Community

"A tranquil place in the heart of the suburbs"

Nadaka Nature Park, Gresham OR Click to enlarge

This lovely little park feels so Oregon We received this letter from a Gresham resident expressing the uplifting effect Nadaka Nature Park has on their life and the lives of others, and we though we'd share it with you...

Homes needed for 3 girls and 1 boy, ages 12-15 When: Jul 22-Aug 5, 2011 Where: Your Home! Gresham, OR Download Host Family Application (below)

Sharing Our Cultures

Thank you for your interest in hosting a high school exchange student from our Sister City of SokCho, South Korea. This is one of our two active student exchange student programs, with SokCho sending students to the Gresham area every other year opposite of the years students from Gresham travel to SokCho. The students come during the summer break approximately July 22rd through August 5th

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

• Are You Ready? Workshop - Jun 18
• Crime Reports
• Music Mondays Return to the Center for the Arts Plaza
• Trees in the Summer = Lower Energy Costs
• Multnomah County RSVP
• Cellphones for Soldiers
• Project Linkage
• Summer Programs Available Through SUN
• Do Your Surroundings Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living - Jun 28
• Hollybrook Park Summer Festival - Jul 22
• Dcip-5: Institutional Master Plans - Jun 22
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Downtown Plan Review - Jun 30
• Calling All East County Residents
• Springwater Trail Spur Project
• Neighbors Benefit from Mediation Tips
• Free Summer Activities at the Library
• Little Change Can Make a Big Difference
• Low Cost Summer Activities Through the PAL Youth Center
• Rockwood Standard Community Forum - Jul 7
• Block Party Time
• Transportation System Plan Update Community Forum - Jul 26
• Last Chance to Order your FREE SmartTrips Travel Tools!

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

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.

When: June 20-24, 2011 8:45AM-2:30PM Where: Marshall High School 3905 SE 91st Ave (behind Eastport Plaza) Portland, OR Get map!

Join the Fun!
The Police Activities League invites kids, ages 8-14 to attend the twenty-Second Annual PAL Sports Camp. Local police officers, high school and college coaches from the surrounding area will work together to make the camp a unique experience for youth. Officers and coaches will work with campers to develop specific sports skills and foster good sportsmanship.

Cost is $50 per child. Reduced rates of $25 are available for families who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program during the school year. Transportation available upon request.

Click to download

Summer 2011 Newsletter is here. Download your copy today. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Nadaka Community Festival Disc Golf, Columbia View Park Reynolds 2011-12 Budget Recycling TV’s and Computers HB Lee MS, Sun Outdoor Club Nadaka Happenings 2011 Saturday Family Walks & Rides and more...

Download the full-color edition here!

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, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.
Click here for ad rates.

Looking for a past issue? Check out the newsletter archive.

Got a story to share?

Wilkes East residents are encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter. Articles should be limited to 300 words and may be subject to editing. Send articles by email to: info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: PO Box 536 • Fairview, OR 97024.

Jordan Beehler, Eagle Scout Click to enlarge

What began as a bird house project quickly turned into a passion Making A Difference Wilkes East resident Jordan Beehler is a young man with a warm smile who's interested in making the world around him a better place -- not only for himself, but for others in his community too. Jordan, an Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 606 is a senior at Central Catholic High School in Portland and plans to attend Oregon State University this fall.

In August 2010 Jordan began work on his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. This project is the opportunity for an Eagle Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of the community. This is the culmination of the Eagle Scout candidate's leadership training and requires significant effort on their part.

For his project Jordan choose to improve Nadaka Nature Park

Stretch your grocery dollars at the farmer's market! Enjoy the best produce and products, flowers, and plants starts direct from the garden.

Healthy and fresh
Farmer’s Markets are a fantastic source for fresh, seasonal, locally produced foods, and artisan products. Plus, there are activities and fun for the whole family. So come experience the market. Meet the vendors. Meet other cooks. Enjoy the freshest produce and products. Make your own statement in support of local food.

Want to grow your own vegetables?
Click here for Portland Nursery's 12-month "Veggie Calendar" planting guide.

East side Farmer's Markets

• Fairview Farmers' & Artists' Market
• Gresham Farmers Market
• Hollywood Farmers' Market
• Lents International Farmers' Market
• Lloyd Farmers Market
• Montavilla Farmers Market
• Parkrose Farmers Market
• Portland Farmers Market
• Troutdale Farmers' and Artists' Market

(Complete details on these area markets below)

You'll find plenty of root vegitables, braising greens and lettuces, and of course plant starts for your own vegetable garden.

Bring your reusable shopping bags and plenty of small bills, though some of the markets will trade you a credit/debit card for wooden tokens that all vendors accept, which can be easier to handle than cash. We've indicated those markets that accept Oregon Trail or other food assistant coupons - more access to good food for all.

The City of Gresham is a community partner with a new state-wide program, Clean Energy Works Oregon. Clean Energy Works Oregon, (CEWO), is a non-profit program created to assist homeowners with transforming their homes to be more comfortable and energy efficient.

Energy efficiency improvements in reach.  This All-in-One solution provides:

• No-money-down, easy financing
• One-to-one assistance
• Simple qualifications
• Repayment of loan through the utility bill
• Protects homeowners from rising energy rates

Expert guidance from start to finish
Qualified homeowners receive an extensive energy audit by a trained building expert, retrofit work conducted by a certified contractor and access to low interest rate financing.

Up to $3700 in Instant Rebates*
*Instant Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to change without prior notice, are non-transferable and will only be available for qualified program borrowers for a limited time. Instant Rebates include federal, state and local resources and standard Energy Trust cash incentives. Instant Rebates end May 15th!

TO APPLY visit Clean Energy Works Oregon, http://www.cewo.org

Clean Energy Works Oregon is public-private alliance with Energy Trust of Oregon, utilities, financial institutions, local communities and contractors.

Gang graffiti at Nadaka Nature Park 175th & NE Pacific, Gresham OR

Quick Resources Gang Hotlines Graffiti Resources Graffiti Removal Report Graffiti Online

Neighbors express frustration with the escalating situation.

With the arrival of spring comes a surge in graffiti vandalisim as area street gangs mark their turf.

When you mention the topic of gangs in Portland, most people think of Bloods and Crips, the overwhelmingly black gangs that arrived here in the late '80s. But that's all changed.

The Rise of Mexican Gangs

As the African-American gang problem has slowly been brought under control, its Hispanic counterpart has quietly grown. In the early '90s, African-American gang members outnumbered Hispanic gangsters in Oregon by a ratio of 9 to 1. Two decade later that ratio has reversed.

RBC: Launching the next phase Dinucci resigns, Stegmann appointed as acting chair

Candidates Wanted

After several months of discussion the Rockwood Business Coalition has decided to reorganize.

The RBC is seeking board member candidates for chair, a vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and two members at large. Local business leaders interested in any of these position should contact the RBC to have their name placed on the ballot. Elections will be held at the April meeting. See contact info below.

Launching The Next Phase

On Feb 8th, Dina DiNucci resigned as Chair after four years saying it is necessary step to launch the next phase of the RBC. DiNucci has agreed to stay on to build membership and manage the activities of the RBC at least thru June 2011. Vice Chair, Lori Stegmann has assumed the role of Acting Chair. Stegmann, owner of Stegmann Insurance Agency is also a member of the Gresham City Council.

About the RBC

The RBC was formed in 2007 and has served as a unified voice for West Gresham's Rockwood area businesses on political, economic, and social issues. Membership is not limited to a specific area. The group welcomes any business interest who holds a stake in the Rockwood community. This area covers the Columbia River (north) to SE Division (south), 162nd Ave (west) to 202nd Ave (east). The Coalition meets on the first Wednesday of each month at a hosting business or organization. Meeting times are from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.