November Newsletter
St. Johns NET & SJNA Host
Community Resilience Forum
In lieu of a November SJNA General Meeting--scheduled the second Monday of most every month--the St. Johns Neighborhood Association (SJNA) partnered with the St. Johns Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) to host a Community Emergency Preparedness Forum.

As several past SJNA meeting guests have similarly explained, the entire Pacific Northwest falls within the Cascadia Subduction Zone and is at risk of a potentially catastrophic earthquake. Several fault lines run through the Portland metro, one through our neighborhood. St. Johns and Cathedral Park are especially at risk after a major disaster should we become completely isolated after all road access bridges collapse as expected.

What are the 3 things you can do to best prepare yourself for the next big disaster? According to Laura Hall, leader of the Kenton / Arbor Lodge NET:

  1. Know Your Neighbors - 90% of people rescued after a disaster are saved by their neighbors. Talk more to save more seniors, children, and more neighbors in need.
  2. Secure Your Home - Exterior walls collapse outward. Indoors is best in the 'quake. Secure bookshelves, sliding furniture, and make "What If" scenario plans now.
  3. Build Your Kits, Get Water - Water lines will break. You need AT LEAST a gallon of water per person, per day, for 14-21 days (crews may take 2 -3 weeks to arrive).
  4. BONUS - Ask Yourself: What will you and your family need to survive isolated? Where can you store water? How can you and neighbors support each other?

To stay informed, sign up for Portland Public Alerts, urged Jeremy Van Keuren, Community Resilience Manager, City of Portland Bureau of Emergency Management. For support, locate your closest BEECN, your Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node. To get started, visit MapMyNeighborhood.org .

Thankfully, "earthquakes are the most survivable disaster," explained Alice Busch, Division Chief of Operations of the Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management. After the "Big One", the most critical problem we will face will then be to survive amid the rubble until available relief efforts arrive.

For more information and to get connect with the St. Johns NET , recently renamed the St. Johns Community Resilience District.
Emergency Preparedness Tip of the Month
SUPPLIES & GEAR:
  • Box of crackers or graham crackers – 1 per person
  • Dry cereal or instant oatmeal – 1 weeks’ worth per person
  • 1 box of large, heavy-duty garbage bags
  • Sunscreen
  • Whistles (1/household member)
TASKS:
  • Make a small preparedness kit for your car. Include food, water, blanket, small first aid kit, a list of important phone numbers
  • Secure water heaters to wall studs (if not already done)
** Check your supplies every six months **
Winter Houseless Support
Community On-Demand Houseless Support
Volunteer on-demand houseless supporters are collecting donations in preparation for the cold, wet winter ahead. If you have items to donate--clothing, blankets, tents, etc--please contact either Mimi German or Star Stauffer directly.

If you know of someone at risk this winter, please share the following contact numbers with them to receive needed support!
Mimi German - 503.453.9005
Star Stauffer - 503.382.9384
This newsletter writer would like to apologize for the accidental omission of this information in the October newsletter, and extend a personal note of gratitude for the dedicated community members who so passionately seek to care for our houseless neighbors.
St. Johns Clothing Closet Open
SJCO | 8250 N Lombard
December 14th | 2PM - 7PM
St. Johns Center for Opportunity is again hosting their free community clothing closet to support vulnerable community members. They will have clothes for infants-adults in a range of sizes and genders.

All neighbors in need are encouraged to come by, including but not limited to houseless neighbors.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating new/gently used clothing to the community clothing closet, please contact SJCO for more info at  info@stjohnsopportunity.org .

Si, hablan Español.
Donation Collection at The Fixin' To
for Houseless Youth Org. Outside-In
The Fixin' To | 8218 N Lombard
Due by December 15th
The Fixin' To is hosting a donation collection box for Outside-In from now until December 15th. Needed items include dental care items, travel-sized body hygiene products, and NEW socks.

Outside-In is a city-wide non-profit organization supporting houseless youth. Please drop off all donation items to The Fixin' To before December 15th. At this time, the organization does not have the capacity to accept used clothing items and can only accept NEW clothing donations.

Stop by The Fixin' To for more information.
Community Corner
DEC 1 | 4PM - 9PM | Holiday Art Burst
Cathedral Park Place

Peruse 20+ local handmade craft and fine art vendors to find that perfect holiday gift while sipping an Occidental brew and listening to live music at Cathedral Park Place Artist Studios. 
DEC 1 | 6PM - 9PM | Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Roosevelt PTA
45th Parallel Wine Shop

Taste beer, wine and cider at 45th Parallel Wine Shop in St. Johns to support the 2018 Roosevelt High School graduation party fund. 45th Parallel will donate 10% of sales to the Grad Party fund. Other activities include a silent auction, snacks and spin the wheel raffle! 
Free admission and snacks! Questions, contact Lorrie @ parentsclubpdx@gmail.com. 
DEC 2 | 10AM - 3PM | Holiday Craft Fair at James John Elementary
James John Elementary

Featuring 30 tables of assorted handmade goods, craft, gifts and refreshments, as well as a kids art corner hosted by Vibe of Portland. The Winter Craft Fair is organized by the James John PTA and is located in the James John gymnasium. Shop for that perfect holiday gift! 
DEC 2 | 2PM - 4PM | Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Plaza
N Lombard & N Philadelphia

Join the St. Johns community for the tradition of lighting the Christmas tree in the downtown St. Johns plaza. This is an event for the whole family. Caroling and live music, Santa Claus visits and hot cider! Bring a shatterproof ornament to decorate the tree. 

We will light the tree at 3:45 pm.
DEC 2 | 6PM - 9PM | 4th Annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
Starting at Leisure Public House

It's time for the 4th Annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl in St. Johns! Put on your best ugly sweater, bring your friends and visit 6 local watering holes in St. Johns. Bartenders at each bar will pick their favorite ugly sweater and you'll win sweet prizes! 

We'll be starting at  Leisure Public House at 6 pm. Stay tuned for the full schedule of bars!
RSVP to the Facebook Event  here.

*Please drink responsibly. Uber & Lyft or your own walking feet are worth it.
  Important Resources 
:: Be neighborly with Nextdoor Android  | iOS
:: Join the St. Johns volunteer dream team
:: St. Johns event calendar
:: SJNA's  website
:: City of Portland's website
:: St. Johns' shared Google calendar
:: Important Portland phone numbers
:: PCC emergency response classes
:: NET Neighborhood Emergency Team  meetings
:: Multnomah county crisis line 503-988-4888
:: PDX Women's Crisis Line 503-235-5333
:: Report traffic concerns, call PBOT 503-823-7233
:: City of Portland Slow Down Yard Sign lender program

Please join us at our next neighborhood meeting.
December 11th, 7pm at the St. Johns Community Center.
All are welcome.

Forward to your neighbors :-)

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