February 2011 Activist e-Newsletter

Winter may not be over yet, but as the days get longer, we're seeing an increase in neighborhood activity as we all come out of hibernation and get ready for spring. Keep reading to see what's going on in your community and what's coming up.

Portland Plan Fair at Oregon Zoo

Portlanders have a chance to shape the City's strategies for the future at a series of upcoming Portland Plan Fairs. The event in our quadrant will be March 6 at the Oregon Zoo.

The fairs are designed to offer residents a range of experiences and opportunities to learn about and comment on the city's strategies for equity, education, economic prosperity and affordability, and creating healthy and connected neighborhoods. In addition to breakout discussions for each strategy, the fairs will feature booths, presentations, local food, and community exhibitors. Free childcare will be provided. For more information visit the Portland Plan website.

Date: Sunday, March 6

Time: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location: Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd.

PHLUSH to Present at NW Student Conference

The Oregon Student Association has invited PHLUSH to present and table at the NW Student Leadership Conference (NWSLC) at PSU on February 18-20. Jeff Holiman will conduct a workshop on Restorative Sanitation, which explores alternatives to waterborne systems. Abigail Brown's workshop on Gender Inclusive Spaces in Public Restroom Design will involve participants in facility redesign which protects the safety and rights of GLBTQ restroom users. The annual conference brings together 600 young leaders from six states and Canada.

PHLUSH has a number of current opportunities for research, writing and speaking. Interested individuals are encouraged to come to the next meeting on Monday, February 21 at 5:30 pm at Floyd's Coffee Shop, 118 NW Couch. For more information, email PHLUSH.

NWNW Board Meeting Guest: Amanda Fritz

Commissioner Amanda Fritz will be a special guest at the March meeting of the Neighbors West-Northwest board. Commissioner Fritz won't be speaking to a specific issue - she'll be there to listen to you - to hear input and address concerns from neighborhood folks. Residents and business owners from all coalition neighborhoods are encouraged to attend.

Date: Wednesday, March 9

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location: CoHo Theater, 2257 NW Raleigh

Solarize NW Update: Sign Up Deadline 3/31

March 31 is the deadline to sign up for a site assessment to determine whether your house is right for solar under the Solarize Northwest program. This is also the deadline to sign up to take advantage of our weatherization options including a Home Energy Review from Energy Trust of Oregon or the Clean Energy Works Portland program, which allows you to pay for energy saving improvement projects on your utility bill. Sign up to participate in this program on the Solar Oregon website.

If you aren't ready to sign up now but want to ask questions, come to a community workshop! There is a workshop on weatherization on Wednesday, February 23 from 6:30-8:00 PM at Lincoln High School, Rm 169, 1600 SW Salmon. The next Solarize Basics Workshop is Saturday, March 5 from 10-11:30 AM at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital's Wilcox Auditorium, 1015 NW 22nd Ave. To learn more about this program or to see the full workshop schedule, visit the Solarize NW website.

If you have friends that might be interested, please share this email with them. The success of this program depends on word of mouth!

NNCC Annual Meeting Report

The Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center (NNCC) held its annual membership meeting February 10. Four incumbent Directors (Rick Michaelson, Bob Arkes, Rodger Eddy, and Bill Harris) were re-elected and three new Directors were elected (Janice Stewart, Ike Bay, and Bing Sheldon). All existing officers (Dan Anderson, President; Bill Harris, Vice President, Larry Westerman, Treasurer and Rodger Eddy, Secretary) were re-elected to office for one year terms.

Dan Anderson addressed three themes relative to the past year: ongoing improvement of the NNCC's financial condition; continued but limited capital reinvestment in the building, and an improved relationship with the building's anchor tenant, the Northwest Childrens Theater and School. Mr. Anderson noted that the building continued to face multi-million dollar capital reinvestment needs, and that the northwest coalition neighborhoods that contribute NNCC's members would need to reconsider the role of NNCC and the building over the next few years.

Neighbors wishing to contact NNCC may do so by email or snail mail at NNCC / P.O. Box 10327 / Portland, OR 97296.

Pearl Adopt-a-Trashcan Update

With 36 of 60 donated trash cans installed since January, the Pearl District's Adopt-a-Trashcan program has taken up residence on neighborhood sidewalks. The program resulted from the joined efforts of Pearl District Neighborhood Association Livability Committee chair Jan Valentine, CleanScapes, the City of Portland, the Seattle Seahawks, the Pearl District Business Association, and scores of volunteers.

Up until now, the Pearl's few trash cans had been maintained by a handful of civic-minded businesses who received little recognition for their efforts. Besides providing pedestrians with more opportunities to dispose of litter, the new cans will feature plaques recognizing the companies, residents, and volunteers responsible for their upkeep. And to keep the streets even cleaner, the PDNA will soon begin installing the first of 25 pet waste stations.

There are still approximately 20 trash cans yet to be adopted. If you are interested in helping out or want to adopt a trash can, email the Pearl District Livability Committee.

PGE Park/Timbers Good Neighbor Agreement

In February 2010, PGE Park and the City of Portland entered into a Good Neighbor Agreement designed to minimize the impact of Park events on surrounding neighborhoods. Over 11,000 season tickets have been sold for Major League Soccer Portland Timbers home games, which begin in April. By the terms of the agreement, this level of attendance means Park personnel will pick up litter within 24 hours after a game from the area bound by NW Flanders, I-405, SW Jefferson, and SW Vista.

To learn more, visit the Northwest District Association website and download the complete agreement.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars now for these community events coming up.

Linnton Community Center Fundraiser

Saturday, March 12, 6 PM. St. Patrick's theme. Linnton Community Center, 10614 NW St Helen's Rd.

Arbor Week

April 4 - 9. Join author Phyllis Reynolds for a talk on Trees of Couch Park, Tuesday, April 5, 10:00 am, 2001 NW Glisan. More info online.

Goose Hollow Community Party & Book Release for Portland's Goose Hollow by Tracy Prince

April 17 in the Goose Hollow Inn parking lot. They are seeking artists with booths to sell wares, and someone to staff a craft-making table. If interested contact Rachel Clark by email or call 503-310-1756.

Neighborhood Cleanups

Annual SOLV Forest Park Roadside Cleanup: Saturday, April 16, 9 AM - 1 PM. Volunteers will gather at NW Germantown/Skyline for this cleanup of trash and invasive plants.

Sylvan-Highlands SOLV Cleanup: Saturday, April 16, 9 AM - 12 PM. Volunteers will gather at Starbucks on Skyline for this cleanup of trash on roadsides and in streams.

Linnton Day of Stewardship: Friday, April 22, 9 AM - 12 PM. Gather at Linnton Trailhead for ivy pull and trash pickup.

Polish the Pearl: Saturday, April 30, 9 AM - 1 PM. Gather in Tanner Springs Park. Volunteers will target trash, graffiti, cigarette butts, and recycling.

NWDA Neighborhood Cleanup: Saturday, May 4, 9 AM - 12 PM.

See the NWNW calendar for more information on cleanups.

Thank you for reading our February e-Newsletter. Please pass it on to others that may be interested, or encourage them to sign up.

Brought to you courtesy of

NEIGHBORS WEST-NORTHWEST
Coalition of Twelve Westside Neighborhoods
www.nwnw.org