Home

Neighborhood Connections: August 2011

Click here to learn about the history of the Christmas tree and how it became a holiday tradition

By admin - Posted on August 1st, 2011
Tagged:  

City of Gresham: Neighborhood Connections, August 2011. Find Out What's Happening in and Around Your City. Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

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

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Free CPR / AED Training: Sep 10
Seats are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Upon completion of the class, students receive a course completion card that is good for two years. Read more

Free Summer Activities at the Library
Looking for something to keep your kids busy this summer? The library has hundreds of free events and classes for children (and adults) of all ages! Enjoy performances by local and touring musicians, explore your creativity in one of the many art classes, or attend a workshop to learn a new skill. Check out all the free programs at your library! Read more

Crime Prevention Tips/Trends for August
Shed and garage burglaries have increased lately. They are occurring primarily during the night, but some have occurred during the day if no one is home. Suspects may enter garages with open main doors, but have also been entering through side or rear doors. On sheds, they tend to cut padlocks. Bicycles are popular targets, as well as tools.
Read more

Grab your Camera and Complete the Sentence “Gresham Is…”
Help share all the great things going on in Gresham -- and in your own Gresham neighborhood -- by submitting a photo or video clip that captures the City’s look, feel and personality as part of the City’s “Gresham is…” public engagement project. Images submitted by Sept. 16, through the City’s Facebook page, may end up as part of a professionally produced video showcasing Gresham. Make sure your neighborhood is well represented! Watch the kick-off video. Read more

Cute vs. Brute: Saying 'So Long' To Peter Pothole
In a 30-second social media promo on the City’s YouTube channel, Peter Pothole is born, grows up and gets chased out of Gresham. As the video points out, the City’s goal is to fix all reported potholes within 72 hours, while tripling residential pavement maintenance activities overall this summer. It’s part of the The Road Ahead effort backed by Council this year. Watch the clip

Help Prevent Costly Crimes to City Infrastructure
You can help by keeping an eye out in your neighborhood. The City has experienced an increase in theft and vandalism of infrastructure such as stormdrain/catchbasin grates. If you observe anyone removing or tampering with City infrastructure such as manhole covers or catchbasin grates, who is not working from a City vehicle or a clearly-marked contractor vehicle, please note the license plate of any involved vehicle and report the activity to the Gresham Police at 503-618-2719. Read more

Rain Garden Workshop: Aug 27
Learn to build your rain garden at a free rain garden workshop on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hollydale Elementary, 505 SW Birdsdale Dr.
Read more

Rain Garden Bike Tour: Sep 10
Join the Johnson Creek Watershed Council and the City's Watershed Division on a leisurely bike tour of Gresham’s Hollybrook Neighborhood rain gardens on Saturday, Sept. 10. Learn about native plants, natural gardening and building your own rain garden at home to help improve water quality and wildlife habitat.
Read more

September Weather’s Great for Bike Riding: Sep 10/11
If you like biking why not have a SmartTrips adventure on Saturday, Sept. 10, on a Family Bicycle Ride? The routes are mostly on bike paths, bike lanes and low traffic residential streets. Family Bicycle rides depart at 10 a.m. from the Main City Park parking lot, 219 S. Main Ave. and Powell Boulevard. The ride covers 8 to 10 miles in about 2 hours and returns to the starting location.

If you are a bit more ambitious, try our Adult Bicycle Rides on Sunday, Sept. 11. This moderately paced adult group ride will explore the area between the Gresham/Troutdale/Sandy River and east Portland areas. The pace will be around 13-15 mph and the group will stop for coffee, bakery sweets or ice cream somewhere along the route. This ride also departs from Main City Park parking lot at 10 a.m. and returns to the park.Read more

Deadlines for: Free Downspout Disconnection: Aug 30; $200 Rain Garden Grants: Sep 30
Make a difference in your yard. Sign up for free downspout disconnection by Aug. 30. You can also pre-qualify your property for one of five $200 rain garden grants by Sept. 30. Read more

There’s Still Time to Learn ‘How to Ride Transit’: Sep 29/Oct 27
Learn about reading schedules, fare options and other tips for taking a bus ride or using MAX instead of driving alone. This free class will start at the Gresham City Hall MAX Station at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29 and Oct. 27. Participants will learn where to buy tickets and how to ride safely. This class will answer your specific questions on how to ride transit. Read more

Gresham Hosts PGE Energy Seminars
Do you work for a business, own a business or know of a business that could benefit from more energy efficient lighting? Don’t miss two upcoming opportunities to learn more about energy, lighting, and controls at upcoming PGE workshops. These half-day seminars at Gresham City Hall provide an overview of energy efficiency, and are free for PGE commercial and industrial customers. Read more

Gresham Seeks Input on How to Permit Renewable Energy: Sep 15
Gresham is charting a new course for how renewable energy projects such as solar panels and wind turbines are reviewed and approved. Those interested are invited to a community forum scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in City Hall Conference Room 2A to discuss alternative approaches to updating the Development Code concerning renewable energy.
Read more

Institutional Master Plans & Urban Forestry Management Plans: Sep 7
The Institutional Master Plan will include an open house from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., followed by a presentation and input session from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. City staff is seeking comments on draft Development Code changes that would allow institutional uses to seek approval of long-term, phased master plans for institutions such as community colleges, hospitals and public high schools. Read more

The Urban Forestry Management Plan open house will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will take a look at the draft goals, policies and action measures for urban forestry in Gresham. These goals and policies will be incorporated into the City's Community Development Plan to guide future Code development and City actions regarding its urban forest. Read more

Have you Taken the Travel Survey yet?: Thru Sep
Your elected leaders want to know what you experience as you drive, bike, walk or take transit in Gresham and the East Metro area. Next spring the cities of Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village and Troutdale will prioritize near- and long-term transportation investments. This short survey will be open through September, so let us know what works well for you and what you think should be improved. Take the survey

Make a Difference in a Girls’ Life
You can make a difference in the lives of girls! Whether you have a day, a weekend, or more, Girl Scouts will match your skills, interests and goals to volunteer opportunities in your area. Read more

College Restart Event at Mt. Hood Community College
NOW is the time! Come and see just how easy it is. Worried about money? Financial Aid is available! Don't know what classes to take? Advising is free! There are countless resources to make your college restart seamless. Come find out why you should restart - we will show you how. Learn the benefits of restarting and completing college. Read more

Recruiting Seniors for the Adopt a Grandparent Program
Would you or a senior in your life be interested in becoming an Adopted Grandparent? This is a unique program that creates relationships between elders and high-achieving health occupations high school students in East Multnomah County. The goal is to build intergenerational relationships that offer support to the senior, learning for the students, and fun for both! The volunteer commitment is for a school term or year. Read more

Patriots Day Celebration: Sep 11
Patriots Day Celebration is being held at the Gradin baseball fields. The day starts off with a wonderful one day tournament "Battle of The Badges" --a friendly battle between the Heroes who protect and serve our community. A full day of family fun including, a Bar-B-Que, T-ball, Music from Portland Bagpipes is planned. Come and cheer on your favorite team. Sponsored by Center for the Arts Foundation and local businesses.
Read more

Multnomah County RSVP
RSVP volunteers in Multnomah County provide a wide range of health and human services, including providing transportation and Friendly Visiting services to older adults, providing nutritious meals to low income families and older adults; encouraging hospital patients and family members and welcoming visitors to the Portland area. Please contact Heather Pruess at 503-249-8215 ext. 22 or heatherp@metfamily.org for details. Read more

Project Linkage
Project Linkage helps older adults and people with disabilities remain independent and in their own homes longer. We offer transportation, friendly visiting, shopping assistance and home repair services free of charge. For more information about accessing services or volunteering to provide a service, please contact Heather Pruess at 503-249-8215 ext. 22 or heatherp@metfamily.org for details. Read more

Mentor and Tutor Local Elementary School Students
Experience Corps, a program of Metropolitan Family Service, is an innovative program that connects older adult mentors (55+) with students in public schools throughout the metro area, providing mentoring and academic support. Please contact Heather Pruess at 503-249-8215 ext. 22 or heatherp@metfamily.org for details. Read more


Gresham Neighborhoods