Community News October 2017

 

Annual Apple Tasting at Portland Nursery

Apple Tasting Event at Portland Nursery on Stark. … Apple tasting and event setup workers will work 40 hrs/week during the weeks leading up to the festival …

http://portlandnursery.com/locations/aple-tasting-employment.shtmlPortland Nursery at 5050 SE Stark
Friday-Sunday October 13 – 15, 2017
Friday-Sunday October 20 – 22, 2017
10:00am – 5:00pm

Oregon’s Biggest Used Book Sale

Friends of the Multnomah County Library’s Fall Used Book Sale

Friday – Monday, October 6 – 9

Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel Exhibit Hall 1000 NE Multnomah St.

Join the Friends of the Multnomah County Library at the annual Fall Used Book Sale, Oregon’s biggest used book sale. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Multnomah County Library.

  • Friday, October 6, 6 pm – 9 pm, Members Only Pre-sale + Collector’s Corner
  • Saturday, October 7, 9 am – 9 pm, Literary Trivia Contest 6 – 9 pm (with no host bar) +Collector’s Corner
  • Sunday, October 8, 11 am – 5 pm – Educators get 50% off with school ID
  • Monday, October 9, 9 am – 3 pm – 50% off EVERYTHING

This sale features over 30,000 items at great prices. Hardcover and quality trade paperbacks start at $2, mass market paperbacks and children’s books at 50 cents and $1, CDs at $1, and DVDs at $2.

Plus comic books, audio books, LPs, video games, pamphlets, sheet music, and maps – all sorted and in excellent condition.

Library member, visit friends-library.org or call 503.224.9176.

 

Changes to Depot Recycling

By Bonita Davis, Master

Recycler and Sunnyside resident

For all in Sunnyside who have enjoyed being able to recycle “beyond the curb” at our nearby FarWest Recycling at 4930 SE 26th Ave., big changes have occurred.

The following is a notice outlining changes from the City of Portland, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

Changes became effective September 12, 2017.

  • Plastics accepted in Depots: #1 plastic bottles, #2 plastic bottles (Please separate)

Items removed from the yes list today:

  • Commingled plastics with a number; Bulky plastic; Plastic film/bags

Other options?

  • Decide to store materials that were removed to see if they get added back in.
  • Visit oregonmetro.gov/findarecycler to identify an alternative company that may take some of these materials.
  • Throw materials that were removed in the garbage.
  • Grocery stores all still take plastic bags. There is a good viable market for this material.

Why are these changes happening?

The market has changed.  China is increasing restrictions of materials that they allow for import for recycling.

 

Adopt a storm drain

Fall has finally begun in Portland and so has the rainy season. That means it’s time to watch out for clogged storm drains.

Portland’s storm drains help drain storm water quickly and efficiently and keep streets safe. When drains clog with fallen leaves and debris, it can lead to ponding water in our streets and intersections. That makes it harder to drive, walk, bike and roll around town.

Portland Bureau of Transportation crews work to keep drains clear, but with over 58,000 drains in the city, they can’t get to all of them. They’re asking Portland to adopt storm drains in their neighborhoods and help to keep them free and clear of leaves.

When clearing a storm drain, please keep these tips in mind: • If possible, clear the drain before it starts raining. • Clear about 10 feet on both sides of the drain. • Clear from the sidewalk, not the street. Wear reflective clothing so vehicles can see you. • Alwayswear gloves and be careful of sharp objects!

  • Use a rake, shovel, or broom – not your hands. • Watch out for traffic. Don’t clear drains in the middle of a street. • Be careful of standing water to avoid slipping or stepping on sharp objects. • If children are helping, make sure adults are supervising. • Don’t try to lift heavy storm drain grates. • Let crews handle garbage or hazards in the catch basin. • Clear surface debris only.

If the drain is still clogged after surface debris is removed, call Maintenance Dispatchers at 503.823.1700, email pdxroads@portlandoregon.gov or the online form at pdxreporter.org to report it.

RIP Is Back

By Midge Pierce

The City projects that some 123,000 new dwellings are needed in coming decades. Anticipating that most new households will be without children, planners believe  smaller, less expensive, denser dwellings are the preferred norm.

To address these projected demographic changes, the City’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has been revising plans for the Residential Infill Project (RIP) that proposes adding multi-housing units in what are currently single familyneighborhoods.

Amendments to the project, conceptually greenlit by Council last year, will be released at a public meeting on Tuesday October 10. Housing scale, types, and the treatment of narrow lots are key topics.

If the plan proceeds as expected, SE Portland will absorb the bulk of residential Infill.

BPS says that RIP is a response to Portlanders concerns about the size and cost of new houses. Critics, including some members of RIP’s citizen advisory group, say the plan was largely driven by greedy developers who misguided housing activists into supporting the proposal.

Controversial aspects of Infill include the rapidity of densification, the demolition of existing neighborhoods, infrastructure stresses, loss of liveablity and social engineering that steers  (rather than responds) to demographic changes.

For instance, if you don’t build for families with children, they will not come. Families, critics believe, are bedrock for a sustainable society.

Density, affordability and preservation are also topics this month of a seminar by nationally recognized authority on smart growth, Ed McMahon. He will discuss how best to balance affordable housing with other considerations such as design and neighborhood cohesion.

October 3: McMahon talk, sponsored by the University of Oregon Historic Preservation Program, 70 NW Couch St. (in the White Stag Building).

RIP Kick-off Meeting – Tuesday, Oct 10 at the Portland Building Auditorium, 1120 SW 5th.

Staff will be available to answer questions and distribute reports at 5 pm. Presentation on the proposals is at 6:30 pm.

Put your extra used goods to work

By Bonita Davis, Master

Recycler and Sunnyside resident

Recently, we have become increasingly aware of what happens when people lose their homes and have to start over.   Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and the fires in the Columbia Gorge are reminders of how suddenly this can happen and how difficult recovery can be.

That also applies to life changing events such as  divorce, illness, job loss, or discharge from a treatment program. Finding shelter is one thing, creating a home with a place to sit, sleep, cook, and feel comfortable is another.

In Portland, we are fortunate to have The Community Warehouse, located at 3969 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, is a furniture bank that connects donated furnishings to neighbors in need. Generous donors put their “used goods to good use” and make having a home possible for someone else in the community supply the program.

Thinking of decluttering, downsizing and letting go of household items you’ve held onto? This is a place where your donations can make a huge difference.

Volunteers and staff at the Community Warehouse believe “there are enough beds, blankets, pots and pans and other home furnishings for everyone.”

Last year, some 3269 mattresses, 5904 sets of dishes, and 997 dining tables were distributed to people in need turning a space into a home.  These items are made available to people who are referred through partner programs you might recognize, such as The Red Cross, Self Enhancement, Inc., The Salvation Army, 211info, Human Solutions, Central City Concern, and over 200 more.

A great way to start donating to this program is through their current drive to collect over 1000 pillows before the end of October.

“Every person in our community should have a place to rest their head at night.  Go to communitywarehouse.org/homemaker-pillow-drive to learn how you can help them meet their goal of 1000 pillows before the end of October.

To find out what type of household goods they can use, read success stories, volunteer, or access services, go to communitywarehouse.org or call 503.235.8786.

 

Business Beat

CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP presented by Artist & Craftsman Supply, 3393 SE 21st Ave., takes place Saturday October 21 from 9:30 to 12:30 pm. It’s a hands-on introduction to the calligraphic arts. Bonnie Ward Strauss of Rock Paper Calligraphy will introduce you to the basic techniques of Italic lettering and guide you through exercises to enhance your skills. Pre-paid $80 registration is required. All materials are available for purchase for $20. Call Bonnie at 503.432.1021 for more information and to register.

 

TALARICO’S PRODUCE is a new, family-operated outdoor produce market supplying the community with fresh fruits and vegetables, sourced locally from farms throughout the Northwest, in addition to working with wholesale companies to supply specialty items. They fill bulk orders for canning, pickling, and business needs and are open year-round, 7 days per week. In the parking lot of Grand Central Bakery, at the intersection of SE 22nd Ave. and Hawthorne Blvd. 503.504.6837

 

BIRDS & BEES NURSERY, formerly located on SE Gladstone St. has moved to 3327 SE 50th Ave.  and carry a wide variety of native and climate hardy plants, gardening supplies, fruit and vegetables, , houseplants and terrariums, decorative pottery, cards and gifts, soils and amendments, wild bird seed and supplies. Open Mon-Sat 10 am – 6 pm and Sundays 11 am– 6 pm. 503.788.6088, birdsandbeesnursery@live.combirdsandbeespdx.com, Facebook.com/NW.Natives

 

Equinox observation

By Right Rev. Roland Lakey

Most of us know that at some time in September, we have what is called an equinox.  Many know that that translates, from the Latin, as “equal night” meaning equal day and night. Still, how many of us know the history and folklore behind what is really a pagan festival?

Our ancestors were old hands at following the movements of celestial bodies, most obviously the Sun.  Why?  Because their very livelihoods depended on that knowledge.

The vast majority of the world’s populations were agrarian.  They lived off the land; eating and trading what they could grow and hunt. Without the local weather forecaster on “News at 6”, they had to keep careful track of the weather and seasons themselves.

They lived by what today is referred to as “the Wheel of the Year”. This is still used by many Western Tradition pagans, such as Wiccans, Druids, and Asatru, to mark festivals and holidays.

Picture, if you will, a large circle inscribed on a wall. At the top, 12 o’clock, is the winter solstice, Yule, the shortest day of the year.  Opposite, at 6 o’clock is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Now these, of course, are in the northern hemisphere. They are opposite below the equator, which explains a great deal about Aussies!

Back to our wheel or ‘clock’ – on either side are the two equinox, the vernal or spring equinox at 3 o’clock and the fall or autumnal at 9.  That is where we are now. These four high holidays are collectively known as the “Quarter Festivals” and vary according to when the Sun crosses the “celestial equator.”

This celestial equator is an imaginary line around Earth above the equator. Due to differences between the Gregorian calendar year and the tropical year, the September equinox can occur at any time between September 21 and 24.  This year it was at 1:01 pm on September 22 here in Portland. The Sun is literally heading south for the winter.

One quick note on the Wheel of the Year, there are four other high holidays on it called the “Cross Quarters” or “Fire Quarters” because they are usually celebrated with bonfires.

These are fixed dates again based on important times in the agricultural year. The one we know best is Samhain, or Halloween to the uninitiated.

Autumn Equinox is when we pass from the ‘light’ half of the year, (more daylight than dark), to the ‘dark’ half, the opposite.  The darkness gets longer every night until Yule.

The ancients had three harvest festivals, beginning with the 1st of August, equinox the middle and Samhain the last.  Equinox meant that it was time to get serious about bringing in all the crops. Remember, agrarians lived off the land. Winters could be long, cold and hungry. No Costco or Visa cards back then.

Interestingly, in many Christian churches, this is the time of Harvest Sunday, the Cornucopia of Plenty. They may be more ‘pagan’ than you think.  On the Western Tradition Tree Calendar, September is called the Apple or Vine month – cider or wine anyone?

Both equinoxes are claimed to be times of balance, since darkness and light are balanced.  Hence the idea that it is easier to balance an egg on its end. Some say it can only be done if you are at the equator.

Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but it can be just as easily (or not) done any day, especially if you spill a little salt on the table.

It is also supposed to be a time of change – jobs, partners, apartments or whatever you want to change. Now this appears, in this old druid’s observation, closer to the truth. Perhaps we can see the approaching winter and want to make it easier than the last. Certainly we will be changing our clothes, and what better excuse for buying a new wardrobe?

One last thing: remember that this is the Wheel of the Year. It never stops turning and soon the light will start growing again.  The ‘dark’ half of the year has lots of great and fun things to enjoy.

Catch up on those household chores in the “honey do” jar, curl up with a loved one or a good book. Sit and watch the snowflakes silently fall or when invited to a seasonal party, go!

May your gods go with you!

 

 62ND ANNUAL ALL SAINTS HOLIDAY BAZAAR – Saturday Nov. 11, 9 am – 4 pm at 3847 NE Glisan St. Over 40 local artisans and crafters showcasing amazing handmade goods for that perfect gift for the holidays. The Treasure Table is brimming with antiques and collectibles. Children can holiday shop with nickels and dimes in our kid-friendly shopping room. Homemade baked goods will be for sale and the Cafe offers fresh coffee, pastries and a full lunch menu. $1 raffle tickets to win many prizes. Contact the parish office for information and raffle tickets. For information: 503.232.4305 allsaintsportland.org

 

WE ARE ALL CONNECTED:  FAMILIES, FORESTS, RESOURCES – Investments for Developing Communities in conjunction with Population Connection, The Center for Biological Diversity and Health in Harmony hosts a film screening and discussion on Friday, October 13 from 6 – 8 pm. Two short films will be shown which speak to the connections between population growth, health, and the environment. Both films were produced by the Wilson Center and highlight community-led development efforts in Tanzania and Nepal. Attendees will themselves grapple with what it means to live in an increasingly interconnected world while discussing the importance of family planning in protecting biodiversity and conserving resources for generations to come. Admission is free; RSVP lisa@idcempowers.org or by phone/text 971.400.2181.

 

SMART GROWTH PRESENTATION – Portland struggles to balance the need for more affordable housing with the desire of city residents for better-designed new development that people will want to preserve decades hence. While some see affordability, good design, and historic preservation as being in conflict, others believe that advocates for these goals can and should work together. Ed McMahon, the Urban Land Institute’s Senior Resident Fellow for Sustainable Development and a nationally renowned authority on sustainability, urban design, and historic preservation, will discuss density and affordability in “hot market” cities like Portland. The talk will be Tuesday October 3,  6 – 8 pm, 70 NW Couch Street, (UO-Portland, White Stag Block) Free admission, but pre-registration is recommended. To register online:  go to tinyurl.com/yca65rwj. This talk is sponsored by the University of Oregon Historic Preservation Program, with co-sponsorship from the Architectural Heritage Center, Restore Oregon, and The NW Examiner.

 

THE HONEY HARVESTS –The stickiest time of year! Honeybees have toiled tirelessly all spring and summer, and their hard work has paid off in the form of beautiful combs full of honey. After determining how much bees need to comfortably survive the winter, the excess honey. is removed.. and then what? In this workshop from Bee and Bloom, you will find favorite ways to turn that honeycomb into people-friendly products: cut comb honey, jarred honey and clean beeswax than can be used in candles, body products and more. They will explore honeybee biology and discuss how honey and beeswax are made, and what roles they play in the honeybee lifecycle. Each attendee will leave with a 2 oz jar of honey from the B&B apiary!.Note: As foundationless beekeepers, they do subscribe to the “crush & strain” method of honey harvesting, and will be demonstrating that method in this workshop. October 11, 6 to 8 pm, Global Homestead Garage, 416 SE Oak St., emma@beeandbloom.com.Cost is $40. For more information see beeandbloom.com/beekeeping-101.

IMPERFECT PRODUCE PRESENTS JUST EAT IT – Tuesday, Oct 3, 7 pm, Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton St. Panel discussion post-screening and an opportunity for you to become of part of the No-waste Revolution. As a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing nearly 50% of it in the trash? Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping and survive only on discarded food. What they find is truly shocking. $7-10 sliding scale. cstpdx.org

 

TRUE NATURE CLASSES IN MT. TABOR PARK BEGIN OCT. 3. Registration is now open for Portland Parks & Recreation’s True Nature, a program that promotes deep nature connection as a means of self-development for mentors and children while building healthy, resilient community connections for all. Children ages 3-12 commit to attending weekly classes for 7-8 weeks. True Nature is intergenerational, requiring an adult close to the child (parent/relative/nanny/friend) to be involved. See portlandoregon.gov/parks/ee for the details.

 

VIKING PANCAKE BREAKFAST OCTOBER 8 – Bring the family to this Pancake Breakfast and start your day with delicious all-you-can-eat Viking pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, strawberry compote, lingonberries, orange juice and coffee or tea served in our charming Bergen Dining Room at Norse Hall.  8:30 am to 12:30 pm.  Adults $8, Children ages 5-12 $4, Children under age 5 are free. 111 NE 11th Ave. Parking is free.

RESIDENTIAL INFILL PROJECT preliminary code and map amendments to begin in October. Since City Council’s adoption of the Concept Report in December 2016, project staff have been developing code and map changes to implement the adopted concepts for the project’s three topic areas: scale of houses, housing opportunity and narrow lots. The Discussion Draft Report and accompanying Map App – an interactive online map that shows how the proposals will affect each specific property – will be available the first week in October. The Project Kick-off Meeting will be Tuesday, Oct 10 at the Portland Building Auditorium, 1120 SW 5th Ave. Staff will be available to answer questions and distribute reports starting at 5 pm; presentation on the proposals at 6:30 pm. For more information  contact Morgan Tracy, Project Manager, morgan.tracy@portlandoregon.gov, 503.823.6879 or Julia Gisler, Public Involvement, julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov, 503.823.7624. For general information about the project, visit the website at portlandoregon.gov/bps/infill.

 

JOIN’s Hullabaloo

Alex Falcone, dubbed one of Willamette Week’s Funniest 5 and the co-host of the popular Earthquake Hurricane weekly comedy show, will keep the audience laughing at JOIN’s 8th Annual Hullabaloo on October 20th.  In addition to comedy, guests will enjoy a special performance from the acclaimed Jefferson Dancers, music from DJ Alex Hollywood, and the lively and charming antics of emcee Poison Waters.   The Hullabaloo will be held at the Exchange Ballroom and the $75 ticket price includes dinner, drinks, and amazing entertainment.

All proceeds from the Hullabaloo benefit JOIN (www.joinpdx.org), a local non-profit organization that is one of our community’s best assets to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. For 25 years, JOIN has been providing vital services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.  Over 10,000 people have left the streets for a home with JOIN’s unique and effective model.

More information about the Hullabaloo can be found at www.joinpdx.org/hullabaloo or by contacting Sydney at slinden@joinpdx.org or 503.936.4804.

Cancer trial

A first-of-its-kind clinical study may offer new hope to patients battling rectal cancer.

The Phase 2 study, newly underway at Providence Cancer Center, is led by Kristina Young, M.D., Ph.D.

The trial is open to patients with Stage 2 and higher rectal cancer who are slated to undergo the standard treatment of radiation and chemotherapy prior to surgery. The clinical trial adds an additional component to the pre-surgery radiation/chemotherapy regimen – immunotherapy. The intent is to shrink the tumor more. It is administered in the form of daily pills for two weeks prior to radiation and chemotherapy, and then during that treatment as well.

Dr. Young’s pre-clinical research suggests adding the immunotherapy protocol will increase shrinkage of the tumor. Young is working with Galunisertib, a drug under development by Eli Lilly and Company. She describes the drug as helping the body rev up the immune system to fight the cancer.

To learn more about the clinical trial call 503.215.2614.

Community News October 2017

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