Vol. 25, No. 3 • Mailed monthly to over 13,500 homes in the Gateway & Parkrose Communities Free • July 2009
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FEATURE ARTICLES
Sewing experience comes full circle
Neighborhood doyenne leads overthrow
Mel Morasch: Timberwolf starts meat company
Perlman's Potpourri:
Design review gets its say in how Gateway’s future looks
Lounge opens with new attitude, food
Longtime Argay resident Joseph Colasuonno succumbs
Advocates push for east Portland streetcar routes
PBA Cruise-in: judge thyselves

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Memo Calendar

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 August issue are due by Wednesday, July 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.

Parkrose says thanks to retiring staff
The Parkrose School District said goodbye to five retiring employees at the end of the school year. Together they represent more than 100 years of service to the community and the district.

Mary Brown retired as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher from Prescott Elementary School. She is also a Parkrose School District alumnus who attended Parkrose schools from grades one through 12. Brown began her career in the district in 1973.

Joan Higgins, a special education teacher at Parkrose Middle School, retired after seven years in Parkrose. Her 40-year career focused on students who benefited from additional support and alternative education methods.

Marilyn Maddelone served as an educational assistant at Sacramento Elementary School beginning in 1998.

Linda Noel retired as a primary teacher at Prescott Elementary School. She came to work in the district in 1983, and worked in all four Parkrose elementary schools over the years.

June Wilson retired from the district as a library/media assistant at Shaver Elementary School. Wilson’s 34-year career was spent at that school.

Cherry Park principal steps into national role
Barbara A. Chester, principal of Cherry Park Elementary School in the David Douglas School District, was recently elected president-elect of the 15-member board of directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Gail Connelly, NAESP’s executive director, announced the nationwide election results from the association’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va. Chester assumed her role as president-elect on July 1, and will become the president one year later.

“I am passionate in my commitment to serve children and to work to further strengthen our association to support principals in every corner of our country,” Chester said. “Collectively, we stand poised on the edge of (one of) the most exciting and unique times in education. I am committed to using our voice on Capitol Hill to create powerful, common-sense changes to policies that lie ahead.”

Chester has been a member of NAESP since 1985, serving on state, regional and national committees, as well as state representative from 1997-00 and regional chair in 2002-03.

She is also active in the Oregon Elementary School Principals Association, serving as president in 2001-02, regional president in 1996, and regional representative from 1992-95. She is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, and has held membership in the Colorado Association of School Executives and the Washington Association of School Administrators.

Chester was named Northwest Regional National Distinguished Principal in 2005 and received the David Douglas School District Apple Award in 2005. She was honored with the Mayor’s Award for Youth Service by city of Portland 2004-05.

Chester has worked as a principal in the David Douglas School District since 1995, after serving as a principal in the North Clackamas School District from 1989-1995. From 1985-1989, she held the position of principal/staff development director for Englewood School District, and was principal in the Federal Way School District. She began her career in education as an elementary teacher in the Kent School District in 1974.
Chester holds a Master of Education in education administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the College of Idaho.

Former PC standout keeps up winning ways
Lindsay Reinhart, left, Portland Christian 2007, finished second at the NAIA Track & Field National Championships this spring. She still wears purple, but now she runs for the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.
COURTESY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Lindsay Reinhardt, a 2007 Portland Christian High graduate, placed second in the 400-meter hurdles at the recent NAIA Track & Field National Championships in Edwardsville, Ill. She is now a student at the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Her time of 61.02 seconds at the championship meet is a school record. She also holds the university record of 57.73 seconds in the 400-meter sprint.

While at PC, Reinhardt was a member of state championship teams in basketball and volleyball and won the state 300-meter hurdle title as a senior.

New aquatic club forming
Northwest Blue Crush Aquatic Club is offering year-round swimming and water polo instruction, training and competition; swimmers as young as six years old are eligible. The club also has adult teams. The novice water polo team will introduce kids from grades four and up to the skills needed to succeed at this physically challenging sport.

The Parkrose High School pool, 12003 N.E. Shaver St., is the home pool for Blue Crush. For details go to www.blucrushaquatic.webs.com or e-mail nwbluecrush@gmail.com.

Find free activities at your neighborhood park
This summer, Portland Parks & Recreation continues its tradition of offering safe, healthy activities for children and families in parks, pools and community centers across the city. From the Washington Park Summer Festival and concerts in neighborhood parks to Movies in the Park, summer playground fun, and more, you’ll find something free and fun to enjoy.

New this year is the Summer Free for All, a Web site specifically highlighting all the free events, classes and programs PP&R offers. The site, at www.portlandparks.org, also provides a continually updated list of all the free activities and classes offered each week through early September. From climbing walls or computer labs to dance and theater classes, you can view the type of activity; the dates, times, and locations it is offered; the appropriate age group and any special notes you need to know.

“During these tough times, we’re committed to continuing to offer fun, free events for all Portlanders, especially for families with children,” said Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. “When many families are having trouble paying the rent and buying food, we want to make sure they have access to free and affordable recreational opportunities, including movies, concerts and other traditional summer activities.”

The Summer Free for All also highlights the variety of free activities specifically designed to keep youth and teens safe and active this summer, including free swims, game room drop-ins, gardening classes, break dance and skateboard sessions and much more.

Portland’s parks and natural areas also offer the opportunity for all kinds of unstructured relaxation and recreation. Portlanders can enjoy visiting skate parks and dog parks; playing on basketball and tennis courts; hiking or biking on over 150 miles of trails; or simply packing a picnic, blanket and Frisbee, and heading to a neighborhood park. And best of all, it’s free.

New crime prevention coordinator introduced
As a result of the recent Portland Police Bureau precinct restructuring, Mary Tompkins is the new crime prevention coordinator for Argay, Beaumont-Wilshire, Hollywood, Parkrose, Rose City Park and Roseway neighborhoods.

Tompkins has worked as a crime prevention coordinator with the city of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement since 2006. She is a graduate of Portland State University, with degrees in criminal justice and conflict resolution. She comes to us with 20 years of experience in law enforcement, social services and facilitation.

Watch for news of her appearing at an upcoming neighborhood association meeting and at multiple National Night Out events on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Volunteer for site team
David Douglas High School Site Team is recruiting volunteers. Site team meets every other week for half an hour before school. The first meeting is in September. This is a democratic body composed of teachers, parents, community members and administrators that allocates professional development dollars and creates the school improvement plan. It is one of the school’s mechanisms for community voice and involvement. It is an effective way for you to make a difference and have a voice in the way the school is run.

Major agenda items for the next year include continued professional development process improvement and parent involvement and support to improve academic performance.

You can make a difference. To join the site team, contact Michael Givler at michael_givler@ddouglas.k12.or.us.

Mosquitoes are buzzing — are you prepared?
With mosquito season in full swing, public health officials are reminding people that mosquitoes can transmit a number of diseases, including the potentially serious West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus has been present in Oregon since 2004. The spread of the virus is unpredictable, but many areas of the country have shown a significant increase in cases years after the introduction of the virus.

To reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile Virus and to keep mosquito populations in check, prevent mosquitoes from breeding by removing sources of standing water — change water in bird baths, wading pools and pet dishes twice a week — clean clogged gutters, and repair leaking faucets and sprinklers.

To avoid mosquito bites, use mosquito repellent when you are outdoors. Repellents with DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are recommended. Use according to directions, especially when applying to children. Install or repair screens on windows and doors so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors. Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active. When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks, and hats outside; place mosquito netting over infant carriers when outdoors.

Northeast Portland Rotary adds new members
Last month new Rotarian Kristine Bullock, left, receives her Rotary pin from Assistant District Governor Deniel Banks during a Northeast Portland Rotary meeting.
COURTESY OLLIE LUND
The Northeast Portland Rotary added three new members in June: Kristine Bullock, Indira Jaskie and Mandy Mistkawi. Bullock and Mistkawi are independent telecom service providers; Jaskie, an insurance agent in east Portland. The Northeast Portland Rotary meets Wednesdays at 12:15 in the Refectory Restaurant banquet room, 1618 N.E. 122nd Ave. Interested in learning more about Rotary in general Northeast Rotary in particular, come to a meeting, introduce yourself and they’ll buy you lunch. Guaranteed.
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