Community Announcements

CPO 1 now meets at Grange Hall

Citizens Participation Organization #1, which is the county government participatory group for Cedar Mill and Cedar Hills, has been able to use the facilities at St. Vincent Medical Center for many years for their monthly meetings. They were informed in late December that this will no longer be possible. The hospital, which has been expanding rapidly, says it needs all its facilities for medical-related activities.

There was a last-minute scramble to find a new location for the January 3 meeting, which was held at the Leedy Grange Hall. Because of a long-standing martial arts class in the main hall, the meeting was held in the dining area. A large contingent of neighbors, who are concerned about the new Beaverton zoning applied to the Peterkort properties, made for a packed room. Most CPO meetings don't attract such crowds, so, at least for the time being, the group will meet at the Grange Hall on its regular schedule of the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 7.

The Grange Hall lacks AV facilities that were available at the Medical Center. In particular, we need a computer projector so that presentations can be viewed. If anyone has a lead on a projector (used is fine) that might be donated or purchased at a low cost, please contact Virginia Bruce, virginia.bruce@gmail.com. The hall does have wi-fi, thanks to the efforts of member Jeanine Claar.

Sharpen up at the Garden Club

"How to Sharpen your Pruners and some Pruning Tips," presented by Jerry Anderson, is the program for the January 18 meeting of the Cedar Mill Garden Club (CMGC). The club meets at the Beaverton Community Center, 12350 S.W. 5th across from the Beaverton City Library at 11:30 am. The program will begin at 12:45 pm. All interested gardeners are invited to attend. For additional information about the CMGC contact Barb Cushman, president, 503-649-7741, or visit www.thecedarmillgardenclub.org.

Thompson Road repairs update

A recent article in the Oregonian led people to believe that Thompson Road (from Skyline to Portland), closed for most of 2011, would be reopening soon. Unfortunately, that was a little premature. The repairs to the roadbed have been completed, but the combination of winter weather and an overstretched Multnomah County budget are putting off the final paving of the road for a bit longer.

We will bring you a report on the innovative method that was used to repair the road,along with a firm date for its reopening, in the February issue of the News, provided everything proceeds on schedule.

Volunteer at Cedar Mill Wetland

On February 4, volunteers will help plant 500 native shrubs, trees and plant cuttings with site stewards, Mayer/Reed. We will plant along North Johnson Creek and around the ponds at our Cedar Mill preserve. Meet up in the Farmers Insurance parking lot at 12020 SW Barnes Road. Event hours: 9 am-noon. Dress for the weather—tall rubber boots recommended!

Managed by the Wetlands Conservancy, this land was acquired as part of an agreement by several developers. We have watched it unfold from a pond full of sticks to a beautiful preserve for plants, birds and animals. For more information and to volunteer, contact Jennifer Wilson, 503-691-394 or jennifers@wetlandsconservancy.org. They are looking for groups and individuals. This activity makes a wonderful project for kids to get involved in the preservation of natural areas.

Washington County Public Affairs Forum January topics

The Public Affairs Forum meets at the Tanasbourne Old Spaghetti Factory, 18925 NW Tanasbourne Dr. in Hillsboro.

January 9: Candidates for the 1st Congressional District. Speakers: Suzanne Bonamici(D), Rob Cornilles(R)

January 16: A Look at Oregon's Prison Sentence - Death by Lethal Injection, Debate! Speakers: Josh Marquis - DA for Clatsop County, Jeff Ellis - Director, Capitol Resource Center.

January 23: A New Sheriff Comes to Town. Speaker: Pat Garrett, Washington County Sheriff.

January 30: Successful Approaches to Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery. Speakers: Sheila North - Executive Director De Paul Treatment Centers, Dennis Erickson - Administrative Manager Washington County Community Corrections Department.

For last minute updates and additional information about the forum, visit their website at: http://www.washingtoncountyforum.org.

US Representative District 1 Election January 31

A Special General Election is being held to elect a replacement for David Wu, who resigned earlier this year. Suzanne Bonamici (http://www.bonamiciforcongress.com/) is the Democrat candidate, Rob Cornilles (http://www.cornillesforcongress.com/)is the Republican. James Foster is running as a Libertarian and Steven Reynolds is a candidate for the Oregon Progressive Party.

If you are not currently registered to vote, the deadline is January 10. You can register online at the state site: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/register.do?lang=eng

Ballots will be mailed out starting January 13. If you don't receive your ballot and live in Washington County, contact the Elections Division at 503 846-5800 or email Elections.

Boys from Troop 198 working on a streamside area of Willow Creek

Boy Scout Troop cleans up streamside
By Marsha W. Freed

Last October, Boy Scout Troop #198 spent an afternoon cleaning up part of Willow Creek that had become somewhat disrupted by human traffic. This is a natural habit area that is home to small animals and several kinds of birds. The creek flows during the winter and has had fish in previous years. The troop cleaned up the area and then planted native plants before posting the signs provided by Clean Water Services.

The area looks great now and is ready for more birds (including owls) nesting and small animals. Cedar Mill is a perfect area for creating and sustaining native wildlife. Thank you to these young men who took the time and energy to help maintain the natural landscape.

Prince of Peace School open house

The Prince of Peace School's Community Open House for all age levels will be held on January 26 from 5-6:30 pm at the school, 14175 NW Cornell Rd. Community registration will begin on February 6th.

Prince of Peace offers both pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs. Half day preschool classes are available for three and four year olds. These classes meet either two or three days per week. Prince of Peace also offers a pre-kindergarten class for children who will turn five years of age by February 1, 2013. This class meets five half days per week. The kindergarten program is held five days a week for either full or half days. Even if kindergartners start out in the half-day program, they also have the option to extend to a full day two, three, or four times per week. Forms and more information are available at www.princeofpeacelc.org.

Group offers college financial aid assistance

The group Parents of Teens Community will host a college financial aid night on January 11 from 7-8:30 pm in room P103 at the Cedar Mill Bible Church, 12208 NW Cornell Rd. The event offers tips on applying and getting scholarships for college and help on filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is no religious content in or charge for the event.

Cedar Mill family wins college award money, Library wins too!

Cedar Mill News A Cedar Mill family now has a head start on saving for college and a local library has some more funding due to the program Destination College Savings, part of the 2011 summer reading program held at public libraries around the state. This program awarded Erin Boling a $1,000 Oregon College Savings Plan (OCPS) account for her child, and $500 went to the Bethany Branch of the Cedar Mill Community Library.

Winners of the OCPS accounts were randomly selected from the 5,300 entries in summer reading programs across the state. The program is offered through Oregon's public libraries each year to encourage children to read through the summer.

"We were pleased to again partner with the Oregon State Library and Oregon Library Association to bring the 'Destination College Savings' program to Oregon families," said Michael Parker, executive director of the Oregon 529 College Savings Network. "The libraries did an excellent job of encouraging children to read through the summer and take advantage of the opportunity to win money for college."

Cedar Mill Bible Church's Jesus Table serves weekly dinner

Members of Cedar Mill Bible Church have been providing Monday-evening meals to the needy in downtown Portland for nearly two decades. A couple of years ago, some of those members wondered why they couldn't serve weekly meals closer to home as well.

After much planning, upgrades to the church's kitchen and a dry-run with its own volunteers, The Jesus Table will be serving complete meals from 6-7 pm Tuesdays for those in the community who would benefit from a hot meal served in a warm, friendly environment.

Carol Marshall and her husband, Dave, have been leading the effort to get The Jesus Table up and running. She says the program's main goal is to support people who are struggling but need support. Marshall says that could be someone who is homeless, or a single parent who needs help feeding her children, or even someone who is elderly and living alone. "If they show up, we will find a place for anybody who wants a meal," she said.

The church has been designated a benevolent meal site by Washington County, and the Oregon Food Bank provides some of the food. Marshall says donations cover other costs and volunteers serve the meals.

For more information on donating or volunteering, email thejesustable@gmail.com. Cedar Mill Bible Church is at 12208 N.W. Cornell Road.

Search for Peace Call for Artists

The 2012 Poster Contest theme is, "Turn From Violence - Make Peace." There is a $100 cash prizes in four age categories. Entry forms and more information are available at www.SearchForPeaceArt.org. Entering the poster contest is free and open to all ages.

Entries are requested by January 31, 2012. Prizes will be awarded February 24 - 26, 2012, at the 7th annual Search for Peace Art Exhibit in the St. Pius X Community Center, 1280 NW Saltzman Rd. Portland 97229, in Cedar Mill, free and open to the public.

Besides posters, entries of art works and poems relating to peace are also requested for the exhibit. For more information, visit the website, call 503 646-5449 or email info@SearchForPeaceArt.org