СВЕТИ ГЕОРГИThe Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative wrapped up its three organizational meetings last month with creation of a seven-person steering committee for the next step: a formal commitment to the Portland Development Commission and city, then formation of an “urban renewal light” district bringing physical, permanent improvements along Sandy Boulevard, from Northeast 99th to 120th avenues.

Colleen Gifford, from left, David Ableidinger and Luke Shepard at a Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative organizational meeting held last month. Gifford, hired by the Parkrose Business Association through a grant from the City to recruit steering committee members for the Parkrose NPI, one of six areas in Portland designated by the City and Portland Development Commission.

As the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission continued their review of the draft document last month, Mid-Multnomah County had a prominent place in the draft Portland Plan.

Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission members, from left, Chris Smith, vice-chair Howard Shapiro and Mike Houck listen to testimony at the Portland Plan hearing held at Parkrose High School Community Center in November.

At their January 24 meeting, after praising Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and other bureaus’ staff work, they approved the Plan unanimously and forwarded it to City Council. Accoring to BPS staff, Council is expected to act on the Plan in April.

The second of the three meetings for the Portland Development Commission’s Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative is tonight, at 7 p.m. in the Religious Education Building behind St. Rita Catholic Church, 10029 N.E. Prescott St.

An article in the Mid-county Memo on the formation of the six new mini urban renewal areas was published in December 2011 edition.

Editor’s note: The 2012 elections are a watershed moment in city politics. For the first time in decades, with the mayor declining to run for re-election, Randy Leonard retiring from his council seat and incumbent commissioner Amanda Fritz facing a serious challenge, there will be at least two, if not three new faces at City council. Veteran beat reporter Lee Perlman interviewed the major mayoral and city council candidates. Beginning with this issue and in upcoming editions, we publish the interviews; first up, former city Council member Charlie Hales.  

The Portland Police Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit asks for help from the public in locating 16-year-old Kalpana Wagley, a recent Bhutanese refugee, missing since last Friday.

Kalpana Wagley, left, a 16-year-old David Douglas High School student seen here at a 2010 soccer clinic, was reported missing Friday. Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran

Wagley is described as a female Nepalese, five feet eight inches tall, and 104 pounds, with mid-back length black hair. Kalpana was last seen wearing knee-length, cut-off blue jeans, dark brown ski-type boots, and a black vest under a white jacket.

The holiday season often brings more food, festivities and all of the waste that can go along with them. This year, area residents have a new place to scrape holiday plates and leftovers. Remember to add food scraps — including meat, bones and dairy — along with yard debris to your green roll cart for weekly pickup.

As you plan your holiday meals and family gatherings, consider a few easy ways to reduce waste and make composting food scraps easy for your guests. Mayor Sam Adams, right, uses the kitchen pail for easy transfer to the green roll cart.

Speaking from the stage in the auditorium of the East Portland Community Center last month, Commissioner Amanda Fritz told those gathered for the 2011 Spirit of Portland Awards, “It’s a coincidence that so many of our award winners are from this part of town, and yet it isn’t.” Locals were represented among the winners, including the winners of the Neighborhood of the Year and Business District of the Year awards.

Lents Association chair Nick Christensen wrote the nomination and mentioned the activities of his board members. At the ceremony, he thanked Richard Bixby, East Portland Neighborhood Office executive director, for being “always ready with a quick and easy solution,” and acknowledged the good work of “all Lentils.” (sic)

The Portland Development Commission is in the process of forming six new miniature urban renewal districts, and four of them will be in Mid-county.

In October Sokhom Tauch, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization Executive Director, spoke at the meeting at IRCO announcing east Portland areas selected for the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative, part of the development plan for the Neighborhood Economic Development Strategy, which is a part of City Council's 2009 Economic Development Strategy. Behind him are Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen and Rey Espana, Director of Community Development at the Native American Youth & Family Center.

In the 18th century, author, poet and philosopher David Everett wrote “… Large streams from little mountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow.” The tall oak that is the annual Festival of Lights at The Grotto began as a small, 10-day, acorn of an event that has grown into the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The tree continues to emerge from the acorn planted 24 years ago. Its message carries further and becomes more beautiful with each passing year.

As part of its citizen outreach, the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission held one of its three hearings on the draft Portland Plan at Parkrose High School Community Center last month. Several local residents gave testimony on issues the Plan should address.

The Portland Plan will set policies to guide the creation of a new City Comprehensive Plan, replacing one enacted in 1980. This will set zoning and other regulations to guide both public activity and private development.

Parkrose High School sophomore Max Denning, right, Metro representative of the Oregon Association of Student Councils, testifies at the Portland Plan hearing at Parkrose High School Community Center held last month. Mid-county Memo photos/Tim Curran