North Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce

The Sustainability Series at Clackamas Community College (CCC) returns for a seventh year with a line up of speakers and activities. Events run from April 6 through June 9 and are open to the public. All events are free except for the Mask Making workshop on April 6 and Barbara Ford’s “Active Hope” seminar on June 9. Here is the Sustainability Speaker Series 2012 line-up:

• Mask Making for the Earth. Friday, April 6, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. CCC’s Environmental Learning Center, Lakeside Hall. Robin Chilstrom, artist and educator. Celebrate Earth Day by engaging your artistic talents to create a mask that depicts an image that honors the earth. Cost is $10. For more information, call 503-594-3639 or visit http://depts.clackamas.edu/elc/ .

• Campus Sustainability Tour. Monday, April 16, noon to 1 p.m. Meet outside the north entrance to the Community Center. Isaac Soper, CCC sustainability ambassador. This tour showcases the many ways CCC is actively pursuing sustainability in both our operations and academic programs. Each tour stop features informative resources.

• Peak Oil Part II: Re-grounding and Re-inventing Ourselves as a Community.  Tuesday, April 17, noon to 1 p.m., DeJardin  Hall, room 233. Charles Stephens, policy analyst, Energy Trust of Oregon. More than 40 years after the first Earth Day, most of us are more separated than ever from the Earth and its other living inhabitants. At the same time, society’s long-established institutions and frameworks for conducting ourselves are falling apart. Perhaps we need a new relationship with the Earth, and a new way of being in our communities.

• Burgerville: Changing the Way Business Does Business. Wednesday, April 18, noon to 1 p.m. DeJardin Hall, room 233. Jack Graves, chief culture officer, Burgerville, serves as a steward of the company’s mission and culture, and is committed to the implementation of sustainable practices and affordable health care for all employees.

• Campus Sustainability Tour. Friday, April 20, noon to 1 p.m. Meet outside the north entrance to the Community Center. Isaac Soper, CCC sustainability ambassador. This tour showcases the many ways CCC is actively pursuing sustainability in both our operations and academic programs. Each tour stop features informative resources.

•  Dave’s Killer Bread Story. Tuesday, May 1, from noon to 1 p.m. Gregory Forum. Dave Dahl, president and co-founder, Dave’s Killer Bread. Dahl shares the inspirational story of after serving 15 years in prison, he returned to work at his family’s bakery and developed new recipes, including the popular Dave’s Killer Bread.

• Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy. Saturday, June 9, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CCC’s Environmental Learning Center, Lakeside Hall. Barbara Ford, earth activist, Growing Awareness into Action. Fee $25. This workshop explores new ways in which we can find inspiration and embody our gifts for the healing of our world.

For more information on the CCC Sustainability Speaker Series 2012, please contact Alison Heimowitz at 503-594-3696. For more information on sustainability events and workshops, please go to www.clackamas.edu .

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Clackamas Women’s Services
Announces Its
Heroes of Hope Gala

Celebrating Its 2012 Honorees
For Their Courage, Vision & Compassion

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Oregon Golf Club
25700 SW Pete’s Mt Road
West Linn, OR  97068

Reception, Dinner, Program,  Auction. Desert and Dancing.
Celebrate individuals and organizations that support who empower women to live violence-free lives.

Tribute Awards
Tonia Hunt & The Children’s Center
Their environment has helped to bring justice to children who have suffered unthinkable abuse.

Triumph Award
Dixielynn Johnson
Celebrating her courage, resilience, vision & compassion over her circumstances.
She has triumphed over her partner abuse and works courageously on behalf of CWS.

2012 Ally Award
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) Program
Working with CWS and their dedication to mitigate violence against women.
In the first.six months80 survivors have been connected to vital services and resources

Alexis Del Cid, an award winning reporter and anchor, will MC the event and
Soul Diva Linda Hornbuckle will perform with her band.

Tickets can be obtained by calling the CWS at (503) 722-2266 or Contact:  Ann Rogers-Williams at
(503) 722-2366 x101 or annrw@cwsor.org for more information

Sponsorship Opportunities
Celebration Booklet Ad Sponsorships
and Table Sponsorships

Hero Level Table @ $5,025
Visionary Level Table at $2,2525
Courageous Level Table at $1,525
Compassionate level Table at $1,025

Individual at $150 –

Don’t believe everything you read

Consumers researching businesses, products and services may find more than just reliable reviews on the Web; recent research by Cornell University indicates that some feedback is planted. Prior to purchasing, don’t be persuaded by phony praise.

“Review sites, blogs and forums are important in the research process; people want to know what other customers are saying. But keep in mind that not all feedback is genuine and not all authors are who they claim to be,” says Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington.

When searching for real reviews, testimonials and posts, consider the following:

Who? Ideally, reviews will come from actual customers. However, some companies hire writers to place positive reviews on themselves; while others employ staff to post negative, damaging comments on competitors.

• Search reviewers’ names online. See what other companies they are writing about; if it is limited to one industry only, it is possible that responses are rigged.
• Be suspicious if customers’ names resemble company officials or brands. In some cases, authors can be verifiably tied to companies they are complimenting. The FTC’s Endorsement and Testimonial Guide requires transparency and disclosure.
• Be doubtful of overly complex or simple screen names—such as “johnsmith123.”

What? Take a good look at wording and tone. If it is filled with marketing messages, scripted taglines or product plugs, it is most likely from company representatives.

• Don’t trust overly subjective compliments and puffery—such as “life-changing.”
• Beware of false allegations, insults and disparaging attacks from competitors.
• Look out for identical phrases or similar verbiage from different users. Cut and paste suspicious sentences into search engines to see what is on other sites.

When? If similar messages and posts were placed around the same month, week or day—allegedly by different reviewers—it is likely a “paid” effort.

Where? Beware if all comments are limited to companies’ blogs or testimonial pages. Don’t just read reviews from one site; consider numerous sources and always check BBB Business Reviews on bbb.org.

Why? Business leaders know that consumers rely on online reviews so it may be tempting to mimic favorable feedback. Read “customer” comments with skepticism.

Wilda Parks, your Chamber’s Vice President of External Affairs, was thanked for prior service and reappointed to a new term as the Clackamas County Citizen Representative to Metro’s Policy Advisory Council (MPAC).

Parks, former CEO of the chamber, was originally appointed to represent the county by Metro President David Bragdon in 2004. MPAC is composed of 21 voting members representing cities, counties, special districts, and the public and six non-voting members including a representative from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, Port of Portland, cities in Clackamas County outside the urban growth boundary, cities in Washington County outside the UGB, the City of Vancouver, Washington, and Clark County, Washington. In addition, three Metro Councilors participate as non-voting liaisons. Citizen representatives are appointed by the Metro Council President and council.

In his appointment of Parks to a new two year term Metro President Tom Hughes noted he had asked the elected officials of the county for their input, and all recommended reappointing Parks. In her MPAC role she shares information with chambers in the county, the North Clackamas Chamber’s public policy team, and with those on other advisory teams and councils she is part of. Alternate for Parks is Oak Grove resident Ed Gronke.

MPAC advises the Metro Council on the amendment or adoption of the Regional Framework Plan including regional transportation, management of the urban growth boundary, protection of lands outside the urban growth boundary for natural resource, future urban or other uses, planning responsibilities required by state law, other growth management and land use planning matters determined by the Metro Council to be of metropolitan concern which will benefit from regional planning.

Traffic started rolling on the new bridge at 11:40 p.m. Monday

OR 213 re-opened at 11:40 p.m. Monday after a four-day closure to install a new bridge in Oregon City. The road had been scheduled to re-open at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

 The closure brought traffic delays on adjacent streets but also means motorists will see no more weekday lane closures over the course of the project, which is scheduled for completion by the spring of 2013.

“Thank you to all motorists who were inconvenienced by this delay,” said Oregon City Mayor Doug Neeley. “We certainly realize this closure required some patience but I think everyone will see real advantages when the project is complete.”

Contractors successfully removed a 130-foot long section of OR 213 and slid the new bridge—130 feet long and 140 feet wide and weighing 1.6 million pounds —into place. They completed the move and re-opened the road sooner than expected.

Mowat Construction Company and OBEC Consulting Engineers are reconstructing the intersection of OR 213, Washington Street and Clackamas River Drive, with Washington Street realigned to pass under OR 213. The project will relieve congestion, enhance safety and provide increased capacity for the growth expected over the next 20 years.

The Washington Street/Clackamas River Drive intersection with OR 213 is among the busiest signalized intersections in the state, with an average weekday traffic count of 65,000. When complete, the eight-phase traffic signal will need only two phases.

The rapid bridge construction process used to install the new bridge shortens the project by six months. Traditional construction would have meant closing at least two lanes on OR 213, which would have meant severe delays for 12 to 16 months.

For more information go to www.jughandleproject.com.

Smishers use Walmart and Best Buy as bait

Cell phones across the U.S. are receiving unexpected text messages offering $1,000 gift cards from stores like Walmart and Best Buy.

Better Business Bureau advises recipients to disregard too-good-to-be-true gifts and solicitations that arrive by short message service or SMS. Similar to phishing emails, smishing text messages aim to steal personal data or dollars with harmful websites or fraudulent return phone numbers.

“You just won a free $1000 Walmart Gift Card, enter “1000” at …”

“Dear Walmart shopper, Congratulations you have just won a $1000 Walmart Gift Card. Click here to claim your gift …”

“You have been randomly selected for a BestBuy gift. Get your $1000 gift card now at …”

According to Walmart, the company will not initiate text messages in exchange for personal information and it is not affiliated with the parties promoting these activities.

Though some text messages may be from real companies—not scammers—be careful with unknown businesses; unless contact information was provided voluntarily, they may have collected phone numbers without permission. If solicited, BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington suggests the following:

Don’t take the bait. Frauds often use well-known retailers’ names without permission. If companies are offering high-value goods or gift cards for free, there is probably a catch.

Don’t reply. Smishers often send mass-messages to random phone numbers hoping for replies so they can reuse numbers for other schemes. Delete messages immediately.

Don’t call back. Scammers may attempt to pry for data over the phone.

Don’t click links. Fraudulent websites could contain harmful downloads or viruses that infect phones or other devices. Web addresses may be masked to look like other sites.

Don’t enter personal information. Avoid giving out details to “claim” winnings. Never release credit card numbers, provide bank account information or wire money to pay fees, taxes or shipping costs for “free” items or prizes. Provide contact information with caution, as it may result in unwanted solicitations and not-so-free trials; always read companies’ privacy policies first.

Visit bbb.org, ftc.gov and fcc.gov for more advice on avoiding smishing schemes.

The Clackamas Baseball Booster Association unveiled plans to raise funds to help improve the baseball facilities at Clackamas High School and recently held an all you can eat Crab Feed and Auction to kick off the effort with hopes of being able to begin construction on the renovation starting in August 2012. Sun Glow, Inc. Heating And Air Conditioning is not only a member of the Chamber but is a strong supporter of Clackamas High School and its after-school events in both the athletics and the arts.

This project will involve installing a turf in field and lights on the Varsity field and a much needed drainage system on the JV field, which in its current state does allow the JV team to hold practices or games during the regular season, some of their homes games are now held at Hoodview Park.

The CBBA is looking to raise $350,000.00 to fund this project and is asking for community members and local businesses to join and help make this dream become a reality by visiting the www.clackamasbaseball.com website to view the project and also see the many options available for advertising opportunities, which include outfield sign boards, dug out signage, summer baseball team naming rights and even the naming of the new field, all of these offer Clackamas businesses a great opportunity to support their community High School for years to come!

If you have any questions on the project or would like to discuss options on how you can help please contact Baseball Head Coach John Arntson at arntsonj@nclack.k12.or.us

Michihiro Kosuge’s sculpture “Morphoric Figure”

Sculptures from 30 Northwest sculptors will be on display during the Outdoor Sculpture Exposition at Clackamas Community College (CCC), opening Monday, April 9 and continuing through Friday, June 15. Works in a variety of media and concepts will be displayed throughout the grounds of CCC’s 165-acre Oregon City campus.

An artists’ reception featuring the Tuboh Butoh/Sheri Brown Dance Company will be held on Thursday, May 24, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the college commons outside the Community Center. The dance company will present “Opening/Processional/Divided by Zero” in two performances at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. They will continue to perform in various locations among the sculptures throughout the reception.

The reception will also feature master koto player Mitsuki Dazai performing both traditional and contemporary Japanese music.

The Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition is a tradition at the college started by art instructor Rick True in the early 1990s. This is the sixth show he has organized. “I organize the shows to open eyes and minds to the possibility of creativity and the artists that have the fortitude to tackle difficult but inspiring materials and scale. Sculptors make sculpture because there’s little more satisfying than exhibiting the fruit of their concepts and hard labor,” said True.

The shows have helped some artists start their careers, and they’ve been supported by sculptors of national reputation like Lee Kelly and Michihiro Kosuge. The sculptures range in size from medium to large scale and are created from bronze, steel, wood and mixed media.

This year’s show will feature work from Kelly and Kosuge, as well as Devin Laurence Field, Gilles Foisy, Julian Voss-Andreae, Katy McFadden and many others. For more information about the show, please contact Rick True at 503-594-3038 or rtrue@clackamas.edu.

Veteran students at Clackamas Community College (CCC) have developed a solution to the ongoing problem of late veteran’s benefits while the Oregon City Elks stepped up to seed the new Pay It Forward Veteran Discretionary Grant with a special evening honoring CCC veteran programs earlier this month.

Late benefits affect almost every veteran at least once in their academic careers, and for some it is a constant problem. Students in the CCC Veterans Club recognized this problem and came up with a solution: structuring and maintaining a grant to fill the gaps caused by late benefits for veterans.

The Veterans Club worked with the CCC Foundation, a 501C3 non-profit organization, to establish the grant program. Oregon City Elks member Ken Kraft presented Veterans Club President Jerred Sundquist with a $1,000 Beacon Grant on March 10. The Veterans of Foreign Wars donated $700, and Elks members Dick and Barbara Knudson made a $5,000 donation.

Donations to the fund will be divided between an endowment and funds available for immediate needs. Veterans in need of a one-time grant will apply to the Veterans Center. Funds will be available summer term.

“Veterans can pay back the grants if they are able,” said Greg Myers, veterans affairs coordinator at CCC. “The Pay it Forward spirit is important. We are giving back to the veterans that have given unselfishly to this country so they may succeed.”

Serving veterans and their families is college-wide commitment at CCC. The college was recently awarded the national Family Program Community Purple Award by the National Guard Joint Family Program.

If you would like to learn more about the Pay it Forward Program or make a contribution, please contact Vicki Smith at 503-594-3128 or email vickis@clackamas.edu.

Considerations of cuts in TriMet routes in the Happy Valley area led your Chamber to join forces with the City of Happy Valley, New Seasons Market and the Happy Valley Business Alliance to retain Route 155.

TriMet, in their reduction plans, had proposed eliminating 155 from their service area.  Over the past few years others routes in the area have been reduced or eliminated, causing hardships for the businesses and citizens alike.

The communication with TriMet was successful, and TriMet has informed the City that this line will not be reduced as part of the transit company’s overall reduction program.

A number of employees of businesses, especially at the Happy Valley Town Center, depend on transit to get them to and from work timely. The service reduction would have greatly affected New Seasons Market. With additional growth in the Happy Valley area, both in businesses and residential, the need for supportive transit systems becomes even more acute.

Your Chamber joined the partnership as part of its goals of strengthening the local economy and advocating for business.