Info

When: Mon, Aug 17, 2020 7PM-8PM Where: Online event

Gresham's Center for the Arts Foundation presents the annual free Music Mondays concert series on Monday evenings in July and August.

In collaboration with MetroEast Community Media, this year's concerts will come to you via live streaming.

How to watch and listen

Concerts will be streamed online:

• facebook.com/GCFTA
• metroeast.org/tv-videos

Performance schedule

To celebrate the 11th anniversary during this challenging time, we bring you an amazing list of local musicians.

• July 6 - Timothy James: 2019 Music Monday favorite of R&B and blues
• July 13 - Sonny Hess Band: Female-driven blues
• July 20 - Kaloku and the Krew: Hawaiian Reggae
• July 27 - Rich Layton & Tough Town: Texas-style blues
• August 3 - Bobby & Friends: Country through the years
• August 10 - Bayou Boyz: Zydeco sounds
• August 17 - Remedy: Classic rock through the 70s, 80s and 90s
• August 24 - Mosaique: Featuring torch and jazz vocalist Thea Enos
• August 31 - Patrick Lamb: Portland touring star in pop, blues and contemporary jazz

Thank you to sponsors: Weston Kia, Clackamas County Bank, Michael McKeel DMD, KMO Real Estate and City of Gresham for helping to bring the resources together for the virtual programming.

For more information, contact the Center for the Arts Foundation at centerartsfoundation@gmail.com or Sue O'Halloran at 503-489-1157.

NCEP Temperature Probabilities Jan 11-18. Click to enlarge

BBBRRRrrrr!! Starting this weekend, a series of systems will usher in the coldest air we've seen so far this season.

By Garret Hartung (Wilkes East resident)
Climate Science Undergrad, Oregon State University

With this cold air in place next week (Jan 11-18), any system swinging in moisture from the Pacific has the potential to bring winter precipitation to the lowest elevations. In typical Pacific Northwest fashion, this forecast is complicated, so its best to break it down into a few categories: what we do know, what is uncertain, and how can you be prepared.

What We Do Know:

• Temperatures are expected to be well below the average high of 46°F for this time of year. The NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) is showing an 80% or greater probability of below normal temperatures in our area for next week. High temperatures are looking to be in the low 30’s starting Tuesday with lows in the mid to lower 20’s. It wouldn’t be too shocking to see temperatures dip below 20°F in this set up. There is still some uncertainty in regard to how cold it will get, there are a few models showing temperatures even lower than what was mentioned above but confidence in that is very low
• The east wind should be howling during this period. This is where most of the cold air will come from. Depending on the exact strength and location of a system we could see gusts exceeding 40mph, which is strong but not out of the ordinary for our area. Typically, we see a few 40+mph gusts from the east each year. This could lead to some very cold wind chills, probably getting into the teens or lower for some days.
• The upper level pattern is conductive of storms developing off the coast. For most of next week, temperatures should be cold enough in Portland to support snow at the valley floor. It’s appears fairly certain we should see some precipitation in this period.

What is Uncertain:

• A few models are showing extremely cold temperatures in our area that haven’t been seen in decades. While I wouldn’t bet on that occurring, there is a small possibility that does occur. For example, the latest run of the GFS (Global Forecast System) model has lows in the single digits. While other models keep us in the 20’s/30’s.
• The big question is how much precipitation we will get. Models have been showing anything from nothing to a 2008-like event for the Portland area. There are several factors that are leading to this uncertainty. The main thing is the track and strength of the storms that may or may not form. A stronger storm may produce more precipitation but could also bring in warm air from the south to keep us above freezing. A storm tracking too far north could do the same thing, while a storm tracking too far south may leave us cold but dry. We won’t know the exact strength and track of a storm till about 3 days out. So, any estimates of the amount of snowfall we could get should be questioned until we are with in 36 hours of the event. This was an issue last year when crazy model outputs were being shared on social media, causing some what of a panic. I will say that the models are starting to zero in on Thursday as out potential big snow day, but specific details will change in the coming days.

How to prepare:

• Winterize your home if you haven’t done so yet this winter. In particular shut off and cover outside faucets and make sure the pipes in your home are ready for the coldest temps of the season thus far. If you have a generator for your home, make sure its good on fuel and you know how to connect it properly. Freezing rain is not out of the question for this event, especially for areas exposed to the gorge winds.
• Stock your car on winter survival gear. Have chains or traction tires ready if you need to travel this week. Things like some food, water, kitty litter, and other supplies you may need if your car gets stuck.
• Have a plan. Should we have a high impact winter event, be prepared with food (for you and your pet) and medicine in your home and try not to travel. Think about things you’d need if you can’t leave the house for a couple days. It’s also good to think about potential loss of power. Keep your phone charged and have flashlights ready.
• Be weather ready! Stay informed by paying attention to local media outlets and the National Weather Service for the latest forecasts and warnings. These men and women know the area and know how snow events play out more so than the app on your phone.

The bottom line is that cold weather is expected and all types of winter precipitation including snow and freezing rain could occur next week. So be prepared for impactful weather.

It’s better to prepare for an event and it doesn’t occur than to not be prepared if it does.

A Travel Guide to our Moon When: Fri, Dec 06, 2019 6PM-8:15PM Where: MHCC Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark Street Get Map!

Tuesday shows are at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Admission is only $5.
MHCC students (with valid ID) and children 17 and under are $2.

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

The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

2019-20 MHCC Planetarium Sky Theater Schedule:

Planetarium shows are generally on the first Tuesday and on the second Friday of each month (with exceptions during November and January).

More Info
For more info visit: http://www.mhcc.edu/Planetarium

Experts Warn Cascadia Is Overdue For A 9.0 Earthquake

Be informed. Build a kit. Make a plan. Everyday you hear the warnings. Have you made a kit? Do you have a plan?

If you're like most of us - you're not ready.

If that's you, we've got some great tips and valuable resources below to help you be prepared for whenever a disaster strikes.

TICK. TOCK.
Think of Oregon geology as a clock, measuring time in earthquakes. Tick: a magnitude 8 quake. (Bigger than 1989 Bay Area quake that killed 63 people.) Tock: a magnitude 9 quake. (Same as the 2011 Japan quake that killed almost 16,000 people.) On average, a major quake happens in our area every 243 years, the last one was January 26, 1700 — 316 years ago. Yes. We are overdue.

When the next Big One does happen, a 700-mile long section of the tectonic plate known as the Juan de Fuca, stretching from British Columbia to Northern California, will slide beneath the North American plate, causing the entire Northwest coast-line to sink up to 6.6 feet. This won’t be a California-style short burst of energy quake in the earth’s upper crust. The Big One will be bigger, deeper, and last longer: 3–4 minutes, with dozens of after-shocks, some very powerful, for days, months, or later.

Cascadia Subduction Zone. Pacific Northwest. Click to Enlarge.

Hillsides will slide. Buildings will collapse. Roads will buckle. High-rises will sway. Bridges will crack. Some will fall. Pipes will snap. Within 20 minutes, the first of several 40-foot tsunami waves will wash away the Oregon Coast’s low-lying towns.

If our next “subduction zone” quake unleashes its full potential, it will be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

Let's Kick Ball! When: Sun, Sep 29, 2019 5PM-7PM Where: Friends of the Children gym 424 NE 172nd Ave. Get Map!

Indoor Sunday Futsal youth recreation is open to all students in grades 6-12 on Sunday from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Friends of the Children gym.

• Free. Open to boys and girls.
• Learn new skills, make new friends, play futsal.
• Participants must bring a signed waiver to play.
• Adult supervision and mentorship provided by Active Children Portland volunteers.
• Sponsored by the City of Gresham.

For more information, email Ricki Ruiz at Ricardo.Ruiz@GreshamOregon.gov or call 503-583-0771.

Read more about Sunday Futsal.

Flyer and waiver

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). Click 'Read more' for the answer!

Click to enlarge

Love, Heartbreak, and Renewal Local history says un the summer of 1845 Payton & Anna Wilkes and their seven children left Independence Missouri in a two-yolk oxen-drawn covered wagon and headed west on the Oregon Trail for Oregon.

They arrived by late fall after crossing the Cascade Mountains during a particularly strong snow storm and settled into their new life style in Oregon City. More than 3,000 wagons arrived in Oregon that year.

In 1850 their son William Wilkes took a Donation Land Claim on Sandy Road east of Portland.

The Donation Land Claim Act (DLC) became law on September 27, 1850 as a means to promote homestead settlements in the Oregon Territory (comprising the resent-day states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and part of Wyoming).

The Act granted 320 acres of designated areas free-of-charge to every unmarried male citizen eighteen or older, and 640 acres to every married couple arriving in the Oregon Territory before December 1, 1850. A total of 7,437 land claims were issued under the Act which expired in late 1855.

Soon after receiving his land, William gave up his claim after his wife died and headed to California to mine gold.

Rich with cash, William Wilkes returned to east Portland and purchased the Milton Frazer DLC (see photo above), which was located immediately to the east of his original claim. And that's why there are two Wilkes neighborhoods.

Wilkes, the original land claim. And, Wilkes East, the purchased land to the east of William Wilkes original claim.

William C Wilkes Click to enlarge

William C Wilkes grave Click to enlarge

Sarah A Wilkes Click to enlarge

To learn more about local history, read "Gresham, Stories of our Past". Available from the Gresham Historical Society, area book stores, and Amazon.com

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Public Welcome. Get Involved! When: Tue, Jan 08, 2019 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Rm 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

For more information about the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations, contact Carol Rulla, Coalition President, at 503-663-1466 or crullaor@gmail.com.

Click to enlarge		Save the Date! When: Tue Oct 23, 2018 6:30PM-9:00PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Center 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Get Map!

Meeting the Council Candidates
Come hear from the candidates running for Gresham City Council! The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations is hosting a candidate forum.

The schedule will be:

This is a non-partisan event, organized by volunteers from the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations.

In each section, the candidates will first give brief intros, then answer a few questions that the Coalition is providing in advance of the forum, followed by audience questions which will be submitted on notecards at the forum.

Please join us to meet your neighbors & become a more informed voter!

East County Parks: A Need & Opportunity for Renewal

Join us to view this new film 10:30 am to Noon Saturday June 2 at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Rockwood!

Click to view trailer!

Support Our Public Parks When: Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:30AM-12:00PM Where: St Aidan's Episcopal Church 17405 NE Glisan St Portland, OR 97230 (next to Nadaka Nature Park) Get Map!

Following the 15 minute film we'll have a short discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

Can't Make June 2?
You can catch screenings at the following other times and locations:

• June 20 screening for High School Students. Email for details.
• August 18 the Nadaka Community Festival.
• August 25 Rock the Block
• Additional screenings will be posted here when scheduled.

Learn More
Springwater Parks & Community is a project of the East Metro Arts, Community & Culture