According to Tri-county Health Officer Dr. Gary Oxman, “This uncertainty appropriately prompted an aggressive public health response. While we are no longer in an urgent situation and H1N1 transmission is at or below levels that are typical for this time of year, this event is an important opportunity to review core public health functions and how we can amplify those functions in an emergency situation.”

The briefing will include details on how H1N1 spread in the community, allocation and distribution of the H1N1 influenza vaccine, comparing local vaccine uptake with national averages, an overview of public-private partnerships that facilitated protecting the health of our community, and planning for the upcoming influenza season.

These were taken by Rob Finch and Randy Rasmussen from The Oregonian.

During the closure, on and off-ramps from the bridge to I-5 and I-84 will be closed, except for the offramp from I-5 south to SE Belmont St./Hwy. 99E. Motorists can access I-5 north at NE Broadway and N Williams Ave. and enter I-84 eastbound at NE Grand Ave. and NE Everett St. Alternate downtown river crossings include the Hawthorne, Burnside and Steel bridges. During the bridge closure, TriMet’s 15-Belmont line will be re-routed across the Burnside Bridge.

Multnomah County maintains the Morrison Bridge, five other Willamette River bridges, and more than 300 miles of roads. For information on county bridges, visit www.multco.us/bridges.

Grand opening on March 13th!

“After three years of work with the community and the library, I am looking forward to introducing the new Kenton Branch to the neighborhood,” says Commissioner Jeff Cogen. This new neighborhood library will serve Multnomah County residents in Kenton and other North Portland neighborhoods. Neighbors have been organizing for a third North Portland branch since the late 1980’s due to the over 4 mile distance between the existing two branches in North Portland. The other two library locations are St. Johns and North Portland branches.

The reserves item on the agenda starts at 10:10am, 50 minutes earlier than it's originally scheduled time of 11am.

Creating a Healthy Community
Thursday, March 18, 2010 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Focused on county services provided by the Health Department,
Department Of County Human Services, Department of Community
Services, Library, and Commission on Children, Families and Communities

Come on out and see this show. The first night is dress as your favorite character and the second night is a sing-a-long!

For almost 50 years, the Creston Dental Clinic had been offering free dental care for children from low income children in Portland Public Schools. The Assistance League of Portland is no longer able to fund the clinic and its doors were scheduled to close on March 17. The clinic treats about 2,500 students every school year.

On Thursday, March 4, the “Creating a Safe Community” meeting will focus on public safety, and on Thursday, March 18, the “Creating a Healthy Community” meeting will address health and human services. Both meetings will take place in the Boardroom at the Multnomah Building, at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Social responsibility is a guiding ethic in Jeff Cogen's personal and professional life. His passion for public service and commitment to a better tomorrow are evident in the work he has done as a volunteer, as communications director for the Multnomah Commission on Children and Families, as chief of staff to City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, and in his current role as a Multnomah County Commissioner. Jeff has touched the lives of everyone in our community. Whether through his support, participation and leadership with Hands On Greater Portland, his successful initiative that led to the establishment of a new library in North Portland's Kenton neighborhood, or his enthusiastic support of green practices in our community, Jeff's vision and hands-on leadership will benefit the residents of Multnomah County for generations to come.

For more information: Jessica Guernsey, Multnomah County Health Department, (503) 988-3674 ext. 25698 or 503-936-1207