Chaired by Rose-Marie Opp, The Mill Park Neighborhood Association is holding its general membership meeting Saturday at 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave.

Opp, MPNA chair for more than fifteen years, said because some people cannot make their regular evening meetings, it was decided to hold a Saturday meeting. Coffee and donuts are provided. Topics at the meeting include an update on the Bull Run Watershed.

Cops play with chalk and Mill Park neighborhood kids.

For more information call Opp at 503 256-4591, e-mail her at: hudechrome@gmail.com, or phone the East Portland Neighborhood Office, 503 823-4550.

Start Making A Reader Today is an early literacy nonprofit that envisions an Oregon in which every child can read and is empowered to succeed. SMART engages community volunteers to help pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade children become confident readers by providing one-on-one literacy support, valuable adult mentorship, and books to take home and keep

David Douglas schools need reading volunteers for the Start Making A Reader Today Program

Volunteers are needed at Gilbert Heights, Menlo Park and Mill Park Elementary Schools. Volunteer to read for one hour per week from mid-October through mid-May. Applications are accepted year-round. To make a difference at these schools and in your community, call 971-634-1616 or visit getsmartoregon.org and help start making a reader today.

The June issue of the Mid-county Memo is posted online. A re-cap of its content follows …

This month’s issue has feature stories about new school gardens at two Mid-county elementary schools. The first at Shaver Elementary in the Parkrose School District, the other at Mill Park Elementary School in the David Douglas School District.

An update on the close Parkrose High School bond vote held in May.

This month’s edition also has a feature story on how David Douglas High School’s music program won a Grammy Gold Signature Award — that included a $5,500 cash prize — given annually to high schools with outstanding music programs.

March 2011 Mid-county Memo online edition re-cap

The March issue of the Mid-county Memo was posted online last week. This month’s issue has stories about Portland City Council’s Citywide Tree Project hearing; an interview with Don Grotting, new David Douglas School District Superintendent; Fir Ridge Campus’ African American Family Night; CherryWood Village’s ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating Oregon’s largest senior retirement community solar array; Mid-county Memo founder Tom Pry’s obituary and photos of last month’s one-day snow event Thursday, Feb. 24.

And, as always, the informative departments: Memo Calendar, Memo Pad, Business Memos, Memorable Menus, Letters to the Editor and Loaves & Fishes’ monthly menu.

Oh, and for your (additional) information, the online Memo Calendar has listings unpublished in the regular newspaper edition.

A news release about Craig Boehler, who opened fire on police after they were called to a Mill Park home during a family argument. The release follows:

At 12:40 a.m. on November 23, 2010, Portland Police Officers responded to a call in the 11000  Block of SE 106th and Cherry Blossom regarding a family disturbance.

East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., hosts the 13th Annual Independence Day Parade Thursday, July 1.

Festivities are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parade is from 11:30 a.m. to noon-12

Pre-parade activities include face painting, temporary tattoos, free popcorn, a rock climbing wall, crafts and live music.

The parade has become a favorite community event over the years with decorated tricycles, bikes, wagons and scooters with participants of all ages.

Call Ali Rice, 503-823-3456 for more information.

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.

A reminder about the Mill Park Neighborhood Association meeting from East Portland Neighborhood Office’s ever efficient Teresa Hatfield follows (edited for clarity):

“Happy Holidays — General (membership) meeting and holiday cheer at Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
General Election of Officers and board; for information call 503-256-4591.”

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

Below are FREE events the folks at east Portland’s Oregon College of Oriental Medicine want you to know about.

Oriental Therapeutic Massage – Shiatsu
Attendees will learn how shiatsu can help reduce stress, treat common ailments and ease aches and pains. Sample neck, shoulder and hands massages will be available.
Saturday, March 14th from 10 a.m. to noon

Eating for the Spring Season – Learn what Springtime foods are most beneficial to your health Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon
Both free events will be held at: Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 10541 S.E. Cherry Blossom Drive.