St. Johns review., October 30, 2015, Page Page 3, Image 3

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The St. Johns Review * #22 OCT. 30, 2015 * Page 3
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Michael Verbout receives Spirit of Portland Award
WinterFest 2015
Continued from Page 2
you would like to join in the fun,
let us know.”
WinterFest Background Info:
Around 2009 Gary Boehm head-
ed up a team of community lead-
ers, residents and business owners
to apply for the National Trust
Main Street Program. We were
the fi rst community within a city
to get the designation. During this
period the coalition determined
that a Christmas tree had not been
in the Plaza for over 15 years. It
was a task the group would soon
change.
Allerdice was given the honors
of fi nding a tree and a neighbor just
happened to have a 20-plus-foot
tree. Neighbors Tom Stubblefi eld,
Joe Adamski, Robin Plance, along
with Steve Weir, Sarah Anderson
and a host of community members
took the time to go cut and set it
up in the plaza. Mayor Sam Adams
came and lit that fi rst tree.
In 2010 Mayor Adams and a host
of others created what would soon
become the Portland Main Street
Program. It was with the help of
The St. Johns Boosters under Gary
Boehm who put up the original
matched funds of $20,000.00 to
bring St. Johns into the Portland
Main Street programs. In late fall,
Holly Heidbrecht was hired as the
Executive Director, she came in to
help fi nalize the second holiday
event and First offi cial WinterFest.
Since, then much has happened
and there are many to thank, such
as: Steve Weir who plays Scrooge,
Richard Colvin as Tiny Tim, Rie
Newman who was greeter, coordi-
nator and the makeup artist. Tom
Stubblefi eld took care of decora-
tions, lights, trees, and basically
anything we asked of him. Thai
Cottage who has always supplied
hot cocoa to the volunteers. Nena
from the St. Johns Bookstore who
always had a child friendly event
to inspire young readers. Weir
Cyclery who became the Tree
Sponsor for many years bringing
in a living tree that found its way
to the Bluff as part of historical
groves of trees. Gayla and The St.
Johns Review have always been
our sounding board to announce
and inform the community of this
event. We are forever grateful for
unwavering support. Pattie Dietz
as Mrs. Clause roasting Marsh-
mallows with the kids. It’s one of
her favorite past times, and she has
already voiced her space for this
season. Allerdice said, “The truth
about this event, is that it takes all
of us to make it work.”
Because of the nature of the real
world, WinterFest moved outside
of Main Street around 2012 due to
restructuring, and from there the
event happen via generous dona-
tions and exceptional volunteers.
But the goal has always been the
same: To engage the community
in being stewards of the History
of St. Johns, and raise the funds to
install the Edgewater Lampposts.
The group has the support of
the SJ Farmers Market. Presi-
dent-Simone Streeter was instru-
mental in creating the First ever
Winters Farmers Market, which
has always partnered with Winter-
Fest in the lighting of the tree.
Our Bridge has always been a
source of great pride. Part of the
beauty being those Gothic inspires
which the Lamps mimic, named
the Edgewater, they mimic the
tenacity of this dynamic commu-
nity of the waters edge. Years ago
the St. Johns Main Street Design
Team did an analysis of what it
would cost to install the lamps
down Philadelphia and then up and
down Lombard. It has always been
a goal to see the entire community
of organizations become partners
to this endeavor. Each taking on a
role to promote and sponsor a post.
It was suggested that each post
sponsored have a plaque of the
donors who purchased it. Aller-
dice said, “Today, we are looking
at how to make this goal a reality.
One of these is to turn WinterFest
in to a Street Fair. Which is why
we are looking at moving this
from a nonprofi t to a profi t event.
It would give us the revenue to
make this goal a reality.”
The fi rst ever check to help pay
for a Lamppost was given to the
Boosters last year by Laura Wood-
ruff. Allerdice said, “Let’s not
make it the last. John England and
I, and a wonderful cast of volun-
teers have been discussing what it
would cost to put one in the Pla-
za as an inspiration. Anyone else
want to help us make that a reali-
ty? And, how many would love to
see the Edgewater Lamp post in
our Historical Business District?
Think about it. We would love to
hear from you.”
Everyone is welcome to partic-
ipate in the Tree Lighting, which
honors the History of St. Johns. So
come join the fun on Dec. 6, and
bring your singing voices. They
plan on doing some caroling!!
You hear his name often around
North Portland - he is the com-
munity’s best steward. He plans
special events; he keeps people
informed of all things important,
he fi ghts for what is best for local
schools, he gives, and gives and
gives, so it is befi tting that Mi-
chael Verbout has been honored by
Portland Commissioner Amanda
Fritz to receive a Spirit of Portland
award.
Commissioner Fritz sent the
following message: “Mike is a
lifelong resident of North Port-
land who dedicated his career in
Portland Public Schools serving
in his home area. Now retired, he
donates countless hours supporting
community cohesion and promot-
ing North Portland neighborhoods.
He truly exemplifi es the Spirit of
Portland.”
Verbout graduated from George
K-8 and Roosevelt High School.
After college he taught for 33
years in Portland Public Schools
including serving as Principal at
Applegate, Beach, and James John
schools. He founded the Roosevelt
High School Alumni Association
in 2011, and continues as one of
its most active supporters. He was
Happy
Halloween
Play Nice!!
‘Play Safe!!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Rally Planned
it is 25 mph, perhaps because it’s an
Dear Editor,
entrance to a Business District the
The strongest support for the Far- speed could be reduced to 20 mph.
id Bolouri Development is the blind And it’s the same moderate traffi c
Lombard curve and the safety issue one fi nds in Downtown SJ. The ur-
at Charleston. Believe me, I always gency is dissipated. At this juncture,
have a wave of gratitude once I’ve more conventional approaches to
crossed it! It doesn’t matter how making it safe will do. For example
slow the vehicles are traveling, they at John Street, safety was achieved
just appear out of nowhere. You with a pedestrian crossing signal.
don’t see them and you assume that This intersection, in the SJLP, was
they don’t see you. It feels dan- seen as a Gateway into our Com-
gerous. It is blind because the Huk munity, and visibility into St. Johns
Lab/ Weir Building blocks the line was an important developmental
of sight.
aspect. An added benefi t to moving
Now imagine that you are a giant the sightline back, is that vehicles on
Genii and with your great hand you RT30/Lombard now have greater
can magically lift the whole Huk visibility into Downtown St Johns.
Lab building and move it four or More to the spirit of the St. Johns
fi ve feet away from the street. In- Lombard Plan, and a solution that
stantly your vision down Lombard couldn’t be foreseen in 2004. Where
would be changed from 50 ft. to currently from Oswego you can see
150 ft. With the complete razing of to Signal Pizza/ Peninsula Station,
Bolouri’s lot, as will be done, that now you’d be able to see to John
offers a clean slate with which to Street and beyond. A much warmer
build and something like this can invitation for business entry.
be done. Simply put, if the sightline
In the Bolouri Development, be-
on Lombard is moved back four cause he squares his building at
or fi ve feet, the curve is no longer Charleston and because it’s bigger
blind. In the making of the St. Johns and taller, you will have a four-sto-
Lombard Plan (SJLP) this option ry wall of apartments that will not
wasn’t even a consideration because allow visibility into downtown St.
the current structures were immov- Johns until just before you reach the
able markers. Any plan made had to proposed right turn stoplight. As you
work around these buildings. Now travel west you will be greeted full
we don’t, for the buildings will no on by a four story apt. wall. It is a
longer exist.
physical, visual, and psychological
If the sightline is moved back, barrier, NOT an invitation into St,
Charleston becomes as safe as any Johns.
street on Lombard. Pedestrians
Join us for a Save Ivy Island rally,
can see approaching vehicles, and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 pm, at Ivy Is-
Call the
or street,
email: vehicles
reviewnewspaper@gmail.com
if they step onto
land. Info at 971.295.9842.
can see them. The current speed 503-283-5086
lim- John Teply
a key driver in the $482 million
PPS bond measure campaign, and
helped establish the groundbreak-
ing partnerships between schools
and faith based communities.
Mike also volunteers with Loaves
and Fishes, Peninsula Kiwanis,
North Portland Optimist Club, and
The Salvation Army. Each year he
raises money for ALS research in
honor of his mother Doris as well
as organizing and emceeing the
quarterly Gatherings and annual
Celebrate North Portland events.
Modest Mike said he didn’t have
the words to express what receiv-
ing this honor means to him, but
then shyly said, “It’s an honor, a
privilege and I’m so thankful, and
it is so appreciated. “ He then said,
“Things would not happen without
everyone who are selfl ess enough
to allow me to work with them to
make things happen.”
The Review congratulates Mi-
chael Verbout on receiving this
prestigious award.
Kenton’s restaurant Po’Shines
Café de la Soul at 8139 N. Denver
is also receiving a Spirit of Port-
land award for Business Commu-
nity Partner of the Year. The Re-
view didn’t hear back from them
for a statement, but we also con-
gratulate them on receiving their
important award.
The Spirit of Portland Award
ceremony will be held Thursday
November 17 from 6 - 8:30 pm at
City Hall.
For a complete list of awards
go to: http://www.portlandoregon.
gov/oni/spiritofportland