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Gresham is getting some new residents 15 trees courtesy of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission, the City of Gresham, Friends of Trees and AmeriCorps. The platning takes place on the 25th as part of Make a Difference Day. There’s another planting on the calendar for March of 2009 but they want to take the number up to 100 trees. To donate visit friendsoftrees.org
They say teens are self centered and lazy these days. Not the Clackamas High Key Club. Partnering with the local Rotary and some neighbors, they helped clean up the yard of Julie Corbin, an elderly woman who has spent much of the last five years in and out of the hospital.
Corbin said it best herself . . . “People are so nice.”
Talk about walking the walk. Six teachers from Milwaukie High completed the Portland Marathon. Why? To model healthy habits and the importance of exercise to their students.
When I was in high school, I thought it was “Above and Beyond” when my teachers spent an extra half hour explaining derivatives and iambic pentameter.
Kudos to the Mustang finishers Cassandra Thonstad, Andrew Fiske, Shannon Greene, Barbara Hacke, Barbara Jensen and Greg Kahle.
When it comes to donating to worthy causes, a complaint I hear quite frequently is: I want to give . . . but I just don’t know if the money will get to the people who need it. Case in point, panhandlers. While many people I’ve spoken with would like to help those in need, they feel odd about giving money to someone on the street for fear that their heartfelt donation will simply go to a bottle of wine or a pack of cigarettes instead of food or a clean place to sleep. As a rememdy, many people these days are offering those asking for a helping hand something tangible like a sandwich or even a gift certificate to a local fast food place (my own personal favorite . . . gives the person in need a chance to make their own choice, but you can be sure your donation ONLY goes for food). Another place this dilemma rears its ugly head is funding out local schools. There seem to be two primary camps on this in the Portland Metro area. One side arguing for more funding for schools citing overcrowded classrooms and underachieving test scores (not to mention crumbling facilities, over-worked teachers and dwindling extra curricular activities). The most common means to achieve that economic boost is via a tax hike (either temporary or permanent). On the opposing side are those who say the funding is there, it is just not being used properly (pointing to spending that is viewed as excessive or unnecessary like PERS). They aren’t interested in throwing MORE money at the problem until the schools learn how to budget more efficiently. However, while the public goes back and forth on what to do, every day children go to their classroom and may not have the tools necessary to adequately participate in their own education. Basic school supplies. Pens, pencils, crayons, calculators. There are teachers who buy these needed items out of their own pocket, but that only feeds fuel to the flames of the aformentioned debate (already undercompensated teachers shelling out their own dollars to do their job). And while community members would love to help, some fear donating money will only wind up being used in a way that they see as innapropriate or unnecessary. Enter School House Supplies (schoolhousesupplies.org) I had a chance to talk with the organizers of this group at their first annual donation drive kick off party and I’ve gotta say, it’s a pretty cool idea. They accept donations of new or gently used school supplies (backpacks, crayons, markers, pencils, everything except computer equipment) .. . $8 Million to date. Then, they disperse it in two ways: 1. Kids in need gets a back pack at the start of the school year. Each one is STUFFED with all the supplies they’ll need for the next nine months (taken straight from the schools own recommended supply list sent out at the start of the year). 2. Teachers are given multiple shopping trips to the supply warehouse where they can stock up on whatever items their room needs over the course of the year. Free of chrage, of course. Sam Leech, a 3rd grade teacher at James John Elementary calls the system invaluable. He says a generation of kids coming through the Portland School System are growing up NOT knowing what it feels like to be different or singled out because they can’t afford colored pencils or notebook paper. They are just like their classmates. And it’s all thanks to School House Supplies. SHS is trying to raise $75,000 in supplies for Portland kids this year. To donate or volunteer, check out the website: www.schoolhousesupplies.org
What’s better than playing miniature golf on the rooftop of a downtown PDX building? How about playing mini golf on a Portland rooftop to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation? Thursday night is the Wishful Putting event presented by the MAW Junior Board (a group of 20 and 30-something’s with a history of working with the Foundation . . . look for more on this group in an upcoming post). Under skies forecasted at basically perfect golf weather (clear and warm . . . about seventy degrees), local duffers can test their skill in the rooftop golf game . . . or simply sip cocktails, dine on elegant cuisine and enjoy the view. On top of the games and food, the event boasts music AND prizes. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation . . . . you can get more info on this event as well as future plans from the Junior Board online at www.orwish.org
Parking at the Portland International Airport (recently voted the country’s TOP hub) can be a bit challenging, especially as construction on a new parking garage swallows HUNDREDS of spaces for the next several months. However, for travelers in a hurry, a new option will be unveiled Monday . . . .Gold Key VALET. That’s right, for thirty bucks a day, you can leave your keys with an attendant (it’s twenty-four bucks a day in the garage) . . . tell him when you’re returning . . . and they’ll handle the rest. They’ll even have it waiting for you at the terminal when you land. No word yet on whether the valet’s will be standing next to a sandwich board sporting red jackets and bow-ties a la the car guys in Beverly Hills 
*side note . . . . this announcement comes just a WEEK after PDX announced that Northwest Air will be offering a non-stop flight from PDX to the Netherlands . . . so, if one day you wake up with the urge to roll to Amsterdam but don’t want to deal with the hassle of a layover in New York . . . there ya go . . .
Not only is the downtown area getting a much needed face lift in the bus mall . . . apparently, it’s a lot safer these days. The Downtown Business Improvement District says crime is DOWN 20% since the same time last year making it the SAFEST neighborhood in the Portland metro area. Officials credit a collaborative effort by the Portland Alliance and the Police. Back in 2005, the Clean and Safe security program (from the Portland Alliance) had it’s funding bumped UP by 30% in an effort to clean up downtown, China Town and Old Town. Looks like it’s working.
For this story we venture north of the Portland city limits to the great land known as America’s Vancouver (at least that’s what Mayor Royce Pollard calls it ) If you visit Curt Warner Chevy you may not see just your average car lot. But that’s not the case. Sales manager Korry Holtzander is quietly helping people in need, one at a time. Recently, he wandered out on the lot only to find an indigent man sleeping in one of the cars. Instead of throwing the man out or calling the police . . . Holtzander talked with him . . . got him a cup of coffee . . . and after two hours of conversation helped the man sign up for assistance and land an apartment. This story isn’t a first for the sales manager . . . Three of his current employees (and some of his top sellers) were found while suffering hard times . . . a fourth employee would STILL be working at Curt Warner Chevy but apparently landed a job at another dealership.
Even if you aren’t an NBA fan, this is HUGE news for the city at large. Season ticket sales SKYROCKETED after the announcement earlier this week that the Blazers get first pick in the NBA draft. Pundits say the young core of community-minded, positive-role-model, talented players who call the Rose Garden home may finally get that one missing piece to catapult the squad into the upper echelon of teams. The jump in sales means a boom for the economy at large, ESPECIALLY those businesses near the Rose Quarter. Managers are already planning how to best serve the predicted influx of fans come October. Rip City may very well return to Portland in just a few months. Go Blazers!!!
By breaking out the platform shoes, polyester suits, gold chains and big hair, local people made a huge difference for the Clark County YWCA. Their recent disco-themed auction at the Vancouver Hilton brought in $445,000. If you’d like to participate in an upcoming fundraiser, the YWCA is holding the Home and Garden Tour out at Salmon Creek in late June . . . and in October, NBC’s Chris Hansen (famous for the “To Catch a Predator” series) will be speaking at one of their luncheon’s. The “Y” supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and homelessness.
