Meetings & Events of 2006
Wednesday December 13th - No Meeting - Happy Holidays!
Wednesday November 8th - BNA Monthly Meeting - History & SW Bike Routes
Ginger and two current owners talked about their Bridlemile homes on the Historic Inventory of Portland and one on the National Register of Historic Places (a BNA web page and walk in the planning stage). Also the SW Walking Map was on hand and feedback was requested regarding the bicycle route portion of it; if you have any suggestions regarding bike routes in and thru Bridlemile please forward them to
Don Baack.
Bev talked about, and the board voted to go forward with, developing a street plan for one of Bridlemile's two collector streets (Hamilton and Shattuck) please see the Collector Street Improvement Plan page for the most recent developments. Bev is actively seeking one or more Transportation Committee assisants to help with this project and other Transportation committee projects and activities, including the eventually taking over the Chair position on the committee, if you can help please contact the BNA Board.
At one person volunteered to help with the Schools committee and another after the meeting with Landuse committee.
Contact: Ginger Danzer, ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460 History Chair
Wednesday October 11th- BNA Monthly Meeting - Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET)
Dennis Siegman the leader of the Bridlemile NET talked about the Neighborhood Emergency Team program. The goal of this public safety program is at the time of a disaster to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the least amount of time. If a major disaster (such as a major earthquake) strikes Bridlemile/Portland we need to be prepared to provide food and water for ourselves for at least three days and know how to help others. Learn more at the
SWNI NET web pages.
Contact: Ginger Danzer,
ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
Wednesday September 13th - BNA Monthly Meeting - BNA Judge Steven A. Todd
Judge Steven A. Todd, a full time judge in our circuit court since 1997 who handles primarily traffic and criminal matters, gave an informative talk and answered questions. Chris Kahle was approved as the new BNA Parks Chair.
Contact: Kathy Bambeck,
kathybambeck@spiritone.com, 503-245-2634
Wednesday August 9th - BNA Walking Tour
Ginger and Victor were the only ones who turned out for the first BNA walking tour on a beautiful Wednesday evening. The walk was very informative, thanks to Ginger's wonderful notes, and a lot of fun. Based on that trial walk and the people we met we updated the tour and route descriptions and the walk, entitled
A Browse thru Bridlemile is now posted here.
Contact: Ginger Danzer,
ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
Tuesday August 1st - BNA Annual Neighborhood Night Out Potluck Picnic
by Kathy Bambeck and Greg Schifsky
A very good turnout of Bridlemile neighbors joined in lively conversation and good food. Kathy Bambeck arranged for a prizes for the kids who conducted a raffle for them, enthusiastically pulled out the raffle tickets, called out the numbers, and distributed the prizes. A woman from the Mayor's Visioning Project passed out information and surveys which she also gathered. Local law enforcement officers to stopped by for a meet and greet with kids and adults and listened to and answered questions. Kay Copenhaver (one of the original Creek Stewards) and her husband Walt also attended. An informative and fun time was had by all.
Contact: Kathy Bambeck,
kathybambeck@spiritone.com, 503-245-2634
Wednesday July 12th - BNA Monthly Meeting: BNA Walking Tour
The walking tour had to be rescheduled at the last minute.
See August 9th above for more about the Walking Tour.
Contact: Ginger Danzer,
ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
Wednesday June 14th - BNA Monthly Meeting: BNA Walking Tours
Programs for September and October were discussed. After Committee Reports Ginger gave a quick overview of the walk and information about sites along it that she put together.
See August 9th above for more about the Walking Tour.
Contact: Victor von Salza,
victor@vonsalza.com
Wednesday May 10th - BNA Monthly Meeting: Proposed 9-lot Subdivision at 3912 SW Shattuck, BNA Walking Tours
Westlake Consultants, Inc. representing Mr. Kurt Dalbey, Spectrum Development, LLC, spoke about their application for a proposed 6-lot subdivision at
3912 SW Shattuck Rd. During board meeting Micki Carrier of Maplwood said that infill squeeze together with calendar cards and lawn signs had brought in many new neighbors who have gotten involved with that and other issues.
Contact: Victor von Salza,
victor@vonsalza.com
Saturday May 6th - Bridlemile Open Space Park - No Ivy Day Event
Click here to see before and after photos and photos of volunteers removing ivy.
Saturday April 15th - Hamilton Creek Restoration - Invasive Touch Up
Seven people showed up on a wet and miserable day and made good progress on removing hawthorne, ivy and blackberry restarts.
Wednesday April 12th BNA Monthly Meeting - BES Oral History Project Event
During the 2005 - 2006 school year, the Fourth and Fifth Grade students at Bridlemile Elementary School(BES) interviewed longtime residents, see their wonderful and informative video clips on the
Bridlemile Elementary School Oral History Project page.
Friday March 24th - Bridlemile Creek Stewards Talk and Planting Event at Bridlemile Elementary School
Greg Schifsky of the Bridlemile Creek Stewards spoke to three classes about creek restoration, and took two classes to the Hamilton Park Resotration site to plant some natives.
Click here to see photos of one of the classes planting.
Saturday March 18th - Albert Kelly Creek Restoration - Invasive Touch Up
Please click here for details of the event.
Wednesday March 8th - BNA Monthly Meeting: OnGoing Projects for 2006
We discussed Board & Committee ongoing projects and goals for 2006, including:
• Lillie Fitzpatrick discussed the new Bridlemile Safe Routes to Schools engineering plans unveiled at the Feb 27th SR2S engineering meeting; the items need prioritizing and for the next month the SR2S team would like your input, see the
Bridlemile Safe Routes to Schools page for a copy of the report, email link, etc.
• Kathy gave the SWNI update, see the SWNI Newsletter for details. And everyone discussed feedback they had gotten while doing the BNA Calendar Card distribution, which will continue the next month or so.
• Ginger reported on the upcoming April 12th BNA meeting featuring results from
BES Oral History Project, see the link for more details.
• Greg talked about upcoming projects for 2006-7, mostly maintenance of existing Hamilton Park and Albert Kelly Creek Restoration projects, and continued outreach to schools. Naming the creek east of Hamilton Park Bridlemile Creek is going forward.
• Bev Vogt reported that City Transportation is looking into getting input from neighborhood association on prioritizing reported problems SW wide. Bev will look into getting the reports posted at the SWNI page, for feedback, more in the coming months.
• Victor reported about plans for May 6th No Ivy Day to hold an event at the
Open Space Park, and this months Invasive touchup event at Albert Kelly Creek Restoration.
• Most of the board meeting was devoted to updating the BNA by-laws; the board approved changes including: Board shall consist of three or more committee chairs, i.e. each committee chairperson will be a board member. New committees and chairs subject to approval of existing board. There would be no elections. These changes and others subject to SWNI review and approval at next board meeting.
Contact: Victor von Salza,
victor@vonsalza.com, 503-246-2146
Saturday February 25th - Hamilton Creek Restoration - Invasive Touch Up
Due to below freezing temps and high winds on weekend of Feb 18/19 the event was moved to February to 25th. Greg, Victor, and Kyle Spinks showed up and made a good sized dent in a large area of ivy on the bank just above the creek.
[Inline:1="BNAPEC4367.jpg" alt="Greg removing ivy" ]
Greg working on removing ivy (circled in yellow on photo).
We will be back at Hamilton Park again on Saturday April 15th, click here for details of the event.
Wednesday February 8th - BNA Monthly Meeting: Tualatin River Keepers
Sue Moir from the Tualatin R. Keepers was unable to come after all. The meeting was devoted to the BNA Calendar Card and Board/Committee issues and reports.
Contact: Greg Schifsky,
gregl@q.com, 503-246-2714
Saturday January 21st - Albert Kelly Creek Restoration - Planting Event
14 volunteers turned out and planted severval hundred plants at the Albert Kelly Creek Restoration(AKCR). Visit the
AKCR 2006 Events & Photos for details and photos of the event.
Contact: Greg Schifsky,
gregl@q.com, 503-246-2714
Wednesday January 11th - BNA Monthly Meeting - Bridlemile Creek Stewards
Greg Schifsky talked about Bridlemile Creek Stewards accomplishments for 2005 and plans for 2006. Visit the
Bridlmeile Creek Stewards web pages for more information.
Contact: Greg Schifsky,
gregl@q.com, 503-246-2714
Sunday January 1st - Hamilton Creek Restoration - Resprout Control Event
Ten people turned out between 9am and noon to followup our stream restoration project at Hamilton Park and remove invasive plants that sneeked back during the past year. About a full yard of material (invasives) was cleared from an approximately a 2000sq.ft. area. A good day there.
[Inline:2="BNAPEC4171.jpg" alt="Jerry and Greg removing blackberries" ]
Left to right, Jerry and Greg digging out blackberries.
Contact: Greg Schifsky, gregl@q.com, 503-246-2714
Meetings of 2005
Wednesday December 14th - No Meeting - Happy Holidays
Wednesday November 9th -Diaster Preparedness
Keturah Pennington gave a summary of things to consider in planning what your family will need to have done in advance, and be ready to do, when the next earthquake, windstorm, flood or other disaster strikes Portland. Your plan needs to be custom fit to suit your situation. The most important tool you have in a disaster is your ability to think flexibly and creatively; those present talked about some creative solutions to typical situations. Keturah passed out a handout with suggestions of what to include in your Disaster Kit, which as we have learned recently, you may have to depend on for much more than 72 hours.
Contact: Kathy Bambeck,
kathybambeck@spiritone.com,503-245-2634
Wednesday October 12th - Safe Routes to Schools(SR2S); Pedestrian Safety
Lynne Mutrie, from the Alliance for community Traffic Safety in Oregon, and Lillie Fitzpatrick SWNI Transportation Chair, spoke about the pilot
Safe Routes to Schools program at Bridlemile Elementary School. They are actively seeking interested parents who can meet once a month thru the school year to help with this pilot effort. If you would like help or just participate, please
Contact: Lynne Mutrie,
lynnem@actsoregon.org, 503-656-7329; and Lillie Fitzpatrick
See also
walkNBike.org
Wednesday September 14th - Neighborhood Projects 2005-2006, Jim Thayer
Jim Thayer, President of SWHRL spoke about the future of SWHRL and its relationship with Bridlemile, Homestead and Hillsdale. SWHRL looks forward to working with its neighbors on issues that we all share, such transportation OHSU affects on transportation loads on our streets, pedestrian improvements on Dosch, and other issues that affect neighborhoods in common. He also suggested that we try to find someone in our overlap area who would serve on both boards. Lynne Mutrie, from the Alliance for community Traffic Safety in Oregon, and Lillie Fitzpatrick SWNI Transportation Chair, talked about the pilot SR2S program at Bridlemile Elementary School (come to October 12th BNA meeting to learn how to participate or help). Kathy and Jim Thayer talked about the SWHRL Ice Cream social (see October 2 on Events page for details). Rich and Greg talked about tree mitigation plan at one of the Sempler properties.
Contact: Victor von Salza
Tuesday August 2nd - BNA Annual National Night Out Potluck Picnic
Bridlemile neighbors engaged in lively conversation over good food at our most fun event of the year at Albert Kelly Park.
Contact: Kathy Bambeck,
kathybambeck@spiritone.com, 503-245-2634
July - Gone Fishiin'
Traditionally the BNA does not meet in July. Hope to see you in August at our Annual National Night Out Potluck Picnic.
Wednesday June 8th - Hamilton Park, SWHRL, BNA walking tours
Committee reports: Bridlemile Elementary School has been chosen as a pilot Safe Routes to Schools school. Now that the issue of the parking restrictions is closed, some members of the Hamilton Foot Patrol, Scott Westerman, and Stephanie Reynolds, had an open discussion with those present to help find other potential solutions and how to go about implementing them. More foot patrol members are needed, a committment of even just once this Summer would help. The BNA Legal Committee reported that SWHRL acknowledged receipt of our letter (proposing to continue the existing SWHRL/BNA boundary overlap) saying that it was going to their boundary committee, and new elected/contested SWHRL president Jim Thayer also wrote saying that resolving the boundary issues is one of his top priorities once the election is resolved. The meeting ended with discussion and ideas for neighborhood walking tours based on different themes (history, architecture, parks, points of interest) etc. Walking tours of Bridlemile four parks, of significant trees, of homes that have been naturescaped, and a tour of Bridlemiles developments were suggested as initial themes for walks. If you have suggestions for one or more stops that could be featured on such a walk, please contact: Ginger Danzer, ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
Wednesday May 11th - Affordable Housing, SWHRL, BNA Elections
In addition to our monthly committee reports regarding on going projects...
Martha McLennan (Executive Director of
Northwest Housing Alternatives ) gave a very informative presentation and excellent answers to questions regarding affordable housing in the Portland area. For information on affordable housing in the greater Portland area visit
www.housingconnections.org
Rich Adelmann of the Legal Committee presented the draft proposal letter regarding the SWHRL boundary issue.
Elections were held, and the BNA Board were unamiously relected. The BNA Board are still looking for a Transportation chair; and co-chairs for each committee.
Contact: Greg Schifsky, gregl@q.com, 503-246-2714
Wednesday April 13th - Offer of Judgement to SHWRL
Since the March BNA meeting the City has made an Offer of Judgement to SHWRL. Jimmy Brown, Director of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, was to discuss the Offer of Judgement at our April Meeting, but due to family issues he was not able to come.
For details on the settlement please see: "SWHRL accepts City's offer of judgment" by Sylvia Bogert on page 2 of the April SWNI News, "City offers judgement in lawsuit" by Tracy Stepp on page 1 of the April 2005 Southwest Connection, "City settles suit on overlapping neighborhoods" by Fred Leeson in the Wednesday March 23rd Oregonian, and the BNA Legal Committee web page for a complete history of the issue.
Wednesday March 9th - Jimmy Brown regarding SWHRL, Hamilton Park Closing Hours, Land Use and Transportation Issues
At an ONI meeting on Monday Feb 28th reps from the BNA board were briefed on whether to go to arbitration verses a trial regarding SWHRLs claims. The city is leaning toward arbitration which would bring this matter to a close. It is quicker than a trial, which would take years, and be more intimidating to the witnesses. Jimmy Brown will visit Bridlemile NA on March 9, to get our opinions and concerns from us.
How Would Arbitration Work?: There is one arbitrator in a conference room, usually a retired judge chosen by our attorney and SWHRL's attorney together. Each attorney brings witnesses. They are questioned by the attorneys like in a courtroom. The arbitrator listens then decides in favor of one side or the other, and that is binding. It is like at a round or oval table, not intimidating like you see on TV, no jury, no cross, etc. It eliminates the emotions found in a federal courthouse trial. And it is easier to do.
The Hamilton Park Foot patrol and Public Safety Chair of the Bridlemile Neighborhood Association (BNA) is preparing a proposal regarding the closing hours of Hamilton Park to discussed at the meeting. This Proposal is to permanently change the closing time from midnight to 10pm, all nights. This is in response to continuing problems at the park with drinking, speeding on streets around the park, loud music from cars parked at the Park. The recently formed Foot Patrol has been very effective at discouraging the problem behavior but the Patrol can not always be on duty. Other parks in Portland have earlier closing times to address public safety concerns. If you plan to speak (versus comment) at the meeting regarding this topic, please contact Tom Doberstein by March 4th.
Also what Land Use or Transportation issues in Bridlemile are of most concern to you? The BNA is collecting input to forward to the city and to help plan our own efforts for this year.
Contact: Tom Doberstein, t.doberstein@comcast.net,
503-319-5884 Safety & Crime Prevention Chair
Thursday March 10th - Saving the Trees of Bridlemile and SW Portland
The remaining streams in upland areas of SW Portland are listed as "degraded" by EPA and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. These stream reaches do not function under Oregon's Goals for clean water and are limited in their ability to sustain fish populations. A Large tree canopy helps mitigate storm water power, provides cool water that is necessary for maintaining water quality in streams, and provides humans with cleaner and cooler air and also aesthetic beauty. Please join in an exploration of the ways and means to save and protect our remaining urban forests.
Contact: Greg Schifsky,
gregl@q.com, 503-246-2714
Wednesday February 9th - School Community Connections
We met with Debi Bradway principal, and Melinda McCrossen librarian and media specialist at Bridlemile Elementary and talked about how we can help each other and thereby students and parents of the neighborhood. For information about Bridlemile Elementary School please visit the
Bridlemile Elementary School web page.
Contact: Ginger Danzer,
ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
Wednesday January 12th - Neighborhood Projects 2004 & 2005
Accomplishments of our ongoing, and plans for future, neighborhood projects were discussed. New projects that were proposed included: listing current LURs on the BNA Land Use page; Walking Tours of Bridlemile based on different criteria, e.g. architecture, trees, history, cool places; Trees, getting better enforcement of current codes, improving the codes, and encouraging neighbors to plant appropriate trees on ther properties. Watch for new and updated web pages here at the BNA website for these projects in the coming months... and please any suggestions you may have regarding them to Victor. To learn how the BNA can help you start and promote your own project via the SWNI news, BNA website, and other methods
Contact: Victor von Salza,
victor@vonsalza.com, 503-246-2146
For events prior to 2005 please see the SWNI News Archives