By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor
Quarantining. Social distancing. It’s stressful for everyone, especially children.
“All people need connection, especially kids learning to socialize,” reported Kelsey Naylor, MSW, CSWA and prevention specialist at Faubion School through Trillium Family Services.
“Kids overall are resilient,” Kelsey said. “Our brains tend to not fully develop until we’re in our mid- to late-20s, so there’s room for healing in a giant trauma like this. But this might be piling on top of an already stressful life.
“So much is circumstantial and differs on how the family is coping, and that’s going to look different for every family,” she noted.
“Play – especially with other children – is important in childhood development. It also helps them process what’s happening in their lives,” Kelsey explained. “It teaches them problem solving and other skills essential to becoming functional adults in our society.”
That’s why some Concordia parents have created “pods” with other families. They put their trust in a group of parents who all vow to forego physical contact with others to allow their children to socialize and/or school together.
According to Kelsey, many families can’t afford or don’t feel comfortable with the concept. Each must make the decisions suitable for them.
Social interaction, however, doesn’t have to be in-person. Kelsey encourages finding social connections online, like virtual play groups. “And, sure there’s more video games being played lately, but they’re interacting with people while they’re playing.
“If people can get interaction in any way that they’re safe, I’m all for it.”
Parents face at least two more challenges: economics and explaining the pandemic to their children.
As for economic concerns, “The disparities we saw pre-COVID – access to education, health care, parent interaction – it’s only being magnified now,” she said.
Kelsey considers the central piece of the COVID-19 puzzle for all families is parent engagement.
The Centers for Disease Control offers tips on broaching the subject with children at CDC.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html
“Keeping kids from being exposed to everything that’s happening isn’t the best way to approach it. Kids pick up on stress, news bits and things they’re hearing from friends, older siblings, etc.
“Avoiding the topic or telling kids ‘Don’t worry about it,’ usually has the opposite effect.”
She recommends simple, ageappropriate language to explain the information to children.
Kelsey also warns against dwelling on the negative – sickness and death – and instead empowering children to take prevention measures like washing their hands, wearing face masks in public and more.
“This approach gives them the facts about COVID-19 and actionable steps to stay safe.”
Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.
By Dan Werle | CNA Media Team
Students in Concordia are facing significant educational challenges and changes due to the pandemic. School buildings continue to be closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, so virtual learning is a must. How’s it going? CNews checked in with a few families.
Noah Marmor, an 11th grader at Metropolitan Learning Center, studies online. He acknowledges the unprecedented challenges.
“I think learning should be a little lax. There is only so much you can learn in a certain amount of time.” Outside of school, he said, “The lack of physical interaction makes learning social skills difficult.”
Lis Charman’s and Brad Trost’s daughter, 13-year-old Meade, attends Metro Montessori School virtually.
“The biggest bummer for Meade is the absence of outdoor school,” Lis reported. It would have provided the girl and her classmates opportunities to cook, camp and learn problem-solving skills in the wilderness.
Lis added that Meade is sad at spending more time away from peers. “Meade and I both get energy from being with people.”
Lora and Matthew Lillard help with distance learning for their three Faubion students, 8th grader Dean, 6th grader Fiona and 4th grader Leo.
They like the slow start of distance learning to work through some of the logistical and technological kinks in the new systems. Both reconfigured their workdays to offer tech support.
They have also learned multiple platforms like Canvas, Remind, Clever, Seesaw, Zoom, Google Classroom and Google Meet.
Anne Koski is the mother of a 7th grade daughter at Faubion School and a 4th grade daughter at ACCESS Academy. “She’s adapting really well and she’s more comfortable speaking over Zoom,”
Anne said of her 7th grader. And Anne appreciates the opportunities the online platforms allow that daughter. “She logs into Canvas, does her work and can be more autonomous.”
Like others, Anne recognizes the pandemic has made social skills development more challenging for her 4th grader.
“The carrot has been removed from school,” Anne acknowledged. “Their favorite parts of school – P.E., recess and lunch – are different or gone. She has a single ‘pod’ friend we’re considering arranging play dates with.”
Anne owns Homegrown Fit and offers suggestions – proven effective in her own home – for parents developing at-home workstations for their children and themselves.
She offers a free, four-minute video at YouTu.be/b6O_UYjxeX4.
“Sitting in a chair at a desk for long periods of time is not healthy,” she said. “Consider making a workstation flexible.” That means working from the floor, a desk and standing. “Mixing it up is the way to go.”
Dan Werle lives in Concordia with his wife, Anna, and their dogs.
Have you lost confidence in the Portland Police Bureau? Your Concordia Neighborhood Association wants your opinion. Make your voice heard at the virtual association general meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. Read the draft letter on Page 6 of the October CNews or online: Draft letter to Portland city leadership.
To attend the virtual meeting at 7 p.m on Wednesday:
Web: https://meet.google.com/jwb-ivfb-mcv
Phone: +1 413-779-5435 PIN: 246824040#
Please join your neighbors for this important meeting!
By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team
Alder trees, native to the Northwest, excel at colonizing areas disturbed by floods, windstorms, fires and landslides. In doing so, they create fertile ground for the next generation…
Building on the reputation of the tree species, Alder Commons aims to reduce barriers between youth and adults of diverse backgrounds for generations now and those to come.
The community-based nonprofit sits on the corner of 42nd Avenue and Prescott Street, occupying the 7,000-square-foot building that most recently housed The Ivy School, a public Montessori charter.
The parking lot now hosts outdoor, socially-distanced gatherings, and it is home to Lonchería Los Mayas. That food cart is one of the first tenant-members. And, although plans for indoor programs are on hold during the Stay Home Save Lives order, Alder Commons has plenty of free offerings. (See sidebar.)
Beyond the chapel-like entryway, former classrooms will accommodate bustling pod-like spaces for exploring a variety of hobbies and interests.
Maker spaces and creative businesses will share knowledge and resources, and a quiet library-like sanctuary is waiting to invite reading and reflection.
The intended audience? A mixed-age community of youth and adults of diverse backgrounds with special consideration for school-age children.
The question naturally arises: Is it a school? A community center? A working artists’ space? Yes. Not exactly. Sort of.
Organizing team members Karl Keefer and Rachel Munzig are the driving force behind the organization, dedicated to putting in long hours to realize a new vision of learning.
“We are not a school; however, for some families, we could act as such,” Karl explained.
What Alder Commons does offer is something called self-directed education. That’s a form of liberation for young people. And it seeks to provide an affordable, equitable and culturally responsive alternative to public schools as well as a safe space for learners of all backgrounds.
This education model hopes to encourage and develop young artists, makers, curious youth and lifelong learners in ways that traditional schools often cannot.
“The desire to participate is the best motivator,” Karl pointed out. “And learning is always contextual. This is a place for true hands-on learning.”
Alder Commons’ core values are collective liberation, self-determination and community support. Here, students will find empowerment, practice consent and follow their interests.
“Ask yourself if these values fit with you, if this is a space you can imagine spending time in and, if so, join us,” Rachel said.
“It’s a small movement, but we feel that it’s growing,” she added. “There’s momentum, especially in a place like Portland.”
What’s Up Now? The membership-based Alder Commons has many of its plans on hold during the pandemic, although a drop-off childcare option for youth members is under consideration. If you’re interested, email Hello@AlderCommons.org.
Otherwise, all programs offered by Alder Commons during the Stay Home Save Lives order are virtual, free, open to all ages and voluntary. For instance, Tuesday offerings range between honing your skills at origami to participating in the “Being Wrong Club.”
Wednesdays advance Minecraft Bedrock play and Thursdays find a group sharing and developing strategies to advance justice and criminal justice reform.
One late-summer parking lot event was the Black Lives Matter Pop-Up Bookstore + Sign-Making Workshop. For details on these and the many other current, free, sociallydistanced and virtual programs, visit AlderCommons.org or call 503.893.9366.
Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.
By Maquette Reeverts | Alberta Art Works
Born in Zongolica – meaning crafty hair – in Veracruz, Mexico, Pablo Gonzalez came to Portland in 2001 to pursue his art. He loved the beautiful trees and worked at Al Forno’s Pizza, where he did his first murals on Alberta Street.
Influenced by the Mexican tradition of murals, he carried a portfolio of his work to show store owners in his search of walls to paint. He now has quite a body of work on Alberta.
La Sirenita hosts his mermaid, her scales made of CDs reflecting the afternoon sun. On the alley wall, he collaborated with Consuela del Moral to paint Fertiledad del la Tierra – Fertile Earth – depicting various Mexican symbols, animals and designs.
On the once-vacant building on 23rd Avenue and Alberta, Pablo and friends painted a whale, elephant and large roses atop a stenciled background on the façade.
On Dar Salam’s front patio, find his trompe l’oeil. It’s an art technique that uses realistic imagery and perspective to create the optical illusion you are sitting on a Middle Eastern village street as you dine.
His latest mural at southeast 136th Avenue and Powell Street honors Black Lives Matter. Larger-than-life portraits of George Floyd and Quincey Hanes contrast a local incident with the more nationally known tragedy.
He received some negative feedback – being a Mexican artist – and pushback from the building owner, but he knew the importance of the message and continued his work.
Now Pablo’s portfolio is full of examples of interior and exterior murals, food carts and works on canvas. Visit PablosMurals.com to see his body of work.
Pablo invites fellow artists to an outdoor show in his yard for Last Thursdays. Find his sign on 19th Avenue and Alberta directing you to his house behind the Alberta Street Gallery. Listen for the DJ playing on the front porch.
“Times are tough,” Pablo said. “But I just keep going forward with positivity.”
CNA respects the views and beliefs of all Concordians, and their cultures and faiths. The views expressed by this writer do not necessarily reflect the views of CNA.
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.
By Astrid Furstner | CNA Chair
This time of year reminds me of the Shel Silverstein poem “Here comes summer.” The summer, indeed, has gone by quickly. It’s September and we’re all adjusting to a new normal. Many of us are handling working from home, adjusted hours and life schedules and – for those of us with children – learning to home-school our children.
Some have adjusted to this new routine, while others are still struggling. Throughout all of this, we should remember to care for our mental well-being as well, of course, as our physical.
Take time to breathe, enjoy a cup of coffee/tea, give yourself a moment, check on your neighbor, text a friend, hug your children or enroll in a virtual exercise program – anything to keep going. We tried a family 30-minute virtual yoga class and it was awesome!
When will this end? We honestly don’t know.
What I do know, is that we are trying to do our best. The Concordia Neighborhood Association continues to meet remotely by video conference.
In August, we held our first learning webinar – thanks to the Street Trust for providing the opportunity to learn and, of course, our speaker, attorney Chris Thomas. He provided us with an hour of learning regarding rules of the road for bicyclists. We had 18 in attendance, and you’ll find notes on that session at ConcordiaPDX.org/BikeLaws.
We hope to have more learning opportunities via online webinars. If you have topics, suggestions – or are interested in sharing your knowledge about something you are passionate about or are experienced in – let me know. Email me at Chair@ConcordiaPDX.org.
Last month the Office of Community & Civic Life posted its findings about how people react to Neighborhood Watch signs at MailChi.mp/bb89424745c3/the-power-of-signs-10619982.
In turn, that page links to PortlandOregon.gov/civic/62587 for information on the Neighbors Together program. It’s a new virtual community conversation that provides resources, tips and creative ideas on how to support one another reaching out to neighbors – especially those isolated and without digital access. Group training in Neighbors Together is offered via that site.
I would be interested to know what you think of it. Again, please email me.
Astrid Furstner is a mother, a wife, an immigrant, a local artist and an artisan. She lives with her luthier husband, Brent, and her artist-in-the-making daughter, Luciana. Together, they call Concordia their home.
By Michael French | CNA Media Team
As one answer to a shortage of affordable housing in Portland, redevelopment of a public housing community in Concordia will provide more homes to income-qualified families by 2024.
Dekum Court, located at Saratoga Street near Columbia Boulevard, is being reimagined with community input.
To accommodate more families on the five-acre parcel that now includes just 40 units, the new structures will offer an additional 160 units—ultimately housing about 585 individuals in apartments ranging from studios to four- bedroom units.
Built in 1972, the original structures are plagued by moisture and suspected mold, and they contain damaged asbestos-containing materials. Applications for homes at Dekum Court exceed available units, and the two- and three bedroom units don’t accommodate singles and larger families.
Home Forward, the agency that oversees public housing in Multnomah County, owns and operates Dekum Court and is managing the $66.5 million redevelopment.
The majority of current Dekum Court residents identify as Latinx or Black/African American. Informed by Portland’s history of gentrification and displacement, Home Forward is managing the redevelopment with sensitivity to impacts on current residents and the neighborhood.
“We want to think about how we can make sure people who have been living in north and northeast Portland for a long time – and who may be at risk because of the market forces at work – can stay and keep their connections to their schools, their places of worship, their friends and families,” said Jonathan Trutt, Home Forward development director.
For the added units, Home Forward will reach out to culturally-specific organizations such as NAYA, Hacienda, SelfEnhancement Inc. and Urban League to get the word out. To qualify, applicants must meet requirements based on family size and household income.
A community advisory committee includes opportunities for residents and community members to provide input into issues related to support services, design and construction. John McSherry represents the Concordia Neighborhood Association on that committee.
To minimize disruption to families currently living at the complex, they will move into their new homes before the rest of the complex is redeveloped.
Phase 1 to replace at least 40 units to house current Dekum Court residents will start next summer, for completion by autumn 2022.
Phase 2 includes the demolition of the previous buildings and new construction of 160 new apartments by spring 2024.
Michael French is grateful to live on 28th Avenue in Concordia, a place where neighbors talk to each other and he can get most places on foot, by bike or transit. Contact him at MFrench96@ gmail.com.
By Garlynn Woodsong | CNA Board Member, SW1 Land Use & Transportation Committee Chair
In early August, a mother and her son, a student at Vernon Elementary School, were traveling on North Portland Highway (Hwy 30) when she lost control of her vehicle, it crossed the center line and impacted with an unoccupied truck and fifth-wheel on the opposite shoulder.
The car burst into flames, and both vehicle occupants died in the resulting fire. Police report the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before impact.
A year ago, this space reported on the Columbia/Lombard project that Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) had embarked upon to study conditions along those roadways, and recommend safety improvements.
Since that time, absolutely no safety improvements have been made to Lombard Street, meaning nothing prevents future tragedies such as this one from occurring again, and again and again.
It’s an unsafe highway, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) does not appear to feel any motivation in the slightest to fix it to make it safer for travelers and nearby residents.
On the contrary, ODOT appears to feel its only required role is to justify why continuing the status quo is the only outcome they’re interested in.
The time has thus come to remove North Portland Highway from ODOT’s jurisdiction, and to transfer responsibility for the roadway to PBOT. This will free the roadway from needing to meet ODOT standards, and allow for alternative design solutions to be implemented.
Concordia Neighborhood Association suggests the facility be put onto a “road diet.” The roadway cross-section would have a continuous sidewalk, street trees and a two-directional cycle track on the south side next to the neighborhood.
Then add another row of trees, on-street parking, a single eastbound traffic lane, a median with trees and turn pockets at intersections, and a single westbound traffic lane with a shoulder/ break-down lane.
The trees would limit the ability of traffic to cross the center line, reducing the severity of crashes. With only one lane in each direction, the temptation to speed to pass other vehicles would be eliminated and, with lower speeds, would also come fewer crashes and deaths.
A protected cycle track and new sidewalk would allow bicycles and pedestrians to travel east and west along the corridor safely and comfortably. The trees would provide shade to reduce the urban heat island effect, where large expanses of asphalt cause excessive heat on hot summer days. They would also help to capture pollution, trapping it on their exposed leaf and branch surfaces until it can be washed away in the next rain.
It’s past time to stop making excuses for why bad designs have to remain. It’s time to start building the safer future that we need to manifest to stop the senseless deaths on this blood-stained piece of local infrastructure.
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.
By Steve Elder | CNA Media Team
What would have been the 11th Neerchokikoo Powwow has become another casualty of the pandemic.
However, stay tuned for evolving news from the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). According to the nonprofit’s NAYA eNews, staff members are making plans for virtual cultural nights and other programming to keep the community connected to culture and each other. Find details as they become available at NAYApdx.org/events.
Canceling the September in-person event didn’t come easily. Since 2010, the powwow has been a celebration of Native American history and culture through food, music and dance. Men and women of all ages sing and dance throughout the day in their own styles.
The Neerchokikoo Powwow has always been free to the public. In addition to dance exhibitions, native artists offer beautiful prints, jewelry and other items for sale.
It is named for the Chinook village that previously occupied the home of NAYA.
One event NAYA doesn’t plan to cancel is the 17th Annual Gala & Auction. Scheduled for Nov. 13, it’s still on the NAYA calendar – but it is going virtual.
Plans call for Native American art, special performances and inspiring stories. To participate as an artist or sponsor – or to join the event online – keep an eye on https://Gala.NAYApdx.org.
Portland is the home to the ninth largest urban Native American population in the United States, representing members of 380 different tribes.
NAYA works to enrich the lives of native youth and families through education, community involvement and culturally-specific programming It has provided educational services, cultural arts programming and direct support to reduce poverty to the Portland metropolitan area’s native population for over 30 years.
The family center serves self-identified Native American youths and their families throughout the Portland metropolitan area.
NAYA’s powwow isn’t the only one canceled due to the pandemic. The Gathering of Nations, the country’s largest powwow, typically draws some 75,000 Native Americans and non-native people to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to watch 3,000 participants who represent over 750 tribes from the United States and Canada.
The term powwow is traditional, according to “Your Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Powwows.” Author Murton McCluskey wrote, “Some reports say that the word powwow has the origin from the Pawnee word, pa-wa, meaning ‘to eat.’”
“Other sources say the word is of Algonquin origin and was originally pronounced ‘pauau,’ which indicates a gathering of people for the purpose of celebration of an important event. In any case it is a special time to gather and celebrate, meet old friends and create new friendships.”
Steve Elder, East2@ ConcordiaPDX.org, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch
