By Monica McAllister, Nadaka Park Coordinator

Nadaka’s 5th Annual Nadaka Community Festival was a huge success! We had 23 partnering organizations hosting booths, free refreshments provided by Albertsons and Earth H2O, Aztec dancers, steel drum performer, a Ukrainian folk singer, and a variety of family fun activities and crafts. Between 350-400 community members attended the event. All of this was made possible by our wonderful volunteers, partnering or-ganizations, and local community members. We're always look-ing for great new ideas and help planning. To join the Festival Planning Committee email the Nadaka Park Coordinator at monica@friendsofnadaka.org.

Since June, we've had 3 Nadaka Community Cleanups and the SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup at Nadaka. This year’s “No Ivy Day” had 60 high school students from “College Possible” volunteer to remove invasive plants! We are so thankful for all our volunteers and their hard work! We’re always looking for volunteers, groups, organizations, and businesses to come to our stewardship events. Our next stewardship opportunity is the Native Planting Event February 27th 9-12pm.

We also hosted a series of classes and private organizations at Nadaka for environmental and garden education. These include our monthly Bird Walks, Garden Workshops, and “Tadpole Tales” with story time, a craft, nature walk, and show and tell. We held a nature day camp called “A Week in the Woods” taught by Earth Art and Agriculture.

Nadaka will host an Urban Coyote Talk with Audubon Society of Portland, Monday November 16th 6:30pm, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Murdock Hall. Coyotes have become established in Gresham neighborhoods just as they have become established in many urban areas across the United States. Some people are happy to see these wild dogs while others are concerned about conflicts. Come learn about urban coyotes with Audubon Conservation Director, Bob Sallinger. Bob has been working on coyote issues in the Metro Region for more than two decades.

Who's going to build a $30 million Rockwood catalyst project?

Josh Furher, Exec Dir Rockwood Development Commission

City councilors make a pick By this time next year, construction crews could begin building a $30 million economic campus where city leaders hope Rockwood and Gresham residents will learn, shop and make money.

Source: The Oregonian/OregonLive
November 17, 2015

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On Tuesday, Gresham City Council members approved the selection of the project's developer who will help pay for the project and bring in an architectural firm to design a 5.5-acre campus for technology, media, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Rockwood residents should also find restaurants, banking services and grocery items in an area that's seen major chains close their doors.

City leaders have so far found funding sources of about $11.5 million to $12.5 million of that cost to build at the project location, called by officials as the catalyst site. With a population of about 16,500, Rockwood is known for its high rates of poverty and crime but also its diversity and youth.

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"There are a lot of young smart people and a lot of great ideas that don't have an opportunity at this point," City Councilor Mario Palmero said. "I still think the American dreams lives in Gresham more than anywhere in the state of Oregon."

City Council members chose RKm Development, owned by Roy Kim, over two other candidates: Pate Retail and Hanlon Development. RKm built Bethany Village, a mixed-use development of residences, office and retail spaces just north of Beaverton. The developer will work with YBA Architects and Robert H. Foster Consultants on the project, according to their proposal.

Architects and designers would be influenced by Latin American, Northern European and Asian elements, such as "eclectic architecture, non-traditional plant materials, and a wide color palette," according to their proposal.

"To capture a multi-ethnic experience, the public spaces and circulation would take cues from Latin American urban plazas and Asian market streets while also acknowledging the nascent block structure of the immediate vicinity," the RKm proposal states.

More below the break

16539 NE Halsey, Gresham OR Click to enlarge

Neighbors are worried about the pressures on the infrastructure, the school district and the traffic, saying there are all ready too many apartments

Source: The Gresham Outlook
Friday 28 August
by Jodi Weinberger

Residents in the Wilkes East neighborhood are objecting to a 64-unit apartment complex to be built at Northeast Halsey Street and 165th Avenue, both because of the density and the fear of creating more low-income housing.

“The primary thing that most people feel is that there are too many apartments already in our area,” said Kris Freiermuth, president of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. “I’m voicing what was indicated at the (neighborhood association) meeting. They are worried about the pressures on the infrastructure, the school district and the traffic.”

For weeks, residents have been voicing concerns about a growing trash problem and code violation issues in Wilkes East to the city, police department, and in letters to the editor in The Outlook. Many residents say another complex will just add to these issues.

The four-story apartment complex, to be located at 16539 N.E. Halsey St., is being called the Waterside Apartments. It would contain one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with elevator access to upper floors and a playground in the yard.

The building is being proposed by SGS Development LLC, a Bend-based company that has built several projects in East Multnomah County.

At the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday, Aug. 24, more than 50 residents showed up to express concern about the building.

"Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together WE can make a difference!”

Read it Online

Wilkes East Neighborhood 2015 Summer Newsletter IN THIS ISSUE 64-Unit Waterside Apartment Project Friends of the Children Opening 2015 Investing in Oregon Families Nadaka Happenings Summer Edition Clean Energy Works: Summer Movies Nadaka Community Festival Aug 22nd WENA Summer Meeting Aug 24th

CORRECTION:
Our story of 64-Unit, 4-story Waterside Apartment Homes Complex Proposed for 165th & NE Halsey incorrectly reported the property location. It is the heavily treed property with a 1930's farmhouse on the north side of Halsey, directly east of the Moose Lodge. The north 1/4 of the site will be left as open space. Download the corrected newsletter here.

Download your copy here. Now with clickable web links!

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

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As temperatures climb, Portlanders head outside – typically sporting a big grin -because the best season of the year is here. It’s finally summer in Portland!

This year, Clean Energy Works is sponsoring Portland Parks & Recreation's Summer Free For All: Movies in the Park, a beloved Portland tradition, bringing fun, free movies to the whole family. (Bring jackets and extra blankets - it can get chilly when the sun goes down!)

Snag a good spot at Portland parks all summer long for performances by local musicians, free popcorn, and great movies. Stop by the Clean Energy Works table to say hi. And learn how our nonprofit can help keep your home cool and your utility bills down this summer.

We’ll see you at the park!

*Pre-movie entertainment starts at 6:30PM, and movie begins at dusk.

2015 Portland Parks & Recreation Movies in the Park schedule here!

Dog Days of Summer:  July 3 - August 11

The “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of summer.

Dog Days of Summer?  Click to enlarge

The dictionary defines “dog days” as: 1:  the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere 2:  a period of stagnation or inactivity

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?” Here's the answer!

In ancient times, when the night sky was free from artificial lights people in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. These star pictures are called constellations, and the constellations as we know them came from our European ancestors.

Ancient star gazer's saw images in the stars of bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins (Gemini), a bull (Taurus), and others objects, including dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor). (more below...)

Artist's concept: Louise Building New Addition, Gresham OR. Click to enlarge.

Phase II; Louise Renovation Update, April 2015
A message to our neighbors from Pam Krecklow, Real Estate & Construction Manager, Albertina Kerr:

Like to garden, but no place to grow? Reserve Your Spot Nadaka Nature Park community gardens will be open in time for the 2015 gardening season!

Hurry before they're gone!
The City of Gresham's community garden program is pleased to announce that the new Nadaka Nature Park & Garden will be open in time for the 2015 gardening season! Located at NE 175th & Glisan (Next to St Aidans Church), there will be a Grand Opening Celebration on April 4th. People who live or work within Gresham city limits (even if the mailing address says Portland) may register for a 200 sq ft plot for only $25/ season (limit 1 per household). Six ADA-Accessible raised beds are also available to gardeners with disabilities.

Details are available at: http://greshamoregon.gov/gardens. To register, go online to: https://apm.activecommunities.com/greshamoregon/Home or go in person to Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Pky (Get Map!), first floor utilities desk.