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SE Uplift's BLT
Neighborhood News
Sustainability
City / County News
Land Use
Community
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January/February 2010
Greetings!

"You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'".
                                                                        -George Bernard Shaw

Imagination is one of many gifts held by City of Roses' residents. Portlanders strive to create a wonderful quality of life through community activism, civic participation and leadership, and it seems rare when a limitation or obstacle is ever considered more than a bump along the way. This month's newsletter is full of events, trainings and ways to get more involved in our community and it is a testament to how engaged Portlanders are in our city and in our neighborhoods.

What a wonderful, vibrant city we live in!
 

SE Uplift's Bigtime Lunch Tour
The staff at SE Uplift is alphabetically eating our way through the coalition, one neighborhood at a time. Each neighborhood offers a unique history and, special charm, which reflects the collective character of its residents. During each BLT we have the pleasure of sharing a meal with neighbors at a local neighborhood eatery. The SE Uplift staff feels fortunate to offer an interested ear about issues effecting the neighborhood as well as serving as a sounding board for creative ideas.
  Kerns4
We recently visited the HAND and Kerns neighborhoods. Visit our website to read more about what we learned, who we met and where we ate during our BLT in these four interesting neighborhoods. We hope you can join us when we are in your neighborhood! Our next stop is on February 18th in Laurelhurst!
2010 scheduled tour dates!
2/18: Laurelhurst
3/4: Montavilla
3/18: Mount Scott - Arleta
4/1: Mount Tabor
4/15: North Tabor
4/29: Reed
5/13: Richmond
5/27: Sellwood Moreland (SMILE)
6/10: South Tabor
6/24: Sunnyside
7/8: Woodstock

Neighborhood News
Join the SE Portland Tool Library on March 20th for a Spring Cleaning and Tool Donation Day! What better way to spend the first day of spring! The SE Portland Tool Library is also having a Tool Library Logo Contest - so let your creativity flow. Click here for more information about the spring cleaning, tool donation and logo contest. And make sure to visit the SE Portland Tool Library webpage to learn more about the SEPTL, inquire about volunteer opportunities and how to donate!

Southeast Uplift and OSU, partner to create a wonderful volunteer opportunity!  We are seeking adult volunteers to lead a 4-H service club for students in grades 5-8. As a 4-H volunteer you will receive free training in positive youth development and sustainable living. You will make a difference in the lives of children and in your community.  This opportunity also provides excellent personal and professional development opportunities in the fields of education, youth development, volunteer management and development for sustainability. For more information, click here or call 503-916-6074.

Join Friends of Family Farmers every month on the 2nd Tuesday for InFARMation (and beer!) @ Root's Organic Brewery. 5:30-8:30 Networking and beer drinking with a guest speaker from 6:30-8pm. Learn more about Friends of Family Farmers.

mtbr
Mt. Tabor Art Walk 2010 on Saturday, May 15th and Sunday, May 16th from 10am to 5pm artists in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood will welcome the public to their homes and studios for their fifth annual juried Art Walk. You can view quality paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, pottery and more at 30 marked sites within convenient walking distances of each other.  Visit the Mt. Tabor Art Walk site for more information.

Chess for Success is helping kids make the right moves! For nearly 20 years, Chess for Success has helped thousands of students in low-income schools succeed in the classroom and in life! To learn more about Chess for Success and volunteer opportunities, click here.

Richmond Announces One-Can-A-Month Recycling Challenge
Take the Richmond Recycling Challenge and get 6 months of garbage service paid for, a worm bin, up to $50 for composting supplies and learn how to maximize your recycling efforts, dramatically reduce your household garbage, and make amazing compost.

The RNA is seeking up to 10 families who live in Richmond (with two or more children) to take the Challenge to switch from weekly garbage service to once-a-month service from May through October, 2010.  If a family meets the Challenge, the RNA will reimburse them for: 6 months of monthly garbage service at the 35 gallon roll-cart rate; costs toward building or purchasing a worm bin for composting food scraps and a compost bin for yard debris.  Families will also participate in recycling workshops and receive in-home assistance with recycling and composting. Click here to learn more and/or apply for the Challenge or email [email protected]. Application deadline is 3/5/10.
Sustainability
Fix-It Fairs offer money-saving solutions and educational opportunities to you and your family while emphasizing healthy, environmentally friendly homes and gardens. Fix-it fairs are hosted by the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Join your neighbors and talk to the experts about how to spend less and stay healthy!

Urban Growth Bounty 2010 offers a cornucopia of classes to help you grow and enjoy food that's good for you and the planet. If you are interested in learning more about sustainable urban farming that is also easy on your pocketbook - take a look at upcoming classes.


How to Be an Agent of Change:
a course by the Center for Earth Leadership
Five evenings starting the end of February (school projects only)
Six evenings starting the week of April 5
 
Look around you.  Do you see how your workplace, neighborhood, child's school, church, or other organization(s) could be more sustainable? Already have a project in the works? The Agent of Change class is ideal for you as well as those who haven't begun.  Come learn how to be more effective in recruiting others to your cause and reaching your goals.
 
There is no charge for the class, but advance registration is required.  Classes tend to fill quickly.  For more information or to reserve your space, contact Emily Klavins, (503) 227-2315, [email protected].
 
Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offers $25,000
in small grants for waste prevention and recycling in Portland

Do you belong to a neighborhood association, nonprofit organization, ethnic group, or community of faith that is committed to recycling and waste prevention?  Have you been looking for some additional resources to support or expand your green efforts?  If so, your organization may be eligible to receive a grant from the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.
 
The goal is to offer grant money to neighborhood, community and nonprofit organizations for projects or items that will help them overcome barriers to waste prevention and increase recycling while educating the community.
 
Proposals must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2010.

More information here
City of Portland / County News



Portland Plan Background Report Hearings
The City of Portland Planning Commission will hold public hearings on the Portland Plan Background reports, which include the results of extensive research into the state of the city. The last hearing is March 9th.

March 9th, 2010
Land Supply Assumptions: Identification of lands available to meet housing and employment need, including inventory of environmentally sensitive and constrained lands.

All hearings will be held at:
1900 SW 4th Avenue
Room 2500A, 2nd Floor
Portland, OR 97201

March 31st, 2010 is the deadline for the PDX Plan survey!

Portland's 2010-2011 City Budget
Make your voice heard at the following City Council Community Budget Forums. During these forums citizens will receive an overview of City budgets, talk with Bureau Directors and have a voice regarding priorities for the City budget. Click here for more information.

Monday March 1st
Montgomery Park
2701 NW Vaughn St.
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Wednesday March 3rd
Mt. Scott Community Center
SE 72nd and Harold St.
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Saturday March 6th
IRCO Community Space
10301 NE Glisan St.
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.


Creating a Healthy Community

March 4, 6-8p,
Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne, Boardroom

This meeting will focus on county services provided by the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Dept. of Community Justice, and Corrections Health.

March 18, 6-8p, Multnomah Building
Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne, Boardroom

This meeting will focus on county services provided by the Health Dept., Dept. Of County Human Services, Dept. of Community Services, Library Dept., Dept. of Management, Office of Information Technology, and Commission on Children, Families and Communities.
Land Use


Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project Open Houses. These open houses will present the draft document of the design progress for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project alignment and station areas. Bring your questions and comments:

Monday, February 22nd 4:30 - 6:30pm
St. Philip Neri Parish, Carvlin Hall
2408 SE 16th Ave., Portland

Thursday, February 25th 4:30 - 7:30pm
Milwaukie High School
11300 SE 23rd Ave., Milwaukie

View the Conceptual Design Report
Community Classes, Events and Workshops

Community Environmental Justice Training
101 February 28th, 3-6p, OPAL 2407 SE 49th  RSVP (503)928-4354 or [email protected]

Graffiti Removal Training
March 13, 10-11:30am, Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 SE Steele

Our United Villages
is hosting, Flock Together Social Gathering on Saturday, March 13th from 2-4pm @ Humboldt Gardens Opportunity Center, 5033 N. Vancouver Ave (@ Alberta), Portland, OR 97217
Click here for more information!



Our United Villages is hosting, Make a Friend of Your Neighbor on Thursday, February 25th, 6-8:30pm @ the East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave., Portland, OR 97216. RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, February 22nd. [FREE]

Coalition for a Livable Future is hosting, Laugh for Livability, this Friday, February 19th, 6pm @ Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder, Portland. Click here for more information.

Multnomah County Library
Free programs for kids, adults and families 

Portland Parks and Recreation
Events, Classes and Workshops

Support SE Uplift with a donation by mail:
3534 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214
or through our website.

Your donation will help sponsor community volunteers
and citizen participation in your neighborhood!




SE Uplift's e-updates are monthly announcements that are delivered mid-month.  Deadline for submission is the 10th of each month (if the 10th falls on a weekend then the deadline is the Monday following the 10th). Please send submissions to [email protected]. Attach jpg's of any logos or artwork you would like to include.