|
Zoo Visits
Neighborhood |
|
On Sunday, December 9th, a van full of animals from the Oregon Zoo will again come to our neighborhood, thanks to the large turnout last time! Parents and children of all ages are invited to pet and see ducks, rabbits, snakes, walking sticks, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches! Handlers will be there to answer questions, and there will be animal related crafts for the kids. This is a free special education program of the Oregon Zoo called ZAP (zoo animal presenters). The ZAP team is a group of teens who present, educate, and reach out to the community by delivering a message of respect for nature and wildlife. Where & what time: Bethany Lutheran Church, NE 37th and Skidmore, noon to 2 p.m.
This tiny shop at 4225 NE Fremont seems to attract the young at heart. First there was Angel Face which evolved into a wholesale operation. Then there was Zipadees which now is located in a much larger store on NE Broadway. Now David Almgren brings us Kidz on Earth. David, who was a children’s pastor for eight years, started Kidz on Earth as an online store (see www.kidzonearth.com).The success of this website and his desire to work with kids led him to open the shop on Fremont. He wants to sell kids products that are educational as well as entertaining. But not just any kid products. The products sold at Kidz on Earth are designed to make a positive impression on kids. As he explained, “kids are like wet cement—you need to imprint them at an early age.” The primary branded products sold at the store are from
VeggieTales. Big Ideas Production, creator of VeggieTales, is now one
of the leading brands of children’s videos. The video series teaches
kids about honesty, kindness, forgiveness and other values. I had to admit
I knew nothing about Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. But according
to Newsweek, these are “the veggies kids actually like.” I’m
intrigued and may actually take David up on his offer to loan me a video.
You can also see new releases of Big Ideas videos at Hollywood Theater.
Check out the schedule for the shows at Kidz on Earth. In addition to the VeggieTales products, David also stocks children’s items from 3-2-1 Penguins, Bibleman, Rev Kids, Wiggles and much more. He also carries some products from previous tenants—Angel Face and Zipadees. Check it all out at: Kidz On Earth, 4225 NE Fremont Street. www.kidzonearth.com
Recent events, however tragic, have provided us an unparalleled (at least in my lifetime) opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding. Like most quality education, the tuition is enormous. This time, however, it has been mostly prepaid. We have paid dearly with life, with property and with the loss of some of the freedom that those responsible for the disaster so despise about our culture. Now, all that is required of us is to show up for class, pay attention, and learn. I can think of no greater shame than to waste the costs of this tragedy by ignoring the curriculum we have set before us. Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying, to the effect, that we can acquire experience in two ways; we can buy it or we can borrow it. He was, of course, referring to gaining knowledge through the experience of others versus learning it through our own direct experience. We can take this experience, gained directly and borrowed through the eyes of our brethren, and use it as an opportunity to reevaluate our priorities and to focus our most precious limited resource of time on the aspects of our lives that we will undoubtedly regard as the most important when we have the vision of ultimate hindsight. Whether it is more attention paid to a child, or time spent with neighbors, family and friends, we can rearrange our day to make time for them if that truly is important to us. We can also understand better just how valuable and expensive freedom is to our society. My ability to freely write this message and your ability to read it, critique it, and form your own opinion are freedoms that I have nearly always taken for granted. Finally, however, we have the opportunity to find compassion for those who would try to alleviate their own fears by attacking our freedom. This may be the most difficult and important lesson to learn. The next general meeting, to be held December 10th, will
be a celebration of the holiday season. I encourage everyone to attend
and if you desire, to bring an unwrapped toy for charity or baked goods
to share with the group. We offer rides to those who need them, just call
or email a board member.
About a month ago, I received an email from Doris Heaton mentioning that she and her husband Clair are long time residents of BW and former business owners of a shop along Fremont. I met with them at their home near Wilshire Park and they shared with me memories of the neighborhood, which has been their home for many years. Clair purchased the house where they now live in 1959. When he was growing up, his family rented the house at 46th and Fremont that is now Suzanne’s, a restaurant. At that time his father was owner and partner in a photo business called Heaton and Gifford. Clair attended Beaumont School in the 1930’s and remembers the little girl who lived in the house that is now called the ‘red roofed house’ who had a Shetland pony and was the envy of the kids in his class! Years later when his son Tom attended Beaumont School, he had the same teacher Clair had many years before, Miss Blood. (All those who remember Miss Blood should definitely register for the Beaumont School 75th reunion, see article below). Over the years, four of Doris and Clair’s children attended Beaumont School and still keep in touch with former classmates and friends. In 1978, Doris and Clair opened the Creative Cakes Shop at the site, which is now Bravo Café on Fremont and 41st. At that time, the building owner told them that the space had been the longest running bakery spot in Portland! Doris had a knack for making and decorating cakes for friends and family and decided to turn her passion into a business. She created cakes for all occasions. She remembers doing one for Vic Atiyeh when he became governor, and another for someone who was going to run in the New York Marathon and his friends ordered a cake shaped like Nike running shoes. Two years later they added a bridal shop to the business.
Her daughter Kathy assisted with the bridal business, and Marge, her other
daughter, with the bakery. Not only did they make specialized cakes, they
also were known for one-of-a-kind wedding dresses. They later phased out
the bakery and Doris just retired from the bridal shop business, which
was moved to 122nd and Stark in the early 80’s. Volunteers Needed for Beaumont by Peggy Concillo As we hope you have heard by now, one of the ways Beaumont Middle School is celebrating its 75th year is by inviting alumni back to the school for an evening of socializing and reminiscing. On Friday, May 3, 2002, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., you can return to the days you attended or worked at Beaumont, as a grade school or middle school. Classrooms will be decked out with photos and memorabilia from each decade – perhaps you’re in one of those pictures! Bring your friends and look for ones you may not have seen in a while. If you haven’t already added yourself to our list, please call 503-916-3609 or e-mail: beaumont75@pps.k12.or.us and leave your name, address and phone/e-mail address so that we can send you further details. Our committee is in need of some volunteers from the neighborhood and alumni community who can help organize this celebration. We are also looking for photos and memorabilia to borrow for the event. If you are able and willing, please call Lynne Smith, Beaumont Principal at 503-916-3595 or e-mail her at lynnesmith@pps.k12.or.us.
If you don’t have any cookie monsters living in your home, the closure of Favorites on Fremont may have escaped your notice. You also probably didn’t worry that we could end up as neighborhood without a bakery. But if you are one of us who needs a daily sugar fix, then you will be comforted to know that a new bakery has opened in the same location. Co-owners Meghan Radick and Steve Glanz opened Alameda Baking Company this fall and have brought back many of the old favorites as well as some of their own creations. Both of our new neighborhood bakers grew up in this part of town. Meghan went to Beaumont Middle School and Steve went to Grant High School. Meghan remembers coming to Favorites as a little kid to get strawberry scones. Those scones clearly made a lasting impression. In 1994, she came to work at Favorites and stayed for two years. She spent the next five years decorating cakes at Three Lions Bakery. Steve also worked at Favorites on and off since he was fifteen. Together they bring many years of experience to their new endeavor. In addition to cookies, doughnuts and other pastries, Meghan and Steve are baking and decorating specialty cakes. Their special cakes include Lemon Drop, Chocolate Lover’s, Coconut Dream, Banana Crème, and Black Forest. If those luscious options don’t tempt you, they will help you create your own design with a selection of cake flavors, fillings and icings. You can order your cake with the basic decoration or a more elaborate design for a special occasion. In November, Meghan and Steve also started offering lunch options—something that had been missing from the bakery for several years. Soups and chili are served with homemade rolls or bread. There are also savory strudels that would make a fine lunch on a cold day. The Alameda Baking Company opens at 6:30 am on weekdays,
7:00 am on Saturday and 8:00 on Sunday. Stop by for a morning treat or
pick up some goodies for your coworkers.
Lively Tykes “Do Your Ears Hang Low? Do They Wobble To and Fro?” This is a reminder that at Bethany Lutheran Church, 37th and Skidmore between 10:00 and 11:00 on 1st and 3rd Saturdays from now until June 2002, you will hear those words set to music and coming from some very lively tykes! Lively Tykes is geared for 3-7 year olds, their parents and friends who enjoy getting together to sing, jump, clap and dance to all kinds of music. It focuses on individual participation, rhythm, memory, creative movement as well as an introduction to elementary musical concepts. Song types range from silly songs, marching songs, harmonized songs, rounds, seasonal songs to new songs taught by participants. The leader of this crew since 1999 is Karen Kuhn. There is no fee and everyone is encouraged to participate no matter what his or her age or ability. The group has a great time and is always looking for new faces. Wednesday Night Family Activity Please drop-in any Wednesday evening between 7:00 and 8:30 pm for snacks and games and to visit and have fun with neighbors of all ages. Where: Bethany Lutheran Church, 4330 NE 37th (37th and Skidmore) • Lively Tykes— 10–11 a.m., 1st and 3rd Saturdays. Questions? Call Karen Kuhn 503-288-6957, Katie Schnepp 503-231-6416
or Bill Markwart 503-282-4610. Help Plant Trees by Heidi Blischke Thank you for your response. We have almost 100 people signed up to receive trees March 16th!! For those of you who have signed up, the City Forester will be coming by your house in the next month or so. Then, we will send a list of trees from which you can choose. Then in January, we are scheduling a slide show of the various trees. A forester will be present to answer any questions. Whether you are receiving a tree or not, there are lots of ways you can help. We need the following people:
Please call or e-mail Heidi Blischke at 503-280-0133 or hblischk@ch2m.com to sign up. We look forward to a successful tree planting with your help! These trees will make our neighborhood a more beautiful place for everyone. WomenStrength Recruits Teachers The WomenStength Program, sponsored by the Portland Police Bureau, is recruiting women interested in volunteering their time to teach introductory women’s self-defense classes. No experience is necessary. WomenStrength provides the necessary training. The next annual training will be held in March and April 2002. Please call 503-823-0296 by December 11 to request information and an application. Since 1979 the WomenStrength Program has offered free self-defense classes throughout Portland to women and teen girls. Portland’s Transportation System Plan Open House The Transportation System Plan (TSP) is nearing completion.
Please plan on attending one of three open house events to learn more
about the proposed plan that will guide development of our transportation
system over the next twenty years. Christmas at Bethany Bethany Lutheran Church will offer services on Sunday December 23rd (Traditional 9:30am, Contemporary 11:00am, and Danish language 7:30pm); on Christmas Eve December 24th (Family 7:00 pm, and Candlelight 10:30pm); and on Christmas Day December 25th. (10:30am). Visitors are welcome! Bethany is located at NE 37th and Skidmore. For more information, call the church office at 503-284-3836. |
|||||||||||||
|
