The final volunteer planting days of the year are here for the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE). Volunteers will meet on Saturday (Nov. 23) at Henry Hagg Lake to plant natives to restore habitat for the Fender's Blue butterfly.

If you are interested in attending this planting day with the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), reach out to tot evanlasley@appliedeco.org to confirm your attendance. All volunteers are required to complete an online volunteer release form each year.

Are there any places in forest grove hiring right now?

The West Tuality Habitat for Humanity annual holiday concert will be Saturday, December 7 at 3 p.m. at the Forest Grove United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way, in downtown Forest Grove.

Once again, West Tuality Habitat for Humanity will bring community members together to enjoy a free Holiday concert, and in addition to hearing beautiful music, attendees can walk out afterward & immediately be in a great location for Forest Grove's downtown Holiday Light Parade. This is a terrific opportunity to come together with your neighbors and enjoy seasonal music.

No need to reserve - this is a free, just show up event (but note that last year, we had a full house!). And donations at the concert are welcomed!

Results of Forest Grove election

Top 3: Donna Gustafson, Angel Falconer & Brian Schimmel

The City of Forest Grove, Oregon is accepting applications to fill vacancies on its advisory boards and commissions. These groups advise the City Council on policy issues. Applications must be submitted by October 30 at 5:00 PM. You must reapply if you are already a board/commission member and your term is expiring. A full list of vacancies, application, and interview process walkthrough are located on this website:

https://www.forestgrove-or.gov/353/Apply-for-a-Board-or-Commission

If you have ever volunteered for West Tuality Habitat in any way, including in our ReStore or at any group community cleanup event, we hope you will join us on Thursday, October 24, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Forest Grove Senior & Community Center so we can celebrate you. Dinner is provided! We will honor our most recent volunteers & talk about the many very exciting opportunities coming up. We'll also celebrate Habitat's most famous volunteer, Jimmy Carter, who just turned 100 years old.

Read more & learn how you can RSVP for this event.

Want a taste of what volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity construction site is like?

Are you nervous about working with hand and power tools?

Want to get to know some of the Habitat staff and lead volunteers you would work with if you volunteer on a construction site?

Want to learn skills that not only can help Habitat families, but can also help you around your own home?

Join us for our next Habitat University: All About Drywall!

Saturday, November 9 at 9 a.m. at the Forest Grove ReStore.

This event will help you understand the basics of drywall, wallboard and plasterboard, how to cut it properly, attach it, tape it and mud it and make minor repairs - and if any of those terms are new to you, then you are a PERFECT candidate for attending this workshop!

Our Habitat University events are aimed at people who want to help Habitat with home construction and home repair but aren't already knowledgeable about the skills and tools needed, and aimed at eliminating the ‘intimidation factor’ surrounding construction skills and home improvement. This event also will give you an idea of the welcoming, supportive atmosphere of Habitat construction and repair events, and how we welcome ALL people to support this work. You will also learn more about the mission of Habitat for Humanity and why we focus on helping people access affordable housing.

The event will take place in our covered construction workshop area behind the ReStore, 3731 Pacific AveForest Grove, Oregon. Registration is required and space is limited!$20 covers all class materials, coffee & snacks.

Register at https://westtualityhabitat.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/20709

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Staff and volunteers at West Tuality Habitat, as well as many of our program participants, are mourning the loss Richard Kidd, who passed away this month. Executive Director Virginia Ohler offers her thoughts about the passing of this former West Tuality Habitat board member who took on a number of different roles with our affiliate and who was instrumental in initiating and managing numerous activities and partnerships.

Executive Director Virginia Ohler noted, "Richard was a remarkable person. In addition to being a veteran, a local businessman, a long-time mayor of Forest Grove, and the founder of the Public Arts Commission, active in his church and community, Richard also spent more than 15 years volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Richard served as Construction Manager for more than 5 years, leading construction for the build at Coopers Corner on 19th and Oak in Forest Grove. Richard also served as Board Chair in 2006, founded the Repair Program at West Tuality, and managed various iterations of ReStore remodels and improvements over the years. Richard led the Board Recruiting committee for many years, recruiting many great Habitat volunteers and even staff. Richard also served with Habitat for Humanity of Oregon and Habitat International as an advocate in Washington D.C. and Salem, Oregon, supporting affordable housing initiatives. Richard was always happy when building, coaching and training volunteers, advocating for affordable housing, and celebrating new families as they took possession of their Habitat homes. He was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at West Tuality. Even when his health faltered, he found ways to contribute. He will be remembered as a tireless 'energizer bunny' with his unflagging good humor and energy, for his love of a good glass of wine, for his fellowship, and love for all. He will be greatly missed."

There are photos of Richard at the bottom of this blog:

https://www.westtualityhabitat.org/press-room/west-tuality-habitat-mourns-the-loss-of-richard-kidd

Here's the official notice from the city of Forest Grove:

https://www.forestgrove-or.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=102

(Forest Grove, Oregon) Elected officials, people running for local office, representatives of various nonprofit and government programs, people working in construction, business representatives and other community members learned more about the impact of West Tuality Habitat for Humanity and were encouraged to put their faith and values into action to benefit their community at the 2024 Dream Builders Breakfast last week.

Attendees, which included West Tuality Habitat staff and volunteers, heard from Rudy Tinoco, Lead Pastor at Old Town Church, regarding why his church has been a long-time supporter of West Tuality Habitat, Brendan Curran, pastor at Forest Grove United Church of Christ, regarding the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King's vision of the Beloved Community, and Sonya, a local Habitat homeowner, regarding what the program has meant to her and her family, as well as providing moving remarks regarding the passing of long-time Habitat supporter and former Forest Grove Mayor Richard Kidd.

Other speakers included former mayor and current West Tuality Habitat board member Pete Truax, former Beaverton and Cornelius mayor and current board member Rob Drake, current Oregon state senator representing our area, Janeen Sollman, and West Tuality executive director Virginia Ohler.

See more, including photos from the day, here:

https://www.westtualityhabitat.org/press-room/large-turnout-for-our-2024-dream-builders-breakfast-encouraged-to-manifest-values-into-community-action

For more information about donating financially, volunteering or applying to be a program participant, visit the West Tuality Habitat for Humanity web site at www.westtualityhabitat.org .

To stay up to date on activities by West Tuality Habitat, including volunteering opportunities, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Hi All,

I would love to see the northern lights. Any luck out in Forest Grove?

I live in Beaverton but I grew up in FG. Interested to see if anyone is seeing them and willing to trek out to see them.

Thanks!

applications now being accepted for grants from the Cultural Coalition of Washington County

Arts programs in Forest Grove, Cornelius, Banks, Gaston, Gales Creek, North Plains and other Washington county rural cities are eligible to apply for a Cultural Coalition of Washington County Grant.

2025 Grant Application Period Now open. Closes at 11:59 pm PT on Monday, October 21, 2024.

The CCWC has revised its grant requirements for 2025. Please review the requirements below before applying for the 2025 grant period.

Revised CCWC Grant Requirements – English

To download the 2025 grant application questions (in English), click here.

To view a translatable version of the revised CCWC Grant Requirements in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Russian, or Spanish, visit https://www.ccwashco.org/grant-program/

Two levels of Community Cultural Participation Grants are available this year:

• Level 1: up to $1,000 is available for nonprofit arts, humanities, or heritage organizations or educational institutions or government agencies with an arts, heritage or humanities mission. IRS 501(c)(3) status is not required for Level 1 grants.
• Level 2: up to $3,000 is available only to nonprofit IRS 501(c)(3) registered organizations, governmental agencies or public schools.

Applicants can apply for activities or opportunities that address one or more of these five goals:

1. Build Public Awareness and Participation – through communication, audience development, and engagement.
2. Support Cultural Organizations – Increase capacity, encourage professional development, and support adaptability.
3. Increase Public Art and Performance Opportunities - Foster more impactful art, events, and cultural connections with increased accessibility for all.
4. Support Diverse Cultural and Heritage Activities - Include cultural learning and cultural equity at the heart of our creative community.
5. Increase Access to Arts Education - Serve school-based arts and cultural opportunities and build arts awareness for youth, while encouraging life-long learning.

A competitive grant application will:

• promote cultural diversity
• develop community and/or cross-cultural partnerships
• provide matching-fund or cost-sharing opportunities
• promote cultural tourism

Visit the CCWC website to learn about our 2024 grantees. Proposals in the Community Cultural Participation Grant Program should be geared toward a specific event, activity, or communication of the organization.

The CCWC has contracted with Tualatin Valley Creates (TVC) to manage the grant process, the application system, and to be the fiscal agent for CCWC grant funds.

Technical assistance with the grant application process, website issues, and questions about status of grant funding distribution can be directed to CCWC at info@ccwashco.org.

Grant guidelines, organization or grant eligibility: Contact the CCWC at info@ccwashco.org.

Danza Azteca at the Forest Grove Library

Saturday, October 19, 2–3pm

The local dance troupe Danza Azteca demonstrates the art, history, and traditions of Mexico and Aztec culture with a unique performance in the Rogers Room.

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/66f31e7b71e2b82800bb01ef

The Forest Grove Cornelius Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Forest Grove City Council Candidate Forum on October 15th, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the City Auditorium in Forest Grove. This event will feature all candidates running for City Council. It will be moderated by Dr. Jim Moore, Director of Political Outreach at Pacific University’s Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement.

https://www.instagram.com/fgcchamber/p/DAZuw0dvJog/

Three spots on the Forest Grove City Council are up for election this year.

Voters will choose from six candidates to fill the spots, and the three with the most votes will be elected to serve four-year terms representing the entire city.

With ballots set to mail out on Oct. 16 — just over two weeks before the Nov. 5 election — candidates were asked for their thoughts on important issues affecting Forest Grove residents. Their responses are published in full here:

https://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/candidate-q-a-forest-grove-city-council-candidates-talk-housing-charter-changes-and-more/article_a6f93990-804c-11ef-9123-6b962670d0f5.html

I live out in Forest Grove and was wondering if anyone had recommendations for OBGYN/midwifes in the Hillsboro/FG vicinity. Thank you!

Hey there! I’m kinda reaching out to every social media I can get ahold of for help.

My car was broken into on Friday night in Portland. The person who has my stolen items lives in forest grove. We had his address but police said the best they can do is ask them to return the items and bag but they can refuse and that’s that.

I guess my question is (since no one’s gotten back to me yet) do I wait till this persons in a public place and get a cop to follow me there? He’s currently using my devices and we see him travel frequently to Freddie’s (I’m assuming to try and cash my checks which has been blocked) and back to a home off D street. We have the full address but didn’t want to break any rules. I honestly just want my bag full of school books and one item back- they can keep the item that they are using right now. (That’s how we are tracking them)

Any advice would be appreciated!

I want another grocery store here but I have not heard any updates on whether the B street site project is moving forward.

Forest Grove Annual Town Hall Meeting, Saturday, September 28, 2024

The Committee for Community Engagement (CCE) invites you to learn about and discuss the future of transportation in and around the City of Forest Grove. In attendance will be City staff from Police and Community Development. Also in attendance are representatives from Grove Link (Ride Connection) and TriMet.

10-noon

Community Auditorium
1915 Main Street
Forest Grove

Fourth annual Oktoberfest is Sept 28th from 12-7pm. This family friendly event is free to enter and packed full of fun! Music, vendors, food, beer, carnival games, contests and more. We are still looking for volunteers so if you want a great experience and free Oktoberfest swag sign up to volunteer. Stein holding contests, wiener dog races, two stages multiple bands. Great fun!

TriMet and Metro are working together to study what FX service on Tualatin Valley Highway could look like. The new bus service would replace the existing Line 57-TV Hwy/Forest Grove with more reliable, frequent and quicker trips, with buses arriving every 12 minutes. It would upgrade bus stops to bus stations with shelters, seating, real-time arrival information and lighting. The project would also create safer access to stations.

This is still in the early planning phases, and TriMet and Metro want feedback about general locations of proposed stations and how you travel on Tualatin Valley Highway.

Share your thoughts in this survey:

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/f65fa0a96cf74c8b932923bec203fa7d

A reminder that West Tuality Habitat for Humanity welcomes volunteers from all communities of faith - churches, temples, mosques, etc. - as well as classes, school clubs, professional associations, employees of a business or government office or nonprofit, and, of course, individuals with no stated affiliation, to volunteer with us. All projects are in Western Washington County (building sites, repair sites, neighborhood cleanups and the Forest Grove ReStore), but volunteers are welcomed from outside of our service area. Please let your community of faith, class, co-workers or other groups know! For more information, see: https://www.westtualityhabitat.org/volunteer

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The 34th Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival is September 21st in Forest Grove and volunteers are needed both the day before and day of the event.

As a Thank You, all volunteers will have access to a free sidewalk square and chalk.

There will have a volunteer orientation before the event. Date and time to be determined.

Volunteers are needed:

FRIDAY, SEP 20th

Event Prep:        2-4:30 pm

SATURDAY, SEP 21st

Set Up:               6 am - 8 am

During Event:     8 am - 4 pm (2 hr Shifts)

Clean Up:           4 pm - 6 pm

Please respond to Noelle at: volunteervalleyart2@gmail.com

I'm a Senior Dental Hygiene Student at Pacicic University looking for patients to meet my graduation requirements.

If it's been a while since you last had a cleaning, here are some reasons to consider being my patients:

• It'll be the most thorough cleaning you'll have
• My school accepts most insurances
• If you don't have insurance, we have reduced prices.
• Morning, afternoon and evening appointments available.

The address is 222 SE 8th Ave Suite 270 Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

The phone number to schedule is 503-352-7373 (Please ask for Taylor- but if you were to see any of my classmates, you'd still be in great hands)

I see an email in my box that says the Max Red line will extend all the way to Hillsboro officially on August 28 (that's when there will be events and prizes and what not), but that the "soft launch" begins on Sunday.

It means being able to take the 57 to Hillsboro and then the red line all the way from Hillsboro to the airport - before, you either had to take the bus all the way to the Beaverton Transit Center (or from there) or transfer to and from the Blue Line. This should cut about 30 minutes from travel time if you use mass transit to get to the airport from Forest Grove.

"Riders and community members in Beaverton and Hillsboro have been requesting more MAX service for years. And we can see why: During the afternoon peak, Blue Line trains are full while Red Line trains are generally only half-full, suggesting that many riders need to travel farther west than Beaverton Transit Center."

https://trimet.org/betterred/

I’m new in town and love karaoke, what are the spots in Forest Grove/Cornelius area that host karaoke and on what nights?