Commentary
Changing with the times
 You may have noticed that more than a month has passed since the last issue of the Hillsdale News. That's the longest hiatus between issues since I started publishing more than five years ago.
What gives?
The answer is mostly personal. I became a grandparent for the first time on August 19. Then, two weeks later my stepdaughter was married in Seattle. Moreover, I've increasingly volunteered for more work with my Quaker congregation on Stark Street. That's meant helping lead a workshop for Friends in Corvallis and will mean more workshops in California in the months ahead. I'm now also on the board of a Quaker publication, "The Western Friend." We meet all over the West.
Add to all that the fact that August is a traditionally slow news month.
I know: Excuses, excuses.
But there's more. As I move farther into my 70s (I turned 70 in February) I'm finding my priorities shifting. Those of you who read my blog, The Red Electric, may have noticed the change. I'm exploring the artistic and the spiritual more. For me that means painting, reflection and meditation. Often all at the same time.
I'm less involved in our much loved Hillsdale Community, which seems in good hands and on solid footing. Not that we can take our success and good fortune for granted. I'm going to continue publishing The News, though less frequently, in order to monitor events and to provide a forum.
Three or four stories in particular are still evolving: whether a credit union be established here (It still seems very likely), whether the new sidewalk on Sunset wins acceptance by immediately affected property owners, whether the community takes to the food cart court that opens later in the week, and whether a new Tigard MAX line gets routed through a tunnel under OHSU with an exit somewhere in Hillsdale, perhaps in the "Sunset Triangle."
There are also events surrounding our young Main Street program and whether it has a future here.
Those are not the only extant stories in Hillsdale, but they are the ones that capture my immediate interest. As you know, I leave the sports and crime reporting to The Oregonian and the TV stations. In general, I leave the so-called "spot news" to others with paid staff and a daily audience. Because of space limitations, I rarely write a feature story, as much as I like to. Space and time don't generally allow.
So the pace of publication will be more relaxed. Patience.
One final note: I am no longer charging for the small sponsorships you see above. The sponsors who have been with me these years will continue to appear here free as a token of my thanks. You can thank them with your business. Even at the modest rate they were charged, they have more than paid the costs of web-hosting. My own service has been voluntary. If for some unforeseeable reason money becomes an issue, know that I won't hesitate to ask for help.
I am sustained by your appreciation and comments and by this little publication's making a difference and serving our community.
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Correction
In a story in the last issue about the Getaround car rental program, the last name of the company's Portland representative, Steve Gutmann, was misspelled. The story was also incorrect in reporting that Gutmann worked for Zipcar. He worked for Flexcar before it merged with Zipcar. While he was an early employee at Getaround, Gutmann doesn't want readers to draw the conclusion he was a founder.
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An empty. bricked pad at Food plaza awaits carts.
The trellis arbor is at the ready. |
Hillsdale's first food carts to open weekend of Sept. 14
Hungry Hillsdalites, who have waited patiently for the opening of the new food cart court will finally be rewarded this week.
The court at Sunset and Capitol had planned to open in early August but has met with one delay after another.
That's not necessarily bad, says Richard Stein, the developer of the project. Delay has fed anticipation. "People coming by all day long are asking when it will be open. They can't wait for it."
The grand opening with three carts is set for the weekend of Sept. 14.
The initial carts will be Violetta (Hamburgers and Truffle Fries), Radiant Life Foods (Tacos) and Smaaken (Waffles). The site at the entrance to Wilson High School has room for two additional carts, but Stein has no plans for what they will be or when they might be put in place. The approach, he says, is to evolve.
The weekend's grand opening will offer specials and perhaps music. The plaza will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Regular hours have yet to be established but the carts will be open seven days a week, Stein said.
The plaza will feature a trellis arbor, bike racks and seating for up to 25 customers to start with.
At an opening night celebration on Friday, Sept. 14, Stein and Gary Evans, who owns the Radiant Light, will display their "Love Letters" tricycle sculpture that recently attracted considerable attention at the Burning Man event in northern Nevada's Black Rock Desert. The sculpture is featured in Rolling Stone Magazine.
Stein said the delays to the court's opening were caused by "bureaucratic" issues with PGE and the County as well as by some vendors. The first meeting to organize the project was in March of last year.
One problem that came up in planning was objections from neighbors, but working with the Southwest Neighborhoods crime prevention office, Stein and the neighbors came up with a Good Neighbor Agreement that addressed concerns.
"I haven't heard one word of nay-saying since the Good Neighbor agreement," Stein said. "It was a really good process."
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This section of a 1940 deed for a Hillsdale Heights property included a typical, pervasive racial exclusion clause.
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Hillsdale in History
Racial clauses governed home sales
here for nearly two decades
As Hillsdale prepared to enter its greatest period of growth, developers were making sure that its future would be lily-white.
A reader recently shared the original Nov,. 1940 covenant restrictions placed on deeds for homes in the new Hillsdale Heights subdivision. That's the neighborhood immediately to the north and west of the library.
The deeds were quite explicit. They read:
No persons of any race other than the Caucasian or white race shall use or occupy any building or any lot, except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race domiciled with an owner or tenant.
The Fair Housing Council of Oregon notes that such exclusionary clauses were widespread in Portland and Oregon at the time. In 1919 the Portland Realty Board revised its Code of Ethics so that it forbade selling homes to African Americans or Asians.
Further, federal policies in the 1930s placed borrowing restrictions on minorities.
Things began to change in 1959 with Oregon's first fair housing law. It was followed by the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
The 2010 census found that 89.3 percent of Hillsdale's population of 7540 is white.
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 | | Room to spare: new owner Bruce Randall points to storage that will become retail space. |
Liquor store to expand,
will offer wine and beerThe Hillsdale Liquor store, like all retail shops, is larger than what the customer sees. Behind the bourbon and gin, the store has storage that is nearly the size of the retail space.
But that's about to change under the new ownership of Bruce Randall as he makes room - a lot of room - to sell wine and beer, a new addition to the outlet's offering.
The current retail space is about 1200 square feet, but when renovation work is done, customers will shop in an additional 500 to 600 square feet.
Randall says the work should be completed by Nov. 11. "People will notice the difference, he says, adding that improvements will include new lighting.
Randall took over ownership of the store from Greta Karimi on August 1. (Under Oregon's system, the state owns the distilled liquor; shop owners get a commission on the sales).
Working in the liquor business is a first for Randall, but he is no stranger to management or retail sales. He worked for 30 plus years for Meier & Frank, and then Macy's stores. During that time he served as manager for stores in a district that included Portland, Spokane and Boise.
After retiring from Macy's, Randall was "looking for a new project" and when a friend who owns the liquor franchise in West Slope recommended buying a franchise, Randall liked the idea. Randall, who lives in Lake Oswego, had never seen the Hillsdale shop until he visited in with the idea of buying it.
"I'm really impressed with Hillsdale and the quality of our customers," he says. "I couldn't ask for more."
The liquor store will join Food Front, Fred Meyer and Korkage in selling wine here.
Could that make Hillsdale Liquor Store one wine outlet too many? Randall obviously doesn't think so. "A lot of people drink wine in Hillsdale," he says.
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From Paella to Puppets?
VISTA worker bolsters Hillsdale Main Street
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Main Street Team: Megan Braunsten (left) and newly arrived VISTA worker Emily Wilken.
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After a week on her new job as a VISTA member working for Hillsdale's Main Street program, Emily Wilken is working hard on last-minute chores for the Sept. 15 Paella dinner.
But she knows that a long list of new tasks await her after the fund-raising Paella party ends.
Helping her navigate the post-Paella work plan is Main Street's Executive Director, Megan Braunsten.
Wilken, who served as a VISTA member for a year with Independence, Oregon's Downtown Association, has spent her first week getting to know Hillsdale.
Independence and Hillsdale are similar in size, but Independence is still exploring the possibility of applying to become a Main Street program. Hillsdale's program is now into its third year.
Another important difference distinguishes the two communities. Independence, which is just 11 miles west of Salem, is an incorporated, self-governing town; Hillsdale is a neighborhood with no formal government. The difference could explain why Hillsdale relies so heavily on volunteers and community spirit for its progress.
Wilken, who started work on Sept. 5 says she has found a closer working relationship between businesses and residents here than in Independence. Hillsdale's energy and friendliness was immediately apparent. She is also impressed with the size of Hillsdale's volunteer pool. Braunsten said that at last count, Main Street had 71 volunteers.
Wilken's list of tasks seem daunting. Among them is organizing networking events for local businesses, creating a communication plan, coming up with a marketing plan and laying out a blueprint for attracting more volunteers.
Add to that ensuring Hillsdale Main Street's financial viability in the event the City discontinues its funding for a fourth year. Without City funds, Hillsdale will have to raise an additional $30,000 beyond the $48,000 that already comes from the community.
As a VISTA member - they are no longer called "volunteers" - Wilken is paid a "living stipend." That means living frugally. "I live in what might be called a 'walk-in closet' in Alberta," she jokes. Small as her accommodations are, the Alberta location has advantages because Alberta also has a Main Street Program and its own VISTA worker, whom Wilken has met and will share experiences with.
An intriguing part of Wilken's r�sum� is her degree work in theater design production (from Illinois State University in Bloomington), and her experience as a puppeteer.
Braunsten and Wilken haven't yet figured out how very large puppets might become a part of Wilken's one-year tenure here. For now, the work is mostly about volunteers, funding, communication and networking - and on this day, serving 200 guests Paella.
It seems like a long, long way from Paella to puppets, but anything is possible in Hillsdale. |
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School News
 | | Rieke is in the spotlight for its environmental accomplishments. |
Rieke honored by Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools USA program has presented Mary Rieke Elementary School the prestigious Green Flag Award.
Rieke is the first Oregon school to receive the honor. The award was presented on Sept. 7 at the school.
The Rieke community was honored for developing and implementing three Eco-Action Plans addressing energy usage, biodiversity education and reduction of consumption and waste.
The effort has led to financial savings for the school and increased environmental awareness among the school community.
Volunteers turn out to ready
schools for the new year
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Wilson gets a trim for the new school year.
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More than 80 volunteers helped clean up the Wilson High School campus August 25.
In three hours, the workers trimmed shrubs, weeded and bark-dusted flower and tree beds, mowed grass and edged walkways.
Joined by other volunteers cleaning up the Rieke and Robert Gray campuses, the workers were treated to a community BBQ.
Among those volunteering were the Greater Portland Bible Church, Portland Christian Center, Southwest Trails and Wilson High alumni, students, parents, teachers and administrators.
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Date Book
Saturday, Sept. 15
Hillsdale Paella Dinner
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parking lot immediately to the west of Hillsdale's Bank of America. Visit www.HillsdaleMainStreet.org/Happenings/Paella. The event is a benefit for Hillsdale Main Street and Neighborhood House. Wednesday, Oct. 3
Hillsdale Neighborhood Association Meeting
7 p.m. St. Barnabas Church, 2201 SW Vermont. Monthly meeting. Alan De La Torre from PSU's Institute on Aging will give a brief presentation on the age-friendly service learning project. Possible presentation about the future of the Fulton Park Community Center with a representative from Portland Parks. Wednesday, Oct. 3
Benefit Spaghetti Feed
for Gray Music program
5:02 p.m. to 6:32 p.m. Robert Grray Cafeteria, 5505 SW 23rd. Robert Gray Music Boosters sponsored. Family-style Italian meal with musical accompaniment. Open to everyone. All proceeds go to the purchase of sheet music, instrument parts, and bus transportation to performances. Adults. $6. Children 3-10, $5. Saturday, Oct. 6
Usual Suspects clean-up
9 a.m. Meet at Food Front for one hour's clean-up of the Town Center. Complimentary breakfast burritos follow, courtesy of Food Front. Saturday, Oct. 13
SWTrails Walk
9 a.m. Meet behind the bleachers at Wilson High School and be ready to leave promptly at 9:00 a.m. (Sunset Blvd. and Capitol Highway). Sharon Fekety will lead a walk of about 6 1/2 miles with 900 feet elevation gain. It will be on trails and city streets. Well behaved dogs are allowed. No smoking.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Free Community Meal
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 2201 SW Vermont. Free home-cooked meal. Second Saturday of every month. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Saturday, Oct. 13
Wilson High School
House Party Extravaganza
Those RSVPing will be given times and locations. Members of the Wilson High School Community in Southwest Portland are invited to an evening of fun, food, drink and fundraising held in private homes around the Wilson neighborhood. Proceeds support the Wilson Foundation and additional teaching staff. RSVP to WilsonHighSchoolFoundation@gmail.comThursday, Oct 18
Third Thursday in Hillsdale
Evening, the Hillsdale Town Center. Many shops remain open late. Specials featured.
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