Mid-county Memo Blog

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.

Interested in the City parks east of the river?

The East Portland Parks Coalition meets Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the East Portland Neighborhood Office, 1017 N.E. 117th Ave.
Contact Alesia Reese, 503-253-4414 or e-mail her at: alesiajmr@yahoo.com with questions.

The Mid-county Memo strives to be accurate and thorough in its coverage and corrects significant errors of fact. If you find an error in the Memo, please call 503-287-8904 or e-mail our editor, Darlene Vinson, at editor@midcountymemo.com.

In last month’s Perlman’s Potpourri item, “City acquires Knott Park addition,” the wrong address for the property was listed. The correct address is 11510 N.E. Knott Street.
In an item in last month’s Business Memo, “Home repair business celebrates anniversary,” Aruel Davidyan’s name was misspelled.

We apologize for the errors.

Links and a recap of feature articles from the online editon of the November 2009  Mid-county Memo follow:

Latest photos and full story about the transformation of the former Children’s Receiving Center into the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services in east Portland.

Latest photos and full story about how former elementary schools within Parkrose School District — Thompson School and Knott Elementary — are being used these days.

A story about developers, for all intents and purposes, killing a proposed amendment to control the way garages are built on smaller parcels

A recap of and links to feature articles and departments from the October 2009  Mid-county Memo follow:

Terry Robb, Parkrose High School grad and featured performer at the Parkrose Educational Foundation’s inaugural homecoming dance, is one of this month’s front page stories.
Terry Robb: page one, Terry Robb: page two, Terry Robb: page three, Terry Robb: page four and Terry Robb: page 5.

The MAX Green Line opening ceremonies share this month’s front page. The new line opened to fanfare, speeches, bands, free rides and vows to build more light rail farther south and north.

A PSA from Portland Parks & Recreation follows:

“Portland Parks & Recreation encourages public without air conditioning to go to cooling rooms and lobbies at five designated community centers throughout the city
Wading pool late hours are also extended through at Thursday, July 30

“In response to the extreme heat wave this week, Portland Parks & Recreation is encouraging the public who are without air conditioning to go to one of five community centers that are open for people to come and cool off in designated rooms or lobbies. Locations, hours, and bus line information is below.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s Community Gardens program is offering its annual free guided tour of six gardens throughout the city on Saturday, July 18. From 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, participants can join PP&R Community Gardens staff and learn about various gardening techniques, examine water catchment systems, and view edible greenspaces.

The guided tour will take participants by van and carpool to see community gardens at Gabriel Park (Southwest 41st and Canby), Col. Summers Park (Sotheast 20th and Taylor), Sewallcrest Park (Sotheast 31st and Market), Brentwood Park (Southeast 57th and Cooper), Woodlawn Park (7200 N.E. 11th), and Hazelwood Hydro Park (Northeast 117th and Holladay), in east Portland. The tour leaves from PP&R’s Mt. Tabor Central Maintenance Yard at 6437 SE Division Street at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 18.

The Argay Neighborhood Association throws a heck of a National Night Out party. This year’s party, Tuesday, August 4, the Kooltones are going to rock the house, or park — Argay — at Northeast 141st Avenue and Beech St. The ANA is looking for volunteers.
volunteers who sign up by June 30 receive a free meal and soft drinks while working their shift.  Short shifts allow time to enjoy the event. They’re looking for face painters, help with set-up, food service, photo-takers  and clean-up.

Call ANA Chair Valerie Curry at 503-256-5579 or e-mail her at argayinfo@yahoo.com to get details and register.

Mark Warrington,   Portland Parks & Recreation security coordinator sent us a note about the  Park Rangers program. It follows:

“PP&R Park Rangers have begun their twelfth year of seasonal operations. Each year the positive reputation of Park Rangers grows among government and community-based partners as well as the public.

“Park Ranger Supervisor Kurt Nelson leads the PP&R Ranger program. He has been busy revising Ranger procedures, conducting training and getting equipment ready for the busy season. Last week, the Park Ranger Training Academy graduated nine new Rangers who will be paired in teams with ten returning veteran Rangers.

Portland Parks & Recreation opens outdoor pools for the summer this Monday, June 22. Free swim lessons and free open swims are also offered as part of PP&R’s “Summer Free for All”
The outdoor pools — open through August — are located at these parks or schools: Creston, Grant, Montavilla (on Northeast 82nd Avenue at Glisan Street in east Portland), Peninsula, Pier, Sellwood, and Wilson.

In addition, PP&R operates six indoor, year-round pools: Buckman, Columbia, East Portland Community Center, Matt Dishman Community Center, Mt. Scott Community Center, and Southwest Community Center.