 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
MEMO BLOG | |
Memo Calendar | Memo Pad | Business Memos | Loaves & Fishes | Letters | Home |
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 February issue are due by Friday, Jan. 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.
Portland Christian standout continues to rack up honors in college
 |
| After spiking home a point, Pepperdine sophomore Kim Hill, left, celebrates while teammate Kiah Fiers cheers her on. Hill - a former volleyball and basketball standout at Portland Christian Junior/Senior High School - was named All-WCC first team and received American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Pacific Region honors this season. COURTESY JEFF GOLDEN |
Hill, a 2008 Portland Christian High grad, had a team-high 4.22 kills along with a remarkable .519 hitting percentage (97-16-156) during the Waves' final five matches of the 2009 season. She also averaged 0.78 blocks and 4.72 points in 23 sets.
She had at least 14 kills in each match and had 20 or more in three of the five matches, including a career-high 23 in the finale at San Francisco. She hit no worse than .421 in any of the five matches, and was over .500 in three of them with a .594 (22-3-32) performance against Gonzaga.
Her big finish helped her to a .425 hitting percentage for the year, which ranks fifth in the country. She set the Pepperdine record for hitting percentage in a single season and also currently holds the career record (.392).
She was the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2008 as well as an All-WCC honorable mention selection. For the 2009 season, she averaged 3.01 kills and 0.72 blocks.
Pepperdine concluded its regular season with a 16-11 overall record and in third place in the WCC with a 9-5 mark.
Hill is the daughter of Argay residents Bradd and Terri Hill.
She golfs, she swims, she plays the sax
 |
| Selena Zou, the December Gateway Elks Teenager of the Month, shares the news with (from left) her grandparents Fred and Kathy Sakaguchi and her mom, Laura Sakaguchi. COURTESY RALPH HARTMAN |
Zou is a member of the National Honor Society (she carries a 4.0 GPA), is the student body recording secretary, is a delegate to Oregon Model United Nations, and is active in her church youth group.
This busy student is also a member of the DDHS golf and swim teams and, until recently, played saxophone in the high school band. As a mentor in the STARS program and a student leader at Outdoor School, Zou is a role model for younger students.
She participated in a Japanese immersion program from kindergarten through the eighth grade and earned a Japanese-American Friends Scholarship in 2007 that allowed her to participate in a student exchange program there.
Zou volunteers at The Grotto as well as the Oregon Zoo and participates in the World Vision event 30 Hour Famine annually. She has a part-time job at a local juice bar and is busy these days submitting college applications.
The Gateway Elks lodge is one of more than 2,000 across the country as part of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, or BPOE. The Elks are most notable for charity work and community involvement. Gateway Lodge's Teenager of the Month program takes place every month during the school year and is open to qualified junior or senior students from Parkrose, David Douglas, Madison, Portland Christian and Marshall high schools or Portland Adventist Academy. For more information about this program or the Elks in general, please contact the Gateway Elks Lodge at 503-255-6535 or visit www.gatewayelks.com.
County launches drive for food, blankets and warm clothing
With the economy still reeling and more families teetering on the verge of homelessness, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is seeking donations of nonperishable food, winter clothing and blankets. These supplies, once collected, will benefit the Oregon Food Bank and shelters that serve homeless families including Human Solutions and Daybreak Shelter in the Mid-county area.
This is the second year for the drive. Last year, County Chair Ted Wheeler asked the community and his employees to help families in need who were being battered by the crumbling economic situation. Things have gotten worse for some families as they struggle with unemployment, a lack of shelter and children who are hungry.
“Families are suffering out there,” Wheeler said. “We know it's been another difficult year for many in our community, and I'm challenging the residents of our community to step in and help. If you're able, please look around your home for healthy nonperishable food, gently used warm clothing and blankets, or add a little something to your next purchase at the store. If we're going to solve problems like homelessness, hunger and poverty, then we have to find ways to do this together. We can get there if we have everybody's help.”
The drive will run through Jan. 31. There is a collection site at Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave.
Sponsors, supporters sign on for community charities annual fundraiser
Pacific Power leads a solid group of businesses that have signed on to support the 2010 Valentine Dinner and Auction fundraiser for Snowcap Community Charities. The utility pledged $5,000 for the event according to Judy Alley, SnowCap executive director.
Other major contributors include Riverview Community Bank, Portland General Electric, Providence Health & Services, Les Schwab Tire Centers-Portland District, Unitus Community Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Mt. Hood Community College, Chartwells, Boeing Co., Mid-county Memo and the Gresham Outlook.
According to Alley, SnowCap expects to have fully loaded oral and silent auctions. “We have airline tickets, vacation packages, restaurants, entertainment and arts tickets, party packages including overnights at top hotels, handcrafted items, and home and garden goodies. There will be something for everyone.”
The event features the return of former Gresham Police Chief Carla Piluso as mistress of ceremonies. The “Two Pats” auction team of Patrick and Patricia Brothers will again handle the oral auction, which last year helped raise more than $58,000. Alley called this a significant level of support given the current condition of the economy.
“We still need volunteers to help with the auction,” Alley said. “There are a variety of duties that volunteers perform to help make the event a success.”
Tickets are $50 per person for the event, which is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Mt. Hood Community College, 26000 S.E. Stark St. in Gresham Reservations are required.
“We are grateful for the support of those who step up to meet the increasing need in our community. Challenging times bring out the best in our caring and compassionate supporters,” Alley said.
Information regarding volunteering, tickets and reservations is available at 503-674-8785, ext. 17, e-mail dolores@snowcap.org or visit www.snowcap.org.
SnowCap is a philanthropic organization created to provide food, clothing, advocacy and other services to the poor in much of east Portland, including the Parkrose area, Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village and Fairview.
Volunteers sought for I-205 path planting
 |
| Israel Luna and Karen Rojas plant another tree during the Friends of Trees planting between I-205 and the Montavilla neighborhood earlier this year. FOT has five plantings along I-205 scheduled for 2010 and is seeking volunteer help. COURTESTY CHIJO TAKEDA |
No experience is necessary; all ages are welcome. Friends of Trees provides gloves and tools. Helpful FOT crew leaders guide small groups of planters.
Preregistration is not required for individuals, but it is encouraged. Advance registration however, is required for groups of 10 or more. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather and to arrive in time to join the FOT staff for coffee and breakfast treats before the 9 a.m. start time.
All plantings are on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plantings for the multiuse path along I-205 are scheduled for:
Jan. 9 on N.E. Marine Drive at N.E. 112th Avenue; Jan. 23 at 10600 N.E. Holman St.; Feb. 20 on S.E. Pardee Street at S.E. 94th Avenue; March 6 on S.E. Flavel Street at S.E. 92nd Avenue; and March 20 on S.E. Hawthorne Boulevard at S.E. 95th Avenue.
An anonymous neighbor and her young son, who helped at last spring's I-205 planting, said, “When we saw the opportunity to plant trees along I-205 in our adjoining neighborhood (Montavilla), we wanted to help. We were paired up with the most amazing Friends of Trees crew leader and planted three trees that day. The sun broke through, and it was glorious to see all these 'baby trees' (as her son calls them) in a row along a desolate stretch of highway. It was a great experience. My son and I will continue to monitor their progress.”
Metro, the regionally elected government, serves more than 1.5 million residents in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, and ODOT works to provide a safe, efficient transportation system in support of economic opportunity and livable communities for Oregon.
Friends of Trees brings people in the Portland-Vancouver metro area together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces. FOT's Green Space Initiative builds community to plant and care for native trees and plants in natural areas and along public right-of-ways. For more information about Friends of Trees, or for directions to planting sites, visit www.friendsoftrees.org/calendar.
For information about volunteering, contact Andy Meeks at andym@friendsoftrees.org or 503-282-8846, ext. 24.
EPCC pool receives Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification
East Portlanders can now officially boast they have the first green pool in the nation to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum recognition. The new aquatics center at East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., which opened last March, has formally received the LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
“This recognition furthers Portland's reputation, both nationally and internationally, as a leader in sustainable building practices,” said Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. “I want to acknowledge that my predecessor as commissioner in charge of parks, Dan Saltzman, championed sustainable practices for this project. This is a tremendous achievement for Portland, and especially for the residents of east Portland. Swimming in this state-of-the-art aquatics center will not only be healthy for us, but healthy for our environment as well.”
The EPCC aquatics center features one of Portland's largest solar arrays, reducing energy use by up to 74 percent and water use by 54 percent over national standards. An innovative spa water reuse system also prevents 1,700 gallons per week from entering the sewer system, while an advanced pool filtration system will save at least one million gallons of water per year.
“We promised the citizens of east Portland a state-of-the-art pool within an environment-friendly building,” said Zari Santner, director of Portland Parks & Recreation. “We're proud that the innovative design, the green features designed into the building and the operation systems have achieved this excellent rating.”
The 24,000-square-foot addition on the backside of the community center houses three pools - a conventional lap pool for serious exercise buffs, a warm-water leisure pool for seniors and young children, and a whirlpool spa.
Among the features which lifted the pool to LEED Platinum status are:
o Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels that generate 15 percent of the community center's energy needs and include a solar hot water heater used to preheat water for showers
o On-site retention and treatment of 100 percent of stormwater
o 30 percent potable water savings from low-flow showers with metered controls and low-flow faucets
o Innovative pool filters, which significantly reduce the chlorine needed to treat the water and reduce the amount of water used by as much as one million gallons annually
o Structural materials used as finish materials, reducing material usage by 25 percent when compared to a typical building
o Heat recovery from air exhausted by the pool, used to heat the pool water
o Light monitors facing north and south, which maximize natural illumination and reduce energy used by electric lighting by 60 percent
o Diversion of over 95 percent of construction waste from landfill through extensive recycling
In addition, the pool is a friendly, inviting place for children and people using wheelchairs. A zero-depth entry allows gently sloping access for those who need it to safely enter the water.
Updated construction recycling, sustainable gardening guides available now
Got carpet pad or concrete from a demolition? Puzzled over garden pesticides and potential alternatives? From recycling drywall to tackling pesky slugs without toxics, two new publications from Metro offer practical solutions and resources for waste reduction on the job or in the garden.
Construction Salvage and Recycling Toolkit 2010-11, a newly revised directory of recyclers in the Portland metropolitan area, helps contractors, developers, architects and property owners save money and conserve natural resources by reusing and recycling construction and demolition debris. The new edition lists more than 100 local recycling sites and includes increased options for drywall, concrete and mixed construction waste. Users also can search an online interactive version of the directory at www.oregonmetro.gov/findrecycler.
Grow Smart, Grow Safe, a joint publication of Metro and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Wash., guides home gardeners and landscape professionals in identifying and reducing the use of toxic products. The newly published sixth edition ranks 600 fertilizers, pesticides and soil amendments to help readers find lawn and garden products least hazardous to people, pets, wildlife and waterways. In addition, regional experts share tips on simply and safely growing a healthy, productive garden.
“Whether keeping valuable construction materials out of the landfill or preventing harmful garden chemicals from entering the waste stream, these important practices help build a more sustainable future,” Metro Council President David Bragdon said. “Metro's guides provide practical resources that support business and community efforts and further our region's progress toward meeting recycling goals and improving water quality.”
For free copies of either publication, call Metro Recycling Information at 503-234-3000, or visit www.oregonmetro.gov/sustainableliving to download the electronic versions.
City continues to expand natural areas
Portland Parks & Recreation has recently acquired properties that will expand three existing natural areas within the city, including Forest Park in Northwest Portland, Buttes Natural Area in outer Southeast Portland, and Woods Memorial Natural Area in Southwest Portland. Though the acquisitions are small, altogether less than four acres, they will provide vital buffers protecting the edges of the natural areas from the surrounding development.
“These new acquisitions will help the city preserve these important natural areas, where some of our most pristine environmental habitats and natural resources lie,” Parks Commissioner Nick Fish said. “Our partnerships with Metro and the Bureau of Environmental Services are invaluable as we work together to protect these vital watershed areas from further development.”
In Mid-county, a .59-acre acquisition adjoins the 100-acre Buttes Natural Area in the Johnson Creek Watershed. This new acquisition buffers protected land along Johnson Creek, enlarges one of the city's largest natural areas and protects the site from further development.
Portland Parks & Recreation will take over management of Buttes Natural Area, one of the first properties purchased by Metro in the voter-approved 2006 Natural Areas Bond measure. Although no formal public access is available, there will be opportunities for volunteer stewardship at Buttes Natural Area in the future.
The new acquisition, which was purchased for $140,000, was funded through city of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Grey to Green Land Acquisition Program, and Portland's share of the 2006 Natural Areas Bond Measure funds.
For more information on PP&R's natural areas acquisition program, visit www.portlandparks.org.
MHCC is tobacco free
To ensure a safe and healthy educational environment, all Mt. Hood Community College locations became tobacco free on Jan. 2.
MHCC joins Portland Community College and Oregon Coast Community College as the first three Oregon community colleges to prohibit tobacco use on campus. As of January 2010, smoking will not be allowed on any community college campus in Multnomah, Washington or Lincoln counties. In Southwest Washington, both Clark College and Lower Columbia College are tobacco free. Colleges and universities throughout Oregon are reviewing their campus smoking policies.
For more information, visit www.mhcc.edu/tobaccofree. For information on quitting smoking, call the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line, 800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).
Parkrose board seeks new member
Katie Larsell, a Parkrose School District Board of Education member, has resigned her position after more than nine years. She is focusing on personal endeavors.
The school board will appoint an applicant to complete Larsell's term that expires on June 30, 2011. Candidates must be registered to vote and have a minimum one-year residency within the Parkrose School District boundary.
Applications are available at the district administrative office, 10636 N.E. Prescott St., or at tinyurl.com/y9apmng and are due no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8. The board of education meets the second and fourth Mondays of every month. The board will conduct interviews during the regular board meeting on Jan. 25 and is expected to confirm an appointment at that time.
City accepting stewardship grant applications
The Bureau of Environmental Services will grant $85,000 in 2010 to support watershed health projects in the city of Portland. Grant applications are due by Friday, April 2 at 4 p.m.
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program provides grants of up to $10,000 for projects that encourage watershed protection and enhancement. Citizen groups; businesses; nonprofits; student groups; faith organizations; service groups; and neighborhood, business or homeowner associations in the city of Portland are eligible to apply.
Past projects include invasive plant removal, native plantings, bioswales, ecoroofs, naturescaping, and natural area cleanup and restoration. Since 1994, CWSP has granted more than $800,000 to 183 projects. Grant funds have been matched by $2.4 million in donations of services, materials and volunteer time. Over 32,800 people have donated 293,127 volunteer hours, planted 95,737 native plants and trees, restored over 50 acres of riparian and upland habitat, and enhanced over 25,919 feet of streams.
Get application materials and information by visiting www.portlandonline.com/bes/stewardship, calling 503-823-7917 or e-mailing bridger.wineman@bes.ci.portland.or.us. Environmental Services will hold a grant workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave., to facilitate the grant application process. Grant information will also be available at the Fix-it Fairs on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at David Douglas High School, 1001 S.E. 135th Ave.; and Saturday, Jan. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parkrose High School, 12003 N.E. Shaver St.
CWSP is a partnership between the city of Portland's Environmental Services, Portland State University and Northwest Service Academy-AmeriCorps.
Build your village
City Repair Project is accepting proposals for community building projects for the 10th annual 10-day Village Building Convergence to be held from May 28 to June 6.
City Repair Project reclaims urban spaces to create community-oriented places in greater Portland throughout the year, but most of this activity takes place annually during this springtime event. Whether you're thinking of an intersection repair project, an outdoor classroom or a neighborhood bench, all ideas are welcome. Submit your vision to turn it into reality.
Anyone interested in doing some form of community-oriented place-making project during the VBC is welcomed and encouraged to submit a Request for Proposal no later than Friday, Jan. 29. Everyone who submits an RFP by the deadline and meets City Repair requirements will automatically be accepted to join the planning process. During this time, the place-making team will provide in-depth, weekly training and support to help your project succeed.
To learn about requirements and to find the application form, go to www.cityrepair.org.
For more information, contact Sebastian Collet at 503-235-8946 or sebastiancollet@gmail.com.
Recycle your old cell phone
Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen is encouraging residents to recycle old cell phones, smart phones and MP3 players. Multnomah County currently partners with Wireless Alliance - an electronics recycler - to collect and recycle community phones and MP3 players. There is no cost to the county or to residents who bring in their equipment.
“Many people gave or received new phones or iPods during the holiday season,” Cogen said. “I don't want our residents to put them in their junk drawer. They can bring them to many of our buildings and recycle them.” There is a recycling box at Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave., and at Mid-County Health Center, 12710 S.E. Division St.
“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 old cell phones and mp3 players, and I'm glad this service is 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.
Residents may bring any type of cell phone, smart phone or mp3 player to be recycled.
 |
 |
 |
 |
MEMO Advertising | MEMO Archives | MEMO Web Neighbors | MEMO Staff | Home