Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Vernon School Student Leads Bike Shelter Building Project

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Boy Scout and project leader Will Hambuchen in front of Vernon’s new bike shelter, photo by Steve Hambuchen

Last August, La Salle 10th grader and Vernon School alum Will Hambuchen approached his principal, Ben Keefer, with the desire to complete an Eagle Scout project that would help the school. A few ideas were discussed and eventually they agreed on building a bike shelter. Vernon already had one bike shelter on site, but Hambuchen felt it wasn’t enough, and so they decided on adding one next to it.

“There is never enough room for all the bikes at school, especially when it rains.” says Hambuchen, 15. Hambuchen regularly bikes to school and his two siblings will attend Vernon in the fall.

Hambuchen is a Life Scout and member of local Scouts Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop #117. Through BSA, he and other boys and girls earn merit badges to advance through the scout system. The culmination of this advancement is becoming an Eagle Scout which requires a service project.

And completing an Eagle Scout project is no small feat. Projects must be driven by the scouts themselves and require formal cost estimates and plans, board approval, coordination with other non-profits involved, donated funds and materials and the use of volunteers. The bike shelter at Vernon School is one such project.

The Vernon School PTA approved the project provided that the new bike shelter be identical to the one that was already there. Hambuchen did not have the original blueprints, but the other shelter was there so, in fall 2022, Hambuchen and his dad Steve went out to take pictures, get measurements, and create a materials list for the new bike shelter.

“Almost all of the materials for the bike shelter were donated” says Hambuchen, who succeeded in securing donations from local companies Parr Lumber and Mr. Plywood. The Vernon PTA encouraged Hambuchen to reach out to PBOT, who offered to donate and install the metal bike racks.

Community volunteers helped build a new bike shelter at Vernon School this summer, photo by Colleen Casey

“People were very willing to help out” says Hambuchen, who says it was not hard to secure donations. The bike shelter was built over a 3-day weekend in early June. About half a dozen Vernon school students and alumni came out to help with drilling holes in concrete, heavy lifting, leveling and squaring everything.

The bike shelter is an 8 X 10-foot room made with pressure treated wood. The last step, which will be completed this month, is installing the 15 or so metal bike racks.

When asked what his biggest learning experience was, Steve Hambuchen says that with all the communication and coordinating, his son’s skills in writing and reading email communications “improved dramatically.” The new bike shelter will be completed and ready to use by the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Dina Sage is the Managing Editor for CNews and enjoys engaging in the arts and outdoor activities.

Law and Psych Students, KISS Coffee Coming to University of Oregon Campus This Fall

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools

By Kathy Crabtree | Contributing Writer

New University of Oregon banner at former Concordia campus, photo by Raymond Crabtree

After a year of anticipation, months of behind-the-scenes planning, and a recent frenzy of activity, the former Concordia University campus will be populated with University of Oregon (U of O) students this month. U of O bought the campus over a year ago and has been preparing for all Portland programs and courses currently housed in Old Town to be moved to Concordia by the academic year 2024-25. The first students to attend the new campus will be third-year law students and in September, additional programs will begin on the new campus. According to Heidi Hiaasen, Assistant Director of Communication for U of O; the College of Education’s Masters School of Psychology and the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health will likely also be moving to the new campus.

“We are pleased to announce that KISS Coffee will take over the coffeeshop in the Library and Learning Center and is expected to open in late fall,” she says.

Students will initially be housed in the 27th Street Apartments which are equipped with kitchens and independent living spaces offering two, three, or four bedroom units. Hiassen says that security precautions will be provided by the University of Oregon Police Department (UOPD); the Director of Security will oversee campus safety. Additional UOPD community service officers and unarmed private security officers will be on-site.

Administrative offices set to open this fall include Student Life and Belonging, University Advancement, Government and Community Relations, Facility Management and the university vice president’s office. Those offices will provide support for both campuses.

The Library and Learning Center has landscaping, new paint and carpet, and new University of Oregon banners have sprung up throughout the neighborhood. The Library and Learning Center will be open to both students and the public later this month and may include evening and weekend hours.

The University is hosting a Community Connection Event on August 9th from 4:30-6 pm. It will be held at the Library and Learning Center at 2900 NE Liberty St. Community members are invited to come and learn more about recent building renovation schedules, academic programs and other details related to the move. The April Meeting had more than 100 people in attendance.

Kathryn Crabtree is a retired Nursing Educator and author of books that celebrate women of a certain age- invisible to many, who use their deductive reasoning to solve mysteries. The bad guys never see them coming.

News from the NET – How to maintain a firewise landscape

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By Micha Wolf | Concordia/Vernon/Woodlawn Neighborhood  Emergency Team

True summer is beginning, temperatures are rising and so is the danger of a fire starting in our backyards. We live in an urban area, and you may think that fires (especially forest and wildfires) only affect homes far away in the mountains…

You might even be conscientious about watering your lawns and gardens, take measures to store your barbecue safely or if you smoke, diligently dispose of your stubs in a proper container.

Even so, it does not take much to start a fire in dry conditions and when occurring in summer, fires are more likely to result in damage and property loss.

A fire may start small by a burning coal, a dry patch of grass or a match accidentally tossed into your yard. While you might be able to get a smaller fire under control rather quickly, the real danger is a ladder fuel–a process where a small fire grows bigger by moving upward fast, through vegetation of different heights and possibly even advancing dangerously close to a building. Concordia neighborhood is susceptible to ladder fuels because it boasts lots of old-growth fir trees and many older homes have mature landscaping (tall trees and shrubs) around them.

Here are some tips from the Neighborhood Emergency Team on how to keep and maintain a firewise landscape:

  • Water plants adequately
  • Clear any debris from the yard
  • Mow grass and keep it under 4 inches of height
  • Prune trees high (at least 10 ft) to create a safe distance from other plants around and under it
  • Space mature plants two times their circumference apart
  • Cut dead material out of bushes (especially Arborvitae and Cedar) Following these precautions will significantly reduce the likelihood of a fire.

To fight a fire, always keep a functioning and serviced fire extinguisher nearby. Stomp out a very small fire. If in doubt, call 911 immediately. For more information on fire and smoke, see publicalerts.org/wildfire-smoke.

Next month’s News from the NET: how to plant a firewise garden.

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

LUTC Column – Land Use & Transportation Committee active again

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation

By Kepper Petzing | LUTC Member

The Land Use and Transportation Committee (LUTC) of the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) has been reestablished after being inactive for about a year.

The purpose of the committee, chaired by Rich Burton, is to get together, discuss and take actions on issues that affect land use and transportation within the Concordia neighborhood. These issues include zoning and comprehensive plan maps, construction and development, demolition, bicycle and pedestrian issues, speed limit, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainability, among others.

This is the first installment of a new monthly column for Concordia News. Below is an overview of the issues that are currently being discussed at the LUTC meetings.

New speed safety cameras

Approximate locations

  1. Eastbound: 2800 NE Columbia Blvd.
  2. Westbound: 3000 NE Columbia Blvd. The cameras are installed and functioning. They are preceded with a sign that reads “Traffic Laws Photo Enforced,” a speed limit sign, and a speed reader board displaying the driver’s current rate of speed. Speeding tickets are automatically generated.

New bridges under construction

  1. 33rd Ave. over Lombard St. Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is now hoping for an Aug. 25 opening date, subject to delays. Check the PBOT website for updates (plus find cool details about construction).
  2. 42nd Ave Bridge over NE Lombard PBOT is constructing a new earthquake-ready bridge that will also provide better access for freight, walking and biking. Construction will begin shortly after the 33rd bridge opens. Check the PBOT website for updates updates.

Safety concerns

  1. Intersection at 36th Ave. and Lombard St. LUTC supports neighbors’ concerns about safety at this intersection – especially with left hand turns on to and off of 36th Ave. We are recommending this intersection allow right hand turns only from Lombard or from 36th. Because Lombard is a highway (U.S. Highway 30 Bypass), control over it falls under Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) jurisdiction. LUTC is beginning inquiries to ODOT.
  2. Prescott Street speeding and volume of traffic LUTC is coordinating with other impacted neighborhoods to encourage PBOT to conduct a safety analysis of Prescott Street and consider what abatements and/or traffic calming measures might improve the issue. We encourage neighbors to write letters in support.
  3. Building at 2734 NE Alberta St. This building sheds bricks and has been labeled “dangerous” by city officials. We remain concerned about this hazard and are questioning the city about enforcement of building regulations.

Housing needs

LUTC understands the need for infill housing in our neighborhood but would like our community to have a say in how development occurs. We are hoping for more transparency from the city regarding planned developments. If you know about building plans, have questions or concerns, please reach out.

Help us help you!

Consider attending our monthly meetings which are held in-person at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month in the Community Room at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave. Everyone who lives or works in Concordia is invited.

Email us with ideas, information, or concerns at LandUse@ConcordiaPDX.org. Find us on the Concordia Neighborhood association website at ConcordiaPDX.org/lutc.

Kepper Petzing has lived in Concordia for 40 years, where, with their partner Lowen, they raised two children. They are nonbinary. They love community and are grateful for Concordia News.

Special Event – Gay pride in Concordia neighborhood

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by Jon Dickman | Contributing Writer

Concordia is hosting its first ever gay pride event; a celebration on July 15 from 3-9 at Bonne Chance Wine Bar. Javier Puga-Phillips, former social chair of the CNA board, feels proud that Concordia is having its own gay pride celebration and encourages everyone to attend. He and CNA Treasurer Heather Pashley organized the event and when planning, wanted to make sure they were supporting local businesses that were welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.

Puga-Phillips moved to Concordia from West Hollywood and points out that unlike other large progressive cities in the United States, Portland does not have its own gay neighborhood, which he feels is important for residents to feel affiliated. For him, Concordia having its own gay pride event is “a way to bring light into our community and bring a sense of belonging to the gay people here.”

Three themed parades and a waterfront festival are also set to take place the same weekend at Waterfront Park. Many businesses, religious groups, cultural groups, sports teams, and LGTBQ+ organizations will gather at the festival to celebrate and show support for the community. Pride Northwest, Inc., a local non-profit aimed at celebrating the diversity of the gay community, has sponsored the parade since 1994. According to the sponsor’s website, the parade draws tens of thousands of people to downtown Portland and has a reputation for being “one of the largest small town pride parades west of the Mississippi.” The main parade begins on Sunday, July 16 at the North park blocks, and goes from 11-3.

Historically, gay pride parades began in 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall riots. In response to a police raid at The Stonewall Inn; a gay hangout in Greenwich Village, in 1969, the gay community led protests in the streets of New York for 6 days. The first Gay Pride Liberation March took place in Manhattan one year later and is often cited as the first gay pride parade and the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. In 1999, former president Bill Clinton made June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month”.

Federally, June is still recognized as LGBTQ pride month, but this year, Portland’s festivities are in July. Pride Northwest says the reasons for this change include Waterfront Park’s limited availability in June and other significant cultural events such as Juneteenth and Delta Park Pow Wow. More information about gay pride events and Portland Pride Northwest can be found at PortlandPride.org.

Jon Dickman, 71, has lived for 26 years in the Concordia Neighborhood with his husband Bob Wilson, who grew up in the home they live in. They have participated in five Portland pride parades together.

From the Board – Former CNA chair reelected

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities

By Astrid Furstner, CNA Board Chair

Greetings Concordia! I would like to begin by reintroducing myself to you. My name is Astrid Furstner and I served as Board Chair in 2019 after Chris and before Peter and Kieran. I would like to thank those who came before me, the board members, all of you, and especially Brittany van der Salm for holding things together while a new chair was elected.

I am a Hispanic woman. I was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States when I was a little girl. I live in Concordia with my husband, Brent, and our daughter. We are a family of woodworkers and artists. My husband makes guitars, I make wood carvings, puzzles and portraits; and our daughter helps with everything! We sell our work and you may see us around town at local BIPOC markets such as the Portland Indigenous Marketplace, the Come Thru Market, or My People’s Market. If you see us, say hi!

I believe in finding common ground and having open conversations about the Concordia community and it is my hope that as chair, I can make a little bit of a difference in our neighborhood.

Currently, the CNA does a variety of things. Thanks to Javier and other team members this year, we have been successful with neighborhood cleanups, the Easter egg hunt, and various neighborhood meetups. These social events are a wonderful opportunity to bring our neighbors together.

We also contend with more serious matters, such as traffic, land use, in-fill, city projects and other issues that are important to us and our neighbors.

Like many of you, CNA has faced its challenges this year. We are, after all, a non-profit organization run by volunteers. We are looking for new volunteers who can help with social events such as yard sales, clean-up events, summer concerts at the park, and, as we head into the holidays, various holiday activities.

You don’t have to be a chair or take on a huge amount of responsibility, but if writing letters is your thing, help us out. If attending meetings and reporting back is something you can do, help us out. If writing an article on a favorite topic is your thing, help us out. Do you have time to deliver newspapers to a few local businesses in Concordia? Do you have ideas on how to improve our community or an idea for a group or event? Let us know.

I hope that each of you will reach out and help in any way you can to continue to makeing Concordia a welcoming and diverse neighborhood. I look forward to working with each of you once again and hope to hear from you. Juntos, (together) we make Concordia our home.

Astrid Furstner is a mother, a wife, an immigrant, a local artist and a woodworker. She lives with her luthier husband, Brent, and her artist-in-themaking daughter, Luciana. Together, they call Concordia their home.

Artist – Photographer supported by local artist

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News

By Kepper Petzing | Contributing Writer

The artist behind the artist In his Concordia studio, Mark Silva is putting the final touches on a masterpiece, a photographic print created by internationally renowned landscape photographer Michael Kenna. It is likely destined for a major gallery or museum in one of a dozen countries.

Silva grew up in Oakland, CA. He earned a Master of Fine Arts in photography from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2002. Kenna and Silva began their collaboration in 2000.

“We’re like an old married couple,” Mark says, “we finish each other’s sentences.” He compares their relationship to members of a band. “Michael is the lead singer and the lead guitarist. I play bass, hopefully keeping things together.”

The collaborative process

The process begins with Kenna wandering the globe creating photographs in the early morning hours or late into the night. He’s become known as the father of night photography, with exposures ranging from minutes to 12 or more hours. He uses medium format cameras, exclusively black-and-white film and all his photographs are printed by hand in a traditional optical darkroom.

Often photographing in mist, rain, or snow, Kenna says, “I prefer suggestion over description. The world is pretty chaotic, seemingly always speeding up and getting louder and more visually dense. I am interested in finding and creating calm shelters from the storm, places where quiet and solitude is encouraged and inner contemplation possible.”

Kenna develops every print by hand and when he has done all he can with camera and darkroom to achieve his vision, he turns it over to Silva to polish and perfect. Working with brush and ink, Silva ensures that there are no blemishes or unevenness in the background and removes unwanted objects or distractions.

“I’m Photoshop Version 0.0,” jokes Silva while performing his meticulous work under magnification. Every part of their process is by hand, so each print is unique. When done, Silva mounts the prints for display and distributes them to galleries and museums. Silva also helps edit Kenna’s books and organizes his exhibitions.

Local exhibit on display now

Kenna’s current exhibition, TREES 1973- 2023, will be on display at PLACE Galeria, 735 NW 18th Ave, through July 14th, M-F from 10-6. Silva will be there every Thursday from 4-6pm, to answer questions and share an additional 40 prints not on display.

“For 23 years I have made these exhibitions that travel far and wide, so I asked, ‘How about we do an exhibition in my town?’ Then I met the kind folks from PLACE and they were thrilled to host a Kenna exhibition. They said, ‘Tell us what walls you want and what color they should be and we’ll make them for you. So I had the creative freedom to sculpt a dream Kenna exhibition.”

Silva chose wild red walls and stark white walls and decided where each piece goes.

“I put the prints on the ground and started moving them around, until I got a photo poem that I liked. [The result] was one large poem with individual songs within.”

Silva has lived in Concordia since 2007, refusing to relocate because he loves our neighborhood and the small-town feel. For more information on Kenna’s photography, visit www. michaelkenna.com.

Kepper Petzing has lived in Concordia for 40 years where, with their partner Lowen, they raised two children. They love trees and Mark and Michael’s work.

June fun – Free neighborhood fun this month

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Events

Summer is finally here and the time is right, neighbor, to come out of your shell. It’s the season of group bike rides and park dance parties, porch hangs with new neighbors and bounce house block parties. But in case you’re struggling to work up your social spirit, here are some free events happening in the neighborhood this June to get you moving.

Sunday Parkways Northeast
 The World Naked Bike Ride isn’t until Sunday, Aug. 13, but you can prepare for that exhilarating group ride by joining Sunday Parkways Northeast, rolling through Concordia on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Portland, this 6.2-mile route closes several major streets in our neighborhood to car traffic and circles four parks.

Last year, I attended and loved the live music and dancing at Fernhill and Khunamokwst parks. I also loved the parade atmosphere that emerged along the route. The 2022 route was hot but neighbors rose to the occasion; setting up sprinklers, water stations and lemonade stands for participants. And I saw a few neighbors take advantage of the closed streets to throw some casual front yard/ block parties.

The ride has no start or end and is free. Bring water and money for food trucks along the way. Visit Portland.gov/sunday-parkways/northeast-event-2023 to learn more.

Pedalpalooza bike rides
If something a bit more indie is your scene, try Pedalpalooza, Portland’s summer bike fest. Peruse the online calendar to find literally hundreds of themed rides planned throughout summer. I like the sound of the 80s New Wave Retro Ride that rolls through Concordia on June 10 at 7 p.m. Start at Woodlawn City Park, at Northeast Dekum and 13th streets, and ride a casual 11 miles while grooving to the best synthand new wave hits. Riders are strongly encouraged to come dressed for the 1980s. The ride will end at Tough Luck bar (21 and over) on 1771 N.E. Dekum St. The ride is free and for all ages.

Community Arts Center
Cully has a new Community Arts Center at 4524 N.E. Going St., which offers an open studio, after-school programs for kids, and classes in fiber arts, ceramic hand building, and art fundamentals. On Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., it’s opening its doors for a free, family-friendly Craft Day and Open House.

Dance on Wheels Nights
Roll down to the playground at Vernon School, 2044 N.E. Killingsworth St., on Saturday nights this summer to Dance on Wheels, an all-ages gathering.

Organizer Janet Strong started roller skating during the pandemic, after a long hiatus.

“Everything was such a bummer,” she said. “I needed more joyful movement in my life.” The informal roller-skating nights were such a hit that they’re bringing them back for summer 2023. All wheels are welcome, including scooters, skateboards and bikes.

Strong brings the music; you can bring your own drinks and snacks. Strong says her favorite nights are when another roller skate group shows up, clad in helmets and elbow pads, to practice their tricks. Gatherings are held from 5:30-8 p.m. on weekends, and most are planned one week in advance.

To get in the know, find Strong on Facebook or go see her in the main office of Vernon School, 2044 N.E. Killingsworth St., where she works. Note: this is an informal gathering, not school-sponsored.

Owl Fest concert
On Saturday, June 3, a much bigger party will go down at Vernon School. Join neighbors for a community-wide celebration at Owl Fest from 3- 7 p.m., an event that hosts hope to hold annually.

Two special parent bands have assembled to provide entertainment. Strong, from the roller parties, plays keyboards and sings in one band. She is pretty tight-lipped about the set list, but promises danceable cover songs that represent diverse artists and span the decades.

Owl Fest also promises games for all ages, food trucks, silent bidding and “Take the Cake” musical chairs.

Vernon PTA President Maya Pueo von Geldern says her group hopes to hold Owl Fest outdoors. Free to attend, but a wristband for unlimited games is $5.

Belagarth Medieval Combat Society
Every Sunday at 2 p.m. in Alberta Park, 1905 N.E. Killingsworth St., a group of 15-20 folks battle it out at Belagarth, a medieval combat society. The “battle” takes place on the green field just south of the basketball court. I visited on a recent Sunday and observed a friendly, athletic and creative group of people gather to blow off some steam and have a lot of fun. Belagarth is more martial art than live action role play, although according to one organizer, Belagarth does include storylines, and players are welcome to make up their own fantasies. The pace of the battle varies from methodical to fast and hard, depending on who’s engaged. The group welcomes all skill levels, and organizers say the rules are easy to learn. Participating is free and foam shields and swords can be borrowed to get you started. Get out of your comfort zone and give Belagarth a try.

Science Fiction Book Club
More into sitting for your socializing? Concordia’s sci-fi book store Parallel Worlds Bookshop, 2639 N.E. Alberta St., hosts an ongoing, monthly in-person Book Club. Owner Sam Jones told his Instagram followers that starting in June, the group will meet at a larger space upstairs at Dream House PDX, 412 N.E. Beech St.

June’s book is Ursula K. Le Guin’s classic, “The Lathe of Heaven,” and a discussion will take place on June 1 from 6:15 – 8:15 pm.

Singing group
Portland’s long-running free singing group, the Sacred Harp singers, meet twice monthly at McMenamins Kennedy School community room, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. Improve breathing and release tension by joining them on Sundays, June 11 or 25, at 4 p.m. Newcomers welcome.

Got a free activity planned for this summer? Tell us about it and we’ll feature your event in an upcoming issue. Email Dina Sage at CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org.

Leigh Shelton is the ad rep for Concordia News. She loves getting to know her Concordia neighbors and exploring ways we can better support each other. Reach out and say hi at CNewsBusiness@ ConcordiaPDX.org.

Board member on Juneteenth

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Events

By Kepper Petzing | Contributing writer

On June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed people in Confederate territories from slavery, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. He read out General Order Number 3, informing everyone that the Union had won the Civil War, and slavery was abolished in the United States. This date is now celebrated as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth in Portland
Oregon was the only state to enter the Union with a clause excluding Blacks in its constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment, which made exclusion illegal, was passed in 1868. Understandably, few Black people moved to Oregon until their labor was needed in the Portland shipyards during World War II.

Clara Peoples was one such person. She moved here from Muskogee, OK, and was surprised to learn that Juneteenth was not celebrated here. In 1945 she led her fellow workers in the Kaiser shipyards in the first Juneteenth celebration in Oregon.

Peoples continued to work for official recognition of Juneteenth but she and her family were displaced by the 1948 Vanport flood, and moved to 1406 NE Ainsworth St., a redlined restricted area. In 1972, she helped organize Portland’s first official Juneteenth celebration, enjoyed annually ever since. It earned Peoples the nickname, “Mother of Juneteenth.”

Peoples died in 2015, the annual parade was named the Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade and Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

Board member’s thoughts
“Growing up in Mississippi, Juneteenth was never heard of,” Isham “Ike” Harris, Concordia Neighborhood Association board member said. “AfroAmerican history is a very rich history. It is a oneness with American history, but it isn’t taught that way.

“I applaud the people who are making a special effort to get the 1619 Project taught,” Harris added, referring to a journalistic endeavor to revise American history to include Blacks that were enslaved in the Virginia colony as early as the year 1619. “There are voices [today] trying to shut that history down, which is really a bad thing because life is generational. You don’t want the next generation coming up behind you to be ignorant of their own history.”

Reparations
“The fact that Juneteenth is a paid holiday; a federal holiday today – that is a good thing,” Harris said, “but as far as I’m concerned it is unfinished business… All those hundreds of years of slavery represent economic deprivation. People were working for free. Until America reparates Afro-Americans with dollars and cents, [there is no closure].

“We should not see ourselves as people who are satisfied with just having a holiday picnic,” Harris said. “I’m also calling out my own people. There should be more protests for reparation payments. Picnics and fairs are good, but it doesn’t pay for free labor. And when you keep that history away from the younger generation, they don’t know that their great foreparents built this country for free.”

Our newest holiday
Juneteenth has been called America’s second Independence Day. Every year the Juneteenth Oregon organization leads us in celebration, with a parade down Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., live music performances, vendors, educational booths, community resources, and a Miss Juneteenth pageant.

Join in this free festival at Lillis-Albina Park on June 17-18 and look for events around the city. Info: Facebook.com/juneteenthoregon15.

Kepper Petzing has lived in Concordia for 40 years, where, with their partner Lowen, they raised two children. They are nonbinary. They love community and are grateful for Concordia News.