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Here she might be, Miss America
Gateway Children’s Center receives $250,000 federal grant
Bingo parlor sale falls through
Church spaghetti dinner blends cultures, community, families

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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 April issue are due by Monday, March 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.

War veterans property tax exemption deadline nears
The Oregon Department of Revenue reminds disabled war veterans and surviving spouses of war veterans that April 1 is the application deadline for the veterans’ property tax exemption. Qualified veterans or their surviving spouses may be entitled to exempt either $10,160 or $13,520 of their property’s assessed value from property taxes. Applications and information are available by calling the local county assessor’s office. For Multnomah County the number is 503-988-3326.

The $10,160 exemption applies to war veterans with disabilities of 40 percent or more and to war veterans’ surviving spouses who have not remarried. The $13,520 exemption applies to war veterans with service-connected disabilities of 40 percent or more. It also applies to the surviving spouses of war veterans who died because of service-connected illness or injury or who had received at least one year of the maximum exemption.

Additional information about other eligibility requirements is available at the local county tax assessor’s office and on the Department of Revenue’s Web site at www.dor.state.or.us under publications.

Original Joe’s gets package store license
Over-riding initial opposition from the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association, Original Joe’s restaurant obtained a package store liquor license permitting it to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption.

Hazelwood’s stance was based on a policy that new package store licenses should be discouraged as a potential contributor to neighborhood alcoholism problems. However, Jim Lampus, co-owner of the restaurant chain, says the license would be used exclusively to allow customers to order specialty wines by the case. “If the neighborhood is concerned about people drinking on the street, this is not that,” Lampus told the MEMO. “I don’t think we’ll have a an order for less than $100.” He noted that the store has been in business at 10200 N.E. Halsey St., generating no complaints. It already has a restaurant license for on-premises consumption.

After Lampus explained this the Hazelwood board, it withdrew its opposition. “Certainly the application was not clear,” chair Arlene Kimura says. “They’re not storing liquor on site, only providing it by special order. There won’t be liquor all over the place. Knowing that, the board felt much more comfortable with this.” It was a moot point, since the OLCC commission had already granted the application with virtually no discussion.

Helpful tax information
The Multnomah County Commission on Children, Families and Community, or CCFC works with several partner agencies to provide information to citizens about tax credit programs and free tax preparation assistance for people living on low or moderate incomes.

On their website, www.ourcommission.org you will find a “Free Tax-Aide” flyer, published by the Oregon Food Bank, which provides basic information on eligibility for tax credit programs.

The “Free Tax Help” publication provides information on all the sites in Multnomah County where individuals and families can receive tax assistance.

Please note that while many sites are located in senior centers, they are also able to serve younger individuals or families. This service is free.

Some of the sites offer “walk-in” services; others require appointments to receive free tax preparation help. This information is noted in the publication. Phone numbers to schedule appointments are listed as well.

There are a number of culturally specific sites, where language translation services are being offered. Check the website for specifics.

You may also call 1-888-227-7669 (AARP Tax-Aide) or 1-800-829-1040 (IRS) to receive additional information on free tax preparation resources.

Forensics team enjoys winning streak
The Mt Hood Community College, or MHCC, Forensics team is getting used to the winner’s circle after wins at three major debate events around the West in the past month.

The Saints received a second place finish at the Portland State University Ben Padrow Invitational in late January and carried their success to San Diego.

At the Port Loma Nazarene Sunset Cliffs Classic, debaters Sean Partch and David Childers finished in the top 16 of 78 competitors. The Forensics team won the ‘octofinalist’ award in Parliamentary Debate as well. The San Diego event is one of the largest in the country, with more than 80 colleges and universities competing.

In Albuquerque, N.M., two team competitors, Eon LaJoie and Will Blackmore, fought for a second place finish at the Western States Communication Association Forensics Invitational. LaJoie finished third in the Open Poetry category, while Blackmore was a finalist in the Open Impromptu category. High-profile competitors included Texas Tech, Colorado College, Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Long Beach.

For more information about the MHCC Forensics team, contact Shannon Valdivia, speech and forensics instructor, at 503-491-7634.

Irene Supina, teenager of the month
The Gateway Elks Lodge is proud to announce the teenager of the month for the month of March. She is junior Irene Supina of David Douglas High School who has earned a Grade Point Average of 4.00.

Irene is a multi-talented and involved teen. She appears to be a true twenty-first century citizen with activities ranging from advanced academic classes to musical involvement to physical fitness.

Irene has been enrolled in advanced classes since ninth grade. She has shown particular talents in a variety of musical classes including choir and advanced strings. Irene has also shown a strong focus in the area of social studies. This interest was also displayed as a participant in the Model United Nations Club.

This ambitious teen is also involved in Bible Study and is one of the four leaders. She is enrolled in the Fellowship of Christian Athletics.

Irene is dedicated to assisting others as demonstrated by her involvement as a Link Crewmember, assisting incoming students. She is part of the “Dream Club”, a school sponsored club, which assists persons in need and is active in the peer-tutoring program and serves as a tutor for children.

Irene’s dedication has been rewarded through her membership in the Junior Honor Society and involvement in the Academic All Stars.

For hobbies and relaxation Irene enjoys reading, playing the violin and exercise.

In planning the future, Irene is considering a career using language arts, perhaps as a teacher in that subject area.

Irene lives with her parents, Mike and Nadia Supina.

Shaver teachers awarded grants
Recently the Oregon Education Association, or OEA, received $1000 to give as grants to two Mid-County teachers. These “Promising Practices Grants” are awarded each year.

All grants were read, reviewed, and rated by an OEA committee. The winners were two Parkrose teachers, Jennifer Knorr and Diane Carlsen. Diane and Jennifer both teach at Shaver Elementary School.

Knorr will form a “Power Reading Club.” The club will target students with low fluency scores. They will use Read Naturally, a standards based program, to become a Power Reader. Faster readers usually have better comprehension.

Carlsen will use her grant money for a Shaver Kindergarten Culture Fair. Kindergarten parents will be asked to visit the Kindergartens to share a craft, or food, music, and clothing examples from their culture.

The Kindergarten teachers will focus on that culture with storybooks and maps and make crafts with the children over a five-week period. At the conclusion of the program displays will be set up and families will be invited to see crafts, sample foods, and hear the children’s songs at the Culture Fair.

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