Now on to your weekend tidbits….

- Earlier this week we introduced you to Terri Zgolli of Kidopolis, a welcome addition to a neighborhood growing with families.  Now, in the same week, we’re fortunate to see the doors of another business open, too.  Welcome to the neighborhood, Pieper Cafe.  If you haven’t already, check ‘em out.  In addition to a surprisingly good lineup of food and coffee options, the space is much improved over the former Yo Mama’s.  But, the kicker….pinball in the back.  Yep!  Need I say more?

- If you missed it last weekend, the neighborhood appreciation party at the Bob White Theatre was a hit.  There was a big showing of community support and FoPo pride, and Nick Storie rewarded those in attendance with free pizza, beer, and an exciting glimpse of what the future holds for the theater and neighborhood.  Check out our recap of the night, as well as video footage of the bands that performed.

- As the neighborhood improves in some ways, it’ll be up to the community to dictate how it will change in others.  The Foster-Lents Integration Partnership (FLIP) is one avenue for you to get involved. The next FLIP community engagement workshop, as we mentioned last week, will be this coming Tuesday, April 10.  The meeting will be at the Wattles Boys and Girls Club, and will begin at 5:30.  Make your voices heard, and your desires for the neighborhood clear.  It’s yours to shape.

- In the same vein, we’re hoping large-scale changes can be made to Foster Road through implementation of the Foster Streetscape Plan. Check out our recap of the recent meeting neighborhood representatives had with Mayor Sam Adams about improving our busy and (often) dangerous thoroughfare.

- Entertainment for the weekend:  
* North By Northwest Records is having a CD release party tonight (Friday, April 5) at Gemini Lounge. Several bands will be performing.  Catch it live, starting at 9pm.
* Torta-landia’s Groove Kitchen is back.  Come listen to Professor Yaz’s groovy goodness with torta and margarita in hand.  Music starts at 8pm, Saturday (April 6).

- Sign up to receive our upcoming newsletter.  We’re hoping to send it out in the coming week, and it will have some fun tidbits and announcements from your FosterPowellPdx team.  We’re also always accepting suggestions, news, and writing submissions.  We’ll even take your FoPo haiku if you have one.

Happy weekend, ya’ll!

For FoPo and for the Bob White Theatre.

For the first time since the 1980′s, the theater played host to live entertainment, and a happy crowd brought energy and life back into the building.  No doubt, the theater offered the same energy to those in attendance, and will surely do so for the surrounding neighborhood in the months and years to come.

For those who missed it, and who may have missed earlier cleanup parties and estate sales, the building is indeed a living, breathing theater.  Sure, the seats may need to be reupholstered, and a few cosmetic improvements could go a long way, but the building is much more useable than the worn out facade may suggest.  The inside is worn out, too.  Don’t get us wrong.  However, it is much closer to being ready for a grand opening than I would have previously thought, and the potential is blatantly obvious.

Imagine this: concession stand, theater fully equipped with a second-story balcony, beer garden, and limitless opportunities in the back warehouse, which could someday double as another theater space, restaurant, or something altogether different.

On Saturday night, though, it was the community that made it special.  At least a couple hundred people, young and old, came out to see the progress Nick Storie has made since purchasing the building several months ago.  For some, it brought back memories of their childhood, when Foster Road’s grand theater actually played movies.  For others, it was a reminder that the neighborhood they live in is changing.  And for most, if not all, that change is exciting…and it was certainly palpable on Saturday.

Taking a cue from many of Portland’s other old theaters, pizza and beer were on the menu.  To show appreciation for the neighborhood, though, it was free (thanks to Nick and O’Malley’s), and if the constant crowd in the adjoining alleyway was an indication, it was much appreciated and consumed with great pleasure.  Back inside, The Bottlecap Boys, The Fallmen, and Jennie Wayne, all performed live to an eager crowd who danced, visited with each other, and warmed up the seats for the first time in over 20 years.  The energy was certainly fitting for the occasion.

While the theater will definitely continue getting a makeover, we suspect Nick will keep the neighborhood privy to his progress leading up to an eventual grand opening.  And thanks to his crew of workers and promoters, we can look forward to more events like this in the future.

Let us know what about the Bob White excites you?

This is not a grand opening, and it is unknown when the doors will open for good, but it is obvious the venue’s rebirth is becoming a reality.  Check it out this Saturday, March 31, starting at 7 p.m. There will be local bands playing live, food, and plenty to celebrate.

This is our time, FoPo!  Make it live!  Much appreciation to Nick Storie, who, in addition to buying and polishing this diamond in the rough, will be sharing some of the progress he and his crew have made on preparing the theater for action.