Each day, members of our community quietly celebrate milestones, achievements and accomplishments—big and small. This department highlights these triumphs for the community.

If you’re sending a submission, include all details that apply: individuals’ names, details of the milestone and a contact name and phone number. If you have photos, send them. The submission deadline for the March issue is Wednesday, Feb. 15. For best results, e-mail editor@midcountymemo.com or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. Call 503-287-8904.

Performance leads to regional finals
Parkrose High senior Vanesia Dedmon has advanced to the August Wilson Monologue Competition Portland Regional Finals after participating in auditions in early January.

Through Wilson’s plays, high school-age actors learn about the American experience from the African-American viewpoint. Prior to the regional finals Monday, Feb. 27 at Newmark Theater downtown, Dedmon will participate in a series of workshops guided by professional actors and director mentors. The top three finalists at that competition will move on to the national finals held at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City this spring.

Point in Time Count rescheduled
The Joint Office of Homeless Services has set the 2017 Point in Time Count of people experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County for Feb. 22 to 28. The Point in Time Count provides a snapshot of people experiencing homelessness at a given point in time in Portland, Gresham and Multnomah County. It is required by the federal government for metropolitan jurisdictions that receive federal funds for homeless services.

The count had been scheduled to begin Jan. 25. Organizers said today they are rescheduling the five-day effort as unprecedented severe weather has disrupted the population numerous times in the last month and exhausted the volunteers needed to conduct the count.

“Holding a count so soon after these historic storms would almost certainly affect our ability to fully staff this extensive effort, identify all the people living on the street and be able to compare the results to previous years,’’ said Marc Jolin, director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services. “The count gives us important information, and we want it to be as accurate as possible.”

Community grant projects awarded
Central Northeast Neighbors Coalition has announced grant awards to two area community groups:

Jason Lee Parent Teacher Association will use its award for a Community Space Creation and Celebration.

The goal of this project is to create a community-envisioned welcoming outdoor space for kids, parents and the community to gather and enjoy. The project will culminate in a celebration of the creative power of community. The majority of the students at Jason Lee in Madison South are Asian, Latino and African American. Eighty percent are on free or reduced lunch.

The Hmong American Community of Oregon envisions a New Year in the Park. This project is to support immigrant and refugee community organizers in hosting a Southeast Asian New Year community celebration at Glenhaven Park on Northeast 82nd Avenue. Cultural performances, food, music and resources will be presented. The event is relatively new and builds leadership and partnerships between diverse groups and attracts thousands of people to join the festivities.

No date has yet been announced for either celebration.

Boaters—share your thoughts
Every six years, the Oregon State Marine Board solicits feedback from boaters and facility owners to create a catalog of boating facility needs, and it then assigns priorities to sites for grant funding. This information is compiled into the Statewide Boating Access Improvement Plan, commonly referred to as the Six-Year Plan. The agency invites boaters to participate in a survey to help identify where the needs are around the state. Boaters can access an online survey at boatoregon.com, or they can go to the survey directly at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GWGC7L6. The survey will be available online through March 31.

The Marine Board does not own or operate any boating facilities in the state; however, the Marine Board’s Boating Facilities Section provides technical assistance to boating facility owners in the form of design, facility engineering, surveying, waterway permitting and grant funding to facility owners.