Vicki Lynn Wilson and John Larsen
Wilson & Larsen Studio, LLC

Tell us a bit about yourself and your lovely garden:
John and Vicki and visual artists. Vicki is a sculptor and Adjunct Professor at Portland State University. John is a web designer, musician and visual artist with a background in large scale Theatrical Art Direction. Together we create Public Art and are currently working on a permanent installation for the Oregon Zoo’s Cascade Marsh and African Flamingo Aviaries. Our garden is a peaceful extension of the studio. Artwork is often conceived in, sometimes produced in and occasionally retired to the garden. It is enjoyed as a snack and goes well with a cup of tea. We like it best in the morning when there is occasionally sunshine and in the evening when the birds come.

What unique aspect about your garden or its history would you like to share?
4 years ago it was an all grass yard but we understand that the previous tenants were diligent gardeners. Occasionally we still find Shizo or lettuce coming up through the pavers and rocks. Sometimes we let it stay.

What are your gardening inspirations?
We think about design in the garden. Variety in textures and colors and the thick sculptural quality of certain leaves get us inspired. The yard is small so we like a really functional space. Walls and fences are not overlooked. We like an organized garden that is still comfortable to hang out in.

What brought you to the Foster Powell Community?
We moved here from Woodstock about 4 years ago. We wanted to buy our first home in Woodstock but as we looked, we started seeing real potential for the cool neighborhood that is developing here. Little did we know at the time that we’d want to be so involved and that owning a home would make us feel so proud. We used to be the neighbors who would get notices from the city for not cutting our lawn!…Hence the lack of grass at our house.

When not gardening, what is your favorite way to enjoy the neighborhood?
We love to eat at Bar Carlo and the Foster Carts, sip coffee from Speedboat and Sweetness, drink at Slingshot, and shop the good deals at “I’ve Been Framed”

Tell us about community events you enjoy or would like to see in Foster Powell?
It’s so great to see the Bob White Theater coming back to life. More cultural stuff-the street was MADE for it! We would like to paint a mural on Foster. Our wall of choice at the moment would be the Berg Christian building that towers above the Round Table pizza but we are not ready to pursue it yet. We also dream of organizing an annual Portland Art Parade right down the heart of Foster. We are working on starting a community garden at 62nd and Powell.

Your top 5 plants or elements of your garden
The spiral hens and chicks garden can be seen from Google Earth. The raised veggie beds are waist high and operate all year round. Porch covers on the side and back let us work and play outside when it is raining, and it’s always-well, you know. The little cactus box reminds us of our Southwest adventures. Alex “the Destroyer” Jack Russell-because there is no light without darkness.

Your top 5 gardens to visit in Portland
Leach Botanical Garden The Japanese Garden The Grotto Any of my neighbors who will have me Keely and Josh’s garden-(who live in the FoPo but are always busy at Garden tour time!)

Your Top 5 Haunts in Portland
Portland Nursery
The Oregon Humane Society
Georgie’s Ceramic & Clay Co.
Tani’s Sushi on Woodstock
City Bikes

What does this mean for you?

It’s time to participate in the process.  Many good ideas, thoughts, and opinions have been shared here about the future of Foster Road, and it is that input that will ultimately shape our main thoroughfare into what we want it to be.  So be heard and share your vision and ideas.  Get together with your neighbors from Foster-Powell, Mt. Scott-Arleta, and Lents, to discuss what will impact us all:  traffic and pedestrian safety on Foster, as well a friendly and livable, neighborhood-scale commercial corridor that’s inviting and accessible to all.  Be there, Wednesday, June 20, at the Mt. Scott Community Center.  Meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. (see flyer below for more info).

Now on to your weekend tidbits….

- First, make sure you’ve marked your calendars for the Bob White Reconstruction, a summer series of events that kicks off next Friday, June 1, at….naturally, the Bob White Theatre.  Secondly, get your tickets in advance.  You can buy weekend-long passes (wristbands), which will give you access to morning and daytime history speaks, craft shows, and other entertainment, as well as nighttime concerts.  Or, you can buy individual passes.  Please remember that the Reconstruction is a campaign to help the theatre pay for itself.  Support your local theatre, the arts, and your community.  Tickets can be bought/picked up at the Crafty Underdog shop at 6004 SE Foster.

- PBOT and the PPB conducted a crosswalk enforcement on Foster two days ago, netting 13 citations and 9 warnings in just over an hour.  The numbers only reinforce the need for traffic safety improvements.  Cross your fingers there won’t be any more delays in getting the streetscape implemented.

- Volunteer day and potluck at the Arleta Triangle, or “Dig-n-Dish,” as the monthly work party is called.  Bring some food and get your hands dirty in an effort to maintain the Arleta Triangle at SE 72nd and Woodstock.  Meetup is at 10 a.m.

- The word’s already out, but due to my taste for beer, as well as excitement for new business in the ‘hood, another mention should be made about a possible bottle shop filling the (sadly) vacant, former Guapo space.

- Get your fill of tortas and margaritas this weekend, as Torta-landia will be closed for the week of 5/28-6/4.  Kyle needs a vacation, too.  Word is, he’ll be opening for lunch upon his return.

- The Portland Mercado is one step closer to calling Foster Road home, specifically at the vacant lot on SE 72nd.  Filling one of two empty and fenced lots at the important crossing of two neighborhoods, Hacienda CDC and the PDC have completed a letter of intent giving site control to the group hoping to locate the Portland Mercado in outer SE.  Plans for the site will be unveiled at the June 6 Mt. Scott-Arleta NA meeting.

- If you missed their big party last weekend, Gemini Lounge should be pretty live this Saturday, with five dj’s spinning through the evening.  As always, drinks will be tasty and strong.

Happy weekend, y’all.

If you know of an event or have news to share, feel free to drop us an email or leave a comment.

But it’s not demonstrating anything we don’t already know.

Thanks to BikePortland for bringing an even greater focus to this issue, as it’s often ignored outside of our own neighborhood.  You can find the article here.