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Volume XXVII, Number I
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Committed to cultural diversity.
January I, 1997
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Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears
Jack Vernon, Ph D., recently retired
director o f the Oregon Hearing Research
Center w ill present a lecture on "T in n itu s:
R inging in the Ears" at 7:30pm, Thursday,
January 16. Doors w ill open at 7:00pm.
The lecture w ill be at the O H S U O ld L i­
brary A u d ito riu m . Plenty ot tree parking is
available. Lectures are available. One o f
the first to study and become an advocate
for people w ith tinnitus (rin g in g in the
ears), Vernon has been active in hearing
research foryears. Lo o king foi acauseand
cure lo r tinnitus, Vernon pioneered devel­
opment o f "m askers", w hich reduce the
d e b ilita tin g effects o f ringing in the ears
He is outspoken in his concern over e n v i­
ronmental noise as a cause o f tinnitus and
hearing loss
Please eall C om m unity Relations at 494-
4312 fo r more inform ation. Call U n ive rsi­
ty News and Publications at 494 4312 for
media inform ation and interviews.
Neighborhoods for People
A screening o f the video “ CoHousing:
Neighborhoods lo r People" w ill be held
Wednesday, January Sth, at7:30-9:(X)p.m .
at the Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 SF
Steele. A n introductory presentation about
cohousing and Cascadia Com m ons' plans
to create a cohousing ecovillage in Pori
land w ill fo llo w the screening. The event is
sponsored by Cascadia Commons. A dm is- I
sion is free. In cohousing com m unities,
in d ivid u a l residences are clustered around
a Com m on House w hich provides ameni­
ties such as shared meals anti ch ild re n 's
play spaces. Lor more inform ation, call
Cascadia Com m ons at 650-7169.
Clackamas Women’s
Services
Has your New Y ear's resolution been to
become a volunteer.’ W e ll, Clackamas
W om en's Services has volunteer opportu­
nities for you! You can help a woman or
ch ild start the New Year and a new life
w ithout violence bv answering our crisis
line, fa cilita tin g a support group, reading
stories to children, or speaking to groups
O ur next volunteer training begins Jan­
uary 16, 1997. To receive more in fo rm a ­
tion and a volunteer packet, call Carol at
722-2366.
Summer Dance Program
Auditions
On June 1 6 -J u ly 25. 1997 the M ilw a u ­
kee B allet School, O ffic ia l School o f the
M ilw aukee Ballet, announces the 1997
Pre-Professional Summer Dance Program
A u d itio n Tour. The audition is Friday,
January 10. 1997: 6:30 - 8:30pm at the
Oregon B allet Theatre on I I2 0 S .W . 10th
Ave., Portland, OR 97205. C all (503) 227-
6890. Supervised accom m odations arc
available for o u t-o f-to w n students at the
U n iv e rs ity o f W is c o n s in -M ilw a u k e e
Sandburg Halls. A u d itio n requirements:
M in im u m age o fe lc v e n ( 11 lye a rso ld w ith
interm ediate o r higher level o f ballet tech­
nique. One year o f pointe required for
girls. A u d itio n consists o f a one anil a half
hour master ballet class at a fee o f $15.00.
Female auditionees bring pointe shoes. A
current fu ll length photograph in first ara­
besque position (females on pointe) is re­
quired o f all auditionees. A u d itio n results
and Summer Dance Program Brochure are
m ailed to the auditionee. For more in fo r­
mation call 414-649-4077.
Women homemakers given a boost
in L ee P erlman
abitat for Humanity Is helping
Nicole Williams and women like
her to become home makers In
north Portland - In a new sense.
H
Next spring the social service agency plans
to use volunteers to build a house on a lot
donated by M ultnom ah C ounty at 3430 N.
Com m ercial A ve, in the Boise neighbor­
hood. for sale to W illia m s and her daughter
Abnanne The non-profit agency has bu ilt 25
other houses fo r first-tim e homebuyers in
Portland, and is in the process o f developing
four others, but this w ill be its first house bu ilt
entirely by women.
Doreen Roozee, associate director o f Hab­
itat, says the project coincides w ith the hiring
o f Habitat s first woman crew leader, M e lis ­
sa Mederos. It w ill be an opportunity for
"wom en concerned about women's issues to
work together on a u n ifyin g project."
The house w ill take 1,000 "slo ts" - each
signifying one person's eight hours o f labor
- Io build. Roozee says S till, she says, there
should be no problem in getting enough
volunteers to do the jo b The project is being
co-sponsored by the Junior League o f O re­
gon and the Oregon Tradewom en's N e t­
work a self-help organization for women in
the construction trades. Connie Ashbrook ot
the network says her group w ill bring at least
experienced construction workers who "could
be role models to women interested in con­
struction w ork as a career. The project w ill
show that women are not only interested in
construction work, but that they can do it on
their o w n ." She hopes the project attracts
women who have "never picked up a hammer
before.”
Nointerest ischargedon Habitat mortgag­
A native Portlander, single parent and social
es. However, they do have some special
restrictions II a buyer wishes to sell the
worker, she says she never thought she could do
this kind o f work. Now, thanks to her experi­
ence as a Habitat volunteer, “ I think I could
build a house by myself. I work on other
Thursday. January 2 3 .7:(X) pm at Buckman
Grade School - 320 SF 16th, Portland.
This event is free and childcare w ill be
provided at no cost. For more inform ation
o r to register fo r childcare, call Oregon
Housing N O W ! at 288-0317.
SU B M ISS IO N S: Community
Calendar information will he given
priority if dated two weeks
before the event date.
property w ith in the first ten years. Habitat has
the right o f first refusal to repurchase, w ith
the buyer getting only the money he or she
paid on the mortgage Between 10 and 20
years after purchase the house can be sold on
the open market but Habitat gets all pro­
ceeds except what the buyer paid in equity on
ment o f taxes.
the mortgage ot improvements. The intent is
to keep the property affordable rather than
com m ercial bank, she says, but was refused
despite a spotless credit history because her
income was too low.
give a w in d fa ll p ro fit Io one individual
The North C om m ercial Street lot was
awarded to Habitat by M ultnom ah C ounty
under its A ffordable Housing Development
Program This involves the d istrib u tio n to
non p ro tit agencies creating low income
housing o f properties seized for non-pay-
The tw o-story structure w ill be the first
home W illia m s has ever owned. She once
sought money to buy a house through a
As a renter. W illia m s says, “ Y ou name it.
I'v e lived next door to it.” B eing an ow ner
means " I d o n 't have to be a silent sufferer
when the people next door smoke dope and
party all night Now I 'l l have more say in
what goes o n ."
Its time to get the annual flu shot
he U.S. Departm ent of Health
it's free for beneficiaries.
and Human Services is urging
This is the fourth year that Medicare is
older Americans to get their
paying for influenza vaccinations, yet only
annual flu shots and avoid unnecessary
about h a lf o f the nation's Medicare benefi­
illness, hospitalization or even death
ciaries are taking advantage o f im m uniza­
from the flu this winter.
tion. P articularly neglected are m in o ritie s
T
Despite the availability o f preventive vac­
cines. Ilu and pneumonia remain the fifth lead­
ing ca jse o f death among the elderly, taking as
many as 4O.(XX) lives each year More than 90
and low -incom e people o f all races who
percent o f the deaths form Ilu and pneumonia
occur among people 65 and older
“ Flu can result in pneumonia in the elder­
ly, and these are the tw o leading infectious
disease killers among older A m ericans." said
percent o f all beneficiaries in traditional,
fee-for-service Medicare programs, received
shots in 1995. For A frica n -A m e rica n bene­
ficiaries. the participation rate was one-hall
o f w h ile beneficiaries at 2 1.6 percent That
is expected to be even low er for the other
ethnic m inorities
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala. “ Tragical
ly, many deaths from these diseases could be
prevented through im m unizations.”
The Ilu shot can prevent up Io 70 percent
o f hospitalizations and 80 percent o f deaths
from
influenza-related pneumonia among
the elderly. And i t ’ s covered by Medicare, so
appear to get less preventive care than do
whites and upper-incom e people in general
Recently released statistics show that 41
Inform ation on the Medicare Ilu benefit is
available in Spanish, Chinese. Korean and
Vietnamese, and is being distributed through
the combined efforts o f HHS agencies, in ­
cluding H C F A 's regional offices, the A il
m inistration on A ging, the Centers for Dis
ease C ontrol and Prevention, the National
C oalition tor A dult Im m unization and more
than 75 organizations dedicated to adult im
mumzation. The Agency has set a goal of 60
percent im m unization rale lo r Medicare ben
eficiaries by the year 2(XX).
The Ilu shots are tree fo r beneficiaries
enrolled in Medicare B who receive them
from Medicare "p a rticip a tin g physicians."
These participating physicians accept M edi
care payment amounts as fu ll payment for
their services.
Flu shots are given annually, w ith the
vaccine changed from year to year to combat
changing strains o f the influenza virus.
Medicare also covers vaccinations against
pneumonococcal pneumonia. A beneficiary
who has not previously received the pneumo­
nia vaccine can obtain it at the same lim e as
the tlu shot. For most beneficiaries, a pneu­
monia shot need not be repeated.
Neighborhood Health Clinics
he Neighborhood Health Clin­
resources to access care A ll serv ices in the
ics, Inc. received a $ 2 0 ,0 0 0
clin ics are provided by volunteer health care
grant from the William Swindells
professionals and non professionals
Sr. Memorial Endowment Fund of The
The Oregon C om m unity Foundation es­
Oregon Community Foundation to sup­
tablished in 1973 manages charitable funds
port a new development effort.
given by individuals, fam ilies, and business­
lion malerialsare available through the Foun­
dation s Portland o ffice Individuals or busi
N H C is a local private non-profit that
provides and advocates for quality health
services for those who do not have adequate
nesses interested in establishing a fund may
contact the Portland o ffic e at 621 SW
M orrison, Suite 725, Portland. OR 97205
T
es to enhance and support the quality o f life
in their com m unities To date, the Founda­
tio n 's endowment consists o f 355 funds w ith
com bined assets o f $150. The foundation
makes grants through an application process
that involves local citizens in the review and
evaluation o f requests loi funds. Pre applica
Free rides
on Tri-Met
Celebrate Safely
on New Year’s Eve
ri-M et is encouraging the
community to celebrate safe­
ly on New Year's Eve by offer­
ing free rides on all buses and MAX
trains after 6 p.m.
T
T ri M et w ill also add late-night ser­
vice on M A X trains and 15 m a jo r bus
routes.
Service on M A X and some bus routes
isextended until about 2:30a.m . when the
last trains and buses leave d o w n to w n
Portland.
Tri-M et will add special late-night
buses to these routes 4 -D iv is io n : 4-
Fessenden; 5 -In te rs ta te ; 8 -N F 15
\v e . (to 9th & D e k u m ); 9 -B ro a d -
w ay; 9 - Powell: 12 -B ar b u r B lvd. (to
H w y . 99 & D u rh a m n Rd ); I4 -H a w -
thorne; I5 - M t . T a b o r; 1 5 -N W 23rd
Ave. (to M o n tg o m e ry P a r k ) ; 19-
(> I i s a n ;
I9 - W o o d s t o c k ;
33-
M c L o u g h lin (to O re C ity T ra n s it
C e n te r); and 57-Forest G ro v e.
For more info rm a tio n about free rides
on New Y ear’ s Eve, call T ri-M e t at 238
R ID E . 7:30 a m. - 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
Cole Named Community Relations Director
Learn your rights as a renter at Oregon
The Tenants' Rights Forum w ill be held on
people’ s problems all day A lew hours ot
hammering and sawing clears my head.”
She has already completed Habitat's man
datory 400 hours o f volunteer hom ebuilding
required o f home buyers The agency w ill ask
a downpaym ent o f one percent o f the house's
projected $45,000 to $50,000 cost
U ntil recently, W illiam s was such a woman
Tenants’ Rights Forum
Housing N O W T s Tenants' Rights Forum.
A law yer w ill be on hand to give an over­
view o f the Landlord/Tenant law in O re­
gon and answer questions from renters.
ew. " Picture future owner, Nicole Williams and her daughter Abrianna, standing on
Commercial Ave.
Photo by M. Washington
50 women to the project I liese w ill include
O
akland resident Ada C. Cole has
been named the new director,
community relations for Kaiser
Permanente.
Form erly the executive director o f Marcus
A . Foster Educational Institute. Cole brings
to Kaiser Permanente 25 years o f leadership
in n o n -p ro fit and p u b lic sector management
and program developm ent.
programs.
go.
"C ole is a highly respected com m unity
leader." said James H H ill, vice president,
com m unications "She w ill provide a s ig n if­
C o le 's c ivic and com m unity a ffilia tio n s
include directorships on the boards o f the
O akland Port C om m ission. Bay A rea Eco­
icant co n trib u tio n to Kaiser Permancnte’ s
e fforts to fu lfill its social purpose, p a rticu ­
nom ic Forum. Bay A reaU rgan League. Cal
la rly its dedication to ch ild re n 's health and
safety."
tions, and the B erkeley Repertory Theatre.
She also serves on the m a yo r's Education
Cabinet fo r the C ity o f O akland
In her new p o sitio n, Cole w ill play a
A form er lecturer at C a lifo rn ia State Uni
versity. Hayward. Cole has served as execu­
sig n ifica n t role in shaping com m unity rela­
tive d ire cto r for the Y W C A o f Contra Costa
tions and social m ission in itia tive s for K a i­
ser Permanente. Inc.
In addition, she serves as a valuable re­
C ounty, vice chair o f the C ontra Costa M erit
Board and planning associate fo r the C ity o f
C hicago.
source fo r the Health Plan's local markets in
developing strategic co m m u n ity relations
She has worked as a com m unity organizer
and w ith youth gangs in Boston and C hica­
ifo rn ia C onsortium o f E ducation founda­
She earned a bachelor's from Talladega
C ollege m I alladega. Alabam a, and a mas­
te r's from Lone M ou n ta in C ollege in San
Francisco.
She and her husband. James O. C ole, vice
president, corporate a ffa irs fo r The C lo ro x
C om pany, are the parents ol B arry, 25.
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