Portland News and Events for May 14-26, 2015

Youthbuild Vancouver GED/Construction Skills Info Sessions May 14, 26

Clark County residents, ages 17-24, who do not have a high school diploma and are interested in obtaining a GED and job-related skills are invited to attend a free YouthBuild Vancouver information session to learn more about the program.

The sessions will be held Thursday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 26 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Partners in Careers, 3210 NE 52nd Street, Vancouver 98663. To register, contact Dave Cole at 360-696-8417 or dave@swwpic.org.

To participate in YouthBuild, an individual must be:

• A Clark County resident
• 17 to 24 years old
• A high school dropout in need of a high school diploma or GED
• Interested in gaining job skills and experience

Those enrolled in YouthBuild will have the opportunity, at no cost, to: 

• Obtain their GED or high school diploma 
• Gain two nationally-recognized construction certifications 
• Participate in building a house for a family in need 
• Receive services, including job, college and career preparation

Gentrification Discussion with the Oregon State Bar

Squeezed Out: The Experience of Diversity, Gentrification, and Growth in Portland is a special event May 27, at 7 p.m., McMenamins Kennedy School Gym, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland.

The Civil Rights Committee of the Oregon State Bar will hosts this free public forum showing two poignant short films about the paradox of development in N/NE Portland. New and old residents of N/NE Portland will learn about the history of their neighborhood and the different meanings of the term “gentrification.”

The films are “Future: Portland,” and “What Happened.”

A panel discussion will feature Llondyn Elliott, one of the student film makers; Karl Dinkelspiel; a representative from the City of Portland Housing Bureau; and Rukaiyah Adams from “Future: Portland.”

ASL interpreter will be provided.

For more information on the Oregon State Bar Association, go to www.osbar.org.

Third Annual Portland Police Bureau Summer Camp

If you like basketball, bowling, dance, fishing, photography, science, volleyball, plus so much more, then the Third Annual Portland Police Bureau Youth Summer Camp is for you!

June 15-19, 2015 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Portland Police will be working together with high school and college coaches to make these days filled with fun, excitement and new skill building.

The program is for boys and girls, ages 8 to 14, who live in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Clark Counties, and are ready to build new skills while having fun with their peers and local police officers and coaches.

The program is held at Centennial High School, 3505 SE 182nd Ave. in Gresham. Transportation will be determined after the majority of people are accepted into camp.

A postcard listing routes will be mailed to campers a week prior to camp starting.

There is a $35 fee per child. A reduced rate of $20 is available for families who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program during the school year—you must attach official documentation to receive this reduced rate.

Applications may be downloaded at www.portlandoregon.gov/police/summercamp.

You may also contact Deborah Monk, in the Youth Service Division for additional information, at 503-823-4849 or at Deborah.Monk@portlandoregon.gov.

Vancouver Launches New Web Tool for Citizen Input on Street Funding Options

The City of Vancouver has launched a new, interactive web-based tool to gather input from residents and businesses on needs and options for long-term street funding.

Available for approximately six weeks, the online tool is not intended as a scientific and statistically valid survey. Instead, it seeks to expand community input by providing citizens with an interactive means of considering options and weighing results.

A Commission on Streets Funding, composed of individuals representing City Council, community, business and neighborhoods, has been formed to consider sustainable street funding and review public input.

To participate in the interactive online input tool or to learn more about Vancouver's street system, funding options and outreach activities, please visit: www.cityofvancouver.us/betterstreets.

Pinball Outreach Project Offers May 20 ‘Morning Pop’

Non-profit seeks to improve the lives of children by sharing the history and excitement of the game of pinball.

The Pinball Outreach Project (POP) HQ will open its doors in Northeast Portland during the morning hours of May 20 when the Portland Public Schools has scheduled a “late start” opening.

The “Morning POP” will feature free play on a variety of games in a safe, family-friendly venue.

POP HQ welcomes children of all ages to the facility. Children under 13 play for free, at 4605 NE Fremont, Suite 104, Portland near the Smallwares restaurant.

Morning POP runs from 8:00 - 10:30 a.m., May 20. A light snack will be provided.

The suggested donation for Morning POP is $5 per adult.

For more information go to www.pinballoutreach.org.

Oregon Lottery Partners with Gamtalk to Help Oregon's Gamblers

Beginning this month, the Oregon Lottery is teaming up with GamTalk - www.gamtalk.org - to provide a free online support service for Oregonians with gambling issues.

GamTalk is an online community that provides an opportunity for people to anonymously discuss their own gambling issues or their concerns about a friend or relative. It also provides an easy way to find out about local services for problem gamblers.

A non-profit organization developed by psychologist Richard Wood, GamTalk has been operating successfully in Canada since 2008.

Partnering with the Oregon Lottery will be the first time a U.S. lottery has adopted this service.

The anonymous nature of GamTalk makes it easier and less intimidating for people to discuss their gambling. Typically visitors to GamTalk start by reading about other peoples' experiences and then talk about their own situation when they feel they are ready. It is an effective resource for people who can't access support locally. It is also a helpful resource to use together with locally-provided services where available.

For more information go to www.gamtalk.org.

Tower of Power Headlines Aug. 15 Groovin’ On The Grass Concert

Tower of Power – the iconic 10-piece ensemble that has wowed audiences for nearly 50 years with its soulful, horn-driven sound – will headline THPRD’s annual Groovin’ on the Grass concert event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 6-8:30 pm. The show will also feature Portland jazz trio Boy and Bean.

Groovin’ on the Grass will be staged outdoors on a soccer field at the Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex, 158th and Walker Rd., in Beaverton. Gates open at 5 pm.

Tickets will go on sale at 8 am on Friday, May 22, via www.tickettomato.com. General admission tickets are just $10. Early entry tickets, entitling guests to enter the venue at 4 pm (one hour before doors open), are $20. Children under age five will be admitted free. Online sales will continue through Aug. 14.

For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.

For more Portland area events check The Skanner's Community Calendar.