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Resources, Reminders, and Reflections for December
As the year winds down and the temperatures drop, it's a time to reflect, prepare, and care for one another in big and small ways. This month’s eNewsletter is filled with helpful resources and timely reminders to keep you safe, supported, and informed throughout the winter season. Whether you're looking for ways to help those experiencing homelessness, tips to prepare for cold weather, or ideas for meaningful holiday giving, we’ve got you covered.
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Upcoming Closures
Beaverton City Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve. City offices and Beaverton City Library locations will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas. Beaverton City Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve. City offices and Beaverton City Library locations will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day.
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Message from the City Manager
✨As the holiday season brings warmth and cheer to Beaverton, we invite you to celebrate community resilience and togetherness. This month marks the one-year anniversary of the Beaverton Shelter, a milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide vital homelessness resources and support. With winter weather upon us, please take steps to prepare your household—insulate pipes to prevent freezing, keep emergency supplies handy, and remember that garbage and recycling schedules may shift during storms. While you’re out enjoying seasonal festivities, don’t miss the Beaverton Arts Market, where local artists and makers bring creativity to our downtown. And as gifts are exchanged, keep them safe by securing packages and locking vehicles. Together, let’s embrace the spirit of the holidays while caring for one another and keeping Beaverton safe, strong, and vibrant.
Happy Holidays!
Jenny
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Beaverton is Here for You
In this time when many in our community are feeling uncertain, the city wants you to know that we are doing all we can to help.
The city has streamlined utility billing assistance to help our most vulnerable community members — this means no more caps for qualified customers, no re-application delays, and no shut-offs during the holidays or while you're applying for help.
We’re proud to partner with key organizations, such as the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce, to offer support to our local business community. The city is also in the process of identifying other opportunities for more tailored business assistance.
The Beaverton City Council has asked the City Manager to declare a state of emergency and continue to advance initiatives to support the community during this time.
Learn More about our Commitment to Sanctuary, Your Rights, Public Safety, and Immigration Resources
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Resources Available to Support Those Experiencing Homelessness
As winter approaches, the city would like to remind our community about the various services available to those seeking shelter and additional support.
The Beaverton Shelter, which offers 60 beds, meals, showers, and wraparound services on a 24/7 basis, recently marked its first year of continuous operation.
We’re pleased to share that since its opening, the shelter has enrolled more than 1,000 individuals, helped 51 households transition to permanent housing, and supported over 500 people through its coordinated care space.
For individuals living in vehicles, the Safe Parking Program provides designated, legal parking spaces across the city. Each site includes portable restrooms, storage, and garbage removal.
The Beaverton City Library has become a hub for assistance. Community resource specialists are available during library hours to connect visitors with services like shelter, childcare, and rent help.
The Beaverton Police Department Bike Team continues proactive outreach in downtown, parks, and transit centers to ensure safety and address community concerns.
Visit the Community Services Website for Full Details and Support Options
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Stay Safe and Be Ready for Colder Temperatures
Winter weather can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and other conditions to our neighborhoods — and we want you to be ready.
Taking preparedness actions now, such as winterizing your car, keeping an emergency kit, and ensuring you have supplies for several days without power will help protect you and your family.
Find Tips and Tools to Keep You Prepared for Emergencies, No Matter the Season
It’s also essential to protect your home plumbing from freezing, which can cause pipes to burst and lead to costly repairs and damage. To help, the city has developed a list of tips and resources for inside and outside your home.
Learn How to Keep Your Pipes from Freezing
Our Public Works, Police, and Emergency Management teams are on standby to monitor and respond to conditions when severe weather is in the forecast.
Find Winter Sanding Routes
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Know Your Shut-Off Valve
Everyone in your household should know how to shut off your water in an emergency, even kids! Freezing weather can cause water pipes to burst, so now is a great time to find your home’s shut-off valve and learn how to use it.
Learn How to Find Your Home’s Shut Off Valve
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Waste Less This Holiday Season
The holiday season often brings extra waste—from packaging and food to unwanted gifts. Be mindful and aim to reduce waste while celebrating.
Check Out the Guest-imator and Learn Out How to Avoid Food Waste and Ensure Just the Right Amount, Including Leftovers
Give experiences instead of things: opt for show or meal gift certificates. If giving physical gifts, reuse packaging or wrap with reusable items like blankets. And, repair rather than replace! Fixing toys, bikes, or appliances can be a meaningful and sustainable gift.
Find Holiday Recycling Tips: Like What to Do with String Lights or Wrapping Paper
Holiday Hauling Reminder: Your garbage and recycling haulers work every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Pickups will be delayed by one day on Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 1, and Friday, Jan. 2. Set containers out by 6 a.m.
Find Out Who Your Hauler Is
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It's Not Too Late to Share Your Input About Beaverton City Library Services
We’re planning for the future and want to hear from you. Take a quick and anonymous survey to share what you love about the library and what you'd like to see in the years ahead. Your input will help us shape services that truly meet our community's needs and priorities. The survey is open now through Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Take the Strategic Planning Survey
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Looking for a Meaningful Gift This Season?
Support local by shopping at neighborhood businesses and visiting The Curio—a vibrant collaboration between the Beaverton Arts Market and The Reser. Discover handcrafted art and unique gifts from talented Northwest artists. The sale is open each week, Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. through Jan. 17.
Learn More About The Curio Presented by Beaverton Arts Market and The Reser
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Keep Your Gifts Safe
With holiday shopping in full swing, the Beaverton Police Department wants to help keep your packages safe. Nearly 25 percent of holiday shopping will happen online this year — here are a few quick tips: add package insurance at checkout for extra protection; ship to a store or use a secure pickup service; ask neighbors to keep an eye out for deliveries; and use home security cameras that can help if a theft occurs. If a package is stolen, report it to non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.
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Donate at Ladies in Blue Blood Drive
Help make a difference by donating blood at a special event hosted by the Ladies in Blue, a community-wide initiative that brings together officers, dispatchers, spouses, and friends. The blood drive will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, at the Public Safety Center, located at 6125 SW Hall Boulevard.
Visit the Red Cross Blood Donation Website to Schedule an Appointment
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Spotlight on Service: Michael Alner, South Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee Chair
Michael Alner’s journey as a community volunteer began with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and character of his neighborhood. After moving to Sexton Mountain in 1979, he and his family enjoyed the peaceful sight of pinto horses running on the Cobb’s property next door. In 2014, he began attending meetings of the South Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee to help preserve the cherished green space.
Michael’s involvement with the South Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee deepened from there. In 2014, he officially became a volunteer, and by 2018, he was nominated and elected as chair, a role he continues to hold. His commitment to civic engagement expanded further in 2019 when he was selected to participate in the Beaverton Leadership program. Over the course of a year, he gained a broader awareness and appreciation of the city’s diverse and developing community.
Among the many initiatives he’s helped lead, one of Michael’s favorite projects was the 2019 South Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee Summer Fair. Held at Hiteon Elementary School and Park, the event brought together more than 750 neighbors for a day of fun, featuring local businesses, chalk art activity, and a movie in the park.
Describing himself as a “British American Neighbor,” Michael brings a unique perspective and a hands-on approach to everything he does. Few people know that he once served at a naval base in Portland, though not the one in Oregon, but in England. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, gardening, and spending time with his family. A self-proclaimed “Master Fixer Upper,” Michael’s passion for building and improving extends well beyond his home, it’s woven into the fabric of his neighborhood.
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Pollinator Pathway Opens in Downtown Beaverton
Beaverton is celebrating a major milestone in community-led sustainability: the completion of the Downtown Beaverton Pollinator Pathway. Spearheaded by our partners at the Beaverton Downtown Association (BDA), this initiative connects native plant installations throughout the downtown core to support pollinators, strengthen local partnerships, and enhance public spaces.
The pathway links key sites including the Beaverton City Library, City Park, Alpine Group, Holistic Health, Global Art of Dance, Ickabod’s, United Methodist Church, Binary Brewing, Trek Bicycle Beaverton, and The Round — creating a continuous corridor of pollinator-friendly habitat in the heart of our city. We’re also proud to share that this project has earned certification from Pollinator Pathway, a national nonprofit dedicated to building connected pollinator habitats in communities across the country.
This achievement was made possible through the generous support of the Central Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee via the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program, which provided a $3,000 grant to fund native plantings.
This is just the beginning. As the project builds momentum toward Bee City USA certification in 2026, we invite community members to join us. Volunteers and committee members are welcome to be part of the next phase of this exciting work. Together, we’re creating a more vibrant, sustainable, and connected Beaverton—one plant at a time.
Visit the Beaverton Downtown Association's Website For More Information About the Project
Learn More About the City’s Neighborhood Matching Grants Program
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Learn How to be a Mediator
The Center for Mediation and Dialogue has an upcoming Basic Mediation Training in January! Participants who complete the training are eligible to apply to volunteer with the Center for Mediation and Dialogue. This training will introduce participants to the themes, practices, and skills of becoming a mediator in the community. Mediation is a confidential process in which an impartial person, a mediator, helps two or more parties voluntarily work towards a mutually acceptable agreement. Students will learn how to communicate with the parties during case development and mediation, promote understanding, and facilitate a problem-solving discussion that helps resolve the dispute. Classes will be held in person over the course of five sessions.
Find Training Dates, Cost, Options for Scholarships, and Registration Information
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From our Friends at the Oregon Department of Transportation: All Major Elements of OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project Now Complete
We’re celebrating the completion of all major elements of the OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project —delivered on time after four years of planned construction! We worked to improve safety and address longstanding bottlenecks on OR 217 while also completing key connections in the adjacent bicycle and pedestrian network — thanks, in part, to funding from the City of Beaverton. Final touches, clean-up, and landscaping work will continue into 2026.
Learn More and See the OR 217 Project Completion Video
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From Our Friends at TriMet: Some Evening Service Reduced
TriMet reduced service on several popular bus lines on Nov. 30, and the transit agency is advising the public that there will be more to come.
Line 52-Farmington/185th in Beaverton is one of five lines where buses will run less often in the evenings, due to these service cuts. Buses on Line 52 now arrive hourly after 9 p.m. on all days.
Bus schedules have also changed by up to 10 minutes on multiple lines.
Learn More About Line 52
Find More Information About Service Changes
Plan Your TriMet Trip
This is the first round in what will be a multiyear process for TriMet of cutting service to address a projected budget gap.
TriMet is reducing its spending on service and other areas to bring expenses in line with its revenues. The transit agency’s operating costs have risen dramatically since before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has been collecting less rider revenue over the same time.
Additional cuts are planned in 2026 and 2027. The next round of service cuts is expected to take place in March.
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