Portland News and Events for August 18-24, 2016

NAMI Offers Free Classes for Families Living with Mental Health Issues

Mental health statistics indicate that one in five adults will deal with mental health challenges this year. A nationally recognized class for families whose adult loved ones deal with mental health issues starts in September at three locations in Multnomah County. The 12-week course, conducted by volunteers of the Multnomah Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is offered free of charge. Exact time and location will be provided upon registration. To register, call (503) 228-5692. Classes meet once a week for two and one-half hours at these locations:

• Monday evenings at Portland Veterans Administration Medical Center;
• Wednesday evenings at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
• Saturday mornings at Providence Portland Medical Center

The NAMI Family-to-Family class gets high marks from those who enroll; 99 percent say they feel more confident in dealing with their loved as a result of taking the class. Many have described the class as “life-changing."

The course is designed for parents, spouses, children, siblings and friends of adults with mental health issues. The curriculum, designed by a NAMI mental-health professional, is taught by specially trained volunteers whose own family members live with mental illness. Classes cover effective communication and problem-solving skills for family members; how to deal with a crisis; the biology of brain disorders; addiction disorders and mental illness; the criteria doctors use to diagnose the major mental illnesses; as well as up-to-date information on psychiatric medications, brain research and other issues.

Cody Hermeling Blood Drive to Take Place Saturday, August 20

For the fifth consecutive year, family and friends will hold a blood drive in honor of Cody Hermeling, who sustained life-threatening injuries in a car crash six years ago. Among those scheduled to attend the blood drive are members of Portland Fire and Rescue who pulled Hermeling from the wreckage.

The blood drive will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20 at Yur’s Bar and Grill, 717 NW 16th Ave. with the support of Portland Fire and Rescue Station 22. Those who come out to donate will receive a $5 Amazon gift card claim code.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s Dive-In Movies Return to Pools This Week

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)’s Dive-In Movies, one of the biggest splashes of the summer, return this week with six all-ages showings of Minions at PP&R pools around town. Watch the family-friendly classic either from the pool deck, or while floating in the pool itself. Pools are heated to warmer than normal for the evening viewing, to maintain a comfort level for people in the water.

Swim sessions start at 7:30 p.m., movie starts at approx. 8:30 p.m.

• Pier Pool, Tuesday, 8/16 
• Sellwood Pool, Wednesday, 8/17
• Grant Pool, Thursday, 8/18
• Montavilla Pool, Friday, 8/19
• Creston Pool, Saturday, 8/20
• Wilson Pool, Sunday, 8/21

Popcorn, slush puppies, and other snacks are for sale at pool concession stands. New this year: caramel popcorn and hot chocolate.

Pools open for evening swimming at 7:30 p.m., and the movie begins at approximately 8:30 p.m. (when the sun goes down).

The cost is $5 for adults and $3.50 for youth, except at Wilson Pool where admission is $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for youth. Season passes are not accepted for this event.

Hillsboro Health Expo Geared Toward the 24 and Under Crowd

On Aug. 23 Neighborhood Health Center is hosting a health expo outside of their Hillsboro clinic location, 266 W. Main Street.

The event, which takes place from 4 to 7 p.m., is being organized with support from Washington County Public Health and the Boys and Girls Club Youth Advisory Group. The event is geared toward those 24 and under.

Represented organizations will include Domestic Violence Resource Center, Sexual Assault Resource Center, Adventures Without Limits, Medical Reserve Corps volunteers training on CPR and emergency preparedness, Washington County Addictions program, Washington County Sheriff's Office – SKID program, Safe Place for Youth and more.

The event will include free pizza, sno-cones and other refreshments.

Neighborhood Health Center operates "The Clinic" every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hillsboro location. The walk-in clinic provides confidential reproductive health care services such as sexual health information, birth control, pregnancy tests, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections at low or no cost for those 24 and under.

For more information about this event, call Washington County Reproductive Health Educator Vikki Villarreal at (503) 846-2815.

For more Portland and Seattle area events, see the Community Calendar.