Mid-county Memo Blog

We received an e-mail from Parkrose super volunteer Allison Newman-Woods. She’s looking for volunteers from the Parkrose business community to join the “new” Parkrose middle and high school athletic booster groups.

If you know anyone that would be interested in helping the Bronco Boosters, please forward them this link.

(The dates she refers to are on Mondays; July 14, 28 and August 11 and 25. All meetings in the Parkrose High School Community Center Library, 12003 N.E. Shaver St.)

Here is Ms. Newman-Woods’ missive:

“We are looking for members of the Parkrose Business Community to get involved in the new MS/HS Athletic Boosters.  This group has been formed to focus on fund raising, spirit building and forming community partnerships.  If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for this group please let me know and pass this email along.  I have attached two fliers with more information and meeting dates. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Parkrose School District.”

Allison
Allison Newman-Woods, Co-President
Parkrose MS/HS Parent Group
503-784-8076 cell
allison@behavioralecon.com

The East Portland Neighborhood Chairs are sponsoring a Multi-Cultural Festival from noon to 6 p.m. July 12 at the Hazelwood Hydro-Park, Northeast 117th Avenue and Holladay Street in east Portland.

There will be ethnic entertainment, music, food and information. For more information call the East Portland Neighborhood Office at 503-823-4550.

Darn, those journalists at the Oregonian, they scooped us … again.

There’s a post on Oregon Live about Parkrose High School journalism students participating in the Minority Journalism Camp being held this week at Oregon State University.

Seems that five Parkrose journalism students are participating, today through June 29, at the Minority Journalism Camp being held at Oregon State University.

One of the camp participants, Dominique Blanchard graduated in June. The other four, Kerina Blanchard (Dominique’s sister), Tyree Harris, Evan Huynh, Semear Said and Caesar Santizo will return next fall to the Bronco Blaze staff.

The talented, capable and Pulitzer Prize winning Oregonian journalist David Austin, is camp director.

Give the post a read; it explains why there is such a thing as “Minority” Journalism camp.

In response to the work of the East Portland Action Plan committee, the
Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Graffiti Abatement Program will direct resources for four targeted graffiti removal days in neighborhoods
east of the I-205 freeway during the month of June.

Four dates were chosen and four areas have been identified that will receive free cleanup services.

Crews will meet at designated starting points at 8:30 a.m. each date …

June 4th - Powell Blvd corridor from I-205 east to city limits.
June 5th - Division St corridor from I-205 east to city limits .
June 18th - Stark St from I-205 east and north to Sandy Blvd.
June 27th -  Centennial area (SE 174th, SE 162nd, SE 148th and
others).

All graffiti in these areas will be documented prior to the cleanup dates. Volunteers are especially needed to help us contact property owners and obtain signed permission for the free cleanups.

To volunteer, find out more about this event, or if you have questions about graffiti, graffiti abatement, or available resources contact Marcia
Dennis, Graffiti Abatement Coordinator at: 503-823-5860, or e-mail her at
mdennis@ci.portland.or.us.

One of the most important tools to reduce the reoccurrence of graffiti is to
remove it within 24 to 48 hours. Neighbors and volunteers can submit
graffiti reports online here, or can call the Graffiti Hotline at 503-823-4824.

ONI’s Graffiti Abatement Program can assist with free graffiti removal on
owner-occupied residential properties, most non-profits, and small businesses.

For properties that do not qualify for free removal assistance, owner(s) will be notified of the graffiti and informed of their legal responsibility to remove the graffiti. Whether graffiti is removed by the City or by the owner, it is important to report the graffiti and, when possible, provide photographs to assist in tracking and eventual prosecution of graffiti vandals.

Began in May, volunteers for Loaves & Fishes Centers have delivered emergency food and water rations to homebound seniors in east Portland as part of the plan to deliver the same for all metro area homebound seniors to use in the event of a natural disaster.

Seniors who regularly receive Meals-On-Wheels were provided with two gallon-size water jugs, an emergency meal bar (a 2,400-calorie bar), an emergency planning pamphlet and a personal information card to record important contact and medication information. Volunteers delivered the supplies and helped seniors understand the importance of personal preparation.

Loaves & Fishes Centers has been working closely with Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties to develop an emergency response plan in the event of a natural disaster.

Frail, homebound seniors are one of the most vulnerable population groups and depend on daily delivery of hot meals. During a natural disaster, such as a major earthquake, there is a strong possibility that regular meal delivery service would not be possible.

Emergency rations can be used over 48 hours until regular meal delivery can be re-established. All county and city planning organizations are recommending preparing a 72-hour kit for use in an emergency.

“Our vision is that no senior will go hungry or experience social isolation,” said Joan Smith, executive director of Loaves & Fishes Centers. “We want to ensure that our seniors will have basic food and water in the event of a natural disaster that will prevent our regular volunteers from reaching them. We also want to encourage those who can to put together their own home emergency kit.”

Since 1970 Loaves & Fishes Centers has provided a nutritional and social lifeline for seniors through 35 meal sites in Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties and Meals-On-Wheels delivery to homebound seniors.

With the help of more than 7,500 volunteers, the nonprofit, secular agency now serves 5,000 meals daily and more than 1.3 million meals each year. Loaves & Fishes Centers was named one of the “Ten Most Admired Companies” in the non-profit category in Oregon by The Portland Business Journal in 2006.

From 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 14th staff from the Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Water Bureau host a grand opening celebration for the new community garden at Hazelwood HydroPark, Northeast 117th Avenue, between Multnomah and Holladay Streets in east Portland.

Community members and the Food Policy Council are invited to join this celebration of urban agriculture and community. Of the 25 garden plots to be had, ten are currently still available.

For more information about Hazelwood Hydro-Park garden plots call the Community Garden Program, 503-823-1612.

Mel Sears, President of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon, presented the Academy for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy with a donation of $2,500 recently.

The gift was made possible through the collaboration of local firms and ACEC Oregon. Participating firms included Parametrix, CH2M HILL, David Evans and Associates, and Petersen Structural Engineers.
 
“We are a part of the community and pleased to financially and professionally support young adults interested in pursuing engineering as a career,” said Mel Sears, Parametrix Executive Vice President, and ACEC Oregon President.

Ace Academy, the east Portland charter school set to open in fall 2008, focuses on providing hands-on education in the areas of architecture, construction, and engineering.

It also pairs each student with an industry professional for a deeper understanding and connection to the community of engineering, construction, and architecture. The new charter school is open to all students who have completed requirements to enter 11th grade. ACE Academy’s specialized curriculum is targeted towards 11th and 12th grade students. The school anticipates enrolling 150 juniors for the 2008-2009 school year.

“The donation is a testament to the commitment to education and community partnership that each of these firms has made to our school and the future leaders in architecture, construction, and engineering,” said Richard O’Connor, President of the Board of Directors of the ACE Academy.

For coverage of ACE Academy’s opening,  from the March 2008 Mid-county Memo, click here. 

The dedication for the Parkrose Peace Labyrinth has been announced — Saturday, June 21 at ???????? ????? ????????Parkrose High School Community Center in east Portland.

Built with hours of volunteer labor, grants and donations, The labyrinth is at 115th Avenue and Northeast Shaver Street, the southwest end of the school site.

Things get underway at noon and the party lasts until 2 p.m.

For more information e-mail emartin@parkroseucc.org
Earth Day 2007 was the groundbreaking day for the Parkrose Community Peace Labyrinth.The idea was conceptualized and developed through Parkrose High School groundskeeper Sharon Dewitt. She viewed the empty field and saw potential. “I wanted to create a place like this where people from the school and neighborhood could get away from the pressures and busy pace they face every day,” Dewitt said.

For more information about the festivities, e-mail Erica Martin at: emartin@parkroseucc.org

Memo readers are invited to attend a “night of fun and special travel prices” from Carnival Cruise Lines and Mexico Unlimited at The Bungalow Rose and Addie’s You and I Travel on June 20.

There will be local entertainment, ethnic cuisine and special prizes for the first 30 people to arrive at the event that Friday night. The cost to attend is $10.00. It’s set from 4 to 8 p.m. The Bungalow Rose and Addie’s You and I Travel are located at 7545 N.E. Sandy Blvd. in east Portland

Please call Debbie at The Bungalow Rose to RSVP, or for more information, at 503-255-6221.

The Parkrose Cruise-In, an early summer event produced by the Parkrose Business Association and formerly held at Parkrose High School and Community Center, is about to be transformed. According to PBA member and former President Jon Turino, the event is being moved to Saturday, Aug. 2 to take advantage of warmer weather and will become the Parkrose Festival and Cruise-In: A Celebration of Parkrose.

Turino said organizers are looking to draw residents to the heart of the Parkrose business district and are hopeful that every business along Sandy Boulevard in east Portland will get in the spirit. He sees the festival as an opportunity to showcase the variety of products and services offered by local merchants.

The Cruise-In will drop its Rose Festival affiliation to accommodate its later date, move to the south side of Northeast Sandy Boulevard between 105th and 112th Avenues and will include vintage cars and vendors much as it has in the past. It will run from 9 a.m.

While planning for the new and expanded show is getting under way, the committee is considering adding music, entertainment, a beer garden.
Stay tuned. The Memo will keep you updated on the evolution of this new and improved community festival. For more information visit www.parkrosebusiness.org.