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American Legion – Veterans renovate, revive Post 134

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Rob Cullivan | CNews Editor

From left: Patrick Bardel, Peenesh Shah and Robin Eckstein are working to renew American Legion Post 134. Photo by Michael French

Robin Eckstein, who served in Iraq, summed up why it’s important for her and other military veterans to have a space where they can bond. “You can’t watch ‘Generation Kill’ on HBO and all of sudden know what it’s like to deploy.”

As our nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, CNews spoke to Eckstein, along with three other veterans, about their lives as well as their meeting space, American Legion Frederick and John Ravin Post 134, 2104 NE Alberta St.

Founded in 1947, the Post has a storied history in Concordia and has even drawn attention from the national press at times for its outreach work, including serving as a warming shelter in the past for the homeless during winter. Since its founding it’s seen everything from potlucks and neighborhood dances to raucous punk rock shows and LGBTQ trivia nights.

Current Post Commander Barry M. Larrain said Post 134 welcomes all veterans of any political affiliation whatsoever. Eckstein said she is a lesbian who has encouraged other LGBTQ veterans to join the American Legion, and Peenesh Shah, a state assistant attorney general and Post member, noted his parents are from India.

“If we live in a community that is diverse, it should be the case that our Post is diverse,” Eckstein said. “The military is a microcosm of the nation. There are people of all different backgrounds, genders, sexualities, races and nationalities.”

Construction costs

Barry Larrain, a retired Army colonel,
commands Post 134, and has been working with others to renovate the building. Photo by Michael French

The Legion members said they’re currently seeking around $25,000 in donations to complete renovating the Post’s Quonset style building and want to encourage younger veterans to join. To that end, the Post—named for two brothers who died while serving in the navy in World War II—is highlighting its building renovation efforts and asking the public to consider funding the construction work. The Post has already installed a new furnace, completed some work on its walls and floors and is looking to upgrade its overall appearance.

But even more important to the Post’s future than its space are the people whom its leaders want to occupy it. Larrain, a retired Army colonel, noted 76 percent of the Post’s 130 members are older than 60, and the Legion wants to expand its membership. The nation’s interest in its military waxes and wanes depending on the news cycle, he and the other leaders mused, but veterans never forget other veterans. Larrain wants the younger generation of veterans to know the American Legion is there for them.

“We have to have a voice,” he said. “We have to have something that represents all veterans, to represent our interests.”

Eckstein, the Post’s finance officer, said the Legion has helped her find other veterans who, like her, have experienced PTSD related to their service, as well as given her a chance to do what all veterans have done, namely serve their communities. On that note, the Post’s Adjutant, Patrick Bardel, a Marine veteran, said the organization gives purpose to his life.

“Our Post 134 is my primary volunteering focus,” he said. “I’m retired, but I never planned to, or will, stop working. The Post is an outlet of my energy to have a place for veterans to get together and put our collective energies out into the community.”

Shah, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, is a member of the Post’s executive committee and wants the Post to become more integrated into the life of Concordia and the surrounding neighborhoods. He said, for example, the Post can facilitate meetings between school children and American Legion members so they can learn about veterans. He also noted he enjoys the camaraderie the Post provides him. “It’s given me a chance to connect with other veterans of different generations,” he said.

To learn how to donate to American Legion Post 134, visit post134.com and click on “Donate.” To learn more about becoming a member, contact the adjutant at patrickb@portlandrainbarrels. com

CNews Editor Rob Cullivan is a veteran journalist, publicist and grant writer who has written about everything from rock ‘n’ roll to religion. He possesses a deep affection for writers and photographers who hit deadline.

Concordia Art Works – Artist raises funds for Ukraine war victims

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News
Anya Mironets Keyes is raising funds for victims of the Ukraine-Russia war by selling such paintings as these pictured above. Contributed photos.

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Anya Mironets Keyes moved to the United States when she was 16. Her family has lived in Ukraine for 14 generations.

“When I moved to the U.S. I was a junior in high school,” she said. “I didn’t speak English then and to get enough credits to graduate I took as many art classes as possible because I didn’t have to speak. My AP art teacher taught me fundamentals and instilled in me the idea that I could be an artist one day.”

Being a first-generation immigrant, a career in arts was not a reliable choice, so she studied and became a pharmacist. Nonetheless, Keyes continued pursuing her art, creating paintings in oils and watercolors, centered around her Ukrainian identity.

Her experiences as a first-generation immigrant, a foreign-born mother, friend and American citizen are expressed in her atmospheric paintings, the most recent of which feature images of her fellow Ukrainians.

“I enjoy the creativity and solitude that comes with art,” she said. “It’s meditative and restorative. It truly is the best fit for me.”

When the war in Ukraine erupted, she felt helpless watching the senseless devastation of her home country and decided to create a body of work and donate all proceeds to help volunteer groups in Ukraine, especially in underserved areas. Her portraits, mostly of women, are currently available for purchase.

For more information, visit AnyaKeyes.com or visit the Blind Insect Gallery, 2841 NE Alberta St.

Michel Reeverts, aka Maquette, holds a master of arts degree in art education and serves Alberta Art Works as director and Alberta Street Gallery as a board member. She is also a practicing artist. Contact her at Maquette@AlbertaArtWorks.org

Students on lives after lockdowns

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools
Nuss Hubbard, top photo, and Adelaide Maddox, above, were among several fifth-grade students who shared their experiences of life before, during and after the Covid lockdowns. Photos by Peter Keller.

By Rob Cullivan | CNews Editor

One student called it “the never-ending circus.” Another labeled it “Rona.” Still another called it “Virus 19,” and then added he simplified it sometimes to just “The Virus.” “It’s the only virus I’ve known,” he said.

By now, the readers should have figured out fifth graders at Faubion School, 2930 NE Dekum St., were talking about Covid 19 and how it changed their lives forever over the past two years.

In a group interview, students in Nathaniel Williams’ class spoke with CNews on May 16 about how they dealt with online classes during the lockdowns as well as how they adjusted to full-time in-person learning this year. Here’s what the kids said:

Covid Hits

When Covid 19 triggered government mandated lockdowns in early 2020, the fifth-grade students were all in third grade.

One child noted the lockdowns initially seemed like fun: “I was happy I could spend time with friends and family.”

But most of the students said staying at home quickly turned from a novel situation into one they didn’t like.

“I prefer much more in-person school.”

“It’s hard for me personally because I need one-on-one learning.”

“It was soooo isolating.”

“I feel like I lost my social skills.”

Online Learning

The students had somewhat mixed views regarding online learning – staying at home allowed them more sleep, for example, but a number noted working online didn’t always fully engage them the way being in a classroom does. Some even confessed to misleading their teachers about the level of attention they were paying to a subject.

“I would just pretend my computer was having difficulty.”

“If it got too loud, my mom would tell me to turn down the computer volume.”

“I feel like I didn’t learn anything new, and nothing helped me.”

Socialization

A recurring issue for the children was how the lockdowns affected their ability to socialize when they returned to school. Several said they felt it set back their ability to mature and interact well with others.

“In a classroom you can connect with people … but on a computer you can’t really affect that.”

“It was hard to hang out with my friends because you always had to be (six feet) away from them.”

“We were kind of going insane … we got angrier.”

One student said he did learn how to cook for himself, and others said they did enjoy spending more time with their relatives, including young cousins also unable to attend school in person. One child noted a benefit of learning at home was it made him more of a self-starter, perusing learning sites online without being prompted by a teacher.

When they returned, Williams said the children took a while to adjust to being back at school, and asked far more questions than his fifth graders did in years past.

“What I noticed is they needed a lot of affirmation,” he said. “They were looking around like they’d never been in a classroom.” He and the students chuckled when one child reminded him he had said they “were all acting like a bunch of third graders” at first. “If we had to do online school till college, we’d all still be acting like third graders in college!” one student said.

Final thoughts

No generation of American children until now has ever dealt with an event quite like Covid – even during the influenza that swept the nation from 1918-20. Millions of children like the ones at Faubion lost out on a couple of years of in-person learning, and it’s clear after talking to them that the fifth graders at Williams’ class have been changed forever by the lockdowns.

Kaleb Negash said he most missed seeing his extended family during the lockdowns. “If I have kids, they’re going to see their aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and grandparents five days a week!”

Adelaide Maddox, 11, said they, too, has learned to cherish their family.“I’m going to try to see my family again and again and to never waste any minutes with them because you never know when you will see them again.”

CNews Editor Rob Cullivan is a veteran journalist, publicist and grant writer who has written about everything from rock ‘n’ roll to religion. He possesses a deep affection for writers and photographers who hit deadline.

NE Village PDX volunteer enjoys connections

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities

By Jon Dickman | CNA Media Team

Retiree Abe Cohen (left) volunteers to drive members of Northeast Village PDX to appointments. On this rainy day, John Bear was a passenger headed to an appointment at OHSU. Photo by Jon Dickman

An appreciation of authentic human connection and a love of helping others inspired retired chiropractor and Cully resident Abe Cohen five years ago to volunteer with Northeast Village PDX, 5830 NE Alameda St., serving Concordia and other neighborhoods in central northeast Portland.

For the past five years, the group– volunteer-based, member-led and self-governing–has enabled older people to remain in their homes and enjoy a meaningful quality of life. Services may include transportation, light home maintenance, tech support, social visits, phone check-ins, tax help, yardwork and neighborhood walks. Membership fees help pay for village operating costs.

A driver for the village, Cohen cherishes the one-on-one time he spends when taking a member to a doctor, dentist, or physical therapy appointment or to go shopping, on a park walk or to a hair salon.

“It’s like when I was a chiropractor,” he said. “It’s a meeting of different people from different backgrounds, different personalities, different walks of life. It’s very stimulating.”

John Bear – a writer, former Jeopardy contestant and one of Cohen’s regular passengers – said Cohen was always cheerful. “Abe is one of those people who would rather be 15 minutes early than one minute late. So, I can always count on him for pickups and rides.”

Although the pandemic has limited socializing, some village members use videoconferences for book and movie discussions and arts and crafts. Cooking groups also conduct their meetings via videoconference, as well as speakers who share information of interest to older adults. More in-person cultural, recreational, and social activities are slated to start up again soon.

In February, Northeast Village PDX joined more than 280 similar villages across the country to celebrate the movement’s 20th anniversary. The U.S. House of Representatives marked Feb. 15 as National Village Day.

The milestone was also commemorated by Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, who issued a statement into the Congressional Record of the United States Senate to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of the national movement.

“I see a lot of gratitude,” Cohen said. “It’s nice to do something for people who appreciate what you’re doing – not for ego gratification – but because you’re giving them something.”

Northeast Village PDX holds videoconference information sessions for prospective members and volunteers at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month. Register on the calendar at NEVillagePDX.org, or call 503.895.2750 for more information. Also, you can check out their introductory video on their Northeast Village PDX YouTube channel.

Jon Dickman, enthusiastic volunteer with Portland FolkMusic Society and lover of classical jazz vocals, leads a memoir/ show-and-tell group for NE Village PDX called “It’s All About Us.”

Theatre, pub welcome post-lockdown crowds

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Rob Cullivan | CNews Editor

From left: Gordon Freeman (fiddle), Richie Rosencrans (guitar), Jacob Grieco (flute) and Preston Howard Wilde (pipes) perform at the Concordia pub T.C. O’Leary’s, a hub of Irish music in Portland. Contributed photo.

As Covid lockdowns and masking mandates end, people have come out to slake their live music thirst at two of Concordia’s most popular venues, the Alberta Rose Theatre and T.C. O’Leary’s.

Talent Buyer Adam East of Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., says the venue has hosted live performances since last September and is now just about back to its pre-pandemic average of five shows per week.

Upcoming shows include Booker T. Jones of “Green Onions” fame May 1; Portland singer Stephanie Schneiderman and indie rockers Swansea on May 6 as well as a musical tribute to Dolly Parton on June 4 called “Dolly Hoot” featuring local musicians.

Alberta encourages patrons to be vaccinated as well as wear masks, East said, but doesn’t require either. Alberta weathered the Covid storm by being creative.

“We switched to online shows, and presented over 150 livestream shows during lockdown,” East said. “We had a subscription service that kept some of our staff working, and provided some work for musicians in the local scene who had seen all their gigs dry up. We lost a few staff members, but most came back.”

Down the street at Irish music hub T.C. O’Leary’s, 2926 Alberta St., owner Tom O’Leary said he’s hosted performances since the end of the first lockdown, in spring 2020 and whenever regulations permitted after that. However, O’Leary’s did move its performers to an enclosed area outside the pub to decrease the potential for Covid transmission.

“We kept it outside as much as we possibly could depending on the temperature,” he said, noting patrons could enjoy the performances via video screens inside the pub. O’Leary’s doesn’t ask patrons to be masked or show vaccination cards, but the pub owner said his establishment can accommodate those who are concerned about Covid exposure.

“If anyone was feeling nervous to be back in this environment, we have plenty of space outside,” he said, noting the pub has seating room for up to 60 people outside.

O’Leary’s will ask for proof of vaccinations and that patrons be masked when Tom stars in the award-winning Irish American tale “The Smuggler,” which opened April 28 and which runs through to May 22 (see related story page 8). The Dublin born actor says regulations are different for theater as opposed to music, and the pub must abide the rules guiding playhouses for its staging of “The Smuggler.”

CNews Editor Rob Cullivan is a veteran journalist, publicist and grant writer who has written about everything from rock ‘n’ roll to religion. He possesses a deep affection for writers and photographers who hit deadline.

Bureau addresses bridges’ issues

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Keith Daellenbach CNA Media Team

Bridge access closure signs stand on the Northeast 33rd Avenue access ramp to and from Northeast Columbia Boulevard. Photo by Keith Daellenbach

Two bridges span Northeast Lombard Street and an adjacent railroad connecting the Concordia neighborhood to Northeast Columbia Boulevard, and both have changes in store as planned by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).

These bridges are at the northern termini of Northeast 33rd Avenue and Northeast 42nd Avenue. They provide necessary vehicular and bicycle access to Northeast Columbia Boulevard as well as north to Northeast Marine Drive.

The Northeast 33rd Avenue bridge has been partially closed for eight months and, according to PBOT’s website, the bridge could reopen at the earliest in late June (Portland.gov/transportation/pbot-projects/construction/ne-33rd-avenue-bridge). Meanwhile, PBOT plans to replace the Northeast 42nd Avenue bridge.

The Northeast 33rd Avenue bridge was constructed in 1929 and, according to a brass plaque affixed to the bridge, was originally called the “East Thirty-Third Street Viaduct.” According to PBOT, a bridge of this design has a typical life of approximately 50 years. In a 2021 report on infrastructure in the United States, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reports that 42% of all bridges are at least 50 years old and many need repair (InfrastructureReportCard.org/cat-item/bridges/).

In 2019, the ASCE gave Oregon a “C” grade for its bridge infrastructure and said the state had the lowest percentage of bridges in good condition among western states (InfrastructureReportCard. org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ FullReport-OR_2019.pdf). Funding for Oregon’s bridges, according to the ASCE, is critically low. Now 93 years old, the Northeast 33rd Avenue bridge’s life has been considerably extended due to upgrades and repairs. As recently as a few years ago, it was closed for many months as it was upgraded to include lanes designed to accommodate increased bicycle traffic.

PBOT inspectors found damage to concrete in one of the bridge’s crossbeams at the northern terminus of the bridge. Two of the three ingress/egress lanes were closed in late August 2021. Only the undamaged northbound fly-over section, which transports northbound traffic on Northeast 33rd Avenue to a westbound direction on Northeast Columbia Boulevard, remains open.

On the underside of the bridge, workers erected temporary vertical steel supports and bolted them to new concrete footings which, in turn, support a large steel I-beam that supports a concrete cross beam to hold up the bridge while repair work is completed. The cost of repairing the bridge remains to be determined.

Meanwhile, PBOT notes the Northeast 42nd Avenue bridge sits on a recommended Emergency Transportation Route. However, the bridge is vulnerable to earthquakes (Portland.gov/transportation/pbot-projects/construction/ne-42nd-ave-bridge-over-ne-lombard). A $17 million dollar project will pay for the replacement of this bridge. A new bridge will meet modern seismic code and will provide better access for freight, walking, and biking. Bidding and contracting will happen this summer and construction is expected to start this fall.

Keith Daellenbach is a mechanical engineer and outdoor enthusiast who loves mountain climbing, skiing, biking, canoeing, and beekeeping with wife Amy and son Micah. His home is in Concordia.

Exhibit features resident’s botanical paintings

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News 2 Comments

By Rob Cullivan | CNews Editor

Amy Daileda’s ‘Bitter Nightshade’ is among the paintings she’ll be exhibiting this month at Flour Market.

Concordia resident Amy Daileda will showcase a group of paintings in “Micro Flora,” an exhibit at Flour Market Bakery, 5507 NE 30th Ave., from Wednesday, May 4, through Sunday, May 29. A reception will take place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 6. Admission is free and open to the public.

Daileda said her paintings are being exhibited “mere blocks from where my subjects grow. Flora is a list of the plant life of a particular area, period or habitat. These acrylic paintings represent part of the flora of my Northeast Portland, Oregon native, edible, organic garden.”

The artist used macro, or close-up photos of plants to help her create her works. “I also study their botany, edible and medicinal uses, history and beauty, and try to connect to them using all of my senses,” she said. “Using acrylic paint on locally made wood panels, I painted them while working next to the studio window that overlooks our organic garden where they grow.”

The exhibit is part of the Taking. Up. Space. Initiative facilitated by the Artist/ Mother and Thrive Networks. Taking Up Space or T.U.S. is a female focused community global art exhibition taking place in more than 80 locations in May. You can learn more about them by visiting the #takingupspace2022 hashtag on Instagram.

Daileda has lived in Concordia for 21 years and is a clothing designer creating wearable art for even longer under the name Vivid Element. She said that this is her first painting exhibit since 1993.

“During the pandemic I started painting again,” she said. “Since we were quarantined at home, I used the details of plants and flowers I grow in our Backyard Habitat Certified garden as subjects. I studied painting in college and am now inspired to take it further. I’m thrilled to be showing at this great new bakery in our neighborhood.”

For more information, visit VividElement.com/art_event/micro-flora.

Concordia Art Works – Metalsmith’s jewelry reflects his experiences

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News, Local Businesses
Precious metals, crystals and natural gems grace the
artwork of Claudio Starzak. Photo by Maquette Reeverts

Claudio Starzak was born in the Argentine Patagonia. After school, he and his friends would hang out at a local handicraft store, where he was introduced to metalsmithing, a common profession in Argentina.

With a modest set of tools, he spent years traveling through South and Central America. Claudio visited various cultures, experienced pre-Columbian and sacred sights, sat with healers and shamans, and met master jewelers – all while honing his metalsmithing skills.

His artwork reflects his experiences and stories. Organic, flowing precious metals embrace crystals and natural gems. A master of rings, earrings and pendants, he creates much of his work using an overlay technique, building up designs using layers of metal.

“My mission as an artist remains to inspire love, joy and harmony by bringing more beauty into this world.”

Custom and casted wedding rings are a big part of Claudio’s business. A good percentage of his jewelry is made from casting originals, but commissions from custom work kept his business afloat through COVID-19 times. It was also during that period that Claudio Starzak Jewelry was robbed, and he lost half of his inventory.

There was an almost 50% drop in jewelry sales during this time because no one was socializing and, therefore, not dressing up with jewelry. Claudio is looking forward to a productive and busy summer season.

Discover more at ClaudioStarzakJewelry.com.

Michel Reeverts, aka Maquette , holds a master of arts degree in art education, serves Alberta Art Works as director and Alberta Street Gallery as a board member. She is also a practicing artist. Contact her at Maquette@AlbertaArtWorks.org

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.

You’re invited to tour local linear arboretum

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Trees
Concordian Jim Gersbach will lead people of all ages on an April 16 walking tour of the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum. Pictured taking their own pre-tour are Naomi Anderson, Audrey Sullivan, Willa McCauley, and Gina and Crosby Levine. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

By Jim Gersbach | Linear Arboretum Founder, Concordia Tree Team Member

You’re invited to join me on a free walk to explore the Concordia Linear Arboretum Saturday, April 16. The 90-minute walk, sponsored by Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry, will start at 9 a.m. at the southeast corner of 30th Avenue and Ainsworth Street.

Concordia is fortunate to have one of a handful of Portland’s tree-lined medians. It’s a stretch of about 1.5 miles from Fernhill Park to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Since 2005, the median – and the right-of-way planting strips on the north and south sides of the street – have been designated by the city as an investigational arboretum.

Here, city residents can get to know less familiar, approved street trees, including ones in a trial for suitability in this climate.

Originally conceived as a grand entrance to the city from the east, Ainsworth was envisioned as a boulevard with a tree-lined median running from the Columbia Gorge to the Willamette River.

The only part ever developed as such is what exists today. The original Ainsworth planting was a classic monoculture – a single species of tree (Acer platanoides) that conformed to the uniform look so prized by European city planners. That made Ainsworth more vulnerable to any pest or disease that especially afflicted maples.

Portland’s mild climate can support hundreds of different tree species. As the city began to allow and then encourage more choices of species, many people still selected only what was familiar. Exposing people to great new options is what the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum is all about.

When trees die, we replace them with diverse species and new cultivars with better forms or disease resistance. Over 16 years, diversity in the median has grown from six to 47 species, and now there are trees native to Oregon.

Many people and organizations have helped. Trees and mulch have been provided by nurseries, Friends of Trees and Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry. The parks folks have also removed dead trees, ground the stumps to enable new plantings and watered young ones for the trees’ first two summers. Members of the city Youth Conservation Crew have weeded and mulched.

Because Portland has experienced multiple drought years, I have handwatered a lot of the trees beyond two years to help them establish.

Editor’s note: CNews space is limited, and there just wasn’t room for all of the information Jim Gersbach provided. To see his full-length story, visit ConcordiaPDX.org/2022-linear-arboretum-tour.

Concordian Jim Gersbach is public affairs specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry and former urban forestry specialist for the city of Portland. His volunteer activities include serving on the Concordia Tree Team, founding the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum, acting as an outreach guide for the Hoyt Arboretum, and providing education as well as leading planting and pruning crews for Friends of Trees.