Portland-area News Briefs, Dec. 24-Jan. 3, 2014

Two hundred and fifty-nine former renters will be able to celebrate the holidays this year in a home they now own in Portland, thanks to acollaboration between Wells Fargo, the Portland Housing Center and NeighborWorks America. Through its NeighborhoodLIFT program, Wells Fargo gave $15,000 down payment assistance grants to the 259 eligible homebuyers this year. The grant recipients also received homebuyer education from PHC, a member of the NeighborWorks America international network of more than 235 affordable housing groups. The buyers were free to obtain their mortgage from any lender approved by PHC. For each year the buyer remains in their home, Wells Fargo forgives 20 percent of the grant. So at the end of five years, they do not have to repay a penny of their $15,000 grant. Above, from left Cobi Jackson, Nelson Gani, his wife Jazmin, their kids and Dana Ingram of the Portland Housing Center.

Kwanzaa Celebration at ICTC

The International Center for Traditional Childbearing and The African American Breastfeeding Coalition, invite you and your family to the free of charge 8th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, Saturday Dec. 27, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Charles Jordan Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave.

We are celebrating our self determination to have healthy families with Principle #2, Kujichagulia: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Enjoy this African American Holiday with refreshments, family activities, music, children’s gifts, and a visit with Nikki The Brown Clown, free lead testing and information on the benefits of breastfeeding. Drink from the Unity Cup and learn why self-determination is key to a healthy family.

The event is sponsored by Multnomah County, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Planned Parenthood of the Columbia Willamette, Care Oregon, City of Portland Water Bureau and the International Center for Traditional Childbearing.

Let us know if you plan to attend by calling 503-460-9324

GirlStrength and BoyStrength Volunteers Needed

Portland Police Bureau is looking for men and women to volunteer with the WomanStrength , GirlStrength and BoyStrength self defense and violence prevention programs.
WomenStrength and GirlStrength have a 35 year history of success and trained over 110,000 community members in the Portland area. BoyStrength is an exciting new program for boys ages 10-14 that provide boys with options, strategies and skills to make healthy choices and be leaders in non-violence.
Volunteer instructors are trained by professionals in the field of violence prevention. No experience necessary. Men and women from all backgrounds, abilities and ages (over 18) are encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: Feb. 5, 2015. Strength Instructor Training Starts: Feb. 21, 2015
Volunteer Information and Application: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/BoyStrength

Oliver/Rosewood Open Basketball Night

Looking for a place to place basketball with your friends, family and neighbors?

Come to the Oliver Elementary School gym, 15840 SE Taylor St., Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m. during the month of December for a fun evening of pick-up basketball. All ages welcome.  All participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult over age 21. Volunteers are also needed, for more information contact Josh Richards, SUN coordinator, at [email protected] or call 503-388-0456.

Vancouver Seeks Applicants for Salary Review Commission Vacancies

The City of Vancouver is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Salary Review Commission. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.
This five-member volunteer commission is responsible for reviewing and re-establishing or adjusting the salaries of the Vancouver mayor and city council every two years.
Applicants must be City of Vancouver residents and registered voters. City officers, officials, employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
Salary Review Commission members are appointed by the mayor, subject to approval by the city council. Each commission member is appointed for a single four-year term. The appointments will be made effective Jan. 1, 2015.
The Salary Review Commission will convene to review mayor and council salaries in early 2016, but will also meet once in 2015 for training required under the Open Public Meetings Act.
Interested applicants may apply online at www.cityofvancouver.us/boards. To have an application mailed to you, or for further information, contact Alexis Bafus at Vancouver City Hall by phone at 360-487-8607, by email at [email protected], or by mail at PO Box 1995 Vancouver, WA 98668.
For more information about the Salary Review Commission, including past meeting minutes and reports, please visit www.cityofvancouver.us/src.

Hollywood Theatre Offers Artist Residency Opportunities

In 2015, Hollywood Theatre Education Programs will offer media artists the opportunity to present public art installations and teach youth media arts workshops at Open Meadow Middle School through two new paid artist residencies.
Starting in 2015, with support from the Oregon Community Foundation’s Studio to School program, the Hollywood Theatre Studio’s offerings will expand to include two paid artist residencies.  In the spring and fall terms, these teaching artists will contribute their creative talents by teaching after-school workshops to students at the Hollywood Theatre Studio at Open Meadow and by producing their own creative work through the Studio which they will then showcase in a public art installation they organize and curate in the greater community.
Artists-in-residence will be chosen through an application process via the Hollywood Theatre website.  Artists of any age, discipline, or background whose project proposals include multimedia art as a major component may apply.

For the spring artist residency (Feb. 2 – June 5, 2015), applications must be submitted via email by Jan. 10 at 5 p.m.  For the fall artist residency (Aug. 24 – Dec. 18, 2015), applications are due by July 31 at 5 p.m.  Questions and applications should be directed to Hollywood Theatre Education Manager Taylor Neitzke at [email protected].