Community Announcements

• Our steep narrow roads—update

• Garden Club News

• Oral History program

• Walk to School day

Our steep narrow roads—update

Washington County Traffic Engineering is ordering a new solar-powered speed reader sign which will let drivers know what the posted speed is and what THEIR speed is. Spokesperson Anne Madden says, "The sign is portable, so we will place it at different locations along 119th to keep drivers alert. Our Operations staff is taking a close look at roadside vegetation, and will do what they can to cut back ivy and blackberries to free up more refuge space along the side of the road. For a more long-term solution, we are pulling together options for funding and prioritization for the Board of County Commissioners to consider."

Garden Club News

The Cedar Mill Garden Club's October meeting will feature Gregg Hulbert from the Portland Nursery who will speak on "Plants: A History from Lewis & Clark to the Present Day" on Wednesday, October 20 at the Beaverton Community Center, 12350 SW 5th across from the Beaverton City Library. Meeting and social time begins at 12:30 pm; program starts at 2 pm. All gardeners and wildlife lovers are welcome. The event is free. For more information about the Cedar Mill Garden Club check out our website at www.thecedarmillgardenclub.org or contact club president Barb Cushman at 503-649-7741. The Cedar Mill Garden Club is holding Friday afternoon Potting Parties in preparation for their spring plant sale. Anyone with plants to donate should also contact Barb Cushman at the above number or at barbswhimseys@yahoo.com.

Oral History program

Are you interested in local history? Want to volunteer for a museum? If so, the Washington County Museum's (WCM) Oral History program wants you!

The Oral History Program is an integral portion of the Museum's mission to actively engage the public in learning how the county's diverse history and peoples have defined this region. The Oral History program will collect, process, and preserve oral histories of those whose lives and/ or specific achievements are relevant to the history, culture, and current experiences within Washington County.

A training session will be held October 23 from 10 am-12 pm. Please RSVP to ensure your space. Contact Heather Bouchey, Collections Manager, for any questions or to register for the training. 503-645-535 ext. 107 or heather-b@washingtoncountymuseum.org

The Washington County Museum is located on the PCC Rock Creek Campus at 17677 Springville Rd.

Walk to School day

Buses are not the only way to get to school. Seventeen schools in the Beaverton School District are participating in International Walk & Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 6. The event encourages students and families to walk or bike to school, and highlights the benefits of walking or biking to and from school as an excellent way to make physical activity a part of students' daily routines. Thirty years ago, 50% of students walked or biked to school. Today, only 15% do.

Ruth Deal, a West Haven resident, has been instrumental in making this happen. Her tireless efforts to promote these activities have paid off in a $100,000 two-year grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation's Safe Route to School Program awarded to the Beaverton School District to work with schools to educate, encourage and examine other ways to make walking and biking to school safer and more enjoyable.

By the end of the two-year program, all Beaverton School District schools will have access to programs that educate and encourage more walking and biking to school, including maps of safe walking and biking routes, pedestrian safety programs, and safe, efficient drop-off and pick up zones so all children arriving at school can do so safely.

Studies show that 20-30% of morning traffic is parents driving their children to school. More walking and biking reduces this congestion. Increased visibility of students walking and biking to school also encourages driver safety awareness in school zones and neighborhoods. It also encourages parents to walk and bike to school and throughout the community with their entire family.

The research is clear - children need at least sixty minutes of physical activity every day to stay healthy. Walking and biking to school can help improve strength and endurance, decrease anxiety and stress, and help maintain weight. Studies show that more people walking and biking in a neighborhood makes people feel safer and better about their community. It helps make public streets more friendly and encourages safe community interaction.

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