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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2014)
31lye Page 4 Portland (Obstruer January 8, 2014 H ousing Utility Savings for Families Pilot program helps low- income households and reduced energy consum ption fo r o v er 800 O reg o n hom es, to p e r form the w eath erization im p ro v e m ents. T he p ro ject is ex p ected to create 340 w o rk hours in its pilot phase, w ith additional opportunity in future phases. T he pilot includes an education program , fu n d ed by a grant from T he C o n co rd ia F oundation, h e lp ing residents u nderstand the w ork being p erfo rm ed and how h o u se hold habits affect their energy bills, com fort and healthy in d o o r e n v i ronm ents. “N W N atural is excited to fund and partner on this innovative pro gram ,” said Bill Edm onds, N W N atu ral director o f environm ental m an T he local housing provider P o rt land C om m unity R einvestm ent Ini tiatives (P C R I) believes that low - in co m e fa m ilie s sh o u ld no t be forced to choose betw een keeping th e ir h o m e s w arm an d p u ttin g healthy food on th eir table. T o help disadvantaged fam ilies stay w arm and have m oney left fo r o th er e s sentials, PC R I has started a pilot w eatherization p artnersh ip for 10 single fam ily hom es in north and northeast Portland. T he program is co llab o ratio n betw een PC R I and V erde, an o th er non-profit group, and will be funded by N W N atural. It provides e n e rg y -sa v in g w e a th e riz a tio n im provem ents like air sealing and in sulation to low -incom e households w ithout challenges like w aiting lists and up-front costs that accom pany m any existing w eatherizatio n p ro gram s. “This pilot is a great opportu- agem ent and sustainability. “Even though gas prices are as low as they were in 2004, that doesn ’ t m ake drafts Two local non-profit groups are sponsoring a weatherization project for families who can’t easily access other programs. nity to m ore efficiently provide util ity co st savings to fam ilies w ho need it m o st,” said T rav is Phillips, housing d ev elo p m en t m an ag er at PC R I. “W e ’re eag er to see and ex pand on the p ilo t’s success so th ese and o th e r fam ilies can spend their h ard -earn ed salaries on school books and h ealth y food in stead o f k eep in g th eir h o m e w arm .” PC R I and V erde are also using the p ilo t to p ro v id e eco n o m ic o p Fix-It Fairs to Save Money Free Fix-It Fairs where you can learn simple and effective ways to save money at home and stay healthy this winter and beyond are coming soon to north and southeast Portland. Featuring exhibits from nu merous community partners, these events also include an extensive schedule of work shops held throughout the day. Experts will be available to talk with you about water and en ergy savings, personal health and healthcare, food and nutri portu n ity to lo w -in co m e fam ilies and co m m u n ities o f color. T he tw o non-profits en g ag ed H om e E nergy Life P erform ance G roup (H E L P), a m inority- and w o m an -o w n ed b u si ness w ho has already w eatherized any w arm er. W e think it’s im portant to reach as m any households as possible with education and services about energy efficiency.” In the future, PC R I and V erde aim to replicate the program elsew here in P C R I’s affordable housing portfo lio , fo r s e n io r s in P C R I ’s H om eo w nership Retention program, and with other organizations serv ing low -incom e O regon residents. tion, community resources, re will host a Fix-It Fair on Satur cycling and yard care, lead test day, Feb. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to ing and more. 3 p.m. Rosa Parks Elem entary Special workshops in Span School, 8960 N. Woolsey Ave., ish will be offered at David will host a Fix-It Fair on Satur Douglas event; and free day, Jan. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to professional childcare and 3 p.m.; and David Douglas High lunch is provided at each of the School, 1001 S.E. 135th Ave., fairs. THE SPINA COLUMN TM An ongoing series of questions and answers about America’s natural healing profession. Part 14. Scoliosis Exam: The most important test your kids will take all year. M y k id s a lre a d y g e t b a ck - to - s c h o o l c h e c k - u p s . W h y Id I b ro th er w ith yet an o th er one? : S c o lio s is , a la te ra l c u r v a MR« Dr. Billy R. Flowers ÄQ p racto r. T h e one p ro fessional best trained to detect and co rrect spinal disorders. I t’s a sim ple, p ainless, inex pensive p rocedure that can save y o u r children years o f d isco m fo rt and d is fig u rem en t later in life. F o r a scoliosis checkup, o r fo r answ ers to any q u es tions you m ight have about y our ow n health, call us at the n u m b er below . m ight have scoliosis? ture o f the spine, is one test pro p r o b a b ly n o t in c lu d e d in y o u r c h ild re n ’s b a c k -to -sc h o o l p h y sica l : T h e m o s t c o m m o n v is ib le checkups. A nd yet, it is d istu rb in g ly sy m p to m is v ery p ro m in e n t shoul co m m o n am o n g teen ag e girls. If left d er blad e h ig h e r than the other. H o w untreated, scoliosis often leads to p a in ever, the best ch eck fo r scoliosis is an ful arth ritis o f the spine. B ut if the annual p re-school ch eck u p w ith a C h iro - d iso rd er is d etected by age eight, b e 2124 NE Hancock, Portland Oregon 97212 • P h o n e : ( 5 0 3 ) 2 8 7 * 5 5 0 4 fore the ad o lescen t g ro w th spurt, there A J is b etter than 50% ch an ce fo r co m p lete recovery. : H o w can I tell if m y d au g h ter Flowers' Chiropractic Office
