Comments for The Woodlawn Neighborhood, Portland, Oregon

Comment on Camp Bike Fun! by gregg woodlawn

gregg woodlawn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:54:56 +0000

Comment on Friends of Trees Woodlawn deadline extended to January 4th! by gregg woodlawn

gregg woodlawn — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:31:25 +0000

10 trees worth hugging
By Kym Pokorny, The Oregonian
November 26, 2009, 12:09AM
ginkgo-cover.JPGView full sizeiStock InternationalDistinctively shaped ginkgo leaves turn radiantly yellow in fall. ‘Autumn Gold’ and ‘Saratoga’ varieties are on the Friends of Trees availability list.No plant works harder than a tree.

Our large, foliaged friends clean the air, absorb polluted stormwater, cool buildings in summer, block the wind in winter, provide wildlife habitat and increase the resale value of our property.

Beyond the practical, trees move us. Bigger, taller and older than other plants, they have a permanence that calms our spirits. The history in their stout roots speaks to both the past and the future, reminding us that we are part of a whole.

And they are so beautiful.

If you live here, you know that. And one of the reasons you do is Friends of Trees. In 20 years, 375,000 trees and native plants have been planted by thousands of volunteers guided by the tree-loving nonprofit. Take a moment to imagine that many trees, more than half the population of Portland.

The group is far from finished. Sign up now to help get the next 20 years growing.

Comment on Friends of Trees Woodlawn deadline extended to January 4th! by gregg woodlawn

gregg woodlawn — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:30:45 +0000

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

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by Woodlawner

Woodlawner — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:27:49 +0000

Melissa: I believe the space right next to Good Neighbor Pizza is lined up to be a coffee shop. It was supposed to be open by now. Not sure what’s going on. And the corner building – the large, renovated space, is supposed to be a brew-pub. I think GreggWoodlawn mentioned that.

I don’t think anyone is complaining for complaining sake. We all have strong feelings about what goes on in our neighborhood, and regardless of where we land, I’m glad that people CARE at all. This neighborhood has been neglected for far too long, and it deserves as much thoughtful debate as any other PDX neighborhood. I too, wish I could afford to lease a space in The Triangle. But until then, I’m going to voice my opinion. I pay enough in real estate taxes to do so.

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by Heather

Heather — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:05:28 +0000

I’m disappointed at the route the managers of this business have taken with the space. All the other businesses in the The Triangle are very community oriented, this one seems to be closing the community out as much as possible. I hope the owner(s) of the building do something to return the storefront and the ballroom to everyone.

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:16:46 +0000

Instead of complaining why is no one looking into the newly renovated space next to Good Neighbor Pizza??? It looks like a beautiful large open mixed use space that has NOTHING in it. If you all want a family oriented space in our hood go ahead and lease the space and do it. You cannot rely on one set of owners to make the neighborhood what you’d like it to look like. We all have varying opinions on what we’d like to see in each building. If I had the means I’d lease the space and open a breakfast/lunch cafe or something like that. Quit whining and be proactive.

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by woodlawner

woodlawner — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:54:22 +0000

Woodlawn Resident: I don’t have a problem with sex-positive groups. I have a problem with ADULT-ONLY businesses taking up what little space we have in our business district. As a homeowner, this does affect the value of my property. As a parent, I’m sorry, but you’re living in a dream world if you think the children of our neighborhood don’t already know about what’s going on. My 7 year old knew more than I did, and I sure as hell didn’t tell him.

Gregg Woodlawn: I figured it was common sense that I wouldn’t have to mention people drinking and driving. But since marijuana is still considered a controlled substance…

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by gregg woodlawn

gregg woodlawn — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:20:37 +0000

oops! I almost forgot second hand goods! (Where I got my halloween costume)

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by gregg woodlawn

gregg woodlawn — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:18:36 +0000

Woodlawner writes: “it concerns me that, unless every cardholder is arriving on a bus or in cab, they will be getting into their cars after getting high.”
You could say the same about folks getting into their car after drinking wine at the Firehouse, or beer at Good Neighbor Pizzeria. I think that drivers licenses should be very expensive and difficult to get, and if anyone gets caught with ANY alcohol on their breath, they lose their license for life.

As far as the ballroom, I do wish that there were more events happening at the Village Ballroom that I was interested in, and more events that were family friendly, as well.

I’ve gone to a bunch of the square dances at the Village ballroom and had a blast – there was actually a square dance there last night, open to all, (I couldn’t make it.) The square dances are fun, cheap (Sliding scale) with all monies going to a different charity every month, and they are family friendly. It is really fun to swing around 100 of my neighbors while a live band plays, and afterwards, I walk home four blocks!

Unfortunately too much talk has dominated Woodlawn about the Cannibus Cafe. Instead, I’d love to hear about the wonderful Buffalo Gardens, or Believe Movement Studio, Good Neighbor Pizzeria, Elizabeth the naturopath above the Firehouse, or even the brew pub that is coming- along with the coffee/ pie/ bakery coming soon.

Comment on Public Forum on 700 NE Dekum by woodlawn resident

woodlawn resident — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:17:52 +0000

Woodlawner: What is the difference between pornography being shown in the privacy of the ballroom vs pornography being watched at your neighbor’s house next door? It is not as if there are gigantic signs or any signs at all advertising this fact in public view. For your family (meaning your kids) to be affected, someone would have to go out of their way to tell them what is going on inside. As someone who has attended sex-positive events, including ones @ VB, I can tell you that the people attending said events are as far from perverts and child-molesters as you can get and these events are all about promoting extreme boundary setting and communication around sexuality and touch.

If the owners were to make the establishment look nicer from the outside, would this be as much of an issue?