January Updates – MNA Monthly Meeting News
Childcare at MNA Meetings
As a reminder, Montavilla Neighborhood meetings, offers childcare during the duration of General meetings (start at 7:30pm) and the Board meetings (start at 6:30pm). Both meetings are held every second Monday of every month at 232 SE 80th Avenue, Montavilla United Methodist Church. Except for February – both meetings have been moved to February 24th. Details further down. Our web address is www.montavillapdx.com
MNA Meeting Updates
If you decided to cheer on the Duck’s loss rather than attend the January meeting of the Montavilla Neighborhood Association, here are just a few of the things you missed:
Neighborhood Police Report
When it comes to crime, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While the homicide rates are the lowest they’ve been in 40 years and gang-related violence is down, car robberies are up in Montavilla, especially in areas bordering Mt. Tabor. The two Portland police officers who attended the meeting reminded attendees to exercise caution and common sense.
- First and foremost, do not leave valuables in your car. And, if possible, park your car in a well-lit area, one lit, if possible, by sensor lighting, which is annoying to many people but a proven deterrent to would-be burglars.
- In terms of general residential safety, if you are planning to be away from your home, remember to let your neighbors know. If you have an outside mailbox, either have someone pick up the mail or contact the postal service to have the mail held until you return. Also, extra patrolling services are available to those who request them. To do so contact the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct at 503-823-4800.
Community Needs Assessment
Montavilla Neighborhood Association wants to hear from you!!! We have partnered with Adele, a researcher at Oregon State University, to help us really determine what our community needs are. This will allow us to focus our energy where it is really needed and give value to our volunteer based efforts. Your identity will be strictly confidential. Help shape your community. Let us hear from you. Contact Adele Kubein, 541-757-0323, kubeina@onid.orst.edu.
EPIC Meeting
The next regularly scheduled community meeting presented by the East Precinct Involved Citizens, or EPIC, will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6:00 p.m. The keynote address will be presented by the Prostitution Team and will cover the impact it has had on 82nd Ave. and its ongoing work to address issues associated with underage prostitution. The meetings, known for their lively and interactive nature, are held in the Community Room at the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct, located at 737 S.E. 106th Ave.
Landlord Forum
For landlords and anyone interested in becoming one, the City of Portland is hosting its ongoing series of landlord forums. Upcoming forum topics include Terminating Tenancies: Good Bye or Good Riddance? on Jan. 20 and Common Landlord Errors: Avoiding the Trips & Traps on Feb. 17. Forums take place from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the East Portland Neighborhood Office, located at 1017 N.E. 117th Ave. For more information, contact Rosanne Lee at 503-823-3505 or via e-mail at Rosanne.lee@portlandoregon.gov
Graffiti Removal Info
If you’re interested in graffiti removal, the 2011 Regional Graffiti Summit will be held in Portland on Apr. 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Tiffany Center, located at 1410 SW Morrison (on the Max line and the 15 TriMet bus route). The summit will include informational displays, a panel of district attorneys and a lot of information on how to best organize and sustain volunteer cleanup efforts. To register, contact Marcia Dennis with the City of Portland at 503-823-5860 or via e-mail at Marcia.Dennis@portlandoregon.gov. Deadline for registering is April 1.
MNA Board Positions
Two new positions are freshly minted and looking for enthusiastic persons. The position of Outreach Chair and Communications Chair are immediately available. Outreach Chair is mainly responsible to running the table at such events as the Farmers Market, Summer Fest at Montavilla Park, and other events. Communications Chair is responsible for help create and distribute “hard copy” items – such as this newsletter you reading. Please contact Brian at 971-221-4718, wong.brian57[at]yahoo.com.
February Meeting Dates Change
Finally, February’s schedule will be a bit different here in Montavilla. In honor of everyone who is in love, everyone who believes that there is only one day per year that this sentiment may be openly expressed and everyone who is required by the laws of integrity to put one foot in each camp, the Montavilla Neighborhood Association will not have a general meeting on Feb. 14. There will, however, be a workshop on Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Montavilla United Methodist Church, located at 232 S.E. 80th. While the topic of the workshop is still being determined, the fact that it’s a potluck event is confirmed, so please plan to bring a dish or beverage to share.
Stark Street Fair Volunteers Needed
And, if construction and coordination of volunteers is your forte, the committee that’s planning a festival on Stark Street next August would like to hear from you. Please contact Dokken Ramey, who is organizing the party, at zdocmon@gmail.com for more information.
Submitted by Patrick Collins
