Flowers of The Vaux July 2024

Know Your Neighbor — at The Vaux

The mission of KYN is to assist in building a sense of community within The Vaux by sharing valuable information and resources.

KYN is a volunteer project by and for residents at The Vaux.

KYN seeks to have at least one representative per wing per floor in each building at The Vaux.

KYN is separate and independent from The Vaux and its board of directors.

Information and Resources

Listed here are free resources the KYN group has pulled together for use by residents of The Vaux.

Please use Make Contact below to tell us about additional items we might add.

Five-Minute Fix-It Team

Need a quick bit of help to fix something in your unit? Residents of The Vaux can call upon the free Five-Minute Fix-It Team. Team members are volunteers (all are residents of The Vaux) who will come to your unit and help with those quick projects. 

Ways the Fix-It Team menu can help

    • Replace ceiling light bulbs
    • Replace smoke alarm batteries
    • Replace HVAC air filters
    • Replace refrigerator water filters
    • Turn off or restart a gas fireplace pilot light
    • Vacuum bathroom ceiling fans
    • Deal with problem window screens

Use the easy form below to 

    • Request a quick bit of help from the Team or
    • Volunteer to join the team or 
    • Ask for more information.

Fireplace gas valve

Details: There is no charge and tipping is not permitted. The unit resident must provide the light bulb, battery, filter, etc. and, if possible, a stable ladder or step stool. Team members are not allowed to do electrical or plumbing work. 

About Pets: Residents must make sure that both their pets and the team member will be safe. As one resident said, as a dog owner this all seems like common sense. For example, when my house cleaners come, I let my dog say hi (they love him), but then put him in a separate room while they work. He’s not aggressive, just annoying! See this webpage for more tips on pet and visitor safety.

Liability Stuff: Resident is fully responsible for having suitable liability insurance and to indemnify and hold harmless KYN and its members and the Fix-It Team and its members.

Confirm and Agree: By requesting help from the Five-Minute Fix-It Team I confirm and agree to the terms and conditions set forth above under Details, About Pets and Liability Stuff.


Vendors / Contractors List

The KYN group is developing a list of vendors recently used by owners at The Vaux. Find the latest draft at the bottom of this section.

The list is for the convenience of owners at The Vaux. Of course, neither KYN nor any of its members makes any representation about, or assumes responsibility for the actions of, any vendor — please do your own research and reference checks.

Click for the latest update of the list . . . 

You can help create the list — and share information about a vendor / contractor you’ve used — note, your personal info will not be shown on the list:

Recycling and Garbage Rules for Portland

The Portland metro area has its own rules for recycling recycling and garbage at home.

Recycling plastics doesn’t depend on the number in the triangle symbol, it depends on the shape. For example, your plastic yogurt container goes to recycling, but not its lid. And styrofoam cups, trays, egg cartons, packing foam, packing peanuts — even with a triangle symbol — is not recyclable. Click for the latest plastics recyling rules.

Recycling paper is a little less tricky, but has its quirks (examples: shredded paper is recyclable, if you enclose it in a paper bag first; milk cartons are recyclable, just rinse them first). Not recyclables include tissues, napkins, paper towels, waxed paper, and also plastic envelopes or mailers that are a combination of paper and plastic (think Amazon delivery envelopes). Click for the latest paper recycling rules.

Recycling metals has several tricky rules. For starters: Steel and aluminum cans, thoroughly rinsed, can be recycled. Do not flatten cans. Do not place lids loose in recycling containers; place lid inside the can and crimp it shut. Paper labels can be removed and recycled. Click for the latest metals recycling rules.

All the current information is here at the Oregonmetro.gov website [click].

Plastics recycling Portland Metro

 

PublicAlerts System

PublicAlerts is a communication system connecting community members to urgent safety information. Through a combination of phone, email, and text messages, the system can reach any number of community members in any situation where fast, effective communication is essential to safety.

Most landline phone users with published numbers are already included in the system. However, to receive alerts on your mobile phone or at an email address you must register through the PublicAlerts website.

PublicAlerts is provided by Multnomah County and the City of Portland.

Click for FAQs page.

>>>> Click to Sign up now. <<<<

Here are some examples of actions and emergencies that may trigger the use of the PublicAlerts system:

• Incidents requiring evacuation, like floods, fires or hazardous material releases;
• Police activity requiring you to stay inside or not call 911;
• Hazardous material spill or release requiring you to shelter in place;
• Drinking water advisories asking you to boil your water;
• Public health emergency guidance;
• Other danger requiring the public to take an urgent safety action.

PublicAlerts

Condo Finances 101 - - What happens to your dues?

Ever wonder where the money comes from, where it goes, and how your dues are calculated?

In September 2023, Tim Ackley, CMA, Chair of the Vaux Finance Committee, hosted meetings to explain the basics (for non-accountants) and answer questions.

Click for the slideshow.

Click to view the presentation recording.

Personal Emergency Information

Use this Sheet to record key information so someone can help you in case of an emergency. Keep the sheet where it will be found if something happens to you. Perhaps a magnet on your refrigerator, or another place you tell trusted others about. Download or print the Sheet . . .

Power Outage Preparation

PGE provides a helpful checklist for preparing for power outages (several hours or multiple days). See and download the “robust checklist” under “Create a summer outage kit” here . . .

Emergency Supply Shopping List

This week-by-week calendar and shopping list will help you assemble everything you need for a robust emergency kit. Download or print the list . . .

Information, Referral and Assistance

This Information Sheet summarizes services provided by the staff of Friendly House. Friendly House is a nonprofit community center located nearby at NW 26th Avenue and Thurman Street. Download or print the Information Sheet . . .

Website = fhpdx.org

Phone = (503) 228-4391

Email = info@fhpdx.org

Caregiver Resources - Oregon - AARP

This AARP website page lists many resources to help if you’re starting to plan, or you’re already taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance or you’re managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities.

Link =  states.aarp.org/oregon/caregiver-resources

Programs for Kids - Friendly House

Friendly House is a nonprofit community center located nearby at NW 26th Avenue and Thurman Street.

Programs include:

  • Preschool for All
  • After School Care for Chapman Students
  • Summer Break Camp (June 20 to August 18, 2023)
  • Bodyvox Kids Dance Class

Scholarships are available for all programs.

Website = fhpdx.org

Phone = (503) 228-4391

Email = info@fhpdx.org

Sample Invitation to Floor Gathering

Wing represenatives have been holding casual gatherings at their units, inviting other residents on their floors. Download or print a sample invitation . . . 

Finding Things in Common

Finding Things in Common is a simple one-page sheet that can be used at gatherings of residents to help find things residents have in common.

Print or download Finding Things in Common . . . 

The Vaux and KIN Living contacts

The Vaux website = thevaux.com – Front Page

Vaux Board email = directors@thevaux.com

KIN Living and The Vaux

About Wing Representatives

Residents participate directly in the ongoing work of KYN as wing representatives. The wing representatives meet regularly at the home of one of them.

Building / Floor
Savier / First
Savier / Second
Savier / Third
Savier / Fourth
Raleigh / First
Raleigh / Second
Raleigh / Third
Raleigh / Fourth
Wing / Representatives
[vacant]
East: Mary Brooks
North: Kate McPherson / East: Susan Potter
North: Leslie Copland & Anita Helle
South: Stuart and Charlene Hong / West: Susan Ackley
South: Marta Poore & Karla Kim
South: Jan Westwater & Linda Whiteford
South: Patty and Ed Long / West: Abe Farkas & Shelby Lingo

Make Contact

Have questions? Suggestions? Send the KYN group a message.

11 + 6 =