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The Memo Calendar is your vehicle to publicize community events. Let your mid-Multnomah County neighbors know about events of interest, meetings, fundraisers and the like. Calendar submissions for the May issue are due Tuesday, April 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail your submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.
SCHOOL CORNER
Earth day demonstrations offered at local school
The parents, teachers and students of Ventura Park Elementary, 145 S.E. 177th Ave., will host an Earth Day Community Fair on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The focus of the event is to help illustrate the benefits of working with local businesses, how a buy-local approach is a very easy way to make earth-friendly choices and how supporting local businesses can greatly improve the community’s economy.
Activities and informational displays will provide other earth-friendly options that can be incorporated into our daily lives.
If you would like more information, contact Brian Dresbeck, president of the Ventura Park Parent Teacher Organization at 503-408-0400 or 503-256-6508.
Getting ready for college
On Monday, April 14 the David Douglas School District will present an all-district college information night in the Performing Arts Center auditorium, 1400 S.E. 130th Ave., at 7 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents of students of all ages to learn about financial aid, scholarships and various options for higher education. Representatives from a community college, a public four-year university and a private four-year college will be on hand to answer questions. A short film addressing how to select and apply to the right school will be presented.
Support for African American families
Fir Ridge Campus, 11215 S.E. Market St., will host an African American Family Night on Wednesday, April 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This event will provide an opportunity for African American students and their families to learn about resources and support available through the David Douglas School District.
Seniors’ parents wanted
The Parkrose Senior All-Night Party is rapidly approaching. Committee Chair Gail Volk is reaching out to parents to pitch in on what will be a most memorable night as their kids graduate from high school and head out on the next leg of life’s journey. Contact her at volkmgm@aol.com to lend a hand.
Tickets for the event will go on sale at the high school later this month for $25 each. The price will jump to $35 on May 19, so it will pay to buy tickets early.
Eighth-grade information night
David Douglas High School will offer a high school information night to incoming eighth-grade students on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center auditorium, 1400 S.E. 130th Ave. This will be an opportunity for parents to learn about high school graduation requirements and expectations, to watch a video presentation overview of the high school, to understand how the DDHS schedule works, to review how students select a course of study, to understand the counseling and guidance program and to hear about support services available to families. Please contact Linda Vancil, counselor, at 503-261-8350 with your questions.
Swim to win and stay fit
David Douglas Swim Club is offering two ways to get in shape and learn the sport of competitive swimming.
Join the David Douglas Swim Club. It is a competitive swim club that races in local meets as well as throughout the United States. The team practices at the David Douglas pool, Southeast 130th Avenue and Taylor Street, Monday through Friday evenings. A professional coaching staff with over 60 years of combined experience coaches this team. Recently, David Douglas swimmers have helped the David Douglas High School boys swim team win the Oregon 6A State Championship. David Douglas swimmers also placed seventh at the state tournament for 11- to 14-year-olds in Corvallis, Ore.; won the Senior State Championship of Oregon held at Mt. Hood Community College and currently have a half dozen or more athletes competing at the university level.
If you are not ready for competitive swimming, sign up for pre-competitive swim lessons. These lessons are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Swimmers must be at least four feet tall. These lessons are individualized, costing $4 each, so students can learn at their own pace.
David Douglas Swim Club is a positive place to learn athletics, a healthy lifestyle and teamwork. Students from outside the David Douglas School District are welcome.
If interested please contact Jim Bowe at 503-261-8378 or e-mail him at jimbo007062003@yahoo.com.
Sign up for preschool
Resurrection Lutheran Preschool, 1700 N.E. 132nd Ave., is now accepting registrations for the 2008-09 school year. The preschool will offer one combined class for children ages 3 and 4. The class will meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Class size is limited to 14. Early registration is urged. For more information, please call Cheryl Nelson at 503-255-8772.
Register for kindergarten and first grade
Where does a 50-year journey begin? It begins with a vision! In 1957 Betty Lawler, wife of church planter Dan Lawler, developed that vision at Gateway Baptist Church, 13300 N.E. San Rafael St. She, along with Molly Flood, started a kindergarten in the newly built church. That year, 29 kindergarten-aged children graduated from Gateway Christian Kindergarten. Now, 50 plus years later, Gateway Christian School continues with that same vision of effective educational and evangelistic outreach into the community.
Over these 50 years many excellent teachers and assistants have loved and nurtured children in their most formative years. In 1996 Carol Van Horn, former teacher of 3-year-olds for the school, became the director.
In 1998 a first-grade class was added. In 2005 GCS marched into the 21st century with a new Web site, www.gateway-christian.com, and a new motto: “Smart Starts Here.”
In 2007, 22 children enrolled for all-day kindergarten. Teachers, assistants and curriculum have evolved over the years at GCS, but faithful teachers with a heart for enriching children has not changed. As community demographics have transformed, the school has evolved to include English as a second language.
Classroom size is kept small so that each child can receive the special attention that is appropriate for his or her age level. GCS has worked hard to keep tuition affordable.
The school is now enrolling students for the 2008-09 school year. Tours are available. Visit the Web site or call Van Horn at 503-253-0664.
3- and 4-year-olds can sign up now
Gethsemane Lutheran Preschool, 11560 S.E. Market St., is now accepting preschool registrations for the coming school year. The preschool program is for children who will be 3 or 4 years of age by Sept. 1. Call Karla Hills, preschool director, at 503-256-1835 for more information or to register.
SENIOR RESOURCES
Health fair to include free screenings
The St. Rita Women’s Guild is sponsoring a health fair on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the church hall, 10029 N.E. Prescott St.
Health professionals will be on hand to help you understand the complexities of our health care system. The Lions Mobile Health Screening unit will be on site as well. Free screenings for visual acuity, glaucoma, blood pressure and hearing will be available. A diabetes screening will also be available to those who have observed a three-hour fast in advance of the screening.
Lunch will be available. To learn more, call 503-252-3403.
MEETINGS
Russellville Kiwanis restarts Key Club
The Parkrose High School Kiwanis Key Club has been restarted. Membership currently stands at about 15, and recruitment efforts are underway. The Key Club meets at the school, 12003 N.E. Shaver St., on Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m. Kiwanis Key Club introduces high school students to service in the school and the community at large.
Russellville Kiwanis continues to seek adult members. The group meets on Tuesdays at 11:45 a.m. at the Refectory, 1618 N.E. 122nd Ave. If you drop in for lunch, you will learn that this group supports SnowCap Community Charities, Ronald McDonald House, Shepherd’s Door, DayBreak Family Shelter, Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Unit, the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp for Disabled Children, Parkrose Little League and others.
To learn more, contact Charlie Ross at 503-252-1570.
PBA has new president
Parkrose Business Association has announced Mike Taylor, former superintendent of the Parkrose School District and current director of ACE Academy, as president upon the departure of Jon Turino. Turino leaves to become executive director of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations.
The PBA board will meet on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 a.m. at the Pony Soldier Inn. The monthly general membership meeting will be on Thursday, April 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Steamers, 8303 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
What have you done for your planet today?
The city of Portland Bureau of Development Services green team plans a special brown bag Lunch and Learn session this month. The team will present a short history of Earth Day and talk about how BDS has incorporated green initiatives in the workplace.
Participants will learn about recent sustainability-related initiatives and upcoming projects and events. They will receive tips and contact information to help make green changes in their everyday lives.
Pack a lunch and join the discussion at noon on Friday, April 11 downtown, 1900 S.W. 4th Ave., Conference Room 2500-A.
Streetcar System Plan Workshop upcoming
Are you interested in learning more about the streetcars in Portland? How about a streetcar corridor in your community? Join the Streetcar System Plan Workshop on Tuesday, April 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave. The outcome of this meeting and others like it throughout the city will be a community decision about whether to take on a two-month study of potential streetcar corridors in each district or decide that it’s not a priority for the community at this time.
For more information, contact Portland Office of Transportation Streetcar System Plan staff Emily Lieb at 503-823-7854 or Patrick Sweeney at 503-823-5611.
Floral design served with lunch
The Flower Lane Garden Club April meeting will be at Leach Botanical Gardens, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave. at 10 a.m. on Tuesday the 22nd. Helen Forsythe, a National Council of Garden Clubs judge, will offer techniques on floral design. Lunch will be served at noon. The meeting is free. Call Isa Hogue at 503-253-4071 to learn more.
Paint your shovel
Want to use your shovel for more than just digging? Drop in on the Thursday, April 24 meeting of the Villa Garden Club, and bring your shovel — with or without a handle.
Artist Maxine Wilson will give a hands-on shovel-painting demonstration. In addition, Leona Connelly will help you get vegetables back in your garden by creating an edible landscape.
The fun begins at 10:30 a.m. at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave. Pack a lunch and join in.
For more information, contact Connelly at 503-287-4517.
CHURCHES
The Grotto
A monthly Mass and blessing with the relic of Saint Peregrine will be offered at The Grotto in the Chapel of Mary at noon on Saturday, April 5. Saint Peregrine is the patron saint of victims of cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. The Grotto is located at Northeast 85th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard.
Series to look at Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 12505 N.E. Halsey St., will host a series of presentations designed to explain the history, relationships and issues that divide Israelis and Palestinians. Understanding Israel and Palestine: Three Views will be presented from 7 to 9 p.m. on three successive Tuesdays this month.
On April 8 watch “Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains.” This movie chronicles Carter’s travels as he promoted his book “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid.”
On April 15 Hala Gores, a Christian Palestinian will address some of the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in her presentation, Palestinian Perspective: Achieving Peace and Justice.
Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Hope for Peace will be presented on April 22 by Bob Horenstein, community relations director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.
This series is being presented free of charge, but your RSVP is requested. Please indicate your interest by contacting Rev. Brian Heron at 503-252-3888 or pastorbrian@eastminsterpdx.org. You may attend one, two or all three presentations.
Register to vote
If you are not registered to vote or need to change your name, mailing address, residential address or political party affiliation, you can do so at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ at Northeast 105th Avenue and Wygant Street. The church will hold a voter registration drive this month as a service to the community. You may drop in between 10 a.m. and noon or between 5 and 7 p.m. on April 14, 16, 18, 21, 23 and 25.
Exercise your right to vote. Register and be ready for the May election.
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