In 2009 Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2.0 arce "Nelson Property" for use as a neighborhood park. This additional land, with its tall trees and open grassy area is now part of Nadaka Nature Park.
West Gresham
Nadaka Nature Park and Garden Project, Petition of Community Support, Sign Here
Gang Graffiti Ticks Upward Again in the Southwest Corner of Wilkes East Neighborhood
More graffiti trouble at Glen East. |
Oh no, not againThis past week has seen another increase in gang graffiti near 162nd & NE Glisan, and north along NE 162nd Ave in the southwest corner of the neighborhood -- an area of West Gresham that has been plagued for some time by crime and graffiti. |
The latest round of graffiti begin to appear last weekend near 164nd & NE Glisan; at the Glen East apartments, and on the traffic controller in front of Walgreens at the nearby intersection. Two large 'scribbles' (above, below), one on each apartment building, were found Sunday morning. On one building, the scrawl was especially disturbing as it included the tag "RIP MOCO". By Monday evening the graffiti on both buildings had been painted over, muting the message.
Later in the week, north along NE 162nd Av between Holliday & Wasco, neighbors who have been victims of several previous graffiti strikes woke Thursday morning to find themselves once again the victim, with new gang tags on their property.
Neighbors gather at Nadaka Community Festival June 18th to celebrate the Nelson addition to Nadaka Nature Park
Neighbors celebrate the Nelson addition to Nadaka Nature Park. Click to enlarge |
Rain didn't dampen the spirits of community festival guestsCelebrating the Nelson addition |
The new addition which added 2 acres to this wonderful nature park has allowed the opening of the south gate -- improving accessibility to all of our neighbors and visitors as well as making room for the master plan that will include community gardens and more.
Rain is our sunshine
June 18th was a very wet cloudy day, typical of Oregon spring weather. Despite the rain, 58 volunteers with SOLV arrived at 9AM at Nadaka Nature Park for a park clean-up event. Participants removed invasive plant species as well as trash and debris. Volunteers came from HB LEE Middle school, SUN Community Schools as well as GGAPP Peer group and Catholic Charities.
The festival started at 12 noon and lasted until 3PM. Constant rain didn't dampen the spirits of the several hundred guests that attended the festival.
Nadaka Nature Park, lifting spirits with its peace and beauty. A letter of appreciation.
"A tranquil place in the heart of the suburbs"
June 17, 2011 I am a person who appreciates and uses Nadaka park. I remember when the Camp Fire girls enjoyed day camp there and was pleased when the the park became available for public use. My husband and I have walked the loop with our dog. What a tranquil place in the heart of the suburbs. The park is close to my mother's Alzheimer's home, Pacific Gardens. I have noticed employees from P.G. taking their lunch breaks there. Their job is anything but peaceful. The proximity of the south gate of the park really helps them regenerate their positive spirit quickly so they can do the second half of their shifts. |
UPDATE JUNE 2: Prowler Ransacks Cars in Capri Terrace Stealing Receipts, Registrations and Insurance Cards: May 23, 2011
UPDATE: Prowler strikes June 2Neighbors Beware |
The next morning neighbors woke to find discarded items strewn across their lawns by the thief as he moved from house to house searching for unlocked vehicles. Locked cars were undisturbed and no car alarms were heard.
At 167th & NE Hoyt the thief ransacked several cars from three adjacent properties, rummaging through the glove compartments and throughly checking underneath and in-between the seats for items with name & address information.
The Gresham Police was called to the scene Tuesday morning after neighbors realized they had been robbed overnight.
Former Portland Development Commission advisor Kia Selley named to oversee Gresham's Urban Renewal program
Kia Selley (linkedin) |
"A passion for the built environment.." Kia Selley, most recently a development advisor with the Portland Development Commission, has been hired as the City of Gresham's new Urban Design and Planning Director. |
Because of the unique combination of skills Selley brings to the job, City Manager Erik Kvarsten has also asked her to oversee the Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal area.
Selley begins work June 13.
At PDC, Selley managed budget and expenditures for the Convention Center Urban Renewal Area, and provided oversight for community infrastructure, district-scale plans and real estate development projects.
A landscape architect by training, her professional background also includes comprehensive planning, development planning, development review, urban design streetscape projects, design-guideline development for transit-oriented development, permitting for complex construction projects and affordable housing.
Summer 2011 Wilkes East Neighborhood newsletter now available
Summer 2011 Newsletter is here.
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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.
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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, An Ambitious Young Man Doing Great Things in His Community
Jordan Beehler, Eagle Scout Click to enlarge |
What began as a bird house project
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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
Rockwood Business Coalition Reorganizes, Seeks New Board; Candidates Wanted
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.
Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee Meeting: Feb 9, 2011: CANCELLED
Gresham Redevelopment Commission
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When: Wednesday Feb 9, 2011 7PM-9PM CANCELLED
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham OR
Get Map!
Please be advised that the February 9, 2011 Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee (GRDCAC) meeting is canceled due to the lack of a full agenda.
The next regular meeting is Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 7:00PM.