Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Author Archives: Gordon Riggs

NECN Public Forum on the Columbia River Crossing, Monday, March 7th

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

Come to a Public Forum on the Columbia River Crossing
By George Bruender & David Sweet, Co-chairs, NECN Land Use & Transportation

What do you know about the Columbia River Crossing? Does the I-5 Bridge need to be replaced? Will a new 10-lane bridge solve congestion problems on I-5? Will it cost $3-4 billion, or is it more like $10 Billion? What will the impact be on Northeast Portland neighborhoods? Questions abound; answers are scarce; and the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project keeps grinding along with virtually no public support.

The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods and some individual neighborhoods have publicly stated their opposition asking:

  • That the CRC Commission restudy the alternatives to their current plan engaging and involving all affected neighborhoods in this process.
  • That the leadership of the CRC reconsider the effects of the current plan and look at alternatives that are less expensive, less intrusive on livability, and more viable socially just.
  • And that our elected officials rethink the existing capacity and structure of our whole transportation system in the I-5 corridor.

Are they listening? We plan to find out. Please join us for a Public Forum on the Columbia River Crossing on Monday March 7. We’ve invited many state, regional, and local officials to come and hear what Northeast residents have to say about the CRC, and then to give us their thoughts.

Come learn more about the CRC, share your thoughts with elected officials, and learn where they stand on the most expensive public project ever proposed in this region. This event is co-sponsored by the Concordia Neighborhood Association and the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods.

What: A Public Forum on the Columbia River Crossing
When: Monday, March 7, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Where: Concordia University’s Luther Hall—Room 121 (an ivy-covered building on NE Holman between 27th and 29th.)

Download a map of the Concordia University Campus.

Buy Trees for only $35-$75

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation, Trees, Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up at www.FriendsofTrees.org/BuyTrees.

The $35 to $75 cost per tree includes:

  • assistance in filing a city-required street tree permit
  • the wholesale price of the tree and delivery
  • hole digging, planting assistance, stakes, and follow-up maintenance checks

Friends of Trees offers a wide selection of trees specifically approved for your home’s planting strip:

  • Feb. 12 planting in Boise, Eliot, Humboldt, and King
  • Feb. 19 planting in Kenton and Portsmouth
  • Feb. 19 planting in Cathedral Park, St. Johns, and University Park
  • March 12 planting in Alameda, Irvington, Sabin, and Grant Park
  • March 19 planting in Madison South and Rose City Park
  • March 19 planting in Beaumont-Wilshire, Cully, and Roseway
  • March 26 planting in Concordia and Vernon

What good things grow on trees?

Conservation: Tree shade can cut your energy costs by 35% during the summer. Health: Trees clean our air, water, and soil. A new U.S. Forest Service study in Portland even links tree-lined neighborhoods with healthy newborns.

Community: Tree-lined streets calm and slow traffic. This creates safer neighborhoods and happier people. And money even grows on trees! Planting trees on your property can add $7,000 to the value of your home.

Funding for the plantings comes from Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services and the following sponsors: Jan. 29 in Arbor Lodge and Overlook—Adidas and Portland General Electric; Feb. 12 in Boise, Eliot, Humboldt, and King—Safeway; Feb. 19 in Cathedral Park, St. Johns, and University Park—The Oregonian; March 12 in Alameda, Irvington, Sabin, and Grant Park—Backyard Bird Shop; and March 19 in Beaumont-Wilshire, Cully, and Roseway—Port of Portland. Since 1989, Friends of Trees has planted more than 400,000 trees and native plants in the Portland-metro area. Find your tree at www.FriendsofTrees.org.

CNA February General Meeting

Posted on by Posted in Archive, CNA, Events, Volunteer Opportunities

Please join us for the February CNA General Meeting

Tuesday, February 1, 7 p.m.
McMenamin’s Kennedy School, Community Room

  • Port of Portland – will discuss this summer’s runway closure and the impacts on our neighborhood.
  • Mary Peveto – from the Portland Air Toxic Solutions Advisory Committee will discuss air quality in our neighborhood.
  • Safety and Liveability Team (SALT) will report on this newly formed committee of the NE Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN).

  • Please join us to learn more about your neighborhood and how you can get involved.

Toastmasters Plan an Open House

Posted on by Posted in Archive

The Fortunate 500 Toastmasters Club will host an open-house meeting Tuesday evening, January 25, 2011 at the Kaiser Permanente Central Interstate Building, 3600 N. Interstate, Conference Room 2 D. The special meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m., according to Club President Cathy Young. Reservations are limited, she said, but interested persons may contact Kyle Dukelow at (503) 720-3413 for information.

A complete Toastmasters club meeting will be conducted with prepared and impromptu speeches and speech evaluations. “We believe that the community will enjoy seeing how the club’s communication and leadership development program helps prepare members for higher pay and greater personal recognition,” Club President Cathy Young said. “Members are always interested in showing the residents of North and Northeast Portland how the Toastmasters program can help them become more successful.”

Having trouble paying your mortgage? Know someone who is?

Posted on by Posted in Archive

Mortgage assistance is available to struggling Oregon homeowners, but the program is not being fully utilized because the word is not getting out.

Thousands of Oregon homeowners will have their mortgages paid for up to one year or $20,000. The state of Oregon received federal dollars to help struggling homeowners in our community, but time is running short. Homeowners must apply by January 14, 2011.

If you are a homeowner facing financial difficulties or know someone who is, this program can help. Start by visiting www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org or calling 2-1-1 (or just dial 1-800-SAFENET) to find out if you qualify. The deadline to apply is January 14. The process includes an application and an appointment, so start yours now. There are no costs or fees.

The Multnomah County application center is at the Doubletree Hotel (just off the Lloyd Center MAX stop). Feel free to stop by to learn more. Open Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm and Saturdays 9am – 5pm. Closed Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day. Not in Multnomah County? Call 1-800-SAFENET to find out where to apply.

Have questions about foreclosure or debt? Need legal advice?

Free workshops led by experts are offered at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland (just off the Lloyd Center MAX stop) January 7 – January 15. Topics include foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy & debt collection, tips & training for job seekers, and many others. Visit www.economicfairnessoregon.org for an up-to-date schedule. All workshops are free and open to the public.

January 2011 General Meeting features John McKinney of Columbia Biogas

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Land Use & Transportation

Tuesday, January 4 @ 7:00pm
Concordia University
Luther Hall room 121

Download a map of the Concordia University Campus.

The general meeting this January 4 will be held in Luther Hall room 121 at Concordia University. The topic will be Columbia Biogas (CBG). There will be a presentation by John McKinney, president of the company.