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December 2014
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| Volume 12, Issue 12 | December 2014 |
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Community News
Sustainable Food movies at Leedy Grange HallFollowing the success of the Progressive Grange Sustainable Food Conference in early November, members voted to begin showing monthly “sustainable food” movies at the hall every third Saturday. The series will begin on January 17. The hall will open at 6:30 pm for light snacks and conversation, and the movie will show at 7 pm. There will be time after the movie for discussion. Some of the titles we’re considering include: Dirt: the Movie, A Place at the Table, King Corn, Food, Inc., and The Real Dirt on Farmer John. We’re also looking for suggestions, and will post a survey in January to gather your ideas. We are seeking a digital projector and a large screen. We have equipment we can borrow, but to keep the series more “sustainable” for the organizers, it would be easier if we had our own. If you or your company has surplus equipment, please consider a donation. The equipment would belong to Leedy and could be used for other programs, including the CPO 1 meetings that occur in the hall each month on the first Tuesday. For more information, contact Virginia Bruce at 503-803-1813 or vrb@teamweb.com. Area 93/Bonny Slope West updateBefore the parcel they’re calling Bonny Slope West (roughly between Thompson and Laidlaw, east of Saltzman) can be developed, the county must come up with a “community plan” that will include where the roads will go, what types of housing density will go where, how the infrastructure will be paid for, and the many other details necessary to ensure a good outcome for this land that was added to the Urban Growth Boundary in 2002. The Long Range Planning (LRP) section of Washington County’s Land Use and Planning Division has been conducting public and stakeholder outreach activities (including the October 21 public meeting) to develop a draft community plan for Area 93/Bonny Slope West, that can be adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 2015. To augment other public involvement and stakeholder engagement efforts, the Long Range Planning Section wants to utilize the county Planning Commission (PC) in an advisory capacity and as a sounding board with regard to draft plan options and alternatives. Staff anticipates a “discussion” format for these advisory sessions with the PC, with opportunities for public comment provided. The Planning Commission is a volunteer board, with advisory-only duties, but because they spend a lot of time analyzing and reviewing land use issues, staff feels they can help guide the process. The request was approved by the BCC at their December 2 meeting. Planning Commission meetings are announced on the county website. Upcoming meetings and topics include: December 17: Transportation and Open Space; January 21: Intrastructure Funding and Schools; and a February date to be determined later to consider results of the late-January Open House (date and location also TBD). The Planning Commission meets in the Public Services Building Auditorium (155 N 1st Avenue, Hillsboro) at 6:30 pm and meetings are open to the public. In addition, there’s a whole section on the county site providing history and much more about the area. You can sign up for the Bonny Slope West e-newsletter (along with several other interesting topics) at washtech.co.washington.or.us. For even more background visit the Cedar Mill News home page and enter “Area 93” in the search box. Nature Center now…It’s a long name that has been around a long time, but the park district has decided shorter is better. The Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center, a name that both sprawls across the written page and is a mouthful to say, is now known as the Tualatin Hills Nature Center. The THPRD Board of Directors approved the name change at their monthly meeting on November 3.
“We think our patrons will find the new name easier to use,” said Kristin Atman, THPRD interpretive programs supervisor, based at the Nature Center. “It will also help raise our profile and be more recognizable in the community we serve.” She said the name also more accurately conveys the type of activities that are provided at the facility, which opened to the public in 1998 and is located at 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton. “People will associate the new name with a center focused on nature and natural resource information,” Atman said. “The word ‘interpretive’ seemed to confuse some people as to what we offer. So we’re happy to eliminate that confusion.” The Nature Center is located within the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a 222-acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Beaverton that features forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds and meadows. The park is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and smaller creatures. The trail network includes 1.5 miles of paved pathways plus 3.5 miles of well maintained, soft-surface trails. The Nature Center include classrooms, a nature store, reference library, and exhibit area. A variety of environmental education classes and activities for adults, children, and school groups are offered throughout the year. Writers’ Mill group publishes Journal
Feast your literary eyes on the latest compilation of writing and art from neighborhood writers. Members of the Writers’ Mill, a local writing group, have just published their third Writers’ Mill Journal. The latest journal features a wide range of writing—from poetry, to essays covering animals, nature, darkness, and much, much more. If you’d like to peruse it, the Cedar Mill library has a copy. If caffeinated perusal appeals, Poppa’s Haven Coffeehouse also has one. It will also be available at the annual Oak Hills Bazaar, along with many other titles by local authors, at the Oak Hills Recreation Center, 2400 NW 153rd, December 5 and 6, 10 am-5 pm. Anyone who considers himself or herself a writer is welcome to join the group. They meet on the third Sunday of each month from 1-3 pm in the conference room at the Cedar Mill library. The writers learn from speakers, share and critique writing, participate in writing exercises and sharpen their writing skills. Consider the 2014 Writers’ Mill Journal when buying local gifts for loved ones during this holiday season. If you miss the Bazaar, the journal is available online at Amazon.com,, at Barnes and Noble, and at Powells. Prepping for the WeatherWinter sweater? Check. Rain boots and coats? Ready to go. Hitting the slopes this winter? Time to wax those skis. When it comes to being prepared, the “basics” are easy to do. But what if you had an emergency? Just like everything in life, being prepared can make all the difference when you only have moments to react. To be prepared, TVWD encourages you to:
Notifying In Case Of Water Emergencies Getting the word out and responding when water emergencies happen is important. TVWD prepares and their staff trains in case emergency response is needed. Different situations require different responses, yet here is some general information to remember: TVWD can be contacted 24 hours a day for emergencies. Their 503-848-3000 phone number should be kept in a convenient location or stored in your phone system. If their call volume is heavy, listen closely to the recorded message and if necessary, leave a message when prompted. The TVWD website (tvwd.org) is a valuable source of information especially as situations evolve. It is worthwhile checking back regularly to receive updated information. If you are experiencing an emergency however, be sure to call. While the District’s website and email are useful tools, they aren’t monitored continuously. Media reports can be helpful. TVWD tries to work with the media to disseminate accurate and timely information. If you have a question about a media report, visit their website or give them a call. For more localized events, a door hanger or signs posted in affected neighborhoods may be used to inform residents of an emergency situation and where to get more information. Update your contact information with the District to make sure they can contact you. This can be done at tvwd.org or by calling (503) 848-3000. Know Where Your Water Shutoff Is If a pipe in your house breaks, you may only have moments to turn off your water to prevent major damage. Knowing how to shut off your water before you have an emergency is key to help mitigate this type of damage. Common locations where you might find your water shutoff include:
For help with finding your water shut-off valve or for more information about preparing your pipes for cold weather, visit tvwd.org or call (503) 848-3000. NEW Full Day Kindergarten Everywhere!The Beaverton School District will provide free full-day kindergarten at all elementary schools beginning September 2015. The kindergarten day will be the same length as grades one through five. Per state statute, any child who will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2015 will be eligible to enroll for kindergarten at their designated home school beginning November 7, 2014. Parents/guardians will need to provide a birth certificate and immunization record at the time of enrollment. Each elementary school will offer parents an opportunity to find out more about the kindergarten program at their spring kindergarten information event. Please check with your neighborhood school to see when the event is scheduled. If you are uncertain about which elementary school is your home school, please call 503- 591-8000. For more information, please contact the Communications & Community Involvement Department at 503-591-4360. TriMet Changes
TriMet made changes to schedules on 10 bus lines on Sunday, November 30. The schedule adjustments include added trips and schedule changes to better match service to ridership and traffic conditions. These changes will cost TriMet $570,000, and follow $10.7 million in service improvements TriMet has made since September 2014, which were the agency’s first service expansions since the great recession. In Cedar Mill, Line 48 will have a trip added on weekday mornings, and there will be earlier service on weekends. Also, schedule adjustments will be made daily to better match ridership and traffic conditions to service. For more information and greater detail on the changing lines, visit news.trimet.org. Public Affairs ForumThe Washington County Public Affairs Forum meets weekly from 11:45 am to 1 pm at the Peppermill Restaurant, located at 17455 SW Farmington Rd, Aloha. Their programs are also available on YouTube.com and local cable access channel 21, Tualatin Valley Community Television. December 8 Part A: Hillsboro Empowers Youth – Jaime Rodrequez; Tualatin Together – Cyndy Hillier; Tigard Turns The Tide – Connie Ramaekers Part B: Bill Kroger, author, Fallon’s Orphans December 15th Admission is free. Lunch is available off the regular menu. Volunteers are welcome to help with various aspects of the meeting. The Forum is a non-profit organization supported by member dues, just $45/year for individuals
History Research Library work underwayThe Washington County Museum’s building on the PCC Rock Creek campus, which used to house the entire operation, has housed the archives and collections storage since the main museum moved to downtown Hillsboro. “We have big news at Rock Creek Research Library and Collection Center. Construction has begun!” they announced this month. The archives and collection storage will be expanded, the front entrance will be bumped out, and they will dress up the new research space. They expect completion to be sometime in the new year. Stay tuned for an update. Please, be aware that because of construction, they have limited the amount of research requests that they can accept. If you have questions, please contact librarian@washingtoncountymuseum.org or 503-645-5353 ext. 108
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