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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2009)
8 • The Southwest Portland Post NEWS July 2009 OHSU nursing student projects aid Southwest community By Lee Perlman The Southwest Portland Post Once again, one of Lorna Mae Mathews’ School of Nursing classes has aided a southwest community while providing first-hand experience to future medical providers. Half of this year ’s class of eight from the Oregon Health and Sciences University studied health matters re- lated to families, while the other staff looked at issues relating to “aging in place” – making it possible for seniors to continue to live independently in their homes. The first group worked with tenants of the Housing Authority of Portland’s Ruth Haefner Plaza, Loaves and Fishes, at a forum co-sponsored by the South- west Hills Residential League (SWHRL). A key part of the picture, Mathews said, is proper medication management. If this is not done well, she said, “Many seniors wind up in emergency rooms or in long-term care.” PARKS & RECREATION By Lee Perlman The Southwest Portland Post Willamette Park parking meters disturb residents The Portland Bureau of Parks in- formed the South Portland Neighbor- hood Association last month that they plan to install parking meters in Wil- lamette Park, the first Portland park to receive this treatment. The news was not well received. Parks spokesperson Terri Davis noted that the bureau has charged for admis- sion to the parking lot for several years through Wackenhut Security Services. The current system is not very effective The second group worked with residents of two other HAP projects, Hillsdale Terrace and the Watershed, and provided blood pressure readings, blood sugar screenings and dental as- sessments for some 50 people at a Cinco De Mayo Health Care Fair. The class also participated in a Bike Rodeo in cooperation with Emanuel Hospital’s trauma nurses during which they gave away 43 bicycle helmets to children. Both groups worked with local nail salons. “They’re a wonderful oppor- tunity to provide health facilities,” Mathews said, adding that there are thoughts of utilizing such establish- ments on a regular basis. Over the years, she said, she has found HAP, Neighborhood House and neighborhood associations to be “very welcoming, great partners.” It has also been beneficial for the students, she says. “It’s a great opportunity for stu- dent nurses to learn about health care is- sues,” she said. “They learn things that change their thinking and careers.” and costs the bureau $30,000 a year, she said. “We felt we needed to do it in a more effective way,” said Davis. Davis said the meters should be operational by July 6. “We hope to have net revenue, and whatever we get will go to park improvements.” South Portland Parking Commit- tee chair Bill Danneman said that the change could cause visitors to park in front of people’s homes in the adjacent neighborhood. “It’s irresponsible of the City to come in, institute pay for park- ing, and say, ‘We know parking in the neighborhoods is coming, but it’s your problem.’” “We’ve adjusted our hours to ad- dress neighborhood concerns,” Davis replied. “We don’t know if it will solve the problem, but we’re dealing with it OHSU nursing students Miriam Rosenberg and Ginger Bradley. (Post photo by Lee Perlman) as we go.” In response to questions she said that Willamette would be the only City of Portland park so far with park- ing meters in its parking lot. South Portland chair Ken Love noted that Southwest Macadam Avenue busi- nesses regularly use the lot for em- ployee parking. “From September to Memorial Day, all the parking spaces around the tennis courts are filled, and no one’s playing tennis,” he said. Willamette Park to feature five free summer concerts As noted last month, the Portland Bureau of Parks and the South Port- land Neighborhood Association will be co-sponsoring free concerts in Wil- lamette Park again this year. The concert schedule is as follows: July 8 – Reggie Houston. July 15 – Sarsaparilla. July 22 – Rhythm and Culture. July 29 – The Troublemakers. A fifth concert, featuring the Wickie Pickers, will be August 4 as part of National Night Out. All concerts will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Ross Island Grocery will have food available for purchase, but feel free to bring your own picnic. Outdoor movies at MAC + Dickinson, Holly Farm, Willamette parks This summer there will be free mov- ies in three parks and one outdoor basketball court. The following is the schedule: July 3 “Madagascar – Escape 2 Africa,” will play at the Multnomah Arts Center. On July 18, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” will play at Dickinson Park. On July 23, “E.T., the Extraterrestrial” will play at Holly Farm Park. On August 7, “Hairspray” will play at Willamette Park and “X Men Origins: Wolverine” will play at Multnomah Arts Center. On August 8, “Monsters vs. Aliens” will play at Dickinson Park. On September 11, “Never-ending Story,” will play at Multnomah Arts Center. The films will begin when it gets dark, typically 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., which will get earlier as the season progresses. They will be preceded by some sort of live entertainment. There should be food vendors at most showings, but feel free to bring your own, as well as blan- kets and lawn chairs. More information is available by searching online using the key words: “Portland Parks and Recreation + Movies in the Park.” Fresh Oregon strawberries were all the rage June 5 at the Multnomah Vil- lage Farmers Market. (Post photo by Polina Olsen)