Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

$6 helmet sales on tap at Emanuel

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Health and Wellness
Bicycle helmets – and protective helmets for multiple sports – don’t work well if they aren’t fitted well. Trauma Nurses Talk Tough offer reduced-price helmets and the expertise to fit and adjust them at events this summer. Photo courtesy of Legacy Health.

Since its inception more than 25 years ago, Legacy Helmet Sales has distributed 130,000 low-cost helmets in the Portland area.

Last year Trauma Nurses Talk Tough (TNTT) – a Legacy Health service, aided by the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association – distributed 5,000 helmets.

This summer, three of the sales events are scheduled at nearby Legacy Emanuel Hospital, 2801 N. Gantenbein Ave. All will be in the Atrium from 4 to 8 pm. June 6, July 25 and Aug. 22. A June 23 event is scheduled at Good In the Hood King School Park, at 6th Avenue and Humboldt Street, from noon to 4 p.m.

The goal is put an end to preventable injuries and deaths, which the trauma nurses and trial lawyers report they see altogether too many each year.

State law mandates anyone younger than 16 must wear a safety helmet labeled “ANSI” and/or “Snell approved” while on bikes, scooters, skateboards and in-line skates while in public places.

Legacy Helmet Sales, however, sells bicycle and multi-sport helmets in toddler through adult sizes. The price for each is $6. At sales events, professionals and volunteers fit and adjust the helmets for each recipient.

In fact, more volunteers are needed for this year’s events, and training is provided. To volunteer, contact Geri Bartz at GBartz@lhs.org or 503.413.1092.

TNTT’s mission is to teach people of every age how to reduce risk of injury through properly fitted bicycle helmets, proper use of car seat and seat belts, safe driving, and a reduction in falls by senior citizens.

For more information about the TNTT program, visit bit.ly/2LqwTCY. For details about the helmet program and sales, call 503.413.4960.

Speak up in person or online to help TriMet set priorities

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

TriMet is asking your help – in person and via an online survey – to shape priorities for new funding for public transit under the Keep Oregon Moving law passed by the Oregon legislature last year.

It provides ongoing payroll-tax funding to improve and expand public transportation statewide. Locally, it could mean an additional $55 million each year.

At a recent meeting in Concordia, TriMet officials reported that TriMet may invest in more electric buses and deploy new service in the next five years from the Parkrose Sumner Transit Center to downtown Portland via Prescott and Alberta streets, and MLK Boulevard. A new bus yard is also in the works at 42nd Avenue and Columbia Boulevard in the next two years.

A series of workshops is planned to offer you information and ask for your input. The next one is Wednesday, June 6, 6-8:30 p.m. at Ride Connection, 9955 N.E. Glisan St. Your RSVP is requested, and a light dinner will be provided, along with child care and interpretive services.

RSVP or take an online survey to register your opinions and/or learn more information.

Faubion families share culture, food

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Rachel Richards | CNA Media Team

Community cooking classes are now monthly fare at Faubion School, thanks the 3 to PhD program and a grant from Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods. Photo courtesy of 3 to PhD.

Faubion School now offers monthly community cooking classes through the 3 to PhD program. That program is a collaboration of five different agencies: Portland Public Schools, Concordia University, Kaiser Permanente, Trillium Family Services and Basics (formerly Pacific Foods) with the shared mission to create safer, healthier and more educated communities.

The goal of 3 to PhD is to close the opportunity gap for the most vulnerable children and families, and to restore school as the heartbeat of the community.

Jaclyn Sisto, 3 to PhD services coordinator, created the community cooking classes and taught the first one in December about making tamales. She feared no one would show up, but 50 people came together and shared feedback that they really enjoyed the event.

Jaclyn obtained funding for the cooking classes to be ongoing throughout the school year through the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Community Grant program.

“With so many partners and agencies involved, our community cooking classes bring them together with Faubion families to build community and share cultural knowledge through sharing culturally specific food,” Jaclyn said.

The program is accepting donations of food (3 to PhD also provides a food pantry for Faubion families in need) or financial support. Donations can be made by contacting Jaclyn at JSisto@cu-portland.edu or 971.804.9125.

In February, three Faubion parents taught a class on Ethiopian food. In March, Faubion parent Ana Rosa Gonzalez taught a class on how to make albondigas, which are Mexican turkey meatballs.

April featured Southern cooking with Andre, who is the school’s night custodian. Another April class taught community members how to make Argentinian empanadas.

“The community cooking classes give people the opportunity to do something they are good at and share it with others,” Jaclyn pointed out. “It is a great way for community members to share culture in a way that is accessible – food. Who doesn’t love food?”

May’s cooking class is pizza on Wednesday, May 16, at 3:30 p.m. in the 3 to PhD demonstration kitchen.

Rachel is a 16-year Concordia resident who loves her community. She has a background in counseling/education and uses her passion for helping others in her work as a real estate broker. Contact Rachel or learn more about her at RachelRichardsRealtor.com.

Initiative aims to tax rich for environment

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities

By Steve Elder | CNA Media Team

Portlandd voters will soon have the opportunity to fight climate change while promoting social and economic equity.

The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) would generate an estimated $30 million annually to do things like weatherize and solarize Portland homes and businesses. It would also provide energy efficiency upgrades for low-income housing, job training, minority contractor support, green infrastructure assistance, and local food production.

The ballot initiative is what some call pure democracy: people can vote directly to make a law that affects them, not going through the legislature or other governing body.

The PCEF ballot initiative would impose a 1 percent business license surcharge on retail corporations, such as Apple, Starbucks and Wells Fargo, that do a $1 billion worth of business nationwide and $500,000 of business in Portland annually.

To get on the November 2018 ballot 45,000 signatures of Portland registered voters are required. A citizen’s commission, appointed by the city council, will distribute the money. The commission will oversee competitive proposals for use of funds.

Each commission member must have strong interest and experience in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, acting on climate change, and advancing racial and economic justice.

Detractors say the measure sounds like a sales tax. Technically it is not, although corporations will pay based on meeting a certain sales volume threshold. Corporations already pay license fees. PCEF is a surcharge. Most of the affected corporations already collect charges in other states that they pass on to Portlanders in the form of standard prices all over the country.

PCEF is a little like Measure 97, the tax initiative which lost statewide after a campaign that broke Oregon’s spending record for ballot initiatives. The measure won handily in two counties, Multnomah and Benton.

According to the Department of Energy, every dollar invested in weatherization generates $1.72 in energy benefits and $2.78 in nonenergy benefits such as fewer medical bills and less labor time lost. Landlords who upgrade properties will be required to limit any rent increases.

The PCEF steering committee has among its members the Sierra Club, 350PDX, the Audubon Society, NAYA Family Center, the NAACP, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, and more than 100 neighborhood associations, including Concordia.

Signatures will be collected from Portlanders who will be old enough to vote in the November 2018 election. Signature collectors should be able to explain the initiative and provide copies for review.

Volunteers are needed to help collect signatures. If you’d like to help, google contact information for any of the sponsors.

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

It’s fundraising season for community-building events

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities

CNA VOICES
By Katie Ugolini| CNA Social Committee Chair

It’s spring, and fundraising is in full bloom in Concordia.

As you know, your Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) raises funds to sponsor events and activities that fit our mission to build community.

Last month, we sponsored the Spring Egg Hunt and coming up soon are our booth at the July Fernhill Concert Series, the summertime neighborhood yard sale, the Aug. 3 National Night Out celebration, the Sept. 23 Northeast Sunday Parkways and the CNA Holiday Party in December.

Only one event each year makes money. That’s the Neighborhood Clean Up, scheduled for Saturday, May 19, at the PCC Workforce Center.

Our budget also receives a modest annual donation from the city’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement and the rental income from the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room. (Need a venue for a meeting or party? Visit ConcordiaPDX.org/community-room-rental for details.)

By far our largest expense each year is the concert series. It costs about $16,000 to pay for the bands and equipment. Yes. That’s no small amount. And one of the sources of income for it won’t be available this year.

That’s income from passing the hat during intermission at each concert. In the past, the hat provided $5,000 to $6,000 to help defray concert costs. This year, however, all funds from the “hat” will go to the Portland Parks & Recreation general fund for programs.

Although supporting all of our Portland parks activities is important, this means that one of our most dependable sources of revenue for the Fernhill Concert Series – the audience – will disappear in 2018.

So fundraising is especially important this spring and the three people who traditionally raise money – two CNA Board members and yours truly — need some recruits. Please help us keep this family-friendly Concordia summer tradition alive.

Please consider becoming a sponsor and/or making a donation. And contact me at KTUgolini@gmail.com if you can lend us some time to approach local businesses and organizations to request donations and sponsorships.

Bring your kitchen & garden tools to May 19 CNA Spring Clean Up for professional sharpening

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Events 1 Comment

Don’t use dull blades for your home spring clean up

Bring your kitchen and garden tools to the May 19 CNA Spring Clean Up for professional sharpening. Between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., 1Sharptool Edge Service will donate a percentage of the proceeds from sharpening:

• Knives
• Pruners
• Pocket knives
• Hoes
• Scissors
• Loppers
• Garden shears
• Chisels
• Machetes
• Axes
• Shovels
• Rotary mowers

Services are first come first served. Prices start at $6.25 for garden tools and $7.50 for kitchen knives. 1Sharptool Edge Service accepts cash, checks and credit cards.

For details, contact 1Sharptool Edge Service at 360.606.7062 or visit 1SharpTool.com.

Daruma doll inspires Daruma sushi fare

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

Daruma (duh-roo-muh): a hollow, round traditional Japanese doll.

Daruma dolls are seen as symbols of perseverance and good luck. When acquired, the figure’s eyes are both blank/ white. An owner will then select a goal or wish and paint in one of the figure’s two eyes to “keep an eye on it.” Once the desired goal is achieved the second eye is filled in.

Daruma is also the name of a local sushi restaurant. It moved recently from 42nd Avenue and Fremont Street to 1640 N.E. Killingsworth St. Owner Andy Diaz, originally a broadcast engineer at NYU Law School, had no food background when he opened it.

He had moved to Seattle in 1991, but returned to New York City in 1999. He didn’t stay long. He missed the West Coast and sought a more affordable city here. “I also wanted clean air and access to good food,” Andy beamed. “It’s wonderful here.”

One night, he fell asleep watching “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.” The next morning, his real estate agent called to tell him Ristretto Roasters was moving. Andy thought, “That would be a great space for a sushi restaurant.”

Although he did not have much experience in sushi, he jumped right in. Andy has always cheered the underdog.

Daruma Sushi has been open for four years. With the move, Daruma went from a 20-seat restaurant to one that is more obliging and contains 40 seats. At the 42nd Avenue location, he would have to turn away parties of more than four or shut the restaurant to accommodate larger groups.

His staff is good at taking initiative and at being creative. He has given each member of his staff a Daruma doll. “To help them stay focused on their objective,” Andy explained.

His current chef, Devin Jacobson, came into his old location wanting to apply as a waitress. He looked at her resume and was impressed by her experience. Devin is in her late 20s and had been preparing sushi for 10 years.

Andy asked his original chef if Devin could be his assistant. Eventually, after the chef moved to Seattle, Devin was running the sushi board.

Andy soon learned that rice is the most important thing in the restaurant. If the rice is not right he cannot open that day. Undercooked or overcooked rice can ruin good fish.

It’s all trial by fire. He recently added cooked food. Andy would like the kitchen staff to continue to evolve, like his menu and the wishes on the Daruma doll.

Gallery offers functional, not precious

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Judith A. Ross | CNA Media Team

Wil Labelle and Manya Wubbold opened Side Door Ceramics Gallery recently. Located at 5001 N.E. 30th Ave., it’s just around the corner from Alberta Street. Photo by Chris Baker

A well-designed, carefully crafted piece of pottery is a joy to hold – and behold. The perfect mug, for example, will not only comfortably contain your morning brew, it will serve as a small piece of art on your shelf.

Wil Labelle and Manya Wubbold of Side Door Ceramics Gallery aim to create household items that do just that.

The two opened the gallery, located at the corner of 30th Avenue and Alberta Street, in January. The 235-square-foot space is lined with shelves of useful objects made from stoneware or porcelain in colors ranging from blues and greens to creams etched in brown.

A pottery wheel, where Wil and Manya often work during business hours, sits behind the front counter.

Their offerings include – but are not limited to – cups, bowls, serving platters, teapots, candleholders, Chemex-shaped coffee makers, olive oil pourers and salt shakers.

All are designed and priced for everyday use. “Our prices range from $15 for cups, to $50 for bowls, and $70 to $90 for teapots and more complex projects,” Wil pointed out.

Hanging on one wall is his signature item, tall, narrow to-go mugs – each with a generously-sized handle and a cork plug on top.

“I started doing those because I wanted to change people’s perspective about how they embrace a piece of handmade pottery during the day,” he added. “This piece is meant to leave your safe zone, your castle, and go with you in your coach.”

Although Wil has spent the bulk of his career in the pottery business both as a teacher and maker, Manya came to the craft while teaching Spanish at the university level. Last month she was in North Carolina attending the John C. Campbell Folk School, where she took an intensive course in making large works in porcelain.

They met when Manya was Wil’s student at Georgies Ceramic and Clay Co. on Lombard Street. After a few years as Wil’s student, Manya invited him to share a studio on her property. Two years later, upon learning that the gallery space on Alberta was available, the two decided to go in together. They continue to make the bulk of their products at the private studio and view the gallery as a showroom for their work.

“We both saw this as an opportunity to take our work to the next level,” Wil explained. “It was a way for us to showcase functional pottery that is affordable. “There’s no greater accolade than someone saying, ‘I started using your salt shaker, and I love it.’”

Judith is a freelance writer, who relocated from Massachusetts to Portland in 2016.

Geno adds spice to Concordia

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Geno Hill’s “not too hot” chili powders are all about adding taste to a variety of dishes. Photo by Marsha Sandman

Concordia resident Geno Hill has a palette for the tasty and the spicy.

His unique “not too hot” chili powder found its origin in his own back yard. Friends and family begged for the leftovers. After he took extra to share with his coworkers at United Parcel Service, they encouraged him to package and sell his chili powder.

Then, five months ago, Geno’s NW Underground Chili Powder was born and introduced on the sidewalks of Concordia and surrounding neighborhoods.

He believes in ”gorilla retail.” You won’t find his product in stores or online. He sets up his display anywhere and just offers tastes to passersby.

You’ll often see him on the Alberta Street sidewalks with a big smile and a case of his chili powders.

“Strange things happen on sidewalks,” Geno reported. His Facebook page bears witness to that statement, with many pictures of satisfied customers. You’ll often find him on Last Thursdays in front of the Alberta Street Gallery.

Geno’s NW Underground Chili Powder also offers free delivery in Portland and Vancouver, as well as free shipping within the US.

Geno says he’s a “tasty” rather than a “foodie.” He believes it’s all about taste, which should enhance flavor rather than cover it up. “My chili makes endorphins jump, is an aphrodisiac, clears the nasal passages and wakes you up,” he said.

He uses African chilies and offers 11 flavors, including raspberry, strawberry and mango. Each is packaged in an aluminum screw top tin that fits conveniently in pocket, purse, or on kitchen shelf – ready to sprinkle on a variety of foods.

He is especially proud of his chili powder in the perfect Bloody Mary.

If you don’t find him on the sidewalks of Alberta Street, reach Geno at 503.477.0533 or StaySpicy503@gmail.com.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

Lighthouse is 100 miles from open sea

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

Richard Roberts may have the only backyard lighthouse in Portland. It stands as a memorial to his late brother, Jerry. Photo by Chris Baker

 

Richard Roberts sure loves his brother Jerry. Sadly, Jerry passed away in summer 2016. The only thing Richard loves more than the memory of his brother is the legacy Jerry left behind: a 38-foot-tall lighthouse in Richard’s backyard at 4334 N.E. Holman St.

Jerry, who suffered from alcoholism most of his life, moved in with Richard five years ago. Richard wanted his kitchen remodeled, and Jerry offered to construct it. Richard agreed – but only if Jerry stopped drinking. Jerry did.

The job included rebuilding the cabinets and installing new tile. Jerry shared his basement apartment with his collection of about 100 mini lighthouses.

He mused to Richard he would like to build one. A big one. A life-size one. Richard knew he could not say “no” to his brother. “If you want to build one, build one,” Richard told him.

Jerry set about to build himself a lighthouse.

There was an existing concrete slab in the backyard in the middle of tall waves of grass. That formed the perfect base. Jerry nailed together large 2-by-4-inch pieces of pressed wood, and painted them twice. It had to be perfect. He bought the best fitting windows from Goodwill.

Once he completed construction, he added a turntable from a record player and placed large light bulbs on it facing outward. He nailed metal plates inside the top of the lighthouse so it would shine and lights would revolve out into the night.

There are a series of ladders inside, along with a number of empty chairs. It resembles the bottom interior of a Disneyland space ship, large enough to throw a small cocktail party of five to six guests.

“If it floods again, we’re the only ones going to have a lighthouse,” Richard recalled Jerry telling him.

“We need a ship,” Richard responded.

“Well,” Jerry said, “We’ve got a lighthouse.”

Richard acknowledged that people think he is crazy. He has a lighthouse that is 100 miles from the ocean.

Tamara 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.