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1. Tax help for seniors and/or low to middle income people
2. Donate your bike to Beach School's Bike Sale
3. Opt In: A new public engagement tool from Metro
4. Fix It Fair (2/26)
details are below…
1. Tax help for seniors and/or low to middle income people
Tax Time Again – FREE – AARP will again be doing taxes at the North Portland Library on Thursdays from 12:00 pm (noon) to 4:00 pm and at Peace Lutheran Church, on Tuesday's, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The church is located at 2201 N Rosa Parks.
There is no charge and it is for seniors and/or low to middle income people. All returns are electronically filed and both the federal and state forms will be completed. Please bring all your W-2's, 1099's etc along with last years taxes. For other sites and times please call 1-888-227-7669
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2. Donate your bike to Beach School's Bike Sale
Calling all hand-me-down bikes for Beach's Bike Sale. We need bikes in good condition which have wheels 20″ or larger. The bike sale is a PTA-sponsored activity to give Beach families access to affordable bikes. Donations accepted until April 15th. Contact Joe, joedaddyah@gmail.com or Laurie paulsen.armstrong@gmail.com if you have a bike to donate.
So far we have:
1 – 12″ bike
6 – 16″ bikes
2 – 20″ bikes
3- 24″ multi-speed bikes
2- adult bikes
Our goal is to get 20 – 30 bikes, so start spreading the word!
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3. Opt In: A new public engagement tool from Metro
The tool is called Opt In, and the goal is to create a timely and cost-effective way for the region's residents to provide input into decisions affecting them and their communities. Opt In seeks to engage a broad and diverse range of individuals throughout our region, including populations who are not always engaged through other forms of public outreach. Opt In uses an effective model used by many private-sector companies to more efficiently gather input and inform decisions.
PARTNERS – The Opt In panel is hosted by DHM Research, a Portland-based consulting firm with extensive experience in public opinion research. Opt In was developed in partnership with the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, the Northwest Hea
lth Foundation, and Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, respected community organizations that are committed to improving the health, well-being and quality of life in our region.
HOW IT WORKS – Participation is free. When signing up, participants are asked a series of demographic questions which take about five minutes to answer. Because the data is hosted by DHM Research, individual information will be kept confidential. Demographic and opinion information submitted through Opt In will be reported to Metro in the aggregate. Panelists will be asked to participate in two to three short online surveys each month.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? — Our goal is to have at least 10,000 participants signed up by the end of May (and the more, the merrier). All participants will have access to the results of Opt In surveys and will be able to see how their input is being used. Those who sign up by Feb. 15 are eligible to win one of five $100 gift certificates to Powell's Books and will be eligible for monthly drawings after that for other incentives. We welcome input on suggested survey topics and questions.
I invite you and your neighbors to sign up and participate. Please share this information with your neighbors and friends and encourage them to visit www.oregonmetro.gov/connect to sign up.
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4. Fix It Fair (2/26)
The City of Portland 's Fix-It Fairs are free events where you can learn simple and effective ways to save money at home this winter and stay healthy. The events feature exhibits from numerous community partners and an extensive schedule of workshops held throughout the day. Experts will be available to talk with you about water and energy savings, home and personal health, food and nutrition, community resources, recycling and yard care, lead testing, bike tune-ups and more!
Special workshops taught in Spanish are offered at the Ron Russell Fair. Free professional childcare and lunch is provided at all Fairs.
The 2010 – 2011 Fix-It Fair schedule:
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Jefferson High School
5210 N Kerby Avenue
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
To find out more information about scheduled workshops, visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/fif
To receive information and reminders on upcoming fairs, e-mail fixitfair@portlandoregon.gov.
The Fix-It Fairs are presented by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability with support from the following sponsors: Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power, Portland Housing Bureau and Portland General Electric.