A few Sundays ago the Seattle Seahawks were not playing football. My wife and I were doing some shopping, however midway through the day I was burned out and she continued. With no football to watch I needed something to do so I followed the white and black signs on the corner of Russell and MLK to the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Show.
Fix-It Fair
The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development is holding a Fix-It Fair on Saturday November 17th starting at 8:30 am. The Fix-It Fair is a FREE City of Portland event designed to save you money and connect you to various resources. Join neighbors from around the area to talk with experts about how to spend less, stay healthy and “Fix-It”.
Donate Cans and Bottles for a Scholarship
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of returning cans and bottles to the store? Want to support local teens toward higher education? Now, you can do both! Volunteers of America is now accepting cans and bottles to be used toward a scholarship fund.
Venue Goes Cuban
Venue restaurant located on the corner of MLK and Graham has recently changed it’s format to Cuban.
At the end of October a new owner took over Venue located 2808 NE MLK. He immediately changed the restaurant to Venue Cuban Habana and Salsa Bar.
Russell St Then and Now
Russell Street Looking West 1910′s
Lower Albina and the Factory District in the early 1900’s. There are at least 8 buildings in this picture that are no longer standing. In the picture, on the left side is the building that is home to Mint and 820 and further down , the White Eagle. To the right you can see part of the Davis Block, the former hotel next door and in the distance, the Smithson Block – now home to Widmere.
More Development on Graham
Graham Street has yet another development in the works near the corner of Graham and MLK. Recently Graham has been a popular street for developers and appears as though it will continue.
Tubman School Changes
The former Hariett Tubman Middle School on N Flint has opened this school year as the Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women.
Sparkys Pizza Now Open
Eliot has a new pizza restaurant that opened last week along MLK.
Sparky’s pizza is the latest business to open up in the former Chicago Pneumatics building at MLK and Brazee. They feature “New York” style pizza that can be purchased by the slice or as an entire pizza. In addition, Sparky’s offers some favorite pizza-house extras like bread sticks and buffalo wings.
Sparky’s is located at 2434 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in the newly renovated Black and White building. They are open Monday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday until 10pm and Sunday from noon – 8:30 pm.
Cascadia Planning Housing
At the Eliot Neighborhood Fall General Membership meeting Jim Hlava, Vice President Garlington Center, announced that Cascadia Behavioral Health Care at 3034 NE MLK is starting planning for on-site housing.
Backbridge Lofts on Hold
At the Eliot Neighborhood Fall General Membership meeting October 8th it was announced the Backbridge Lofts and Backbridge Station projects are on hold.
Egyptian Theater Then and Now
Egyptian Theater 1933
This 1933 picture shows the entrance to the Egyptian Theater located on Union (MLK) near Brazee. The neighborhood theater was built in 1924 and owned and operated by the Graeper family. Originally it was home to live vaudeville style shows and later in the 30’s was showing motion pictures. The building operated as a theater until 1962 then as a warehouse until 1989.
Union and Russell Then and Now
Union (MLK) and Russell 1930’s
As Albina grew Union Avenue became a prominent business district. Notice the Egyptian Theatre to the left in this 1930’s picture.
Martin Mayo Building Then and Now
Martin Mayo Building 1930’s
The Martin Mayo Building, 2401 NE Union, is on the corner of Union (MLK) and Sacramento. It was built in 1912.
Hill Block Then and Now
Hill Block 1910
The Hill Block Building was built by Charles H. Hill, Albina’s first mayor. Located at the corner of Russell and Williams it was at the center of the business district for Albina.
Cafe Wonder
If you have ever been on Russell Street between MLK and Williams after dark you have probably noticed the orange neon sign near the corner of Russell and Rodney. Just about every night it lights up for the Wonder Ballroom and Cafe Wonder.
Eliot Neighborhood 