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FEATURE ARTICLES | |
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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.
To ensure publication in the MEMO Pad, please send submissions for each month by the 15th of the previous month. MEMO Pad submissions for the June issue are due by Friday, May 14. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail editorial 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.
Festival of Lights receives two awards
The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights was honored by the Oregon Festival and Events Association with two 2004 Ovation Awards, presented March 23 during an awards luncheon at the annual Northwest Festivals and Events Conference.
Given the nod for the Best Music Program, the festival is recognized as having the largest choral festival in the Pacific Northwest and quite possibly beyond, including musicians and singers from many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs, as well as professional musicians. In addition, the festival auditions a cultivated group of musicians who sing in quartets, performing at least four outdoor concerts each evening of the event. They interact with visitors and perform audience requests. A wonderful enhancement to the music program this year was a group of hammer dulcimer players dressed as shepherds. The music they played on these unique instruments, and the audience interaction with the performers, was a joy for visitors of all ages.
One of the partners in this annual event, Sunbelt Rentals, was recognized as Best Vendor. Sunbelt Rentals has always gone above and beyond in their commitment to the success of The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights. The beginning of January brought an immense ice storm to the Portland area and at The Grotto the ice was going nowhere for quite some time. The heavy equipment provided by Sunbelt was already on the ground for teardown of the event, yet it was weeks before crews were able to actually use it. Sunbelt came through; offering use of the equipment beyond the time originally negotiated, without additional charges. The Grotto believes they are extremely deserving of this public acknowledgment of their commitment and service.
Celebrity bingo
Firwood Gardens, 819 N.E. 122nd Ave., is offering a new recreational outlet for the summer. Beginning soon the residential care facility will host free bingo games called by local celebrities and community leaders. These special volunteers will include police officers, fire fighters, forest rangers, politicians, business leaders and military personnel.
On Monday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m. the “Good Morning Oregon” crew will be on hand film the fun as special guest Drew Carney calls the numbers.
To play bingo or sign on as a celebrity caller, call Becca Bernstein at 503-252-0085 or drop by the facility for a calendar and a tour.
Local charity issues wish list for summer
“Volunteers need a vacation, now and then,” says Judy Alley, executive director of SnowCap Community Charities, “so that means that summer is an excellent time to check out a local charity to see if it will be a good match for you in the long term.” At SnowCap Community Charities where each month 2000 Mid-County neighbors receive emergency boxes and other services, Judy Alley says she will need summer time volunteers to help fill in for vacationing regulars.
Urgently needed are volunteers at the children’s clothing closet for 8th grade and younger kids. Clean clothing is examined and prepared for fall distribution to more than 500 students who will need clothes and school supplies. Volunteers help children find just the right clothing in the charming clothing closet which looks like a child’s boutique. SnowCap needs volunteers to fill in on Fridays throughout the summer.
SnowCap also needs clothing donations to meet the need for back-to-school clothes. Items can be used (in good condition) or new and appropriate for school. Sizes needed are for children 8th grade or younger. Clothing donations are received between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the SnowCap warehouse entrance located 17788 S.E. Pine St. in Gresham.
SnowCap needs your help on Wednesdays in the food pantry. You will assist clients picking up much needed emergency food boxes. The Food Pantry is adjacent to the beautiful Community Garden. “Maintaining full volunteer staff in the Food Pantry during the summer is a critical need for the community,” says Judy Alley, “The Food Pantry is open year around. When schools are closed, low income families actually experience increased food needs because children are not receiving school lunches.” SnowCap needs volunteers to fill in on Wednesday’s throughout the summer.
Snowcap supplements emergency food boxes with seasonal produce from the Community Garden. “Fresh produce provides important nutritional benefits often missing in the diets of low-income families,” says Alley, “Our community garden is a great place to donate your vegetable starts and seedlings. In fact, Rick Bartha of Gresham High School donates plants each year.” The community Garden consists of 14-raised beds producing about 200 pounds of fresh produce each year. Located adjacent to the Food Pantry, the garden is beautiful and productive. Your seedlings and vegetable starts are needed now
English as second language, or ESL, tutors are needed each Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at SnowCap Charities. “This is a very rewarding experience,” says Alley, also an ESL tutor. “You will be inspired by the progress of your students!”
To find out more about volunteer activities at SnowCap Community Charities, call Danni 503-674-8785, extension 19 to receive a description of the volunteer skills needed, available time slots and information about on the job orientation. Gifts to SnowCap Community Charities are fully tax deductible, the organization is a 501(c) (3) charitable non-profit corporation. For more information contact judy@snowcap.org or write to PO Box 160 Fairview, Oregon 97204.
Parkrose grad honored by Lions
The Portland Downtown Lions Club, Oregon’s oldest, has presented its prestigious annual PRIDE of PORTLAND award to Michael Allen Harrison. The inspiration of his music and the generosity of his sprit have brought untold joy and benefits to our community.
“Lions exist to serve the community,” said Joe Blundon, club President. “Michael Allen Harrison has served his community not only with his art, but with his inspiration to create the Snowman Foundation, providing music lessons, instruments, scholarships, grants and more to promote music throughout the area.”
Dating to 1990, the Lions Club award is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated exemplary community involvement, leadership or service without personal gain and did so exceeding all expectations. Previous award recipients include the NW Medical Team, the KEX Needy Kids Fund, the Royal Rosarians and others.
Argay resident running for Mayor
Jeffrey C. Rempfer, who lives in the Argay Terrace neighborhood of Parkrose with his wife and two sons, is a candidate for Mayor of the City of Portland.
Rempfer says that if elected he will work to repeal Measure 16-48, the Multnomah County Income Tax; make education a top priority; put more police on the streets; promote local business; and focus on our neighborhoods.
To learn more about this Mid-County candidate, log on to www.jeff4mayor.org.
Broncos sit atop Mt. Hood Conference
The Parkrose High School Varsity Baseball team has exploded to a 7 and 1 start to the season and currently leads the Mt Hood Conference.
Coached by Ryan Miller and Ed Humburg, the team has posted two victories against Sandy High School, and one each against David Douglas, Central Catholic, Reynolds, Gresham and Barlow. Their only defeat at press time was a 5-4 loss to Centennial.
The team is lead by Seniors Alex Drew, Daniel Grierson, Alex DeKay, Eddie Kunz, Dylan Spence, Stephan Witter, Derek Ritter, Mark Coon and Jearld Baylis, Jr.
Juniors Tyler Kent, Jeff Brown, Steven Opp and Chris Hosler provide strength to the lineup.
Third baseman Daniel Brokaw is the only sophomore on the squad.
Players and coaches will welcome your support. See page 19 of this issue of the MEMO for a schedule.
Volunteer to help rape victims
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Victims Assistance Program, or VAP, is seeking on-call Rape Victim Advocates, or RVAs, to respond to local hospitals to provide assistance and support to victims of sexual assault.
On call RVAs should live in Multnomah County and be able to respond to the hospitals served within 30 minutes of receiving a call. Hospitals involved included Oregon Health Sciences University, Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Kaiser Sunnsyside Hospital. Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. RVA’s are assigned between one and three 12 to 14 hour shifts per month, must be 18 years of age or older, must submit to a criminal background check, and have reliable child care arrangements. The VAP will ask for a one-year commitment.
For more information about volunteering as a Rape Victim Advocate, please visit www.mcda.us/va/rvap.php or contact Gail Lambert at 503-988-3222.
Mt Hood students honored
For the third year in a row, Genesis, Mt. Hood Community College’s, or MHCC, vocal jazz ensemble walked away with top honors at the Gene Harris Jazz Festival held the first weekend in April, in Boise, Idaho. As competition winners, they were invited to be the opening performers on the main stage for headliners Andy Martin (trombone) and singers Rebecca Paris and Ernie Andrews.
Genesis was also recently notified that for the fourth year in a row they have been included in the International Association for Jazz Education yearly “Top Campus CDs” list. This honor is especially remarkable, as instrumental jazz groups have traditionally dominated this list. Vocal groups like Genesis seldom make the top ten list.
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