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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2013)
4 • The Southwest Portland Post BUSINESS August 2013 Village businesses roll out the green carpet for Multnomah Days THE COUNTRY STORE By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post Every third Saturday of August, the Multnomah Village Business Associa- tion rolls out the red carpet for neigh- bors and tourists alike for the annual Multnomah Days festivities. But this year it’s a green carpet, so to speak. Organizers decided to have a green theme for the parade and street fair in recognition of the unveiling of the new sidewalks, stormwater facilities, street furniture and trees. Note: At press time, some adjustment to the sewers still had to be made; trees needed to be planted; and the stormwater drains still needed to be landscaped. The theme includes: recycling bottles and paper; composting food items; and suggesting a green item to distribute along the parade route. Organizers also decided to make Multnomah Days smokefree. “Secondhand smoke does not mix at family events,” said one of the orga- nizers. “There will be a lot of children, teens and elderly present. Even a slight whiff can induce an asthma attack.” Recent festivals like the Waterfront Blues Festival and the Mississippi Street festivals had thousands and thousands of people, very little smok- ing, and out of the way areas if smokers needed to light up. Business association members re- mained guarded for the entire green street project to be done in time for the weekend festivities. “The Jersey barriers are gone [along with the chain link fencing]!” ex- claimed Randy Bonella, Venture Port- land representative for the MVBA. “That’s good news. “Businesses who wish to have side- walk tables and chairs need to apply to the city right away. It takes about a month to process.” It’s anyone’s guess what might hap- pen next. Several business owners have said that the main street will not be paved. There are also some cracks in cement that need patching as well. Despite setbacks and delays, the show will go on: done or not done. To volunteer for Multnomah Days, please contact Joan Steinbach at Thinker Toys or email multnomahparade@gmail. com Multnomah Village gardens open to tourists on August 17 The Multnomah Garden Club will be holding tours through seven lo- cal area gardens on Saturday, August 17, during Multnomah Days. Take a break from the vendors and stroll through a vari- ety of yards for both beauty and use by children and pets. “The entire tour is about two hours,” The Multnomah Arts Center's pottery sale is a perennial fa- explained Shay Nofs- vorite at the Multnomah Days Festival. (Post file photo by Don inger, secretary of the Snedecor) club. “There will be a The petting zoo pig was very popular with children at the Multnomah Days festival last year. The pig, however, didn't seem particularly happy. (Post file photo by Don Snedecor) variety of ideas on how to work with hills, nature friendly backyards, and solutions for no grass habitats.” The Multnomah Garden Club was established in 1925 and is a member of the National Garden Clubs INS. Chari- table work has included designing and planting of the VA Hospital flower beds, raising funds to maintain local gardens and donations for Neighbor- hood House. Many of the members teach garden crafts and provide education for local preschoolers, local nursing homes and retirement centers. The tours will run between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at Handy Andy’s and Jacqueline’s Found & Fabulous. Tickets will also be available at the Multnomah Village information booth and at any of the houses on the tour. Cash and checks only. Children under 12 are free. Sorry, no dogs are allowed. For more information, contact Shay Nofsinger at 503-704-0913. Premier viticulturist to make appearance at Vine & Dine And if that wasn’t enough, on Sun- day, August 18, the first Multnomah Vil- lage Vine and Dine will be held on Moss Street (behind Grand Central Bakery). Tickets are still available for $50 at 1:00 p.m. VIP entry and $30 for general entry at 3:00 p.m. Sample outstanding wine and a variety of bites from artisan vendors. Alan Busacca, a premier geologist and viticulturist will give a presentation to the VIP ticket holders “I’m very happy to partner with our major sponsor, Safeway,” said Jill Cre- craft, owner of Sip D’Vine, who is also sponsoring and organizing the event. Proceeds will benefit the Multnomah Village Bloc’s Initiative, a new 501c3 organization helping the community be financially successful. For more information and to obtain tick- ets, please visit www.VineAndDineTickets. eventbrite.com. Parsons produce stand thrives in second season in Multnomah Village By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post When Multnomah Village attempted a farmer’s market several years ago, organizers were hopeful and elated to offer fresh, local produce, flowers, and tasty meals mid-week. Located under the basketball court roof of the Multnomah Arts Center, the small market operated every Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. At the time, it seemed like a great idea. You can build it but will they come? Apparently not. Perhaps it was the hours; maybe the fact that a Sunset Magazine award winning farmers’ market was right up the road in Hillsdale. The fact was the market didn’t last two seasons. Fast forward to 2013: Parsons Family Farms, located in Canby, has estab- lished five produce stands in the re- gion, one of them prominently placed in the center of Multnomah Village. Specializing in local, fresh berries and vegetables, the produce stand is open daily from approximately 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Although not certified organic, ber- ries are not sprayed. Healthy stalks of rhubarb, bunches of scallions, and baskets of berries dotted the racks. The corn was a little thin, but then it is still early in the season. Prices also appeared lower than nearby supermarkets and even farm- ers’ markets. The farm was founded in 1980 by the late Jacques Parsons, who had a strong will to move to the northwest with a definite goal to bring the fresh- est produce to Oregonians. Starting out with one farm and one stand, the farm has expanded to three expansive farms and five stands. They attend several weekly farmers’ mar- kets in Tigard, Vancouver, Canby, and Oregon City. Katy McDonald, a Portland Com- munity College student pursuing chemistry, has worked for the Parsons family for a year now. “Multnomah is my favorite,” she said as she weighed summer squash and large radishes for an elderly couple. Katy did not know how many people came through in a day, but it seemed like she was always busy, especially in the morning. “That’s when the strawberries are available,” Katy told the Post. “Straw- berry season is just about over and they are the most popular!” A Parsons produce stand is even located at the Southwest Community Center every Friday- Sunday available from the youngest child to the oldest senior citizen. “There’s nothing like a fresh peach after a great workout,” commented a mother in a running outfit. “My kids love them and we don’t have to run out to the market all the time.” Come autumn, the stand will have late sum- mer squash, apples and, of course, pumpkins. The Multnomah Village stand is located on the corner of Southwest Multnomah Boulevard at 35th Avenue (in the lot by Keith’s Automotive). It’s open from Memorial Day until Halloween. It reopens the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve sell- ing Christmas trees and greens. "Multnomah is my favorite stand to work!" said Katy McDonald, who enjoys summer employment with Parsons Family Farms. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)