Portland Oregon newspaper 2002 archives

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Have an event you would like to announce or something special you would like the community to know about? We want to hear about it, and publish it in our Memo Pad on a space-available basis. Email it to editor@midcountymemo.com.

Park to be named in honor of the Senn family

Recently, in our December issue, the Mid-county Memo printed a letter to the editor from Heather Hess expressing her hope that the new, much needed park in Parkrose would be named in honor of the Senn family. Senn’s Dairy was the original occupant of the site, producing products of such high quality that Mrs. Hess’ husband, who worked for another major dairy, nonetheless brought all his dairy products at Senn’s. The Memo is pleased to announce that in response to the suggestion of Hess and others like her, the Parkrose Neighborhood Association has voted to include “Senn” in the final park name.

David Douglas High asks for your help

The parents of David Douglas High School seniors are planning the Senior All-Night Drug and Alcohol Free Graduation Party. They are asking for the help of businesses and individuals to provide an opportunity for seniors to celebrate an important milestone in their lives in a fun, safe environment.

The Party Committee does not receive financial support from the school, and must rely on the generosity of the community in the form of donations and fundraisers. There are several fundraisers planned which will assist with the cost, and there will also be a modest admission fee to the party. Help from the community is still needed.

Any donation will be gladly accepted, whether cash or product. Your donation is tax deductible and you will be provided with the tax ID number for your records. Your name will also be included in a published acknowledgment of all the contributors.

Help the David Douglas seniors have a fun, safe graduation night. For more information on how you can help, please call David Douglas High School at 503-252-2900.

Help for struggling students

Students who face challenges in pursuing a college education will now have additional help thanks to a federal grant-funded program starting at Mt. Hood Community College. The TRIO Student Support Services program caters to students who are pursing a bachelor’s degree, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have a need for academic support as determined by a GPA below 2.9 or by being placed at the developmental course level.

Beyond these requirements, participants must also fall into one of the following categories: first-generation college students, within federal low-income guidelines or have a documented disability.

Each participant receives free academic, career, transfer and personal counseling services; opportunities for cultural enrichment experiences; and individualized tutoring and mentoring services. Students will also have opportunities to attend free informational workshops, visit four-year colleges and universities, and receive assistance in applying for financial aid and scholarships. With the program just getting underway, already 20 MHCC students are participating.

“Students who are struggling in college are more likely to drop out, and we’re here to prevent that,” said Director Tonya Bassé. “The program is here to guide students in learning how to access both internal and external resources.”

Students may participate as long as necessary to meet their educational and personal goals. For more information, contact the TRIO office at 503-491-7688.

Become a foster grandparent

The Foster Grandparent Program is looking for seniors sixty years and up on a limited income to help at-risk children in Portland. These children need positive role models to help them with reading, developing social skills, and much more. Not only do the foster grandparents get to help out a child, but they also receive two hundred dollars a month tax-free. The program also offers other benefits, including meal and travel compensation, paid time off and sick leave. No experience is necessary, just the desire to better a child’s life. For more information, please call Randy Lucas 503-232-0007 ext. 202.

Seniors - take advantage of free services

The Senior Services Program Office hosts many free informational clinics and health checks. Senior Services offers a free law clinic every Friday with half-hour consultations. Make your appointment for these free services today!

Medicare advice is available as well, through SHIBA - Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance. Volunteers help both seniors and people with disabilities to understand their rights, make informed choices on how to receive their benefits, and file claims and appeals. Appointments are required.

The Senior Services Program Office is located in the East Portland Community Center at 740 S.E. 106th Ave. For more information or to schedule an appointment with any of these programs, please call 503-988-6073.

Help Snow-CAP support our community

Snow-CAP, a Community Action Program, benefits many people in our area. This is made possible by the local volunteers who donate their time or money to help support those less fortunate in the community.

Snow-CAP runs several food and clothing programs for low-income residents of the Mid-County area. These programs have served over 4,000 different families in the last year. This translates to over 65,000 visits for various services. These programs include a shopping style food pantry, produce distribution on Tuesdays, a co-op-type program called Community Basket, a community garden, and a delivery program for low-income seniors called Food 2 You, as well as much more. These programs exist only through the generosity of the community.

Our community works through volunteers from all walks of life pitching in, providing time and donations to help those less fortunate make it through another Portland winter. Assist your community by supporting Snow-CAP. Call 503-674-8785 to volunteer, donate, or for more information about what you can do to help.

Elders in Action offers help for seniors

Elders in Action has specially trained volunteer Ombudsman available to assist seniors and people with disabilities who may be experiencing problems in the areas of healthcare, housing and elder crime and abuse.

These Ombudsman can provide problem solving assistance, advocate for client’s rights, safety, dignity and well being, provide information and link clients with community services, provide emotional and peer support, and provide physical support in making phone calls, filling out paperwork, or accompanying clients to appointments.

Elders in Action volunteers are also available to speak to senior and community groups about Medicare Fraud and Abuse and to alert them to scams and fraudulent practices that may be aimed at seniors.

For more information on Ombudsman Services, or to arrange for a speaking engagement, call the Elders in Action Ombudsman Services Line at 503-823-5293.

You can also get involved over the internet. Sign up today to participate in public surveys about issues that affect seniors. Your voice will help Elders in Action to decide what issues to focus on, and you will also be more informed about current legislation that may affect you. Sign up today in an e-mail addressed to volunteer@eldersaction.org.

Avoid the worst road hazard - other drivers

The American Association of Retired People regularly offers a “55 Alive” defensive driving course. This course helps teach older citizens strategies of safe driving. One feature that makes this class especially valuable to seniors is that some of the strategies that are presented are designed to help overcome the problems that can come with age, such as dimmed vision or slowed reflexes.

Not only will you avoid costly tickets, fines, and accidents, but the “55 Alive” driving course can also help save you money on your car insurance - check with your insurance provider. The class is a refresher course in driving skills and general information, available to anyone aged 55 or over. All this is provided for a fee of just $10. For more information or upcoming class dates, please call Instructor Artie Johnson at 503-282-8044.

Hardworking teen is recognized

Congratulations to the Gateway Elks Teen of the month - Jennifer Neyenhuis. This impressive young lady is graduating in the top ten in a class of 500. She is a member of the Key Club, counselor at her church summer camp, leader of her youth group and editor of the school newspaper. Neyenhuis is also business manager of the Scottish Gardens Greenhouse, Chair of the Waste Management committee in the Earth Club, and president of the early morning seminary.

In her sophomore year, Neyenhuis received a varsity letter on the track team by running the 5,000 meter (3.1 miles). Due to an injury, she was unable to continue running, but this determined young lady stuck with it, helping out as team manager during her Junior and Senior years.

Jennifer Neyenhuis is also a member of Friends of the Trees. She has taken part in the native species restoration program in Forest Park, helped clear graffiti in a cleanup program and helped in the clean-up of a wildlife refuge. She is also the personal counselor for a fourth grade student at Cherry Park Elementary School and has volunteered more than 220 hours at the Multnomah County Library.

Neyenhuis is a senior at David Douglas High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. Not only has she taken upper level classes in English, math, science, and social studies, but she has also been able to maintain an amazing 4.0 GPA in addition to her other achievements..

Rudy and Jill Neyenhuis are very proud of their daughter, who has shown the ability to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to. Her hard work is not without results. Upon high school graduation, Neyenhuis will have accumulated 62 college credit hours. She plans to attend Brigham Young University in Idaho and study for a degree in business administration. The Memo wishes Jennifer Neyenhuis the best luck in achieving her dream of becoming a CPA (Certified Public Accountant).

Experience local area history

The David Douglas Historical Society has a museum highlighting the history of the David Douglas School District and of the area. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to share in the history of your area. Immerse yourself in the history of your neighborhood. Come see old pictures and memorabilia in the Children’s Services building, 1400 S.E. 135th Ave. The museum is currently open by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, please call Jo Curry at 503-254-5923.

Prescott - something for everyone

Prescott Elementary School opens its doors to students, parents, and the community every Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

During these evenings, staff will be available to provide supervision and instruction. The library, computer lab, and gym will be open for family use. There will be reading time and homework help for students and parents.

Prescott Elementary will also be offering English language instruction for non-English speaking students and their families.

In addition to this, the Prescott Parents Organization will be holding informational meetings every third Tuesday of the month, and will also be providing a program for Russian-speaking families to make a smooth transition into our community. Classes to develop communication skills and learn about life in the United States will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Prescott Elementary, 10410 N.E. Prescott St.

For more information about any of these programs, please call Prescott Elementary at 503-408-2150.

Knit one, purl two

Discover the joys of knitting - -join a Gateway area knitting group, Knit One, Purl Two. There are no fees and no hassles, just a morning of knitting and fun. The group welcomes all skill levels, from those who have never seen a knitting needle to those who just like to talk and knit. There will be an experienced knitting teacher available for those who would like to increase their skill. For more information, please call Mary Kay Taylor at 503-255-4129.

Help open a book - and a new world

Help an adult in your area discover the world of communication. The Mt. Hood Literacy Coalition, with the support of Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) and multiple local agencies, is recruiting volunteers who are willing to help adults in Mid-Multnomah County improve their reading, writing and/or English-speaking skills. The coalition is seeking volunteers who can commit two to four hours per week to meet with adults in settings such as one-on-one tutoring, working with small groups and assisting an instructor in a class. Currently, the largest need is for volunteers to assist with life skills and basic literacy for non-readers. In addition, volunteers are needed who will tutor small English as a Second Language groups. Tutoring locations include the Mt. Hood Maywood Park Campus. For more information or to volunteer, call Christina Bright at the Mt. Hood Literacy Coalition at 503-667-1640 or the Oregon Literacy Hotline at 1-800-322-8715.

Study in Mexico

The Mexican heritage city of San Miguel de Allende has nearly no rain. With the Mt. Hood Community College Study Abroad program, students may spend spring term 2002 studying in this city’s dry, exquisite setting.

The Study Abroad program allows students to earn college credit toward a degree or certificate by attending classes at a specialized college in another country. The $3,400 for this trip includes round-trip airfare, room and board, tuition, insurance and the assistance of a resident MHCC instructor. Courses include either first- or second-year Spanish and International Studies.

The group size is limited to 25 students for this term, which runs from April 6 to June 1. To find out more about this exciting opportunity, contact MHCC instructor Vern Porter at 503-491-7209.

Students who are eligible for Financial Aid may use funding toward a Study Abroad program if credits are taken as part of a larger curriculum.

Tapping toes on new floors

Portland Parks and Recreation has moved their recreation program from Rice School to Vestal School, 161 N.E. 82nd Ave. (at Everett St.). There’s a wood sprung dance floor for Tiny Tappers (and adults too), Hip Hoppers, sword-leaping Highlanders, and romantic ballroom dancing. New programs include yoga, drumming rhythms, sports classes for kids, storybook adventures for the little ones, martial arts, and fencing swords. Enter through the Everett St. door. For more information or to register, please call the Montavilla Community Center at 503-823-4101.

SMART volunteers needed

The non-profit organization, SMART - Start Making A Reader Today - is looking for daytime volunteers to work with children on their reading skills at Prescott, Sacramento, and Shaver Elementary Schools. You can help a local child by donating just one hour of your time per week. Read with two different children for a half-hour each, once a week, and make a difference in the lives of children in the Parkrose Community. For more information or to sign up, call Micaela Boyington 503-402-1954.

Mt. Hood CC wins top place

Among hundreds of institutions of higher education in the U.S., Mt. Hood Community College now ranks in the top 20 for its environmental practices.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, Mt. Hood is ranked in the top 20 schools in the following three categories: Leading Schools for Recycling 60 Percent or More of Their Total Municipal Waste Generated, Leading Schools for Land and Grounds Management Programs and Leading Schools for Transportation Programs.

“The best campuses in this survey are providing a green compass for others to follow,” said Julian Keniry, manager of National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology program.

The National Wildlife Federation’s findings are based on responses from 891 institutions of higher education in the U.S. Questions covered a range of issues, including management, curriculum and operations. Policies in place such as carpool programs, integrated pest management and wetland restoration made MHCC a standout college.

“For the first time, we can see trends that will help us set priorities and establish benchmarks for improving environmental performance and better educating students,” said Lander Medlin, executive vice president of The Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers, a co-sponsor of the survey.

Glenfair children need your help

Can you spare one hour per week? Spend it changing a life - help others tutoring second and third grade students. With just a small donation of time, you can help improve the reading skills of a child dramatically. For more information, please call Diane or Myra at Glenfair Elementary, 503-252-3479, ext. 223.

Human Solutions offers help

Human Solutions is a non-profit social service corporation that helps low-income families move into self-sufficiency. They do this by providing transitional and permanent affordable housing, as well as a broad range of life skill classes and other social services. To find out how they can help you, call Human Solutions at 503-988-5200.

Gregory Heights offers opportunity

A variety of classes are offered this month at the Gregory Heights Library, 7921 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Gregory Heights Library hours are Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m., closed Monday, open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free programs and special events for February are listed below. For more information or to pre-register for any event call 503-988-5386.

• Valentine Fun: Have a lovely time creating heart-felt cards and crafts on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m.

• Book Discussion Group: Join friends and neighbors to discuss insights and read interesting books. For Tuesday, Feb 19 at 7 p.m.

• Pre-school Storytime: Storytimes for children 3 to 6 years with adult will be held every Friday at 11 a.m.

• Tiny Tots: Storytimes for children aged 12 to 24 months with adult will be held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Homework Helpers: Homework Helpers are trained volunteers who give students one-on-one help finding the books and information they need to complete homework assignments in the library. Sessions at Gregory Heights will be held on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 3, and Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Available whenever school is in session.

• Become a Sherlock Holmes: Teens are invited to put their crime solving skills to the test in this special after-hours teen mystery event. Gather evidence and clues to solve “The Disappearance of Angela” - is she a runaway or a victim of foul play? Pre-registration is required for this event, held on Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

• E-mail for beginners: Prerequisite: Web Basics. Learn how to use free e-mail on the Web, like Yahoo or Hotmail. Sign up, then compose and send messages to anywhere in the world. Pre-registration required for this class, held on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m.

• Cyber Sundays: One-on-one computer help is available at Gregory Heights on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

• Cyber Seniors Computer Classes: This series of three classes is designed for seniors who are interested in learning the very basics of how to use a computer. Each session will consist of one hour of instruction and one hour of practice. Participants must pre-register and attend all three classes, held Tuesdays, Feb 5, 12, and 19, all at 9 a.m.

• Gregory Heights Computer Lab: Pre-registration required for the classes, which will be 9 to 10 a.m. Classes will be held Saturdays, Feb. 9, 16, and 23.

• The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Emperor isn’t wearing any clothes! How does a respectable emperor, famous for his love of clothes and fashion, wind up in the town square without a stitch? Listen and learn the answers as the court’s musician, Emily Alexander, recounts the timeless classic by Hans Christian Andersen on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Check out the free events in Parkrose

Parkrose Cooperative Library offers several entertaining activities for those looking for something to do. Library hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sunday. For more information on any of the events or to pre-register, please call 503-988-5383.

• Book Discussion Group: Meet with your neighbors and have interesting discussions! Come join the book discussion group at Parkrose Cooperative. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. For that meeting, read “Citizen Washington” by William Martin. George Washington has just died and the nephew of a newspaper owner sets out to uncover Washington’s true nature.

• Family Storytime: Storytime will be held for children 6 and younger with adult on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and 1 p.m.

• Warm Winter Tales: Storyteller Christopher Leebrick presents a collection of stories for the winter months. Hear these seasonal stories on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

• Banners and Flags: For kids and the kid in all of us - create banners and flags with artist Laura Bender. Have some fun on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m

Midland offers free classes and activities

The Midland branch of the Multnomah County Library, located at 805 S.E. 122nd Ave., offers many free activities for adults and families. Library hours are: Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In February, weekly events include computer and Internet classes and story times. There will also be many special events. For more information on any of the listed programs or to pre-register for a free class, please call the library at 503-988-5392.

• Book Discussion Group: Engage in stimulating conversation about books and get to know your neighbors. For Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., read “Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth” by Naguib Mahfouz. In the 11th century B.C., a young boy seeks the truth about the recently deceased pharaoh, the first monotheistic ruler of Egypt. For Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. read “Daughter of Fortune” by Isabel Allende. A Chilean immigrant in San Francisco goes to the Gold Rush fields disguised as a man to follow her lover.

• Story Stop: Listen to stories every day! Children of all ages and their adults are invited to stop by the library for a short, daily program of fun stories. This program is held on Tuesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

• Valentine Fun: Have a lovely time creating heart-felt cards and crafts on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m.

• Homework Helpers: Homework Helpers are trained volunteers who give students one-on-one help finding the books and information they need to complete homework assignments in the library. Sessions at Midland will be held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Available whenever school is in session.

• Young Readers Club: Calling all readers ages 10 and up! Join us for discussion, fun and friends. For Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. read Susan Cooper’s “The Dark Is Rising.” On his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, destined to seek the six magical signs that will enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark.

• The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Emperor isn’t wearing any clothes! Shocking news to say the least. How does a respectable emperor, famous for his love of clothes and fashion, wind up in the town square without a stitch? Listen and learn the answers as the court’s musician, Emily Alexander, recounts the timeless classic by Hans Christian Andersen on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

• Pre-school Storytime: Storytimes for children 3 to 6 years with adult will be held every Friday at 10:15 a.m.

• Tiny Tots: Storytimes for children aged 12 to 24 months with adult will be held every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m.

• Book Babies: Storytimes for children newborn to 12 months with adult will be held every Tuesday at 10:15 a.m.

• Toddler Storytime: Storytimes for children aged 24 to 36 months with adult will be held every Thursday at 10:15 a.m.