www.ilovelents.com

E: Sia@ilovelents.com

Sia Sellu is a Foster Favorite for a number of amazing reasons (see below). This self-described “Busybody all up in the mix” manages to inspire, motivate, and unify people where ever she goes. It is our great fortune to know Sia Sellu and call her friend.

Do yourself a favor Foster, and meet Sia Sellu:
Who are you? (We really wanna know)

I am a mom first, a community activist second, raconteur, and all around good time girl (not like THAT!). There is not a windmill I won’t charge.

What do you do?

I am a lion tamer. I work with senior 55+ helping them get into and/or retain their housing, help them negotiate systems like Social Security, Aging Services and the VA. I get paid for that. I volunteer with the Lents Neighborhood Association as the membership chair ( I smile a lot!. . . okay some), with affordable housing groups, drive carpool, am a concierge for a teenager. I am frequently on trial in the court of teen opinion.

What is your inspiration?

My inspiration is always to be a voice for those not at the table. To make pathways by which people can self-advocate. I am inspired by the incredible tapestry that we have in “outer” SE Portland. So many cultures (ethnic, social class, familial status, sexual identity) are represented here. And the food is yummy!

How do you do what you do when you do what you do?

Sometimes it’s just connecting people with resources or other people. Or bringing snacks to a neighborhood association meeting (the foregoing statement is not a guarantee that there are always snacks, but if you stop by the 4

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th Tuesday you might be surprised)

Or wearing a yellow vest and being the OLCC alcohol monitor at our annual Ramona Street Fair organized by the fabulous Jalene.

Or eating Milanesa at El Pato Feliz at an educational committee that Becca made me to go, and consequently can’t shut me up.

Or sitting by a dumpster on neighborhood clean-up day in the rain. . .

And you really can’t shut me up about how AWESOME my neighborhood is. . . .

Your magic moment?

There are many magic moments in Lents.

One was when my neighbor David, with whom I often disagree, called and asked if he could mow my jungle of a yard. He has adopted my wayward yard, much to the pleasure of my other neighbors.

Another was during the ’08 snowstorm when my poor driving behind decided to drive in the snow repeatedly. My neighbors Artie and Lars patiently dug my car out over and over again. And never suggested that I just stay home.

Or when the kid abandoned me on Halloween for friends and I went to Artie’s house in costume with an empty glass and said “Trick or Treat”. He poured bourbon in the glass.

Walk us through your day of awesomeness

An ideal of awesomeness in Lents? Involves stopping by my friend and neighbor Joanie’s house to pick up some awesome pastured bacon from one of our food buying club group buys. The community of mostly moms that purchase, sort and distribute sustainably raised food is mind-boggling in their commitment. I am a hanger-on with these chicks

And then stopping by Zoe and Brian’s for some yummy farm fresh chocolate milk from the Lents Food Buying Club.

Maybe a stop at El Pato Feliz for the milanesa.

I never get to make the post meeting cocktails at Riley’s where folks stop arguing over the issues and just have a drink, so on this ideal day I would.

In five years, where would you like to be?

Alive.

Apart from creating community, what do you do?

Sing out of my vocal range. Harass and annoy Glen at O’Malley’s, an avocation I would strongly recommend….

Cry about the wonderful, passionate kids at Marshall whose school is getting closed in spite of how well they are doing. . . . .

Get mad at the “powers that be”

What advice would you give to those of the like-mind?

Come on out, volunteer, get to know your neighbors. There’s a little something everyone can do . . .

Some top fives to appease the list lovers

Your Top 5 Songs to get you through a life?

1 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (collaborative mode) Tami and Marvin, (Diva mode) Miss Diana Ross

2 It’s Funky Enough by the DOC

3 A little More love by Olivia Newton-John

4 Pump up the Volume by M/A/R/R/S

5 Free by Deneice Williams

BONUS TRACK La Primera Rumba by India

Your Top 5 Haunts in Portland

1 Anywhere that Ellen Derrick tends bar

2 Winco bulk bins

3 My bed

4 In front of any stage my kid is on (Heavy brag moment)

5 umm, Facebook virtual haunts

Your Top 5 Movies

Ha, I barely see a movie. I may have seen a movie since Zombieland in a theatre but I doubt it. Netflix recommends every depressing documentary that comes out based on my viewing history.

Thank you Sia

NOTE: Sia Sellu is the recipient of the 2009 award for Community involvement.