NE Village PDX is pleased to welcome Lewis Barrett, who took up his duties May 22 as part-time office manager at the 5021 NE Alberta Street office. 

 

The Bay Area native brings a wealth of expertise and energy to this position.  Lewis says the Village is a fine fit for him because he enjoys exercising his administrative skills while working at the personal level to build community and social support. Educated in humanities at University of California Santa Cruz and San Francisco State University, Lewis also developed strong technology skills during the hot dot-com days - electronic communications, web development, and user support and training.  

 

Lewis has lived in Portland for 16 years. His mother, a native Oregonian, met his father at University of Oregon. He brings to NE Village substantial experience working for a volunteer-based organization, Neighbors West-Northwest, a coalition of neighborhood associations supporting residents of NW Portland neighborhoods. NWNW's organizational structure is similar to that of NE Village PDX, and aging in place is a top concern for many of their members, so Lewis is at home with that combination.

 

As NE Village's office manager, Lewis is interested in supporting the office volunteers by setting up systems that streamline their work, using and developing what works well, and fostering flexibility and the personal touch.  His expertise in consolidating information from disparate sources will be much appreciated, as will his ability to help with everyday technology concerns. 

 

Outside working hours, Lewis enjoys cycling and cooking, especially baking. He looks forward to bringing baked goods to the office to share.  He also plays guitar, ukulele, and mandolin as an amateur, just for fun.

Want to help NE Village PDX expand its economic diversity? Are you concerned that financial limitations might be keeping some people from becoming members - people you'd like to know?  Here's how you can help.

 

The Governing Council of NE Village PDX has initiated a membership subsidy program to help people of limited means enjoy membership.  The village will follow federal guidelines on poverty level to determine applicants' eligibility. Subsidized memberships will be available as resources allow.

 

As of April 30, NE Village had 108 members and 38 full service members.  From the November 1 start date to April 30, volunteers satisfied 229 service requests, and members are enjoying a variety of gatherings and programs.  These are signs of our village's vitality, and donations (such as to the membership subsidy fund) are the seeds of its future growth.

 

When you meet Edana Laine, you are met with an amazing smile, twinkling eyes and an air of mischievousness.  She was born on wind-swept Canadian prairies and is one of 12 children of Finnish ancestry.  She has lived in the U.S. for over 60 years and currently lives and maintains her home of 23 years in Irvington.

 

As an adult, Edana began a nomadic life, working in the travel and hotel industry in Bermuda, east coast cities, Toronto, and finally San Francisco.  Now settled, she works as a paper artist, making greeting cards.  She enjoys classical music, theater, an occasional game of cribbage (anyone up for a game?), or tackling the daily crossword to keep her mind sharp.  Edana also enjoys cooking, is an avid reader and a champion of alternative medicine and natural foods.  Her choice of books and periodicals reflects her concerns about local and global issues - women's rights, mental health, and homelessness.

 

NE Village PDX has a big space in Edana's home and life.  She is extremely grateful for the support she receives and the "abundance of service."  Edana has gained the respect and admiration of village volunteers who aim to give her the best service possible while enjoying her sense of humor and company.  Most of all, the village allows her to remain in her home. Edana's experience reflects the purpose of the village!

In his 2014 book  Being Mortal , Atul Gawande, MD, gently and persuasively suggests that we think about the late stages of life, plan for it, and - most importantly - identify what is most important to us and to our loved ones in the late stages of frail life. 

.. Bill Roberts

Have you read a book - or seen a movie - you'd like to share with fellow villagers? Visited a restaurant with a menu that's to die for? Write up your thoughts (it needn't be long; 150-350 words is plenty) and send them to [email protected]

. Reviews of all types are encouraged. 

Click here for more detailed information.