Portland-Metro News and Events July 2 through August 2014

The James John K-5 School teachers, along with Librarian Robin Rolfe, bring blankets, pillows and plenty of books every Tuesday to the St. John's Community Center, 8427 N. Central St., to read with students during the Portland Parks & Recreation's Summer Lunches program, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. One of Supt. Carole Smith's top priorities is to ensure that all students read at grade level by the end of the third grade. Research shows that students who read by the end of third grade are more likely to stay in school, graduate on time, and succeed in college and careers. Photo courtesy Larry Bingham Portland Public Schools

The City of Gresham Unveils Children’s Fountain
The Children's Fountain will splash to life Friday, July 4 at 7 a.m. and stay open all day long until 10 p.m. at the Arts Plaza in historic downtown at 401 N.E. Second St.

Kids can cavort in two fountains - one designed for toddlers, one for bigger kids - that are powered by 43 jets of cool, clean, chlorinated water. The fountain is built to surprise. For daytime, the Children's Fountain includes two shade structures. At night, the fountain is lit by a subtly shifting display of 20 multi-colored LED lights.
This new parks amenity is free to users - the only no-cost splash pad in East Multnomah County - and was developed entirely with $1.5 million in federal funds awarded to the City of Gresham for community development.
On Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m., the public is invited to the Arts Plaza to celebrate the launch of the Children's Fountain, and there will be games, giveaways and free sno-cones.
After its holiday debut, the Children's Fountain will be open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Because the fountain does not hold water, no lifeguard will be on duty. However, all children must be supervised. Children who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers, and swim clothing is required. For a list of fountain rules and etiquette, please visit GreshamOregon.gov/ChildrensFountain.
For more information, call Parks and Facilities at 503-618-2300.

Health Tests at the Blues Fest

The Caring Ambassadors Program sponsors the Lions Club Testing Unit, which will be providing free screenings for glaucoma, hearing, blood pressure, and blood glucose (a test for diabetes) at the HealthNet Pavilion at the Waterfront Blues Festival.

On-site testing for Hep C near the stages will also be available for musicians who are performing and who are unable to get to the HealthNet Pavilion.
We would like to encourage all musicians--a group that tends to be under-tested--to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and to help create awareness for those who may be interested. To arrange a private screening during the festival, call: 503-961-3920.  More information go to the CAP website: www.CaringAmbassadors.org

County Fair Talent Show Tryouts

The Clackamas County Fair will once again be holding tryouts for the Talent Show and Gospel Sing performances at the 2014 Fair. Fair dates run August 12-17th this year.
The Talent Show Auditions will be held on Saturday, July 19th, from 10:00am - 1:00pm. It is open to all residents state-wide, but the top placing Clackamas County resident will be moving on to the Oregon State Fair Talent competition. The categories are divided into Child (5-9 yrs.), Youth (10-17 yrs.) and Adult (18 years and older) with cash prizes awarded for the top three places in the Youth and Adult categories, and placement certificates and ribbons for the Child category.
The Gospel Sing Auditions will be held on Wednesday evening, July 23rd, from 4:30-9:00pm. It is open to anyone, with two categories offered in Youth (10-17 yrs.) and Adult (18 years and older). Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three placements in both categories, with the top winners being showcased at the Gospel Sing and Inspirational Message service, held Sunday`, August 17th, at 11:00 am, at the Fair.
Entry forms for both are due at the fair office by Friday, July 11th at 4:00pm. More information, rules and regulations, and entry forms are available on our website, www.ClackamasCountyEventCenter.com. E-mail questions to fairevents@wavecable.com, or call the fair office at 503-266-1136. Entry forms can also be picked up at the Fair office in Canby at 694 NE 4th Avenue between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

PHOTO: The nonpartisan Oregon League of Minority Voters presented its annual Liberty & Hope Awards on June 26 to Congressman Greg Walden, Sen. Ron Wyden and advertising executive Dan Wieden to recognize their efforts in support of people of color and minorities in Oregon. About 200 people attended the seventh annual dinner at the Oregon Convention Center. Left to right: OLMV Board Chair Sho Dozono, co-emcee Melinda Merrill, keynote speaker Rev. Dr. W.G. Hardy Jr., OLMV Executive Director Promise King, Dan Wieden, and Event Co-Chairs Tom Kelly and Kiernan Doherty. The event raised $35,000 for the organization, which works to promote a broader understanding of the issues that uniquely impact people of color and minorities with a mission to re-engage majority involvement in civil rights causes.  (photo by Tom Unger)

Free Child Safety Seat Clinic

The Beaverton Police Department in a partnership with Safe Kids Washington County will be conducting a free child car seat clinic on Saturday, July 5, 2014, at Beaverton City Hall located at 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Beaverton, OR 97005. The clinic will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This clinic is designed to teach parents and caregivers how to properly install and use a child safety seat. A properly installed and used child safety seat will greatly decrease the chance of your child sustaining a serious or life threating injury during a motor vehicle crash.
A certified technician will help parents and caregivers learn to install and use their child safety restraints properly. No appointment is required just drop by during the event. Each car seat check will take about 30 minutes.  For more information go to
www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-washington-county

Nominations for Oregon Nurse of the Year
Nominations for the Fourth Annual Nurse of the Year Awards are now open. This year, March of Dimes will honor nominated nurse caregivers and award 17 of these nurses for their constant care of and compassion for patients.
Nominations may be submitted online at www.marchofdimes.com/oregon through Aug. 19. There is no fee to submit a nomination and you may submit multiple nominations.
For more information visit marchofdimes.com/oregon.

For more events check out The Skanner's  Community Calendar