????? ??????Zach Abney, Parkrose High quarterback, was the center of attention at an event in the school cafeteria yesterday held to showcase him signing a National Letter of Intent to attend Harding University on an athletic scholarship. While the day was about Zach, his accomplishments and this honor, the theme was most definitely about community.

Zach Abney, center with tie, wears a Harding University cap for the first time at a ceremony to recognize him as a scholar athlete who has been offered a scholarship to play football at the Searcy, Ark. school. Supporting him are teammates (from left) Tonga Tokelau, Matteo Rigoni, Thomas Lott, Andre Johnson, Deontre Curry, Jonathan Boland, Cody Rowley, Marquis Hammick and Jerry Hunter.

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.

According to participants, nights at Outdoor School are magical: the glow of the campfire, songs and skits with friends old and new, the quiet walk back to the cabin, wrapped up in an individual goodnight from the student leaders.

Captain Conservation lectures Outdoor School students how to reduce waste.

The cost for a 6th grader to spend the night at Outdoor School is around $60. Donate $60 to provide one night for one student; get friends and family together to sponsor a night for a cabin of kids for $600; $1800 will pay for one night at Outdoor School for one class of 6th graders.

ikoniHuman Solutions’ 10th annual Epiphany Choir Fest will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, at 5 p.m. at Parkrose United Methodist Church, 11111 N.E. Knott St. in east Portland. The Epiphany Choir Fest is a celebration of the culmination of the holiday season, as well as a fundraising event to benefit Human Solutions’ Daybreak Shelter and other services for homeless families.

Local church choirs plus a bell choir will perform Christmas anthems and carols, and the combined choirs will perform the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.” A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert.

Nine years ago, Lloyd Martindale had a difficult decision: accept the full-time job offer from Clackamas Community College to continue as head wrestling coach or, quit the college position and devote his effort into being a full time construction and remodeling contractor. “I’ve been very blessed and had a little success since then,” Martindale said. Continuing his passion for the sport, Martindale, a Parkrose resident, is a volunteer wrestling coach at the high school.

Lloyd Martindale, owner of C & K Construction in Parkrose, tightens the faucet on a new bathtub at one of his recent remodel jobs.

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.

The final morning of the season for the Parkrose Farmers’ Market was foggy, gray and chilly, but spirits were high and the offerings bountiful and diverse. Regular shoppers at the market know they will find seasonal vegetables, fruits and flowers plus handcrafted goods from May through October.

Fresh fruit and produce from Garre and MAVDAV Farms is available at the Parkrose Farmers' Market every Saturday from May through October in the Parkrose High School Community Center parking lot, Northeast Shaver Street just off 122nd Avenue.

Two of three Mid-county school districts — Reynolds and Parkrose — are seeking state mediation help in reaching agreement on their teachers contracts; classified employees in Parkrose also.

The third district, David Douglas, has been negotiating since June, but is not headed to mediation — yet.

In a show of solidarity, area union members and volunteers joined Parkrose teachers and employees picketing the school district. From left, North Clackamas School District teacher Deborah Barnes, eight-year-old Tori Garrett, and Sena Norton, Boring Middle School teacher and Garrett’s stepmother.