FREE CAKE & ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do I have your attention now?

New Seasons turns 8 this weekend. To celebrate, they have invited us (the public) to join them for cake and ice cream this Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

More on their web site... HERE

Civic Food Mart Liquor License - TIME FOR ACTION

Previous posts on this subject: HERE , HERE, and HERE.

Recap: The Civic Food Mart (located HERE) has changed ownership and the new owners have want the OLCC to remove the 4 restrictions from their liquor license.
1) No sale of malt beverages larger than 24 ounces
2) No fortfied wines/malt beverages more than 6% alcohol
3) No glass containers
4) 9:30pm closing time

The OLCC has cited the reduction in crime and alcohol-related mischief since the restrictions were enforced as cause REMOVE the restrictions! The Piedmont Neighborhood Association (PNA) contends that the reason there is reduced crime and alcohol-related problems is directly related to the restrictions!!! Additionally, we're talking about an establishment 200 feet from a kid's playground that wants to sell high alcohol beverages in glass containers!

The OLCC will remove the restrictions unless the neighborhood responds by March 1st, 2008

The PNA has officially voiced our opposition to the OLCC removing the restrictions. However, we need you to write a letter, call, or email the OLCC and voice your opinion!

Roseann Cotton
503-872-5220
roseann.cotton@state.or.us
Oregon Liquor Control Commission
PO Box 22297, Milwaukie, OR 97269-2297

Now is the time for action folks. I strongly encourage you to get involved!

Here what the Civic Food Mart has applied for to the OLCC...

The applicant has applied for a Wholesale Malt Beverage and Wine license which allows the importation, storage, transportation, wholesale sale and distribution to licensees of the Commission, and the export of wine containing not in excess of 21% alcohol by volume and malt beverages. The license also allows the sale of malt beverages containing not more than 8% alcohol by volume in quantities not less than 5 gallons to any unlicensed organization. The licensee can not sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises.

The applicant has also applied for an Off-Premises Sales license, which allows the licensee to sell factory-sealed containers of malt beverages containing not more than 14% alcohol by volume, wine containing not more than 21% alcohol by volume or cider containing not more than 10% alcohol by volume for consumption off the licensed premises. Legal hours of sale are 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.

The applicant has applied for a Full On-Premises Sales license, which allows the license to sell wine containing not more than 21% alcohol by volume, malt beverages containing not more than 14% alcohol by volume, cider containing not more than 10% alcohol by volume, and distilled liquor by the drink to patrons on the premises. Legal hours of sale are 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. The applicant’s proposed hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven days per week.

The applicant has applied for a Limited On-Premises Sales license, which allows the licensee to sell wine containing not more than 21% alcohol by volume, malt beverages containing not more than 14% alcohol by volume, and cider containing not more than 10% alcohol by volume by the drink to patrons on the premises. It allows the sale of malt beverages in kegs holding not less than seven gallons for off-premises consumption. Legal hours of sale are 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Radon!!!

OH JUST GREAT. So I'm reading OregonLive's blog and come across THIS article that details how zip code 97217 is in a radon risk zone described as "Highest Potential for Indoor Radon"



Apparently we have the Missoula Floods to thank for dumping sediments with radon-generating goodness in our area.

The article (HERE) does an excellent job detailing the risks, the resources you can turn to in your efforts to determine whether your home has radon gas, and what your options are if it does have high levels of radon.

On the Oregon Radon Gas web site there is a coupon for a Radon Test Kit.

Tall Buildings Coming to Interstate?

Over at The Portland Tribune they are reporting that there public zoning meetings being held this week that propose new zoning that would allow...

If land is redeveloped under current rules, parcels within 1,000 feet of MAX stations could build up to 100 feet tall, or nine to 10 stories...Farther than 1,000 feet from the MAX stations, high-density parcels would be limited to 75 feet, or six to seven stories.

For the whole story, read the Portland Tribune's article here.

Civic Food Mart Liquor License - Update

Previous posts on this subject...
http://blog.piedmontneighborhood.com/2008/02/civic-food-mart-liquor-license.html
http://blog.piedmontneighborhood.com/2008/02/civic-food-mart-liquor-license-update.html

Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) responded to Brian Borrello's previous email with the following...

I have been speaking with the OLCC about this location. They request that you send a letter of opposition directly to them. In order to get it on the agenda for the Commission Hearing in April (March is a phone meeting and therefore unavailable for our purposes), we must show significant public opposition in the absence of other statistical evidence that the restrictions need to stay in place.

Brian Borrello requested from ONI...

Could you provide us with the restrictions for Civic Mart currently in place and
those they wish rescinded.The proximity to Peninsula Park, Community Ctr,
and playground warrant our close attention here.

Response...

There are currently 4 restrictions on this location.
1) 9:30 closing time
2) no glass containers
3) no fortified wines/Malt beverages more than 6% alcohol by volume
4) no sale of malt beverages larger than 24 Ounces

The owner is willing to abide by the restrictions on his hours of operation as he intends to close at 9pm, anyway. According to the OLCC investigator, he will not commit to voluntarily continuing the other three restrictions.

Mark Warrington from Portland Parks and Recreation has expressed his opposition. The Crime Prevention Coordinator, Mary Tompkins, has committed to writing a letter of opposition stating the positive impacts of the current restrictions. I will be contacting Amy Masier at the Community Center for her thoughts on the matter, as well.

PIEDMONT RESIDENTS!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT TO THIS POST IF THIS ISSUE IS OF CONCERN TO YOU!

PNA General Meeting Agenda

The next Piedmont Neighborhood Association General meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 27th at 7:30pm. The meeting is held in Holy Redeemer School's "Clare Hall" (located HERE).

Crime report from local Officers

Janis McDonald from the City of Portland Office of Transportation is seeking approval from thePNA for a noise variance for the Portland Sunday Parkways event happening 2008-06-22.

"Drop n' Swap" recycle/reuse event scheduled April 26th 2008. Andrea Davey

Interstate Bridge Project update presented by John Benson, PNA Transportation Chair.

PIR noise variance

Vote to change PNA Bylaws. Proposal will change General meetings from last Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm to last Thursday of month at 7:00PM.

Any additional announcements/discussions

Bye Bye Bollards

The folks on the Bryant Street Bridge Project team received the following from ODOT's Shelli Romero yesterday...

The community has been working with ODOT over the last year to develop a master plan for the Bryant Street Pedestrian Overpass that identifies specific improvements for the structure. Among the specific improvements includes removal of the bollards at the east and west end of the Overpass to help improve bicycle access. After review, ODOT will remove the bollards on Wednesday, February 20th in response to the community input. ODOT remains committed to assist with making the Bryant Street Pedestrian Overpass a safe and more utilized facility for bicyclists and pedestrians recognizing its location is ideal for bike and pedestrian commuters and is in proximity of transit and access to a business and commercial district along N. Interstate Avenue.

We'll update the Bryant Street Bridge web page as this project moves forward....

www.PiedmontNeighborhood.com/BryantBridgeProject

HISTORY!!

I've started filling up the Neighborhood History page with lots of goodies. Check it out at...

http://www.PiedmontNeighborhood.com/HistoricalInformation

If anyone has historical pictures/maps/whatever of Piedmont, contact me so we can scan them and upload to this site for all to view. Email me at...

Abandoned Shopping Carts

I recently loaded up 2 of New Seasons' carts that folks had left on N. Dekum and took them back to the store. Of course, for those of you that do not have a truck (or you're just not in the mood) there is a toll-free number you can use to report abandoned carts. 888-552-2787.

This OregonLive.com article has more information on the program...
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/11/grocers_cities_get_tough_on_ab.html

Precinct Redistricting Meeting

Lieutenant Eric Brown of the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct forwarded the following announcement. HERE is a link to their flyer.

Please join us to discuss and provide feedback regarding the proposed boundary changes and new district alignments for North Precinct. The proposed boundary changes would bring the Bridgeton, East Columbia, Hayden Island and Piedmont neighborhoods into the area covered by North Precinct. There are two meetings scheduled to discuss the changes involving North Precinct. Meeting
Info:

Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Kenton Historic Firehouse
2209 N. Schofield (map)

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Kenton Historic Firehouse
2209 N. Schofield (map)

North/Northeast Metro Babe Ruth Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEEN-AGE BASEBALL PLAYERS OFFERED INNORTH AND NORTHEAST PORTLAND The North/Northeast Metro Babe Ruth baseball league starts its 2008 season by offeringits first-ever scholarships and equipment to teen-age baseball players in North and NortheastPortland. For 50 years this league has been the place where kids from all over North andNortheast Portland have come to take the step up from little league to real baseball – with all thefun and challenge of a full-sized baseball field, sliding into bases, and stealing between them.N/NE
Metro Babe Ruth President Jim Roberts notes that the league invites players at
allskill levels to play baseball, from those who are just starting out to seasoned veterans of thegame. Roberts says that “Babe Ruth is the place to play real baseball and have real fun!”Sign-ups for the 2008 season are scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at ArchbishopthHoward School, 5309 NE Alameda St., from 6-8
PM, and Thursday, February 21 at HolystRedeemer School, 127 N. Rosa Parks Ave,
from 6-8 PM. Players may also register on-line at http://www.nemetrobaberuth.org/ or request an application by calling the league’s hotline: 503/284-1714.

Civic Food Mart Liquor License - Update

Piedmont Neighborhood Association Land Use Co-Chair Brian Borrello has responded to Thresea Marchetti of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI)...

You state: "I have received a liquor license application for a change in ownership at an existing Market in the Piedmont neighborhood area. Civic Food Mart located at729 N Rosa Parks Way has applied to maintain the Off Premises sales license which allows the sale of beer/wine/cider to go in sealed containers."

There seems to be a difference between "maintaining" existing restrictions and "lifting" them as recommended by the OLCC state employee.

Could you please clarify this distinction?

What are the limitations currently in place, and what are being proposed?

The owners of this establishment have tried every few years to have the restrictions lifted, and we have consistently had numerous people testify against, and the restrictions subsequently have been ruled to remain in place. These restrictions are not onerous- the limitation of fortified wines and liquors' sales/ no extended hours of operation/etc were advocated for, and we even made concessions so as not to adversely affect their business. The impact of alcohol related disturbances and crime in proximity (within 150ft) to a children's playground, community center, swimming pool, and public parkshould not be overlooked so a business owner can maximize his profits. I think the message is and has been clear to OLCC, and to the owners, of the citizenry's position,so why is this even being considered yet again by this state regulatory agency?

Piedmont NA will offer fierce opposition to lifting these restrictions.

Please advise as to when the OLCC hearing will be held, so we can notify all concerned community members and prepare testimony.

Thanks
Brian Borrello
Land Use Co-chair
Piedmont NA

Friends Of Trees in Piedmont!

Friends of Trees (www.FriendsOfTrees.org) are looking for volunteers to help out on Saturday, Feburary 16th. Friends of Trees & Volunteers will be planting trees in our great neighborhood! The Friends of Trees folks are looking for folks with trucks especially this year!

Volunteers are to meet up at Friends of Trees HQ on MLK (map) at 8am on the 16th. Volunteers get breakfast and lunch for their troubles.

Those wanting to help out should contact Kathleen at 503-285-0997 (or Friends of Trees directly at 503-282-8846).

See you on the 16th!

Master Recycler Program

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Your Plastics!
This Saturday! (2008-02-09) 9am to 2pm
Two locations...

Lake Oswego Hosted by Shorenstein Realty Services LP and Autodesk, Inc.
5400 Meadows rd.

Rock Creek Westview High School 4200 NW 185th ave.

Here is a link talking about what is accepted at the roundups...
http://www.masterrecycler.org/plastic-recycling/sort-of-plastics.php

Bring those hard to recycle plastics, Master Recyclers will collect it, and Agri-Plas, a recycler located in Brooks, Oregon, will recycle the plastic into new products. Master Recyclers sponsored five similar plastic roundup events and reused and recycled over 73 tons of plastic with the help of almost 7,000 community residents who participated.

Visit the Master Recycler Program's web site here...
http://www.masterrecycler.org/plastic-recycling.php

There are also many places to recycle plastics year round: to find a location near you contact Metro at (503)234-3000 or use Metro's Find A Recycler site (http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id/1383).

Civic Food Mart Liquor License

The PNA received the following from The Office Of Neighborhood Involvement.

I have received a liquor license application for a change in ownership at an existing Market in the Piedmont neighborhood area. Civic Food Mart located at729 N Rosa Parks Way has applied to maintain the Off Premises sales license which allows the sale of beer/wine/cider to go in sealed containers.

The listed hours of operation are: Sunday thru Saturday 7am to 9pm. The application contact is: Seoung Hoon Baek

If you are aware of any existing problems or concerns at this location, please let me know by 2-23-08. Changes in ownership are typically routine paperwork; however, if there is a good neighbor agreement in place or identified problems at the location it can provide an opportunity for problem solving. If you have concerns regarding this license, please list the concerns in writing and remember they must be related to crime, alcohol, alcohol related behavior or drugs. Traffic, Parking and Trash are not considered during the licensing process at OLCC.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Theresa Marchetti
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
1221 SW 4th Ave
Portland, OR 97204
503-823-4064

PNA board member Brian Borrello responded to Thresa Marchetti with the following...

We would like to see all current restrictions remain in effect with the new owners.Piedmont NA strongly advocated for existing restrictions to remain in place at the OLCCappeals hearing 2 years ago. We even negotiated some concessions with that ownerthat might have been onerous to his sales. The close proximity of liquor sales to a children's playground and community center,as well as past alcohol-related crime and disturbances in the area were, and should be currently noted.

The ONI is receiving comments until 2008-02-28. You may contact the ONI yourself or feel free to email the PNA your comments. Email to SECRETARY (AT) PiedmontNeighborhood (DOT) com

While it is the Board's prerogative and responsibility to establish the official position of the association, each member has an individual right to participate in the process and to make their voice heard to regulators.

Bryant Bridge Design Update

Hi All
Thanks for your interest and participation with the Bryant Bridge project.
We're currently finishing our master plan,
which will include a comprehensive hit list of art and design features.

Objective is both to use our $50K ODOT grant this spring, and to go after more funding streams for
different aspects of the project over time.

We met last week with the project engineers to refine the possibilities of what is "do-able,"
to what extent we can remove/cut soundwalls, attachments to walls and bridge, bridge/approach modifications,how the contracting might take place, and what can be done
free/inexpensively by ODOT and PDOT (signage, chainlink, bollard removal, lighting repair, etc...) So we now have a clearer view of what the designs can be and how implemented.

The next step is further refining your ideas so that they can be presented to the public.
Specific treatments for master plan- (ie, reflective/mirror feature at blind turns, bridge-related graphics, contoured concrete with better turn radius, framed portals in soundwalls, bioswale/greenspace, cul-de-sac/streetpainting, motion activated solar lighting on bridge, greenwall, mural, etc.)

The big box of ideas will be contain smaller boxes, of which the ODOT bridge enhancement grant is one.

Some visuals have already been generated from our design session(s) since our meeting.
We need more, and by more hands. If you have modest drawing/rendering capabilities would like to either work with me or on your own to create a visual representation of a/the concept(s) that emerged at your table, or that you'd like to otherwise add, please contact me. I'll provide you with copies of the bridge plan, photos, and tracing paper so that you can draw or do an overlay.
(We'll work these into the "after" scenarios of the "before and after" of the plan)

We recently rec'vd a grant for "communications" related to the bridge project from the
Office of Neighborhood Involvement. We'll be displaying the bridge visuals at local businessses and on the web http://www.piedmontneighborhood.com/ which will have a special Bryant Bridge section.

The community will offer their comments, and we'll move towards consensus as to what we implement.

BTW: It looks like the bridge might rec'v "bike boulevard" designation via the Safe and Sound Streets
initiative, so some PDOT/City of Portland funding may ensue there. We plan for applying for a RACC grant for neighborhood/community "public art," METRO for the bioswale demonstation project, and a host of foundation grant ops. We hope to "launch" with visuals/mock-ups/prototypes for the Sunday Parkways event on June 22.

We'll keep you abreast of developments!

Onward...
Brian Borrello

Sunday Parkways Open Houses

Our friends putting together the Portland Sunday Parkways event (on Sunday, June 22, 2008) are hosting TWO open houses this week!

Wednesday Feb. 6, 2008 5:30 to 8pm
Kaiser Town Hall, 3704 N Interstate Ave, 2nd floor ballroom

Thursday Feb. 7, 2008 5:30 to 8pm
Chief Joseph Elementary School 2409 N. Saratoga

More information on their web site...
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=46103