Get ready for another summer of increased air traffic as PDX airport runway construction resumes, again

Work is planned to reconstruct Taxiway C and repair the south runway this spring through fall 2013 at Portland International Airport (PDX).

Planned is the full reconstruction of the eastern portion of Taxiway C, which provides aircraft access to and from the south runway. The south runway repair will replace concrete that was damaged after a military jet’s tire failed, causing its landing gear to scrape the runway. Temporary repairs are already in place.

Taxiway C reconstruction work will run from April 1 through mid-October. Repairs are planned for the south runway from approximately April 15 to May 31, and again from August 16 to September 29. The runway will be open between June 1 and August 15 to help accommodate peak summer traffic.

While no major flight schedule delays are expected, airport neighbors should expect increased flights over some airport neighborhoods during the south runway closure.

Inside this Issue

• Connect at Community Information Fair
• Building Safety Month Help for Residents
• Follow Gresham Police on Twitter
• Emergency Practice Drill in the Neighborhood
• Tour Gresham's Natural Areas
• Get Ready to 'Rock the Block' at Event
• Event Honors Gussie, Dedicates New Plaza, Trail
• Voice Your Support for Transportation Projects
• Volunteer Mentors Needed for School Children
• City Jobs, Meetings and Community Events

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Inside this Issue

• Help us Share the News
• State of the City: ‘Great Energy Building’
• New Drop Box: Safely Dispose Prescription Meds
• Arbor Day Tree Tag Campaign
• Become a Weed Watcher: Apr 16
• Free Earth Day Recycling Event: Apr 20
• Seniors Need Rides, You Can Help
• City Jobs, Meetings and Community Events

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Click to enlarge

Have You Seen This Trailer? Did this "fairly new" but quite used charcoal utility trailer appear at your neighbor's home over the weekend? If so, call the police immediately!

BE ON THE LOOK OUT
The trailer with a 5' x 8' bed and a partial load of wood debris from a demolished deck was stolen from the driveway in the Wilkes East neighborhood at NE 162nd and Multnomah St sometime between Friday evening March 8th and Sunday morning March 11th. Most likely the theft occured overnight Friday.

Because the hitch was locked, the trailer was probably towed away using only the safety chain.

Contact the Police
A police report has been filed. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this trailer is urged to contact the Gresham Police 503-823-3333.

Inside this Issue

• Help Finish the Gresham-Fairview Trail
• Food Trucks? Fruit Stands? Have Your Say
• Save Money on Energy
• Winter Garbage Service
• Questions About Police, Fire and Parks Fee?
• Rockwood Community Forum Planned
• Development Code Improvement Project Hearing
• City Hosts CPR Training
• City Flushing Water System
• Other Events
• City Jobs, Meetings and Community Events

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Radon. An Invisible Danger. Radon gas occurs naturally. It is present in nearly all soil and rock. You can't see, smell or taste it - but it's there. Radon forms when uranium breaks down to radium, which in turn breaks down to form radon. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled.

Health Impact
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking -- and the number one reason why non-smokers die of lung cancer. It's estimated to be responsible for over 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Is Their Radon In Your Home
Radon enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings. Once inside, radon can become trapped and build up to unsafe levels, especially in areas below ground-level. Nationwide it's estimated that 1 in every 15 homes has elevated radon levels. In the Portland / Vancouver area (map) that number can skyrocket to 1 in 4 homes.

PAL Center, NE 172nd Av, Gresham OR

The Boys & Girls Club of Portland Metropolitan Area has agreed to take over management of the Gresham youth center run by the struggling Police Activities League of Greater Portland, the groups announced Friday.

Source: oregonlive.com (Feb 22, 2013)

After-school activities and services to continue in West Gresham
The change will take effect on March 1, according to a press release. The groups hope to keep the center open for regular hours during the transition, but warned there may be a temporary closure.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after the Portland PAL board warned it might have to shut the doors of the youth center in Gresham. Last-minute donations helped keep the doors open, but PAL’s board concluded this week that it could not continue on its own. The board opted to find someone else who could continue providing the after-school activities and services that it has offered to youths, said PAL board chairman Mark McGinnis.

"The Boys & Girls Clubs' commitment to serving the community is consistent with our mission, and we look forward to their carrying on PAL's work of providing opportunities for law enforcement and youth to have positive, meaningful interaction through the Clubs," McGinnis said in a statement. Read story here.

Gresham PAL Center, NE 172nd Av Photo:Everton Bailey Jr./The Oregonian

Generous donations keep doors open through end of month for more than a hundred at-risk children. Fundraiser next Friday

Source: kgw.com (Feb 15, 2013)

The Gresham Police Activities League Center will stay open at least through the end of the month.

The PAL center is an after school program for more than a hundred “at risk” children. More than 3000 children a year benefit from the program.

“We’re thrilled!” said PAL Board President Mark McGinnis. Earlier in the week he said the doors would close if the organization could not make payroll by Friday. He said that would take $20-thousand-dollars.

PAL Center, 424 NE 172nd Av, Gresham

PAL Center on 172nd to close Feb 15th Local youth center to cease after school activities

Source: Pamplin Media Group, Feb 12, 2013

Without additional funding, the Greater Portland Police Activities League Program said Tuesday that it will be forced to close its centers in Portland and Gresham on Friday, Feb. 15.

Beaverton’s PAL center is expected to stay open for now.

A Tuesday press release said “the ongoing reduction of governmental funding and the economic times have placed the organization in the position to need to make this difficult decision.”

“It is with great sadness that this wonderful program may have to close,” said PAL board member Cliff Madison. “It has made a great impact in the lives of many kids in our community and has taken down many of the walls between Cops, Kids and Community. It will be missed.”

The closure will include both the Bud Monnes PAL Center (NE 172nd Av) in Gresham and the PAL Office at the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct.

Rockwood Public Safety Facility, Gresham

All Trades Welcome! When: Thu Jan 10, 2013 3PM-7PM Where: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham OR Get Map!

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission invites local contractors to attend an open house on Thursday January 10 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Gresham City Hall to learn about opportunities to participate in construction of the new Rockwood Public Safety Facility. Representatives from the project’s Construction Manager/General Contractor, P&C Construction, will be there to describe the project schedule and the process for bidding on work. A formal presentation at 4:30 p.m. will go over details of bidding and contracting on the project.

All trades are welcome at the meetings but attendance is not required for bidding. Interested firms and individuals are strongly encouraged to sign up for more information about working on the project at http://local.ecologisticsllc.com/rockwood_psf/.