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.

Glisan Commons, a collaborative development by three non-profits planned for Northeast Glisan Street at 99th Avenue, had a Design Advisory — an informal discussion prior to a formal application — with the Portland Design Commission last month. The Commission called for some changes, but generally gave both the project and its design high marks.

The Glisan Commons is a new building slated to occupy the corner of Northeast Glisan at 99th Avenue.

The project is a joint venture by Human Solutions, which provides affordable housing and social services primarily in east Portland; Ride Connection, a transit services provider for the elderly and disabled throughout the city; and REACH Community Development, the city’s largest non-profit, low-income housing provider.

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.  

Gateway Elks Lodge selects a teenager from our community each month during the school year to receive Teenager of the Month honors. The winner of this award is chosen from applications from local high school teenagers who strive to make a difference in their school and community. At the end of the school year Gateway Elks Lodge will recognize one of the monthly winners as Teenager of the Year.

Vanessa Harris, Gateway Elks Teenager of the Month. COURTESY SONNY SAECHAO

Football
Despite a conference record of 1-4, the David Douglas Scots took advantage of play-in game defeating North Medford 20-6 to advance to the 6-A state tournament. They beat West Linn 17-14, but were ousted by Oregon City 28-18 the following week.

David Douglas was upended Round 2 of the 2011 OSAA 6A Football State Championships. Oregonian photo/Jessika Brandt

Parkrose finished the season 3-5 to qualify for a state tournament play-in game against PIL champs, Jefferson. The Democrats prevailed 36-19, bringing the Bronco season to an end on a cold, wet and rainy night. Zach Abney, Quame Adams, Jonathan Boland, Marquis Hammick, Jerry Hunter, Thomas Lott and Henry Vy earned Northwest Oregon Conference honorable mention honors.

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)

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.

Now in its third season, the Parkrose Heights Community Garden, in addition to growing flowers, fruits and vegetables, has seeded the growth of community in its soil. The once empty 5,400 square foot plot houses 22 raised beds farmed by neighbors both within the church’s many faith communities and beyond. Gardeners have grown squash, peppers, spinach, sunflowers, okra, fennel, corn, and an abundance of tomatoes. This year, the garden donated 600 pounds of tomatoes to the SnowCap charities thanks to efforts from tomato-grower extraordinaire Clay Osburn.

Editor’s note: Welcome to Perlman’s Potpourri, news items from across the Gateway and Parkrose neighborhoods of mid-Multnomah County from veteran Beat Reporter Lee Perlman.

Portland Immigrant Statue dedication
As Joe Rossi and friends dedicated the long-anticipated Portland Immigrant Statue at the traffic island at the intersection of Northeast 99th Avenue, Sandy Boulevard and Killingsworth Street Oct. 1, the message was that it symbolized not the Rossi clan (some have speculated it is a statue of Rossi’s great-grandfather, which Rossi has consistently denied), but our common heritage.

Garnering the Portland Parks & Recreation a $20,000 donation, Facebook voters made Portland the winner of Safeway’s “America’s Most Natural City” contest on the social networking site. Portland blew away the competition with 1,100 votes; Denver came in second with just over 630 votes.

Tomorrow morning at Gilbert Park Elementary School, 13132 S.E. Ramona St.,  Jim Seiple, Group VP of Research and Development for Safeway grocery stores, will hand an oversize check for $20,000 to Portland Parks & Recreation Commissioner Nick Fish for as he leads a dedication ceremony announcing a new cedar chip track, park benches and other amenities at Gilbert Park Elementary School and adjacent Gilbert Primary Park as part of the E205 Initiative which the donation helped fund.