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To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events, celebrations of milestones in our readers' lives, those seemingly small accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve, and everyday events that should be shared with friends and neighbors.
Memo Pad submissions for the March issue are due by Monday, Feb. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The fax number is 503-249-7672.
Partnering to plant the I-205 forest
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| Local dignitaries plant the first tree of what will become the I-205 forest along the multi-use path that extends from the Columbia River south to Gladstone. From left, they are Robert Griner, HSBC Bank USA, N.A.; Jessica Anderson of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley's office; Leigh Rappaport of Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center; Metro Councilor Robert Liberty; Oregon Transportation Chair Gail Ackerman; Meeky Blizzard of U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer's office; Oregon State Sen. Jackie Dingfelder; East Portland Action Plan Advocate James Chasse; Oregon Department of Transportation Region I Manager Jason Tell andCOURTESY CHIJO TAKEDA Friends of Trees Executive Director Scott Fogarty. |
Funding for the project comes from a $410,000 Nature in Neighborhoods grant from Metro's 2006 voter-approved natural area bond measure, an $80,000 grant from East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and generous donations from area businesses including J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.; HSBC Bank USA, N.A.; Cantel Sweeping and Portland General Electric.
In addition to greening the highly visible transportation corridor to enhance the landscape for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, drivers and residents in bordering neighborhoods, the project has created green jobs for underserved and minority communities through partnerships with Verde, Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, the Portland Development Commission and Worksystems, Inc.
Tell said the project, which brings together nonprofits, businesses and multiple government agencies, is unique in Oregon and might be the first of its kind in the country. It's "actually part of something much, much bigger" than greening the I-205 multi-use path. He noted that the path borders many neighborhoods, each of which, he said, "has its own character."
Some of those neighborhoods are significantly less green than others, Liberty added, so the project is not just about improving the environment but also about equity. He commended the volunteers for planting the I-205 forest.
Dingfelder, who has biked the path for 15 years, said, "When I bike this path now, I'm going to thank all of you who came out to plant the trees." As chair of the Oregon Environment & Natural Resources Committee, Dingfelder has been working to reduce carbon impacts. She was pleased to see ODOT thinking outside the box about transportation corridors.
East Portland Action Plan advocate James Chasse, who has biked the path for 20 years, called the greening project a huge piece of the transportation puzzle.
In addition to enhancing the multi-use path for bordering neighborhoods and everyone who uses it, the plantings will reduce air pollution, minimize stormwater runoff into streams and rivers, and provide habitat for wildlife and songbirds. To learn more about the project and upcoming plantings or to get involved, visit www.friendsoftrees.org.
Community garden makes plots available
It's never too early to start planning a garden at SnowCap Community Charities. Reservations are being accepted now for plots in its popular community garden.
The agency's garden, which includes 29 raised planting beds and a greenhouse, is located behind the Rockwood United Methodist Church at 17805 S.E. Stark St.
SnowCap will provide free seed starters for tomatoes, lettuce, beans, peas and cucumbers and free gardening workshops. The workshops include lessons on creating healthy soil, when and what to plant in our climate, pest control and harvesting hints. SnowCap gardeners are involved in all phases of gardening, from planting to weeding, watering, cultivating, pruning and harvesting.
Both the garden plot reservations and gardening workshops are available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Kari James, SnowCap garden coordinator. She can be reached at 503-674-8785, ext. 37, or kari@snowcap.org.
"There is a rich sense of accomplishment when growing your own food. The SnowCap community garden offers an opportunity for self-reliance, rewards earnest work, provides a friendly, family-type environment and produces fresh, nourishing food," James said. "We like to say, "'Nutritious is delicious.'"
SnowCap Community Charities is a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing food, clothing, advocacy and other services to the poor in much of east Portland, including Parkrose, Gresham, Wood Village, Troutdale and Fairview.
Community centers focus on teens
Teen Force is a Portland Parks & Recreation program that engages and empowers teens through a variety of programs, events and activities geared just for them. They include fitness activities, outdoor experiences, art classes, leadership opportunities and social interaction.
Some activities are free, others may require a small fee, but scholarship opportunities are available.
Teen Force at East Portland Community Center is currently offering programs in cooking, photography, guitar, rock climbing, snow shoeing and much more. Visit EPCC at 740 S.E. 106th Ave., or contact Teen Service Coordinator Faith Maxwell at 503-953-9576 or faith.maxwell@ci.portland.or.us.
There is a Teen Force program at Montavilla Community Center as well. Contact Ken Lori, 503-953-9573, to find out more about that program.
Gateway Elks select vocalist, lifeguard, honor student
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| Kaitlyn Swyers, shown here with her parents, Jodi and Kevin Swyers, displays her Gateway Elks Teenager of the Month award. She is a senior at David Douglas High School. COURTESY RALPH HARTMANN |
Swyers has set her sights on a career as a licensed clinical psychologist. With that goal in mind, she is taking advanced placement psychology and volunteers with the Oregon Partnership YouthLine and the LifeWorks Northwest Young Children's Day Treatment Program. These programs work with youth in crisis or with those with mental health issues.
She is a Vikings Scholar (the honor includes a scholarship from Portland State University) and was a DDHS Student of the Month her junior year. Swyers is also an active member of the Happy Valley Abundant Life Church and its youth group. She is the daughter of Kevin and Jodi Swyers.
The Gateway Elks Lodge selects a Teenager of the Month each month during the school year and is open to qualified junior or senior students from Parkrose, David Douglas, Madison, Portland Christian and Marshall high schools and Portland Adventist Academy. For more information about this program or the Elks in general, please contact the Gateway Elks Lodge at 711 N.E. 100th Ave., 503-255-6535 or www.gatewayelks.com.
Police introduce new online reporting system
The Portland Police Bureau has launched a new Citizen Online Reporting System. This Internet-based system gives citizens the ability to report property crimes within Portland that have no suspect information, saving police time and money and freeing up resources for response to more emergency situations.
Once submitted, every report will be reviewed and approved by Portland Police officers. Reports that require additional response or are otherwise inappropriate will be moderated and responded to as needed. The reporting citizen will then receive a PDF copy of the approved and case numbered report via e-mail within 72 hours. This online service is without any cost to the citizen and avoids the current minimum $10 expense and delay in receiving copies of reports not submitted online.
Citizens can report the following types of incidents with this system:
• Theft from vehicle
• Vandalism to vehicle
• Theft (excluding firearms and prescription medications)
• Vandalism (excluding graffiti)
• Lost property (excluding firearms and prescription medications)
• Additional property information (property information from a previously filed report)
The Citizen Online Reporting System can be accessed at www.portlandpolice.com.
Grants program seeking applicants
The East Portland Action Plan invites residents, neighborhood and business associations, nonprofits and community-based organizations in the areas served by the East Portland Neighborhood Office to apply for the 2010 East Portland Action Plan Small/Medium Grants Program. These neighborhoods include Parkrose, Argay, Wilkes, Parkrose Heights, Russell, Hazelwood, Glenfair, Mill Park, Centennial, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Lents and Pleasant Valley. The application is available at www.epno.org.
$23,592 is available to support implementation of the EPAP through EPNO. The grant awards will range from $500 to $10,000 and will allow groups to fund projects that implement actions identified in the EPAP. The goal is to improve the quality of life, foster strong community connections, increase the area's regional significance and enhance equity throughout east Portland.
Grant applications are due on Monday, March 1 by 5 p.m.
Please direct questions to EPAP Advocate Lore Wintergreen, at 503-823-4035 or lore.wintergreen@ci.portland.or.us.
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