|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Virtual Community Conversation - Wednesday, November 20th
Join me online, Wednesday, November 20th, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there.
Use this link to join: Join the meeting now. The virtual meeting platform is Microsoft Teams. Please keep in mind, if you have not used MS Teams before, you may need a couple extra minutes to get set up.
Right to Repair Updates
On Wednesday, which also happened to be World Kindness Day, Mark Gibbs, from BrainWave Computers, gifted to me an awesome framed poster of our Right To Repair story in Oregon Business. Read the article here. It was such a beautiful and kind gesture. I look forward to displaying this in the Senate District 15 Oregon State Capitol office!
Listen. Learn. Act.
Visit to Hillsboro Early Childhood Center
This week I visited the Hillsboro Early Childhood Center, run by Northwest Regional Education Service District. The Hillsboro Early Childhood Center serves children and families, ages 0-5, across Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington Counties. They provide both home-based and classroom opportunities in early intervention and early childhood special education. Early intervention is key to ensuring that children are integrated with typically developing peers as they enter the K-12 education system. We discussed their current budget and future funding needs to continue these programs, along with the growing need we are experiencing in the community.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Forest Grove City Council Meeting - Senior and Community Center Next Steps
On Monday night, I showed up and provided testimony in favor of Centro Cultural de Washington County to be the non-profit manager/operator of the Forest Grove Senior & Community Center. When the current managing group notified the City of their intent to withdraw from providing service, the City put out an RFP for a new operator. There was an interview process for the two groups that applied, that took place at November 4th's City Council Meeting. The groups were scored based on their qualifications to provide service. Please listen/watch: https://youtu.be/A5scW8TZgaQ.
I was alarmed at the comments made by council members on the 4th, and at the Council meeting this week. The interviews and the scores spoke for themselves. Centro's inclusive leadership, number of successful programs, and record of being a collaborative community partner was clear. You can watch the clip of my testimony here. I am proud of the community members that showed up, spoke up and supported an inclusive community building effort.
|
Veterans Day Ceremony in Cornelius
Thank you to the City of Cornelius, Oregon for honoring service to our country on Veterans Day. Washington County Sheriff, Caprice Massey, a U.S. Navy Veteran herself, gave wonderful remarks. It was a beautiful ceremony that brought community together in support of our veterans.
Veterans Lunch with American Legion and Forest Grove Elks
In honor of Veterans Day, the American Legion Auxiliary Forest Grove Unit 2, and Forest Grove Elks, hosted a wonderful celebration for those that have given service to our nation. The meaning and the value of true patriotism was the focus of discussion by the panel. I loved that my mom, a U.S. Navy Wave herself, joined me. It was a great celebration of service and community.
Bienestar Community Meeting
Bienestar is a wonderful local partner in housing and social change. I enjoyed attending their Community Meeting last Saturday evening. Bienestar helps build community by caring for community needs. Congratulations to State Representative Susan McLain, who was honored with recognition as a partner for positive change.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Twisted Gyros
One of my new go to favorites for Greek style food in Hillsboro is Twisted Gyros. Their soups are absolutely amazing!
TWISTED GYROS finds its inspiration from the Greek style of delicious meats topped with super fresh vegetables and housemade sauces served on a pita known as ‘gyro’. Pacific Northwest Chefs Jason & Widi Kupper offer a modern approach to their tasty gyros in the amazing city of Hillsboro Oregon. Their take borrows influence from world travel and exposure to different cultures. The ‘twisted’ aspect of the name refers to a break from the traditional with exciting flavor combinations and reinvented classics that awaken your senses. With a menu consisting of grilled pita bread wraps, refreshing greens salads, fragrant saffron rice bowls, sesame falafel, creamy garlic hummus, whipped feta and loaded over the top twisted fries; there is something for everyone at this family owned business. Whichever way you pronounce it, stop by our restaurant for a ‘Yee-ROH’ to conquer your crave and TWIST YOUR TASTEBUDS!
~Twisted Gyros
Twisted Gyros is located at 2401 NE Cornell Rd in Hillsboro. Visit their website here for menu and hours of operation.
|
Community Outreach
Veterans Stand Down - Today, November 15th in Hillsboro
Elks Hoop Shoot
 Students ages 8 to 13 are invited to participate in the Elks Hoop Shoot (https://tinyurl.com/29sp6n8t) - an exciting Free Throw Competition at Imlay Elementary School on Saturday, December 7. Participation is free and winners in each age group will receive trophies and basketballs, as well as an invitation to the District competition in Seaside, Oregon, on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Find more information here.
Cornelius Community Dinner
Shared from the City of Cornelius
 The City of Cornelius, Centro Cultural, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office will be hosting their annual Community Dinner on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024. The event will provide a traditional turkey dinner for community members. This meal is available at no cost and is expected to feed 400 to 500 people. The dinner will be served from 4-7 pm. You are all welcome to attend and enjoy a holiday dinner.
Limited volunteer opportunities are available. Volunteers are needed to help prep the dinner, set up the event space, transport food, greet guests, serve meals, bus tables, wash dishes, and clean the event space. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Volunteers are needed at both the Cornelius Elementary School (200 N 14th Ave., Cornelius, OR 97113) and Centro Cultural (1110 N Adair Street, Cornelius, OR 97113) sites, on the day of the event. If you are interested in volunteering sign-up here.
Location: Cornelius Elementary School (200 N 14th Ave., Cornelius, OR 97113)
Date: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: 4-7 pm
First Tech Federal Credit Union 2024 Season of Giving
Shared from First Tech Federal Credit Union
During this Season of Giving (November 1 - November 30), we invite you to nominate a nonprofit organization that you are passionate about to receive end of year funding from First Tech Federal Credit Union.
The five nonprofit organizations that receive the most nominations will each be awarded $10,000.
To qualify, the nonprofit organization must:
- Be a registered 501(c)3 organization with the IRS
- Fit within First Tech’s grant-making focus areas (Education and Fundamental Needs)
- Follow First Tech's Giving Guidelines*
Nominate a nonprofit organization here.
Questions? Contact community@firsttechfed.com.
Travel Oregon 2024-2025 Competitive Grants Program Announced
Shared from Travel Oregon
Ten percent of Travel Oregon’s budget is dedicated to a competitive grants program to award eligible applicants for projects that contribute to the development and improvement of local economies and communities throughout Oregon by means of the enhancement, expansion and promotion of the visitor industry.
Travel Oregon’s 2024-2025 Competitive Grant program is designed to increase access and equity for those who may have experienced barriers to visiting our great state—whether by better addressing various mobility challenges or celebrating the diversity of people and communities who live in and travel to Oregon.
Selected projects will support Travel Oregon’s vision of “an Oregon that is a welcoming destination where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures” and align with Travel Oregon’s 2023-2025 Biennial Plan.
Applicants must propose a project that focuses on either tourism infrastructure or tourism promotion that increases access and inclusion. The Letter of Intent (LOI) form will be available at 8 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2024 and will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Read the grant guidelines to see eligibility requirements, funding parameters and application questions.
Travel Oregon will host applicant information sessions via Zoom. Attendees will need to register in advance. Sessions are listed below:
Questions about the program can be directed to grants@traveloregon.com.
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon's past and we must honor them well into our future.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
| 
