Portland-Metro News and Events for August 8 through September

PHOTO: Youth interns with Multnomah County's STRYVE (Striving To Reduce Violence Everywhere) program worked with staff at the nonprofit jobs program Constructing Hope and with the ReBuilding Center to build 150 Little Libraries. The youth plan to stock the little libraries with books that feature characters that reflect the diversity of county children. After painting the libraries the youth will install them in four target neighborhoods: New Columbia, Albina/Killingsworth, Cully and Rockwood/Rosewood.  Volunteer hosts still needed: Contact STRYVE on the STRYVEPDX Facebook page. Photo by Helen Silvis

Enough is Enough Campaign

Volunteers who want to help reduce violence in our communities are invited to join the Enough is Enough campaign, organized through the Office of Youth Violence Prevention and the gang task force. First meeting is 6 p.m. Aug. 18 in the conference room at North Precinct, 449 N.E. Emerson. Call 503-823-4180 to connect with the campaign.

We are Black. We are…’

The Portland African American Leadership Forum holds its next event in the ‘We are Black. We are…’ campaign, which is a monthly community breakfast, Saturday, Aug.16, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the  Highland Christian Center, 7600 NE Glisan St.

August's program will focus on developing a unified plan for the future of the community in the wake of a lacking geographic center.

Throughout the remainder of 2014, the group plans monthly breakfast gatherings focused on building relationships, providing resources and discussing our experiences as Black people, and how the community can come together to address challenges.

For more information, go to: www.weareblackweare.com; and look for the group on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram.

Saints & Sinners Book Signing Party

Five local authors are on hand for readings and signing, Sunday, Aug. 17 from 4-7 p.m. at the June Key Delta Community Center, 5940 North Albina St. at Ainsworth.

Featured will be urban fiction, Christian fiction and more, with authors Evelyn McCoy, Kimberly Robinson Green, Kimberly Lee, Shelli Marie and Alvin L.A. Horn.

Wine and cheese will be provided. For more information go to www.BlackRoseBooksPDX.net.

West Vancouver Bike Thefts are Up

Vancouver Police have taken an increased number of stolen bike reports over the past two months. Bikes are being stolen from both public and residential properties, primarily in west Vancouver. The Vancouver Police Department is encouraging bike owners to implement crime prevention to avoid becoming the victim of theft:

* Always lock up your bike whenever it's left unattended. Many bikes are stolen from residential property such as yards, porches and garages, from public property such as parks and schools, and from commercial property including store fronts. Leaving a bike for "just a minute" is enough of an invitation for a thief to steal.

* Not all locks are created equal. Lightweight cable or chain locks are easily cut and offer little protection. Use a quality lock and secure the bike to something sturdy that cannot easily be broken or moved.

* Consider registering your bike. In the event the bike is stolen, and later recovered by law enforcement, it can be returned. The Vancouver Police Department participates in the National Bike Registry. Bike owners and bicycle shops can learn more about registering a bike, as well as crime prevention tips at www.nationalbikeregistry.com.

 Rwyet Neghes, 3, has fun with her family at National Night Out celebrations at the IRCO office in East County. Mayor Charlie Hales, his wife Nancy and Portland Police officers shared snacks and toured enmergency vehicles in the annual event to fight neighborhood crime. One young man suggested to Hales that building a community center would be a good way to achieve that goal. Photo by Sara Hottman/Mayor’s office

Oregon Commission on Black Affairs

Oregon Commission on Black Affairs will meet 9am – noon Saturday, Aug. 16th, at Portland Community College Cascade Campus, Terrell Hall, Room 112, 705 N. Killingsworth St. Portland. 

Guest speakers will include:

·         Nora Meier, OCBA Intern, will report on research in minority advancement in Apprenticeship to Journeyman.

·         Jeri Williams, community leader, will speak on sex trafficking prevention.

·         Antoinette Edwards, City of Portland Director of Youth Violence Prevention, will speak on the Black Male Achievement Initiative.

Historic Parkrose Offers Storefront Grants

Historic Parkrose offers matching storefront grants to businesses and commercial property owners in the Historic Parkrose district. Grants will be $500 – $3,000 and require a minimum dollar for dollar match.

Approximately $20,000 is available for high quality capital improvement projects.

Interested applicants are encouraged to send a representative to an  informational meeting either Aug. 7, 6 -7 p.m., or Aug. 12, 9 -10 a.m.,  at the Historic Parkrose office, 11036 NE Sandy Blvd.

Reserve a spot by emailing [email protected].

PBOT Transportation Funding Workgroups

The Portland Bureau of Transportation has posted the rosters and schedules of upcoming meetings for the workgroups that will advise on the Our Streets PDX transportation funding community conversation.  While the meetings are open to the public, public testimony will not be taken. Comments and questions can be submitted to [email protected].

The Non-Residential, Business Stakeholder Workgroup is chaired by Fred Miller, chief administrative officer for the City of Portland, starting Monday, July 14, 3:30-5  p.m., Portland Building, Room C

The Non-residential, Non-profit and Low-income Stakeholder Workgroup is chaired by Ruth Adkins, board member for Portland Public Schools and Policy Director for Oregon Opportunity Network, kicking off Tuesday, July 29, 3:30-5 p.m., Portland Building Room C

Full schedules and rosters are available at www.OurStreetsPDX.com

For more information email [email protected].

Oregon State Athletic Commission Seeks Ringside Physicians

The Oregon State Athletic Commission is conducting a statewide recruitment for interested, qualified candidates to serve as Ringside Physicians. The recruitment will close September 15, 2014.

The commission regulates professional boxing, mixed martial arts and entertainment wrestling in the State of Oregon. The Commission is comprised of five volunteer members and an Executive Director responsible for the program's administration. The Commission has a Medical Advisory Committee that recommends Ringside Physician applications under consideration.

Ringside Physicians must meet the following minimum qualifications, must be approved by the Medical Advisory Committee and consent to and pass a background investigation:

* Must be a medical doctor or osteopath licensed in the State of Oregon;
* Must be familiar with or willing to learn the physical standards for licensing boxers and mixed martial arts contestants as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule 230 Section 20 and Oregon Revised Statute 463;
* Must be willing to provide pre and post-fight medical exams prior to and during events; and
* Must be willing to travel to and attend events on weekends when able.

Ringside Physicians receive payment for their services at OSAC sanctioned events. Interested persons should contact Sgt. Jeff Lewis of the Oregon State Athletic Commission, at (503) 378-3578, or email at [email protected].

Find more events in the Portland and Seattle areas on The Skanner News Community Calendar