Neighborhood News

Welcome to the Neighborhood News - our e-newsletter filled with timely and important news. If you do not wish to receive future issues, use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the page. It's easy to use the Send-A-Friend box below. You can contact me at lindsey@myneighborhoodnews.us.

"Stand up and be counted" is a refrain often repeated by Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. as he fought for basic human rights and encouraged others to do so. I encourage you to take the phrase to heart. We all need to stand up and be counted - whether we are advocating for issues great or small. Read on to learn about your neighbors who are standing up for what they believe and hear the stories they have to tell. Hopefully, you'll find something here that brings you out into our community to learn, participate, get involved, enjoy and most importantly, to stand up and be counted.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT REED COLLEGE
All year round Reed College offers a wealth of events that will enrich, challenge and educate you. Reed is located in Portland's Eastmoreland neighborhood on SE Woodstock Boulevard. For more information visit Reed College or call the Reed events line at 503-777-7755.

A series of events are currently underway as part of Black History Month. All events are free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Portland Jazz Festival, a concert and lecture will held on Monday, February 19th at 2 pm, The Incredible Journey of Jazz. This program is designed for school-age children and their parents. According to event materials, "this 75 minute program tells the story of jazz from its roots in African music and cuture, through its development in the United States, to its current role as one of America's most treasured contributions to world culture."

I LOVE DISCO & GREASY KID STUFF

From the sublime to silly and "just totally fun" there are plenty of cool days out for kids of all ages on the horizon. The national phenomenon Baby Loves Disco is driving America to line up and do the hustle in cities around the county. Shows in Portland's Crystal Ballroom are huge disco dance parties for the too cool for pre-school set and their fun-loving families and friends. The shows continue to sell out and are enjoyed by all - whether or not there is a baby in tow. From NPR to the BBC to ABC's Nightline, Baby Loves Disco is the talk of the town.

Each of the fourteen cities that are currently enjoying a Baby Loves Disco event put on a unique and local show. In Portland, Southeast's own Belinda and Hova are the DJs that spin the ABBA, KC and the Sunshine Band and a few grooves from Gloria Gaynor and Donna Summer. Belinda and Hova are the much-loved hosts of the popular children's radio show "Greasy Kid Stuff" heard on Saturday mornings, 8-9 am on KNRK, 94.7 FM. The duo broadcast Greasy Kid Stuff from the New York/New Jersey metro area on WFMU. Over the years, GKS has gained a national reputation and widespread acclaim. In 2004, they relocated to Portland, Belinda's hometown, and continued running the show from their Hawthorne-area home, sending a live feed to WFMU's Jersey City studio. In 2006, the local show was launched.

On March 18th, the duo present the Grease Ball at the Wonder Ballroom, offering an eclectic kid-centric afternoon festival, featuring pirate rockers, Texas guitar slingers, indie films for kids and an all-female stunt bike dance troupe. Local pirate band, Captain Bogg & Salty, will be headlining the event featuring music from their third CD Prelude to Mutiny. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (ages 2 and under are free). Purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster or avoid all those pesky, pricey fees and pick up your tickets at the Wonder Ballroom box office. Pull on your thighhigh boots, strap on your eyepatch, grease up the bicycle tires and get ready to party at the Wonder Ballroom!

NOW THAT'S A TREAT!

Sure a card on Valentine's may have been nice but if you really want to make someone's day consider arranging for them to enjoy a real treat that will truly be appreciated - a luxurious facial from Patty Matheny or a healing massage by Donovan Monroe. Many services are available - including steam treatments of lavender and other comforting herbs or shiatsu, Swedish and deep tissue massage. Delicious treatments from Patty and Donovan offer health, healing and serenity, if only for an hour, and are available at the Facing Grace Studio, 1988 SE Ladd Avenue. Call 503-984-1963 for massage or 503-233-3137 for skin care.

A NEW FRIEND AND AN OLD FAVORITE
Stop in at the Hedge House, 34th and SE Division, to catch up with one of your favorites or to give a new one a try. Pagan Porter is the new seasonal at this neighborhood brew pub. A robust London porter with a deep dark ruby color, a malty finish and a balanced hop profile, this porter comes in at 6.0% alcohol.

A long-time Lopmoc classic is back, 69 Munich Lager. A dark lager with a crisp hop finish, the alcohol content on this one is 6.9%. It's dark, dense and delicious.

ENJOY PORTLAND - HERE'S HOW

Colonial Heights neighbor, James Adair, wanted to provide value to his list of friends, neighbors and current and past clients of his mortgage broker business. To stay in touch and send something worthwhile, James has created a series of postcards that arrive in mailboxes featuring insider info, dollars-off and some great fun bites of info. Hundreds of folks around town have enjoyed special deals and great tips in James' Enjoy Portland series. Drop a note directly to James Adair to be added to his list - postcards are sent every six weeks or so - depending on what he's inspired to tell you about. Enjoy deals and news about local restaurants, shops, great services and cool things to do in PDX.

CLEVELAND AUCTION 007: LICENSE TO SPEND
In the tradition of James Bond, Agent 007, Cleveland Auction "007 License to Spend" will be an evening of glamour, intrigue and, of course, fun. Tuxedo tee shirts are encouraged, but not required, as are jackets and stilletos. Cleveland's all-school auction is the year's largest fundraiser – raising over $100,000 for academics, the performing arts and athletics – and Cleveland's largest community party. Mark your calendars and join in to support Cleveland's programs and staff. Go to the CHS Auction website for more information.

REMEMBER THAT SNOW DAY?

Now that spring is on the verge of shining through doesn't it seem like it was an awfully long time ago that we woke up to a January snow storm. Even though it caused so much confusion, the reflective light and total quiet was a welcome break. The white stuff provided neighbors a quiet day away from the usual grind at work or school. Pictured here is an artful snapshot of what some industrious folks were up to during the winter weather. Spotted near the Center Circle in Ladds Addition one of Portland's creative class sculpted a rather elaborate pair enjoying the bench in front of Palio's Coffee Shop. Notice the detail, all the way down to legs and shoe laces.

THE JADE LOUNGE
Eastsiders Eugen and Lenor Bingham have added to their success at Il Piato and recently opened up the space next door to their SE Ankeny restaurant. Featuring delicious Asian items, such as salad rolls and tempura, the Jade Lounge offers an awesome happy hour menu from 5-6:30 pm and tasty cocktail options that will keep you in your seat long after happy hour has ended. The most popular option so far has been The Dragonlady, a mix of lemongrass and chili-infused vodka with fresh pineapple puree and lime served up. The space is serene and quiet, with darkly lacquered walls and fixtures collected, found and selected from The Rebuilding Center. Ingredients are locally and sustainably produced. The menu includes appetizers, salads, soups and entrees. Enjoy this addition to our fabulous dining scene at 2342 SE Ankeny. The Jade Lounge is open for dinner seven days a week.

THE CALENDAR
The Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association, HBBA, hosts their annual meeting on Wednesday, February 21st from 6-9 pm at the Chelsea Ballroom, 1510 SE 9th Avenue. Neighbors, property owners and business owners will be gathering together to dine, share ideas and inspiration. Call Bridget Bayer for more information, 503-290-4377.

The S.E. Area Artwalk is coming up on March 3rd & 4th, Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 5pm. This local art walking tour features studios, galleries, homes and businesses of inner Southeast Portland.

An all-day FREE, fun and interactive event, Roots and Wings, Celebrating Families and Community, is scheduled for Saturday, March 31st, 10am - 4 pm at Lloyd Center Mall, presented by Multnomah County's Commission on Children, Families and Community. As the kick-off to Child Abuse Prevention Month, Roots and Wings offers resources, music, entertainment and a wonderful community gathering as a fun day out for the whole family. Numerous sponsors and partners are coming together to offer hands-on fun things to do for kids and their families including a rousing parade. The event will focus on tangible things that each of us can do to help strengthen and support families and communities.