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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 April issue are due by Friday, March 14. 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.
Scott students advance to state tournament
Margaret Scott Elementary students have been participating in the Chess for Success (“Chess helps kids achieve success,” April 2007) after-school program this year. They have been meeting every Tuesday and Thursday since October. Dave Gray, a retired teacher from Margaret Scott, and several volunteers, including Brian Vandiyer, Ethan Neubert, Nga-My Vuong and Brian Haaglund have been the instructors and coaches for our young chess players. On Saturday, Feb. 9 nine members of the 50 member Chess for Success Club competed in a tournament with the other 12 school teams east of 82nd Avenue in Multnomah County. The Margaret Scott team took first place.
Team members who will advance to the state finals on Friday, March 21 are Vincent Nguyen, Matthew Benzar, George Perez and Brian Phan. All are in the fourth grade. This tournament is held at the Oregon Convention Center. It will be an all day event in which every team will play five games. Matthew, George and TJ Huynh, a fifth grader, qualified for the individual tournament to be held the next day.
Local history being gathered
The David Douglas Historical Society seeks family stories and short articles for its new community history book. They especially want to hear from graduates for a special section they are calling “Where are they now and what are they doing?” The society wants to make special note of graduates who also served in the military. Contact Joanna Klick at 503-658-4892 or Jo Curry at 503-254-5923 to get your story included.
MHCC radio station voted best
Jazz lovers in the area already know this, but now it’s been proven: KMHD 89.1 FM is the best. KMHD, a public radio station broadcasting from Mt. Hood Community College, won the Best Radio Station Award in the Portland Music Awards.
In a Music Spectator article, KMHD is lauded for the “college spirit and motivation present in the energy both in the offices and on the air.” Most of the staff are talented volunteers who work hard to put together programs that celebrate the classics while introducing new local musicians. It’s truly the best jazz and blues station in the Portland area.
Fundraiser nearly meets goal
“Successful” was the term used to describe the sixth annual Valentine fundraising dinner and auction to benefit SnowCap Community Charities.
The event, held Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Airport Sheraton Hotel, was attended by 325 and raised $48,500. The total exceeded the amount raised last year, but was slightly shy of the goal of $50,000.
“We’re pleased with the results, particularly in light of the current economic situation,” said Judy Alley, SnowCap executive director. “Many folks are guarding their spending, and that is probably reflected in our total.”
More than $15,000 has been earmarked for immediate energy assistance for needy families through a matching program of Pacific Power and Portland General Electric.
A highlight of the evening was the donation of an additional $6,300 by the Boeing Employees Community Fund, which will be used to install new flooring in SnowCap’s food pantry.
“Boeing has been a consistent supporter of SnowCap,” Alley said. “This contribution is especially timely, as our pantry flooring is in dire need of replacement.”
SnowCap will use the money raised at the auction in its food distribution program. The agency distributes food boxes to more than 1,600 families per month through its pantry operation and provides additional food supplies to shut-ins and seniors.
SnowCap is a nonprofit, faith-based volunteer organization that provides food, clothing, seasonal energy help, English language instruction and other advocacy services for low-income families and individuals in east Multnomah County.
East Portland Neighborhood Office awards grants
The East Portland Neighborhood Office has announced the grant recipients for the 2008 Neighborhood Small Grants. These grants are intended to expand the capacity of the neighborhood system, establish partnerships among neighborhood associations and other community-based organizations, and provide opportunities for under-represented communities to become engaged in their neighborhood system. A total of $32,100 was awarded to 16 recipients.
The following proposals are among those selected for funding:
•Cougar community garden. Improvements and outreach for a school and community garden at Sacramento Elementary School. This will expand learning opportunities for youth and connect the school with the neighborhood. Awarded $750.
•Neighbors united to fight crime in Glenfair. Outreach to residents in the neighborhood providing for translation services and childcare. Plans to create two new efforts to engage the community, neighborhood patrol and litter cleanup, and clothing and household items exchange. Support for the National Night Out event. Awarded $2,855.
•Leach Botanical Garden neighborhood open house. Outreach event to raise neighborhood awareness of the resources available at Leach Gardens and issues in the Johnson Creek Watershed. Awarded $2,000.
•The David Douglas community, 21st century book project. This project will update and supplement the 1989 publication, “History and Folklore of the David Douglas Community.” Awarded $1,000.
•Parkrose Farmer’s Market. This project will support the creation of a new farmer’s market in Parkrose. Awarded $3,500.
•Ride for Education. This is the second year of the Ride for Education, intended to raise funds for the Parkrose Educational Foundation, raise awareness of the community and local organizations, build partnerships, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Awarded $3,100.
•Wilkes outdoor holiday display contest. The second year of an outreach event intended to raise awareness of the Wilkes Community Group and encourage community spirit. Awarded $1,400.
•Russell faith community partnership project. The project will create new events to help connect new and old residents in the neighborhood. It will be a partnership between the Eastminster Presbyterian Church and the Russell Neighborhood Association. Awarded $2,500.
•Summer concert in the park. Initiate a new summer concert in the park series at Ventura Park. A partnership between Gateway Area Business Association and Hazelwood Neighborhood Association. Awarded $2,850.
•Cherry Park chamber music series. Create a new music series for the community to enjoy and provide an opportunity to come together. Awarded $1,000.
•Parkrose movie nights. Create an ethnic film series with cultural meals and a post viewing discussion. This project is intended to provide a welcoming and enjoyable evening where community members can discuss cultural issues. Awarded $1,750.
•Kiosk in Knott Park. Construction of an information kiosk in Knott Park. This would provide a place to disseminate information about community events and issues in this well-used neighborhood park. Awarded $2,500.
For more information about these projects and others that were awarded grants, contact EPNO at 503-823-4550.
Elks honor winners
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| Gateway Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Jim Schuermyer, rear, and David Ott, Gateway Elks Hoop Shoot® chairman, back row, right pose, with this year’s award winners in the annual Elks Hoop Shoot® Free Throw contest. In the first row, from left to right, are Brock Nelson, Hunter Davis, Zach Baugher, Taylor Morris and Elyjai Viaiva. In the second row, from left to right, are Steven Mumford, Kourtland Thompson, Samara Lapierre and Isaac Bonton. In the third row, from left to right ,we have Danica Roady, Abigail Kandel, Austin Swift, Sterling Swift and Sydni Dalton. |
| Submitted Photo |
Isaac Bonton, a student at Shaver Elementary School, won the boys 8-9 age group at the lodge level and placed second at the district level. Zach Baugher of Portland Christian Elementary was second. The girl’s winner in the same age group was Taylor Morris of Portland Christian Elementary. She went on to win the district competition and placed third at the state competition. Elyjai Viaiva of Lincoln Park Elementary finished second.
Among boys age 10-11, Hunter Davis, Lincoln Park Elementary, was first. Ventura Park Elementary’s Brock Nelson came in second. For the 10-11 girls, Kourtland Thompson of City Christian and Danica Roady of Arthur Academy shared first-place honors, while Sydni Dalton of Ventura Park Elementary, and Samara Lapierre of Gilbert Park Elementary tied for second place.
Austin Swift won the 12-13 year old boys’ group, and Steven Mumford came in second. Both are students at Portland Christian Junior/Senior High School. Sterling Swift, also of Portland Christian, won the lodge competition for 12-13 year old girls and placed second at the district event. Ron Russell Middle School’s Abigail Kandel came in second.
The Elks Hoop Shoot®, is the largest and most visible of the many youth activities sponsored by Elks lodges throughout the country. Over three million boys and girls between the ages of 8 through 13 will participate this year.
Greening of the urban environment
Portland Parks & Recreation will launch Great Parks, Great Cities, a series of discussions by national experts in urban planning, economic development and sustainability on the integral role parks will play in making cities viable in the 21st century and beyond this month.
Beginning with author and Washington Post columnist Neal Peirce on March 13, the series features Galen Cranz, professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley on May 13; Shirley Franklin, mayor of Atlanta, Ga., on July 8 and Peter Harnik of the Trust for Public Land on Sept. 16.
Patron, general admission and senior or student tickets are available online at www.portlandparks.org. Neal Peirce’s talk on March 13 is a dinner lecture presented at the Governor Hotel. The subsequent lectures will be held at the First Congregational Church on the South Park Blocks in downtown Portland. The series is supported in part by the Portland Parks Foundation.
Portlanders love their parks and natural areas. As the city grows and becomes more congested, as we face a tightening economy, the rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other health risks, and the uncertain future of climate change, parks and natural areas play an even more crucial role in maintaining the economic health and livability of our city.
Portland is a leader in the national movement to reinvigorate cities through the greening of the urban environment. Parks, recreation, natural areas and open spaces are at the forefront of this movement, recognized as essential to the health, economy, water and air quality, sustainability, social equity and vitality of a community.
Great Parks, Great Cities is an opportunity to hear these experts the integral roles that parks will play in our future. They will share their experience, research and insights into how our urban parks contribute to sustainable and healthy communities.
Gateway selects mirror image as teen of the month
The Gateway Elks Youth Activities Committee has selected Erica Lynn Peacock as its February Teenager of the Month. Peacock is a senior at David Douglas High School, carries a 3.2 grade point average and is the daughter of Paul and Amy Peacock. If Erica looks familiar, it is not a figment of your imagination. Erica is the twin sister to the January Teenager of the Month, Rebecca Peacock.
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| Erica Lynn Peacock receives teen of the month honors from Gateway Elks Exalted Ruler Jim Schuermyer. |
| Submitted Photo |
Once active in school sports, such as track, junior varsity soccer and golf, Erica eventually decided to focus her energies on the arts. In addition to school theater and the Troubadours, she sings with the Stratosphere Girls Ensemble. This troupe performs 50s and 60s oldies acapella. Additionally she placed in the top ten in Portland Parks & Recreation’s Teen Idol contest.
Peacock is involved in SADD, or Students Against Destructive Decisions. Erica participates with Kids on the Block, a puppet program that enlightens children on matters such as disabilities and medical and educational differences as well as social and safety issues, and she belongs to the Invisible Children’s Club. In addition she is active in the Latter-Day Saints Young Women’s Program, where she is a counselor at summer camp. She is part of the LDS Youth Dance Committee, which plans monthly dances.
Somehow, with her busy schedule, she finds time to play guitar, sing and write songs. She made a CD last year with her twin sister, Becky. She also enjoys running and spending time with friends.
MHCC accreditation reaffirmed
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has officially reaffirmed Mt. Hood Community College’s accreditation following a full review last fall. The announcement came Jan. 25, following a visit by a team of evaluators to MHCC in October 2007.
In its final report to the college, the Commission offered several commendations including praising MHCC for its commitment to serving the changing needs of the district and supporting professional development for faculty members.
“The Commission also commends the college for the use of technology to reduce operational costs and to increase efficiencies, and for the development of a comprehensive system of evaluation for administrators, full-time probationary faculty and classified staff,” stated Sandra Elman, NWCCU president.
The report also offered several recommendations, including fully developing and implementing a planning process that clearly links college-wide goals and priorities to the budget process and addressing the institution’s deferred maintenance issues; implementing a systematic program of academic advisement and fully developing an educational assessment plan for all instructional programs.
The college will be required to submit an interim report in 2009, addressing the commission’s recommendations. At that time, one or two commission representatives will visit the college to evaluate the institution’s progress.
The college is reviewed every 10 years by the NWCCU. Planning for this event is a two-year process, which culminates in a self-study report that documents the college’s programs and services, its strengths and the areas in which it can improve.
To review the full accreditation study, please visit www.mhcc.edu/accreditation.
Local woman wins crown
Kyle Ziegler, a long-time Parkrose resident, has been named Mrs. Portland International 2008. The Mrs. International Pageant system recognizes women for their professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to marriage. As Mrs. Portland International, Ziegler will make public appearances at civic events and nonprofit projects during her one-year reign.
Ziegler will participate in the Mrs. Oregon International pageant on March 15.
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