This month’s regular meeting of the King Neighborhood Association dealt with a full agenda of big issues related to the safety and livability of our community. Packed with high-profile guests, the discussion ran long past the scheduled meeting time. As a result, a discussion of KNA’s application to PSU to help facilitate a youth mural project next summer was not held. The deadline for application is prior to the December meeting. The application will be discussed and finalized at this meeting so it can be submitted by December 6th. This special meeting will be held November 24th at Fuel Cafe, 1452 Northeast Alberta Street, at 5:30 pm. Anyone is welcome but only board members can vote.
Support King School and Get Your Books!
Don’t dread the holiday shopping season–it can be for a good cause! King School is holding its second-annual bookfair fundraiser at the Lloyd Center Barnes and Noble store on the 27th. That’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving from noon to 5:00pm. There will be performances by one of Cleveland High School’s choral groups; King students will read their stories; volunteers will lead fun activities for the kids; and PTA volunteers will be gift wrapping all day–open to close. All you need to do is bring your shopping list and print out a voucher to give to the cashier. The vouchers are at: www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/king/.
Every purchase you make, including the in-store cafe and e-readers, will support King’s ongoing programs that raise student achievement and enrichment. Even if you don’t have shopping to do, stop by and meet the PTA and enjoy the entertainment. Find out about how parents are striving to build bridges between the school and the larger community.
PCRI Addresses KNA, Pledges Cooperation with Neighbors
A PCRI home in King being painted
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives Executive Director, Maxine Fitzpatrick, Melvin Oden-Orr, PCRI Board President, Karen Gibson, PCRI Board Member, Ben Loftis, PCRI Housing Developer and Cyndi Natalello, PCRI Manager of Property Management all came to KNA’s November meeting to discuss their organization and to address community concerns outlined in our blog post in September. An informational video was shown about the organization that owns 88 properties in the King neighborhood and about 700 in total.
Ms. Fitzpatrick said that PCRI staff felt the organization was unduly negatively represented in the blog and that the attention went beyond what was pertinent to the interest of the neighborhood association. PCRI Board Chair, Melvin Oden-Orr outlined the many competing financial responsibilities of PCRI as it strives to meet mandates by city agencies and provide housing as its portfolio increases. He pledged that PCRI is doing its best to serve the residents of our community and urged patience.
The attendees discussed the issues and it was resolved that KNA and PCRI should work more closely to resolve misunderstandings and any issues that arise with PCRI properties or tenants. PCRI was recognized for providing a vital service in a city that has insufficient affordable housing. PCRI will come to KNA meetings quarterly, will be more responsive to complaints or concerns by residents, and will work strategically instead of reactively to problems.
Concerns about PCRI properties can be referred to PCRI Manager of Property Management, Cyndi Natalello at (503) 288-2923 or cyndi@pcrihome.org.
Mayor Proposes New Laws to Curb Gun Violence.
From Sam Adams:
Dear Portlanders,
The illegal use of firearms in Portland is a long-standing problem. Illegal guns are in the hands of our youth and on our streets. It is a real and daily threat in too many Portland neighborhoods.
Comprehensive and long-lasting solutions to illegal gun use and gang violence must include tangible and positive options for those who want to turn away from a life of crime. Reorganizing government services to offer those options is the work underway on the emerging LPSCC strategy.
For its endorsement, I will be bringing this draft strategy to the Portland City Council next week. Also next week I will be bringing forward a set of five ordinances that law-abiding citizens and responsible gun owners should support.
Ockley Green Family Art Night
Ockley Green School will hold a family art night on Wednesday, December 1st starting at 6:00 pm. There will be free performances and family arts activities. The Ockley Green Children’s Choir will perform songs of protest and praise honoring Nelson Mandela and there will be a silent auction and raffle.
Ockley Green Arts and Technology School is a public K-8 magnet school in North/Northeast Portland. The school is small but diverse, with a dedication to learning and a strong sense of community. Ockley Green offers unique and varied forms of arts and technology education, from African dance to electronic music. The school is home to the Ockley Green Children’s Choir and an award-winning MESA team.
Connect with them on Facebook and LinkedIn:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=186831146824
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=3507525&trk=anet_ug_grppro
All proceeds benefit Ockley Green Children’s Choir and Ockley Green PTO CASH/CHECKS ONLY
Ockley Green is a public K-8 magnet school
6031 North Montana Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97217
503-916-5660
www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/ockleygreen
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