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		Simple Solution. Big Reward. After big holiday meals, no one likes to be stuck doing the clean-up. But if you aren't careful with leftover gravy, pan drip-pings and sauces a grease-clogged drain could ruin your holiday and cost you a bundle.

When fats, oils and grease are poured down the drain, they stick to the inside of pipes causing messy sewer backups and expensive cleanup and repair.

The solution:
Pour the grease into a can, freeze it, and toss the can in the trash!

Let's Go Bird Watching! When: Sat Nov 11, 2016 9AM-10AM Where: Nadaka Nature Park & Gardens 175th & NE Glisan Gresham OR Get Map Cost: Free!

Join Friends of Nadaka and Audubon for a guided nature walk through Nadaka Nature Park. This is a family friendly event for beginner & advance bird watchers/ naturalists. Bring your own binoculars & field guides if possible. (Binoculars will be provided for those who do not own binoculars)

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...)

Share your point of view and help shape our neighborhood

Join the Board
Being a Member-at-Large is a great opportunity and experience for any neighbor, whether you’ve been on a board before or you're considering the idea for the first time. No experience required.

New member will serve with a dynamic, enthusiastic, committed group of other volunteers who work hard on behalf of this neighborhood.

We ask Board members to commit to about 5 hours a month of volunteer time, which includes attending a monthly Board meeting (2nd Monday of every month at 6:30-8pm) and at least one committee meeting per month (about 1.5 hour per month). Joining the board is a one year commitment where you'll gain knowledge that will be relevant even after your time on the Board.

Learn More
To learn more about joining the Board email info@wilkeseastna.org.

"Together WE can make a difference!"

Landscapes add value, beauty and livability to our homes

With water use often doubling in the dry summer months due to outdoor watering, lawns and gardens also offer great potential to save time, money and water by making simple waterwise improvements.

In the Portland area, we receive 90 percent of our rainfall October through May. That means we use the most water during the very same months that we get the least rain. Being efficient with your water use makes sound economic and environmental sense, and helps our region meet its long-term water supply needs.

Waterwise gardening doesn’t have to look like a typical southwest cactus and rock landscape. Rather, waterwise gardening practices that incorporate efficient watering tips can create beautiful landscapes that are multi-colored, vibrant and bountiful, even during the hottest summer days.

Building to Code When: Sat May 17, 2014 8AM-2PM Where: Gresham Farmers Market NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Learn About Building Inspections
Join our City building inspectors at the Gresham Farmers’ Market to view our model home and discuss how building codes and permits safeguard public safety.

The small scale home offers residents a chance to peek inside the walls and under the floorboards of a typical home to see hidden piping, electrical and other systems. Market visitors will also be able to learn more about when and why building codes and inspections are required for safety.

Nadaka Nature Park, through a partnership with Gresham, is awarded a $523,000 grant for park improvements

OUTLOOK PHOTO: JIM CLARK Nadaka Park. Click to enlarge

Source: Gresham Outlook, August 2, 2013 The state has awarded a $523,000 grant to fund improvements at Nadaka Nature Park in Gresham’s Wilkes East neighborhood. "It is unbelievable," said Lee Dayfieid, who cried, laughed and screamed when she heard the news last week that the park, through its partnership with the city of Gresham, won the $523,480 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The money means that the little-known and once-neglected forested area in the middle of the city can become a full-blown neighborhood park complete with community gardens, a nature-based play area, picnic shelter and improved walking trail.

Dog Days of Summer:  July 3 - August 11

Everyone knows that the “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season.

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?”

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). (Answer below...)

You can do this! When: Wed, Nov 14, 2011 6PM-8PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Main Mall (Downstairs past flag poles) 26000 SE Stark St Get Map!

NOW is the time!
Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) will host College Night, Wednesday Nov 14th 6-8PM, one of several such events held this time of year throughout the state.

College Night is an annual event to inform high school juniors and seniors (and their parents /guardians) about strategies for accessing, attending and paying for college. The information shared is not specific to MHCC and is open to all high school juniors and seniors, regardless of their desired college destinations.

Scholarships Drawing Tonight!
Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), the event sponsor, will award four $500 scholarships to attend any post-secondary institution in the U.S. that participates in Title IV programs. The drawing will be held close to 8PM.

Click to download

Find out what's happening     in your neighborhood INSIDE THIS ISSUE East County Courts Open in April Is There Radon In Your Home? New Police Precinct Coming 2013 Reynolds Seeks Superintendent Rosewood Applies for PDC Grant Nadaka Update, SOLV Earth Day Earth Day Recycling Event Apr 21

Download the full-color edition here. Now with clickable links!

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.