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FEATURE ARTICLES | |
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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 that should be shared with friends and neighbors.
To ensure publication in the MEMO Pad, please send submissions for each month by the 15th of the previous month. MEMO Pad submissions for the November issue are due by Friday, Oct. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail editorial 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.
Athlete and student leader named teen of the month
Rachael Doyle, a senior at David Douglas High School is the October Gateway Elks Lodge Teen of the Month.
A goal setter, Doyle strives to be an independent and cooperative worker, who displays leadership and dedication.
She considers academics a priority, is particularly interested and skilled in her class in college Spanish and has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.83.
An important goal for Doyle is to stay physically fit. She is a varsity soccer player, cheerleader and is on the varsity track team. She was recognized as her soccer team’s best defensive player in 2002 and honored by her track coaches as the 2003 Most Outstanding Girl Athlete.
In other school activities, Doyle was elected president of her junior class. As part of that responsibility, she helped with leading class meetings and assisted with other school activities.
Ronda Haun of David Douglas High School writes that Doyle “demonstrates a solid work ethic and is eager to complete the job at hand.”
She plans to attend a four-year college with the goal of becoming a market agent, possibly in the field of sports.
Rachael lives with her parents, Randy and Jane Doyle.
College prep program trains adult mentors
Right now, a Parkrose High School student may be thinking that his or her future is limited because they believe that continuing their education after high school is too expensive, they are not smart enough, no one in the family has gone before, or he or she simply doesn’t know where to begin. This student may never have the opportunity to achieve his or her dream without the information he or she needs to begin the path. The ASPIRE program at Parkrose High School equips students with the necessary tools and knowledge they need to advance into higher education.
The community-based advising program developed by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission is now in 53 schools throughout Oregon. The goals of ASPIRE are to advise students in their post-secondary education planning, dramatically increase the number of students seeking college scholarships and financial aid, and encourage community involvement. There are currently 50 PHS students paired with 29 volunteer advisors. Many PHS seniors who have never considered themselves “college bound” are now excited about post-secondary education, and recent success stories include ASPIRE students learning they have been admitted to various universities and colleges.
Help change the future for a Parkrose student as an ASPIRE advisor. The high school program is now recruiting additional volunteers. Participants need not be college graduates themselves to be an advisor, as they will be trained on admissions and financial aid to colleges and vocational schools. After training, the commitment is approximately one to three hours per week of time throughout the school year. To join the advising team or to find out more information about ASPIRE, contact Teena Ainslie at Parkrose High School, 503-408-2642, or teena-ainslie@parkrose.k12.or.us.
Information about ASPIRE and the college preparation process can be found on the Internet at www.aspireoregon.org.
Senn’s Dairy Park becomes a visible reality
The sign is up, the fences are down and Senn’s Dairy Park is officially open to the community.
After several years and with much anticipation the Parkrose Community can finally claim a park of its own. As you’ve driven or walked by, you have seen the obvious transformation of Senn’s Dairy Park. It is definitely not the empty, overgrown lot that it used to be. Portland Parks & Recreation has been very involved with its new appearance. Portland Parks has installed many new large boulders that add to the landscape, as well as act as access barriers to motor vehicles. Portland Parks picked up most of the new boulders from a local construction project within the neighborhood. Portland Parks has also been maintaining the regular mowing of the lawn and weeding. The weeding of the park is a big job and volunteers are welcome and encouraged to get involved. Most recently, local Eagle Scout Troop No. 777 volunteered their time and energy. The Scouts made a huge difference and worked hard to help clear debris and move dirt.
While Phase 1 is nearly completed there is still much work to be done. Funding is still being sought to provide a much needed play structure.
If you are interested in getting involved or would like more information, please contact Amy Salvador via e-mail at amy@midcountymemo.com.
New and old yearbooks on sale
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| Bruce Tilford, left, Parkrose High School Class of ‘66 and yearbook advisor Mike Ryan. |
| Photo credit: MEG KILMER, PHS |
“This is what its all about,” says yearbook advisor Mike Ryan. “A school yearbook captures memories and I’m glad we could help Bruce reconnect with his past.”
Ryan reminds current students to purchase their yearbooks for $45 before Oct. 29. The price goes up to $50 on Nov. 1. The PHS bookkeepers office accepts cash, checks and VISA/debit cards. Bronco alumni are encouraged to visit the PHS alumni store online at http://www.parkrosehighschool.com/ Alumni/store_index.htm. The limited supply of older annuals includes copies from 1957, 1958, 1963-66, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983-91, 1993, 1995, 1997-99 and 2003. Parents and alumni may also contact Ryan for information at 503-408-2608.
Volunteer needed to fill vacancy
The nine member Portland Utility Review Board currently has a vacant position and is seeking applicants to serve in this volunteer capacity. Portland Mayor Vera Katz is seeking to fill one of two Public Interest Advocacy positions that represent low and moderate-income issues, environmental concerns, senior, fixed income and special needs populations.
The purpose of the PURB is to provide independent and representative review for the benefit of customers of water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste issues that have significant impact on rates and customer service. The board makes recommendations to Portland City Council with the goal of ensuring, in setting rates and making related policy decisions, that the impact on customer classes is appropriately considered.
In addition to the Public Advocacy Positions, the board is made up of representation from three residential geographical areas, a large commercial/ industrial business, a local business and two at-large positions.
The mayor recommends a person for a PURB vacancy. It is then accepted by City Council.
To apply for the Public Interest Advocacy Position, please fill out a board application, which are available on the Web at www.ci.portland. or.us/mayor/PDF/interestform2.pdf or contact Bob Tomlinson, Office of Management and Finance, at 503-823-6960.
Breaking ground on first project for Gateway Urban Renewal Area
Construction has begun on a critical intersection in the Gateway area, the first capital improvement project to use tax increment funding from the Gateway Urban Renewal Area. The Portland Development Commission and the Portland Office of Transportation are working together to realign the intersection of Northeast 99th Avenue and Glisan Street. The community first identified this project as a high priority in 1999 during early urban renewal planning for the Gateway area. The Gateway Program Citi-zen Advisory Committee later included it in the Gateway Urban Renewal Plan, which was adopted by City Council in 2001.
“This project will greatly improve traffic conditions at a critical intersection in the Regional Center and encourages new private investment, especially at the nearby Gateway Transit Center,” said Duke Shepherd, chairman of the Gateway PAC.
Currently the Northeast 99th Avenue portion of the intersection is misaligned, causing significant traffic delays and driver confusion as large volumes of vehicles enter and exit both the adjacent Gateway Transit Center Park-and-Ride lot and the Gateway Shopping Center. The project will reconstruct the southern segment of Northeast 99th Avenue at Glisan Street, aligning it with the northern segment to allow traffic to flow both north and south simultaneously, a condition currently impossible under the intersection’s existing configuration. The total project cost is $650,000. Construction should be completed by the end of November.
Construction hours will be between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays. There will be no lane closures during peak commuter hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. On-street parking will be restricted on both sides of Northeast 99th Avenue approximately 200 feet south of the intersection.
For more information or if you have questions, contact Christine Egan of PDC at 503-823-3795.
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