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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.

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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.

As winter transforms into early spring, there are many fantastic vegetables that grow best in cooler seasons.

The first vine ripened tomato may still be a few months away, but there’s still plenty to keep you busy in the vegetable garden. Take advantage of the cool, wet weather of spring to put in multiple crops of nutritious vegetables.

Spring Favorites
Here's a list of great choices along with their days til harvest that are carefree & easy to grow:

Arugula (30), Beets (45), Broccoli (70) Brussels Sprouts (80), Carrots (50), Peas (60), Kale (75), Onions: seeds (125), sets (100), Potatoes: 2-3 eyes (90), Radish (25), Spinach (55).

It Doesn’t Get Easier
Choose a sunny location, sow seeds in loose well drained garden soil as soon as the soil can be worked and let nature take its course. Plant a second crop two weeks after the first for a sustained Spring harvest. We prefer to plant garlic and shallots in the fall, but both do fine as spring crops, so go ahead and plant them too!

Radon gas occurs naturally. It is present in nearly all soil and rock; you can't see, smell or taste it - but it's there.

Radon forms when uranium breaks down to radium, which in turn breaks down to form radon. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking -- and the number one reason why non-smokers die of lung cancer. It's estimated to be responsible for over 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Radon enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings. Once inside, radon can become trapped and build up to unsafe levels, especially in areas below ground-level. Nationwide it's estimated that 1 in every 15 homes has elevated radon levels. In the Portland / Vancouver area that number can skyrocket to 1 in 4 homes.

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Fall 2011 Newsletter is here. Download your copy today. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Training Center Breaks Ground Weatherization Rebates Available HB Lee MS Awarded State Grant Center Helps At-Risk Familes Cypress Park joins Nat’l Night Out Rosewood, A Community Unites Nadaka Next Step, Events & More

Download the full-color edition here!
(Includes clickable links to more information)

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.
Click here for ad rates.

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.

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Summer 2011 Newsletter is here. Download your copy today. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Nadaka Community Festival Disc Golf, Columbia View Park Reynolds 2011-12 Budget Recycling TV’s and Computers HB Lee MS, Sun Outdoor Club Nadaka Happenings 2011 Saturday Family Walks & Rides 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.
Click here for ad rates.

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.

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

• Neighborhood Safety Forum – February 16
• Crime Reports
• Raptor Identification Workshop February 1
• Show the Love Contest
• Community Forum – February 15
• YWCA Fundraising Event
• Drawing Out Conflict – Workshop to Explore Conflict Resolution
• Gresham-Barlow School Board Hosting Community Forum
• Try Local First Key Tag Program
• YWCA Thrift Store Gives Back to Those in Need
• Basic Mediation Training: Apply by February 28
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• NE Hood Avenue Project Open House February 15
• Free Rain Garden Workshop March 5
• New Pilot Program - Water Audit and Home Energy Review
• New Year, New Trail to Explore
• SmartTrips is Coming to Gresham Regional Center Neighborhood
• Gresham Woods, Ambleside, Need Volunteers at Event

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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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.

Learn the Do's and Dont's of Holiday Recycling plus, Ways to Recycle Your Tree Including Curbside for Free!

With the holiday's upon us, here's a few tips for proper disposal of unwanted wrapping paper, wreaths and trees.

Holiday Recycling Questions

• Can glossy holiday gift bags go in the blue cart?
  Paper gift bags can be recycled. Tip: Usually if you can tear the paper fairly easily it will pulp up at the paper mill. Gift bags can be reused or donated to charity.
• Can cellophane or foil wrapping paper go in the blue cart?
  Non-paper wrapping material should not go in the blue roll carts. Most “foil-like” paper is metallic ink on paper and is accepted with recycling.
• Can present ribbons be recycled in the blue cart?
  Non-paper ribbons are not accepted (very few ribbons are paper-based).

  Plenty more tips below this break

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

• Holiday Schedule for Garbage and Recycling Service
• Living Christmas Trees Good for Environment
• Red Sunset Park Construction Project Starts
• Giving Gifts that Create Less Waste
• Property Crime Maps
• We’re Updating Gresham's Transportation System Plan
• Help Volunteer to Survey Amphibians This Winter
• New MAX Station at Gresham Station
• Did You Know? Wipes Clog Pipes
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver

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.