Category Archives: Events

By John McSherry

S ummer is a time to get outside, enjoy the sun, walk around, and meet with neighbors. When you are out exploring this June, a great spot to venture to is Concordia Commons. Concordia Commons is a City of Portland public street plaza maintained by the Bureau of Transportation in partnership with the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA). It is located at NE 30th and Killingsworth. Through CNA’s Friends of the Commons committee, we plan, sponsor and promote free fun activities and events all summer long. Here’s what’s on tap this month:

Live Music Sundays at the Commons
From 4 – 6pm through August
Bookings are still in progress. Scheduled at this time are: June 1st – Steve Cheseborough – acoustic country blues of the 1920s and ’30s, June 15th – Julie and the Astronauts – Alt- Americana originals mixed with rare musical treasures soaked in hot country licks and June 22nd – The Lawrence Jazz Duo – Instrumental jazz, pop, bossa nova, and swing.

Game Night at Concordia Commons
Every Thursday from 5 – 7 pm through August
We have over 50 games for a wide range of ages and abilities including Scrabble, strategy games, cooperative games, and others. Come have fun with your neighbors.

Vivid Memories: A Slide Film Showcase
Saturday, June 14th from 8 – 10 pm.
Mia Rose of forage films will be presenting a projected art show featuring five Portland photographers in celebration of color reversal film. While you are there, check out the Slide-o-matic mystery slide vending machine.

Everything in the Commons is always free. Check our website for updates on what is happening.

In addition, we love it when other people hold events at Concordia Commons. It is free to use but the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) must approve your application. Learn how to apply.

Another free ongoing event is Loose Threads, a drop-in workshop every Friday from 2 – 5 pm in the Community Room at Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave.) Bring your knitting or crochet projects from home to work on, or make a felt project such as a plant pick, eyeglass case, pansy boutonniere, or tiny, whimsical brooch. Materials provided; one project per participant. For more information, contact CNA Stitching Coach Caprice Lawless at (720) 939-3094.

Save the date for Concordia Neighbors Night Out at University of Oregon (2800 NE Liberty St.) on Thursday, August 7th from 6 – 8 pm. It will be be our 50th Anniversary celebration of the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) and also our first annual family friendly concert on the lawn amphitheater. Family friendly activities will include face painting and lawn games. Additionally, U of O will have a Community Open House with information and tours of buildings. Come, bring a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs, and join our neighborhood night out.

Also, consider signing up to help host our Thursday game nights or Sunday Fun in the Commons by contacting Kepper Petzing at karenpetzing@gmail.com.

I hope to see you there!
John McSherry, Vice Chair

John McSherry lives on 29th Avenue and serves on the CNA board and media team. When not spending time with his family, John loves playing music, recreating on the water, and volunteering. He can be reached at AL3@concordiapdx.org.

By Michelle Fitzgerald | Social Committee Member

Welcome to the very teeny tiny beginning of fall! Just because the seasons aren’t changing doesn’t mean the social committee isn’t hard at work planning events to bring our community together.

Our next exciting event is an opportunity to meet your neighbors, check out their cool wares and pick up a few treasures at the Annual Yard Sale. This event will run for two days, on Saturday September 16th and Sunday, September 17th from 8am–3pm each day. Maps of participating houses will be made and posted to the CNA website and will also be available at each participating house.

In October, we are working on two cool things for you! First, we are looking for new ways to enjoy the decorations, haunted houses, and events celebrating Halloween in our neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information and please reach out to the Social Committee at Social@ConcordiaPDX.org if you have ideas. Second, we will also host our Candy & Goodies Giveaway at the lovely Bar Cala. Details will be announced as we get closer.

And remember, the Community Room at McMenamins Kennedy School is available to rent for your own social gatherings. The money supports CNA social activities, all of which are open to our neighbors. Book the space at ConcordiaPDX.org/community-roomrental.

These events run on team spirit and dedicated volunteers are still needed. If you have a particular interest or would like to volunteer, please let us know. Our social committee meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at various locations. Drop in, come for sweet treats or just say hello. We will change locations monthly and post reminders on our social media pages and our website.

Michelle, alongside her husband John, loves connecting with neighbors and creating opportunities to build deeper connections in our community. She is an avid quilter and loves antiques.

Summer is finally here and the time is right, neighbor, to come out of your shell. It’s the season of group bike rides and park dance parties, porch hangs with new neighbors and bounce house block parties. But in case you’re struggling to work up your social spirit, here are some free events happening in the neighborhood this June to get you moving.

Sunday Parkways Northeast
The World Naked Bike Ride isn’t until Sunday, Aug. 13, but you can prepare for that exhilarating group ride by joining Sunday Parkways Northeast, rolling through Concordia on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Portland, this 6.2-mile route closes several major streets in our neighborhood to car traffic and circles four parks.

Last year, I attended and loved the live music and dancing at Fernhill and Khunamokwst parks. I also loved the parade atmosphere that emerged along the route. The 2022 route was hot but neighbors rose to the occasion; setting up sprinklers, water stations and lemonade stands for participants. And I saw a few neighbors take advantage of the closed streets to throw some casual front yard/ block parties.

The ride has no start or end and is free. Bring water and money for food trucks along the way. Visit Portland.gov/sunday-parkways/northeast-event-2023 to learn more.

Pedalpalooza bike rides
If something a bit more indie is your scene, try Pedalpalooza, Portland’s summer bike fest. Peruse the online calendar to find literally hundreds of themed rides planned throughout summer. I like the sound of the 80s New Wave Retro Ride that rolls through Concordia on June 10 at 7 p.m. Start at Woodlawn City Park, at Northeast Dekum and 13th streets, and ride a casual 11 miles while grooving to the best synthand new wave hits. Riders are strongly encouraged to come dressed for the 1980s. The ride will end at Tough Luck bar (21 and over) on 1771 N.E. Dekum St. The ride is free and for all ages.

Community Arts Center
Cully has a new Community Arts Center at 4524 N.E. Going St., which offers an open studio, after-school programs for kids, and classes in fiber arts, ceramic hand building, and art fundamentals. On Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., it’s opening its doors for a free, family-friendly Craft Day and Open House.

Dance on Wheels Nights
Roll down to the playground at Vernon School, 2044 N.E. Killingsworth St., on Saturday nights this summer to Dance on Wheels, an all-ages gathering.

Organizer Janet Strong started roller skating during the pandemic, after a long hiatus.

“Everything was such a bummer,” she said. “I needed more joyful movement in my life.” The informal roller-skating nights were such a hit that they’re bringing them back for summer 2023. All wheels are welcome, including scooters, skateboards and bikes.

Strong brings the music; you can bring your own drinks and snacks. Strong says her favorite nights are when another roller skate group shows up, clad in helmets and elbow pads, to practice their tricks. Gatherings are held from 5:30-8 p.m. on weekends, and most are planned one week in advance.

To get in the know, find Strong on Facebook or go see her in the main office of Vernon School, 2044 N.E. Killingsworth St., where she works. Note: this is an informal gathering, not school-sponsored.

Owl Fest concert
On Saturday, June 3, a much bigger party will go down at Vernon School. Join neighbors for a community-wide celebration at Owl Fest from 3- 7 p.m., an event that hosts hope to hold annually.

Two special parent bands have assembled to provide entertainment. Strong, from the roller parties, plays keyboards and sings in one band. She is pretty tight-lipped about the set list, but promises danceable cover songs that represent diverse artists and span the decades.

Owl Fest also promises games for all ages, food trucks, silent bidding and “Take the Cake” musical chairs.

Vernon PTA President Maya Pueo von Geldern says her group hopes to hold Owl Fest outdoors. Free to attend, but a wristband for unlimited games is $5.

Belagarth Medieval Combat Society
Every Sunday at 2 p.m. in Alberta Park, 1905 N.E. Killingsworth St., a group of 15-20 folks battle it out at Belagarth, a medieval combat society. The “battle” takes place on the green field just south of the basketball court. I visited on a recent Sunday and observed a friendly, athletic and creative group of people gather to blow off some steam and have a lot of fun. Belagarth is more martial art than live action role play, although according to one organizer, Belagarth does include storylines, and players are welcome to make up their own fantasies. The pace of the battle varies from methodical to fast and hard, depending on who’s engaged. The group welcomes all skill levels, and organizers say the rules are easy to learn. Participating is free and foam shields and swords can be borrowed to get you started. Get out of your comfort zone and give Belagarth a try.

Science Fiction Book Club
More into sitting for your socializing? Concordia’s sci-fi book store Parallel Worlds Bookshop, 2639 N.E. Alberta St., hosts an ongoing, monthly in-person Book Club. Owner Sam Jones told his Instagram followers that starting in June, the group will meet at a larger space upstairs at Dream House PDX, 412 N.E. Beech St.

June’s book is Ursula K. Le Guin’s classic, “The Lathe of Heaven,” and a discussion will take place on June 1 from 6:15 – 8:15 pm.

Singing group
Portland’s long-running free singing group, the Sacred Harp singers, meet twice monthly at McMenamins Kennedy School community room, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. Improve breathing and release tension by joining them on Sundays, June 11 or 25, at 4 p.m. Newcomers welcome.

Got a free activity planned for this summer? Tell us about it and we’ll feature your event in an upcoming issue. Email Dina Sage at CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org.

Leigh Shelton is the ad rep for Concordia News. She loves getting to know her Concordia neighbors and exploring ways we can better support each other. Reach out and say hi at CNewsBusiness@ ConcordiaPDX.org.

By Kepper Petzing | Contributing writer

On June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed people in Confederate territories from slavery, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. He read out General Order Number 3, informing everyone that the Union had won the Civil War, and slavery was abolished in the United States. This date is now celebrated as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth in Portland
Oregon was the only state to enter the Union with a clause excluding Blacks in its constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment, which made exclusion illegal, was passed in 1868. Understandably, few Black people moved to Oregon until their labor was needed in the Portland shipyards during World War II.

Clara Peoples was one such person. She moved here from Muskogee, OK, and was surprised to learn that Juneteenth was not celebrated here. In 1945 she led her fellow workers in the Kaiser shipyards in the first Juneteenth celebration in Oregon.

Peoples continued to work for official recognition of Juneteenth but she and her family were displaced by the 1948 Vanport flood, and moved to 1406 NE Ainsworth St., a redlined restricted area. In 1972, she helped organize Portland’s first official Juneteenth celebration, enjoyed annually ever since. It earned Peoples the nickname, “Mother of Juneteenth.”

Peoples died in 2015, the annual parade was named the Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade and Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

Board member’s thoughts
“Growing up in Mississippi, Juneteenth was never heard of,” Isham “Ike” Harris, Concordia Neighborhood Association board member said. “AfroAmerican history is a very rich history. It is a oneness with American history, but it isn’t taught that way.

“I applaud the people who are making a special effort to get the 1619 Project taught,” Harris added, referring to a journalistic endeavor to revise American history to include Blacks that were enslaved in the Virginia colony as early as the year 1619. “There are voices [today] trying to shut that history down, which is really a bad thing because life is generational. You don’t want the next generation coming up behind you to be ignorant of their own history.”

Reparations
“The fact that Juneteenth is a paid holiday; a federal holiday today – that is a good thing,” Harris said, “but as far as I’m concerned it is unfinished business… All those hundreds of years of slavery represent economic deprivation. People were working for free. Until America reparates Afro-Americans with dollars and cents, [there is no closure].

“We should not see ourselves as people who are satisfied with just having a holiday picnic,” Harris said. “I’m also calling out my own people. There should be more protests for reparation payments. Picnics and fairs are good, but it doesn’t pay for free labor. And when you keep that history away from the younger generation, they don’t know that their great foreparents built this country for free.”

Our newest holiday
Juneteenth has been called America’s second Independence Day. Every year the Juneteenth Oregon organization leads us in celebration, with a parade down Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., live music performances, vendors, educational booths, community resources, and a Miss Juneteenth pageant.

Join in this free festival at Lillis-Albina Park on June 17-18 and look for events around the city. Info: Facebook.com/juneteenthoregon15.

Kepper Petzing has lived in Concordia for 40 years, where, with their partner Lowen, they raised two children. They are nonbinary. They love community and are grateful for Concordia News.

On April 8, hundreds of children gathered for Concordia’s annual Spring Egg Hunt in Fern Hill Park.

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who lent their time and support to Concordia’s Spring Egg Hunt.

On April 8, the Concordia Neighborhood Association hosted a double event, a neighborhood clean-up followed by our annual egg hunt, and I am happy to report that both events were a resounding success!

I want to give a special shout-out to all those who helped fill the eggs. Your hard work and dedication brought smiles and happiness to hundreds of local kids.

I want to especially thank James, our youngest volunteer, 5 years old, who coordinated with his parents and showed up at 10 a.m. sharp to help hide the eggs. He was more interested in setting up for other kids than he was in finding eggs, and for that, he earned one of the gift cards from Gabbiano’s and a special thank you from the neighborhood.

Another big thank you to Darcy Gabriel and her husband Sam, who showed up and helped during setup. They earned the second gift card from Gabbiano’s.

I also want to recognize Gina Levine, who helped with the neighborhood cleanup and made sure that Concordia is a bit cleaner. Levine also helped stuff thousands of eggs with her children and other young volunteers, earning her a gift card from The Knock Back for her time and efforts. The second Knock Back gift card was earned by Sigrid Casey, who donated her time and truck to pick up large items of trash from our streets.

We hid around 6,000 eggs and gave away around 10,000 pieces of candy and an assortment of prizes. Thank you to POP Cart, who was there with music and helping us direct the event.

Thank you to Flour Market for the delicious pastries for our volunteers, and to Kiss Coffee for their donation of coffee for the clean-up and 100 hot chocolate coupons for the egg hunt!

I also want to give a big shoutout to the board members who helped so much. Brittany Van Der Salm, our vice chair, and her husband Paul were instrumental in taking charge of the lost and found, bringing a lot of peace of mind to our neighbors. Rich Bruton, chair of our Land Use and Transportation Committee (LUTC), helped set up the borders of the hunt according to ages. Astrid Fustner, our board member for East 2, and her family took charge of the prize booth. Megan Gobble, our board member for SW2, gathered her family and made sure the park was ready and clean for the event. Patricia McMahon, AL2, was there setting up and laying eggs, and helping with the pickup. John McSherry, AL3, helped with release forms and picking up. Heather Pashley, our treasurer, helped with the cleanup. Kieran Lee, our chair, brought tables to set up.

To all of the other volunteers, too many of you to name here, my most heartfelt thanks for your time and effort.

First Fridays

On a separate note, I want to share when the social committee will be meeting and how you can get involved. Starting in May, we will be meeting on the first Friday of each month, and we will be rotating locations. Please email me at Social@ConcordiaPDX.org or call/ text me at 503-343-5561 for locations.

Our first meeting takes place at 2 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Chilango, 2217 NE Alberta St. Members of the social committee will each get a free taco. Speaking of Cinco de Mayo, Concordia residents are in for a treat: Chilango, a vegan Mexican restaurant, will be hosting a special party that day from 3–7 p.m. The party will kick off after the social committee meeting. Attendees can indulge in the restaurant’s delicious tacos while enjoying live entertainment. Chilango [See related feature Pag

e 5] has been a part of the community for many years, and this event is an excellent opportunity for residents to celebrate the culture and diversity of their neighborhood. Don’t miss out on the fun and festivities!

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the Southwest 1 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.

Get ready for an exciting year filled with community events and initiatives! We are continuing last year’s efforts to keep Concordia clean. The neighborhood cleanups are back. This year we have scheduled three cleanups, on March 4, June 3 and Oct 7. We are meeting at Alberta Park each date at 9 a.m. sharp. The committee invites all community members to join in and help keep our neighborhood clean.

Makers Market

On Saturday, March 18, the community room at Kennedy School will host the Makers Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a great opportunity for local artists and the public to connect. The gathering features local residents showcasing and selling their handmade items such as music instruments, wood art, glass art, and more. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to participate.

Coming up

The Concordia Neighborhood Association will also host a range of exciting events, including the annual Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. (location to be determined).

We are coming together as a neighborhood to fill the eggs at 4 p.m. Friday, April 7, in the community room at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave. The committee invites all community members and local businesses to participate or donate.

Year ahead

For the first time ever, CNA will host an official Pride event in June at Bonne Chance, 2209 NE Alberta St. More details to follow in the upcoming months. The committee is also bringing back National Night Out, Yard Sale (likely over Labor Day weekend), Halloween and a Holiday Party. We do need volunteers for all of these events.

The new initiative “Partners in Concordia” aims to bring volunteers and community members together to tackle small tasks such as gardening, painting fences and changing bulbs. The committee is collecting names of volunteers and tasks they prefer to do and hopes to match them up with community members in need of help. The date for this initiative is set for some time in the summer.

Sabin meeting

On Feb. 8, the Sabin Community Association invited CNA board members as well as Concordia neighbors to attend one of their meetings at Sabin Elementary School, where Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) representatives addressed a recent fatal crash involving a single vehicle, on Dec. 5, that drove into a utility pole. The automobile was speeding on Prescott at 90 mph at the corner of NE 14th Avenue and Prescott Street, lost control and crashed. The meeting was an opportunity for the community to voice their concerns and thoughts on the issue of traffic safety in the neighborhood.

During the meeting, a large number of neighbors shared their concerns about the use of Prescott as a “speed track” and how drivers, even though it’s a two-way street, illegally pass cars. It was brought to our attention that the speed limit on Prescott is 25 mph, but some drivers ignore this, putting themselves and others in danger.

In light of these concerns, PBOT shared that the more letters the community sends the bureau, the faster it can respond to the issue. I would like to invite all Concordia neighbors to write a letter addressing any and all concerns about traffic safety in the neighborhood. These letters can be sent to me at Social@ConcordiaPDX.org or to our Land Use and Transportation Committee at LandUse@ConcordiaPDX.org.

I would also like to take a moment to thank Rachel Lee, the chair of Sabin Land Use and Transportation Committee, for the invitation to the meeting and for her efforts in ensuring that the community’s voice is heard.

Let’s work together to make Concordia a safer and more peaceful place for all, let’s come together and make Concordia a stronger and more vibrant community! If you own a business in Concordia or want to give a shoutout, please tag us @CNAPDX and use #SocialConcordiaPDX.

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the Southwest 1 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.

The holidays are here, and we’d like to invite all of our neighbors to Concordia’s holiday party! This year we are having our holiday party from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Teote Alberta, 2700 NE Alberta St. CNA will provide a buffet-style dinner, and the bar will be open for adult beverages.

In addition, we are lucky to have Robin Jackson and Lewis Childs performing holiday music for us from 5 p.m. onward. We will have some candy and prizes for children attending.

We plan to have a silent auction to raise funds for CNA, including art and gift certificates donated by our local businesses. Thank you, Astrid Furstner, for all your help and collaboration getting this silent auction ready and organized.

Vaccination cards are not required this year, but vaccines are heavily encouraged. Please RSVP at Social@ConcordiaPDX.org for a head count, as we would like to make sure we have enough food for everyone.

Alberta Gnome

CNA would like to thank Maquette Reeverts, local artist and CNews contributing writer, as well as her team, for putting together this year’s Alberta “Gnome for the Holidays.” This is a fun free event for an opportunity to win prizes.

Grab a “Gnome Card” at Frock Boutique, 1439 NE Alberta St., Mimosa Pottery Studios, 1718 NE Alberta St. or Alberta Street Gallery, 1829 NE Alberta St. and hunt for gnomes. From Dec. 2–26, walk Northeast Alberta from NE 13th to NE 30th avenues and look for hidden gnomes at participant businesses listed on the Gnome Cards. Each gnome has a letter next to it, so write down the letter on the corresponding business square and reveal a hidden message.

Return your completed gnome card to any of the drop-off locations, including any of the locations mentioned above, and enter for an opportunity to win. You do not need to find them all to participate in the raffle, which takes place Dec. 27.

Last Thursday on Alberta

It was brought to my attention that Last Thursdays on Alberta are year-round affairs among our artists and galleries and do not take place only during the summer months.

Share the Road

On a more serious note, we’d like to remind our drivers to please follow the speed limits on our streets. Remember that Alberta Street and 42nd Street are our commercial areas, and we have a lot of pedestrians walking those streets. We have seen some drivers in a rush and/ or at high speed at Prescott and Killingsworth unnecessarily putting in danger the lives of our neighbors. Slow down, and let’s share our streets with bikers and pedestrians alike.

As we wrap up this year, we’d like to thank all the people who made this year a success for our neighborhood. CNA hosted Bi-Monthly neighborhood pickups, and we picked up over 15 tons of trash from our street. We brought back our Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Concerts in the park, National Night Out, Annual Yard Sales and other fun events.

Thank you to our Social Committee volunteers and businesses who have made 2022 a success, and Happy New Year!

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the Southwest 1 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.