Open Enrollment for Ladies’ Rock Camp

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ROCK N’ ROLL CAMP FOR GIRLS ANNOUNCES OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR OCTOBER ‘10 LADIES ROCK CAMP
Fundraiser Rocks for Women Nineteen to Ninety Nine

PORTLAND, ORE – July 29,2010 – The Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, a north Portland non-profit that builds self-esteem through music creation and performance, announces its main fundraiser for 2010/11.
The Ladies Rock Camp (LRC) is now accepting applications for the fall session running from October 22-24. Each camp can have up to 55 participants, and is open to women 19 years and older. No experience necessary.
LRC is an opportunity for ladies to become empowered as they play music together in an encouraging environment. Throughout the weekend, women receive instrument instruction, form a band and work together to write an original song, which they perform at the final LRC Showcase. Over the course of the weekend, women are also offered a variety of workshops from the history of rock n’ roll to self-defense and DJ basics.
“After spending a weekend at LRC, not only did I surprise myself by learning an instrument, forming a band and playing in a concert, but I felt like there was nothing I could not do,” said Nancy Taffera-Santos, who attended LRC in 2008 and 2009. “After camp I felt so empowered that my performance at work noticeably increased. On top of the boost in self-esteem, I built new personal and professional relationships, as I spent a weekend with amazing women. I wish Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls existed when I was growing up.”
LRC attracts women from all corners of the globe. In previous years, participants have come from New York, Europe, and as far away as Australia. Last year, the program raised more than $35,000 for the Rock n Roll Camp for Girls.
Tuition for camp is $375, and all proceeds support the Rock n Roll Camp for Girls. All levels of musical skill and experience are welcome at the camp. Ladies can choose to learn drums, bass, keyboards, vocals, or guitar. Fall session will run October 22-24.
About Rock n Roll Camp for Girls
The Rock ’n’ Roll Camp for Girls, a 501(c)3 non-profit, builds girls self-esteem through music creation and performance. Providing workshops and technical training, Rock ’n’ Roll Camp for Girls creates leadership opportunities, cultivates a supportive community of peers and mentors, and encourages social change and the development of life skills.
For more information, visit: www.girlsrockcamp.org/programs/ladies-rock-camp

Foodshare Fund Northeast Scales Back Program

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news from the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods:

Due to Increased Popularity and Demand, Foodshare Fund Northeast Scales Back Token Matching Program

Beginning August 1, local incentive program will match up to $5 in SNAP funds spent at King Portland Farmers Market instead of $10.
Portland, Ore., July 29, 2010 – The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Inc, (NECN) today announced the reduction from $10 to $5 in matching funds distributed through the Foodshare Fund Northeast (FFNE) program offered in partnership with the Portland Farmers Market (PFM), the nonprofit 501(c)6 organization, who operates the King Portland Farmers Market held on Sundays in the King neighborhood of Northeast Portland.

Foodshare Fund Northeast, a project of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods – a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to highly inclusive civic engagement and innovative community initiatives in Portland’s inner North and Northeast neighborhoods – FFNE was launched in early July 2009 to increase access to fresh, nutritious food for low income residents of North and Northeast Portland. The successful local neighborhoods project is truly volunteer-driven, community-funded and staff-supported. It also serves as a model partnership between two different organizations, NECN and PFM, where missions are complementary and benefit the greater community.

Funded by individuals and local businesses, FFNE offers a limited dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP participants using their EBT cards to purchase $1 tokens at the King Market. For the first three months of the current market season, the maximum amount was $10 per person perweek, but due to the significant increase in weekly shoppers, that amount has been reduced to $5 for the duration of the market season, which runs through October.

FFNE co-chair and Northeast neighbor Traci Manning shared, “The program has drawn more and more regular shoppers week after week. In filling their bags with local produce and other goods, we’ve been filling a great need in the North/Northeast neighborhood. Unfortunately, it also means that the funds are being depleted faster than we had budgeted.”

She added, “Rather than risk running out of funds before the end of the season, we have decided to reduce the match back to its original $5 level effective August 1. Although we will still need to secure additional funds to get through the full season, we’re confident we will get the necessary support. Our goal is to have excess funds for the start of next season.”

By most measures, FFNE has been a resounding success. Since its inception, FFNE has raised $22,000 from neighborhood associations, local businesses, community groups, and individuals, and has served 2,500 people. NECN’s Board of Directors and its neighborhood associations have generously contributed to the Fund for two years in a row. Prior to the program, EBT customers made up just 1% of market customers. That number has risen steadily since the match was introduced, and EBT customers now account for 6% of all market customers. EBT spending at the market rose from an average of $2000 a month before the match to more than $6000 a month with the match. The fund has also inspired a sister project, Fresh Exchange, which began this year at the Buckman Portland Farmers Market in Southeast Portland.

Oregon ranks number two in the nation for the number of citizens that experience food insecurity (source: OregonHunger.org). In 2009, one in six Oregonians received SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) benefits. Individuals and businesses interested in contributing to FFNE can make an online donation via the NECN website (please indicate that it is intended for FFNE) or send a check made out to the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods-Foodshare Fund Northeast” to: “Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN), 4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211. For further information about the program, contact Paige Coleman, Executive Director at 503 823-3151 or Imani Muhammad, Community Initiatives Coordinator at 503-823-4264. Shoppers are welcome at the King Portland Farmers Market every Sunday through October 31, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is located at NE 7th and Wygant between NE Alberta and NE Prescott, in the parking lot adjacent to King Elementary School.

CRC Public Meeting and News

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News from the Columbia River Crossing Project:

The public is invited to provide input Aug. 5 on set of draft recommendations for Columbia River Crossing project
The Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council encourages testimony Thursday, Aug. 5, at a public meeting on draft recommendations related to several project elements, including the Hayden Island interchange and I-5 bridge.
Residents, businesses and interested community members are invited to attend the meeting to learn about the draft recommendations and provide input directly to PSC co-chair Steve Horenstein. The recommendations are the result of assignments from the PSC to the Integrated Project Sponsors Council Staff (IPS) group to collaboratively address several questions. Meeting topics include project performance measures, techniques to manage traffic after construction, transportation and land-use modeling, the number of I-5 bridge lanes, and the latest design concept for the Hayden Island interchange.
Earlier Hayden Island interchange concepts were presented to island residents and stakeholders at two public meetings in June. The concepts have continued to evolve as a result of stakeholder input and the latest concept (“Concept D”) will be discussed Aug. 5. This week Hayden Island stakeholders and staff from the City of Portland and Metro reached consensus on this newest concept.
After a brief presentation, attendees can share their opinions about the draft recommendations. Comments can be given verbally, in writing or online.
The meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday, August 5, 2010 | 5 – 8 p.m.
(Presentation at 6 p.m.; public testimony to follow)
Jantzen Beach SuperCenter, Community Room (Across from the food court)
1405 Jantzen Beach Center, Portland, OR

More information is available online. The public also can submit comments and questions specifically to the PSC through an online comment form.

The meeting site is accessible to persons with disabilities. Accommodations for people with disabilities or people needing language interpretation can be arranged with advance notice by calling the Columbia River Crossing project at 866-396-2726. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact CRC through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 7-1-1.
Metro finds CRC toll bridge with light rail would have negligible impact on growth
The Metro regional government released the findings of its forecast of the population and employment growth that would result from building the Columbia River Crossing project. The forecast was completed as part of the collaborative process to resolve outstanding issues that began in April 2010.

The agency finds that the project would have negligible impact on population and employment growth in Clark County, when comparing the projected growth that would occur with the project compared to no change to the existing bridge and highway. The project’s most significant land use effect would be to boost North Portland employment by about 1.5 percent. Findings were based on Metroscope, a nationally acclaimed growth modeling technology that projects population and employment changes in a seven-county area.
These findings confirm analysis completed by the CRC project in 2008 for the Draft EIS concerning the potential for the project to induce land use growth and travel demand. CRC found that the project would not cause significant land use changes in the region’s urban periphery (“sprawl”). CRC reviewed national case studies, reviewed land use policies in both Oregon and Washington, used travel demand models that had been reviewed and approved by a group of national experts, and relied on results from an earlier analysis using the Metroscope model to draw these conclusions. A summary of those results are presented in a 2009 memo.
Additional information on the most recent Metro findings can be found on their website.
Join us at a fair or festival this summer

CRC has had informational booths at various fairs and festivals throughout the summer. Staff is on hand to answer questions about the project and hand out informational materials. In the coming weeks, project staff will be attending the following event: St. Johns Farmers Market – Aug. 21, Portland, OR

A complete listing of summer events where CRC will be present can be viewed in the calendar on the project website.

Columbia River Crossing contact information

Email: feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org
Mail: 700 Washington St., Suite 300
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: 360-737-2726 or 503-256-2726
Fax: 360-737-0294

www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org

Emerson Street Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony a Success

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Thanks to all who came out to celebrate progress on the Emerson Street Garden. Many neighbors and supporters from diverse backgrounds and age groups came to appreciate the new community design for the garden, the cleaning of contaminated soil, and most of all, great entertainment, food, art, and people.

Respect and gratitude to our funder, EMSWCD, and all the volunteers, performers, organizations, businesses, and friends who helped make Saturday come to life. The celebration was a great reminder of how to truly make this an inclusive community garden and space, built through the voices and decisions of many leading the way.

Groundwork Portland will continue supporting the community to convert 822 NE Emerson Street into a garden. The Emerson Working Group will meet this Thursday night. These meetings are for making decisions on how to advance the garden. All who are interested are welcome to come.

Date: Thursday, August 5th
Time: 6:30-8:00
Location: The Kennedy School — 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. — in the outdoor courtyard connected to restaurant
Transportation: Bus #72, 73 (or call 503.662.2590 if you need transportation assistance)
Language: call 503.662.2590 if you would like translation/interpretation

Loaves and Fishes Jambalaya Dinner Benefit August 14th

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Loaves & Fishes Center is hosting its fifth annual Authentic Creole Jambalaya Dinner on Saturday, August 14, from noon to 5 p.m.

The culinary team for this event is headed by Loaves & Fishes Centers Board Member Teletha Benjamin and Loaves & Fishes Centers Executive Director Joan Smith, both of whom have connections to Southern Louisiana. The pair will be using a traditional Creole-style recipe passed down in Teletha’s family. This is the fifth year for the Creole Jambalaya event, which raises needed funds to help serve hot meals to in Northeast Portland.

“The daily menu at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center has evolved to include a variety of soul food entrées,” said Center Manager David Lomax. “The food has received such good reviews that we decided to make it available to the general public for one special night. We guarantee a sumptuous feast to delight the tastebuds!”

The menu includes authentic Creole-style jambalaya (a non-seafood version is available), along with bread, salad, beverage and dessert. Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children and $25 for a family ticket for four. Tickets are available from the center. Meals are available for take-out.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Loaves & Fishes is located at 5325 NE MLK Blvd. in Portland. For more information, call David Lomax at 503.953.8207.

About Loaves & Fishes Centers: Since 1970 Loaves & Fishes Centers has provided a nutritional and social lifeline for seniors through 33 meal sites in Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties and Meals-On-Wheels delivery to homebound seniors. With the help of more than 7,500 volunteers, the nonprofit, nonsectarian agency now serves 5,000 meals daily and more than 1.4 million meals each year. The agency celebrates 40 years of service to seniors in 2010. Visit: www.LoavesAndFishesOnline.org