Category: public policy
Posted September 2nd, 2009 in Milagros News, public policy | Tags: jamison park |
Yes, we get taggled in all sorts of local political issues here at Milagros – paid family leave, product safety, habitat protection, education improvement, equity issues, economic development…and now…potties!
Seriously, when you are talking about amenities for a park, there are few things that are more needed than a functional and accessible potty (and yes “Closed for the Season” signs are as equally unacceptable to us as no potty at all – Commissioner Fish, please take note.).
And there is NO public restroom at one of the more immensely popular summertime gathering places in this city – namely Jamison Park (we love it so much it is always on our summer to-do list)
It seems like the city is very close to making this a “go” but, as is always the case with this type of thing, we are certain that some clear community support certainly wouldn’t hurt.
The key issues seem to be that the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) needs to sign off on the conversion of a parking space and the Water Bureau has to do the install.
To be clear, parking spaces = revenue for the city. There is no such thing as a free lunch but really, this is an amenity that is way overdue given the crowds at the park on any summer day and it seems worth the cost of a single parking place.
Let’s get a potty at Jamison, how? Send a brief note of support to these key city staffers and committee folks:
Portland Water Bureau: Anna DiBenedetto, adibenedetto@ci.portland.or.us
Portland Parks and Recreation: Brian Aptekar, bryan.aptekar@ ci.portland.or.us
PDNA Planning Committee: Patricia Gardner, patricia@chesshirarchitecture.com
BUT! We recommend that you also cc: Mayor Adams (samadams@ci.portland.or.us)- since he oversees PBOT and Commissioner Leonard (rleonard@ci.portland.or.us) since he oversess the Water Bureau on any email.
A hat tip to the awesome folks at Neighborhood Notes who let us know that the City is considering placing a loo a Jamison.
Posted August 31st, 2009 in book, Events, public policy | Tags: Events, Three Cups of Tea |
A while back we posted about the moving book Three Cups of Tea about Greg Mortenson’s work building schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It remains a family favorite and a book we highly recommend for inspiration and courage (Mountains Beyond Mountains is another amazing biography in this vein as well).
Greg Mortenson is coming to Portland for a lecture and book signing. On October 21 he will be at Concordia University (located in our wonderful neighborhood) and tickets may now be purchased on-line.
We have our tickets and hope to see you there!
Posted July 24th, 2009 in Milagros News, public policy | Tags: Events, homebirth |
An invite to homebirth and birth center families for a potluck in the park:
Come meet other homebirth and birth center families and learn how you can be involved in preserving out-of-hospital birth in Oregon.
A group of homebirth families and midwives are organizing a social for homebirth and birth center families and are hoping to start a dynamic and effective consumer organization with any interested families at the picnic.
The event will be a picnic potluck in Laurelhurst park and everyone is welcome whether they are 8 weeks pregnant with their first child or their children have all moved away from home. The picnic will primarily be a time for folks to meet other home birth and birth center families and eat good food, but we will also have information packets for those who want to get politically involved. We will also give a very short talk about the consumer organization and potential projects it might be involved in such as:
- Letter writing campaign if there is a legislative threat to home birth
- Public education projects about the safety of home and birth center birth
- Fundraising for legislative efforts
Homebirth Family Picnic Potluck
Saturday, July 25
2 to 5 PM
Laurelhurst Park, Site C
For more information call Lucina Armstong at (503) 886-9171 or e-mail Silke Akerson at silkeakerson@yahoo.com
Posted July 22nd, 2009 in Art and Crafts, public policy | Tags: CPSC, CPSIA, public policy |
As we have noted previously, thousands small crafters and manufacturers across the country have been waiting for guidance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission on the labeling requirements that take effect on August 14.
Well the word is here and it looks like good news for the multitude of small enterprises – especially crafters – out there.
You can read the full ruling here. Also, some specific guidance is included in the FAQ on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website. The questions posted on the FAQs yesterday (7/21/2009) are the most relevant for crafters, designers, and small manufacturers.
Each affected companay will need to review this for themselves to determine what they may or may not need to change in terms of labeling and tracking but overall the guidance gives a lot of flexibility to the manufacturer. And it seems that the need to support small entreprenuers has sunk in at CPSC.
We look forward to continuing to support WAHMs and other by offering a multitude of unique locally-made items on the shelves of our Portland store and at our Crafty Mamas Bazaars.
Peace.
Posted July 16th, 2009 in public policy | Tags: CPSIA, local economy |
We have connected with many local businesses who are concerned that the CPSIA will inadvertantly push responsible and ethical companies out of business. This group of small, local businesses is known as the Northwest Children’s Bussiness Alliance.
Every member of the NWCBA supports enhanced safety of products designed for children. However the testing and labeling requirements to comply with these regulations will create a huge burden on many small businesses and don’t always make logical sense. Our focus is working with congress and federal regulators to implement some common sense inmprovements to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that will not diminish safety and allow ethical crafters, small and micro-businesses stay in the marketplace.
If you own a business that may be effected by the CPSIA, are interested in assisting local businesses affected by the CPSIA or just want to learn more about this issue, please join us for the next meeting of the NWCBA at Milagros on Friday, July 17 at 9 Am.
Peace,
The Fuentes Family
Milagros Boutique
Posted July 6th, 2009 in Art and Crafts, Milagros News, public policy | Tags: CPSIA, public policy |
We have posted about the Consumer Product Safety Improvment Act (CPSIA) before. This legislation was passed last year with good intentions. The influx of tainted toys from overseas deserved a response. However the CPSIA has created a regulatory environment that is poised to strangle thousands of small, ethical manufacturers and crafters with red tape.
Since the day we opened our doors, we have been a staunch promoter of our local craft industry. Over the past few months, we have been working side by side with countless local crafters trying to improve the CPSIA so that it does not put these small enterprises out of business.
We have made some progress but there is still a long way to go. Right now, we hope that you will join us and take action to help crafters and designers based here in Portland and throughout the USA.
The CPSIA has a tracking label requirement that is scheduled to take effect on August 14. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued no guidance for small and micro enterprises on how they can effectively meet this requirement.
Batch labeling applies well to mass-produced plastic toys but is nearly impossible for many small manufacturers to comply with (especially ones using natural materials). Additionally, many small and micro-enterprises create unique or limited run items, creating individual labels for such small batches is cost prohibitive. These businesses are overwhelmed by the prospect of implementing this piece of the CPSIA and without proper guidance from the CPSC, it is unclear how they can comply and stay in business.
The timing of this situation could not be worse. Complying with the many aspects of the CPSIA is creating a unique stress and economic burden for small businesses while they struggle with the most dramatic economic downturn since the Great Depression.
If this requirement is not delayed so that the Consumer Product Safety Commission can take the time to create guidelines for crafters and help them comply in a cost-effective manner, many, many businesses will choose to close because the expense of labeling will be impossible to meet.
How can you help?
- Contact the Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission today! Ask her to delay enforcement of the labeling requirement. Here is a sample letter to use!
- Contact your congressional delegation! Ask them to request a delay by the CPSC. Sample Letter to Congress.
- And, yes, please ask friends and family in every state to do the same! BTW – Congress loves faxes, truly.
Need to find your representatives and Senators? Here is contact info for the Oregon Congressional Delegation:
http://www.osba.org/leginfo/national.htm
If you live outside Oregon, use this site to find out how to contact the folks who represent you.
Go ahead and cc: President Obama on your letters, here is his contact info:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/
Thank you for your support of the local craft industry. We are still hoping for the best with all of this. No matter what happens with the CPSIA you will always find locally made items at Milagros. That’s a promise!
All the best,
The Fuentes Family
Milagros Boutique
Posted July 4th, 2009 in Events, public policy | Tags: Events, public policy |
From Activistas and Family Forward:
Did you know that motherhood is the single biggest predictor of poverty in old age? What does this say about our community’s priorities and values? Join us for an evening of thought-provoking discussion about the economics of family-raising, the crisis of care, and what we can do to set a new course in Oregon. We will hear from experienced leaders who are working for family forward change on a number of fronts: employment, parent activism, women’s leadership, state policy, and more. We will work together to develop a new vision for a Family Forward Oregon. Please join us!
The Springboard Social Innovation Forum offers a monthly event designed to support those interested in creating a better future. Our focus is to help practitioners or potential practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. Speakers, content experts, panels, and workshops will help you improve your strategies for planning and launching effective social ventures. The Forum will create a context to connect, learn, and take action around ideas that lead to tangible change—all in a venue designed for building community.
Date: Wednesday, July 8
Forum 6-9 p.m. | (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Location: Urban Grind East, 2214 NE Oregon
Admission: $5 (includes a light dinner and helps offset costs)
Posted April 27th, 2009 in Events, public policy |
Join us for our first Family Supper at Milagros! The Milagros Family Supper is a chance to meet, greet, share and learn. Sunday, May 3 at 5 pm at Milagros!
The subject for the May Family Supper will be budget family travel to Hawaii. We will provide ideas and tips from our family travels on the islands, feel free to bring your own tips as well!
What to bring?
A vegetarian dish to share, place settings for your group, and your enthusiasm! Kids of all ages are very, very welcome. This is a free event.
Space is limited, so please RSVP – send your name and number in your party to
rsvp@milagrosboutique.com
Posted April 23rd, 2009 in Events, public policy |
Friday is playgroup day at Milagros! Here is what is on tap April 24:
Mocha Moms Playgroup, Friday, April 24, 11am – 1 pm. Join the Portland Metro Mocha Moms for good conversation and good company. This support group meeting (aka chat and plays) allows moms to discuss important parenting (and personal) issues while the children play! Mocha Moms, is a support group for mothers of color. Anyone who supports the mission of Mocha Moms is welcome! For more information, e-mail: portlandmocha@gmail.com
NE Moms Playgroup, Friday, April 24, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm. Join other Northeast Portland Moms on every other Friday for a play group. The group is open to all, there is no charge. Bringing a snack to share is encouraged but not required and as with any playgroup please help keeping things cleaned-up and safe!
Some other upcoming events at Milagros to check out: Family Supper, Mother-Daughter Support Group, Rookie Rock Class
Posted April 18th, 2009 in Art and Crafts, Classes, Events, Milagros News, public policy |
Be sure to join us today for our first Craft Mamas Bazaar of the year! There will be a many wonderful local vendors at this event including Caryn Stockwell of Second Star Designs.
Caryn focuses on “short runs of classic clothing that appeals to the Little Girl in each of us. 100% cotton clothing in designer fabrics that are delightful to the touch and easy to care for. Like all parents, I believe in quality at a price that won’t break your budget; clothing that you can pass down from older to younger daughter.”
Check her and many others out at Milagros today, 4/18 from 11am – 3 pm. And don’t forget there is a SALE!
