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Keeping cooking greases out of the kitchen sink can prevent clogged sewer pipes and expensive repairs

Cooking a turkey? Love gravy? This holiday season, and every day of the year, help keep Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) out of the public sewer system.

When grease is washed down the sink it cools and sticks to the insides of sewer pipes. Over time, the build-up can block pipes completely. Avoid this by never pouring fats, oils or grease down the sink or toilet. The result may save you from expensive repairs to fix a clogged sewer pipe or a raw sewage backup.

Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain

Put your grease in a container, let it harden, then dispose of it in your garbage can. If you have children or pets and hot grease may be dangerous, freeze the grease in the freezer and then toss in the garbage.

Cautionary tip: Garbage disposals don't help with oil and grease. Products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease may pass it down the line and cause problems elsewhere.

Free Grease Kit

This do-it-yourself kit includes a grease scraper and a plastic lid that fits multiple-sized metal cans. Instructions in English and Spanish. Call 503-618-2100 to have a grease kit mailed while supplies last.

December 23, 2008, Portland OR

Cold Temperatures, Snow, Freezing Rain and High Winds are Dangerous What will you do without lights? How will you stay warm? What will you eat?

Winter is quickly approaching, so now is the perfect time to start thinking about winter storm preparation. Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help.

2010, Wet and wild winter predicted

A recent story in the Portland Tribune said Portland area residents are in for a wet and wild winter according to a series of forecasts presented by members of the Oregon chapter American Meteorological Society.

Two years ago an arctic blast delivered a series of three storms that began December 14, 2008 and kept a grip on the area for over two weeks. Portland reported six days where the temperature never got above freezing with high winds, blowing snow, and numerous road closures. Portland General Electric estimated 60,000 customers were without electricity on December 21st. And, on December 23, the airport reported a whopping 10" of snow in one day making it the snowiest December on record.

BRRRrrrr

The 2010 Farmers’ Almanac claims this winter will see more days of shivery conditions: a winter during which temperatures will average below normal for about three-quarters of the nation. Western Washington, Oregon, and northwest California should expect above-normal snowfall in most places. The coldest (and snowiest) periods will occur in mid-December and mid- to late February.

AccuWeather.com Chief Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Bastardi is predicting that the worst of winter's cold and snow will be from the Pacific Northwest to the western Great Lakes. "That will put cities like Portland and Seattle colder and snowier this year".

Winter Checklists and Wind Chill Chart below the break

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & 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

• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• Community Investment Strategy: Recommendations from Metro's COO
• Gresham Takes a Look at Residential Districts
• Your Ideas Sought on Downtown Parking Changes – September 23
• Prescription Drug Turn In Event – September 25
• Transportation Safety Fair and Bike Rodeo – September 25
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Construction Update: Gresham Butte Hiking Trails
• Learn Conflict Styles and Communication – October 20
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife – Training in October
• Division Street Striping and New Bike Lanes This Fall
• Finishing up Summer Paint Projects? Dispose and Recycle Leftovers in Gresham
• SmartTrips Neighborhood Marketing Campaign Begins
• Do You Like Gresham’s Biking System? Take Our Online Survey
• Reservoir Watch – Help Us Protect Your Water Supply
• Agent of Change Workshop Series
• Hands-On Rain Garden Building Offered
• Upcoming Workshop on Negotiation Skills – November 10

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.

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & 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

• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• 92% Satisfaction at East Metro Mediation
• Parks Picnic on the Plaza - August 21
• Music Mondays Summer Concert Series
• Teddy Bear Parade with the Transportation Safety Fair to Follow
• Join Us Saturday for Parks Picnic on the Plaza
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Powell Valley Neighborhood Event – August 27
• We’re Giving Away Four Rain Gardens
• Healthy Streams Fall Happenings
• Like Gresham’s New Bike Signs? Take Our Survey
• Rockwood in Motion Construction Update
• Learn How to Travel Smart
• Volunteers Needed: Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts – September 14-19
• Legacy Healthy Kids’ Fair – September 18
• Transportation Safety Fair and Bike Rodeo – September 25
• Workshop ‘Energy and Water – Double Your Savings’ – September 30

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.

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & 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

• Music Mondays Summer Concert Series
• Experience is the Best Teacher, And You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• We Are Bringing the Party on the Plaza!
• Urban Forestry Management Plan Community Forum – August 2
• National Night Out – August 3
• Retail Design & Development Standards Community Forum - August 4
• Slow Traffic Ahead - Summer Paving Underway
• Open House July 27 - Springwater Interchange Area Management Plan
• Watershed Management Neighborhood Block Parties Planned
• Section of Gresham Butte Saddle Trail Closed
• Parks Picnic on The Plaza: August 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Rockwood in Motion – Construction News, Restaurant Guide
• Take a Gresham SmartTrip This Summer
• Wanted: Stream Stewards and Watershed Warriors
• Sustainability Survey

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.

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & 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

• Learn Communication Skills for Conflicts
• Volunteer for Recycling Knock & Talks
• Neighborhood Safety Forum - February 17
• Serve on the City’s Transportation Subcommittee
• Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for Kelly Creek Neighborhood Tree Planting
• Help Develop a Design Vision for Multi-Family Housing
• Kelly Creek Volunteer Event - January 16
• Stark Street Road Project Starting in Rockwood
• GREAT Business Campaign Kick-Off - January 29
• $100 Rain Garden Grants Available in 2010
• Help Volunteer to Survey Frogs This Winter
• February Outdoor Volunteer Event - February 20
• Stormwater Annual Reports Available Online
• Road Work on Hogan Drive Starting in February

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.

Hazardous Waste... Wondering what to do with those old paint cans, motor oil and solvents – and how to best dispose of them?

Bring them to Metro!

Bring your unwanted hazardous household products such as pesticides, leftover paint, solvents and automotive fluids to one of Metro's hazardous waste facilities or neighborhood collection events to be recycled or disposed of safely.

No cost

There is no charge to bring your toxic trash to Metro’s permanent facilities or community events.

Household hazardous waste is accepted six days a week year round at Metro’s two permanent household hazardous waste facilities.

Metro Hazardous Waste Facilities:

Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday through Saturday

• Metro Central Station
  6161 NW 61st Ave., Portland
  503-234-3000
  Directions: From NW St Helens Road (Hwy 30) or Yeon Ave, turn north onto Kittridge and left onto Front. Go one mile to NW 61st and turn left. Facility is on the right.
• Metro South Station
  2001 Washington St., Oregon City
  503-234-3000
  Directions: Take I-205 to the Molalla/Oregon City exit (exit 10). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Washington. Facility is on the right.

Taking A Bite Out Of Crime, One Block At A Time

Start your own Neighborhood Watch

Benefits of Neighborhood Watch

The benefits are many… beyond preventing crime and reducing fear, Neighborhood Watch (NW) builds pride, forges bonds among block residents - by really getting to know and look out for neighbors, improves citizen-police relations, and can address other block issues and concerns like child safety, youth development, senior citizen welfare, and quality-of-life.

Neighborhood Watch depends on citizen involvement to prevent and discourage crime. You're not asked to take personal risks, only to serve as extra “eyes and ears” and to report information on crimes and suspicious activities promptly.

Neighborhood Watch groups in your area

To locate a Wilkes East Neighborhood Watch group in your area, or to start a new group, contact neighborhood association members Lee Dayfield at leedayfield@wilkeseastna.org, or Kris Freiermuth at krisfreiermuth@wilkeseastna.org.

What is Neighborhood Watch?

The Neighborhood Watch Program is a highly successful effort that has been in existence for more than thirty years in cities and counties across America. It provides a unique infrastructure that brings together local officials, law enforcement and citizens to protect our communities.

Around the country, neighbors for three decades have banded together to create Neighborhood Watch programs. They understand that the active participation of neighborhood residents is a critical element in community safety

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Oregon Missing Children Clearinghouse

Halloween Safety Tips & Child ID Kits from the Missing Children Clearinghouse

The Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children understand the concerns that parents and children have when planning for Halloween activities. The below "Trick or Treating" safety tips, as well as free Children Identification Kits available in Spanish and English, are being made available to help parents keep their children safe.