The assessor updated our property values in mid August and, of course, they went up.  Click on www.portlandmaps.com and enter you address to see what your November property tax bill will be based on.  If you want to dispute it, avoid the rush.

The convent across the street from St Philip Neri has been vacated and the church and Hosford Abernethy are talking about possible new uses for the building.  HAND continues to talk to the powers that be about vacating the stub of SE 19th street between the convent and Morrison Services.  It’s currently used as a free parking lot.

Wynne Gillham is back at 20th and Division at Dilly’s Bar and Grill, formerly KJ’s Bar and Grill, formerly Wynne’s.  Ether Shoes Warehouse moved its shoe store from NW 23rd to 2105 SE Division in the warehouse next door to Pizzicato.

Although the community mural on rite Aid’s front wall is still under repair, a local newspaper took pictures to use with an article they are writing about their services.  Artist Rin Carroll Jackson was both flattered and piqued because she hadn’t finished the retouching.  The new food cart home at 50th is acquiring carts.  One of the first boasts King Crab products.  Wally’s Crepe has opened their food cart across 50th in the back of the lot that currently houses a Tanqueria Los Gorditos food cart and a bicycle sales and repair business.  Steiner Storehouse at 59th has closed and Optician Christine Gebhart has moved into the building on the corner that houses Gigi Bar.  There was a very nice article about Don Williams and his Dairy Queen across from Atkinson grade school and Franklin’s fields. 

The artist at 4185 SE Division is gone and On The Move has moved into 4181.  The building has 600 Sq Ft for lease.  Fat Kitty Falafel is no longer on the SE corner of Mirador’s lot.  LeGare’s on Clinton at 15th now has his name in gold lettering above the front door.  How’s that for spiffing up the neighborhood?

Have you ever tried Jonathan LeGare’s Guava cookies - or his justly famous Mochas?  If you didn’t go far enough down Clinton during the fair, you missed LeGare’s at 1532 SE Clinton, a local coffee shop with some great food offerings.

The brick commercial storefront with warehouse space at 2622 SE 25th, across the street from Sub Rosa, is available for rent.  It formerly housed a record seller who kept a large inventory and a low profile. 

The Buy Right Furniture building has been subdivided into Buy Right on the west corner at 3570, Bliss at 3572, and D&T, a workshop and boutique at 3574, and a soon to be open frame shop at 3576.  Buy Right Furniture is celebrating 20 years in business and offers their sincere thanks to all their customers.  D&T (Donna and Toots) will be offering fabric, sewing lessons, and dressmaking in a kid friendly atmosphere.  Their open House is scheduled for August 20th.

Ridgeline Clinic, chiropractic and massage, is opening at 3735 SE Division, in the house next door to In or Out Tax Service.  The Landmark Saloon at 4847 hasn’t had its grand opening yet, but the previews are all good.  Around the corner at 50th behind Bearly Worn, owners Rod and Linda Gramlich are developing the back parking lot into a food cart court with plumbing, electricity and sewer.  There will be a stage, covered seating, and space for multiple food carts.  

Pizzicato is going to paint a mural on their Division Street wall. They’ve applied for the permit and should be sketching by the July 24th Street Fair. Rin Carroll Jackson directed the cleanup job on the “Commerce and Community” mural at 39th and Division. Her next tasks are patching the small holes caused by weather and age and restoring the paint in places where removing the graffiti took off paint. Whiskey Soda Lounge is painted orange with red highlights on its sign, a bright lively addition to the streetscape. The water leak that plagued everyone driving north through the intersection in front of OHSU seems to have been permanently repaired. The pavement is smooth and the lines repainted.

If you are a sustainably-minded car owner, you’ll be pleased to know that All Around Auto was just re-certified as an Ecological Business. The certification requires All Around to properly recover and dispose of all liquids separately; recycle old parts separated by material, use only sustainable materials where possible, and keep the place clean so no contaminants leach into the ground. Owner John Martinson said the certification program has grown from a visual inspection 11 years ago to this year’s 30-page document.

The Workshop at 2524 SE 26th has replaced Clinton Street Brewing. Media PDX has moved into the building behind K & F Coffee at 26th and Clinton. 2510’s windows are covered with paper, a sure indicator that someone is preparing to replace Q is for Choir. Departure Architects left 2032 SE Clinton, next to Zenanna Spa. The space is now for lease. Around the corner, Shrek stands in the front window of Exit Realty, wearing his raincoat and holding his umbrella. Stop by during the street fair and see if he’s changed into summer clothes. Across the street, Oddball Studios operates out of 2710 SE 20th.

Landmark Saloon is opening at 4847 SE Division, Oscar Albert’s replacement. Erica Nukaya is asking for a full liquor license. She will be serving American comfort food both inside and on the lawn and providing music between 3:00pm – 2:30am every day. Apex, a bar for bicyclists and pedestrians at 12th and Division opened to a brisk business. It offers a lot of interesting beers and no parking. A local moviemaker was filming at Tom’s Restaurant. Hollywood Impress was asked to provide some printed props. Kelley Roy, an early member of Division Vision, is circulating petitions to learn how much interest the area has in assisting Green Microgym move into space in the Urban Developer’s renovated building at 31st and Division. The energy you expend on the exercise machines is converted to energy and fed into your building’s electrical system. You can contact Kelley about attending or investing at kelley@sassafrasgreenbuilding.com.

Urban Development + Partners managed to turn the house facing Division at 38th to face 38th just off Division. A new apartment building will be constructed where the house once stood.

It’s time to start working on your plans for the July 24th Division Street Fair. The forms are available on our website, www.divisionclinton.com. There is a form if you’re going to have an activity or event that day, be a sponsor or a vendor

New Seasons Market won Portland’s award for Sustainable Food Systems. Presented by the BEST Business Center and City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the BEST Awards recognizes businesses demonstrating a commitment to excellence in sustainable business practices. Stop in and congratulate them.

Pizzicato “7 Corners” at 20th and Pizzicato at 60th and Division offer a $6.95 Lunch Special, free bike delivery (within reason), vegan slices daily, and even Gluten Free Crust. Check their website www.pizzicatopizza.com.

Urban Development + Partners removed one sequoia from the 38th and Division property. They are milling that wood to create benches for the 38th and30th redevelopments. The three Japanese Maples will be professionally removed and stored. They will be replanted when the project is complete. The house will be turned sideways to face 38th Street the week of May 3rd.

Uriel Kushner is Flying Cat’s new owner. The former coffee shop at 31st and Division is open afternoons and evenings and offers music and alcohol. Aaron Thrower moved Aaron’s Shoe Repair to 4117 SE Division, between Edward Jones and Marino Adriatic .

AMF PRO 300 Lanes at 3031 SE Powell presents a 3-hour concert by Network Live Music Friday May 21st from 8:00pm to 11:00pm as part of their summer Concert series. For $10 a person you get unlimited bowling, shoe rental, and a live concert. This event is open to any age. To reserve your bowling lane, call 503 234-0237.

Richmond School Spring Festival, Saturday, May 8th from 11am-4pm. Food vendors, crafts, and cultural information on the playground; annual spring plant sale in the field; student performances featuring Taiko, Traditional Japanese Dance and more! Admission to the festival is free; some fees will apply for food and various activities. For more information contact Nicola Spechko at naspechko@gmail.com, or Andrea Obana obana@finebrand.com. Richmond School is on 41st, 1 block north of Division.

It’s time to start working on your plans for the July 24th Division Street Fair. If you’re a vendor, the forms are available on our website, www.divisionclinton.com. If you want to sponsor some or all of the event, contact Nancy Chapin at nancy@tsgpdx.com. All of D/CBA’s businesses are welcome to hold sales, put tables in front of your business, and generally show our visitors who you are and what you do. Just tell us in time to advertise in the SE Examiner and on our posters.