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March 2023

March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated globally on March 17th. St. Patrick’s Day takes over the world with a sea of shamrocks and leprechauns. March signals the arrival of spring, as the Vernal Equinox balances the scales of night and day and signals the start of a new season of growth and renewal. Birds return, flowers bloom, and the earth awakens from its winter slumber. People born from February 20 to March 20 are Pices and between March 21st and April 19th are Aries. Pisces are said to be "smart, creative and deeply intuitive " while Aries are "passionate and independent". The birthstone for the month is aquamarine which represents transformation and rebirth.


March Madness refers to NCAA Basketball Tournament created in 1939.. Teams battle it out, brackets are busted, and fans go wild with excitement, all in the name of determining the champion of college basketball.


March is National Nutrition Month in the United States, a time to focus on fueling our bodies right. Chicago nicknamed the “Windy City” originates in March. It takes flight with the winds of March. With its famously blustery winds, the city earned this moniker in the late 1800s, and it has been a staple of its identity ever since.


The Ides of March, made famous by Shakespeare' Julius Caesar, is on March 15th. This fateful day saw the assassination of the Roman emperor and forever cemented its place in history as a warning against betrayal.


Did you know that on March 25, 1954, the first color TV went on sale? 1979 the world’s first fully-functional space shuttle, Columbia, was delivered to the JFK Space Center. In March 1982 Wayne Gretzky became the first and only player in NHL history to score 200 points in a season.


March is known for heavy rainfall in the Pacific Northwes From flooded roads to overflowing rivers, the month brings its fair share of challenges, but it also brings lush greenery and refreshed waterways, making it a vital part of the region’s ecosystem and beauty.


The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade was in 1762, March 17th in New York is a sea of green, marking the first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade. Brass bands, proud marchers, and green attire all come together to honor the city’s rich Irish heritage.

Avoiding Stereotypes this St. Patrick’s Day

By Linda Burch

 

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s good to know that so much of what Americans, even Irish Americans, see as Irish culture is not—it can even be offensive to Irish people.

   

According to sociologists, the Irish have been heavily stereotyped since the 1800s, and these negative stereotypes have filtered into American culture over the years. For example, the idea that the Irish are short tempered originated from a colonial British stereotype.  North American commentators furthered the stereotype as anti-Irish sentiment rose with the arrival of famine-era ships. Between 1846 and 1851, more than one million people—the potato famine emigrants—sailed from Ireland to America. Rampant prejudice led to the stereotype of Irish people being quick to violence and prone to fighting.


This led to the ugly, belligerent leprechaun image which has no relation to the magical little people so important to traditional culture. Many Irish American people, including Notre Dame fans, embrace this image today without understanding its origin and offense. Similarly, the “luck of the Irish” concept was a demeaning phrase from the 1800s. Used to refer to successful Irish miners, the intent was to deride their accomplishments as mere luck. The concept that Irish people have red hair is also wrong. Only ten percent of the population has red hair. Indeed, encountering a natural Irish redhead is so rare that redheads hold an annual convention in County Cork. 


The most ubiquitous modern stereotype about the Irish is that they are huge drinkers.  In the US, we have recently reexamined the celebration of Cinco de Mayo as people of Mexican and Latin American descent have advocated for a more respectful celebration without the sombreros and Cinco de Drinko slogans. Irish American people would do well to do the same thing. How about throwing away your “Irish I was drunk” shirts? Every Irish car bomb you order at a bar reinforces the image of Irish people as violent and makes light of the horrible violence that occurred during some dark times in Ireland’s history. 


All of this brings us to St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland, it originated to celebrate the Christianization of the country.  It was traditionally a quiet holiday, not celebrated with drinking. People wore blue, which was the national color. The day was devoted to church and a quiet cultural celebration that might have included Irish language recitations. It was not about having a plate of corned beef and cabbage and washing it down with lots of green beer. You will never find green beer in Ireland, and corned beef is not Irish; it was appropriated from Jewish culture when the Irish immigrants were celebrating in America. Corned beef was less expensive in the US than their traditional bacon, ham, or lamb, and it went well with cabbage and potatoes. 


Saint Patrick did not really drive snakes out of Ireland—there never were any snakes there. Historians believe that snakes were a metaphor for the druids and the older religion of Ireland. Legend says he used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. But many people think that a shamrock and a four-leaf clover are the same. A four-leaf clover was linked to the lucky idea, which you remember was an insult. So, if you are going to use a shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day, be sure it’s a shamrock.  Also, there are things you shouldn’t say. It’s St. Patrick’s Day or Paddy’s Day—never Patty’s (a woman’s name) day. Irish people don’t say things like “Top of the mornin’ to ye” or “He’s talking a load of blarney.”  


The holiday as we know it in America was promoted by activists to celebrate Irish culture and fight prejudice against Irish immigrants. Many traditions Americans believe are Irish are the product of stage stereotypes and Hollywood sentimentality: Think “Quiet Man” and "Darby O’Gill and the Little People.” Many of the songs that people ask Irish musicians to play on St. Patrick’s Day are not Irish. These would include “Danny Boy” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” They are sentimental songs born of the diaspora. Try asking for “Black Velvet Band” or “Fields of Athenry.” It’s interesting that Irish who are returning to Ireland are bringing American traditions back to Ireland and are trying to please the tourists who are expecting the American version. That, to me, is sad. I’ve taught semantics, the study of how words influence our beliefs and behavior. I believe that traditions are important to people; I also believe that they should know where their traditions come from. So, celebrate your traditions, hopefully in a way that doesn’t disrespect the culture.


If you really want to know and celebrate Irish culture, visit some of the traditional music celebrations close to home at TC O’Leary’s or the Moon and Sixpence. Watch Derry Girls. Have a pint of Guinness or Magner’s Cider and toast with “Slainte” (pronounced slawn cha), which means “to your health.” Learn a few phrases in Irish. Find a recipe for colcannon or Irish soda bread or make some shepherd’s pie. Discover the great Irish writers such as James Joyce or Seamus Heaney. Join us for Irish set dancing (free every Monday at 12:30 at Sellwood Community House and only $10 on Saturdays from 4 to 6 at Waverly Church in the SE). Unlike step dancing, which is for performance, set dancing was done at the crossroads or in people’s kitchens. We have a Portland Set Dancing page on Facebook if you want to see what it looks like. 

 

Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day! 


Join Meetings in

Central Northeast Neighbors

Many meetings are via Zoom. Check the

Neighborhood Association Websites for updates.

Central Northeast Neighbors Board First Wednesday 7pm (CNN) Ronda


Sumner Neighborhood Association (SAN) contact Ronda


Madison South Neighborhood Association (MSNA) Click here


Beaumont Wilshire Neighborhood Association (BWNA) Click here


Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN) Click here


Roseway Neighborhood (RNA) Click here


Rose City Park Neighborhood Association (RCPNA) Click here


Hollywood Neighborhood Association (HNA) Click here



Grant Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA) Click here


Central Northeast Neighbors Land Use Transp. Comm. March 22 zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89775085839pwd=czIyOW1tVUQ4aDRIOG16bXNlcXh5QT09

Central Northeast Neighbors

has New Phones Numbers!

Our old CNN phone numbers will continue to work until February 28. Please make a note of our new numbers!


Alison Stoll 971-438 -8734 alisons@cnncoalition.org


Ronda Johnson 971-438-8736 rondaj@cnncoalition.org

Front Desk 971-438-8735 cnnadmin@cnncoalition.org


Our CNN office hours vary, please call or email us to make an appointment!

Congratulations to CNN

2023 Small Grant Awardees.


1.BIPOC Community Meal Share a community held meal initiative without hierarchy where participants discuss issues of food justice and celebrate each other’s cultural identities. Alder Commons will host on the first Monday of the month for eight months beginning in March. The events will help foster much needed affinity spaces, create connections, provide nutritious and community held meals and the participants’ sense of belonging.

 

2.Andondo en Bicicletas y Caminando (ABC) (Riding your Bike and Walking Around)The funds will support hosting community Bike Rides, facilitation and participation in community conversations around active transportation, teaching people how to ride a bicycle, advocating for structural changes and more. ABC will weigh in on specific transportation projects and on city and regional budgets and policies and continue to work with ABC participants to let them lead and invite them to engage in discussions on how regional transportation funding should be invested.

 

3.Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) at Rigler Elementary  The Latino Network operates the SUN after school program at Rigler. They will use the funds to support the engagement of diverse instructors for the extended-day SUN programing and to locate a culturally specific instructor to teach an 8-week soccer or sport workshop (dependent on student interest and registration). 

 

4.Building Community Resilience and Environmental Awareness with the Roseway NA these funds will be used for three events. An Earth Day Event on the Roseway Parkway, Summer Movie in the Park and a neighborhood gathering with an Ice Cream Social. These events will benefit the area by increasing environmental awareness and care for our physical environment, build community, and enhance emergency preparedness. 

 

5.Scott School Basketball Program this program uses basketball as a way to enable children from our community to have a positive after school environment to develop physical, social skills and self-esteem. The program is run by volunteers and the funds from the grant will help with league fees, uniforms and equipment. Scott school is located in the Cully neighborhood, 83% of our students come from low income families and 70% identify as people of color. This year there are 92 players. 

 

6.Neighborhood Community Outreach Meals Burrito Love and It’s In the Bag Burrito Love is a response to community hunger, served on the last Saturday of each month is a free sack lunch with hot burrito, fresh fruit and home baked cookies along with a bottle of water.  It’s in the Bag is a response to comments from our guests for additional meal support is served every Thursday with a homemade sandwich sack lunch with fruit and water. Hot Coffee and Tea are served in the courtyard at St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church. Flyers offering and inviting people for lunch are made and posted publicly including posting at Hollywood East, bottle drops, Hollywood Sr. Center, near bus stops, health clinics. Street Roots provides copies of their free resource book that is handed out at our lunches.

N/NE Portland Safety Action Committee (PSAC) Meeting

Come to the next meeting! March 16, 2023, Thursday 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Please mark your calendar to join Thursday, March 16, at 7 p.m. via Zoom the next North/Northeast Public Safety Action Committee meeting. 

Mariel Mota from the Multnomah County DA's office as our speaker. 


Please send questions for our PPB partners to us by Friday, March 10. We will forward them on so your specific issues/concerns can be researched and addressed. Email: akemij@gmail.com or judithashleyklef@gmail.com


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81329529016pwd=SW5hZ3dmL2ZnTHRjMkxsMW5KVUVQZz09


Meeting ID: 813 2952 9016

Passcode: 581718


One tap mobile

+13462487799,,81329529016#,,,,*581718# US (Houston)

+16694449171,,81329529016#,,,,*581718# US

Dial by your location

    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

    

Contact Ronda for information 971-438-8736 rondaj@cnncoalition.org

Community Connects Gathering


Save the date May 4, 2023 Financial Tecords Keeping for Neighborhoods and Coalitions with Leslie Clark, CPA.


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88944870268?pwd=N0g3WnE5V0NxYzJIQXk3SFVnMWpVdz09

 

Contact Ronda for information 971-438-8736 rondaj@cnncoalition.org 

MCDaniel Kindness Drive ..

Because #KindnessIsCool


WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST ANNUAL KINDNESS DRIVE.

 

Leodis V. McDaniel High School, formerly known as Madison High School, is a public school nestled in the heart of Portland, Oregon’s Northeast neighborhoods. The school serves over 1400 kids and boasts to be one of the most diverse high schools in Oregon. The campus has been recently rebuilt and staff, teachers and students are settling into their second year at the new campus. Our school community - rich with diversity, cultural heritage, and academic success - is deeply committed to students, their achievement and our community.

 

Although we have a lot to celebrate, we still have many challenges to overcome. McDaniel High School is a Title 1 School and money is tight. Teachers and staff regularly pay for needed supplies out of their own pocket. Students and teachers alike are struggling to raise money for events such as school plays, book clubs and art supplies. Our end of year graduation event for seniors, called McGrad night, is inaccessible to most students without supplemental fundraising efforts. 

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP! This year, McDaniel PTSA is partnering with staff and students to put on our first annual Kindness Drive. Our goal is to raise $30,000 via business sponsorships and community pledges via this event. In return, our high school kids are committing to “paying it forward” by completing intentional acts of kindness the entire month of February. Please help us make our goal with your sponsorship! It’s family, community and corporate support like yours that makes the difference in the opportunities we are able to provide our students – our future. Together, we can make the world a better place.

 

Our sincerest thanks and appreciation,

McDaniel Kindness Drive Committee

 

The McDaniel High School PTSA is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization organized under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). As such, your donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law (Federal Tax ID # 27-3320500)

For more information click here


https://app.memberhub.gives/kindnessiscool

Preserving Our Neighborhood Treasure


We have a wildlife treasure in our midst; and our aim is to enhance and preserve it!


This wildlife corridor adjoins the north edge of the Rose City Golf Course and parallels NE Sacramento St. For the last five years an ever-growing group of neighborhood residents has worked to remove invasive plants, such as Himalayan Blackberries, and to replace them with appropriate native plants. Our goal is to restore the area to its native ecology and to provide a refuge for native plants and animals, and to provide an easy walk for area residents to enjoy the beauty of nature.


To date we have cleared large swaths of blackberry brambles and invasive plants, spread woodchips in four designated areas and planted more than 800 native plants. Many of these young plants are marked with bamboo stakes. 


We have achieved this by informally gathering every Sunday morning for two hours. In 2023, in addition to this weekly work, we plan to schedule work parties on the third Sunday of each month to tackle specific projects; and to sponsor special educational events e.g. Native Plant Education Walks, Native Planting Days and Birding Education Walks. 


The Rose City Bluff Restoration is an informal volunteer organization that is working in partnership with Portland Parks and Recreation, Central NE Neighborhood Coalition and East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation. To learn more about the Rose City Bluff Restoration activities, check out our website:rosecitybluff.org or contact us at rosecitybluff@gmail.com.  


Suzanne Briggs, Rose City Bluff Restoration Volunteer. 

Communications at Community

for Positive Aging

We hope you were safe and warm during last week's snow storm. We are back to our usual full schedule of activities. Thursday promises to be very busy with our New Participant and Volunteer Orientation, at 10am. Also at 10am is the book discussion of Grandmother's Hands. And at 1pm storytellers from Tim Hahn's Slice of Life Storytelling are going to be telling their stories, served with a slice of pie!

We also want to let you know that our March newsletter is hot off the presses. Because of the snow you may not have received it yet in your mailbox so we thought we'd send you the link here. 

You may notice it looks a bit different. We've added new pages and more stories highlighting the center and CfPA.  Let us know what you think.

Warmly, Amber



P.S. We are hoping the snow is over but weather predictions in Portland are notoriously unreliable. Please check our website and our events calendar online for any weather related schedule changes. https://communityfpa.org/

Safe rest Village in Sunderland


SHELTER OPERATOR SELECTED FOR SUNDERLAND RV SAFE PARK

The City of Portland’s Safe Rest Village Program, Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services, and The Salvation Army are pleased to announce that The Salvation Army has been selected as the shelter operator for the Sunderland RV Safe Park at 9827 NE Sunderland Ave.


Construction is complete at Sunderland RV Safe Park, Portland’s first managed outdoor shelter for people living in their RVs. It is also the only Safe Rest Village serving RVs, though the Joint Office is working to develop additional Safe Park sites.


“We are excited to have The Salvation Army join our program as shelter operators for the City’s first RV Safe Park and to start providing safe, legal places for those living in their RVs to park, access services, and begin their paths to housing or whatever is next,” Commissioner Dan Ryan shared. “We are fortunate to have such an experienced partner join our team of shelter operators supporting the Safe Rest Village program.”


“The Salvation Army has been a fixture in the Portland community since 1886,” said Major Bob Lloyd, The Salvation Army’s Portland Metro Coordinator. “We are pleased to continue to work closely with city leadership in an effort to ensure we are able to provide a safe, healthy and orderly Safe Park community that focuses on transitioning residents toward long-term housing and programs that guide individuals towards a hopeful future.”


Before operations begin, The Salvation Army will work to finalize budgetary and other details with the Joint Office. The Joint Office serves as contract manager for the Safe Rest Village program and has been working to identify and negotiate contracts with providers.


We will share the opening date for this site when The Salvation Army and Joint Office have finalized the operating agreement.


BACKGROUND:

About the Safe Rest Village Program

Safe Rest Villages (SRVs) are short-term outdoor adult shelters that serve as an alternative point of entry for Portlanders on the path from being homeless to finding stability in permanent housing. Portland is building six temporary Safe Rest Villages, including one RV Safe Park. Each SRV is managed by an on-site shelter operator, provides basic amenities, and includes case management, behavioral and mental health services, and housing navigation. The capacity of the SRVs range from 30 to 60 sleeping units (individuals or couples) depending on the site’s size. Generally, program participants will stay for 6-9 months, with the goal of transitioning to permanent housing. Also under the Safe Rest Village program umbrella are two identity-based Alternative Shelters that have been in operation in partnership with Multnomah County since Spring 2020 – the BIPOC Village serving Black, Indigenous and People of Color community members, and the Queer Affinity Village serving LGBTQIA+ self-identified people. For more information, visit Safe Rest Villages or email SafeRestVillages@PortlandOregon.gov


About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit The Salvation Army website. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood


About the Joint Office

Before the Joint Office was created in July 2016, Portland and Multnomah County each served different populations of people experiencing homelessness. The City historically oversaw shelter, outreach and supportive housing programs for single adults and adults experiencing chronic homelessness, as well as the Point in Time Count — operating a larger, more expensive system than Multnomah County. The County historically served youth, families, and domestic violence survivors, providing shelter, outreach and supportive housing programs for those groups. Through the Joint Office, the County has been able to support the City in its traditional role serving adults and adults experiencing chronic homelessness. This year, over half of the Joint Office’s budget is dedicated to expanding and operating shelter, including new villages, motel shelters and traditional shelters.


Program Media Contacts

Safe Rest Village Program: Bryan Aptekar Communications Liaison

(503) 865-6863

Bryan.Aptekar@portlandoregon.gov

The Salvation Army:

Kim Beeler, Director of Communications and Marketing

503-908-0808 Kimberly.Beeler@usw.salvationarmy.org

Behind on your sewer/stormwater/water bill?

The Bureau of Environmental Services and the Water Bureau offer several financial assistance programs: 

Bill discount: You may be able to get a discount on every sewer, stormwater, and water bill. Crisis voucher: If you've had a personal crisis and are enrolled in the bill discount program, you may be able to receive a voucher (a credit) of up to $500. Water Leak Repair Assistance: Do you have a leaky toilet, faucet, or pipe? If you own your home and are enrolled in our bill discount program, we may be able to fix the leak for free. For information Click Here

Do you Need a Notary Public?

We have you covered.

Central Northeast Neighbors can help you. Our own Ronda Johnson is a Notary! This is a free service from Central Northeast Neighbors. Please contact her for more information about doing curb side notaries.



I am not an attorney licensed to practice law. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities,


Central Northeast Neighbors Ronda (503)823-2780 rondaj@cnncoalition.org

You Can Help Oregon’s Foster Care Crisis 


On any given day, there are about 6,000 children in Oregon’s foster care system. Many of these children come from situations of abuse and neglect only to find themselves facing uncertainty and instability once they enter foster care.  

Boys & Girls Aid, a nonprofit founded in Portland in 1885, wants to change that. We are looking for compassionate people to help improve the lives of children in foster care.  

A good foster home is often the first place a child in foster care has felt safe in a long time. Foster parents help children build trust in adults and provide a supportive environment where they can thrive. 

Boys & Girls Aid supports foster parents with responsive program staff available 24/7, ongoing free professional training, and generous monthly, tax-free stipends ranging from $1,200 to $3,500 per month. There are options to fit every family, from full-time placement to relief care a few days a month. 

Fostering children might bring life changes and challenges, but it’s a great opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life — and in your own life, too. 

 “It’s worth it to get to know these kids,” said experienced foster parents Jen and Chad. “It’s enriched our lives a lot.” 

To learn more, visit our website: boysandgirlsaid.org/fostercare, or contact Outreach & Certification Coordinator Hallie Campbell at 503-544-7003 or hcampbell@boysandgirlsaid.org 

CNN Resource Numbers and Websites

  • "You Are Not Alone" We know physical distancing creates increased concerns, but there is help. At this website, https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-not-alone is a list of resources for you, friends and family, and community members. All of these help lines offer translation services and are confidential.Your personally identifying information is not required.
  • Please refer to www.211info if you require a resource that cannot be found on our website. Learn about community resources: Dial 2-1-1 They have extensive information if you are looking for resources related to food, housing, energy, emergencies, childhood and parenting, and maternity services. The website provides contact and location information for service providers nearest you.
  • Multnomah County and City of Portland Resource List https://multco.us/sites/default/files/health/documents/community_resource_list.pdf
  • This is a Great Resource during Covid-19 Check it out! Macs List Portland Oregon https://www.macslist.org/working-in-portland/covid-19-resources-for-the-portland-community
  • People with disabilities and older adults: Aging and Disability Hotline at 503-988-3646 or adrc@multco.us
  • Mental health support: Multnomah Mental health Call Center at
  • 503-988-4888
  • Looking for the COVID resources featured in recent issues of the NEWS? These resources can now be found in https://www.multco.us/dchs/covid-19-information-resources-people-disabilities-older-adults 

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This newsletter has been made possible through funding by the City of Portland, Office of Community & Civic Life. Views or findings expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the City of Portland or the bureau.