Community

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

• Crime Reports
• Gresham Charter
• We’re Looking for Solar Gresham Volunteers
• Chilly Inside at Home? Get Tips With Our Video Series
• Expect Big Changes in 2012 for Main City Park
• Gresham Composts!
• Learn How to Identify Wintering Birds in your Yard
• Learn About Naturescaping and Native Plants – February 26
• Renewable Energy Project Seeks Input – March 8 at 6 p.m
• Spring Gardening Grants and Resources
• Weed Watcher Workshop March 13
• Fair Housing Training for Gresham Landlords
• Community Forum for Wireless Communication Facilities
• Class: Winter Birds in Your Yard
• Workshop: Brain Science and Conflict Resolution – March 7
• National Passport Day – March 10
• Water Flushing Around Town
• Upcoming Opportunities to Make your Voice Heard
• Gresham-Barlow Education Foundation’s 2012 Phone-A-Thon

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.

Richard Strathern Friday, January 20, 2012 By James Mayer, The Oregonian

Former Gresham Councilor Richard Strathern says he is likely to launch a petition drive to get his charter reform ideas before voters. The Charter Review Committee, which has been meeting since October, has not taken any formal votes — that’s scheduled for Feb. 2 (Info below) (UPDATED: Gresham council struggles with vacancy charter language. Feb 8, 2012) — but it seems clear the panel will recommend only minor tweaks to the charter, rejecting the kind of major changes advocated by Strathern.

The former councilor, who did not run for re-election in 2010 after serving one term, is seeking to increase the power of the mayor.

“I think we are all very aware of the financial position the city is in, and the country is in, and now may not be the time to rock the boat,” said Joan Armstrong, a retired accountant who serves as chairwoman of the committee. “I think most of the citizens are more concerned about matters much closer to home life and work life than about trying to remake the world.”

But Strathern says the current form of government, with a city council to set policy and a professional manager to run the day-to-day operations, tends to do the bidding of influential businesses and developers.

“It took me four years to figure out how powerless the council and mayor were,” he said. “I’d get all fired up about something, and then nothing would happen. We clearly don’t really have the authority.”

UPDATED: Visit Citizens-for-Voice-and-Accountability Facebook page.

MHCC Planetarium website

Supernovae When: Mon Feb 6, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Supernovae: The Spectacular Deaths of Big Stars
Last September, scientists discovered one of the closest supernovae that had been observed in decades in an area called the Pinwheel Galaxy. Just what is a supernova and how powerful can it be? Find out the answers to these questions when Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) presents “Supernovae: The Spectacular Deaths of Big Stars!” The show will be presented live on Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 and 8:15 p.m. in the College’s Planetarium Sky Theater.

“This will be an opportunity to learn about historical supernovae, how they were formed and see some great photos,” says Pat Hanrahan, Planetarium director.“During the show, we will use a star projector to see where these supernovae were discovered and also discuss highlights of the current night sky.”

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 By James Mayer, The Oregonian Source article

The next Reynolds School District superintendent should respect teachers, be a knowledgeable educator and, most important, not already be working for the district.

That was the message delivered Tuesday afternoon by about two dozen teachers who spoke anonymously to the consultants hired to conduct the superintendent search.

"I am begging you, don't hire anyone in the district," one teacher said.

Reynolds School District has been in turmoil for several years, and the next superintendent will be the fourth in less than 10 years. The district and its teachers have been locked in a bitter contract battle since May (2011).

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

• Crime Reports
• Neighborhood Safety Forum
• Community Forum for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF)
• Basic Mediation Training
• New Downtown Development Rules Proposed
• Charter Review Committee
• Gresham Composts – Businesses Recycling Food Scraps
• Workshop: Negotiation for Win-Win Solutions
• What’s Your Opinion of Code Violations in Your Neighborhood?
• Earth Day is April 21
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• Raptor ID Class
• Winter Birds in Your Yard
• Amphibian Surveys: Volunteers Needed
• February is Plant a Tree Month (Free Tree Giveaway)
• Texas Hold ‘Em Fundraiser
• Auditions for East County’s Got Talent
• Free Activities at the Library
• Volunteer Today at Girl Scouts

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.

Stranger Danger Alert A message from HB Lee Middle School:

Early Tuesday afternoon January 17, 2012 an HB Lee Middle School student reported being accosted by an unknown person while walking home from school through Columbia View Park. Get Map.

Fortunately, the student was able to return to the school and report the incident to school personnel. The City of Gresham Police Department is investigating the matter. If you have any information about the incident please contact Gresham Police at (503) 823-3333.

Click to enlarge

Drop-in's Welcome When: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 4-6PM Where: Community Room Human Solutions - Rockwood Building 124 NE 181 Gresham, OR Get Map!

Free Behavioral Support Group
The Talk it Over support groups are for parents, caregivers, and siblings of a child or teen with a serious behavioral disorder, and is a free public service of Trillium Family Services. This new group will be more accessible to families in East Multnomah and Clackamas Counties and more convenient to public transportation.

Groups meet twice monthly on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday from 4PM-6PM in the Community Room at the new Human Solutions Rockwood building located at 124 NE 181st, Gresham, Oregon (one block north of E Burnside MAX Blue Line Station).

Open to the public. FREE. Drop-in's welcome

MHCC Planetarium website

2012 Sky Watch Preview When: Mon Jan 9, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

What will 2012 bring for viewing the night sky?
Learn about special astronomical events of the coming year including projected solar activity, the transit of Venus, the 2012 opposition of Mars, several planet conjunctions, current space missions, eclipses and the hype of the movie “2012.” As a part of the show, Pat Hanrahan, planetarium director, will use the college’s star projector to show highlights of the current night sky.

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Healthy Eating Active Living website

Public Welcome When:Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:30-9PM Where:Council Chambers Public Safety & Schools Building Gresham Civic Center 1333 Eastman Pky Gresham OR Get Map!

HEARINGS

• Type IV Hearing – City of Gresham CPA 11-245 - Stacy Humphrey
  Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
  Proposed amendments to the Gresham Community Development Plan Volumes 1 (Findings) and 2 (Policies) related to the Healthy Eating Active Living project. Materials for the work session are available on the Planning Commission page of the City’s website. Additional information also is available on the project page.

• Type IV Hearing – VAC 11-26000241 - Jim Wheeler
  Applicant: Yvonne Nelson
  Site Location: 430 NW Birdsdale Ave
  Application to Vacate the Spencer Partition Plat (PP 2008-85) located at 430 NW Birdsdale Avenue in Gresham

Board Meeting, Public Welcome When :Tue Jan 10, 2011 6:30-8PM Where: Margaret Scott Elementary School 14700 NE Sacramento Portland OR Get Map!

Save the Date
Wilkes Community Group is holding their January Board Meeting on Tuesday Jan 10th from 6:30-8PM at the Margret Scoot Elementary School Library.

Please note day change:
For January, the board meeting has been postponed to the second Tuesday.

Agenda

• Discussion of roles
• Committees
• and 2012 Projects/Events

Board meetings are open to the public. All are welcome to attend.