Portland News and Events for May 7 - 27, 2015

New Multicultural Community Center Opens in East Portland

On Thursday May 7, 6 p.m., the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) will host the grand opening of the new APANO/Jade Community Space on 82nd and SE Division in the old 8,500 square foot discount furniture store across from PCC Southeast Campus.

After several years of multicultural organizing and an intensive multilingual visioning process, neighborhood leaders have secured a lease of up to two years from Metro Regional Government to operate the space to serve the community. 

The APANO/Jade Community Space located on the Southwest corner of 82nd and SE Division will be available for events, forums, art, and is envisioned to host several performing groups.

Performing artists including the new taiko ensemble Unit Souzu and Nepalese folk group Mandah headline an evening alongside keynote speaker Lisa Hasegawa.  Ms. Hasegawa is Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development and will speak to the growing housing needs of our communities and strategies for racial equity. 

For more details please contact [email protected] or visit www.apano.org.

Multnomah County Elections: Ballots Are in the Mail

Multnomah County Elections announces that the U.S. Postal Service has begun mailing ballots for the May 19 special election.

Each of the county’s 445,216 registered voters will receive a ballot. Multnomah County voters who do not receive a ballot by Thursday, May 7 can call the county elections office at 503-988-3720.

Multnomah County Elections is asking voters to help test out a new ballot tracking system in this election. Participating voters will receive alerts at several points on their ballot’s journey. Text, email or voice alerts will tell voters when the Elections Division has mailed ballots and when a completed ballot has been received back at the elections office. Alerts will say whether the ballot has been accepted or whether it has a non-matching signature or another defect that requires further action by the voter. Voters can participate by signing up at https://multnomah.i3ballot.net.

A voted ballot can be sent to the elections office with one first-class stamp or by dropping it off at any official drop site in Oregon. To find a drop box locator in Oregon, go online to www.sos.state.or.us/dropbox/#. Multnomah County voters looking for a convenient drop site also can go online at http://web.multco.us/elections/multnomah-county-official-ballot-drop-sites.

Voted ballots must be received by 8 p.m., May 19. For more information about the May 19 election, please visit www.mclections.org.

Senior All Night Party Hosts Tree Sale Benefit Fundraiser

Reynolds High School Senior Class of 2015 is holding a Tree Sale on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at RHS in the Tennis Courts, which is located 1698 SW Cherry Park Rd. in Troutdale.
Trees available for purchase will be: Bareroot Shade, Flowering and Ornamental
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the 2015 RHS Senior All-Night-Party at Bullwinkles. This is a great opportunity for Seniors to join friends and celebrate graduating in a safe, drug and alcohol free environment!
A special thank you to the John Holmlund Nursery who generously donated the trees for this fundraiser.
For more information or to donate, please contact the Reynolds High School Senior-All-Night Party Planning Committee at: [email protected]

The St. Johns Bizarre Kicks Off Street Fair Season

The 9th annual St. Johns Bizarre is coming up May 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Now in its ninth year, the Bizarre is the perfect kick off event for Portland’s vibrant street fair season, with an eclectic lineup of local musical talent, dozens of craft vendors and artists, and a beer garden featuring only locally-brewed libations. And, as always, the Bizarre takes place on the same day as the historic St. Johns Parade, a North Portland favorite for 53 years.

On stage this year are: Tango Alpha Tango, Mic Capes, The Shivas, Sapient and Tezeta Band.

And just as in years past, the Bizarre kicks off with some great fun for kids and adults alike with a Western-themed physical comedy performance by Leapin’ Louie followed by a Bollywood dance class featuring music and instruction by beloved Portland mainstays, DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid. We'll also have a Puppet show from St. Johns locals, Puppet Central, a dance performance from The Aspire Project dance studio and a Square dance lead by The Flat Rock Stringband.

All in all, your kids are guaranteed a good night’s sleep after all this fun.

For more info go to www.stjohnsbizarre.com.

Beaverton City Library Annual Teen Poetry Coffeehouse

The Beaverton City Library invites teens in grades 6-12 to share poems at the Annual Teen Poetry Coffeehouse on Thursday, May 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the main library, 12375 SW Fifth St, in Meeting Rooms A & B. Poems may be original or favorites written by other authors.
All ages are welcome at 6 p.m. for the announcement of the winners of April's Irregular Odes Teen Poetry Contest and a live performance by student band Royal Gravy. From 6:30-7:30 p.m., the event is open to teens only for poetry sharing as well as coffee and snacks provided by Ava Roasteria.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.BeavertonLibrary.org/teens or call (503) 350-4001 or go to the Teen Room at Beaverton City Library on Fifth Street.

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 [email protected].
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.