A Big Thank You From County CROPS

One thing we've learned from County CROPS is that Multnomah County (and Clackamas and Washington County) are filled with incredible people and organizations that are willing to come together in a time of need. Our "little" project has a thousand moving parts, and people from all over our community have stepped up to provide donations, advice and moral support.

We wanted to take a moment today to thank some of the folks who have made this project possible. In addition to our financial sponsors, McMenamin's Hotels & Pubs and Portland General Electric, these are the amazing people and organizations who have donated materials, advice and time:

Read more and discuss: A Big Thank You From County CROPS

» June 25, 2009 - 1 comments - Community Involvement, County CROPS, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Sustainability

Prep Work Begins on the CROPS Garden!

Our Community Service crews are hard at work clearing blackberries and prepping the soil for our first volunteer day at what locals affectionately call the "Pig Farm". There is still time left to sign up, just go to Hands On Greater Portland to reserve your spot. All produce grown on the site will be distributed to those in need by the Oregon Food Bank Network.

Here's what the garden site looked like last week:

Take a look at the site today, after the jump:

Read more and discuss: Prep Work Begins on the CROPS Garden!

» June 5, 2009 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Human Services, Marissa's Blog

Oregon Jobless Rate Hits 9%

A new day, a new president, a new jobless rate.

From the AP:

"Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit a 23-year high of 9 percent in December, up from 8.0 percent in November.

December's rate is the highest since April of 1985 when it reached 9.1 percent.

In December, Oregon's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 9,700 jobs, following a drop of 8,400 in November. It was the fifth consecutive monthly loss of more than 4,000 jobs. "

Are you one of the 1 in 10 people in Oregon who are unemployed? Tell us your stories and what you think local government should/can do to help.

Discuss: Oregon Jobless Rate Hits 9%

» January 20, 2009 - 3 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

Electric Fleets Heading to Oregon

At the same time the US Congress considers giving the big three automakers an SUV hangover cure, Nissan has chosen Oregon as one of a handful of sites to roll-out and mass-market zero-emission electric vehicles. From the Oregonian:

"Details -- such as numbers of cars and their costs -- were still being negotiated even as Kulongoski drove a prototype Nissan electric vehicle in Japan this week. The program is another green feather in the governor's cap as he prepares to visit a company Friday developing electric cars in China.

'Our goal is mass-marketing vehicles across the U.S. and globally' in 2012, said Nissan's Perry. 'We all believe that we'll be mass-marketing in Oregon much faster than that.' "

The roll-out is expected to begin with government and commercial fleets. What do you think Multnomah County, are you ready to go electric?

Update: Here's a little inspiration to get you jazzed about Electric.

Discuss: Electric Fleets Heading to Oregon

» November 20, 2008 - 2 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Sustainability

State Budget Forecast: Revenue Down Almost 1 Billion

Oregon State lawmakers have just learned that they will have almost 1 billion fewer dollars to spend on schools, human services and public safety. From the Oregonian:

"State economists reported that revenue for the current two-year budget is down by $140 million, prompting Gov. Ted Kulongoski to order state agency heads immediately to slash the remainder of their budgets across the board by 5 percent.

The news for the upcoming two years is much worse. Revenues are projected to be down by $718 million, compared with the forecast from three months ago. "

Multnomah County's budget analysts are already hard at work determining how this state revenue shortfall will impact the County. To give you some perspective, about 75% of the County's Department of Human Services Budget (Mental Health Services, Aging and Disability Services to name a few) comes from state and federal resources. State funds also flow to our jails and parole and probation services.

As always, we'll keep you up-to-date as information develops. The next big news is expected in December when Governor Kulongoski releases his 2009-2011 budget.

Drop us a line with your ideas for increasing revenue or cutting services.

Discuss: State Budget Forecast: Revenue Down Almost 1 Billion

» November 19, 2008 - 0 comments - Budget, Children and Families, Front Page News, Human Services, Libraries, Marissa's Blog, Public Safety

Multnomah County's Sara Ryan Wins Oregon Book Award!

Sara Ryan, author and Multnomah County Library Teen Services Specialist, has won an Oregon Book Award for the second time - proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that Multnomah County employees ROCK!

Here's the announcement from Library Director Molly Raphael:

"Please join me in congratulating and celebrating MCL Teen Services Specialist Sara Ryan's win last night of an Oregon Book Award - the Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature. The book is The Rules for Hearts, and this is Sara's second win of an Oregon Book Award. We celebrate the great personal achievement that this is for Sara and are grateful to know that MCL can hold the commitment of such a dedicated and creative employee. We all wonder here how Sara can do so much for teens through our library and still find time to be an award-winning author!"

Feel free to leave a kind shout-out to Sara in the comments!

Discuss: Multnomah County's Sara Ryan Wins Oregon Book Award!

» November 12, 2008 - 0 comments - Libraries, Marissa's Blog, Top Stories

Active Culture

Two months after the low-car diet ended, I can honestly say it rocked my world. Sure, I'm driving my car now and again for long trips. But mostly, I walk. I meander, discovering new shops, restaurants and neighborhoods I didn't know existed when I was worrying about racing through a yellow stoplight and changing my radio station at the same time.

So this afternoon - this amazingly beautiful fall afternoon - I used my break to walk down to a place I'd discovered on a previous walk, Active Culture. It's a locally-owned frozen yogurt place in the Grand Central Bowling Building on 8th between SE Belmont and Morrison. AND, let me tell you that this yogurt isn't the tasteless, bland, wanna-be ice cream you remember from that brief fro-yo bubble in the 80's.

This is frozen yogurt that is unafraid to be yogurt. It's tart. It's sweet. It's non-fat and swimming with active probiotic cultures. It has to be tried to be believed. The only thing wrong with the place is that it's not in Jeff's District! This time, I got the plain tart/black cherry swirl with gummi bears (Yeah, gummi bears!). I also tried their seasonal Pumpkin Spice and WOW, it was a wee bit o' heaven.

That's all for today's District 2 local business report. If you know of another great local business someone in our office should walk to, send an email to marissa.d.madrigal @ co.multnomah.or.us

Go outside!

Discuss: Active Culture

» October 22, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

Low-Car Diet Update - Week 3

A few things I've learned on the car-less trail:

1) I love walking at least five miles a day. I'm so much nicer.
2) Commuting to work without a car is easy, and I plan to keep commuting by bus/train. I might even give up my PARKING SPOT.
3) (This could be the car-withdrawal talking) I still love my car.

Read more and discuss: Low-Car Diet Update - Week 3

» August 8, 2008 - 1 comments - Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Sustainability, Top Stories

Low Car Diet - Rain? Really?

So, things on the Low Car Diet have essentially gone according to plan. Karol and I are both really enjoying the bonus exercise we're getting from walking and riding the bus and Max are easy. But today, a few raindrops have reminded us what it might be like to do the low-car commute ... in 8 months of the year when its raining.

I, for one, have no clue where my umbrella is. Probably in the same place I left it that last day it rained in June. As my thoughts turn to actually using a Zip-Car to get around town, I have to admit that I was pretty bummed to learn that the closest Zip Car is oh, 1.6 miles from my house. Observe:

Read more and discuss: Low Car Diet - Rain? Really?

» July 29, 2008 - 2 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Sustainability

Low Car Diet - 1st weekend

Besides bragging incessantly about the bazillion miles I walked last week, it was a pretty low key weekend for me. My little family walked to the movie store, to the coffee shop, to the grocery store.

Karol, however, sampled a veritable smorgasbord of transportation options. She took the Max to a concert at the Zoo and reports that the riders were good-natured and friendly. She walked to her Yoga class (yes, she really is that dedicated) and car-pooled with friends to everyone's favorite Swedish superstore: IKEA. She says, "Walking everywhere makes me feel more fit, and feeling more fit makes me think I can eat more – and that’s not right!"

So true, so true. But hey, wouldn't it be great if you could eat out at a chain restaurant in Multnomah County that has 15 or more locations nationwide and have the calorie counts clearly posted next to the
price or on a clearly visible poster at the point of purchase? So you could treat yourself but know how many more miles you'll have to walk to burn it off? I think so. So does the Oregonian.

Discuss: Low Car Diet - 1st weekend

» July 28, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Sustainability

Low Car Diet - Days 3 and 4

In the immortal words of Karol Collymore, we're "still walking," five days into our Low-Car Diet. That said, at this early stage in the game, we're mostly avoiding complicated trips rather than making the effort to plan for them.

Even so, there are some things you can't avoid. Eating, for instance, is mostly a must. Same with picking up life-saving prescriptions and bringing home the bacon. In the course of doing these unavoidable tasks, we've discovered a few things that we didn't know before:

Read more and discuss: Low Car Diet - Days 3 and 4

» July 25, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Sustainability

Low Car Diet - Day 2

Yesterday (just to mix things up and keep it exciting for the four people who might be reading this), instead of taking the number 6 to the Max from the Multnomah Building on Hawthorne and Grand, I walked up 7th/Sandy to 11th and the Max.

The beauty of this walk for me was getting to stroll by the Franz Bakery blocks. As most of my friends and co-workers know, I'm tragically gluten intolerant, but that doesn't stop me from loving the smell of freshly baked bread.

You can smell Franz's gluten-y delicious-ness all the way from Burnside. Even better, on the corner of the northernmost Franz block you can peer in the window as steamy loaves of bread come out of the oven and plop onto the conveyor belt. I highly recommend standing and staring at them for a while.

Today's stats:
Miles Walked: 3.6
Bus rides: 1
Max rides:2
Gluten-y daydreams: several

Collymore's update(and I quote): "Still Walking."

Discuss: Low Car Diet - Day 2

» July 23, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Sustainability

Low Car Diet Challenge: 1 day down, 29 to go

by Marissa Madrigal

Yesterday morning Jeff gave the keynote speech at the 3rd annual ZipCar "Low Car Diet" kick-off in Pioneer Square. Among the 30 or so Portland participants: yours truly and Ms. Karol Collymore, communications expert extraordinaire.

Karol claims that the breezy distance between her place and work combined with her unencumbered "life status" will make her experience simple and un-blog worthy. I disagree and plan to keep you updated on her car-less trials and tribulations, too. She won't be able to resist Target's suburban lure for long. When she decides to cave - which she will - how will she get there? Public Transit? Walking? Zip Car? Oh, the mystery! The Intrigue! But I digress.

Some background on me and my commuting: I live in Central NE Portland about 1/3 of a mile from a bus line and about a mile from the blue and red line MAX. When I first moved to Portland 8 years ago, I lived really close-in; but I always drove anyway because gas was hovering around a buck a gallon. I started walking/busing more when I met my husband who walked everywhere, and even more when I sold my car on a whim.

Then we had a kid - an amazing, lovable kid - but suddenly we were driving everywhere. Then a few wine bars plopped into our neighborhood and we moved further out to find a cheaper, nicer place. The only problem? The available public transportation options = not hot.

Read more and discuss: Low Car Diet Challenge: 1 day down, 29 to go

» July 22, 2008 - 1 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Sustainability

Potential 3rd Runway at PDX Out

Looks like those rascally, run-away oil prices have claimed another victim: the controversial third runway at PDX. While residents of Northeast Portland's Cully neighborhood rejoice, the Portland Tribune reports:

"The skyrocketing price of oil has killed the “800-pound gorilla” that had been hanging around Portland International Airport for much of the past eight or nine years: the possibility of a third parallel runway at the airport....

In 1999, the airport’s master plan forecast that by 2020, there would be 485,000 takeoffs and landings at PDX — which the master plan indicated would produce something close to airplane gridlock on the airport’s two parallel northwest-southeast runways. That 1999 forecast followed a significant increase in airport use, and number of passengers, at PDX throughout the 1990s. By 1999, there were 322,000 takeoffs and landings at the airport.

But the terrorist attacks of September 2001 decimated air travel for more than a year afterwards. And takeoffs and landings at the airport have yet to reach that 1999 level. Takeoffs and landings last year totaled 264,000.

Early this year, airport officials produced new forecasts. And the current “median” forecast — the middle number among three forecast scenarios — is that takeoffs and landings will total 385,000 by 2035. That’s still below the number where a third runway would be needed.

“We’re far, far away from needing a third parallel runway,” said Chris Corich, general manager of long range planning for the airport."

What say you Northeast Portlanders?

Discuss: Potential 3rd Runway at PDX Out

» July 21, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

$4+ gas = Observable Behavior Changes

by Marissa Madrigal

I've been completely fascinated lately by the change sweeping our city as gas prices have shot into ridiculously un-affordable territory. I for one, no longer drive to work. It sure seems like traffic in general is lighter, even when seasonally adjusted. I've also noticed our perception of "personal space" is shrinking, as anyone who has crammed onto a crowded bus or max in the last few months can attest.

But because things have morphed so quickly, new problems are popping up. Take this story about the no vacancy sign out for bikes on the Max. Sure, it's never been a sure thing that your bike would fit on the Max, especially during rush hour - but kicking bikes (and their riders) off? It's kind of weird. Everything seems a little bit off. Not in a bad way necessarily, just off. Like we're living in Bizarro Portland in a galaxy far, far away.

What do all of you see happening out there? Are you, your friends and family making personal adjustments to cope? Send us your observations and thoughts about the changes you're seeing in Portland on this fine Friday afternoon.

Discuss: $4+ gas = Observable Behavior Changes

» June 27, 2008 - 1 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Human Services, Marissa's Blog, Sustainability

Plant Tweets, Reverse Boycotts and Carbon Hero

by Marissa Madrigal

I just got back from a fantastic lecture at the WebVisions '08 Conference by Alexis Madrigal, a WIRED Magazine reporter(who may or may not be my brother). The Topic: "Networking Things: How the Internet is Redefining Environmentalism". Before I could even congratulate myself on being the cool older sister who shows up to provide moral support, I realized that although he was talking about using technology in our homes to increase energy efficiency, the direction of web-based green tech is something government (as stewards of the tax dollar) can't afford to ignore.

Read more and discuss: Plant Tweets, Reverse Boycotts and Carbon Hero

» May 23, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Sustainability

Are you concerned about the NE 82nd Max Station?

Here's your chance to tell someone! From Save Madison South:

Eastside MAX Station Open House
April 14th
5-8pm - drop in any time
Glenhaven (Banfield Pet Hospital)

Drop-in to learn about the project and share your ideas on how the areas around MAX stations can be improved.

The purpose of the Eastside MAX Station Communities Project is to take a comprehensive look at station community areas within one-half mile of MAX light rail stations in Northeast and Southeast Portland.

The basic question is: How can these communities become better places? The project will evaluate and recommend changes to land use/zoning, building and station design, transit and transportation facilities surrounding six stations: 60th Avenue, 82nd Avenue, Parkrose/Sumner, 122nd Avenue, 148th Avenue, and 162nd Avenue (see map). The objective is to help the Station Communities better serve transit users, support transit-oriented development and create more attractive communities.

Read more and discuss: Are you concerned about the NE 82nd Max Station?

» April 11, 2008 - 0 comments - Community Involvement, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Public Safety

Rose City Park Neighborhood Association Candidates Fair - March 25th

From Rose City Park Neighborhood Association:
Join your neighbors to meet and to ask questions of the candidates you will be selecting for government roles that will impact you and those around you!

WHEN: Tuesdays, March 25th from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

WHERE: Rose City Park United Methodist Church, NE 58th & Alameda (by NE Sandy Blvd., enter on NE 58th Avenue)

As of March 3, the (#) indicates the candidates that agreed to speak at the Rose City Park Candidates Fair. (PF) indicates they have the signatures to qualify for public financing but may not have been certified.

Read more and discuss: Rose City Park Neighborhood Association Candidates Fair - March 25th

» March 18, 2008 - 0 comments - Community Involvement, Events, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE

Food Prices Spike

The Oregonian reports this morning that food prices have jumped 4.8% in the last year, the biggest increase in 17 years.

Has your family noticed the spike? What, if anything, are you doing to save on food?

Discuss: Food Prices Spike

» January 25, 2008 - 1 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

Measure 49 Passes! Now What?

By Marissa Madrigal

Last night, for the first time in four years, this political staffer did NOT have a campaign to obsess over. Armed with a bag of cheesy pirate's booty and a mouse, the fam and I took in election results via the internets.

Measure 50, the statewide Children's Health Insurance measure, went down - more on what that means for Multnomah County's health clinics in a future post. But Measure 49, the statewide fix for the much maligned Measure 37 passed with surprisingly broad support.

In the next month or so, Multnomah County's attorneys and land-use specialists will be evaluating what the passage of Measure 49 will mean to the Measure 37 claims received by the county over the last few years, and devise a plan to address each claim in a timely manner. Check back here often for updates on how the process is unfolding. In the meantime, cheers to Multnomah County's farmland, forest and groundwater!

Discuss: Measure 49 Passes! Now What?

» November 7, 2007 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, News

Bee Collapse a Bigger Threat To Crops Than Global Warming?

This Thursday, Multnomah County and City of Portland leaders will brief the public on the progress of our Local Action Plan on Global Warming. But last night, as my family settled down to watch Nature: Silence of the Bees, I began to worry that honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) might wipe out our flowering food crops before Global Warming has a chance to fry them.

Read more and discuss: Bee Collapse a Bigger Threat To Crops Than Global Warming?

» October 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, News, Sustainability, Top Stories

TOP-OFF 4: The sixth floor view

Well folks, the (simulated) dirty bomb has gone off and Multnomah County's Emergency Operations Center is in full swing. In the run-up to T4 (what the cool kids are calling Top Officials 4), our office really didn't know what to expect or what was expected of us. So today, Jeff and I took a little lunch time trip to the Multnomah building's basement to watch our Emergency Team work their magic. I must say that to this political staffer they all seemed to know what they were doing and preliminary reports from those in the know describe a scenario that is going fairly smoothly - for now.

Read more and discuss: TOP-OFF 4: The sixth floor view

» October 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Events, Marissa's Blog, Public Safety, Top Stories

Is Your Family Safe from Lead?

Think lead doesn't affect you? Check out this stunning statistic: every year, 1 in 50 Multnomah County Kids is poisoned by it. This happens despite the fact that lead poisoning is completely preventable.

That's why my family is heading to LEAD SAFE Portland, an event sponsored by the Lead Safe Families Coalition Sunday, October 28th from 12-2pm at Matt Dishman Community Center (77 NE Knott St.)

Participants will recieve free blood lead testing, lead screening for toys, lead in water kits and lead-safe toys. Resources for landlords and tentants will also be available. To learn more about the event or to request lead poisoning prevention materials call the LeadLine - (503) 988-4000.

Discuss: Is Your Family Safe from Lead?

» October 8, 2007 - 0 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Neighborhoods

Developer Withdraws Big-Box Permit

It's official, Canadian developer Smartcentres has withdrawn its application for a conditional use permit that would have allowed the construction of a 240,000 square foot development across the street from Madison High School.

Smartcentres has until February to submit other plans, but until then the neighborhoods that mobilized against the development are celebrating and collecting ideas for alternative developments. Thoughts? Leave them here!

Discuss: Developer Withdraws Big-Box Permit

» October 3, 2007 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Neighborhoods, Outer NE

3 Landlord Trainings Set for North and Northeast

Curious about your rights and responsibilities as a landlord? Wonder no longer! You too can attend one of the City of Portland's landlord trainings! Lucky for District 2 residents, there are three scheduled in North and Northeast Portland. For this and other fun info visit the City of Portland's Bureau of Development Services website.

Discuss: 3 Landlord Trainings Set for North and Northeast

» September 27, 2007 - 0 comments - Marissa's Blog, Sidebar Alerts

What would you do if a dirty bomb hit Portland?

Multnomah County's commissioners are about to find out. This October, the Portland Metro region will be one of three sites across the country where a simulated radiological explosion goes off. Similar in scope to a 2003 exercise in Seattle, TOP-OFF (named for the Top Officials expected to "play" in the scenario) will involve thousands of volunteers, first responders, emergency managers and elected officials. The massive exercise will be led by the Department of Homeland Security and is designed to test - to the breaking point - a jurisdiction's emergency systems.

Board members were briefed today on Multnomah County's role in TOP-OFF by Emergency Management Director George Whitney.

Read more and discuss: What would you do if a dirty bomb hit Portland?

» September 18, 2007 - 1 comments - Community Involvement, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Public Safety

UPDATED Hearing Date Set for NE 82nd Big Box

----HEARING DATE CHANGED TO October 16th 2007 SAME LOCATION ----

From the Save Madison South website:

"8/21/07

LAND USE HEARING ANNOUNCED

RED ALERT!!!

By now you have heard that a land use hearing date has been announced for the Big Box proposed for the property across from Madison High School on NE 82nd Avenue. The permit would expand the current zoning from 60,000 sq ft to 240,000 sq ft. Please mark the dates on your calendar and plan to attend so you can voice your opinion. Here is the quick information on the land use hearing:

When: 10/1/07 & 10/3/07 at 9:00 am

Where: Development Service Building, 1900 SW 4th, Room 2500"

Jeff is planning to testify against the conditional use permit because he believes a development that size (and with thousands of additional car trips) will make neighborhood streets more dangerous. Do you live in the Roseway or Madison South Neighbhorhoods? What do you think about this big-box proposal?

Discuss: UPDATED Hearing Date Set for NE 82nd Big Box

» August 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Community Involvement, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE

Wire-tap this, NSA!

Dear National Security Administration,

Congratulations on your official sanction to spy from the US Congress! I know you're extremely busy combing through my text messages, my phone calls, and my emails - no, no, I'm not mad. I can't blame you for wanting to read my stuff. I'm very clever and very funny, but here's the thing - together I think we can make some real magic happen. Lemonade from lemons and all that.

You've got access to the President Dick Cheney and I've got ideas. You float my ideas to the top of your pile o' eavesdroppings, and I'll keep you entertained with my emailed shopping lists, doctor's appointments and notes to my mother. Just throw me in between the report on my commie neighbor and the Zoobombers.

Read more and discuss: Wire-tap this, NSA!

» August 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

Neighbors Mobilize Against Big-Box

Neighbors in the Roseway and Madison South neighborhoods are mobilizing against a new "big box" development planned across the street from Madison High School.

Canadian Developer SmartCentre has requested a conditional use permit from the City of Portland to build a 240,000 square foot commerical development on an old land fill. The land is currently zoned for a 60,000 square foot building - the size of your neighborhood Safeway or New Seasons.

Read more and discuss: Neighbors Mobilize Against Big-Box

» July 25, 2007 - 2 comments - Marissa's Blog, Neighborhoods, Outer NE, Sidebar Alerts

Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids

“The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists.” -Florence Nightengale

What do dust-mites, cockroaches, mold and rodents have in common? Besides their respective “ick” factors, these organisms are big-time asthma triggers. The right mattress cover and a good vaccum can help eliminate dust-mites, but those other opportunistic critters can be a little harder to boot out of your home – even more so if you’re a renter without control over the root cause of the infestation.

Multnomah County’s Environmental Health Division recently hosted a Healthy Homes Summit to study the nexus between our health and our homes. Participants helped compile a laundry list of recommendations for Multnomah County and the City of Portland (the full list is after the jump) ranging from updating building codes and enforcement to reflect public health to increasing and improving landlord education.

What you think Multnomah County should do to make our homes healthier?

Read more and discuss: Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids

» July 17, 2007 - 2 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Homeless, Human Services, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE