February 3, 2005

We love living in Sullivan's Gulch. So near to so many wonderful things, yet so distinctively "the Gulch". Here's are some of the things happening in the neighborhood and what your Neighborhood Association has been up to.

LOTTERY COMMERCIAL FILMED IN SULLIVAN'S GULCH
Nope, in spite of the lighting trucks and motor home parked in front, no movie stars were on hand earlier this week at Broadway Floral Home & Garden. Instead the interior of our neighborhood flower shop was the location for an upcoming Oregon Lottery TV commercial being. In spite of the sunny day, extra lights were set up on the sidewalk so the interior would photograph well.

NEW SGNA BOARD MEMBERS
At the Fall General Membership meeting the following neighbors were elected to two year terms on the SGNA Board: Leonard Cogan, Wayne Scott, Christopher Salih & Andy Alvis. We welcome them and invite you to get to know them. A complete list of Board members is available on the SGNA web site. http://www.sullivansgulch.org/sgna/board.asp

Board Officers were elected at the December SGNA Board meeting, with Harrison Pettit and Peyton Snead being elected as co-chairs, allowing previous chair Dave Brook to devote his energy to communications/newsletters.

OUR CUPS & PLATES RUNNETH OVER
We have 25 restaurants within easy walking distance of the Gulch, including 4 sushi restaurants, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Ethiopian, pizza, sandwiches, beer and an extensive choice of coffee shops, not to mention the Food Court at Lloyd Center or the deli sections of local grocery stores. Our newest restaurant is recently Chai Yo Authentic Thai Cuisine (in the old Ruen Thai location) at 1411 NE Broadway and watch for Arabian Breeze at 3223 NE Broadway. A new non-food merchant in the neighborhood is Go-Wireless at the corner of 30th & Broadway. Welcome.

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORIAN FEATURED IN OREGONIAN
Neighbor Leonard Cain's interest in the the names of the contractors who poured the sidewalks in our neighborhood got the interest of the Oregonian recently. You can see the article on our website. If you'd like to get involved, contact Leonard at: 503-493-6017 or email at cainleonard@yahoo.com

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
The SGNA Board and committees are involved with a number of issues to improve the livability of our neighborhood:

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP
Every spring in conjunction with Office of Neighborhoods and Bureau of Environmental Services, SGNA sponsors a "Spring Clean Up" with dumpsters to collect unwanted and unsalvageable junk and yard debris. We're looking for a few good individuals to help coordinate the effort this year. What's needed is scheduling the dumpsters and recruiting some volunteers for a half a Saturday to help load and unload. Call Dave Brook 503-313-1320 for details.

FOR OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS, including minutes from previous Board meetings, see our website or attend our monthly Board Meetings.

They're held the second Tuesday of each month (except August) at 7:30 pm at Holladay Park Plaza, off Clackamas St. at 16th Ave. The next one is Tuesday, February 8. For information about SGNA or to submit an agenda item, contact Co-Chairs Peyton Snead, 503-284-8313 or Harrison Pettit, 503-249-0996 or email your item to info@sullivansgulch.org.

SPAY DAY USA
Did you know that just two unaltered cats and their offspring can potentially produce more than 420,000 more cats in only seven years. Two unaltered dogs can produce 67,000 more dogs in just six years. Responsible pet guardians need to have their pets neutered before 6 months of age to prevent accidental litters that add to the problem. Through Spay Day USA you can make a difference at any level, from having their own pet neutered, helping a neighbor find a low-cost option that allowed them to have their pets altered, to donating time or money to spay/neuter organizations. In the Portland area, many veterinary hospitals and humane organizations participate in Spay Day USA. The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, will be holding a special clinic in the Portland area in honor of Spay Day USA. To learn more about the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, to bring cats to a clinic, to volunteer or donate to the cause, call the phone line at 503-797-2606 or check out the website at www.feralcats.com.

GARDENING TIP FOR JANUARY
Many in Sullivan's Gulch love to garden - and it shows - even in winter. While you're waiting for warmer weather, Susan Campbell, whose garden is on the corner of 19th & Clackamas, offers this tip about when to prune:
- Now is the time to prune shrubs that bloom in the summer;
- If the shrub blooms in the spring , wait until it's done blooming before pruning.

By the way, we're starting to work on a neighborhood-wide gardening extravaganza this spring . If you want to get involved in planning the fun, call Meara McLaughlin at 503-287-7312 or send her a message at: meara17@hotmail.com

SINCE YOU'VE GOTTEN THIS FAR you're obviously interested in what's happening in the neighborhood. Why not forward this newsletter to your neighbors so they can subscribe themselves (instructions below). And let us know what you'd like to see in future editions of this newsletter.

And, if you have information of interest to others in the neighborhood  neighborhood history, happenings or horticulture. Maybe you know someone who had an important birthday, a birth or anniversary, or have a neighbor that donated 100 pounds of tomatoes from their garden to the Food Bank last year. We'd like to share the news with others. Please send your ideas and information along to info@sullivansgulch.org.

Thanks. - Dave Brook, editor 503-313-1320.