SENIOR CENTER (Nancy Ream Enabnit & Dena Isbell)
A fun, new event was added in February as Center members had a chance to attend the Walk the Red Carpet Oscar Party. Over 20 people dressed in their formal finery and took advantage of the evening’s activities (coordinated by Sarah Richardson and assisted by Dena Isbell). Each participant was interviewed as she/he made her/his Red Carpet entrance. A social hour with food and drink (which may or may not have contained alcohol) started the evening. Folks made their predictions and watched as the televised broadcast of the Academy Awards unfolded. Prizes were given for fanciest clothes, most accurate predictions, etc. The party earned rave reviews.
PARKS
Permanent signs are in place along the Tickle Creek Trail. A fourth dog waste station/trash can was added at the entrance just west of 370th and the receptacle at KnollwoodPark was moved to a more optimal location. It is still in the park but closer to the trail.
RECREATION (Sarah Richardson)
Computer classes, launched a year ago, continue to grow and develop. Registration has increased, and more people are learning about the new classes. In addition to basic computer classes, residents can learn more about website development and social media.
Preparations for summer 2012 have begun, and some new twists on regular programs are planned. Look for, among others, new field trips, voice lessons, and additional outdoor activities.
TRANSIT (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 20,462, representing a 13% increase over the same period last year. All services transported more riders, lead bySAM-Estacada with an increase of 22.3% and ED with 23.6%, thenSTAR at 12.9% and Sam-Gresham at 12%. It’s a bit early to identify with certainty, but the sharp increase follows the spike in fuel prices.
Progress continues on theTransitCenter.
Following the delivery of the third Gillig bus, the large transit vehicles each spent extra time in maintenance for catch-up TLC.
Two vehicles were surplused through a bid process. The minivan sold for $7500; the OPUS received no bids and will need further effort to sell.
TheTransit Advisory Committee convened to discuss topics such as the Transit Center and adding etched art to the passenger shelters. Mayor King attended the meeting and recommended using the branded bus graphic ofMt.Hoodfor the art pattern. A repurposed shelter was installed by a local company, Ortiz & Associates, at Ruben Lane in front of the Adventist Clinic. Several glass panels required replacement and offered the perfect opportunity to move forward with the art graphic created by the local business, Moon Shadow Glass, Inc. We won’t be doing a large make-over, but will replace broken panels with etched glass.
Staff continued work with TriMet and the other regional transit providers toward an update of the regional Elderly and Disabled Transportation Plan.
The Transit Adventure took 15 participants to view exceptional treasures brought out of the vault at the Oregon Historical Society.