Photo: Multnomah Youth Commissioners with Mayor Charlie Hales, interim Multnomah County Chair Marissa Madrigal, Portland City Commissioners Amanda Fritz and Steve Novick and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane Mckeel.

Multnomah Youth Commission 3rd Annual Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence

On Saturday, April 5, 2014, the Multnomah Youth Commission's Youth Against Violence Committee hosts the 3rd Annual Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence, at the AmbridgeEventCenter, 1333 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

The summit is free for youth ages 21 and under, with shuttle bus service to the summit departing from many area schools and community centers.

New aspects of this year’s summit include more hands-on activities and in-depth exploration of Gang/Police, School, and Sexual & Dating violence.

The Multnomah Youth Commission established YAV in 2011, in response to the growing violence directed towards young people and the April 2011 shooting death of 14-year-old Shiloh Hampton. As the official youth policy body for the City of Portland and MultnomahCounty, the MYC does not tolerate these acts, which create a hostile and unsafe environment for all youth throughout the city and county.

For youth who'd like to be involved in the summit or YAV, please call the Multnomah Youth Commission at 503-793-1691 or contact the Youth Against Violence Committee Co-Chairs Mariam Ngoye-Dogo and Yessica Martinez Mulet at multnomahyouth@gmail.com. Register online at YAVSummit.com.

Seed to Supper: Growing Veggies on a Budget

A free five week long gardening class (Spanish translation available) is offered by the Anawim Christian Community, 19626 NE Glisan, in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham, Monday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m., April 7, 14, 21, 28 and May 5. 

The class focus is gardening on a budget and improving nutrition. Every week participants will learn a new gardening skill, like learning low-cost ways to build healthy soil, choosing crops that fit your needs and tastes, and the perfect time to harvest veggies. 

The class is for adults and other independent learners only, but children’s activities will be offered.  Class participants will receive a free gardening book, seeds and other gardening treats!  Completion of the 5-week course yields a certificate of recognition!  For more information, call 503-221-1054 ext. 215, or email khaller@emoregon.org. 

Free Dance Class for Children and Teens

The Obo Addy Legacy Project is offering a free introductory class in Ghanaian dance at the East Portland Community Center, 740  SE 106 Ave in Portland on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m.

Learn to dance with the ease and energy of an African!  The free class will offer a chance to learn movements that form the basis of contemporary hip hop today.

Call to register.  The space is limited to the first 30 people who call 503-810-0496.

Wear comfortable clothes.  Class is suitable for beginners.  A weekly series will follow this introductory session.

Eric Allotey Pappoe and Patience Sewor will be team-teaching the class. 

Both Eric and Patience performed with the National Dance Company of Ghana before coming to the United States to perform with the Obo Addy Legacy Project.

This class is funded by the Regional Arts and Culture Council and the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.

For more information go to www.oboaddylegacyproject.org.

Tax Credit for the Severely Disabled or Disabled Children Reinstated

The 2014 Legislature passed SB 1534 allowing all taxpayers, regardless of income, to claim the severely disabled or disabled child exemption credit.
This immediately affects nearly 1,500 taxpayers who have filed, or are filing, their 2013 income tax returns. Those who haven't yet filed may take advantage of the credit; those that have already filed may amend their return.
Previously, taxpayers above an income threshold didn't qualify.
The Oregon Department of Revenue is sending letters to tax practitioners and taxpayers they identified who claimed these exemptions, but didn't qualify because of the previous income cap. Attached to the letter will be an amended schedule with special filing instructions. Following the special instructions will ensure priority processing of the amended return.
Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund or make tax payments, or call 1-800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or e-mail, questions.dor@state.or.us. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204. Due to the amount of calls the department receives during tax season, you may experience extended waiting times.

Clark County seeks applications to fill three seats on parks commission

County residents who live in the unincorporated area and are interested in park issues are encouraged to apply for three openings on the ClarkCountyParks and Recreation Advisory Commission. ClarkCounty is forming the seven-member advisory commission while expanding the  parks program.  Four county appointees to the former Vancouver-ClarkParks and Recreation Advisory Commission will serve the remainder of their terms on the new county commission. The three new appointees will serve six-year terms starting immediately.

The commission will meet 1-3 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The commission will make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on issues such as:

-- Policies and standards for the Clark County Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan.

-- Park acquisition, development and improvement, as well rules for park use.

-- The biennial parks budget.

-- Specialized studies regarding parks, trails, open space and recreational facilities.

Applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest to Jennifer Clark, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA98666-5000. Applicants also may submit information by email to Jennifer.Clark@clark.wa.gov or fax to (360) 397-6058.  Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014.

Oregon College Savings Plan Day April 6 at OaksPark

The Oregon College Savings Plan  holds a community-wide celebration on Sunday, April 6 from noon to 2 p.m at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. Oregon College Savings Plan Day will feature free ride bracelets for the first 529 kids to participate in the celebration, plus crafts, prizes, complimentary cake and an instant photo booth.
The event is inside the Dance Pavilion at Oaks Park. Families are encouraged to bring their children to craft mortarboards, receive framed photos and learn more about the benefits of investing in the Oregon College Savings Plan. A cake cutting is at 1 p.m.
Representatives from the Oregon College Savings Plan will be on hand at the event to discuss and answer any questions about the 529 plan, as well as distribute materials and giveaways. They will also be reminding families that if they invest prior to April 15 of this year, they can still take advantage of the 2013 state tax deduction deadline.
For more information go to OregonCollegeSavings.com or call toll free 866‐772‐8464.

Medicinal Marijuana Education Symposium Series
A free medicinal marijuana educational symposium for patients with multiple sclerosis is April 6, at the Roseland Theatre from 2 -5 pm. For years now MS sufferers have benefitted from the use of medical marijuana. As Oregon embarks on its new law allowing for medical marijuana dispensaries, the MS Society of Oregon and others are sponsoring this educational program to teach patients about the medical benefits of cannabis, laws in Oregon and how patients can be safe and legal participants on Oregon's Medical Marijuana program.
Program sponsors include the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Portland, Oregon, Inc, the Roseland Theater, UDoxi Scientific-Liquid Amber, Eco Firma Farms, New Economy Consulting and Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP. This first symposium will address cannabis relief for Multiple Sclerosis symptoms and will be open to all interested parties 18 years of age and older.
RSVP is required, no later than April 1, by telephone 503 297-9544 or email events@msoregon.org 

Portland Fighting Fillies Announce 2014 Schedule

The Portland Fighting Fillies Women’s Full Contact football team is excited to announce their 2014 schedule. They open their season on Saturday, April 5 with a 7 p.m. kick-off at Milwaukie High School. They will face the Utah Blitz of Salt Lake City.

The home opener is Kids Appreciation Day, so all youth 12 and under will receive free admission with the purchase of a general admission ticket.

The Fighting Fillies are entering their fifth year in the Women’s Football Alliance, a national league comprised of about 60 teams. The Fillies are in the Pacific Region-North West which includes cross-town foe Portland Shockwave, the Seattle Majestics, the Everett Reign, the Tacoma Trauma, and the Utah Blitz.

The Fillies finished the 2013 season with an overall record of 5-3 and tied for 2nd in the division. The veteran core includes 2013 1st-Team All-Americans Holly Custis and Cassie Dunsire, who both travelled to San Diego, CA in August 2013 to play in the WFA All-Star game.

Ticket prices are $10 general admission, $8 military/senior (65+), $5 children age 6-12, children 5 and under are free. 

For more events in Seattle and Portland check out our Community Calendar