Community News February 2013

Natives Plants for Garden Design

 

Native plantings don’t have to look like we’re punishing ourselves. More and more great plants native to our part of the world are available, whether for wildlife, bio-swales, or pure ambience and design.

A discussion of native plants from the best to the new favs is planned for February 12 at the Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont, at 6:45 pm. Park on SE 54th Ave. This is part of a monthly OSU Extension/Multnomah County Master Gardeners Speakers Series.

Sean Hogan started in the nursery industry at the age of 3, rooting boxwood cutting and succulents in his Portland boyhood home. He served as curator of the California Native Cultivar Gardens of the University of California, Berkeley, Botanic Garden.

Returning to Portland in the late 90’s, Hogan founded, along with Parker Sanderson, Cistus Design Nursery on Sauvie Island. The nursery is known for its wide-array of plants from many corners of the world.

Hogan lectures widely in North America and Europe about his plant explorations. His publications include editing Flora, a 20,000 entry tome (Timber Press) and authoring Trees for All Seasons.

 

Local developer gives endownment to YU

 

Yale Union (YU) is a center for contemporary art and it’s proud to announce it has been awarded grants from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Oregon Community Foundation’s Fields Fund, and the Henry Lea Hillman Jr. Foundation, as well as an endowment from Portland real estate developer Randy Rapaport for the YU Library.

These nationally and locally-significant leaders in arts funding have recognized YU as an organization demonstrating distinction in non-profit governance and programing in the field of contemporary art.

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts granted Yale Union $60,000 over two years to support artistic programming. This is the first grant YU has received from the esteemed Warhol Foundation, established in 1987 by Andy Warhol in his will to advance visual arts. The Warhol foundation is a distinguished national leader in arts funding, supporting the creation, presentation and documentation of contemporary visual art, particularly work that is experimental, under-recognized, or challenging in nature.

Regarding his endowment to YU, Mr. Rapaport said, “As a child learning to read, my father gave me money to buy all the books I wanted. That is what inspired today’s gift”. In recognition of this generous multi-year gift, YU will name the library after Rapaport. The endowment will ensure the advancement of a Rapaport Library, as well as future educational resources and programs at Yale Union.

A cleansing experience

 

Portland Rescue Mission is helping take the chill out of winter for more homeless guests thanks to the Advantis Credit Union GROW Community Fund.

There’s nothing like a hot shower on a cold wintry night to warm up and recharge one’s heart and soul. It’s a simple thing, but for many homeless people affected by the current downturned economy, it can be a luxury few and far between.

This year, with a grant of $8,500 from Advantis Credit Union, Portland Rescue Mission is able to provide more showers to homeless guests in its newly remodeled facility.

The grant helped to update and upgrade the shower facilities at the shelter. Portland Rescue Mission increased its shelter beds by 30 a night this winter, which necessitated critical improvements to the showers in order to serve more individuals.

Thanks to the efficiency of the new showers, 2,400 individuals are able to bathe in a safe and clean environment.

 

The annual spring bazaar at the Oregon Buddhist Temple will be held Sunday, March 3 from 11 am to 3 pm.  Foods featured will be chow mein, udon (noodles), chicken bento and tofu bowl for vegans. There will also be a snack bar, baked goods and mostly Asian gifts on sale. The temple is located at 3720 SE 34th Avenue, one block south of Powell Blvd. The #9 bus runs close by. For further information, see the website oregonbuddhisttemple.com or call 503.234.9456.

 

Bridger auction

 

Jim Bridger K-8 School located in SE Portland hosts their Building Bridges for Bridger auction at Madeleine Hall in NE Portland Saturday, March 16.

Bridger School serves approximately 400 students in grades K-8th and is known for its strong neighborhood and Spanish immersion programs, diversity and devoted teachers. As state funding decreases, many student-centered programs are lost.

Bridge the funding gap for these kids as they bring together teachers, parents, neighbors and local businesses to mingle, network and raise money.

To purchase a ticket to the Building Bridges for Bridger Auction, visit www.bridgerpta.schoolauction.net/auction2013.

Enjoy Early Bird ticket prices through March 1: $15 for one, $25 for two, and $100 for a table of eight. Interested in making a donation or sponsoring the event? Contact auction coordinator, Marieke Mertz at mariekemertz@gmail.com

 

Bagdad Hosts Fundraiser

 

On Sunday, February  10,  the Richmond and Sunnyside Neighborhood Associations will hold their annual movie fundraiser at McMenamins’ Bagdad Theater, SE Hawthorne Blvd and 37th Ave.

Ben & Jerry’s is donating the free ice-cream for the event, served in the lobby from 1- 2 pm, while supply lasts.

The movie title will be announced the week before on the Bagdad’s website as well as the RNA’s  and SNA’s websites.

The film will be G or PG and tickets will be $5 for adults and $1 for children under 12.

Ticket proceeds go to Richmond and Sunnyside Neighborhood Associations to fund various community projects.

Richmond will use its share for its free annual movie in Sewallcrest Park, this August 17. The movie will be a Filmusik live-soundtrack production of the film “Planet of Dinosaurs.”

The band Blue Cranes will performing the music live and there will be live Foley artists performing sound effects.

 

Now’s the Time to Apply!

 

Portland Public Schools is a district of neighborhood schools and a few focus options. At the middle school level, one option is da Vinci Arts Middle School. The school offers students in grades 6 -8 a challenging, arts-focused learning environment that integrates arts into core academic classes and offers specialized arts classes as electives.

Most electives fall into four main arts categories – dance, drama, music and visual arts. Within these areas, a variety of classes are offered geared for both emerging and intermediate students. Student work is celebrated through staged plays, music concerts, dance performances, in-school gallery shows and presentations in the community.

Located in inner NE Portland, da Vinci is open to students from throughout the PPS district. Selection is done by a computer lottery. In order to be in the lottery interested families must attend an information session at the school, complete a da Vinci Statement of Understanding and submit a PPS School Choice form to the district.

Paperwork and online links will be available beginning February 8. The PPS School Choice form is due March 15.

All-information sessions take place at the school, 2508 NE Everett. Information session dates: February 13 at 3:15 pm; February 19 at 3:15 pm; February 26 at 6 pm; March 13 at 9 am and March 19 at 3:15 pm. Each session lasts 60 – 90 minutes. Reservations are not required to attend. For more information visit the school’s website: www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/davinci . Click the “Admissions” button or call 503.916.5356 and ask for Connie Cheifetz.

 

 

Business Beat

 

$100 DOLLAR PR – A new and extremely unique boutique Public Relations Company starts its operations on February 4. Created by SE Portland resident Laurena Marrone, an industry veteran with over 20 years of diverse experience in the field, the company will level the PR playing field by offering high quality publicity services for small businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, non-profits and more… all for the incredibly low fee of just $100 dollars. To learn more about 100 Dollar PR, visit 100DollarPR.com or email info@100dollarpr.com .

 

ROOKS TRADITIONAL BARBERSHOP has opened its second location at 3580 SE Division St. From hot towel, straight razor shaves to pompadours and ivy leagues, Master Barber Justin King and his team of highly-skilled barbers bring the dying art of classic barbering back to life. A classically-trained Master Barber, King has worked on hair for television shows, music videos and photoshoots, and has been featured in Men’s Journal and The New York Times. He named his shops after the late Rooks District of London, where the tradition flourished throughout the 1800s. Open 9-7 daily. Walk-ins are welcome and online appointments can be made at www.rooksbarbershop.com . All services include complimentary beer, wine, whiskey or soda. 503.432.8569

 

PORTLANDIA INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL is a Spanish Language School located at 511 SE 11th Ave. #203 offering special discounts for seniors, college students and non-profit employees. Owner and teacher Walter J. Osorio is a native of El Salvador, and his first language is Spanish. He studied at Reed, Lewis and Clark and University of Oregon. Prior to opening his school, he worked as a Spanish medical interpreter. To register, call
503.381.0785, email portlandiapdx@gmail.com or see his website at www.portlandialanguages.com . Free weekly conversational meetings every Thursday from 7 to 10 pm.

 

THE BELMONT BOUTIQUE located in the Meals on Wheels People Center, 4610 SE Belmont St., is a volunteer run program selling gently-used clothing and household items. All proceeds go directly into the annual fundraising goals for this center. They are looking for donations of coffee, one of the largest expenses. Consider donating a pound of coffee. Call 503.953.8202. In exchange, they’ll post a sign next to the coffee pot with your name or the name of your business. This is the last year Meals on Wheels People will be doing the Valentine-A-Grams program. Valentine-a-grams include free delivery on February 14 throughout the greater Portland and Vancouver Metro Areas.

 

Renowned Local Birder to Speak

 

Gerald Lillie will be the featured speaker at the Annual Meeting and
 Winter Program March 19, presenting “The Birds of Mt.
Tabor Park”, a talk about the birds that live on Mt. Tabor year round, birds that winter there, and birds that migrate through in the spring and the fall.

Lillie helps lead the April and May bird walks in the park as part of Portland Audubon. He’s travelled throughout the U.S. and to many parts of the world on birding trips, and in 2009 with five friends discovered a new species of Storm-petrel; a sparrow-sized seabird.

He was on the board of the Oregon Field Ornithologists (now called the Oregon Birding Association) for four years and wrote or co-wrote the Spring Season report for North American Birds and Oregon Birds for over 10 years. He and his wife moved to Portland in 1983 and he owns PDX Automotive.

Lillie’s presentation follows the FMTP Annual Meeting at SE 55th and SE Hawthorne in the Western Seminary chapel. Doors open to the public at 6:30 pm with the opportunity to meet board members and learn more about the Friends, as well as how to get involved in volunteer activities such as the FMTP Foot Patrol, Weed Warriors and new Visitor Center. The meeting begins at 7 pm and includes the election of new board members, a vote on revised Bylaws, and presentation of the Friend of the Year Award. Refreshments will be served at this free event.

 

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

 

What happened to the idea of neighborhood welcome baskets? Do you ever wish that there was some sort of collection of local information to help you navigate your way in a new neighborhood or business district?

You are invited by HACE* to participate in a design workshop with your neighbors, residents and the business community, to help us shape a local version of a modern day welcome kit, SE Portland style!

Please choose to attend one of the following workshops:

Design Workshop #1 Thursday, February 7th from 6 – 8 pmat Southeast Uplift, 3534 SE Main,

Design Workshop #2, Saturday, February 9th from 10 am-12 noon at Western Seminary, 5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd.Bueerman Hall, Room 203 (second floor)

Light snacks provided. RSVP appreciated. Contact us at eco@thinkhawthorne.com.

* HACE is a grassroots movement of neighbors and businesses working to boost sustainability in inner Southeast Portland. Find us at: www.hacepdx.org. Contact us at: eco@thinkhawthorne.com.

 

Nonprofit school brightens classrooms

 

Childswork Learning Center, a nonprofit early childhood education school at 4235 SE Salmon St., was consuming more energy than necessary because of an outdated and inefficient 50-year-old school building. With guidance and incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon, the 29-year-old school was able to upgrade its lighting and improve the classroom experience, while lowering operating costs and saving $7,300 in annual utility costs.Childswork upgraded from inefficient T12 lighting to energy-efficient T8 lighting, installed occupancy sensors and modernized the light fixture lenses throughout its 20 classrooms and offices, as well as hallways.

Energy Trust provided cash incentives of $15,600 toward the cost of Childswork’s energy-efficiency improvements, which are estimated to save 88,438 kilowatt hours of electricity or $7,300 in utility costs annually.

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and tapping renewable resources.

Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1.866.368.7878.

 

Presents of Mind DonatES– A portion of the store’s Valentine sales will go to the Raphael House of Portland in honor of the movement “One Billion Rising”–a global initiative to end violence against women www.onebillionrising.org . Help raise awareness and give to a great cause!  There will be a donation jar set up for any additional donations you would like to make to the Raphael House. Raphael House of Portland is a multi-faceted domestic violence agency dedicated to ending intimate partner violence for good. Presents of Mind is located at 3633 SE Hawthorne Blvd.  www.blog.presentsofmind.tv/2013/01/join-billion-rise .

 

10th Annual SE Area ARTWalk WALKING TOUR takes place March 2 and 3 from 10 am to 5 pm. The Art Walk boundaries are: SE Division – SE Clinton – SE Powell – SE Hawthorne – Ladd’s Addition. The SE Area ARTWalk will allow you the opportunity to go on a FREE, self-guided tour by visiting the studios, home work spaces, galleries, host homes and businesses within the “walkable/bikeable/busable” boundaries of  SE 9th – SE 41st & SE Hawthorne to SE Powell Blvd. Visit www.seportlandartwalk.com for more details.

 

Mandarin Chinese the Easy Way at Mt. Scott Community Center. Baby and Me class with games, songs and play for ages 3 – 5 with parent from 10 to 11 am, Tuesdays. From 2/19 – 3/19, Course # 394549. Mandarin Chinese classes for age 12+ and above , 7:30 – 8:30 pm, Tuesdays, 2/19-3/19, Course # 395395. Cost $50,  Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 72nd Ave. Registration: 503.823.3183 or www.portlandparks.org. More information at www.portlandchineselessons.com .

 

Ash Wednesday Service–Feb. 13, 7 pm at the Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst, 935 NE 33rd.  All are welcome to this service receiving God’s forgiveness. Call 503.232.9129.

 

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park Weed Warriors – Opportunity to become a crew leader to work with volunteers the last Saturday of the month mornings (March-Oct.) in efforts to restore the natural habitat in the park. Crew leaders help volunteers work safely and effectively, to learn more about both invasive and native vegetation in the park, and to have fun. Training for new and continuing crew leaders is: Sat., Feb. 23, 10 am – 12 noon. Contact Mary Kinnick (m.kinnick@comcast.net) or Alexa Todd (AlexaTodd.FMTP@gmail.com) if  interested. See Weed Warriors at www.taborfriends.org .

 

Viking Pancake Breakfast Don’t miss their first breakfast of the year on Sunday February 10. Enjoy all-you-can- eat pancakes served with scrambled eggs, sausage links, fruit, orange juice and bottomless coffee or tea. $7 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5-12, and no charge for children under 5. Breakfast served from 8:30 am – 1 pm. The young ones can also enjoy a story hour at 10 am. Reel Nordic Film Night, February 12, 7 pm. This month screening Troubled Waters, a film about a young boy who makes a tragic mistake that affects many people. Upon his release from prison as a young man he has to integrate himself back into modern Norwegian Society. This dramatic film is staged in contemporary Oslo, and is well acted. The film will start at 7 pm; Oslo lounge opens at 6:30 pm and snacks will be available for purchase. No admission charge. Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave. 503.236.340, www.norsehall.org

 

Salem Rally for Affordable Health Care for All – Monday Feb. 4, the first day of the 2013 legislative session. The 61 member organizations of the Health Care for All-Oregon coalition and 20 grassroots groups of local supporters from across the state will rally on the Capitol steps in Salem for Health Care as a Human Right. According to HCAO leaders, the purpose of the rally is to demonstrate the breadth and depth of support for universal health care and for the Affordable Health Care for All Oregon Act, which has been re-introduced in this session by Representative Michael Dembrow (D45). Beginning about 10 am, teams of marchers carrying signs on behalf of a universal health care system will walk through downtown Salem. Raging Granny singers will greet them back at the Capitol steps at 11:15. At 11:30 the formal rally will begin, led  by emcee and rally organizer Jessica Hoffman, chair of the HCAO Mobilization Committee and a health care activist since her student days in the Public Health Department at Oregon State University.

 

Community Garden Project – Portland Parks Bureau is accepting applications at 9 am on February 7 for the new community garden at Southeast 64th & Lincoln. Apply online by filling out the “Garden Plot Request Form” at www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/52116. If you don’t have Internet access, call the Community Gardens office at 503.823.1612 for assistance. Portland Parks urges people to apply early since plots go fast. You will be notified if you have a spot by the end of February 2013.

 

Looking for spiritual nourishment? The Novena of Grace is a longstanding tradition in which folks meet at the same time and place for 9 consecutive days to pray for what is most deeply desired. Many receive the healing, insight, and direction they seek. Hosted by acclaimed Jesuit author Fr. Gary Smith and Jessica Herringer of Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Radical Engagement –Bringing God’s Heart to the World, March 4 – 12 at  St. Ignatius Church, 3400 SE 43rd Ave., 503.777.1491 or www.novenaofgrace@gmail.com. For information, visit www.novenaofgrace.com

 

Grant funds available for watershed projects The Bureau of Environmental Services is inviting proposals for community-based projects that benefit neighborhoods and improve watershed health in the City of Portland. The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) provides grants of up to $10,000 subject to 2013-2014 budget approval. Applications are due by Friday, March 29, at 4 pm. For more information, to download an application, or for help developing project ideas and putting together an application; go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/stewardship, call 503.823.7917 or email shannon.jamison@portlandoregon.gov.

 

 

 

Community News February 2013

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