Community News June 2025

north coast express bus
north coast express bus

The North Coast Express will connect Portland, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Rockaway Beach, and the Tillamook Creamery via point-to-point express service. This service will also provide hop-on hop-off transportation along the coast between destinations. The website offers details about the trips along with information on coast dining, events, and places to stay.

The North Coast Express Pilot Project aims to increase connectivity and promote tourism on the Oregon Coast by offering an accessible, convenient, and eco-friendly shuttle service from the Portland Metro to and along the North Coast region, the Coast’s highest traffic region. It will be funded by ticket sales, a grant from Travel Oregon, and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.

The Express buses will depart from Bay 20, the bay furthest to the west on the south side of the STC parking garage.

Scammers have always been relentless in their pursuit of conning you out of your hard-earned money and today is no different. Scammers will often use high-pressure and fear tactics along with a convincing line of jargon to gain compliance. Below are some red flags that could indicate you are on the receiving end of a scam:

Authority: You receive a phone call, text, or email from someone claiming to be from an official organization. This could be from a government agency, business, or utility company.

Urgency: The messaging specifies a problem with an account, that money is owed, or immediate action is needed to solve an issue.

Emotion: You might be threatened with arrest, being sued, having your driver’s or business license taken away, or that your information is at risk.

You must pay: Demanding money from you to resolve the issue. This can be a request for cryptocurrency, wiring money, using a payment app, or buying gift cards.

Remember, law enforcement will never ask you to withdraw cash from an ATM, purchase a gift card, or use a digital currency like Bitcoin. If you receive such a request, just hang up. The best defense against these scams is education. We encourage you to share this information with your family and friends to prevent them from falling victim to predatory scams.

Ask WCSO is produced by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

repair fair

Repair Fairs are free community events that bring volunteers and community members together to fix broken items, teach valuable repair skills, and learn from listening and doing. Repair Fair events are always free to attend. Registration is encouraged for a successful repair and to help the event coordinators and volunteers.

Each attendee may bring up to two items to each event. If you have two items, submit one registration per item. Guests are expected to stay with their items and be active participants so they can learn the repair process. If you know what part is needed for the repair, please order it and bring it with you to the event. Learn more here.

The Beaverton School District is serving free lunches for all children (ages 1-18). Adults can eat lunch for $5 per meal. No application or registration is necessary. In addition to lunch, some sites will offer breakfast in conjunction with scheduled summer school programs.

Check the Summer Meal Program webpage for dates and times plus menus. There’s also an interactive map on our website that shows the locations within the district. In addition, you can call 211, and an operator can assist you in finding a site in your area.

Also, we’re partnering with THPRD to offer the RecMobile with fun activities to keep kids busy this summer. Other activities include the Beaverton City Library handing out books and holding story times. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded nutrition program.

sunset fireworks

The annual fireworks stand for the Sunset Apollos Marching Band and Auxiliary (SAMBA) has a new location! Starting June 23, SAMBA’s biggest fundraiser of the year will be held in the West Hill Plaza parking lot.

Fundraisers help us to make music an accessible and enriching part of students’ high school experience. SAMBA uses these funds for scholarships, music rights, and additional instructors for our students. Please stop by if you are in the market for fireworks and support Sunset High School Bands! Learn more at sambanote.org.

portland metro fire camp

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) invites young women to participate in this summer’s Portland Metro Fire Camp. This free camp is an all-encompassing introduction to a rewarding profession which includes hands-on training and instruction from professional female firefighters on how to prepare for interviews and more.

volunteer fair

Join us and explore volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits at the main Beaverton library!

loneliness

When Carli Cox picks up the phone, she never knows who will be on the other end, but she knows why she’s answering. As a Crisis Intervention Specialist for the Senior Loneliness Line, Cox is one of the voices providing support to older people in Oregon facing behavioral health challenges, including loneliness. “The Senior Loneliness Line is unique,” Cox said. “It functions both as a warm line for friendly conversation and as a space for crisis support when needed. We get calls from people who just want to start their day with a voice on the other end, to others who are dealing with isolation, loss, aging related issues, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.”

The Senior Loneliness Line is funded by OHA for Lines for Life—an Oregon nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide and promoting mental wellness. The line offers older Oregonians connection and emotional support amid growing concerns about social isolation in aging populations. Find out more at Senior Loneliness Line.

tedtalk

Sunset High School 11th grader Shreemoyee Saha took the stage at TedxYouth@Lincoln Street on May 16th to deliver a powerful TED Talk on the role of youth in driving innovation. In her talk “Step Forward: The Future Begins with Innovation,” Shreemoyee highlighted how young people bring fresh perspectives to global challenges and called for more support and resources to help students turn their ideas into real-world impact. “How can we foster youth innovation?” she asked the audience. Shreemoyee, the first to give a Ted Talk from her school, drew from her own experiences from her science research and speech and debate. She plans to continue pursuing research and public engagement as she enters her senior year this fall.

A recording of her TED Talk will be available on the official TedX youtube page later this month.

GiGi’s Playhouse Portland is proud to host the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge, open to families. With a 5k run, a one-mile walk, a Kids Dash, and plenty of community partners, this event has something for every ability. As the first and only Down syndrome achievement center in the Pacific Northwest, GiGi’s Playhouse Portland has been hard at work delivering free, purposeful programming to families and individuals living with intellectual disabilities. The challenge is simple: Register at GFAC – Portland and show your acceptance for people of all abilities!

Check out our center virtually GiGi’s Playhouse Portland then come visit us at 8538 Apple Way, Portland. See our calendar for open times.

A group of individuals led by resident Elissa Ryan Morris is planning an intentional community for their young adult children who are neurodiverse, have I/DD diagnosis. These young people want to be independent and want to have a place of their own like their neurotypical friends. Their parents are aging, and they can’t live at home forever. But there are very few options in place for them. Ms. Ryan Morris states that while looking for a place for her daughter to live, she found WeBUILT in Clackamas, realized that the west side needs a WeBUILT, and the idea for Bloom! was born.

The group currently has an offer on a piece of property already zoned multi-family just off Murray Road, the design process is underway, and they are looking for families to join them in creating a new vibrant, exciting community where young adults with neurodiversity or developmental disabilities can BLOOM! If your family, or anyone you know, might be interested in buying into this kind of community, please check out the website: BLOOM!, A WeBUILT Community, LLC.

give hope this spring. give blood. text in front of daisies.

The need for blood is critical! You can make a difference and save lives TODAY! Donor Incentive: All those who come to give blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma June 1-30, will receive a $15 gift card by email plus a chance to win a $7k prize. See rcblood.org/Count.

Please sign up for the blood drive by following this link, by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering princeofpeace to schedule an appointment. Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.

CarFit is an educational program that provides a quick yet comprehensive review of how well you and your vehicle work together. The program, developed by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance your driving safety and increase mobility. Register for a FREE 20-minute appointment by calling 503-615-1090.

Celebrate the upcoming America’s 250th birthday with the Beaver Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. There will be patriotic giveaways and the opportunity to talk to our genealogists to see if you have an ancestor who helped the cause.

out of school time alliance

Do you ever ask yourself: “Why did I do that”? It’s a common thought for everyone and especially our young people. This course will dive into why we do the things we do, the feelings that push out our behaviors, and how knowing more about emotion literacy and secure attachment puts us back in the driver’s seat on making the best decisions. It’s all about helping our young people learn how to better manage their emotions in the moment. Presented by Washington County Kids Out-of-School-Time Alliance. Learn more and sign up here.

The Oregon Department of Human Services Quality Measurement Council (a team of experts and representatives of different constituencies) has been diligently working since 2017 on metrics for licensed facilities to help consumers evaluate quality of care. Most seniors decide to move into a facility when they can no longer get the needed care in their homes. As a result, the quality of care is one of the critical things to evaluate and until recently there was no way to do that. These reports can help seniors and their families make good choices and also help the facilities to improve. Visit this website to learn more and download reports.

Viva Village is a Beaverton-area grassroots organization of members and volunteers who focus on enhancing and expanding the ways we can age well. We provide connections, programs, volunteer services, and referrals so members can lead engaged, healthy lives. For more information visit Viva Village. Please RSVP for all events by contacting

vivavillageor@gmail.com or 503-746-5082. Links for zoom meetings will be sent to those who RSVP. Members-only events are listed on the website and in the web version of The News.

Women’s Coffee (in person)

Coffee and conversation. RSVP recommended.

Age Café is on hiatus in June, July and August. Please check our September listing for the date that month.

Introductory Conversation about Viva Village

A small group conversation in a casual setting with current members and volunteers. Learn about Viva Village and ask your questions. Limited to 8. RSVP for the address. Register on our website or contact the office.

Online Viva Village 101

An informational session for prospective members, volunteers, or anyone interested in Viva Village. Register on our website or contact the office for the Zoom link.

Viva Village Forum

Stay Healthy and On Your Feet. As people age they have an increased risk of falling. Noel Leonard, Doctor of Physical Medicine at Providence, will discuss factors that contribute to falling, strategies to help keep yourself safe, and ways to prevent falls. You will receive a free mobility kit. Refreshments served. No charge. RSVP recommended. Register on our website or contact the Viva Village office.

Men’s Coffee Break

Conversation and coffee. RSVP recommended.

Online Viva Village Book Club

Selected book: The Women by Kristin Hannah. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Online Tai Chi Classes

Practice Tai Chi techniques and skills with certified instructor, Richard Chew. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Online Mindful Meditation Classes

Mindful Meditation sessions led by Martha McJacobs. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Online Women’s Coffee

Join members and volunteers for a morning of coffee and conversation. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Fiber Crafts…Quilting, Crocheting, Knitting, Sewing

Use a variety of fiber craft skills to create art squares for charity, fidget quilts, and other projects the group decides on. Limited to 12. RSVP required. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Living Solo Happy Hour

Get together for an afternoon of relaxed conversation with other Viva Village solos. RSVP is appreciated.

Patio Picnics

Conversation and lunch on a deck or patio. Bring your own lunch. You will be notified of the location and host a day or two before the picnic. Weather permitting. RSVP required by noon on the Wednesday before the picnic. Login to register on the website or contact the Viva Village office.

Viva Village Nature Walk

Meet at the trailhead on NW Waterhouse Avenue. Enter from 1069 NW Waterhouse Avenue 1/2 block west from the stoplight at NW 158th and Waterhouse Avenue. Enjoy a morning walk with Viva Village friends. RSVP recommended.

Living Solo Sounding Board

The Sounding Board is a small group for exploring and giving feedback about ideas, plans, questions, concerns, and things of interest that are occurring in your life. Space limited to 10. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Let the office know if you need to cancel. If the session is full, ask to add your name to the waiting list.

Life Stories

Viva Villager, Nancy McNary, a member of the baby boomer generation, will share stories about growing up on the West Coast. RSVP is appreciated.

Dine Around Beaverton and Beyond

Join other Viva Village members and volunteers for lunch and conversation. Wear your Viva Village name badge. Space limited to 15 people. RSVP required by 1 pm on Tuesday, June 10. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Couples Happy Hour

Join other Viva Villagers for a happy hour get-together. Enjoy friendly conversation and enjoy Happy Hour specials. Your non-Viva Village spouse or partner is welcome! Limited to 8 couples (16 people). RSVP required. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Living Solo (In person)

Meet in person to share experiences, tips, and strategies for living on your own. Bring your own lunch or snack. RSVP appreciated.

Mystery Book Club

Selected book: Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag. Space limited to 12. RSVP required to participate. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Online Living Solo

A time to share experiences, tips, and strategies for living on your own. RSVP if you need the Zoom Link.

Open Mic

Share your writing. Bring short pieces or excerpts (about 5 minutes to read aloud), whether it’s a story, poem, or other writing you would like to share in a supportive environment. Led by Gary V. Anderson, poet and storyteller. Space limited to 11 people. RSVP required. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Thursday Evening Social

Enjoy an evening of conversation and dinner with Viva Village friends. Space limited to 15 people. RSVP required. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.