Time flies when you're having fun and we are happy to say Atomic Pizza has been open for one year. To celebrate, we are giving 10% of our sales to two very dedicated local non-profit organizations. Saturday, March 6th 10% of sales will be donated to Family of Friends Mentoring Program. www.family-of-friends.org And Sunday, March 7th 10% of sales will be donated to Project Pooch pet rescue program. www.pooch.org. Please come celebrate with us and help support these great programs.

The plan seeks to address how to restore endangered species...not just hold the line or lessen the negative impacts, but actually increase the rapidly declining populations of the most acutely affected species: Salmon and Steelhead in our section of the river. The decline is mainly through loss of habitat, so restoration will have to be through recovery of habitat. It has been estimated by scientists that Salmon need shallow rest & feeding areas near the riverbank about every quarter mile. The plan has been compromised to offer less than that, but it is a step in the right direction since currently the North Reach offers close to no riverbank habitat.

The plan also addresses upland connectivity because we are now seeing alarmingly sharp declines in mammals, once common birds, reptiles & amphibians as well as plants native to our community.

This can also be found at:

http://www.edforpdx.com/cms/?q=node/85

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The Dark Side of the CRC and other "Done Deals."

I have spent most of the last 4 years being a member of the CRC Community & Environmental Justice Group (CEJG). I also proposed the moratorium and planning process that stopped the Wal-Mart from coming to Hayden Island (in 2006), and then spent two years as Co-Chair of the Hayden Island Plan (for the city of Portland) which was developed in significant collaboration with the CRC.

I had some concerns that the CEJG was being "facilitated" too much. When I arrived, only one person from Hayden Island was on the group (of about fifteen). There were all kinds of small things with regard to language and organization that diminished the significance of the project to the actual island residents (where most of the Oregon construction will happen). As the project moved forward, the facilitators went away and were replaced by two co-chairs (one from each state) who were clearly hand picked by CRC. I was up for Oregon co-chair, but suddenly a number of fallen away participants re-appeared, and Walter Valenta came as an alternate from his neighborhood and committed character assassination with regard to my candidacy for co-chair. I lost by one vote. Walter doesn't live on Hayden Island either (he lives in Bridgeton), but has real estate interests on the island and sat on the CRC main committee. Five of the folks who had appeared for the vote never returned to any more meetings.

Salem – Human trafficking is 21st century slavery, and is closer to home than we might like to imagine.  

Priority legislation aimed at combating the issue of human trafficking in Oregon was positively received in the State Senate this morning. Senator Diane Rosenbaum carried HB 3623 on the floor where it received unanimous support. Rosenbaum is one of three chief sponsors, joined by Representatives Jefferson Smith and Barton.  Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel - a champion of the issue - brought this bill to the attention of the legislators.

Hey, let’s get our bikes, we can go over to the Sandy River. There is a lifeguard there today and it's supposed to be a hot one. We can even take the MAX back with our bikes!” 

REGISTRATION BEGINS IN MARCH

CAMP BIKE FUN at North Portland Bike Works  is running a bicycle/ adventure/ community building summer program summer of 2010 for 10-15 year olds.

Students will learn individual and group bicycle riding skills, and take fun and adventurous field trips every day to different places. Some trips may include biking, hiking, walking, swimming, going to museums, playgrounds, festivals, gardening, gleening fruit, visiting other organizations, making zines, art projects, and lots more.

Cost is $190 per week, and includes bikes and helmets.  Scholarships are available.

Registration starts in March. Contact the North Portland Bike Works for more information:

503-287-1098. www.northportlandbikeworks.org.

We will offer programs in 4 sessions:

Session 1: June 21^st- July 2^nd (2 weeks)

Session 2: July 5^th to July 16^th (2 weeks)

Session 3: July 19^th to August 6^th (3 weeks)

Session 4: August 9^th to August 27^th (3 weeks)

Testimony Before Portland City Council 1/13/10

My name is Richard Ellmyer. I am a candidate for the North Portland House seat in the Democratic primary next May. On December 19 I asked each of you to answer the following questions so that I may discuss this issue with voters in North Portland over the coming months:

1. Why wasn't the Washington Monroe High School property offered to the Portland Hope Meadows Corporation?

2. Why weren't advisory committees, similar to those involved in the Buckman neighborhood, created in the Portsmouth neighborhood to discuss and recommend potential future uses for the John Ball School site despite requests from the Portsmouth Neighborhood Association and the ad hoc 195 member Portsmouth Residents Action Committee and the North Portland Business Association to establish such advisory committees?

3. Why were the citizen requests of the Buckman neighborhood acceded to by the Portland city council and those citizen requests of the Portsmouth/North Portland neighborhood summarily dismissed when the issue of the use of surplus PPS property was exactly the same?

What do you think of when you think of ports and riverfront industry?  Maybe ships and smokestacks? Cranes and trains? Grease and grime? What about turtle and bird habitat? Wetlands and water conservation? Hybrids and solar panels?  You might be surprised to hear how Portland’s waterfront businesses are environmental leaders in their industries, shrinking their environmental footprint while connecting Portland people and products with the rest of the world.

Local North Portland artist Chris Herrman is an aspiring 3D artist. He uses 3D digital programs to create worlds of mystery and to also share the stories of the Orbs and their many adventures. A 15 year resident of this great state, he is excited to share his art with the public for the very first time. Please visit Atomic Pizza Wednesday December 9th from 6-8pm to meet the artist.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Stop the CRC Coalition prepares action for December 4 Project Sponsors Council meeting
WHERE: Oregon Department of Transportation, Region 1 Office, 121 NW Everett Street, Portland
WHEN: Friday, December 4, 9:45 a.m.
VISUALS: giant wrapped gift box containing the 'new' CRC with banners and signs