STAR Publishing, STAR The Hollywood Inc. H ServingStar North/Northeast Metro Portland Neighborhoods HNEWSNEWS H SEPTEMBER 2013 H Volume 31, Number 3 H Are you ready for a Challenge? Bicycle Transportation Alliance event promotes bike commuting By Jamie Caulley On a hot August evening, approximately 100 bicy- clists gathered over pints and panniers at Velo Cult bike shop, 1969 N.E. 42nd Ave., to celebrate the start of this month’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) Bike Com- mute Challenge (BCC). Velo Cult, an avid supporter of the BTA, hosts a monthly happy hour for the non-profit group whose focus is promotion and advocacy of biking and bike-related issues throughout the state. September is traditionally a month consumed by kids going back to school and adults busily harvesting from their backyard gardens, yet the BTA believes it’s the ideal month to hold their largest event of the year. While other cities in the United States focus on similar challenges in May (National Bike month), the BTA chooses September with its historically dry days, warm daytime temperatures and crisp mornings, all of which help to make an easy transition for new bike commuters or seasoned commuters looking to increase their ride time. Stephanie Noll, deputy director of the BTA, states 2,000 of the 12,000 BCC participants last year identified themselves as new commuters. Of those participants, about 50 percent say they continued to ride more often after the BCC than they did previously. That is good news for the BTA and the success of the challenge whose primary pur- pose, as Noll explains, “is to get more folks riding bikes, more of the time.” Francine Ecova, BCC participant and regular bike commuter, explains that she participates because, “it’s fun, easy and gives me a bit of exercise.” The biggest intimidation factor for new commuters is Bike commuters gather at Velo Cult to have a pint and celebrate the start of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s believing that bike commuting will be too hard. “People Bike Commute Challenge. — Photo by Jamie Caulley who have not bike commuted before imagine themselves bike commuting along the same route that they drive or “Currently, we have all the basics. We just don’t have the Anyone interested in joining in the BCC can sign up at ride a bus on,” says Noll. “When they contemplate that, it cool stuff yet,” Boyer explains. bikecommutechallenge.com. Teams consist of workplaces seems intimidating. Ninety percent of the time, there is a Velo Cult, which is receiving national attention for its that can be defined from one person to hundreds. How the more comfortable route.” unique combination of bike shop, bar and venue, is already workplace is defined is up to the participants. Portland New Besides softening the idea of bike commuting with stocked with twelve rotating beer taps, a drop-down stage for Seasons stores compete in teams by store, creating friendly beer and friendly staff, the BTA also supplies bike maps, music, a screen for showing old films and select bike races, as competition within the company. route-finding assistance and workplace educational semi- well as an in-house custom frame builder — Cycles J Bryant. Commuter miles are logged on the BTA website. Each nars. Noll estimates they do more than 60 bike commute As more people bike commute and participate in the BCC, week, a random prize drawing is held for local bike shop workshops a year around the Portland metro area help- Noll believes that employers will become more aware of the gift certificates, bike lights from Portland Design Works and ing workers learn commuting laws, bicycling skills, basic benefits of a bike-commuting workforce. The BCC “raises backpacks from Columbia Sportswear. bike maintenance and how to combine biking with mass the profile of bike commuting for workplaces, (helping them) In October, the BTA will host an all-participant party transit. understand the benefits of having a bicycling workforce and sponsored by Hopworks Brewery and Hot Lips Pizza, cele- Velo Cult, the one-year-old bike shop located in the how that translates to healthier, happier and more engaged brating the spirit of the contest and awarding plaques to the former Hollywood Antique Mall, can help bicyclists get employees,” Noll says. top companies in various categories, although, according to prepared for the BCC with commuter gear, bike service BCC participant Kristen confirms this idea. “Either I can Noll, for the winners, “it is largely about the glory.” and an inspirational setting. Owner Sky Boyer says that, take the bus and fall asleep, or ride and feel inspired,” she although the shop currently offers only 5-10 percent of its says. She also encourages her coworkers to participate be- anticipated inventory, that inventory is growing quickly. cause “it helps to build community.” 97208 SIGNATURE GRAPHICS SIGNATURE Portland, Oregon 97213 Oregon Portland, LAND, OR LAND, ORT P PAID 2000 NE 42nd Avenue PMB 142 PMB Avenue 42nd NE 2000 H U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE U.S. Northeast Metro Neighborhood News Neighborhood Metro Northeast STANDARD The Hollywood Star News Star Hollywood The PRESORTED 2 The Hollywood Star News September 2013 September Lee Perlman will be missed Thanks for Stoll Plaza, Editor: farewell to Lee Perlman The recent loss of long-time contributor Lee Perlman simply 2013 devastates us. We have known Lee since l978 from the days of the Editor: Portland Scribe, the Portland Tenants Union and the whole social- A giant heartfelt “thank you” to the entire Hollywood District for activism hub around the old Centenary Wilbur Church. He was honoring Norm and Helen Stoll with the dedication of Stoll Plaza at In This Issue always a passionate voice for social justice and development proj- Northeast 41st Avenue and Sandy Boulevard. Mom and Dad would Lee Perlman, reporter, dies 3 ects and how they would impact neighborhoods; that only grew be justifiably proud for being recognized by their peers in this way. Historic movie theaters 4 stronger as he pursued the facts over the past 30 years. Attending From their beginnings in Hollywood in 1950, Mom and Dad loved Dealing with divorce 6 every meeting and faithfully communicating the gist of them to our the District. They embraced the small-town atmosphere and the many, many people they worked with over the years. Calendar 12 communities, he provided an invaluable service that even a cadre of new writers will be hard pressed to accomplish. His knowledge Specifically I would like to thank the Hollywood Neighborhood People 14 of the movers and shakers, the corridors of power, the long-time Association, Hollywood Boosters, Hollywood Lions Club, Creston Business 17 community activists and non-profit groups was unparalleled; and Homes, Central Northeast Neighbors and the City of Portland. With- Briefs 20 his healthy skepticism a humorous balance to it all. out the cooperation of all of those groups, this would not have oc- We incurred his ire a couple of years ago when we wrote to curred. this paper complimenting it for having him on staff and him for The biggest thank you, however, is reserved for Jo Schaefer, presi- his fine work. Never one to wave his own flag at all, he protested dent of the Hollywood Neighborhood Association. Jo was the catalyst that we were “over-doing it” even though we hoped that he was for making this happen. She is the heartbeat of Hollywood. If you secretly pleased to be reminded of how much we noticed and ap- want to know what is happening in Hollywood, ask Jo. preciated his efforts. Again, “thank you” to all for your hard work on this project. Thanks again for providing him with the forum all these In closing, I want to say how much I will miss my monthly chats years. He will be missed beyond words. with Lee Perlman as he delivered the Star throughout the District. Page 12 In sorrow, with appreciation, Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace. Jay Harris Wayne H. Stoll Mary Scott The Hollywood Star News welcomes letters to the editor. All we ask is that you write legibly and at reasonable length about a local issue. Mail your letter to the Hollywood Star News, 2000 N.E. 42nd Ave., PMB 142, Portland, OR 97213 or send an e-mail to hstareditorial@aol. com. Correction In “Race Talks: Courageous Conversations continue” (August 2013), the date of the Race Talks meetings was incorrectly stated. Race Talks take place the second Tuesday of each month at McMenamins Kennedy School Gymnasium, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave., from 7-9 p.m. For more information: mcmenamins. Page 11 Page 13 com. ����������Get your copy of The Hollywood Star Published Monthly REGISTER NOW! The Hollywood Star Copyright Star Publishing Inc. ���������� Mailing Address: delivered to 2000 NE 42nd Ave. PMB 142 your door. 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