From the open publishing newswire: This Thursday, Books to Prisoners will be selling some of the overstock books in order to raise money for mailings. This will be at the Last Thursday Art walk near NE. 28th and Alberta from about 3:00 til late..Come early to get great deals on books and support prisoners

From the open publishing newswire: One of the outcomes of the most recent review of the infamous sit-lie ordinance, is that the city has been persuaded of the need for more public restrooms. This recognition on the part of the city is related to its agreement to decriminalize sitting on the sidewalk, finding approximately $750,000 for the entire program, part of which would go to provide an alternative, in the form of a drop in center of sorts, to this reality of homeless life.

Also in the new provision, is a determination to establish the availability of more public restrooms to counter the glaring lack of these essential facilities for people who have no alternative. In the account I read most recently about this pressing need, doubts were expressed that the restrooms could last long, because it was thought that they would quickly be destroyed by some of the people out there with the worst problems. Seattle's discouraging experience with the auto toilets was mentioned to illustrate this concern.

From the open publishing newswire: For the first time in more than four years, the Housing Authority of Portland will open a new waiting list for federal Section 8 rent vouchers.

Applications for a chance to join the waiting list will be available Nov. 1 and MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE Nov. 17. By applying for the waiting list, applicants will enter a lottery-style drawing to be held in January 2007. The first 3,000 names picked through the lottery will be placed on the waiting list for Rent vouchers.

From the open publishing newswire: Some anonymous friends of mine are not able to speak out. There is no longer a public safety net in Portland for women, youth or eldery people who need emergency service. The plan seems to be that if you don't provide service, the problem will go away. There is tons of talk about "true" solutions like housing but there is very little action for those who wind up costing us more in emergency rooms.

Please add to this article with facts, articles and first hand stories.

Commissioner Leonard commented: I filed an emergency ordinance today -that is also co sponsored by Commissioner Sten and Mayor Potter- that will provide the funding needed to immediately open the Women's Emergency Shelter operated by the Salvation Army.

From the open publishing newswire: I have been in the DHS Foster Care System for 10 years now. Here is some of the bullshit that goes on within. Recently my DHS caseworker has been totally nonexistent so I have not been able to get the help and guidance that I need. Also being in the Foster Care System for so long, I have realized that it is all a BS Joke that is played. Most Foster Parents I have encountered are real pieces of shit who just care about recieving their monthly paycheck of $1500 per month.

From the open publishing newswire: Recently, my monetary-influx changed dramatically (I was given a "discharge for performance" from a job; i.e., "fired"). I soon found out what I always knew -- that while employed I was always about one paycheck away from poverty. Within a month the severance they gave me was running out. Small trickles of money were beginning to flow in from this or that random source or odd job, but not enough for everything. I realized that if I got Oregon Trail benefits (i.e., Food Stamps), that I would be in a much better position to direct cash to rent. (Fortunately, my landlady is a friend who is giving me some slack for the time being. Thanks again, if you're reading this!)

So I went to the DHS office on Alberta and Williams, because it was conveniently located for me, and wasn't pleased with what happened.

From the open publishing newswire: A variety of concerned groups and interested citizens came to the Budget meeting on Wednesday evening to speak out against the proposed budget cuts (due to the loss of I-Tax funds). Some of the groups that testified including the Women's Crisis Line, SMYRC (Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center), SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Schools, SEI (Self Enhancement, Inc.), Portland Impact (Project Independence), DCJ (Department of Community Justice-Juvenile Division), Oregon Community Warehouse, Friendly House Senior Program, Northwest Family Services, Loaves and Fishes, Clara Vista, and a variety of Drug Treatment Programs and Domestic Violence services, and many many others.

The proposed cuts would affect appropriations for a variety of safety net/basic needs programs for everything from child development to senior independent living assistance. A surprising number of basic needs that could be cut under the current version of the budget including drug treatment programs, after-school programs, meals on wheels, crisis counseling, gang intervention, and basic needs programs that fill the gaps for people who are not eligible for federal and state assistance. Given that these were funded by the expired I-TAX, there is a very real risk of budget cuts that could seriously limit the good that these programs do in our community, and in worse case scenarios, the programs would cease to exist altogether.

From the open publishing newswire: It is 7 months post Katrina. Vast parts of N.O. still look like a war zone. While the U.S. spends billions destroying Iraq, our own people are still without homes, electricity, basic services. Out of the media spotlight, Katrina survivors are still struggling every day to get food, water, shelter.
WE MUST NOT FORGET.
Two days in New Orleans and my life is changed forever. There are no words to describe the devastation that remains seven months after Katrine.For much of the country, NOLA is old news. For people here it remains a monumental battle both against the destruction and aftermath, and also against the system that is racist, classist, corrupt and greedy

There is enormous need for volunteers.On-going home rehab will take years. At the peak of Spring Break there were 3000 people here, Today it's about 300. People Power is the greatest need, but almost every thing imaginable is needed from baby diapers to tools. Stores are boarded up and toxic so there's no running to to corner market for milk & bread.

Visit CommonGroundRelief.com. Common Ground is fantastic! Up out of the flood waters, holding the community together. Amazing! We may all need to know how to do this soon.

WE MUST NOT FORGET!

 http://www.commongroungrelief.org

From the open publishing newswire: While posting fliers about the Fouad Kaady rally in Estacada today, we picked up a copy of the East County Gazette. In it was an article in the 'Mountain Views' Section, regarding a program which was news to me. It is called Dining & Dignity. The first restaurant in the entire United States to join Dignity & Dining was the Harmony Bakery in Estacada. Hitching Post Pizza has also joined. Here is how it works. "When an indigent person comes to the restaurant the guest must first ask for the manager and say to the manager, 'I don't have any money but I need to eat' The manager chooses which foods are available and healthy and then gives the guest the food. No taking of orders, no restaurant checks and no record keeping."

From the open publishing newswire: The Oxygen Collective, an Ashland, OR-based non-profit organization, and the newly formed Southern Oregon Gulf Coast Relief Network today announced plans to travel to New Orleans in early December. Members of both groups intend to support the ongoing grassroots hurricane relief efforts coordinated by Common Ground. Common Ground is a community-run organization offering assistance, mutual aid and support to the New Orleans communities that have been historically neglected and under served.

Local resident and educator Peter O'Connell traveled to the region two months ago to work with Common Ground. He is planning to return again with the Oxygen Collective and Southern Oregon Gulf Coast Relief Network. "I will never forget the images of desperate people suffering the initial tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. This tragedy has been compounded by the failures of FEMA and the federal, state and local governments to adequately address the needs of the affected communities. Into this void, Common Ground has stepped in to do the work that needs to be done," said O'Connell.

From the open publishing newswire:

Last night, Thurs. November 10, 2005, three medical workers documenting police harassment outside the Common Ground Free Clinic became the targets of that harassment. This incident is the culmination of increased daily harassment this week, and are just a few of the examples of abuse that volunteer relief workers have faced over the past two months and that New Orleans residents, especially African Americans, are facing everyday.

Greg Griffith, a volunteer relief worker, was arrested by the New Orleans Police and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) near the Common Ground Free Clinic in Algiers. Greg was thrown against the car, charged with crossing a police line, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon- a small pocket knife. While handcuffed in the back of the police car, he was told that he would be "shot, and his body thrown in the river". He was bailed out last night fearing for his safety and will go to court at OPP this morning. Emily Westerholm, the Unit Coordinator was violently thrown to the ground and Scott Weinstein a resident RN was verbally abused.

katrina aftermath

From the open publishing newswire: The Oxygen Collective is organizing a trip in our biodiesel bus for the first three weeks of December to bring supplies and volunteers to offer direct aid and relief work for people in the New Orleans area. We will be joining with an inspiring grassroots effort spearheaded by the Common Ground Collective in the Algiers Neighborhood.

The folks at Common Ground are engaged in many amazingly inspirational projects, but they are stretched thin and are desperately in need of people on the ground to help them. The Common Ground Collective operates a health clinic that serves thousands, an fm radio station bringing news and information to the Greater New Orleans Area and two supply distribution centers, including the only relief center located in the heavily damaged 9th Ward District. They also serve as the central hub of the grassroots, anti racist community organizing effort occurring in Southern Louisiana. They play a crucial advocacy role for the empowerment of poorer residents facing a deeply entrenched racist system that is in many cases marginalizing and neglecting people rather than helping them return to their homes.

Our plan is to leave Southern Oregon on Dec. 3rd, completing the journey by Dec. 22nd at the latest. Please contact oso@o2collective.org or laurel@o2collective.org for more info or to pass along useful contacts, make a donation or volunteer to come along.

From the open publishing newswire:

My landlord evicted me, entered my property to remove all of my belongings, locked me out of the property, is now threatening to throw my stuff to the curb and I can't find anyone to assist me.

I'm a good tenant. I have always paid my rent on time, I mind my own business and I respect the property that I live on.

However, in the middle of last month I received a handwritten note from my landlord asking me to move by the end of the month. One other woman was asked to leave at the same time. The landlord told her he was kicking out all of the women in the coming months, which he later referred to as a "band of lesbians".

It was my understanding that even though he asked me to move by the 31st, I legally had thrity days. This being said, you can only imagine how shocked I was to walk into the building on the 1st to find that my stuff had been removed from my apartment and there was already someone living there! [ read more ]

Landlords' Rights ... An Update

Finding professional assistance has been and still is an uphill battle. I still don't have a lawyer, but thanks to the supportive responses from those of you who have also been in this position, I have a few more leads to follow.

My fear? I fear that I am devoting almost all of my energy to this and will get nothing in return.

I fear that it takes money to find justice. I know that I am not the woman this landlord has treated this way. Perhaps if one of those women had stood up for her rights I would not be in this position. I can't blame her though ... if I had a place to live I probably wouldn't care much either.

For the "City That Works" I don't see a lot working for the people in my position. There are a lot of people willing to speak to what the law states and few people willing to enforce it ... unless the issue is liquor laws, or drug laws, laws that protect business ... or the laws that protect the landlords. [ read more ]