Of particular note for Woodlawn is the proposal (originated by a group of neighbors who passionately wish to improve the “pocket park” at NE Holman and 13th) to use the Greenway project to slow and/or divert traffic, put in a bioswale, extend and improve the park and create a space for community and recreation.  This idea has been advocated for quite some time by the informal “Woodlawn Corner” group, and is an example of how a small group of committed citizens can bring an idea to the attention of city planners and have it incorporated into a project.  Most attendees at the meeting showed enthusiastic support for the proposal (a raise of hands was called for by the city presenters to make sure this was supported by the neighborhood) but it will still be on the table for discussion at the next meeting, so it is critical that neighbors show up and participate in the process.  Join the Woodlawn Corner google group or email Alan at strongworkarch//@//gmail.com to join, and/or come to the next potluck Wednesday April 28th at 6pm in the park.

SHOW UP!  For the next Greenways meeting on Tues May 4, 6-8pm Concordia Library Room 314.

New business alert: you’ve probably seen the progress that has been made at the soon-to-open Breakside Brewery.  Word is they will open their doors May 1.  Read more about the beer and the food.

Classic Foods recently had a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new facility in Woodlawn.  Look forward to the smells of pasta being made in our neighborhood, and keep an eye out for them at local farmer’s markets!

Auntie Kelly’s Hawaiian Plate Lunch food cart will debut at the Woodlawn Sunday Parkways (coming up May 16!) and has invited Woodlawn neighbors to a tasting party, May 2 from 2-4 at 1724 NE Dekum Street. Enjoy teriyaki chicken, world famous “Maui style” kal bi ribs, mac salad, peanut ginger noodles, sticky rice, and organic greens.

There’s not a grocery store in Woodlawn (yet!) but if you are looking for a way to get your weekly fresh vegetables from a local farm, the Dancing Roots Farm CSA (community supported agriculture) is still taking members for this year.  They will have a pick-up site in Piedmont on Thursday evenings, very close to Woodlawn.  Contact Shari at 503.695.3445 or shari//@//dancingrootsfarm.com for more information.

Want more play by play of local businesses and Woodlawn happening?  If you are on facebook, many of our local businesses have a “fan page” and Sarah Bott at the Dekum Street Guest House is running a lively page called “It’s happening on Dekum Street” with up-to-the-minute news and happenings in the Woodlawn area.

Come join us this Monday, March 29, 7:30-9:30.
Village Ballroom, 700 NE Dekum

Square Dance to the hot tunes of the Greasy Chain String Band.
All Ages and Beginners Welcome!

Suggested Donation $5+
Pay-what-you-can; 100% of the door benefits Green Empowerment.

http://www.greenempowerment.org/

WHAT UP?
A bunch of friends (some of whom are gear reps) are getting together to sell off gear at great prices.  We dug through our basements and garages and found bins upon bins of stuff that has to go.

* Bikes * Bike parts * Wheels * Product samples * Accessories * Bags and panniers * New and used * Snowshoes * Snowboards * Climbing shoes * Boots * Life jackets + more

More info >>

Go to friendsoftrees.org to register. It only takes a couple of minutes.

More information from Gregg Lavender…

We will have more information at the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association on Wednesday December 16th at the church on the corner of Dekum and NE 15th.

For 35 bucks (no one turned away by lack of funds), you can get a tree (Some of which would be 300+ dollars if you bought it from an arborist and had it installed.) The cost also includes a planting permit from the city, an inspection (to make sure there are no gas or water lines under there) METRO digs the holes, we plant the trees together in with our neighbors, and we even have a breakfast and lunch party! Other neighborhoods get a great deal for 75 dollars (which is a huge discount.) We pay only 35 bucks in Woodlawn. No one will be turned away by lack of funds- we have one neighbor willing to pay for a portion/ or all of a tree for neighbors who can’t afford the 35 bucks. (Contact woodlawntrees// @// gmail.com)

Trees absorb carbon. They cool in the summer, and protect from wind in the winter. They provide oxygen to us all. They provide food and shelter for birds. They slow traffic. They increase your (and your neighbors’) property value. They are beautiful. They fight global warming.

The rich and fancy neighborhoods shouldn’t be the only ones with beautiful trees. Our wonderful Woodlawn neighborhood should also get lots of beautiful trees too.

Last February in one day, we planted 59 new trees in Woodlawn. In 2008 we planted 89 trees in Woodlawn in one day. Right now, we are only have 41 scheduled to be planted. Help us triple that #!

If you want to help plant in February, and to come to our party, contact Friends of Trees.

If you want to help pass out door hangers telling neighbors about their last chance to order for this years planting, come to the Neighborhood Association meeting, or contact Gregg at woodlawntrees// @// gmail.com

Read more in the Oregonian…

FREE Body Composition Analysis; Saturday, December 5th  from 12PM – 4PM

An incredibly informative session that will determine lean muscle mass. Great baseline information to start your new year goals off right. No appointment necessary. Should take around 20 minutes.

FREE Teacher Training Yoga Class;  Saturdays, December 5th, 12th, and 19th from 5PM – 6:30PM

This is an ALL-LEVELS class that is taught by the current Prananda Yoga Teacher Trainees. It is supervised by Joy Wolfe (director). Tell your friends. This is part of the training so you are helping the trainees too! First come, first serve basis.

FREE Yoga Classes for Seniors; Mondays at 1 PM (ongoing)
On a personal note, I’ve been going to yoga classes at Believe Movement Studio for the past few weeks and I highly recommend them!  The space is lovely and welcoming and you get personal attention and instruction from the teachers.  Make sure you check out their calendar, rates and events at www.believemovementstudio.com.

You are invited to a community meeting regarding the current management and operation of the building space at 700 NE Dekum, which encompasses: Rumpspankers and the (just opened) Cannabis Café, The Second Time Around Boutique, and the (upstairs) Village Ballroom.

This is an OPEN FORUM for community leaders/members, those that have done business with the establishment, and the local press, to come and discuss the business practices of the venue management and the potential harm it can do to the community.

When: Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 1:00p-3:00p.

Where: In Other Words Bookstore, 8 NE Killingsworth St. (just West of MLK).

In Other Words is a non-profit books store and is donating their space for this meeting, so we are asking for a small donation ($1-$5). This is a child friendly event, so feel free to bring your entire family. If you cannot attend but have questions, comments, or concerns about this matter, please contact me at SavoryPink //at// Gmail.com.

Sincerely, Sophia St. James

[P.S. I grew up in Woodlawn and still own a house in the neighborhood. I am a mother, a nurse, and an event promoter, and I have had recent less-than-pleasant dealings with the current managers of this building.]

=========================================================

Additionally you are encouraged to post your comments on this article and to attend the neighborhood association meetings, where such conversations take place.  Meetings are monthly on the third Wednesday at 7:15 pm, in the Woodlawn Community Resource Center on the 2nd floor of the Woodlawn Methodist Church, 15th and Dekum.

This month’s board meeting will feature a discussion of future plans for the use of the space currently occupied by Rumpspankers.  Space is limited but the meeting is open to the public. The board will be discussing taking an official stance on the use of that space. Future information will be presented at the general meeting.

Board meetings cover board planning, the budget, future planning and large projects. They are open to all neighborhood residents and people who work in the neighborhood.  General meetings take place on the third Wednesdays, same location, at 7:00pm.

Huge thanks goes to our neighborhood board, elected neighbors who give of their time to offer guidance and direction to our neighborhood.  Elections happen annually, so if you have an interest in joining the board, talk to the current board members.

When: Friday, November 6, 2009 7:30 pm
Where: Village Ballroom 700 NE Dekum St Portland, OR
Admission: Open to the public at a sliding scale of $10 to $25
Contact info: Mike Meyer, mmeyer //at// efn.org 503-680-6576
Website: http://www.pnhp.org/

Come join your community for a free-form dance, food, conversation, live music, and many more healthy activities to benefit community health care solutions. This celebrational evening will feature Portland’s famed ecstatic dance in a beautifully decorated hardwood space and will intertwine live music into your dance.

The electrifying sounds of DJ Raku will get you flying out of your mind and into the etheric realms of rump-shaking
global-funk-freakout! The evening’s program will take dancers on a journey through a musical landscape that stimulates the heart and spirit into greater vibratory awakening. Come melt your mind and become the dance!

Enjoy the street yoga presentation, groove to live musicians Max Ribner, David Lipkind, and many surprise guests. And speaking of surprises – we screen a visually stunning healing movie downstairs while adding visual delights upstairs in the ballroom with artistic flair. A vegan menu will be available for those who come hungry.

Physicians for a National Health Program is a non-profit research and education organization of 17,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals who support single-payer national health insurance. See their website for more information.