Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Monthly Archives: February 2016

Rebuilding Faubion for the future

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation, Schools

By Carl Jameson, CNA Media Team

Bull Dogs Excavator_color
An excavator with a demolition bucket drops its mouthful of the old Faubion School into a dumpster. Photo by Carl Jameson

Homes aren’t the only buildings being demolished and increasing in size in the Concordia neighborhood. A single story International style influenced building has been torn to ground and will be replaced by a gleaming three story structure with room for up to 800 children from early childhood through eighth grade, aka James B. Faubion School.

Built in 1950, the school was constructed during a period of modernization and new construction initiated by Portland Public Schools after World War II. In 1945, Portland voters approved a ballot measure to construct, improve, and rehabilitate its public school buildings. The ballot measure was a response to the explosive growth in school-age children that resulted from the arrival of defense plant workers and their families during the war, deferred maintenance needs and just in time for the oncoming baby boom after the war.

Faubion School's namesake: James Blair Faubion Jr. was born in Portland in 1926, attended Fernwood School and graduated from Grant High School in 1944. After joining the U.S. Marine Corps, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where he was wounded, paralyzed and lost both legs. He died of complications from his wounds at the age of 22. A community grateful for his service named the school in his honor in 1949.
Faubion School’s namesake: James Blair Faubion Jr. was born in Portland in 1926, attended Fernwood School and graduated from Grant High School in 1944. After joining the U.S. Marine Corps, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where he was wounded, paralyzed and lost both legs. He died of complications from his wounds at the age of 22. A community grateful for his service named the school in his honor in 1949.

Fast forward to 2012: The citizens of Portland approved the PPS School Building Improvement Bond. The bond is funding $33 million for the project. Concordia University, a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts university, is contributing up to $15.5 million in building funding along with land and additional resources.

Concordia and Faubion have been neighbors for over sixty years with many Concordia education students completing a part of their field experience at Faubion. The collaboration between the two institutions increased eight years ago with the tenure of Faubion’s current principal LaShawn Lee and has resulted in improved learning outcomes for students in reading, math and science.

The old style bulldog mascot of Faubion School guards the demolition site. Photo by Carl Jameson
The old style bulldog mascot of Faubion School guards the demolition site. Photo by Carl Jameson
Principal Lee soaking in the last moments of memories.Photo courtesy of LaShawn Lee.
Principal Lee soaking in the last moments of memories.Photo courtesy of LaShawn Lee.

When the new Faubion School is completed in 2017 the oldest of its former pupils will be seventy-six years old and they certainly won’t recognize their former school. The new building, yet to be officially named by PPS, will house the Concordia University College of Education and Faubion PK-8 School under one roof. Together, along with Trillium Family Services and other community partners, they will offer educational, health and social services aimed at creating a foundation of success for students. Faubion’s current pupils, temporarily at the Harriet S. Tubman site, can’t wait to move into their new home. “They were sad leave the old Faubion, but are very excited to see the new building taking shape and for the future,” said Vice Principal Jennifer McCally.

dump truck enters the job site. Photo by Carl Jameson
A dump truck enters the job site. Photo by Carl Jameson

At the old Faubion site there will be increased construction traffic in and around school grounds. Site security is a priority. There will be construction fencing surrounding the site for the duration of work.

Groundbreaking for the new Faubion School will take place in Spring 2016. Todd Construction, the general contractor for the rebuild, plans on a work schedule from 7am-5pm, Mon-Fri, but work may occur on some evenings and some weekends as needed.

Helpful links

Faubion Rebuild site

Faubion School

Concordia 3toPhD site

Concordia University

Carl Jameson is a writer/director/videographer at Craftmaster Productions, a full service creative production company. He’s lived and worked in the Concordia neighborhood since 2001. Reach him by emailing carlj@craftmasterpro.com

Apartments on tap for Bighouse Automotive site

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation

By Susan Trabucco, CNA Media Team

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A 30-unit apartment building is planned at the corner of N.E. 30th & Killingsworth. Bighouse Automotive operated at this location for over 60 years. Photo by Carl Jameson

For decades the home of Bighouse Automotive and a U-Haul outlet, a 10,000 square foot parcel at the corner of NE 30th and Killingsworth in Concordia’s Fox Chase district is slated for the development of a mixed-use building, an outright use for the site under the City of Portland’s current code.

30th & K Properties, LLC, a Vancouver, Wash.-based company, recently purchased the property at 3009 NE Killingsworth from former owner David Bighouse. The project includes 30 apartment units and a small amount of ground floor retail space on the site. Brian Spencer, the company’s representative, said plans have been submitted to the City of Portland for review and permitting. Upon approval, construction will start in the spring or early summer this year.

Final details of the design are in the process of being completed, but the project will be constructed to the city -allowed height. The building will be four stories, with residential units on all floors, and approximately 800 square feet of ground floor retail space on the SW corner of the lot. -Of the 30 apartments planned, 24 will have two bedrooms and two baths; the remaining units will have one bedroom. Rents will be market rate.

Spencer said the building will be constructed with quality components, and be very nice-looking.

“I really think people are going to like it, and see it as an asset to the neighborhood,” he said.

As is allowed by City of Portland code, and because of the relatively small lot size, no onsite parking is included in the plans. In keeping in with Portland’s bike-friendly culture, however, two-wheeled commuters will be accommodated with ample bike storage.

On February 17 the development company presented its plans to the Concordia Neighborhood Association’s Land Use Committee to give committee members an opportunity to ask questions.

“We want to be good neighbors to the people that live and work near the development,” Spencer said.

Architectural design work for the project is being provided by Portland-based Mackenzie, and Union Corner Construction  of  Vancouver,  Wash.  is  the  construction  contractor.  Both  companies  have  experience  in  the neighborhood; most notably they have worked on Concordia University projects, including Hilken Community Stadium.

Apartments rendering Bighouse property
This artist’s rendering shows the current design of the a new mixed-use building to be constructed at N.E. 30th & Killingsworth.

Susan Trabucco is a business communications consultant. She lives in the Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood, just a few steps from Concordia. Reach her by emailing susan@trabucco.biz or call (503) 440-7732. 

Bringing happiness to Alberta Street

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Health and Wellness

Portland Happiness Center and businesses on NE Alberta Street are partnering to create the first street to invest in happiness in the nation. In  2009,  Portland  was  rated  as  one  of  the  least  happy  cities  in  the  country,  according  to  a  U.S.  economic  well -being  survey from  MainStreet.com,  a  personal  finance  site.  Also,  according  to  a  2014  study,  Portland  has  one  of  the  highest  teenager  and  a dult depression  and  suicide  rates  in  the  nation.  Our  city  could be  happier  –  much  happier.  According  to  Portland  Happiness  Center’s founder Rodrigo Baena, companies and organizations that invest in wellness in the work environment experience a significant increase in productivity levels, improve relationships and naturally end up attracting more clients.

Businesses  owners  and  employers  that  become  members  of  the  Happiness  Center have  the  opportunity  to  create  a  community, meet  monthly,  learn  tools  to  use  in  their  work  environments  and  go  to  talks  and  seminars.  Individuals  can  also  become  members, receiving invitation to events, inspiring presentations, weekly news about happiness and personal growth and volunteering on one of the many projects the center holds monthly.

In 2015 the Portland Happiness Center was nominated to participate in the largest happiness conference in the world.

For more information on how to join this happiness movement, visit www.PortlandHappinessCenter.org, email info@portlandhappinesscenter.org or call  503-444-3333.

Future Families of Vernon Mixer March 6

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Events

The Vernon IB World School PTA is hosting the Future Families of Vernon Mixer on Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room. McMenamins Kennedy School is located at 5732 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, OR 97211. Children are welcome.

The Future Families of Vernon Mixer offers current and prospective Vernon families a casual opportunity to learn more about Vernon and the community that supports our neighborhood school.

Neighborhood families can enjoy complimentary snacks and talk to prospective and current Vernon families about:

  • Preparing their child for kindergarten.
  • Determining whether Vernon is the right school for their family.
  • Getting involved and meeting other Vernon families.

Families are encouraged to come to the mixer to learn more about Vernon’s:

  • Global International Baccalaureate (IB) program and how IB students often outperform students from other programs.
  • Weekly special classes including art, music, PE, library, technology, Mandarin and Spanish.
  • On-site before and after-care programs offered by the YMCA and SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods).
  • Two vibrant, active school gardens and a Garden Studies teacher.

“The Future Families of Vernon Mixer is the perfect place to meet current Vernon families and learn about all the awesome things going on at the school. We’re an engaged group of parents, teachers, and community members working hard to make sure our kids have a great place to learn. Join us at the Mixer on March 6th to learn more about our great school and community,” said Lindsay Corliss, Vernon parent and PTA member.

Learn more about Vernon IB World School at the Future Families of Vernon Mixer on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room.

For more information, please contact Lindsay Corliss at (503) 750-6670, or lindsaycorliss@gmail.com.

Summer Concerts in Fernhill Park Needs Y-O-U

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News, Events

A Call to Business Owners, Families, and Individuals!

There’s no better way to spend a warm and breezy summer evening than gathering with friends and neighbors in Fernhill Park for music, dancing and family fun! For the last eleven summers, the Fernhill Concert Series has been a smashing success- offering the finest musical talents that Portland has to offer free of charge! This year it all happens on four Friday nights starting July 8th through July 29th and ends with a big shebang on Tuesday August 2nd for our Concordia Neighborhood National Night Out! The CNA Fernhill Concert Committee has begun the long, hard slog of fundraising for the Summer Concert Series, but we need your help to raise enough money to fund all five concerts! So, if you have the means, PLEASE DONATE! We are looking for local businesses and individuals to donate anything they can to help make the concerts happen! It doesn’t matter if you are a business owner, a family, or an individual, WE NEED YOU to help raise the money to produce another memorable concert season in Fernhill Park.

If you would like to help the CNA Fernhill Concert Committee fundraise for this year’s fabulous season, please contact Katie Ugolini at social@concordiapdx.org or 503-449-9690. HELP SUPPPORT THE POWER OF LIVE MUSIC TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER!

Furthermore, if you are a business, institution, or individual and want to be a Fernhill Concert Series Sponsor by contributing $300 or more, you will receive these awesome benefits of sponsorship:
​•​Opportunity to have promotional table at all 5 concerts to display, give or sell items.

​•​A chance to give to your neighborhood

​•​A tax deductible contribution staying “close to home”

​•​Your Business Name Recognized:

Here are the options:

Please join us at the concert sponsorship level that is comfortable for you!

Champion Sponsor: $3,000
Presenting sponsor status for one night of a concert series
Opportunity to emcee and welcome audience to the concert
Logo or name on the concert banner, select Summer Free for All movie screens, season brochure and neighborhood flyer
Listed as presenting sponsor in the season brochure and the neighborhood flyer
Listed on the PP&R Summer Free for All website
Recognized from the stage at all concerts
Thanked in Concordia News and on the CNA Website and recognition in the  SFFA final report
Listed in the newspaper guide distributed in seven languages
Invitation to sponsor night

Major Sponsor: $1,250 and up
Logo or name on concert banner, one Summer Free for Allmovie screen, season brochure and  neighborhood flyer
Listed on the PP&R Summer Free for All website
Recognized from the stage at all concerts
Thanked in Concordia News and on CNA Website
Name listed in the newspaper guide distributed in seven languages

Contributing Sponsor: $600 and up
Name in bold on the concert banner
Name in bold in the season brochure and on neighborhood flyer
Listed on the PP&R Summer Free for All website
Thanked in Concordia News and on the CNA Website

Good Neighbor Sponsor: $300 and up
Name listed on the neighborhood flyer
Listed on the PP&R Summer Free for All website
Thanked in the Concordia News and on the CNA Website

Any sponsor may have a promotional table at the concerts they are supporting.

Sponsorship commitments are needed by April 1 but payment is not due until June 1, 2016 to be included in promotional material.  If you are a business, please let us know how you would like to participate as a sponsor by contacting Lynn Shisler, Concert Production Manager at lynn.shisler@portlandoregon.gov.  If paying by check, make checks payable to Portland Parks & Recreation/Fernhill Concerts and mail to Portland Parks & Recreation,  ATTN: Lynn Shisler, Concerts: 6437 SE Division St.,  Portland, OR 97206. CREDIT CARDS ALSO ACCEPTED.

CNA Board Meeting – Tuesday, February 9th, 7pm – Kennedy School. Come one, come all!

Posted on by Posted in Events

Concordia Neighborhood Ass sciation

Board Meeting

February 9, 2016

Kennedy School Community Room 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

 

DRAFT Agenda

 

7:00 – 7:05 pm Roll Call, Establish Quorum, Acknowledge Guests & Visitors

 

Chair – Isaac Quintero

East 1 – Steve Elder

East 2 – Mark Charlesworth

Southwest 1 – Garlynn Woodsong

Southwest 2 – Daniel Greenstadt

Northwest 1 – Isham “Ike” Harris

Northwest 2 – Ashley McKinney

 At Large 1 – Robert Bowles

At Large 2 – Donn Dennis

At Large 3 – Joe Culhane

At Large 4 – Ali Novak

At Large 5 – Chris Dopez

At Large 6 – Truls Neal

 
 

7:05 – 7:10 pm

 

  

CONSENT AGENDA Approval/Amend Prior Board Meetings Minutes

 
7:11 – 7:20 pm

 

 Treasurer’s Report
7:20 – 7:35 pm Public Comment (limited to 3 min per speaker)
 

7:36 – 7:45 pm

  

Old Business

Demolition of 4907 NE 35th Ave.

Policies and Procedures Committee Folow-up

 
 
7:45 – 8:15 pm New Business

 

1.    Installation of New Board Members

2.    Review of Board Members obligations regarding attendance and participation

3.    Recommendations for 2016 Goals and Objectives

4.    Request to support Overlook Neighborhood association letter

5.    Funding Spring Egg Hunt

6.    Yard Sale Status (No Organizer at this time)

7.    Board Member assignment to committees and programs to take place in 2016 (i.e. who will serve on neighborhood clean up or summer concerts

8.    Review of Board Member Participation and Attendance Requirements.

9.    What will the focus or speaker for March General Meeting

10. Volunteers for General Meeting (welcome, place large General Meeting   announcing meeting)

11. Proposal for Meet the Chair at 6

 
8:00 – 8:30pm Community and Committee Reports (Each Committee to please provide written Summary for each board member, prefer report submitted prior to meeting with discussion reserved for meeting)

1. Media Committee   2. Land Use Committee   3.   Social Committee

4. Clean-Up Committee   5.   Roles & responsibilities Committee 6. Policies and Procedures Committee

 
  Meeting Guidelines

1.      Stay within agreed time (Option: Decision to add time)

2.      Stay on topic (Option: Parking lot)

3.      Voice a solution if you voice a concern (Upgrade: Seek solutions to address ALL concerns)

4.      Avoid personal attacks (Upgrade: Notice and care about the effect your words have on others)

 

Spring Egg Hunt – Saturday, March 26th, 10am SHARP! – Fernhill Park

Posted on by Posted in Events

Back by popular demand and pure awesomeness!

Please Join Us for the

SPRING EGG HUNT
SATURDAY, MARCH 26
FERNHILL PARK
(Near the Playground along NE 37th Avenue)

The Hunt begins at 10 am SHARP!
Don’t be late, it ends in a flash!

Sponsored by:

The Concordia Neighborhood Association & American Legion Post 134

Volunteers Needed To:

  • Stuff 5000 plastic eggs with candy
    Friday, March 25th at 6:00 pm at American Legion Post 134
    2104 NE Alberta St
  • Hide 5000 candy-filled eggs
    March 25th at 8:00 A.M. at Fernhill Park (NE 37th & Ainsworth)

Contact: Katie Ugolini or 503-449-9690

springegg         eggs

Emergency Preparedness Event: Map Your Neighborhood – Feb 22nd

Posted on by Posted in Events

Emergency Preparedness Event: Map Your Neighborhood
NECN Office, 4815 NE 7th Ave
February 22, 6:30pm

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Join the Safety and Livability Team on a FREE hands-on workshop to map and identify your neighborhood’s risks, hazards, and assets. We’ll kick off the event with a showing of the documentary “Unprepared”, and then move straight to learning about how to think about and identify hazards and assets in your area.

Free Heart-Healthy Classes in Concordia

Posted on by Posted in Events, Health and Wellness

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Concordia’s New Seasons Market is partnering with National College of Natural Medicine in Portland for a free heart-healthy class and a tour of the Concordia store with a New Seasons Market nutritionist.

The class, titled Heart Health and Wellness: Know Your Numbers! will be held  Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 7p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. The presenter is Dr. Cesilie Cocks, a naturopathic doctor from the NCNM Clinic. Information will be provided to help attendees understand why cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and other cardiovascular markers are important to understand and track. Participants will learn how to better interpret their lab values, and also about supplements and nutritional strategies that might be beneficial for cardiovascular wellness.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 7p.m. to 8 p.m., a New Seasons nutritionist will lead a tour of the store, with an emphasis on heart healthy foods.

Both classes are free, but registration is encouraged. Visit www.newseasonsmarket.com to sign up or for more information.

The Murals of The Black United Fund

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News, Local Businesses

When you walk by the Black United Fund’s building at 28th and NE Alberta you can’t miss noticing a recently completed 25 x 100 ft mural that swirls across its west side facing wall. The vibrant mural honors iconic women of the civil rights movement.

Vox Siren, a Creative Change Agency that focuses on promoting gender equity and ArtUprising, a non-profit that connects artists and non-profit organizations working to dismantle institutional oppression partnered with the Black United Fund of Oregon on the mural.

Black United Fund, Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon
Photos courtesy of Carl Jameson

The Black United Fund of Oregon is the only black-owned, community specific nonprofit that operates and owns its building and property on Alberta Street. The organization’s mission is to assist in the social and economic development of Oregon’s low-income communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups.

Kimberlee Sheng, the Executive Director of Black United Fund provided leadership in the creative design said, “As a child growing up the women depicted on this mural were major inspirations in life; they embodied the vision I held for myself, and the determination that was required to create real and lasting change.”

Artists Eatcho and Jeremy Nichols collaborated on the mural that features historical figures of Coretta Scott King, Ruby Bridges, Ruby Dee, Angela Davis, and Maya Angelou. “These women, along with countless others- some who will never be named, opened many doors of opportunity for both women and men, and have had a tremendous impact on how communities of color navigate “systems” of inequity,” Sheng said.

Murals of the Black United Fund, Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon

There is another important person represented in the mural: a young girl stands below the image of Maya Angelou and reflects on her predecessors. She represents a generation boldly ready to continue the legacy of powerful leadership. Sheng said, “In our more than 30-years of operation, the organization has always been lead by women therefore it is fitting that this mural would pay tribute to a few of the iconic black women of the civil rights movement. Upholding a beacon of hope for all, these historical women stood alongside our brothers and numerous communities involved in the struggle, just as we still do today.”

The mural was supported by the Public Arts Murals Program, administered by Regional Arts and Culture Council. Watch a video “A Voice to be Thankful For” created by Vox Siren about the mural.

There’s more murals to come for the building. Alberta Art Works, an organization that supports the neighborhood’s art, artists, performers and creatives, commissioned six 8 x 8 foot murals for the building’s Alberta Street side.

Murals of the Black United Fund, Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon
The murals will tell the story of Alberta Street’s history, economic growth and diversity. Two murals are complete, two are in progress and the rest are scheduled to be completed in Spring 2016.