Neighborhood Farmer’s Market Starts This Month

Myriad Growers LLC will begin hosting a Farmer’s Market at Sunnyside Environmental School, beginning Monday, Sept. 12. Mixed vegetables will be available on Mondays between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. through most of October. The end date will depend on weather, produce availability and other factors related to farm production. The market will be located on the lawn in front of the school, near the corner of 35th and Salmon.

Myriad Growers is an urban farming partnership, dedicated to nourishing the health of the land and the community, through the use of holistic horticultural practices, education and joyful service.

Myriad Growers  is blessed with the opportunity to cultivate and steward the land known as JEAN’s Urban Forest Farm.  Nestled between Johnson Creek and a patch of native forest below the street line, the farm is a sweet little oasis, where they are pleased to be working away at their myriad projects, which include lovingly raising wholesome food and medicine plants, native plants for restoration projects, sedums and sempervivems for eco-roof installations, and flowers for bouquets.  Educational programs, cooking in the outdoor kitchen, and our flock of chickens, also add to the fun.

For the past few years, Myriad Growers has worked with SES students, providing sustainability curriculum and helping them develop strong connections to the local food system, learn about health and nutrition and the fun of cooking and baking in the school’s community kitchen, as well as engaging with the native ecosystem through ecological studies and restoration projects.

 

 

Belmont Street Fair Needs Volunteers

The Belmont Street Fair still needs volunteers for the day of the event — Sept. 10. That’s coming up soon!

If you can help with Set Up (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Hosting (from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Hosting/Wrap Up (from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) there is still space.

Everyone is invited to a pre-party tonight, Sept. 3, at the Hall of Records on Belmont to get acquainted and go over further details.

All volunteers will receive a free T-shirt with the groovy, new Imagine logo. To sign up, call SNA board member and Street Fair Volunteer Czar Josh Palmer at 503.367.1000 and leave him your name, number and hours you want to volunteer. Thanks so much for you interest in this amazing community event. Hope to see you there!

 

SNA Board & General Meeting Minutes

SNA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

JULY 14, 2011

Board Members in Attendance: Gina Binole, Bill Stites, Heather Wilson, Karen Hery, Josh Palmer, Reuben Deumling, Tony Jordan,

Excused Absences:  Tim Brooks

Reuben calls meeting to order at 8:11

1)      Sunnyside Methodist Dining Hall Renovation – Karen speaking as Sunnyside Swap Shop facilitator and church liaison requests $200 from the SNA to show neighborhood support and help them secure a matching grant.  Karen thought the SwapShop could contribute $200, and felt it is reasonable for the SNA to contribute $200.

 

The grant the church members are seeking will fund the replacement of the water heater, dishwasher and cabinets and enable new floors, repairing of stoves. When it’s done, it will hopefully last another 50 years.

Bill believes is is reasonable if it fits SNA guidelines and fiscal responsibilities.

Reuben:  Notes that we don’t get very many requests, and generally they are on the order of this magnitude.

Heather requests for an abridged budget tutorial to ensure funds are being allocated properly and within guidelines. Reuben says that during his tenure (5 years), there have been only a handful of such requests: The Mt. Tabor concerts, The Gulliver’s Travels movie, tree planting, a gift for SEUL (totaling $765) and $1300 to Blair Garden

 

Bill makes motion that SNA donates $200 to the church to help them receive a matching grant for kitchen renovations. Gina seconds. Motion carries with 5 ayes. Karen and Heather abstain from the vote.

Meeting adjourns at 8:32 p.m.

 

 

 

SNA GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

JULY 14, 2011

Board members in Attendance: Gina Binole, Bill Stites, Heather Wilson, Karen Hery, Josh Palmer, Reuben Deumling, Tony Jordan, Paul Loney

Excused Absences:  Tim Brooks

Guests & Neighbors:  Chuck Lawrence, Candee Clark, Cary Page, Massene Mboy, Roger Jones, Manuel Muro, G. Hartley

Meeting called to order at 7:06

1— Introductions

2 – Representatives of the International Leadership Academy detail reasons why they would love to open the French School in the Methodist Church on Yamhill.

Run by a University professor at PSU, the school would take kids age 4-7, beginning with a staggered arrival at 7 a.m. School officially ends at 3:30, but after school care continues until 6:30 p.m. with a staggered dismissal.

The goal  is that most students would come from the neighborhood and that the school will bring a valued service to the neighborhood, teaching much more than French. Please visit www.ila-pdx.org for more information.

The initial goal is to house no more than 30 students. The tuition is set for those with moderate means, and once established, the goal is to obtain scholarships from the French ministry for students of French heritage and then expand beyond those parameters.

Heather expressed concerns about all of the car traffic coming into the area with all of the different uses now at the church.

Karen stated there is a rotating schedule through the gym and other church facilities, in an effort to make sure that even on a rainy day, every kid has a place to be. She also stated the gym was underutilized during the week.

ILA reps said that eventually they hope to be a larger school, in a larger facility, but the church would be able to replace us because the church building would retain the permit necessary to house a school, which could mean greater resources for public school kids in addition to SES as well as an aftercare program, which reaches capacity at SES quite quickly.

2—Neighborhood Crime Report: Tom Rhoades, of PDX  Police says he has no crime stats to provide, but he is here to take concerns.

Josh – Asked him if there is anything to be done re: homeless folks at 35th and Alder, who have hanging out drinking on the side of the street. Tom said that anytime you see someone drinking in public like that, call the non-emergency hotline. They can be cited and detoxed.

Josh also mentioned that friends had a rather expensive stroller stolen right there on Alder, off of their porch. Tom says that if people don’t lock stuff up on their porches, they can and frequently are, taken.

3 – Update on the non-conforming sewer situation. Reuben reported that roughly 100 households have non-conforming sewers according to BES. They were asked to pay money to have a proper  sewer put in the street, not including hookup fees and permit costs.

Reuben has been in touch with officials, and BES and City Commissioner Dan Saltzman have decided to do things differently.  Reuben said he has a meeting with Saltzman next week and will keep us informed.

Reuben reported that people felt blindsided by the city letters and like they weren’t given any options other than to pay X amount. They are wondering whether any action is necessary.  Nonconforming sewers include party line and private line in the public right of way., which is not in the city’s books, and has been working for at least a century.

Neighbors are asking for better communication and to participate at some level.  All are sensitive to the need to be proactive and bring sewers up to code before they break. But the present process is flawed.

4. Committee Reports:

Sustainability Committee.

Reuben said they are shifting from Emergency Preparedness, back into transition neighborhoods. We are working in the background, slowly and steadily how our neighborhood could wean ourselves off of fossil fuels.

Land use and Transportation –

Tony said he was the only one to attend the LUTC meeting this month. He went to a SEUL meeting last month and asked what can be done about the Walgreen’s situation. Their main suggestion was for the SNA to draft a note and submit a non-supporting document, but Tony hasn’t heard anything about the permit yet.

SEUL –

Heather mentioned that the Willamette Pedestrian coalition is in the process of contacting all Neighborhood Associations about the state of walkability in the city.

Heather says SEUL wants to know about parking violations, blocking intersections, etc.  She also learned that Commissioner Amanda Fritz wants to be invited to neighborhood functions. We discussed inviting her to the Street Fair.

Heather said SEUL wants to know if they increased their budget to have a paid neighborhood staff member, how NA would feel about that.

SEUL also wants us to document community volunteer hours better. If we included that on our check in list, PDX would have a higher ranking for volunteer hours, which would increase eligibility for grants and other things.

Treasurer’s report–

Josh:  Met with Jane, former treasurer and will have a report for us next month.

5. Roger:  Asked the Board to help Save the Hawthorne mural and reported the potential destruction of a tree on 29th and Taylor. The owner wished to cut it, but surrounding neighbors want it to remain. A meeting was set for July 21 to discuss the fate of the 100-year-old Deodar Cedar.

Meeting adjourned at 8:09

 

 

SNA GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

JULY 14, 2011

Board members in Attendance: Gina Binole, Bill Stites, Heather Wilson, Karen Hery, Josh Palmer, Reuben Deumling, Tony Jordan, Paul Loney

Excused Absences:  Tim Brooks

Guests & Neighbors:  Chuck Lawrence, Candee Clark, Cary Page, Massene Mboy, Roger Jones, Manuel Muro, G. Hartley

Meeting called to order at 7:06

1— Introductions

2 – Representatives of the International Leadership Academy detail reasons why they would love to open the French School in the Methodist Church on Yamhill.

Run by a University professor at PSU, the school would take kids age 4-7, beginning with a staggered arrival at 7 a.m. School officially ends at 3:30, but after school care continues until 6:30 p.m. with a staggered dismissal.

The goal  is that most students would come from the neighborhood and that the school will bring a valued service to the neighborhood, teaching much more than French. Please visit www.ila-pdx.org for more information.

The initial goal is to house no more than 30 students. The tuition is set for those with moderate means, and once established, the goal is to obtain scholarships from the French ministry for students of French heritage and then expand beyond those parameters.

Heather expressed concerns about all of the car traffic coming into the area with all of the different uses now at the church.

Karen stated there is a rotating schedule through the gym and other church facilities, in an effort to make sure that even on a rainy day, every kid has a place to be. She also stated the gym was underutilized during the week.

ILA reps said that eventually they hope to be a larger school, in a larger facility, but the church would be able to replace us because the church building would retain the permit necessary to house a school, which could mean greater resources for public school kids in addition to SES as well as an aftercare program, which reaches capacity at SES quite quickly.

2—Neighborhood Crime Report: Tom Rhoades, of PDX  Police says he has no crime stats to provide, but he is here to take concerns.

Josh – Asked him if there is anything to be done re: homeless folks at 35th and Alder, who have hanging out drinking on the side of the street. Tom said that anytime you see someone drinking in public like that, call the non-emergency hotline. They can be cited and detoxed.

Josh also mentioned that friends had a rather expensive stroller stolen right there on Alder, off of their porch. Tom says that if people don’t lock stuff up on their porches, they can and frequently are, taken.

3 – Update on the non-conforming sewer situation. Reuben reported that roughly 100 households have non-conforming sewers according to BES. They were asked to pay money to have a proper  sewer put in the street, not including hookup fees and permit costs.

Reuben has been in touch with officials, and BES and City Commissioner Dan Saltzman have decided to do things differently.  Reuben said he has a meeting with Saltzman next week and will keep us informed.

Reuben reported that people felt blindsided by the city letters and like they weren’t given any options other than to pay X amount. They are wondering whether any action is necessary.  Nonconforming sewers include party line and private line in the public right of way., which is not in the city’s books, and has been working for at least a century.

Neighbors are asking for better communication and to participate at some level.  All are sensitive to the need to be proactive and bring sewers up to code before they break. But the present process is flawed.

4. Committee Reports:

Sustainability Committee.

Reuben said they are shifting from Emergency Preparedness, back into transition neighborhoods. We are working in the background, slowly and steadily how our neighborhood could wean ourselves off of fossil fuels.

Land use and Transportation –

Tony said he was the only one to attend the LUTC meeting this month. He went to a SEUL meeting last month and asked what can be done about the Walgreen’s situation. Their main suggestion was for the SNA to draft a note and submit a non-supporting document, but Tony hasn’t heard anything about the permit yet.

SEUL –

Heather mentioned that the Willamette Pedestrian coalition is in the process of contacting all Neighborhood Associations about the state of walkability in the city.

Heather says SEUL wants to know about parking violations, blocking intersections, etc.  She also learned that Commissioner Amanda Fritz wants to be invited to neighborhood functions. We discussed inviting her to the Street Fair.

Heather said SEUL wants to know if they increased their budget to have a paid neighborhood staff member, how NA would feel about that.

SEUL also wants us to document community volunteer hours better. If we included that on our check in list, PDX would have a higher ranking for volunteer hours, which would increase eligibility for grants and other things.

Treasurer’s report–

Josh:  Met with Jane, former treasurer and will have a report for us next month.

5. Roger:  Asked the Board to help Save the Hawthorne mural and reported the potential destruction of a tree on 29th and Taylor. The owner wished to cut it, but surrounding neighbors want it to remain. A meeting was set for July 21 to discuss the fate of the 100-year-old Deodar Cedar.

Meeting adjourned at 8:09

 

 

ReDirect Guide Aiming for Baby Carrying World Record

The ReDirect Guide proudly announces the 6th annual Green Sprouts Organic Baby and Family Festival on September 25th at Peninsula Park. Green Sprouts is a  community-oriented event that celebrates natural and healthy options for expecting parents and young families.

The free one-day festival will promote lead awareness and poisoning prevention, eco-friendly products, natural & healthy options for birthing and raising children, along with featuring many fun family activities. Exhibits from local green businesses and seminars focusing on natural and healthy child-rearing will round out the festivities at this joyful event.

Previous vendors have enthusiastically shared feedback that they have seen more parents at Green Sprouts wear baby carriers than in any other place or event. ReDirect wants to celebrate this phenomenon by setting the world record for the most persons (moms and dads) to be wearing baby carriers. At 1pm, ReDirect will video record parents fashioning slings, wraps, backpacks, and alike at the music stage. The slings must contain a child between the ages of birth to 14 months.

This record has never been attempted before; therefore ReDirect has a great chance of setting the record this year!  Green Sprouts will be held at Peninsula Park, a close-in North Portland park that features attractions for all ages. Families attending this event can enjoy local organic fare, live music and entertainment, the Baby and Children’s Clothing swap, Cotton Babies Diaper Dash,  Alma Midwifery Education & Movement Seminar Series, arts and crafts, as well as other child-parent activities.

For more information, seminar schedules and a full list of activities, please visit www.GreenSproutsFest.com.  Admission is free.

Belmont Street Fair Set for Sept. 10 With Old Favorites & New Fun

This year’s Belmont Street Fair promises to be a spectacular event with all the best of past fairs, plus some new and exciting twists. Our theme this year is “Imagine.” Imagine the possibilities of a thriving local community. Imagine art on every corner, community potluck dinners, bicycle traffic jams, backyard eggs for all, human-powered transport on car-free streets.

Belmont Street between 33rd and 37th will be car-free once again. As one fair enthusiast said last year: “After you go to this fair, you’ll wonder why they don’t always shut down SE Belmont to cars/ buses between 33rd and 37th. It just feels right.” The fair extends from 20th to 60th avenues on Belmont and a free Ecoshuttle will link the special events along the way.

The Sunnyside Neighgorhood Green will return to 34th and Belmont. You’ll find an expanded Kids Fun Center, with activities for kids of all ages, an integrated bouncy house, mini-golf course and juggling with Do Jump. Be sure to visit the Artists’ Alley, showcasing the work of local artists and the alternative transportation exposition, which this year will feature cargo bikes.

Local musicians will perform on multiple stages, with a main stage lineup that is sure to please:

— Chazz Funk All Stars (noon to 12:45 p.m.)

— Dusu Mali (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)

— Sarah Moon & The Night Sky (2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)

— Sweet Juice (3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.)

— Brothers of the Baladi (5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.)

— Saloon Ensemble, featuring members of March Fourth Marching Band (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

The Fair will take place Saturday, Sept. 10 from noon to 8 p.m. The Fair is a collaboration between the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and the Belmont Area Business Association. Organizers have been working overtime to make this year’s fair a fun-filled car-free community event filled with local artists, musicians, street vendors and family-friendly activities, where you can just imagine the possibilities.

For more information or to obtain a vendor (or artist) booth application, visit http://belmontdistrict.org/whats-happening/street-fair, or call (503) 774-2932. This event wouldn’t happen without volunteers, so please consider signing up for a shift. Contact Josh Palmer at (503) 287-1515.

A bit of green, a lot of merrymaking