Commissioner Jeff Cogen

Multnomah County Planning Commission seeks new member

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:56:19 -0800

Multnomah County’s Land Use Planning division announced today an open recruitment for a vacant seat on the county’s planning commission.

The Multnomah County Planning Commission addresses rural land use planning issues. The work of the Commission helps the County meet state planning requirements and policies set forth buy the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners.

The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on legislative proposals to amend components of the Comprehensive Framework Plan, zoning code and other regulatory ordinances intended to carry out the plan as adopted by the Board.

Advice about homeowning or foreclosure

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:07:48 -0800

Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors has a new website to offer a comprehensive homeownership resource to home buyers and homeowners facing possible foreclosure.

The site includes tips for home buyers, information about real estate agents, loan programs and Housing and Urban Development Approved Counseling Agencies. Check it out!

9th Circut protects domestic partnerships

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:56:46 -0800

Multnomah County domestic partners can breathe a little easier today and we are thrilled! From Oregon Live:

9th Circuit: No vote on Oregon's domestic part[n]ership law
by The Oregonian
Thursday August 14, 2008, 10:09 AM
A federal appeals court Thursday refused to an attempt to force a vote on Oregon's domestic partnership law.

Opponents of domestic partnerships collected signatures for a referendum, but elections officials said they came short.

They sued, saying valid signatures were not counted.

A federal judge disagreed, and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision.

Opponents of domestic partnerships can still try to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but have little time.

-- Ashbel S. Green; tongreen@news.oregonian.com

A very cool map of North and Northeast Portland

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:08:47 -0800

Check out this great map from the Swan Island Business Association! From their website:

Living close to where you work is one sweet deal.
Historic North/Northeast Portland offers great opportunities in a dozen re-energized communities, all just mapminutes from the region’s highest concentration of well paying jobs, from ship building to shoe design to steel production.

Add schools on the upswing, four (soon to be five) public libraries, three colleges and universities, great parks and green spaces, and the question becomes “Why not live close to where you work?”

Read the rest over there.

Shelter responds to statewide increase in rabid bats with special low-cost rabies shot clinic

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:49:39 -0800

In response to state health officials’ warnings based on finding five rabid bats this year, Multnomah County Animal Services will hold a special low-cost rabies shot clinic. Microchips will also be available at reduced fees.

According to Dr. Emilio DeBess, public health veterinarian in the Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division, “Vaccinating pets against rabies protects them and provides a buffer zone between humans and rabid wild animals. Nationally, twice as many cats as dogs are reported to have rabies each year, underscoring the need for better vaccination coverage among cats.”

Animal Services will offer pet licenses, $10 Rabies shots and $20 microchips to protect pets and help lost or run-away pets get back home. Multnomah County Animal Services’ veterinarian will administer vaccinations and microchips.

The event will be held:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Multnomah County Animal Services
1700 W. Historic Columbia River Highway
Troutdale, Oregon

Victim advocates needed

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:32:40 -0800

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Victims Assistance Program is seeking On-Call Rape Victim Advocates (RVAs) to respond to local hospitals to provide assistance and support to victims of sexual assault. On-Call RVAs respond during evenings, weekends and holidays. Eighteen hours of training will be provided at the Multnomah County Courthouse.

Video: Brochures with calories instead of menus

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:58:51 -0800

This video shows regular folks trying to find calorie information on the brochures given out by fast food restaurants. Watch the hijinks!

Gillihan Loop Road closures for Sauvie Island Bridge work

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:00:08 -0800

Sauvie Island Bridge construction update and road closure

Demolition of the original Sauvie Island Bridge will require repeated closures of a portion of Gillihan Loop Road located under the Sauvie Island Bridge overpass. The closures will occur 8/12/08 through 8/15/08, between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. Twenty minute delays are expected during each closure, with flaggers directing traffic through the area. The closures are necessary to protect motorists from falling debris during the bridge demolition.

Multnomah County maintains the Sauvie Island Bridge and more than 300 miles of roads and bridges.

Low-Car Diet Update - Week 3

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:31:20 -0800

A few things I've learned on the car-less trail:

1) I love walking at least five miles a day. I'm so much nicer.
2) Commuting to work without a car is easy, and I plan to keep commuting by bus/train. I might even give up my PARKING SPOT.
3) (This could be the car-withdrawal talking) I still love my car.

Bridge pedal event this Sunday, August 10th - read for closures

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:58:41 -0800

From ODOT:
The 13th annual Providence Bridge Pedal on Sunday morning, August 10, will involve nine Willamette River bridges in Portland. The event includes three different cycle routes and one for walkers. As usual, the event will require some changes in how motorists get around the city, especially when crossing the Willamette River. Several bridges – including the Burnside, Morrison, and St. Johns – will remain open to vehicular traffic in both directions, despite the presence of cyclists and walkers.

Animal House adoption party was a success!

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:20:48 -0800

From Animal Serives' Mike Oswald:
Whether we volunteer our “extra” time, make animal care our life’s work, or choose to adopt our pets from the shelter, we do it from the heart—and for the animals! When we all came together on Friday, Aug 1st, to dedicate a day to adopting MCAS animals, the results were spectacular. FORTY-ONE volunteers showed up to help out, dedicating a whopping 216+ hours to the cause. Some stayed the entire 13 hours; some worked all day and volunteered all evening. All came with a “can-do” attitude and enjoyed mingling with the public, staff, and other volunteers. Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and his family joined us in the celebration.

Summer Fun: A pie baking contest!

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:08:45 -0800

Hey Portland, its a Pie-Off! Our NOPO friend, Lelo in Nopo as introduced us to a pie-off that is going on at the end of the month. Check out the website.
Yours truly plans to enter a delicious pie, I think thinking the apple variety. Check out the Pie-Off website and get the details to join us for some summer fun!

Replay of menu labeling hearing

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:11:44 -0800

Did you miss the menu labeling discussion at last week's board meeting? Watch it again on tomorrow, August 5th on cable channel 30.

Welcome to Medicare class helps new enrollees

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:53:36 -0800

Multnomah County Aging Disability Services is collaborating with Mt. Hood Community College to present a free two-hour class for those new to Medicare. “Welcome to Medicare” is designed for people nearing age 65 or those who become eligible due to receiving Social Security Disability benefits.

The following classes will be held August through November:

Thursday, August 14, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, September 25, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 1, 2008 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
The course number is HE4MC.

Oregon in top six states with highest rates of skin cancer

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:35:22 -0800

According to a new report issued by Multnomah County Health Department, “Skin Cancer,” Oregon has one of the highest incidence rates in the U.S. of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, along with Washington, Idaho, Utah, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types of skin cancer, and they are highly curable. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more serious because it can be fatal, although if detected early it can also be highly curable. In 2004 Oregon had a rate of 26.1 cases of melanoma per 100,000 age-adjusted population compared to a national rate of 17.1 cases per 100,000 age-adjusted population. Multnomah County’s rate was 25.1 per 100,000.