Community

by Monica McAllister
Nadaka Nature Park Coordinator

Summer is here, delicious berries are ripe, baby birds are taking flight, and we hope you have been able to get out and enjoy it all at Nadaka Nature Park! The past couple of months have been bustling with families enjoying the new swing set, community members gathering for parties at the picnic shelter, gardeners tending their veggies and flowers, and nature lovers of all ages exploring the forest. The past few months ‘Friends of Nadaka’ (FON) has been hard at work providing environmental education activities, community events, and stewardship opportunities for our neighbors, schools, and partnering organizations.

We are most excited about the upcoming Seventh Annual Nadaka Nature Park Festival that will take place August 12th from 12-3pm. This family friendly event will include a visit from the Audubon Society of Portland’s Education Birds, free hot dogs and drinks, crafts, games, face painting, dance and music performances. Various partnering organizations will have information booths and fun hands on activities for the whole family. We would love to have volunteers from the Wilkes East neighborhood to help with the event. If you are interested please contact Monica, the Nadaka Coordinator.

Zimmerman House Muesum and Gardens, Gresham OR. Click to enlarge

Oregon Storytellers with a Local Lens

Right in Wilkes East Neighborhood’s backyard, near Sandy Boulevard and 171st, sits a white, Victorian house surrounded by lush grass and beautiful flower gardens. Have you ever noticed this beauty while driving by?

If you’ve always been curious or it’s been a long time since you’ve visited, let us introduce you to the Zimmerman House Museum and Gardens. This slice of Oregon heritage is run by ECHO – East County Historical Organization (your local historical society) and they have big plans to reinvigorate this Gresham Park.

ECHO’s new board has goals to make this former dairy farm into a thriving place of learning and an event space for the community. They are currently developing plans to add a paved driveway with designated parking spaces, ADA access to the gardens, and create an area for outdoor gatherings. Even though updates will be occurring, plans will hold true to the home’s designation as a historic property on the National Register.

The group is also redefining their educational mission for the museum, so be on the lookout for new exhibits, community events, and stop by for guided tours with expanded content. To start off, they are hosting their first archeological survey in the park on Saturday, September 30. They hope to rediscover some of the home’s former outbuildings like a bunkhouse, outhouses, and more. The public is welcome to join in.

2017 Summer Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Inside This Issue:   Rockwood Town Center Awaits Approval Come Visit Zimmerman House Backyard Habitat, Providing Community Nadaka Update, Happenings & More Neighborhood Meeting, Aug 14th 7PM

Download your copy here. (includes active 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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When: Wed, May 03, 2017 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Rm 3A 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Citizen Involvement Committee advises the Council on the development, implementation and maintenance of programs designed to facilitate citizen involvement, engagement and to foster a deliberative process between residents and the City.

For more information contact Joe Walsh, Senior Manager, Neighborhood Prosperity & Youth Engagement, at 503-618-2372 or Joe.Walsh@GreshamOregon.gov.

Senior Assistance When: Thu, May 04, 2017 3PM-5PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Center 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The East County Caring Community engages individuals and organizations committed to serving the needs of residents in East County. This includes community groups, faith-based organizations, educational stakeholders, economic and workforce development, health care partners, local law enforcement, human and social service providers, regional government and legislative partners, organizations working to increase access to parks and green spaces, and many others.

For more information about this meeting, contact Joe Walsh at 503-618-2372 or Joe.Walsh@GreshamOregon.gov.

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, May 06, 2017 8:30AM-2PM Where: Downtown Gresham at NW 3rd Street and NW Miller Avenue Get Map!

The Gresham Farmers Market is a community gathering place where you can stroll, shop and listen to live music. The market offers shoppers fresh, local produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, crafts, fresh food and live music.

Dont forget to bring your bag or basket from home.

For more information about the Gresham Farmers' Market contact us at 971-303-2248 or info@greshamfarmersmarket.com, or visit the Gresham Farmers' Market website.

When: Sat, May 06, 2017 1PM-2PM Where: Main City Park 219 S. Main Ave. Get Map!

Join the City of Gresham and Johnson Creek Watershed Council for a guided tour of the public demonstration garden. We will meet near the Coho shelter.

The Garden showcases the types of plants that are great for northwest gardens that also support our local wildlife and pollinators.

Local resident and native bee expert, Celeste Ets-Hokin, will speak about the bees in our gardens and the myriad of benefits they provide and work that they do.

Contact

Johnson Creek Watershed Council

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, May 06, 2017 9AM-3PM Where: Mt. Hood Community College Parking Lot "W" 26000 SE Stark Street Get Map!

The Gresham Saturday Market is a Farmer's Market that includes many crafts, artisans, fresh flowers, plants, services, and unique offerings, plus great food and live entertainment from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Ample on-site parking is available next to the market.

For more information call 503-912-4122 or visit the Gresham Saturday Market website.

Live Concert When: Sun, May 07, 2017 3:30PM-5:30PM Where: Mt. Hood Community College Theater 26000 SE Stark Street Get Map!

The Mt. Hood Pops Orchestra presents "Pops in Spring," a concert featuring the following:

• Green Fields, arr. Ployhar
• New York, New York, by Kandar
• Sleeping Beauty Waltz, by Tchaikovsky
• El Cumbanchero, by R. Hernández Marín
• Carmen - Suite (Intermezzo, Danse Bohème), by Bizet

Purchase tickets online.

For more information about Mt. Hood Pops, visit the Mt. Hood Pops website or call 503-669-1937.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Mon, May 08, 2017 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The Planning Commission advises City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within the city.

For more information on this event contact Tammy Richardson, Planning Technician at 503-618-2401 or Tammy.Richardson@GreshamOregon.gov.