Categories
Plaza Events

Restored Town Clock and Plaza Dedication

What: Celebration of the refurbished St. Johns Clock and Plaza restoration
When: Saturday, September 30th.
District-wide festivities begin at 11 A.M and last all day.
The clock dedication is at 2 P.M.
Where: St. Johns Plaza

Reprinted from the North Peninsula Review newspaper, September 2023 edition. Article written by Barbara Quinn.

St. Johns Clock

A few years ago, when St. Johns residents and business owners filled out a survey about improvements they would like to see in the Town Center, repair of the plaza clock came up as a top priority. Other improvements to the plaza were also high on the list.

The repair request has turned out to be more challenging than anyone could have expected. In a two-year process led by the St. Johns Boosters and Venture Portland that required no short supply of gumption—the plaza clock has at last been restored and returned to working order.

It required research, the tracking down of rare parts (in some cases no longer being manufactured), negotiation with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) the site owner, the building of partnerships, and plenty of funds and tenacity.

The St. Johns town clock and the plaza were added in 1978 at the request of the Boosters. Although they are relatively new, the tradition of the town clock in small-town America is not.

Before cell phones and watches, people depended on town clocks to sound the hour.

“These clocks were originally and traditionally used to tell local time—they gave a community a sense of its own personality and its place in the world.”

Noel Poirier, director of the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania

Clocks particularly came of age after the Civil War in America. They probably peaked around 1920. After the crash of ’29, they fell into disrepair, they fell into decline. Town clocks can still be found in many municipalities across the county although not always in working condition.

Tanya Hartnett of Venture Portland, in partnership with the St. Johns Boosters, spearheaded the project to get the clock restored and at the same time improve the plaza. Venture Portland is an organization that invests in the smart, strategic growth of Portland’s 50 unique neighborhood business districts through grants, training, and promotion.

Tanya started the 2-year journey by approaching Doug Ray and Tom Stubblefield, neighbors who for years had repaired the clock. “They did a great job of keeping it running,” she said. But during the occupation of the plaza by houseless campers the clock was broken. Two of the clear domes over the faces were shattered and pieces got stuck behind the hands.

After researching parts, Tanya received a $5,000 grant for repair from PBOT, technically the owner of the plaza and the clock. She also received a $2,000 grant from Venture Portland and with some effort found a company that made the clear glass covering of the clock face. They no longer manufactured the part, but just happened to have two of the parts around and were willing to sell. The cost took most of the grant.

Tracking down someone who could fix the clock also required research and lots of calling. She found locals, Bob and Mark, watch repairmen who kindly worked for free. She found the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Portland Chapter, who were willing to work on the repair as volunteers. However, the parts they needed still required funds. (They have also worked on the Meier & Frank clock as well as the OMSI clock). They repaired the motor, rewired the clock, and replaced the lights with LED. It came to $3000 in materials. The Boosters are still seeking donations to help cover the cost.

Corresponding improvements to the St. Johns Plaza include tables donated by PBOT, and benches repaired by The Joinery, a member of the Boosters, who donated wood and labor. PBOT funded replacement bricks for the short brick walls, and the Boosters provided a new bulletin board. PBOT chipped in to buy games for Thursday evening game nights hosted by a different business each week to help keep the plaza active with positive uses.

Another grant from the city’s Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) obtained cafe lights for the plaza. They are both charming and provide a safety function.

The pocket park with native plantings near Burgerville also needs attention since a number of plants were stolen last summer. There is a plan to replace them.

Next on the list of improvements planned by Tanya, Venture Portland, and the Boosters is permanent lighting for the plaza. They have obtained grants from both Prosper Portland and PBOT for lampposts with hooks for hanging plants. However, they still need to raise $25,000 to cover the cost. To donate contact info@StJohnsBoosters.org or donate below.

Use the link below to donate.

Thank you for your support!




Categories
Plaza Events

Fall Fling 2023

Come Out and Play!

Date: Saturday, September 30th

Time: 11 AM – All Day! (Clock and Plaza Dedication at 2 PM)

Location: St. Johns Plaza

What’s happening?

Join the St. Johns Boosters for a district-wide celebration, specials, and events at local businesses happening all day long throughout the business district:

  • Plaza gathering with art, music, and more!
  • Enter to win by simply popping into our local shops!
  • Clock and Plaza Dedication to celebrate the clock being fixed and all the wonderful improvements in the St. Johns Plaza!
  • Free clock stickers and more!
  • Hula-hooping with Allison Kirley
  • A visit from The Smalls mini horses
  • Jazz duo Portland Standard Time will keep us entertained with two live music sets 
  • Public Math Day events in the plaza with Vibe of Portland and at local businesses, with a public reading at 12:30 PM

Come and enjoy a day in St. Johns by supporting local businesses!

Fall Fling flyer about events on Saturday, Sept. 30th in St. Johns
Categories
Plaza Events

Summer 2023 Game Nights in the Plaza

Thursdays all Summer: Game Night in the Plaza in St. Johns

Each Thursday night from June 8th – August 31st, the St. Johns Boosters are organizing game nights in the St. Johns Plaza. Game nights begin at 6:30 PM.

Check the button below to see the list of games, watch instructional videos, and read the game directions!

A very special thank you to Kevin Cantrell for setting up the webpage describing the games and including links for directions and instructional videos.

Thank you to our sponsoring businesses!

Categories
Plaza Events

Summer 2023: St. Johns Plaza Events

What a great time was had by all last month, with the opening of the St Johns Farmers Market and the long-awaited comeback of the St Johns Parade and St Johns Bizarre! It was truly inspiring to see the district filled with music, food, and community groups for all to enjoy. A huge thank you to all who made those events happen!  

St. Johns Bites Recap

Our St Johns Bites Instagram event ended May 15 with hundreds of photos submitted and $600 worth of gift certificates given to the winners, which gives extra support to our food and beverages businesses. 

Summer is HERE and with it are a host of events to keep St Johns busy and activated! Below are some fun things that we have planned for the Plaza. 

Thursdays all Summer: Game Night in the Plaza in St. Johns

Game Night in the Plaza

Beginning June 8th, every Thursday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the months of June, July, and August, the St Johns Boosters invite you to Game Night in the Plaza in partnership with PBOT. Each week a different business or community organization will host. We have a ton of great games for you to use – just bring yourselves!

Knit in Public Day

Saturday, June 10 from 11 am – 2 pm, Weird Sisters is hosting a Knit in Public Day in honor of Worldwide Knit Day. This is a drop-in event and is a great time to knit or crochet outside with your community.

Knit in Public Day in the St. johns Plaza, June 10th
Block Party, Saturday June 17th

Block Party

Saturday, June 17th from 12 – 4 pm, the Boosters are hosting a Block Party in the Plaza, a public event in partnership with SJNA and the Safer Together initiative with PBEM and the St Johns NET Team. Instead of a potluck for this party, we are encouraging folks to grab some takeout from one of our local businesses and bring it to the Plaza! We’ll have coupons and specials to entice you. There will be a short presentation on disaster preparedness and the opportunity to mingle with businesses and neighbors.

Father’s Day

Sunday, June 18th is Father’s Day and our Events Committee is coming up with some fun itineraries to celebrate those special dads in your life.

Dance United Returns

Two Thursdays, June 29th and August 31st, from 6 – 8pm Dance United returns to the Plaza for some Bollywood dancing led by DJ Prashant! This is a multi-cultural celebration that is free to attend and open to all! For those that attended last year, you will remember what a great time we had, and we can’t wait to dance with you again!

Neighbors dancing in the St. Johns Plaza

As always, thank you for supporting your local businesses! 

–Liz Smith
St. Johns Boosters Chair

Categories
Events

Spring Forward in St. Johns, 2023

St. Johns Boosters is sponsoring some fun, family-friendly events and you’ll want to mark your calendar!

Spring Fling, 2023

Spring Fling

When: April 15th throughout St. Johns, all day / in the Plaza 11 am – 2 pm

The Spring Fling returns to the St. John’s Plaza Saturday, April 15th. Plaza events kick off at 11 a.m., with mini horses for petting, chalk art, a photo bus, and more, until 2 p.m. Local merchants offer day-long activities and specials, so be sure to make the rounds of our many different shops.

St. Johns Spring Bites

When: April 15th – May 15th

St. Johns Bites

St. Johns Spring Bites also kicks off on April 15th. Just for grabbing your usual beverage or meal at our varied restaurants, cafes, bars, or food trucks, you can win a $50 gift certificate to local shops. All you do is Instagram a photo of your food or beverage and tag the business and #stjohnsbites. You’ll be automatically entered to win one of the three weekly drawings. That’s 12 chances to win!

Whether you’re a regular or have been meaning to try a new local spot, St. Johns Bites is a great time to sample the food and drink right here in our neighborhood. Jumpstart your chances of winning a $50 prize when you circulate during the April 15th Spring Fling, and finish with a bang at the May 13th St. John’s Parade and Bizarre.

Thank you to Venture Portland and Prosper Portland for their ongoing support of our district events.

We can all use a little Spring cheer, so let’s show our local businesses how much we appreciate them. 

Categories
Events

Holiday 2022: Ugly Sweater Events

Ugly Sweater events are happening in St. Johns this season. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Ugly Sweater Events, Part of Light Up St. Johns

Light Up St. Johns Holiday Tree Lighting

Friday, November 18th / 5 – 7 PM
St. Johns Plaza / N Lombard and N Philadelphia

  • Lighting the Community Tree in the St. Johns Plaza
  • Enjoy a choir
  • Giveaways of Ugly Sweater ornament kits
  • Hot chocolate & cookies!
  • Ugly Sweater photo ops.

Shopping Event

Saturday, November 19th / 11 am – 4 pm
Participating stores throughout St. Johns

  • Specials at participating storefront businesses
  • Gift certificates & goods from Home Service businesses at the Plaza!
  • District-wide Shopping Extravaganza for raffle basket entry
  • Holiday markets at various stores
  • Ugly Sweater photo ops in the Plaza
  • Free Hot Chocolate in the Plaza.

Shopping Extravaganza

Friday, November 18th – Sunday December 18th
Participating stores throughout St. Johns

  • Win 1 of 4 raffle baskets
  • Take a photo inside a St. Johns retail business
  • Post on Instagram with #lightupstjohns and tag the business
  • The more businesses you go into and enter, the more chances you have of winning!
  • Winners will be drawn and notified on December 19th via Instagram.

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

Friday, December 9th – Sunday, December 11th
Any St. Johns drinking establishment

  • Win a nightly $50 Gift Certificate!
  • Go to any St. Johns drinking establishment
  • Wear an ugly sweater
  • Post a picture on Instagram with hashtags #lightupstjohns and #uglysweaterstjohns
  • Tag the business
  • Winners will be notified on Instagram.
Ugly Sweater Events, Part of Light Up St. Johns

Download a 1-page PDF flyer of the Ugly Sweater Events

Categories
Events

Halloween in St. Johns 2022

Halloween Trick or Treating October 29 1 - 3 pm

St. Johns gets spooky and fun on Saturday, October 29th.

Join the St. Johns Boo-sters for trick or treating from 1 -3 pm. Enjoy treats around the St. Johns Business District on downtown Lombard and adjacent streets. Wear your costumes for more fun!

Three "birds" trick-or-treating in St. Johns.
Trick or treaters from a past year.

Learn more on our Events page.

Categories
Events

Fall 2022 Events

St. Johns is a happening place. Just look at what the St. Johns Boosters have lined up for the next few months!

St. Johns Bites

Visit a St. Johns food establishment and post a picture of the meal to Instagram. Include the #stjohnsbites hashtag and tag the restaurant in your Instagram post, and you are entered to win a $50 Gift Certificate to that business.  Three winners are chosen each week!

Happening:

September 20th – October 20th at all St. Johns restaurants, bars, coffee shops, food trucks, etc.

St. Johns Bites poster, September 20 - October 20

Download printable poster, 1-page PDF file


Fall Fling

St. Johns Boosters present the Fall Fling Shopping Event with specials and sales at all participating St. Johns Businesses. Love Revolution will play in the Plaza from 2 – 6 pm.  Come enjoy the fun and support your local St. Johns small businesses.

Happening:

Saturday, September 24th, 2 – 6 pm at St. Johns Business District shops.

St. Johns Fall Fling Poster, September 24th

Download printable poster, 1-page PDF file.


Halloween Trick or Treat

Come join the St. Johns Businesses along Lombard and adjacent streets for Trick or Treating. Wear your costume for more fun!

Happening:

Saturday, October 29th from 1 – 3 pm at St. Johns businesses.

A trick-or-treating family outside of Tulip Pastry Shop

Light Up St. Johns Events

Warm for the Winter Ugly Sweater Community Tree Lighting

While lighting the tree, choirs will be singing, Ugly Sweater ornaments kits will be given out along with hot Chocolate and cookies!  There will be Ugly Sweater photo ops, Shopping passports and Holiday Markets to enjoy!  Come join the fun of St. Johns.

Happening:

Friday, November 18th from 5 – 7 pm in the St. Johns Plaza.

Christmas Tree with lights in the St. Johns Plaza

Warm for the Winter Ugly Sweater Shopping Event

SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES!

Come to the St. Johns Plaza for Gift Certificates to purchase from St. Johns Home and Service Businesses. Get a Shopping Passport for Raffle Basket entry and enjoy the Holiday Markets and specials at the Store Front businesses. Ugly Sweater photo ops and Hot Chocolate will be handed out to keep you “Warm for the Winter with an Ugly Sweater”!!!

Happening:

Saturday, November 19th, 11 am – 2 pm in the St. Johns Plaza.

Warm for the Winter Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

Go to any St. Johns Drinking establishment and post a picture on Instagram with a drink while wearing an Ugly Sweater. Include the #lightupstjohns hashtag and tag the restaurant in your Instagram post, and you are entered to win a daily $50 Gift Certificate to that Business.

Happening:

Friday, December 9th – Sunday, December 11th at all St. Johns drinking establishments.

Categories
St. Johns Boosters

St. Johns Pocket Park!

St. Johns Pocket Park project will beautify a nearly barren patch of land adjacent to the St. Johns Plaza and provide a natural area using native plants for all to enjoy. 

For the past year, the Boosters have been working with 1855 Plants, Resilience Design, and Sauvie Island Natives to re-landscape the space at the entrance to the downtown business corridor in St Johns! 

This is made possible through a grant from Venture Portland and Prosper Portland, and community donations. 

Thank you to these businesses and community organizations!

Native Plant Pocket Park poster, St. Johns Oregon

Location and Volunteer Opportunities

The Pocket Park location is on N Ivanhoe & N Philadelphia in St Johns, next to Burgerville. Come out and volunteer at our work party on Saturday, May 14th. Let us know that you can help with an email to info@stjohnsboosters.org.

Nature-Based Solutions

Reinvigorating the pocket park at the foot of the St. Johns Bridge with a Native Plant Park Project is part of what the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union are promoting as “Nature-Based Solutions” to confront climate change, natural disasters, and other climate change-related challenges. In addition to helping native pollinators, Native Plant gardens help protect us at a lower cost and require fewer chemicals, less water, and less maintenance than nonnative plants or grey infrastructure.

According to the Native Plant Conservation Campaign, by filling our parks, gardens, roadsides, and open spaces with natives, our communities will become more ecologically resilient, comfortable, safe, and low maintenance. It is also cost-effective. 

For more information on Nature-Based Solutions, see the Ecosystem Services section of the Native Plant Conservation Campaign website. 

From Barren Patch to Vibrant Oasis

With a grant from Venture Portland, the St. Johns Boosters are beginning the work of transforming the nearly barren patch of land next to the plaza to create a vibrant oasis that resonates with the historical and cultural diversity of our area. The pocket park renovation has broad and enthusiastic support from the community. The Boosters are partnering with several community organizations to design, build and maintain the park and its amenities. We are developing a partnership with the Native American organizations and local community history organizations to ensure that all communities are represented. 

St. Johns Pocket Park Design
Pocket Park design by Resilience Design

Signage will add educational, cultural, and way-finding components. Plants and their connection to the area’s native Multnomah peoples’ culture and history will be identified. At some future date, we would like to create a signpost indicating the name and distance to other close-by natural parks such as Baltimore Woods, Smith and Bybee Natural Wetlands, Kelley Point Park, Cathedral Park, and Sauvie Island to give visitors an idea of additional attractions in the area. Signage will be in English, Spanish, and Wasco-Wishram, the dialect of the Native American Multnomah tribe that first inhabited the area. The multilingual custom plant signs will be made by a local merchant, A Nice Lady in St. Johns, constructed of durable outdoor materials of photosensitive aluminum.

Adopt a Native Plant

Neighbors, local organizations, and businesses are invited to partner with this project. By “adopting” a plant, with a donation of $100 or $150 depending on the size of the plant. An “adoption certificate” will be provided with a weather-resistant plant tag that will identify the plant as being “adopted” and include the donor’s name. 

“Adoptions” may be renewed annually, creating a dependable income stream for maintenance of the park, plant replacement, and clean-ups.

Pictures of the Native Plants to be included in the St. Johns Pocket Park
Native plants that will be included in the St. Johns Pocket Park

St. Johns Pocket Park: Part of the St. Johns Revitalization

This project is critical for the revitalization of the Business District. It will create an aesthetically and climate-resilient “Welcome!” to people driving across the St. Johns Bridge, pedestrians, and the community at large. 

In addition to the businesses mentioned above, we would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers!

Categories
St. Johns Boosters

I Dig St. Johns!

Show your support for our local St. Johns businesses during construction and beyond with our brand new, and yet vintage, I Dig St. Johns tote.

We will be dealing with construction on the St. Johns downtown section of Lombard for some time. Show your love of local businesses with this 100% cotton twill shopping bag.

The bag features a vintage “I Dig St. Johns” design, extra long shoulder straps, plenty of room, and a nice thick cotton. Perfect for shopping in the district, picking up takeout for a picnic, and carrying your farmer’s market feasts and treasures.

Product specs:

  • 22″ straps
  • 15.5″ high by 14.5″ wide and 7″ deep

Show your support for St. Johns!

Buy now and pick up the tote at 45th Parallel Wines

Pay online and pick up at 45th Parallel Wines, 8527 N Lombard Street, during their business hours (Monday – Friday, 12 –  8 pm, Saturday – Sunday, 12 – 6 pm).

Thank you for the design

The design comes from a graphic from St Johns in the 1970’s. A big thank you to A Nice Lady in St. Johns who helped us execute this modern version of the original design!

Thank you also to Venture Portland and Prosper Portland for their continuing support.