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Issue #70
Posted August 4, 2010
Founded 2007
Also in This Issue
* Heat cools Hillsdale events
* Hillsdale real estate redux
* Memorial fund established
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Commentary

Sidewalks in Time

Smith Premier typewriter
History pushes and pulls us.

It teaches, enlightens and inspires.

It shapes who we are.

But it can also be a millstone around our necks. If it dominates our thinking, especially about the future, it can block progress.

These arcane thoughts occurred to me recently as I listened to arguments about how new state transportation dollars should be spent on sidewalks in Southwest Portland and possibly in Hillsdale.

In September, Southwest Neighbors Incorporated (SWNI), the coalition of Southwest neighborhood associations, will make recommendations from a list of priority sidewalk sites submitted by the neighborhoods. Each neighborhood can name one site, and only one, for new sidewalks. From that list a very few sites will be chosen, so the neighborhood's justification has to be strong.

Getting the money spent in Hillsdale involves a strategic decision based on need, cost and several other factors.

Before this one-per-neighborhood stipulation was set by the SWNI transportation committee, the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association's transportation chair had submitted eight candidate sidewalk sites. His top priority choice among the eight was building a sidewalk on Capitol Highway up from Terwilliger to Cheltenham.

The justification was historical as the proposal was part of the Capitol Highway Plan from the early Nineties. Many of the sidewalks that the plan called for have been built, but the Terwilliger-Cheltenham stretch has not been and remains in the planning pipeline.

No doubt the stretch could use a sidewalk, but the question is whether greater, current needs are elsewhere.

Such needs were reflected in the transportation chair's second and third recommendations: sidewalks along Sunset Boulevard, and in particular the stretch from DeWitt to 18th, which is heavily used by children walking to and from school.

Since the adoption of the Capitol Highway Plan, Hillsdale has changed. The Farmers Market started in 2002 and attracts dozens of pedestrians. In the past four years, Rieke School has been growing rapidly so that more children are walking to school. In the late '90s, Hillsdale passed its own Town Center Plan. The city has advocated "20-minute neighborhoods" and created pedestrian/bicycle "greenways" away from, not on, main thoroughfares like Capitol Highway. The use of bicycles is noticeably on the rise.

Finally, as recently as June, Hillsdale was named a Main Street District. The designation is certain to focus new thinking about pedestrian connections to, and within, the commercial district.

Fortunately, the SWNI Transportation Committee has asked all the neighborhoods to resubmit their number-one choice. It will make a decision next month. Before then, the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association needs to revisit the previous "historical" choice and put forward a priority sidewalk project that serves the present and the future, not the past.

(As always, I welcome letters to the editor about these opinions. Write [email protected])

Rick Seifert

Correction:

In a memorial tribute to the late Dianna Ponder in the last issue, the last name of Dianna's sister, Christie Claassen, was misspelled. Also the last name of Dianna's daughter, Merry Graham, was omitted.
Letters to the Editor

Our incomparable schools

We were disappointed to read quotes in your article reflecting a bias toward west side schools and the worn-out Lincoln and Wilson comparison in particular.

Portland Public Schools has great schools in every neighborhood. It is important to look more closely and not subscribe to these false stereotypes about the "best" schools.

Our local Realtors are doing their clients a disservice by relying on anecdotal information and the perceived status of a school.  They should, instead, encourage their clients to visit schools and should consider visiting the different schools themselves.


   Linda Doyle and Ruth Adkins

Book Sale Thanks

The recent Hillsdale Community Foundation book sale was again a resounding success. This was the result of the many volunteers who donated books, sorted and helped with all aspects of the sale. We welcome the new volunteers and Rieke PTA members and friends.

And,of course, thanks to the numerous buyers.

I would especially like to acknowledge a former neighborhood resident,
David Carter, who made a major contribution to the sale.

David is a retired professor of ethics, logic and philosophy at universities in Colorado, California

and Texas and a world traveler. He generously donated scores of books from his extensive library.

This annual
event continues to exemplify the spirit of the Hillsdale community.

Les Jevning

(Editor's note: Jevning is the principal organizer for the Hillsdale Community Foundation's annual book sale.)

Links to Hillsdale organizations

Task Force with Plaza and La Plante

The Hillsdale Main Street Task force recently meet with Kathy La Plante, Main Street's national program manager (top right), and Claudia Plaza (to the left of La Plante), Main Street program manager in the Portland Development Commission. Task Force members and board members in the photo clockwise from La Plante are Linda Doyle, Dave Richardson, Pam Field and Jim Stutts.

Main Street seeks manager,
attracts new volunteers


The Hillsdale Community Foundation board, in charge of the newly minted Hillsdale Main Street District, has begun its search for a manager and for an office.

Announcements have been posted for the Main Street manager's post, slated to be filled by early October with a start date in mid October.

The job pays between $45,000 and $55,000. For a complete job description go to www.hillsdalebusiness.org and follow the link.

Closing date for applications is Aug. 20.

The posting says that candidates should have  "...experience in most of the following areas: Community and economic development, marketing and advertising, planning, community organizing, commercial district revitalization efforts, working with diverse groups and committees, and administrative and office skills in computer use and budgeting."

The foundation is looking for someone with "excellent oral and written communication skills, (and the) ability to handle conflict situations." The job listing adds that candidates should be energetic, entrepreneurial and able to work independently.

Foundation president Pam Field said that 22 applications have been received as of Aug. 2, just a week after the job was posted.

At the foundation-sponsored book sale on Sunday, July 25, the Main Street effort picked up 15 new volunteers at the "Ask us about Hillsdale Main Street" table. They join 20 other new volunteers who stepped forward after Hillsdale was chosen in mid June as one of three Portland Main Street districts.

Others who want to volunteer should e-mail [email protected].

The foundation has also begun looking for an office for the Main Street program. Board member Jim Stutts will be contacting property owners about the new organization's space needs.

One of the new manager's first jobs will be organizing a community forum to develop a work plan and to explore ideas. The event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Location to be announced.

Pancake eaters 2010

Hungry Hillsdale neighbors turned out early to beat the heat, hob-nob and feast on pancakes.

Heat of the day nips turnout
for breakfast,
book sale


Heat in Hillsdale on Sunday, July 25, may have cooled activity at both the annual business association Blueberry Pancake Breakfast and the Hillsdale Community Foundation book sale.

In the first 90 minutes of the breakfast, while the Casa Colima parking lot was still cool, breakfast patronage was on pace to set a record of 1000 breakfasts served, said Mike Roach, president of the Hillsdale business and professional association.
One way to persuade pancake eaters
to buy books is to look weird.
Susie Thompson as bag person

Business at the book sale was similarly brisk in the cool of the morning.

But as the temperature rose above 90, the crowds dropped off. "Business virtually died at 10 a.m.," Roach said.

Still the pancake breakfast served somewhere between 700 and 800 patrons. That's in line with last year's record attendance, Roach said.

The lines were long in the first hour or so when nearly 500 patrons showed up. This year, the wait wasn't because the crew couldn't serve flapjacks, scrambled eggs and sausages fast enough. The crunch came at the cashier's table. "We couldn't take the money fast enough," said Roach.

The breakfast took in in just over $4000, but expenses accounted for $3000. The $1000 net will help pay for this year's hanging flower baskets.

The net would have been a lot less without significant donations. Baker & Spice, donated five gallons of pure maple syrup and ran the recycling operation. Heiberg Recycling carried off recyclables at no extra charge. Starbucks brought in coffee not just from its Hillsdale store but from outlets at Multnomah and OHSU as well.

Roach estimated that at least a couple dozen volunteers pitched in.

Les Jevning, who organized the book sale, gives instructions.
Les managing cashiers

The book sale netted $3,850 for the community foundation. Of that $500 was donated to the Rieke Elementary School PTA, which helped sell children's books. The donation will help pay for a reading specialist in the fall.

The foundation also approved another $1000 from the proceeds to complete the new bicycle plaza between Baker & Spice and Food Front. The donation is being made in the memory of the late Dianna Ponder, who was the foundation's first president. (For more on contributing to the Dianna Ponder plaza fund, see story below.)

Mark Reynolds of Hillsdale's Edward Jones and Elaine Gillaspie of the Portland Wellness Center in Hillsdale were co-chairs of the breakfast. Retired Hillsdale dentist Les Jevning was in charge of the book sale.

Hillsdale home sale prices drop 13%
over five years, 31% from Dec. 2008 high



In the last five boom-and-bust years, average home sale prices in Hillsdale followed the metro-area trend of a sharp rise followed by a steep fall.

Today closing prices on average are 13 percent below where they were in 2005.

 Five years ago, the average home here sold for $409,404. Today, the average closing price on a Hillsdale home is $362,218.

The figures were compiled by Dustin Miller of Realty Trust Group. Miller was interviewed for a story on real estate in the last issue of the Hillsdale News.

December 2008 was the high mark for the average selling price, $474,942. But 2009 showed a drop of 7 percent from 2008; this year has seen a drop of 22 percent from 2009.

Not surprisingly, the days the average Hillsdale home stays on the market before being sold has also grown in the past five years, although 2010 is an improvement over the two previous years. The average house stays on the market 86 days now. In 2009 the average was 136 days. Back in 2005, the figure was 41 days.

That drop in average sales price from the high here in December 2008 has been $112,724. That's works out to a greater percentage drop than in the Portland Metro area, or 31.1 percent in Hillsdale versus 22.2 percent metro-wide.

Part of the reason the fall has been higher here is that Hillsdale homes are generally higher priced than in the metro area at large. Higher priced homes have fallen more than moderately priced houses, Miller said.

Bike plaza fund established in memory of Dianna Ponder

A special fund honoring the late Dianna Ponder has been set up through the Hillsdale Community Foundation. Donations will go to the completion of the new bicycle plaza between Baker & Spice and the Hillsdale Food Front Cooperative.

The idea for the fund began with Dianna's husband, Mike Ponder, who happened to see the display for the plaza outside the Foundation's used book sale, Sunday, July 25. It was nearly two weeks after Dianna's death at age 56.

Plaza designer Richard Stein, who was manning the display, mentioned that $10,000 was needed to complete the work.
Dianna Ponder
Mike was looking for a visible way to commemorate Dianna's contribution to and love of Hillsdale.

She had been the community foundation's first president and was treasurer of the Hillsdale Farmers Market. She was also a frequent patron of Baker & Spice and an ardent backer of the cooperative.

Support for the plaza seemed a natural to Mike.

On the spot, he offered to donate $5000 to the completion of the project. Since then, friends and colleagues have given through the foundation in Dianna's memory.

With Mike's donation the total at press time was more than $7,000.

Those wanting to contribute to the Dianna Ponder plaza fund can send a check to The Hillsdale Community Foundation, PMB 121, 6327-C SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97239-1937. Checks should be made out to the "Hillsdale Community Foundation" with "Dianna Ponder plaza fund" in the note line.

Any additional money raised beyond the $10,000 will go to covering the plaza site so that it can be used more months of the year.

Last year, the foundation gave its first grant, for $5,000, to the Hillsdale Bicycle Coalition to help with the first phase of the plaza, which includes bike racks.
Big viaduct project starts Aug. 16

I-5 work may go bump in the night...

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) work begins August 16 on a massive project to replace the aging, unsafe I-5 viaduct that crosses the ravine at SW Iowa Street.

That's at milepost 298 on I-5, just north of the Terwilliger Boulevard ramps and just south of the Corbett Avenue off-ramp.
 
Eventually, the work could bring noise in the night, although that isn't likely to happen until next year, said Brad Wurfel, an ODOT spokesperson. ODOT has a noise permit to conduct some nighttime operations during the project.

During the first months of construction, nighttime operations will include the excavation of the hill to the west of I-5 in order to prepare for the construction of a temporary three-lane bypass.

ODOT said that pile-driving operations will be limited to daytime hours.
 
Those with noise concerns during nighttime work, can call a 24-hour hotline number: 503-412-2372. Wurfel said that "to the degree possible" adjustments in the work will be made in response to complaints.

The work, which will take three years and cost $32 million, will replace a structure that doesn't meet seismic standards. According to ODOT, the replacement viaduct will be wider to accommodate upgraded shoulders and median and will include new retaining walls in the project area.
 
ODOT is hosting informational events in the project area. The first will be Wednesday, Aug. 11, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Corbett Coffee Plant, 5915 SW Corbett St.
 
For more information, go to www.tripcheck.com or the project website: www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/iowaviaduct/
The Date Book

NOTE: No Hillsdale Neighborhood Association meeting in August.

Friday, August 6
The Big Latch On

10:00 a.m. at Westside Academy of KungFu and CrossFit, 1509 SW Sunset Boulevard (Cheltenham entrance) in Hillsdale. Groups of nursing mothers coming together at registered venues around the city (and the world) will nurse their babes at a set time. Moms and babes will latch on for one minute at the set time in an effort to set the world record (and beat New Zealand, whose 2009 total was 1299) For more information, go to http://biglatchonpdx.weebly.com/index.html

Saturday, August 7

History of Multnomah

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Hillsdale Branch Library. Tom Lyman, president of the Multnomah Historical Association, will present a lecture and slide show about Multnomah and its historic significance. Free.

Saturday, August 7

Garden Party to benefit Neighborhood House

6:30 p.m. The dinner is described as "a unique evening of fine dining and unparalleled ambience... Stunning 85-acre gardens, listed in the Smithsonian Institution's Archive of American Gardens." $75 per person. Contact Tia Sherry at [email protected] or at (503) 246-1663 ext 118 reserve tickets.
 
Sunday, August 8

Friends of Terwilliger Ice Cream Social

Noon until 4:00 p.m. Friends of Terwilliger will hold an ice cream social along Terwilliger Parkway to kick off planning for the 100th anniversary of the birth of the historic parkway. The event, which is free, will be on the small park at the intersection of Terwilliger Boulevard and SW Hamilton St. by the public restrooms and drinking fountain.


Sunday, August 8

Big Band Gospel Concert at Portland Christian Center

6 p.m. at the Christian Center, 5700 SW Dosch Road. featuring the Laird Halling Big Band and jazz vocalist Rebecca Hardiman. The concert will feature "familiar hymns, gospel songs, spirituals and praise choruses performed in the Swing-Era style." Free. Donations for a new piano accepted.


Monday, August 9 to Friday, August 13


Summer Art Camp for Youngsters

For ages 7 to 11. 10 a.m. to Noon. Markham Elementary art teacher Erica Huber will teach topics that will result in five "masterpieces." $100.00. At 7426 SW 53rd , Portland, OR 97219 (Across the street from Maplewood Grade School in the West Hills Friends Community Building). To register, call Erica at (503) 680-8973 or e-mail [email protected].


Saturday, August 14

Guided walk through South Portland

9 a.m. Meet behind the Wilson HS bleachers for car pooling to South Portland. Walk through the historic Jewish-Italian neighborhood. Led by Prof. Arnold Panich. Walk is on level sidewalks. Walkers may take 3-hour tour or leave after 1 1/2 hours. Some may want to meet where the walk begins at 9:15 a.m. at SW Meade and First Avenue near the old Lair Hill Cafe. For more information, call Phyllis Towne, (503) 223-3723.


Saturday, August 21

Multnomah Days

"Portland's Village in the Heart of the City" celebrates with food, wine, displays and a parade. Numerous events starting with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Key Bank parking lot, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Parade starts with "Head of the Pack" dog parade at 10 a.m. Kid Zone at Multnomah Arts Center basketball court, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food booths, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Music at the Sip D'Vine wine and beer garden, Key Bank parking lot, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, August 29


Back-to-Shul BBQ welcomes Cantor to Neveh Shalom

 

11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Congregation Neveh Shalom will hold its all-Member BBQ to welcome Cantor Deborah Bletstein and to kick start fall programming. Those attending will learn about programs, services and educational opportunities. BBQ attendees are encouraged to bring school supplies to help students in Free and Reduced Lunch Programs in both Portland and Beaverton school districts. Needed items include pencils, erasers, highlighters, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, colored pencils, crayons, washable felt tip pens, loose leaf notebooks, or notebook paper. Free to members and prospective members  Reservations required. Contact [email protected] or 503/246-8831, ext. 100.

Rick Seifert
Editor, Hillsdale News
(503) 245-7821
[email protected]