Category Archives: Events

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Every September thousands of Portlanders arrive on wheels to ride the 7.6-mile loop of city streets that connect four Concordia-area parks in NE Sunday Parkways.

They return Sunday, Sept. 22. Neighbors move their cars to where they can access them on other streets, or they simply plan to be part of the annual event between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Rebecca and Nick O’Neil on Ainsworth Street, and Nell Westerlund and Bryce Tolene on 37th Avenue didn’t realize they’d be on the route when they bought their homes five and four years ago, respectively.

“We’d lived in Portland 20 years and participated in some of the Sunday Parkways around town,” Rebecca said. “But being on the route came as a surprise, a welcome one.”

“We were excited when we realized it,” Nell recalled. “We have always participated in Sunday Parkways in some form, changing every year as the kids’ abilities grow.”

Last year her children drew bike art in the driveway. This year they plan to sell vegetables from their garden after they finish their own circuit of the loop.

Rebecca’s and Nick’s daughter was born shortly after they moved here, and each year pictures record her maturing – from a bike trailer, to training wheels and last year to just two wheels.

Friends participating in the event – and even ones who don’t – gather in the O’Neils’ front yard to watch and to interact with passersby.

Before and after their own ride around the loop, the O’Neils’ daughter sells lemonade, or gives away flowers and fruit from their garden.

The story’s much the same for the Westerlund/Tolene family.

“We embrace the event by having a party in our front yard,” Nell explained.

“It’s become like a holiday tradition. We let our friends know we’ll be out front if they want to stop for a drink or a snack and, as a bonus, we always get to see people we didn’t know would be out biking. We flag them down, and they join the party.”

This section of Concordia also gets plenty of traffic in the spring and summer since Fernhill Park – with its egg hunt and concert series – is only a stone’s throw.

“We see those as more opportunities to take the event and expand on it since we live so close,” Nell reported.

Rebecca agreed. She and Nick invite friends from outside Concordia to the park events.

“It’s a statement of how the neighborhood is so desirable, since our friends like to come and experience it with us.”

Editor’s note: Click here for details about NE Sunday Parkways and the route.

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

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Get ready to put your food, drink and dance on. Local businesses invite you to their 10th annual block party on 30th Avenue between Emerson and Jarrett streets.

Both 30th Avenue blocks will be closed to vehicles Sunday, Sept. 8, from 3 to 9 p.m.

This area is also known as Foxchase.

Curious? That’s what the recorded plat said in 1889 when Alberta Street was a dirt track. Read some interesting and unusual facts about Foxchase, here.

The event is sponsored by the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) and Dayna McErlean, with additional support and involvement from the other local vendors.

Dayna is a longtime Concordian and a well-known Portland restaurateur. She is the developer and owner of Yakuza Izakaya, D.O.C. and Nonna Tavern, all on 30th between Emerson and Jarrett.

“This celebration is all about community – building it, nurturing it, promoting it,” Dayna explained. She is a creative visionary dedicated to bringing interesting and inspiring businesses to her neighborhood.

The festive block party started 10 years ago as customer appreciation with about 200 people in attendance. Dayna estimated there were 1,000 people there last year and expects even more this year.

It’s an opportunity for folks to sample and learn more about the goods and services offered by the local businesses. There will be complimentary tastes and product samples.

There will also be a variety of musical entertainment curated by Brent Folis, a drummer with Pink Martini. Be prepared to boogey.

All businesses in the two-block radius are invited to participate.

John McSherry, CNA board member, is involved with preparations. He promises a day of kid-friendly fun with a children’s play area and games at Yakuza’s backyard patio.

The block party will be a great chance to mingle with your neighbors and taste all this area has to offer.

A night of food, music, dance, drink and friends. Does it get any better?

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.

By Paloma Wykhuis | CNews Special Writer

The Alberta Street Fair is my absolute favorite place to spend a hot summer day!

From food, to art, to fabulous costumes and even live music, (not to mention the parade) the Alberta Street Fair is truly a magical tradition.

Every summer I look forward to going. My mother owns the store Frock on Alberta Street, so I get to proudly represent the store in the parade each year.

I help throw candy and hold Frock’s banner. I have been in the parade since I was a one-year-old, and Aug. 10 will be my 15th Alberta Street Fair. Many of my favorite childhood memories are being pulled in a wagon in the parade and around the fair when I was small.

The Alberta Street Fair is interesting because everyone dresses up in the most silly and unique costumes. Ignoring the usually humid weather, parade participants dress in full costume.

You will see people dressed as elephants and other animals mingling with clowns and fairy princesses, and you will always see the neighborhood Hello Kitty walking past the booths lining the street.

It has always been a special tradition for my family to participate every year and it’s always fun to take a day off of the usual hustle and bustle of normal life to be silly and have fun dressing up.

The fair also has amazing shows that you can watch while viewing the booths or grabbing a bite to eat. Kids put on a talent show at the end of the parade. Additionally, there are two other stages on either end of the street where local bands provide entertainment.

After the parade, I like to visit the art booths. The art booths capture my imagination because they are all unique and each has something beautiful, different and interesting to offer.

I love making art, and it inspires me to see the incredible art that Portland artists bring to the street fair. It’s always fun to buy the art and support local artists.

The fair makes you feel like a real part of the Alberta community. You get to see old friends, and you get to meet new people who are a part of the community.

Of all the street fairs I have been to, the Alberta Street Fair is my favorite. It really brings out the fun and excitement of Alberta.

I hope to see you there!

Paloma Wykhuis is a 15-year-old sophomore at Jefferson High School. In addition to attending the annual street fair, she enjoys writing and making art.

By Karen Lotts | CNA Media Team

Cerimon House turns 10 this month and, to celebrate, the arts and humanities organization is hosting “The Ten Spoke Wheel” anniversary fundraising gala Saturday, May 11.

Festivities include a formal dinner, music and storytelling entertainment, art installations, a silent auction, and a surprise announcement, according to Randall Stuart, founder and artistic director.

He promised the building will be bedazzled with current and past art exhibits. The art gallery will transform into an auction hall that extends through the end of the month, along with a musicenhanced performance about Cerimon House’s journey. The month’s festivities also include a new art exhibit.

Cerimon House’s mission is to foster the four Cs: community, curiosity, creativity and ceremony. It accomplishes this with events that spark conversation, togetherness and inspiration, such as art exhibits, talks, discussions, plays, music and crafting.

The Creative Path Walk features a labyrinth that offers a variety of contemplative walking patterns and suggests a different theme for contemplation each month.

The building also offers rental space when available, and it’s used by community groups and nonprofits whose missions align with its own.

The idea for the organization took root in 2009 when Randall, a professor and theater artist, envisioned a space where education, the humanities and arts could mingle and be showcased in a supportive community environment. He presented his vision to friends and peers who then joined him in creating the nonprofit.

Not wanting to wait for funding for a location, they spent the next five years hosting events in shops, book stores and rental spaces throughout Portland. In 2014 they found a home in a large building in the heart of the Alberta Arts District.

The 95-year-old hall at 23rd Avenue and Sumner Street has a history as community space – first a Masonic lodge and then a Baptist church – that inspired Randall. He and the others involved in Cerimon House saved it from the wrecking ball, restored it with a vivid terra cotta color scheme and reunited it with its original purpose.

Cerimon House’s gala is an opportunity to celebrate with the community and thank the ensemble of artists, volunteers and social investors who have supported it along the way.

“We believe that, if our patrons and neighbors convene together for live events, performances and celebrations, they strengthen not only their immediate community, but really the world,” Randall pointed out.

For event tickets and to learn more about the online auction, visit CerimonHouse.org. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit.

Karen Lotts is a local freelance writer who helps local small businesses and nonprofits connect with their audiences through copywriting. She can be reached at KarenLotts.com.

The 2019 Vanport Mosaic Festival returns for its fourth event May 21-June 2, organized by community-driven nonprofit Vanport Mosaic.

“Through exhibits, documentary screenings, tours, performances and dialogues, we will celebrate the lessons of resilience and resistance as defined and told by historically oppressed communities,” reported the festival’s Facebook page.

The multi-disciplinary festival has received the Oregon Heritage Excellence Award, the Spirit of Portland Award and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s Achievement Award. Returning sponsors and funding sources are Oregon Historical Society, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, Multnomah County Drainage District, Port of Portland, Regional Arts & Culture Council and Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.

The festival is seeking more sponsors, funders and volunteers. For details, contact Info@VanportMosaic.org or visit Facebook.com/events/318232912147588.

Photo courtesy of Vanport Mosaic Festival, Oregon Historical Society digital file no. ba018658

Oil your bike chain, adjust the axle nuts on your skateboard, charge your Segway or electric scooter and/or change the shoestrings in your sneakers. Sundays Parkways comes to northeast Portland Sunday, Sept. 23.

Street closures and vendor booths in the parks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. provide a safe walk or ride for people of all ages. There are eight miles of streets closed to vehicular traffic for you to wend your way through neighborhoods and parks in Concordia and nearby neighborhoods.

The route is largely on Ainsworth and Going streets, connected by 9th and 55th avenues. Visit PortlandOregon.gov/ transportation/article/676060 for the map that designates all of the roadways and the four parks.

Woodlawn, Alberta and Fernhill parks offer activities, music and food. At Khunamokwst Park is a Bilingual Bike Fair sponsored by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Andando en Bicicletas en Cully Group. That bike fair offers bike safety information for young and forever young cyclists.

This is the final of five Sundays Parkways in this, the PBOT event’s 11th year. Total attendance in the first decade’s 44 Sundays Parkways events is estimated at nearly 900,000 people.

This is the first year PBOT has worked with Olde World Puppet Theatre to showcase as many as 66 tall and small puppets through an exhibit with themes that range from mermaids and birds to giants and sharks.

By Greg Raisman | Portland Livable Streets Specialist

Get ready for another summer of fun, art and delicious food at Last Thursdays on Alberta!

Some of the highlights this season include: more local art, new and free interactive activities, and a special Native American culture and art area. We are especially excited for a new Native American crafting circle at 21st Avenue, three special interactive installations from Alberta Art Works and several Portland-themed mini-golf holes that will be free to play.

Please come and support the local artists who bring their wares to share with the community. Last Thursday continues to be a fun and engaging place to buy local art, sample delicious cuisine and enjoy a car-free stroll down the street.

This summer’s street vending and performance events will take place on June 28, July 26, and Aug. 30. Alberta will be closed to motor vehicles from 15th to 30th avenues from 6 to 9 p.m.

When you go, keep your eye out for the interactive Last Thursday art booth.

During all other months of the year, Last Thursday art openings and events are celebrated in the brick and mortar stores along Alberta Street. Last Thursdays are produced by the same team at the Portland Bureau of Transportation that brings you Sunday Parkways.

For additional information, please contact me at Greg.Raisman@portlandoregon.gov or 503.823.1052.

Greg Raisman is a Livable Streets Program specialist with 17 years of experience at the Portland Bureau of Transportation. He manages Last Thursdays, helps produce Portland Sunday Parkways and supports the large painted intersections in neighborhoods around the city. When he’s not building community, find him enjoying local restaurants and breweries.