New Cruise-in venue and Farmer’s Market announced for Parkrose

Catch up on all of the new things happening in and around members of the Parkrose Business Association, right here …

Outgoing Parkrose Business Association president Mark W. Eves, of Eves & Wade LLP, welcomes this year’s president, Jon Turino, Farmer’s Insurance, to the podium at the organization’s January meeting at Steamer’s Restaurant & Lounge.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Membership growth, successful scholarship grants funding, a new venue for the Parkrose Cruise-in, the introduction of a new member – and a new outdoor market for the Parkrose area – highlighted the January meeting of the Parkrose Business Association (PBA).

At this luncheon meeting, held monthly at Steamer’s Restaurant & Lounge on NE Sandy Boulevard, just east of NE 82nd Avenue of Roses, was called to order by their newly-elected president, Jon Turino, Farmer’s Insurance.

Parkrose Farmer’s Market president, Steve Voorhees, is welcomed as a new member by Jon Turino.

Parkrose gains a new Farmer’s Market
According to a new member of the association, Steve Voorhees, president of the recently-established Parkrose Farmer’s Market, the first market day will be on May 3.

Because it will be held in the east parking lot of Parkrose High School, this will be a tobacco-free market – perhaps the first such in Portland. “In addition to locally-grown vegetables and fruits, we have had interest from meat, poultry, and lamb vendors,” said Voorhees.

Shoppers won’t find knick-knacks, or poor quality produce, Voorhees assured. “All of the vendors are being juried – that is, our board members must approve both the vendor, and their merchandise, for them to be in our market.” Their next jury session is 7:00 p.m. on March 6 at Portland Fire & Rescue Station #2 on NE 122nd Ave., just north of the train tracks along Sandy Boulevard.

Steve Voorhees tells the group he’d like to see produce shoppers who once shopped at Rossi Farms keep on spending their money in Parkrose – at the new farmer’s market.

No stranger to farmer’s markets, Voorhees told the group his family has been a vendor at the Gresham Farmer’s Market for 19 years. “My in-laws were one of the original Italian farmers in the area. We still farm three acres, by hand. We’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t, at a market.”

Voorhees said his family closed their farm stand “because the neighborhood has gotten too bad. It seemed too unsafe for the kids and Grandma to work our stand on NE Sandy Boulevard. When Rossi Farms closed, we decided to try and keep shoppers in Parkrose instead of traveling elsewhere to buy their fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Learn more from their web site; CLICK HERE; or e-mail Voorhees at steve_voorhees@q.com.

Revamped Cruise-in plans
The big news in Mark Eves’ “State of the PBA” address was regarding the organization’s annual event, the Parkrose Cruise-in.

“This event is in the process of being reinvented,” stated Eves. “Since its inception – thanks to our sponsors – the event has been successful. It has allowed us to grow from granting one $1,000 Parkrose High School senior scholarship, to five each year.”

Although the group has enjoyed being the only Portland Rose Festival event east of the I-205 freeway for many years, Eves went on, the event has been susceptible to unpredictable end-of-June weather.

“This year, we’re holding it the first week in August,” declared Eves. “And it will be staged in the middle of our business district. We want to celebrate our businesses and our community with the ‘2008 Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in’.”

In his “State of the PBA” talk, Mark Eves tells why planners forecast sunny weather for the 2008 Parkrose Cruise-in.

Shares benchmarks of success
“Today, the PBA and Parkrose Business Foundation (the nonprofit arm of the organization) is healthy and growing,” continued Eves. “Today, we have 90 members. We have very low turnover. And, I recommend we set a goal to increase to 150 members within three years.

“The PBA we has an excellent board of directors and officers who are committed using their experience and dedication to making our area a better place to do business and live.

“Our finances are in stable condition, with good cash reserves.

“Good monthly meetings are vital to our existence. With the continuing help of Kyle Ziegler, we will continue to have interesting and challenging speakers.

“And, want to recognize our committee for long-range planning; we call it our ‘Dream Team’. Chair Gale Bash and the committee are exploring new ideas and activities, including a crab feed, golf tournament, Texas Hold ’em tournament, a wine-tasting dinner, and a special calendar with photos from past and present.”

Come join in
This friendly group meets at one of our favorite restaurants. You’re invited to come at 11:30 a.m. on April 21 and meet this group of fun, energized business people. You’ll get the best business lunch at town at Steamers Restaurant, 8303 NE Sandy Boulevard (just east of NE 82nd Avenue); NO reservations required. For more information on the PBA, CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

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