Announcement

Become a SOLV Project Coordinator

When: Fri May 13, 2011 9:30AM-3:30PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Room AC1253 (use door to right of the bookstore) 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Training Workshop
SOLV is pleased to announce a new training opportunity at Mt. Hood Community College on Friday May 13th. Learn how volunteers can help improve the environment and your community. This workshop is designed to help community members organize a SOLV project focused around litter and illegal dumpsite cleanup, invasive plant removal, native tree and shrub planting, or maintenance and monitoring of watershed restoration sites. Topics covered include:

• Watershed basics
• Envisioning and defining your project
• Managing and recruiting volunteers
• Educate volunteers on the impact of their work
• Add new energy to volunteer projects
• Finding sponsors, fundraising, and working with the media
• Project logistics for the day of your event

To Register or find out more:
Go to http://www.solv.org/programs/volunteer_action_training.asp, call Sara Ryan at 503.844.9571 x 320 or email sara@solv.org.

This workshop is designed to help community members coordinate a high quality SOLV project. The workshop provides training, resources, and ongoing project support.

When: Sat, May-Oct 9AM-11AM Where: Greater Gresham area Meet at Gresham City Hall (Next to MAX station) 1333 Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get map!

Let's Go Walking!
Bring the family. Free monthly Saturday walks around the greater Gresham area, May to October 2011, 9AM to 11AM.

SATURDAY FAMILY WALKS IN GRESHAM

Details
Meet at Gresham City Hall Plaza at 9:00 AM (next to the Gresham City Hall MAX Station). All walks start at 9:00AM sharp. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.

These Family Walks, lead by the Gresham Regional Center Transportation Management Association, will cover a couple miles at an appropriate pace suitable for families. Walks will take 1 1/2 hours and will return to the same starting location.

Stretch your grocery dollars at the farmer's market! Enjoy the best produce and products, flowers, and plants starts direct from the garden.

Healthy and fresh
Farmer’s Markets are a fantastic source for fresh, seasonal, locally produced foods, and artisan products. Plus, there are activities and fun for the whole family. So come experience the market. Meet the vendors. Meet other cooks. Enjoy the freshest produce and products. Make your own statement in support of local food.

Want to grow your own vegetables?
Click here for Portland Nursery's 12-month "Veggie Calendar" planting guide.

East side Farmer's Markets

• Fairview Farmers' & Artists' Market
• Gresham Farmers Market
• Hollywood Farmers' Market
• Lents International Farmers' Market
• Lloyd Farmers Market
• Montavilla Farmers Market
• Parkrose Farmers Market
• Portland Farmers Market
• Troutdale Farmers' and Artists' Market

(Complete details on these area markets below)

You'll find plenty of root vegitables, braising greens and lettuces, and of course plant starts for your own vegetable garden.

Bring your reusable shopping bags and plenty of small bills, though some of the markets will trade you a credit/debit card for wooden tokens that all vendors accept, which can be easier to handle than cash. We've indicated those markets that accept Oregon Trail or other food assistant coupons - more access to good food for all.

The City of Gresham is a community partner with a new state-wide program, Clean Energy Works Oregon. Clean Energy Works Oregon, (CEWO), is a non-profit program created to assist homeowners with transforming their homes to be more comfortable and energy efficient.

Energy efficiency improvements in reach.  This All-in-One solution provides:

• No-money-down, easy financing
• One-to-one assistance
• Simple qualifications
• Repayment of loan through the utility bill
• Protects homeowners from rising energy rates

Expert guidance from start to finish
Qualified homeowners receive an extensive energy audit by a trained building expert, retrofit work conducted by a certified contractor and access to low interest rate financing.

Up to $3700 in Instant Rebates*
*Instant Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to change without prior notice, are non-transferable and will only be available for qualified program borrowers for a limited time. Instant Rebates include federal, state and local resources and standard Energy Trust cash incentives. Instant Rebates end May 15th!

TO APPLY visit Clean Energy Works Oregon, http://www.cewo.org

Clean Energy Works Oregon is public-private alliance with Energy Trust of Oregon, utilities, financial institutions, local communities and contractors.

When: Sat/Sun, April-Sept 10AM-1PM Where: Greater Gresham area Meet at Main City Park 219 S. Main Ave Gresham, OR Get map!

Join the Fun

Adult group bike rides and family bicycle rides are all offered free of charge and sponsored by the City and the Gresham Regional Center Transportation Management Association.

RSVP not required but preferred. See schedules below.

The City invites you to share your thoughts via a series of short e-mail surveys

Make Your Opinions Count

The Department of Environmental Services is looking for residents to share opinions via a series of short e-mail surveys over the next few years. Participation in the periodic surveys will help staff design and deliver cost-effective programs that enhance the health of local streams and the community

Please share your opinions with us!

Your participation will help us design and deliver cost-effective programs that enhance our community and the health of our local streams. Participation is voluntary and you may opt out at any time. The surveys will be short, 10-15 minutes in length

Wetlands. Important to plants, animals & people

When: Sat, Apr 30, 2011 8:45AM-1PM Where: Whitaker Ponds Nature Park 7040 NE 47th Ave Portland, OR 97218 Get map!

Learn About Urban Wetlands

Join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a free workshop all about local wetlands. Learn why wetlands are important to urban communities, how wetland mitigation occurs, and what plants and animals rely on wetlands to survive. Finish up the class with an outdoor field trip focusing on wetland restoration projects in NE Portland.

Columbia Slough Watershed map

Advanced registration required; suitable for adults and teens 14+.

Click Here to Register!

RBC: Launching the next phase Dinucci resigns, Stegmann appointed as acting chair

Candidates Wanted

After several months of discussion the Rockwood Business Coalition has decided to reorganize.

The RBC is seeking board member candidates for chair, a vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and two members at large. Local business leaders interested in any of these position should contact the RBC to have their name placed on the ballot. Elections will be held at the April meeting. See contact info below.

Launching The Next Phase

On Feb 8th, Dina DiNucci resigned as Chair after four years saying it is necessary step to launch the next phase of the RBC. DiNucci has agreed to stay on to build membership and manage the activities of the RBC at least thru June 2011. Vice Chair, Lori Stegmann has assumed the role of Acting Chair. Stegmann, owner of Stegmann Insurance Agency is also a member of the Gresham City Council.

About the RBC

The RBC was formed in 2007 and has served as a unified voice for West Gresham's Rockwood area businesses on political, economic, and social issues. Membership is not limited to a specific area. The group welcomes any business interest who holds a stake in the Rockwood community. This area covers the Columbia River (north) to SE Division (south), 162nd Ave (west) to 202nd Ave (east). The Coalition meets on the first Wednesday of each month at a hosting business or organization. Meeting times are from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Scam Alert! Robo-call claims "my debit card has been locked'

If you haven’t already heard a warning about this bogus call – read on.

Today I got the weirdest phishing phone call. It’s a robo-call (with a raspy British accent) saying:

“This is Washington Mutual. We’re calling to let you know that your debit card has been locked. Press 1 for more information.”

Washington Mutual?

Washington Mutual was caught in the implosion of the mortgage market. On Friday Sep 26, 2008 America woke to the news of the failure of WaMu - the nation's largest savings and loan. Overnight the federal government had seized Washington Mutual and brokered a deal - selling much of the company for about $1.9 billion to JPMorgan Chase.

Phishing (not fishing)

Since Washington Mutual doesn't exist anymore, and I don't have an account with Chase, I hung up immediately.

It was a phishing call. An attempt to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.

This is a scam. A potential financial disaster. Don't fall victim to it.