For the second year, the Health, Wellness and Social Spaces Committee (emphasis for this event on “Social Spaces”) sponsored a South Waterfront House Tour and charitable support for Neighborhood House. This year, Umpqua Bank gave the post-tour party! The party had three purposes, to bring people together for some socializing after the tour and to welcome Neighborhood House folks (its board and primary supporters) together and to orient them to the House Tour, and to contribute $5.00 to Neighborhood House for each person who came to the party. There were 309 guests–you do the arithmetic.  The House Tour included five homes in the Meriwether (3 in the West Tower and 2 in the East Tower) and three in the John Ross. How do you say this was a superlative success without sounding a bit over-the-top? Frankly, it was an amazing success. The spirit and camaraderie   of residents and their guests was palpable in the hallways, the elevators, and certainly at each home.  Well over (and we have yet to get an accurate count) 300 visited the 8 houses that were open. They were all different sizes and beautifully decorated in quite different styles. People who attended got a taste of the many home options that exist in our neighborhood and how dramatically different people arrange and treat their living space. We’re really interested in hearing about your experience with the House Tour so send your comments. I’ll be posting my observations over the next few days. mdp

Last year, it was decided that we needed to reach out as a community to an agency in the southwest whose programs serve all age groups and meet multiple needs of people in the community. Neighborhood House was selected. It was a low key campaign because we were new and had very little lead time.Now, for the second year, the 20/20 Health, Wellness and Social Spaces Committee is spearheading a major fund raising drive for this agency. Umpqua Bank, Bella Expresso, and Urbana Market and each building lobby have collection boxes and Bee Cleaners has offered to clean good clothing donated to the drive. In fact, this offer inspired Neighborhood House to start a clothing program for their clients in addition to the existing food distribution program. Neighborhood House is the only comprehensive social service agency serving Southwest Portland. It helps more than 6,000 low-income and other vulnerable children, families and seniors each year through innovative and life-changing programs. Flyers explaining their programs and envelopes to mail or drop donations in the box are available at all the locations listed above. You can also donate on line at www.nhweb.org. Our goal is to raise $10,000 and we invite you to join us in this effort.

The 2nd Annual House Tour in South Waterfront is coming up fast–it takes place on December 5 and is restricted to residents and their guests. This year there are 8 homes on display, 2 in Meriwether East, 3 in Meriwether West, and 3 in the John Ross building. They are all different sizes and contrasting styles. One penthouse has been constructed around a gothic castle theme with arched doorways, a suit of armor, a wine “cellar,” and amazing details in the wall and ceiling treatments. A smaller apartment is starkly modern, with clean lines and beautiful lighting features. A third is an art gallery, filled with paintings and other works and furnished to draw attention to the art. This is just a sampling of the interesting interiors that will be toured this week. If you are a resident of the South Waterfront district, sign up to attend but if you are unable to get your name on any list, come anyway. This is a pretty informal event. The House Tour is followed by a reception at Umpqua Bank where residents and hosts can gather to end the evening with a bit of cheer. Umpqua Bank is donating $5.00 to Neighborhood House for each person who attends.

Third Thursday is a “no host” event sponsored by the 20/20 Health, Wellness and Social Spaces Committee as a casual opportunity for interaction among neighbors.

Last Thursday was the October Third Thursday, a regular event held at Bella Expresso in SW. Third Thursday started when a resident of the John Ross, about to move in, suggested that we needed an informal, regular event to bring people together. Third Thursday between 6 and 8 pm was selected by the 20/20 Health, Wellness and Social Spaces Committee as the time to share wine and nibbles on an ongoing and self-supporting basis. We asked Bella Expresso if it could be held in their cafe because it is centrally located. For the latest event, the signs that were posted were not clear about how this works. Everyone is invited to bring something to share such as an appetizer or a bottle of wine. The intention is to get together without great cost and with considerable cheer and comraderie.

Bella has graciously hosted two of the Third Thursdays, the first was their grand opening and the last was a lovely gesture on their part. They have been open to having us meet there at no charge and we are pleased to have such a central location. On the next Third Thursday (November 15), we will be introducing our adopted SW charity, Neighborhood House. TT has proven to be successful in bringing people together. So join us on the Third Thursday and bring something to share.

We are most appreciative of Bella’s open door policy and a space on the balcony to have this event. Please come to as many TTs as you can, wander down to the main floor for supper if you like, and vist Bellas at other times for coffee and, among other things, their very special, locally made, scones.

Peggy Pusch

For those unaware of the NET, Neighborhood Emergency Training, program, this Saturday there will be a large drill going on in Portland concerning emergency management. If you and your neighbors would like a chance to participate, you can! On Saturday October 20th, from 9 a.m. until noon, you can participate in the first ever NET activation of a staging area and contibute to the planning for future emergencies. Just let me know if you want to be involved, give me a contact number and you are in. Or contact Peter Williamson at 503-319-8245 or via email to civresponder@comcast.net.

Two people from The Meriwether, Linda McCaw and Leah Grotzinger, were trained last year to become members of the NET team. They would be delighted to tell you about the experience. We are delighted to have at least two trained people in South Waterfront. We hope, of course, that they will never be called upon to help us in a disaster that would isolate the community for as much as three days (such as an earthquake) without critical assistance. Needless to say, they would be amazingly busy if they were the only two so check this program out and become a part of it. Linda and/or Leah can be reached through Comments. It would be terrific if we could assemble a group to take a training program together. Stay tuned for the next dates that training will be available.

The Friends of Ross Island and Portland Audubon Society would like you to get “Wild in the City’ with light watercraft tours of Ross Island. For more information on tours, visit www.friendsofrossisland.org or www.audubonportland.org for tour dates.