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.

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.

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.

More than 150 students from Prescott Elementary School joined politicians, school officials, bicycle activists and city bureaucrats last month in the International Walk (and Bike) to School in the USA Day. Begun in 1997, the event is now part of the nationally legislated effort to reverse the forty-year trend of fewer kids getting to school on their own.

In 1970, about half the students in America either walked or bicycled to school. Today, because of  different factors — the historic high number of two-income households; parents with less time on their hands to walk their kids to school; exaggeration of “stranger danger” — half of all American schoolchildren get to school in a private vehicle; another 25 percent arrive on a school bus; and fewer than 15 percent walk or bicycle to school.

The Oregon Building Congress board of directors to replace the recently retired Mike Taylor as director of the Academy for Architecture, Construction and Engineering has tapped Mike Bryant, an experienced educator with a student-centered approach.

Bryant has more than 10 years of teaching experience in career and technical education. He taught construction and business and computer applications at the high school level. At the college level, he spent several years working as a computer aided drafting instructor.

Mike Bryant, new director at east Portland's Academy of Architecture Construction and Engineering.

Chris Sullivan, an English Language Learner teacher at Sacramento Elementary School in the Parkrose School District, has created the Sacrament Market for all Sacramento families.

Every Friday afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m. the market is set up in a breeze way outside his second grade classroom. Sacramento families are encouraged to bring an empty grocery bag to the school, 11400 N.E. Sacramento St., and fill it with free fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grain bread.

While picking up her grandson Timmy after school, Kareny Phomauhanh, with granddaughter Lyla, picks up fresh vegetables from Sacramento Market for tonight’s dinner.

In anticipation of the severe weather forecast for tonight, the Parkrose School District canceled all meetings and school related activities tonight, including the scheduled school board meeting.

We wish you a Happy New Year.  A recap with links to stories in the January 2011 Mid-county Memo follows:

We caught up to busy busy Superintendent Karen Fischer Gray for an interview as she begins her third year at the helm of the Parkrose School District.

East Portland business and neighborhood leaders are canvassed and asked what are major issues facing our little corner of Portland.

Joann “JoJo” Glass calls it quits after 35 years tending bar at the Candle Light Restaurant and Lounge on 74th and Northeast Glisan St.

The Russell Neighborhood Association meets tonight, from 7 to 9 p.m. at University of Western States’ Hampton Hall Conference Room, 2900 N.E. 132nd Ave. The meeting notice from RNA Chair Bonny McKnight about tonight’s meeting and guest follows:

Russell Neighborhood Association is beginning a discussion which will be very important to every resident of East Portland as it grows into full urban status as part of the City of Portland, Here is why we think it is important.

Portland Plan meeting at David Douglas today

A media advisory (new name for  press release) from Bureau of Planning & Sustainability Eden Dabbs about the Portland Plan’s Phase Two workshop at David Douglas High School follows:

“WHAT: Portland residents are invited to participate in the Portland Plan Phase Two Community Workshops all over town!

“Featuring door prizes, refreshments and live music, the East Portland Plan workshop will be Saturday, May 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at David Douglas High School. Childcare will be provided.