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 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 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

By Sharon Kelly | CNA Media Team

Portland City Council will consider amendments to the five-year-old tree code, Title 11 Trees, in September and October to save more trees in Concordia and throughout Portland.

Bruce Nelson hopes neighbors will help influence the city council to approve the amendments. He’s a Cully resident, retired horticulture professor, Portland Urban Forestry Commission member and a founding member of Trees for Life Oregon (TFLO).

“We’re losing too many trees because it’s too easy to take them down,” he pointed out. “We’ll gradually lose older large trees, a lot of those to development.

“It happens one lot at a time,” he added. “But give it 40 years, and many will have to go to a park to sit under the shade of a tree. It’s not that people are opposed to trees, they just don’t make trees a priority.”

Jim Gerbach, Concordia resident, neighborhood tree steward and also a founding member of TFLO explained, “Concordia has a lot of smaller affordable homes and has already been targeted for in-fill development and the construction of duplexes.”

According to Jim, with the August approval of the Residential Infill Project, infill will accelerate with four to six homes on a lot.

“It’s important that Concordians know about the protections for trees in their neighborhood and speak up, or they may find that trees they’re used to seeing will not be there.”

In an effort to strengthen the existing tree code and address inequities, city staff proposes the requirement that trees on private property with a diameter of 20 inches or larger be preserved, or developers pay mitigation fees for removal. Currently, the preservation threshold measurement is 36 inches.

City council will also vote on removing exemptions from some properties zoned commercial and industrial.

Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA), TFLO, Audubon Society and many other tree advocates call for support, even stronger code and incentives for creative design to protect trees. “We encourage the city to remove minimum lot size exemptions…ensuring our neighborhood’s tree profile remains consistent throughout,” reported a letter to the city from CNA signed by chair Astrid Furstner.

Key dates to testify in support of the amendments are:

• Sep. 8: Planning and Sustainability Commission and Urban Forestry Commission joint public hearing
• Sept. 17: Urban Forestry Commission meeting and vote
• Sept 22: Planning and Sustainability Commission meeting and vote
• Oct. 29: Portland City Council public hearing – written testimony also accepted prior to the in-person hearing For details about those dates and testifying, visit TreesforLifeOregon.org and TreesForLifeOregon.org/how-totestify.

Editor’s note: Sharon has more to tell about the tree code, tree advocates’ enthusiasm for changes, the impact on trees at affordable housing sites and online references for more information. For “the rest of the story,” visit ConcordiaPDX.org/2020TreeCode.

Sharon Kelly uses her outreach and coordination skills to support trees, farmers, small businesses, and engage people to create more healthy, equitable, sustainable communities. She’s best known locally as market manager for Cully and Woodlawn farmers markets and as web manager for Trees for Life Oregon. Contact her at NaturalFarmerPDX@gmail.com.

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

“Say Their Names,” isn’t just a mantra for one neighbor, nor is it enough.

“I wanted to know more about these people who are in the headlines,” explained Rob van Nood.

“I started doing more research and started realizing, for me, the power of actually knowing a person’s story is a much more emotional connection.”

Between late June and mid-August, he had created and installed 24 memorials on poles bordering Fernhill Park near his Cully home. Each one shows the face and the name of a Black person who died at the hands of police or vigilante citizens.

Additionally, the memorials display quick response (QR) codes to sites that tell the victims’ stories and electronic votive candles on a timer that lights them for five hours beginning at 8 p.m.

“It gives us an emotional connection to the humanity of each person. I’m still going,” Rob said. “I’ll keep making them with the time and energy I have.”

Once installed, Rob checks on each memorial and provides maintenance as needed twice a week. “This gives me an opportunity to remember to say each name several times a week, and think about their personal stories.

“I’ve always been interested in the idea of public art, basically unauthorized public art,” he explained. He’s an educator, and art is his lifelong passion.

“I wanted to do this for my neighborhood as a gesture of remembrance that might stay in people’s minds beyond the headlines,” he added.

His website explains his rationale: “Who we choose to memorialize in public spaces says a lot about who we are as a people. At a time when the memorialization of historical figures is being questioned across the country, it is every person’s right to consider who should be represented in our neighborhoods and cities.

“This work is a reminder and a call that it is time that this country raise up the images and stories of people who have lived under the oppression of systematic racism for over 500 years.”

Rob added, “As a white man, I’m struggling with whether I am the right person to be choosing the names.” The first dozen victims he memorialized came from a list of names and websites distributed in May by his school’s inclusion and outreach director.

The next 14 came from headlines and three from the mid-20th century. Rob’s social media invites more recommendations.

In fact, that social media has gone viral since neighbors and other visitors to Fernhill Park share them from bit.ly/FHMemorial, @FernhillMemorial and #FernhillMemorial.

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