The City invites you to share your thoughts via a series of short e-mail surveys

Make Your Opinions Count

The Department of Environmental Services is looking for residents to share opinions via a series of short e-mail surveys over the next few years. Participation in the periodic surveys will help staff design and deliver cost-effective programs that enhance the health of local streams and the community

Please share your opinions with us!

Your participation will help us design and deliver cost-effective programs that enhance our community and the health of our local streams. Participation is voluntary and you may opt out at any time. The surveys will be short, 10-15 minutes in length

RBC: Launching the next phase Dinucci resigns, Stegmann appointed as acting chair

Candidates Wanted

After several months of discussion the Rockwood Business Coalition has decided to reorganize.

The RBC is seeking board member candidates for chair, a vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and two members at large. Local business leaders interested in any of these position should contact the RBC to have their name placed on the ballot. Elections will be held at the April meeting. See contact info below.

Launching The Next Phase

On Feb 8th, Dina DiNucci resigned as Chair after four years saying it is necessary step to launch the next phase of the RBC. DiNucci has agreed to stay on to build membership and manage the activities of the RBC at least thru June 2011. Vice Chair, Lori Stegmann has assumed the role of Acting Chair. Stegmann, owner of Stegmann Insurance Agency is also a member of the Gresham City Council.

About the RBC

The RBC was formed in 2007 and has served as a unified voice for West Gresham's Rockwood area businesses on political, economic, and social issues. Membership is not limited to a specific area. The group welcomes any business interest who holds a stake in the Rockwood community. This area covers the Columbia River (north) to SE Division (south), 162nd Ave (west) to 202nd Ave (east). The Coalition meets on the first Wednesday of each month at a hosting business or organization. Meeting times are from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

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

• Crime Reports
• Earthquake Preparedness (Read)
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• "10 Ways to Engage Your Audience & Extend Your Reach" Class
• Project Linkage
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Earth Day Recycling Collection Event, Save the Date: Apr 23
• City Looks at Relationship Between Built Environment And Health
• Residents’ Views Needed on Institutional Master Plans: Apr 4
• Rain Garden Grants Available: Deadline Apr 15
• Event Recycling Volunteers Needed: Mar 26
• Birds, Bees and Butterflies Workshop: Apr 10
• Make Your Opinions Count for the Community, E-mail surveys
• Street Sweeping Schedule
• Transportation Fair for Downtown Employees: Apr 7
• Bike Rides for Adults and Families Start in April
• Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: Apr 30
• Bike Commute Workshops: May 4 & 11
• Free Bird Workshop: Apr 5
• City’s Natural Resources and Sustainability Committee Looking for Members
• Get Ready to Travel Smart

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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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.

Click to download

Winter 2011 Newsletter is here. Download your copy today. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Eight Services Under One Roof Commissioner McKeel to Speak Reynolds 2011-12 Budget Survey Managing Stormwater Naturally Redeemable Returns Get Easier RSD Seeks Board Candidates Earth Day 2011 Events and more...

Download the full-color edition here!

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, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

Looking for a past issue? Check out the newsletter archive.

Got a story to share?

Wilkes East residents are encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter. Articles should be limited to 300 words and may be subject to editing. Send articles by email to: info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: PO Box 536 • Fairview, OR 97024.

Local newspaper holds Open House, celebrates 100 years as the source for East County news

By Paul Glenn, Capri Terrace resident

Our local community newspaper held an Open House on March 11, 2011 celebrating 100 years as a twice weekly publication; reporting news and events which effect and are of interest to the folks who live in our town.

Scam Alert! Robo-call claims "my debit card has been locked'

If you haven’t already heard a warning about this bogus call – read on.

Today I got the weirdest phishing phone call. It’s a robo-call (with a raspy British accent) saying:

“This is Washington Mutual. We’re calling to let you know that your debit card has been locked. Press 1 for more information.”

Washington Mutual?

Washington Mutual was caught in the implosion of the mortgage market. On Friday Sep 26, 2008 America woke to the news of the failure of WaMu - the nation's largest savings and loan. Overnight the federal government had seized Washington Mutual and brokered a deal - selling much of the company for about $1.9 billion to JPMorgan Chase.

Phishing (not fishing)

Since Washington Mutual doesn't exist anymore, and I don't have an account with Chase, I hung up immediately.

It was a phishing call. An attempt to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.

This is a scam. A potential financial disaster. Don't fall victim to it.

2011-12 Budget Survey Now Closed District Expects to Face Budget Cuts of $6 to $8.2 Million

Survey Participation

In an effort to increase public input into its proposed 2011-12 budget, the Reynolds School district held an online survey of district residents over the past few weeks.

The survey, which closed March 9, 2011, is part of a program called “Reynolds Tomorrow: Tough Choices – Smart Decisions”, information about which can be found on the ReynoldsTomorrow.com website. Individual responses are confidential. Survey results will be combined and shared with each participant and other members of the community.

Sources say about 400 residents participated in the online survey, and that the district was pleased with the overall response.

Tough Choices Ahead

“Oregon’s financial woes mean the Reynolds School district will be faced with tough, challenging and uncomfortable decisions early next year as it decides the 2011-12 budget,” says Theresa Delaney-Davis, chairwoman of the district’s board.

Based on the latest estimates the Reynolds School district expects to face budget cuts of $6 to $8.2 million for the next school year.

Ms. Delaney-Davis will speak at the Wilkes East Neighborhood meeting on March 28th at 7PM, St Aidan's Episcopal Church (174th & NE Glisan), to discuss the district's budget situation and answer residents’ questions.

Outdoor fun. PAL Center, Gresham

Fun & Activities for All Spring Break 2011 is going to get CRaZy at the PAL Youth Center

When: March 21-25, 2011 10AM-5:30PM
Where: PAL Youth Center
424 NE 172nd Ave

Gresham, OR
Get Map!

"Come PAL around with us!" Boys & Girls (ages 8-18 years) are invited to enjoy Spring Break 2011 at the PAL Youth Center on 172nd (just south of NE Glisan), where the fun never ends. Spend a jamb-packed week with all your friends!

Sharing ideas. PAL Youth Center

Activities include: Field Trips, Basketball Tournaments, Soccer Clinics, Pool Tournaments, Movie Madness, Arts & crafts, and more.

Arts & Crafts. PAL Youth Center

Registration Cost: $5.00 per student. Contact Britt Fredrickson, Coordinator, PAL Youth Center, by phone at 503-256-3479, or email britt.fredrickson@portlandoregon.gov.

Rockwood Building, NE 181st & Couch

The Rockwood Building Will Bring Eight Social Services Under One Roof

Making Rockwood a better place

For years the grassy vacant lot on NE 181st Ave near Burnside served only an occasional traveling carnival or Christmas tree vendor.

Now, that lot is being transformed into a Multi-Service Center to serve area
families in need.

The new three-story $17 million Rockwood Building will host eight social service providers plus a community room on the first floor, and 47 apartments on the two floors above. Fifteen of those apartments will be reserved for homeless families.

Rockwood Building construction, 02/2011

Ground floor agencies will provide day care, employment assistance and Head Start classes, among other services. The new building is expected to be a hub for residents in and around Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood.

Human Solutions, a social service agency with offices in Portland and east Multnomah County, is coordinating the project.

Employees counting redeemable's Wood Village BottleDrop Center

Returning Oregon redeemable's just got a lot easier. Fill the bag. Drop it off. Collect your refund.

If you haven't tried the new Wood Village BottleDrop Redemption Center - what are you waiting?

Getting started

Simply stop by the Wood Village BottleDrop Center at 233rd & NE Halsey to sign-up (it only takes a minute). You'll get a nifty hard plastic ID card and 2 convenient ID key fobs, 2 BottleDrop bar coded bag tags and 2 EZ Drop bags (made from 100% recycled materials) to get you started.