Portland Parents

Another bill is in the Senate that’ll affect the money we have for schools, police and roads.

The QPAI changes that Oregon has to “connect to” (see here for a good description of the process) will cost Oregon 18 Million Dollars next year and fifty million by 2011.

This would be a good chance for you to help determine the future of our schools, our public safety and our health safety.

How does this work, you may ask? Taking Starbucks as an example, roasting coffee has been defined as a “production” activity, while brewing and selling coffee is a retail activity. This change would apply to the production side of their business and would save them a lot of money. However, the retail side of the company “pays” the production side for the roasted coffee beans. Overall, there’s no net difference to profits, and stockholders won’t see a change in their dividends (and corporate income tax won’t change), but there’s a huge net difference with regards to the production side.

The Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, home of the Children’s Theater, needs $2M to stay the Cultural Center.

Don’t we have enough condominiums and shopping centers in the northwest? Home of 23rd Avenue and the just west of the trendy Pearl district, we should keep such a historic landmark afloat.

In 1978, the neighborhood rallied to purchase the First Church of Christ, Scientologist (yes, the Tom Cruise people) and convert it to a community center. Most of the offices now lie dormant, and the building needs many repairs, from the floors to the wiring, to the plumbing to the heating system. The Northwest Children’s Theater has been there for many years, and would have to find a new home as this lovely building closes down.

The pool at Wilson High has been completely remodeled and is open to kids during the summer!

Giant frogs and umbrella palms greet you to the “new” Wilson Pool. It has been completely redone, including a concession stand, a current channel, several interesting fountains, and lots of shallow areas for toddlers to explore.

Admission is a little higher than the other pools, because of the nearly three million dollars spent on the remodel; kids under three are free, up to seventeen are three dollars, and over seventeen are four dollars. But, the Multnomah County Library’s reading program offers as a reward one free ticket to “any Portland Parks and Rec Pool” — hopefully that means this one as well ( but really, it’s just a savings of a buck and a quarter ).

See more info at the Oregonian

Chris Isaak with Brandi Carlile

Indigo Girls with Girlyman

Feral Cats are sweeping the nation. What can you do?

A feral cat is a wild domestic house cat. Those four cats living down at the bridge, hunting wild birds and squirrels, for instance. A mother cat, unspayed, can create more kittens over its short lifespan than you’d believe. Every time you get your own kitten; you should spay or neuter them. It’s the right thing to do. (Thanks Bob Barker!)

Two organizations in Oregon are trying to change this; POPPA and FCCO. They help fund the fixing and releasing (and frequently adopting), testing and euthanizing of very sick (feline leukemia) feral cats. They deserve your time, money and appreciation.

Singing sisters Jen and Wendy Bernard deliver a lively, fun-filled musical program of daring adventure songs. Their wild theatrics and vocal harmonies get children of all ages singing and moving!

Oregon Zoo and Girls’ Inc. of Northwest Oregon are sending our girls overnight to Oxbow Park!

Girls between the ages of 8-11 or entering grades 3-5 in the fall are invited to Oxbow Park for an overnight trip, Wednesday, August 17th from 3:00 PM until Noon on Thursday.

It’s free!

For more information contact Stacey Royce at Girls’ Inc. 503.230.0054

This is a fun opportunity for girls to come out and explore nature in an overnight expedition at Oxbow Park. And it’s at no cost to them! There are 2 informational/educational sessions prior to the overnight on August 10th and 16th from 6:00-7:30 pm. Contact Stacey Royce for more information and for a permission slip which will ensure your girl’s registration. Spaces are filling fast so call or Email soon!

Singing sisters Jen and Wendy Bernard deliver a lively, fun-filled musical program of daring adventure songs. Their wild theatrics and vocal harmonies get children of all ages singing and moving!

Marc Cohn and Suzanne Vega