Post Blazer Game Victory Celebration Spot

Posted on by Tamille Lundmark
The Pods at Gotham Tavern

One of the many reasons we moved into the Eliot neighborhood was its proximity to so many great businesses, downtown Portland, and the Rose Garden.  My husband and I have been half-season Portland Trailblazer ticket holders for several years now and love going to games.  My Blazer fan co-workers who mostly live on the west side tend to complain on game night since they know they have a long drive or max ride ahead of them and have to fight with the crowds and traffic in order to get to the game.  Not us however!  It’s so easy for us to leave our house just 15 minutes prior to tip-off and either walk or catch the number #4 or #44 on North Vancouver for a short bus ride to the Rose Garden.

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Weekend Morning Coffee Treat

Posted on by Tamille Lundmark
Goldrush Coffee Bar

On the weekends I like to walk over to one of our neighborhood coffee shops to indulge in a latte and bagel for breakfast.  Over the past few years I’ve become a regular at Goldrush Coffee Bar.  With its brick interior, old hardwood floors, and rotating art, the vibe inside Goldrush is very Portland.  I tend to be a creature of habit and get the same breakfast almost every weekend so the baristas all know my order.  Occasionally around the holidays I order the pumpkin spiced latte and a peppermint mocha for my husband instead of the usual vanilla latte and regular mocha.  Also, during the hot summer days I’ll sometimes change my drink to iced for a real shake up.

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Food Carts Arrive in Eliot Neighborhood

Posted on by Tamille Lundmark
Those Darn Accordions Playing Happy Hour at Dreamers Marketplace

In keeping with a current Portland trend, a couple of underutilized lots have been transformed into great little food cart pods in Eliot.  The first few carts to call Eliot home are located in a lot named Jimmy’s Corner at the corner of Vancouver and Fremont Street.  I discovered them several months ago while out canvassing the area to notify residents about upcoming neighborhood events.  The owner of Mum’s Kitchen offered samples of her African fare and I was hooked.  Soon after, a Mexican cart arrived and their homemade fresh tamales made my mouth water.  The pod also has a pita cart and a drive thru coffee cart.

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Dreamers Marketplace Brings More Retail to Eliot

Posted on by Lee Perlman
Dreamers Marketplace

The Eliot neighborhood has long longed for more retail on commercial streets such as Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, to see activity and commercial services instead of empty lots and buildings. Things have improved since our low point in the late 1970s, but more is needed.

Until we capture that dream, we have Dreamer’s Market Place.

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My Urban Farmer

Posted on by Tamille Lundmark
Urban Garden

At the first signs of spring when the crocuses and daffodils poke their heads up, my husband gets excited about starting to plant his “farm” as we like to call it.  He scours seed catalogs reading all about the new varieties of heirlooms available.  We make the first of many quick trips to Livingscape Nursery, just north of NE Freemont on N Vancouver Ave.  They carry our favorite brand of seeds, Territorial Seed Company, lots of plants, flowers, fruit trees, and baby chickens which are always fun to see.

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Fetch is Home in Eliot

Posted on by Kirsten Jenkins
Fetch Doggie Daycare

Fetch Doggie Daycare is located at 2021 NE MLK and has been a part of the community since 2004.  New owners, Britt and Adam took the business over in 2009 and just celebrated their one year anniversary.  Fetch provides a safe, fun and loving environment for dogs to stay – whether it be just for the day or overnight.  They have 3,200 square feet of play space equipped with cushy furniture, play structures, toys, and a lot of love.

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Learn to Swim for Free

Posted on by Clint Lundmark

Learn to swim for free at the Matt Dishman Pool. Portland Parks & Recreation is offering free swim lessons to the public this summer! Anyone 3 years or older qualifies for five free swim lessons for beginners June 21-25 at Dishman Pool or any of the other local PP&R neighborhood pools.  Last summer more than 3,100 Portlanders learned how to swim during the free swim lessons.

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Concerts in Dawson Park 2010

Posted on by Clint Lundmark
2009 Concert in Dawson Park

Dawson Park will host three free concerts this summer!    The gazebo, renovated in the the Spring of 2008, will be the stage for the live performances.  Last year three great acts graced the gazebo and this year’s lineup looks fantastic. Concerts begin at 6:30 PM and last about 2 hours.  Best of all, the concerts are free!

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New Open Air Arts and Crafts Market

Posted on by Clint Lundmark

Dreamer’s Marketplace, a new open air arts and craft market, opens June 12 and 13 and runs weekends throughout the summer.  Vendors will offer a fantastic variety of unique products ranging from fine art and hand crafts, to jewelry, pastries, and more. A variety of food carts will offer a diverse array of freshly prepared food. Local musicians and entertainers will perform along with a variety of other special presentations including art shows, balloon fun, and interactive programs for children and families.

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Inspiration at Afrique Bistro

Posted on by Clint Lundmark
Afrique Bistro Entrance

On a Friday night not too long ago my wife and I were once again looking for a place to go for dinner.  It has kind of become a weekly tradition to visit one our fabulous neighborhood spots each and every Friday.  After short a discussion with friends we decided to show them Afrique Bistro.

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New Graham Street Lofts Neighbors

Posted on by Tamille Lundmark
Graham Street Lofts

Have you noticed the relatively new pumpkin orange building on the corner of MLK Jr. and Graham St?  It’s the one I use to describe to my friends how to get to my house.  You can’t miss it!  It’s called Graham Street Lofts. It was built to create superior housing using revolutionary European construction designed to be comfortable and energy efficient.  The ground floor of the 4-story building contains mixed-use units which have recently been filled.

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Why I Love Eliot

Posted on by Kirsten Jenkins

As a real estate agent focusing on Portland’s many “close-in” neighborhoods – some newer that are up and coming and others that are already established – I’m tasked with ongoing research about what each has to offer.  It is important to show new Portlanders all of their neighborhood choices to help them make their big decision.  My pitch when describing Eliot is that “I have lived here since 1994 and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.”  I am sold on our central location.   I point out how we have such easy access to the freeways, 2 Max Lines, and many bus routes to choose from.   Not to mention the bike corridor on Williams and Vancouver and plans for Street Car in Eliot one day as well!  I fall more in love with our neighborhood every year. While walking through the neighborhood, I’m able to take in all of the new things that are going on, like home renovations, amazing gardens, and the new businesses.

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Dawson Park Concerts

Posted on by Tamille Lundmark
Ocean 503 playing in the Dawson Park Gazebo
Ocean 503 playing in the Dawson Park Gazebo

I love our little Eliot neighborhood.  I love the big old Portland houses with good sized lots and the proximity to downtown with easy access to TriMet.  This is why my husband and I moved here in the first place 6 years ago.  Within the last few years the list of reasons for loving our neighborhood keeps expanding.  I love the ever-growing number of eateries and boutiques within walking distance, being a part of a diverse and eclectic population, and participating in block parties, Friends of Trees annual plantings, and neighborhood clean-up days. My favorite is the summer concert series in Dawson Park.

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Alu Wine Bar Open Again

Posted on by Clint Lundmark
Alu Wine Bar on MLK
Alu Wine Bar on MLK

Have you noticed the silver or aluminum colored building on MLK near the corner of Graham?  In the spring of 2008 it opened as Alu—named after the color of the building.  About a year later Alu suddenly closed.  For most of this past spring and summer Alu remained closed while it transferred owners and underwent a transformation of sorts.

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