Portland Current
2008 July 30
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"DON'T ATTACK IRAN" RALLY SET FOR AUGUST 1
Coincides with National Actions, Portland Iranian Festival
Friday, August 1: Don't Attack Iran Rally, 5 PM
Courthouse Square, SW Yamhill and Broadway
The Friday rally, a weekly institution in Portland for over 7-1/2 years will be followed by a march at about 5:20 PM.
With the U.S. giving ultimatums to the Iranian government about their nuclear program, Israeli planes running test missions apparently aimed at Iran, and Iran showing off its own missile capabilities, Portland area peace groups are calling for a "Don't Attack Iran" Rally on Friday, August 1. The event will be an enhanced version of the Portland Peaceful Response Coalition (PPRC)'s regular Friday rally, which has been held since November 2001. The rally is being cosponsored by the American Iranian Friendship Council and the Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group.
The organizers hope that the message will get out that:
1) Iran has been cooperating with International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors;
2) the US continues to build up its military in the region despite active and retired generals warning against military action on Iran;
3) the Iranian people are more likely to support their own government and suppress their own movements for democracy if they fear being attacked; and
4) any further military actions by the U.S. or its allies in the Middle East will likely lead to an eruption of wider violence in the region.
A national "Stop the War on Iran" Coalition has called for nationwide actions on Saturday, August 2; the Portland area groups are planning this action for Friday night in part because the annual Iranian Festival will be taking place August 2 at the Portland State University Park Blocks. Here are some articles excerpted by the "Stop the War on Iran" Coalition:
Meanwhile:
--the House and Senate are poised to pass resolutions (HR 362 and SR 580) which will impose stricter economic sanctions on Iran, perhaps including a naval blockade that many consider an act of war.
--Seymour Hersch reported in the New Yorker magazine that the U.S. has been funding covert operations aimed at toppling the Iranian regime.
--High level talks between US and Iranian officials could either lead to a diplomatic solution or an excuse for war.
Organizers for the August first rally ask: What would the United States do if another country acted this way towards our country?
For more information or to endorse or cosponsor Friday's rally contact the American Iranian Friendship Council at 503-381-3696, Peace and Justice Works at iraq@pjw.info or 503-236-3065, or PPRC at 503-344-5078.
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Volunteer Opportunities for Washington Park Concert Series
Portland Parks & Recreation is seeking volunteers to help staff the Washington Park Concert series this year
http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/?c=29385&a=205393
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Community Meeting - Industrial Zoning Policy in the North Reach
Monday, August 4th, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
BES Water Lab, Smith Lake and Bybee Lake Conference Rooms
6543 N. Burlington Avenue, Portland, OR 97203
Planning staff will present proposals to support retaining industrial and employment land in the North Reach. Two planning projects include proposals that, if adopted, will affect the circumstances under which a property owner's request to change the Comprehensive Plan designation for properties zoned industrial or employment can be approved. Changing the comprehensive plan designation is the first step toward changing the base zone. Staff from both projects will be available to describe the proposals and discuss the implications for properties in the North Reach.
Please contact Diane Hale for information about meeting logistics at
diane.hale@ci.portland.or.us
or (503) 823-2281.
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Affordable Housing Capacity Building activities Amendment Proposed
The City of Portland proposes to amend its Consolidated Plan Action Plan FY 2008-09
PUBLIC NOTICE
Amendment No. 2008-1
The City of Portland proposes to amend its Consolidated Plan Action Plan FY 2008-09 to establish the following new Affordable Housing Capacity Building activities, as selected through a competitive process:
a) Caritas Housing Inc., a CHDO, to support the development of Esperanza Court, 3605 SE 28th Ave (70 low/mod units) ($10,000 HOME) and for asset management of the units ($8,000 HOME). The funding will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CHDO Operating Support pool.
b) Central City Concern, to rehabilitation of the Golden West, 707 NW Everett (68 low/mod units), and the Henry, 309 SW 4th Avenue (153 low/mod units) ($3,000 CDBG); the Estate, 225 NW Couch (197 low/mod units)($2,500 CDBG); the Rose Quarter, 10 N. Weidler, Portland, OR (176 low/mod units) ($50,000 CDBG); the Rosewood, 4810 NE Sandy Blvd (36 low/mod units) ($20,000 CDBG); the Shoreline, 123 W Burnside (62 low/mod units)($15,000 CDBG); and the Medford, 506 NW 5th (31 low/mod units)($7,000 CDBG). The funding will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool.
c) Community Partners for Affordable Housing, a CHDO, to support the development of Garden Senior Home 6868 SW Garden Home Road (51 low/mod units) ($7,000 HOME), and for asset management of previously funded HOME units ($5,035 HOME). The funding will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool.
d) Hacienda CDC, a CHDO, to support the rehabilitation of the Villa de Clara Vista, 6736 NE Killingsworth (133 low/mod units) ($15,000 CDBG), the rehabilitation of the Miraflores 8917 N. Newell Ave, Portland, OR (76 Units)($14,000 HOME), and for asset management of all units ($21,000 HOME). CDBG funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool. HOME funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CHDO Operating Support pool.
e) Human Solutions, to support the development of a multi-family project at NE 181st and Couch, Rockwood (15 low/mod units)($5,000 CDBG); the Arbor Glen Apartments, 2609 SE 145th Ave., (93 low/mod units) ($25,000 CDBG); and a multi-family project at NE 100th and Glisan, Gateway (140-150 low/mod units) ($25,000 CDBG). The funding will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool.
f) Human Solutions, Inc., a CHDO, to support asset management of previously funded HOME low/mod units in Gresham and E. Multnomah County ($33,287 HOME). $25,000 in HOME funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 Gresham CHDO Operating Support pool and $8,287 from the FY 2008-09 Mult. Co. CHDO Operating Support pool.
g) Innovative Housing Inc. to support the rehabilitation of Musolf Manor 216 NW Third, (14 low/mod units) ($45,000 CDBG); The Clifford 519-535 SE Morrison (40 low/mod units) ($45,000 CDBG); and Hewitt Place, 826 SW 29th Way, Troutdale, OR (25 low/mod units) ($5,000 CDBG). The funding will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool.
h) Native American Youth and Family Center, a CHDO, to support asset management of 44 previously funded low/mod units ($16,000 HOME). The funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 Operating Support pool.
i) Northwest Housing Alternatives, a CHDO, to support rehabilitation of The Oak, 333 SW Oak Street (90 low/mod units) ($37,000 CDBG); Roslyn Apartments, 424 SW 21st Street ( 31 low/mod units) ($15,000 CDBG); and Upshur House 2650 NW Upshur (30 low/mod units) ($15,000 CDBG); and for asset management of all the units ($29,000 HOME CHDO). CDBG funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool. HOME funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CHDO Operating Support pool.
j) The Portland Community Land Trust, to support the development and/or rehabilitation of Dahlia Commons, 23205 SE Pardee (14-16 low/mod units) ($13,000 CDBG); eight buyer-initiated projects (8 low/mod units) ($5,000 CDBG); and five resale projects (5 low/mod units) ($5,000 CDBG).). CDBG funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool.
k) Reach CDC, a CHDO, to support the rehabilitation of the Admiral Apts, 910 SW Park (37 low/mod units)($25,000 CDBG); Walnut Park Apts, 5272 NE 6th (8 low/mod units)($25,000 CDBG); and Patton Park Apts 5204 N Interstate (54 low/mod units)($25,000 CDBG); and for asset management for all units ($7,000 HOME). CDBG funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CDC Capacity Building pool. HOME funds will be taken from the FY 2008-09 CHDO Operating Support pool.
l) Rose CDC, a CHDO, to support development/rehab of Great Day Home, 3345 SE 80th (1 low/mod unit )($2,500 CDBG); Lents Land Trust Homes, SE 104th and Schiller, (4 low/mod units) ($16,000 CDBG); and the Lents Field of Dreams, at a location to be determined ($10,000 HOME); and for asset management for all units ($12,100 HOME).
Please address any questions or comments to Beth Kaye at City of Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development, 421 SW 6th # 1100, Portland, OR 97204, (503) 823-2393, TTY (503) 823-6868, bkaye@ci.portland.or.us by August 26, 2008.
http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/?c=29385&a=205293
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Vancouver for Peace
Because the regulars who run the table weekly are either out of town or involved in a major conference in Portland, there will be no table this week, Aug 2.
We will be back next week. During the past few weeks we have had lots of company in the free speech area with several political groups campaigning for various candidates, along with several other causes.
We have had some help and are thankful for those who have joined us at the table. We are always looking for those who would take the table for one or more weeks to publicize a peace issue that concerns them.
If you have questions, comments or would like to volunteer, please contact me at tablesforpeace@aol.com.
Wilbur Wood