Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

American Legion Post 134 to provide Cooling Center this week

Posted on by Posted in Health and Wellness

With temperatures expected to reach record-breaking highs this week, the AMERICAN LEGION POST 134 at 2104 NE ALBERTA ST. is providing a COOLING CENTER to help senior citizens, people with disabilities and people with other health conditions stay safe.

The Cooling Center at the American Legion will open August 1, at 10:30 a.m. and will stay open until at least Friday.

Pets and children are welcome at the Legion. Air conditioning, water, electrolyte drinks and first aid will be provided. Medical Personnel will be available on-site.

The American Legion staff would appreciate donated supplies, such as ice packs, coolers, and powdered Gatorade.

If you have questions about the cooling center or about donation of supplies, please call the American Legion at 503-284-7272.

For more information and a list of other cooling centers in the area, visit: multco.us/multnomah-county/cooling-centers-open-multnomah-county-tuesday-aug-1.

Have a Passion for Writing?

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

Concordia News needs people who:

  • Have a knack with the written word
  • Want to practice and/or hone their writing skills
  • Like talking to people who are helping keep Concordia the greatest neighborhood in Portland
  • Want to contribute a few hours a month to keeping neighbors informed about what is – and maybe isn’t – happening here

If that describes you, consider this an invitation. We want you to write about topics that speak to the diverse interests of members of the Concordia neighborhood.

Stories fit for print encompass myriad truly local topics. (We leave national coverage to CNN, statewide to The Oregonian and citywide to the Portland Tribune.) Here’s a sampling of what we publish:

  • New businesses
  • Development
  • Art
  • History
  • Culture
  • Environment
  • Issues affecting seniors, parents, children and families
  • Schools
  • Events

Interested? Email CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org today!

23rd Annual Columbia Slough Regatta

Posted on by Posted in Events, Health and Wellness

Sunday August 06, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Join our on-the-water festival and celebrate the Columbia Slough!

At this year’s Regatta, over 500 people will have the opportunity to rent a canoe or kayak from the Council (free of cost) to explore and learn more about this special hidden gem.  Despite the name, the Columbia Slough Regatta is not actually a race, but more of a leisurely wildlife-watching group paddle. The event celebrates the watershed with fun and free activities for community members to develop connections with nature and neighborhood resources.

For more information and to register, visit: columbiaslough.org/events/event/248/

Ask the Historian: There’s no sign of Old Vernon there

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, History

By Doug Decker, Historian

The original Vernon School was destroyed by fire in 1932. This circa 1912 view of the school’s south side is looking north-northwest. The main entrance was on the north side in the center. Photo courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society
The original Vernon School was destroyed by fire in 1932. This circa 1912 view of the
school’s south side is looking north-northwest. The main entrance was on the north side in
the center. Photo courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society

The question:

I’ve heard there was an old school just south of Alberta Street at 22nd Avenue. What’s the story?
– Luke Griffin

The historian reports:

Yes indeed. You probably k now the vicinity of the old Vernon school south of Alberta Street. But you pr obably ne ver knew it was there, occupying all of the block bounded by 22nd and 23rd avenues between Going and Wygant streets.

Old Vernon was a giant, imposing four-story wood frame building that commanded the center of the block with its main doors facing north. Periodic construction added space over the years, eventually filled out at 17 classrooms in the main building, and several outbuildings for shop, cooking and a play shed. It was a big place.

Old Vernon opened Sept. 15, 1908, with 324 students, many of whom were exports from Highland School (today’s Martin Luther King Jr. School at 6th Avenue and Wygant Street), which had overflowed with more than 700 students.

By 1909, The Oregonian reported Vernon itself was already crowded and plans were being made to add a covered play shed, three portables and a manual training (shop) building.

By 1914 the block was a small campus of four buildings, bulging at the seams with new students. Enrollment ballooned to more than 800 students by the late teens. Meanwhile, plans were being made to build other nearby schools to take the pressure off and create closer-to-home options for local youngsters. Kennedy School on 33rd Avenue was opened in 1915 as part of this push.

By the mid 1920s, trends in school construction, safety and changing demographics were shaping the next generation of area schools. Disastrous school fires in other cities had galvanized the national building codes community – and Portland mayor Harry Lane – into calling for “fireproof” buildings.

In 1926, the Portland School Board voted to close Old Vernon and build a new school on the site we know today at 20th Avenue and Killingsworth Street. This was not a popular move in the community, and required the school board to acquire and raze more than two dozen houses at the new site.

The cornerstone on the new building was set June 6, 1932. A week later, when school ended for the year, Old Vernon closed for the last time.

A few weeks later, Aug. 14, an arsonist set fire to the old school building, lighting up the sky for miles around and bringing the building’s life to an end. The site was cleared and sold to developers who began building houses on the block in the early 1940s.

You’ll notice how house styles on that block are all later than those across the street. Now you know why.

For more information and photos of Old Vernon and several of the nearby houses that were part of the school operation, check out Doug’s website at AlamedaHistory.org and search for “Old Vernon.”

Do you have a question for the neighborhood historian? We love solving mysteries. Contact CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org with your question, and we’ll ask Doug Decker to do some sleuthing.

Move to 42nd made the difference in business

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Nancy Varekamp, CNews Editor

Cedric Burton, left, and Aaron Peterson couldn’t be happier with the welcome they’ve received at their fish and chips restaurant’s new location on 42nd Avenue.
Cedric Burton, left, and Aaron Peterson couldn’t be happier with the welcome they’ve
received at their fish and chips restaurant’s new location on 42nd Avenue.

One year operating a fish and chips shop on Alberta Street convinced Aaron Peterson and Cedric Burton their concept was great, but the location wasn’t. It took another year to secure the new location at 5302 N.E. 42nd, and the move in April has paid off.

Renamed 42nd Avenue Fish & Chips, the restaurant has increased business by 75 percent and boasts an appreciative following, Aaron said.

“They couldn’t find us on Alberta,” he pointed out. Crowded sidewalks and limited parking worked against them.

Recommendations, a parking lot and A-frame signs at Killingsworth drive new customers to the new location between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. seven days a week. “We plan to be here for 10 years or more,” Aaron added.

One of the differences they’ve noticed at the new location is ethnicity. Aaron estimates half the customers now are people of color and the other half are white. On Alberta the ratio was 75:25.

But there’s one thing they all have in common. “They sit down, eat and give us high praises,” Cedric pointed out. Praises also come online from customers who take their food to go, and others who order delivery through Grubhook.

“We’re pretty proud of the 5-star ratings we have on Facebook, Yelp and Yahoo,” Aaron added.

Fish choices are cod, catfish, tilapia and basa. The latter is a low-fat Asian fish. “Most people haven’t heard of it,” Cedric said. “But when you taste it, you fall in love.”

The basa and cod are the restaurant’s top sellers, and Aaron’s fish-on-a-stick appeals to people who want to eat on the run. It’s the fish version of a corndog – hold the mustard.

All fish is fried in a gluten-free, cornmeal-based batter with Southern seasoning. It’s the recipe of Aaron’s mother.

“Down South, we always cooked like that,” Cedric reported. He’s originally from Selma, Alabama. Aaron is from Los Angeles.

The two met as students at Adams High School, which stood only a block away from their new enterprise. They spent 30 years in separate careers. Aaron owned a newspaper, grocery store and barber shop, and he worked in a funeral home and as a band promoter. Cedric worked for Pendleton Woolen Mills.

“Owning a restaurant is a blessing, especially when people like your food,” Aaron pointed out. “What more could anyone ask for? It’s an American dream.”

Local churches participate in Sanctuary Movement

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Karen Wells – CNA Media Team

Two local Protestant churches are demonstrating their support for immigrants and refugees.

Concordia’s Ainsworth United Church of Christ (AUCC) has a long history of involvement in social justice work. This includes being active in the Sanctuary Movement, a national initiative sparked by the current political climate of accelerated attempts to detain and/or deport undocumented immigrants/workers.

Pastor Lynne Smouse Lopez was at the helm of AUCC in 2007 during the north Portland Fresh Del Monte Produce packing plant immigration raids. She and her congregation took action then to assist affected immigrant families.

They are back in action for the latest affront to the security of immigrant families and their children, according to the pastor.

AUCC was the first church in Oregon to engage with the Sanctuary Movement, which counts at least 800 congregations and 18 coalitions nationally. To date, 16 congregations, in nine major cities have provided or offered sanctuary to affected immigrants and their families.

Augustana Lutheran in nearby Irvington neighborhood sponsored a February news conference about sanctuary and deportation. Fifteen local immigrant rights/advocacy groups shared stories of how the latest wave of actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have affected families and children.

The 100-plus community members, congregants and local media heard stories of children who are afraid to go to school for fear of returning home to an empty house if their parents are detained unexpectedly by ICE. Participants also heard that, because of the fear of ICE, many in need of food or medicine are going without.

Sanctuary Movement details

These resources can help you learn more about the Sanctuary Movement and/or step up to help:

Attention Neighbors of the Portland International Airport

Posted on by Posted in Events, Land Use & Transportation

The Oregon Air National Guard (OANG) and the Port of Portland will co-host a community “Fly Day” on July 8, 2017 at Helensview High School and you’re invited!

The intent of the Fly Day is to demonstrate the ground track and flight profile of the Continuous Descent Overhead Approach flown by 142nd Fighter Wing aircraft, as well as to answer any questions about this expanded procedure.

The Fly Day event is scheduled for July 8, 2017 from 1PM to 3PM. at

Helensview High School

8678 NE Sumner St, Portland, OR 97220

In the event that the winds and weather necessitate an easterly traffic flow, the location will be moved to the Columbia Children’s Arboretum.

Columbia Children’s Arboretum

10040 NE 6th Dr. Portland, OR 97211

A booth will be set-up at the Helensview school on the afternoon of the event to provide updated information.

For more information about the Continuous Descent Overhead Approach procedure follow the link below:

https://popcdn.azureedge.net/pdfs/Continuous%20Descent%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

For any other questions contact:
Port of Portland – Noise Management Department
Phone: 503.460.4100 (Oregon) / 800.938.6647 (Washington)
E-mail: pdxnoise@portofportland.com
Web: http://www.portofportland.com/Noise_Mgmt_Home.aspx

Safe Routes to Groceries

Posted on by Posted in Events, Health and Wellness

Safe Routes to Groceries event
on July 15th
at New Seasons Market Concordia
on 5320 NE 33rd Ave. in Portland, OR.

This is a celebration of bicycling to get groceries. This is an alternative to driving to the store. We know that half of automobile trips are 3 miles or less and we want people to consider the sustainability aspect of bicycling to bring home fresh food in a convenient and sage manner.

The event will provide

  • Free white plastic buckets for rear rack panniers (& will help affix them to the bikes!)
  • We will be featuring Bicycle ambassadors from Portland Bureau of Transportation helping people find their best low volume streets from home to fresh food.
  • Queen Bee and North Street Bags showing off beautiful panniers for carrying groceries in style.
  • Cosmo spaghetti sauce samples.
  • Grand Central Bakery goodies
  • Cat Six Bicycle store will be on hand to evaluate bicycles and offer a discount for tune up/repair.
  • Cat Six and Clever Cycles will be showing bicycles built for carrying groceries and kids

Raffle to win a pair of North Street Panniers.

This is a first for Portland. New Seasons is taking on this campaign to help people use the Bicycle Boulevards in order to get groceries in a sustainable manner.

For more information, visit PBOT Events Calendar or Every1Bikes.

Sanctuary goes (way) beyond church walls

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Nancy Varekamp – CNews Editor

More than 200 people attended last month’s Know Your Rights Forum sponsored by St. Andrew Catholic Church. Education is a cornerstone of the parish’s efforts as a sanctuary church. Photo courtesy of St. Andrew Catholic Church

“Sanctuary is much more than providing a physical space for someone at risk of deportation,” reads the website of nearby St. Andrew Catholic Church. “It is a strategy and set of actions for faith communities, faith-based organizations, and people of conscience.”

The parish takes that statement seriously, according to Diana R. a parishioner active in the movement to support Latino parishioners.

“St. Andrew is very into social justice, so immigration has always been an issue we’ve been involved with,” she said. “When new things started happening, we wanted to make sure the whole parish is into it, and really knowing that we are a sanctuary parish. We’re exploring several aspects.”

Last month’s “Know Your Rights” forum drew 200 people to hear from attorneys and role play various potential scenarios.

A training session for rapid responders in March included 200 volunteers willing to help families in their communities. “We agreed to form friend-families, undocumented persons buddying with citizens to have someone to call in an emergency,” Diana said.

The January “Sanctuary Assembly” also drew a crowd.

Due to space, the church building at 806 N.E. Alberta St. likely won’t serve as a physical sanctuary, unless is absolutely necessary. Instead, parishioners are offering their homes. “They know the legal risk, and many are willing to go all the way,” Diana said.

The parish works with Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good, and there’s no limit to the preparations. “Nothing has actually happened with our parishioners yet, so we really don’t know how ready we are to respond in a case,” Diana pointed out.

“One of the things that is coming out of all of this is parishioners understanding we are more like each other than different. We are part of a community that shares a lot of values.

“What moves your world is when something happens.”

The old is made new by local upcycling pro

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Carrie Wenninger – CNA Media Team

Upcycler Mari Bartoo Jacobson
You’re likely to run into Mari Bartoo Jacobson Saturday – Sunday, June 23 -25 during the Concordia Neighborhood Association Annual Yard Sale. Her business embodies the adage, “One person’s garbage is another’s treasure.” The upcycler uses others’ castoffs to create works of art.

Local crafter and ingenious upcycler Mari Bartoo Jacobson of The Make House’s Rutabaga Redesign is preparing to shop the June 23 – 25 Concordia Neighborhood Association Annual Yard Sale. She’ll be looking for inspiring objects, doodads and diamonds in the rough.

What’s upcycling? It’s the process of bringing new, useful and often beautiful life to old, discarded materials. It’s the embodiment of the idea that “One person’s garbage is another’s treasure.”

Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: I‘ve always been keenly aware of our often ugly impact on the environment around us while, at the same time being deeply enamored of the beauty we can bring to light. I endeavor to turn what would otherwise become part of a landfill into something new and interesting. I also love the challenge of uncovering the loveliness of old, grungy metals and woods. Sometimes you really have to look. It’s a lot like finding buried treasure.

Q: How did you become interested in upcycling?
A: My dad was a carpenter when I was young, and I remember always feeling empowered to build things: tree houses, a rubber band gun, a marimba – those are a few of the things I built with my dad. In my family there was a lot of emphasis placed on “walking lightly on the earth.” So what I do now feels like a beautiful outgrowth of those opportunities and values I was given growing up.

Q: Where do you do your work?
A: I have a workshop space in The Make House at 1732 N.E. Alberta St. Six other artists and I have workspace in the building, and I also curate a retail space on the main floor called Rutabaga Redesign. My shop features local, handcrafted work from over 50 different artists and craftspeople, myself included.

Q: Explain the name.
A: Rutabaga Redesign is the name simply because I really like how it rolls off the tongue. Say it out loud. Isn’t that fun?

Carrie is a Concordia resident and lives on 29th Avenue. As a freelance writer with a penchant for poetic prose, she tries to look for the humor in everyday life. She also is a mom and world traveler who, with her partner, owns a company that restores and repurposes vintage homes. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.