the fluorescent light recycling process?www.totalreclaim.com has excellent information (including a KOMO clip) on how components from lighting can be captured safely and then used for other products.
Ecolights and Total Reclaim recycle some 3 million lamps per year here in the NW and that includes glass, aluminum end caps and even the mercury.
FHS students on honor roll
Fifty three percent of Franklin High’s students achieved honor roll for the first quarter of the school year. Franklin Parent Teacher Student Association held a recognition dessert event during lunch recently for students achieving a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher.
Seven hundred and sixty seven students were invited to the dessert and each received a personalized certificate with their name and their GPA. Vice Principal Joule told students they were on the road to success in college by maintaining a high GPA in high school.
“The PTSA wants to support academic success at Franklin,” said PTSA coordinator Lauren Ettlin. The PTSA purchased and served 22 cakes to the honor roll recipients. One honor roll achiever was heard to say, “This is so nice! I love cake!”
Buckman Pool fund
Buckman Pool has been in the spotlight over the past few years as being the pool that keeps coming back from the edge of city budget cuts.
Parks and Recreation would like to close the pool, citing low attendance and low rate of return, but Buckman Pool is the only Parks facility located in the central city/inner east side area.
With the recent surge in construction of apartment buildings, people will need more recreation opportunities, not fewer. Until the city is able to raise $45 million to construct a new inner SE community center at the corner of SE Stark and 12th Ave., keeping Buckman open is important.
A group is looking into creating a Friends of Buckman Pool that would have non-profit status under the umbrella of the Parks Foundation. A committed board of 8-10 people who would be willing to meet once a month and serve on committees such as outreach, events, fundraising, is needed for Commissioner Fritz to recommend the group for adoption by the Parks Foundation.
What does this mean? It means that tax-deductible contributions could be solicited towards a Buckman Pool fund.
This fund could help with upkeep/renovations, new equipment, or promotional events (2 tickets for the price of 1) to help create awareness of how awesome Buckman Pool is.
If you are interested in serving on this board, please e-mail Christine at buckmanpool@gmail.com.
Belmont goats relocated to Lents
Portland Development Commission has approved three temporary-use proposals on vacant PDC-owned sites in the Lents Urban Renewal Area, and will pursue further discussion of qualifications and feasibility of a permanent project as well. The proposals were among six responses to a PDC-issued Request for Interest in permanent or temporary uses of the Lents properties, located in proximity to the historic and re-emerging commercial heart of the Lents neighborhood at SE 92nd Ave.
The Belmont Goats will locate temporarily on the site at SE 93rd and Woodstock. PDC has offered to work with the project proposers to locate the herd on PDC-owned lots at SE 91st and Foster Rd. on a seasonal basis when Lents International Farmers Market is in operation.
At PDC’s request, two proposals from Propel Studio Architecture and ROSE Community Development, will co-locate at 8801 SE Foster Rd. ROSE’s proposal, “Lents Grown – Our Stories” will be an installation of photographic portraits with text and audio produced through a collaborative effort by members of the community.
Propel proposed an installation of gabion (wire mesh) furniture to create a gathering space and placemaking identity. PDC’s evaluation committee, made up of community stakeholders and staff, noted these two uses combined on one site would be more successful than separating them to individual properties.
Each organization will receive a $7500 grant that can be used for design, construction materials or labor, or construction project management. The temporary uses will range from one to three years.
Speaking on behalf of the Belmont Goats owners and caretakers, Christopher Frankonis said, “All of us are excited for this next phase of Portland’s original resident urban herd. We look forward to working with PDC and, especially, the residents of Lents to make this ongoing urban experiment in rural community truly Lents Grown for the coming year.”
See more at lents.biz/lents-grown
Thriving Cities Alliance
The Thriving Cities Alliance is a regional collaboration of government, business, civic and environmental groups designed to ensure development-ready communities, smart growth, shovel-ready industrial tracts and well-oiled local economies. A major goal is to reduce carbon imprints by preparing communities for greater density within growth boundaries.
As the group gears up its first pilot programs, a question is whether there will be room at the table for individual neighborhoods.
Landuse attorney and agency co-chair Gene Grant says neighborhoods need to band together under a common, collective voice in order for their concerns to be heard. For more information, contact Northwest@uli.org or 503.224.0300.
Envelopes for the Elderly is an idea connecting generations, neighbors and families through the simple act of writing letters. The project entails a writing workshop on Thursday March 20, 7 pm at 2931 SE Harrison presented by Shannon Millimen. Community members and their families share ideas to encourage Pen Pal writing relationships with the elderly.
Each participant writes two letters: one to a relative and one to a non-relative they do not know. Residents from a local Assisted Living Facility, Laurelhurst Village, will be among the community elders. The goal is to encourage storytelling narratives through writing, sharing intergenerational wisdom.
After the workshop, highlighted letters will be compiled and bound into a booklet and shared with Laurelhurst Village for their residents reading enjoyment.
For information, contact shannonmilliman@gmail.com
Kendra Wisely (Cleveland H.S.’10) received honors at the All-Midwest Conference (MWC) Soccer Honors and tied for the conference lead with 10 assists this season, averaging 0.56 per game.
She started all 69 matches played in her four seasons at Cornell College (Iowa) and was the team’s leader in the midfield.
Wisely contributed five goals – including one game-winner – this fall and ranked third on the team with 20 points. She was tied for 22nd in the nation for assists at the Division III level.
She served as team captain and helped guide the Rams (9-8-1 overall, 4-5-1 MWC) to their first winning season since 2002 under third-year head coach Kirsten Russell.
Village Programs and Presentations
• Co-sponsored by Villages NW and TaborSpace, Creative Rituals for Times of Transition will explore the role ritual and ceremony can play during divorce, retirement, illness, downsizing, or other life transitions.
The event is Sunday, March 30, 2 – 4 pm at TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont St. The $5 suggested donation helps grow the local Village movement. RSVP:info@VillagesNW.org
The workshop will be presented by Holly Pruett, who creates and officiates at unique ceremonies from cradle to grave. A longtime community organizer, Pruett writes a weekly blog showcasing creative rituals (www.hollypruettcelebrant.com), and is the co-founder of the PDX Death Café.
• Eastside Village Book Discussion Group’s next book is Journeywell: A Guide to Quality Aging, Tuesday March 4, at 6 pm at the Belmont Library. RSVP: Space limited to first 24, so RSVP to facilitator Ann Gaffke by calling 503.679.0147 or emailing jagaffke@gmail.com.
• Other upcoming Village 101 presentations, Sunday, March 2 at 2 pm at SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main; Sunday March 9, 2 pm at RoseCityPark United MethodistChurch, 5830 NE Alameda; Thursday March 13, 7 pm at O’Connors, 7850 SW Capitol Hwy. and Sunday March 23 at 2 pm at the HollywoodSeniorCenter, 1820 NE 42nd.
For info or to reserve a place, email info@VillagesNW.org.
Friends of Portland Community Gardens Seeks Board Members – A nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and expand community gardening opportunities in Portland and to build community around gardening, the group works closely with the City’s Community Garden program and other community gardens, helping gardens in a variety of ways. Board Members with energy and a passion for gardening or helping community gardens are needed who have the following skills: accounting, membership outreach, social media, corporate sponsorships, web design and marketing, and fundraising/grant writing. Interested in becoming a Board Member or want to learn more? Contact info@portlandcommunitygardens.org.
Do the Work You Were Born to Do – Thursday, March 13, 6:30-7:30 pm. There’s something special you’re meant to do. Free class provides information to identify your bliss and the inspiration to go for it. No registration required, just drop in (check the website for updates just in case). Classroom opens at 6:15 pm. No food or pets, please. 1235 SE Division St., #207. For information, visit www.TinaGilbertson.com/free_events.html.
Rummage Sale to benefit Mt. Tabor Middle School PTA – Hundreds of fantastic bargains, many at $1. Saturday April 26, 9 am to 2 pm in the Mt. Tabor Middle School cafeteria, 5800 SE Ash St. Contact Erin Ferro if you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation of gently-used items to the sale @ erinferro@comcast.net. You may also bring donations directly to Mt. Tabor Middle School Friday, April 26, from 4-7 pm.
The Brooklyn Action Corps (BAC) will hold a meeting on Monday, March 10 to gauge public support for a fruit orchard and raised-bed community garden.The proposed site for the ‘Orchard-Garden’ is a triangular lot at SE Pershing and 16th Ave. currently used as a construction staging area for the new Milwaukie to Portland light rail line. The property belongs to TriMet, and has been offered to the community for this purpose once the light rail is up and running in 2015. Both the orchard and garden would be open to gardeners throughout the Portland-Metro area. The meeting on March 10 will take place at Meals on Wheels/ Sacred Heart Villa, 3925 SE Milwaukie Ave., from 7 to 8:30 pm.
Some Like it Hot! Mardi Gras Dinner and Auction, Tuesday, March 4, 5:30 – 8 pm., St David of Wales, 2800 SE Harrison St. St David and Harrison Hill are celebrating with a family-friendly event; a Do-It-Yourself Taco Bar, with beverages and great desserts, followed by children’s mask-making, live music, an auction featuring goods and services, and a wall of wine raffle. The cost is $20 per family or $10 per individual. Tickets can be purchased by calling 503.232.8461, visiting www.saintdavidpdx.org, or at the door. All proceeds will pay for the furnace. The community at Harrison Hill includes Saint David of Wales parish, two schools, voice and instrumental music lessons, yoga classes, SE Tool Library, SE Kitchen Share, Community Repair, Dances of Universal Peace, Folk Music, Choirs, and an Artist-in-Residence.
Mardi Gras in April! A Benefit for the Cleveland High School Foundation, Saturday, April 5, 6 to 9 pm at St. Philip Neri Church Carvlin Hall, 2408 SE 16th Ave., near SE Division St. $25 ($30 at door) Tickets on sale now at CHS or email Mary Kay West at mwest1962@comcast.net . You don’t have to go to all the way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras fun, as the Foundation is bringing Bourbon Street to you! You’ll feast on red beans and rice (specify either meat or vegetarian preference when purchasing ticket), salad, garlic bread, one beverage (beer or glass of wine) and dessert. Water, coffee and tea also provided. Your ticket also enters your name in the drawing for door prizes including: batches of homemade frozen gumbo, CDs of New Orleans jazz, New Orleans Saints t-shirt, King’s Cake and Popeye’s gift certificate. Live music to be provided by CHS jazz musicians. Sponsored by Premier Community Bank. Benefits the CHS Foundation, the only entity that raises funds to help pay for teachers and staff.
Friends of Mt Tabor Park Weed Warriors Seek Crew Leaders: A special two-hour training program for new and continuing crew leaders will be offered on Wed., March 19 and Saturday, March 22 from 10 am – noon at a location still to be determined. Individuals who want to help with the major effort now underway are needed to restore native habitat in the park, help volunteers work safely and efficiently while having fun, and share new knowledge with the volunteers about invasive and native vegetation in the park. For information about whether crew leading is a good fit for you and to sign-up for one of the trainings, contact Mary Kinnick at m.kinnick@comcast.net or 503.287.5959. More information may be found at www.taborfriends.org. See the latest FMTP Newsletter and Annual Report for more information about the work of the Weed Warriors and other “doings” of FMTP.
All the Colors We Are – Join other parents and educators to explore questions at a workshop and discussion facilitated by Katie Kissinger educator and author of. The Story of How We Got Our Skin Color now celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary edition, Monday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Hawthorne Family Playschool, 2828 SE Stephens Ave. Suggested donation of $5 – $25. To register email amy@creatingdemocracy.org. Sponsored by creating democracy and Hawthorne Family Playschool.
The Buddha’s Basic Teachings–This six-part class series offers a solid introduction to the Buddha’s core teachings dating back 2600 years. Those teachings are practical and down to earth, yet surprisingly radical. As a general framework, the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths contain all his other essential teachings as well. This is not just a lecture series, but an opportunity to investigate these teachings together. Every Tuesday night, March 18 through April 15, 7 pm to 9 pm at 2514 SE Madison St., one block north of Hawthorne. Space is limited and the course will close after the second class. This series is offered without charge. Donations to Friends of the Dhamma gratefully received. Contact the teacher at pdxdhamma.org .
Portland Rose Society’s 20th Annual Information and Vendor Fair at Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, Monday, March 17, 7:30 pm. Shop local garden and supply centers, talk witht he experts, enjoy free refreshments, learn about organic gardening, bring soil samples and have your gardening shears sharpened for free. Free Admission. 503.777.4311 for information.