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An immigrant’s story
Cooley steps down as urban renewal “dictator”; elections planned
Family Works to close
A tale of two storms
John Hall’s memories etched in steel, poetry
What is Jimmy Brown like?

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© 2004 Mid-county MEMO
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MEMO PAD...

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 March issue are due by Friday, February 13. 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.

Scholarship opportunities
Oregon Telco Community Credit Union, or OTCCU, will be awarding six $1000 scholarships to members enrolled, or about to enroll, as a full-time student at an eligible institution. These include any public or private generally accredited two-year or four-year institution of post-secondary education, including eligible vocational training schools.

Scholarships will be awarded on the following specifications:

Two for graduating high school seniors (one academic/one need based).

Two for currently enrolled undergraduate students (one academic/one need based).

Two for graduate students (one academic/one need based).

Go to www.otccu.com for more information and an application. You can also pick up an application at the Mall 205 Branch at 10555 S.E. Washington St.

Sherry Nelson named Teenager of the Month
The Gateway Elks Lodge is proud to introduce the teenager of the month of February is Sherry Nelson.

Sherry is a senior at David Douglas High School and has a Grade Point Average of 4.00.

She is an excellent student and also excels in a variety of extracurricular activities. Nelson has been an honor student through her high school career with a variety of difficult classes, including advanced math, English, social studies and science.

Her teachers praise her high quality assignments, which demonstrate skills in logic and organization. Sherry’s writing is outstanding, as are her oral presentations. Kristy Aalberg writes, “Sherry’s extra work, creativity, and professionalism make her presentations extremely impressive.” Her high composite Grade Point Average may be especially honored at the David Douglas Commencement this spring.

Nelson has been a part of the Junior Honor Society, The National Society, and the Alert School Program. She received a Presidency Award of Exceptional Academics in June 2000. She has consistently been on the Honor Roll and has served as head of Student Council. She also is active at her church.

This young teen also enjoys a number of activities including dancing, kickboxing and has a daily exercise routine.

In addition to her academic work and activities, Nelson has been employed in a variety of jobs. She is currently working part time as a sales associate in Clackamas.

College plans have not been made final, but Sherry is considering attending one of the state colleges. Her career goal is to become a school counselor.

Sherry lives with parents Randy and Heather Nelson.

New Naturescaping workshop dates added
Is your neighborhood association, friends group, church, or other organization interested in bringing Naturescaping information to your area?

Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 have been added as possible dates for a Naturescaping for Clean Rivers workshop (see below for complete list). By hosting a Naturescaping for Clean Rivers workshop you bring your friends and neighbors the information they need to take action that will make a difference in their own backyards. It is the responsibility of the hosting group to provide a space for the workshop, refreshments for the workshop and spread the word about the workshop.

There is no charge to the host for the cost of the workshop itself if it is held within Portland city limits. There is a charge for those held outside Portland city limits.

The Naturescaping program provides two experienced presenters to hold a four-hour workshop that is free to attendees. Each person receives a free, extensive Naturescaping guidebook and a free native plant.

Workshops are held either on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or Sunday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m. Following is a list of the potential workshop dates for spring 2004: March 6, 7, 13 or 14; April 3 or 4; May 15 or 16: and June 5 or 6.

Please contact Betty McArdle, of the Southwest Watershed Resource Center at 503-823-2862 if your organization would like to host a workshop.

The ice is gone, so get out in the garden
Only an Oregonian understands the NEED to garden. With that in mind, we offer the following tasks that can be taken care of this month. The information comes from the Oregon State University Extension Service.

Have a soil test performed on garden plot to determine nutrient needs. Contact a county Extension Office for a list of testing laboratories. Plant seed flats of cole crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Make a cold frame or hotbed to start early vegetables or flowers. Plant onions outdoors as soon as the soil is dry enough to till. Plant windowsill container gardens of carrots, lettuce, or parsley.

Plan to add herbaceous perennial flowers to your flowering landscape this spring. Choices include astilbe, candytuft, peony and anemone. Make plans for an herb bed, for cooking and for interest in the landscape. Parsley, sage, chives, rosemary and lavender should be considered and planted next month. If weather permits and the soil is dry enough, spade or till garden areas for planting later. Spade or plow down cover crops or other organic matter.

This is a good time to plant fruit trees and deciduous shrubs, as well as new roses. Prune clematis, Virginia creeper, and other vining ornamentals. Fertilize rhubarb with manure or a complete fertilizer. Prune and trellis trailing berries and caneberries.

Fertilize lawns. Prune fruit trees and blueberries. Repair winter damage to trees and shrubs.

Control moles with traps, gophers with traps or poison bait.

Check junipers and cotoneaster for webworm activity. Spray if necessary.

Temporary jobs available
The City of Portland Downspout Disconnection Program through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, or ONI, is seeking four canvassers for temporary employment.

By encouraging homeowners to participate in the Downspout Disconnection Program, canvassers will help stop sewage from flowing into Portland’s waterways.

Four canvassers will be needed from March 8 through August 6. Hours will be 4 to 9 p.m. with possible Saturdays. Salary to be $13.67 per hour with an average of 25 hours per week. No benefits.

Canvassing experience and clean driver’s record are necessary. Bilingual is a plus.

To join the team send a resume to J. Lauren Norris, Community Involvement Coordinator, Downspout Disconnection Program, 1120 S.W. 5th Ave., Room 1000, Portland, OR 97204

All Resumes must be received at the above address by February 23, no later than 5:00 p.m. Security checks may be required.

The City of Portland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Citizen Involvement Committee Seeks Members
Are you interested in promoting opportunities for citizens to participate in important government decisions? Do you want to learn how government really works? The Multnomah County Citizen Involvement Committee is seeking members from throughout the county. Currently there are openings for representatives who live in Commission District 1 (represented by Maria Rojo de Steffey), District 2 (represented by Serena Cruz) and District 4 (represented by Lonnie Roberts). In addition there are openings for at large members who can live anywhere in the county. A community group must nominate members.

Multnomah County elected officials have responsibilities in many areas. The Sheriff provides police services for people who live outside incorporated areas as well as managing the county jails and detention centers. The District Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of crimes throughout the County.

The County Chair oversees many important public services. These include providing libraries, animal shelters and oversight of elections. Health and Social Services provided by the county include county health clinics, services to the aging, mental health, disability services, addiction services, children’s services, community immunizations, HIV prevention, lead poisoning information and services to children with developmental disabilities. The county is also responsible for maintaining most of the bridges over the Willamette River as well as some roads and for land use planning outside incorporated cities in the county.

This wide range of services means there is something of interest for almost every county resident. The purpose of the Citizen Involvement Committee is to make sure that the county makes the best possible use of citizen’s interests, expertise, ideas and energy so that these services are provided in the best manner possible. While experience with citizen involvement, volunteer management or County Government are helpful, the only real qualification for a CIC member is a commitment to getting citizens involved.

If you are interested in getting involved contact Ross Williams, Outreach Coordinator, Citizen Involvement Committee (CIC), 501 SE Hawthorne Avenue #192, Portland, OR 97214. His phone number is 503-988-3450. The fax number is 503-988-5674. His e-mail address is williar@co.multnomah.or.us. Additional information can be found on the website at www.citizenweb.org.

Improve your relationship
The Northeast Catholic Counseling Center wants to help you make your relationship better. The Couple Communication Skills program can teach you communication skills that will reduce stress, misunderstandings and tension.

The Couples Communication Skills program is a four-week educational series that teaches couples how to listen to one another, clarify communication, and most importantly, resolve conflict. Couples committed to each other yet who experience blockage in communication will benefit from this class. Classes will be Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. While current deadlines have passed, the course will be repeated in April.

For more information and to register, call Lisa Sheridan at 503-253-0964.
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