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FEATURE ARTICLES
Never too late to get in bikini shape
Looking for Easter eggs on the farm
Infill comes to spacious Argay – almost
Council extends prostitution-free zone to 122nd Avenue
Glenhaven Park new home for skateboarders
Future runway a headache for homeowners
102nd Avenue improvement begins at Halsey Street
Veteran homeless advocate DeMaster, Human Solutions serve Mid-county
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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.

Memo Pad submissions for the May issue are due by Saturday, April 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.

Argay Park tennis courts need upgrading
The Argay Neighborhood Association Parks Committee is seeking support from Argay residents and others who use the Argay Park tennis courts.

According to Jane Roffey Berry of ANA, the courts are showing serious wear. “The surface is cracked and parts of the court surface are peeling up,” she said. “This makes the courts slippery when wet and less than optimal the rest of the time.” She also said a tennis coach from Parkrose High School, who has used the courts in past years, has gone on the record saying the courts need to be refinished as they are “in terrible condition” and “a safety hazard.”

While Portland Parks & Recreation Department shares Roffey Berry’s concerns, the department needs to hear from users and Argay residents in order to move the project up in importance.

To lend your support, send letters to Don McTaggart, Portland Parks & Recreation maintenance supervisor at 6437 S.E. Division St., Portland, OR 97206, or e-mail him at dmctaggart@ci.portland.or.us.

Local high school students dominate at annual automotive tech competition
Reynolds High students Matthew Botts (left) and Alex Stevens (right) are congratulated by their instructor, Dennis Matoon, for taking first place in the annual regional auto technology competition held at Mt. Hood Community College in January. The pair will head to New York City for the national competition this spring.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Students from Reynolds High School and David Douglas High School took first and second place, respectively, in the 2006 Automotive Technology Competition, sponsored by the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association with Carson Oil. In addition, David Douglas students took first place in a pair of individual competitions. Mike Wafford won the electrical test and Nathan Fogg won the engine performance test. Alex Stevens from Reynolds won the bench total test.

The contest, held Saturday, Jan. 21, at Mt. Hood Community College, drew 52 students representing 12 high schools throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. These next generation auto technicians spent the day competing, first in the two-hour national Automotive Service Excellence written exam and then for another three hours in a hands-on match to test brake systems, conduct engine diagnostic exams and pinpoint electrical circuitry faults, and steering and suspension problems.

“Our association has made it a top priority to encourage technical skills training for area high school and college students,” said Greg Remensperger, executive vice president of the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association. “We are proud to provide opportunities for young men and women to excel toward a career goal and we congratulate each of them for their accomplishments in this competition.”

The Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association sponsors the local Automotive Technology Competition and funds the winning team’s trip to New York for the National Automotive Technology Competition as part of its ongoing support for local high school and community college auto technology programs. Prize money is awarded to the top five winning schools to be used for equipment in their auto technology programs. Overall, the association provides more than $150,000 per year to local automotive education programs.

Middle school grapplers represent Mid-county
Marcus Morris (in white), Floyd Light Middle School eighth grader, appears to have the upper hand here, but Zachary Brunson of Kennedy Middle School in Eugene went on to earn the decision in this title bout at the Middle School State Wrestling Tournament in Woodburn on Saturday, March 11. These boys competed at 90 pounds.
Jeremy Brady, pictured, was the sixth seed in the Middle School State Wrestling Tournament at Woodburn High School last month. He is in the eighth grade at Reynolds Middle School.
Photo by Lee Bellamy
In early March, area middle school wrestlers traveled to Woodburn for two important tournaments. The Willamette Valley Qualifier, that sends Portland metro area students to the state tournament, was held on March 4. Wrestlers had to place in the top six in their weight class in order to participate in the Middle School State Wrestling Tournament the following weekend.

Marcus Morris, an eighth grader at Floyd Light Middle School, placed second in the 90 pound weight bracket at state. He was the number one seed at 90 pounds coming out of the Willamette Valley Qualifier. Morris placed second last year as well. Morris is the son of Brenda and John Morris. He also wrestles for USA Cobra Wrestling Club.

Jeremy Brady, Reynolds Middle School eighth grader, wrestled at 129 pounds at state. He did not place in what was described as a very tough bracket, but was the lone qualifier from RMS.

SnowCap pantry needs restock
Despite a successful recent auction, the east Multnomah County social service agency food pantry is running low. SnowCap Community Charities is a nonprofit volunteer, faith-based organization that provides food, clothing, advocacy and other social services for disadvantaged and low-income individuals and families.

“Food donations have been in short supply, far below our projections,” said SnowCap Executive Director Judy Alley. These include dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

“We have had to use cash reserves to acquire many of the items that haven’t been donated,” she said. “Many low wage workers are employed in outside jobs that require a balanced diet of energy-producing foods, especially fruits and veggies.”

She cited several recent disasters including the tsunami in Southeast Asia and the Katrina hurricane calamity in the southern U.S. that have pulled traditional resources from our area.

“Sometimes overlooked are the many real personal needs right at home that require immediate concern and attention,” Alley added.

To meet the needs of hungry families, the SnowCap pantry distributes one food box every 3 minutes, 8 hours a day, 5 five days a week. Last year, SnowCap assisted more than 39,000 families and individuals. “Our food bill has grown 32 percent in the last year, and we are committed to maintaining the quality of our food boxes. Any help would be appreciated,” she added. Donations are received at the warehouse door, 17788 S.E. Pine St., from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In addition, Alley noted an upswing in demand for low-income energy assistance this winter that has tapped SnowCap’s available funds. “Keeping families warm is essential, too,” she said.

For additional information or to make a donation, contact SnowCap at 503-674-8785 or e-mail judy@snowcap.org.

Soprano will sing at state
Emily Donaldson, a soprano, earned the right to represent Parkrose High School at the State Solo Contest on Saturday, April 29 at Corban College in Salem by virtue of her performance at a district competition. Donaldson is a senior, a member of the choir and the Debonaires, and will play Edith in the PHS Theater Department production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” In addition, she will be recognized as the valedictorian of her class when she graduates in June.

Teachers, district agree on terms
David Douglas School District board has ratified the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement with the East County Bargaining Council and the David Douglas Education Association. The three-year agreement gives teachers cost of living increases of 3 percent in years one and two and a National Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increase with a floor of 2.5 percent and a ceiling of 3.5 percent in year three. The medical insurance cap will increase to $750 for the 2005-06 school years, $825 in year two and $900 in year three. The contract also included adjustments to extra duty pay.

Contact Susan Summers, director of Human Resources, at 503-261-8226 for further information.

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