Commentary:
Sponsors pay off
Alliance "Light Up" loan
Thanks to the enthusiastic response to the Hillsdale News sponsorship program, the $158 balance on the loan from the Hillsdale Alliance to pay to light the new Watershed's "Hillsdale Sign" has been paid off.
The bulk of the sponsorship money pays the cost of maintaining the Hillsdale News web site.
Like the sponsorships, The "Light Up Hillsdale" campaign itself was an example of community generosity. Altogether the community contributed $21,000 to the fund, which paid for lighting the marque vertical sign and the cylindrical dome above it, as well as buying the corner drinking fountain.
The Alliance is a coalition of major Hillsdale institutions and organizations including the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association, the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association, the Hillsdale Farmers Market, SW Trails, the Hillsdale branch library, the three public school communities, and Neighborhood House. (Links to member sites are below.)
An emergency tip
The landslide between Burlingame Place and Terwilliger Boulevard has a lot of us thinking about what we would do in case of disaster. The earthquake that geologists have predicted comes to mind.
Imagine the number of landslides it would set off.
So here's some handy advice from my neighbors Larry and Sally McLaughlin.
Larry and Sally, who are active the Hillsdale Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET), are spreading the word about something called ICE, which stands for "In Case of Emergency."
At accident scenes, paramedics check victims' cell phone to check for contact phone numbers.
But which should they call? That's where ICE comes in. Store the important contacts, such as family, friends and doctors, as "ICE1," "ICE2" and "ICE3."
Emergency service personnel and hospital staff can then quickly contact the right people in your phone's directory by dialing those stored as "ICE."
Here's another idea from the NET project:
Put emergency information about the occupants (including pets), physical/medical needs, local friends, family and other contacts on bright colored paper and place the list in a zip lock bag. Put the bag on the refrigerator door or in the freezer for use by search/rescue personnel in an emergency. Be sure to include an out-of-state contact person in case local communications breaks down.
Rick Seifert
Editor
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Click HERE for past newsletters
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Links to Alliance Members
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Draft plan focuses
on Sunset Triangle
 Plotting a strategy for Hillsdale's future, city-hired planning consultants are focusing their attention on the Sunset Triangle north of Capitol Highway. (See rendering to left)
At the second of three public meetings, on Oct. 22, SERA planners invited public comment on a draft proposal that calls for a two new "green" streets in the triangle and for the extension of Dewitt Park to Sunset Boulevard.
Under the draft, the streets would be pedestrian-friendly and narrow to discourage through traffic. Sections might feature permeable pavers and bollards to separate pedestrians from cars.
Because school district planners likely are years away from deciding where to build a new, replacement school on the Rieke Elementary grounds, the planners shifted their attention to the triangle.
For discussion purposes, however, the draft proposal places the new school in the northeast corner of the current Rieke school grounds. (The school is indicated in light blue on the rendering.) The siting would put the new building much closer to the commercial area than the current building is.
SERA urban designer Paul Pawlowski told an audience of about 40 at Wilson High School that the draft plan envisions bringing more activity to the library/Dewitt park area and strengthening its connections to the rest of the town center.
The draft also calls for a pedestrian-friendly, narrow street through the parking lot between the Key Bank and Casa Colima restaurant. Under the draft plan, the street would extend north to meet a new westward extension of Dewitt Street.
Small plazas are proposed for some of the new intersections.
Pawlowski and the group also discussed alternative ways to slow traffic on Capitol Highway. One proposal calls for on-street parking in non-commute hours. Another envisions a raised and widened bikeway. Yet another considered a planted median in sections of the center lane not used for left-hand turns.
Some in the audience expressed concern that a widened bikeway might mean the removal of street trees.
Others commented that the placement of the new Rieke building would add congestion to the busy entrance to Wilson.
Some suggested that the first phase of the plan should focus on the area between Casa Colima and the Key Bank, rather than on the intersection of Dewitt and Sunset.
The Sunset Triangle, which currently has deep, developable lots behind street-facing houses on 18th and Sunset, is zoned to accommodate denser "town house" development. Restrictive covenants on the subdivision might block development if a majority of subdivision property owners oppose it.
The draft plan envisions mixed use and buildings as tall as three or four stories that would include some retail and office space. The change to commercial use would require zoning changes in affected residential parts of the triangle.
A major goal of the plan would be to create smaller, more affordable housing near commercial amenities, schools, the library and mass transit, Pawlowski said. That is in line with Metro goals to increase housing density in transit-oriented town centers like Hillsdale.
The final public meeting on the plan will be Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at Wilson High School's cafeteria.
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Hundreds reach out
to slide-displaced
families
 Families left homeless by the Oct. 8 landslide between Burlingame Placeand Terwilliger Boulevard have been helped by an outpouring ofassistance from the Hillsdale community and from as far away asCalifornia.
A web site established to help the five families most in need has beenvisited by hundreds offering to help. Two other displaced families have asked that those wanting to help direct their assistanceto the five.
Lisa O'Toole lives in the Burlingame section of Hillsdale and is partof a three-person team coordinating the effort. She says that each day food isdropped off at three sites to be delivered to the families, who arestaying with others.
O'Toole and two neighbors, Michelle Becker and Katie Sengstake, are coordinating the effort.
"A hundred people have signed up to provide meals," said O'Toole. "Three hundred have visited the web site to offer to help."
Through Michelle Becker's husband, John, who is on the University ofPortland Board of Regents, the university's alumni service office issupplying food through the university's catering service.
Carmen Gaston of the alumni office is one of four from theuniversity who deliver food. She says that the catering manager,Kirk Mustain, includes cookies and cakes because he believes thefamilies are particularly in need of the "creature comfort" foodprovides.
Gaston checks the "Lots of Helping Hands" web site to see which families needhelp on particular days. Driving from the north Portland campus, theuniversity volunteers now deliver Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays duringtheir lunch breaks.
Bank accounts for donations to the five families have also been set up at the Hillsdale Branch of the Bank of America.
O'Toole said that Hillsdale has stepped up as a community to help as ifit were a traditional small town. "More people have helped than you cancount. This has shown me how wonderful Hillsdale is," said O'Toole, whomoved here with her family from northeast Portland two and a half yearsago.
The three women keep a list of offers to help. A therapist has offeredfree trauma counseling. A company offered equipment to remove debrisfrom the site. One inspector gave his services free. Law firms haveoffered to step up.
"It just goes on and on," O'Toole said of the assistance.
The help comes as the lives of the families have been thrown into confusion by the slide damage.
Sengstake, who lives just four houses from the slide, says dealing withinspectors, the City of Portland officials and insurances companies is "overwhelming."
"You can't believe how complicated it is, " she said. The condition ofone property is connected to that of neighboring properties and to whatinsurance companies are willing, or not willing, to pay for.
Some families are living from week to week, looking for places to stay,Sengstake said. Those whose homes have been yellow tagged, meaning thatthey can be visited but not lived in, hope to eventually be allowedback into their homes.
Slope covered; roads closed indefinitely
Meanwhile the City of Portland's Bureau of Development Services, afterdeclaring an emergency, hired a contractor to cover the slope exposedby the slide. The cover keeps rain off the unstable surface anddiverts water from the site.
The temporary measures have bought some time for property owners todeal with the complex demolition, debris removal and recovery issuesinvolved, said Ross Caron, a division manager at the Bureau ofDevelopment Services.
He said that Terwilliger Boulevard and Burlingame Place will remain closed untildebris is removed and the area stabilized. He could not estimate whenthe roads would reopen.
Safety will be an issue in planning the debris removal because some of the debris may be holding back unstable sediment, he said.
The cost of removing the wreckage of the house that slid as well as thedemolition and removal of two other houses hit by it must be born bythe property owners or, if possible, by their insurance, Caron said.
He added that the city may waive or reduce fees associated with the debris removal.
For updates on developments regarding the slide, visit the bureau's web site. |
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Rieke field to be retested;
Officials answer questions
 Health officials from five city, state and county agencies are planning how to retest the Rieke soccer field after one test result taken this summer showed potentially dangerous levels of lead in the synthetic surface.
The school district has closed the field to Rieke students until further tests are done and the officials can reassess the situation.
Five officials met with Rieke parents at an Oct. 14 PTA meeting to discuss the issue and to answer questions.
The parents heard some reassuring words from Dr. Gary Oxman, the health officer for the Tri-county area. "If I had a kid here, I wouldn't be super-concerned," he said, but he added that each parent needs to make a judgment about the level of risk that is acceptable to them.
Lead can affect children six or under, but the school district decided to close the field to all Rieke students to make managing access easier.
After age 6, children build a resistance to lead and are less exposed to it because they no longer crawl around and put their hands in their mouths, Oxman said.
Federal agencies differ on acceptable levels of lead in synthetic surfaces.
Of the tests conducted at Rieke only one sample showed a dangerously high lead reading. Oxman said the possibility of an aberrant reading was one reason to retest the field in the next two or three weeks.
The officials said that newer nylon fields are considered safe. The Rieke Field, which is 11 years old, is made of a polyester fiber that contains lead.
Oxman said that new tests will give a better indication of the level of risk. "We aren't going to be able to say there's no risk. We know there's risk there."
In the meanwhile, concerned parents can have their children tested for lead, but Oxman added, "At this point there's no compelling reason to do it."
The agencies involved in developing protocols for the new testing are the Multnomah County Health Department, Portland Public Schools, Portland Parks and Recreation, the State of Oregon Public Health Division and the Bureau of Environmental Services.
Addressing another issue raised at the PTA meeting, Mark Fulop, program supervisor for Multnomah County's Environmental Services, said the City's Bureau of Environmental Services is exploring how to test for the possibility that lead from the field has seeped into the ground water.
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Support sought
for Red Electric Trail
Pedestrian advocates in Hillsdale are urging public support for a proposed "Red Electric Trail" that would be part of the 20-mile-long Fanno Creek Greenway running between the Willamette and Tualatin rivers.
The $2 million, four-mile-long Red Electric segment in Hillsdale is on a list of more than two dozen local projects competing for federal gasoline tax money. If awarded to the project, the funds would not be available until 2012 or 2013.
The formal comment period ends Dec. 1, but Don Baack, chair of SW Trials and president of the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association, is urging local backers of the trail to testify Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Metro building, 600 NE Grand. The comment period lasts from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., but Baack suggests arriving before 5 p.m. to sign up to speak early.
Baack says the Red Electric trail would provide a much safer east-west route for pedestrians and bike riders than what is available on busy Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. The trail would also provide a safe route between Bertha Boulevard and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, would widen the sidewalk along Bertha and would bridge a Fanno Creek gully that is now largely hidden from view and obstructs passage.
"It would be a key pedestrian connection for all of Southwest Portland," Baack said.
The trail is named for the inter-urban train that ran through Hillsdale in the first part of the 20th Century. The trail follows the train's old rail bed as it proceeds west from Hillsdale toward the Alpenrose Dairy.
Baack is also urging the public to testify on behalf of bicycle improvements to the Vermont and Newbury structures on Barbur Boulevard. The structures are scheduled for repaving.
Those who are interested in carpooling to the hearing can call Baack at (503) 246-2088.
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Liquor store hit
by "Garbage Can" thief
Early on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 18, the Hillsdale Liquor Store was broken into and a thief used two large garbage cans to make off with liquor and cigarettes.
Owner Greta Karimi estimated the value at of the stolen goods at $6000.
A security camera showed the thief swathed in scarves and wearing large gloves. Karimi estimated that he was at least 6'2" tall. "All you could see in the video was his eyes," she said.
The break-in took place at 1:37 a.m. and lasted less than 3 minutes.
Police told Karimi that a recent break-in at the Union 76 station on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway was conducted using the same techniques.
Stefanie Adams, the police crime prevention coordinator for Southwest Portland, said that there has been no upward trend in commercial thefts in the Hillsdale area although there has been an increase in residential break-ins by a jewel thief, who is suspected of being on foot.
She cautioned residents to be increasingly vigilant of suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods. If you see anything suspicious, you can contact the non-emergency number for the police at 503-823-3333. If you see a crime in progress, contact 911. If you belong to a Neighborhood Watch, you can activate your phone tree.
To learn prevention tips, visit the crime prevention web site.
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Funds needed to complete
walking loop at Robert Gray
 Neighbors are invited to take a hike around the new walking track behind Robert Gray Middle School.
The track, which is more than a quarter-mile long, was the idea of Robert Gray Principal Larry Dashiell, who was looking for a dry place in the wet season to get some exercise.
While the bark-chip covered track around the playing fields is usable, the project is still not complete, said Dashiell.
Still needed is another layer of bark chips and possibly some exercise equipment.
Also needed is more money. So far $7500 has been raised but another $2000 is needed to pay for work already done. Most of the raised money came from a "Trot for the Track" event. Another $500 was donated by the youth soccer league.
The additional layer of bark chips will cost $2300 and the exercise stations could cost as much as $4000, Dashiell said.
Donations are welcomed at the school. Checks can be made out to RGMS PTA and delivered to the school office.
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The Date Book
Oct. 30 and 31 - Senior Harvest Bazaar
The Neighborhood House Senior Center Harvest Bazaar and Bake Sale will be Thursday, Oct. 30 and Friday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center in the Multnomah Arts Center, SW 7768 Capitol Highway.
Weekends of Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 -
"The Mouse Trap"
Wilson High School's production of Agatha Christie's venerable "The Mouse Trap" runs Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7, and 8 with shows beginning at 7 p.m., and Nov. 2 and 9 with shows beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students/faculty, on sale at the door only.
All performances take place in the Cosgrove Auditorium on the campus of Wilson High School. For more information, contact Wilson High School at (503)916-5280.
Saturday, Nov. 1 - Neighborhood Fall Clean-up
The fall SWNI/SOLV neighborhood clean-up will be held the morning of Saturday, Nov. 1.
The two-hour event is a chance to clean up litter in our neighborhoods.
Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Portland Christian Center at Dosch Road and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.
Organizers provide orange safety vests, litter grabbing sticks and lots of bags. Volunteers should bring work gloves and wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves.
At the end of the work, there will be a raffle for gifts donated by local merchants. SWNI will provide fruit, muffins, juice, coffee and hot chocolate in the morning and pizza for lunch.
Neighbors can also bring in junk and yard debris and drop it off. Click here for a list of acceptable items.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - Election Day Prayer Vigil
Join your neighbors in a time of quiet prayer and meditation
for the future of our neigborhood and nation.
11 a.m to 1:00 pm and 5p.m.- 7p.m. Hillsdale Community Church - UCC, 6948 SW Capitol Hwy.
Call 503-246-5474 for more information
Thursday, Nov. 6 -
Preparing for Winter emergencies
Local emergency planners are holding an informational meeting to get you ready for winter's worst cold and wet weather.
The Hillsdale Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET), along with representatives from Portland General Electric and the American Red Cross, will tell you what to do in case of a power outage, advise you on an emergency kit for your household and tell you ways to help your neighbors in case of an area-wide emergency.
The meeting will be at the Community Room of The Watershed, 6380 SW Capitol Highway, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov, 6.
For more information, call John at (503) 244-0761 or Lynn at (503)768-9209.
The Hillsdale NET is made up of neighbors who have undergone at least 24 hours of intensive training by the Portland Fire Department. They are prepared to work with their neighbors during the first 72 hours of any citywide emergency when many neighborhoods will be on their own.
To learn more about NET, go online at www.pdxprepared.NET
Saturday, Nov.15 -
A Celebration of "Fiddler on the Roof"
An evening marked by music, fun, and frivolity featuring vignettes of important scenes from the film. Live music by a local Klezmer band and some arts and crafts projects for children, followed by a Havdallah (the official end of Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath) A buffet dinner will be served before the singing begins.
The film will be shown on the big screen in the ballroom but the event will skip to each song in the film as the film itself is close to three hours long.
Attendees are encouraged to come in costume and participate in the costume contest which will take place through the evening. Starting at 5:30 p.m. Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
The event is free though reservations are required. Dinner is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 and adults over 65. RSVP to the MJCC. Call (503)244.0111.
Thursday, Nov. 20 -
An evening with Syd Lieberman
Syd Lieberman shares his hilarious and touching takes of growing up and raising a family in Chicago. Syd is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, an author, and an award-winning teacher. Adults only. Admission: $10 Tickets may be purchased at Annie Bloom's Books, the Capitol Hill, Central, and Hillsdale branches of the library. 7 p.m. Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Saturday, Nov. 22 -
Matinee Story-telling at Library
Anne-Louis Sterry, a regional storyteller based in Candy, Oregon, will be presenting a Family Matinee.Sterry has been a well-known and well-loved storyteller for over 15 years.
11:00 a.m.
, Hillsdale Branch Library
Wednesday, Nov. 26. -
Donate Dinner drive at New Seasons
Volunteer to take a two-hour shift to raise money through Loaves and Fishes to feed local seniors. The effort, called Donate Dinner, has the goal to recruit more than 1000 volunteers to raise $200,000. Last year volunteers raised $186,000.
Volunteers greet Raleigh Hills New Seasons customers as they come into the store to shop for their Thanksgiving dinner, hand them a Donate Dinner card, and let them know that if they would like to donate to the Meals-On-Wheels program they tell the cashier when they check out. Their grocery receipt will include their tax-deductible nonprofit donation receipt. Click here to see the sign-up schedule.
For more information, contact Donna Trilli, Loaves and Fishes Center Manager, www.loavesandfishesonline.org
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Rick Seifert
Editor, Hillsdale News
(503) 245-7821
editor@hillsdalenews.org
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