Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: CNA

Annual Concordia garage sale set for August 13

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Community member’s passing brings changes to the event

Many of you may already know that Concordia resident Donna Mae Carrier, age 58, passed away in December last year. She died after a short, fierce battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Donna was a wonderful mother to her three daughters, a caregiver to friends and family in need and a tireless volunteer in her community, including with Concordia Neighborhood Association where, for many years, she coordinated our neighborhood’s annual yard sale event.

Because of the huge void left where Donna’s energy once played a key role, the annual garage sale will be just a sliver of its former self this year. While CNA will advertise the event, scheduled for August 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., CNA will not be providing maps, signs, or post-sale charity donations.

So if you’re looking to clear out your overloaded garage, basement or closets burdened by items that still have a useful and potentially saleable life, CNA will do the advertising for the event. In that advertising we’ll encourage people to drive around Concordia for the best bargains to be found in town that day. Also consider posting your specific information and address on Nextdoor.com and craigslist to attract more customers.

For 2017, anyone interested in bringing the “full-meal-deal” event back to Concordia to carry on the annual garage sale with the vigor that respects Donna’s legacy, please contact CNA’s Social Committee at social@concordiapdx.org. Program aims to provide health & wellness for student, community success

LUTC Meeting Agenda – May 18, 2016

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Land Use & Transportation

Land Use & Transportation Committee (LUTC)

Meeting Agenda

May 18, 2016 – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Community Room – McMennamins Kennedy School

Members:     Steve Elder (CNA Board – E1), Ben Earle (Secretary), Ken Forcier, Sam Farber-Kaiser, Jeff Hilber, Kirk Paulsen, Ali Novak (CNA Board – AL4), Tyler Bullen, Garlynn Woodsong (Chair, CNA Board – SW1)

Contact:    landuse@concordiapdx.org, lutc_secretary@concordiapdx.org

Meeting Participation Guidelines

  • Discussions: Focus on most important issues, stay on topic, be respectful
  • Presenters: Provide written synopsis in advance when possible, or at least at the Meeting
  • Public Commenters: Identify yourself (include where you live), please be brief & to the point

7:00 pm      Welcome & Introductions, Quorum Check, Agenda Review

7:05 pm      Public Comments

7:10 pm      Minutes:  Review & Approve – February, March, & April (LUTC Operations: ACTION ITEMS)

7:15 pm      2016 Goals, Objectives, & Priority setting (LUTC Operations: ACTION ITEMS)

7:25 pm      Demolitions:  3636 NE Killingsworth (Land Use – Residential: POSSIBLE ACTIONS)

7:30 pm      CNA LUTC “Letter to Developers”:  Implementation plan (Land Use – Demolitions & Development: ACTION ITEMS)

7:35 pm      Development:  Redesign Team recommendations; Concordia U GNA (Land Use – Mixed Use: ACTION ITEMS)

7:45 pm      Concordia University GNA (Transportation – Parking: PENDING ACTION)

7:50 pm      Concordia Design Standards: Design Team launch (Land Use – Development: PENDING ACTION)

8:00 pm      NE Lombard / N PDX Hwy (US 30):  Bicyclist & ped. safety (Transportation – Road Safety: POSSIBLE ACTIONS)

8:10 pm      Transportation Updates (Transportation: STATUS REPORT)

8:20 pm      ZipCar Proposal (Transportation – Parking: POSSIBLE ACTIONS)

8:30 pm      Comprehensive Plan  (Land Use – Residential, Mixed Use: STATUS REPORT)

8:40 pm      RIPSAC – Residential Infill Project Stakeholders Advisory Committee (Land Use – Residential: STATUS REPORT)

9:00 pm      Adjourn

——

Pending Items:  To be addressed either “offline” and/or at a future meeting:

Transportation

  • Bikeways: 20s – Traffic Calming / Diversion, SE Uplift Letter; Faubion “through route”
  • Road Safety: Traffic Calming:       Speed Limits  – Alberta & Killingsworth; Ainsworth; 42nd Ave.; North Portland Highway

Left Turn Lanes:      33rd & Prescott

Miscellaneous

  • Alley Naming
  • Fernhill Community Center
  • LUTC Communications: CNews & CNA website; other orgs & groups

The new Faubion PK- 8/Concordia University building breaks ground under sunny skies

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News, Schools

More than 400 students, educators, elected officials, and community members gathered on the warm, sunny morning of April 7 to break ground and celebrate the development of a signature new facility for education in Portland.

“This is how we turn hope into opportunity,” said City of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

The new building will combine Portland Public Schools’ Faubion School and the Concordia University College of Education. In addition, Trillium Family Services joins them in collaborating to create 3 to PhD® – a new model for education that aims to create safer, healthier and more educated communities.

Prior to the Groundbreaking Ceremony much construction has happened at the Faubion site. In February demolition crews took down the old building to make way for the new, and within a couple of weeks the buildings were gone. All scrap metals were recycled, thousands of bricks will be reused and all the asphalt and concrete are being recycled and reused on site. At the end of February construction began with foundations for the new building being poured. As March came to an end more foundations were prepared for pouring and seismic sheer walls began to rise from the ground.

CNA continues efforts to connect community, help those in need

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News

Chair’s Corner

Greetings Neighbor – Thanks for checking back in with me. As you may have already noticed, the Concordia newspaper has been transformed visually to rival any other Portland newsletter now in publication. As CNA Chair, it has been a priority to help us connect with one another, and Concordia News is by far the best mechanism to do so.

Fortunately my goals have been supported by like-minded believers in the First Amendment. CNEWS has always been available to readers who wish to dig deeper into community issues. But like so many books on library shelves that don’t get read unless the cover is attractive, CNEWS was in need of a makeover.

We believe the improvement in the paper’s readability will make it more enjoyable for everyone. It is not our intention, however, to make the publication just a pretty face — we also aspire to produce a publication with more muscle and content.

In our push for journalistic quality, we did create a bit of a monster. Over the last four months CNEWS has risen to a high level of professionalism guided by volunteers. These folks did so with the hopes that other volunteers would step in to continue these efforts. But in the process we realized that a professional paper was going to need a professional staff, so the CNA board is carefully considering pay for several key positions.

The decision to do this is based on the realization that if we do not, CNEWS will go back to being at best a newsletter – with limited opportunity for growth and improvement. We will keep you up to speed on the paper’s progress. We welcome your feedback and input, and also invite you to take pen in hand and write about that which you are most passionate.

We are also fortunate to have Sean Duffy join the board. He will be representing the Northwest 2 district of CNA. More about Sean in the next issue of Concordia News but for now, let me just say it is was great to see a person under 30 who stood up to join with us in making our community one in which we can be proud. Our board now has an amazing level of diversity regarding age and interests; and it’s critical that we recognize the importance of diversity to our future.

Parenting as grandparents
 From time-to-time, I have heard comments about grandparents and others who have taken on the role of parent. They are often overwhelmed by the enormous task in front of them when close to retirement and looking forward to the “Golden Years.” I am the grandparent of a 4 year-old and 2 year-old and I help out with them occasionally. I have to tell you, it is one tough job, even when parttime — I can’t imagine going alone on this.

Ironically, I was asked to attend a grandparents support group (Ties That Bind) by Betty Harris to see if CNA might assist in getting the word out and/ or to provide ideas for grandparents or others who find themselves desperate for help in figuring out how to raise a child in today’s environment. This situation is cause for alarm, as some children are truly at risk. We can, and should, help as we are one of the resources that can bring a personal touch of support as neighbors. I have asked Ties that Bind representatives to submit a regular column in the Concordia News, so watch for upcoming articles to see how you might help, and certainly to see if there is information that can help you with your grandkids.

Reaching out to Concordia University on land use issues
I recently had the opportunity to meet with Concordia University Administration to discuss working together to develop a strategy for influencing design for new student housing construction while being sensitive to neighborhood character. The meeting was initiated as a result of some neighbors’ concerns about preliminary plans and a desire to have input into final design.. The meeting was initiated as a result of some neighbors’concerns about preliminary design plans and a desire to have input into final design.

University administration and I were in agreement on the necessity of early communication of planned activities so that we are part of the process and not at the end critiquing something that could have been avoided up front.

The University, like any one individual or business in our community, is a vital part of the fabric that binds us together and I believe it is important for all of us to promote each other’s progress and well-being.

It is for that reason I am going to encourage each institution and business to provide a liaison to CNA Board meetings, as we are all integrally connected and dependent for mutual success. More next month on CNA and Concordia News progress.

Isaac Quintero
Chair/Concordia Neighborhood Association

CNA May General Membership Meeting – Tuesday May 10, 7-8:30pm, Kennedy School (Board Meeting 6pm)

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CNA May General Membership Meeting
Tuesday May 10, 2016, 7:00pm-8:30pm
CNA Community Room @ Kennedy School
The CNA Board of Directors will meet at 6pm immediately prior to the General Meeting. Public welcome!
2016 CNA BOARD: I. Quintero, Chair; C. Lopez, V. Chair: A. Novak, Sec.; R. Bowles, Treas.; J. Culhane; D. Dennis; S. Duffy; S. Elder; D. Greenstadt; I. Harris; T. Neal; G. Woodsong
Agenda (DRAFT)
7:00     Welcome & Introductions
7:05     Announcements
                1. CNews paid staff proposal
                2. CNA Spring Clean up – Saturday, May 14
                3. Treasurer’s Report – Need to recruit a new CNA Treasurer
                4. New CNA Facebook page
7:15     CNA Committee Reports
                — Media (5 mins)
                —  LUTC (5 mins)
                —  Social (5 mins)
                — Policies & Procedures
7:30     LUTC presentation
7:45     Earthquake Preparedness Presentation – Don Francis of Ecotech & Jeremy Van Keuren of NET
8:30     Adjournment

Save your home: CNA May 10 general membership meeting to include earthquake preparedness info

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News
Megaquakes (8.7–9.2) occur regularly in the Pacific Northwest. The last mega quake that shook Portland occurred on January 26, 1700. For the past 10,000 years, the average time between mega quakes has been 300 years. The next one could happen tomorrow. The next mega quake will shake the foundations from Vancouver, BC to northern California. It will be the largest natural disaster in U.S. history, dwarfing Hurricane Katrina in damage, suffering and costs.
Don Francis of Ecotech and City of Portland Neighborhood Emergency Team coordinator Jeremy Van Keuren will speak at the Concordia Neighborhood Association’s general meeting May 3rd.  They’ll share information on how prepare the inevitable big one and getting involved with a Neighborhood Emergency Team. The meeting will take place in the Community Room of McMenamin’s Kennedy School from 7 to 8:30pm.
In Portland, thousands of people will die and tens of thousands will be injured. Thousands and thousands of Portlander’s will be homeless, as homes built before 1980 slip off their foundations, crumple and collapse. “These houses are most vulnerable because unattached houses can slip off the foundations during a quake and sustain much more damage than would have occurred had they been retrofitted.”, said Francis.
Not all damage will be physical. The equity in the house they live in is where the wealth is stored for most middle class Americans. For unprepared homeowners, an earthquake can not only destroy their  homes, if they survive, it can also leave them with nothing except a mortgage payment for a house that no longer exists. Bankruptcy may be final aftershock.We cannot prevent earthquakes. We can, however, be prepared.

Homelessness: Understanding this community crisis

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News

by Daniel Greenstadt

Some of your neighbors don’t have a home. There’s been a lot of talk recently in Portland, in the region and nationally regarding the challenges of people living on our streets. On the night of the most recent count in 2015, Multnomah County had 3,800 people sleeping on the streets, in shelters, or in temporary housing, and an estimated 12,000 people were doubled up, many in overcrowded and often unsafe conditions. Hundreds of children have no place to go.

According to the city’s new and deeply informative Homelessness Toolkit, over the past two years, there has been a 17% decline in chronic homelessness among individual adults; a decrease in unsheltered veterans; and a 27% reduction in the percentage of people experiencing homelessness for two or more years. However, the latest count found a 48% increase in the number of unsheltered African-Americans from two years ago. Due to differences in the definition of ͞homeless͟ between HUD and Multnomah County, it is still a work in progress to find more accurate numbers of homelessness among communities of color. Nevertheless, supplemental data indicates that levels of homelessness have increased in these communities, including, Native Americans, Latinos, and Asians.

Our city and our neighborhoods are facing some rather immediate policy and programmatic questions that are going to be answered with your tax dollars and with implications for your street. To learn more, to report concerns and to make sure that your voice is heard, visit the link above, email reportpdx@portlandoregon.gov or call the new hotline (503) 823-4000.

Daniel Greenstadt is a CNA Board Member

Help Wanted: Jarret Grove Intersection Painting 2016!

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities

By Joe Culhane

Hello good fine folks of Concordia! My name is Joe Culhane, I am one of the new board members of the CNA and had the pleasure of coordinating the first-ever street painting at the intersection of NE 28th Ave and NE Jarrett St this last year. It was one of over 40 street paintings that took place here in Portland through City Repair’s annual Village Building Convergence. It was a great success and many of you may have been there and participated in the project. We had well over 100 people come out to help make this beautiful street mural come to life! We called the sight Jarrett Grove and have started a Facebook page where you can see pictures and a time-lapse of the painting from last year as well.

This is intended to be an annual project and is a great way to get together and meet more of our neighbors and build a greater sense of community. While I was delighted and honored to lead this project last year the reality that is literally in my hands (on my chest sleeping actually) right now is my newborn son, and he has taken center stage in my life these days. His care and that of my whole family has become my highest priority as you may well imagine. This year’s VBC is from June 3rd-12th, the paintings all happen during these 9 days, usually on one of the two Saturdays during that stretch.

So, this is a call out to you good people of the Concordia Neighborhood to please step up in to a leadership role this year to help make sure this year is a success as well. What that means is helping set up a few preliminary meetings with the neighbors involved, go to a few VBC meetings, and also help organize a small fundraiser for supplies. We held one at Wilder last year and it was really fun and very successful, many of the local businesses contributed prizes and we had a raffle, tons of people showed up and it was great!

It takes a lot for me to admit when I’m overwhelmed and have too much on my plate but alas, that is exactly where I find myself at the moment. I’m afraid this year’s painting may not happen if one or more people don’t step up and take the reins so by all means, please do! I’ll be available to give direction and guidance where I can and will absolutely help in the painting day and preparation leading up but really that will be the extent of my time and energy I realistically will be able to offer.

Thank you to all who helped make this happen last year, we couldn’t have done it without you! It really is a great time, last year we had donuts, coffee donated from Extracto, pizza, lemonade and iced tea, delicious treats, face painting, music, laughter, and community goodness abounding! May this be another successful year and maybe turn out to be even better as well!

Thank you again! You can email me or text/call me at (503) 446-2925 for more details.

Joe Culhane is a CNA Board Member

Alberta Street’s “Operation Clean Sweep” April 23

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News, Events, Volunteer Opportunities

The sixth annual Alberta Earth Day Clean Up, presented by Pacific Power and organized by Alberta Main Street, takes place on April 23, 2016. Operation Clean Sweep 2016 provides an opportunity for friends and neighbors to getinvolved with their community.

Rain or shine, neighborhood volunteers will focus on cleaning up litter and removing graffiti along NE Alberta Street between MLK Jr. Boulevard and NE 33rd Avenue and finish with a post-cleanup celebration featuring food and prizes.

New this year, through a partnership with Pacific Power, volunteers and anyone that signs up for paperless billing will receive a $5.00 coupon valid for any purchase at participating Alberta Street businesses.

Volunteers are expected from all over Portland, from student groups and youth organizations, to neighbors and local businesses. Sara Wittenberg, Alberta Main Street executive director, promises another year of camaraderie.

The Golden Garbage Awards and post-cleanup festivities will take place immediately following the clean up with pizza for lunch, Salt & Straw Ice Cream, and a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses including a gift certificate good for 2 nights at Vacasa’s Hidden Villa Cottages at Cannon Beach!! The celebration will end around 1:30 p.m.

Volunteer check-in is at 10a.m. at Alberta Central (NE 18th and Alberta) and clean up starts at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers are asked to bring their own water bottle, gloves and any tools like screwdrivers, pliers and razor blade scrapers. Volunteers should pre-register online.

Alberta Main Street advances efforts to develop Alberta Street as a vibrant, creative, equitable, and sustainable commercial district serving residents and visitors to our community. Learn more about Alberta Main Street here.

Kids, a dance and being good neighbors

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Concordia News, Schools

By Ali Novak CNA Board Member

Alliance High School requests, receives temporary adjustment to Good Neighbor Agreement with CNA

At the March 8th CNA board meeting, Concordia’s Alliance High School Meeks Professional Technical Campus principal Lorna Fast Buffalo Horse, presented our board with a proposal to allow modification of an existing Good Neighbor Agreement, dating to 2004.  The agreement, signed when Alliance took over the Meeks campus, prohibits school activities after 5pm. It also has restricted students from extended hours for social events or even tutoring.

The students of Alliance are seeking permission to host a prom on campus for about 75 students sometime in May. Attempts to find an alternate location have failed, due to high costs of venue rental.

Alliance High School is described in their executive summary as “an alternative educational experience for students who have not experienced success in traditional high school environments. The program seeks to provide academic, social-emotional, and professional-technical opportunities that motivate students to remain in school to learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become a contributing member of society.” The curriculum mixes group and individualized instruction in the pursuit of relevant career-technical education.

The Alliance program includes an emphasis on social skills and community in the Alliance Meeks program, where students participate in a social-emotional “boot camp” for their first six weeks of enrollment. Students are encouraged to organize and champion themselves, with a Black Student Union, Hispanic Student Union, and Gay-Straight Alliance now represented on the campus. The request for a prom seems a natural step in developing the social experience for Alliance students, and was met with positive response from the CNA board.

The board approved an event to take place on a date to be determined in May, on either a Friday or Saturday, that will end at 10:30p.m. Clean-up and campus closure will be concluded by 11p.m. The board hopes that the positive relationship between Alliance with its neighbors can continue, and requested that Alliance communicate with its neighbors to present the proposed event, and bring any significant concerns to the board for consideration. The CNA Board will also consider expansion of the activity hours for future events based on the success of this new addition.