Snowcap Christmas Giving Tree is up

One of the groups that meets at Park Place are working with me to sponsor a giving tree in support of Snowcap.  Today I received the attached list from the Director of Snowcap. The Portland Cup of Coffee Networkers group decorated the tree and will sponsor this effort.

The sad part of the message she sent was this was just the list of wishes from children in need who were at the food bank TODAY.  So, there are many more children the other six days of the week who also have a Christmas wish to be fulfilled.  If you would like to pick up one of these children's wishes, please come by Park Place and pick their star from the tree. If you have other items, such as food or presents to bring to Snowcap I have included their link here as well.  All gifts must be returned by December 18th.

Here is the list you'll find on the stars at Park Place:


Chad 9 Wants a dog, but apt won’t allow it. A book about dogs or the boy-dog relationship,
a nice doggie stuffed animal, a video like Benji

Michael 6 Dad is a trucker so he really enjoys playing with trucks

Ruby 4 A doll with red hair

Sue 7 Beginning to read, loves books

Lora 12 Bubble Bath, lip gloss

Deborah 13 Twilight Vampire books

Juan 6 Toy carpenter tools or workbench

Christian 8 Legos or other building toys

Eric 5 Plastic barnyard with animals, grandparents live on a farm

Jason 8 Book about Vikings or other ancient warriors

Cameron 5 Musical toy

Neal 3 Bath time toys

Abby 9 Girls mystery book

Jessica 7 Play kitchen utensils

Faye 11 Doll with different outfits

Cathy 12 Taylor Swift CD

Alicia 3 Soft book so she can play at reading

Sarah 7 Leapfrog Text & Learn

Gina 6 My First Kitchen

Estella 8 Book about immigrant girls in America

David 5 Chuck the Talking Truck (Tonka toy)

Ramon 7 Toy Walkie Talkies

Peter 10 Transformers Role Play Helmet or other transformers toy

Oh! What a Fresh Coat of Paint Will Do!

...Plaza Del Sol

Rockwood has been stuck in a state of flux for many years. Well meaning policy makers and citizens have held out hopes and grand plans for revitalizing and rebuilding this community. And each time, attempts are not realized. The budgets are too large, the economy is too depressed, and with no solutions its back to the drawing board.

Today a simple inexpensive project resurrected community building and hope in this community. And we learned that in this case, THE DRAWING BOARD was the solution! Plaza Del Sol is simply a painting on pavement of the sunshine and part of a bigger plan in Rockwood to have a "planet walk," a walking path, recreation and other amenities . It did not require plenty of negotiations with a developer, it required plenty of children with paintbrushes and people to share in a labor of love. Based on its success, we see clear evidence that engaging the people of Rockwood and tapping into their compassion can provide the momentum Rockwood needs.

Each time this community is questioned for its apathy, the people of Rockwood outshine the stigma. National Night Out's biggest event was in Rockwood, and Plaza Del Sol continued to engage our citizens. With our new "low-budget" plaza, it will be important to continue building on this momentum, and to IMMEDIATELY bring positive celebrations and activities onto this site - a step I hope will be fostered by the City.

I have to hand it to the City of Gresham and our Urban Renewal Director, Alice Rouyer for realizing what a fresh coat of paint can do for a community, and for a job well done! The work of our artists and Michael Orelove have laid the welcome mat for community engagement. I encourage the Rockwood residents and businesses to take the next vital step and make the plaza THEIR home by utilizing the area for positive activities and gatherings. The sun is shining and a brighter community is in the hands of the community to embrace.

Disc Golfers Adopt Vance Park

In these days of budget cuts at the City of Gresham, cutting back on park maintenance at Vance Park was having a considerable effect on the park's climate. Since I am working on a positive story here, I will avoid editorializing TOO much on why Rockwood's neighborhood park was the one chosen to receive the least bit of services... and the amount of problems that has created with vagrants and issues in the tall grass left standing...

Okay, back to the happy stuff! In light of the service cuts, the disc golfers noticed their course had gone severely down hill. So, one of those golfers, Kris, called the City and asked if he could adopt Vance Park. His mission was to clean the park up and make it attractive to the disc golfers once more. With the help of a very dedicated staffer, Cathy Harrington, the park was adopted and a plan was put in place for disc golf clean-up volunteers.

Sunday, August 30th marked the first clean up of the Vance Park disc golf group and it was amazing what they accomplished! Over 20 volunteers showed up to pick up garbage, sticks, cherry pits - you name it. The work party started at noon and was still finishing up at 5 p.m. Between the rakes and the blowers and the garbage bags the difference was incredible!

So no one but the disc golfers and I knew what was accomplished today. If only I had taken before/after pictures - you too could know how hard the groups worked, but the work they did was incredible. And as these work parties continue, the volunteer group is expected to grow larger. I know I've said it in previous posts, and I will say it again.... ROCKWOOD IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO IMPROVEMENT BECAUSE THE DISC GOLFERS AND THEIR UNSELFISH DEDICATION TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

"Trying" Teenagers

The one thing that happens as your business continues over a span of time, is you watch your customers (and I am sure they watch me) aging. My twenty-something and over customers are fun to follow along their life changes as they fall in love, plan their weddings, have babies. The youngsters are great to watch too. It is the teenage boy customers that seem to pull at the heart strings as I feel helpless in saving them through these tough years.

Two years ago, the group of neighborhood "street rats" who never had the ideal home life, used to come in and tell me about what they would be when they grew up. How they weren't going to be stupid and do drugs like other kids they knew. how they were going to be successful. That group has now split up, except for two of them, J & A.

J & A stop in once in awhile, as they wander the neighborhood and they are usually stoned. They tell me that their parents are mean to them and tell them they are worthless, when they've done "nothing wrong." J, who had a great paying job at fifteen now is unemployed at 18 and didn't pass the drug test for his next promising opportunity. "Dina, can I work for you?" he asks. I tell him that I will not employ someone who gets stoned. "But I won't do it at work!" is his defense. A, the other boy is his younger tag-along and idolizes J. I remain puzzled on what I can do, as the community coffeeshop owner that can make a difference in their lives.

Another of the street rat team came in 2 days ago - TT. I haven't seen him for quite some time and his voice had deepened and his demeanor had toughened. As a betting person, I wouldn't have bet a cent on TT. When he was younger I worried most for him, since his mother was a meth addict and he would relate stories that each time she was taken away and he thought she'd get treated, she was always released the next day. She was his "caretaker", but it was clear that he did the caring and she provided the roof.

When TT walked in the shop 2 days ago, and told me he wanted to show me something, he approached me with a formal greeting and a grim expression. I was afraid I was in for another tragic story. He then smiled as he set his new driver's permit on the counter. "Look! I passed the first time!" TT was accomplishing things on for himself despite the odds. He filled me in on his life since I hadn't seen him in months: Yes, he still lives with his mom who hasn't gotten help. No, he doesn't hang out with the street rats anymore since all they do is drugs. Well... he hasn't done anything bad for at least a month... I wrack my brain again on what more I can do for this boy.

Then there's Mr.K. The most charming boy ever in the shop who had grand ideas and grand plans and has made it to 17 with them all in tact. He'd always like to come in and run his ideas past me. And then he stopped. He just stopped coming in. Until one day he came in w/a new look and a new attitude. And it wasn't good. It was clear Mr. K came in because he needed some cheering up and he needed a friendly face. And as I was so busy with customers, Mr. K slipped back out after only a few words. Mr. K was not living at home anymore, had crashed a car, and life was upside down. He couldn't get along w/his parents anymore, and their boundaries were ridiculous in his eyes.

Today he was back in, and his smile was back in place, though his thoughts were now focused on the rebellion with his parents instead of his dreams of the future. He was fighting the accusations that he was a "bad kid" and he was going to hell. We talked about the way he sees things separate from his parents and he feels justified in those beliefs. I reminded him to never prove his parents right and give in on the belief that he is bad.

Oh, how much these parents mean to these kids, because their whole life turns upside down without their acceptance. The boys act like they don't care what their parents think, but when they think they are being told they are "bad" they seem to believe it. And they give into it, and that's when they lose.

I search for the magic words to help these kids understand, and I search for the answers to mend these relationships and get them through, but I have none. And I had none when my son and I hit the same bumps. And I know, as a parent, I made SURE I did not condemn him or call him bad, but somehow that is what he heard.

Now I look at TT who had no parent guiding him through each day, and am so pleased that he is building a successful path. And as a coffeeshop mentor, TT gives me the easiest job. I know that I can work w/TT by giving him a free drink for each week he "doesn't do anything bad." And though I can't change his world, or the other kiddos' either, I will do what I can. I am always open to advice on how I can best help these kids.

Summer Activities in Rockwood/Gresham

August 4th is National Night Out at Vance Park. 5 – 8 p.m.
On this night, neighborhoods across the United States celebrate this event which works to strengthen neighborhoods and deter crime. Games, activities for all ages and a barbecue will be held. Families in our area are also invited to learn how to disc golf from the neighborhood pros. City of Gresham Police Department will be there to talk to residents and other events will be going on. PLEASE STOP BY AND SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD EFFORTS!

Park Place Coffee wants you to enjoy disc golf! Check out supplies here.
Park Place Coffee has discs for customers to check out and go try out the sport. We can also supply you with a map and scorecard when you go. Do you want to learn more about the game first? Come to National Night Out on August 4th (above) and learn the tips on how to use a putter, a driver and disc etiquette.

Fridays from 1:30 – 4 p.m. Vance Park hosts the REC Mobile.
The RecMobile brings fun and games for kids of all ages to Vance Park. Kids can paint, play games or get involved in many activities. Although a staff person is present, caretakers are asked to remain close by. This event is co-hosted by People for Parks, Gresham Ford, and others.

IMAGINATIVE CHILDREN’S GARDEN IS OPEN.
Thurs. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The garden is a chance for kids to learn more about nature through the Butterfly Pavilion, where they can see butterflies in all stages of development and enter the area where the butterflies light around them. Other activities such as bee events, children reading time etc. are also scheduled through the summer.

Never underestimate the power of disc golf

I wonder if there are any good statistics that reveal how big of a sport disc golf is in Oregon, nationwide or worldwide. I CAN tell you that I underestimated the amount of golfers, the passion of the golfers, and the goodwill they bring to this small community of Rockwood.

Park Place Coffee is located next to Vance Park, which is one of the newer courses in southeast. I have learned a few things about disc golfers: 1) my friendliest customers are disc golfers; 2) disc golfers are comrades who protect their course and those who support their sport as well as other park users 3) disc golfers make a big impact on the riff-raff in the park as the eyes and ears of our parks community during their regular use of the park.

Vance Park was once known as a problem area because of gangs that hung out here. But then a disc golf course was constructed, and brought in a bunch of mellow diskers who constantly tour the area in groups as they play the sport. If you wanna get rid of a problem, you don't avoid going to the problem spots, instead you GO THERE, and the gang-bangers find somewhere else to hang. The Disc golfers have improved Rockwood because they are both a tolerant bunch and a passionate bunch.

Because they love their sport, they adopted Vance Park and Rockwood Central Park - in droved. And because of this commitment, the disc golfers are the majority and the gang-bangers are the minority.

We won a small biz grant!

Thanks to the people at Intuit and my customers, Park Place Coffee won a grand total of $15,000 as a business grant. Woo Hoo! In previous posts I mentioned that the company, Intuit, which is the company that brings us TurboTax and Quickbooks had a national small business competition.

Businesses throughout the US competed to become finalists and win $5,000 and a flip mino video camera. We made it through the first round and into the finals with 49 other businesses. I was content with making it through the first round, and after I saw my video against some of the others, I knew that while my business may be an inspiration for many, my video depiction was questionable in comparison to many of the others.

I was so happy when I received a call from Gretchen at Intuit to tell me that I was one of the first prize winners, and would receive another $10,000! The greatest thing since then has been the excitement from my customers when they find out I won. So many of them voted and tried hard to gather votes from other friends and family members. Park Place not only won some future financial stability, but I was reminded and reassured by my great customers that this endeavor is worth it. I hope to have all of your support for years to come, and when it was put to the test you all came through. I hope to provide that same support to all of you when needed!

If you didn't get a chance to watch the video, please click on the title above to be taken to the site.