Operate a business southern outer East Portland? See why you might consider dropping by the next Midway Business Association meeting on January 9 …

APNBA president Pat Donaldson came by to tell the group about new grant programs available to help business districts grow and prosper.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
More and more business people, located in the southern portion of outer East Portland, are making their voices heard by supporting Midway Business Association.

But, this association isn’t just about taking. Come to their next luncheon meeting and you’ll probably learn something you can use in your business.

At their last meeting, for example, members got an update on their business district sign program from president Donna Dionne. She said they were working with both PDOT and ODOT to get the boundary signs, identifying their service area, in place.

Funds for the signs, she said, came through a grant program designed to help people more closely identify their business district with the neighborhood.

Association news
Patrick Donaldson talked about the Affiliation of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations’ (APNBA) new grant program, and helped the Midway business people formulate plans to utilize a second round of grants provided by the city. “My organization,” Donaldson related, “the Hollywood Boosters, face the same challenges as Midway.”

Donaldson said the, APNBA, the umbrella association for neighborhood business groups across the city, hopes to grow. “We plan to be self-sustaining within the next three to five years,” he said.

Telling members how domestic violence hurts businesses as well as individuals, Jill Rachel shares information gathered from her work in the field for the past 20 years.

Quelling violence
Jill Rachel, with the Multnomah County Family Violence Council, spoke regarding domestic violence.

Rachel said one in three women will be a domestic violence victim. “I was a victim. It is a prevalent problem. But, many people don’t talk about it.”

Physical violence, such as being punched, choked, or having hair pulled is typically reported. “But often the ongoing emotional abuse, which can be worse, never makes it into the statistics.”

The cycle of domestic problems
Rachel said that most violent relationships don’t improve on their own. “There is a cycle: People are happy, then tensions build, violence breaks out, and then comes apologetic behavior.”

Most men abuse women for a number of reasons, she told the group. Sometimes it’s due to alcohol drug or anger issues. “But it boils down to this: People who abuse other people lack self control of their own lives. They feel like the gain control of their own lives by controlling another person.”

Workplace repercussions
“75% of women work. Many women, who are in an abusive relation, report that they are harassed at work. Domestic violence causes increased business healthcare premium costs, loss in productivity and absenteeism. This can reduce the productivity of other staff members.”

Chance of being killed higher if they leave is hire than if they stay. Afraid, scared, ashamed. Most of the guys can act charming. They get away with it.

Rachel suggest employers develop a domestic violence workplace policy. “Using posters and flyers, try to be understanding and supportive, letting workers you know that domestic violence a crime.”

Other actions employers can take is to refer affected employees to services designed to help the victims.

Make life less taxing
Come on January 7 and learn how to minimize your taxes in 2007!  Stop by Bill Dayton’s Pizza Baron on SE 122nd Avenue at Division Street at 11:45 a.m. to network, learn and support your local business district.

¬© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News

See how the songs and stories of these volunteer entertainers brightened the holidays for some of East Portland’s elderly ‚Ķ

Kevin Minkoff–the producer, MC, and entertainer–was joined by Forrest Palamountain, Nancy Chapin, chamber president Greg Zuffrea, and Frank Ryan, as they performed holiday favorites for CherryWood residents.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
A volunteer group of entertainers from the East Portland Chamber of Commerce–The East Portland Minstrels–took the stage at Cherrywood Village on December 16.

The show’s producer, CPA Kevin Minkoff (not your ordinary bean counter), was the master of ceremonies; he also sang Christmas tunes, and kibitzed with the other performers.

Nancy Chapin, of The Support Group, expressively performed a reading giving convincing reasons to believe that why, yes, there is a Santa Claus. The Chamber’s president, Greg Zuffrea, of BC Graphics, told the story of how the Grinch couldn’t steal Christmas from the citizens of Whoville.

Also telling stories and singing songs was the incomparable raconteur Frank Ryan, of NW Senior & Boomer News. His tales and tunes left smiles all around.

And, adding some real class to the program was violinist Forrest Palamountain, son of chamber member Jill Palamountain, who is with Action International. This young man’s dedication to music showed brilliantly in his flawless performance of classical music.

Want to learn more about the East Portland Chamber of Commerce? Check out their web site: www.eastportlandchamber.com.

¬© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News