Announcement

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhoods When: Dec 11, 2012 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Public welcome
The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations was formed to provide structure and support for the leadership of Gresham's neighborhood associations, enabling more effective cooperation among neighborhood associations in order to achieve desired outcomes. Goals of the Coalition include providing a public forum for the review and evaluation of issues and problems, providing education and information on specific areas such as land use, and providing a unified voice for the neighborhood associations.

The Coalition meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00PM

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Celebrate The Season When: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10AM-3PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A lasting vestige of East Multnomah County's agricultural roots

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Storybook Lane, Train rides, Christmas ships, Colorful lights, 200+ Tuba concert and much more.

22nd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 1:30-3:30PM, Pioneer Courthouse Square
Downtown will pulse with the melodic sounds of big brass as over 200 tubas play in unison for the 22nd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert in the heart of downtown. FREE.

Alpenrose Storybook Lane
Dec 7-22, Fri 3-6PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-6PM, 6149 SW Shattuck Rd, Portland
A family tradition for more than fifty years. Alpenrose's old western town is transformed into a winter wonderland where you are invited to peek at the animals on display in nostalgic Storybook Lane. Visit with Santa. Bring a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank. FREE

2012 Christmas Ship Parade
Nightly thru Dec 31st, Columbia River and Willamette River
The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Both fleets will be out most every night. Visit the website for schedule details. FREE.

Lights on Peacock Lane
Nightly Dec 15-31 6PM-11PM, SE 40th between Stark & Belmont
Since the 1920s, each house on Peacock Lane has been decorating for Christmas. Tudors style houses are adorned with sparkling lights, nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees plus Santa, Frosty and the gang. (Dec 15-16 pedestrians only) FREE.

Pittock Mansion Christmas
Daily, 11AM-4PM, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland
Home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock, pioneer owners of the Oregonian newpaper, this beautiful mansion is decorated will all the splendor of the holiday season. Adults $9.50. Children under six free.

Portland's Holiday Express
Dec 7,8 & 9; Dec 14,15 & 16; 2250 SE Water Ave, Portland
Join Santa and his elves on a steam powered and heated railroad adventure along the scenic Willamette River and Oaks Bottom wildlife refuge. Tickets $8.50 to $17. Each ride about 40 minutes. Check ORHF website for schedule and availability.

Oregon ZooLights
Daily 5PM-8PM, Oregon Zoo
More than a million LED lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes. Adults $10. Children (3-11) $7.

WinterWonderland at P.I.R.
Fri,Sat & Sun, 5PM-9PM, Now thru Dec 25th, Portland Intl Raceway
Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the "Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi", the 20th annual Winter Wonderland will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner. $16 per car.

The Grotto: Festival of Lights
Nightly 5PM-9:30PM thru Dec 30th, 8840 NE Skidmore, Portland
With over 500,000 lights, 150 choral performances, a petting zoo, carolers, puppet shows and hot chocolate this is a special event for the whole family.
The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The 2012 festival features nearly 180 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Adult $9. Children (3-12) $4.

Need More?
Check out the Oregonian newspaper's 2012 Holiday Events Guide. 20-pages of local bazaars, gift ideas and holiday events. Something for everyone!

The Pleiades MHCC Planetarium website

Sleeping Beauties and the White Dwarf When: Mon Nov 05, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Sleeping Beauties and the White Dwarf
Join planetarium director Pat Hanrahan as he shows visitors how to locate the planets and prominent constellations, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. You don't want to miss this exciting monthly star adventure into our universe.

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhoods When: Nov 13, 2012 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Public welcome
The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations was formed to provide structure and support for the leadership of Gresham's neighborhood associations, enabling more effective cooperation among neighborhood associations in order to achieve desired outcomes. Goals of the Coalition include providing a public forum for the review and evaluation of issues and problems, providing education and information on specific areas such as land use, and providing a unified voice for the neighborhood associations.

The Coalition meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00PM

You can do this! When: Wed, Nov 14, 2011 6PM-8PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Main Mall (Downstairs past flag poles) 26000 SE Stark St Get Map!

NOW is the time!
Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) will host College Night, Wednesday Nov 14th 6-8PM, one of several such events held this time of year throughout the state.

College Night is an annual event to inform high school juniors and seniors (and their parents /guardians) about strategies for accessing, attending and paying for college. The information shared is not specific to MHCC and is open to all high school juniors and seniors, regardless of their desired college destinations.

Scholarships Drawing Tonight!
Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), the event sponsor, will award four $500 scholarships to attend any post-secondary institution in the U.S. that participates in Title IV programs. The drawing will be held close to 8PM.

Share your ideas When: Thu Nov 15, 2012 6-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Room 3A 1333 Eastman Pky Get Map!

Please attend this meeting to give us your input on trail design and amenities for a bicycle and pedestrian trail between Rockwood and Gresham's Downtown through the city's civic center. The trail will provide connections between residential and commercial neighborhoods, existing trails, City Hall and Gresham High School. Construction will begin in fall 2013 with completion anticipated in winter 2014. This project is fully funded by a grant.

Rockwood NA Meeting When: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7-9PM Where: Human Solutions Rockwood Building 124 NE 182st Ave Greaham OR Get Map!

More Info
Contact Catherine Nicewood, Rockwood President, at 503-285-6587 or rockwoodpresident@gmail.com.

Inside this Issue

• Celebrate The Spirit of Christmas: Dec 1
• Free Grease Kits for Holiday Cooking
• Personal Safety Awareness Class: Dec 3 (RSVP Nov 30)
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
• It’s Dark Early Now: Be Safe, Be Seen
• Fall Leaves: Your Help Needed
• Tips for Heavy Rains
• Chamber Honors Businesses, Volunteers: Dec 6
• Holiday Gift of Music: Dec 2
• MHCC Planetarium Show: Dec 3
• Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol: Dec 7-16
• Wings Exhibit Reception: Dec 11

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Lee Dayfield just inside the north gate of Nadaka Nature Park. Click to enlarge.

Nadaka Nature Park For years, the plot of land tucked away in Gresham's Wilkes East neighborhood was forgotten. Source: The Oregonian, Nov 14, 2012 by Nancy Anderson

Those who noticed the forested 10 acres must have figured it was off limits. An 8-foot-tall fence topped with barbed wire enclosed the site, save for one small entrance. Few would have guessed this was public land, officially known as Nadaka Nature Park.

But in 2008, the right person with the right heart and a vision stumbled upon the park and set out to make it known and accessible.

Lee Dayfield of Gresham has since led an effort involving extensive community partnerships to give the park new life and purpose.