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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 along with opportunities to participate in the community. Memo Pad submissions for the April issue are due by Thursday, March 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.
Broncos QB signs National Letter of Intent
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| Zach Abney, center with tie, wears a Harding University cap for the first time at a ceremony to recognize him as a scholar athlete who has been offered a scholarship to play football at the Searcy, Ark. school. Supporting him are teammates (from left) Tonga Tokelau, Matteo Rigoni, Thomas Lott, Andre Johnson, Deontre Curry, Jonathan Boland, Cody Rowley, Marquis Hammick and Jerry Hunter. Mid-county Memo photo/Darlene Vinson |
Abney's parents, Brent and Heather Abney, believe in investing in community. As Zach's freshman year approached, they took the time to meet with Parkrose teachers, administrators and coaches to make sure that Parkrose High was the right fit for their son and for their family. What they found were a positive superintendent, a positive principal and positive teachers that offered honors classes and Advanced Placement Courses beyond any they believe they would have found in any private school in the area, along with opportunities to lead in the sports program that would likely not have been available elsewhere. Brent Abney went on to say, “We made the choice to be part of this community and invest in this high school. We have received back much more than we have given. There are a lot of people who are responsible for the opportunities that Zach has had in his life and we thank you.”
Among the several dozen on hand to watch Abney sign his NLI and don a Harding University cap for the first time were his parents, grandparents-one via Skype from North Carolina--coaches, teachers, administrators and teammates. Those teammates talked about the example Abney set for them on the field and in the classroom. Freshman Jonathan Boland spoke for the group when he said, “We're proud of him.”
According to Parkrose Athletic Director Sanjay Bedi, Abney is the first football player in his eight-year tenure to sign a NLI. There have been volleyball players who have earned athletic scholarships in Bedi's time at the school including Abney's classmate Justine Shepard.
Harding Bison head coach Ronnie Huckeba said, “We are very excited to have Zach in our program. He is a fine young man from a family with a rich history with Harding. He is a great student, a young man of tremendous character, a fantastic athlete and a great competitor. We are fortunate to land a young man of his caliber.” Abney's parents are Harding alum.
Two PCS standouts sign NLI
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| Cameron Jones, left, and Emily Koslowski sign National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers in college. Jones will play soccer for Oklahoma Christian University. Koslowski will play volleyball at Linn-Benton Community College. |
Rose Festival court selections announced
The first round of judging for the 2012 Rose Festival Court is complete. Junior and senior girls from class 4A to 6A high schools in the tri-county area who have a grade point average of 3.0 or better and 20 hours of verifiable community service were eligible to compete for the opportunity to represent their school and earn the $3500 scholarship that goes with selection to the court.
Judging and student body voting will be complete and final selections announced at school assemblies beginning March 1.
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| The Parkrose Rose Festival court is comprised of seniors Emma Brent, Laura Denning, Carlea Sundin, and Bre'shay Barnes. Judges have tallied scores; the student body has voted. The princess selection at Parkrose as well as David Douglas and Madison is announced later this month. COURTESY LONDA SUNDIN |
David Douglas: Dominikka McAllister-Moran; Maleah Cooper; Melissa Brasch and Vanessa Harris
Madison: Addison Swartout-O'Brien; Hannah Cooper; Julia Nguyen and Keely van Baggen
Parkrose: Carlea Sundin; Emma Brent; Laura Denning and Bre'shay Barnes
Princesses will participate in the Queen's Coronation on Saturday, June 9 before the Grand Floral Parade.
Grow your own fruits and vegetables
If you want to add fresh, local, organic, and affordable produce to your family's diet and spend more time outdoors, there is no better way than to sign up for a Portland Parks & Recreation community garden plot. PP&R community gardens program is unique because it allows you to rent your own plot of land with the necessary watering, fencing, and support needed to reap your first harvest.
Garden plots are assigned on a first come, first served basis. New plots are awarded by mid-April. If no plots are available in the garden(s) you select, you will be put on a waitlist and notified when one becomes available.
Annual fees are $21 for single plots measuring approximately 100 square feet; $43 for standard plots (200 sq. ft.); $85 for double plots (400 sq. ft.); $20 for 4 by 8 foot, ADA accessible raised bed. Scholarships are available to individuals or families who need assistance. A single-sized plot is recommended for beginning gardeners and families of 1 to 2 people. Standard-sized plots are good for families of 2 to 3 people, and double-sized plots are more appropriate for large families or groups.
Garden plots in our area are available at these gardens:
•Berrydale Community Garden, Southeast 90th Avenue and Taylor Street
•Ed Benedict Community Garden, Southeast 104th Avenue and Bush Street
•Furey Community Garden, Southeast 117th Avenue and Reedway Street
•Gilbert Heights Community Garden, Southeast 130th Avenue and Boise Street
•Senn's Community Garden, Northeast 112th Ave. and Prescott Street
•Hazelwood Community Garden, Northeast 117th Avenue and Holladay Street
To register for a plot or request a scholarship, visit portlandonline.com/parks/communitygardens or call 503-823-1612.
Free garden plots available for low and moderate-income families
Gardening professionals agree it is a bit early to start planting seeds in the wet ground, but the time is ripe for reserving space in a community garden to grow fresh produce for harvest later this spring and into fall.
SnowCap Community Charities is now accepting reservations for free gardening plots for low and moderate-income families, according to Anniece Foster, garden coordinator at SnowCap.
The SnowCap community garden, entering its seventh year of operation, consists of 29 raised beds suitable for growing an abundance of vegetables and fruits.
SnowCap provides gardeners with good soil and water and some free seeds for growing tomatoes, lettuce, beans, peas and cucumbers.
“Gardeners are involved in soil preparation, planting, weeding, watering, cultivating and pruning. And, most importantly, harvesting,” Foster said. Gardeners also have the use of on-site greenhouses.
“Our plots are small,” she added, “but are suitable for beginning gardeners or for those seeking to supplement their food budgets with fresh, organic vegetables.”
Gardeners are required to contribute 10 percent of their harvest to SnowCap's food pantry, which provides additional nutrition for the agency's food boxes.
SnowCap gardeners also are enrolled in special gardening workshops that are offered throughout the growing season. The deadline for applications is March 25.
Contact Foster at 503-674-8785, ext. 38 or anniece@snowcap.org for an application or if you have questions.
Latina declares for House District 47
Jessica Vega Pederson is a candidate for Oregon House District 47, which includes portions of Portland east of I-205 to the Gresham border and from I-84 and Northeast Sandy Boulevard south to Division Street and Powell Boulevard. She is running to build a sustainable economy with high wage jobs, to strengthen our educational system and to fight for equity in Oregon. If elected, she would make history as the first Latina to serve in the Oregon House.
Jessica is in technology project management, helping businesses solve problems using technology and innovation, and said she will employ that experience in the Oregon Legislature to address the pressing economic and social issues facing our state.
“I understand the correlation between a thriving economy and a strong educational system,” said Vega Pederson. “I know my background in business paired with my perspective as a mother will give the residents of District 47 the voice and experience we need to grow the economy and support our schools.”
She settled in mid-county with her husband where they are raising two children. “As a mother, I'm concerned about the quality of education my children will receive.” said Jessica. “Watching your child develop from an infant into an active, curious being is an amazing experience. We need to make sure that all children have a rich, caring environment to learn in.”
She said her lifelong commitment to public service was instilled at an early age. Her grandfather was a Democratic block captain and her mother helped found the Concerned Latinos of East Chicago, Indiana. She turned her upbringing into action while still in high school and college with leadership roles in student government and Latino organizations.
She has served as a Democratic precinct committee person in the district for six years and is a Hazelwood Neighborhood Association board member.
House District 47 is an area of Portland hit hard by the recession. David Douglas High School is within HD 47 and 74 percent of its students are on free or reduced lunch.
To contact the candidate e-mail her at info@jvpfororegon.com or call 503-933-5593.
Optometrist sets sights on House seat
Thuy Tran is happy to get to work in Salem for her neighbors, saying “I'm excited to take my involvement to the next level by serving in the Oregon Legislature. With all of the ongoing concerns with education, health care and the need for jobs, now is the time to step up to help craft the solution.”
Tran's priorities in Salem include increasing and stabilizing funding for schools. Her three children are students in the Parkrose School District, one of the largest districts in Portland.
Tran also sees how unemployment has negatively impacted mid-county and said she will be an advocate for creating jobs and making sure that local, women and minority owned businesses are given preference over large faceless out of state corporations when the state is spending dollars.
As an optometrist and small business owner, Tran said she sees first hand the impacts on Oregonians who do not have healthcare coverage, especially children.
As a legislator, she promises a key priority will be to help ensure universal coverage.
Tran has been active in the Lions Club, is the vice chair of the Vietnamese Community of Oregon and is a major in the Oregon Air National Guard.
House district 47 boundaries are from Northeast 122nd to the 162nd Avenues with a portion of extending west to 102nd and 112th Avenues; and from I-84 to Southeast Division St. with a portion to the north in Argay: Sandy Blvd., 141st to 162nd Avenues.
To learn more, visit votefortran.com or find the candidate on Facebook at Facebook.com/votefortran.
Powell Plan reviewed
The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission had a briefing last month on the Outer Powell Conceptual Design Plan, which is looking at design changes for Southeast Powell Boulevard east of I-205. Transportation planner Stuart Gwynne said current plans call for two travel lanes with a center-turning lane, 12-foot sidewalks, and eight-foot bike lanes. Still in process is a master street plan for connecting local streets and required setbacks for adjacent properties.
“Access now is very difficult, in many cases almost impossible,” Gwynne said. Planner April Bertelsen added that the city is looking at zoning on the street, and considering changing it to provide more opportunities for commercial services. Commission member Don Hanson said he approved of these approaches, and said that current driveway designs cause people to try to back onto Powell, creating very dangerous situations.
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