Hawthorne District News
   Sewer Construction Coordinated
   Bridge closure begins March '98
   National Neighborhoods Conference to visit

Belmont Area Business Assoc. Plans
   A Celebration of Art & Renewal
   Street Fair coordinator sought

Division/Clinton Business News
   Friends of Trees Plantings
   North-South bikeway proposal

 Southeast Businesses Networking
 Contributing Benefactors and Sustaining Members
 Coming Events...
 

Talking About the Avenue
by Margaret McCrea

A winter's greeting to you, my friends, now that we've cleared off the snow and ice. This month's column is less about new businesses on Hawthorne Street and more about old businesses that need some new light on them, or that yours truly simply hasn't had time or space to get around to yet.

First is Junior Achievement, 1426 S.E. Hawthorne, 238-6430. You probably are aware that Junior Achievement is sponsored by local businesses and, in my day, gave awards to kids who dream up smart projects and make money from them. Junior Achievement has recently gone through a major transition and can be described now as a supplementary educational program, focusing on economics, for children K-12. This is done through volunteer mentors who provide weekly lessons and activities in schools, and also act as mentors for individual projects. The program is designed to teach children their economic roles in life, as well as teaching older students about larger economic realities, such as international trade. If you are interested in being a volunteer, contact Jay Forsyth, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 238-6430.

Twenty-six-zero-six S.E. Hawthorne has blossomed out finally, with residents such as Crystal Lilies (239-4553), and Linda Hunt, offering massage therapist, polarity therapy and integrative bodywork (236-1571). The Greenwood Center for Women/Oregon Menopause Network is in the same building (232-9446, Wed-Fri 2-7 p.m.) The Center offers classes and support groups and referrals for bone density testing. The non-profit organization also offers a library and a quarterly newsletter. Call Ann Kopel, a friend of mine, for more information.

Checking out the recent doings of the gracious old Montgomery House, 2625 S.E. Hawthorne, turned up Surah H. Hirsch, 238-9788, a chiropractor who has lived and worked in this area for the last nineteen years. She treats sports injuries, does physical therapy and exercise rehabilitation, and focuses on musculo-skeletal injuries. Her hours are MWF, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the same address, also upstairs in the Montgomery House, is Whole Tree Works (P.O. Box 42492, Portland, 97242, 238-6077), run by Kevin Hillery and Donna Attewell, certified arborists and horticulturists. They do consulting on tree selection, tree pruning, and tree health and structure. They've been doing this work for more than fifteen years, and on Hawthorne as a partnership for the past four years. Donna was recently featured in a National Geographic article. Their specialty is canopy science, which is a "cutting edge" environmental science.

A few notes: It's My Pleasure has moved to 64th and Sandy, and in its place (4258) will be The Upper East Antiques. Yen Long's Vietnamese Store, featured in one of the first articles I wrote in this column, has become Hawthorne Bargain Center, at 4220 SE Hawthorne. It has the same owner but now features lawn mowers and floor sanders among the dresses and shoes. The sheepskin store that occupied the space behind The Habit (3862) was only a seasonal offering and has closed down. Walston Properties, which used to be where Mail Boxes Etc. now is (4110), has moved to 4603 SE Hawthorne. Mail Boxes Etc. is now offering computer rental along with its other services. This means all MS Office applications for a basic rate of $10/hour (students have a discount), until later when the internet will be available. Dingo's Bar (4612) is offering darts as well as microbrews, live music and $1.95 bar food, which seems to be quite a draw. All the tax and accounting businesses on the avenue are deep in their season, and one of them NOT previously featured in this column is Michael Carpenter at 4411, 232-6137. Call him for all your bookkeeping needs. And there is a new cinder block building where La Casa de Rios used to be, next to Mt. Tabor Chiropractic Center (4351)

Two businesses I had to peek through the window at because they are closed on Mondays are: Yestershades (4325, 235-5645, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tues-Sat) selling gorgeous lamps, shades, chandeliers of the antique sort, and Old Portland Furniture (4224, 230-7792, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tues - Sat), selling the kind of sofas and chairs that show up in my family's earliest Kodak color pictures, and which my mother couldn't wait to replace. How the wheel turns!

And last but not least, at 3941 S.E. Hawthorne, the Linus Pauling House, where the Institute for Science, Engineering and Public Policy is housed (the folks who bring you the lecture series on interesting issues like how the universe began and what Dolly the lamb means for our future), there are two new tenants. One is the Northwest Service Academy, an AmeriCorp corporation, which will move in in February, and will also occupy the house next door, to which there are at this moment no address numbers attached. Also, the Northwest Council of the American Youth Hostel, which used to be at what is now the cigar bar, will be taking up headquarters at this same address. What a nice combination -- the visionaries, the volunteers, and a network to the whole world, all in one building. They could cook up a revolution in there!

Well, once again, I've passed up at least as many businesses as I've covered in this article. It's one of the best and worst parts of this assignment. There is always something more on Hawthorne. I hope you can get out, even in the pouring rain, and find some of it. Till next time, I wish you peace and prosperity. Margaret McCrea, 232-7636.

Sewer construction on Hawthorne Boulevard

Sewer construction to replace century-old pipes in danger of failing will begin in Spring 1998 in Southeast Portland neighborhoods along Hawthorne Boulevard. The new sewer line will be larger and have adequate capacity to prevent basement flooding. The work will be coordinated with the planned closure of the Hawthorne Bridge.

Construction will take place on SE Hawthorne between 14th and 9th, SE 9th between Hawthorne and Madison, and SE 12th between Clay and Madison.

Construction activities will disrupt normal neighborhood routines and require some traffic detours. The City of Portland wants to minimize any disruption. We also want to hear your concerns and answer questions about traffic and possible detour plans. For more information, call project manager Laura Hughes, Bureau of Environmental Services, at 823-7214.

Hawthorne Bridge closure begins March '98

In March of 1998, the Hawthorne Bridge will be closed for one year to make a series of needed improvements and repairs. The decisions on how to most efficiently and conveniently complete the project resulted from discussions with community and business groups, neighborhood associations, and the public in early 1997.

Over 300 citizens and 20 groups from different geographical areas participated in planning the bridge closure and developing the alternative travel options.

The needed improvements include:

• Repainting the bridge
• Replacing the worn roadway surface
• Upgrading the support systems
• Widening the sidewalks

The cost for this project is approximately $18 million. The County actively pursued state and federal support to help pay for this rehabilitation and was awarded funding to complete most of the work. Multnomah County will provide the remaining funds using gas tax dollars.

Wider Sidewalks Become a reality

Wider sidewalks on the Hawthorne Bridge were previously identified to improve bike and pedestrian travel. Multnomah County, the City of Portland and Metro have agreed to cooperatively fund the sidewalk expansion. The sidewalks will be widened to 10 feet while the bridge is closed for the scheduled improvements.

Hawthorne Bridge alternatives

The County has developed alternative routes for pedestrians, bicyclists, cars and trucks. Tri-Met will be re-routing the buses that currently use the Hawthorne Bridge. See their rerouting schedule as it evolves!

Specific strategies to provide safe and efficient travel during the Hawthorne Bridge closure include the following:

• Only bicyclists and pedestrians will be allowed to use the SE Madison ramp and the MLK exit for access to the Eastbank Park. All other Hawthorne ramps will be closed.
• SE Water Avenue will provide primary access to the Morrison Bridge for bikes and pedestrians. New bike lanes on SE Water Avenue between SE Madison and SE Belmont provide access to the bridge.
• All existing bicycle and pedestrian routes can also be used as detour options to access the Morrison Bridge.
• The Eastbank Park provides an alternate route for both bicyclists and pedestrians. The City of Portland plans to complete the Eastbank Park between the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges.
• Temporary improvements to the Morrison Bridge ramps include widening the sidewalk for both bicycles and pedestrians. The Morrison Bridge will be temporarily modified to accommodate all travel modes.
• A temporary bike lane will be added between SW 1st and SW Naito Parkway (SW Front Avenue).
• Parking on SW Alder Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues will be removed to provide another traffic lane.
• Buses currently using the Hawthorne Bridge (#4, 6, 10, 14, 31, 32, 33, 63 & 99x) will be re-routed. Tri-Met will post specific route information in advance to inform users.
• Detour signs, pavement markings and signal timing modifications will assist vehicle traffic through the detour. People are encouraged to use alternative modes and routes.

Want to be added to the mailing list? Please call or write: John Lindenthal, Multnomah County Bridge Section, (503) 248-3757, 1403 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214-3333; or access the Multnomah County web site at www.multnomah.lib.or. us/trans
 
 
National Neighborhoods Conference to visit Hawthorne District

The Hawthorne District will be host to a tour sponsored by Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Friday, May 22, 1998. The City of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement and its neighborhood/business association partners expect about 1,000 participants for the three-day NUSA Conference. By bus and foot, about forty of those lucky folks will get a chance to enjoy the eclectic, vibrant and diverse Hawthorne District and its surrounding areas. The walking/bus tour will culminate with a neighborhood potluck at one of Sunnyside's National Register historic homes. If you would like to get involved, please contact Roger Jones at 239-1237. For more information, see: http://www.hawthorneblvd.com/nusa.htm.

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Belmont Business District Plan activities
by John Barker, BABA President

As the two-year Belmont Business District Plan draws to a close, congratulations are certainly in order! First to REACH executive director Dee Walsh and all the staff. Then special thanks to Julia Glisson, Kim Burnett and Becky Shine ­ all intrepid staffers who have worked hard over the past two years on helping to improve Belmont. Thank you all!

Thanks should also go to the many business and neighborhood volunteers who have given so much of their own time and energy to the many projects and events. Let's hope that energy keeps up as we move on to "life after REACH."

To that end, the Belmont Area Business Association, along with the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, are discussing which initiatives to carry on. We would like to continue those projects that we feel are most beneficial and do-able. We also hope to expand programs beyond the target areas to the larger BABA area.

Here's an overview of what's coming:

• STREET FAIR: Planning is already in the works for the BABA and SNA to co-sponsor the next (third annual) street fair. The tentative date is Saturday, September 12th. Since it is such a massive effort, we will be hiring a paid coordinator to organize the event. Still, it will only happen with lots of volunteer help. Look for the first committee meeting in February and come join in.
• STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM & LIGHTING GRANTS: These programs have come to a close, so it's too late for free money. However, the BABA will continue to advocate for good design and pursue other avenues for public improvement. To that end, we are already active in developing a new neighborhood plan to guide growth for the next twenty years.
• FLOWER BASKETS: BABA will continue to expand this simple but splashy way to spruce up appearances. As before, we will provide hardware for businesses who would like to sponsor a flower basket.
• BANNERS & PUBLIC ART: We will be maintaining the forty banners we now have up. There's no immediate plans to add more banners to power poles, however, if someone wants to write a grant and raise funds. . . Also, the BABA will take over ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the three public art projects that were installed on the street this month. REACH has kindly left us a bequest to do the necessary maintenance and repair.
• BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS & LENDER'S FORUM: The BABA hopes to mount more such educational events. What we need is a volunteer chair to help plan them! And if there's interest and a request for another lender's forum, we could consider another of these informative gatherings.
• NEWSLETTER: Though the Belmont Beat will cease publication in February, the quarterly Gazette which serves Belmont, Hawthorne, Division and Clinton merchants will continue in full force.
• DISTRICT PROMOTIONS: Cooperative newspaper ads and holiday promotions have been popular in the Belmont business district. Now that we've been successful a few times, it shouldn't be hard to carry on. The BABA is willing to play a facilitating role if there's continued interest among businesses.
• ANNUAL BANQUET: This, of course, will continue each year. In fact, the next one is February 26th. Plan to come. This will be a major recap of everything that's happened the last two years, how things are to continue, and how you can be a part of the action!

A Celebration of Art & Renewal
by Becky Shine, BBDP Program Assistant

Fifty folks braved a down pour to attend the Belmont Public Art Unveiling and Storefront Improvement Tour on December 16th. Residents, business owners, property owners, BBDP funders, and elected officials gathered at the Pied Cow Coffeehouse to share in these latest accomplishments of the Belmont Business District Plan.

Guest speaker Multnomah County Chair Bev Stein, herself a resident of Southeast Portland, spoke about the importance of art in civic life. Pointing out that "roses" are as important as "bread", Chair Stein noted that public art gives us pride in our neighborhoods, shows our children that we care about their environment, and improves the "quality of life" of which we hear so much.

As part of the Belmont Business District Plan's Public Art Project, two artists, Brian Borrello and Angelina Marino-Lane, were awarded the commissions to install public art work along Belmont.

Using the "Sunnyside" name as a theme, Brian Borrello installed a ten-foot wide neon "Sunspot" on the west wall of the Avalon building at 3451 SE Belmont and engraved a series of forty sun symbols from different cultures along the sidewalk between 32nd and 36th. Angelina Marino-Lane painted a mural on the east wall of the Mocha Garden building, at 3159 SE Belmont, depicting the history and character of the neighborhood.

City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury congratulated the Belmont Business District on its accomplishments and noted the partnership that has existed between REACH, the Portland Development Commission, and the City's Bureau of Housing and Community Development. She explained how REACH approached the City to fund a series of storefront improvements in the Belmont Business District, encouraging them to take on a new endeavor.

The Belmont Business District Plan's Storefront Improvement Grant Program is funded by the Portland Development Commission and the Lighting and Security Hardware Program is funded by SAFECO Insurance Companies.

All in all, the event turned out to be a great way to celebrate some of the most visible results of the Belmont Business District Plan, tour the area, and remind us to appreciate our sunny days.

Belmont Street Fair coordinator sought

Applications are now being accepted to hire a coordinator for the Third Annual Belmont Street Fair on September 12, 1998. Coordinator responsibilities include the following: committee meetings, fundraising, scheduling, permits, volunteer coordination, poster production, music, vendors, street closures, etc. Sponsors of the fair are the Belmont Area Businesss Association and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association. Salary range is $3,000-4,000.

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter by February 15, 1998, to Belmont Street Fair, c/o Stuart Sugarman, Attorney, 3430 SE Belmont, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97214, 234-2694, fax 234-1330.

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'Long Division
by Jean Baker

The D/CBA was granted $5,000.00 from the APNBA to paint murals on some of the blank walls lining the street. We are currently looking for a theme and acquiring permission to paint. We already have murals at Payless on 39th, Nature's at 30th, and at Longfellow's, Beaver State Machinery and Price Is Right between 14th and 11th.

The Department of Traffic Management's Pedestrian Division has put in a zebra crossing at 30th and 31st on Division and is now putting together the physical design for improving your chances of getting safely across the street. Work will begin sometime after the start of the City's fiscal year, July 1, 1998.

Division continues to change. We have lost Beau D's, the eclectic coffee shop, gift shop, and wedding florist at 41st, Ichidai, the Japanese restaurant at 34th, and Greg's on Clinton at 25th. We have gained Greenbeans, at 3302 SE Division. Greenbeans Fabrications produces and sells beanbag inspired chairs, couches, and footstools of recycled packing foam covered with backpack fabric. Co-owner Julianne Langley also custom designs articles. We have also gained Raphael Design at 2106 SE Division. Owner Matthew Raphael is a general contractor. Soon to move in next door to Raphael is Car Sharing of Portland, a firm that makes cars available to the occasional driver. It's a new method of cutting down on auto ownership and traffic all at once. David Brook is sharing not only his cars, but his address. He's at 2106 SE Division. Fairly new is Balanix, personal floral services for weddings, parties, etc. (by appointment only) at 2132 SE Division. Also fairly new is Tanami, an outlet store for worldwide women's clothing at 4819 SE Division. Apparently moving in at 4821 SE Division is a phone room. The store is full of tables with phones all wrapped in cord on each table. Not at all new, but unmentioned until now is Property Managers, a rental agency at 4807 SE Division. Lisa Pivowar has been finding rental housing all over town for over 3 years. Her service is free to landlords and she has over 800 units on her books now. Oregon Tailor Supply at 2123 SE Division, is getting a new roof and having its shingles replaced. Macri Gallery and Art Affaire have formed East River Arts (ERA), a coalition of galleries on the east side of the Willamette. ERA's mission is to promote awareness of the arts and their importance in a culturally diverse community. Over half the founding members are within the Gazette's area. Now, if we can just get the galleries and the coffee shops together.

If you have one of the standard turn of the century Craftsman houses, Division businesses to keep in mind are Division Hardware who carries what you need replaced, and can tell how to fix the broken whatever; Andrew Heating, who fixes and tunes up furnaces; Division Maytag, who repairs your appliances, and Socolofsky & Co Realtors, who will sell your place if any of the other three businesses leaves Division. I should also mention OHSU's Richmond Clinic, in case you damage yourself fixing and numerous coffee shops and restaurants where you can grab a quick bite while fixing. Division is a very handy street to live near.

K & F Coffee at 26th and Clinton, offers live entertainment on Saturday nights, jazz guitar and vocals. Clinton Video continues to expand its collection of foreign and cult films. Twenty-five-zero-seven SE 26th, next to Clinton Video is now the studio of Annie Meyer. It also shows the work of other artists. La Cruda now has a full service bar at 25th and Clinton. The front window of Millennium Cafe, at 2633 SE 21st, alternates computer terminals and large potted plants. There's something delightful about the idea of sitting in a window between two large potted plants, sipping coffee and talking to the world.

North-South bikeway proposal

The Bureau of Traffic Management is proposing a bikeway across the east side. The route begins at Holman Street and continues either down 37th or 42nd Avenue to Hollywood. Options through Hollywood include 37th to Sandy and Hassalo and veering either to 39th or 47th to Glisan and moving to 41st and 42nd through Laurelhurst to Powell, finally connecting with the existing bike lane at Raymond. The bureau would remove parking in some segments and move some stop signs and signals to make it easier for bikes to cross busy intersections. Call Roger Geller at 823-7671 or email him at geller@syseng.ci.portland.or.us with questions and comments.

Did you know the Hawthorne Bridge is used by over ­

• 30,000 vehicles,
• 900 buses,
• 2,000 bicyclists
• & 2,000 pedestrians

Southeast Businesses Networking

The next Southeast Portland Business Networking Meeting will be held at Utopia Dessert and Coffee House, 3320 SE Belmont at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, March 23, 1998. Anyone interested in attending should call Randy Strode, 239-7746, to RSVP. It's been a great turnout at the previous two meetings, so plan to attend. Mark your calendar and phone in your RSVP!
 

Friends of Trees teams up with Southeast neighborhoods to plant trees

Southeast neighborhoods and Friends of Trees have scheduled tree planting projects beginning in January, 1998. These projects are part of Friends of Trees' five year Seed the Future campaign. This campaign will restore our urban forest by involving thousands of volunteers to plant 144,000 trees and seedlings by the year 2001. The following plantings are happening this winter:
 

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Contributing Benefactors and Sustaining Members make a difference.
BIG THANKS to:

 THANK YOU to all who have contributed financially to the ongoing operation of your business district association. If you haven't yet done so, please consider contributing both your time and financial support to help keep your district healthy.

COMING EVENTS . . .

Belmont Area

Thursday, February 12th: BABA Board meeting, 8:30am, Mt. St. Joseph Center, 3060 SE Stark.

Thursday, February 26th: BABA Annual Meeting, 5:30pm, Mt. St. Joseph Center, 3060 SE Stark. Please mark your calendar now! Call John Barker at 231-9118, for dinner reservations. (cost is $20/person)

Thursday, March 12th: BABA Board meeting, 8:30am, Mt. St. Joseph Center, 3060 SE Stark.

Thursday, April 9th: BABA Board meeting, 8:30am, Mt. St. Joseph Center, 3060 SE Stark.

Saturday, September 12th: Belmont Street Fair

Hawthorne Blvd.  [updated 2-17-98]

Thursday, February 19th: HBBA Annual Meeting, 5:30pm, Hinson Church, 20th/Salmon. Call 233-7633 for reservations. (cost is $20/person)

Tuesday, March 10th: HBBA Street Fair meeting, 6:30pm, Southeast Uplift, 3534 SE Main.

Wednesday, March 11th: HBBA Board of Director's meeting, 8:00am to 10:00am, Southeast Uplift, 3534 SE Main.

Wednesday, April 8th: HBBA Board of Director's meeting, 8:00am to 10:00am, Southeast Uplift, 3534 SE Main.

Saturday and Sunday, August 15th and 16th: Hawthorne Street Fair.

Division/Clinton

Tuesday, February 17th: D/CBA Board of Director's meeting, 7:30am to 9:00am, Natures' fresh Northwest, 3016 SE Division.

Tuesday, March 17th: D/CBA Board of Director's meeting, 7:30am to 9:00am, Natures' fresh Northwest, 3016 SE Division.

Tuesday, April 21st: D/CBA Board of Director's meeting, 7:30am to 9:00am, Natures' fresh Northwest, 3016 SE Division.

Saturday, July 18th: Division / Clinton Showcase. Plan now to enter the plumbing parts sculpture contest and the 2nd annual internationally sanctioned belt sander derby!

Letters to the Editor

The Gazette welcomes your comments, criticisms and questions. Deadline for the next issue is April 10th. While every effort will be made to reprint articles in their full text, editing by publication staff may be necessary.
 

The Gazette
Published by the Hawthorne Blvd. Business Association for HBBA, BABA, and D/CMA.
  Typeset & Design: The Support Group & Adventures Unlimited
WWW layout designer: Roger Jones
Editor: Nancy Chapin
Contributors: Jean Baker, John Barker, Margaret McCrea & Becky Shine