Summer 2024 Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Summer 2024 Newsletter Inside This Issue: From Chicago to West Gresham Wilkes East Land Use Update Housing vs Trees in Gresham WeShine Village Update Meet the Tooth Taxi Volunteer (With updated school start and end times!)

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

¡Descargue nuestro boletín en español aquí!. (incluye enlaces web activos)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.

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Dog Days of Summer:  July 3 - August 11

The “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of summer.

Dog Days of Summer?  Click to enlarge

The dictionary defines “dog days” as: 1:  the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere 2:  a period of stagnation or inactivity

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?” Here's the answer...

In ancient times, when the night sky was free from artificial lights people in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. These star pictures are called constellations, and the constellations as we know them came from our European ancestors.

Ancient star gazer's saw images in the stars of bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins (Gemini), a bull (Taurus), and others objects, including dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor). (more below...)

The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the summer night sky. In the summer, Sirius, the “dog star”, rises and sets with the sun.

During late July, Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather they named the “dog days” -- after the dog star Sirius.

Summer sunset stars & constellations. Click to view"

The conjunction of Sirius with the sun varies somewhat with latitude. And the “precession of the equinoxes” (a gradual drifting of the constellations over time) means that the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient times. Today, the "dog days" occur during the period between July 3 and August 11.

And now you know!

It’s great to live in an area with families that truly look out for one another. By Eric El Kay Wilkes East neighbor

This past month marked my family’s first year in the neighborhood. Last May my wife and I (along with our cat Mia and dog Lupita) set out on a 3-day journey from the North side of Chicago to our new home in the Wilkes neighborhood of Gresham (or Portland?). Over the past year, we set out to explore what the neighborhood has to offer. We’ve also taken on quite a lot of projects around the house. These activities along with starting new jobs and making new friends have kept us pretty busy over the last year. They have also led to quite an eventful first year in the PNW. Here’s a peek at what the El Kay’s have been up to during Year 1.

I never saw myself being responsible for 50 full-grown goldfish but after a year of caretaking, I can honestly say I wouldn’t have it any other way. When my wife and I moved in we inherited a 2000-gallon fresh water pond in the backyard. This led to many hours of fresh pond research along with several “How to not let your fish die” books purchased. After a crash course in pond vacuum techniques, pond filter light bulb installation, and a constant battle with a certain neighborhood heron, I can honestly say that our newly expanded backyard family is thriving. This wasn’t always the case. Last year's heat wave took a toll on our community’s population but we have bounced back stronger than ever. We’ve also been able to give names to every single fish. Names include Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, and many other childhood legends that remind me of home.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to inherit a great garden setup. The owners before definitely had a green thumb. After trying our hands at gardening last summer we went into this year with a gameplan. Things grow so much faster compared to what we’re used to in the Midwest. The soil is truly magnificent here - we can grow things without much effort at all. This year we started with re-building 3 raised garden beds in the front yard along with upgrading the sprinkler system. With the amount of gardening on our property, a timer system is a must. Robyn has started the season with kale, chard, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers (hot and sweet), peas, beets, raspberries, blueberries, and a plethora of herbs. Although there is more work to be done in the future, it seems that we have settled into our harvest and watering routines early. Now we begin the endless learning of preservation, and whatever version of “living off the land” we can muster.

In between spending time out back with our Hall of Fame goldfish and greenery, we have done a fair job of exploring what the neighborhood has to offer. Outside of daily check-ins with our neighbors (which is not something you normally get in a Chicago townhouse), we’ve made it a point to find every hidden gem. I’ve made a habit out of running at the H.B. Lee track and (when I’m feeling adventurous) the Glendoveer Golf Course, which from our house to around the course and back typically results in about a 4.5 mile run. While exploring the local culture and community we’ve become very familiar with food trucks, especially our favorite, the Fairview Food Plaza and Food Cart Heaven on Glisan. I’ll also admit, as someone who grew up hiding from weather half the year, easy access to Powell Butte has turned me into an outdoorsman.

This year has brought a lot of change for the El Kay’s. The community has made this transition period a positive experience. I really can’t express how great it is to live in an area with families that stop each other on the street to chat and truly look out for one another. While change can be scary, you have all made this a positive experience with your community and sense of belonging. We know2025 will bring more home improvement projects, goldfish babies, and many many more trips to La Isla Bonita and Migration Brewing. It’ll also bring more changes. I for one can’t wait to see what else it brings.

Hi! My name is Ed Spradlin, I am 77yrs young, and I have lived in Portland/Gresham all my life. I grew up in North Portland across from Columbia Park. I attended grade school in Portsmouth and Highland. I then attended Jefferson Hight School, followed by Oregon State University. I was drafted to Vietnam, and after my return continued my education to graduate from Portland State University.

Ed Spradlin

My family ultimately moved out to Gresham 45 years ago, and I have lived there ever since. I am now involved in volunteering for a non-profit that helps under privileged children get access to dental care. The Dental Foundation of Oregon is the non-profit organization that supports and funds the "Tooth Taxi". This is basically a large rolling dental clinic on wheels that travels across Oregon to schools and communities not only educating families but giving actual dental care to children in need.

My family and friends have also joined me in my efforts to help raise money for this cause. What started as me walking the streets in search of cans and bottles to raise money, has now blossomed into an ever growing team of individuals sharing in this effort. Team "Can Do".

Some of the many bottles & cans Ed has collected for the the 'Tooth Taxi'

Every day I am overwhelmed by the beauty of all these individuals who have eagerly stepped up to be a part of something that is growing in support. People want to help. They just, often, don't know how. I have realized something in this process, and it is validated everyday by all the people who have joined this cause. We can do amazing things alone, but even more amazing things together. Together we are team "Can Do".

Outstanding job Ed!

By Garret Hartung Wilkes East Meteorologist

The Pacific Northwest had a rather mild start to the summer of 2024. The month of June ended up a whopping 2.7°F below average with precipitation also coming in slightly below average. This is a stark contrast from the last three June’s which all featured above average temperatures. The slightly cooler temperatures we saw in June were in part due to persistent upper level troughing in the Gulf of Alaska, an area of cooler air aloft that maintains onshore flow and often steers frontal systems through the Pacific Northwest. This is a pattern we often see in the wintertime, hence why this June was dubbed “Junuary” by many local meteorologists.

A common adage around the Pacific Northwest is that summer does not start until July 5th. According to that, summer was right on time this year as a potent upper-level ridge developed across the Western US around July 4th, allowing for many locations to see their first 100°F readings of the year. This early July heatwave did not match the magnitude of the great June heat dome of 2021 as temperatures peaked at only 104°F at PDX. However, this heatwave was historic in terms of duration with five consecutive days of temperatures reaching or exceeding 99°F, which ties the record set back in August of 1981 and July of 1941.

Warm and dry conditions have continued through the first half of July with high temperatures so far averaging 11°F above the average of 80°F for the month of July. The persistent hot and dry conditions have quickly dried out the vegetation across the state, allowing for wildfire season to come roaring back to life, especially east of the Cascades. So far this year over 300,000 acres have burned in Oregon, already surpassing the roughly 260,000 acres that burned in all of 2023. Most of the fires so far have been human caused. On July 16th/17th, a system moving up the Oregon coast triggered many thunderstorms across the central portions of the state, likely starting dozens of new fires. So unfortunately, the acreage burned will continue to increase as we head deeper into the driest period of the year.

There will likely be a period or two where smoke makes its way west of the Cascades during the later part of the summer, especially if we get an offshore/easterly flow event. Smoke is a regular and natural occurrence for the Pacific Northwest, but it can be hazardous at times, especially for more vulnerable population groups. Having new filters in HVAC systems and running air purifiers can help to limit smoke particles inside of the home. N-95 mask can also be helpful when venturing outside should air quality becomes hazardous from smoke. It is also important to be extremely careful in our wildland areas for the rest of the summer as even the smallest spark can start large and dangerous fires.

By Janet Unruh, Wilkes East neighbor

For nature lovers who hate to see the land scraped bare for housing developments, our best hope is that soon, it will no longer be profitable for developers to build new housing. This is our best hope because the city turns a deaf ear to the pleas of residents to stop, or at least reduce the size of new developments.

(If you don't see the full article below, Click "Here")

By Greg Hartung
Land Use Co-Chair

Hello members of our Wilkes East Neighborhood Association.
The Wilkes East Neighborhood Association board regularly receives land use plans from the City of Gresham to notify us of land use projects within or proximity to the Wilkes East neighborhood boundaries.

Pre-Application PRE 23-00498: Early Neighborhood Notification of 2751 NE 181st Avenue & 2777-2789 NE 181st Avenue, Gresham, Oregon 97230. The owner is proposing to develop two (2) parcels with a new 7-Eleven 4-pump commercial truck commercial fueling station with a 30-foot by 68-foot canopy (approximately 18 feet tall).  Also included is a small, 13'x11'/135 square foot compressor shed. A pedestrian pathway is proposed from the new fueling island to the existing 7-Eleven store.  Access to the site will be via the existing driveway off NE 181st Avenue which will be widened to the south to accommodate larger trucks.  The northern approach will also be widened to allow for larger turning movements.

An exit-only will be constructed providing access for fueled trucks direct access onto NE 181st Avenue southbound (which has already been discussed and approved by City of Gresham transportation staff). The two existing lots may also be combined. An Early Neighborhood Notification meeting will be tentatively scheduled for the week of July 29, 2024.

Click to enlarge

Design review DR-23-00600, Location 17311 NE Halsey St, Portland Or 97230, proposal: Retroactive review of previous tree removal and approximately 25,000 square feet of outdoor storage area and conversion of parking to outdoor storage, plus new outdoor storage are of approximately 38,000 square feet. Applicant proposed a minor variance to exceed the maximum standard for outdoor storage by 20%. The proposed includes past and future removal of 111 regulated trees.
Wilkes East Neighborhood Association submitted public comments regarding the tree removal. They acknowledged the need for some tree removal to allow for business expansion but described the requested amount of tree removal as “excessive.” They described several benefits which mature trees provide to the urban landscape and noted their importance as a fixture of the Wilkes East Neighborhood.
Staff response Staff agree with the many benefits provided by mature trees as described by the Neighborhood Association. Preservation of mature trees is a goal of the City of Gresham. The City is presently revising the Tree Regulations in the Community Development Code to better reflect community values. While the tree removal associated with this application is significant, the applicant proposes to retain and protect 142 mature trees on site. The applicant does not propose removing more than the necessary number of trees to accommodate the proposed expansion of their outdoor storage area.

Staff find that reasonable efforts have been made to retain mature trees where possible and that the applicant’s proposal meets the standards for Type II Tree Removal in Section 9.1000 All documents are also available online [link: https://greshamor-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home]. If you have any questions about the decision, please contact Emily Langston at Emily.Langston@GreshamOregon.gov.

Click to enlarge

Permit number BLDC-21-05690 Taco Bell New Build 181St. Location 2309 NE 181st Ave, Gresham, Or 97230. Land clearing and construction is underway for a new Taco Bell with drive through. The developer had disputed the Pedestrian ADA access ramp to 181st citing that the property does not have 181st frontage and pedestrian traffic is negligible.

Landscaping requirement exceptions for 6 new trees that conflicted with overhead utilities was considered in lieu of a Tree Fund Contribution of $600 per tree. ODOT would not allow trees to be planted on the adjacent ODOT owned property.

Click to enlarge

For these and other public records, you can visit the City of Gresham, OR
website: https://greshamor-energovweb.tylerhost.net. You do not need to create or register an account with online services to access project files.

To search for project files and public records: Click on the search icon.
In the screen that loads, type in the Plan case number in the search field and click on the search button. The page will reload with the results of the search, including highlighted direct links to cases. Click on the highlighted link for the Plan case. In the page that loads, click on the Attachments tab to view project files.

You can also view detailed instructions on how to search for public records at: https://greshamoregon.gov/workarea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=13448M.

If you have any questions about accessing the files online or any projects, please contact PlanningTech@GreshamOregon.gov

Spring 2024 Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Spring 2024 Newsletter Inside This Issue: Outdoor School for 6th Grade Students Wilkes East Land Use Update Rockwood Greenspace Now Try The MyGresham App Street Sweeping, 4th Wed, Mar-Nov

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

¡Descargue nuestro boletín en español aquí!. (incluye enlaces web activos)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

Fall 2023 Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Fall 2023 Newsletter Inside This Issue: WENA Board Election November 13th Aging Levees, Will They Protect Us Wilkes East Land Use Update Climate Action Meeting, All Things Trees How We Saved the CCACs

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

¡Descargue nuestro boletín en español aquí!. (incluye enlaces web activos)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

City of Gresham, Climate Action Meeting, “All Things Trees”

By Janet Unruh, Wilkes East neighbor

The third Climate Action meeting was held September 28, 2023 in the City Council chamber. 30-40 people attended in person.

Presenters

• Shannon Martin, Solid Waste and Sustainability Manager
• Johnny Dea, Climate Action Plan Project Manager
• Tina Núñez-Osterink, Natural Resources and Parks Planner
• Mary Phillips, Senior City Planner at City of Gresham, working on tree code
• Sarale Hickson, Urban Planner at City of Gresham, working on updating regulations related to waterways, floodplains, wetlands, and steeply sloped areas
• John Wasiutynski, Director of the Office of Sustainability, Multnomah County
• Dr. Vivek Shandas, renowned climate researcher and professor at Portland State University

Good news – Gresham is getting money for Urban Forestry

The USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program awarded over $1 billion to fund urban forestry projects across the U.S. that “support equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide.” “Equitable access” refers to low-income neighborhoods that are deficient in tree canopy. The funding was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Locally, a coalition led by Friends of Trees, including the City of Gresham, and others applied for funding. The coalition received a $12 million grant to be used over next five years to work with neighborhoods to plant and care for trees.
  The IRA urban forestry projects include:

• Community tree planting (training and engaging volunteers) to plant up to 2,300 street and yard trees and 21,000 native shrubs in neighborhoods and natural areas, specifically in identified equity areas: East Multnomah County, West Eugene, and Springfield
• Robust post-planting care, including watering, mulching, and natural area maintenance
• Opportunities for direct community input and participation
• Community education
• Workforce training

Tina will be meeting with coalition members to find out how much of the funding Gresham will receive.

Green Gresham, Healthy Gresham

Green Gresham, Healthy Gresham (GGHG) will help identify where to plant trees, taking into consideration the demographics behind the lack of trees. Tina and John Wasiutynski began GGHG about six years ago with the goal of planting more trees to make Gresham a lusher, greener place for all who live in Gresham. Thanks to grants they have received along the way, they have been able to plant over 500 trees, take an inventory of street trees, maintain tree canopy, and recruit homeowners to plant trees. The IRA grant is much larger than the earlier grants and it will provide much more funding for tree planting and care. And there’s more good news: in addition to the IRA grant, Tina, John, and GGHG expect to receive grant money from FEMA for post-disaster response due to the heat dome event in June 2021. In that event 69 people died in Multnomah County.
See also: Green Gresham, Healthy Gresham' Grant Project Adding Street Trees to West Gresham Neighborhoods, the Wilkes East Neighborhood Newsletter http://www.wilkeseastna.org/node/3542

How trees help with hotter, drier temperatures

Trees help cool the environment. They are a simple and effective way to reduce urban heat islands. Trees and other vegetation such as bushes, shrubs, and tall grasses provide shade and cooling through evaporation and transpiration. They absorb water through their roots and cool surroundings by releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves. Trees and vegetation are most useful as a mitigation strategy when planted in strategic locations around buildings and in parking lots and streets. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-trees-and-vegetation-reduce-heat-islands
Note: Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. https://www.weather.gov/oax/heatsafety
Where Gresham is hottest
Heat-related deaths are associated with tree-deficit areas. When trees have been cut down in a neighborhood, heat-related deaths rise (quoting Dr. Shandras).
Rockwood is the hottest census block in Gresham. Rockwood has a deficit of trees because of large parking lots and rooftops in the industrial areas and because of wide roads. The heat island in Rockwood centers around the former Sunrise Center and Kitchen (see map, below).

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Heat islands are usually associated with industrial areas or big-box stores with their acres-wide roofs and enormous parking lots. But in the case of Rockwood, the heat island is next to residential areas where people walk to Max, catch a bus, go to a grocery store, or walk to their apartment. In the summer, this creates a health hazard for anyone transiting through, shopping, or living in this area.