The Division/Clinton Annual meeting was Tuesday, January 26 at St Philip Neri.  The officers for 2010 are President Darice Robinson, Vice President Jean Baker, Secretary Jane Fisher, and Treasurer Sue Wallace. 

 The Division Streetscape planners held three meeting for business owners in January, timing them for business convenience, one early morning, one at noon, and one right after work.  All were well attended and the thoughtful suggestions the business and property owners brought are being adopted as much as possible.  30% of the businesses and property owners came to the sessions.  Thank you to all of you who took the time to give the planners the necessary feedback.  Plan to attend the Open House on February 10th from 4:00 – 7:00PM to see how well your suggestions were implemented.

Businesses continue to come and go.  The corner lot on the north side of 12th and Division now houses Los Gorditos, a sit down version of the popular Tanqueria Los Gorditos food carts.  The other half of the building will house a beer garden with outdoor seating.

The mural on Rite Aid’s front wall has been seriously graffitti’d.  Artist Rin Carroll Jackson has been asked to give the D/CBA an estimate on the time and cost to repair it.  Since the mural has a clear, protective coating on it, Rin is experimenting with different methods of cleaning in hopes she won’t have to call you all back to repaint.

The D/CBA board meetings have moved from Jane Fisher’s Edward Jones office to the OHSU Richmond Clinic on the corner of 39th and division, thanks to new board member Ern Teuber.  We have been hearing from two police officers, one from Central Precinct, 39th to downtown and East Precinct, 40th to beyond our borders at 60th.  The meetings continue to be open to all bda members.

John Lambert of Division Hardware would like to form a group of businesses to go into battle against the mass of moldy, soggy, unsightly posters that litter our utility poles.  He reported that the initial cleaning took nearly two weeks.  After that, once a week keeps the area around his business clean and trim.  He has collected a sandwich baggy of staples from the two poles near his business and urges other businesses to join him.  Posting on the poles and leaving them to rot is another form of graffiti.

The City of Portland and Portland Development have announced Portland Main Streets, a new program to help commercial districts improve themselves.  To be a Main Street, a group of businesses, residents, and other interested parties must go through an application process, form a non-profit, and raise the funds needed to fix up a chosen portion of a commercial street.  To learn more and to become eligible to apply, at least two people must attend one of the two available workshops at Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs Main Conference Room, 4134 North Vancouver Avenue, on February 2nd from 1:00 – 8:30 PM or February 3rd from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.  Even if you decide not to apply, the workshop will give you ideas about improving your area, raising funds, or preparing to apply next year.

It’s time to light the street for the holidays.  If you still have strings of lights, please light your front windows, put up your bows, and display your holiday spirit.

You should have received our annual dues mailing.  Dues are entirely voluntary, but vitally necessary for us to continue to work on improving Division/Clinton.  Please respond favorably.

The next APNBA grants are spring 2010.  If you have an idea for a project that can be accomplished in six months with $5000 or less, we can for an APNBA grant to make it possible.

December 4th the The Academy of Kung Fu, 3228 SE 21st, will host a Kung Fu Camp for Kids ages 6+ from 8:30-4:30PM that features guest instruction in Aikido.  Contact Lara at 503-432-7450 or info@kungfuoutreach.org for more information.  Mother Nature’s Earth Friendly Baby Products at 26th and Clinton will be having Handprint Tiles on December 12 from 10:30-5:00.  For more info, see www.mothernaturesbabystore.com. 

Oscar Albert is hosting a “Multi-Trunk, Holiday Trunk Show” on Wednesday, December 2nd.  Swing by anytime between 5:30 – 8:00pm for some great specials by local businesses.  Please let them know if you’ll be joining them so they have enough  wine and samples for all! 

Yoga Shala, 32nd and Division, invites you to Yoga for Digestion with Nandini Ranganathan on Saturday, December 12, from 1:30 – 4:30pm, $45.00.  Register online at info@yogashala.com.

Sleeping Bee Gallery has changed to Sleeping Bee Studios where Rin Jackson plans to offer small classes and workshops to young artists.  The space at 3621 SE Division is now a gift shop.  The space at 4831 SE Division is available for lease as well as space at the rehabbed building at 12th and Division and at 20th and Division. 

The Bureau of Transportation has posted their ideas for improving Division Street’s look and stormwater overflow in windows at division Hardware, 30th and Division and Artemis Foods at 12th.  They have many more ideas than funds, so look at your block and contact them with your suggestions, critiques, and general observations.  There will be an open house in February.  Your input will help them place trees, bioswales, curb extensions, new bus stops, etc.  Later, the City will ask your permission for whatever they hope to put in front of or beside your building/business. 

Pix (34th and Division) is having a whole month of events about Sparkling Wine! Lots of free tastings and a sparkling wine list with 68 bubblys. Please check out our website for the whole schedule (there is a lot!)http://www.pixpatisserie.com/pages/news-events.

Our annual meeting is January 26th 11:30 – 1:30 at St Philip Neri.  We have lunch, a short meeting, City Commissioner Amanda Fritz as our speaker, a silent auction, and our elections.  We can always use new board members.  We need your enthusiasm, energy, and ideas!

Happy Holidays

A new guesthouse opened on the corner of 40th and Sherman, walking distance to everywhere.  It’s on a convenient, quiet street with easy parking and a fenced back yard.  Check it out at http://portlandshermanguesthouse.shutterfly.com/.

Jim Warren’s West Coast Studio, located near 34th and Division, is hosting it’s annual Jim Warren Birthday/Holiday event on Saturday November 14th from 1:00-7:00 pm. Meet fine artist, Jim Warren in his private studio, share some birthday cake and wine, see Jim’s Original Oils, prints and watch him paint! Jim will do special dedications on your artwork for all those who attend. RSVP to Sherry 503 235 0062.

We normally don’t mention jobs, but the fact that Gilly’s Salon on Clinton is looking for a revolutionary hairstylist is a matter to celebrate in this economy.

The last Friday of the month, Detour serves up a feast.  One seating at 7pm takes over the whole cafe for a memorable evening.  Cost includes meal, wine, and gratuity.  Reservations for groups of our o more are discounted.  Becky and Scott say response if responding to this email, enthusiastic.  Reserve seats by calling the cafe at 503.234.7499 or using the website www.detourcafe.com.  Detour is located at 3035 SE Division.

On November 1st, Oscar Albert begins its transformation into a Spanish Bistro and Wine Bar. They will continue to be open for lunch and dinner and to host wonderful Flamenco guitar players on Saturdays.  As part of the transformation, Gretchen offers Sobre Mesas - a multi-course dinner that includes wine perfectly paired with the meal.  Sobre Mesa is an evening of community where dinner is the event and the time after the meal is spent in good conversation and relaxation.  The first Sobre Mesa is November 6th by reservation only.  Oscar Albert is at 4847 Se Division.

Twill at 21st and Division is announcing its $20 online gift guide again in time for the holidays.  Check out their goods at www.twillclothing.com. 

On November 28th, Pix at 34th and Division is throwing a party celebrating the French macaron, two almond meringue cookies sandwiched together with buttercream fillings.  Thirty different flavors will line the shelves and every guest who buys a macaron will get a key to the Magical Treasure Chest! If your key opens the chest you could win a $20 Pix Gift Certificate or possibly turn into that genie character on Pee Wee’s Playhouse.

New Rose Tattoo parlor opened at 48th and Division, replacing Ease.

The extremely popular SE Area ArtWalk is taking a year of Transformation, Rejuvenation, and Renewal.  The next ArtWalk is scheduled for March 5th and 6th, 2011.  Stay in touch through www.seportlandartwalk.com.