Category: Neighborhood Newsletter

Celebrate the Holidays on Peacock Lane

Greetings! The residents of Portland’s beloved “Christmas Street” are pleased to announce the schedule for this year’s Lights on Peacock Lane Event. The lights will be on daily every night from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. starting on December 15th  and ending on December 31st.

Returning this year are the Hot Cocoa Booth and pedestrian-only nights! 

The Hot Cocoa Booth provides hot cocoa and cider (free of charge) to the public during the event. Donations are, of course, accepted and help defray certain costs, but they are not required. The booth runs from December 15th – 24th, while supplies last.

We’re delighted to announce the return of pedestrian-only nights, which will take place on December 15th, 16th, and 17th!

During these nights, the Lane will be closed to vehicle traffic, which means the public may walk on the Lane itself for an even better view of the lights. On December 18th, pedestrian-only nights end and vehicles can drive down the Lane, though we recommend planning ahead as traffic will get heavy. 

And, of course, Peacock Lane is always free!

Emergency Preparedness is a (Community and Individual) Act of Kindness

The ways in which we are kind during, and after, any type of weather-related emergency also manifests itself in many big and little ways.

Give yourself credit for the invisible and visible ways that you are kind on a daily basis. 

The other day I had the opportunity to hand deliver about forty SNA newsletters. On the north side of SE Taylor and the south side of SE Yamhill, from Cesar Chavez to SE 42nd Avenue, and on the east side of SE 42nd Avenue between these two blocks. There was a lot of climbing up and down the mostly uneven stairs with many not-so-stable handrails to guide me. It was a sunny day with no snow or ice – just a few damp leaves and branches scattered about. 

I share this story with you so that you consider making it safer for those who deliver mail and other items to our homes every day. Making it easier for people to navigate to our front doors would be an act of kindness.

As winter comes (well, it feels like it’s already here), let’s keep the streets and sidewalks in front of our homes free from leaves, garbage, ice and snow so that it’s safe for all of us to get around by car, bicycle and on foot.

Be prepared, not scared.

Sunnyside Neighborhood Community Cares (SNACC) Committee Updates

The Sunnyside Shower Project and SNACC are hosting their 3rd Annual winter gear and clothing drive. We will be collecting donations at Southeast Uplift (3534 SE Main Street) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday December 10th. We primarily serve adults. We are in need of a range of winter weather items in all sizes, such as:

  • New socks and underwear
  • Winter hats
  • Gloves 
  • Sweaters and sweatshirts 
  • Long and short sleeve t-shirts
  • Sweatpants and long underwear
  • Jeans and pants
  • Boots
  • Rain resistant outerwear
  • Blankets
  • Sleeping bags
  • Tents
  • Hothands

If you are unable to drop off donations on December 10th, donation drop offs can be arranged by emailing Hannah Wallace at [email protected]. We are also in need of volunteers and financial donations to support both the event and the long term operations of the Sunnyside Shower Project. Details about volunteering and how to contribute a tax-deductible donation to the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Community Cares Committee to support the Shower Project can be found at https://sunnysideportland.org/donate-snacc.

Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Q&A with Marshall Livingston

You may have seen him sweeping the sidewalk across from the library or helping to collect trash at the Belmont Street Fair. Marshall Livingston, a Sunnyside resident for the past four years, has a wild mane and a helpful, can-do attitude. A regular guest at the Sunnyside Shower Project, he also helped us raise money to fix the broken windows at the Sunnyside Methodist Church by donating half of the proceeds from his colorful tie-dyed T-shirts, which he hand dyes himself. We spoke to Marshall about Sunnyside, what can be done to improve the houselessness crisis, and his idea for a CSA/community garden. 

What do you like about Sunnyside? 

I got involved with Sunnyside because of Pat (Schwiebert). I had someone tell me about her weekly suppers [Schwiebert ran the Hard Times Supper at the Sunnyside United Methodist Church for over 35 years]. I went there and I liked it. It was a much better environment for my wife. Less chaotic; fewer crackheads floating around; less agitated. 

Continue reading our Q&A with Marshall Livingston

Evicted for a Substation

The following article was published in The Oregonian on December 2, 1977. The Howlands, who had lived in their house on Belmont and 32nd since 1960, were relocated by PGE in 1977. A previous article in the Oregonian said that PGE promised to finance their move if they were able to find a suitable house for an equivalent rent. 

Couple granted delay on moving deadline

Mr. and Mrs. John S. Howland, a sickly couple living in a home that is expected to be razed to make room for expansion of a Portland General Electric Co. substation, were not forced to move Thursday.

Deadline for moving from their rented residence at 3236 S.E. Belmont St. had been set for Dec. 1.

PGE, the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, and Mrs. Howland’s Attorney are all working to help the Howland’s find a low-cost house to rent. The couple has 12 children, one of them at home, a 14-year-old daughter, Lisa.

They have said they desire a three-bedroom home so their visiting children can have a place to stay.

Mrs. Howland is suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure and Howland has a heart problem and emphysema.

PGE purchased the Howlan’s rented house 18 months ago, along with several others in the block, to make space available for expansion of the substation next door to the Howlands.

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association has taken the case to City Hall because the association wants as many homes as possible left in the neighborhood.

A PGE spokesman said employees had volunteered to help move the Howlands as soon as another house can be found. The couple is paying $90 for rent and must find another low-cost house.

Mrs. Howland will be 61 Jan. 10. Howland will be 69 in February. The family exists on welfare and Social Security.