By Astrid Furstner | CNA Chair

Change is once again upon us. November is not only election time for the nation, state, county and city. It also is the election of seven board members for our association. It’s essential that you cast your vote for the board – and chair – positions that expire this year.

You don’t even have to leave home to participate in the Wednesday, Nov. 4, CNA Annual Meeting and election. It begins at 7 p.m. on Google Meet. Find log-on information at ConcordiaPDX.org/CNAMeetings.

The open positions are: chair, northwest 2, southwest 2, east 2, and at large 2, 4 and 6.

Who can serve/vote?
Any person who is a CNA member can hold an elected or appointed position and vote in CNA elections.

What does that mean?
Members include everyone located within the association’s boundaries (see CNA boundaries in map directly below) as residents and property owners, and one representative each from business licensees, government agencies, education institutions and nonprofit organizations. You must also be 14 years or older to run for election to the board and, if you’re younger than 18, have parent/guardian permission.

Geographic qualifications
To qualify for chair or an at large board position, you must meet the membership criteria described above. For a specific CNA district position – in this year’s case, northwest, east or southwest – your membership criteria must be based within the boundaries of that district. (Again, see CNA district boundaries in map directly below.)

Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings, attend CNA functions, participate in CNA committees, represent the association with partner organizations and otherwise contribute to our mission: to connect Concordia residents and businesses and to inform, educate and report on activities, issues and opportunities of the neighborhood.

As the chair, I have been tasked with drafting agendas, presiding over meetings, working with all of the committees and board members, and providing you with monthly updates.

Although I will not be seeking re-election, I highly recommend you get involved.

It has been an honor to have worked with my neighbors and to serve.

Many thanks to all who have emailed, called, or taken time to speak with me about their concerns for Concordia, this place we call home.

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 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 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.