Stretch your grocery dollars at the farmer's market! Enjoy the best produce and products, flowers, and plants starts direct from the garden.

Healthy and fresh
Farmer’s Markets are a fantastic source for fresh, seasonal, locally produced foods, and artisan products. Plus, there are activities and fun for the whole family. So come experience the market. Meet the vendors. Meet other cooks. Enjoy the freshest produce and products. Make your own statement in support of local food.

Want to grow your own vegetables?
Click here for Portland Nursery's 12-month "Veggie Calendar" planting guide.

East side Farmer's Markets

• Fairview Farmers' & Artists' Market
• Gresham Farmers Market
• Hollywood Farmers' Market
• Lents International Farmers' Market
• Lloyd Farmers Market
• Montavilla Farmers Market
• Parkrose Farmers Market
• Portland Farmers Market
• Troutdale Farmers' and Artists' Market

(Complete details on these area markets below)

You'll find plenty of root vegitables, braising greens and lettuces, and of course plant starts for your own vegetable garden.

Bring your reusable shopping bags and plenty of small bills, though some of the markets will trade you a credit/debit card for wooden tokens that all vendors accept, which can be easier to handle than cash. We've indicated those markets that accept Oregon Trail or other food assistant coupons - more access to good food for all.

The City of Gresham is a community partner with a new state-wide program, Clean Energy Works Oregon. Clean Energy Works Oregon, (CEWO), is a non-profit program created to assist homeowners with transforming their homes to be more comfortable and energy efficient.

Energy efficiency improvements in reach.  This All-in-One solution provides:

• No-money-down, easy financing
• One-to-one assistance
• Simple qualifications
• Repayment of loan through the utility bill
• Protects homeowners from rising energy rates

Expert guidance from start to finish
Qualified homeowners receive an extensive energy audit by a trained building expert, retrofit work conducted by a certified contractor and access to low interest rate financing.

Up to $3700 in Instant Rebates*
*Instant Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to change without prior notice, are non-transferable and will only be available for qualified program borrowers for a limited time. Instant Rebates include federal, state and local resources and standard Energy Trust cash incentives. Instant Rebates end May 15th!

TO APPLY visit Clean Energy Works Oregon, http://www.cewo.org

Clean Energy Works Oregon is public-private alliance with Energy Trust of Oregon, utilities, financial institutions, local communities and contractors.

Gang graffiti at Nadaka Nature Park 175th & NE Pacific, Gresham OR

Quick Resources Gang Hotlines Graffiti Resources Graffiti Removal Report Graffiti Online

Neighbors express frustration with the escalating situation.

With the arrival of spring comes a surge in graffiti vandalisim as area street gangs mark their turf.

When you mention the topic of gangs in Portland, most people think of Bloods and Crips, the overwhelmingly black gangs that arrived here in the late '80s. But that's all changed.

The Rise of Mexican Gangs

As the African-American gang problem has slowly been brought under control, its Hispanic counterpart has quietly grown. In the early '90s, African-American gang members outnumbered Hispanic gangsters in Oregon by a ratio of 9 to 1. Two decade later that ratio has reversed.

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
• Gresham Newsletter Online
• Spring Neighborhood Safety Forum - May 14
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• East County's Got Talent - Auditions Apr 30
• Project Linkage
• East Gresham Community Information Fair - May 25
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Rockwood Design Standards Community Forum - April 18
• Urban Forestry Management Plan Open House – April 19
• The Chamber Expo
• New Mediators Join East Metro Mediation
• Are You a Gresham Homeowner? Clean Energy Works Gresham is Here!
• Public Comment Sought on Draft Stormwater Monitoring Plan - Deadline Apr 25 Noon
• City’s Earth Day Recycling Collection Event is April 23
• Volunteer Bird Survey Orientation is April 23
• Drug Take-Back Day is April 30
• Gresham Celebrates National Bike Month in May
• Learn to Naturescape in Your Garden Workshop May 7
• Internal Sustainability Plan Brings Multiple Benefits to City Operations
• City’s New Program Offers Free Water Audit and Home Energy Review
• Resident Web Panel: Your Opinion Matters

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.

When: Sat/Sun, April-Sept 10AM-1PM Where: Greater Gresham area Meet at Main City Park 219 S. Main Ave Gresham, OR Get map!

Join the Fun

Adult group bike rides and family bicycle rides are all offered free of charge and sponsored by the City and the Gresham Regional Center Transportation Management Association.

RSVP not required but preferred. See schedules below.

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!

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.

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.