Mid-county Memo Blog

The Wilkes Community Group holds its general membership meeting Tuesday, March 2 in the Margaret Scott Elementary School Library, 14700 N.E. Sacramento St. at 7 p.m.

Agenda items include: presentations from Portland Parks & Recreation representatives about a potential bond measure addressing neighborhood park needs and from Ride Connection, the non-profit transportation service organization. Planning for the showing of movies in Wilkes Park on Saturday, July 24 and Friday, August 20 will also be discussed.

We received a press release from the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability about a 122nd Avenue Pilot Project Community Workshop meeting next week; it follows.

“WHAT: A public workshop on development and design issues along Southeast 122nd Avenue will discuss the following questions and more:
How can new development and future capital improvements along 122nd Avenue help create a more vital, safe, convenient and “walkable” neighborhood?
How can new development be improved to preserve more trees and open space, accommodate parking needs and provide more opportunities for gathering? What site and building design considerations can contribute to a more healthy and sustainable neighborhood?”

What is the East Portland Action Plan and how will it affect east Portland?

Find out  at the Mill Park Neighborhood Association meeting tonight as the agenda includes reports   on the East Portland Action Plan and the Bull Run watershed from Lore Wintergreen, Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s East Portland Action Plan Advocate at the East Portland Neighborhood Office.

The Midland Library is at 805 S.E. 122nd Ave. from 6:30-8 p.m.

For more information about Mill Park Neighborhood Association call chair Rosemarie Opp at 503-256-4591.

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We received an e-mail — too late for the February issue — from Ali Rice at the East Portland Community Center about a class on traveling in India.

“Don’t put off the adventures you want to experience. Travel and yoga instructor Jenna Roberts wants to help empower those with the will but unsure about the way, to enjoy the possibilities of fascinating travel abroad.

The Wilkes Community Group meets tomorrow, from 7-9 p.m. in the Margaret Scott Elementary School library, 14700 N.E. Sacramento St.

Rod Park, Metro Councilor, District #1 is the guest speaker at tomorrow night’s meeting. You’re invited to join them and share ideas or suggestions. For information, contact Alice Blatt at 503-253-6247 or aliceb@pacifier.com.
Wilkes neighborhood boundaries are, roughly, from Northeast 148th Avenue to the City limits and from the Columbia River to Halsey St.

Right now, today — from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parkrose High School Community Center, 12003 N.E. Shaver St. — there’s a Fix-It Fair being held. Fix-It Fairs are free events designed to save Portlanders money and connect them to resources. Join your Mid-county neighbors and talk to experts about how to spend less and stay healthy. Fix-It Fairs are crammed full with resources for helping you to create a healthy home, including:  How-to classes on various home and garden topics, money-saving, cost effective tips and free giveaways. Bring your bicycle, free, minor tune-ups and flat tire repairs are available for students and families.
Fix-It Fairs are held 3 Saturday mornings during the winter at various locations around the City of Portland from November to February.
The 2009-10, 23rd Annual Fix-It Fair season Is presented by The City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability with support from these sponsors: Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power,  Portland Development Commission, Portland Lead Hazard Control Program, and Portland General Electric.

We received a note from the Portland Police Bureau about a rash of burglaries at Portland schools, and in east Portland at David Douglas and  Parkrose schools. If you have any information, call Detective Mary Wheat at 503-823-0010.

“Portland Police are investigating a series of burglaries at schools in the Portland area that began in early December. Investigators believe that twelve burglaries have occurred at various schools and that the burglars are attempting to steal laptops and computer equipment.”

We received a note from SnowCap Community Charities in outer east Portland with a special plea for volunteers on the upcoming holiday. SnowCap Community Charities is a philanthropic organization created to provide food, clothing, advocacy and other services to the poor in a large part of east and outer Portland, including Gresham, Wood Village, Troutdale and Fairview.

“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an ideal occasion to volunteer for community service and SnowCap Community Charities is setting aside Monday, Jan. 18 for special helpers.

We received a note from Melissa Ritchie (MMRitchie@columbia.com), a Parkrose Middle School Outdoor School booster, about a fundraiser this month in support of PMS Outdoor School. It follows:

“Please join us for an all day fundraiser at Parkrose Burgerville, 4229 N.E. 122nd Ave. (near the High School) on Thursday, Jan. 21st.

“Proceeds from the sales of the day will benefit Parkrose Middle School’s Outdoor School when you present them with a flyer or let your server know you are supporting Parkrose.  Dine in or Take out!

“Thank you so much!!
~Melissa”

A recap, with links, to the January 2010 issue of the Mid-county Memo follows.

A feature story about Multnomah County Sheriff’s office personnel adopting residents of a skilled nursing facility, a MCSO neighbor, is on this month’s front page.

Lee Perlman asks Mid-county business leaders, school and social service agency administrators to reflect on 2009 and what they see for 2010.

A story by Heather Hill about shop classes and vocational training for Parkrose High School students provided by a partnership with the Northwest College of Construction.