SENIOR CENTER (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
Center members are gearing up for the Sandy Mountain Festival Pie & Cookie booth. Proceeds from the efforts benefit the area’s meals-on-wheels program. Many thanks to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary who helped mix cookie dough. Once again the Festival music at the Birdcage Theater got a jumpstart from the center’s own Silvertones band and vocal group.
PARKS
New members were approved by City Council for appointment to the Park Board just in time for the annual park tour. Working towards the updated Park Master Plan, board members completed facility inventory forms for each of Sandy’s Parks. Christine Gaare, wife of new board member Craig, provided valuable information on effective survey techniques.
RECREATION (Sarah Richardson)
Adult Coed Softball is back to a full 14 teams for 2012, up from 10 teams in 2011.
A new program for middle school aged kids combines a visit to learn about volunteer opportunities with the Oregon Humane Society, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Oregon Food Bank with lunch and a movie.
Classes for pre-school aged kids in dance and soccer are very popular this summer with growth in both programs.
A variety of Martial Arts programs for all ages continues to expand and grow in popularity.
The 7th Annual Noah’s Quest 5k/10k Walk & Run was held on June 30th. New this year was a 1k Kiddie Run featuring an enthusiastic group of boys and girls. About 170 people participated in all events.
Check out this year’s Sandy Summer Sounds & Starlight Cinema schedule at www.sandysummersounds.com or pick up a nifty brochure at any City building.
TRANSIT (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 22,348, representing just under a 2% decrease from the same period last year. The SAM-Gresham and STAR were down by approximately 2%, while SAM-Estacada decreased 9.4%. The use of ED increased again by 15.4% over the same period last year. There were fewer days of service due to the way the calendar fell.
Ridership for the fiscal year finished up by 5.8%, which is a greater annual increase than has been seen in recent years.
TheTransit Center bids came in with only one respondent; which, despite coming in over the estimate, was accepted. Contract documents will soon be completed with construction expected in the fall.
Staff continues to work with TriMet and the other regional transit providers toward an update of the regional Elderly and Disabled Transportation Plan.
Thirteen participants joined the Transit Adventure to The Old Church in downtown Portland.