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Neighborhood Connections: Jan 2008

By admin - Posted on January 21st, 2008
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Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue...

For more information contact City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach, 1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR 97030 www.ci.gresham.or.us


Gresham City Council Approves 2008 Work Plan

At their annual retreat in October 2007, the City Council set their priorities for 2008. On January 8 the Council formally approved their 2008 Work Plan. Council identified a list of Top 6 Project Priorities for the year. These are:

  1. Public Safety Funding Strategy
  2. Rockwood Cultural Marketplace Development
  3. Sports Park
  4. Rental Housing Inspection Program
  5. Economic Development Strategy
  6. East County Justice Center

Council is scheduled to proceed with all Twenty-seven other projects are listed in their Work Plan throughout 2008.

The Work Plan document includes a Community Outcome Statement that describes each project a Project Timeline for each. Each project identifies a staff "owner". These owners were selected by the City Manager to be accountable for project implementation and coordination. A summary of the projects are available on the City's website.

Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly - Protect Yourself!

Prevention is the key to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • If you must use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal burning device, use the unit outside your home, basement or garage and not near a window or other opening to your home.
  • Pull your vehicle out of the garage and completely close the garage door behind you if running your vehicle for any reason. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home through an open garage door.
  • Use a gas oven for cooking- not for heating your home, even for a short time.
  • Burn only approved fuels in properly vented woodstoves or fireplaces.
  • Keep lint from filling the clothes dryer vent by cleaning the vent line regularly.

The importance of having a carbon monoxide detector is often underestimated or simply ignored. Gresham Fire & Emergency Services realizes the importance of carbon monoxide detectors and will provide them free of charge for elderly and low-income citizens in the Gresham Fire & Emergency Services coverage area. For citizens that do not meet these criteria, carbon monoxide detectors are widely available in local stores. For more information please call 503-618-2355.

Gresham Art Advisory Committee 2008 Juried Art Exhibit

The Gresham Art Advisory Committee invites artists to enter its 11th Annual Juried Art Exhibit. All media will be considered. The selected works will be on display in the City of Gresham Visual Arts Gallery and on the City's website. For information on how to submit entries contact Connie Otto at 503-618-2360.

Have a Question? askGresham!

To meet the expanding information needs of Gresham residents, the City launched askGresham. askGresham is an interactive Web-based tool designed to help citizens access information and make requests for services from the City.

  • Find Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Make a Request
  • Use "My Gresham" to check the status of your request

Browse through Frequently Ask Questions.

Trainings, Workshops & Volunteer Opportunities


Volunteer Opportunity - Plant native plants in Main City Park
When: January 19 & 26, 2008 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Where: Main City Park
219 S. Main Avenue

Help spruce up Main City Park by planting native plants and removing invasive plants between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. over two Saturdays, January 19 and 26. Main City Park, at 219 S. Main Avenue, is within walking distance of Gresham's historic downtown. Warm beverages and breakfast food provided.

Main City Park has many invasive species growing along Johnson Creek on the south side of the park, including ivy and blackberry, which degrade water quality, reduce biodiversity and impair the habitat.

Citizens and service groups are encouraged to participate; RSVP to Rachel Zarfas at 503-618-2789.


Neighborhood Watch Workshop
When: Tuesday, January 29 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Gresham City Council Chambers
1333 NW Eastman Parkway

This is a workshop for any citizens wanting to start a Neighborhood Watch group, as well as existing Neighborhood Watch groups. At this workshop you will learn how to form your Neighborhood Watch and what every participant needs to do. Learn which security hardware is right for your doors and windows, how to prevent car theft, personal safety, and how to prevent identity theft. RSVP is required. For more information please contact Crime Prevention Specialist Brenda Butler at 503-618-2824.


Are You Ready Workshop
When: Saturday, January 26, 2008, 9:00AM - Noon
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Parkway

Recent storms are a reminder to all of us that while the Pacific Northwest is beautiful it is also prone to serious natural hazards. Floods, high winds, landslides, wildfires, earthquakes, winter storms and volcanoes are all part of our life in the Pacific Northwest.

Planning ahead can mitigate surprises, reduce losses and speed recovery. Knowing what to do during and immediately following a disaster is an important part of being prepared and can make all the difference when every minute counts.

The workshop covers the three major elements of personal preparedness: Planning, Disaster Supplies Kit and Neighborhood Organizing.


Blood Drive at City Hall
When: Tuesday, January 29, 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Where: 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Oregon Trail Room

Did you know for every whole blood donation received up to three lives can be saved? Still need a reason to donate? How about a vacation? Every person that donates will be entered to win two tickets good for anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

Appointments can be scheduled at www.givelife.org


Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
When: 6:30PM - 9:00PM
Where: Gresham Fire Training Center
19204 NE San Rafael

Seven classes on comprehensive disaster preparation and response including: emergency medical, light search and rescue and fire suppression.

Class begins February 20 for seven consecutive Wednesdays, concluding April 2.

Contact Kelle Landavazo at 503-618-2567 to sign up for this training.


Basic Mediation Training

Registration is open for East Metro Mediation's Basic Mediation Training that starts in February. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 25, 2008. Participants will learn skills to help others resolve conflicts, skills such as focused listening, working with emotions, creative problem solving and understanding perspectives. The tools learned in this 40-hour course are useful in neighborhood associations, work groups, businesses and families. This course is required for volunteer mediators at East Metro Mediation.

Classes are held twice a week on Wednesday from 6:00PM - 9:00PM and Saturday from 9:00AM - 5:00PM from February 27 through March 26. There are three different cost options for the class:

  • $550 for the public, or
  • $250 for community leaders who will bring these skills to their community, or
  • $50 plus the commitment to volunteer at East Metro Mediation for two hours per week for one year. Two full scholarships are available. No more than six positions for volunteers are available.

Applications are available at the City's website, or contact East Metro Mediation at 503-618-3247.


Neighborhood Information Fair
When: Wednesday Februray 6, 2008 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Where: Gordon Russell Middle School
3625 E. Powell Valley Rd.

Kelly Creek, Mt. Hood, Northeast and Powell Valley Neighborhood Associations are hosting an Information Fair February 6, 2008 at Gordon Russell Middle School. Meet your Neighborhood Association board members, Gresham City Council and City staff to get your questions answered and learn more about your City.

Contact: Carol Rulla, 503-663-1466


Neighborhood Association Meetings
January
21: Central City Neighborhood Association, 6:00PM, Metro East Community Media
22: Wilkes East board meeting 4th Monday of the month, 6:30PM. Email lkfreiermuth@comcast.net for location.
February
6: Information Fair, 7:00-8:30PM, Gordon Russell Middle School Commons Kelly Creek, Mt. Hood, Northeast and Powell Valley Neighborhood Associations


Community Events
January 21: Mt Hood Repertory Theater info@mthoodrep.org or 503-491-5950


Children's Health Fair
When: Saturday February 9, 2008 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Where: Lynch View Elementary School
1546 SE 169th Place

The Multnomah Dental Society will hold its annual Free Children's Health Fair

The School will be filled with booths providing the following services:

  • Dental, Vision, and Hearing screenings
  • Dental Treatment (for those children who qualify)
  • Immunizations
  • Information on a variety of healthcare topics for the entire family
  • OHP Resource Material
  • Lead Poison Information
  • Nutrition Information

Each child attending will receive a "goodie bag" that includes a toothbrush and toothpaste and information on taking care of their teeth. In addition, there will be entertainment and prize drawings, including the grand prize of a color TV. Children do not need to be present at the time of the drawing to win.

The Fair is being held as part of the American Dental Association's nationwide program, Give Kids a Smile. The objective of Give Kids a Smile is to mobilize the nation's dentists during the month of February (National Children's Dental Health Month) to provide free oral health care services to thousands of low-income children. For more information contact the Multnomah Dental Society at (503) 513-5010.

Neighborhood News - Request for Articles

GRESHAM is the City's main newsletter that provides information about the issues and events that are happening in Gresham. GRESHAM is mailed once a quarter to all households in the city. In each issue of the City newsletter GRESHAM we publish a schedule of neighborhood association meetings and contact information. Twice a year the City publishes a special insert in the newsletter called Neighborhood News. Neighborhood News publishes articles written by the associations and the Coalition of Neighborhoods.

If you would like to submit an article for your neighborhood, please read the policy and guidelines for submitting articles, graphics and photos, located on the City's website.

We are now accepting articles for the March/April issue of GRESHAM. Please let us know if you need help with ideas or have questions regarding guidelines or policies.

The deadline for submittal is Monday, February 4, 2008. Please e-mail your articles to Linda Kidby.

Public Meeting Will Review Plans for 223rd Avenue Improvements

Two transportation projects planned to begin in 2008 that will improve NE 223rd Avenue in Fairview will be the topic of a public meeting scheduled on Wednesday, January 23 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Fairview Community Center, 300 Harrison Street. The first proposed project will replace a railroad bridge that runs above 223rd near Interstate 84, which will allow 223rd to be widened between NE Bridge St. and NE Sandy Blvd. The second project will improve the nearby intersection of 223rd Avenue and NE Sandy Blvd.

223rd Ave. narrows to 20 feet as it passes under the short Union Pacific railroad bridge. Replacing the bridge with a longer structure will allow the road to be widened, which will improve safety for all modes of traffic.

The intersection project at Sandy Blvd. will include installation of new traffic signals, wider approaches and turn lanes, and new curbs, sidewalks and drainage.

The bridge replacement will require an extended closure of 223rd Ave. during construction, which has yet to be scheduled. At the public meeting Multnomah County staff will present information about the projects, including details about the traffic plan, and address questions and concerns. 

Multnomah County maintains NE 223rd Ave. and more than 300 miles of roads and bridges.

Michael Pullen, Multnomah County Public Affairs Office, 503-988-6804

Report Abandoned Shopping Carts

To help address the issues of abandoned shopping carts the Northwest Grocery Association has started a 24-hour hotline for reporting abandoned carts. The toll free number is 888-552-2787 (888-55-CARTS).

Most major chain grocery stores are participating in the program including Albertson's, Danielson's Thriftway, Fred Meyer, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, QFC, Safeway Food & Drug, and Winco.


This message is a community service of
City of Gresham ~ Communications & Community Outreach
1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway ~ Gresham, OR 97030 www.ci.gresham.or.us