Community Services – May & June 2018

Sandy Community Campus (Tanya Richardson)
More changes are occurring at the pool including work on replacing toilets, fixing of the plumbing, installation of staff areas, refurbishing of benches in locker rooms, new dressing area partisans, electrical safety checks, and installation of electrical outlets in front lobby and office.  Painting throughout the entire building, exterior paint, new Olin Y Bignall Aquatic Center sign, and new stripping of the disabled parking area at the front entrance.
Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
The Summer Recreation & Leisure Guide was launched in May. Over the last year the guide has expanded to include more Senior/Active Adult listings as well as more Library listings. The guide was originally created to highlight recreation and special events but the move to an electronic guide has provided more flexibility at no additional cost.
New this summer Code to the Future – Video Game Design and Minecraft Modding Camps, and a return to Day Camps at Camp Namanu. Adult Coed Softball kicked off in June.
Senior Services (Melissa Thompson)
The staff implemented monthly focus topics which was augmented by speakers and providing information about awareness and education.  In May, the focus was on Arthritis Awareness and June was Alzheimer’s Awareness month.  The seniors enjoyed hikes to the Klickitat RiverMt. Tabor, Tyron Creek & Butler Creek.  Other wonderful trips included a Bed & Breakfast Tour, Schreiner Wildlife Ranch, Corbett Children’s Theater, and the Lavender Festival.  An AARP driving course was well attended in May as well as a special presentation of “Understanding & Responding to Dementia”.  The staff served a Brain Healthy Lunch at the end of the month and included a presentation from Cami Henderson about her attendance at the National Alzheimer Conference held in Washington DC.
Special Events ( Carol Cohen)
Running Dirty occurred in May for the 3rd year.  We had a good crowd with people wanting to get down and dirty at Liepold Farms. We had 3 different heats for the adults and 3 different heats for the children.  Everyone had a great time with food and beer provided by Liepold’s.
Noah’s Quest
On June 23rd was the 13th Annual walk/run with over 132 participants.  We had an overwhelming amount of volunteers and food, fruit and coffee donated from Franz Bread and Starbucks.  There was a great article in the Post the following week about a local mother who lost her baby 13 years ago.  She mentioned Noah’s Quest saved her life and got her out of the house and started the grieving process.

Community Services – April 2018

Sandy Community Campus (Tanya Richardson)
Work on the upgrades at the Aquatic Center continues.  Changes include construction of birthday party areas, additional staff areas, replacement of door for ADA access to office, and additional new counter and mirrors for locker rooms.
Senior Services (Tanya Richardson)
Melissa Thompson joined the team as Senior Services Manager in April. She holds an BA in Business Management, and an MBA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Both degrees conferred by Marylhurst University. She has over 15 years experience within the social work field; several years of direct care, seven years of case management, and five years of program management. Melissa and her family have been in Sandy for five years and she is very excited to work with the community.

Olga Gerberg has begun leading the Change of Pace program and is providing fun and engaging activities for older adults experiencing memory loss or confusion due to Dementia disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Trips and activities the month of April included Powell’s Bookstore, Orenco Woods hike, Gresham Fairview Hike, Scenic Drive up the Molalla River, and the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.
Gresham Fairview Hike 4.24.18
April Birthday Bash!
Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
The Summer Recreation programs are in the final stages of development. New Coding Camps and the return of the popular Mountain Biking camps are part of the summer 2018 schedule. Camp Namanu is back with the original format. Sandy residents can sign-up for day camps at the Camp Namanu campus along the Sandy River. Transportation will be provided from the Sandy Community Center.
Adult Coed Summer Softball schedule has been set and teams are forming. Once again we thank the school district for the use of the fields at the High School for the softball league.

Community Services – March 2018

Sandy Community Campus (Tanya Richardson)

Clean up of the Aquatic Center began this month with having current Mavericks staff, Friends of the Sandy pool members, and the school district take any items they would like.  Some items were also donated to the Sandy Historical Society.  Brian Galovan was hired to assist with pool maintenance as well as work half time with parks.  He has done an incredible job of clean up and disposal of one full 30 yd dumpster of unnecessary items.  Concrete work has also been completed to removed the disintegrating diving board platform, unsafe slide, and the removal of the front desk.  Additional contractors are set to start working on ADA upgrades, electrical updates, and boiler maintenance.

Senior Center (Tanya Richardson)

Seniors enjoyed several fabulous trips this month including the Laika exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, the Bush House museum, and a hike to Mt. Tabor. The Community Center partnered with the library and did a senior egg hunt throughout the library. We had close to over 30 seniors and the trolley picked them up at the senior center and transported them to the library.  It was a huge success.

 

New class began with our own city councilor  Olga Gerberg who is teaching a Moves and Grooves class on Fridays at 11:00.  This class gets your body moving by combining fitness, dance and Zumba.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)

Winter/Spring programs were in full swing and summer planning was well underway. Mountain Storm Youth Basketball wrapped up the season on March 10th and 17th with two Jamborees. Players and their families enjoyed a day of basketball and awards, and the players were excited to get to play at the new High School.
Camps in the works for summer include computer coding, mountain biking, acting, tennis, soccer and basketball, and a return to day camps at Camp Namanu.

Community Services – February 2018

Sandy Community Campus (Tanya Richardson)

On Feb. 28, 2018 the aquatic center has it last day of programming under the management of the Mavericks Swim Team.  This will give us the opportunity to clean up the facility, do an safety assessment, and begin upgrades.  IT has begun to move to the the lower part of the north building of the old Cedar ridge.

Senior Center (Tanya Richardson)

We are offering free tax assistance for seniors which began this month thru April.  This services is full and continues to be a waiting list for this service.  The seniors enjoyed several trips this month including vising the Mt. Angel Wurstfest, RICE Museum of Rocks and Minerals, hike to the Canemah Bluff, and enjoy a Valentine’s Day exchange at the senior center.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)

Mountain Storm continues to utilize the gym at the Sandy Community campus in the evenings during the week. Preparation and organization are getting going for a busy summer Recreation guide.

Special Events (Carol Cohen)

Preparation and organization are being made for upcoming events for the Spring including Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt, Solv-it Sandy, and Running Dirty.  A new event coming next month includes a senior egg hunt at the library.

Community Services – January 2018

Sandy Community Campus (Tanya Richardson)

On Thursday,  Jan. 5th we received the keys for the much awaited old Cedar Ridge building and Olin Bignall Aquatic Center from OTSD.  The Sandy Community Campus project included the use of the gymnasium for the Mountain Storm basketball program through March and the pool.  The pool maintenance was taken on by Tanya with the assistance of Casey Perkins and Joe Preston.  The maintenance currently includes daily chemical readings,  balancing of pool chemicals, boiler checks, and weekly backwashing of filtration system.  Public Works is assisting with boiler checks at the Cedar Ridge school.  Mavericks will continue regular programming through the end of February.

Senior Center (Tanya Richardson)

A new functional fitness class began in January for seniors on Tuesday & Thursdays ran by Carol Cohen.  This class was added to help fill the need for some of the seniors who loss their membership at the Mt. Hood Athletic Center, due to the drop of Silver & Fit program.  This class has grown from 10 people to by the end of over 20 people and still growing.

The seniors also participated in such great trips such as a visit to Albertina Kerr, a hike to Powell Butte, trip to Spirit Mountain, and a dine out at Sayler’s Country Kitchen.  Tax season is getting ready to kick off with assistance for seniors beginning Feb. – April.

Sarah Richardson (Recreation)

Mountain Storm is going to be held at the Sandy Community Campus in the evenings and weekends.  We have an increase in registrations this season.  Along with Mountain Storm we have our Winter/Spring Recreation guide out which includes theater, guitar, dance, and sports skills.

 

 

 

Community Services – December 2017

Sandy Community Campus (Tanya Richardson)

At the end of November with the help of Opsis we held 12 different stakeholder meetings with groups to discuss ideas for the property at the old Cedar Ridge Middle school and Olin Bignall Aquatic Center.  It was decided at the time to help reduce confusion to refer to the project moving forward as the “Sandy Community Campus”. Several walk-thrus we conducted with OTSD at the close of the month to be sure vacancy and proper clean up were completed with the intention for the city to take possession of the buildings at the start of the new year.

Information has also been published in the Sandy Post and announced at the council meetings of the pool remaining operational thru February with the intent to allow the high school swim team to complete their season.  Mavericks will continue to run regular programming which includes lap swim, water exercise classes, open recreation swim, birthday parties, and swimming lessons.

Senior Center (Tanya Richardson)

The center was festive with seasonal decorations and to prepare for the Holidays.         It was the 30th year for the Breakfast with Santa event which is one of the year’s biggest fundraisers for Meals on Wheels.  The event net over $2,000 and could not have been possible without your dedication and efforts of volunteers and staff. The fundraiser included a full breakfast, photos with Santa, and a raffle with prizes from Local businesses. We also had over 50 volunteers assist with serving breakfast, decorating the center, busing tables, handing out candy canes, set up and clean up.

Seniors enjoyed cocoa, cookies, and singing carols as they toured homes beautifully lit including the home of Councilor Hamblin.  Other trips included visiting the Victorian Belle Mansion, attending the Mt. Hood Pops Orchestra, and a hike along Cazadero trail.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)

Mountain Storm Basketball is gearing up for a great season with 218 registrations and 47 volunteer coaches and assistants.  Practices and games will be run at the gym at the Sandy Community Campus through March.  Winter/Spring Recreation guide is available online with registration open for programs offered from January – May.

 

Community Services – November 2017

Speical Events

Corn Cross 2 went off without a hitch at the beginning of November. There were 210 particpants who brave the cooler weather and rain.  They seemed to be in there element with plenty of fun in the mud.  Carol Cohen led another fabulous event at Liepold Farm with great food, great atmosphere,and  happy people.

 

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)

Mountain Storm season kicking off with early season events and open gyms. Currently 212 kids playing. Community is really enjoying the expanded access to the Cedar Ridge gym. Parents and kids shared gym time together during a Mountain Storm Open Gym. Fun to see everyone having a good time and being active.

Senior Center (Tanya Richardson)

The seniors enjoyed the wonderful weather this month by going on some great hikes to Champoeg State Heritage area & Salmon Creek.  Our new Driver, Dani Van Dusen has made a great addition to the staff team at the senior center.  She has had many great compliments in regards to her friendly and helpful demeanor.  The Oregon Historical Society and Northwest Senior Theatre were just a few of the great trips Dani was able to enjoy with the seniors.

Community Service – October 2017

Senior Center – (Tanya Richardson)

In October, Cami Henderson (Client Services Coordinator) worked with Seniors to apply for the Energy Assistance Program. She assisted 91 seniors to submit applications for assistance with energy costs for the coming winter months.  The staff celebrated Halloween by putting on the annual  traditional skit for all the seniors.  This year the theme was our own rendition of the classic “Sound of Music”.  Thanks to Muna, Lucy, Andi who helped with this years presentation.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)

Fall activities are in full swing including Indoor playpark, Refit classes, Soccer Fundamentals for ages 4-8 years old, Safe sitter training and new theater classes. The Harry Potter theater class was a huge success with a wonderul performance at the end of the session to show off our actor’s skills.  Registrations are just getting started for Mountain Storm basketball and we are off to a excellent start.

 

Community Services – September 2017

Special Events

In September,the Community Services Department kicked off fall with the Corn Cross Cyclecross event and Dogs Day Out. Between the two events, there were close to 450 participants including family members two and four-legged alike. The cyclocross events have built a strong reputation among cycling enthusiasts, and combining these two events has proved to be a successful way to promote Sandy and raise funds for local dog parks.
Senior Center 
Seniors welcomed fall with a new “Walk with Ease” program with the goal of reducing pain and improving overall health. This program is presented by the Arthritis Foundation and has been a rewarding way to encourage Sandy Seniors to stay active and take control of their health.
Recreation 
The Fall Recreation & Leisure Guide was launched in early September and classes are well underway. New theater classes are part of the fall line-up, and the Harry Potter acting class proved to be a winner. Registration for Mountain Storm Youth Basketball has begun and plans for the upcoming season are in place. It’s always great to see kids in the community stay active and choose to participate in programs that teach them teamwork and other life skills.