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Matt Dishman Block Party
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state is able to begin re-investing in education in a serious
way, students now and of future generations will continually
be faced with the diffi cult decision to raise tuition or make
cuts.”
The presidents of Oregon’s seven public universities
thanked the legislature and Gov. Kate Brown for the addi-
tional funding, saying that the support will move more Ore-
gonians out poverty and low-income jobs.
-Donovan M. Smith
Portland Will Rally August 15 to
Support Iran Nuclear Agreement
PHOTO BY JERRY FOSTER
At Pioneer Square in downtown Portland at noon on Sat-
urday August 15, 2015, people will gather to show support
for the historic Iran nuclear agreement reached several
weeks ago between Iran and the UN Security Council’s
fi ve permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United
Kingdom, and the United States) plus Germany. The accord
calls on Iran to limit its nuclear activities to allow only a
nuclear energy program in exchange for the lifting of eco-
nomic sanctions.
The Portland rally is co-sponsored by American Iranian
Friendship Council-PDX, Americans United for Palestinian
Human Rights, Friends of Sabeel North America, Jewish
Voice for Peace-PDX, and Oregon Physicians for Social
Responsibility.
Local salsa band Pa’Lante entertains the crowd at the Matt Dishman Community Center block party
Aug. 8. Between 200 and 300 people attended the event, which included food, games, rock climb-
ing, arts and crafts and face painting.
PSU Lowers Tuition for Upcoming
School Year
Tuition rates are going down 1.1 percent for students at
Portland State University. That’s due to some legislation
passed earlier this year that increased funding for public
universities. Portland State has the distinction of being the
only public university in Oregon decreasing tuition for the
upcoming school year.
The price cut will save full-time undergraduate students
in the state $90 for the 2015-16 school year, making tuition
$8,034.
“PSU is committed to doing everything we can to help
students get in, be successful and graduate with as little debt
as possible,” said PSU President Wim Wiewel, in a news
release.
The PSU Board of Trustees made the decision in a unani-
mous vote last Friday to overturn their decision in March by
4.2 percent, $330 for the average student.
“We’re all concerned about the rising cost of tuition in
Oregon,” said Pete Nickerson, chairman of PSU’s board of
trustees, in a news release. “It’s the board’s role to be fi scally
responsible while trying to keep tuition as low as possible.”
Last month legislators voted to increase funding for high-
er education by 22 percent translating to $700 million for
the next two years.
Trevor Jacobsen, University Affairs Director for Associ-
ated Students of Portland State University, said though he
cannot speculate as to whether students’ protests over tui-
tion played a part in the board reversing its decision, he is
grateful nonetheless.
“Every little bit helps,” Jacobsen said. “I’m glad that our
administration kept their promise of fairly addressing tui-
tion in the event of an increase in state dollars, but of course
wish that the increase was lower.”
“This means our options are to push the legislature for
more funding; to cut offerings, programs, and make the uni-
versity more effi cient; or to raise tuition, ” Jacobsen said.
“None of these are easy decisions or surefi re fi xes. Until the
Vancouver School District Holds Free
Festival to Help Get Kids, Families
Ready for School
To help students and families prepare for the start of the
school year, Vancouver Public Schools is hosting its second
annual back-to-school-readiness festival.
The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 at Hudson’s Bay High School, 1601 E. McLoughlin
Blvd. in Vancouver. This event is free and open to all VPS
students and their families.
The festival features food, entertainment, family-friendly
activities, and information about early learning, counseling,
health care, housing and other resources. It also will provide
free immunizations, haircuts and gently used clothing. Ap-
proximately 50 district partners from the community will be
in attendance to provide information and materials.
Go Ready is organized by the district’s network of Fam-
ily-Community Resource Centers, which provides support
for families all school year long. The event is designed to
serve the district’s growing number of students and families
eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Eligibility for sub-
sidized meals is one indicator of poverty, which can affect
readiness to learn.
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PORTLAND COMMUNITY CALENDAR 2015
for a community or non-profit (minimum 10 ), $25
per person for corporate sponsors (minimum 10).
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Dawson Park, N. Williams
Ave. To register, please go to http.//aahc.Portland.
org/ or call (503) 413-1850
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 – Sunday, August 13 – 16
11TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN ORGANIC BREW-
ERS FESTIVAL: This year there will be 52 craft beers,
ciders and meals from three dozen producers. The
event will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday
through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
at Overlook Park at the intersection of N. Fremont
& N. Interstate). Hours are noon – 9 p.m. Admission
is free, however but those attending must pur-
chase a $7 reuseable cup and tokens for tasting
will be $1 each.
WE ARE BLACK, WE ARE PORTLAND: BBQ and com-
munity celebration with free food, DJ, live music
and games. Join organizers to connect as a peo-
ple locally through building relationships providing
resources, discussing experiences as Black people
and celebrating Black heritage. 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.,
Montavilla Park, Picnic Site A. 82nd & Glisan.
SEAPORT CELEBRATION: Come join the fun at the
most family-friendly, fun-filled day of adventure
on the river this summer. Enjoy live entertainment,
interactive displays and demonstrations, free give-
aways and prizes, $10 jet boat rides and much
more. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Port of Portland, Terminal
4, 11040 N. Lombard St.
Saturday, August 15
Monday – Friday, August 17 – 21
SOUL STROLL 2015 (WELLNESS Walk): Join us for the
20th annual 2.4 or 5k Soul Stroll for Health. Show
your support at the Soul Stroll, where the commu-
nity comes together to celebrate but also to raise
awareness of health disparities among the African
American community. Families are invited to join
for free food, music, dancing, massage and more.
Ticket prices are $20 per person, $15 per person
ASK NICKY SUMMER CAMP: This camp serves youth
11 to 16 years old. Meals/snacks, sponsors, train-
ing certification, activities, field trips. Hosted by
HUD/Homeforward. For more information please
call (971) 330-3394 or email navladies@yahoo.
com. The camp takes place daily from 8:30 p.m.
– 5:30 p.m.m Community Education Center, 4625
N. Trenton St.
Page 4 August 12, 2015 The Portland and Seattle Skanner
Thursday, August 20
“SO I’M NOT REALLY CRAZY”: THE INTERSECTION OF
TRAUMA AND ADDICTIVE DISEASE: Counselor Ann
Church will speak on maintaining recovery while
coping with the aftermath of traumatic events. She
will speak on 12-step principles that are effec-
tive anchors for healing. No charge to attend
and open to all who are interested in recovery.
7 p.m., Hazelden Betty Ford Beaverton Center,
1500 NW Bethany Blvd. #240. RSVP requested to
fgreen577@gmail.com or call (503) 707-9522.
Friday, August 21
FLICKS ON THE BRICKS: This week’s movie will be
Mrs. Doubtfire (PG-13). Admission to this fun and
exciting evening is free. Just bring your low lawn
chairs and blankets. The event kicks off at 7 p.m.
with live entertainment followed by the movie at
dusk. Food and drinks will be available for pur-
chase. Pioneer Courthouse square, downtown
Portland.
Sunday, August 23
BLACK WOMEN FOR PEACE PRESENTS: 2015 PEACE
FESTIVAL: Please join us for an inspiring afternoon
of youth performances empowering youth, cele-
brating culture and promoting peace. Free and
open to the public. 3 p.m., Benson Polytechnic
High School, 546 NE 12th Ave.