Comment:
A passing-through place
More than we might imagine, the location of this place we call "Hillsdale" has made us what we are.
Here's a telling example.
The other day a community leader noted that Hillsdale isn't known for NIMBYS ("Not in my backyard-ers")
Folks come here with ease. We welcome change. It's a good thing because Hillsdale has seen its share of change.
Hillsdale was transformed from being a rural dairy community to a bedroom suburb in the matter of a decade or so starting in the mid-Fifties. In the '90s we agreed to become a Town Center and to accept more density. We are growing again.
Thousands of commuters pass through each day. We have embraced the Turning Point transitional housing project and the Watershed, the new rent-subsidized senior housing facility. We welcome and support a farmers market.
Embracing change is a part of our heritage.
I believe much of our outlook and attitude has to do with something Hillsdale resident and noted archaeologist Jim Keyser explained to me several years ago.
We live in a significant and obvious pass through the Tualatin Mountains, he explained. The draw has been much used for centuries. Long before pioneers arrived, native peoples trod up the gap along an ancient path. For centuries, seasonal "commuters," going from spring Willamette fishing grounds to summer berry patches used the same route, stopping at the headwaters of what is now called "Fanno Creek" before following it to "Beaverton" along the route known today as "Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway."
With the arrival of European settlers, the grade came to be, first, Slavin Road, then a key section of Capitol Highway, the main road to Salem, hence the name. Today our winding stretch brings 30,000 commuters through Hillsdale each day. Sure, I suppose a lucky few still pass through to go fishing and berrying, but the bulk are on the road to make a buck.
I like to think this geographically shaped history - all this coming and going and growing derived from where we are - is behind my friend's observation about who we are today.
Shameless spousal pottery promotion
Speaking of passing through, we are expecting a lot of it at our house on Nov. 18 when pottery lovers drop by for Diane's pottery sale. Diane being my wife, Diane Moskowitz, who happens to be a knock-out potter.
Hey, don't believe me, come to the sale, Sunday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and see for yourself. The address is 2115 SW Tyrol St., which ascends from SW 19th Avenue, which in turn parallels Sunset Boulevard.
By the way, I do mean "ascends," as in ascent (Edmund Hillary-style); park at the bottom of the hill. (I'd encourage you to leave the car at home, but then how are you going to get all that pottery home?)
Rick Seifert
Editor
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Links to Alliance Members
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Neveh Shalom breaks ground
for $9 million expansion
Groundbreaking for the $9 million expansion and renovation of the Neveh Shalom synagogue on Dosch Road took place on Sunday, Nov. 4.
When the work is complete next September (in time for the Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year celebration), the 1000-family congregation will have a new administrative wing and chapel.
JoAnn Bezodis, Neveh Shalom's program and fund-raising director, said that $6.2 million has already been pledged for the project. "It was enough to get started," she said.
The addition should be ready for use in July, but a second phase of work calls for renovating the original building with its prominent Ten Commandments fa�ade. The new building will be heavily used during the second phase, slated for completion in September.
The Hillsdale synagogue was built in 1961, with the merging of two Conservative congregations, Ahavai Shalom and Neveh Zedek, both founded in the 19th Century.
A link to a web page describing the project is here.
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"Safety Net" health center
seeks Watershed home
A "safety net" medical clinic for low-income, uninsured Southwest Portland residents wants to relocate to Hillsdale's new Watershed senior residential building at Bertha Court and Capitol Highway.
The building's developers have two "commercial condominiums" for sale, and the Southwest Community Health Center (SWCHC) is interested in the larger, more prominent of the two. The 1,800 square feet of space is on the market for $595,000.
The health center is now in the Multnomah Arts Center in a space less than half that size.
SWCHC Executive Director Samira Godil said the Watershed site is ideal for her non-profit agency. If the clinic can obtain funding for the purchase, in three to five years SWCHC would like to purchase the adjacent space in the new building.
The smaller space has 1,200 square feet and is on the market for $395,000. The party most interested in purchasing it is the building's developer, Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH). The non-profit developer of housing for the poor is seeking foundation grants for the purchase.
CPAH's executive director Sheila Fink said that if another party becomes interested in the space, CPAH would entertain an offer.
Both spaces are being sold as a shell and require build-out construction at an additional cost. Godil estimates hat it will take $710,000 for the entire purchase and build-out of the larger space. Until the two non-profits nail down funding, the entire space remains on the market, Fink said. The purchase price of the combined space is $975,000.
The Watershed officially opens in January, although residents will start arriving late this month, and the Hillsdale Community Book Sale/Chili Feed will be held there on Sunday, Dec. 9. CPAH plans tours of the building as part of the event.
Godil said that ideally the clinic, which is seeking funding for the purchase from several foundations, would like to open in the spring and no later than June, when it must vacate its arts center site.
The clinic, which started in May 2005 and is supported by foundations, the community and congregations, will learn in December whether it has obtained the necessary funding.
Godil said that in addition to the Watershed space's larger size, it has the advantage of high visibility at the busy intersection Capitol Highway and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. Several bus lines serve the location.
The current clinic has no exterior signage, making it hard to find, Gobil said.
The clinic also could serve elderly Watershed residents, many of whom qualify for rent subsidies, she said. A community room in the building would also be available for several health-related activities for the seniors.
The proximity of the Turning Point transitional housing project across Bertha Boulevard from The Watershed is another advantage, Godil said.
The current clinic, which serves between 45 and 50 clients during 10 evening hours each week has only two exam rooms, which must double as patient consultation rooms. The new space would accommodate four exam rooms and two patient consultation rooms.
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Editor promoted, leaves The Connection
Jessie Kirk, editor of the Southwest Community Connection newspaper for two and a half years, will step down next month to become a co-editor at the Beaverton Valley Times.
Both papers are owned by the Pamplin Media Group, which has assembled its papers' editorial staffs in one location in Clackamas County. So although Kirk is moving on to a new publication, it won't be far from her old one. Her new desk will be just a few desks away from where she worked on The Connection.
She called the promotion a "bitter-sweet" experience because of her attachment to the Southwest Portland community.
Kirk's replacement has not been named.
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Restaurateur Higgins wants co-op in Hillsdale
Award-winning Portland Chef and Hillsdale resident Greg Higgins is encouraging the Food Front Co-op to open a Hillsdale store in the old Wild Oats site.
Greg Higgins, co-owner of Higgins Restaurant, and his wife, Barbara, are long-time Food Front Co-op members.
Food Front, which owns a store on NW Thurman, is studying the feasibility of opening its second store in the achor site of the Hillsdale Shopping Center. The space has been vacant since mid-October.
In a letter of encouragement to Food Front General manager Holly Jarvis, Higgins wrote: "Barbara and I miss the co-op's integrity and commitment to seasonal, local and sustainable food. Many retail folks espouse these values but very few actually walk their talk.
"After more than 20 years dedicated to nurturing relationships with farmers, ranchers, fishermen, foragers and other food artisans, it's not difficult for me to see who else is active and supportive in the same food community - you folks have done a great job supporting these wonderful people."
Higgins went on to say that he couldn't "imagine a better fit" for Hillsdale than Food Front.
"The size of the location, proximity to our year-round farmer's market, your values committed to supporting sustainable, seasonal local agriculture and the community spirit of our residents seems to harmonize perfectly. ...We would gladly offer our support and help in any way to encourage you to join our Southwest Portland food community."
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Calendar
Storyteller to share romantic tales
Storyteller Beth Horner will present her spoof "Encounter with a Romance Novel" and other stories at the Multnomah Arts Center, Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
The performance is part of the Multnomah County Library's "Tapestry of Tales" series. Tickets are $10 at the Hillsdale and Capitol Hill library branches, Annie Bloom's Books and the Central Library.
The performance is recommended for adults. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Horner's presentation is described as "a raucous romp through stories of love - from classic, tragic, musical and laughable love stories to Beth's wildly popular 'Encounter with a Romance Novel'."
Congregation invites neighbors to honor veterans
Neveh Shalom is inviting the Hillsdale community to a Veterans Day event on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
The event features a program honoring veterans in the sanctuary followed by a free picnic.
A big brass band will perform starting at 10:45 a.m. followed by a flag presentation, speakers and a reading of the names of veterans buried at the congregation's cemeteries.
Speakers will explore the role veterans have played in the defense of the country.
Neveh Shalom is located at 2900 SW Peaceful Lane just off Dosch Road near Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.
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Crafts sale to benefit Multnomah Arts Center
A three-day arts and craft sale benefiting the Multnomah Arts Center (MAC) will be held starting Thursday, Nov. 29.
All artwork, which includes pottery, textiles, paintings, and prints, has been created by MAC teachers and students.
Thursday and Friday the hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday's are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The
sale held at the arts center. 7688 SW Capitol Highway. is sponsored by
the Multnomah Arts Center Association, a non-profit board chartered to
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Helping
Loaves & Fishes needs grocery leafleters
Loaves and Fishes is looking for volunteers to smile and hand out cards at three participating grocery stores in order to raise money to help feed local seniors.
Gail Anderson, who is coordinating the program, has volunteer positions available at the Raleigh Hills New Seasons store.
She has already filled all shifts at the Garden Home Lamb's Thriftway and the Market of Choice in South Burlingame.
She emphasizes that volunteers aren't asking for contributions. "You hand customers a card, and if they choose to give, they do so at the cashier," she says.
Those interested in helping can register to volunteer online or they can contact Gail directly at 503-736-6325 ext. 25914.
Keep those books coming for Hillsdale Book Sale
The books are rolling in for the Dec. 9 Hillsdale Holiday Book Sale at the new Watershed building.
The Hillsdale Alliance, which sponsors the event, is looking for more books - and CDs. And you can always free space on your groaning book shelves.
All kinds of books except textbooks and dated computer manuals and almanacs are acceptable.
The last two book collection dates at the Sunday Hillsdale Farmers Market are Nov. 18 and Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Proceeds from the sale benefit Hillsdale Alliance members, which include the neighborhood association, the farmers market, Neighborhood House, Gray, Rieke and Wilson schools, the library, the neighborhood emergency team and the business & professional association.
The sale can always use volunteers at the sale and in the week prior to it. Contact the editor if you can help. editor@hillsdalenews.org
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Rick Seifert
Editor, Hillsdale News
(503) 245-7821
editor@hillsdalenews.org
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