Neighborhood News


	Safe Routes to School
	A new movement called Safe Routes to School is sweeping the nation and Portland. It is designed to increase the number of kids walking and biking to school and improve traffic safety, health and community livability and is modeled after highly successful programs around the world. Community-led activities such as route mapping, engineering improvements, Walk + Bike to School Day, Walk + Bike School Buses and Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education classes analyze conditions around the schools and involve parents, students, community groups and government agencies in getting more kids onto their feet and active! Safe Routes to School programs are starting up around Oregon, including the highly anticipated Safe Routes to School - Portland program launched in the summer of 2005, which utilizes funds from an increase in City traffic fine revenues. This comprehensive five-year pilot program involves eight elementary schools the first year, and will add schools each of the remaining years. 2005-06 SE schools include Buckman, Lewis and Abernethy elementaries. Next school year Sunnyside and Atkinson may be added. You can get involved! Safe Routes to School is a community-driven program, with School Teams at each school organizing special events and making program decisions. Parents, kids, school staff and community members all help to make this program a success. You can join the School Team, or volunteer to walk or bike with kids to school, or help to put on a special event. To get involved, email walknbike@bta4bikes.org, call 866.452.8300, or visit Safe Routes or Walk 'n' Bike.


	Anxiety Reduction Tips
	Nancy Irey Holmes, PsyD. provides a few tips to reduce anxiety. It is normal for almost everyone, at sometime in their lives, to feel anxiety. Whether we know the cause of the anxiety or not, we may believe we are trapped with no resolution in sight. Here are a few tips that with practice may help resolve the anxiety: Breathe Deeply from the stomach rather than shallowly from the upper chest. Practice Kindness to your self in thought and actions. This is simple and yet extremely effective. Give yourself a 'break' occasionally from the constant striving to do or be more, and appreciate the Being that you are. If you can't do this, then ask a friend for positive feedback, and be open to receive it. Observe the worry without criticism or attempts to control it. In other words, "Don't stress about your stress", it only makes it worse. If the anxiety seems excessive and has lasted for a few months with impairment in important aspects of your life, it may be beneficial to talk to a counselor. Often a little nudge can help you get back on track or if there is a larger concern, it can be attended to. Knowing that it is being addressed can be a huge relief in itself! More information on anxiety and its symptoms can be found at the Innovations in Counseling web site. Innovations in Counseling Inc. provides high quality personal growth and mental health care. We offer tools to resolve your issues, improve your mood and achieve the goals that you desire. We emphasize respect for our clients' individual needs, unique and diverse lifestyles and cultural backgrounds. We are located at 3310 SE Division Street. 503.234.4440. We also offer monthly presentations, called Life Matters on a variety of topics; they are open to everyone. Pre-registration is required; $15.00 per person. Upcoming dates and topics include: April 19 Introduction to Imago Relationship Therapy May 17 Successful Step Families Visit Innovations in Counseling for details.

Welcome to the Neighborhood News - our e-newsletter filled with timely and important news. If you do not wish to receive future issues, use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the page. It's easy to use the Send-A-Friend box below. You can contact me at lindsey@myneighborhoodnews.us.

I know that my email prose can't compare to the writings of Police Chief Foxworth. When the Neighborhood News goes X-rated, you'll be the first to know. Regardless of what turns you on, keep reading for what's local and up and coming.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP

There are lots of ways to beautify and enjoy the neighborhoods around you. Visit these beautiful trees in bloom at the former Wild Oats market for the magnificent scent of cherries in flower. You can also beautify the environs - especially your basement or garage - by making a stop at the Annual HAND Neighborhood Clean-up on Saturday, April 29 from 9 am to 1 pm in the Cleveland High School Parking lot at SE 26th and Powell. Small donations per load are requested. Hazardous materials are not accepted. Yard debris, lumber and bulk waste are accepted. For more information contact Chair@handpdx.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD EYESORE IMPROVES
The brownfield at the corner of Division and Ladd has finally seen some action - all for the better. Multnomah County is the current owner of the property which was a gas station for many years. The site has been contaminated and was declared a brownfield. REACH Community Development has the first option to redevelop the property and intends to build approximately twenty units of elderly housing. Monitoring of the site is underway and will continue for approximately six months. REACH will apply for a federal grant for construction funds, begin design work and continue talking with the neighborhood about the project's components and design.

CARNIVAL AT ABERNETHY

All are welcome to the Abernethy Elementary Carnival on Friday, April 28, 5:30-8pm. The Carnival is sponsored by the Abernethy PTA which has added more games, a new prize system and samplings from the school's Garden of Wonders program. It promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Tickets are available the night of the Carnival and can be bought individually or as a roll of 100 for $20. All proceeds will benefit school programs. Contact Beth Olenski for more information or volunteer opportunities. Thanks to great neighborhood business partners including Hankins Hardware, Hot Lips Pizza, Pastini, Starbucks and The Lippman Company.

CLEVELAND COMMUNITY FIELD PROJECT
The Cleveland Community Field Project is a plan to upgrade Cleveland High School's existing athletic facilities, located at 33rd off Powell Boulevard. Phase 1 was completed last fall with the installation of lights. Phase 2 includes redoing the field and hopefully the track. Phase 3, including covered bleachers, a concession plaza, warm-up areas and landscaping, will be done after the track and field and once funds have been secured.

Total cost for all three phases is estimated at $2 million. Over $500,000 has been raised so far via donations and grants. Because Cleveland's field is open to the entire community, students and neighbors alike, please consider helping fulfill the vision for this new complex. Any donated amount will make a big difference! Visit Cleveland Community Field for details or to make a donation. Contact Carmel Bender 503.544.9909 or Marianne Morris 503.233.1104 for more information.

BIOSWALE NATION
There are more bioswales (a landscaped area that collects stormwater and filters it, reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff) on Division street than in any other part of Portland. Green street is meeting Main street right here in Southeast. The newest project is under construction by Butler Promotions at 21st and Division. Over the next number of weeks, landscaping will be put in as well as a piece of sculpture. Other stormwater management projects can be seen at Ramekins, SE 12th and Division, St. Philip Neri, SE 16th and Division, New Seasons Market, SE 20th and Division, Local 49 Building, SE 21st and Clinton and People's Coop at SE 21st and Tibbetts.

CHINOOK BOOK AS FUNDRAISER
The Chinook Book is a coupon book and resource guide filled with tips and valuable discounts for local products and services that support a healthy lifestyle for you and the planet. Fundraising with Chinook Book is easy and profitable for organizations and schools. Organizations earn $10 for each book sold - guaranteed - if you sign up by May 31st. Contact sally@celilo.net or call 503.222.7400 for more information.

A NAME CHANGE AND EVENTS
Powell's Books for Cooks and Gardeners has undergone a sprucing up and a name change. Now the shop at 38th and Hawthorne is officially called Powell's Books for Home and Garden. Books and gifts now include a greater focus on decorating, remodeling, entertaining, landscaping and crafts as well as cooking and gardening.

Upcoming events on Hawthorne include:

April 21st - 7 pm Grub:Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen includes essays, menus and cooking tips.

April 27th - 7 pm Giada De Laurentiis will be talking about her book Giada's Family Dinners and answering questions from the audience.

May 2nd - 7 pm Debbie Stoller author of Stich 'n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker will be talking about her book that has inspired thousands of hipsters to get in to crocheting and knitting.

SAVE OUR ELMS - CORRECTION!
Inoculation Day - June 24th
The Inoculation Day event is actually Saturday, June 24th and your help is definitely needed. Volunteers will meet at 8:30 am at the Ladd Circle to inoculate 88 elms. Call Toby Deming at 503.236.0620 for more information or to find out how you can pitch in.

THE CALENDAR
Join Portland Folk Music Society for the best in Folk/Acoustic/Old Time/Roots Music at the 3rd Friday Concert Series, now in its 13th season. Friday, April 21, 7:30 pm enjoy Everything But Misty River in an evening of performances by 3 bands fronted by members of the popular Misty River Band. The concert is held at the Multnomah Friends Meeting House - 4312 SE Stark. $15 general admission, ages $5 for 12-18, and free for under 12. Call Jack Bohl at 503.282.1327 for more information.

SOLV Clean Up is scheduled for April 22.

PARTY ON Hawthorne is back for its second year, celebrating the great street that is Hawthorne Boulevard. Sponsored by the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association (HBBA), come out on Friday, May 12th, 7-11 pm. There will be music, food, fun and a silent auction for the whole family to enjoy. A small ticket price gets you in for the evening and dollars raised benefit local elementary schools.

The Wild, Wild West is the theme for this year's annual Abernethy Elementary School Auction. The event will be held on Friday, May 12 at the Norse Hall. The auction features hundreds of donated items from neighbors and businesses throughout the city. Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance or $15 at the door. All proceeds will go to support PTA sponsored events at Abernethy. Contact Colette Livermore for more information.

The Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood Development Association (HAND) has board elections coming up on Tuesday, May 16. Neighbors serve a two year term, attending 2 meetings a month, adding their time and talents to help build a stronger, more inclusive neighborhood. To be eligible you must live or own property or a business in the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood. This meeting and all Board meetings are at 7 pm, the third Tuesday of the month at St. Philip Neri Church.