Rockwood Building, NE 181st & Couch

The Rockwood Building Will Bring Eight Social Services Under One Roof

Making Rockwood a better place

For years the grassy vacant lot on NE 181st Ave near Burnside served only an occasional traveling carnival or Christmas tree vendor.

Now, that lot is being transformed into a Multi-Service Center to serve area
families in need.

The new three-story $17 million Rockwood Building will host eight social service providers plus a community room on the first floor, and 47 apartments on the two floors above. Fifteen of those apartments will be reserved for homeless families.

Rockwood Building construction, 02/2011

Ground floor agencies will provide day care, employment assistance and Head Start classes, among other services. The new building is expected to be a hub for residents in and around Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood.

Human Solutions, a social service agency with offices in Portland and east Multnomah County, is coordinating the project.

Employees counting redeemable's Wood Village BottleDrop Center

Returning Oregon redeemable's just got a lot easier. Fill the bag. Drop it off. Collect your refund.

If you haven't tried the new Wood Village BottleDrop Redemption Center - what are you waiting?

Getting started

Simply stop by the Wood Village BottleDrop Center at 233rd & NE Halsey to sign-up (it only takes a minute). You'll get a nifty hard plastic ID card and 2 convenient ID key fobs, 2 BottleDrop bar coded bag tags and 2 EZ Drop bags (made from 100% recycled materials) to get you started.

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

• Crime Reports
• Drawing Out Conflict – Workshop to Explore Conflict Resolution
• Basic Mediation Training: Apply by February 28
• Community Forum on Existing Tree Regulations – February 22
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• "10 Ways to Engage Your Audience & Extend Your Reach" Class
• Healthy Streams Program
• Think Before You Flush
• Project Linkage
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Free Bird Workshop in April
• Earth Day Recycling Collection Event, Save the Date
• City’s Natural Resources and Sustainability Committee Looking for Members
• Free Rain Garden Workshop March 5
• Get Ready to Travel Smart!

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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.

Third pre-dawn sighting in the past week

For the third time in the past week a lone coyote has been spotted around 5:30AM roaming the Capri Terrace and Clairmont areas in the Wilkes East neighborhood on NE Oregon & 166th, and NE Multnomah between 165th & 162nd. Residents should be careful to keep small pets and animals indoors at night and keep a watchful eye on them when they're outside.

UPDATED Feb 24, 2011: A pair of coyotes was seen again roaming NE Multnomah St between 165th &162nd a couple of hours before dawn Thursday morning. Residents in the area are advised to leave the coyotes alone as they typically do not present risks to humans unless cornered or threatened.

Urban coyotes sightings are not unusual in the Portland area, especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when they are most active. Just last fall there were several reported sightings in the Alameda neighborhood of Northeast Portland

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

• Neighborhood Safety Forum – February 16
• Crime Reports
• Raptor Identification Workshop February 1
• Show the Love Contest
• Community Forum – February 15
• YWCA Fundraising Event
• Drawing Out Conflict – Workshop to Explore Conflict Resolution
• Gresham-Barlow School Board Hosting Community Forum
• Try Local First Key Tag Program
• YWCA Thrift Store Gives Back to Those in Need
• Basic Mediation Training: Apply by February 28
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• NE Hood Avenue Project Open House February 15
• Free Rain Garden Workshop March 5
• New Pilot Program - Water Audit and Home Energy Review
• New Year, New Trail to Explore
• SmartTrips is Coming to Gresham Regional Center Neighborhood
• Gresham Woods, Ambleside, Need Volunteers at Event

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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.

Reynolds Tomorrow Tough Choices: Smart Decisions

District wants your online survey feedback for proposed 2011-12 budget. Results to be posted in February

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Jan 11, 2011
By Rob Cullivan

In an effort to increase public input into its proposed 2011-12 budget, the Reynolds School District plans to gather opinions through an online survey.

The survey is part of a program called “Reynolds Tomorrow: Tough Choices – Smart Decisions,” information about which can be found at ReynoldsTomorrow.com.

Sign-up here to participate in the survey!

“At this date, the district cannot predict how much state aid will be available for the 2011-12 budget year,” the site states, adding Oregon “is facing a $3.5 billion revenue shortfall, based on the latest quarterly economic forecast in November 2010.

“The picture for the next fiscal year (2011-2012) has not come into full focus,” the site reports. “If our state allocation next year holds constant, the district may have to eliminate at least $4 million from the current operating budget.”

Jim Clark / Gresham Outlook Disc golfer Jerry Miller, right, helped spearhead a drive to raise funds for Park Place Coffee when owner Dina DiNucci, left, was ready to close up shop.

Unexpected help keeps cafe owner from closing her heart and doors Park Place Coffee will continue serving the community

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Jan 7, 2011, Updated Jan 11, 2011
By Mara Stine

Dina DiNucci opened her coffee and crepe shop Park Place Coffee in Rockwood four years ago, not only to operate a small business, but to give the community a gathering place.

But as the economy tanked it became harder and harder for DiNucci to stay afloat. She squeaked by every month. Yet as 2011 neared, she wondered if it made sense to invest another $1,000 in her annual business licenses, permit and other yearly expenses

East County Courts, Rockwood Click for enlarge

Formal ground breaking to begin construction of $19.6 million courthouse Courthouse opens in spring 2012

When: Friday, Jan 7, 2011 11:00AM
Where: East County Courthouse site
SE 185th Avenue & Stark St
Gresham OR
Get Map!

Source: Multnomah County, East County Courts website

Public Affairs Office, News Release

Multnomah County is slated to break ground on a new courts facility in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham.

On Friday, Jan. 7 at 11 a.m., project stakeholders will make remarks and formally break ground to begin construction on the $19.6 million courthouse on a 4.2 acre lot at Southeast 185th Avenue and Stark Street in Gresham. The Courthouse opens in spring 2012.

Speakers will include Oregon State District 25 Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Multnomah County Presiding Judge Jean Maurer; Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen; Multnomah County Commissioners Diane McKeel and Judy Shiprack; and project manager Doug Obletz with Shiels Obletz Johnsen.

The expanded court facilities will serve people being adjudicated for misdemeanors, violations, small claims, landlord and tenant actions, ex parte hearings and document filing for all civil and domestic relations actions. Many of these functions historically have been filed at the downtown courthouse.

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

• Holiday Schedule for Garbage and Recycling Service
• Living Christmas Trees Good for Environment
• Red Sunset Park Construction Project Starts
• Giving Gifts that Create Less Waste
• Property Crime Maps
• We’re Updating Gresham's Transportation System Plan
• Help Volunteer to Survey Amphibians This Winter
• New MAX Station at Gresham Station
• Did You Know? Wipes Clog Pipes
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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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.

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

• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• $1,000 Shopping Spree
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver
• Residents’ Views Needed on Residential Compatibility
• City Grants Support Environmental Projects at Schools
• Join Our Resident Web Panel
• Free Grease Kits for Holiday Cooking and Beyond
• Holiday Construction Limitations in Busy Retail Districts
• Prepare Your Water Pipes Before Freezing Temperatures Arrive
• Spirit of Christmas Festivities on Saturday, November 27
• Pumpkin Tip
• Fall Leaves Tips
• $200 Rain Garden Grants Available
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife
• Free Workshop: Learn to Ride Bus, MAX

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.