News of interest to the Maplewood neighborhood will appear here
Maplewood School Volunteer Request
Kendall Cunningham (Maplewood School Counselor) just reached out regarding student break volunteers. She would like around 6 volunteers for one day a week from 10 – 10:50am to give students breaks outside of the classroom. No experience needed as Kendall will train volunteers on how to do this. This is a great role for volunteers who want to get to know students and work closely with them. If you are interested, please reach out to Kendall Cunningham directly.
kcunninghamparm@pps.net
Just a reminder that all volunteers will need to pass their background check before volunteering (can take up to 2 weeks to clear) and bring their state issued ID the first time they volunteer so Megan and Alicia can add them into the volunteer system.
The link to the background check is on https://maplewoodpta.com/volunteer.
I-5 Southbound 24/7 Closure now in effect until mid-October
Here is a link to the ODOT I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project travel impacts: https://i5rosequarter.org/current-construction-travel-impacts. Follow the link to sign up for alerts as construction proceeds.
Neighborhood House Head Start is a no cost early learning program that serves families with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Eligibility is based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to family circumstances, public assistance status, housing instability, and foster care involvement.
6650 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
snoil@nhpdx.org
503-374-4167
Maplewood Neighborhood Association Safety Campaign
Adopt a Storm Drain
 Portland’s storm drains, also known as catch basins, help with storm water runoff and prevent flooding. If drains get clogged with fallen leaves and other debris, it can lead to dangerous ponding along city streets and intersections. Learn more |
| Join with neighbors to keep Maplewood storm drains clear. Find a storm drain near you and keep it clear throughout the rainy season. Mark it on the map (below) to let everyone know you’ve got it covered! Send pictures of your hard work (nothing like a good ol’ before vs. after picture) to hello@maplewoodna.org so we can give kudos. Follow PBOT’s tips for clearing storm drains and staying safe. |
Storm Drain Map Mark the Map! Use the Google Map with our storm drains mapped out. Change the color of the icon from blue to green. |
Firewise Community Program
The Firewise Community Program is all about helping neighborhoods work together to prepare for wildfires—because wildfires can affect everyone, whether you’re near forests, parks, or even in the suburbs. It’s a team effort supported by Portland Fire & Rescue and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to make homes and neighborhoods more wildfire-resilient. The idea is to take proactive steps to reduce risks now so you’re ready if a wildfire ever comes your way. More information here.
Lesser Celandine Invasive Species Alert!
Lesser Celandine, with its shiny leaves and bright yellow flowers is so alluring it is sometimes offered at plant swaps and sales – but Oregon State University cautions against buying it. It’s actually a rapidly spreading, toxic, and harmful weed that OSU recommends immediately (but carefully) removing the minute you spot it. Lesser Celandine, native to Europe, is a low-growing perennial plant. It was originally cultivated as an ornamental due to its attractive yellow flowers and ability to quickly create a uniform groundcover. Lesser celandine grows vigorously and forms large, dense patches in gardens and on forest floors, displacing native and ornamental plants. It can easily out-compete spring-flowering plant communities and lawns, and negatively impact local wildlife. This invader emerges well in advance of most native plants and spreads rapidly via underground tubers and bulblets. The prolific tubers may spread to new sites during flood events or be unearthed and scattered by humans (in transferred soil or on shoes) and animals. It grows in full shade to full sun and prefers moist to wet soils but can persist in a wide range of conditions.
If you find that you have it in your yard, please do everything you can to remove it. Do not place it in the yard debris bin or compost. Put it in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the trash bin.
Links for more information:
https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/lesser-celandine – how to get rid of it
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/pdfs/Written_findings_Ficaria_verna.pdf – everything you ever wanted to know about it
https://www.portland.gov/bes/invasive-plants/lesser-celandine – from the City of Portland