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To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events, celebrations of milestones in our readers’ lives, those seemingly small accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve and everyday events to be shared with friends and neighbors.
Memo Pad submissions for the December issue are due by Saturday, Nov. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave, Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The fax number is 503-249-7672.
Homeless students need coats, meals
Every school district must provide transportation to homeless students. This federal mandate is intended to maintain some continuity for an often-transient population by making it possible to stay in one school for the entire school year, even if the family is forced to change location. The Parkrose School District takes this a step further by providing school supplies and new clothing through its Gateway Project. According to Judy Caruso, the Gateway Project resource developer, this can only happen with the generous support of the community. The Gateway Project is currently seeking fast food restaurant gift cards and new coats to be distributed to participating students.
To learn more or to make a donation, contact Caruso at 503-408-2110.
Holiday meals to be served; volunteer drivers needed
As the weather brings football and the fall harvest, SnowCap Community Charities is focusing on providing holiday meals for low-income and disadvantaged families and individuals in east Multnomah County. According to Judy Alley, Snowcap executive director, the agency will host meal service on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day as it did last year. Meals will be served from noon until 2 p.m. both days at Rockwood United Methodist Church, 17805 S.E. Stark St. To learn more, call 503-674-8785, ext. 17, or e-mail dolores@snowcap.org.
Alley also emphasized the need for volunteer drivers to assist SnowCap’s Food 2 You program, which delivers food boxes to seniors and shut-ins. Drivers are also needed for several shifts to pick up foodstuffs from the Oregon Food Bank and donations of food items from area stores and restaurants. “This is a serious and urgent need, especially at this time of the year,” she said. Volunteer drivers must have a good driving record, but no special endorsements are required.
For information on driving opportunities, contact 503-674-8785, ext. 37, or e-mail kari@snowcap.org.
Local educators support building trades
The Oregon Building Congress strives to bridge the gap between education and the construction industry. That mission is only possible with the help of educators who recognize the value of a successful building career. At its recent awards banquet, OBC recognized three local educators for their contributions.
Michael Taylor, director of the Academy for Architecture, Construction and Engineering — a local charter high school in partnership with the Parkrose, Reynolds, Centennial and Gresham-Barlow school districts — received the Pete Anderson Vocational Instructor of the Year award.
Karen Fischer Gray, superintendent of the Parkrose School District, was acknowledged for her contributions to the success of ACE Academy and for her service on the board of directors. She received Educator of the Year honors.
Robert McKean, superintendent of the Centennial School District, was also honored as Educator of the Year. He is recognized as a key supporter of ACE Academy’s development and also served its board.
Company announces new artistic director
The Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre Company, now preparing for its 13th season, has announced the official retirement of its founder, Tobias Andersen. The new artistic director for the company is Kelly Lazenby of Gresham. Lazenby was hired as the executive director for the company last January and will now steer the artistic vision as well.
Neighborhood schools still waiting to get SMART®
Last year, dozens of kindergarten through third grade children at Gilbert Heights and Mill Park Elementary Schools in the David Douglas district participated in the Start Making A Reader Today program and received new books for free. Community volunteers generously donated hours of time to make this happen.
Books are ready to be shared; children are ready to read, asking, “When do I go to SMART?” With your help, the answer can be, “Very soon!” SMART needs a few team volunteers three to four hours each week at these neighborhood schools to help get the SMART program up and running. The SMART program can’t happen without you.
Won’t you help children in your neighborhoods be a little SMART-er this year? Call 503-230-2944, ext. 25, to find out how you can help.
Creating opportunity for women
Since 1972, Soroptimist has been helping women the world over reclaim their dreams through the Women’s Opportunity Awards program. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional skills training and education. You are eligible to apply if you are a woman with primary financial responsibility for yourself and your dependants, are attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need.
The Soroptimist International Portland East Chapter will award up to six grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 in value.
To learn how to apply for a Women’s Opportunity Awards grant, please contact Jackie Cashion at jackie.cashiondc@earthlink.net or 503-257-3377. The deadline for applications is Dec. 15.
Volunteers needed for festival
Over 900 volunteers are needed to help present the 21st annual Festival of Lights at The Grotto, a community tradition that highlights the sights and sounds of the season. Individuals, business volunteer groups, neighborhood groups and community service organizations who are willing to help are needed for as little as three hours on one or more evenings to present this month-long event.
The celebration of the season opens Friday, Nov. 28 and continues nightly through Dec. 30, except Christmas day. Volunteers assist as greeters, hospitality hosts, ticket sellers, gift shop attendants, parking patrol, food booth helpers, petting zoo helpers, office assistants and as costumed actors portraying St. Nicholas and the Christmas Angel.
The Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the Pacific Northwest, with over 150 indoor musical performances. Each year, the Festival of Lights welcomes over 60,000 visitors. The success of this Christmas celebration is heavily dependent on volunteer support.
To volunteer or for more information, please call Jane Tokito, The Grotto volunteer coordinator, at 503-261-2433 or e-mail volunteer@thegrotto.org.
Recycle that cell phone
Multnomah County is recycling cell phones in collection centers throughout the county. This follows a resolution introduced by Commissioner Jeff Cogen and passed unanimously by the board of county commissioners earlier this year. The county is partnering with electronics recycler Wireless Alliance to collect and recycle phones and MP3 players. There is no cost to the county or to residents who bring in their equipment.
“Cell phones and other electronic equipment in our waste stream are unnecessary and can leach toxic substances into the water and air,” Cogen said. “There are safe ways to recycle cell phones and MP3 players, and I’m glad that we are making this service accessible to our residents.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, toxic metals and other materials present in cellular phones include lead, chromium VI and brominated flame-retardants.
Drop-off sites in our area include the Mid-County Health Center, 12710 S.E. Division St., and Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave.
MHCC recognizes part-time faculty
Whether an instructor is explaining an artistic technique or a scientific process, strong teaching skills are vital to student success. This year, two Mt. Hood Community College instructors were presented with the Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of their exemplary teaching skills. MHCC colleagues and students praised Michael Henley, professional photography instructor, and Joseph McNeal, anatomy and physiology instructor, for going above and beyond to reach their students.
With 40 years of photography experience, Henley provides students with a wealth of real-world knowledge that cannot be found in a textbook. Students describe him as an astute professional and mentor.
One student wrote, “My favorite part of his class was the field trips ... which put us in real-world situations where we learned far more than we could have in the classroom.”
Henley teaches more than just photography techniques; he shows his students that personal philosophy contributes to unique photos. “You translate how you view the world into imagery,” Henley said. This outlook helps students develop as both photographers and people.
McNeal is not only an instructor, but also a third-generation MHCC graduate, following in the footsteps of his grandmother and father who attended MHCC before him.
“I think it’s poetic justice that I teach here,” he said. “I think it’s perfect. I’m helping students succeed at the very place where I received a lot of beneficial help in education and in life.”
His alma mater is honored to have him as an instructor, one who is known for skillfully helping students understand complex scientific material while making his class fun. “McNeal has a sense of humor that brings life to his lectures,” wrote one student.
He has also developed a creative, user-friendly Web site to help his students outside of the classroom. In addition, he takes extra time out of his busy day to meet with students. “I was not even a student of his,” wrote one student, “but he took time to help tutor me outside of class and was willing to spend as much time as necessary to make sure I understood the concepts.”
MHCC coach wins award
For the second time, Mt. Hood Community College head softball coach Meadow McWhorter has been selected as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Coaching Staff of the Year for the National Athletic Association of Community Colleges. She also received the award in 2004.
McWhorter will be honored at the NFCA National Convention in Marco Island, Fla., in December.
Fred Schnell, physical education and athletic director at MHCC, praised McWhorter’s efforts to educate herself about every aspect of the game. “This is a real tribute to her tenacity and determination to work hard to be the best she can,” Schnell said.
McWhorter regularly attends local and national coaching clinics, subscribes to several informative softball magazines and networks with other coaches, asking their opinions about plays and new drills.
“The only way to better my athletes is to make sure I’m constantly bettering myself as a coach,” McWhorter said. “One of the best teaching tools for a coach is to listen to your student athletes because they have so much knowledge to share.”
Get closer to your stop after dark
Now that daylight saving time has ended and darkness is coming, remember TriMet’s Night Stop program that allows riders to get off at a safe area along a bus route between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., instead of only at designated stops.
Tell the bus operator where you want to stop a block or two ahead of your destination, and the operator will choose a spot that is safe for both the rider and the bus near the requested location.
This service is available anywhere outside Fareless Square between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. and applies to drop-offs only; riders still need to board at designated stops.
City seeks committee members
The city of Portland is seeking new members for its Pedestrian Advisory Committee. This is a standing citizen advisory committee active since the early 1990s. Its purpose is to advise the mayor, City Council and city departments on all matters that encourage and enhance walking as a means of transportation, recreation, wellness and environmental enhancement.
Committee members meet in the evening on the third Tuesday of each month. They review and make recommendations on planning documents affecting pedestrians, pedestrian projects, projects with pedestrian facilities, funding priorities for pedestrian-related projects, activities of other jurisdictions that affect pedestrians in Portland and maintaining the Portland Pedestrian Design Guide and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The committee is composed of nine to13 members appointed to a four-year term. To qualify, applicants must be residents or own a business in the city of Portland, have an interest in promoting the use of walking for transportation and recreation, and commit to attend monthly meetings and participate in the work of the committee.
Individuals interested in issues that affect pedestrians and the pedestrian environment are encouraged to read the Pedestrian Advisory Committee bylaws and submit their application. Forms are available online at www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=212891.
Interested individuals may also request an application and supporting materials from Caitlin McCollum at the Portland Office of Transportation, 1120 S.W. 5th Ave, Room 800, by e-mail at caitlin.mccollum@pdxtrans.org or by fax at 503-823-7576.
Applications must be received by mail, e-mail or fax no later than Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Find homes for cats and kittens
Love cats? Want to help others experience the joy of feline companionship? Looking for a volunteer opportunity close to home? The Cat Adoption Team needs you to staff its adoption outreach center at the soon-to-open Cascade Station PetSmart near IKEA.
By bringing felines into your community, cat adoptions become easy and convenient. Over 500 cats and kittens have found homes throughout the Portland Metro area via this successful program in the last year.
Volunteers care for the cats in the adoption outreach center as well as place them with new homes. All volunteers are trained and work as a team to make the outreach center successful.
If you are interested, go to www.catadoptionteam.org and click on the volunteer section to apply.
If you have questions about the Cat adoption outreach program and would like a little more information before applying to volunteer, send an e-mail to contactus@catadoptionteam.org.
Volunteer to help fight poverty
The mission at CASH Oregon is to help bring financial relief to families that need it most through increased access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other federal and state credits. The Earned Income Tax Credit guarantees taxpayers of eligible income upwards of $4,500 from the government. EITC, along with other valuable tax credits, goes unclaimed every year.
Join the volunteer team to help others get accurate tax returns with the tax refunds they need and deserve. Volunteers learn to prepare and file tax returns; help spread awareness about EITC, the government’s most expansive anti-poverty program and can acquire Continuing Education Credits.
Through outreach and free tax preparation, CASH Oregon ensures that these credits reach eligible families in the Portland metro area and that federal tax dollars are returned to our local economy. Free tax preparation also helps people avoid excessive tax preparation fees and high-cost refund anticipation loans. By connecting clients to substantial tax refunds and providing coaching and education, CASH Oregon will enable many working families to take extra steps down their personal paths toward asset development.
Tax-filing season begins in February. Contact Camille McDaniel, volunteer and outreach manager, at 503-243-7765, camille@cashoregon.org or visit www.cashoregon.org.
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