Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Author Archives: Steve Elder

Neighbors pick up Concordia litter

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Volunteer Opportunities
Neighbors are invited to tackle the litter in Concordia Saturday, Dec. 4. Volunteers in the October event teamed up to pick up an estimated 1,000 pounds of litter from the northeastern area of Concordia. Directly above are Gina Levine and Javier Puga-Phillips, planners of the Concordia Neighborhood Association event.

Saturday, Dec. 4, is the next Concordia Neighborhood Litter Pick Up. It’s from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning in Alberta Park at Ainsworth Street and 22nd Avenue. Sign up at SolveOregon.org or contact Concordian Gina Levine with questions. She’s at CNewsBusiness@ConcordiaPDX.org and 503.891.7178.

An estimated 1,000 pounds of trash were removed from the neighborhood in early October. That’s when 55 volunteers spent three hours picking up litter in the northeastern portion of Concordia. It was the first of what’s planned for regular events.

“We filled 60 trash bags and four truckloads of items that had been thrown away,” she said. “It felt so great on the way home to see our litter-free neighborhood.”

The pick-up events are sponsored by Concordia Neighborhood Association. Leaders are Gina and board member Javier Puga-Phillips. Their efforts are supported by SOLVE, the statewide organization working to restore and preserve the environment by mobilizing the power of volunteers.

SOLVE was founded in 1969 by Oregon Gov. Tom McCall to reduce and clean up litter and vandalism throughout the state. The first volunteer beach clean up in the nation was organized by SOLVE in 1984. Since then, the concept has spread across the U.S. and to more than 100 countries.

Fresh air and social distancing are part of the CNA litter pick-up efforts.

“Participating in a litter pick up is COVID-friendly,” Gina pointed out.

“A few hours every few months will make a huge difference in how the neighborhood looks and feels,” she added. “We really hope you can join us for the next event.”

Want to get rid of trash more often?The city of Portland offers support and information about cleaning up Concordia and other neighborhoods. Among the many resources listed there are:

  • Adopt One Block: featured in CNews
  • The city’s hotline to report overflowing local public trash cans: WasteInfo@portlandoregon.gov and 503.823.7202
  • A hotline to report abandoned shopping carts in your neighborhood: 888-55- CARTS.
  • SOLVE’s volunteer events statewide: SOLVEOregon.org

Steve Elder, elder. monaville@gmail.com, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch

Stay Pet Hotel amenities aren’t a dog’s tale

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses
Malcolm frolics with Anne Graves who, with partner Mike Lauria, celebrated the 15th anniversary this year of Stay Pet Hotel. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

By Malcolm As told to Steve Elder CNA Media Team

Call me Malcolm. Just Malcolm. We dogs don’t usually have last names. Sometimes in veterinarian’s offices, animals are called by their first names plus the last names of the people they’re with, but that’s usually for treatment or billing.

I’m a fairly large dog, called a Doberman mix for half my parentage. As a puppy people called me “adorable.” Now I’m just called ”good looking.” Sometimes people are apprehensive about my size.

When my people – Concordians Steve and Tricia Elder – needed to go out of town, I stayed at a local doggy hotel. It’s one of two in the neighborhood, both operated by the same team of people. They offer doggy daycare at the facilities too.

My overnighter was at Stay Pet Hotel, 3606 N.E. Columbia Blvd., where its 15th anniversary was celebrated this year. It’s owned and operated by Anne Graves, a veterinary technician, and Mike Lauria, a dog trainer.

They started 3 Dogs Boarding and Daycare, 5340 N.E. 42nd Ave., 13 years ago, and they bought Stay Pet Hotel five years ago. They entertain an average of 80 dogs at each location at any given time.

“The timing was right for us,” Anne explained. “We were both looking for a new adventure, and we saw the need for cage-free boarding in the area. The proximity to the airport was a bonus, and both locations having lots of outdoor space just sealed the deal.”

Together, the two facilities include 10,000 square feet of outdoor play structures, doggy wading pools, sprinklers and sandboxes. Indoors they have 5,000 square feet of climate-controlled area with chairs, beds and more play structures.

Employees at both locations supervise furry guests 24/7.

Overnight guest dogs sleep kennel free, Anne explained. “By night they have the run of the sleeping areas. Our furry guests are free to sleep on a bed next to a buddy or two or three, on a cushy chair alone or on the floor.”

For shy dogs and/or ones in search of privacy – or hanging out with their own packs – both Stay and 3Dogs offer private suites.

“We work hard to create a stress-free environment,” Anne said. “We play music specifically selected to soothe anxious pups. Also, our staff provides lots of individual attention.”

Before my lodging at Stay, I made a visit there to be checked out for disposition issues with the staff and/or other dog guests. And we talked about special needs. (I didn’t have any.) Medication and special diet services are included with boarding fees.

Steve Elder, elder.monaville@gmail.com, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch.