David Pool writes "News4Neighbors is coming out of the mothballs inorder to run an opinion piece by Richard Ellmyer. He proposes that by comparison with lies of other politicians who caused so many deaths, destruction and torture, Mayor Sam Adams' lies pale by comparison.

I personally agree. I see no need for the mayor to fall on his own sword just because he lied about who he slept with. A great many people have done that. The bottom line is that two adults having sex isn't illegal.

While I may disagree with Richard on other matters, I fully endorse his sentiment here.

David Pool Editor, News4Neighbors.net http://www.news4neighbors.net"

Richard Ellmyer writes "George W. Bush lied about Weapons of Mass Destruction forcing his fellow Americans to kill and be killed in a war. Lyndon Johnson lied about the gulf of Tonkin incident forcing his fellow Americans to kill and be killed in a war. Richard Nixon lied about the secret illegal bombing of Cambodia and Laos forcing his fellow Americans to kill and be killed in a war. Ronald Reagan lied about about trading arms for hostages in the Iran Contra Affair causing the deaths of many.

They all lied about how their wars were being prosecuted. They hailed inflated body counts and hung "mission accomplished" banners as signs of success. All lies.

Our government can lock an 18 year old in an isolation cell in a maximum security prison. Our government can flush poison into the veins of an 18 year old until dead for committing heinous crimes.

It is the height of hypocrisy to defend the morality of ordering 18 year olds to kill other human beings in war and be executed by our government for criminal offenses and then deny them the moral right to have consensual sex with any partner of their choosing.

Sam Adams writes "January 19, 2009

I want to publicly acknowledge a mistake I have made and I want to apologize for it.

In the past, I have characterized my relationship with Beau Breedlove as purely non-sexual. That is not true. Beau Breedlove and I had a sexual relationship for a few months in the summer of 2005 after he turned 18 years of age.

I should have been honest at the time about the true nature of my relationship with Beau Breedlove when questions about my relationship with him first surfaced publicly in October 2007. In fact, Beau encouraged me to be honest about the facts of our relationship. I am deeply sorry that I asked him to lie for me.

I lied at the time because I was afraid that people would believe untrue rumors, being circulated by an undeclared mayoral opponent, that I had broken a law involving sexual relations with a minor. But this is not a good excuse.

Until today, with the exception of Beau, I have not discussed with anyone the true nature of my relationship with him: not with my colleagues, staff, friends or family.

I apologize to Beau for asking him to lie for me. I apologize to my colleagues for my poor handling of this matter. I apologize to the people of Portland for my dishonesty. I should have been truthful from the beginning.

Mayor Sam Adams"

David Pool writes "After many years News4Neighbors will shutter it's doors at the end of 2007. It has been a long and interesting run, but as the primary driver behind the site, I find I no longer have time to keep up with daily submissions.

Thanks for all who participated in this experiment in public news gathering and dialog. It's been a great time getting to know so many of the fine people in this town.

David Pool"

Teri Ruch writes "Make Friends & Make a Difference on Sat. Mornings—Help Restore Natural Areas at Local Parks

Meet new friends and make a difference in just one morning. Join Friends of Trees for our Natural Area Restoration Crew Leader Training this Saturday, Nov. 10, at Magness Memorial Tree Farm in Sherwood, or come plant native seedlings at restoration work parties this fall and winter.

Sat., Nov. 10, Natural Area Restoration Crew Leader Training—Join us for a free lunch, free training, and fun with like-minded friends at Magness Memorial Tree Farm, 31195 SW Ladd Hill Rd, in Sherwood, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advance registration required. Please e-mail kathrynw@friendsoftrees.org. For more information, visit "training schedule" at www.friendsoftrees.org.

You're also invited to join us for the following natural area restoration work parties. Each event is on a Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No experience is necessary. Just join us before 9 a.m. for registration, snacks and instructions. Dress to keep warm and dry. More information and site directions are on the "planting schedule" at www.friendsoftrees.org.

Sat., Dec. 8, Stella Olsen Park, Washington St and Third St, Sherwood

Sat., Dec. 15, Memorial Park, Memorial Dr and Cumberlin Dr, Wilsonville

Sat., Jan. 1, 2008, Jurgens Park, 17255 SW Jurgens Ave, Tualatin

The Stella Olsen Park planting has been organized in partnership with Clean Water Services, a public utility committed to protecting water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed. The Jurgens Park planting has been organized in partnership with the City of Tualatin. All plantings are a part of Friends of Trees’ Natural Area Restoration program, which works to restore urban natural areas in the Portland-Vancouver metro area.

Trees clean our air and water, cool our streams and provide wildlife habitat, conserve energy needed to heat and cool our homes and buildings, and reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. According to the Oct. 3, 2007 Oregonian, Portland's trees intercept 25 million pounds of air pollutants and keep half a billion gallons of stormwater from polluting our rivers.

For information about these and other planting events, call 503-284-TREE (8733) or visit Friends of Trees’ web site at www.friendsoftrees.org. Friends of Trees brings people in the Portland-Vancouver area together to plant and care for city trees and urban natural areas."

Tricia Knoll, Public Information Officer, Portland writes "Portland, Oregon - The Portland Water Bureau has just released new monthly income eligibility guidelines that make it possible for more people who pay residential water and sewer bills in Portland to receive City-Council approved discounts on those bills. The new guidelines, based on state median income guidelines, allow for people to make more money and either establish or new eligibility.

As of July 1, 2007, the quarterly discount also increased to $73 per quarter for a combined water and sewer bill. An additional yearly $150 crisis voucher is available to eligible customers in times of hardship .

Here are the new income eligibility thresholds:

Family size Annual Income Monthly income 1 person $19,327.00 Under $1,610.58
2 people $25,274.00 Under $2,106.16
3 people $31,220.00 Under $2,601.66
4 people $37,167.00 Under $3,097.25
5 people $43,114.00 Under $3,592.83
6 people $49,060.00 Under $4,088.33
7 people $50,175.45 Under $4,181.28
8 people $51,290.46 Under $4,274.20
9 people $52,405.47 Under $4,367.12
10 people $53,520.48 Under $4,460.04
11 people $54,635.49 Under $4,552.95
12 people $55,750.50 Under $4,645.87
Each additional member $1,412.35 $117.69

Teri Ruch writes "Make Friends, Make a Difference, Plant Trees! NW & SW Portland Natural Area Work Parties

Meet new friends and make a difference in just one morning. Join Friends of Trees for our Natural Area Restoration work parties on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No experience is necessary. Just join us before the planting begins at 9 a.m. for registration, snacks and instructions. Dress to keep warm and dry. More information and site directions are on the "planting schedule" at www.friendsoftrees.org.

Sat., Dec. 1, Forest Park, Newton Rd and NW Skyline Rd

Sat., Dec. 15 & Feb. 16, South Portland Riverbank, Willamette Park, SW Macadam Ave and Nebraska St

Sat., March 8, 2008, SW Texas Wetland, SW 26th and SW Texas Ave

The Dec. 1 Forest Park planting is sponsored by Friends of Forest Park, and the Dec. 15 South Portland Riverbank planting is sponsored by Esurance Auto Insurance. All four plantings are a part of Friends of Trees’ Natural Area Restoration program, which works to restore urban natural areas in the Portland-Vancouver metro area.

Trees clean our air and water, cool our streams and provide wildlife habitat, conserve energy needed to heat and cool our homes and buildings, and reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. According to the Oct. 3, 2007 Oregonian, Portland's trees intercept 25 million pounds of air pollutants and keep half a billion gallons of stormwater from polluting our rivers.

For information about these and other planting events, call 503-284-TREE (8733) or visit Friends of Trees’ web site at www.friendsoftrees.org. Friends of Trees brings people in the Portland-Vancouver area together to plant and care for city trees and urban natural areas."

Lindsey Newkirk writes "Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show Contest; A trashion show of art and sustainability Saturday November 17th Wonder Ballroom 128 NE Russell Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:30 $16 in advance/$20 at the door/$65 VIP 21 Plus Hosted by Commissioner Sam Adams and the DEQ's David Allaway Entertainment by Marin8Traks, Do Jump's Entusiasmo, the Golden Greats, and DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid. “Junk Jury” includes members from The Art Institute of Portland, Orlo, Metro, the Office of Sustainable Development, and the Museum of Contemporary Craft. Audience Costumes Encouraged DIY accessory table provided by Scrap Produced by Elysium Events in collaboration with and benefiting Orlo. To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.junktofunk.org"

Marsha Johnson AuD writes "Do you realize how much noise you are exposing your ears to every day? Are you aware of how loud our metro environment really is? Have we simply become used to noisy traffic, noisy shopping centers, noisy music and noisy telephones? It is very hard for the human being to really grasp just how loud everything can be! In coffee shops, the grinders, for example, can send off over 100 decibels of noise that can really damage your hearing! At the movie theaters, previews are commonly shown with decibel levels exceeding 90! Every person should try to become aware of the fact that any noise above 85 dB is cause for ACTION! Action might mean moving away from the noise source, covering up one's ears, or changing the situation as soon as possible. Have you ever visited a clothing store that plays extremely loud music? Go and insist that the clerks or manager turns down the volume while you are in the store! Hearing loss can be much more embarrassing.

Sherry writes "Hi South Tabor neighbors,

If you live, work, or own a business in South Tabor, you're a member of our neighborhood association - easy as that!

(South Tabor neighborhood boundaries in Southeast Portland, Oregon: from Division to Powell Boulevard, and from 52nd to 82nd Avenue)

This month's meeting is on Nov 15 2007 @ 7:00pm Trinity Fellowship Church, 2700 SE 67th Ave

This is a reoccurring meeting on 3rd Thursdays, in Sept–Nov & Jan-May at 7:00 PM

Come find out about what is going on in your neighborhood and mingle with your neighbors... this month's meeting will also be a potluck! Please bring something to share if you would like.

If you have any questions, you may contact the South Tabor Neighborhood Association at(503)922-1905

Also, please visit our website www.southtabor.org"

Brett Lyon writes "Plant Trees and help restore Dawson Creek in Hillsboro at SOLV and Clean Water Services’ Tree For All planting on Saturday, December 1. Plantings start at 9 am and end by 12 pm.

Decades of human activities have degraded our natural spaces and our watersheds are in need of repair. SOLV is working with the cities in Washington County, Clean Water Services and local volunteers to help restore our rivers, lakes and streams, taking the necessary steps to help repair our natural systems. The collective goal is to plant two million trees in the Tualatin River Basin in the next 20 years. The planting along Dawson Creek is just one part of this larger exciting project!

For more information and to register visit the Tree For All Webpage, http://www.solv.org/programs/tree_for_all.asp, event information is found at the very bottom of the page. You can also contact Brett Lyon at 503-844-9571 x 332 or brett@solv.org. Put on your boots, grab a shovel, and come dig in! We hope to see you out in your watershed!"

Brett Lyon writes "Plant Trees and help restore the Tryon Creek watershed in SW Portland at SOLV’s Team Up For Watershed Health sites on Saturday, December 1. Planting starts at 9 am and ends by 12 pm.

This site is located at the head of the Tryon Creek watershed and consists of roughly seven acres owned by the Lewis and Clark Law School. The natural area next to the school is a mixed forest of Western red cedar, Big leaf maple, Red alder, and Sword fern. It has been invaded by English ivy which is suffocating native ground cover, shrubs and even trees. There is also a large amount of Himalayan blackberry in the northwest corner of the property near the baseball field. The site is next door to Tryon Creek State Park. Project partners include the City of Portland- Bureau of Environmental Services, Friends of Tryon Creek, the Tryon Creek Watershed Council and Lewis and Clark Law School.

For more information and to register visit the Team up For Watershed Health Website, http://www.solv.org/programs/teamup_watershed_heal th.asp, event information is found at the very bottom of the page. You can also contact Brett Lyon at 503-844-9571 x 332 or brett@solv.org. Put on your boots, grab a shovel, and come dig in! We hope to see you out in your watershed!"

Brett Lyon writes "Plant Trees and help restore the Wilkes Creek and Columbia Slough watershed in NE Portland at SOLV’s Team Up For Watershed Health sites on Saturday, November 17. Plantings start at 9 am and end by 12 pm.

Wilkes Creek is spring fed and runs year round with cool clean water. It is a tributary to the Columbia Slough, and one of the only fresh water streams left in the watershed. The site was once dominated by large western red cedar, red osier dogwood and sword fern. It is owned by the local homeowners association and is being held as a conservation easement by the City of Portland, homeowners, and the Wilkes Neighborhood Association. Project partners include the Riverview Village Homeowner’s Association, the Wilkes Community Group, and the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.

For more information and to register visit the Team up For Watershed Health Website, http://www.solv.org/programs/teamup_watershed_heal th.asp, event information is found at the very bottom of the page. You can also contact Brett Lyon at 503-844-9571 x 332 or brett@solv.org. Put on your boots, grab a shovel, and come dig in! We hope to see you out in your watershed!"

Brett Lyon writes "Plant Trees and help restore the Beacon Hill Wetland and Johnson Creek Watershed in Beaverton at SOLV’s Team Up For Watershed Health sites on Saturday, November 17. Plantings start at 9 am and end by 12 pm.

The Beacon Hill Wetlands complex is near the headwaters of Johnson Creek, which, at Beacon Hill becomes an open water pond. The 3-acre pond is surrounded by a narrow band of wetlands ranging from 5 to nearly 100 feet in width. Most of the vegetation is non-native grasses with small patches of Himalayan blackberry, and the pond is without shade, so these tree plantings are very important if Beacon Hill is going to be a good habitat for wildlife. Project partners are Metro Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, and Clean Water Services.

For more information and to register visit the Team up For Watershed Health Website, http://www.solv.org/programs/teamup_watershed_heal th.asp, event information is found at the very bottom of the page. You can also contact Brett Lyon at 503-844-9571 x 332 or brett@solv.org. Put on your boots, grab a shovel, and come dig in! We hope to see you out in your watershed!"

Jwilson writes "League of Women Voters Hosts Panel to Discuss U.S. Immigration Laws Public Invited at 7 p.m. on November 8

The League of Women Voters of Portland will host a panel to discuss immigration policy, unauthorized immigration, and government enforcement of U.S. immigration laws on Thursday, November 8. The meeting will begin at 7 pm in the Board Room of the Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne, Portland. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Panel members will present four different perspectives: Gail Greenman, National Affairs/Grassroots Specialist from the Oregon Farm Bureau; Christina Luther, Assistant Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Portland State University; Jim Ludwick, President of Oregonians for Immigration Reform; and Christopher Anders, Staff Attorney for Immigration Counseling Service. LWV Immigration Study chair Kathleen Hersh will moderate the discussion.

Portland Community Media will broadcast the forum on Channel 30 on Saturday, November 10, at 10 p.m.; Sunday, November 11, at 8:30 a.m.; Thursday, November 15, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 18, at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, November 21, at 3 p.m.; and Monday, November 26, at 6 p.m.

The League of Women Voters of the United States is completing a two-year study of immigration aimed at helping communities understand the implications of immigration at the local, state, and federal level. As part of that project, the League of Women Voters of Portland and League members all over the country are exploring the underlying values and principles regarding immigration, reasons for immigration, current federal immigration policy, and the impact of immigration in American society. The November 8 event is the second of two panel discussions of immigration-related issues held by the LWV of Portland.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government."