2010 Hillsdale News FLAG
Issue #124
Posted October 4, 2013  
Also in This Issue
* Food Front 5-year fete
* Bakery adds 'Cakery'
* Ballet expansion delayed

Join Our Mailing List Write e-mail address HERE!

Write your e-mail address or that of a Hillsdale neighbor in above box 

Hillsdale News Sponsors 
 
 
paloma logo
Fall Sale now thru Oct. 6th
 
Visit Paloma Clothing site
    
Karla Green sponsorship

Green/Milligen Design site here 

  

  

Tutor Doctor ad

  

Click to Tutor/Doctor to learn... 

   

  

Salon Dirk 2-11 ad

Ready your skin for summer!   


 Spa Haircolor Salon Dirk site

 
Gifford sponsorship ad

To visit web site click here 

  

Celeste's new log

Visit Celeste Lewis Architecture, LLC 

 

Forum persentation

  

Visit Wyse Kadish LLP

  

Kung Fu new graphic

Visit WestsideAcademy of Kung Fu site


Jeff Devine sponsorship ad

To visit Devine web site click here



 
Alissa at Korkage

Visit Dianne Rodway's site 

  



Visit Korkage web site 

 

Air Hillsdale Logo

Your store, Your values!

 Visit Food Front site

Hypnotherapist ad 

 Debbie Taylor-Lilly's site here

  

UPS sponsorship

  

Hillsdale UPS store site here  


 
Visit Hillsdale Veterinary Hospital

Emerick sponsorship ad jpg Emerick Architects site here   


Commentary 

Defining Memories

 

Olympia Typewriter

There's something to the belief that we are what we remember. We are the sum total of our memories.

 

I think that is as true for communities as it is for individuals.

 

And so, if there is a Hillsdale culture, it exists in our remembered experience.

 


I've had nearly 25 years of experience in Hillsdale. I am a product of this community's culture during that time. Of course our experiences (including their duration) all differ. To understand our community and its culture we should share those experiences and recollections.

To some extent, that's what this little on-line publication tries to do. That's why I maintain an archive as a vault of a few shared memories. Likewise, in our Hillsdale library are bound volumes of the Southwest Community Connection from the five years 1994-1999 I edited it.

Recently, as I've seen a new generation of leaders emerge in Hillsdale, I've noticed that they are often ignorant of many events of the past two or three decades. That's to be expected and is why those of us who have been around awhile should pass on what we feel is important in defining Hillsdale.

If Hillsdale stands for anything, its the tenacity of those who get involved. We haven't always won our struggles, but it hasn't been for a lack of trying.

For the record, and for memory's sake, a partial list of hard-fought "wins and losses" seems in order. It should be noted that we didn't always agree on whether a particular event was a "win" or a "loss," so this list is decidedly biased. Bear with me and feel free to write to object or agree or simply comment. The e-mail link is HERE.

Losses:

The effort to preserve the old "modern" '50s era library building and to build a needed new library in the Sunset Triangle.

The effort to bring higher housing density to the parts of Hillsdale close to transit lines.

Undergrounding utilities in the Town Center (narrowly approved in a community-wide vote, but scrubbed by the City Council).

Creating an amphitheater behind Rieke School.

Opening a mid-block connection in the Hillsdale Shopping Center that would connect the commercial district with the playing fields behind Rieke.

Wins:

The Hillsdale Farmers Market,

Saving Rieke Elementery School from closure and then increasing its enrollment.

Hillsdale Main Street with its improvements.

Street trees and sidewalk repaving along Capitol Highway.

The recent Sunset sidewalk construction.

The establishment of Hillsdale as a Metro-designated Town Center.

Southwest Trails.

The formation of the Hillsdale Neighborhood by literally moving boundaries (again, through a community vote).

The redrawing of boundaries to eliminate overlaps with the Southwest Hills Residential League. (This too involved a community vote)

Heading off the opening of a Chase Bank branch here and attracting a credit union instead (and, yes, I'm certain this will happen in 2014.)

A preference for making many decisions through consensus.

�����

Finally, a word of caution. We need to be aware that much that could still happen hasn't happened within our memories.

Case in point: An earthquake is certain to strike this city in the next 25 to 50 years, and we are woefully ill-prepared for it. If a quake were part of our memory, preparedness would be part of our community's culture.

Nor have we experienced a truly devastating economic depression, and so we haven't considered ways to respond.

Finally, global warming is a reality that we must address locally. We have largely ignored it and done little to contribute to averting it.

Rick Seifert
Editor/Publisher

 
Letters to the editor are always welcome. Write  editor@hillsdalenews.org
 

Sidewalk near completion, open for pedestrians      

New sidewalk
The new sidewalk links neighbors to the library and Town Center.
Weather permitting, the Sunset Boulevard sidewalk project is just a couple of weeks away from completion, says Project Manager Chris Armes of the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

On the short to-do list are two speed bump/cross walks, striping and the completion of two water catchment swales. Then it will be time for the final "punch card" inspection.

The raised crosswalks will be at 18th Drive, where Robert Gray students cross, and at Dewitt, used by library patrons. Striping will define a "climbing" bike lane on the uphill lane of Sunset.

Armes said the $800,000 two-block long project between 18th Drive and Dewitt Street is coming in within budget. The figure represents design as well as construction work, she noted.

The recently landscaped site suffered some erosion of top soil during recent heavy rains of the September 27-29 weekend. This week crews were cleaning up and repairing the damage.

Landscaping includes 11 new street trees. Home owners were given a choice from Parrotias, Forest Green Oak and Black Tupelos.

An unusual feature of the new sidewalk is its gently winding course, which was suggested by homeowners as a way to soften its appearance. Because of the flexibility of the pathway design, a couple of trees were preserved, said Armes.

Note: Ray Smith, the subject of a profile in the last issue, hasn't been seen on his flagging job in recent days. He reported that he was being laid off in a disagreement about not being paid in a timely fashion by his employer.

Hillsdale Food Front celebrates five years, faces stiff competition
 
The newly painted Food Front Cooperative Grocery in Hillsdale is
Store Manager John Conlin and his assistant Jeff Hough with Food Front's new colors.
marking the fifth anniversary of its opening here with a birthday celebration on Friday, Oct 4.

The event celebrates the store's establishment and improvements even as Food Front management struggles with challenges from nearby stiff competition.

Food Front members or "owners" are invited to come to the "birthday party" between  6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for music, appetizers, birthday cake, beer and wine. The event is open to the entire community between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Hillsdale Food Front
,s exterior was recently repainted a bright green and yellow. The colors are strikingly similar to those of the University of Oregon Ducks. Assistant manager Jeff Hough joked that the colors might have cost the store a few Oregon State Beavers fans, but he added, Food Front also may have attracted some followers of the Green Bay Packers, who sport the same green and yellow colors.

Store manager John Conlin noted that recent energy-saving LED exterior lighting improvements earned the store "gold-certified" designation by the City of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

Food Front was the first Hillsdale store to receive the honor and is one of only two grocery stores to have achieved gold-certification. 

Food Front, and its future, is particularly important to the Capitol Highway Hillsdale Town Center as the grocery serves as the "anchor" in the southside Hillsdale Shopping Center.

For many years, the site was home to Lynch's Market. It then became a Natures store, then a Wild Oats outlet, which was closed when Wild Oats was bought by Whole Foods.

The Hillsdale store is Food Front's second store. The original store is a fixture on NW Thurman. Last year it celebrated its 40th anniversary.

In recent years, many larger nearby stores, such as Fred Meyer, Albertson's, Safeway, New Seasons and Market of Choice have expanded their natural food offerings. As a result, Conlin conceded, Food Front has had stiff competition. New Seasons recently announced that it will open a store near the Thurman Food Front.

Food Front General Manager Holly Jarvis recently wrote in an annual report to members, "It has been challenging to build our customer base among others (non-members) in the (Hillsdale) neighborhood. Despite making many changes in response to customer feedback, we are still unable to make the store a grocery shopping destination for the neighborhood."

Still, what distinguishes the Food Front cooperative is its patron-ownership and community involvement, said Conlin. He hopes to build on that distinction and says he has new improvements in the works.    
In a sign of optimism, earlier this year, Food Front management extended its Hillsdale lease for three years. 
Baker & Spice adds "Cakery" in old SweetWare's space

"Baker & Spice," the name of the popular Hillsdale Bakery, is a knock-off line from the nursery rhyme ("Sugar and Spice and everything nice" which, you may recall, is what little girls are made of. Boys? Well, let's not go there...).

Now Baker & Spice can add another confectionery cadence to its name.
Julie Richardson's book gives a taste of what the new 'cakery' is all about.


"Bakery, Cakery, yum," which attempts to mimic "Hickory, dickory dock (the mouse ran up the clock)..."

The Baker & Spice Cakery is scheduled to open before the end of the month in the old SweetWares space, just eight storefronts away from Baker & Spice Bakery.

Cakery? What's a "cakery"? you may ask. For one thing, it's a place to assemble, frost and decorate the cake "foundation."

The foundation cake itself will be baked at the Baker & Spice bakery, says co-owner and baker extraorinaire Julie Richardson.

The name "SweetWares" will disappear from the new cakery site, but the owners, members of the Richardson clan will remain the same and the front third of the space will continue to feature cooking utensils plus cards, candles and cookbooks.

But a cakery is more than a place to buy cakes and other goodies. Part of the establishment will be a "Pages to Plate" demonstration space, used for cooking classes and "pop-up" cooking events such as book signings, cooking demonstrations.

Among the books will be Richardson's own popular "Vintage Cakes" and "Rustic  Fruit Desserts."

The shop will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more, go to http://www.bakerandspicebakery.com/

The sign's completion date for the ballet
expansion had come and gone when this photo was taken.
Soil contamination slows 
Ballet School's expansion project

Plans for a Sept. 16 completion of the Portland Ballet's expansion met with a delay when workers discovered sand had been used to fill in after underground tanks were removed, said Ballet founder and director Jim Lane. Sand is not a suitable base for new construction. The building was once a gas station and later an auto repair shop. The ballet's students are still able to use much of the building during construction. Another studio in Glen Cullen just two miles from Hillsdale on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway is also being used.The foundation for the addition was being poured in the first week of October. Lane said completion of the 2700-square-foot addition is now expected Dec. 1. 
Briefly:

Weather rains out Paella dinner
,
Southwest Sunday Parkways
 
Rain and high winds, the tail end of a Pacific typhoon, forced the rescheduling of the Hillsdale Paella Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 28. The event, which benefits Hillsdale Main Street and Neighborhood House has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Multnomah Arts Center.

Also cancelled because of rain and high winds was the Southwest Sunday Parkway, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29. The event has not been rescheduled.

Tutors needed for returning students

Mark Seker, a Hillsdale resident and member of the Hillsdale Business & Professional Association, is looking for a few good tutors.

Seker, who operates a Tutor/Doctor franchise, says he's being swamped by requests for tutors at the beginning of the school year.

Math and science tutors are in particular demand, but those with skills in other disciplines are needed as well.

The tutors give instruction at the homes of the students and follow the curriculum of the schools.

The work pays between $18 and $26 per hour depending on experience and the subject taught.

For more information go to the Tutor/Doctor web site.

Hillsdale business leader defends Obamacare on Aljazeera

Mike Roach, co-owner of Paloma Clothing and the president of the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association, went head-to-head in debate over Obamacare's impact on small businesses recently on national television via Aljazeera, America's "Consider This." It's worth a look HERE.

Wilson's new roof passes the typhoon test

Brian Chatard, Wilson High School's principal, reported to the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association that Wilson's new roof, installed over the summer, held the school water-tight during the lashing storms of the last weekend in September. In spring rains, the old roof leaked miserably, he said.
 

Americorps/Vista worker joins Main Street
 
Hillsdale Main Street is getting help once again from Americorps/VISTA.

Volunteer Stephanie Parks, like her predecessor Emile Wilkens, will serve an 11-month tour helping the economic revitalization program.

Parks, who grew up in Los Angeles, is a recent anthropology graduate from University of California, Santa Cruz. With the title of "project coordinator," she will be helping Main Street executive director Megan Braunsten with volunteer recruitment and mobilization as well as developing marketing and helping find new businesses for available retail spaces.

Her Main Street tour, which began at the end of August, ends next July.

She's no stranger to Portland as she has friends here. "And," she adds with a smile, "I've visited them in the winter, so I know what that's all about." 

Date Book    

Friday, Oct. 4

Food Front Birthday Celebration

For Food Front members, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; For general public, 7:30 - 9 p.m. See story in this issue.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

Hillsdale Alliance meeting

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Watershed Building, 6380 SW Capitol Highway. Quarterly meeting to discuss issues affecting Hillsdale.

Saturday, Oct. 12

SWTrails Urban hike

9 a.m. sharp from Wilson High School, meet behind the bleachers, The walk will include Gabriel Park, Multnomah Village, the new Maplewood paved trail to 45th and Multnomah Boulevard and part of Woods Park.  The distance is about 6 miles with 200-300 feet elevation gain. Bring a snack and water, and dress for the weather.  Well-behaved dogs are allowed on leash.  For more information, contact Sharon Fekety.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Art Show and Sale at Watershed

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Watershed, 6380 SW Capitol Highway.

Featuring mixed media artist Theresa Weil and jewelry artist Raelene Eckert. Part of the proceeds benefit Community Partners for Affordable Housing.

Sunday, Oct. 20

'Once upon a time in Lair Hill...'

10 a.m., Friendly House, NW 26th and Thurman. Hillsdale resident Arnie Panich gives a one-hour slide/talk about the history of Lair Hill. Admission is free. Coffee and snacks. For more information go to   
Wednesday, Oct. 30

BES Meeting on Fanno Creek Headwaters project

7 p.m. Watershed Building, 6380 SW Capitol Highway. Discussion of a Bureau of Environmental Services storm-water pipe replacement project at the headwaters of Fanno Creek. The project, scheduled for next summer, would result in the permanent closure of an unused, eroded block-long portion of SW 21st at Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.

Saturday, Nov. 2

SWNI Annual Fall Clean-up

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  Portland Christian Center parking lot, 5700 Dosch Rd. Accepting scrap metal, bulky wastes, yard debris, old furniture, large appliances...and donations for charity. Also, litter patrols organized by SOLV and SWNI. Patrols leave from the parking lot at 9 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2

Usual Suspects join SOLV patrol

Usual Suspects clean-up crew join in with SOLV litter patrols. See above item.

Wednesday Nov. 6

HNA meeting features sign guidelines

7 p.m., St. Barnabas Church, 2201 SW Vermont. The topic will be Main Street's new signage guidelines for the Hillsdale's Town Center

Saturday, Nov. 9

Rescheduled Paella Dinner

6 p.m. - 9 p.m., The Multnomah Arts Center. Rescheduled Paella dinner  Tickets still available, Go to the Hillsdale Main Street web site. HillsdaleMainStreet.org


In the Bag: Benefit for Wilson Arts

New and gently used purses, bags, clutches, wallets, and brief cases are needed for the next  benefit sale at Wilson on Nov. 10.
Drop off sites are Key Bank (Hillsdale), Switch Shoes & Clothing (Multnomah),Paloma Clothing (Hillsdale), Gabriel Park Veterinary Clinic (4421 SW Vermont St) and Korkage Wine Bar & Shop (Hillsdale)

Proceeds benefit choir, drama, band, orchestra, and visual arts at Wilson. Contact Linda Doyle, Lsdoyle@earthlink.net

Keep up with all the IN THE BAG news on Twitter @InTheBagPDX or "Like" us on Facebook http://fb.me/InTheBagPDX