Heart of Healing is presenting Village Dance Convergence, a benefit for the Physicians for a National Health Program.  Below is more info from their press release.

When: Friday, November 6, 2009 7:30 pm
Where: Village Ballroom 700 NE Dekum St Portland, OR
Admission: Open to the public at a sliding scale of $10 to $25
Contact info: Mike Meyer, mmeyer //at// efn.org 503-680-6576
Website: http://www.pnhp.org/

Come join your community for a free-form dance, food, conversation, live music, and many more healthy activities to benefit community health care solutions. This celebrational evening will feature Portland’s famed ecstatic dance in a beautifully decorated hardwood space and will intertwine live music into your dance. Read the rest of this entry »

You’re invited to a public hearing addressing access to homeownership education, assistance and foreclosure prevention for households in Multnomah County as part of the process of developing the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan.

Where:  New Columbia Education Center—4625 N. Trenton
Date:   Thursday, November 5, 2009
Time:   6:00-8:00 pm
Trimet: Bus Line # 4 (www.trimet.org)
Read the rest of this entry »

This article is being re-printed with permission from the latest Safe Routes to Schools newsletter put out by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

- By Dr. Jennifer Rupert, MD

What do walking and biking to school have to do with obesity, mental health, and asthma? — A lot! Children who walk and bike to school have higher physical activity levels throughout the day, helping them meet the recommended 60 minutes of activity daily. This level of activity helps prevent childhood obesity and supports healthy bones.

Walking and biking to school is also a great way for kids to get the physical activity needed for healthy minds. Kids who are more physically active have better academic performance. Studies are also beginning to show that exposure to nature and free outdoor play can reduce stress and relieve ADHD symptoms.

If that isn’t enough to get you out of your car, think about the air quality around a school when dozens of parents sit in idling cars while their children jump out. Air pollution has contributed to childhood asthma rates doubling between 1980 and the mid-1990s. Asthma rates remain at historically high levels and cause 14 million missed school days every year.

Walking and biking to school is healthy for kids, healthy for communities, and healthy for the planet.

Dr. Jennifer Rupert is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist practicing at Kaiser Permanente in North Portland. Dr. Rupert was one of six dignitaries to address James John Elementary students on Walk+Bike to School Day.

We post a lot of important community involvement info here on GoWoodlawn, but there is plenty of room for additional topics, too. Would you like to share a favorite recipe? Gardening tip? Share a story? Voice your opinion on a hot topic? Thank someone for a good deed? We have room for all that, and more!

Send your ready-to-go articles to News // at// GoWoodlawn.com. Articles may receive a slight bit if tweaking for clarity’s sake. Please read this information before sending any articles. Contributions may be submitted at any time.

We look forward to reading what you have to say – and sharing it with neighbors.

My dad was the king of scaring the neighborhood kids on Halloween, and scary music was key. I made this Halloween music mix and thought I’d share it with the Woodlawn neighbors, in the spirit of a really great holiday. You can download it from this site where I’m hosting it.  It sounds pretty spooky coming out of your front door area, even if you don’t have any decorations up.  I keep mine running through a vent in the garage that pipes it to the outside, without having to hear it constantly inside (all that much). That way my equipment is also secure. The mash-up is 15 minutes long.

http://yeabikes.net/uploads/Halloween.m4a
If you’re having a hard time grabbing it directly, try getting it from this list.

Enjoy!

You’re invited to a public hearing addressing the challenges of developing affordable rental housing, as part of the process of developing the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan.

Where: United Way of Oregon—619 SW 11th Avenue.
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Trimet: Bus lines: 15, 51 & Max Blue/Red Lines/Streetcar

Read the rest of this entry »

Join Lenore Bijan, a feisty and vibrant 78-year-young instructor as she generously shares her enormous talents with our neighborhood through yoga classes offered at Believe Movement Studio (8th and Dekum). Classes are free for seniors Mondays from 1-2 PM and everyone (of senior age) is welcome and encouraged to attend – even if you have never tried yoga. The greater the demand, the more classes Lenore will be able to offer, so spread the word and help this neighborhood resource/business thrive.

Article contributed by Laura Demeri

The back lot of 728 NE Dekum: Once a pile of dirt and weeds but now the thriving home to Sandra Galli’s Buffalo Gardens. The transformation has brought to our neighborhood a beautiful retail garden shop with strategically placed plants that make you feel as if you’re shopping in Sandra’s backyard. The products are reasonably priced and Sandra and Farley, her black lab mix, are always on hand to answer any questions.

Also in residence is Sandra’s registered and approved rooster Sam and his harem of hens. Buffalo Gardens is a great place to bring the family to reconnect to nature. We are so fortunate to have whisked her away from the busy Alberta street location she once occupied. Be sure to stop by and say hello.

The doors are finally open at Believe Movement Studio with a class schedule that suits everyone’s needs and desires.  There are classes for the entire family and the first class is free.  Many of the instructors on the schedule live directly in our neighborhood and want to support you in your health.  Owner Laura Demeri says, “Come on in to see the space and pick up a schedule!” You may also check out what’s being offered on the Believe Movement Studio website.

Article contributed by Laura Demeri

There’s still time to sign up for the Woodlawn planting on February 20th.   Before you can purchase these “highly discounted” trees, the city needs to assess the parking strip to determine the proper size and types that can be planted.   Therefore it would be to your advantage to register now in order to take advantage of the inventory that will be available.  Register on the Friends of Trees website.

Lawn signs are a great way to have a $5 discount on your order.  Even if you’re not purchasing a tree this year, support Friends of Trees and get the word out to neighbors by having one on your property.  There are plenty in stock and can be picked up at Believe Movement Studio, 728 NE Dekum Street.