Changes...

Hey Team!
So remember how I was working at a law firm. That sucked. So I don't anymore. Instead a small non-profit you may have heard of called OMSI hired me! Yay! I work at OMSI! I'm, guess what, a volunteer coordinator. They have 3 of us V.C.s.
So that is super exciting. But on top of that, Gus and I rented a house last week. So now I'm packing up my little apartment and driving it over to a lovely home in South Tabor a little at a time. I'm totally a grown-up and I have a vegetable garden! Woohoo!

Life is good. Hope yours is too.

yes, it's true

first, sorry for the delay. hope it was a tantalizing wait.
second, i saw myself on tv whilst attending the daily show with jon stewart! it was pretty awesome. tiki barber (ex running back for the new york giants, now national morning news show puppet) was the guest. i didn't grace the camera for a long time, but it was long enough for me to be able to spot myself at home! i posted a picture below for your viewing pleasure. p.s. i'm the guy with the gray headwrap on. word.

so yea, i've been out on the east coast for quite a while now. about 6 weeks now. i'm settled in and have explored my neighborhood of "bonkers" (inbetween yonkers & bronxville), new york. not doing anything too ambitious or extravagant. i've started working at trader joe's while i continue to look for something more career orientated out here. it's pretty similar to the stores in portland except for the fact we don't sell wine or beer out here, so it's not really that special. i've also been looking and visiting a couple of grad schools out here. so i hope that pans out well.

aside from that it's really beautiful out here. not as gorgeous as portland, but in it's own right. often times i feel like i'm on a movie set. lots of cool things to see and do here. lots of historical american/colonial influences. the architectures and fall colors. lots of small towns and bizzaro road lay outs. amazing varieties of people. the manic traffic behavior. although it's crazy, i have found it makes you more assertive and confident of your skills.

so yea, that's about it in a nut shell. looking forward to halloween (what are you guys dressing up as this year? my girlfriend is hosting a "dress as your favorite historical woman themed halloween party --scary, right? just kidding. -- for her graduate program and i'm going as either bea arthur or sally ride. i can't decide...) and carving my pumpkins later today. i feel really stereotypically american out here and it's kinda nice. go america, go freedom!!

take it easy and hope to hear what everybody else is up to as well !
eric


apparently i'm having trouble loading photos onto this blogs, so i just linked them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34251467@N00/1778580721/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34251467@N00/1778581781/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34251467@N00/1779431796/

p.s. if you have the time...
i think i've found the world's saddest and depressing news story, ever:

http://www.ksat.com/news/14413827/detail.html

and sorry ashley, but the people have spoken about philly, pa: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071022/od_nm/philadelphia_unattractive1_dc

word!

holla holla everybody.
i'm a little pressed for time right now, but wanted to let y'all know i'm alive and well.
i'm also still on "vacay." holla!
so, i got some pretty cool news to update with but unfortunately do not have a lot of time right now.
i'll just leave it at...i was on t.v.
more to come. promise.
hope everybody is doing well.
peas and carrots,
eric

Hi, you all..

Thanks for the reminder to blog, Kandi. Your first few weeks sucked! I could imagine packing up what few belongings I had left and heading north in a hurry. I admire you for your resilience.

I had some truly sucking weeks, too. Although I feel pretty wimpy compared to Kandi's travails. I told you all about the stressful crisis job I had? Well - I didn't last very long. I cried and/or vomited every single day. I was starting to hate my wonderful life.

There were a few events that made it impossible to stay at that bizarre job. One beauty was when I was told by my supervisor to tell the father of a son who had just had a psychotic break his first week at college to hang up and have his son call the crisis line because "if he keeps enabling his son, he's never going to get well." Too many appalling "therapeutic" interventions to bear.

So.... I'm in private practice. Life and Career Transitions. I have a little office and 3 clients in my second week. woo hoo. It will be a while before I can do much more than pay my office rent - but my decision couldn't have better for my overall well-being. I think I'm a lot more useful for my loved ones, too.

Oh yeah, and I was voted onto the Board of Directors of SCRAP. So that's cool.

Kandi -- you can expect a holiday care package from the Carmichael-Caseys.

I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of you all - so I hope you BLOG!

xoxoxoxo

Kelley

Hey ?!?!?-ers,

I didn't forget about you. It took me awhile to get my footing in the Eugene area, but I'm finally getting into the swing of things. Just in case any of you forgot about me.....here's the deal.

I finished my Ameri-stuff and moved to Eugene, OR for graduate school. After settling some things and working on some basic school logistics, I took a quick trip to the lovely island of Oahu and came back to the craziness of my life. When I got back.....

I found out that my new home was robbed. My instruments, craft box, and collection of two dollar bills disappeared from my life (along with a bunch of other stuff). I ended up having to move again, but just before I found a new place, my car got towed from behind the house by a very shady towing company that I wish I had enough money to sue. $250 dollar later, I piled everything into my car and found a new- less cursed place to live. Then the first week of school hit, my financial aid got messed up, the school tried to charge me $1500, and I got an awful cold. You know, life was looking pretty sad there for a second.

But alas, I hung in there.....although my dream of being an Amtrak stewardess was looking better and better. After so much hype about going back to school, it honestly was a slap in the face for the first week. I forgot how much it sucked sitting in a classroom and talking circles around "what it means to be post modern" and having people grade my thoughts. I secretly longed for the days where me and the mob were "getting things done."

But things did get better....I swear.

I finally remembered, after a long night of caffeine induced insomnia, why I decided to go to graduate school. I remembered all the things and people I met in the last year, and how much I wanted to do a better job of helping my community.....how I wanted to be more equipped to help my community. Yeah, some shitty life things were happening, but it didn't deter from the fact that I got into a really good program, and I have the opportunity to do some really cool stuff. I essentially got over my funk and am back to saving the world.

Whew, it was looking bleak for a second.

Anyway, I'm interested to hear how the rest of you are doing.

Just in case snail mail is your thing.....and I can't tell you how much I love holiday cards......my address is 70 N Cedar St. Eugene OR 97402

Kandi

Hello L.O.

Hello, my name is Alia Johnson and i am the Natural Resource Technician and Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Lake Oswego. In my term i will be mapping and monitoring invasive plants, organizing volunteers in restoration projects, education and outreach for our natural area parks. I also will helping develop resource managment plans for the City's parks by assessing the natural resources within our parks, aiding in restoration project plans. I am replacing Greg Creager who was the last AmeriCorps member her at Parks and Rec. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or project ideas.

Where's the love???

Looking at our blog, it occured to me that our last post was August 10th ... sad, really, when you think about all of our blogging potential! Vacations, new jobs, new schools, new homes! So here's my post:

Where have I gone?
135 Montello #1, Hood River, OR (studio apt, baby! no more crazy roommates)

What am I doing?
Teaching 5th graders all about their local ecology through the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute by dressing up as trees, flowers, etc.

Do I like it?
Yes, but it's been a tough transistion. I'm excited just to spend a lot of time sleeping.

Are the people cool?
Yes, though I'm surrounded by AmeriKids and I haven't (yet) made any friends outside of AmeriCorps

What am I doing after work?
Sewing like mad to get my sister's salsa dance costumes done in time (think lots and lots of sparkly blue spandex)

What is my favorite color?
Green, like plants!

I hope everyone is doing really well, and please do stay in touch! Kudos to Bojana, who I ran into at the small local grocery store in Hood River last weekend.
Hugs,
M

Check out this resource!

www.thinkfinity.org

There are tools, curricula for teachers, activities and instructional
models for English language learners and other fabulous stuff for
literacy across all age groups.

There are also FREE online courses found under the
Thinkfinity Literacy Network section. The list of free, online courses
is huge and includes topics like: engaging hispanic parents, creating
community linkages, teaching technology, working with refugee families,
reaching out to homeless and migrant families, principles of adult
learning, family literacy, and many more. They have identified those
that would be helpful to potential volunteers, existing volunteers as
well as program staff.

There are also several online courses addressing volunteer management:
Volunteers in Parent Education, Volunteer retention, Incorporating
volunteers into your program's future

Janice!

Get well soon! Kelley

Willamette Narrows and Rock Islands Paddle Adventur

Join the Northwest Service Academy for an exciting and extraordinary canoe-based exploration of West Linn’s Willamette Narrows and Rock Islands. Feel worlds away from the city as we spend the day exploring the natural history, incredibly diverse habitats and outstanding wildlife of this amazing stretch of river. On this one of a kind trip, we will immerse ourselves in the flavor of the area while investigating its unique habitats, discovering the rivers hidden nooks and crannies, discussing the Rivers current challenges and victories as well as conducting scientific monitoring of water quality and plant life.

Suzi Cloutier is a Wildlife Biologist, and ACA certified paddling instructor and Northwest Service Academy Field Team Coordinator. Join her for this once in a lifetime trip filled with fun and discovery on Sunday August 12th from 10am to 5 pm.

Little Rock Island, about 20 acres in size, was given to the Nature Conservancy by the James River Corporation in 1988. The pride of Little Rock Island preserve is the largest and most stable population of Oregon’s rare and endangered Pale Larkspur. Pale larkspur has been found only along the Willamette River and was once was a common flower, but loss of habitat has reduced its population to the point of only being found in a few protected areas. This treasure of an Island offers a rare glimpse into how the Willamette Valley landscape looked before the days of Europeans. The relative inaccessibility of Little Rock Island has helped to protect and preserve the high percentage of natives species found there.

This trip is open to Adults and Children over 12 years of age (younger children with prior approval)

Trip Date: Sunday, August 12^th, 2007

Departure and Return: Willamette Park in West Linn

Cost: $50 per participant this includes canoes, snacks, take home materials and all associated fabulous memories! $30 for those with their own boats and Americorps members.

To Register: Contact Suzi Cloutier (suzi.cloutier@esd112.org) of The Northwest Service Academy 503-234-2383 for registration and payment. Checks can be made out to NWSA and sent to:

NWSA c/o Willamette Narrows Adventure 55 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214

Hi everyone

Hi everybody,
Hope everyone's site is going well. I don't really have anything important to say. Actually, whoever got the book about the wizard in the civil war (or something like that) is in luck. The city of Lake oswego library has a discussion group about wizardry in books and that is their currently featured work. I am looking forward to seeing you all for our upcoming team retreat. Unless if you show up late in which case, I will not be sharing my Crumblz! with you. Yes, Crumblz! They are delicious.

CAPs ARE DUE!

Reminder: Final CAPs due August 10th (October 06 Members)

They should be emailed (as an attachment) to Neil.Schulman@esd112.org, on the same form as the CAP mid-report.

Call Neil at (503) 234-2383 ext. 105 if you have any questions.

Environmental Service Symposium

You all have put together amazing CAPs so please take the time to check out this great opportunity to practice public speaking skills, let others know about your project and the impact that you made this year and network with some potential EMPLOYERS.


NWSA is holding an Environmental Achievement Symposium to showcase the amazing projects that our members have worked on during their term of service. We want to introduce Oregon and Washington’s environmental community to the great things our members achieve. This is a great opportunity for commencing members to:

· Show off your accomplishments to key players in the community, including potential employers!
· Practice professional presentation skills
· Help NWSA connect with potential sponsors, funders, and partners by displaying all that our awesome members are capable of!

The event will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. We want you to present!
Individual Placement and Summer EnviroCorps members who are about to commence are invited to participate.

Presentation should be 5-10 minutes long and include visual aids (Power Point, posters, props, etc)
Projects must be of an environmental nature
Impact and sustainability of project must be addressed
You may present alone, or with others if you have a group project to discuss

There will be a poster session for those who do not want to present, whose presentation proposal is not accepted due to time constraints, or have a project to share that is not environment-related. This is your chance to network with the community!

There will also be food.

If you want to participate, please answer these four questions and email them to Neil (Neil.Schulman@esd112.org) by Wednesday, August 1:

1. Name(s) of presenter(s)
2. Are you planning a presentation, a poster, or both?
3. Briefly describe your project and the main points that you plan to make.
4. Summarize the impact of your project.

Please contact Neil if you have any questions: Neil.Schulman@esd112.org, or 503-234-2383 ext. 105.

HEALTH INSURANCE

From a fellow member working on Health Insurance woes for part of her CAP -

For my CAP, I am working with another member, Lauren Turley, to provide some wellness resources for future (and hopefully current) NWSA members including a list of healthcare folks or health centers/gyms/yoga studios, etc that offer discounts for americorps members, as well as offering other workshops, wellness plans, etc. I am writing you hoping that you can help with this answer--

HAS ANYONE BEEN TO A DOCTOR/ND/ACUPUNCTURIST/THERAPIST, ETC THAT IS COVERED BY OUR AMERICORPS INSURANCE??

That big list of folks that are covered by multiplan is so overwhelming, and we hope to at least pick out a few that some members have had good experiences and personal connections with. Thanks for your help, and if you know of anyone in the wellness field who you think might be interested in working out a discount for members or giving a workshop, etc, please pass their information along to me!

Peace-
Candace

Candace Billings
PEEPs Coordinator
Northwest Service Academy
55 SE Main Street
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 234-2383 ext. 119
candace.billings@esd112.org

Fun Stuff!!

Lots of cool water-themed activities ....

Great Slough Clean-up
July 14th, 9-noon
16550 NE Airport Way
First Annual paddling clean-up of the Slough!

Small Craft Regatta
July 29th, 9-1
1880 NE Elrod Dr
Biggest one-day paddle in Oregon, reserve your free 45 minute canoe trip by emailing Katie at katie.meckes@columbiaslough.org. And/or, volunteer! by signing up with me.

Tour of the Bull Run Watershed
August 20th, all day
meeting location TBD
AmeriCorps-only tour of the source of Portland's drinking water. Only 25 spaces, so sign up by emailing me at volunteer@columbiaslough.org soon!

More info, of course, on our website at www.columbiaslough.org. Happy July!
Melissa

Creative Writing opportunity!

From a fellow Field Team member, Joel Caris!

For my CAP this year, I'm putting together a literary journal based solely on the contributions of current and past AmeriCorps members who have served sometime during the 2005-2007 calendar years, to be published this fall. I'm looking for fiction and creative nonfiction entries for publication. The entries do not have to be based on your service; this is an opportunity for you to delve into your creative side with a subject of your choosing, rather than having to base it around something predefined. However, entries based on your service are certainly accepted, as well.

Submission Guidelines
Entries should be approximately 5000 words or less.
The deadline for submissions is August 20th.
Entries are NOT guaranteed to be published in the final product, though efforts will be made to include as many as possible.
Please send entries in Word (.doc) or Open Document (.odf) format, double spaced.
Include your name, email address, phone number, date of AmeriCorps service, placement position, and organization in both the email and on the title page of your submission.
Entries should be emailed to oregonwhite@gmail.com .
Entries specifically endorsing a particular religion or political affiliation will not be able to be published. For questions or clarifications about this guideline, please email oregonwhite@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or want more details, you can send an email to oregonwhite@gmail.com. Please don't hesitate to pass this on to other current and past AmeriCorps members who have served since 2005. Thanks!

Seed collecting

This summer Metro's Native Plant Center will be collecting seeds from several natural areas including Cooper Mt., Clear Creek, Mt. Talbert, Hooten, Multnomah Channel, Willamette Narrows and Gotter Prairie. This considerable endeavor will involve multiple collection trips throughout July. On-site training will be offered on plant/seed ID; transportation, driving directions, and/or meeting place is available; and, there will be variable schedules to connect our needs with volunteer availability.

Currently we are collecting Wednesday, Fridays and projecting a couple of Saturday collections in July. If you would like to visit some of these natural areas and are interested in learning more about the native herbaceous species on Metro's properties or would like more information please contact me at kingsleym@metro.dst.or.us at your earliest convenience. Let me know which days you are available either weekly or specific days throughout July. Generally we start from the plant center (2661 SW Borland Road) at 8 AM and return by 2 PM at the latest. A long-term commitment is not required, but collecting on several dates is preferred. Hope to hear from you soon.

Best Regards,

Marsha Holt-Kingsley

Native Plant Center Coordinator
Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces
kingsleym@metro.dst.or.us
NPMC Office 503-638-7240
Cell 503-701-7554

Willamette Challenge!

Hey guys, please spread the word about our really cool event. And all of you should come too!

Sunday, July 8
Oaks Amusement Park
9-12

The Willamette Challenge is a 6-mile cloverleaf paddling relay race benefitting Willamette Riverkeeper.

If you think that you are the best paddler that there is and can race with the best of them, you should register!
pre-registration (by July 6th) is $30
day of registration is $40
check it all out at: http://www.willamette-riverkeeper.org/Challenge/

But it doesn't cost anything just to show up and watch. There will be food and possibly beer!

There is also a service project on Saturday, July 7th from 9 to 12 in Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

Need Volunteers??

Are you in need of volunteers?

The Boys and Girls Teen Camp is looking for volunteer opportunities on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3:30. Do you have a job for them? The youth will be from 13 years to 15 or 16 years old and they are interested in volunteer with your organization more than once if that can work for you.

For more information or questions, please contact the camp coordinators Tori or Julia at 503-238-6868 or at jriffle@bgca.org

team bonding event.....?!

hi.
i understand we just had our monthly team building/bonding event, but if any of you are looking for some more uninhibited bonding, please join me as i participate in my first ever 'world naked bike ride' this saturday at midnight. apparently this event takes place in numerous world city, but portland hosts one of the largest in north america every year. there's a pretty sweet kickoff party on madison and 6th afterwards, as part of pedalpalooza 2007.

for more information and other awesome bike related events from pedalpalooza 2007! check it out at http://www.shift2bikes.org/pedalpalooza/pp2007.php#22