Columbia Slough, Portland Oregon

Our community is known for its natural beauty and commitment to protecting farms, forests and natural areas. Since 1995, our region’s voters have approved two bond measures to allow Metro to acquire natural areas to protect water quality, wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Today, Metro manages more than 16,000 acres of land – more than a third of all the public parks and natural areas in our region. By law, Metro is prohibited from using the existing voter-approved bonds for ongoing preservation and maintenance.

Metro wants your input on their recommendation.
This summer, a 15-member independent advisory panel recommended that the Metro Council take the first step in a long-term plan to protect and maintain these areas purchased with the bonds by referring a five-year local option levy to voters.

Take the survey below to learn more about the advisory panel’s recommendation and tell the Metro Council about your priorities.

Krugers Farm Corn Maze. Click to enlarge

Kick-off Fall With Some Great Family Fun -- Explore a Corn Maze! There's no mistaking that harvest-time feeling. The brisk air, the warm drinks and the sight of children climbing over large pumpkins in a field.

There's another tradition worth exploring this year - the corn maze! So grab a jacket and the kids and head for one of these locations. You're sure to find plenty of family fun, food and even some warm apple cider.

Check websites for schedules, details and discount coupons!

• Fazio Farms Corn Maze
• Kruger's Farm Corn Maze
• The Maize at The Pumpkin Patch

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!    More info below this break.

Click to download

Find out what's happening     in your neighborhood   INSIDE THIS ISSUE New Public Safety Facility Coming Meet Reynolds New Superintendent Nadaka Community Festival, Aug 11 Reynolds Seeks Superintendent Reflection: Reynolds Teachers Strike Nadaka & Garden Project Update Free Outdoor Movies for the Family

Download the full-color edition here. Now with clickable 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, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

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.

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.

Neighborhood Connections is Back
The City is pleased to resume production of Neighborhood Connections. Thank you for your patience in April while staff transitioned management of the e-newsletter to the City's Communications Department.

We’re looking forward to continuing to provide you with useful information and reconnecting with our subscribers and many new readers to come. It’s good to be back.

Inside this Issue

• Gresham Celebrates National Bike Month
• May is Building Safety Month
• Dusk Bird Walk - June 3
• Solar Gresham Workshop - June 5
• Community Information Fair - June 6
• Planning a Community Event this Year?
• Crime Reports on GreshamOregon.gov
• Volunteer With Girl Scouts
• Make Your Voice Heard: Transportation Survey

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Friday May 18, 2012
For Immediate Release

Regional funding improves access to West Gresham nature park and supports community garden

On May 17th the Metro Council awarded $238,000 in capital funding to the Nadaka Nature Park and Garden Project, building momentum to this community-driven garden and nature park project in West Gresham. The competitive Metro grant award comes from capital bond funds approved by voters as part of the 2006 Regional Natural Areas Bond Measure and will support new park features like a nature based-play area, rain garden, community garden and more. The new funding adds to over $150,000 in existing financial support from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Meyer Memorial Trust and the City of Gresham.

Stretch your grocery dollars at the farmer's market

Enjoy the best produce, 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, you'll find great activities and fun for the whole family. Come experience the markets. Meet the vendors. Meet local cooks. Enjoy the freshest produce and products. Make your own statement in support of local food.

Portland's 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 EBT or other food assistant coupons - more access to good food for all.

PDX Seasonal Traffic Flow Change Ahead

Get ready for increased air traffic noise as PDX makes its seasonal traffic flow change

Semi-Annual Pattern Change
Wilkes East residents will notice a change in aircraft flight activity as Portland International Airport begins its seasonal traffic flow change. This is an annual event that occurs every fall and spring due to changing weather conditions, particularly wind direction and speed.

As a result of this change, residents of Wilkes East neighborhood may experience variations in aircraft noise exposure.

After decades of delays and missteps the new courthouse receives the finishing touches as it prepares to open for business.

A long-awaited East County Courts project in the heart of Gresham's Rockwood neighborhood could be just what's needed to jumpstart the town center's redevelopment. Completion of the project represents a commitment to an area left behind long ago.

East County Courts Bldg, 185th & SE Stark St. Opening April 2012. Click to enlarge

The new $19.6 million 40,000-square-foot three-floor facility will have three courtrooms, with room for future expansion to six, an office for the district attorney, a sheriff's department security office, court business office, a data center in the basement and a drop-in child care facility for visitors.

The courthouse 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 which were previously filed at the overcrowded downtown Portland courthouse. The new courthouse is only for civil matters. It will not include a detention facility, nor will felony cases be heard.

Funding for the new courthouse includes $15 million from Recovery Zone Economic Development (stimulus) Bonds. The remaining portion will be funded from the 2008 sale of the South Edgefield property.

Body Donation Business For Medical Training and Research Expands

MedCure Inc, a 6-year old Portland company that arranges body donations for medical training and research will soon move into their new headquarters at 181st & NE Sandy Blvd in Gresham Oregon.

The 20,000 square foot West Gresham facility with administrative offices features a 1,300 square foot surgical training center with six stations, classrooms and a small auditorium.

Construction of the new building began in early October 2011.

The company also has two other training facilities in Nevada and Rhode Island, and a donor center in Florida.

MedCure is a clearinghouse for families focused on donating a body to science - and medical researchers needing a body for their work.

Site of new police station. Click to enlarge

Site acquisition for Rockwood public safety facility approved. New facility will improve police presence and services in Rockwood / West Gresham area.

On Feb 21, 2012, the Gresham Redevelopment Commission approved the acquisition of 2.3 acres at 675 NE 181st, 1-block north of Glisan for the future site of the Rockwood Public Safety Facility. Get Map!

Approval of the $775,000 property acquisition will allow design and construction of the project to proceed on schedule for completion by the end of 2013. At the same meeting an award of business was given to Group Mackenzie, Inc. to provide architectural services for the project.

"This important step in the process demonstrates the City’s commitment to improving public safety and enhancing police presence in Rockwood," said Mayor Shane Bemis. "It is very exciting to see work begin towards delivering on this vital urban renewal goal."

The 10,000-12,000 sq. ft. Rockwood Public Safety Facility will create a welcoming and highly visible police presence in Rockwood, improving public safety and encouraging new investment in the area.

Once completed the facility will house a range of police functions, including support for patrol officers serving Rockwood and other special units and programs.