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Author Archives: Web Manager

Parkways wheels through Concordia Sept. 22

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Events

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Again this year, riders of all sizes are expected to wheel their way on all types of non-motorized wheels in NE Sunday Parkways. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

Every September thousands of Portlanders arrive on wheels to ride the 7.6-mile loop of city streets that connect four Concordia-area parks in NE Sunday Parkways.

They return Sunday, Sept. 22. Neighbors move their cars to where they can access them on other streets, or they simply plan to be part of the annual event between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Rebecca and Nick O’Neil on Ainsworth Street, and Nell Westerlund and Bryce Tolene on 37th Avenue didn’t realize they’d be on the route when they bought their homes five and four years ago, respectively.

“We’d lived in Portland 20 years and participated in some of the Sunday Parkways around town,” Rebecca said. “But being on the route came as a surprise, a welcome one.”

“We were excited when we realized it,” Nell recalled. “We have always participated in Sunday Parkways in some form, changing every year as the kids’ abilities grow.”

Last year her children drew bike art in the driveway. This year they plan to sell vegetables from their garden after they finish their own circuit of the loop.

Rebecca’s and Nick’s daughter was born shortly after they moved here, and each year pictures record her maturing – from a bike trailer, to training wheels and last year to just two wheels.

Friends participating in the event – and even ones who don’t – gather in the O’Neils’ front yard to watch and to interact with passersby.

Before and after their own ride around the loop, the O’Neils’ daughter sells lemonade, or gives away flowers and fruit from their garden.

The story’s much the same for the Westerlund/Tolene family.

“We embrace the event by having a party in our front yard,” Nell explained.

“It’s become like a holiday tradition. We let our friends know we’ll be out front if they want to stop for a drink or a snack and, as a bonus, we always get to see people we didn’t know would be out biking. We flag them down, and they join the party.”

This section of Concordia also gets plenty of traffic in the spring and summer since Fernhill Park – with its egg hunt and concert series – is only a stone’s throw.

“We see those as more opportunities to take the event and expand on it since we live so close,” Nell reported.

Rebecca agreed. She and Nick invite friends from outside Concordia to the park events.

“It’s a statement of how the neighborhood is so desirable, since our friends like to come and experience it with us.”

Editor’s note: Click here for details about NE Sunday Parkways and the route.

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

KISS proffers simple pleasures

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Sarah and Trae Pearson keep it sweet and simple at their new enterprise on 30th Avenue, KISS Coffee. In less than two months, they’ve earned a local following. Photo by Carrie Wenninger

Couple Trae and Sarah Pearson have a playful, long-standing habit of bantering around small business ideas. They came up with the concept for KISS Coffee three years ago.

However, when Trae’s mother brought to their attention the businessfor-sale listing she had seen online, the conversation shifted quickly from dream to possibility. On June 9, the cafe door at 3016 N.E. Ainsworth St. opened and KISS Coffee became a reality.

This tiny yet inviting retail space was formerly the Cottage Pantry, and had previous incarnations as a massage studio, a flower shop and another coffee shop.

Executive chef and sous chef respectively, Trae and Sarah worked together previously at Westwind, a nonprofit camp for kids on the Oregon coast.

There they enjoyed the challenge of crafting the ingredients on hand into innovative and delicious fare while using seasonal variety and avoiding waste.

They bring the same philosophy and creativity to their coffee business.

For those deeply involved in a relationship with caffeine, the name conjures up warm, desirous feelings for that dark and brewing elixir.

Turns out it’s less about romance and more about straight-up good stuff without the fuss.

“KISS, the way we’ve envisioned it, stands for ‘keep it sweet and simple,’” Trae said. “You start with a solid base, which means using good beans. We source ours from Seven Virtues, another small, local business.

“Then offer simple but interesting food options.”

Their flavoring syrups are made from scratch, and there are plans for a small kitchen. “We’d like to have grab-n-go salads, standard and reliable options, and a few seasonal and rotating items to keep things engaging,” Sarah added.

Both have years of coffee industry experience, and Sarah also works as office manager at Icicle Tricycles.

Their home brewing method of choice? “French press,” they said in perfect unison.

Opening at 7:30 a.m. weekdays has brought in early rising Concordia University students. And neighbors have been welcoming, enjoying outdoor cafe tables when weather allows since there’s no indoor seating option. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekends.

“The connections that coffee makes are a big part of the enjoyment for us,” Sarah shared. “We are very excited to become part of the community and to be good neighbors.”

KISS Coffee hosts a Concordia Neighborhood Association mixer Sept. 21, but you’re welcome to stop by sooner to sample the sweet and simple selections.

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.

CNA Voices – Dog treats create community

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News

By John McSherry CNA Board, AL3 | CNA Media Team

Each day, neighbors walking their dogs down 29th Avenue between Ainsworth and Holman streets stop in the middle of the block, open a little glass door, take dog treats from a jar and make happy dogs.

We stock this Little Free Library box in the front of our house. Instead of books, it’s full of dog treats, poop bags and a little guest book.

Since my wife Theresa and I love dogs and the dog culture in Concordia, we thought giving cookies to our furry friends would be a fun way to interact with our neighbors and add to our community.

I made the box from a small cabinet drawer I found on the side of the road. I added a slanted roof, some siding from my house and a glass door on the front. I painted the whole thing to match our house and set it on a post in our sidewalk garden.

It’s named after our own dog, Scotty.

Inside there is a shelf separating the cookie jar and guest book on top from the poop bags below. The cookies are Costco chicken and rice premium dog biscuits, broken into smaller pieces. The jar holds about 130 cookies and lasts about a week, which results in about 18 happy dogs a day.

Sometimes the dogs will do tricks for cookies. Some people leave dog-related trinkets, prepaid coffee cards, and several times boxes of cookies have been left on our porch.

The poop bag supply is a collective effort, with neighbors adding bags as they can.

People write in the guest book, leaving their names, names of their pups and anecdotes about the garden. When I’m outside, people stop to thank me for the cookies, and I put faces and tails to the names in the guest book.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the guest book:

  • “Thank you for bringing a smile and a tail wag to our day!”
  • “Burt now thinks every Little Lending Library has treats!”
  • “Kodi knows this house from down the street.”
  • “Edan and Otis are delighted by the unexpected treat! Woof!”
  • “I ate so many of your treats (they are delicious!) I refilled your treat box. Love Huey”

Occasionally, haikus are attached to the front of the box or added to the guest book and signed by Haiku Scotty. More photos and stories are on his Instagram account, @HaikuScotty

What fun it is! We’re so grateful to meet so many of our wonderful neighbors, human and canine alike.

John McSherry lives on 29th Avenue and serves on the CNA board and Media Team. When not spending time with his family, John loves playing music, recreating on the water and volunteering. He can be reached at AL3@Concordiapdx.org

Editor’s note: CNA respects the views and beliefs of all cultures and faiths. The views expressed by this writer do not necessarily reflect the views of CNA.

Primrose recommends flower essence energy

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Felicia Howe is a self-described botanical counselor who deals in the subtle art of flower essence energy medicine from her suite on Alberta Street. Photo by Carrie Wenninger

Petite and dark haired with a quick, warm smile, Felicia Howe perched like a wood sprite in a chair in her studio, Primrose Organics Apothecary.

She sipped raspberry leaf and nettle tea from a vintage floral teacup with one hand while the other danced emphatically in the air and gestured toward a busy looking workbench and wall shelving full of mysterious, amber colored, liquid-filled bottles.

Her cozy healing suite in the Alberta Studios building at 1627 N.E. Alberta St., No. 4, opened in June.

“The opportunity presented itself and I just threw myself into the space. It’s slowly revealing to me how I’m going to work here. It’s an evolving process!” she laughed.

A self-described botanical counselor, Felicia deals in the subtle art of flower essence energy medicine. It’s a vocation that, although somewhat hard to explain, seems perfectly at home here in Portland, the City of Roses.

Flower essences, as she described them, can encapsulate the experience of being in nature in much the same way a day at the beach or hiking in the woods can leave you feeling deeply nourished, grounded and peaceful.

Taking the tinctures by mouth – neat or diluted in water – can offer assistance to those undergoing life transitions and can also address feelings of stress and anxiety in a supportive way.

“It’s not herbalism, and it’s not aromatherapy. Flower essences don’t have a scent,” she explained. “They’re liquid extracts that work in a way that’s similar to acupuncture, along the lines of the body’s meridians, on an energetic and vibrational level, to support emotional well-being and mind-body balance.

“I also love that it’s an environmentally-friendly, non-invasive modality. A single flower can infuse a large quantity of water; whereas, a drop of essential oil takes a considerable amount of plant matter to produce.”

An artist, empath and intuitive alchemist, Felicia’s background also includes experience as a stylist, life coach, Reiki practitioner, herbalist and aromatherapist.

“You don’t have to completely understand it to experience it, but you do have to be open and curious,” she pointed out. “There’s an intentional aspect that’s essential to working with flower essences, and it’s a wonderfully effective and gentle way to engage in self-care.”

Primrose Organics Apothecary is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, by appointment only. Call 971.258.8022 to schedule a consultation, or visit FeliciaHowe.com for more information.

Primrose Organics Apothecary

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.

Draft CNA LUTC Agenda for September, 2019

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Land Use & Transportation

Milagros helps change how families connect

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Erica Matteson’s Milagros Boutique has evolved in 15 years from selling necessities to new families to also offering support groups, classes, new parent education and personal services. Photo by Marsha Sandman

Welcome to parenthood… then get ready for the ride of your life. There will be so many questions and challenges but mostly pure joy.

Erica Matteson, Milagros Boutique owner, has created a cozy little spot where Concordia parents can find answers, help, connections and some of those cute little baby necessities.

The store celebrated its 15th anniversary recently. Erica, who has been a birth and postpartum doula for 20 years, purchased the store from the original owner about six years ago.

She recognized the necessity to make changes due to internet competition, so the retail portion of the store was downsized to add more services. Milagros Boutique now includes support groups, classes, new parent education and personal services.

“My desire with Milagros is to provide families in our community a customizable launching ground,” Erica said. “My goal is to walk alongside each family, one on one, on how they come to the information. It is easy to blaze your own trail if you are connected to others who are also learning.”

Erica’s goal is to include her store as a community service. Milagros invites parents with newborns to a welcoming daily retreat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where they can relax, connect to other parents and get support.

She said she got a little teary eyed recently when five parents showed up for the daily group gathering.

Milagros stocks infant carriers, cloth diapers, breastfeeding supplies and locally-made artisan items. “These items connect to the classes taught by either our staff or providers in our local area,” Erica explained.

“Our goal is to have items on hand that lessen that overwhelmed feeling that new parents have when walking into a large baby store. In carriers, we want everyone safe and comfortable. Our cloth diaper rental kits allow families to find a system that works for them and fits the budget.

Newborn feeding takes care and time to become “easy,” and sometimes having that one little product makes the difference.

Milagros offers baby photography, group sessions and individual customizable consultations by appointment through MilagrosBoutique.com.

Erica invites parents to visit Milagros Boutique for a quiet moment from the festivities Sunday, Sept. 8, at the 3-9 p.m. block party on 30th Avenue.

Milagros Boutique is at 5429 N.E. 30th Ave., and the phone number is 503.493.4141. Information about classes, workshops and happenings are on the store’s website.

Milagros Boutique

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.

Ready, Set, Grow offers services to families

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

Movement classes for new moms, along with educational series for parents top the offerings of new 30th Avenue business Ready, Set, Grow. Photo courtesy of Kimmi Burk Photography

Ready Set Grow (RSG) is a new movement, art, education and wellness studio dedicated to families.

Classes are offered for new parents, ones well past postpartum, for parents who didn’t give birth to their children and for kids, including those with sensory and learning differences.

Opened in February, RSG is the creative brainchild of Daniele Strawmyre, a professional dancer, choreographer, yoga instructor and installation artist.

After growing up in Philadelphia, she moved to Portland with partner Mike four years ago. The family – including children Colin and Donavyn, 6 and 3 respectively – purchased a home in north Portland.

Daniele created RSG as a program before she rented space for clients to come to her. After giving birth, she was shocked at how long it took to recover and feel strong again. She wanted to help other mothers recuperate in healthy, nurturing ways.

Those ways include yoga, dance and Pilates-based classes, including some fun ones for parents like “Ballet & Babies,” “Ma-ma Modern Dance,” and “Core Baby Bounce.”

Not only are there movement classes, there are educational series for parents as well as childbirth education, baby sign language and baby sleep classes. For class lists, schedules and events, visit AndReadySetGrow.com or call Danielle at 503.505.6989.

Often, in other schools’ classes, once the child reaches a certain age or ability, it’s difficult to find anything for the parents with kids still present or allowed. RSG’s offerings include classes that are for parents of kids of all ages.

As for children’s classes, they range from “Kids Contemporary” to “StoryTime Ballet” and “Wild Force Kids Yoga” in this cozy space at 5433 N.E. 30th Ave. That’s next door to Milagros, one of RSG’s several collaborators in serving local young families. See the CNews story about Milagros’ 15th anniversary on Page 8.

Art events are also hosted at RSG. One is the art gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. the last Thursday of every month. That’s when the art on the walls is changed out.

“It’s really important for me to support artists as well as parents and families,” Daniele said.

In fact, she’s looking forward to the opportunity to host dance, theater and music events, and she would like to rent the space to dancers in need of rehearsal space.

Ready Set Grow

Tamara Anne Fowler is Edit Kitten, a writer with 20-plus years of experience offering a sof ter, gentler approach to editing and coaching. Her personal editors — Armani, Max Factor and Spicey’D — are also her cats. Visit her at EditKitten.com or contact her at Tamara@EditKitten. com.

Eat, drink, dance and repeat at block party

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Events

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Businesses planning their annual block party on 30th Avenue expect this year’s attendance to exceed the 1,000 neighbors who came last year. Photo by Josh Chang

Get ready to put your food, drink and dance on. Local businesses invite you to their 10th annual block party on 30th Avenue between Emerson and Jarrett streets.

Both 30th Avenue blocks will be closed to vehicles Sunday, Sept. 8, from 3 to 9 p.m.

This area is also known as Foxchase.

Curious? That’s what the recorded plat said in 1889 when Alberta Street was a dirt track. Read some interesting and unusual facts about Foxchase, here.

The event is sponsored by the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) and Dayna McErlean, with additional support and involvement from the other local vendors.

Dayna is a longtime Concordian and a well-known Portland restaurateur. She is the developer and owner of Yakuza Izakaya, D.O.C. and Nonna Tavern, all on 30th between Emerson and Jarrett.

“This celebration is all about community – building it, nurturing it, promoting it,” Dayna explained. She is a creative visionary dedicated to bringing interesting and inspiring businesses to her neighborhood.

The festive block party started 10 years ago as customer appreciation with about 200 people in attendance. Dayna estimated there were 1,000 people there last year and expects even more this year.

It’s an opportunity for folks to sample and learn more about the goods and services offered by the local businesses. There will be complimentary tastes and product samples.

There will also be a variety of musical entertainment curated by Brent Folis, a drummer with Pink Martini. Be prepared to boogey.

All businesses in the two-block radius are invited to participate.

John McSherry, CNA board member, is involved with preparations. He promises a day of kid-friendly fun with a children’s play area and games at Yakuza’s backyard patio.

The block party will be a great chance to mingle with your neighbors and taste all this area has to offer.

A night of food, music, dance, drink and friends. Does it get any better?

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.

CNA Voices – Love is the greatest

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News

By Ike Harris | CNA Board Member

Remember Muhammad Ali, the greatest heavy weight boxer of all time? I do. Those quick hands and feet.

Once upon a time he made this statement. He said to his audience and followers and fans, “I wish you would love everybody the way you show affection for me.”

If we are to be truly great – here at home, across the country and throughout the world – we need to love. I can identify six types of love:

  • Eros: romantic love
  • Philos: affectionate love
  • Philautia: self love
  • Storage: familiar love
  • Pragma: enduring lovetake
  • Agape: unconditional love

That latter – unconditional love – is the greatest. It was important 2,000 years ago and it’s important to achieve today. Look what was said in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, New English Version:

What if I could speak all languages of humans and angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
What if I could prophecy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing unless I loved others.
What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing unless I loved others.
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud or rude.
Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep record of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.
Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting.
Love never fails.
For now there are faith, hope and love, but of these three the greatest is love.

If everyone loved one another with this kind of unconditional love, we would all be the greatest!

Isham “Ike” Harris has served on the Concordia Neighborhood Association Board of Directors for countless years. Husband for 43 years, father of three and grandfather of four, he is a retired postal carrier and a pastor for Upper Room Church.


Editor’s note: CNA respects the views and beliefs of all cultures and faiths. The views expressed by this writer do not necessarily reflect the views of CNA.

Madison project sends students to Marshall

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News, Schools

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Madison High School’s entrance will take on a new look when the school reopens in 2021. While a workforce peaking at 300 transforms the
campus, students will attend classes in the Marshall High School building 3.8 miles to the south. Art courtesy of Portland Public Schools

In a few weeks Madison High School students will pack their schoolbags and head to classes – at Marshall High School. In the meantime, the Madison building is two months into 24 months of renovation and modernization.

The $201.5 million for the project was approved by voters in 2017, along with funds for projects at Kellogg Middle School, and Lincoln and Benson high schools.

“Madison’s proposed modernization will completely reconfigure and update learning spaces with a focus on indoor environmental quality, sustainability and historic preservation,” reported Harry Esteve, Portland Public Schools communications director.

Major items in the project are:

  • Cafeteria, commons and an atrium will connect all major wings and three classroom levels to the main entrance.
  • Science labs will consolidate near the front of the school.
  • Performing arts will move into a stateof-the-art music and theater facility.
  • Community resources will continue to include a child care center, clinic and food pantry.
  • Athletics facilities will feature an entirely new gym building with a 1,700-seat main gym, auxiliary gym, weight room, wrestling/dance room and a new softball field.
  • Career technical education specialty labs – for digital design, engineering, robotics, digital art, biomedical, sculpture, construction and sustainable agriculture – will adjoin new maker space.

Square footage of the school buildings will be 292,000, an increase of 170,000 square feet to accommodate 1,700 students. Enrollment in the 2017-18 school year was 1,146.

General contractor is Fortis Construction Inc., a local, employee-owned firm. Fifty subcontractors and many more second-tier subcontractors will provide a workforce expected to peak at 300.

As for the students during the next two years, assistant vice principal Lajena Broadous said only the Marshall building will be different.

“The same great Madison teachers, staff and programs will be there. There’s even a new turf field and track.”

Depending on where they live, students will use private and/or public transit to commute to Marshall, 3.8 miles south of the Madison campus.

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

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