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President surprises east Portland diners
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Business Memos...

Local businesses are the lifeblood of our community. The Mid-county Memo offers this section to our business neighbors for news, advancements, promotions, expansions and other noteworthy events to be shared with the community at large. Business Memo submissions for the September issue are due by Wednesday, Aug.15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.

Cleary's gets new owners
James Wu, Cleary's Restaurant & Spirits new owner, teaches employees his new system.
Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran
Cleary's Restaurant & Spirits, one of the few small businesses remaining in the once proud and bustling Menlo Park Plaza, sold to James Wu and his family last month for $349,000. Seng Haeng, who purchased the venerable Irish American bar nearly seven years ago from original owners and Wes Mercedes Cleary for $600,000, retains ownership of his other bar, The Trap Lounge in Southeast Portland.

Asked what changes he will make, Wu, who owns Wu's Garden, a Chinese style restaurant in Troutdale said, “We are making no changes. No changes - for right now.”

However, he has told customers he wants to change to a sports bar theme. Marvin Henkel Sr., a Cleary's regular said, “He [Wu] told me he wants to turn it into a sports bar; put TVs all along the wall above the bar; said he was going to bring in a decent steak too.”

An employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “I don't know what's going on, we're all [other Cleary's employees] nervous. I've had a few customers already complain the food is different. He [Wu] has already changed the sauce on the ribs and keeps messing around in the kitchen.” When asked about changes in operations, General Manager Kathy Waddle said, “No, we haven't changed food vendors.”

In its most recent Multnomah County Health Department Inspection in 2012, Wu's Garden scored an 86 of 100 with three rule violations. A passing score is 70.

Open every day, Cleary's Restaurant & Spirits is at 12429 N.E. Glisan St. the phone number is 503-251-2737.

From the classroom to principal's chair
Carmen Edson Moore, a longtime junior high teacher at Crossroads Christian School, moves into the principal's chair this fall.
Photo courtesy Dorian Studio
When students at Crossroads Christian School return in the fall, a new principal but not a new face will greet them. Carmen Edson Moore has been a teacher at the Parkrose area private school for over two decades.

Moore taught junior high students and was the head of the junior high department. In 2007 she added vice principal to her duties. She claims that, “Teaching junior high is hard, but it's also fun!” Her coworkers say students love her for her sense of humor and no-nonsense approach.

Moore is a graduate of Cascade Christian College (formerly known as Columbia Christian College) and earned her master's in education from Corban University in 2009. She says she looks forward to building on the strong program that is already in place at the school.

Crossroads Christian School, 2505 N.E. 102nd Ave., serves students from preschool through 8th grade.

Try a taste of Cambodia

The Mekong Bistro, a new Cambodian Restaurant, held a Meet and Greet for neighbors and business owners last month. Neighbors, seated, Dan and Sarah Waits, enjoy the fresh Cambodian Cuisine prepared by Chef Saroeun Khut, standing next to her son and owner Saron ‘Ron’ Khut.
Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran


Saron 'Ron' Khut has opened what he believes to be the only Cambodian restaurant in the state of Oregon on Northeast 82nd Avenue and Siskiyou Street. Mekong Bistro serves authentic Cambodian dishes prepared by Khut's mother, Saroeun Khut. Many regard Cambodian cuisine to be one of the healthiest, most balanced available. The menu includes Laotian, Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian favorites as well.

Saron Khut along with his mother and sisters fled Cambodia in 1980. The Khmer Rouge killed his father. After spending several months in Thailand, the family immigrated to the United States under the sponsorship of an uncle. Khut graduated from Cleveland High School, attended Mt. Hood Community College and graduated from Portland State University in 1996.

The restaurant does not yet have a liquor license, as there is neighborhood opposition because of a homicide at the sports bar Khut previously owned - the Good Call Sports Bar and Grill on Southeast Division Street and 110th Avenue.

There is a hearing at the Oregon Liquor Control Commission office, 9079 S.E. McLoughlin Blvd., Thursday, Aug. 9 at 9 a.m.

Khut hopes his customers and supporters will appear at that hearing to help swing a decision in his favor.

Mekong Bistro is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. A lunch buffet is served Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Party for your pet
Pictured at the 2011 Halsey East Animal Clinic open house is son, Dr. Steven Vockert, D.V.M., left, and father Dr. Walter Vockert D.V.M. In 1968 the clinic opened in a small house that was home to Dr. Vockert and his staff until October of 2000. The Vockerts built the state of the art clinic at 16057 N.E. Halsey St. in 2000.
Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran
Halsey East Animal Clinic is a second-generation, family owned veterinary clinic that has serving the Mid-county community for over 40 years. The doctors and staff at Halsey East Animal Clinic represent well over 150 years of combined experience in veterinary medicine. Many clients have been coming to Halsey East for multiple generations and with a succession of pets.

In 1968, the clinic opened in a small house that was home to Dr. Walter Vockert, D.V.M. and his staff until October of 2000. Vockert and his son Dr. Steven Vockert, D.V.M. built the current state of the art clinic at 16057 N.E. Halsey St. in 2000. The new clinic offers boarding, dog day care and obedience classes as well as veterinary medicine.

Halsey East Animal Clinic is hosting an annual open house Sunday, Sept. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. Clients and visitors are invited to meet the doctors and staff, observe obedience training demonstrations and chat with vendors. Hot dogs will be served and raffle prizes will be given away.

Pets are welcome in spirit only.

Yaw's sets opening date

Steve Yaw, foreground, stands next to the counter being built for the new Yaw's Top Notch restaurant set to open August 15. Originally scheduled top open in July, Yaw said construction delays set him back.
Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran


After more than a 30-year wait, the new Yaw's Top Notch is set to open Wednesday, Aug. 15. Principal owner Steve Yaw, who is trying to catch lightning in a bottle by re-opening his popular family restaurant that operated in Hollywood for more than 50 years until closing in 1982, said construction delays made him change his original opening date. “We found breaks in the plumbing lines that needed to be repaired. We're glad we found them before we put the new carpet down.”

Yaw said he is holding an official grand opening in September.

“We're going to have an 87-year old former car-hop and 88-year old waitress to act as greeters; and other old employees too.”

He said he is trying to bring back the Tootsie Roll Cop, a uniformed, off-duty Portland Police officer who handed out Tootsie Rolls outside the restaurant to kids, cruisers and anybody who asked him.

“We're trying to get a waiver from the chief of police and the mayor so retired cops can wear their uniforms and hand out Tootsie Rolls.”

He said he is continuing the tradition of car service at the new location with 14 stalls in front of the restaurant at 11340 N.E. Halsey St. “We'll have cocktails, but no lottery,” said Yaw. “Not right now. It's the smallest bar in Oregon. Seats five, maybe six.”

Mental health access earns award
The three founders of The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center have won the Oregon Psychiatric Association's Access Award for improving access to obtaining mental health treatment in Oregon. For 26 years, Sarah Deeby, Barbara Kennedy and Lisa Sheridan have provided counseling services to all people, regardless of ability to pay, religious affiliation, or socioeconomic status.

The award presentation will take place at the NCC board of directors meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 8:45 a.m. at the NCC offices, 8383 N.E. Sandy Blvd.

The three Catholic Sisters, members of the Servants of Mary order, began the nonprofit counseling center in 1986 in borrowed rooms and with few resources. Sister Deeby and Sister Kennedy came from Omaha, Neb., after hearing of the limited options facing the uninsured and lower-income residents in the Portland area. Sister Sheridan, a native Portlander, joined the two soon after. During the past quarter century, the center has grown from a small beginning to vital community resource, providing counseling, medication management, and workshops to more than 1,000 people each year. Sister Sheridan accepted a new position in Omaha in 2007, but Sisters Deeby and Kennedy continue to work with clients alongside a staff of 15 employees and graduate interns. Many things have changed at the center in the last 26 years, but the mission of serving all regardless of faith or finances has continued as the guiding principle.

The OPA Access Award has been given annually since 2008.

Find more information on NCC and or access mental health care at nwcounseling.org or call 503-253-0964.

SnowCap leadership re-elected
Gresham city official Lind Kidby has been elected to a second term as chair of the SnowCap Community Charities board of directors. Kidby is a communications specialist in the Gresham office of governance. She joined the SnowCap board in 2008 and has been an active participant in the agency's fundraising activities. She is a certified hospice volunteer and a transitional life coach.

Other officers include Tom Weldon, vice chair; Thomas Hiller, secretary; and Darryl Hill, treasurer. Blair Loudat and Merlin Auftengarten have been added to the board.

SnowCap Community Charities is a philanthropic agency founded 45 years ago to provide food, clothing, advocacy and other services to the poor in much of east Portland, including the communities of Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale and Parkrose.
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