By Catherine Noble | Contributing Writer

Portland International Raceway (PIR) is the only raceway owned and operated by a city municipality in the United States and since 1987 has offered a chance for regular citizens to live out their racecar driver fantasies.

The address of PIR on N Victory Blvd. is a fitting testimony to a community that overcame disaster. In 1948, on Memorial Day, a dike broke, flooding the city of Vanport, Oregon, the second largest city in the state at that time. In 30 minutes, the flood swept away the city’s post office, library, fire houses, infirmary and elementary schools. The college relocated and became Portland State University, but the other buildings were never rebuilt, leaving behind remnants of their foundations on an array of still intact city streets.

Where some would see ruins, the Portland Junior Chamber of Commerce (known as the Jaycees) envisioned a place to race, and in 1960, convinced then Mayor Terry Shrunk to strike a deal with the federal government for a gift of approximately 89 acres of broken roadways for racing.

From 1961, especially during what became the annual Portland Rose Festival’s Rose Cup, racers careened through the erstwhile city on motorcycles, in sports cars and karts, and the low hum of city life became the thunder of mechanical engines in what was now known as West Delta Park. The sport was dangerous. Drivers spun out, slamming into piles of broken foundations, or tumbling into ponds. Sanctioning racing bodies threatened the continuation of The Rose Cup Races, demanding a safer roadway, and in 1971, the track was finally paved.

Two years later, in 1973, PIR turned a profit, and now the commercial enterprise brings in almost $50 million a year. Races held at PIR include IndyCar, Formula E, NASCAR Xfinity series and SCCA autocross events and PIR holds 650 events annually for 400,000 spectators.

And for Portlandians who want to try out racing themselves, $500 can get you a day to race your own car through the 12 turns on the track. The course includes classroom instruction and instructor-led spins around the almost 2-mile loop.

Jonathan Morgan, a sales professional, is one such Portlandian who recently attended Hooked on Driving School. Morgan says the experience increased his admiration for people who race professionally and also led him to think about his city driving in a new way.

“Not that I wasn’t a safe driver before, but now I know how to handle braking and turning for maximum efficiency.”

Three years before the Pro Drive Racing School was founded, the track underwent $800,000 of renovations including the addition of a chicane, an S-shaped curve that adds drama to the flat track.

“It’s two 90-degree turns in quick succession,” Morgan explains. He says he came out of the serpentine curve a little too fast, and thought it wise to stop racing for the day. “It was a disappointment, but a total hoot.”

Hooked on Driving and Pro Drive Racing School both offer a variety of classes for Portlanders with a need for speed. For those who enjoy quieter activities, there’s also a dog park there.

Catherine Noble, MFA, is originally from Chicago, Illinois, and misses the winters not at all. She credits her parents for encouraging her love of engines, both mechanical and social, which factors in her current project: a book on the 1920s aviatrix Bessie Coleman.

By Marsha Sandman | Contributing Writer

I considered getting a bicycle when I forgot to change the transmission oil in my 2002 Honda CRV. Goodbye Old Faithful. So now it’s the MAX, buses, Ubers and rides from my son. Maybe a bicycle might be the thing for me. However, unlike my many fit neighbors, I have not been on a bike since my long gone youth. If you perhaps can relate, then read on.

Being a mobility challenged senior, my son was concerned about me moving on two or maybe three wheels. Keeping in mind physical changes such as vision, coordination, balance, and cognitive function may make cycling more difficult as my fitness-challenged body has aged. So I did some research.

Fortunately, I found Mathew Mendez right here in Concordia at his small shop, Upcycle, just off of Killingsworth (5516 NE 16th Ave.) He bought the established Dekum cycle sale, repair, and customizing business last November.

I asked him about tricycles and e-bikes. I thought three wheels would make them more stable for me.

“There is still a possibility of falling over if too much speed is used when turning corners or traveling on uneven ground”, Mendez told me when I asked about their stability.

There is also a low riding 3-wheeler recumbent tricycle which is lower to the ground, more stable and that comes in an e-bike version. But poor visibility and the high price do not appeal to me. And my son discouraged me from riding a three wheeler. So maybe an e-bike for me?

E-bikes are very popular and come in a wide price range starting at about $1,300 all the way up to $13,000. Being able to ride with or without the electric assist makes this an attractive option. An electric assist can provide extra help, enabling longer rides and making it easier to conquer hills. However, e-bikes are a bit heavy to pick up if they tip over.

Additionally, older adults such as myself may be more at risk of falls. Consider taking a cycling skills course to improve your knowledge and safety.

To ensure safety, seniors should know their physical, mental, and health limitations. Understanding your limitations helps you choose a bike, a route and riding pace suitable for your abilities, reducing the risk of overexertion or injury.

A believer in cycling at all ages, Mendez suggests “biking more” and “enjoying every mile.”

I’m still looking for the best senior bicycle for me, but yesterday I bought a used Honda with a good transmission. Now my son is worried about me driving.

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 Gina Levine | Contributing Writer

The month of July in Portland is the perfect time to plan fun activities that will get kids outdoors and away from screens. Here are some classic, free ideas that capture the essence of a 90s summer in or near our Concordia neighborhood:

1. Dig for Bugs
Encourage your children to explore their natural surroundings by digging in the dirt and searching for bugs. This simple activity fosters curiosity and teaches kids about the environment. Equip them with a small shovel, a magnifying glass, and a bug jar, and let their adventures begin!

2. Blowing Bubbles
Blowing bubbles is a timeless activity that never fails to bring smiles. You can easily make your own bubble solution at home with dish soap, water, and a bit of glycerin. Spend an afternoon creating giant bubbles or see who can catch the most!

3. Lemonade Stands
Nothing says summer like a homemade lemonade stand. Help your kids set up a stand in your front yard. It’s a great way to teach them about entrepreneurship and handling money, all while enjoy ing delicious, refreshing lemonade.

4. Hanging with Friends
Sometimes, the best summer memories are made simply by spending time with friends. Organize a neighborhood playdate or a casual picnic in your backyard. Bring out classic lawn games like tag, hide-and-seek, or even a simple game of catch.

5. Free Lunch at Local Parks
Take advantage of Portland Parks & Recreation’s free lunch program for kids. Alberta Park offers free lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and Kh unamokwst Park from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while ensuring your kids are well-fed.

6. Explore Whitaker Ponds
Just outside our neighborhood, Whitaker Ponds Nature Park (7040 NE 47th Ave.) offers an easy hike perfect for little explorers. The short, flat trails are ideal for young children and provide a chance to observe local wildlife and enjoy nature up close.

7. Jamison Square Fountain
Cool off during the summer heat downtown at the fountain at Jamison Square (810 NW 11th Ave.) The cascading water and shallow pools make it a fun and safe place for kids to splash around. Bring a picnic and spend the afternoon enjoying this urban oasis.

8. Blue Lake Regional Park
One of my family’s favorite spots, Blue Lake Regional Park in Fairview (21224 NE Blue Lake Rd.) offers a plethora of activities. Pay $5 to park and then spend the day swimming at the beach, playing at the ‘spray ground’, or even participating in free fishing lessons available on select days. It’s a fantastic place for a full day of family fun.

Let’s take a trip back to the 1990s and rediscover these simple, joyful activities that will create lasting memories for your children. Whatever activities you choose, it’s always an adventure to let your kids lead the way and see what they come up with! The simple moments you spend together today will create cherished memories for years to come. Enjoy the summer!

Gina Levine is a momma of three and owner of We Play Portland.

By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer

As the summer approaches and our thirst increases, many of us enjoy refreshing summertime drinks like juice, kombucha and carbonated drinks that come in recyclable, refundable cans and bottles. There are also some drinks we can make in quart or half gallon bottles or pitchers that produce zero waste (other than compost). No need for recycling and we can save money, too. Here are some tips for making drinks at home.

Iced Tea

Make several jars of iced tea to keep on hand in the fridge at all times. I enjoy having a black tea, a green tea and an herbal tea at the ready. As soon as one bottle is finished, you can rinse it and enjoy steeping more tea again.

1. Start with three quart-sized bottles and place a few single tea bags in each one (depending on how strong you want your tea).
2. Then, pour a cup of boiling water over each and let them steep for as long as suggested for the tea (usually 3-5 minutes for black tea, 2-3 minutes for green tea, and 3-5 minutes for herbal tea.) Remove the tea bags.
3. Add whatever you like. Honey, maple syrup, and brown sugar are good sweeteners or just enjoy it unsweetened. You may also squeeze a lime or lemon into the mix.
4. Stir well.
5. Add ice to cool.

Infused Water

Hotels often have infused waters in their lobby for us to enjoy, but we can treat ourselves easily right at home. Flavored water is lovely, inexpensive, and produces no waste.

1. Add a few cucumber slices, citrus slices, or any fresh fruits to a pitcher of water.
2. Let the water infuse for at least 4 hours.
3. Strain the water to remove any chunks.
4. Add ice and enjoy.

Ginger Drink

If you don’t mind a few more minutes of prep time, a sweet and spicy ginger drink might hit the spot. Drink it over ice or use more ginger to use it as a syrup.

1. Peel a small piece of fresh ginger and slice it.
2. Simmer it in a cup or two of water for 20-30 minutes.
3. Add sweetener of your choice.
4. Let cool.
5. If you like, add fruit to infuse or try hibiscus flowers.

Happy summer. I’ll be back with more eco-friendly tips next month.

Esther Lerman Freeman is a certified Master Recycler and Concordia resident

By Jim Gersbach | Contributing Writer

What was once just a grassy field at the former Meek Elementary School (4039 NE Alberta Ct.) has recently been accredited as a Level 1 arboretum by Arbnet, an international arboretum accreditation and networking program. The new arboretum is called the Concordia Learning Landscape Arboretum and is the fifth in Oregon nationally accredited by Arbnet.

Jim Gersbach and Mallory Pratt, longtime Concordia Tree Team volunteers, submitted the successful application. They were required to meet five criteria:

• At least 25 different species, with labels and documentation
• An oversight group for the accreditation process
• An operational plan for the protection and maintenance of the trees
• A group dedicated to care and maintenance of the trees
• Public access, community engagement, education and on-site events

With the help of Friends of Trees, Concordia Tree Team volunteers began planting trees at the school (now called Alliance High School) on April 2nd, 2010. The first trees at Meek came from Portland Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry’s Learning Landscape Program. Today, the volunteers continue to weed, mulch, water and do structural pruning on the trees.

The arboretum has about four dozen species of trees representing 27 genera in 20 families. A main focus is the rapidly expanding oak family. The collection includes species from five different continents and at least five species native to Oregon. Members of the Concordia Tree Team are very excited to have their many years of dedication be rewarded with arboretum status.

Jim Gersbach is a longtime volunteer with the Concordia Tree Team and has lived in Concordia for 22 years. He is a master pruner and planting crew leader with the non-profit Friends of Trees, and occasionally gives tree walks at Hoyt Arboretum and around the city.

By Micha Wolf | Contributing Writer

Two changes coming soon to Portland will affect Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NETs). The mayor’s office has proposed a new budget for the year 2024/25 that would cut funds to Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Management. In addition, NET leadership is planning the realignment of neighborhood districts.

The Impact of NET

Founded in 1994, the NET program has been serving the community for 30 years. In 2023, at the city’s request, NETs deployed for over 2200 hours. Work included helping our neighbors in warming and cooling shelters, clearing storm drains, and maintaining safety perimeters around downed power lines – freeing up fire and police until utility crews arrive. In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, NETs responded to more than double the usual number of deployment requests – making masks, distributing public health posters, and staffing vaccination clinics. That volunteer work provided almost $450,000 of service to the city.

New Budget

The following statements are from S. Ahmed, the mayor’s designee.

First and foremost, a 60% reduction in non-personnel costs will not carry the most basic functions of our core mission of emergency response. Therefore, we will need to eliminate or hold an additional position while we evaluate how to make up for this. The position being considered for this is the vacant position in Operations.

We also have five limited term positions that are slated to end June 30th, four of which are currently occupied covering functions such as planning, community programs support, training and exercise, and emergency operations.

At present, NET volunteers do not know fully the scope of the impact this measure will have. Funding cuts could mean fewer resources for Neighborhood Emergency Teams, the BEECN program (Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Node) and fewer training possibilities for all volunteers.

If you’d like more detailed information about the budget cuts or to voice your opinion, please contact Mayor Wheeler’s office directly at MayorWheeler@ PortlandOregon.gov.

NET District Realignment

There will also likely be realigning of NET districts. Portland has about 2000 active NET volunteers, and they are spread among many city districts. Up until now, NETs were organized by neighborhoods, often having to travel quite a distance to meetings or staging sites.

The new proposal would allow NETs to form smaller ‘pods’ among their immediate neighbors and neighborhood streets, thus allowing for a more knowledgeable and immediate response should a disaster strike.

We are proud to have been able to provide education and disaster preparedness and we all hope we can continue to serve our community.

Micha Wolf ha s retired from teaching primary school, loves being in nature and believes in building community through engagement.

Portland’s Alberta Street neighborhood is known for its art community and festive street fairs. Alberta Main Street is the nonprofit organization that has put on many of those events over the past decade. However, recently all but two members of the Alberta Main Street Board resigned reportedly due to their frustration with the organization.

Former Alberta Main Street president Devon Horace, who served as president from July 2021 to January 2023, solicited $100,000 in donations from Nike and $5,000 from the Portland Trail Blazers on behalf of the Alberta Street business district. Horace has been accused by the Multnomah County Circuit Court of withdrawing the funds from the district’s account, diverting the money to his own account and falsifying records to show to the organization’s treasurer. Horace has pleaded not guilty to all accusations, which included four counts of first-degree aggravated theft, five counts of first-degree theft and seven counts of falsifying business records.

When Horace left the position, former board member James Armstrong agreed to step in as the Interim Board President and made a review of the financial records a priority. Armstrong realized there was a major monetary loss that led right to Horace.

Prosecutors say that the full extent of the misconduct may not yet be fully uncovered.

“Given the sophistication and breadth of the scams, combined with how quickly the defendant spent the proceeds in this case, the state is concerned that [Horace] could be further victimizing other community members and committing fraud,” says the DA’s office.

Devon Horace moved to Portland in 2015 from New York and was featured as a “40 Under 40” of “the Portland’s area’s brightest rising stars“ in the Portland Business Journal in 2023. He has worked for Nike, the Portland Trailblazers and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Leadership and Management from Concordia University. Horace has been permitted to reside in Seattle until his next court appearance, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12th. Armstrong says they are cooperating with investigators. When contacted by the Concordia News media team, Horace declined to respond.

To learn more about this story, join Concordia Neighborhood Association at our next General Meeting on Wednesday, June 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Kennedy School community room.

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 Elaine Oliver | Contributing Writer

If you’ve driven down NE 27th toward the stoplight at Lombard, you may have noticed a lot of construction. It is the site of Dekum Court Apartments, a new affordable housing complex and Phase Two of construction is well underway. Most recently, a large community center made of timber has taken shape and with it will be a covered basketball court for residents.

The site is a redevelopment of an existing affordable housing complex which contained 40 two-and-threebedroom units. The new site expands the housing capacity to 187 units and ranges from studios to four-bedroom units.

147 of the units are funded by a Metro Affordable Housing Bond and 67 by federal rental assistance. Most notably,40 units are one-for-one replacement homes for existing Dekum Court households where there was special care taken to not displace the residents during construction. Phase One of construction began in September 2022 and opened to new residents September 2023. Phase Two is projected to be completed by late summer 2025.

The homes were designed by Lever Architecture and are being constructed by Walsh Construction. The property was previously and will continue to be managed by Home Forward which is the designated housing authority for Multnomah County and the largest provider of affordable / subsidized housing in the area.

Dekum Court was one of the first projects the Metro Council approved for bond funding, awarding $21.03 million to the project. Among the factors the council considers in granting bond funds are a project’s plan for community engagement and strategies for advancing racial equity. As reported in Street Roots, many residents feel that the approach Home Forward took to Dekum Court allowed for redevelopment and focused on residents’ involvement.

“The project presented some very unique opportunities for us to make sure that we did not have any interruption in our tenants’ lives as we develop their new homes,” Home Forward CEO Ivory Matthews told Street Roots in November.

As affordable housing development increases in and around Portland, Dekum Court could act as a guide, Mathews says.

Elaine (she/her) is a former tech trainer turned ADHD coach and the Concordia News Ad Sales Rep. She is a passionate auntie, pitbull mom, and soccer player who has called Concordia home for four years. You can find her eating good food with friends or walking her lovable pitbull Charlie in the neighborhood.

By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer

Living in Northeast Portland, most of my neighbors are committed to doing what they can to improve our environment and keep Portland and the world healthy. Since I had been recycling, composting and donating to The Community Warehouse, The Rebuilding Store and other reuse organizations for quite some time, I thought I knew everything; that is, until I participated in the City of Portland Metro’s Master Recycler Program (MRP).

Developed in 1991, MRP is a partnership between Metro, three counties, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and lay community members. MRP educates community members on best practices for recycling in Portland while also providing a workforce for community initiatives. There are three courses held annually and each is eight weeks long.

Upon graduation, MRP students are asked to spend time sharing what we learned, and through this column I hope to fulfill that obligation.

I will start with the number one thing that I learned.

The program should be called How To Bring Less Stuff Into The World rather than Master Recyclers. The first words from the instructor were, “Reduce and reuse BEFORE recycling.”

The very active Buy Nothing Group in our community is an example of folks trying to share with one another rather than supporting consumption. I watch as Buy Nothing members share extra food, clothing and lend one another items to use. They truly embody the Reduce ethos.

In terms of physical and financial effort, reducing is quite easy; it takes no resources to “not buy”. It does, however, take psychological energy. I often spend time scrolling through online offers that have found their way into my inbox.

Luckily, these companies usually have a cart on their websites that I can fill to my heart’s content until I wake up from my hypnotic consumer state and am able to just walk away from them. It is an experience of shifting from thinking wouldn’t that be nice? to do I actually need that?

However, sometimes you really do need to buy something; like a pair of waterproof pants for a hiking trip. In these instances, consider whether it is something you can borrow, something you can buy secondhand, or if you indeed need to buy it new. Taking the time to go through this thought process means you will have done the the first part of your basic training; going from automatic pilot to considering other options.

When we recycle, we are still not compensating for the energy and materials that went into producing the article. We get some return savings of energy and materials by recycling, but only a small percentage of what would be saved if we did not produce unnecessary things in the first place. A good example of this is food waste. While I have tried to be careful about not letting any food go to waste, I have always felt OK about it because at least I can put spoiled food into the green compost bin. Again, even though recycling food waste separately decreases the volume of waste at the dump and decreases the methane gas emitted from the dump site; the amount of labor, water, earth, and energy that went into growing and producing this food is not recovered by composting. So composting is great, but not wasting food is even better.

Tips for this month:

1. Before you buy, ask yourself if you need it. Can you borrow it? Can you buy it secondhand? If the answer is that you do need to buy it, go ahead, knowing that you have considered the options.
2. When buying food, consider using a shopping list and planning your meals for the week. Pay attention to what is most perishable in the refrigerator and keep it in the front of the shelf to increase the chance of using it before it spoils.
3. Freezing is a great option to save food that is in danger of not being used before it goes bad. Cutting up fruits and vegetables and freezing them is easy and saves money.
4. The ends of carrots, beet greens, the stems of mushrooms, etc., are all great to keep in the freezer until you have a good amount and then make a delicious broth, which is free! You won’t need to pay for broth and you won’t have any packaging from the broth to dispose of.
5. Find a neighbor you can share food with so that when either of you overshops or overcooks, you can help each other make meaningful use of the overage.
6. The type of food we eat also impacts the environment. One doesn’t need to become a vegetarian to decrease the impact of their diet, but perhaps cutting out one or two meals of beef a week would be a start.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Next month’s article will focus on REUSE.

Esther Lerman Freeman is a certified Master Recycler and Concordia resident.