Aloha Free Press - April Newsletter
April 2025
Quick Links
- Aloha’s Community Participation Organization: What to Expect at a meeting
- Local Event: Aloha Community Library’s Book Sale
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The Aloha United Methodist Church Trading Post
- Keeping a Healthy Coop: Backyard Chickens and Bird Flu
- From the Editor’s Desk: Thank you for reading the First Newsletter
- News and Info Links
- Looking Ahead
- The End Bits
Aloha’s Community Participation Organization Meetings: What to Expect at a meeting
Community Participation Organizations are “community-led organizations made up of neighbors who work together to improve their communities.” Washington County has about active 13 CPOs covering different parts of the county. CPOs meets regularly and are open to all community members. At a meeting, you might get information about a particular county project, engage with local agencies and leaders, or work as a group in an advisory role to the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Often guests start with a presentation and are often able to answer questions from those who attend.
Aloha belongs to CPO 6 along with Reedville and Cooper Mountain. They meet every first Thursday of the month at 7pm at the Aloha Community Library. Topics at recent meetings were:
Updates about the ongoing Aloha incorporation study progress (studying about whether Aloha should become an official town, not just unincorporated county territory)
A presentation by a citizen about a possible change with the Washington County Library Service and how to use one’s voice to impact that decision
Using and understanding the crime map online with the Sheriff’s Office
The next meeting is scheduled for April 3rd and will include updates on CPO 6 projects. CPO6 welcomes participation from everyone. They are a way to get first-hand information, use our voices, and ensure our community is served well.
Further info:
CPO 6 - Aloha, Reedville and Cooper Mountain
First Thursdays at 7 pm at the Aloha Community Library, 17455 SW Farmington Rd., Suite 26A
Next 3 meetings: April 3, May 1, June 5
CPO6leaders@gmail.com
Local Event: Aloha Community Library’s Book Sale
Located at 17455 SW Farmington Road near the old Bales building, the Aloha Community Library has become a fundamental element of the Aloha community since its start in 2012.
March 31 through April 12, the library is hosting their book sale fundraiser. Tables up front will be stocked with all kinds of gently used books, movies, music, puzzles and more. Anything without a price tag is Pay-What-You-Will. Maggie Hannahs, the library’s Community Engagement Specialist, says 100% of what you spend at the sale goes to local community services at the library and can cover anything from:
New books and movies
Events featuring performers and programs with other experts
Replacing library technology when it wears out
Staff wages
The library's rent, utilities, and insurance
Various supplies and more (everything from craft supplies to ink for public printers, to toilet paper for the bathrooms)
Spending money at this sale goes directly into our local community and keeps things not only running, but thriving at the library.
Further info:
Book Sale Hours: Monday March 31 — Saturday April 12, open during library hours
Phone: (503) 259-0185
Location: 17455 SW Farmington Rd. Suite. 26A
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The Trading Post
Tucked into a neighborhood on SW 198th Avenue, the Aloha United Methodist Church has been serving vulnerable community members through the Trading Post. Volunteers staff it every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10am-12pm.
Anyone in the community can come and get needed items or donate needed supplies such as food, water, all sizes of clothes, shoes, books, and more. The volunteer-led space supports not only community members from nearby neighborhoods, but especially the folks in the Safe Rest Village also located on the church property.
During a recent visit, the volunteers told the Aloha Free Press that it’s a blessing whenever people have come by and helped provide a boost for their neighbors.
“Thoughtful extras” don’t just meet a physical need, but also give the important sense of being valued and cared for.
Besides the bare basics, they say it’s the “thoughtful extras” that get donated which make an additional impact. Even a handmade blanket or some bright and colorful bedding have made a huge difference for people. Items like that don’t just meet a physical need, but also give the important sense of being valued and cared for. Sometimes community members just come by to sit, have a cup of coffee, and chat with a friendly volunteer.
What the Trading Post can provide to visitors any particular day is dependent on whatever has been donated. They would welcome people contributing what they can. For clothing, Jeans, T-shirts and Shoes (in all sizes) are the most needed on a regular basis. Food items including shelf-stable milk, canned meat and snack items are always in high demand. Anything donated can be dropped off with a volunteer any day they’re open or by appointment. And if you’re looking for a local place to volunteer, get in touch at 503-649-9133 or stop by during open hours.
Further info:
Church email: umcaloha@gmail.com
Address: 2270 SW 198th Avenue, Aloha Oregon 97003
Phone number: 503-649-9133
Trading Post Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday — 10am - 12pm or by appointment
Keeping a Healthy Coop: Backyard Chickens and Bird Flu
Spring often brings an influx of baby chickens in our neighborhoods and this year, there’s more than usual. Nationally, the impact of bird flu killing and threatening egg laying chickens is partly responsible for the increase in egg prices in the grocery store. Price increases on eggs have caused a spike in local demand for chicks here in Aloha. Local store Aloha Feed, Garden, and Pet said in an interview with KPTV News that they recently sold 99 chicks in 40 minutes in just one day - faster than any other day in the store’s 90 years. (See that news story here).
Now is the perfect time to set up routines for backyard chicken safety.
Whether you’re seasoned or just starting out with your own flock, now is the perfect time to set up routines for backyard chicken safety. It can even protect pet cats who are susceptible through contact with infected birds or eating raw meat. Good cross-contamination prevention looks like avoiding hanging bird feeders near backyard chickens or installing barriers, like netting, to prevent wild birds from accessing poultry areas. Other healthy coop habits can include:
Use dedicated shoes for your coop. Keep a pair of "coop shoes" in a waterproof bin near the coop’s entrance
Limit direct contact with your flock and ensure that anyone entering the area changes their footwear and washes their hands before and after interacting with your birds
Wear protective gear when handling your birds or cleaning the coop such as masks and gloves
Monitor your flock's health for swelling around the head, neck, and eyes, coughing, sneezing or nasal discharge, reduced egg production or abnormal eggs
These things can help prevent all sorts of issues associated with backyard chickens, not just bird flu. While there has been increased spread of bird flu nationally in recent months, Washington County’s risk to people, pets and poultry are still low. Practicing good habits now can help keep it that way.
If your own backyard flock gets sick, please reach out to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at 1.800.347.7028.Further resources about HPAI:
The Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Q & A about HPAI
Oregon department of Agriculture HPAI site with case updates
Thanks for Reading the First Newsletter
The Aloha Free Press is independently produced by me, a local Aloha volunteer with previous work experience in media and writing.
We have no local newspaper focused on Aloha neighborhood news, nor a town hall or official central website.
“Keeping up with local news is correlated with a stronger sense of local community attachment and higher community satisfaction.”
In 2020, a study found that “having access to and keeping up with local news is correlated with a stronger sense of local community attachment and higher community satisfaction.” And a stronger sense of local community attachment and satisfaction is very much on Aloha’s wishlist.
Nearly all local community groups and county leaders are asking us to come get informed, participate and take pride in our community together.
I might not be able to deliver a daily paper to your door or broadcast live on the scene of breaking news (I am way too behind on laundry after all), but I do have a particular set of skills. I can help knit the various pieces together into something we all can use to build Aloha.
To start, this monthly publication will be available by email without cost. If demand grows, there may be opportunities to help fund the work. But we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.
Please support the Aloha Free Press by subscribing to the email newsletter, share it with neighbors, and follow us on social media (Bluesky and Facebook).
Sincerely,
Kianna Jean
Looking Ahead
Local elections are on May 20th — School District Candidates will on the ballot.
The Aloha Community Farmer’s Market is scheduled to open Thursday, May 1st.
News and Info Links
Blood Drive at the Bloodmobile at the Aloha Community library.
“Oregon’s legislature passes Medicaid tax extension in bipartisan vote.” - OPB article
“Washington County anticipates $20.5 million gap in next year’s budget.” - Wash Co. upcoming meeting information
Rapid response plan if ICE comes to your community - ACLU-Oregon
If you like what you see and want to see more, please share it with others, especially those who live and work in Aloha and the adjoining neighborhoods. If you have something about Aloha you'd like to know more about or know a community building opportunity in Aloha you'd like to share, send me a message.