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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. Memo Pad submissions for the June issue are due by Monday, May 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or you can 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.
Kendra Berentsen, an 18-year-old senior at David Douglas High School, is preparing for a career in opera. The soprano is one of eight young classical musicians honored by the Young Artists Debut! Program, a collaborative effort of MetroArts Inc and All Classical 98.9 FM. Berentsen was also awarded a cash scholarship by the Monday Musical Club of Portland. She recently performed Madame Silberklang in Opera Theater of Oregon’s “Der Schauspieldirektor.” Later this year, the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra will feature Berentsen for the third time. She also recently recorded for National Public Radio’s “From the Top,” a nationally syndicated program highlighting young classical musicians. The Young Artists Debut! Program offers mentoring and support for young talent. The winners will present a recital on Mother’s Day, May 14 at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1838 S.W. Jefferson St. The event is free, but tickets are required and available at Bob’s Red Mill Restaurant, 5200 S.E. International Way in Milwaukie, or at KBPS, 515 N.E. 15th Ave. in Portland. Volunteers needed to guide students to higher education opportunities Parkrose High School offers its students special help in deciding on a career path or in finding the right college or university. The program known as ASPIRE also helps families through the scholarship application process and educates them about other options available for paying for post-secondary education. The catch is, ASPIRE is dependent upon adult volunteer advisors or mentors. This is where you come in. Contact Teena Ainslee, the ASPIRE program developer at PHS at 503-408-2642 or teena_ainslee@parkrose.k12.or.us to sign up. No experience is needed, all training and materials are provided, and training sessions will be worked around your schedule. The required time commitment averages two to three hours per week. In the three years that ASPIRE volunteers have been at work at PHS, more than 200 students have received help and guidance. One of those volunteers said, “There is nothing like seeing the light in the eyes of a student at the very moment they begin to believe they can attend college.” Call Ainslee today. You can help a student realize the dream of a college education. A need for children’s books The hard-working volunteers at SnowCap Community Charities are looking for some special assistance, and they are hoping Alice, Winnie, Bert and Ernie, and their little friends can help. “We have an immediate need for children’s books,” says SnowCap Executive Director Judy Alley. “We hope parents will donate books they got for their children who have grown. If families have two copies of a child’s book, perhaps they can donate one.” SnowCap is a volunteer, faith-based agency that provides food, clothing, advocacy, English language instruction and other services for low-income and disadvantaged families and individuals in the east Multnomah County area. This includes clothing and school supplies for more than 7,000 youngsters each year. “When families, especially mothers, come in for food baskets and other assistance, their young children can often become restless. Books help occupy them,” Alley said. For several years, SnowCap has been providing books for each child to read and take home. “We believe literacy is essential to succeeding in our society, and introducing these youngsters to books encourages their reading proficiency,” she said. Volunteers often read to small groups of children, “but mostly the children are reading to themselves,” Alley added. “Some kids are young enough to enjoy picture books.” SnowCap had received a grant to purchase children’s books but notes, “We have expended those funds.” Alley is requesting donations of books suitable for children ages 2 to 10 years. Books should be delivered to SnowCap offices at 17788 S.E. Pine St., between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or donors may call 503-674-8785 or e-mail judy@snowcap.org to make other arrangements. “Our food boxes are a great help in an emergency,” Alley noted. “We also want to help prepare children to function effectively in the future. These books can help.” Mayor’s budget includes funding for pool at EPCC Plans to build a public swimming pool at the East Portland Community Center became a lot closer to reality recently when Mayor Tom Potter earmarked $3.8 million in one-time money for the proposed aquatic facility. The funding is part of the mayor’s recommended budget for 2006-07. “I am thrilled to see that Mayor Potter has included funding for a complete build-out of the aquatic facility east Portland was promised and certainly needs,” said City Commissioner Dan Saltzman. The aquatic center at 740 S.E. 106th Ave. will consist of a six-lane lap pool and a 4,500 square-foot leisure pool. Construction is slated to begin next November. The project received $6.6 million from a five-year $48 million parks levy that Portland voters approved in 2002. Total costs are now estimated at $10.4 million. “This decision demonstrates the importance of an equitable parks and recreation delivery system,” said Zari Santner, director of Portland Parks & Recreation. In providing both a lap pool and leisure pool, Portland Parks & Recreation can meet the “broadest cross-section of user needs in terms of age, population and activities,” according to Richard Bosch, project manager. >>continued |
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