Neighborhood News



	The series of fundraisers for Southeast public schools called *Hungry for Knowledge* hosted by much-loved neighborhood bistro Lauro Kitchen winds up their fall semester of satisfying gatherings with an evening raising money for Atkinson Elementary School. Join parents, teachers, students and neighbors on Wednesday, December 5th from 5-9 pm when 20% of the evening's take will be donated to important programs at Atkinson. No tickets or reservations are required. Gather up a few friends and enjoy a fantastic dinner at Lauro knowing that you're dining for a good cause. Even if you aren't directly tied to a neighborhood school, there is always the delicious menu of favorite dishes and nightly specials to lure you to Lauro. Enjoy a cocktail at the bar, an impressive show in the open kitchen while dining at the high counter or a cozy table and revel in the seasonal offerings and some brand new items including Lamb Kefta, addictive Egyptian Flat Bread with Dukka and Honey and a vegetarian Moussaka. Even a glass of your favorite wine will count towards donations for a neighborhood school. Launched in Spring 2007, the Hungry for Knowledge program has been a resounding success. Four schools were benefitted through the Spring and four more chosen for the Fall lineup. A focus on public education and children has always been a key area where Lauro works hard to give back to the community. Elementary and middle school students at the following institutions have been celebrated and supported by the program: Abernethy, Sunnyside, Buckman, Winterhaven, Richmond, Hosford and Llewellyn. Atkinson is the final school to benefit for the 2007 fall semester. Thousands of dollars have been distributed so far during the first year of Hungry for Knowledge. Stay tuned as the roster for 2008 comes together in support of Southeast's finest. Lauro Kitchen is open for dinner seven nights a week, 5-9 Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 Friday and Saturday. Lauro is located at 3377 SE Division Street. Visit Lauro Kitchen for the current menu and for more information.

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.

Everyone seems to be writing about our territory on the rising eastside of town and about Portland in general. We are the best for bikes, dogs and of course - great restaurants. But you already knew that. So it is indeed time to put out the news, update the calendar and head out. Read on, there is information about Light Rail coming to a street near you, a musical extravaganza with students of all ages and some serious accolades to savor. And, stay tuned for a special issue featuring tips on what to give and get from sources nearby.

HOLIDAY POTLUCK & SILENT AUCTION THIS SUNDAY

The Friends of Ladd's Addition Gardens (FLAG) gathering is scheduled for Sunday, December 2nd from 4-7 pm at St. Sharbel Church 1804 SE 16th by the North Rose Garden. This annual event is for Ladd's Addition neighbors and garden volunteers. Join in with a sweet or savory dish to share, bid on items donated by neighborhood businesses and enjoy a scenic ride through the neighborhood in a horse-drawn wagon. Rides are $3 per person available on a first-come, first-served basis. Caroling is encouraged. The last wagon ride departs at 6:45 pm. FLAG, the team of intrepid volunteers who care for the Center Circle park and four diamond-shaped rose gardens in the historic Ladd's Addition needs your help to support their work and community-building events. Make a donation, buy a FLAG T-shirt, volunteer and help out. Without your support these wonderful community gatherings won't continue. Learn all about FLAG at www.laddsadditiongardens.org. This handy site includes information and easy ways for everyone to get involved.

CHANGES-UNDER DISCUSSION
Inner Southeast is undergoing major changes tied to turnover of commercial buildings, new construction, transportation projects and urban planning. Word on the street is that the non-descript block building painted yellow and located across from the vacant Wild Oats on Division has been purchased and will be undergoing major renovation.

Plans to build on the brownfield at Southeast 20th, Division and Ladd Avenue are ongoing. The most recent round of Historic Design Review occurred on Monday, November 26th.

Discussion and planning continues for bringing Light Rail to the Eastside including placement of a station at SE 12th and Gideon.

To keep up with all of the major changes, you are encouraged to visit the site of the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood Development Association. Notes from meetings and presentations are often available there as are links to other important neighborhood groups including Buckman and Richmond and Business Associations. See HAND. Thanks to neighbor Amy Lewin who keeps the HAND site current and useful.

CADENZA ACADEMY - STUDENTS PERFORM
Cadenza Academy, the music school located at SE 21st and Clinton invites you to hear their roster of current students perform on Saturday, December 8th at the Clinton Street Theater. This recital will run from one to four in the afternoon. Take some time to hear students of all ages perform as solo artists or special ensembles including rock, jazz and voice. To learn more about music lessons at Cadenza Academy call 503-963-9600 or stop by at 2727 SE 21st Avenue.

OUR GOLDEN AGE OF DINING
Congratulations are in order to many restaurants in our community that have won well deserved praise. A splashy article praising Portland in a recent New York Times featured Pok Pok on Division and Vindalho on Clinton. Vindalho was also selected as one of America's Best 100 Restaurants by Gourmet magazine. Castagna on Hawthorne Boulevard was named byPortland Monthly as one of the City's best. Lauro Kitchen was featured in Willamette Week's Restaurant Guide with a three-page spread on the great food that is produce via their open kitchen where the line combines theater and cuisine. Congratulations all around.

SHOP Our Children's Store
Visit Lloyd Center this season and take the opportunity to shop for a good cause and purchase holiday gifts at Our Children's Store located on the second level near Sears. Dozens of specialty products are available and 100% of the proceeds from this shop run by volunteers benefit 45 local non-profit children's agencies. Head over and find ideal gifts for everyone on your list and know that your purchases will pay dividends into the future.

LET IT RAIN!
Mount Tabor Middle School's Rain Garden received top recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects in November. The school received this national award for innovative stormwater management design. The Rain Garden collects and filters stormwater runoff and stops sewer backups into basements of surrounding homes. This project joins many other stormwater projects throughout inner Southeast, earning us the impressive tag "Bio-Swale Nation."

BABY LOVES DISCO AND THE EASTSIDE

Starting in 2008 the much-loved disco dance party for little kids and their groovin' parents picks up and moves across town from the Crystal Ballroom to the Wonder Ballroom in inner NE Portland. These super fun afternoon dance parties feature live DJs and memorable grooves from the good old days including Blondie, KC and the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, Abba and perhaps a tune or two from the BeeGees. Baby Loves Disco started in Philadelphia and has taken the US by storm, winning praise and press in all major outlets. Events have also taken place in Asia and Europe as the dance fever catches on. Portland has been one of the most successful cities for the diaper shakin' crowd. Shows in PDX during 2007 were sold out weeks in advance. Visit www.babylovesdisco.com, click on Portland and get the details about upcoming shows in the new year.

TOAST - NOW OPEN FOR DINNER TOO

The great new cafe that has been charming Southeast for brunch is also open for dinner, featuring tasty seasonal ingredients and a deft hand at the grill, saute and oven. Toast opened at SE 52nd and Steele in August and has been going gangbusters with the brunch crowd ever since. Toast serves brunch all day from 8 am - 2 pm, Wednesday-Sunday, offering delicious breakfast and lunch options made with the best local ingredients and served in a friendly and cozy environment. Tasty baked goods - breads, scones, biscuits and more are all made inhouse by their talented crew. Coffee is from Courier Coffee, hand-roasted and delivered by bike to serve Toast's customers. Dinner features a short list of starters and excellent entrees including housemade pastas and a delicious steak with warming sides, among other options. A full bar serves wine, beer and specialty cocktails. Enjoy Toast for dinner Wednesday-Saturday, 5:30-9:30 pm.

THE CALENDAR
Cross the river on Friday, November 30th at 7:30 pm to experience the Metropolitan Youth Symphony perform at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range from $6-$32. Support the many parents and children in our community who work so hard in the MYS.

With a neighborhood crew led by the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood Association, Friends of Trees will be in the community on Saturday, December 1st seeding the future. Your help is needed to accomplish this important work. Can't make it? Consider a donation to HAND designated for tree planting in the neighborhood. Want to pitch in or donate - contact Jack Spaddaro, 503-238-0912.

Christmas Ships sail into town for the holiday season beginning December 1st. Get a great view atop the Hawthorne Bridge and enjoy the parade that has been a much-loved tradition for fifty years. Check out info about the schedules at their site www.christmasships.org.

Celebrate and support Atkinson Elementary School on Wednesday, December 5th as they are the recipient of Lauro Kitchen's Hungry for Knowledge evening fundraisers for southeast public schools. Join neighbors, parents and students at the restaurant and 20% of the evening's take is donated to the school. See the feature column to the right for more information.

Get on the Holiday Express at Oaks Park when Santa, elves and reindeer swoop in for a visit. Enjoy a family outing of a round trip steam train ride on the Oregon Pacific Railroad from Oaks Park to the Springwater Corridor gateway near OMSI. Rides are available at various times December 7-9, and December 14-16 departing from the park on SE Spokane Street at the foot of the Sellwood Bridge. Tickets cost between $8-$14. Visit Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation for details.