Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Author Archives: Marsha Sandman

Local Chiropractor Opens New Skate Park

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News
New skatepark on NE 30th and Killingsworth is open now. Photos by Leigh Shelton

The first skateboards in the U.S. were started in the late 1940s using wooden boxes, or boards, with roller skate wheels attached to the bottom. Crate scooters preceded skateboards, having a wooden crate attached to the front of the board which was formed with rudimentary handlebars. Soon the boxes turned into planks, similar to the skateboard decks of today.

And now our neighborhood has a new skatepark located near NE Killingsworth and 30th St and adjacent to Jet Black Coffee (5308 NE 30th Ave). Curated and designed lovingly by property owner Thomas Grace and his family, the park design follows the waves and curves influenced by water and their love of nature.

Grace’s friends at Collective Concrete helped him design and create a half pipe four years ago on his 50’ x 100’ vacant lot. After selling his house in 2022, he had the funds to add a wave inspired sculpture to the space. The park and the sculpture will be lovingly dedicated to Grace’s deceased wife, Rachel. She unfortunately passed in 2022 during a recreational water incident. After the dedication, the park will be called the “Rachel Grace Memorial Skate Plaza”. Her memory will live on.

New skatepark on NE 30th and Killingsworth is open now. Photos by Leigh Shelton

Grace remembers that, “There was nothing that Rachel embarked on that she did not master. She cherished her family above all else and made everyone around her feel they were a part of hers. Rachel brought joy and light to everyone who knew her. She was the embodiment of unconditional love.”

Though the park is on private property, Grace allows the public to respectfully use the park. He lives next door to the park and above the coffee shop which he and Rachel once owned. Grace is a local chiropractor and owner of Natural Pain Solutions, adjacent to the building at 3007 NE Emerson St.

The park can be enjoyed by people aged 5 to 65, including Grace’s four sons and stepsons who are 15 to 21 years old. Enjoy your skating but please; no later than 10PM. Have fun!

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.

Deli is one of few in the country to go vegan

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses
Manny Gallardo tends the counter and offers customers bagels and a wide variety of traditional Jewish deli delicacies at Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli. Yes, everything is vegan. Photo by Marsha Sandman

From motorcycles sales to six punk barbershops to operating a bioplastic company to the early years of food carts to bagels, Justin King has the heart of an entrepreneur.

Inspired by his East Coast Jewish Ukrainian-Polish grandparents – Ben and Esther – Justin grew up eating bagels. He went from New York to Miami and finally settled here 23 years ago.

With his first deli in 2019 in the Roseway neighborhood on Sandy Boulevard, his latest business is Ben and Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli at 1800 N.E. Alberta St in the former Random Order Pie Bar location.

That’s right, it’s vegan, one of a very small handful in the entire country. The Ben & Esther’s team started making lox with salt-roasted carrots, swapped the whitefish for brined-and-smoked hearts of palm and began baking babka and rugelach with vegan butter.

The shift ended up being a hit, especially among Portland’s vegans. He also operates a Ben & Esther’s in San Diego, and he plans to open another one in Seattle.

“I’ve been plant-based for a long time. When I opened Ben & Esther’s, I was very business-minded, and I thought that opening a traditional Jewish deli would be good for business.

“After a year, I couldn’t reconcile that with my principles,” said the vegan.

To stay true to his beliefs, Justin transformed it to vegan, complete with his redefined versions of lox, corned beef, brisket, white fish and knishes, to name a few.

Along with bagels and a variety of schmears, Ben & Esther’s also offers Jewish pastries that include babka, challah and hamentashen.

The two local Ben & Esther’s are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week and can be reached at 503.265.8470.

True to his core philosophies, Justin also operates a storefront on Hawthorne Boulevard that feeds anyone who walks in the door. That location will also soon house a vegan bakery.

A father of three and a Hare Krishna, Justin practices yoga and stays true to his principles.

“You don’t have to sacrifice the integrity of your food,” he said. “You can have traditional anything in a less harmful way. Principle over profit.”

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.

CNews writer experiences great satisfaction

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities
No spendy, complicated camera equipment was necessary to capture the personality of paper artist Calley Doderos in 2018. Marsha Sandman used her smart phone.

No matter where someone is from or where they’re going, within them there is a story, and Concordia News writers enjoy finding and sharing those stories. When we scratch the surface, surprising and evocative events unfold.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting many Concordians as a volunteer CNews writer. Some stories poured out vividly, but others needed a little coaxing.

I remember my first story about a very sweet-but-shy lady. I didn’t know where to go with the interview, and I questioned my writing skills. After a little gentle persuasion, her story unfolded with passion, surprises, love, and history.

Are you ready to share your skills? CNews welcomes both novice and experienced writers. You may be challenged. But you’ll be thoroughly satisfied. The basics are typically “who, what, when, where and why.”

The CNews editor can help you find your groove. Subjects vary widely from personal and public history, neighborhood information, local change, challenges, businesses, services and a wide variety of others.

Printed stories are typically limited to 400 words but, if you have more to say, that can be extended to CNews’ online presence.

As a writer, I personally prefer human interest stories. Memorable stories include a blind woodworker, chefs who bring their flavors from foreign homelands, teachers who encourage self-esteem through gardening, brave advocates, artists, cultural events, and many personal and evocative stories.

When I interviewed paper artist Calley Doderos, her creations unfolded into magical, glittery little houses. Each one was as unique and as wonderful as the artist.

I’m occasionally recognized for my stories when I’m out and about, and it gives me great satisfaction when people offer me story leads. Others come from the most surprising or mundane experiences.

Story leads come from everywhere, among them:

  • A conversation at a neighborhood block party reveals a fascinating personal history.
  • A substantial change within the neighborhood leads to an interesting story.
  • A new or old business has a fascinating tale.
  • Even your neighbor could surprise you.

The CNA Media Team meets monthly – currently via teleconference – to identify topics and solicit writers to volunteer to write about them. We always need writers and appreciate fresh ideas. Interviews can be in person, telephone or videoconference. It depends on your comfort level.

If you’re interested in taking the journey with a wonderful group of writers, please contact me at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

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.