Neighborhood Connections: July 2010


City of Gresham: Neighborhood Connections July 2010

City of Gresham News,
Community Activities,
Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.


Music Mondays Summer Concert Series

Music Mondays is a summer concert series hosted by the Center for the Arts Foundation that takes place every Monday from noon until 1:30 p.m. out on the Center for the Arts Plaza. There is free musical entertainment, varied each week and is a great option to be outside during the lunch hour. Bring a lunch with you, or grab one to go from one of the downtown restaurants.

Experience is the Best Teacher, And You Have a Lifetime’s Worth

Experience Corps, a program of Metropolitan Family Service, is an innovative program that connects older adult mentors (55+) with students in public schools throughout the Portland Metro Area. Experience Corps volunteers provide mentoring and academic support to students to boost student academic performance, help schools become more successful, and enhance the well-being of both themselves and students in the process. Volunteers serving approximately 15 hours per week may be eligible to receive a monthly stipend. Please contact Heather Pruess at 503-249-8215 ext. 22 or heatherp@metfamily.org for details. Read more

We Are Bringing the Party on the Plaza!

The Center for the Arts is hosting a signature event called Party on the Plaza. A revival of the popular Street Dance, this concert event will take place on the Center for the Arts Plaza on July 30th from 5 - 11 p.m. We will have local food and beverage vendors and two great musicians. First we have country music artist, Kurt Van Meter and our headliner, Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond cover band. Tickets are $15 in advance, on sale now on our website, and will be $20 sold onsite.

Urban Forestry Management Plan Community Forum – August 2

Join us Monday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Gresham City Hall Conference Center to comment on Action Measures drafted for the Urban Forestry Management Plan. An action measure is a statement that outlines a specific City project or standard and would implement goals and policies. For more information contact Tina Osterink, Natural Resources Planner in Urban Design & Planning, at 503-618-2392 or Tina.Osterink@GreshamOregon.gov. Read more

National Night Out – August 3

Everyone is encouraged to take part in Gresham’s National Night Out celebrations and activities. Get involved by hosting a party or attending an event. Once you’ve decided to host a party, it’s important to register your party, no matter how large or small. To register your party, learn more about National Night Out, get tips on planning a party, or find an event in your neighborhood, contact the Community Services Office at 503-618-2567, or e-mail Kelle.Landavazo@GreshamOregon.gov. Read more

Retail Design & Development Standards Community Forum - August 4

The Retail Design & Development Standards project will create Code regulations that ensure large format retail meets the Community’s vision and guarantees high-quality design for retail and other commercial developments in the arterial corridors. Issues to be addressed at the forum include refining a retail vision, defining the tiered approach, identifying large format retail locations and discussing some retail design standard concepts. Help refine the retail design vision and discuss issues with project staff. Your input is invaluable as we work towards better design standards for retail development. For more information contact Dan McAuliffe, Associate Planner at 503-618-2514 or email Dan.McAuliffe@GreshamOregon.gov. Read more

Slow Traffic Ahead - Summer Paving Underway

Sections of three of Gresham’s busiest roads – Burnside, 223rd/Eastman Parkway, and 257th/Kane - will get new pavement over the next two weeks. Visit the website for the schedule and exact street locations that will be repaired. There will be traffic delays, but we’re looking forward to the smooth ride once the work is completed. This work is paid for with federal stimulus funds secured by the City. Read more

Open House July 27 - Springwater Interchange Area Management Plan

The Oregon Department of Transportation, City of Gresham, City of Damascus, Clackamas County, and Multnomah County are working together to refine plans for an interchange along U.S. 26 in the Springwater Community. Please join staff from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, at an open house at Grace Community Church to tell us which interchange design you prefer. We want to hear your input about the three interchange alternatives that ODOT, the City, and many stakeholders have developed over the past year. Read more

Watershed Management Neighborhood Block Parties Planned

Join City staff, your friends, and neighbors to celebrate at one of our Healthy Streams block parties. Events feature something for the whole family, including youth activities, a water bug petting zoo, naturalist presentations, stream tours, and food and music. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Block parties are held on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m.

July 30: Nechacokee and West Fork Hogan Creek Block Party; intersection of S.E. Regner Road and S.E. 29th Street across from the mailboxes. Call Bethany Vogeney at 971-322-5941.
August 27: Kelly Creek Block Party; intersection of SE 1st and SE El Camino Drive just east of Kane Drive. Call David or Hanna at 503-849-1491.

Read more about restoration projects.

Section of Gresham Butte Saddle Trail Closed

The City is replacing an aging water line on Gresham Butte. For public safety, a portion of the Gresham Butte Saddle Trail and SW Blaine Avenue on Gresham Butte is closed until September 30 during construction. Signage has been installed at the trailheads to alert hikers of the closure and timeframe. Read more

Parks Picnic on The Plaza: August 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grab a basket from home or a take-out box from one of Historic Downtown Gresham’s fine restaurants, or the Gresham Farmers’ Market, and join us for an old-fashioned community picnic. The free City-sponsored event will feature lively music, field games and prizes on the beautiful Center for the Arts Plaza. Read more

Rockwood in Motion – Construction News, Restaurant Guide

Central Rockwood is under construction with a number of exciting improvements. Visit the website for construction updates, a traffic map, restaurant guide to support businesses during construction, and more. Want construction updates straight to your e-mail? Join the Rockwood in Motion opt-in and receive e-mail news. Read more

Take a Gresham SmartTrip This Summer

The City is offering healthy, fun and educational events through September to teach how to use public transportation (bus and MAX), as well as carpooling, walking, and biking. Try these transportation alternatives to driving alone. The City is partnering with the Gresham Regional Transportation Management Association on these free activities. Read more

Wanted: Stream Stewards and Watershed Warriors

This summer the Watershed Division is offering free downspout disconnection services to qualified homes. Why? The streams need your help! By allowing water to flow back into your lawn and landscaping, our groundwater is naturally recharged and our streams suffer less flooding, scouring and erosion. Read more

Sustainability Survey

Do you care about natural resources, healthy food, parks, wildlife, biking and walking? Take our Sustainability Survey and share with us your views on green living in Gresham – what you value, what you would like to see improved, what you would like the City to focus on. Take the Survey


Gresham Neighborhoods