Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Help your child to get ready for kindergarten

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Family, Schools

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

boy holding sign for first day of kindergarten
Dashel Money was enthusiastic about his first day of kindergarten
a couple of years ago. A local teacher offers tips on how to help your child prepare.

Ready or not, it’s almost time to think about starting school. With the current pandemic, the great unknown exists. Will your little one will be in a classroom or learning at home? Perhaps it will be a little of both. Regardless, you can help your child prepare for the kindergarten experience now.

Christina Gay – known as Mrs. Gay to her kindergarteners and their parents at Faubion School – explained there are steps parents can take now to prioritize what’s most important to focus on in preparing your kiddo for a successful learning adventure.

She suggested the student should be prepared with some basic skills. They should understand the concept of time while developing and establishing routines.

Whether at home or in the classroom, routines will help your kindergartener to know what to expect daily. A home school day should be one to two hours with “brain breaks” depending on the child.

Mrs. Gay advises each activity should be no more than 15 to 20 minutes. In between reading, writing, science and math, the students in school experience four special classes, each once a week: art, physical education, dance and library.

Everyone’s favorite – recess – is about 15 minutes twice daily.

“I love it all. It’s so fun to see them learn and see their emotional and social growth,” she said. “It’s a special joy to watch them support each other.”

Focus on responsibility, independence, self-help and social skills. The child should be able to express himself or herself, spend time in a group and practice listening.

Consider dressing the student in clothing that’s easy to manipulate. Little hands should be able to zip, tie and button. Hungry little ones should know how to get into their own lunches.

According to Mrs. Gay, before kindergarten starts, your pint-sized sweetie should be able to read and write his or her name and know shapes, colors and numbers.

Read to your youngster and engage in meaningful literary activities. The student should know how to hold a pencil or marker with enough pressure to go from scribbles to words. Work on small and large skills with encouragement.

Practice saying goodbye before the first day of school so your kiddo is familiar with the process and knows you will come back at the end of the school day.

If you teach at home, practice patience, use a timer and employ learning skills available through your school’s online videos.

School reportedly opens Sept. 8. Visit PPS.net/kinderenroll for registration forms. They are also at school food pick-up sites.

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.

Kids News debuts in Concordia

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Eight Concordia Kids News kids sitting on a ledge
This COVID-19 bubble of neighbors comprise the all-volunteer staff of Concordia Kids News. Left to right, they are Nijal, Pierce, Ari, Paisley, Laurel, Avery, Poppy and Waylon. Photo by Marsha Sandman

A precocious 6-year-old Concordian wanted to share an opinion piece she wrote about POTUS. She made copies and distributed them to her neighbors.

Darby, a fellow neighbor, educator and father of two young daughters thought creating a newsletter might be good idea. So he gave the kids an opportunity to create their own every-other-week newsletter and thus practice their writing and drawing skills.

The young writers, ages 5 to 12, named it “Concordia Kids News.” They charge a sliding scale of $2 to $5 per issue and donate the proceeds to the Black Resilience Fund. That emergency fund is dedicated to healing and resilience by providing immediate resources to Black Portlanders in need.

The Modern Orthodontist, owned by one of the parents, matches donations to the newsletter which, by CNews press time, had raised $200.

Darby looked at local newspapers for inspiration and guidance. He gave the youngsters creative license to use their imaginations. Some write, some draw and others create original cartoons.

Darby puts it all together for the every-other-week issue and emails to subscribers. To subscribe, email him at ConcordiaKidsNews@gmail.com. He will let you know your payment options.

The first issue went public June 20, the second newsletter July 5 and the third July 19. Future issues will publish every other week thereafter, as long as the enthusiasm continues.

The current creative staff includes Pierce, Poppy and Waylon, age 5; Ari, 6; Avery, Laurel, and Paisley 8; and Nijal, 12. Ari commented “It’s fun, and I get to hang with my neighbors.” “I like to work with friends on projects,” Avery added. Laurel said “I get to use my imagination and I like interviewing people.” “I like to have fun and entertain kids,” reported Paisley. Nijal, Pierce, Poppy and Waylon had no comments.

Submissions aren’t edited, but contributors need a little encouragement to meet their deadlines.

Topics are varied, like tooth fairy customs around the world, what who wants for Christmas, great stories about kittens and more. If you want to enjoy those and some cartoons and impressive art work, subscribe.

You’ll be helping a good cause and a bunch of blossoming journalists.

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.

Alberta street doesn’t surrender to pandemic

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Toddler and mom standing next to Albertasaurus on Alberta Street.
Elsie Bangura, 14 months old, with mom Carrie met her first Albertasaurus recently. It’s among 30 Mike Bennett is creating during this Summer of Alberta. That effort is one of many underway to preserve Alberta Street’s tradition of entertainment during this time of social distancing.

COVID-19 changed many plans. But it hasn’t changed the enthusiasm of businesses and other organizations on Alberta Street this summer.

“I figured it would be a slow summer,” reported Ann Griffin, Alberta Main Street executive director. “Instead, it’s turned into a crazy, busy, fun one. We’re calling it ‘The Summer of Alberta.’”

Stores, galleries and restaurants have pulled together to keep the community entertained and engaged.

For instance, Last Thursdays can’t call for street closures this summer. So they’ve gone virtual. And they occur every Thursday in August.

“We celebrate the artists, galleries, musicians and other performers – online – all summer long,” Ann said. Virtual art lessons welcome students of all ages.

Also online are artist highlights, studio visits, gallery tours, show openings, artist interviews and, yes, sales.

“Our partnership is pulling off quite a feat,” she said. Involved are Sabin Community Development Corporation, Alberta Artworks, Blind Insect Gallery, artist Bobby Fourther and Alberta Main Street.

For people who stroll the sidewalks, Alberta Art Works continues to provide a map for DIY walking tours of the murals. Download it from AlbertaArtWorks.org/ art-map.

Bunny with a Toolbelt and Green Bean Books are offering an all-new map. This one helps you locate animals that appear in art along the street. Download the Tour of Animals Map, at BunnyWithAToolbelt.com/animal-art-tour or pick up one at either store at 1722 and 1600 N.E. Alberta Street.

Saturday, Aug. 8, was to be the traditional Alberta Street Fair that draws 26,000 diners, shoppers and audiences.

“This year, it’s ‘Alberta Street Fair in the Air,’” Ann explained. “We’ll livestream two performances from Alberta Rose Theatre. The auditorium seats will be empty, but the audience can stream on any device anywhere.”

Check AlbertaMainSt.org/signatureevents/street-fair-in-the-air-2020 for additional plans and sponsors.

Finally, business owners are finding ways to move some of their activities outside their brick-and-mortar venues to increase social distancing. There may be single- or multi-block plazas before the end of summer. Those would close affected blocks of Alberta Street to vehicle traffic so businesses can make use of the space.

A few have already received city approval to use the parking spaces at their curbs to form Street Seats.

Alberta Main Street’s own Street Seats space at 1722 N.E. Alberta St. is available through the end of September to businesses owned by people of color. Call Ann at 971.275.6240 to inquire.

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

30th Avenue block(s) set sights on the street

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Daniele Strawmyre, left, owns Ready Set Grow and leads businesses on the south side of Killingsworth Street to take over part of 30th Avenue to do business for the next few months. Marc Frankel, owner of the new Biga Pizza, is one of several establishments in the north block to open a plaza for social distancing.

Businesses on 30th Avenue, one block each side of Killingsworth Street, plan to take their businesses to the street in August.

The north block received a permit from the city to close the avenue to vehicles through Nov. 1.

Wilder Bar|Café’s target date was July 22 for reopening outside only. Among other businesses in that block planning to share the plaza are DOC food + wine, Nonna Tavern and the new Biga Pizza.

A plaza on the south block offers the challenge to reroute TriMet’s Line 72. Meantime, some businesses on the south side may participate in Street Seats to conduct more socially-distant business in the parking spaces in front of their buildings.

“The restaurants want the space to serve food and have a place for people to eat it outdoors,” explained Daniele Strawmyre. She expects half a dozen other businesses will join the move of her Ready Set Grow onto the asphalt.

“My own interest is to create arts programming, with pop-up arts events in my building and outside,” Daniele said.

She had planned to incorporate art next year into her business with its classes for prenatal and postpartum parents. With classes now online due to COVID-19 and herself pregnant, Daniele is accelerating the schedule.

Together, businesses on the blocks are planning to feature singers, performance artists, artists in general, a street mural and have a dedicated community space.

“After all, community is what keeps us all together,” explained Ben Preacher, Wilder co-owner. His was expected to be the first business to open on the north plaza.

“It has been a very depressing several months for everyone,” Ben added. Serving customers outdoors to reopen protects the safety of customers and employees alike.

“This adds a little bit of community in the midst of this terrible pandemic.

“We hope the plaza provides an opportunity to wave to your neighbors, eat outside together and enjoy the ambiance – all at a distance.”

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

Concordia Art Works – Bad tags, bad… here’s what to do with them

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Maquette Reeverts | Alberta Art Works

This mural by Carla Bartow on a wall of the Black United Fund of Oregon illustrates the history of the area. In 2015, it was the first outdoor mural for the artist and is despoiled by taggers. Photo by Maquette Reeverts

Illegal graffiti and tagging costs property owners time and money. Add a pandemic with a “stay at home” order, and tagging creates an added burden, especially on small businesses.

“The amount of money the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUFOR) spends each year on graffiti abatement amounts to a lost scholarship for a teen from our underserved communities,” pled Curtrina Huff, BUFOR executive office and operations manager.

Portland City Code Chapter 14B.80.040 requires business owners to clean all graffiti within 10 days or be subject to fines. The owner could expect to be charged for the removal of the graffiti, an overhead charge of 25% for “program administration” plus a $250 fine.

Removal would be by one of two services the city contracts. One estimate for buffing a 150-square-foot brick wall is $600-$700, and could become a property lien.

Any gang-related tags or hate speech, however, are removed free by the city. Cover it and call the Office of Community and Civic Life at 503.823.4824. Add it iona l ly, DI Y graffiti removal kits are available at Fire Station 14 at 1905 N.E. Killingsworth St.

A tag is the most basic handstyle writing of an artist’s name. A graffiti writer’s tag is a personalized, quickly written signature. Tagging amounts to 80-85% of all graffiti in Portland, with taggers’ median age being 20. Most will travel in a “crew,” resulting in the phenomenon of waking up and discovering swaths that popped up overnight of grouped scrawlings.

Buffing is the knee-jerk response. That’s the act of trying to erase the marks by painting over or cleaning. Variations in tints and sporadic coverage, however, create eyesores of painted fields and lightened brick. The wall becomes a blank canvas that beckons the next tagger, leading to the next buffing, leading to tagging…

Visit this spot next month for options that can abate tagging on your property. Here’s a hint about one: murals.

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

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.

Hens build community on Concordia alley

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Two Concordians – Anna Hartshorn and Nancy Flynn – submitted photos of Julie Olsen’s alleyway chicken coop to Concordia Curiosities. The CNews Media Team anticipated the new feature would be limited to one photo each month. The team determined, however, Julie’s hens rated a bit more coverage. Julie complied.

When Julie Olsen house hunted last year, she had two criteria – a long driveway and a basement to transform into an auxiliary dwelling unit.

She found them on Ainsworth Street, along with the Shangri-La of chicken coops and five hens.

The chicken coop serves as part of the fence separating her back yard from the alley between 23rd and 24th avenues, north of Ainsworth. Although the sellers gave her permission to rehome the hens, Julie researched the care and feeding of hens, and she wanted to apply her knowledge as an animal behaviorist.

She found the care is relatively easy, with countless rewards. “As it turns out they’re like goldfish with feathers,” Julie said. “I sit and watch them, and it brings me a lot of calm and peace.”

As it turned out, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in the alley enjoy the hens too.

“People were stopping to say hello to them. But, if you didn’t have food, the chickens saw you as an intruder and retreated,” Julie said. “I wanted this to be like an interactive community petting zoo.

“I cut a slot in the fence so people could feed them, and I provided the food. Now the chickens run up to people at the fence excitedly, hoping for something to eat.”

Foot traffic increased when the pandemic hit. Hand drawn pictures of the hens – compete with their names – was the first of several signs. Some signs share the results of Julie’s research, and those have become part of neighbor children’s home schooling.

One sign offers directions for hand feeding the hens. “Sometimes kids get really scared, so I warn them that the touching is going to be weird. When a chicken pecks the food out of your hand, it’s pleasurable – but it tickles.

“I used to wake up to hearing the chickens making their little trilling sounds,” she said. “Now I hear people saying ‘Good morning, chickens’ from cars and bikes.”

For visitors on foot, she’s provided a bench for taking in the same calm and peacefulness she enjoys from her side of the coop.

Julie’s glad to see – and often meet – the visitors.

“Since the chickens have brought me so much joy, it felt only right to share it,” she explained. “It’s a way to be a part of my new community and to enrich people’s lives.

“I learned as a child that – when you empower people with kindness – good things will happen.”

Concordia Curiosities

Concordia Curiosities is CNews’ newest ongoing feature. You’re invited to submit your own high-resolution photo. Point your lens at an object, scene, event, etc. in/near Concordia that you think is unusual or special – and that contributes to the neighborhood’s distinction.

Send submissions to CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org.

This month’s curiosity is intended to complement the story above about hens. Do you know where this rooster lives? Can you find it? Not to fear: CNews will publish the address next month. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

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

Videos target nutrition, activity for children

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Health and Wellness

By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

A series of five videos starring football star Anthony Newman
coach children on nutrition and activity. Cat Woodsong is watching one – complete with the recipe – about Anthony’s favorite smoothie. Above photo by Carrie Wenninger.

Just because local children were schooling at home until last month – and continue to be isolated from normal routines this summer – that’s no reason to drop good health and wellness habits.

Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) is the largest in-school health and wellness program in the country and advises kids and teens throughout Oregon on nutrition and physical activities.

Created by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it is led by youth and empowers students to eat healthy, be active and make positive changes in their schools and communities.

Concordian Shannon Guirl, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council (ODNC), is the senior communications manager.

Part of the program is a series of short videos featuring Anthony Newman. The retired NFL defensive back and former Oregon Duck created them to inspire healthy solutions to some of the issues children face during the crisis.

Anthony Newman
Anthony Newman – photo courtesy of ODNC

He relates directly to his audience on issues like food and activity. “You’re not in this alone,” Anthony affirmed. “We’re all in this together.”

His favorite smoothie recipe can be found through Food Hero at ODNCouncil. org. Food Hero is a recipe resource site of Oregon State University’s Family & Community Health Extension. It’s available for children and teens ages one to 18.

More of the “Staying Healthy with Anthony Newman” campaign is on that website. It highlights how children and teens can stay healthy and active during the health crisis.

Five videos highlight how they can access free school meals, stay active at home, create healthy routines, stay connected with others and eat nutritious food.

Editor’s note: For information on local summer food programs, call 211 or Portland Public Schools at 503.916.3544. Portland Parks & Recreation’s “Free Lunch + Play” contact information is on Page 3.

Tamara Anne Fowler is Edit Kitten, a writer with 20-plus years of experience offering a sof ter, gentler approach to editing and coaching. Her personal editors – Armani, Max Factor and Spicey’D – are also her cats. Visit her at EditKitten.com or contact her at Tamara@EditKitten. com.

Plazas may restore business on Alberta

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Garlynn Woodsong | CNA Board Member, SW1 CNA LUTC Chair

Several Alberta Street businesses are banding together to create temporary, block-long or multiblock plazas by participating in the Safe Streets Healthy Businesses program.

In partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), the Alberta Street Plazas project is a response to the pandemic. The idea is – for the foreseeable future, and until a vaccine is widely available for COVID-19 – people will continue to need to practice social distancing while in public. Doing so simply requires more physical room.

Further, virus transmission is more likely indoors than outdoors, so customers may feel more comfortable sitting down for a meal or shopping outside than inside.

Local restaurants and retailers are currently struggling through the worst economic recession anybody currently running a business has seen in their lifetime.

There does not appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel yet. So, by learning ways to adapt, businesses can remain solvent during these trying times. That is the first order of business. And that’s not just for those running the businesses, but everyone in this community who loves living in a neighborhood where restaurants and shops are within a short walk of home. Businesses may apply for permits to operate in the public right of way through October, thereby giving their customers and their employees more room to social distance safely. They may request the temporary closure of a parking space, a side-street or – in some cases – a full city block.

Businesses whose owners want to request a multiple-block closure are required to work with each other and agree to basic upkeep issues, including meeting county and state health requirements. Alberta Main Street hosted a June 11 information session on the opportunity and is working with PBOT to inform business owners about their options.

It is quite likely the Alberta Street Plazas may not just be a nice idea. Concepts like this may prove to be absolutely essential to allowing neighborhood restaurants and retailers to remain in business.

Car and bus traffic that currently uses Alberta Street would be re-routed to Killingsworth Street to avoid the promenade. No problems are expected from this, as Alberta Street ends at 33rd Avenue anyway and thus does not serve as a critical through-route for traffic.

Indeed, during Last Thursday and the Alberta Street Fair, traffic is already routed to Killingsworth for the duration of each event. No issues have been observed to date.

A PBOT-led project proposed elsewhere in the city could create temporary promenades for the commercial districts on southeast and northeast 28th Avenue, the heart of the commercial district on southeast Belmont, northwest 23rd Avenue, southeast Hawthorne Street and a plaza for southeast Clinton at 26th Avenue.

All of these proposals have similar goals: to help support local businesses by providing sufficient space for outdoor seating and retailing that meets social distancing guidelines.

For updates on Alberta Street Plazas, visit AlbertaMainStreet.org.

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.

Food pantry tackles mounting food insecurity

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities 1 Comment

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Rachael Schweitzer, C3 Food Pantry manager, reports a fivefold increase in the needs of the pantry’s clients during the pandemic. More food and more volunteers are always welcome. Photo by Kaz Brooks

When things get tight, the dinner table might look a little sparse for some. That’s when members of the community – for whom giving is at the core of their beliefs – step in.

Rachel Schweitzer and her family are northeast Portland residents and attend C3 Church NE PDX in the Cully neighborhood.

Rachel was aware of the food insecurity experienced by many in the community and, with the support of her church and her pastors, Seth and Kaz Brooks, she took on the leadership of C3 Food Pantry in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank.

Rachel grew up as a child of missionary Lutheran parents in Papua, New Guinea. She moved to Portland to study at Concordia University, and she has served in various ministry roles over the years.

According to Rachel, she felt a calling to serve in practical ways in her local community. Although the church is currently not meeting in person because of COVID-19, the food pantry continues to serve the community as an essential service.

The C3 Food Pantry now has drivethrough and pick-up service at 6120 N.E. 57th Ave., the corner of 57th and Portland Highway. It is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m.

Rachel remarked, “If you have a neighbor, friend or family member who needs food assistance, you are welcome to pick up for them.”

Each food box includes fresh produce and milk, and it holds about $100 to $150 worth of groceries.

Groceries are given out to about 150 households per distribution day. Rachel said the need has grown fivefold since the pandemic began. C3 Food Pantry receives donations from Oregon Food Bank and other food pantries, nonprofit agencies, supermarkets and individuals.

If you have any questions, would like to volunteer at or donate to the C3 Food Pantry, visit C3NEPDX.com, contact C3 Food Pantry at 503.997.2003 or Rachel@C3NEPDX.com.

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.

Chair’s Corner – Yes! Black lives matter

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Astrid Furstner |  CNA Chair

This month’s column has been particularly difficult to write. I am a Hispanic immigrant living in Portland, and I feel for what is going on right now. If you want to know more about my story, let’s have coffee one day, and I’ll tell you all about it.

But, this is not my story, nor is it my moment. This is another group’s time, but it is about all of us. Black lives matter. Your voice, your actions, your kindness, your ability to stand up – all of that matters.

Use your voice to stand next to our brothers and sisters of color and say it again – Black lives matter.

As a board, we had these discussions and I am pleased to see that our board is diverse and had a variety of representations in attendance at our June meeting, along with different viewpoints, to create the position statement you’ll find on the previous page.

As a group of diverse people, we get together each month and discuss our neighborhood, plan for events that benefit all of us in Concordia – renters, homeowners, Black, white, indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, immigrant, gay, straight, trans, etc. That is how it should be.

Neighbor to neighbor – we are all looking out for each other. So, in these times, I ask each of you to please:

  • Be kind to one another.
  • Stand up for one another.
  • Be respectful, even when disagreeing.
  • Be the difference and the change that our world needs.

Your neighborhood association board will continue our efforts to build inclusive community in Concordia. If you have ideas to share about how the neighborhood can do more, please join us. Our next meeting is July 1 at 7 p.m. Visit ConcordiaPDX. org/CNAMeetings to learn how to participate in that virtual meeting.

Thank you.

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.