Portland Oregon newspaper 2002 archives

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Have an event you would like to announce or something special you would like the community to know about? We want to hear about it, and publish it in our Memo Pad on a space-available basis. Email it to editor@midcountymemo.com.

A victory for biking bus riders

Tri-Met has just made it considerably easier for people with bikes to ride on Tri-Met busses and the MAX. The previous program included bike racks that required bicyclists to undergo a training class and pay a $5 permit fee. New, easy-to-use bike racks have now been installed at the front of all busses, and Tri-Met is installing four vertical bike racks on each of its 52 low-floor MAX trains, to be completed in September.

A new instructional brochure, Bikes on Tri-Met, is now available in both English and Spanish. However no training is necessary to use the new bike racks.

Besides taking bikes with them, cyclists can lock up bikes at transit stops and ride MAX or buses from there. Tri-Met has added bike storage facilities at most transit centers. Designers and artists are being invited to create new bike locker facilities. To date, Tri-Met has nearly 600 bike racks and Bike Lids at MAX stations and transit centers. Heavy-duty bike lockers can also be reserved at some locations by calling the Bicycle Transportation Alliance at 503-226-0676.

Information about bicycles on Tri-Met is available at the Pioneer Square Visitor Information Office, Portland-area Fred Meyer, Safeway and most Albertson’s stores, or visit www.tri-met.org.

Parkrose youth honor local heroes

The Parkrose Little League is honoring “Hometown Heroes” by inviting representatives from the military forces, Portland Police, NW Medical Teams International and firefighters from Portland Fire Station #41 as honored guests who will throw out the season’s first pitch. Following the pitch, approximately 400 red, white and blue balloons will be released. The public is welcome to join in the celebration, on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bob St. Aubin Stadium on 135th Ave. and East Burnside.

Little League teams throughout the country will also be participating in this program. “All of us realized, after the tragic events of Sept. 11, that every community is blessed with men and women who are willing to risk their lives every day as part of their jobs,” said Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball. “This is Little League’s way of saying ‘thank you,’ and showing them we appreciate their sacrifice. It also supports Little League’s mission of using the sports of baseball and softball to educate children.”

For additional information please contact Bobbi Malatesta, Parkrose Little League president, at 503-771-3734, or visit the Parkrose Little League web site at www.myteam.com/go/parkrosell.

Help a child and yourself

The Foster Grandparent Program is looking for seniors sixty years and up on a limited income to help at-risk children in Portland. These children need positive role models to help them with reading, developing social skills, and much more. Not only do the foster grandparents get to help a child, but they also receive two hundred dollars a month tax-free. The program also offers other benefits, including meal and travel compensation, paid time off and sick leave. No experience is necessary, just the desire to better a child’s life. For more information, please call Randy Lucas 503-232-0007 ext. 202.

Help someone discover a whole new world

Are you interested in helping someone else learn about the joy that can be found in books? Or maybe you just like kids and want to help your child’s school. Whatever you have in mind, the Mid-county Memo has the tutoring program for you. Some local programs are listed below:

• The non-profit organization Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) is looking for daytime volunteers to work with children on their reading skills at Prescott, Sacramento, and Shaver Elementary Schools. You can help a local child by donating just one hour of your time per week. Read with two different children for a half-hour each, once a week, and make a difference in the lives of children in the Parkrose Community. SMART not only assists children with learning to read, but also sends each child home with two books a month, so students can build an at-home library. For many students, this would not be possible without SMART. See if you can donate a little time or money to help keep this wonderful program going. For more information or to sign up, call Micaela Boyington 503-402-1954.

• The Volunteers In Partnership (VIP) Mentor Program matches students in David Douglas and Parkrose elementary schools with caring adults who then meet together once a week on school grounds for the duration of the school year. During their weekly time together the student/mentor pairs are given the freedom to decide what kind of activities they want to do. Many mentor pairs do art projects, read books, or play games. One hundred percent of the students involved in the VIP program reported that they would definitely like to continue with the program in the future. The VIP program needs volunteers interested in spending one hour a week with a child for the remainder of the school year. Anyone interested in participating in this fun and rewarding experience should contact Beth Ragel at 503-261-8275 for additional information.

• Glenfair Elementary asks if you can spare one hour a week to helping a local child. If so, join other volunteer tutors helping 2nd and 3rd grade students improve their reading skills. For more information, contact Myra or Diane at Glenfair School at 503-252-3479 ext. 223.

• The Older Adult Service and Information System (OASIS) has joined with Parkrose and David Douglas school districts to offer the Intergenerational Tutoring Program, which provides adults over the age of 55 the opportunity to help children in local schools. The program also provides volunteers with training, supplies, and ongoing support. All local seniors are encouraged to join in. OASIS provides services, classes, and various programs that benefit seniors. For more information or to get an application packet, please contact OASIS Mid-county Coordinator Beth Ragel at 503-261-8275.

• The Mt. Hood Literacy Coalition is recruiting volunteers who are willing to help adults in Mid-Multnomah County improve their reading, writing and/or English-speaking skills. The coalition is seeking volunteers who can commit two to four hours per week to meet with adults in settings such as one-on-one tutoring, working with small groups and assisting an instructor in a class. Currently, the largest need is for volunteers to assist with life skills and basic literacy for non-readers. In addition, volunteers are needed who will tutor small English as a Second Language (ESL) groups. Tutoring locations include the Mt. Hood Maywood Park Campus. For more information or to volunteer, call Christina Bright at the Mt. Hood Literacy Coalition at 503-667-1640 or the Oregon Literacy Hotline at 1-800-322-8715.

Seniors - take advantage of free services

The Senior Services Program Office hosts many free informational clinics and health checks. Senior Services offers a free law clinic every Friday with half-hour consultations. Make your appointment for these free services today!

Medicare advice is available as well, through Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA). Volunteers help both seniors and people with disabilities to understand their rights, make informed choices on how to receive their benefits, and file claims and appeals. Appointments are required.

The Senior Services Program Office is located in the East Portland Community Center at 740 S.E. 106th Ave. For more information or to schedule an appointment with any of these programs, please call 503-988-6073.

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine receives grant

The Meyer Memorial Trust has awarded the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) a $100,000 challenge grant to help fund the development of the college’s proposed doctoral program in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Currently acupuncture and Oriental medicine colleges in the U.S. train general practitioners only to the master’s degree level. The proposed doctoral program would provide advanced knowledge, clinical skills, specialization training and leadership capability in the field of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

“It has been long recognized that the field of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the U.S. would be strengthened by training clinical researchers, educators, clinic supervisors, scholars, and specialists. Once approved, this new program would allow us to begin that process,” said OCOM president Elizabeth A. Goldblatt, Ph.D., M.P.A./H.A.

OCOM’s proposed doctoral program outlines an intensive, two-year course of study. The program plan consists of on-campus modules in specific areas of concentration, clinical theaters including Western and Eastern perspectives and methodologies, education in research and research design, and specialized clinical study and practice in China.

While the master’s degree will remain entry level to the profession, the addition of a doctoral program would provide optional advanced training for experienced practitioners. “We imagine that initial classes would be comprised of OCOM faculty and other experienced practitioners seeking professional specialization. As a result, those first graduates would be able to immediately share their expertise with their students, patients, and colleagues,” said Dr. Goldblatt.

The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine is a nationally accredited four-year college, founded in 1983, which trains master’s degree students in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The college also operates a teaching clinic with a Faculty Practice and an Intern Clinic, which offers affordable health care to people throughout the metropolitan area. For more information, please call the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine at 503-253-3443.

Spring classes at Gregory Heights Community Center

Gregory Heights Community Center offers many different spring classes, beginning this month. Want to improve your physical health? Gregory Heights offers classes in yoga, massage, soccer, and a variety of dance and martial arts classes. For the betterment of the mind, join a watercolor class or a theater program. Call Gregory Heights at 503-916-2904 for a complete list of available classes. You can also drop by the Gregory Heights Community Center, 7334 N.E. Siskiyou St.

Help Snow-CAP support our

community

Snow-CAP, a Community Action Program, benefits many people in our area. This program is made possible by the local volunteers who donate their time or money to help support those less fortunate in the community.

Snow-CAP runs several food and clothing programs for low-income residents of the Mid-County area. These programs include a shopping style food pantry, produce distribution on Tuesdays, a co-op-type program called Community Basket, a community garden, and a delivery program for low-income seniors called Food 2 You, as well as much more.

Our community works through volunteers from the community pitching in, providing time and donations to help those less fortunate make it through another Portland winter. Assist the community by supporting Snow-CAP. Call 503-674-8785 to volunteer, donate, or for more information about what you can do to help.

Exceptional teen recognized

The Gateway Elks are proud to announce their Teen of the Month, Latasha Brown. Brown is a senior at Parkrose High where she has been very involved in both academics and volunteer activities. She is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.75 GPA, and is president of the Parkrose High chapter. Brown has also been involved in student government since her freshman year, including one year as Sophomore Student Body President.

Brown’s volunteer activities have included U-Turn Youth group, Feeding the Homeless program, Salvation Army Back to School Fair, Damon Stoudamire’s Kids Day, and the Site Council. She is also a counselor at Outdoor School.

Brown is very active in her church, helping with the children’s and Sunday school programs. She is a personal tutor for a sixth grade student, and a volunteer at the Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital, where she helps elderly patients. Brown is a Cell Group member, a middle school assistant basketball coach, choir member and a blood donor.

Brown is an excellent athlete, playing four sports. She was captain of the track team, MVP of the Volleyball team, received a varsity letter playing basketball and holds the record for most stolen bases on the JV softball team. Congratulations to the Teen of the Month, Latasha Brown!

MHCC teacher helps all grade levels

A new innovation has recently been incorporated into Portland’s schools. A Mt. Hood Community College instructor is helping to incorporate economics into the curriculum for kindergarten through high school students in Oregon’s schools. As a spokesperson for the Oregon Council on Economic Education, MHCC instructor Ted Scheinman is lending his economic expertise for this new program, “Financial Fitness for Life.”

The program involves training teachers to incorporate economics into all aspects of student learning. A recent NCEE survey found that less than half of high school students understand the concepts of profit, inflation and the federal deficit. The “Financial Fitness for Life” program objective is to have students become skilled consumers, savers and investors. One popular classroom exercise for high school students is “How to really become a millionaire,” where students learn about the cause and effect of spending decisions and the importance of both investments and savings, such as an analysis of the cumulative cost of smoking throughout a lifetime.

Curriculum for the “Financial Fitness for Life” program is based on national teaching standards and includes student workbooks, teaching texts, a Web site and parent guides for every grade level. The Bank of America Foundation provided a $3.2 million grant to the National Council on Economic Education in order to fund the program’s materials and training nationwide.

“Students who are taught economics throughout school can make their own money management decisions, and are also better prepared for college classes,” Scheinman said.

Five workshops are being held in the spring to train teachers in Oregon, including a training Tuesday, April 23 in Portland that Scheinman will help conduct. For more information contact Ted Scheinman at 503-491-7104.

Spring classes at David Douglas Community School

David Douglas Community School will be holding a variety of classes for kids in April. There will be game workshops including everything from board games to sports for kids 6 to 11. A must for every kid is the Red Cross class for children 8 to 11, or the safety class for babysitters 11 to 16. David Douglas is also offering Pee Wee Soccer for kids 4 to 6 and soccer for kids 7 to 9. For a more intellectual child is a book club for kids 9 to 11 and a writer workshop for kids 11 to 13. For more information and class locations, please call the David Douglas Community School at 503-823-2279.

Elders in Action offers help for seniors

Elders in Action has specially trained volunteer Ombudsman available to assist seniors and people with disabilities who may be experiencing problems in the areas of healthcare, housing and elder crime and abuse.

These Ombudsman can provide problem solving assistance, advocate for client’s rights, safety, dignity and well being. They provide information and link clients with community services, provide emotional and peer support, and provide physical support in making phone calls, filling out paperwork, or accompanying clients to appointments.

Elders in Action volunteers are also available to speak to senior and community groups about Medicare fraud and abuse and to alert them to swindles and fraudulent practices aimed at seniors.

For more information on Ombudsman Services, or to arrange for a speaking engagement call the Elders in Action Ombudsman Services Line at 503-823-5293.

You can also get involved over the internet. Sign up today to participate in public surveys about issues that affect seniors. Your voice will help Elders in Action to decide what issues to focus on, and you will also be more informed about current legislation that might affect you. Sign up today in an e-mail addressed to volunteer@eldersaction.org.

Spring classes at East Portland Community Center

East Portland Community Center is offering a variety of classes for the whole family this spring. Classes include a variety of fine art and fun art classes. Fun arts include everything from African painted masks to Mother’s Day cards - call today for a catalog of free classes. Other topics include musical classes in singing, dancing, and instruments. The Center offers fun-filled Spring Break Day camps, cooking, acting, cheerleading, and a large variety of dance classes and events. East Portland Community Center also offers many sports programs from baseball to basketball, gymnastics to martial arts. They also offer a variety of Red Cross and aerobics classes. For more information or a complete listing of classes, please call the East Portland Community Center at 503-823-3450 or stop by 740 S.E. 106th Ave.

Avoid the worst road hazard - other drivers

The American Association of Retired People regularly offers a “55 Alive” defensive driving course. This course helps teach older citizens strategies of safe driving. One feature that makes this class especially valuable to seniors is that some of the strategies that are presented are designed to help overcome the problems that can come with age, such as dimmed vision or slow reflexes.

Not only will you avoid costly tickets, fines, and accidents, but the 55 Alive driving course can also help save you money on your car insurance - check with your insurance provider. The class is a refresher course in driving skills and general information, available to anyone 55 or over. All this for a fee of just $10. For more information or upcoming class dates, please call Instructor Artie Johnson at 503-282-8044.

Experience local area history

The David Douglas Historical Society has a museum highlighting the history of the David Douglas School District and of the area. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to share. Immerse yourself in the history of your neighborhood. Come see old pictures and memorabilia in the Children’s Services building, 1400 S.E. 135th Ave. The museum is currently open by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, please call Jo Curry at 503-254-5923.

Fun and education for all at Parkrose

Parkrose Community School holds many entertaining events during the spring season, beginning in April. A variety of classes are available for kids and adults. Kids, come try your hand at acting, learn babysitting skills, or one learn to hip hop or tap dance. Red Cross training and disaster preparation are also available for kids. Adults and teens can take a course in candlemaking, sign language or a variety of dance classes in different styles. Classis in CPR, first aid, and safety are also available. For more information or a complete listing of classes, please call the Parkrose Community School at 503-408-2640 or visit the center at 12003 N.E. Shaver St.

Get involved - and make a little cash

Maywood Park residents - now is your chance to take part in a community event, make a little money, and get rid of that stuff in the attic. The annual Maywood Park Garage Sale is being planned now. This enjoyable event will take place from Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2. This annual event draws much bigger crowds than simply a one- or two-house garage sale. Take part in this community event: sign-up sheets are due by Thursday, April 25. The cost is only $5 per family. For more information, or a sign-up sheet, please call Jenny Clark at 503-253-0517.

Fun for the whole family

This spring, the Montavilla Community Center is offering classes for every member of the family. Some classes are listed below; however, many more are offered than the Memo has room to list. For information on these or any other Montavilla Community Center programs, please call the Center at 503-823-4101. You can also stop by the Montavilla Community Center, located at 8219 N.E. Glisan St.

• Baby Gym: Crawlers can explore the safe and soft room, building coordination and strength. This class is meant for children from 6 to 17 months of age. Three sections of this class are offered. Section 83392 will be held Mondays from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and run from Monday, April 8 through Monday, June 3. Cost is $20. Section 83393 will be held Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and will run from Tuesday, April 9 through Tuesday, April 30. Cost is $12. The final class, section 83401, will also be held Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and will run from Tuesday, May 7 through Tuesday, June 4. The cost is $14.

• Baby Sing Along: This great program for children aged 6 to 23 months includes lots of fun, musical, and wiggly games. There will be two sessions held, both on Fridays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Section 83353 runs from Friday, April 12 through Friday, May 3, and costs $12. Section 83360 runs from Friday, May 10 through Friday, June 7 and costs $14.

• Hip-Hop and Funk: Montavilla Community Center invites those 14 and up to get funky and a little crazy, moving to hot music in this new dance class. The class, section 83501,will be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m., from Wednesday, April 10 through Wednesday, May 29. Cost is $40.

• Volleyball: Volleyball is back. Get ready to bump, set, and spike on Wednesdays from 4 to 4:50 p.m. This class is intended for ages 9 to 12 years, and will run from Wednesday, April 17 through Wednesday, May 29. This class, section 83493, costs $21.

• Family Night: Enjoy a special low-cost evening out with the family on Friday, April 12. Marci, Montavilla’s popular gymnastics instructor, will lead kids and parents alike though games and basic tumbling moves. Come out and enjoy the fun from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is only $1 per person.

Learn something new

A variety of classes are offered this month at the Gregory Heights Library, 7921 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Gregory Heights Library hours are Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Monday. Free programs and special events for April are listed below. For more information or to pre-register for any event call 503-988-5386.

• Book Discussion Group: Join friends and neighbors to discuss insights and read interesting books. For Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m., read “Wild Life” by Molly Gloss, and then meet the author. In 1905 Washington state, a feminist writer of dime-store adventure novels for women joins the hunt for a little girl lost in the woods. She herself gets lost and encounters a group of huge hairy humanoids.

• Do Jump - Physical Theater: Performances are a provocative blend of acrobatics, aerial work, dance, physical theater, humor and original music. Dances can be found on the walls, ceiling and floor. The company’s visceral thrills and inventiveness captures the imagination of all ages. This event will be hosted at Vestal Elementary School, 161 N.E. 82nd Ave. on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

• Story Stop: Listen to stories almost every day! Children of all ages (and their adults) are invited to stop by their libraries for a short program of fun stories at 11 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

• Toddler Storytime: Storytimes for children aged 18 to 36 months with adult will be held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Preschool Storytime: Storytimes for children aged 3 to 6 years with adult will be held every Friday at 11 a.m.

• Homework Helpers: Homework Helpers are trained volunteers who give students one-on-one help finding the books and information they need to complete homework assignments in the library. Sessions at Gregory Heights will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Available whenever school is in session.

• E-mail for beginners: Prerequisite: Web Basics. Learn how to use free e-mail on the Web, like Yahoo or Hotmail. Sign up, then compose and send messages to anywhere in the world. Pre-registration required for this class, held on Saturday, April 6 at 9 a.m.

• Cyber Sundays: One-on-one computer help is available at Gregory Heights on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Specially trained volunteers will teach you how to use the online catalog, search the Internet, play educational computer games with your kids and discover what a “mouse” can do.

• Cyber Seniors Computer Classes: This series of three classes is designed for seniors who are interested in learning the very basics of how to use a computer. Learn to use a mouse, search the Internet, and send and receive e-mail. Each session will consist of one hour of instruction and one hour of practice. Participants must pre-register and attend all three classes, held Tuesday, April 2, Tuesday April 9, and Tuesday, April 16, all at 9 a.m.

• Gregory Heights Computer Lab: Library staff help beginners practice computer basics in the computer lab at Gregory Heights. Pre-registration required for the classes, which will be 9 to 10 a.m. Classes will be Saturday, April 13, Saturday, April 20, and Saturday, April 27.

• Elephant Storytime: Come celebrate the 40th birthday of Packy, the Oregon Zoo’s venerable pachyderm! Hear elephant stories, take part in elephant crafts and meet an elephant character from the Zoo. Enter the Elephant Trivia contest for a chance to win passes to the zoo. Don’t miss the festivities, held Friday, April 5 at 11 a.m.

• Laughter and Tears: Join storyteller Sarah Stein as she enchants audiences with folk tales and legends from the Jewish tradition. Hear the magic on Saturday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Midland offers free classes and activities

The Midland branch of the Multnomah County Library, located at 805 S.E. 122nd Ave., offers many free activities for adults and families. Library hours are: Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Monday. In April, weekly events include computer and Internet classes and story times. Pre-registration is required for all classes. There will also be many special events. For more information on any of the listed programs or to pre-register for a free class, please call the library at 503-988-5392.

•Book Discussions Group: Engage in stimulating conversation about books and get to know your neighbors. Come and exchange perspectives about characters, plot and more! For Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. read “Galileo’s Daughter” by Dava Sobel, a fascinating history of Medici-era Italy drawn from the lifelong correspondence of Galileo and his daughter. For Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m. read Anita Diamant’s “The Red Tent.” Through the eyes of Dinah, a minor character in the Old Testament, Diamant gives us a look at life in those times from a women’s perspective.

• Story Stop: Listen to stories almost every day! Children of all ages and their adults are invited to stop by the library for a short, daily program of fun stories. This program is held Tuesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

• Homework Helpers: Homework Helpers are trained volunteers who give students one-on-one help finding the books and information they need to complete homework assignments in the library. Sessions at Gregory Heights will be held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Available whenever school is in session.

• Young Readers Club: Calling all readers ages 10 and up! Join us for discussion, fun and friends. For Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m., read, “Sabriel” by Garth Nix. Sabriel, daughter of the necromancer Abhorsen, must journey into the mysterious and magical Old Kingdom to rescue her father from the Land of the Dead.

• Beatrix Potter Party: Enjoy books, games and treats in Beatrix Potter’s cottage, including books about the famous Peter Rabbit, on Saturday, April 6 at 3 p.m.

• Tiny Tots: Storytimes for children aged 1 to 2 years with adult will be held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Book Babies: Storytimes for children from newborn to one year with adult will be held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

• Toddler Storytime: Storytimes for children aged 2 to 3 years with adult will be held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Preschool Storytime: Storytimes for children aged 3 to 6 years with adult will be held every Friday at 10:15 a.m.

• Leap into Language and Literacy: Learn how to encourage language and literacy in children of all ages.

You must work as a childcare provider in Multnomah County to attend this workshop, held on Saturday, April 20, at 1:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required; please call 503-988-4121.

• The Magic of Children’s Books: Gather ideas on how to keep children’s interest during storytime. You must work as a childcare provider in Multnomah County to attend this workshop, held on Saturday, April 20, at 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required; please call 503-988-4121.

• Rainbow of Words: Get practical tips on how to best work with children learning English as a second language. You must work as a childcare provider in Multnomah County to attend this workshop, held on Saturday, April 27, at 1:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required; please call 503-988-4121.

• ABCs and beyond: Discover how to feed preschool children’s growing interest in language and literacy. You must work as a childcare provider in Multnomah County to attend this workshop, held on Saturday, April 27, at 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required; please call 503-988-4121.

• Suddenly Single: Madeline Moore, Certified Financial Planner, and Thayer Willis, LCSW, will discuss the financial challenges and opportunities that occur following the loss of a spouse or life partner. Explore how to create a plan that suits you and find advisors with whom you can work. Pre-registration is suggested for this class, held on Thursday, April 25 at 2 p.m. Please call 503-223-4008 to pre-register.

• Cantos y Juegos: Join Tlaxcalan musician Hugo Nava as he sings and plays traditional music in Nahuatl, P’urhe’pecha and Spanish. Audience participation in this Spanish/English program is encouraged. Enjoy the international sounds on Saturday, April 20 at noon.

Check out the free events in Parkrose

Parkrose Cooperative Library, located at Parkrose High School, 12003 N.E. Shaver St., offers classes and entertaining activities for those looking for something to do. Library hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information on any of the events or to pre-register, please call 503-988-5383.

• Family Storytime: This storytime for children 6 years and under with adult will be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m.

• Dragons, Knights and Castles: Enter the world of magic with storyteller Tifni Lynch as she uses props, costumes and audience participation to bring her stories to life on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m.

• Fabulous pots: Decorate a flower pot with paints, buttons and other small objects. Then plant some seeds, take it home and watch them grow! Plant your flower on Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m.