Portland News and Events for Sept. 25 Through October, 2014

PHOTO: Portland’s NAACP held a rally to protest the mistreatment of Black youth and adults by police and in the criminal justice system. Audrey Terrell, Tony Funchess and NAACP youth activists spoke to a crowd of families outside the Heavenbound Deliverance Center on N. Killingsworth St. in Portland. Photo by Helen Silvis.

Youth Solutions Summit

The East Multnomah Arts & Culture Council is attempting to address gang violence issues by hosting a Youth Solutions Summit at Gresham High School on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10 am. Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. for participants to register. A free lunch will follow the key note address and youth led dialogs. Key note speaker is artist Fabian Debora, a counselor/mentor with Homeboys Industries in Los Angeles.

Portland Fire and Rescue Accepting Applications

Come join us: become a firefighter! We’re dedicated men and women of every race and ethnicity. No matter our background, we can all climb ten stories with a tank of air strapped to our backs. Every day we save lives, property, and the environment. We save people from heart attacks, chemical spills, car pin-ins, and yes, we also fight fires. We are a team, and we’d like for you to join us and become a firefighter.

PF&R will be accepting applications online Oct. 13th -26 to take the firefighter entrance exam, which will be administered Dec. 17.
What does it take to become a firefighter? Compassion. Resourcefulness. Skills. Adaptability. Strength. And most important: a desire to help others. If that describes you, I encourage you to contact our recruiter to learn more about our testing process; call 503-823-3811 or email [email protected].

Job & Career Fair at The World Forestry Center

Maximum Connections is the theme for a job and career fair being held at the World Forestry Center on Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A variety of employers and training providers will be promoting opportunities at the event sponsored by the Oregon Employer Council Washington County and WorkSource Oregon. This year 34 businesses will be on hand for the event. Last year over 1000 job seekers attended this annual event.

The World Forestry Center is located next to the Washington Park Zoo, off Highway 26. The venue is accessible by Tri-Met bus and MAX light rail. There are paid parking lots close to the event.

WorkSource Oregon staff recommend those attending the Maximum Connections Job & Career Fair to come dressed appropriately for a job interview and bring sufficient copies of résumés. Résumés are accepted solely at the discretion and choice of individual employer.

Legacy Emanuel’s Healthy Living Celebration

The annual celebration of health is Saturday, Sept. 27, 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center’s Atrium, 501 N. Graham St. in Portland.

Free Glaucoma Screenings - Legacy Health’s Devers Eye Institute will conduct free visual field screenings to test for glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. Early detection can significantly delay or stop further vision loss. The process is painless and takes only a few minutes to complete.

Helmet Fitting and Sale - Bicycle and multi-sport helmets for infants through adults can be purchased for $6. A proper fitting helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.

Other activities include:
Tours of ambulances, fire engine, helicopter and more
Education and resources from community organizations
Affordable Care Act and health insurance Q&A
Disaster preparedness and resiliency tips — enter to win your own emergency kit

Auditions for Upcoming Shows with PassinArt

The 4th Aging & Memory in the African American Community: The Heart-Brain Connection

A free educational conference for midlife and older African Americans, Tuesday Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Legacy Emanuel Lorenzen Conference Center, 2801 N. Gantenbein.

Learn from African American heart and brain experts how a healthy heart helps sustain a healthy brain. Discover ways you can improve both. Enjoy interactive resource information plus a healthy soul food lunch.

Find more information at www.preservecoalition.org/2014-conference-the-heart-brain-connection.

Independent Police Review Recruits New Citizen Review Committee Members

The Independent Police Review is recruiting volunteers to serve three-year terms on the Citizen Review Committee (CRC) – an advisory body to IPR and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). There are five volunteer positions commencing in February 2015.

IPR, a division of the Auditor’s Office, is the city agency responsible for the civilian oversight of the Police Bureau. CRC members hear community and Police Bureau member appeals of police misconduct investigations, listen to public concerns regarding police conduct, engage in training and other activities to learn about policing, review Police Bureau policies and procedure, and advise IPR.

Due to recent city code changes, the CRC is now comprised of 11 members and CRC members serve on a rotating basis on the Police Review Board in use of force cases. The PRB is an advisory board to the Police Bureau that makes recommendations as to findings and possible discipline to the Chief of Police.

Applications are available at the IPR office in City Hall as well as on IPR’s website at www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/ipr. Candidates must be Portland, Oregon residents or business owners. Applications must be received at the IPR office in City Hall by 5:00 PM on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Delivery can be by mail or in person at 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 140, Portland OR, 97204, or through email at [email protected] or fax at 503-823-4571. If you have any questions, please call IPR’s main line at 503-823-0146.

New Middle School Public Open House

Parkrose School District is pleased to announce an open house for the new Parkrose Middle School. With over 140,000 square feet of learning space that enhances teaching and learning, the new building clearly represents the district's commitment to the growth and success of students and families in the community.

The forward thinking architecture and technology infrastructure directly support the major initiatives in the district, and help build a strong foundation for all students to be successful in a global society. Parkrose Middle School is a high-performing level 4-rated school overall, and earned a level 5 in academic growth. It is ranked in the to p 10% of schools in the state, and is a nationally recognized AVID Demonstration School, hosting visiting school districts from across the country.

Please join us in celebrating the grand opening of the new Parkrose Middle School located at 11800 NE Shaver Street on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ribbon Cutting and opening ceremony is at 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. Building tours led by AVID Ambassadors 12-3 p.m.

PassinArt: A Theater Company is holding final open auditions for its upcoming holiday production of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, Directed by Shalanda R. Sims.

September 29, 2014 from 6pm to 8: 30pm at Ethos/IFCC 5340 N. Interstate. The company is seeking actors, singers and dancers of all ages and performers. To schedule an audition, please call 503-235.8079 for more information and leave your name and number or email this information to [email protected].

PassinArt: A Theater Company is also holding open auditions for its upcoming Spring Production of Smoldering Fire by Kermit Frazier and directed by William (Bill) Earl Ray.

Saturday Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4 - 6:30 p.m. at Ethos/IFCC 5340 N. Interstate Ave. The company is seeking 12 - 14 actors, of all ages. Please bring a headshot, or current photo, resume and come prepared with a one minute monologue. To schedule an audition, please call 503-235.8079 and leave your name and number or email your information to [email protected].

County seeks applicants for Substance Abuse Advisory Board

The Board of County Commissioners is seeking volunteers for several seats on the Substance Abuse Advisory Board starting in January.

Terms are for three years. Applicants may not be providers of alcohol or drug addiction treatment services. However, people with diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are encouraged to apply.

The advisory board makes recommendations regarding drug and alcohol issues and priorities to the Board of County Commissioners and county program manager. Responsibilities include advising on treatment, prevention, monitoring, needs assessments, program planning, evaluation, education, outreach and recovery.

To apply, please submit a letter and resume to Jennifer Clark, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000, email to [email protected], or fax (360) 397-6058. Deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.

Celebrating Nigerian 54th Independence Anniversary

Nigerian Community in Oregon and Southwest Washington (NCOSWA) will host "Nigerian Day Event" on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street, Portland, Oregon", 97212.

"Nigerian Day Event" event is planned to acknowledge Nigeria progress since independence from colonial rule. Although the country has gone through several forms of transformations, it has been ruled by democratically elected governments for past 15 years.

Despite some hickups in economic development, the current government of President GoodluckEbele Jonathan continues to promote and support free enterprise almost in all sectors of the economy. The country has witnessed substantial growth and is now the largest economy in Africa with a GDP.of$510 billion in 2013 (compared to the runner-up: South Africa's $370 billion).

This event will highlight the strength in the diversity of the people of Nigeria and its rich cultural heritage, and celebrate the benefits of democracy to Nigerians. NCOSWA is an association of Nigerians, Nigerian-Americans, and Friends of Nigeria. The organization has been active in various humanitarian affairs and community growth. NCOSWA has raised funds to support the Northwest Medical Teams, Malaria eradication projects in Nigeria, Doembecher Children's Hospital, to name a few. NCOSWA also sponsor quarterly forums on health, fmances, investments, education, and technology.

NCOSWA strives to promote bridge-building between Nigerian immigrants and other Americans in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Please come and support our efforts by informing your community and friends about the October 4th event, and bring your appetite to enjoy the buffet of African food. And don't forget to bring your dancing shoes. Keep in mind that some of your expenditure at the event will qualify as TAX DEDUCTIBLE contributions.

For further information contact Vitalis Ogbeama (503-997-4812), or Chief Cosmas Nwerem, (503-421-6500), or Patrick Essien (503-730-9139)

Dancing Zombies Take Over the World; Portland Hosts 8th Annual Thrill the World SMYRC Benefit

It is a Saturday in late fall - Portlanders are smearing on makeup in ghoulish styles, ripping their clothes, and smudging themselves with dirt. Once it’s obvious they’ve recently risen from the grave, they converge on a covered court at Irving Park in Northeast Portland and drop to the asphalt. At precisely three pm, music ascends from speakers, and together, the zombie-dancers rise and break into a tightly choreographed dance…

This scene will emerge on October 25th, 2014, as Thrill the World, a worldwide project that coordinates local dancers to perform the zombie-dance from Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, for the eighth year in a row.

Each year, all proceeds from Thrill the World Portland benefit the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC), a local organization that provides services and a drop-in center for queer youth.

Dancers will have to learn the dance ahead of time. Practices will be at Fremont UMC, 2620 NE Fremont in Portland (practices are optional; dancers can learn at home with instructional videos on youtube). Practices occur Sundays from 2-4 pm, and Fridays from 6-8 pm, through October 25.

In its first seven years, Thrill the World Portland has had more than nine hundred dancers perform in its annual Thriller dance, and has raised more than $4000 for SMYRC.

With gratitude, Alan Silver, Thrill the World Portland coordinator

Thrill the World Portland contact information:

[email protected]

http://www.facebook.com/thrilltheworld.portland

PRESCRIPTION DRUG TURN-IN EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY AT SOUTHEAST PRECINCT

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement's Crime Prevention Program and the Portland Police Bureau will hold a Prescription Drug Turn-In event on Saturday September 27, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Southeast Precinct, located at 4735 East Burnside Street.

This event is a partnership with the DEA Nationwide Drug Turn-In Day.

To search for additional locations in Oregon and nationwide refer to http://www.justice.gov/dea/ and click on "Got Drugs?"

Portland Police Officers and Crime Prevention staff will be on site for the anonymous turn-in of unused or expired prescription medications, to share information about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and to answer community and media questions regarding this issue.

This is a timely event, as it addresses the skyrocketing problem of prescription drug abuse among teenagers. Teenagers are easily accessing these prescriptions from the medicine cabinets of their own homes, and the homes of friends and grandparents.

The Portland Police Bureau's Drugs and Vice Division created an educational video titled, "Generation RX: The Pill Problem" that can be viewed here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/426624

We encourage the community to clean out their medicine cabinets during this one day event.

All medications turned in at this event will be incinerated. Sharps and medical waste will not be accepted.

Acceptable items for deposit: Prescription medications and samples, all over the counter medications, vitamins, pet medications, medicated ointments, and liquid medication in leak proof containers.

Items not acceptable for deposit: Thermometers/Sharps/Syringes, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, inhalers, EpiPens.

For questions please contact Jenni Pullen at [email protected]

Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening Coming Up

Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in partnership with The David Heller Foundation, with generous support from adidas and Health Net of Oregon present the eighth annual Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening Saturday, Oct. 4.

The Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening will provide 500 students athletes ages 13-19 a full cardiac screening at $10 per student, at the adidas Village from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preregistration is required at www.legacyhealth.org/TACS. Scholarships for the cardiac screening are available.

The Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening provides heart health and risk assessments that help identify whether a teen has a potential heart problem; 10 percent of teen athletes screened at the 2013 event were not cleared for physical activity. The primary care providers of these athletes were notified for further examination and diagnosis.

The value of the cardiac screening provided by Randall Children’s Hospital is nearly $300 per screening. The screening does not take the place of the medical examination required for all student athletes participating in a school sport.

RACC Seeks Applications for New Public Art Murals

The Regional Arts & Culture Council is now accepting applications for mural funding through its Public Art Murals Program. Applications are due the first Wednesday of every month through June 2015.

Applications and guidelines are available at racc.org/public-art/mural-program. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. RACC’s review and approval process takes 4-6 weeks, and all proposals are reviewed by the Public Art Murals Program Committee, whose members include artists, arts advocates and other creative professionals. For more information, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503-823-4196 or [email protected].

On Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 am to noon, RACC will offer a free workshop to help artists understand the mural application process at the Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark St. For more information and to RSVP, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503.823.4196 or [email protected].

Another route for painting a mural in the City of Portland is through the city’s Original Art Mural Permit, which has different requirements and a fee of $50. Funding is not available through the City’s permitting process. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/50737 for more information.

Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. Presents Play about Black Experience

Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. presents the staged production, “My Walk Has Never Been Average,” Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 pm at the Alberta Rose Theatre located at 3000 NE Alberta Street in Portland.

The show is part of the annual Tradeswomen Leadership Institute an educational event that facilitates leadership development, advocacy skills, and unity among all women (union, open shop, self-employed and otherwise) working in the building, construction, mechanical and utility trades.

My Walk Has Never Been Average weaves together stories of African American women’s entry into trades careers and touches on the recurring themes of exclusion from opportunities, sexual harassment, and lack of institutional support for career and professional development.

A limited quantity of tickets are available to the general public from The Alberta Rose Theatre box office for $10. Get tickets at www.albertarosetheatre.com.

Police Bureau Seeking Public Input on Discipline Process Directives

The Portland Police Bureau directs member action through the establishment of policy, procedure, and rule, as found within directives. The Bureau is in the process of reviewing all its directives. At the beginning of every month, the Bureau will post directives for public review and ask for comments.

Currently, the Bureau is asking for the community's feedback regarding its directives pertaining to discipline process. Because the discipline process is a serious matter, a process which directly impacts members, reflects upon the Bureau, and is of interest to diverse, external parties, the Bureau is routing this series through its public process for a second time. The Bureau will be looking at national best practices and the public's comments in order to update these policies this fall:

* 330.00, Internal Affairs Compliant Investigation Process
* 331.00, Service Improvement Opportunity
* 332.00, Administrative Investigations
* 333.00, Criminal Investigations of Police Bureau Employees
* 334.00, Performance Deficiencies
* 335.00, Discipline Process
* 336.00, Police Review Board
* 337.00, Police Review Board Personnel Selection
* 338.00, Discipline Guide

Community members are encouraged to read the directives and provide drafting comments at: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/59757

This webpage also enables community members to sign up for email notifications when new directives are posted. The discipline process directives will remain posted and comments collected for thirty days (30), Sept. 1, 2014 through Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Race The Wave 5K Fun Run/Walk to Practice Tsunami Evacuation Routes

September is National Preparedness Month and Pacific Northwest coastal communities are leading by example. Cannon Beach will host Race the Wave, their first hazard-themed fun run designed to blend awareness and action into a single activity.

Race the Wave is a 5k tsunami fun run/walk that follows an actual tsunami evacuation route in Cannon Beach. On Sept. 28, participants will learn about earthquake and tsunami hazards so they can make informed decisions and take actions to be better prepared, creating a more resilient community.

The race route begins on the beach and finishes at the higher ground of one of the community’s evacuation meeting points, where Cannon Beach will host a preparedness fair with interactive booths for all to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Race the Wave: Natural warnings are the best sign of a tsunami. If you feel the ground shaking, move quickly inland or to a higher elevation. Listen to the radio to learn of tsunami warnings originating from non-local causes.

For more information and to participate in Race the Wave visit the community Facebook page.

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