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Barn Dance packs 'em in

LEE PERLMAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

Showing Parkrose matters, city council opponents come together at the Parkrose Community Foundation's Barn Bash last month. City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, from left, mayoral candidate Charlie Hales, State Rep. Mary Nolan (Fritz's opponent) and mayoral candidate State Rep. Jefferson Smith pose at the Barn Bash.
Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran
Parkrose High School alumni Annette Lucero, left, and Selena Yazzolino return to their old Parkrose stomping grounds for the party.
Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran
Last month's Rossi Farms Barn Bash not only drew a local crowd, but those who hoped to get their votes: all four City Council candidates showed up. Mayoral candidates Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith also addressed the crowd, as did incumbent commissioner Amanda Fritz. Her challenger, former state senator Mary Nolan, also showed up, and all four hopefuls posed for a group photo (we're pleased to report there was no kicking or biting). Commissioner Nick Fish was also on hand.

They were joined by locals - Rossi was unable to provide attendance and revenue figures by press time - who enjoyed a dinner of grilled chicken, baked beans, green and potato salad, and strawberry shortcake prepared by the Parkrose Lions Club and served by volunteers. Many washed it down with beer or wine courtesy of Widmer Brothers Brewery. People danced and listened to the music of the Poor Sports and Backstage Pass. Longtime Parkrose activist Bob Brown, owner of Bob Brown Tires, said of the latest Barn Bash, “I thought it turned out great. The food was great; and the entertainment was excellent. It's fun for people in the community to have a chance to come together, and Joe does a good job of putting it together.”

As it has been from the start of the Barn Bashes in 1997, much of the proceeds will go to Parkrose youth sports activities, particularly its youth football program, as well as its elite dance team and band. Other beneficiaries will be St. Rita's Church's free Community Super, the PDX and Curt's Ultimate Fitness youth boxing programs. Many of these groups joined the “posse” that helped put the event on, as did the Parkrose Class of '82 Reunion. This year, however, another beneficiary will be the Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative.

This mini-urban renewal effort by the Portland Development Commission is intended to funnel $1 million over the course of 10 years in public funds into public projects to jumpstart development in Parkrose and five other designated districts, including the Rose, Jade, and Division/82nd districts. The activities will be decided by a local board and assisted by a full, or part-time, local manager.

The catch is that each district has a fairly steep responsibility for local fundraising, beginning with coming up with half the funding for the manager. This comes to $30,000 per year for a full-time position, $15,000 for half-time. Only one district - the Rose - was able to meet the fundraising goal by the initial June 15 deadline. For the others, the timeline was extended, and PDC's Dana DeKlyen told the Memo that for some districts the goal might not be reached until as late as October.

Even with the funding issue still unresolved, the Parkrose NPI Steering Committee is active. They recently organized a litter pickup of the Northeast Sandy Boulevard median. In addition, Rossi last month negotiated a deal with the Portland Police Bureau to use part of a Police Contact Station on Sandy at 112th Avenue as a business office for NPI. Not only does this give the project working space in an ideal location, but it could count as an in-kind donation that can be considered part of the local fundraising.

All six groups have been working individually and collectively to meet the goals. The Parkrose District's latest effort is a benefit dinner put together by the Parkrose Farmers' Market. Collectively, they are hoping to secure help from a “deep pockets” benefactor with more resources than are available within their districts.

The Parkrose Farmers' Market benefit dinner is set for 6 p.m. August 25 at Rossi Farms, 3839 N.E. 122nd Ave. The affair will feature fresh produce and wines contributed by market vendors. Tickets will be $50 at the door, $40 if purchased in advance at the market. For more information contact Amelia Salvador at 503-789-0161.
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