Community

Click to download

Winter 2011 Newsletter is here. Download your copy today. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Eight Services Under One Roof Commissioner McKeel to Speak Reynolds 2011-12 Budget Survey Managing Stormwater Naturally Redeemable Returns Get Easier RSD Seeks Board Candidates Earth Day 2011 Events and more...

Download the full-color edition here!

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

Looking for a past issue? Check out the newsletter archive.

Got a story to share?

Wilkes East residents are encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter. Articles should be limited to 300 words and may be subject to editing. Send articles by email to: info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: PO Box 536 • Fairview, OR 97024.

Local newspaper holds Open House, celebrates 100 years as the source for East County news

By Paul Glenn, Capri Terrace resident

Our local community newspaper held an Open House on March 11, 2011 celebrating 100 years as a twice weekly publication; reporting news and events which effect and are of interest to the folks who live in our town.

Rockwood Building, NE 181st & Couch

The Rockwood Building Will Bring Eight Social Services Under One Roof

Making Rockwood a better place

For years the grassy vacant lot on NE 181st Ave near Burnside served only an occasional traveling carnival or Christmas tree vendor.

Now, that lot is being transformed into a Multi-Service Center to serve area
families in need.

The new three-story $17 million Rockwood Building will host eight social service providers plus a community room on the first floor, and 47 apartments on the two floors above. Fifteen of those apartments will be reserved for homeless families.

Rockwood Building construction, 02/2011

Ground floor agencies will provide day care, employment assistance and Head Start classes, among other services. The new building is expected to be a hub for residents in and around Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood.

Human Solutions, a social service agency with offices in Portland and east Multnomah County, is coordinating the project.

Employees counting redeemable's Wood Village BottleDrop Center

Returning Oregon redeemable's just got a lot easier. Fill the bag. Drop it off. Collect your refund.

If you haven't tried the new Wood Village BottleDrop Redemption Center - what are you waiting?

Getting started

Simply stop by the Wood Village BottleDrop Center at 233rd & NE Halsey to sign-up (it only takes a minute). You'll get a nifty hard plastic ID card and 2 convenient ID key fobs, 2 BottleDrop bar coded bag tags and 2 EZ Drop bags (made from 100% recycled materials) to get you started.

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

• Neighborhood Safety Forum – February 16
• Crime Reports
• Raptor Identification Workshop February 1
• Show the Love Contest
• Community Forum – February 15
• YWCA Fundraising Event
• Drawing Out Conflict – Workshop to Explore Conflict Resolution
• Gresham-Barlow School Board Hosting Community Forum
• Try Local First Key Tag Program
• YWCA Thrift Store Gives Back to Those in Need
• Basic Mediation Training: Apply by February 28
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• NE Hood Avenue Project Open House February 15
• Free Rain Garden Workshop March 5
• New Pilot Program - Water Audit and Home Energy Review
• New Year, New Trail to Explore
• SmartTrips is Coming to Gresham Regional Center Neighborhood
• Gresham Woods, Ambleside, Need Volunteers at Event

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.

Learn the Do's and Dont's of Holiday Recycling plus, Ways to Recycle Your Tree Including Curbside for Free!

With the holiday's upon us, here's a few tips for proper disposal of unwanted wrapping paper, wreaths and trees.

Holiday Recycling Questions

• Can glossy holiday gift bags go in the blue cart?
  Paper gift bags can be recycled. Tip: Usually if you can tear the paper fairly easily it will pulp up at the paper mill. Gift bags can be reused or donated to charity.
• Can cellophane or foil wrapping paper go in the blue cart?
  Non-paper wrapping material should not go in the blue roll carts. Most “foil-like” paper is metallic ink on paper and is accepted with recycling.
• Can present ribbons be recycled in the blue cart?
  Non-paper ribbons are not accepted (very few ribbons are paper-based).

  Plenty more tips below this break

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

• Holiday Schedule for Garbage and Recycling Service
• Living Christmas Trees Good for Environment
• Red Sunset Park Construction Project Starts
• Giving Gifts that Create Less Waste
• Property Crime Maps
• We’re Updating Gresham's Transportation System Plan
• Help Volunteer to Survey Amphibians This Winter
• New MAX Station at Gresham Station
• Did You Know? Wipes Clog Pipes
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver

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

• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• $1,000 Shopping Spree
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver
• Residents’ Views Needed on Residential Compatibility
• City Grants Support Environmental Projects at Schools
• Join Our Resident Web Panel
• Free Grease Kits for Holiday Cooking and Beyond
• Holiday Construction Limitations in Busy Retail Districts
• Prepare Your Water Pipes Before Freezing Temperatures Arrive
• Spirit of Christmas Festivities on Saturday, November 27
• Pumpkin Tip
• Fall Leaves Tips
• $200 Rain Garden Grants Available
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife
• Free Workshop: Learn to Ride Bus, MAX

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.

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.

Suzan Wells, Pres. SWNA outside abandoned QFC store 182nd/Powell. Gresham Outlook

City of Gresham "Big Box" Code nears completion UPDATE: Gresham approves big-box standards, Nov. 16

Years in the making

Five years ago the Southwest Neighborhood Association (SWNA) appealed to Gresham city leaders to create a code regulating big-box stores. Susan Wells, President of SWNA says "This is not about keeping businesses out. This is about responsible development in the City of Gresham."

Background
A few years ago the City of Gresham became mired in a three year battle when Walmart's proposed supercenter (182nd & Powell) met with fierce opposition from the local neighborhood association over issues with traffic, safety and livability. Gresham approved the 212,000 sq ft project (complete with two levels of underground parking for 900 cars) but the neighborhood, worried about traffic problems, appealed the city’s decision to the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and won. A year later, Walmart proposed a store half the size; this time the city rejected the proposal, citing traffic issues. Walmart appealed to LUBA, but the application was eventually denied in part due to strong citizen opposition.

UPDATE: Gresham approves big-box standards
(Source: The Gresham Outlook, Nov 16, 2010)
Gresham city councilors unanimously approved a package of code changes, new zones and a host of design standards to a round of applause on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Read more.

An important message to our neighbors

Susan Wells, President of the Southwest Neighborhood Association has helped shape the City's new "Big Box" Retail Design and Development Standards with her continued involvement. Throughout this project Susan has emailed valuable information and insight to share with our neighbors about this important community issue.

Below is Susan's latest email: