By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

“When you have something that’s unregulated and there’s tons of fear, there are all sorts of placebos,” said Tim Cook, NW Seismic structural consultant.

He told participants at the recent, local Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Expo to be careful about making – or hiring – residential seismic retrofits. F

ollowing the event, Tim explained there’s no code for installing anchors to hold an existing home to its foundation during an earthquake. New home construction codes offer some reference for builders. And forensic engineering studies of homes damaged by earthquakes offer evidence-based criteria for optimum retrofit methods.

“It’s not rocket science, of course, but there are a lot of nuances,” he reported. Tim has been involved in the retrofit industry for six years, now working for a company that traces its roots to the Spring Break Quake in the 1990s.

“There’s no education required to do seismic reinforcement. We see a lot of engineering that people are paying for that isn’t going to work,” he said.

A survey in the San Francisco Bay area – ground zero in terms of industry knowledge – found 80 percent of the residential retrofits inspected probably won’t be effective.

“In this way, this is really embarrassing to the industry,” Tim noted.

Websites can provide both good and bad information. Tim pointed to the site maintained by the city of Salem Building & Safety Division. It recommends hardware designed to resist uplift forces generated by wind, rather than the lateral forces generated by earthquakes.

“If city inspectors don’t understand this, why would contractors go out of their way to learn the basics?” Tim asked.

He has these suggestions for DIYers and/or those who plan to hire contractors:

• Research contractors’ websites for information on their experience, methods and recommendations. Take note if they provide simple statements about earthquakes and nothing about how all the components fit together.
• Research Tim’s company website at NWSeismic.com to learn the basics about retrofitting.
• Attend a free workshop. Multnomah County Library invited NW Seismic to present them. The workshops are geared to homeowners – some of whom are DIYers and some who just want to be informed consumers. For details, visit MultCoLib.org/events/seismicretrofitting.

“Just keep digging deep and asking questions until you’re comfortable to make decisions,” Tim advised. “Above all, remember this business is fussy enough,” he added. “We recommend contractors do only seismic. If they do insulation, they shouldn’t do seismic. It’s not a recipe for success.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters

Below are the poetry efforts of three Faubion School fourth graders in Mr. McGee’s class.

Clouds
By, Genevieve
Clouds have emotions like we do. They rain
on people and they don’t care who. Clouds
have rainbows, hair clips and ties. Sometimes
clouds are nice and make shapes in the sky.
They also make storms while our hearts
flutter high above the clouds. No storms, no
rainbows, no rain or grey skies. Sometimes no
clouds to be seen. No rainbows or storms, no
emotions or feelings, just calm and clear…
but something is near. Clouds just come
again.

Portland is a home of clouds, they come
and go, it’s quite the show. When clouds are
excited, BOOM! Thunder or lightening all
pour through the sky. Clouds love emotions
just like you and me. Sometimes it’s better to
leave them in peace.

Untitled
By, Clover
When I shiver in fear at night, I think what
will happen to our world. Then I think of
Faubion school. The way I feel cool, they
way my school is unique. Unique as in
feminism. Amazing people who stand up
and girls that run the playground and then
I don’t feel that bad.

Feminist
By, Grace
I can do this.
I can show this to people who do not
believe in women’s rights. People who do
not believe in feminism. I grab my sign and
go out to the road chanting, screaming,
while the rain pours down on my cold, wet
body. Thank you Earth, Thank you for all of
the people who are feminists. Thank you.

By Karen Wells | CNA Media Team

February’s not a time for thinking of sunscreen or how to avoid sunburn. Scattered sunny days are celebrated with bare arms and legs. No need to cover up, scout for shade or sunscreen.

Unfortunately, the makers and advertising teams of major brands of sunscreen project the illusion that sunscreen is primarily used to protect pale skin from the sun’s damaging omnipresent rays.

Sunscreen protects everybody’s skin. All shades of skin – from pale to dark – need a healthy layer of sunscreen when summer’s hot sun shines. That’s right, people with dark skin do sunburn.

How do you ask your dark-skinned neighbor, nice person, African American, which sunscreen product do they use? Or how do you respond if your child asks you if a dark-skinned friend needs to put on sunscreen before they race off to the swings?

You might feel awkward about asking. You might feel embarrassed by the question.

These examples, on the surface, might appear to fall in the category of cross cultural differences. Closer examination reveals that the questions are actually about skin care and avoiding sunburn and skin cancer.

We all ask questions to show concern or interest. Showing concern or interest in the well-being of others builds friendships and community.

Asking a friend, who happens to be of darker skin than yours which sunscreen they use, for example, might be received well or not. You and your friend might launch into a lively discussion on the pros or cons of sunscreen use.

At the end of your lively conversation, you both might admit your awkwardness with the topic, followed by laughter.

Before asking a potentially awkward question of a friend or anyone, have a mindset of patience – patience with yourself and with the awkwardness.

We’re all under one sun. Thanks for asking.

Karen Wells is a retired early childhood community educator, health and safety trainer.

By Theresa McSherry | Oregon Burn Center

Oregon’s wet, cold winters bring Concordians inside our homes craving the crackling warmth of our fireplaces and woodstoves.

Data from the U.S. Fire Administration show the threat of winter fires is real. I am a burn specialist who cares for survivors of burn injuries.

I am also a person who experienced the humbling reality of my own home catching fire. Thank you to Portland Fire & Rescue Station 14 in Concordia for saving my life and home.

Nationwide in 2017, one person died every three hours and 20 minutes in a house fire. Other fires caused a death every two hours. According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, heating equipment is the culprit of one in four Oregon winter house fires and a leading cause of winter house fire deaths.

Another leading cause of house fires is cooking appliances. Evening – 5 to 8 p.m. – is the most common time for these fires. So how can we protect our homes and loved ones?

• Use nonflammable screens in front of the fireplace opening to prevent sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns from touching the hot metal or glass. My office is full of new walkers who toddle over and land palm first on a hot metal or glass door. Establish “no” zones.
• Wood stoves need at least 36 inches of adequate clearance from flammable surfaces – plus kindling, paper and décor – and proper floor support and protection.
• Wood stoves should be good quality and should be lab tested for safety. It should be placed on an approved, noncombustible stove board or hearth to protect the floor from heat and hot coals.
• Chimneys should be inspected yearly, and cleaned if needed, especially if they have not been used for some time. • Never, ever, use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire. Ever.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. It can give off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn: furniture, blankets, curtains, paper products, etc.
• Choose space heaters that turn off automatically if they tip over. Buy and use only space heaters that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor – even the basement – ideally outside every sleeping area. Replace them every 10 years. Most victims of fires die from smoke inhalation, not from burns.
• Make and practice a fire escape plan.

Theresa McSherry FNP-C is a burn specialist, board certifed family nurse practitioner. She pract ices at The Oregon Clinic Surgical Burn Specialists, Legacy Emanuel Oregon Burn Center and the Legacy Wound and Burn Clinic. Theresa has lived in Concordia for 25 years and has loved watching it grow into the vibrant community it has become.

By Rob Rogers | CNA Media Team

From the sidewalk, the mural Six Strong invites the viewer into the Alberta Co-op parking lot to take a closer look at the six diverse vibrant panels installed by local artists in 2016.

Michelle McCausey led the Alberta Art Works project. She and five other artists were given 4×8-foot panels to paint their vivid stories reflecting female empowerment.

The result is an impressive, rich, eclectic tapestry with each artist’s own unique style.

“I was an art student at Portland State University at the time,” Michelle explained. “I was becoming increasingly fascinated with street art and starting to work with spray paint as a medium to combine with the acrylic painting I was accustomed to.”

She studied the history of street art internationally and specifically in relationship to female participation. “Consistent with all art history, the patriarchy has a strong hold on street art and, for many reasons, the medium is traditionally a boys club both locally and internationally,” Michelle pointed out. “Of course I was able to find several female street artists who have been able to blast through the glass ceiling, cans a ‘blazin.’

“I think the piece as a whole – along with my original intention of creating opportunity for and supporting female artists – is a message of talent, strength, encouragement and presence,” Michelle reported.

“I hope the mural inspires our community to support their female artists. I also hope young women and girls see these paintings and realize they, too, have opportunity and support,” she pointed out.

“Murals and street art produced by men can be seen on almost any block in town. How else will girls know Portland values their creative expression just as much?”

Rob is an Oregonian who worked in web marketing for years. Now he’s involved in drone aerial photography – when he’s not on his bike.

By Rachel Richards | CNA Media Team

The 1910 Queen Anne Victorian house at 2624 N.E. Going St. has an eccentric aesthetic and history that continues. In 2017 Robert and Jennifer Guinn purchased what they call “The Going Queen.”

Robert’s research revealed the home’s history. It was built by William McMillan, an undertaker who first used the home briefly to operate a funeral parlor. “He was an interesting guy,” Robert said, showing evidence of a body elevator from the main floor into the basement.

The house sold to a family in 1913 and has since housed the living. Previous owner Jim Scheirbeck built the unusual rock wall surrounding the property.

“It’s definitely a homeowner remodel,” Robert said as he points to the red beams that he believes were likely taken from a dismembered 1950s KFC drive-in. “This house has been an eyesore for a couple of decades, so I am sure a lot of people thought it was going to be torn down.”

The 4,200-square-foot house sits on a double, 8,000-square-foot corner lot near Alberta Street, valuable property for a developer. Given Portland’s current growth, the house was likely to be replaced with much more dense housing.

Instead, the house was purchased by the Guinns with financing, no property disclosures and no ability to get a home inspection or even see important interior details due to a hoarding situation.

He also is willing to share what he calls a dirty secret. “It will look more like a Victorian than ever,” Robert said, admiring the old, ornate exterior. “The interior will be a more modern and open concept as none of the original trim or details remained,” Robert explained, touring the gutted interior. “We hope to use local artists and makers for the home’s finishing work – eclectic inside, Victorian outside.

“When we began our housing search, we were looking for an interesting home in the neighborhood we love,” he said. They already rent a house in Concordia, just a few blocks away.

The couple never thought restoring the Going Queen would become such a massive project. Construction began in December, starting with structural work to rebuild the foundation, and they hope for all work to be completed in August.

The blog Robert writes detailing this labor of love is at TheGoingQueen.com.

Rachel Richards is a 16-year Concordia resident who loves her community. She has a background in counseling/education and uses her passion for helping others in her work as a real estate broker. Contact Rachel or learn more about her at RachelRichardsRealtor.com.