Recycling in the New Year
By Bonita Davis, Master Recycler and Sunnyside resident
It is no surprise that SE Portlanders would have a lot to say about how to better “reduce, reuse and recycle” in 2017. Starting conversations in coffee shops, grocery store lines, or other gathering spots in the neighborhood was actually pretty easy.
Here is what our neighbors (real people, real names) have to say about upping their recycling game in the coming year:
An avid recycler, Shelley plans to continue her efforts of shopping wisely. Fresh fruits and vegetables, bulk items, and grocery items sold only in recyclable containers go into her cart. If it can’t be recycled, she isn’t buying it.
Judie maxes out her curbside recycling and is a regular at FarWest Recycling(farwestrecyclingcom).  Consigning clothing and household goods is a new passion as well as collecting items such as colored bottle caps to donate to S.C.R.A.P  (scrappdx.org).
Rachel lives in apartment, but wants to compost. She plans to begin by talking with her property manager about getting a green bin or calling the City’s Office of Sustainabilty/Multifamily Program at 503.823.7224. Worm bin information is at oregonmetro.gov.
Lydia acts on her values by buying used first – whether it is clothing, furniture or gifts and making her own household cleaners. Surprised to learn that the white “paper” coffee cup is not recyclable because of the plastic liner, she is making it her goal to bring her own mug, or dine-in when enjoying coffee.
Jordan just bought a bin for inside the house to better sort curbside recycling.
Jim’s roommate tosses glass containers plus 5¢ bottles and cans into the trash. Jim is adding a bin next to the trash can for all can and bottle recyclables but isn’t hopeful it will work. While he’s waiting for his roommate to understand the importance of recycling, he is retrieving the bottles when finds them, adding, “It’s just the right thing to do.”
Hope he keeps the nickel…it’s soon to be a dime!
Sonja has already started reusing all giftwrap, ribbons, and packaging materials she receives.
Larry confessed he doesn’t recycle, but agrees a quick call to the Curbsider Hotline, 503.823.7202 or 10 minutes spent looking over the Curbsider, (portlandoregon.gov/bps/42689) will help him get past his confusion over plastics recycling. “I can do better!”
A construction project near a local park has increased litter in the park where Beth walks daily.  It has become a habit to pick up the litter and recycle the glass, cans and paper she finds, adding it feels good to improve the appearance of the neighborhood.
In a year, what difference could it make? Not making the trip to the landfill would be hundreds of coffee cups and lids, and several rollcarts if not drop boxes of plastics and paper. New glass bottles could be produced from those redeemed and the money used for something meaningful.
It all adds up. Bravo, SE Portland!
People’s Coop seed swap
Wednesday, January 11 is People’s Coop, 3029 SE 21st Ave. Seed Swap from 3 to 5 pm. For the seed swap to go well, please note the following to participate:
Bring seeds to offer into the swap. The focus is primarily on vegetables, medicinals and other “functional” species. Seeds for ornamentals are good too. Please make sure they’re labeled as to species and variety (and also open-pollinated vs. hybrid, if known).
Don’t bring unknown seeds or seeds that are too old to germinate reliably, generally over six years old. If your seeds are between 2 –  4 years old, consider combining them with other seeds for making seedballs. Bring containers to take seeds home in (small jars, empty seed packets, empty teabag packets, etc.)
All seeds will be placed out on tables by category. If you have unopened packets of seed that you would like to share part of, please separate out what you want to keep prior to coming. No GMO or fumigated seeds, please!
Volunteers are needed. Please get in touch with Marisha if you would like to lend a hand. Email her at StartFragmentqueenbee@herbnwisdom.com.
Urban Coyotes
Recently, there have been increased coyote sightings in the Portland Urban area. While coyote sightings in local neighborhoods can be alarming, please refrain from calling 911 and tying up emergency resources to report a sighting.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Portland Audubon Society websites offer useful information regarding urban coyotes. [ODFW’s is at dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/coyotes.asp
 and the Audubon is at audubonportland.org/wcc/urban/coyotes].
Most of the time, coyotes are considered to be more of a nuisance than a threat. They are by nature wary of humans. ODFW provides suggestions for the public to minimize the potential for conflicts with coyotes.
- Donot leave small children unattended outdoors if coyotes have been frequenting the area. • Feed pets indoors and do not leave pet food or water bowls outside
• Supervise pets when they are outside • Do not leave cats or small dogs out after dark 
• Secure garbage and garbage cans in an area inaccessible to wild animals • Trim and clear vegetation that provides cover for coyotes or their prey • Clean barbecues regularly. • Whenever possible, avoid confronting the animal. Go inside of your home or other secure location.
If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans, are actively aggressive, or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact local law enforcement and EMS via 911 and ODFW at 503.947.6000 or 800.720.ODFW (6339).
Portland State University has a program called citizen science that collects data and research with members of the community to collect and compile date.
If you see a coyote. contact The Portland Urban Coyote Project at portlandcoyote@gmail.com and report how many and where they have been seen.
To the community,
It has now been over a year since the Sunnyside congregation disbanded and the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church gave Metanoia Peace Community permission to continue to provide service to the most needy in our community.
The Community is at Sunnyside Community House formerly Sunnyside Methodist Church,  the same space they have occupied for the past 35 years.
In addition to providing meals, they now offer showers to houseless guests. This has helped to deepen relationships, but has also increased their water bill by more than $200 a month.
Metanoia wants to continue to provide this service even though the cost is great. Imagine what it must be like to have no place to bathe, a struggle to find a toilet in time, no dry shoes or socks to replace the ones on your feet wet from walking in the rain all day.
My friend Dawa arrives weekly to cut hair for houseless persons and hear their stories while trimming away. Kelly helps people find the clothes they need in our storage closet to replace their dirty wardrobe. Donna escorts people to the shower and sees that it is sanitized after each use. The kids from the Sunnyside Environmental School across the street prepare lunches for our guests to pick up as they leave after dinner. Lee washes an abundance of clothes and towels and dries out the wet sleeping bags.
Here is an opportunity to give locally to these people.
The houseless and other low income people we serve need the following: sleeping bags, underwear, backpacks, gloves, blankets, warm coats, tents laundry soap, shoes, sweaters tarps, band aids, socks, pants/jeans,  hats and scarves.
Also, we are in need of funds to install a second shower and additional washer and dryer and to pay for our increasing water bill.
If you are able to donate any of these items they can be dropped off at the Peace House, 2116 NE 18th Ave, or at Sunnyside Community House, 3520 SE Yamhill. Call first (503.706.6583) if you have questions.
If you wish to make a tax deductible donation you can do so by writing your check to Metanoia Peace Community UMC and in the memo line write Hard Times Supper Fund.
You can also make a donation through Metanoia Peace Community using your credit card by going to www.18thavepeacehouse.org.
We thank you in advance for holding us in your thoughts and prayers.
Warmly,
Pat Schwiebert Director
Who ya’ gonna call
Portlanders are increasingly frustrated in their attempts to seek help for non-emergency issues. With help from Portland’s Crime Prevention Program, Jan Molinaro, a Sunnyside Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) Assistant Team Leader has developed a comprehensive list of who to contact and when.
She says the doc is intended to go way beyond calling 911. “From my NET perspective, Portlanders want to be as prepared as possible for a big disaster and to feel safe in their neighborhoods.” She notes that the doc is printed side-by-side for neighbors to copy and share with a friend or neighbor.
www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/safetyresources
Exchanging and engaging
Now the need is more urgent than ever to bridge language gaps to create strong, inclusive communities. Several schools in SE Portland are embracing this diversity and have formed parent intercambio groups, thanks to SE Uplift and the program, Exchange to Engage.
What is an intercambio? Intercambio is the Spanish word for exchange, where people come together to practice a second language with native speakers in a safe and relaxed setting.
Parents meet at Bridger Elementary most Friday mornings to share coffee, connect with other parents, and seek ways to be involved in their child’s education and greater community.
Not all of these parents are bilingual  – they are learning and practicing English and Spanish with others in the community.
Thanks to simple games and conversation guides, parents learn from each other and the community is strengthened through connection, communication and support for bilingual programs in schools.
Los Padres Unidos (Parents United) at Arleta Elementary and the Amigos group at Atkinson have received materials to start an intercambio and promote inclusive parent groups thanks to the SE Uplift grant.
Parents are not only involved in their children’s education, but also connected to other families.
Exchange to Engage is a non-profit program sponsored by the YWCA of Greater Portland.  Their mission is to support parents and educators to empower families and educators to build strong school communities that embrace linguistic and cultural diversity.
The program promotes bilingualism, parent involvement, and improved communication within school communities.
Contact Rachel Kimbrow at exchangetoengage@gmail.com or call 503.539.5237 for more information.
Visit the program’s website at exchangetoengage.org.
Division slated for more development
Several early assistance and building permit requests have been put in to the City for new buildings along SE Division St. Not all projects are final (and in some cases the properties not even sold yet), and it appears as if there will be another round of construction in the District soon.
Here are a few in the proposal stage, others can be found on: nextportland.com
3325 SE Division St. –  Early Assistance has been requested by Hacker Architects for a project that will demo the existing structure and build a new 26,000 sq ft multi-family building.
2915 SE Division St. – A building permit is under review for a new 4 story, 20 unit apartment building with onsite stormwater planter.
2502 SE 29th Ave. – Early Assistance has been requested by William Wilson Architects for a new four story, 50 unit apartment building with basement garage and ground floor retail.
2880 SE Division St. – Early Assistance has been requested by TVA Architects for a four-story mixed-use multi-family apartment project with ground floor leasable space, lobby, MEP/Utility/Service space, and three elevated apartment floor levels (combo of studio and one-bedroom units for a total of 67 units). Onsite surface parking will be provided. They may need an adjustment to parking stall width.
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR STATE-WIDE ENERGY POLICY? For the second year, Let’s Talk Climate offers a series of monthly presentations and discussions on local and regional issues related to climate change. All events are free and open to the public. The venue will be the Copeland Commons Room at TaborSpace, SE 54th and Belmont. beginning on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 pm. A panel will discuss state-wide energy policy in the upcoming year, what legislation is likely to be proposed, and how the public can most effectively support policy needs. A discussion with the audience follows and panelists are: Angus Duncan, Chair of the Oregon Commission on Global Warming; Senator Michael Dembrow, Oregon District 23; and Shilpa Joshi, Organizing Director, Renew Oregon. For additional information: contact@letstalkclimatepdx.org or letstalkclimatepdx.org
CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR WOMEN – Explore the depths of your imagination and memory. Write from prompts that may lead to new poems, stories, personal essays and other creative pieces. All experience levels are welcome to join this encouraging group. Mondays, January 9 – March 13 (no class 1/16 and 2/20), 10 am – 11:30 am at TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont. $12 to drop in for a class or $80 for all weeks.Taught by Pushcart-nominee Linda Ferguson. For information, email ljdferguson@gmail.com.
DIABETES BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL – Join Dr. Heidi Peterson as she presents the top 10 cost-effective supplements for blood sugar control. She will discuss using supplements to minimize diabetes-related complications in the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart and is an engaging and informed speaker. RSVP through meetup.com/Hawthorne-Diabetes-Group, or call Julia at 503.936.8086. The Hawthorne Diabetes Group provides a space for people impacted by diabetes to share, learn and grow. The group is lead by Julia Hanfling, RD, CDE – owner of 3 Peaches Nutrition & Diabetes Coaching and is scheduled for Thursday, January 19,  from 7  – 8:30 pm at Colonial Hts. Presbyterian Church, 2828 SE Stephens St. $10 donation requested. No one will be turned away.
Website: 3peachesnutrition.com.
Geode building on Division
By Libby Carruth
With construction underway on the 2500 block of SE Division, neighbors have been asking what’s going on. Some are under the impression a developer was forcing sculptor Martin Eichinger, out in order to build condos.
Others thought an art school was being built. There have been concerns about how the building’s development will affect parking in the neighborhood. To clear up confusion and let neighbors know what’s happening there, here’s some information.
Local sculptor Marty Eichinger, left his Pearl District gallery and studio space seeking a less glossy, more down to earth community.
When he bought the building at 2516 SE Division over ten years ago, he never considered tearing it down. He envisioned having a long-term studio/gallery and a residence for himself.
With construction now underway, the development of the existing building into “The Geode: A Nest for Creative Entrepreneurs” will achieve Eichinger’s desire to be among a dynamic community of high-level creatives, innovators, inventors and small business entrepreneurs.
The Geode will offer creative space for primarily daytime use, so rather than residential space, overnight parking will not be an issue for neighbors.
Eichinger’s own apartment within the building will be The Geode’s only residential unit.
The building is scheduled for completion in July of 2017.  Spaces can now be reserved by contacting Josh Bean at 503.222.5100.
For more information about Eichinger’s work, visit eichingersculpture.com or call 503.223.0626.