Community

Community-based urban living in West Gresham's Rockwood triangle. Click to enlarge

Sustainable Cities Year project redefines Rockwood potential. Proximity to Portland and MAX huge factors.

"Rockwood Boulevard combines social and community goals to transform an isolated and distressed site into a vibrant neighborhood. At the heart of the six arce site is a street lined with local business creating an atmosphere bursting with activity and unique flavor."

Six new designs for Rockwood

University of Oregon graduate students involved in the year-long Sustainable Cities Year program presented six new designs for the Rockwood triangle to an enthusiastic audience at the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRC) meeting on Dec 9, 2009. The crowd, which divided into three groups for two presentations and a short Q&A every 20 minutes, liked what they saw.

"Community-based urban living supported by a micro economy of local business" dominated the design themes. Students cited the close proximity to downtown Portland and the importance of the adjacent MAX Blue Line as huge factors in their designs, saying Rockwood is positioned to become a vital and thriving area in West Gresham.

Kick-off your Holiday Season! Park Place Coffee's $5 Jewelry Sale & Open House Sunday, Dec 13th 3-7PM

When: Sunday, Dec 13, 2009 3PM-7PM
Where: Park Place Coffee
1288 SE 182nd Ave (next to Vance Park)
Gresham, Or
Get Map!

Join the fun!

Stop by Park Place Coffee for some hot chocolate & cookies, and a visit.

Also, it's a great chance to pick-up some jewelry at a great price!

Stocking Stuffer Sale

$5 Jewelry & Accessories for Christmas Gifts. (cash sales only)

Perfect time to find stocking stuffers or inexpensive gifts for all!

Also, mention this notice and get $1.00 off food items.

Coco, cookies & music!

"We will be serving hot chocolate and cookies, playing Christmas music and gearing-up for the holidays! (Beer and wine available)

Nadaka Nature Park

Be Part of the Process. Plan to Attend this Meeting. Nov 19, 2009 7PM St Aidans Church

What: Wilkes East Neighborhood Association (WENA) meeting to discuss expansion of Nadaka Nature Park into 1.9 acres on south edge of Nadaka.

When: Thursday, Nov 19th 7PM
St Aidan's Episcopal Church
NE 174th & NE Glisan
Get Map!

Background

WENA and the Friends of Nadaka have successfully applied for a Metro Nature in Neighborhood capital grant, received a contribution from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) and worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Nelson Estate to acquire this 1.9 acre parcel. The City of Gresham has not contributed money for this purchase but the property will be owned and maintained by the City of Gresham. This acquisition will become part of Nadaka.

Flu Shot clinics, Frequently asked questions, Resources, more

Learn more

• www.CDC.gov website
• Multnomah County website
• State of Oregon website

Mt Hood POPS Orchestra presents "A New World at the POPS" Ben Brooks Auditorium Sunday Oct 25th 3:30PM

When: Sunday, Oct 25, 2009 3:30PM
Where: Ben Brooks Auditorium
Reynolds High School
1698 SW Cherry Park Rd
Get Map!

A World Class Orchestra, right here in Gresham

The Mt Hood POPS Orchestra is the finest orchestra this side of the Oregon Symphony, and it's based right here is Gresham.

Here's your chance to enjoy some of the world’s finest music played by a world class orchestra right here in your own back yard!

Has the air traffic noise increased over your house? Share your comments at this meeting

When: Thursday, Oct 8, 2009 6PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

The Citizens Noise Advisory Committee (CNAC) for the Portland International Airport would like to personally invite you and your neighbors to it's upcoming Monthly meeting being held next week at the Gresham City Hall. The Agenda for the meeting is below.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Click here for details!

Put on your painting clothes! Come Help Paint Plaza del Sol at the Rockwood Cultural Marketplace (187th & Stark) Friday, Sep 18th 2009

Come for an hour, or come for the day!

When: Friday, Sep 18, 2009 9:30AM-6PM
Where: Rockwood Cultural Marketplace
(former Fred Meyer site)
SE 187th & SE Stark St
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

Help us paint the Plaza!

Plaza del Sol is one of several new interim uses being sited by the Gresham Redevelopment Commission on the Cultural Marketplace (former Fred Meyer store) property in Rockwood.

Volunteers are needed to help paint the “Plaza del Sol,” a scale model of the solar system. Come for an hour or come for the day! Wear casual clothes if you want to paint.

Food and refreshments will be provided for volunteers. Pastries by La Mexicana Market, burritos by Don Pedro, and coffee and hot chocolate by Dutch Bros Coffee. Supplies donated by Parr Lumber and Miller Paint.

Express yourself, Help Gresham set attractive, innovative, Multi-Family Design Standards. Community forum Sep 30th

When: Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 6:30PM
Where: City Hall Conference Center
(Springwater Room)
1333 NW Eastman Pkwy
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

Share your ideas!

The Multi-Family Design Standards project will create Code that will facilitate the creation of multi-family housing that is attractive, innovative, of high quality design and materials, and compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. Multi-family development is defined as three or more units located on a single lot. The project will also look at duplexes and mixed-use developments. Issues include defining a vision for multi-family development regarding site design and building design by considering desired quality, design excellence, sustainability, transportation access, traffic impact

Finally some good news. District receives additional $6.2 million in funding

Board votes $2 million to rehire teachers, $2 million for obligations. Places $2.2 million in contingency fund.

Reynolds board votes to spend added millions now, rehire teachers

by Betsy Hammond
The Oregonian, Thursday Aug 13, 2009

A unanimous Reynolds school board voted (tonight) to spend $2 milllion to immediately hire back laid-off teachers in order to reduce class sizes before school starts Sept. 8.

A standing-room-only crowd of teachers and parents applauded loudly.

Many had testified that students would suffer from a lack of attention and individualized instruction if the district stuck to its earlier plans to eliminate one of every four teaching positions and raise class sizes to 35 or larger at most grade levels.

City of Portland Street Access For Everyone (SAFE) Community Forum Seeking ways to share our streets with the homeless

When: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10AM-12PM
Where: Kaiser Town Hall
3704 N. Interstate
Get Map!

When: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7PM-9PM
Where: First Unitarian Church
1011 SW 12th Ave
Get Map!

Share your ideas

The economic crisis has drastically impacted many of our neighbors. Commissioners Amanda Fritz and Nick Fish invite all members of our neighborhoods to join them in a community forum to find alternative ways to share our streets, and discuss opportunities to support members of our communities who are faced with homelessness and other challenges.

On April 29, 2009 the Portland City Council agreed to postpone a decision on the Sidewalk Obstructions Ordinance rather than vote to continue or allow it to sunset. A recent court ruling and the Portland Police decision suspending the sit/lie ordinance has created a wonderful opportunity for a community dialogue on the next steps. A report by the Street Access For Everyone (SAFE) Committee sets the framework for discussion about which services have been provided and which are needed.

One way that you can help is to join together and come up with ideas to support our neighbors who are struggling in meeting some of the most basic needs.

Possible discussion topics:
• What are the SAFE Recommendations - Areas of agreement, areas of disagreement?
• How are services coordinated/who does what in the City?
• What services are needed/missing/need enhancements?
• Who needs to be at the table?
• What issues are outstanding?
• Next Steps

Join the discussion

Please join Commissioner Fritz and Commissioner Fish, along with other Portlanders, as together we discuss opportunities to make our city friendly, supportive and accommodating for everyone.