Community News April 2018

Stride for Seniors Charity Walk

Meals on Wheels People host their first annual Stride for Seniors Charity Walk, Sunday April 22, from 10 am -1 pm at Portland International Raceway. The noncompetitive 3K walk will raise both awareness and funds for Meals on Wheels People. The Walk Village opens at 10 am, registration is until 11:30 am and the walk begins at noon. There’ll be live music, a Kids Zone, food, entertainment and a Walkers Village with vendor booths

Teams and individuals are encouraged to register for the event at strideforseniors.org. The goal for the event is to raise $575,000. Contact Robin Gao, Robin.gao@mealsonwheelspeople.org for more.

 

Recycling tip for April

By Bonita Davis, Master Recycler and Sunnyside Resident

Blooms welcome the annual celebration of Earth Day, an event observed throughout April.  Special activities and volunteer opportunities offer a chance to pitch in and give attention to our environment.

Recent market changes have led to a shift from recycling “as much as possible” to recycling correctly, reducing what we consume and reusing what we have.

Why not make one new change in April? Make a huge impact by focusing on food and drinks. A lot of boxes, clamshells and containers for takeout foods are no longer recyclable. Here are some ideas to make less trash:

Brush up on how-to-recycle. Go to Portland Recycles online at tinyurl.com/y8sd8y4p; or farwestrecycling.com.

Call The Metro Recycling Hotline at 503.234.3000.  Learn what is happening in recycling from a sustainability point of view from New Seasons Market: newseasonsmarket.com/recyclingchanges.

Those who practice Zero Waste are at zerowastewisdom.com.

Switch to using a refillable water bottle. Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) or travel mug for coffee. Order “for here” and use a ceramic mug (recyclingadvocates.org). Same with dining in – use durables.

Take two minutes to open a BottleDrop account at return stations inside most groceries and get your money back on the 10 cent deposits.

Purchase fresh, whole foods when possible, and avoid packaging. Let fruits and vegetables snuggle up in your reuseable tote for the trip home, or bring your own produce bags.

Ask your favorite food cart if there is waste-free serving option. Check out goboxpdx.com.

Bring your own container for leftovers when dining out.  You may have to transfer the food at your table.

Buy in bulk. Find out from the store how to safely bring your own containers and mark the tare weight of the container before filling. Try out a local Food Co-Op.

Get ready for the growing season by exploring the opening of a Farmer’s Market near you. Look at a subscription-based CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), produce boxes, and even ugly fruit.

Cook at home and save time and money when you cook in batches and make enough to freeze for future meals.

Doing one or more of these will make much less go out in your garbage and recycling rollcarts.

Be sure and celebrate the month by connecting in nature.

Stories of the Mt. Tabor Reservoirs

 Join the Portland Water Bureau (PWB) for an open house exploring ideas for interpretive displays about the historic reservoirs and Portland’s water system.

Mt. Tabor Reservoirs Interpretive Displays Open House

10 am – Noon • Saturday, April 14

PCC SE Campus, Community Hall Annex • 2305 SE 82nd Ave.

For more than a hundred years, Mt. Tabor formed a major part of Portland’s water system, with most of the city’s water passing through reservoirs on its slopes.

To comply with new drinking water regulations, PWB disconnected Mt. Tabor’s uncovered reservoirs from the drinking water system in 2015. As part of the disconnection, the Water Bureau agreed to create interpretive displays honoring Mt. Tabor’s important place in the city’s water system.

For information email Tom Carter at Tom.Carter@portlandoregon.gov. At the Open House, coffee and pastries are provided.

 

Poop power

Much of our waste is denounced as worthless. Those that study know that real power lies within our heaps of garbage.

An example of this is within the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). For two years they have worked to complete a chemical plant that processes Portland’s sewage by turning it into methane, using it either to produce electricity or to run cars and trucks.

They have coined the phrase “Poop to Power.”

This not only gets rid a smelly waste product, but it does so in a way useful to the city providing a financial gain as well as using this waste as a resource.

Every year BES processes 28 billion gallons of wastewater and through this treatment process, the city will replace over one million gallons of dirty diesel fuel with clean natural gas.

This will eliminate 21,000 tons of greenhouse gases that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere and will generate over $3 million worth of electricity each year at the same time.

Trucks running on natural gas cut smog-producing pollutants by as much as 90 percent and climate change emissions by almost to 30 percent. This is a locally produced, clean fuel recaptured from waste – not fossil fuels.

The Poop to Power project was approved by City Council on April 22, 2017 and completed at the end of the year; a fitting tribute to Earth Day that is commemorated April 22.

It is a joint project of the Bureau of Environmental Services and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. DM

 

NEIGHBORHOOD SMALL GRANTS CELEBRATION April 5, 7 – 8:30 pm

SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main St.

  SE Uplift awarded $25,520.50 in Neighborhood Small Grants to 11 Community Projects for 2018.

Now in its 11th year, the program funds small powerful community efforts aimed at increasing the number and diversity of people engaged in the civic sphere.

Funded projects range from Latinx youth leadership trainings to bikeway street art, forums connecting housed and unhoused neighbors, a student volunteer fair, new citizen voter education, a multicultural festival, and more.

Candidate Forums for May Voters

Nonpartisan Candidate Forums

Multnomah County Board Room, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

April 10 – 6 to 9 pm

Metro President, 6 – 6:20 pm

Multnomah County Auditor, 6:30 – 7 pm

County Chair & Commissioner District 2, 7:10 – 9 pm

April 24 – 6 to 9 pm

Portland Commissioner Positions 2 and 3, 6 – 7:25 pm

Metro Councilor Districts 2 and 4, 7:35 – 9 pm

 Other nonpartisan information to inform your vote can be found at lwvpdx.org

 

Budget Cuts Threaten Closures

Three hundred concerned citizens rallied together at the Sellwood Community Center  on St. Patrick’s Day to protest the potential closure Portland Parks & Recreation community centers.

Participants expressed their concerns further by signing a petition and writing postcards to the mayor and city commissioners. Almost 200 petition signatures and 500 postcards were collected during the 2 hour event.

“The budget process and closure threats come at the same time that preschool registrations, fundraisers to support the Centers, volunteer based improvement projects should be in full swing. When these closure threats come almost every year, we just don’t have the stability we need to grow.” – Gail Hoffnagle, Chair of Friends of the Sellwood Community Center

Dawn Haecker, Chair of the Friends of Woodstock Community Center, questions sustainability plans for new facilities as well. “Thanks to funds coming from development fees, there is plenty of money to build new facilities, but there doesn’t seem to be any plan for maintaining them over the long term. What happens to these new facilities in 30 years when they need upkeep and the budget doesn’t allow for that?”

Community Forums are an opportunity for the public to weigh in on decisions regarding the City’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

Upcoming public meetings are as follows:

  • April 3, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

David Douglas High School

1001 SE 135th Ave.        

  • April 17, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Roosevelt High School

6941 N Central St.

Budget Committee Hearings

  • May 10, 6 – 8:30 pm
  • May 16, 2 pm, Council Action to approve City Budget

 All meetings at

Council Chambers, Portland City Hall

1221 SW 4th Ave.

BottleDrop saves time

BottleDrop is a new system for redeeming bottles and cans in Oregon. With clean and spacious indoor facilities, helpful staff, and a innovative new BottleDrop Account, returning deposit containers and collecting a refund is fast, clean and convenient.

All centers are open from 8 am or earlier to 6 pm. Hours may vary by location. Close-in east side: Fred Meyer Hawthorne, 3805 SE Hawthorne Blvd. and  Fred Meyer Hollywood, 3030 NE Weidler St.

Step 1: Register online or sign up at a BottleDrop Center and get your account card, pre-approved stickers and green bags.

Steps 2: Fill your bags with returnable bottles and cans for beer, soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, fruit juice, coconut water, hard cider and kombucha.

Step 3: At a BottleDrop Redemption Center, choose BottleDrop account, self-serve or hand count. Your account card will be credited when you use the system. Redeem your balance for cash at any Redemption Center.

Step 4: Use a BottleDrop Plus kiosk in redemption centers and retail grocery stores for store credit. It allows you to get 20 percent more for your bottle and can redemptions (12 cents per container!).

According to Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (the organization that operates BottleDrop redemption centers) more than 60 percent of all returns come through a BottleDrop center and nearly 200,000 Oregonians are green bag account holders. More BottleDrop redemption centers and express locations are coming in 2018.

Find a location near you at bottledropcenters.com.

 

Petiquette at Abernethy Elementary

Parents, teachers, and staff at Abernethy Elementary School are asking the community to help keep the school grounds safe for all children and visitors.

The school serves approximately 500 children during the school week. A wide range of people use the playgrounds, athletic courts, and playing fields as their local recreation spot during non-school hours.

Since many community members own dogs, they sometimes bring them to school.  Unfortunately, some seem to be either unaware of or unwilling to abide by regulations and responsibilities when they bring their dog on school grounds. If you own a dog, please be responsible and encourage others to do the same.

The General Multnomah County ordinances, regarding dogs in public spaces – including all school grounds are:

  1. All dogs must be on leashes, tethers, or control devices at all times. These devices must be no longer than eight feet in length. Abernethy Field is not a dog park and dogs are not permitted to be off-leash on any part of the school grounds.
  2. Owners are responsible for scooping and removing all dog waste. Failure to do so is subject to a $150 fine.
  3. Dogs tied up on or near school property are considered “At Large” and owners are subject to a fine of $150 per animal. This includes dogs with leashes tied to fences or signs while owners are inside the school building.
  4. Dogs whose leashes are being held by children are considered “At Large”, not permitted on or near school grounds and are subject to removal by Animal Control. Only capable persons must hold dogs’ leashes. If you need to go inside the school, leave your dog at home or have a trusted adult hold your dog’s leash.

If you need an off-leash park to let your dog run free, Sewallcrest Park is the closest to Abernethy, but many others may be found at: portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder

These ordinances have been developed in order to protect children, parents, school staff, the general public, and dogs themselves.

No one wants a kid bitten, to have his or her dog involved in a dogfight, or to step in un-scooped poop. Please remember this as we look forward to warmer and longer days this spring and summer.

 

COLLEGE NIGHT AT CLEVELAND – The Cleveland College & Career Center hosts its annual College Night for students and families on Tuesday, April 24 at 7 pm in the Cleveland High School auditorium, 3400 SE 26th Ave. The program begins with a panel of current Cleveland seniors discussing their college search and selection process, followed by several breakout session choices. The sessions include: Inside the Admissions Office, Crafting the College Application Essay, Financial Aid Basics, Public Universities In-State and Out, and Community College Options.

THE 82ND AVENUE OF ROSES PARADE AND CARNIVAL will be held on April 28. “Play Happy” is the theme, many entrants are already on board and we are looking forward to a fun and festive affair. The parade starts at 9:30 am at Eastport Plaza, 4000 SE 82nd Ave. and the Carnival continues at Eastport Plaza until 3 pm with entertainment, music vendors and Cruise-In.

CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR WOMEN – Write from prompts that may lead to new stories, poems or essays. Mondays,  10 – 11:30 am., April 9 – June 4 (no class on 5/28), TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont. $12 to drop in for a class or $80 for all 8 weeks. All experience levels are welcome to join this encouraging group. Taught by Pushcart-nominee Linda Ferguson. For information, email ljdferguson@gmail.com.

GRIEG LODGE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND BIRTHDAY BRUNCH, April 8, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Celebrate with Sons of Norway Grieg Lodge as the lodge celebrates its 108th birthday and honors this year’s 11 scholarship recipients. Enjoy the best breakfast in town and a chance to win terrific raffle prizes.  Buffet menu includes all-you-can-eat Viking pancakes, served with scrambled eggs, sausage, au gratin potatoes, ham and asparagus strata, seasonal fruit, orange juice, riskrem, and coffee or tea, topped off with Norwegian birthday cake. Scholarship awards ceremony at 11 am. Tickets are Adults, $10 (advance,) $12  (at door), children ages 5-12, $5, under age 5 are free. Reservations are advised, contact info@glscholarshipfund.org. Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave.

 

8TH ANNUAL PLANT SALE & VEGAN BAKE SALE FOR HOUSE OF DREAMS CAT SHELTER, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The sale will take place Saturday., April 14 from 10 am to 3 pm at 7634 SE Morrison. Indoor and outdoor plants, decorative pots and garden art will be for sale as well as yummy vegan baked goods and hot drinks. This is an all-volunteer run organization funded, solely by donations and a few fundraisers. All proceeds from this sale go to support the kitties until they are adopted. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Email hodplantsale@gmail.com.

 

HOSFORD HUSKY HUSTLE 5K FUN RUN, Sunday, May 6, 10 am at Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th Pl. Non-competitive 5K fun run/walk thru Ladd’s Addition. Fundraiser benefitting Hosford Middle School PTSA and Shu Ren, the parent support organization for the Mandarin Immersion Program. More information at runsignup.com/hosford.

 

PLANT SALE Saturday, April 29 at the Multnomah Friends Meetinghouse, 4312 SE Stark, from 9 am – 2 pm. Proceeds from the sale benefit Friends Peace Teams, who work face-to-face for healing and reconciliation in conflict zones in Central America, the African Great Lakes area, and Indonesia. Plants include perennials, annuals, flower and veggie starts, and garden accessories. If you have plants to donate, call Maye Thompson at 503.232.6167 before April 27.

 

PREPARE OUT LOUD EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS FORUM – Join the American Red Cross for Prepare Out Loud earthquake preparedness forum and be ready for a Cascadia earthquake and disasters of all kinds. This presentation helps empower the community to take preparedness action. The following meeting in SE is at Girls Club 454 SE 165th Ave., April 5 from 6 – 7:30 pm. For questions contact: Monique Dugaw Regional Director of Communications American Red Cross monique.dugaw@redcross.org

 

FRIENDS OF THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY’S SPRING USED BOOK SALE, May 4 – 7. Join the Friends of the Multnomah County Library at the annual Spring Used Book Sale, Oregon’s biggest and best used book sale. The event takes place at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel Exhibit Hall, 1000 NE Multnomah St. and is easily accessible by TriMet/MAX. Vouchers providing $3 parking in the on-site garage are available to all attendees. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Multnomah County Library.

 

ROGUE KETO CLASS – Rogue Natural Medicine is offering a 9 week ketogenic diet class on Sundays from 3 – 5 pm starting on April 22. If you are looking to lose weight or want to get a handle on a chronic disease, this may be your ticket. For more information, visit RogueNaturalMedicine.com.

 

IS HOMEBIRTH RIGHT FOR ME? – Film screening and Q&A, Sunday, April 15, 5 – 7:30 pm, Whole Foods Community Room, 3535 NE 15th Ave. Local midwives are sponsoring a free event to provide information and answer questions about homebirth and screening the film, Why Not Home?, followed by a Q&A. Register on Eventbrite

 

CARING DISCIPLINE PARENT COURSE – Five-week Course Tuesdays, April 3 – May 1 from 6:30 – 8 pm, at the Caplener Group Offices / Community Room, 5015 SE Hawthorne St. Learn parenting tools to help your child’s self-esteem, mitigate discipline sabotage, show unconditional love, and address misbehaviors in a caring manner. This course is appropriate for parents who have children ages 2-18, and provides space for you to try out the tools, and brainstorm and laugh with other parents struggling through similar issues. To find out more or sign up, go to: parentsupportcenter.org.

 

OLD HOUSE REVIVAL TOUR – April 14, 10 am – 4 pm, visit: ahc.org/education-programs. This self-guided tour gives you the opportunity to see inside several Portland area houses, each providing ideas and information on how you can restore spaces lost to previous remodels, create new spaces, or preserve original building materials. No matter what style or era of house you prefer, the tour offers something for everyone.

 

Business Beat

ALL HEART YOGA – YOGA CLASSES IN SE – Practice Hatha yoga with Laela Wilding at All Heart Yoga, at Hawthorne Movement Center – a small, friendly, neighborhood studio. Build strength • Improve flexibility • Reduce stress • Private Instruction Available • Everyone is welcome. Visit AllHeartYogaPDX.com for more info.

ROGUE NATURAL MEDICINE is open and seeing patients on Sundays and Mondays at 2304 E. Burnside St., across the street from The Screen Door. Specialties include thyroid/adrenal, hormones and hard-to-treat conditions. Privacy and security are important and in this age of data-mining, your personal health information (PHI) is constantly bought and sold. Rogue Natural Medicine bucks this trend and keeps all PHI out of the cloud, off the internet and away from insurance companies. For information, visit RogueNaturalMedicine.com.

SIX ELEMENTS BODYWORK, LLC – Thai massage comes to Montavilla starting April 11. Sarah Carl, LMT has 13 years experience finding the center of imbalances to encourage deep resolution. Offering deep tissue, gentle techniques, injury care, abdominal massage and a variety of Thai therapies to help you rebalance and reconnect. Motor vehicle insurance claims accepted. First visit discounts. Located inside Montavilla Acupuncture, 7925 SE Stark St., 503.281.4866, SixElementsBodywork.com.

 

PROUD POUR WINES – These pro-environment wines hit Portland last fall and are the brainchild of SE resident Berlin Kelly. Proud Pour’s Oregon Pinot Noir helps fund bee habitat restoration around local farms, and its California Sauvignon Blanc restores oysters to the Oregon coast. Both are sustainably-grown, vegan and high-quality. Find where to get them at proudpour.com.

 

Community News April 2018

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top