NEWS HOME

Community News

• Cindy Hudson essay in holiday book
• Israeli folk dancing
• Viva Villages
• Washington County Forum schedule
• Garbage News
• Water for cold weather
• Schools News
• Park activities and class signups

Cindy Hudson essay in holiday book

Chicken Soup for the Soul Merry Christmas! is a collection of 101 stories from writers throughout the U.S., described as "heartwarming, often hilarious, holiday memories.” This collection will leave you smiling and eager to share the holidays, filled with new ideas and enthusiasm for this special time of year. There’s something for everyone in these joy-filled pages.

Cindy Hudson is a Cedar Mill resident who writes local items for OregonLive and the Oregonian. The essay she wrote is called "Forty-Nine Perfect Hearts," about the tradition she and her husband have of giving each other a heart for the Christmas tree every year since they've been married. After 25 years, they're up to 49, and each year they have fun shopping for something interesting or unusual to complement the others in their collection.

Israeli folk dancing

Monday, December 21, 7-9 pm, $6 at the door, Leedy Grange Hall, 835 NW Saltzman Rd.

Learn and enjoy beginning and intermediate level dances brought to you by Sue and Friends, on the third Monday of each month!!

8-9 pm – intermediate dances

For details please visit Portland Israeli Folk Dance News at sites.google.com/site/pifdnews, or email Sue at pifdnews@gmail.com.

Viva Villages

Viva Village volunteers and supporters have chosen a Governing Council to lead the Village through the final stages of development and launch of services in the Fall of 2016. The Village will provide older Beaverton-area members with affordable services and support so they can remain in their own homes and communities as they age. The new Governing Council will focus on membership recruitment, fundraising, and building the strategic relationships and support structures needed for day-to-day functioning of the Village.

Viva Village is one of six ‘spoke’ Villages currently developing in the Portland area under the umbrella of Villages NW, recently named Best New Nonprofit by Portland Monthly magazine. A seventh Portland-area Village, Eastside Village, began offering services in October 2016.

Washington County Forum schedule

Most Mondays, 11:30-1 pm, Peppermill Restaurant in Aloha at 17455 SW Farmington Rd.

There is no charge for admission. Doors open at 11:30 am, and the speakers start at noon. Lunch is available to order from the menu.

Following the speaker, there is an opportunity to ask questions, a privilege of Forum membership.

Monday, December 7: Sal Peralta: “What’s Happening with Oregon’s Independent Party?”

Monday, December 14: Metro Councilors Kathryn Harrington & Craig Dirksen: “Role of Metro Council – How it works with the County & Cities”

Monday January 4: Julie Parrish & Joe Gallegos, State Representatives: "What to Expect at the 2016 Session"

Garbage News

Washington County residents will have access to new online and mobile tools for keeping track of garbage and recycling collection schedules. Starting early 2016 you will be able to; look up your garbage and recycling collection schedule, print a customized calendar, sign up for reminders by email or text, get notified of winter weather and holiday service interruptions, find nearby drop-off recycling centers for items that aren't recyclable in your roll cart, and sign up to get an email notification when the new online and mobile tools are ready.

Much of our holiday waste can be recycled. Toss cardboard boxes, paper greeting cards and paper wrapping in your mixed recycling roll cart.

If you have yard debris collection service, include cut trees and greenery in your yard debris roll cart. Cut your tree into three-foot or shorter pieces so it fits in the roll cart and falls freely when collected. Excess yard debris may be set next to the cart for an additional fee. Contact your hauler for more information.

When there are hazardous driving conditions, such as when winter weather closes schools, your garbage, recycling and yard debris collection service may be canceled. If your materials weren't picked up on the regular collection day, they will be picked up the next day. If conditions remain hazardous and schools are closed for more than one day, the extra materials will be picked up on your next scheduled collection week with no extra charges. If cancellations are extended, updates will be posted at WashingtonCountyRecycles.com.

If your collection day falls on Christmas or New Year's Day this year, your hauler will shift your collection service to Saturday -- though Aloha Garbage Company will pick up on New Year's Day. If you have questions, call your hauler or visit your hauler's website.

Water for cold weather

With the change in the weather, preparing for the basic, everyday things is easy to do. Winter clothes come out, sprinkler systems are winterized, and heating systems are tuned up and ready to go.

A water shutoff valve in a clay pipe

But what if you have a water emergency? Just like everything in life, being prepared can make all the difference when you only have moments to react. If a pipe in your house breaks, you may only have moments to turn off the water to prevent major damage. Knowing how to shut off your water before a pipe breaks is key to help avoid this type of damage.

If you are experiencing a water emergency, give TVWD a call at (503) 848-3000. TVWD can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week so keep the phone number  in a convenient location or stored in your phone. If call volume is heavy, listen closely to the recorded message and leave a message when prompted. If your emergency includes a threat to life, health or public safety, call 911 first.

Schools News

by Sydney McRae

Sunset’s music and dance programs offer a variety of winter concerts this month.

Saturday, December 12, 7 pm, Sunset Color Guard/Dance Showcase

Tuesday, December 15, 7-9 pm, Sunset High School Choir presents their Winter Concert featuring songs from “Les Miserables.”

Thursday, December 17, 7-8:30 pm, Sunset High Winter band concert.

Clothes Closet

Beaverton elementary schools announced the Beaverton School district Clothes Closet – an organization that provides clothing for students in the Beaverton School District. You can sign up to volunteer/ to find out more information at: beaverton.k12.or.us/depts/CCI/volunteer-engage/Pages/Clothes-Closet.aspx.

Fork it Over volunteers needed

Throughout the holiday season, “Fork It Over,” a metro food organization whose mission is to donate food to local pantries in order to reduce hunger, is looking for volunteers to pick up and drop off food donations at local pantries. To find out more information please email: ForkItOverBSD@gmail.com

Park activities and class signups

The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s 2016 winter/spring activities guide is available online at thprd.org and in print at numerous community locations.

The new guide includes registration information, schedules and fees for hundreds of winter classes, programs, and special events that start in January.

Online and phone registration for winter term will be open to in-district residents starting at 8 am on Dec. 12 and go until 6 pm that day.  It will continue Dec. 13 from noon to 4 pm and Dec. 14-18 from 8:30 am to 6 pm.

For out-of-district residents, online and phone registration for winter term will begin Monday, December 14, at 8:30 am. 

The printed activities guide can be picked up at any THPRD recreation or aquatic center.  It’s also available at the park district’s Administration Office, 158th and Walker Road, Beaverton.

In addition, limited quantities of the guide have been distributed to Beaverton-area libraries.

Previous article

NEWS HOME