We received a call today with sad news. Jack Gartner, founder of Gartner’s Country Meats in east Portland passed away. The reason we mention it here is because there was a story slated for the June issue of the Memo about this Mid-county institution celebrating its 50th Anniversary  early next month.

Although Gartner has been retired since 2008 — selling the business to daughter Sheri Gartner Puppo and Rick Minor, his former partner’s son — he was still a Gartner’s employee, readying himself for work the morning he died. Gartner was looking forward to greeting many of his old customers at the anniversary celebration.

The Glenfair Neighborhood Associaiton holds their gemneral membership meeting tonight, at 7-8:30 p.m., in Glenfair Elementary School, 15300 N.E. Glisan St.
The bondaries for this outer east Portland are: Northeast Glisan Street on the north to Southeast Stark Street on the south, and from Northeast 148th to the City limits at 162nd Avenue.

Tonight’s Agenda:
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Citizens Noise Advisory Council (CNAC)
3. Minutes
4. Treasurer’s report
5. Partners for a Safe and Livable Portland and parks reports
6. Land Use report
7. East Portland Neighbors/ East Portland Neighborhood Office updates
8. Small Grants report
a. Software purchase – David
9. Bylaw discussion
a. Number of meetings
b. Removal of Article 5, Section 6

Next meeting: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Questions?, Call David Lister at 360-910-2676 or e-mail him at: listerdj@ah.org.

A special celebration marks the official opening of Portland’s  first skate plaza at Ed Benedict Park Saturday, May 30. Following the celebration the inaugural ALL-City Skate Series Invitational begins.

Enjoy skateboarding tricks, a Disc Jockey, music, food, drinks, prizes and giveaways — all in honor of Portland Parks & Recreation skateboarding youth!

This competition is open to all youth enrolled in any PP&R skateboarding program or class. The competition has two separate age brackets: 12-and-under (K-8) and 18-and-under (grades 9-12). The opening celebration, featuring City Commissioners Nick Fish and Dan Saltzman, starts at 1 p.m.; the Adidas/Tribute Demo starts at 1:30 p.m. The PP&R Skate Jam kicks off at 2:30 p.m., participants need to check-in by 2 p.m.

Another note from über volunteer Allison Newman-Woods. volunteers are needed this Friday at the Parkrose High School at the school in east Portland. It follows:

“Hi, I am looking for some volunteers to do coat check at this Friday’s dance at PHS.  We need people to work from 6:30-10:30 on Friday, May 29. If you are willing and able to help, please let me know.

Thanks,
Allison”
Allison Newman-Woods:  503-784-8076 (cell)

We received a note from Allison Newman-Woods, Parkrose Educational Foundation Board member and chair for its annual dinner/auction. Her missive has the 2009 auction results. and a PEF news note follows:

“I know that everyone has been eagerly awaiting the results of the Parkrose Educational Foundation Auction. Below are the results and some other Foundation happenings. If you are interested in helping out with the Foundation let me know.  Remember this groups helps raise funds to support all the kids in the Parkrose School District.

Thanks,
Allison 503-784-8076

Parkrose Educational Foundation Auction and Board News

Parkrose Varsity Football Head Coach Tim Price called recently to let us know that last season’s starting quarterback, Nick Magrone, received a partial scholarship to play football at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande based on his performance leading Price’s team last year.

Price was tickled. “It’s always good to prove to these kids this can happen. It shows that what we’ve been saying to these kids, ‘work hard, play hard, you have a chance to go to college’ (on scholarship), is true.”

We received an e-mail from Oregon State Representative Jefferson Smith’s office. Rep. Smith is throwing a party Monday, May 25 at Argay Park,  in outer east Portland — and you’re invited. Free food, music and fun. Smith represents House District 47, a district mostly south of I-84, it does have a portion north of the freeway that encompasses Argay Park.
It follows:

“Representative Smith and his staff are putting on a basketball tournament and barbecue to celebrate Memorial day, and we would love your help to get the word out.
It will be located at Argay Park near the basketball court, Northeast 141st Ave. & Failing St., from 1 to 3 p.m. this Monday.

The Parkrose Business Association holds its  genereal membership meeting Thursday, May 21 at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport, 8439 N.E. Columbia Blvd in east Portland.

April Minister, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist for IKEA Portland,  is the May speaker.

The May meeting’s Member Moment is Dean Vrooman representing First Independent Bank.

The meeting begins at 11:30 and lasts until around 1 or 1:30 p.m. Lunch is $17 per person and includes dessert and gratuity.

The Parkrose Neighborhood Association holds its general membership meeting tonight,  from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Faithful Savior Ministries in at 11100 N.E. Skidmore St in east Portland.

For tonight’s agenda, contact PNA chair Mary Walker at 503-252-2146 or send her an e-mail at: abfportlandor@aol.com