Mid-county Memo Blog

Parkrose High School Community Center is the site for the final competition of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Portland Teen Idol Competition.
PP&R announced the twelve finalists for the fourth season of Portland Teen Idol, the teen talent program modeled after the national television show American Idol. The finals will be held tomorrow, Thursday, July 1, at Parkrose High School.

Admission is free and the twelve finalists are Jeyonna Barr, Michelle Brayson, Tabitha Card, Bliss Croton, Carly Dillon, Alex Hall, Gracie Heacock, Patience Murphy, Natalia Orozco,Jackie Salzinger, Blake Slover, and Kayla Wonderly.

A press release from Portland Parks & Recreation follows:

“At a special Parkrose High School event this morning, Portland Timbers owner and president Merritt Paulson presented a check for $50,000 on behalf of the Major League Soccer team to the Parkrose School District, a contribution towards the future Parkrose Regional Soccer Center.

“In addition to Paulson, others at the presentation included Portland City Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz, and Parkrose School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Fischer Gray, who accepted the donation on behalf of the school district.

We received an e-mail from Portland Parks & Recreation’s Public Information Officer Beth Sorensen regarding non- budget cuts to PP&R programs for teens. It follows.

“Portland Mayor Sam Adams released his Proposed Budget for FY 2010-2011 and, while Portland Parks & Recreation took across the board reductions required of all General Fund bureaus, the Mayor restored funding for two important programs for children and teens that were facing potential elimination this year.

Here’s a recap of the May 2010 online edition of the Mid-county Memo at www.midcountymemo.com:

This month’s front page story: snapshots of a day in east Portland’s life, Saturday, April 24.

Lee Perlman reports on East Portland Action Plan advocates’ testimony at a City Council meeting on the EPAP one-year-anniversary.

A story by Heather Hill about the 50th anniversary celebration of the David Douglas School District held at the Annual David Douglas Educational Foundation Auction/Dinner last month at Persimmon Country Club in Gresham.

Here comes a rant.

Since the proposed city-wide Portland Parks & Recreation levy Lee Perlman reported on last month was heavy on the catalog of long overdue east Portland park projects, expectations PP&R would go the extra mile for Mid-county residents was not unwarranted.

However, as usual, the City falls short where it comes to delivering long-needed and neglected infrastructure east of 82nd Avenue.
One wonders how much money PP&R spent with their “outreach” to come to the vaunted, high-priest like conclusion that the economic climate “makes it too difficult” Too difficult? Please. As if that is a revelation. If not now, when?

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.

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.

A special celebration marks the official opening of Portland’s  first skate plaza at Ed Benedict Park Saturday, May 30. Following the celebration the inaugural ALL-City Skate Series Invitational begins.

Enjoy skateboarding tricks, a Disc Jockey, music, food, drinks, prizes and giveaways — all in honor of Portland Parks & Recreation skateboarding youth!

This competition is open to all youth enrolled in any PP&R skateboarding program or class. The competition has two separate age brackets: 12-and-under (K-8) and 18-and-under (grades 9-12). The opening celebration, featuring City Commissioners Nick Fish and Dan Saltzman, starts at 1 p.m.; the Adidas/Tribute Demo starts at 1:30 p.m. The PP&R Skate Jam kicks off at 2:30 p.m., participants need to check-in by 2 p.m.