SCAM Warning re Civil War Tickets

From the Attorney General

BE ALERT FOR FAKE CIVIL WAR TICKETS

With the enthusiasm for the upcoming Civil War football game between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University comes an increased risk of fake ticket sales. Con artists and scammers routinely try to capitalize off of highly anticipated events to pad their own wallets. Selling counterfeit tickets is illegal. Below are some tips offered by the Oregon Department of Justice and Attorney General John Kroger to help consumers avoid purchasing fake tickets.

1. It’s best to purchase tickets from a reputable ticket distributor. These companies will guarantee the validity of the ticket and on-time delivery.
2. When possible, use a credit card for any online purchase. If the tickets you purchased are never delivered, not in the advertised section, or counterfeit, consumers can dispute the charge.
3. If using Craigslist or Ebay, meet the seller face-to-face at a public place. Ask questions about the seats and seller. Get reliable contact information from the sellers in case the tickets are counterfeit.
4. Never wire money to individuals you do not know.
5. Confirm that the location of your seat corresponds with a section, row and seat in the stadium.
6. Get a good sense of what the general ticket prices are, and be highly suspicious of any offers out of that general range. Scammers often use the lure of cheaper tickets to take consumer’s money. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
7. Unless you are using a reputable ticket distributor, be highly skeptical of purchasing tickets sight unseen.
8. Purchase tickets before going to the game. Scammers use color printers to create very real looking tickets. Often, these scammers try to sell their fake tickets at the game for quick cash, to fans desperate to get into the game.

Attorney General John Kroger and the Oregon Department of Justice are committed to protecting Oregon ’s marketplace and keeping scammers on the sidelines. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fake ticket scam, please call the Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

BNA: Minutes from November 9

9 Nov 2009

BNA general meeting with 22 attendees

Leslie opened the meeting at 7:00 PM at the school. She introduced North precinct officer Jack Gillentine, phone 503-823-0743, email: wgillentine@portlandpolice.org. Officer Jack reported that Bridgeton is a really safe neighborhood that does not require much attention. In order to decrease the likeliness of car prowls, he recommended that nothing be left visible in our cars and that we install a club on the steering wheel. Please inform officer Jack of abandoned autos and be sure to report all car prowls.

Next speaker was PDC Senior Project Manager, Kevin Cronin, phone 503-823-3305, email cronin@pdc.us

. Kevin, with some details provided by Walter Valenta, explained that the Bridgeton Trail was still in concept planning. Next steps are developing funding strategies to pay for the $7.2M project. Potential funding partners include grants from PDC, use of SDC charges from Bureau of Parks, federal earmarks, and Drainage District #2. Narrowing the scope to lower costs, acquiring easements, and determining CRC involvement were discussed. The design refinement phase is due to begin during Spring of 2010. If the hurdles are cleared, construction could begin in 2012. Before monies are approved for the next streetcar project, funding for Bridgeton trail and streetscape plan are expected to be approved.

Third on the agenda was a report on CRC from Carley Francis and Lead Roadway Engineer Casey Liles. They provided handouts that explained access improvements. Much of the discussion involved Marine Drive, MLK, and Vancouver Way inter-ties. Look for recommendations after the Dec 4th meeting of CRC advisory panel. BNA attendees voted to support concept “A”.

Next up was Dan Riedl of Dan’s Moorage, phone 503-341-8371. When the giant cottonwood tree was removed from the corner of Gantenbein and Bridgeton, parking for Dan’s moorage was drastically affected. Dan presented an architect’s design of the parking area. The re-designed “entrance to Bridgeton” would include removal of the guard-rail, relocation of mail boxes, carving out 8 parking spaces, construction of a gazebo, cover for the garbage cans, and a South Channel overlook. BNA attendees were supportive of the design.

The final presenter was Barry Manning from City of Portland Planning and Sustainability. He spoke about the Portland Plan, now under development, and implementation late in 2010. The first of six workshops begin Nov 17th at Beaumont Middle School. If you want your voice heard on the future of Portland, then please attend a workshop.

Leslie closed the meeting after asking all Bridgton property owners to complete Pen 2 proxy forms and get them to Leslie, Walter, or Kim at Channel’s Edge. BNA still has trees to be planted, sidewalks to be built, garbage cans to be covered, paths to be created, and all of this needs our participation.

From Mayor Sam Adams

Who gives a rip what you think?

We do! Portland area civic leaders and I gathered this morning at the East Portland Community Center to kick off the first round of community workshops for the Portland Plan. The first workshop will be held tomorrow evening at Beaumont Middle School at 6:30 p.m. The Portland Plan will be a strategic roadmap to ensure the city is thriving, prosperous and sustainable for all residents. Through the development of the plan, Portlanders will help to define priorities, guide investment of public dollars and set the course for Portland for the next 25 years. The Portland Plan is part of a state-mandated comprehensive plan update and will touch every neighborhood, district and resident as the city grows. Portland is a great city, but it’s not great for everyone. We have some real challenges ahead of us. Through the Portland Plan, we have an opportunity to make more informed decisions and improve collaboration among regional partners to achieve common goals. The last time the City developed a comprehensive plan was 1980; about 50 percent of Portlanders today were not here at that time. Because of the impact the plan will ultimately have on each resident of Portland, we are asking for maximum community input over the next 15 months. You can weigh in at community workshops, complete a survey (online atwww.pdxplan.com or included in December’s Curbsider publication), and participate in the conversation through social media. The goals of the first round of workshops are to get grounded in the facts facing Portland now, create a healthy dialogue around how to solve some of our major challenges, and set a course with short and long term goals and actions to shape the next quarter century of change. Focus areas for public engagement Public involvement in the Portland Plan is essential. Many of the issues the city is facing may be surprising to Portlanders. Some of these challenges are: -63% of Portland’s students don’t graduate on time. -Portland’s unemployment rate tops 11%. -70% of the city’s electricity use comes from fossil fuels. -It will take $136 million more per year just to maintain the city’s aging infrastructure of bridges, signals, reservoirs, natural areas and civic buildings and maintain regulatory standards. The 1980 comprehensive plan addressed many of the physical elements of Portland such as transportation infrastructure and creating a vibrant central city. The Portland Plan will build off that work while focusing heavily on the human elements in order to benefit the people living here over the next 25 years. In 2007, the City of Portland conducted visionPDX, which gathered information from more than 17,000 Portlanders about their vision for the city. Out of this process came a set of values that helped establish goals for the community. Now the Portland Plan is picking up the dialogue about how those goals can be realized. Workshops for public engagement The first round of community workshops start tomorrow, November 17, and run through December 15, in locations throughout Portland. The City and its partners are asking all Portlanders to weigh in on issues ranging from education, community health, arts and transportation to healthy food, job growth and protecting the environment. The workshop dates, times and locations are as follows: Tuesday, November 17 Saturday, December 5 6:30-9 p.m. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Beaumont Middle School Mt. Scott Community Center 4043 NE Fremont Street 5530 SE 72nd Avenue Thursday, November 19 Monday, December 7 6:30-9 p.m. 6:30-9 p.m. David Douglas High School Wilson High School 1001 SE 135th Avenue 1151 SW Vermont Street Tuesday, December 1 Tuesday, December 15 6:30-9 p.m. 6:30-9 p.m. St. Johns Community Center University of Oregon, Old Town 8427 N Central Street 70 NW Couch Street Thursday, December 3 8-9:30 a.m. World Trade Center 121 SW Salmon Street Public partners of the Portland Plan Because the City cannot address these issues alone, public partners working with the City of Portland on the Portland Plan include Metro, Multnomah County, Portland State University, Portland Public Schools, Parkrose School District, Centennial School District, David Douglas School District, Reynolds School District, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Community College, TriMet, Portland Development Commission, Housing Authority of Portland, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Multnomah County Drainage District and Worksystems Inc. What the partners are saying about the Portland Plan “Portland and all cities in the region will see significant population growth in the next 25 years,” said Metro Council President David Bragdon. “It’s important that residents become involved in the City’s planning process to help us reach goals shared by the families and businesses that make up our communities.” - David Bragdon, President, Metro “Our planning needs to embrace big ideas, like how equity concerns should shape land-use choices, as well as concrete dilemmas, like how our central city accommodates and pays for adequate courtrooms to keep our public safety system running.” - Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair “Thoughtful, long-range planning is the only way to prepare the region for the quickly changing economy. And it will take every sector of the region working and planning together. That’s why Portland Community College is excited to be part of the Portland Plan.” - Dr. Preston Pulliams, president, Portland Community College "I am very glad to be a part of the development of the new Portland Plan. As a Multnomah County, City of Portland school district Superintendent, I will be very intentional about reminding everyone how important the health of our local schools is for the eventual economic development and livability of successful families in our city. This is a great opportunity for collaboration and partnership. Let’s make the most of this opportunity by working together to build a solid and viable Plan to make Portland the greatest city in America". - Karen Gray, Superintendent, Parkrose School District “Portland is uniquely qualified to drive the global green economy in the years to come. At PDC we are focusing our efforts on targeted industries and working to grow and sustain the businesses, both large and small, that have helped shape the diverse, vibrant city we have today.” - Bruce Warner, Executive Director, Portland Development Commission “Vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods with safe routes to transit are fundamental to the success of healthy and economically strong communities. The Plan’s 20-minute neighborhood concept sets us up for expanded success with our transit investments and for building sustainable communities. TriMet is a committed partner of the renewed Portland Plan.” - Fred Hansen, TriMet General Manager "The Housing Authority of Portland is pleased to be a sponsor of the Portland Plan. It's important for all Portlanders, no matter what their income, or whether they're homeowners or renters, to be heard and share their hopes and vision for the community's future." - Steve Rudman, Housing Authority of Portland “The long-term strategic planning process at the heart of the Portland Plan has the potential to improve our community across the board. I am particularly interested in the collaborative effort that will take place to improve education which will, in turn, improve the economic viability of Portland and the quality of life of our citizens.” - Robert McKean, Centennial School District "I appreciate the inclusive approach of the Mayor and the City leadership on the Portland Plan. Portland Public Schools will be an active partner. We see this as a great opportunity to ensure students and schools are a vital part of the future of Portland we build together." - Carole Smith, Superintendent, Portland Public Schools “None of us works in a vacuum; we work in partnership. Why? Because we are simply more effective that way. It makes sense to plan in partnership as well. If we do this right we can significantly improve our collective impact on the issues we all work to address. The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District has always valued our partnership with the City of Portland and we look forward to strengthening the relationship through this collaborative planning effort.” -Jean Fike, Executive Director, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District A video of this morning's event will be posted later this afternoon. To watch the video and find more information about the Portland Plan, visit www.pdxplan.com, follow us on Twitter, @PDXPlan & #pdxplan or become a fan on Facebook,www.facebook.com/pdxplan. ### http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/

Community Safety Open House and Town Hall

Please join Sen. Chip Shields, City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, County Commissioner Jeff Cogen and Rep. Lew Frederick

For a Community Safety Open House and Town Hall

Learn where to turn for help. Learn how to help others.

Thursday, November 19, 6-8 pm

Jefferson High School Cafeteria

5210 N. Kerby

Oregon's property crime rate is the lowest it's been since 1966. The violent crime rate is plummeting too. Portland was just rated the third safest city in America. But all this good news doesn't matter if crime is happening on your block or in your neighborhood.

For over 14 years, Sen. Chip Shields has been working to make our community safer. He founded Better People, a N/NE Portland nonprofit employment and counseling program for former offenders that reduces recidivism -- the rate at which offenders return to crime. He and his spouse Shelda Holmes were foster parents. He has co-chaired the Public Safety Subcommittee of Way & Means in the Oregon legislature since 2007 where he successfully defended Multnomah County gang enforcement and services funding and expanded help to domestic violence survivors. He has served on the Mayor's Gang Taskforce.

At any given moment, dozens of community organizations and government agencies are working to address and prevent crime in our neighborhoods. From organizations working to make foster homes true homes of healing, to after school programs keeping kids out of trouble to gang outreach workers making a difference on the street - it's important to know what resources are available to help you and to help prevent crime on your block.

For one evening, you're invited to learn how to prevent crime in your neighborhood:

The Community Safety Open House

We are bringing community safety partners together in one room to share what they are contributing to community safety and to answer your questions on where to turn for help. Light refreshments will be provided.

When: November 19th, 2009 from 6 to 8

Where: Jefferson High School Cafeteria, 5210 N Kerby Avenue

Hosted by: State Sen. Chip Shields
City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, Commissioner of the Portland Police Bureau
County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, District 2 - N/NE Portland
and State Representative Lew Frederick - N/NE Portland


Participating organizations:
Emmanuel Community Services (ECS)
Brothers and Sisters Keepers Inc. (BSK)
Center for Family and Adolescent Research
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
LifeWorks NW
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
Northwest Family Services
Oregon Youth Authority
Portland Police Activities League (PAL)
Portland Police Bureau - GREAT Program
Portland Police Bureau - North Precinct Neighborhood Response Team
Portland Police Bureau School Resource Office Program
Multnomah County Department of Community Justice -- Adult and Juvenile Divisions
Resolutions Northwest

FYI Chip shields is our new state Senator and Lew Frederick is the new state Rep for HD43

From our Rep Tina Kotek

Dear Friends,

As the proud daughter of a Korean War veteran, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to veterans and their families for their service to our country. My colleagues and I in the Oregon Legislature worked very hard in the 2009 legislative session to prioritize the needs of Oregon’s veterans. Click here (PDF) to learn more about the bills we passed earlier this year to help veterans.

Grab a Cup of Coffee and Chat

Now that the cold, rainy weather is upon us, this is a perfect time to grab something warm to drink and talk politics with your local representatives. Our new state senator, Senator Chip Shields, and I will be holding three "constituent coffees" this month. We will be in St. Johns, Kenton, and Overlook. We hope you can join us for informal conversations about issues that matter to you.

When: Saturday, November 21, 2009

Where:

· 9:00 -10:30 AM @ Pattie’s Home Plate in St. Johns, 8501 N. Lombard

· 10:45 AM - Noon @ Po’ Shines in Kenton, 8139 N. Denver

· 12:15 -1:00 PM @ Krakow Coffeehouse in Overlook, 3990 N. Interstate

Learning about Working Forests

The "interim" is the phrase legislators use to describe that time between official sessions when we are back in district, working our other day jobs, and taking time to learn more about issues that affect our district and the entire state. Last month, I had the opportunity, along with several other legislators, to spend a day learning about the state’s private working forests. The tour was organized by Senator Chris Edwards from Eugene and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI). OFRI was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1991 and is dedicated to public understanding of forest stewardship to meet the social, environmental and economic needs of both present and future generations. In addition to visiting a working forest in Polk County, we toured a state-of-the-art sawmill in Willamina.

It was an educational day and very helpful for me to learn about an iconic Oregon industry that is a critical part of our state’s economy. In 2007, Oregon’s forest sector produced about 11 percent of the total goods and services produced in Oregon. While private forestland is about 35% of all forestland in Oregon, these lands produce 83% of the current timber harvest.

Tours like these help me broaden my knowledge of various policy issues and build relationships with rural legislators. If there are issues you are passionate about, I encourage you to use the interim to communicate your interests to me and my staff.

Preparing for the February Session

Legislators are planning to be back in the Capitol for a one-month special session in February 2010. In addition to budget balancing work, we will likely consider a variety of bills relevant to the economic recession. I am working with Senator Diane Rosenbaum from SE Portland to spearhead legislation to curb a practice that is becoming disturbingly common place: employers using consumer credit reports as a pre-employment screening tool. The (often faulty) information from credit reports can be used to deny employment to otherwise qualified applicants. This practice is especially frustrating in our current economy because it forces people into an unbelievable Catch-22: if you’re having financial problems because you’re not working, you can’t get a job because you’re having financial problems!

So, where do you come in? We know that this is happening here in Portland, but we need to identify people who have been negatively affected by potential employers checking their credit. Please contact my office with any personal experience you have. Thank you in advance for your help in supporting this legislation.

AFL-CIO Legislator of the Year

I was honored to be named Legislator of the Year by the Oregon AFL-CIO at their convention in Bend last month. I am proud of the work I did this past session to expand health care access, protect workers’ rights, create jobs, and preserve child care assistance for working families. This recognition means a lot to me, and I pledge to continue to be a champion for Oregon’s workers.

Best Wishes,

Upcoming Events

Monday November 9

Bridgeton Neighborhood Meeting
7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School
716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:
Officer Gillentine, our new NRT officer, will be present to answer questions.
He may have some recommendations for our recent car robberies.

There is good news about the Bridgeton Promenade.
PDC will be here to discuss what is happening.

What is the current plan for Marine Drive interchange and Hayden Island Access?
CRC will bring in information concerning some proposals for downsizing.

Dan Riedle will bring his proposed design changes for his parking area at the intersection of Bridgeton and Ganteinbein.

Issues:
What can we do to collect the proxies for the annual Pen 2 December Meeting?
Review the Fall Clean Up and make recommendations

Also November 9

Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Reception hosted by the German American Society.

6 to 8 p.m.
Reception at Portland City Hall 1221 SW 4th
FREE and Open to the Public

Honored guests include:

• German Consul General, Peter Rothen
• Honorary Consul, Günther Hoffmann
• Steven Fuller, Prof. of German & International Studies

Photo Exhibit: After the Wall – Changes in a German Landscape November
9-30 in Portland City Hall

December 2

I am teaching this adult learning class through MindGlo:

Maintaining a Good Self-Image through Life’s Changes

Many people have their core self-image tied to their job, career, or relationships - and when that goes away through job loss, retirement or breakup/divorce, it creates a potentially serious blow to self-image and self-esteem. Discuss this issue and learn insights into how to maintain a healthy image and esteem for yourself even while coping with loss. Discussion also includes: for parents how to raise a child that deals with this issue well; for spouses how to cope on the home front.


Wed, Dec 2, 6-9 pm
Fee: $49
Location: Whole Foods Market – Fremont

register here: http://mindglo.com/classes/details/169/11/personal-growth/coping-with-change

1st anniversary of Obama's election

Come to the Krakow Cafe and Pub at 6/7 or whenever to eat and drink beer at pre-Bush prices. Celebrate with other Multnomah County Democrats.

Good food, beer and friends on tap with slides, videos and music.

Wear your best campaign gear and reminisce.

Krakow is at 3990 N. Interstate Avenue and Mark will help us celebrate with a champagne toast at 8 PM - the exact time we knew it was PRESIDENT OBAMA!!

Lynn DormanPresident Obama is elected!

Did you suffer damages from the speeding boats last week?

FROM:

Kevin McAfee
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

I am just coming off if my days off and dive training days and trying to sort through the emails that I have received regarding this case. I forwarded the information off to my Lieutenant and he did some follow up on the case while I was away. We think we know the boat involved in this incident, but we have yet to make contact with the owner. I am working on this today. Thank you for getting the word out. Since you have all the email addresses of those involved, can you send out another email? I would just like to hear from those people who received damages. I need the following information from them;

Name
Date of Birth
Address
Phone #
Brief description of damage
Estimate of cost for repair/replacement

This information would be of great help to me. I will let you know when I have solid information at far as the responsible party.

get your information to:

Kevin McAfee
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
Willamette River Patrol Unit

Another car break in

Another car was broken into this morning around 6 AM. A rock was used to break a window and the alarm went off. As many were up already, neighbors went running to see what happened.

A Jazzercise bag is the only thing missing . All that was in it was exercise clothing so it will probably be tossed. If you see this cream colored lying around the neighborhood, please contact me and I'll get it back to the owner.

I personally do not leave anything in my car - learned that living in Washington, D.C. and hope Portland is not becoming another crime ridden city. There have been too many car break ins of late and with the economy still bad, it's likely to continue.

As one officer said a few years ago - our cars are ATM machines for these criminals.

Please report ALL suspicious looking activity to the police.

Recent Crime

Bridgeton is being hit by one or more people who are gaining entry to cars and taking things of value. The cars do not show signs of forced entry but are frequently left with doors ajar and things of value taken. This appears to be happening after dark and possibly early in the morning. The thief does not snatch things and run. He takes the time to get into trunks and leaves items he does not want. He also goes from car to car in an area.

There were break-ins on Tuesday night, Thursday night, and Saturday night. There might be more that no one has mentioned. If anyone who had had their car rifled through to report it to the non emergency number (503-823-3333).

We will never get police coverage if we do not let them know we need it.

In addition, one resident had cut up his old credit card and put the pieces into two separate garbage bags. He discarded them into a dumpster. Shortly after that, he was notified of a check being issued on his account from London. Be careful to shred all financial documents.

Take your documents to Channel's Edge during the fall clean up on November 7th.

And watch for unusual activity on the street - call 911 if you see anything amiss.

Fall Cleanup

Bridgeton Neighborhood

Fall Clean up

Saturday November 7

Please use this opportunity to help clean up the neighborhood. Work parties will clean in the triangle at Gantenbein Ave and Marine Driveand along Bridgeton Road and Marine Drive.

Please no hazardous oil, gas, or paint.

There will be two drop boxes and a special location for recyclable metals and appliances.

Two shred boxes will be at Channel’s Edge for your convenience.

We hope to see everyone!!!

BNA Minutes form September 14th

14 Sep 09

BNA meeting at school w/18 in attendance

Leslie opened the meeting at 7:00 PM and introduced Adam Zucker and Bob Eaton from MCDD and Dick Shaffer from Pen #2. They presented detailed information and responded to questions from the attendees. Briefly, after the New Orleans flood, the Corp of Engineers rated levees around the nation beginning with the Columbia River. The Columbia River levee rated favorably between the Sandy and Willamette rivers.

Improvements are planned to improve the overall rating. An upcoming bond measure to pay for levee improvements was described. It uses current levee funding to pay off the bond so no increase is under consideration.

MCDD is working closely with CRC to coordinate levee issues with the overall bridge design. The annual meeting of Pen #2 is 3 Dec 09. Proxy votes are used to elect Pen #2 board members to represent the people living in the Pen #2 boundaries and to vote on any bond measure. Proxy cards need to be signed by the property owners and given to the representatives designated on the proxies prior to the annual meeting of Pen #2.

The CRC presentation by Peter Ovington was limited to the subject of bridge tolls. Tolls are a fact, says Mr. Ovington. While many in the audience disagree with the need for or length of tolls, there are really two toll questions. How high will the toll be? Where will the toll booth be located?

The variable by time of day toll range presented by Mr. Ovington was from $1 to $10 per trip. The tool booth may be located either before or after exit 308, Hayden Island. Toll will be collected by a radio transponder that reads a signal from each car that passes. Transponder-less cars will be photographed and a bill sent to the vehicle owner.

Mr. Ovington informed attendees that portions of the community favor tolling the existing I-5 bridge ASAP. Tolling the Glen Jackson I-205 bridge ASAP is also considered highly desirable.

The ODOT CRC engineer will be back to present at the November BNA general meeting.

Fall cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, November 7th.

A Moving Experience

The big floating home is gone

Willamette River Town Hall

Join Attorney General John Kroger for a Town Hall on the Banks of the Willamette River

You know that Attorney General John Kroger and DEQ Director Dick Pedersen are committed to improving environmental enforcement in Oregon.Come be part of the solution! Join us for a discussion about the current challenges facing the Willamette River and what it will take to reverse the trend.

Read more about our Tualatin River Town Hall in July.

Tougher enforcement is one important step but to make real progress... our rivers need you.

Thursday, October 1

6:30pm - 8:00pm

John Ross Plaza Studio

3623 SW River Parkway

Portland OR, 97239

If you plan to attend please let us know by respond by calling Julie Rutherford at 503-378-6002.

Together we can keep Oregon beautiful.
Hope to see you there!

September Meeting

September Meeting

Monday, September 14, 2009

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

Are we willing to support continuing the Pen 2 Bond Measure?

Representatives will be here from Pen 2 to discuss the improvement plans for Pen2 including major improvements to the Bridgeton Levee. We can have a big input by getting all of the individual land owners to sign their proxies and give support to the people they think represent their views. We have been told that proxies will be available to sign at this meeting.

What do we think about tolling for the new bridge.

CRC will bring in information concerning the many proposals for tolling.

If you have questions or comments, please send an e-mail to

Leslie Sawyer,

Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

parafriend@gmail.com

Perseid Meteors: It's that time of year again

Look toward the northeast tonight through tomorrow morning for our annual meteor shower [aka shooting stars!]

If you can get outside the city limits you get a better view [no city lights] but even those of us who stay put should be able to see some is this event. I admit that the best viewings I had in my life were in the middle of an island in Lake George NY and also in Vt [where there are few people, no billboards and almost no night light.]

But I am in the city by choice [or rather genetic necessity] and I will see what I can see - you do the same and enjoy!

If I get any good photos or videos I'll post.

2nd Annual Block Party !!

Saturday August 1st
3 to 8 PM
4th Ave. NE between Roth and Suttle

Come enjoy the Music with your Neighbors
We will have 5 bands
(Indie Rock, Jazz, Soft Pop, and 80’s Rock)

You need to bring your smile and friends
Along with a blanket or folding chair,
Your favorite beverage and a pot luck dish.

We will have ice to keep your favorite beverage cold, tables to hold potluck dishes, and paper plates, cups, and forks.

If you have any questions on what you can do, please call Mark at 503-706-4326

We hope to see everyone there!!!

Heat Wave Coming!

Having lived on the hot and very humid East Coast with a personal history of heat exhaustion - I know the symptoms and what to do to take care - yet even then I have had problems in Portland.

Dealing with many days of hot in a row is something to be serious about. In fact, as a NET person we got warning that we may be put on stand-by...

Here are some precautions to take that we got from NET:

Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

Never leave anyone in an enclosed vehicle, even with the windows partially open.

Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. Start drinking fluids at least 30 minutes before going out.

Avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because these can actually result in the loss of body fluid.

Eat smaller meals, more often, but be sure meals are well balanced, cool and light.

Take frequent breaks when working or recreating outside.

Wear sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, wide-brimmed hats and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.

Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing. Shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella. Use sunscreen as directed on small children!

Consult your health care provider about the added effects of sun and heat when taking prescription drugs, especially diuretics, antihistamines and antidepressants.

Check on your animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat, have water and shade.

and my own added warning - don't just drink water - you need electrolytes added to it - I use a product I market but there are others available - water alone can flush your system of needed resources. This many learn from experience - so learn from mine and take care this week.

From Tina Kotek - our state representative

Representative Tina Kotek D-North/NE Portland District 44 Phone: 503-986-1444 900 Court St. NE, H-281, Salem Oregon 97301 District Office: 503-286-0558 Kenton Firehouse, 2nd Floor Email: rep.tinakotek@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/kotek E-Newsletter July 1, 2009 Dear Friends, The Oregon State Legislature adjourned Monday night, closing out a productive session during a challenging time for our state and the country. We finished a day ahead of schedule, and I'm proud of the work we did to maintain and create jobs, protect vital services, and move the state towards economic recovery. I look forward to spending more time at home and catching up with individuals and community groups in the district. There's always more work to do and problems to solve. I hope you will join me at my upcoming town hall to debrief about the session and discuss ways I can be helpful to our community in the months ahead. Wednesday, July 15, 7:00 p.m. Session Wrap-Up Town Hall Kenton Firehouse, 2209 N. Schofield Street I will also be attending the following neighborhood association meetings: St. Johns NA, Monday, July 13, 7:00 p.m., St. John's Community Center, 8427 N Central Street Arbor Lodge NA, Thursday, July 16, 6:30 p.m., Kenton Firehouse, 2209 N Schofield Street Overlook NA, Tuesday July 21, 7 p.m., Kaiser Town Hall, 3704 N Interstate Ave Session Highlights from My Office We passed hundreds of bills this session, ranging from a variety of minor technical things to some major policy initiatives. I personally worked hard on dozens of bills and spent a good deal of my time focused on the Department of Human Services budget as the co-chair of the human services budget subcommittee. As the Majority Whip for the House, I also played an integral role in managing how bills moved and how we worked in a bipartisan fashion on the House floor. Here are a few of the bills I considered priorities this session: Health Care Reform and Expanded Access to the Oregon Health Plan (HB 2116 and HB 2009): I served on the House Health Care Committee, where we did the bulk of the work to craft bills to increase access to health care by enrolling an additional 80,000 kids and 35,000 low-income adults in the Oregon Health Plan and create the Oregon Health Authority and implement cost-containment strategies to reform health care in Oregon. Nutrition Information for Consumers (HB 2726): I led the fight to require chain restaurants across the state to post calorie information on menus and menu boards and provide additional nutrition information to consumers to empower them with the information needed to make healthier choices. School Nurses (HB 2693): I sponsored a bill to implement task force recommendations to improve the availability of school nursing services across the state, including establishing timelines for the state to achieve the national nurse-to-student ratio (1 nurse for every 750 students) over the next decade. Neighborhood Livability (HB 3201): I co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Sal Esquivel from Medford that would have allowed the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to exercise greater enforcement authority over serious or persistent problems with licensed bars and taverns. The bill passed the House, but died in a Senate committee, so I hope to bring this bill back in the future. Foster Children and Psychotropic Drugs (HB 3114): I passed a bill that addresses the overmedication of children and youth in foster care by requiring a mental health assessment before the prescription of any new psychotropic medication and an annual review for children under 6 and youth who are taking more than one psychotropic drug. Metal Theft (SB 570): My bill dealing specifically with catalytic converter theft was addressed in the bipartisan comprehensive bill that strengthens protections against metal theft by clarifying the role of scrap metal dealers in reporting suspected stolen metal and keeping records of transactions, banning cash payments which incentivize metal theft with immediate reward, and increasing the tools that law enforcement has to combat the growing problem in our communities. Farm-to-School and School Gardens (HB 2800): I worked with co-sponsor Rep. Brian Clem from Salem to seek additional investments in farm-to-school and school garden programs in Oregon. Although our bill did not make it out of the budget committee, we were successful in making sure the statewide positions in the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education were not eliminated so we can keep momentum on this important initiative. Facing the worst economy in generations, the Legislature was tasked with prioritizing essential services: health and human service programs, education, and public safety. My colleagues and I focused on passing smart policies that improve the quality of life in Oregon. We asked big corporations and households making over $250,000 a year to contribute their fair share in taxes, minimizing the burden for working families while protecting the small businesses that will be the engine of our economic recovery. And we combed the budget for ways to do more with less so we could make your tax dollar go further. I hope you are pleased with the work we accomplished in Salem. Thanks for reading and please let me know your thoughts. Best wishes,

North Portland Sunday Parkways is THIS Sunday!

North Portland Sunday Parkways Is Great For Families

Kids' Bike Rides, Jumping Rope, Hula Hooping, and Ice Cream

North Portland Sunday Parkways, sponsored by the City of Portland and Kaiser Permanente, offers families an opportunity to get out in their neighborhood streets for some safe and free summer activities. You are invited to walk, bike, skateboard, run, and roll on 7.5 miles of traffic-free streets in North Portland on June 21. There will be music, activities (such as hula hooping, yoga, kids' circus), and food.

The 7.5-mile North Sunday Parkways two-way route will have two loops. A 3.2-mile loop through Kenton and Arbor Lodge neighborhoods; and a 4.5-mile loop connecting Arbor Lodge and Piedmont neighborhoods via the Bryant Pedestrian Bridge and North Ainsworth. The scenic Willamette Bluff will once again be enjoyed. There is no start or finish line - join the fun where ever you want!

North Portland Sunday Parkways:

June 21 in North Portland - 9 AM to 4 PM

Featured parks/activity areas: Arbor Lodge, Peninsula and Kenton Parks, plus Willamette Bluff - Click here for a list of activities, food and entertainment. Below is just a small sampling:

* Hoopshine - Hula hooping for the kids and the kid in all of us.

* Safer Routes to School bicycle skills rodeos - Safer Routes to School, Providence Bridge Pedal and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, are hosting a short bike skills training course and ride for children. Kids without a bicycle can borrow one for the skills rodeo and ride.

* The Jumping Jackie O's - Jumping rope all day long.

* And, of course, The Ice Cream Pedaler - what summer event is complete without ice cream? Served along the route by bike.

RIDER READY WORKSHOPS AT SUNDAY PARKWAYS

Free bike skills training courses and rides for children are being offered at all Sunday Parkways events this year.

Safer Routes to School, in partnerships with Providence Bridge Pedal and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance are hosting these free workshops to help families with children get ready to ride safe all summer long. Professional bike safety educators will teach bike skills and lead group rides. Bike maintenance, helmet give-aways and helmet fittings will be available on site. Kids of all ages (as long as they can ride a bicycle already) are welcome.

Do you need a bike for the event? Bikes will be available for children who need to borrow one for the skills course and ride. For information on organizing groups contact Carolina Iraheta Gonzalez at Carolina.Iraheta@trans.ci.portland.or.us or 503-823-1189.

BE A SUNDAY PARKWAYS "SUPERHERO"

Volunteers are the life-blood of Portland Sunday Parkways. They do everything from mailings, distributing door hangers and lawn signs, stuffing packets, sweeping the routes, and much more. But we reserve our "Superheroes" title for those Sunday Parkways volunteers who help us monitor the over 110 intersections along the route.

Superheroes (in addition to having a cool title, don't you think?) get a supply of chalk to decorate their own spot along the course, are lavished with snacks and water donated by some of our sponsor businesses, and make sure that those residents who live along the route can safely navigate to and from the route if they need to get out of their driveways.

To leap tall bikes; to change the direction of traffic; to be a superhero! click on the link and register as a volunteer. The world (and our volunteer coordinators) will thank you.

WE NEED YOU!
You can help make this event a success by volunteering, leading a fun activity or donating. We have plenty of fun-filled volunteer opportunities. Be the first on your block to sign up and volunteer for this great event. We have several shifts so you can work for part of the time and still participate in the event.

Volunteer Info

Check out the volunteer job descriptions and register today!

Volunteers are needed to monitor intersections, assist in parks, and more. For specific questions contact Janis McDonald: Janis.Mcdonald@PDXtrans.org, 503-823-5358.

Levee vegetation clearing

Just a reminder:

On June 18th and 19th - that's this Thursday and Friday - a crew contracted by Pen2 will be cutting blackberries, grass and invasive weeds form the river side of the levee.

They will NOT be cutting trees!

They will though be using chainsaws so be prepared for the noise :D

Questions? Call:

Adam Zucker 503.281.5675 ext 308

or Bob Eaton 503.281.5675 ext 301

Levees and Trees - still in the news

COLUMBIA, La. (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers is on a mission to chop down every tree in the country that grows within 15 feet of a levee — including oaks and sycamores in Louisiana, willows in Oklahoma and cottonwoods in California.

Cut em down is still the Army Corps of Engineers mantra.

Experts outside the corps say a tree has never caused a U.S. levee failure.

"If trees are a problem, why aren't we having problems with them?" said George Sills, who formerly worked for the corps' Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Miss. "There's never been a documented problem with a tree."

And Halpin, the corps' dam and levee expert,

said the agency does not know whether a tree has ever directly caused a levee failure. But he noted that dam failures have been linked to trees, including a 1970s collapse in Georgia that claimed 39 lives.

And so because a dam failed maybe due to a tree - levees will lose trees. As we said when I was a kid: "clear as mud."

Full article: http://cli.gs/Vb5H0E

A day in our moorage

Memorial Day 2009 was fun....hope your day was as good

May Meeting Agenda: BNA

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

1. Start plans for a neighborhood party for the summer.

2. Watering the trees and discussing what to do with the mitigation funds for more trees.

3. A PDX representative will be here to discuss the impact of the expansion of the North Runway on our neighborhood.

4. Neighborhood input for the MAX extension committee.

5. Vote on a change of regular day for Bridgeton Neighborhood meetings to the Second Monday of the month.

6. Pen2 needs votes for budget and wants to meet with neighbors in July

SEED & PLANT SWAP

Lovett Deconstruction Salvage Yard
2030 N Willis Blvd
Portland, OR 97217

(In the Kenton neighborhood, right where Denver and Interstate meet, just off the left shoulder of the 30ft Paul Bunyan)

Saturday May 16, 2009

9am-5pm

Due to the popularity of last month’s community seed and plant swap, there will be another chance to trade your indoor and outdoor seeds, starters and plants with the neighbours. The Seed & Plant Swap will take place at Lovett Deconstruction’s Salvaged Building Material Yard on Saturday May 16th 2009 from 9am-5pm.

The Seed & Plant Swap offers people FREE and easy access to fruit, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials and houseplants whilst helping support local food growing culture and beautifying our neighborhood homes and yards. As Spring sets in, so too begins Spring Cleaning inside and outside. One person’s surplus is another person’s windfall. On Saturday May 16th 2009 the Lovett Deconstruction lot will be buzzing with the sound of people swapping Himalayan Impatiens for Walla Walla Sweets and more besides.

Last month’s Swap was lively and full of surprises as neighbors shared growing tips as well as plants, and the May 16th Swap promises the same. A longer day will mean more items to exchange. You can trade seed packets with plants (one-for-one) or make a donation to the North Portland Tool Library if you have no seeds or plants to swap, talk to neighbors, AND purchase materials to build a raised planter, garden bench or shed while you’re here.

Sponsored by Lovett Deconstruction, the Seed & Plant Swap is a call to gardeners, farmers, herb and flower enthusiasts, seed savers and the whole community to take action to grow your own food, beautify your surroundings and avoid wasting what you can’t use.

Cost: FREE – Bring One, Take One. Contributions to the North Portland Tool Library will be gratefully accepted if you want something, but don’t have anything to swap.

For more details contact the event organizer: Teri at (503) 505-4832