This open house was a follow-up to an initial PBOT presentation about the project last month. Like they did at that first meeting, nearby residents expressed full support for the project. Cheers erupted from the standing-room only crowd when PBOT announced plans for two specific pieces of the project; the crossing of busy Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. and plans for a “pocket park” at Holman and NE 13th.

Read the whole story on BikePortland.org

The support of the entire community is needed to make Sunday Parkways possible. Over 300 volunteers assist with project such as park set up and roving bike mechanics at each event. The greatest need is for Intersection Superheros: the essential volunteers who staff every intersection along the course for safety reasons.

There are two cool ways to get involved. If you’re thinking of just yourself or you plus friends, you may volunteer by yourself or with friends and family to throw an intersection party, decorate it, make it your own, have fun.

The other option is to bring your group (organization, cause, riding club, etc) together to host an intersection and promote your organization. You get to “own” the intersection, decorate it, promote your cause, and have fun. With 25,000 people coming right past your station, this is a great opportunity to get the word out.

Check out the schedule and plan for a summer full of fun, traffic-free Sunday Parkways events!

PortlandSundayParkways.org

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/

Believe Movement Studio invites you to join them, along with neighbors Buffalo Gardens, The Purple Garden and Good Neighbor Pizza to a celebration of the Vernal Equinox. You can take advantage of a spring sale on class cards, session packages and retail items. These businesses also have contests for April. There will be food, live music, and festivities for the entire family. Rae Minten will offer a free session of sun salutations to honor the return of the sun at 1:30PM and 3:30PM.

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 >>

The Woodlawn United Methodist Church is starting up a community garden.  All neighbors are invited to take part in the set up.  It will be a great opportunity to meet other neighbors and build community.
1pm – 2:30pm
On the SE corner of the church (15th and Dekum).

Also, Woodlawn neighbors Gregg and Nikki got a grant from the city to build an ecoroof! Gregg says the next deadline for the next round of grants is in about a month… it was really easy. He suggests people who are interested check out

Free Portland ECOROOF event THIS weekend March 12-13th
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. both days
Leftbank Annex | 101 N Weidler Street  Portland, Oregon  97227

City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Presents Ecoroof Portland 2010

Building owners and home owners wondering how to go about building an ecoroof can learn about it at Ecoroof Portland 2010 THIS Friday, March 12 and Saturday March 13, 2010. Ecoroofs are vegetated roof systems that absorb rain to reduce stormwater runoff and last longer than conventional roofing.

Ecoroof Portland is a free event open to the public. Architects, consultants, contractors, landscape architects, manufacturers, nurseries, structural engineers and suppliers who specialize in ecoroofs will be on hand. A full speaker program both days will showcase local ecoroof case studies and success stories.

EVENT DETAILS:
Ecoroof Portland 2010
Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. both days
Leftbank Annex | 101 N Weidler Street  Portland, Oregon  97227

http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/ecoroofpdx