Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

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Filling Station, four-footers celebrate 15 years

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

What’s in a name?

Filling Station employees take pride in sharing their knowledge and resources with customers. They are (front left to right) Brittany Simler and Laura Amiton, (rear left to right) Anna Ilchak, Blue Thomas and Yolin May. (Not pictured: Bear Raphael, Angelica Delima, Austyn Harris and Britney Byington) Photo by Raymond Crabtree

Laura Amiton chose The Filling Station for the name of her 2001 N.E. Alberta St. pet store, “to emphasize our ability to fill the needs of pets and their owners for nutritious and healthful food and treats.”

The pet supply store has been true to that mission for 15 years, and she hopes to continue to serve the community for years to come. Laura remembers in the very beginning her first location on Alberta was surrounded by empty lots and store fronts.

Growing with the neighborhood has been a source of pride. She values the sense of community, and it is evident in the number of her patrons, including four-legged ones.

Employee Yolin May estimated about 40-60 dogs a day visit the store along with their owners. They come for the treats and attention from the staff. Yolin said there are some interesting pet visitors, listing a hedgehog and a pig that did tricks.

The store’s tag line, “Feed the love” is apparent in the array of dietary options for a variety of special-needs nutrition related to skin allergies, grain sensitivities and digestive health.

All the employees are knowledgeable about the products stored on the shelves and can provide resources for most questions concerning the family pet.

“We work closely with local vets and recognize that natural products are most pet owners’ choice,” Laura explained. “I believe good nutrition is the secret to a pet’s long and active life.”

Anna Ilchak, purchasing manager, added, “We get really attached to our pet visitors. We know most of their names and their favorite treats. Many are on special diets related to diabetes, obesity and cancer, so checking in with them on their progress is rewarding.”

Healthy food and petting perks aren’t the only love being shared at the store. A variety of chew toys and activity-treat puzzles are also available.

Winter coats and rain gear for pup sizes miniature to extra-large are in stock, as well as leashes, collars, halters and a variety of devices to walk your pet comfortably and safely.

Laura stressed the local community is The Filling Station’s focus, so the store provides the best service she can and products she finds available to pet lovers in the store and online. And its merchandise is available for same-day delivery through TFSPets.com.

Kathy Crabtree lives near Fernhill Park and enjoys the constant flow of dogs happily on their way to romp off leash. In real life she is a nursing professor. In her dreams she is the creator of a series of mystery adventures of a retired female lawyer/judge of a certain age – to be named at a latter date. Contact her at KCrabtree4320@att.net.

Neighbors help transform Ainsworth median

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

About 60 volunteers turned out during on-and-off rain showers in February to turn two blocks of the Ainsworth Street median into an attractive, self-sustaining habitat corridor. Among them were neighbors Roger Smith and Sandra Wilborn. Photo by Autumn Lindseth

A project that will benefit the environment plus the watershed and habitat – as well as the community – drew plenty of neighborhood interest and effort in February.

About 60 neighbors and nearby residents came out for three hours to turn the two blocks of the Ainsworth Street median – between 22nd and 24th avenues – into an attractive, self-sustaining habitat corridor.

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council organized the Stewardship Saturday in this pilot project. Eventually, it will connect Alberta Park’s nature trail that’s due for expansion and one planned for Fernhill Park. (See 2017 CNews report on Alberta Park.)

“We bit off a chunk we knew we could finish,” reported Max Samuelson, interim stewardship director. The dynamics worked well, so the next event will move east to the next two blocks. That’s planned for early next year after the first effort is assessed to determine if plantings thrived and/or if tweaks to the plan are needed.

The 15-block, 25-foot-wide median receives tending only at the mercy of neighbors, and its grass and weeds aren’t always attractive. They also don’t stop storm runoff that picks up pollutants to flood and send sewer overflows into basements and streets and/or flow into the Columbia watershed.

Native shrubs, trees, grasses and rushes comprised the 1,700 plants chosen for their low maintenance and deep rooting abilities – as well as their habitat for birds, wildlife and pollinators.

The project is a partnership between the watershed council, Portland bureaus of environmental services and transportation, Audubon Society of Portland and Wisdom of the Elders.

Enthusiasm for the project wasn’t limited to the volunteers Feb. 8. “People were sticking their hands out of the cars, honking their horns and cheering us on as we were planting,” Max reported.

He hopes community interest continues for future plantings, and especially this summer for the first two blocks.

“We’re looking to the same and more neighborhood heroes,” he said. “Although the native plants we installed are intended to sustain themselves, they’ll need watering, weeding and probably mulching to get them through their first year.

For details, contact Rachel.Walsh@ColumbiaSlough.org.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters

Substation expansion towers above neighbors

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Steve Elder | CNA Media Team

Michael and Linda Kelsaw have a new view from their back yard. Pacific Power’s Kennedy Substation came out of mothballs beginning last autumn with an expansion plan that caught neighbors by surprise. Additionally, a mix of new wood and steel power poles will replace old ones on 41st Avenue. Photo by Chris Baker

Pacific Power began reconstruction of its dormant Kennedy Substation last September. But the utility neglected to advise neighbors in advance of its expansion plans to fill the growing energy needs of northeast Portland.

.So the plans and the lack of notice have continued to be the talk of the neighborhood for months.

According to Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power spokesman, the utility is installing one transformer and three distribution voltage circuit breakers. Efforts include associated steel structures and wires on 41st Avenue to tap into the existing northeast Portland transmission system and provide three new sources to serve the neighborhood.

“We are not removing any facilities, but are replacing some existing distribution and transmission wood poles with a mixture of wood and steel poles to make the new connection,” he said.

Neighbors reported they were surprised and dismayed when the substation reconstruction began, including a 52-foot structure. “We are developing a better protocol for providing notice to the neighborhood before work commences again,” the utility spokesman said.

A letter responding to their questions and concerns was sent by Pacific Power, following a meeting of those neighbors.

It addresses noise, landscaping, street repairs and more. Under consideration is building a wall between the substation and adjacent houses to buffer light and sound.

The letter goes into such details as the fate of the existing cherry tree on Emerson and removal of the dead tree on 42nd Avenue.

Pacific Power submitted a draft of a “good neighbor agreement” at a Feb. 27 meeting with neighbors. It calls for monitoring noise and electromagnetic fields, a commitment to consider constructing a shell around the site, solar storage at St. Charles Church and a $25,000 annual grant for energy related projects in the area.

The utility also offered to pave the section of Emerson Street between 42nd and 41st avenues, but neighbors declined, saying their property taxes would be impacted.

Those commitments are not enough for neighbor Rebecca Marshall.

“My concern all along has been the enormity of this ‘upgrade,’” she pointed out. “This substation is a major change to the way our neighborhood looks, and we are also concerned about our health and loss of property value.

“We are also concerned about the noise this will make when it is fully energized.”

Other potentially impacted residents expressed concern about noise and lights left on all night. So the utility pledged to contain noise to levels governed by city code and to install motion sensors for security lighting.

Steve Elder, East2@ ConcordiaPDX.org, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch.

This garden grows self-esteem and more

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Gardening

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Amoreena Guerrero (left), Youth Grow manager at Growing Gardens, and “Garden Lady” Betsy Lattig find joy in the Faubion School garden, and in teaching students about gardening and more. Photo by Marsha Sandman

Walking through the Faubion K-8 School playground at 2930 N.E. Dekum St., a covered asphalt area is scattered with a riot of colorful flowers and the words “Plants Rule.”

On this winter day the flowers are drawn in chalk. But soon planting should start in the Faubion garden, which has 20 raised beds.

This is evidence that Betsy Lattig, known as “The Garden Lady” at Faubion is having a positive impact on the students. Betsy comes from Growing Gardens, a local nonprofit organization with garden programs in 10 schools throughout Portland.

The organization’s website sums it up, “Youth Grow provides hands-on education in school gardens to help all children feel accepted and empowered to make healthy choices, become stewards of the environment, share their culture and increase community resiliency.”

The program integrates science, biology, sociology, healthy eating, cooking and other core subjects with outdoor education. As a year-round educator, Betsy starts the gardening journey with classroom visits.

She facilitates intercultural and inter-generational community building through events and workshops, and in the garden as students plant and nurture their crops.

Students often eat straight from the garden, and families are invited to harvest during the summer.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to deliver hands-on garden lessons in the Faubion community,” Betsy said. “I’ll be taking students outside during the school day, as well as during a Schools Uniting Neighborhoods programming, to delve into garden education.

“We’ll be growing food, eating fruits and veggies, doing creative projects, and growing a program based on the needs and visions of the Faubion community.”

Volunteers are a vital part of Growing Gardens, because they also mentor and donate plant starts to in-need Faubion families for three years to grow home gardens and develop healthy eating habits.

In addition, the harvested produce is donated to the school cafeteria, school-based food pantries and families.

The students also attend cooking classes, taste test their own recipes, and the more popular recipes are shared with other Portland school lunchrooms.

Growing Gardens is funded by donations, grants and fundraising dinners hosted by local chefs. During the first two weeks of April, Faubion plans to host a plant sale.

Orders are taken in the school office and at CharityAuction.bid/FaubionPlantSale. Plant delivery is scheduled May 8, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Growing a garden not only cultivates plants. It also grows self-esteem, healthy bodies, and environmental awareness, according to Betsy. So she advises getting your hands dirty.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@ gmail.com.

Our 42nd changes faces, not the mission

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Dan Werle | CNA Media Team

Eduardo “Edy” Martinez hit the street running in January, taking the helm of Our 42nd Avenue. With the departure of Michael DeMarco from the organization, and Edy’s arrival, the eight-year-old prosperity initiative district also melded its efforts with Native American Youth and Family Center.

Our 42nd Avenue is a local organization whose stated mission is to “cultivate economic opportunity to achieve a prosperous, diverse 42nd Avenue community.”

It’s been fulfilling that role since it gained nonprofit status eight years ago as one of seven Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative districts in Portland, and one of two in Cully. In 2016, The Portland Mercury featured it in a story headlined “NE 42nd Is Portland’s New Restaurant Row.”

The district is bordered by Lombard and Shaver streets, and 33rd and 55th avenues.

In January, Our 42nd Avenue’s longtime executive director, Michael DeMarco, stepped down from his position to create Genuity Economic Development, a consulting firm housed on 42nd Avenue.

Although Michael retains an advisory role with Our 42nd Avenue, Eduardo “Edy” Martinez officially took over as the group’s district manager Jan. 7.

Edy grew up in northern California with six sisters and a brother. He enjoyed volunteering and working at the local summer camp. He earned a degree in recreation and administration from California State University, Chico before moving to Portland.

He has spent 16 years working to improve communities, most recently as a Schools Uniting Neighborhoods school manager, where he assisted organizing nutrition, medical, dental and educational programs for nearby students and their families.

Edy speaks with a calm, measured, confidence, and he exudes leadership and optimism. He is enthusiastic about Our 42nd Avenue’s priorities.

“We are focused on creating generational wealth, looking at barriers differently and figuring out how to knock them down.” Additionally, he is excited about the opportunities he has for learning about and serving the community.

Edy’s arrival is not the only significant change the new year ushered in for Our 42nd Avenue. The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) is now Our 42nd Avenue’s umbrella organization.

The two groups had been discussing a merger for several months prior to the decision. Both share similar visions, and perform similar work. The size, strength and organizational structure of NAYA provided Our 42nd Avenue an opportunity to sharpen its focus, and more efficiently use its available resources.

With Michael’s departure, and Edy’s arrival, both organizations believed it was an optimal time to make the change.

Edy looks forward to building relationships within the 42nd Avenue community and continuing the steady progress Our 42nd Avenue has made.

He’s officed at 4213 N.E. 42nd Ave., and you can reach him via email at Edy@42ave.org. It’s best to advise him before dropping in. “If I’m doing my job right, I won’t be in the office very much.”

Dan Werle lives in Concordia with his wife, Anna, and their dogs.

Park ranger is local mystery author’s heroine

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Kathy Crabtree | CNA Media Team

Kathleen Cocannon’s novel, “Deadly Bluff” takes place in multiple national parks. A conservationist, the author pays tribute to President Teddy Roosevelt for founding the network of national parks. Photo by Lloyd Kimeldorf

A mystery set in a fictional national park filled with native folklore, vivid scenery and political intrigue is a perfect read for a rainy day in the Northwest.

In “Deadly Bluff,” local author Kathleen Cocannon’s heroine park ranger, Dana Madison, leads a mismatched team attempting to decipher clues of connected deaths at multiple national park sites.

Even more baffling is the fact the deaths have spanned multiple years. In a recent interview, Kathleen explained the addition of several separate chapters of historical significance by including Teddy Roosevelt’s influence on her story.

“President Roosevelt is considered the founder of the national park system. As a conservationist myself, I wanted to honor his creation and acknowledge his preservation of the sacred lands of the Northwest tribes.”

While the actions of the team lead the reader closer to solving the mystery, it is the descriptive scenes that capture the imagination. In every chapter there is evidence of Kathleen’s appreciation for the beauty of mountain trails.

As Dana hikes the footpaths, it is as if the reader is beside her, sharing her thoughts. Kathleen admits to having run a few miles of trails in her youth and continues to walk them whenever given the chance.

The book’s premise that heroine Dana was a Denver detective before becoming a national park ranger is something that Kathleen admits was not part of her wheelhouse of knowledge.

Having never been a policewoman, or a ranger, she credits a desire to emulate the strengths she admires in herself and other women. Although Dana is decisive, she is vulnerable – having endured previous struggles leading her to question her budding relationship with Dodge, one of the park carpenters.

That attraction complicates separating the good guys from the villains. Readers will commiserate with her as they, too, will question whom to trust as the story progresses.

Kathleen meets with a group of writers every couple weeks to critique and review each other’s work. She credits their support and includes them in the book’s acknowledgements.

Several years ago she had an agent marketing a previous novel and, although close to a contract, it didn’t materialize.

She self-published this book and credits the Northwest Independent Writers Association with decreasing the learning curve related to that effort.

Will there be more adventures of Dana’s team, including the attractive Dodge? She nodded. “I’m sure there will be.”

“The Deadly Bluff” is available at Amazon.com.

Kathy Crabtree lives near Fernhill Park and enjoys the constant flow of dogs happily on their way to romp off leash. In real life she is a nursing professor. In her dreams she is the creator of a series of mystery adventures of a retired female lawyer/judge of a certain age – to be named at a latter date. Contact her at KCrabtree4320@att.net.

LUTC Update – Censuses report Concordia’s changing face

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

By Garlynn Woodsong | CNA Board Member, SW1, CNA LUTC Chair

This year is a decennial census year in which a count is conducted of every person living in the United States, including the collection of short-form information about each. Once the census forms are collected, they then must be tabulated, analyzed, tabulated and published, a process that takes another couple of years.

Check out the changes between 2000 and 2010 census data for our neighborhood profile, published by the Population Research Center at Portland State University.

In the year 2000, our population was 9,564 people; in 2010, it was 9,550 people, a loss of 14 people. The average household size decreased from 2.44 to 2.36, the average family size from 2.98 to 2.82, and the number of vacant housing units increased from 143 to 166, likely related to the great recession.

With 23 additional vacant homes in the neighborhood, a loss of 14 people seems surprisingly low. The total number of homes in Concordia increased by 89 from 3,921 in 2000 to 4,001 in 2010.

Similarly, from 2000 to 2010, the total number of households in the neighborhood went up, from 3,760 to 3,835. And yet, the number of families went down, from 2,231 to 2,052, even as the number of nonfamily households increased from 1,538 to 1,783 and the total group quarters population increased from 354 to 502.

So Concordia saw an increase in homes, which balanced out shrinking household sizes and an increase in vacancies. It also likely saw an increase in the student population at Concordia University, contributing to the rise in group quarters population.

It was, however, a neighborhood that was becoming less diverse. In 2000, Concordia was 63.3% white, 31.9% black, 2.5% American Indian, 4.5% Asian, and 5.2% Hispanic. By 2010, it had lost 1,271 black people, along with smaller losses of every other race except white people, of whom there was an increase of 1,265, and hispanic people, the population of whom increased by 132.

By 2010, Concordia was 76.7% white, 18.7% black, and 6.6% Hispanic, with less than a 0.3% change in the population of any other race.

From 2000 to 2010, the population of children ages 5 to 14 years (ages that might attend Vernon School, for instance) declined by 464, a very significant ratio of the total population of that school of 522. Over the same time period, Concordia saw an increase of 563 people ages 25 to 44, and 369 people aged 55 to 69, bringing the median neighborhood age up from 33.7 to 35.4.

Concordia’s 854 acres saw the absolute population density of 11.2 persons per acre, or 7,166 persons per square mile, remain unchanged from 2000 to 2010. Overall, it’s a stable, mature neighborhood, where incremental change generally occurs slowly, except for the rapid loss of black people from 2000 to 2010, and a likely associated loss of school-age children.

I’ll be very curious to see what kinds of changes the results of the 2020 census reveal to us about our neighborhood. Won’t you?

Please fill out your census form this year, and then we’ll wait for the results and the answers they bring to these questions!

Garlynn Woodsong lives on 29th Avenue, serves on the CNA board and is an avid bicyclist. He also is a dad who is passionate about the city his son will inherit. He is the planning + development partner with Cascadia Partners LLC, a local urban planning firm. Contact him at LandUse@ConcordiaPDX.org.

Alberta Street is all abuzz with gallery move

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Pepe Moscoso says moving his Blind Insect gallery here from southeast Portland is like coming home. Alberta Street was where he first displayed his artwork 12 years ago. Photo by Carrie Wenninger

For Pepe Moscoso, owner, curator and visual artist at Blind Insect, the recent move is a bit like coming home to an old friend. The multicultural art gallery opened at 2841 N.E. Alberta St.

When his southeast Division Street landlord decided to sell the building that housed the gallery, it offered Alberta Street a chance to work its synchronistic magic. Enter the proprietors of La Bonita, friends of Pepe, who suggested the vacant storefront adjoining their taqueria.

The vibrantly colored mural splashed across the building and the sunny southern exposure made it an easy decision.

So did Pepe’s longtime connection to Concordia’s art scene, which began 12 years prior through Allan Oliver, founder of the now-shuttered Onda Arte Latina gallery.

Featuring fine artists from Latin America and holding art openings on Last Thursdays, Onda was the first gallery to open its doors to Pepe’s work. And, when Blind Insect held its grand opening here last July, Allan was there to welcome him back.

Visitors are drawn into the small – but rich-with-curious-eye-and-soulgrabbing-art – space, the very opposite of a traditionally sparse and white-walled gallery. That space is split 50-50 between gallery and gift shop offerings with prices starting at just a few dollars. This is a place to taste affordable art and then develop your palate.

“Art helps us connect to our emotions. In the end, it’s a conversation that happens here,” Pepe said. He makes sure to photograph happy customers with their purchases. Those photos are featured on BlindInsect.com, partly to show the artist where his or her work has gone.

“An artist’s work is their baby,” he said. “It’s nice to know who now has your baby.”

He believes the name Blind Insect strikes a chord, and it has proven to be a strong marketing element. It recalls arriving in a new country and feeling blind to the culture, food and language.

It also touches on the alien-like nature of insects, as well as a childhood taunt, “mosca” – Spanish for “fly” – based on his surname, Moscoso.

The gallery accepts work from people of color, emerging artists and professional artists, which is to say: everyone. Online sales are in the works, as is a joint program with Pacific Northwest College of Art to offer student internships.

His message for neighbors? “Stop by, please keep supporting multicultural artists and, if you are an artist, we want to see your work.”

Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.

March, 2020 CNA LUTC Will Be Virtual-Only — No In-Person Meeting

Posted on by Posted in Land Use & Transportation
For our March CNA LUTC meeting, we won’t be meeting in person but instead will have a call-in number and web video link set up, with screen sharing capabilities.
With COVID-19 out in the community, it’s not worth the risk of exposure for us to meet in person this month.
The meeting will be publicized on our website and Facebook page; the web tools will be open to all neighbors to use to participate, not just committee members:
Web: meet.google.com/ocg-wgut-iki
Phone: ‪+1 316-512-3077‬ PIN: ‪417 604 919‬#
See attached for the draft agenda.
Looking forward to discussing next week.

Practice offers mix of treatment alternatives

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News
A garden is due in the back yard of YesYes Healing Garden next summer. For now, John Kozel and Katherine Sullivan direct patients up these stairs to the bathroom to enjoy greenery planted in the claw foot tub. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

John Kozel believes the opioid epidemic is stemming in Oregon. He’s encouraged by the increase of medical providers willing to prescribe pain management protocols with less emphasis on addictive drugs.

Effective alternatives include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, craniosacral techniques, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, cupping and gua sha.

Those are provided by YesYes Healing Garden (YYHG), a business he co-founded last year at 1626 N.E. Alberta St.

John earned a master’s degree from the College of Oriental Medicine, is a licensed acupuncturist, offers Chinese herbal consultations and manages the acupuncture and wellness practice.

Two licensed massage therapists also ply their skills, and one of them offers interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients.

John and co-founder Katherine Sullivan are making YYHG into an inclusive and accessible wellness practice.

“We reach out to the underserved, those who often have not been treated respectfully by other medical communities,” Katherine said.

The two-story building is on a rise above the Alberta Street sidewalk. A ramp is planned for this summer for easier physical accessibility.

Convenience is assured by walk-in hours for massage. And financial accessibility is the hallmark of Saturday and Sunday drop-in community acupuncture sessions.

Treatment is made more affordable for many because YYHG accepts health insurance. “Many policies cover acupuncture, and people just don’t realize it,” Katherine pointed out.

For John, the discovery of the benefits of healing arts came during his college days as a pre-med student in Vermont. There, he lived and worked for three years within an intentional community where he received intensive training in mindfulness and Taoist qi gong.

“I began to think there was a different way,” explained John, who moved to Portland in 2013 for his studies.

He isn’t surprised when out-oftowners visiting the Alberta Arts District drop in. “Some have their luggage and are on their way to the airport,” he reported. “Then they go home and seek this out.”

Katherine’s move to Portland from Virginia six years ago was for the culture and progressiveness.

“It was four years ago I learned respect for alternative healing practices,” Katherine said. The poet, editor and book publisher sustained an injury to her back that caused pain and reduced mobility in one arm. Neither were helped by physical therapy, but quickly responded to acupuncture.

She selected the name of the new practice. It carries the moniker of YesYes Books, her publishing company, which promotes poetry, literature and art for healing.

“Both projects are all about affirmation.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.