Let's improve the city – together. Request non-emergency services. Read in real-time Spanish, Russian and 14 other languages.

 Let's improve the city – together. Request non-emergency services, including: fix a pothole, report a broken streetlight, ask a question. Read in real-time Spanish, Russian and 14 other languages. Either online or mobile. Visit https://greshamoregon.gov/mygresham/

My Gresham is available online and also as a free mobile app, allowing you to report issues or ask us questions, anytime, anywhere. Available for iPhone and Android.

How it works: Ask a question or submit a request. Your request will be routed to the correct person at the City, who will communicate with you directly. Follow the progress of your request online. When the service is complete you'll be notified. Give it a try!

By Monica McAllister, Nadaka Park Coordinator

Nadaka’s 5th Annual Nadaka Community Festival was a huge success! We had 23 partnering organizations hosting booths, free refreshments provided by Albertsons and Earth H2O, Aztec dancers, steel drum performer, a Ukrainian folk singer, and a variety of family fun activities and crafts. Between 350-400 community members attended the event. All of this was made possible by our wonderful volunteers, partnering or-ganizations, and local community members. We're always look-ing for great new ideas and help planning. To join the Festival Planning Committee email the Nadaka Park Coordinator at monica@friendsofnadaka.org.

Since June, we've had 3 Nadaka Community Cleanups and the SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup at Nadaka. This year’s “No Ivy Day” had 60 high school students from “College Possible” volunteer to remove invasive plants! We are so thankful for all our volunteers and their hard work! We’re always looking for volunteers, groups, organizations, and businesses to come to our stewardship events. Our next stewardship opportunity is the Native Planting Event February 27th 9-12pm.

We also hosted a series of classes and private organizations at Nadaka for environmental and garden education. These include our monthly Bird Walks, Garden Workshops, and “Tadpole Tales” with story time, a craft, nature walk, and show and tell. We held a nature day camp called “A Week in the Woods” taught by Earth Art and Agriculture.

Nadaka will host an Urban Coyote Talk with Audubon Society of Portland, Monday November 16th 6:30pm, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Murdock Hall. Coyotes have become established in Gresham neighborhoods just as they have become established in many urban areas across the United States. Some people are happy to see these wild dogs while others are concerned about conflicts. Come learn about urban coyotes with Audubon Conservation Director, Bob Sallinger. Bob has been working on coyote issues in the Metro Region for more than two decades.

After what seemed like an endless, hot summer, we’re all breathing a sigh of relief as temperatures are finally dropping—winter is just around the corner!

Fall’s here, and your comfortable, safe home awaits

By Stephanie Swanson, Enhabit.org

Before the cold sets in for good, fall is the perfect time to take some easy steps to make your home cozier, healthier and safe for this winter and beyond.

Watch your windows. Did you know your windows can help keep your home warm in the winter? Take advantage of the winter sun’s heat by opening south-facing curtains, drapes and blinds during the day, and then closing window coverings at night to keep the heat in. If you don’t have blinds or shades, consider installing them to reduce heat loss (they’ll also help keep your house cool next summer).

Lower the dial and get cozy. Keep your home 10 to 15 degrees cooler when you are not at home, and lower the temperature slightly at night to save energy. Nothing’s cozier than bundling up with blankets on a winter night!

Breathe easy. Many homes trap allergens and pollutants which affect indoor air quality and can seriously impact the whole family. Checking for radon and installing a carbon monoxide detector are two simple steps that will help everyone breathe more easily.

Get prepared. Back to school is a great time to take stock of emergency preparedness plans and supplies. It’s also a good time to ensure your home is prepared for what may come. Seismic “hardening” of your home helps keep your home secured during severe storms, high winds and earthquakes. It’s also a necessary first step if you’re looking to get earthquake insurance.

For more information about how to improve the comfort, health and safety of your home, visit Enhabit.org/neighborhood and take a quick online quiz, or if you’re ready – schedule a free in-home visit with an Enhabit-certified contractor. Our qualified contractors and easy financing are available for a variety of home upgrades including energy efficiency improvements, radon mitigation, seismic retrofits and solar energy installations.

16539 NE Halsey, Gresham OR Click to enlarge

Neighbors are worried about the pressures on the infrastructure, the school district and the traffic, saying there are all ready too many apartments

Source: The Gresham Outlook
Friday 28 August
by Jodi Weinberger

Residents in the Wilkes East neighborhood are objecting to a 64-unit apartment complex to be built at Northeast Halsey Street and 165th Avenue, both because of the density and the fear of creating more low-income housing.

“The primary thing that most people feel is that there are too many apartments already in our area,” said Kris Freiermuth, president of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. “I’m voicing what was indicated at the (neighborhood association) meeting. They are worried about the pressures on the infrastructure, the school district and the traffic.”

For weeks, residents have been voicing concerns about a growing trash problem and code violation issues in Wilkes East to the city, police department, and in letters to the editor in The Outlook. Many residents say another complex will just add to these issues.

The four-story apartment complex, to be located at 16539 N.E. Halsey St., is being called the Waterside Apartments. It would contain one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with elevator access to upper floors and a playground in the yard.

The building is being proposed by SGS Development LLC, a Bend-based company that has built several projects in East Multnomah County.

At the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday, Aug. 24, more than 50 residents showed up to express concern about the building.

"Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together WE can make a difference!”

Read it Online

Wilkes East Neighborhood 2015 Summer Newsletter IN THIS ISSUE 64-Unit Waterside Apartment Project Friends of the Children Opening 2015 Investing in Oregon Families Nadaka Happenings Summer Edition Clean Energy Works: Summer Movies Nadaka Community Festival Aug 22nd WENA Summer Meeting Aug 24th

CORRECTION:
Our story of 64-Unit, 4-story Waterside Apartment Homes Complex Proposed for 165th & NE Halsey incorrectly reported the property location. It is the heavily treed property with a 1930's farmhouse on the north side of Halsey, directly east of the Moose Lodge. The north 1/4 of the site will be left as open space. Download the corrected newsletter here.

Download your copy here. Now with clickable web links!

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 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

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Dog Days of Summer:  July 3 - August 11

The “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of summer.

Dog Days of Summer?  Click to enlarge

The dictionary defines “dog days” as: 1:  the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere 2:  a period of stagnation or inactivity

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?” Here's the answer!

In ancient times, when the night sky was free from artificial lights people in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. These star pictures are called constellations, and the constellations as we know them came from our European ancestors.

Ancient star gazer's saw images in the stars of bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins (Gemini), a bull (Taurus), and others objects, including dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor). (more below...)

As temperatures climb, Portlanders head outside – typically sporting a big grin -because the best season of the year is here. It’s finally summer in Portland!

This year, Clean Energy Works is sponsoring Portland Parks & Recreation's Summer Free For All: Movies in the Park, a beloved Portland tradition, bringing fun, free movies to the whole family. (Bring jackets and extra blankets - it can get chilly when the sun goes down!)

Snag a good spot at Portland parks all summer long for performances by local musicians, free popcorn, and great movies. Stop by the Clean Energy Works table to say hi. And learn how our nonprofit can help keep your home cool and your utility bills down this summer.

We’ll see you at the park!

*Pre-movie entertainment starts at 6:30PM, and movie begins at dusk.

2015 Portland Parks & Recreation Movies in the Park schedule here!

Artist's concept: Louise Building New Addition, Gresham OR. Click to enlarge.

Phase II; Louise Renovation Update, April 2015
A message to our neighbors from Pam Krecklow, Real Estate & Construction Manager, Albertina Kerr: