Be mindful of nesting birds
Spring and early summer is a critical time for nesting birds. In order to give these fledglings a better chance to survive Stephanie Herman, Wildlife Care Center Manager at the Portland Audubon society has a few suggestions.
The number one threat to wild birds in the city is our free roaming domestic cats. Herman reminds us that cats, contrary to popular belief, are not natural to our ecosystem. They are an invasive predator that has been introduced to our habitat and they upset the balance of many other small species lives too.
During this season it is important to remember that our cats are domestic and there are other solutions to just letting them roam free. The first is to remember to give them the attention they need. A lot of times, due to the nature of cats, we forget to play with them and pet them.
The latest invention is the catio and if you have the space, skill and money to build one, they are a great place for a cat to get sunshine and be outdoors. There are also pet tents that are smaller and more mobile.
Also, you can leash train your cat and take them for a walk or even a hike if you have a pet carrying back pack. As silly as this may sound, once we know the truth, it is our responsibility to act upon.
Herman also said that if you suspect there is a possibility of nesting birds don’t trim your trees or shrubs. Their nests are purposely camouflaged so it is easy to overlook them and start whacking away.
Baby birds learn to fly from the ground, so if you see a baby that does not look injured leave it alone until you are sure. Many baby birds do not need rescuing and would be much better cared for by their parents in the wild.
Herman suggests going to audubonportland.org and checking out baby bird rescue download or calling the Wildlife Care Center hotline at 503.292.0304.
Columbia Gorge Express
Avoid traffic, parking hassles and congestion in the Columbia River Gorge by taking the Columbia Gorge Express. The popular bus service will soon begin its fourth summer serving popular Gorge destinations. The bus now operates year-round and on Saturday, June 15 will launch its expanded summer schedule, with eight departures a day from the Gateway Transit Center to Rooster Rock State Park and Multnomah Falls. Three of those trips will continue east to Cascade Locks and Hood River.
The bus has proven a convenient and popular way to visit the Gorge for tourists, local residents without access to a car and transit riders. Gorge visitors can reach the Columbia Gorge Express from anywhere on the TriMet system, making a day long trip to the most popular Gorge attractions easily within reach. The Park & Ride lot at Gateway Transit Center is less crowded on weekends so catching the Columbia Gorge Express in Portland is convenient and affordable.
Holiday weekends are always busy for travel in the Gorge, especially at Multnomah Falls where parking is very limited. When the parking lot is full, visitors will have to park at Rooster Rock State Park and ride the 15-minute shuttle to the Falls. During peak periods there can be long lines for the shuttle, so visitors that choose to drive should plan ahead.
The shuttle between the park and Multnomah Falls is free; daytime parking at Rooster Rock costs $5 per vehicle. A Columbia Gorge Express day pass is $12 if purchased online or $15 if purchased when boarding the bus at Gateway Transit Center. The day pass allows passengers to ride the Columbia Gorge Express to multiple destinations and get back to Portland in time for dinner.
For more information, including detailed fare information and schedules, go to Columbiagorgeexpress.com.
For more information, contact For more information, contact Don Hamilton, 503.704.7452, don.hamilton@odot.state.or.us
Free Alzheimer’s conference
On Tuesday, June 11 the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) National Educating America Tour will be at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., 9 am – 1:30 pm, to educate our community, and particularly caregivers, about a variety of topics pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information or to register, please visit www.alzfdn.org and click on “events calendar” at the top of the page.
According to statistics there are more than 65,000 Oregonians living with Alzheimer’s disease and 5 plus million across the United States.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. He will be going over everything from the latest Alzheimer’s research, clinical trials, what to expect on the horizon, long term care and financial planning, creative art therapies, caregiver strategies, federal research funding, and more.
Charles Fuschillo, President/CEO of the Educating America Tour, spoke to The Southeast Examiner more about the conference and why it will be especially helpful for non-professional health care providers looking for information and help.
In speaking of the disease itself, Fuschillo said that this is not a “normal” part of aging. Studies are examining environment and lifestyle to better understand the rapid increase of this disease.
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia and it can begin anywhere from thirty to eighty years of age. Signs to look for are: recent memory loss, confusion, loss of judgement but mostly denial that there is a problem. The best thing a person can do is to address it immediately with a memory screening test.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s but there are significant lifestyle changes that can be made to slow the progression of the disease. At the conference they will offer private memory screening by Primary Care and Population Health (PCPH). The PCPH has screening centers available all over the US that are just a phone call away to help people assess themselves and others.
According to Fuschillo, the most important single thing a person can do to prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s is to play brain games and to be social. Things like ballroom dancing, learning a language or an instrument, crosswords, doing chores with the less dominant hand, all challenge the brain and are critical steps towards brain health.
How a person reacts to having the disease is different foreveryone. In order to lessen the effects of Alzheimer’s the single most important step is to catch it in time.
Those who can’t attend the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can contact AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline at 866.232.8484, or through the Internet at www.alzfdn.org, seven days a week.
The Scooters Are Back
by David Krogh
As of April 26, the E-scooters are back for a full year trial. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) indicates that 3 companies are approved to operate now and at least 4 more are seeking permits to also provide scooter rentals. Even though close to 200 people had injuries requiring ER treatment during the previous 4 month trial, PBOT feels that enough usage occurred to alleviate considerable traffic congestion. Surveys showed that 34% of riders used scooters as an alternative to driving a car. In addition, PBOT reported that people took 700,369 trips covering 801,887 miles on 2,043 e-scooters during the 4 month trial.
Like the previous trial, helmets are required (though not provided) and riders must stay off of sidewalks and walkways and out of City parks. Scooters must be parked near the curb so as to not block sidewalks. Scooter parking areas will also be provided in various locations. At least 2.500 scooters are expected on the streets initially with ramp up by the end of the year to between 9,000 and 12,000 scooters.
Questions about the program can be submitted to the City at: e-scooter@portlandoregon.gov. However, complaints are to be directed not at the City but to the individual scooter companies. Access to the 3 companies currently approved to operate is at this link: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/79174 .
PBOT states enforcement will be higher this time than during the previous trial. How this will occur has not as yet been clarified. However, in case of dangerous scooter operations or accidents, the public should call 911. Chloe Eudaly is the City Commissioner in charge of PBOT and is ultimately responsible for the program. She can be reached at: chloe@portlandoregon.gov.
June Recycling tip–batch cooking
By Bonita Davis, Master Recycler and SE Resident
On a daily basis, Susan unpacked and heated some of the most delicious meals you could imagine. Lasagna made to perfection, casseroles and a variety of quiches. Each entre came with side veggie sticks and fresh fruit. My boxed freezer box entre, bought on sale, looked pretty sad in comparison. Even when I splurged on cafeteria fare, it didn’t come close to Susan’s homemade lunches. Luckily, she was willing to share her lunch strategy.
Susan cooked in batches. Motivated to enjoy good food and not spend a lot of extra money on take out or cafeteria meals, Susan set aside some time to cook up batches of her favorite dishes once or twice a month. It might be 24 servings of lasagna, or several varieties of quiche or two or three casseroles. After the dishes cooled, she sliced them into portions and placed them in resealable freezer containers.  Susan used the bulk aisles at the grocery to stock up for her cooking sessions, saving even more money. She also benefitted by having less food waste, less packaging to discard or recycle, fewer kitchen cleanups and used less energy by cooking less often. Using a food processor was enough of a time savor to offset the clean up time it required. One of the best pay-offs for Susan, who enjoyed cooking, was spending less time in food shopping and prep so she could be doing the things she loved in the outdoors hiking and biking. The money she saved went straight into her travel fund. To Susan, her lunch routine was not extra effort, it was simply “practical” and “sensible.”
I wanted to follow her example in order to reduce unwanted sodium and sugars. In addition, I had just learned that my frozen meal boxes (plastic coated) and trays were not recyclable. Buying some things bulk, I started cooking larger evening meals 2 or 3 times per week, using the extra food to create my own frozen lunches and dinners. To have more variety, I did the same with crock-pot meals and pots of soup. Trips to the drive thru and unplanned dining out decreased significantly.  I also noticed that batch cooking resulted in less waste, less in my garbage bin, less packaging in the blue bin, and less food waste in the green bin.
Here are some resources to check out:
Getting started with batch cooking: culinarynutrition.com Guide to Healthy Batch Cooking
americastestkitchen.com/guides/the-complete-make-ahead-cookbook/more-on-make-ahead
Food preservation and storage:catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/topic/nutrtion-and-foods/food-preservation-and-storage
Overview on what freezes well and what doesn’t: nytimes.com/2009/05/06/dining
oregonmetro.gov/news/spoiler-alert-reduce-food-waste-home
PEACE VILLAGE CAMP is for children ages 7-11. it will take place at Unity of Portland, 4525 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97215, July 8 – 11 doors open at 7:30 am – 4 pm. To enroll send $55 check or to pay by credit card call the church office at 503.234.7441.
The core curriculum includes:Â Peaceful Solutions: Students learn specific skills to resolve conflicts within their families, with friends, and in their communities. Connecting with Nature: Students learn and play outside to create an intimate connection with nature and build a strong sense of stewardship. Media Literacy: Students learn how to be savvy with social media and how to discern the messages they encounter. Mindfulness: Students cultivate peace within themselves through mindfulness practices.
For more information contact Barbara at 503.234.7441 or youthed@unityofportland.org
BLOOD DRIVE TO SUPPORT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 10 am – 3 pm at the office of Kevin Fisher and Jon Fong, 4111 SE Division St. Please join us in our efforts by participating in one of the organization’s upcoming blood drives. If you plan to participate, please contact Jon at 503.239.5404 no later than June 14, so we can reserve a time for you.
HAWTHORNE MEGA SIDEWALK SALE–Saturday, June 29, 11 am – 5 pm. Join us for an entire boulevard of rad shops hosting huge sales! Look out for red balloons to denote participating stores as you walk up and down Hawthorne Blvd. From SE Water Ave. all the way up to SE 54th, you’ll find businesses with tables, pop up tents, and rad sale sections working together for a sidewalk sale of epic proportions!
MONTAVILLA COOP ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST–June 22, 9 am – 1 pm at Montavilla United methodist Church, 282 SE 80th Ave., $10/ adult, $5/child. The food is prepared from scratch and there are gluten free and vegan options. Entertainment by Montavilla Guitar Studio. Entry is free with purchase of a new membership.
JOHNSON CREEK CLEANUP is scheduled for June 22, 9 am -12 noon. Free breakfast for volunteers served at 8 am, 10603 SE Henderson St. The cleanup will be meeting at the corner of SE Flavel & SE Knapp. Parking is available along SE Knapp. If you are planning on wading in Johnson creek we advise waders and waterproof gloves. We are also looking for volunteers who can clean up the upper bank of the creek. We provide grabber tools and trash bags. If you plan on attending and/or volunteering please send an RSVP to LNLA2018@gmail.com.
VIKING PANCAKE BREAKFAST June 9, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Enjoy the best breakfast in town and start your day with our delicious all-you-can-eat Viking pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, fresh fruit, strawberry compote, lingonberries, orange juice and coffee or tea—served in our charming Bergen Dining Room at Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave. Adults $8, Children ages 5-12 $4, Children under age 5 are free. Parking is free. Don’t miss out—last breakfast until September.
CREATIVE ARC, ART & CRAFT FAIR, Sunday, June 23rd, 2 – 6 pm in Copeland Commons at Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont. The Creative Arc Art Collective is a group of artists & makers, some of whom have never shown or sold their work before, or are very new to doing it, while others are experienced at making art and marketing it. Work includes watercolors, oil paintings, prints, handmade pens, handcrafted soap, ceramic jewelry and home decor, weaving, small batch chocolate, greeting cards and more! Please join us for an afternoon of creativity and community.
PDX VEG CHALLENGE KICKOFF! Whole-Foods, Plant-Based Cooking Demo, June 22, 2 – 4 pm at People’s Food Co-op 3029 SE 21st Ave. Curious about what people eat on a Whole-Foods Plant-Based (WFPB) diet? Join WFPB enthusiast Linda Hendrickson to learn what foods provide superior nutrition, and how to make them part of your life. Participants will sample and see how easy it can be to make delicious, satisfying, and nutrient-dense dishes. Co-sponsored by PDX VEG and People’s Food Co-op. Event is free but please reserve your space at: pdxveg.org/veg-challenge-registration.
PORTLAND SINGS IS ON SUMMER VACATION. Â Portland Sings takes its normal summer break for the months of June, July and August. . We will be back at Artichoke Music on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 2-4 pm (Sept. 15th) . Â If you have any questions contact us at Mark@CenterStageVoice.com. Â Have a great summer.
HANDS-ON SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES led by STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals are in SE Portland! Learning is fun at Saturday Academy, check out our Monday-Friday summer camps and classes at PCC Southeast (June 17-21), Central Catholic High School (July 8-12), Franklin High School (July 29-August 8), and St. Agatha School (August 5-9). Spark your child’s curiosity with Heroic Improv Camp (Grades 4-5), Wearable Electronics with Arduino (Grades 6-9), Environmental Microbiology (Grades 8-10) or Radio Broadcasting (Grades 9-12). Filling up fast, register soon! See our website for more details www.saturdayacademy.org or call us at 503.200.5856. Financial aid is available.
Summer events/trips around PDX
by David Krogh
Summer is almost here and many of us will be looking for ways to enjoy summer activities. For those planning “staycations”, here is a list of day trips or events that might be of interest.
- Visit revitalized commercial areas in Southeast Portland: SE Belmont, Division, and Hawthorne (among others) are seeing a tremendous amount of new development and revitalization, both in commercial and residential. Explore one or more of these streets and find out what’s changed and what’s new. All of these areas are easily walkable and accessible by bicycle, bus or car. And many other street sections in Southeast are in the process of renewal and change including portions of Lents (SE 92nd and Foster), SE Woodstock, Montivilla (SE Stark and SE 76th-82nd), and sections of SE 82nd. Check them out.
- Attend Local Street Fairs and Farmers Markets: Many of the streets above and others will be celebrating street fairs or events during the summer which are fun, free, and help to showcase area businesses. The SE Division/Clinton Street Fair is on July 27. The Montavilla Street Fair (on SE Stark at 76th) is on July 28. The Lents Street Fair (at Lents Park) August 11. The Hawthorne Street Fair is August 25. And the Belmont Street Fair is September 14.
In addition to street fairs, there are also many farmers markets in various eastside locations, on differing days of the week. Close to or in Southeast locations include: Woodstock, Hawthorne, Lents, Montavilla and Hollywood. Information for all of these is online.
- Other Local Events: Portland Summers have activites and events every week. Here is a short list:
Rose Festival and City Fair:Â June 1-9
Rose Parade June 8
Dragon Boat Races:Â June 8-9
Portland Beer Week:Â June 7-16
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival:Â June 8 (Oaks Park)
Delta Park Powwow:Â June 14-16
Pride Festival and Parade:Â June 15-16
Evenings at the Zoo:Â June 18, July 16 and August 20
Shakespeare in the Park:Â June 21-August 25
Movies in the Park:Â June 21-Sept. 1
World Naked Bike Ride:Â June 29 (location TBA)
Blues Festival:Â July 4-7Â (Waterfront Park)
Big Float: July 13 (Waterfront Park)
Oregon Brewers Festival:Â July 23-27Â (Waterfront Park)
Movies in the Square (Pioneer Square):Â Friday nights, July 26-August 23
African Festival:Â August 10 (Pioneer Square)
India Festival:Â August 11 (Pioneer Square)
Octoberfest:Â Several locations from September 7-29
Polish Festival:Â Sept. 21-22 (St. Stanislaus Church)
- Places of Interest to Visit in Portland:
Several places in Portland are both interesting and fun to visit and you can spend anywhere from a few hours to the entire day to do so. Each of these has their own website for additional information. Here is a short list of great places to spend your day: • OMSI educational and interesting • Oregon Rail Heritage Cente • Oregon Zoo • Children’s Museum • Forestry Center • Japanese Garden • Washington Park Rose Gardens • Lan Su Chinese Garden • Oregon Historical Society • Portland Art Museum
- Tours: Several companies offer tours both in Portland and outside Portland via day trips. Such generally includes tour guide, and, transportation (for the day trips). Examples of these include informative walks downtown (including art and history, underground tunnels, ghost walks, and pub and grub walks), day trips to the Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls, wine tastings in the Willamette Valley, a visit to Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge, a local sight seeing flight over Portland, and river cruising on both the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Because of the variety and types of tours available by different companies, you can Google “Portland day trips” or “Portland tours” to see the many types available.
- Events Near Portland: Several events of interest are either close by or within a few hours drive. A list of popular ones includes the following:
Astoria Sunday Market:Â May 12-October 13
Hot Air Balloon Festival:Â June 21-23 (in Tigard)
Lake Oswego Arts Festival:Â June 21-23
Astoria Midsummer Scandinavian Festival:June 21-23
Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival:Â June 22-23
St. Paul Rodeo:Â July 2-6
Fourth of July Fireworks:Â July 4 (all around PDX)Lavender Daze Festival:Â July 6-8 (Hood River)
Robin Hood Festival:Â July 19-20 (Sherwood)
Scottish Highland Games:Â July 20 (Gresham)
Three Days of Aloha:Â July 25-27 (Esther Short Park in Vancouver)
Oregon Bigfoot Festival:Â August 17 (Troutdale)
Oregon State Fair:Â August 23-Sept. 2 (Salem)
Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival:Â August 23-25 (Esther Short Park, Vancouver)
Oregon International Air Show:Â Sept. 20-22 (Hillsboro)
- Day Trips From Portland: The following places make for an interesting day trip close by or within a few hours drive. Take a picnic lunch or stop to eat on the way. Here are a few:
- Drive up the Columbia Gorge to Hood River via I-84. Stops could include Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Bonneville Dam.
- Take the Mt. Hood Railroad ride at Hood River and also visit the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) to see antique airplanes, automobiles and motorcycles.
- Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway east and picnic at one of several waterfalls.
- Head to Astoria to visit Fort Clatsop, the Astoria Column, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. If on a Sunday, take in Astoria’s popular Sunday Market.
- Visit Seaside or Cannon Beach and explore the shops or play on the beach.
- Drive south to Silverton and visit the Oregon Gardens before stopping at one or more wineries as you head north back to Portland.
- Drive to Tillamook and the newly enlarged Tillamook Creamery facility. Visit the Tillamook Air Museum and stop at the Tillamook Forest Center on the way home.
And many more activities, places, and events are available, depending upon your timing and your imagination. For an online events list of many of these and others, you can visit the following website: https://www.events12.com/portland/. Have a great summer!
