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Community news Briefs
African Dance, Auction, Music and Food
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more than 80 sites last year. That’s
crucial, because lead is a serious
hazard that can affect children’s
development, and hurt everyone’s
health. Until the 1970s, lead was
used in household items from
gasoline and paint to water pipes
and crystal glasses.
The
Environmental Protection Agency
banned lead from paint in 1978,
but older homes can still be affect-
ed – especially if peeling paint is
present and during or after renova-
tions.
However, lead is just one of the
environmental poisons that hurt
children. Many other hazards exist
in and around homes. Asthma, for
example, which is related to aller-
gies and sensitivity to tobacco and
other pollutants, has increased
dramatically among children, even
as smoking has decreased. The
incidence jumped from 37 per
1000 in 1980 to 69 per 1000 by the
late 1990s. More than 1 in 10
African Americans have asthma,
higher than any other ethnic
group. According to one study for
the Centers for Disease Control,
I
t
y
c
urban League
PHoto courteSy Jeff SHowell
T
being exposed to lead and other
toxins. Yet the problem was being
missed because they were not
being tested. Working with Dr.
Richard Bayer, Hill galvanized a
coalition of players, including
Physicians
for
Social
Responsibility and the Coalition
of Black Men, to create a service
that would offer free lead testing.
Environmental pollutants can
make children and adults sick.
They can be the cause of asthma
and headaches, and they can even
damage developing brains and
nerves. If you live in a newer
home with good ventilation, and
use green household products, you
probably have nothing to worry
about. But for families living in
dilapidated housing, near renova-
tion projects, or using toxic prod-
ucts without realizing their effects,
the Josiah Hill III Clinic can be the
key to restoring health.
Last year, the clinic delivered
more than 1000 free health screen-
ings in low-income communities.
The clinic takes its mobile lead
blood testing on the road, visiting
he Josiah Hill III Clinic
invites the community to
support its work by attend-
ing its 5th annual “Leaving a
Legacy” auction and dinner. The
event at 5:30 p.m. on May 19 at
the Acadian Ballroom, 1839 NE
Alberta St. will feature a delicious
food, an auction, music , reports
from families who have been
helped by the clinic and a per-
formance by the amazing
Kukatonon African dance troupe.
Bruce Watts, a longtime board
member urged everyone to consid-
er attending. “This fundraiser is
what allows us to deliver services
free of charge,” he said. “Our goal
is to keep kids and families
healthy. And we are going to have
a lot of fun. This event is always a
lot of fun.”
Clinic founder Josiah Hill III
was the first physician assistant in
Oregon, Watts said. Working in
the community for Kaiser
Permanente and as sports and
dance medicine specialist, Hill
found that children – especially in
minority communities –were
Saturday was “Comcast Cares” day at the urban Harvest
Garden. the garden is a joint project of the urban League
of Portland and the African women’s Coalition. watch
video of the event on PDXJeffShowell’s channel on
Youtube.
children missed 10.5 million
school days in 2008 because of
asthma. The Josiah Hill III clinic
goes into homes to help families
a
l
e
n
d
find and deal with environmental
pollutants. Trained workers and
volunteers checked more than 100
homes last year.
a
r
P ortland M ay 2011
B ulletIn B oard
27tH ANNuAL CINCO DE MAYO FEStIVAL! the
celebration starts thursday May 5 at 11 a.m. to
11 p.m. Come down and have some fun.
waterfront Park Downtown Portland. Friday thru
Sunday hours are 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Admission is
13 and older $6, Children 6 to 12 $3, seniors 62
and older $4, children under 6 are free.
friday & Saturday may 6 & 7
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
thursday may 5
FREE GREEN JOB tRAINING FOR wOMEN! Free, 6-
week classes prepare women for green jobs in
blue collar fields. Attend orientation on May 5 for
classes starting May 24. Call 503-335-8200 ext
21 or email info&tradeswomen.net, or sign online
at www.tradeswomen.net.
thursday thru Sunday may 5 thru may 8
Page 2 The Portland Skanner may 4, 2011
EVERY HuSBAND’S NIGHtMARE BAZAAR! Every
Husband’s Nightmare Bazaar is in its 23rd year.
which features over 100 local crafters with
Christmas ornaments and décor, fall décor,
jewelry, bath and body and much more. Free
admission. Friday 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. washington County Fair
Complex, 873 NE 34th Ave. Hillsboro
Sunday may 8
HAPPY MOtHER’S DAY!!
tAkE MOM tO tHE tuLIP FEStIVAL! All vendors,
services, and attraction will be in full operation at
the farm near woodburn. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. 33814
S. Meridian Rd, woodburn $10 per vehicle.
tuesday may 10
A ROSE FOR PORtLAND! Come down and get
your rose! Alaska Airlines will be on-site to
announce the beginning of their Rose Festival
Sponsorship Season. Noon – 1 p.m. Pioneer
Courthouse Square.
Saturday may 7
Sunday may 15
AFRICAN MARIMBA CONCERt: Six Marimba bands
will perform music high energy from Zimbabwe,
South Africa and Botswana at this all ages event.
this event is free and open to the public. Noon –
4 p.m. Evangel Baptist Church, 2830 NE Flanders
St.
MAY DAY CELEBRAtION! Film Showing of the take,
award winning documentary by journalist Avi
Lewis and author Naomi klein. Filmed during
Argentina’s 2001 economic collapse. 2 p.m.
Door Donation of $3. A world without borders
buffet will be served at 5 p.m. for an $8
donation. Bread and Roses Center.