By Steve Elder CNA Media Team

At a time when people are camping on sidewalks – and the mayor has declared Portland is in a housing crisis – there are potentially livable houses here that are near collapse from inattention.

There is at least one residential structure in Concordia that’s not even finished, but may become a teardown. Searching records, talking to city sources, neighbors and a title company turns up seemingly hundreds of clues and many loose threads.

The unfinished house is at the intersection of Emerson Street and 38th Avenue. It is ultramodern, looming high above the bungalows adjoining. Work started about four years ago, dragged on slower and slower, then stopped about three years ago. It’s just sitting there.

The structure is two conjoined units, each with an accessory dwelling unit. There are four empty electric meter boxes and two offstreet parking spots. The neighbors aren’t wild about the place.

Artist Curtis Phillips lives across the street, and he has cultivated a thick hedge to block his view of the structure. If it weren’t for him performing occasional maintenance, the situation might be worse.

Curtis is no stranger to the city Bureau of Developmental Services. “I’ve called many times. They seem to feel their hands are tied, and they can’t demand that the owner cleans and makes the place livable or tear it down.

“They seem to figure there’s nothing they can do for just trash complaints,” he added. “It would take doing something criminal for the city to get serious.”

Where’s the owner? A search of public records provides little clarification.

The listed owner is Julie Selby, whom none of the neighbors have met. A title company notary met Julie when, in May 2015, she made an $865,000 mortgage.

The neighbors have met a fellow who identifies himself as the building contractor, Robel Alemseghed. Robel told a neighbor he lives in a house he built for himself on 26th Avenue. Although the address he offered them appears lived in, nobody came to the door despite several visits. In the meantime, the neighbors wait. And wait.

“The neighborhood has changed,” Curtis said. “We bought this house 10 years ago, moved back East and returned in 2013 or 2014. We’ve been surprised by changes in the neighborhood. “There’s more traffic and there’s more so called development going on.

Steve Elder, East2@ ConcordiaPDX.org, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch.

By Heather Pashley | CNA Treasurer

One day a couple of summers ago, I was reading Concordia News and saw that the neighborhood association was looking for a treasurer. I thought, “I’m pretty good with numbers. That sounds like a good way to get involved.” I really had no idea what I was getting into.

I went to a board meeting, and what I discovered was a bunch of great people who volunteer their time to make sure Concordia stays such a great place to live.

Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) was created to help its members involve themselves in the affairs of the neighborhood. The board of directors meets at least 10 times a year to make sure CNA is filling the needs of its members.

Once a year, in November, is the CNA Annual Meeting when members of the neighborhood get the chance to vote on who they’d like to see on the board. If you’re a resident, property owner or business owner and want to get more involved, you may nominate yourself – or others with those qualifications – for election.

The current board members are listed below, and so is the map of their districts.

These the positions are up for election and re-election: East 2, Northwest 2, Southwest 2, At Large 2, At Large 4 and At Large 6. Additionally, East 1 and the chair positions require filling.

The bylaws of the association require that at least 15 nonboard members be present to vote at the annual meeting for the positions to be filled. One representative from each residence or business is eligible to vote at the annual meeting, and voting members can be as young as 14 years old as long as they have a parent or guardian’s permission.

I’m glad I got involved in CNA. I have met so many wonderful people, and I’ve learned a lot about my neighborhood.

I urge you to attend the general meeting and participate in discussions about neighborhood issues and concerns. Perhaps you’ll even volunteer to help lead those discussions and contribute to Concordia’s future by getting elected to the board.

The meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room. See you there!

Heather Pashley was born in Portland and grew up playing at Fernhill Park. She has worked for OHSU for more than 20 years, worships at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, and she has never strayed far from her beloved Concordia neighborhood.

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

The Concordia neighborhood loves Halloween. There are treats and tricks all over the place.

Concordia University (CU) invites families with children 12 years old and younger to its Halloween festival at the George R. White Library and Learning Center Wednesday, Oct. 31.

About 140 student volunteers will transform the library into a Halloween carnival with games, booths, crafts, book readings, a coloring corner, treats, toys and prizes.

Twelve years ago CU wanted to engage the community with an open campus while it prepares future leaders.

Faculty and local businesses are generous with their donations to make sure there is plenty for everyone. Moms and dads have not been forgotten. There will be a coffee corner in the library so you can get a little rest from your more independent kids.

From 5 to 8 p.m. assigned groups will be escorted with their parent(s) to the Halloween-decorated eastside dorms where enthusiastic costumed students will dole out the goodies.

Upon request, there will be alternative treats for trick or treaters with allergies. There’s nothing scary at this party – all is fun and funny.

Dani Deputy-Grobbel is the CU residence life and community standards division director. She talked about this event that is more than just free candy. Twelve years ago CU wanted to engage the community with an open campus while it prepares future leaders. Besides the Halloween event, students are involved in outreach with the newly rebuilt Faubion School and after school programs throughout the community.

“A community event like our Halloween-in-the-Halls is just one way the university engages with neighbors and can promote early awareness about the options of education,” Dani said. “And it provides a fun holiday experience.”

Last year between 1,300 and 1,500 people enjoyed the safe, dry, welcoming Halloween celebration.

According to Dani, CU students are aware their school is mission centered and they understand that, when children come to the college campus, they see what’s possible in their future.

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 Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

A lobbyist’s day at work can be long, and it can be varied, accord ing to Courtney Westling, Portland Public Schools government relations director. In just one day, she:

• Worked on the logistics of an upcoming visit to the school district by the Oregon Joint Legislative Committee on Student Success
• Met with city officials to talk about ways to strengthen the district’s relationship with the Portland Parks & Recreation
• Conferred with a colleague from another school district to discuss ways to collaborate during the upcoming legislative session

Courtney also connects with the federal government to keep elected leaders updated about the work happening around the school district.

A lobbyist in Salem hired to move education policies, Courtney works with legislators and representatives of other school districts, school boards and education-focused associations. Their goal is to improve current policy to better serve students and to find solutions to impediments.

Courtney also connects with the federal government to keep elected leaders updated about the work happening around the school district. She coordinates logistics if an elected leader wants to tour a program, a school or host a school event.

In 2007 Courtney was a grad student in Washington, D.C. She returned home to Oregon and began to work on Jeff Merkley’s successful 2008 campaign. The senator called her back to Washington, D.C. – to Capitol Hill – from 2009 to 2011.

Courtney then moved to Michigan and lived in Ann Arbor until 2013. She worked for the Center for Michigan, a nonprofit “think-and-do” tank.

“I led an outreach project to engage communities across the state in a conversation about what they saw as the biggest challenges in public education,” she explained. “From that work, we created a strategy to engage lawmakers in ways to address some of the common concerns that came up during our outreach.”

When Courtney and husband Mike moved back to Portland in 2013, they definitely wanted to live in northeast. In October 2014, they bought their house just off of Holman Street at 28th Avenue when Courtney was pregnant with their first child, and they needed room to grow.

Courtney and her family enjoy the neighborhood being so walkable. They like to walk or ride bikes to Tamale Boy on Dekum Street or to Handsome Pizza on Killingsworth. They love being close to parks – for sons Evan, 3½, and Graham, 1½, and for French pointer Seger (as in Bob).

Portland Public Schools are all in the family. Courtney’s mom attended Faubion School. Soon Courtney’s sons will attend Faubion as well.

Tamara Anne Fowler is Edit Kitten, a writer with 20-plus years of experience offering a softer, 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.

By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

“Beer is very important,” Maria said. “If you’re not drinking, you’re cheating,” Pete added with one of the rules from the early days of the game. And so began the Friday night Bike Polo Happy Hour rounds in Alberta Park.

Maria sat on the bench. She is officially retired after playing 1½ times in 1½ years. She was indoctrinated when she started hanging out at a community cycling center.

“Bike polo looks hard. It is way harder than it looks.”
– Pete

Next to arrive was Robert – a “super star,” Maria claimed. Robert started playing about three years ago and is back after a long break.

Third and fourth, Jordan and Tim, have both been playing since 2007. Jordan started in Eugene. Tim competes in cyclo-cross. He has raced casually for the last couple of years.

Pete has been playing since 2009 and started in Columbia, Missouri. Brandon, Pete’s roommate, is from Tallahassee, Florida, and has been playing since 2016. His friends got him into bike polo when he worked at a bike shop. Stu has been playing for seven years. “Back in the day, when bike polo was just starting out, we used to play with ski poles or gas piping,” he said. “It was definitely DIY. Now bike polo companies are making fancier equipment.”

Black Star Bags, in southeast Portland, makes custom backpacks to hold bike polo gear. It is owned and operated by Dave Stoops, bike camper, bike polo enthusiast, ex-bike messenger and Concordia resident.

Drinking is no longer a requirement, so the current bike polo rules are:

• Don’t be a jerk.
• Only “shots” count (hit like hammer, don’t sweep like a broom).
• Corresponding contact – mallet to mallet, bike to bike, body to body – is the only contact allowed. “A lot of people’s teeth have been knocked out in bike polo,” Maria explained.

“Bike polo looks hard. It is way harder than it looks,” Pete admitted.

Games are typically 12 minutes long with teams of three taking on each other. There is no real set goalie position. Each player just takes up the spot as needed.

Portland Bike Polo has a newbie night once a month. The club brings equipment and rental bikes to instruct beginners. Once trained in the sport, one can become hooked.

If Bike Polo Happy Hour is too tame, the more hardcore games are Sunday mornings. Just check out the calendar at PortlandBikePolo.org and see how you can keep the sport going.

Tamara Anne Fawler 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.

By Steve Elder | CNA Media Team

The name change from Office of Neighborhood Involvement to Office of Community and Civic Life (OC&CL) reflects the Portland bureau’s mission. It’s to involve all Portlanders to shape their individual communities and affect the policies of the city to reflect their community and neighborhood needs and concerns.

That’s what OC&CL director Suk Rhee told Concordians at the neighborhood association’s quarterly general membership meeting last month.

OC&CL is involved in programs ranging from cannabis and crime prevention to noise and alternative shelter. The neighborhood association system, the director noted, was prompted partially with the defeat of the Mount Hood Freeway in 1974.

“The defeat of the Mount Hood Freeway was a high point,” she said. “A low point might have been the construction of the Interstate MAX line that bifurcated a neighborhood.”

The issue was raised whether neighborhood associations are actually homeowner associations and whether the interests of nonhomeowners are represented. “That’s not unique to Portland,” Suk pointed out. “‘Homeowner’ is not a dirty word but, when homeowner interests are all that’s represented, that’s a problem.”

Garlynn Woodsong, Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) board member, reported all the but one of the current board members are homeowners. Until recently CNews was delivered only to houses, not to multi-family dwellings. “We weren’t getting the word out.”

“‘Homeowner’ is not a dirty word but, when homeowner interests are all that’s represented, that’s a problem.”
– Suk Rhee

The need to engage in electronic communications – and the need to update city guidelines to allow them – was also discussed by meeting participants and the director.

For instance, when board member Truls Neal is out of town on business, he could attend board meetings if video conferencing wasn’t prohibited by city guidelines. The director agreed. “We need to change those rules.”

If someone developed the communications software and hardware for online participation in neighborhood association meetings, she suggested, OC&CL would be in the perfect position to share it among all the associations.

Another matter which requires updating to 21st century standards is cannabis. According to Suk, it’s not just an Oregon Liquor Control issue. Cannabis has become a social issue.

It took generations to decriminalize marijuana and set a new reality. “Now it is an industry where entrepreneurs can get a piece of the action,” she said.

Those are just some of the new issues that face a 44-year-old institution of neighborhoods.

And that, she said, is expressed in her bureau’s mission: “Promoting a culture of civic engagement by connecting and supporting all Portlanders working together and with government to build inclusive, safe and livable neighborhoods and communities.”

Steve Elder, East2@ConcordiaPDX.org, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch.