Happy weekend, FoPo!

Posted on February 10, 2012 by

The weekend is upon us, FoPo.  As we look forward to a couple days off, it should be noted how much we appreciate all of those who support FosterPowellPdx. We do this blog solely for the community, and it’s your viewership that keeps us going.  We are so encouraged by the comments you leave, and are inspired by those who take an active interest in their neighborhood.  As a reminder, we always welcome ideas, suggestions, and guest submissions.

Now…on to the weekend tidbits.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re leaving you with a locals-only, hip-hop showcase of Portland.   Enjoy!

- The Bob White Theatre (yes, that’s theatre with an “re”) had a successful estate sale. Many showed up just to get a peek inside, and to see the magic that awaits, but a lot of unique items were sold, too.  Word is, some showed up who used to frequent the theater in its heyday.  I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone, but this will be such an exciting addition to the neighborhood, and we can hardly wait.

- Red Castle Games has officially moved.  Don’t worry, gamers, they’ve only moved next door.  The space is bigger and it looks great.  If you haven’t already, check them out.  They run a good business, and they’re a great asset to our commercial district.  In fact, dare I say, other than a couple bars and one restaurant, they probably have the most consistent crowd of any commercial space on Foster

- It appears the city may be taking pedestrian and traffic safety seriously now.  As reported on BikePortland.org, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is conducting open house sessions to address community concerns for traffic safety.  As you know, Foster Road has been identified as a high-crash corridor and will be one of the thoroughfares discussed in the open houses.  Much of the discussion on Foster Road will stem from the city’s findings in an “..Existing Conditions Report,” as well as, I’m sure, the recent death of Jason Lee Grant.  Amongst the other data in this report, it is cited that Foster has an incidence of crash rate 60% higher than the rest of the city.  It also notes that there have been at least 12 fatalities on Foster Road since 2000.  Something needs to be done.

- Speaking of transportation, TriMet’s attempt to cover their expected $17 million budget shortfall will leave FoPo’s bus services relatively spared.  The 9 (Powell) and 17 (Holgate) will see some changes, but only in the form of route changes in NW Portland; nothing changes on the East side, which means the typical wait time for a bus probably won’t be any longer.  The 14 (Foster/Hawthorne) did not have any proposed changes to service.  On the downside, you can probably expect to pay a little more.

Happy weekend, y’all!

Posted in Community, Entertainment, News, etc., Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Poll: Streetcar or Bikes on Foster?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

As the Portland Development Commission and Bureau of Transportation figure out how to spend roughly $3.25 million on safety upgrades and beautification on Foster, they also have to figure out how the original streetscape plan, which was adopted in 2003, meshes with the neighborhood nearly 10 years later.  In the time since it’s adoption, the Foster Streetscape Plan has sat dormant, waiting for funding and, sadly, a political impetus to implement it.

Now that partial funding is in place, and safety concerns have brought more attention to the need for improvements, PDC and PBOT will be hiring a consultant to determine which of the original elements from the plan are still appropriate, and what features should be added.  Specifically, the possibility of a future streetcar line will be weighed upon, while also giving consideration to bike facilities, too.

Question remains, though.  Are they mutually exclusive of each other?  Can they coexist? Is one better than the other?  We want you, the readers, to weigh in.  Please take the poll and let us know.

Posted in About Us, Community | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

From boozy to hip

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

Are the bars on Foster a sign of things to come?

With long, drab stretches of concrete dotted with vacant or underused storefronts, and what seems like a disproportionately high number of bars wedged between and around them, most would not automatically characterize Foster Road as a hotbed of hip.  However, a recent article published by GOOD magazine may suggest otherwise.

“In a way, liquor is the lifeblood of the modern urban neighborhood. Where it flows, growth often seems to follow.”

The GOOD article points to a Brooklyn neighborhood, once gritty and rough around the edges, much like Foster, that saw a turnaround as more bars started opening.  Now, many of these bars were, indeed, new, and this may be the contrasting element.  However, similarities do exist.  The same Brooklyn neighborhood saw an uptick in people riding bikes in and through the neighborhood; all of the sudden there were 20- and 30- something hipsters lingering around; young professionals had slowly been moving into the neighborhood.  Maybe the booze, lottery machines, and general drear of Foster is just an interim phase, because there are some common themes here.  And Foster certainly has it’s share of new bars, and even more than a couple that would be classified as “hip” (think Gemini or Slingshot).

So what does this all mean?  Are we meant to ride the wave of booze and bars to the promised land?

Perhaps there’s no correlation at all.  Indeed, we could be stretching things here.  It is food for thought, however, and worth considering.  Let us know what you think.

Posted in About Us, Food and Drink | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Meet Your Neighbors: Sarah Marshall of Marshall’s Haute Sauce

Posted on February 6, 2012 by


Sarah Marshall

Marshall’s Haute Sauce
www.marshallshautesauce.com 

Who are you?
Sarah Marshall- Business Owner, Food Enthusiast, Crafter, Gardener, Artist

What do you do?
At this point I do whatever I can to keep the business going. I started a small batch hot sauce company utilizing local ingredients and products. We have some amazing flavor profiles that people are really into like Habanero Carrot Curry and Serrano Ginger Lemongrass. I also make art and jewelry and sell it in local shops.

What is your inspiration? (Why do you do what you do?)
I am a true believer and supporter of small businesses. I was a social worker for the last 8 years and started really getting into gardening and canning in the last couple of years. I made the decision to start a business and make small batch sauces out of my home. It’s like entering a whole new world. Social work can get depressing and you start to see only the bad in people. I wanted to make people happy and food and art are my vehicle to do this. And it’s working, there is nothing greater than seeing someone sample our sauces and say that’s really good!

What brought you and/or your business to the Foster-Powell Community?
My husband and I bought a house a few years ago in this neighborhood. He works at a local school and its easy to walk there. We also wanted to have a yard and garden to grow our own food. We were immediately welcomed by or neighbors and made some great friends right away. The foster powell community has also been supportive of our business. We had our sauce launch and an art show at Torta landia and have our sauces for sale in a couple local stores. I also have some art and Jewelry for sale at Ruby Box. We have been so grateful for all our neighborhood support and friends.

What is your favorite way to enjoy Foster?
In the summer it is being outside in our garden, talking to our neighbors and other passers by and inviting friends over for dinner.

3 Ways to unite the Fine Folks of Foster
1. Food always unites people, having a dinner destination and social hour would be great way.
2. Fun on foster will keep growing and become something wonderful, I can feel it.
3. A community garden would be nice

How do you envision the future of Foster?
Bringing back some of the buildings to life. There are great bones here. This is the neighborhood I would love to stay in, but it would help if we had a good natural food store.

Some top fives to appease the list lovers……

Your Top Five Songs to get you through life?
My husband is really into music and makes me a new mix for every month. I love a good mix old and new. It’s tough to only choose 5, but here goes: Colorbox- Arena Niki and the doves- Gentle Roar Fleetwood Mac- Don’t Stop Light Asylum- Shallow Tears Bruce Springstein- I’m on Fire

Your Top Five Haunts in Portland
The Woodsman Market and Restaurant
Our Garden
WaFu
Sauvie Island
Torta landia

Posted in About Us, Community, Fabulous Folks of FoPo, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy weekend, FoPo!

Posted on February 4, 2012 by

As we wrap up a somber week in FoPo, in which friends, family and neighbors mourned the death of Jason Lee Grant as he attempted to cross Foster Road last Saturday, we can take solace in the fact the hit-and-run driver responsible for Lee’s death finally came forward and will face two counts of aggravated vehicle homicide.  We can also hope the city takes notice and works toward preventing this from happening again.

To keep track of, as well as to further push the city’s progress on improving pedestrian/traffic safety on Foster, get involved with your local Neighborhood Association (NA), whether that be Foster-Powell or Mt. Scott-Arleta.  Both are making significant inroads to bringing the Foster Streetscape Plan to fruition.  You can follow that progress here, as the respective NA’s are working tirelessly to urge the city, PDC, and PBOT into action.

Now on to your weekend tidbits:

- Don’t believe the groundhog.  It is beautiful out, and the forecast calls for a week full of more sun.

- If you’re out and about tonight, Steven Kray, from KMHD’s Drop Shop, will be spinning sumpin funky at the Gemini Lounge, 9pm to 1am.

- Speaking of Gemini Lounge…they’ll be closed this Superbowl Sunday.  Where will you be watching/boycotting the game?

- Bar Carlo is not just for breakfast!  You probably knew that, but it’s easy to forget given the nice little niche they’ve carved out as one of the better breakfast/brunch spots in SE Portland.  As a reminder, though, the bar’s open every night but Tuesday, and they have weekly events, such as Gay Mondays (yes, RuPaul plays host to this one, with Drag Race airing on the big screen), Thursday Craft Nights, and Sunday Night Movies.  The occasional Saturday brings a DJ and music, too.

- The Bob White Theatre is having their big estate sale this Saturday, 8a to 4p.  In addition to getting a sneak peak of the theater, there will be film equipment, movie posters, record players, and more for sale.  Coffee and cupcakes, too

Happy weekend, y’all.

Posted in About Us, Community, Entertainment, News, etc. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jason Grant remembered well at vigil

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

Thanks to everyone who came out to remember Jason last night.  It was an amazing show of support for the family and friends who are grieving his loss.  Jason was clearly loved and admired, and will certainly be missed by those that knew him.  It was an honor to share the evening with his friends, and our hearts go out to them and his family.  It is our hope that we do not have to gather again under such tragic circumstance.

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Candlelight vigil to honor pedestrian killed on Foster, demand safety improvements

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

Saturday evening brought somber news to the neighborhood, as it was learned a pedestrian was killed by a hit-and-run driver while attempting to cross Foster Road near 71st Avenue.  Monday morning made the tragedy all the more real, as the victim’s identity was revealed, putting a face and name to the most recent traffic fatality on the busy thoroughfare.

Jason Lee Grant is the latest victim of high speeds and lacking pedestrian safety on Foster Road. And sadly, there’s no guarantee he’ll be the last until the city implements real safety improvements, such as safer crosswalks, more visible signage, and better lighting.  The city-identified, high crash corridor has long been known as the “Foster Freeway,” and pedestrian safety has historically been overlooked in favor of keeping traffic moving quickly, and sometimes abundantly, through Lents, Foster-Powell, Mt. Scott-Arleta, and Creston-Kennilworth.

With the most recent fatality, the affected neighborhoods are eager to prevent similar accidents from happening again.  This Thursday evening, February 2nd, neighborhood residents will be holding a candlelight vigil to honor Grant, while also bringing attention to the safety concerns the area has long shared.  Residents, activists, and concerned neighbors will be meeting at the site of the accident, near SE 71st and Foster, at 5:30 pm.

Please let us know if you plan to attend, or if you’d like more information.

Posted in Community, Jeff Lynott, News, etc., Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments