Selected articles from the Concordia News are published on the website, but the entire paper is available for download as well. Here’s the August edition – hot off the presses (pdf – 2.7 MB).
Neighborhood Emergency Team Training
Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) training is starting soon. This basic training will give you the skills to work with your neighbors to save lives and property during the first 72 hours of any citywide emergency. The skills you’ll learn in the free NET training will also help you manage emergencies that you may encounter in daily life. Past attendees from Concordia found the sessions interesting and fun – not to mention a great way to get important information and contribute to the neighborhood at the same time.
For more information, check out the NET website.
West Nile Virus Warning
In late June, a dead crow found near NE 63rd and Sandy Blvd tested positive for West Nile virus and represented the first appearance of West Nile in Multnomah County this year. According to health officials, dead corvids, such as blue jays and crows, can carry the virus. Residents have reported a large number of dead corvids in the area between NE Kilingsworth and NE Fremont and MLK Blvd and 82nd Ave.
Local health officials offer the following advice:
- Report dead birds – Call 503-988-NILE or 503-988-3464
Environmental Health Section – Vector and Nuisance Control - Avoid activity in this area between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
- Apply mosquito repellent containing the active ingredient DEET when outside
- Wear protective clothing (loose, light-colored, long sleeve shirts and pants)
- Mosquito-proof your home with tight-fitting screens on windows and doors
- Eliminate standing water around your property
National Night Out Celebration – Fernhill Park, August 7
Neighbors are invited to join in the fun at Concordia’s National Night Out Celebration on the evening of Tuesday, August 7th. This unique community event will be fun for the whole family with a focus on building community, which prevents crime and fear of crime.
The celebration starts at 6 PM with a pedestrian and bicycle parade at Faubion Elementary School, and continues at Fernhill Park with the last concert of our free Summer Concert Series (The Buckles) at 6:30 pm.
Crafty Mamas Street Fair, July 28
The Crafty Mamas Street Fair, featuring a slew of fantastic artisans and other activities, is coming to Concordia on July 28th
Super Crafty Mamas Street Fair
11 am – 3 pm, July 28
at: Milagros, 5433 NE 30th Avenue
The fair will feature a variety of crafts, clothes, accessories and more produced by local artisans, as well as free art activities for the kids and a raffle. See the Milagros blog post for more details.
Family Dance Party, August 5th
Need to shake your booty with your little cutie this summer? Mark your calendars and get ready to dance while supporting a wonderful organization.
As a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, La Leche League of Portland is hosting a Family Dance Party:
Sunday August 5th from 2pm-5pm
at the North Star Ballroom, 635 N. Killingsworth Ct, Portland, OR
The Family Dance Party is a family event and will feature a DJ, bubbles floating over the dance floor, face painting, and healthy snacks and drinks for kids and adults. Adults must be accompanied by a child! Advance tickets are only $7 each for dancers 12 and over (kids under 12 accompanied by an adult are FREE! ). Purchase your tickets on-line at www.llldanceparty.com.
Police & Fire Teams to Step Up Fireworks Enforcement
With Fourth of July holiday festivities on the immediate horizon, Portland Fire & Rescue has announced that beginning this year, they will be partnering with Portland Police Bureau in an active illegal fireworks confiscation and citation program.
They have distributed a flyer with additional safety information, and there is also a video available online.
Read on for some excerpts from PF&R press release.
Continue reading
Transportation Funding Town Hall Meetings
Commissioner Adams and the Portland Department of Transportation are considering how to fund Portland’s street maintenance. The streets in Portland are in a sad state of repair, according to PDOT:
- Of 3941 miles of Portland streets, 32% of arterials in poor condition
- Of 157 bridges, 22% in poor condition
- Of 992 traffic signals, 43% in poor condition
To determine how to prioritize these needs and how to fund them, Commissioner Adams is holding a series of Neighborhood Town Hall Meetings over the next two weeks:
North & North East Portland
Tuesday June 26, 7PM – 9PM
King Neighborhood Facility 4815 NE 7th Avenue
Northwest Portland
Wednesday June 27, 7PM – 9PM
Friendly House Conference Room 1737 NW 26th Avenue
Central Northeast & East Portland
Monday July 2, 7PM – 9PM
Firehouse #12, 4415 NE 87th Avenue
The full schedule and directions to meeting locations can be found at the commissioner’s web site.
You can read more about the state of street repairs in Portland in the related story in Oregonian. Whether you are able to attend a townhall meeting or not, you can still let Commissioner Adams know your opinions, thoughts, and suggestions by contacting him at 503-823-3008 or commissionersam@ci.portland.or.us
30th & Killingsworth Intersection Project
The finishing touches to the NE 30th & Killingsworth intersection project will be put in place during a community work/play day on Saturday, July 7. Everyone is invited to come out and pick up a paintbrush to put a fresh coat of paint on the corner designs we did last year. We’ll add some sand to the paint to create more traction for pedestrians’ safety. All the paint and brushes will be provided.
Three new mosaic planters will be installed and filled with drought tolerant plants. The mosaic panels are being created by neighborhood residents and by Mary Tapogna of Hail Mary. If you want to be a part of the mosaic crew, give Ansula a call at 503-281-0959; see the end of this post for more information.
Gardeners, put on your gloves, bring shovels and trowels and help clean up the tree wells. We’ll prune the trees that need attention and weed and thin out the undergrowth.
Don’t want to get your hands dirty? Create a delectable dish in your kitchen and bring it to the intersection to feed the hardworking volunteers. There’s something to do for everyone to make this a fun placemaking event. You’ll even make some new friends – guaranteed!
We’ll play from 10am to 4pm. Watch your the bulletin board on Grolla’s wall for updates.
Mosaic planter dates and location
-
Wednesday, June 13
Friday, June 15
Saturday June 16
Monday, June 18
We’ll be in the garage off the alley behind 5611 NE 30th from 11 am to 4 pm on those days!
Greener Homes and Gardens Expo, May 19-20
The Greener Homes and Gardens Expo is a benefit for the Rebuilding Center, a non-profit, community enhancement organization that maintains livable neighborhoods, preserves natural resources & reduces designated landfill waste. The expo is produced by the ReDirect Guide, whose staff provided the event details below:
When: Sat May 19, 10AM-6PM, Sun May 20, 11AM-5PM.
Where: Portland Expo Center
Cost: $3 suggested donation to The ReBuilding Center
The 5th annual Greener Homes & Gardens Expo, a community-inspired event, focuses on sustainable homes, gardens, and renewable energy/fuels and resources. The expo will feature workshops, interactive exhibits, sustainable product and service showcases, seminars, and lots of family entertainment.