Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: Concordia News

Concordia Art Works – Local mask designer’s ware transforms actors

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News
An interest in theater masks led Concordian Bruce Marrs to study the form of commedia del’arte. And he’s been making them ever since. Photo by Maquette Reeverts

Living as a street mime in Paris, Bruce Marrs was influenced by the use of masks in theater productions. A year later he tried his hand at creating masks while working with the Oregon Dance Theatre.

Although the show was not a success, it inspired him to want to learn more about the art form.

Bruce took an intensive class in commedia del’arte – a form of theater using masks that is both scripted and improvised – at Del’Arte International School of Physical Theatre.

He was hired to teach dance, mime and mask making. He worked at the school for the next 25 years.

During the summers Bruce worked at county fairs as a stilt character, dancer, clown or whatever was needed. Rather than changing makeup for each character, he decided to create a set of papier-mache masks from brown grocery bags.

The Pickle Family Circus and Jeff Raz of the Clown Conservatory in San Francisco commissioned a set of masks and, through word of mouth, there became a demand for his handmade character masks.

Bruce’s mask set of 10 characters became popular with universities, high schools and guest teachers all over the U.S., Canada, Scandinavia, India, England and Australia. Touring companies asked for custom sets for their shows.

He made and sold thousands of masks to sustain his family through the summers when school was not in session.

The masks are transformative for the actor, according to Bruce. “They are magic. The same mask on a different actor will be a different personage.

“For teachers, it’s always new and surprising. For students, they are, at first, invited to be other than themselves. Then they become responsible to discover and serve that new life.”

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

Renewed energy engages Alberta Main Street

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News
The renewed Alberta Main Street trick or treating appealed to all ages. Above, costume-clad adult sisters: Callie Nipper and Katie, MacKenzie and Wendie Leaper.Directly above Katie Leaper and children
Juniper and Alder scored treats from merchants.

Alberta Main Street surges with new vitality and a renewed effort to develop Alberta Street as a successful and equitable commercial district.

That mission has always been core to the 11-year-old nonprofit. However, the 2018 passing of its dynamic founding executive director, Sara Wittenberg, was a shock. That, and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic left the organization with unsure footing.

Shortly before she died, the organization had been honored with a 2019 Great American Main Street Award.

Today there’s a revived energy among the board of directors. Alberta Main Street is back on track to build opportunities for local businesses and organize events to celebrate the street’s diversity and vigor.

Renewal on the street is in progress with new businesses opening, the return of Halloween day trick or treating and plans for the future. “Alberta Main Street is a nonprofit, but it should still be run as a business,” said new chair Devon Horace, whose career is in business leadership.

Devon moved to Oregon five years ago from New York state to join Nike as technical operations manager. Last year, he earned one of the last Concordia University master’s degrees in business leadership and management. He also directs Horace Consulting Agency to support Black, Indigenous and people of color who start mid-level companies.

He joined the Alberta Main Street board in June. “My thought process is ‘How can I make a difference as a young African American male in Portland?’”

Devon believes his identity and experience are a good fit for Alberta Street with its history as a predominately Black neighborhood.

Celebrating the area’s rich heritage and diversity remains a large focus. Plans for this month’s holiday event Dec. 5 include a Black Santa Claus in a pandemic-safe giant snow globe at the Alberta Main Street office.

“He’s not only for Black kids,” Devon advised. “This is more about representation and expanding upon imagination. Perhaps next year’s Santa will be Asian.”

Devon reported an increase in staff and volunteers is in the works, and the board’s priorities for the next three years are:

  • Collaborating and outreach
  • Increasing partnerships
  • Supporting area businesses.

Woven into those priorities is continuing the strong relationships already established with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Venture Portland and Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon.

For more information about Alberta Main Street’s mission, volunteer opportunities and more visit AlbertaMainSt.org.

“We’re back,” Devon said. “We’re here to stay, and we’re here to make things better.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

 

Urbanism – Local planning code isn’t friendly to ACUs

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation

In October, this column continued its series on accessory commercial units (ACUs). This is the fourth and final installment.

The legend of Hewlett Packard’s origin begins, effectively, in an accessory commercial unit (ACU), with Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard developing an audio oscillator in a garage in 1939.

It was not the first company, or the last, to begin in that way:

  • Google was begun in a garage, which Larry Page and Sergey Brin rented from a friend, Susan Wijcicki, in September 1998.
  • The first Apple computer was developed in 1976 by Steve Jobs – in his parents’ garage – with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
  • Microsoft started in a small garage in Albuquerque, where Bill Gates and Paul Allen first developed programming and operating systems for IBM.
  • Jeff Bezos created the first version of Amazon in his garage in Seattle.
  • Walt and Roy Disney even created their first films in their uncle’s Los Angeles garage in 1923!

Yet, in the Concordia neighborhood, it’s unclear to what extent this – or other forms of ACUs – would be legal today.

The residential zones are governed by Table 110-1 of the Portland Title 33 Zoning Code. It states none of the residential single-dwelling zones allow for retail, office or other commercial primary uses.

It does allow for accessory uses that comply with all development standards. But those development standards do not allow for structures within the front setback that would allow for pedestrian-oriented businesses fronting the sidewalk.

On sites served by alleys – because zero-setback buildings are allowed to front on alleys – it’s possible to build structures there containing accessory uses. However:

  • Hours are limited to 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • No more than one nonresident employee is allowed onsite.
  • Service is limited to eight customers per day.
  • No retail services are allowed onsite.
  • The dwelling and site must remain residential in appearance and characteristics.

So, there are very limited types of commercial uses that would be legal under the existing code. Budding entrepreneurs would have to fit within these restrictions. Otherwise, they would not be able to engage legally in their commercial activities in residential zones.

As mentioned in the previous installment in this series, there are good questions to be answered about where – on lots, on which lots, in which parts of the city – ACUs should be allowed. There are many ways to answer these questions, and no necessarily right or wrong answers.

There are just different conclusions that people can come to through the process of community dialogue. Yet, in the Concordia neighborhood, it’s unclear to what extent this – or other forms of ACUs – would be legal today.

Neighbors interested in discussing ACUs further are welcome to join the monthly meeting of the Concordia Neighborhood Association Land Use & Transportation Committee. Find details at ConcordiaPDX.org/CNAMeetings and ConcordiaPDX.org/lutc.

Editor’s note: The first three installments of this Urbanism series about ACUs were published in July, August and October. 

Garlynn Woodsong lives on 29th Avenue, serves on the CNA board and is an avid bicyclist. He also is a dad who is passionate about the city his son will inherit. He is the planning + development partner with Cascadia Partners LLC, a local urban planning firm. Contact him at LandUse@ConcordiaPDX.org.

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.

Simple concept aids food insecure

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities
Portland Food Project volunteers collect donations from their neighbors. In four of this year’s six planned events, they gathered more than 95,000 pounds of items for local food pantries. The next pick up is Dec. 11. Left to right are local volunteers Peggy Concillo; Nick, Alice and Rebecca O’Neil; and Erin Cooper. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

It started as a handful of people collecting 237 pounds of supplies for food-insecure Portlanders from 14 donors in 2012. In 2019, Portland Food Project volunteers collected donations from about 1,500 households that totaled nearly 114,000 pounds of food.

Donors buy one extra grocery item a week, save those for an every-other month collection, then put them in supplied green project bags outside for pick up.

Last year, the pandemic caused a reduction in pick ups that resulted in a drop to nearly 82,500 pounds. But donors increased their financial contributions. And just the first four collections – of six – this year have resulted in more than 95,000 pounds of food.

Peggy Concillo joined the citywide, all-volunteer project five years ago. The Alameda resident and other local neighborhood coordinators collect food from Concordians and residents across the city the second Saturday of each even-numbered month.

The food is divided between 19 Portland area food pantries. Among them are nearby Northeast Emergency Food Pantry, Sharon Community Services and Home Forward at Dekum Court.

The nonprofit organization’s success lies in the neighborhood coordinators, according to Peggy. “They are an amazing bunch of people. They keep the project going.”

They come from all walks of life Peggy joined soon after her retirement as an educator.

“I wanted to do some volunteering, and I knew I wanted to do something different than being in schools. It sounded like a great concept, and it sounded easy,” she said.

“This is a local thing, building your own community and your neighborhood. People feel like they’re having a direct connection, a direct impact in their own community.”

To become a donor or neighborhood coordinator, visit PortlandFoodProject.org. At the same website, financial donations are accepted. In fact, enough money was donated late last year to enable the project to purchase groceries for an extra distribution to pantries in January.

Most coordinators start out as donors, then form their own routes of nearby households, then grow their routes to 15-30 donors.

According to project estimates, coordinators spend four to five hours every other month. That includes reminding their donors when to expect them, picking up the filled green bags from donors’ porches, leaving bags for the next pick up and delivering donations to a drop-off site.

At latest count, 42 other towns across the country have initiated programs modeled after Portland’s. Some of those are in the new hometowns of former Portland Food Project volunteers.

“Our motto serves other areas just as well as Portland,” Peggy explained. “Sharing food, building community.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

Catalytic converter thefts plague Concordians

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News
Catalytic converter thefts aren’t unusual these days in Concordia. But Michael French’s experience was. Thieves towed his car a few blocks away, removed the converter and left the car otherwise untouched. Photo by Edana French

By Mac Larsen | CNA Media Team

When you search “catalytic converter theft” on Concordia Nextdoor.com, you’ll see countless posts of desperate neighbors dismayed that they, too, have been victims of the crime.

This form of petty theft is so common in the Portland metro area that many car owners see catalytic converter theft as almost inevitable, leaving many wondering, “Why does this seem to always happen?” and “What can be done?”

Michael French awoke in his home in southwest Concordia to discover his car was missing from the spot he’d parallel parked it the evening before.

“Generally thieves will cut the converter out of a car without taking the entire car,” he said. His experience was the opposite. Three days later police found his car not far from home. The catalytic converter was the only thing that appeared to be missing or damaged.

“The car, otherwise, was in good condition, and nobody had ever gotten inside it,” Michael said. “It was still locked.”

Auto mechanics are on the front lines of dealing with this problem. Ron Johnson, a local mechanic, has observed a steep increase in catalytic converter theft over the past few years. He said the shop is replacing the catalytic converters of about 50 Priuses a year.

According to Ron, for the Gen 2 Prius like Michael’s, it takes only three minutes to remove the catalytic converter if the thieves have the proper equipment and a makeshift tow jack. A neighbor who saw Michael’s Prius stolen noticed the thieves used the back of a pick-up truck to move the car away from the neighborhood.

Generally, thieves are stealing the converters for the rare metals they contain – palladium and rhodium – and a Prius converter can sell for about $1,200 as scrap metal.

Peter Keller in south central Concordia had his own experience with would-be thieves when he was awakened at 5 a.m. to what he said sounded like a train derailing. Using two hacksaws, the thieves were halfway through removing the converter when Peter made a commotion and scared them off.

The tide may turn Jan. 1 when Oregon Senate Bill 803 takes effect. It prohibits scrap metal businesses from purchasing or receiving catalytic converters, and it passed by a majority in both the Senate and House.

Mac Larsen is a graduate student at the University of Oregon, pursuing a master’s degree in journalism. He grew up in Concordia neighborhood and can be found frequently on Alberta Street, complaining about all the construction.

Concordia Art Works – Sticker bombing abounds on Alberta Street

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News
Slap tagging, sticker bombing, unsightly nuisance, chaotic and free human expression. Call it what you will. The Alberta Street is one of two local areas that make Portland the sticker graffiti capital. Photo by Maquette Reeverts

If you want to get your art, political message, logo or just your name out there, stickers are the media of choice to reach the masses. Slap tagging – or sticker bombing – has been a viral art medium since before the internet even existed.

Spray paint or a marker takes time and increases the chance of being caught. Stickers can be slapped up quickly. It is mostly an urban art form that focuses on walking, public transit and public spaces where people wait and look at their surroundings.

Stickers are easy, cheap and can be made at home in bulk or printed at the local print shop. Priority Mail stickers can be obtained for free from the post office and make a great surface for drawings or tags. Sticker artists often trade their work with each other to expand their distribution.

Some slap their stickers next to friends’ stickers to say hello, or they place stickers next to better-known artists to get noticed. This is called spot jockeying or side busting.

Portland is a hub for slap tagging and, over the course of the past decade, has elevated Portland to be the sticker capital with Alberta and Mississippi districts having high concentrations. That’s because both have specific walls that are popular with local and national sticker artists.

Like other forms of graffiti, slap tagging can be seen as an unsightly nuisance that contributes to the negative impact on livability. Others see it as a form of chaotic and free human expression – an attempt to reclaim boring environments or public space.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation spends an average $42,000 a year on cleaning street signs and helps coordinate community volunteers to clean graffiti.

There are also individuals who take the task upon themselves – which can end up stripping the reflective surfaces off street signs and rendering them illegible at night.

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

NAYA Gala turns to virtual fundraiser again

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News
The 2020 annual NAYA Gala went virtual, and this year’s gala follows suit. Live streaming of the fundraiser begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. Attendance and raffle tickets, and auction bidding begins earlier. Photos courtesy of NAYA

By Brittany van der Salm | CNA Board Member, AL6

COVID-19 doesn’t deter the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) from continuing to host NAYA Gala. The 18th annual gala and fundraiser is virtual for the second consecutive year.

The livestream event begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. Prior to this, bidding on auction items was scheduled to begin Friday, Oct. 29, and ticket sales for a raffle on Monday, Oct 25.

Registration for the event, raffle and auction is at NAYAgala.org. The page will be updated with more information as the event gets closer.

Despite the format change, events manager Vawn Borges reported the organization still recorded over 800 unique viewers and 250 registered auction bidders last year. They generated similar donations to what the organization normally sees at in-person events.

The 2020 move to the virtual format allowed attendees from as far as Australia and Germany to tune into the livestream, bid in the auction and make donations, Vawn said.

This year, NAYA will again offer guests the option of ordering a traditional Native-inspired dinner catered by ChefStable and delivered to their homes. They may also bid on an array of auction items, including a blue glass vase made by Lillian Pitt, Northwest Native artist and former Alberta Arts District gallery owner. Add to that a selection of jewelry from the Southwest, several travel packages and more.

Although planning for the event is still underway, some changes to the program of the livestream event are expected, including several live performances.

Vawn said he wants the gala to feature more entertainment by Native performers. “We hope our virtual attendees will find our program more engaging overall.”

Longtime gala emcee and NAYA board member Zeke Smith will again host the event, and he will be joined by Johnna Wells to run the auction.

The annual gala is NAYA’s largest source of unrestricted funding. Money raised through the event is used to fill budget shortfalls or gaps. That ensures programs not fully funded through government contracts or foundation grants can continue to run.

NAYA is located on Columbia Boulevard and 52nd Avenue. It provides educational, housing, community building, foster care, elder and other services each year to over 10,000 self-identified Native Americans across the Portland metropolitan area.

Brittany is a board member of the CNA, and has lived in the neighborhood since 2019. She works as a Medicaid disability policy consultant with a national nonprofit firm. Brittany loves to bake and bird watch.

Meet the Board – CNA is just one passion that attracts Brittany

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News
Concordia isn’t the only community in which Brittany van der Salm gets involved. She is pictured here during a monthly virtual meeting that connects her with fellow The Dinner Party participants, each of whom has lost someone significant in their life. Photo by Paul van der Salm

By Brittany van der Salm | CNA Board Member, AL6

Hi Neighbors! I’m Brittany van der Salm, a board member of Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA). I moved here in November 2019 with my husband Paul and our critters.

You can spot us at Alberta Park with our pups, Etta and Dobby, and grabbing cones at Salt & Straw. Or find us gardening in our yard with the help of our outdoor guard cats, Red and Fats Domino – in fact, you may have already met them. They love to greet people walking by.

Professionally, I work as a policy analyst, and I focus primarily on services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Outside of work – when I’m not planning my Halloween decorations – I like to read and bake. I love to bird watch, whether at my yard feeders, around the neighborhood or outside the city.

Several times a month I participate in and host virtual dinner tables through an organization called The Dinner Party. It provides community and support for people ages 20-40 who have lost someone significant in their lives.

On the last Tuesday of every month, I host a table for people all over the country who, like myself, have lost both parents. I love having this opportunity to connect with people who just “get it.’”

For me, showing up for the communities I’m a part of makes me feel more connected. That’s why I decided to run for election to join the CNA Board of Directors – to join others in my neighborhood and to help others to feel like a part of our community.

I’ve learned so much about the issues impacting our neighborhood by being on the board and attending meetings. On Nov. 3, we’ll have elections for next year. Board chair Peter Keller offers more details about that here.

If you’re interested in taking on a bigger role in our community, I urge you to consider running!

Dogwood is a marriage of wine and flowers

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses
Newlyweds Gabby Terraciano and Brant Ozanich share their love for wine and flowers in their new shop, Dogwood at 4932 N.E. 30th Ave. They’ll mask up and uncork a few bottles at the Oct. 31 CNA Social Mixer. See RSVP information below. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

By Javier Puga-Phillips | CNA Board Member, AL4 CNA Social Committee Chair

A new concept arrived in Concordia when certified sommelier Brant Ozanich and expert florist Gabby Terraciano opened the doors of Dogwood in April.

Dogwood is a wine and flower shop. “Wine and flowers are the perfect marriage,” Brant declared. In fact, he and Gabby are newlyweds and have taken the pandemic to relocate from San Francisco to start a new chapter in their lives.

“We always wanted to open our own business, and the pandemic gave us the extra time we were needing to do so,” Brant shared. They got married and opened their dream shop one month apart last spring.

Dogwood has an extensive selection of wines and flower arrangements ready for any occasion. As for the selection process, Brant noted, “We made a list of the wines we wanted to see in our shop and started selecting based on that list.

“We prefer wines grown on the West Coast from independent family-owned wineries and European wines.”

The flowers, on the other hand, are locally sourced, and Gabby and Brant are big believers in supporting women-owned businesses.

The couple met in San Francisco, but both have always had a soft spot for Portland. “Portland has always been a great city for us. We love the people, weather and vibe of the city,” Brant reported. When they came to Portland, they made a reservation in a popular restaurant on Alberta Street.

When they were ready to take the leap of faith and open Dogwood, they went back to Alberta and walked the street over and over again, realizing the need of a wine or flower shop.

They came across 4932 N.E. 30th Ave., where the shop is now located. “As soon as we walked into the space, we knew this was it,” Brant pointed out. They knew immediately that the Concordia neighborhood was home for them.

The decision on the shop’s name was almost as easy: Brant’s and Gabby’s love story began with dogwoods. “They were one of the first flowers I picked up for Gabby,” he explained.

Dogwood features a wine club that explores different regions of the wine world. Its focus is on enjoyment and education. The owners are also planning a combination of classes to get the community involved. Visit DogwoodPDX.com or Instagram.com/DogwoodPDX for details.

CNA Social Mixer

Concordia Neighborhood Association partners with Dogwood for a Halloween mixer from 7 to 10 p.m. in the new store. Dogwood plans to serve appetizers at the free wine tasting. Space is limited, so RSVPs are due at Social@ConcordiaPDX. org, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination is accepted at the door.

Nota del editor: Artículo disponible en Español, visita ConcordiaPDX.org/Dogwood.

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the At Large 4 position on the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors, manages rentals of the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room and chairs the CNA Social Committee. He is a real estate professional locally, and he is a published author and motivational speaker in Latin America and Spain.