This month we’re profiling former BWNA President and current Newsletter Editor Al Ellis!
Al was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and came to Oregon to attend Willamette University, where he double-majored in Russian and political science and later earned a Master of Education degree. His Russian language study began in the California high school he attended, continued through college, and eventually afforded him the opportunity to teach Russian (and social studies) on the high-school level in Portland Public Schools as well as travel to the USSR/Russia several times as supervisor on student exchange programs. Al retired after 30 years teaching full time, then worked part time as a Graduate Education Department adjunct instructor at Portland State University, International Baccalaureate Russian teacher, and Russian language and culture consultant. Several years later Al was fully retired and shifted his focus to traveling internationally with family and friends (including additional trips to Russia) and volunteering to serve on the boards of two nonprofits: Portland’s Russian sister city association (Portland-Khabarovsk Sister City Association) and BWNA.
How long have you lived in the neighborhood, and what’s your favorite part of living in the neighborhood?
In 1977, my wife and I went from renting to home ownership, purchasing an early twentieth-century fixer-upper located on 49th, between Klickitat and Siskiyou—just down the street from Stanich’s. In 1990, with two young daughters in tow, we upsized to a more spacious home across the street from beautiful Wilshire Park, which is a joy to view and experience in all seasons. I love the vitality of this neighborhood—young families walking baby carriages and dogs, ubiquitous joggers and bicyclists, majestic trees and lush gardens, a wide array of wonderful shops, cafes, restaurants, and taverns within walking distance, and of course the neighbor-helping-neighbor spirit embodied in our neighborhood association.
What new local business excites you, and why?
After the dismaying loss in recent years of several mainstay neighborhood businesses, it’s reassuring to see all the rejuvenation that has taken place. For instance, we were greatly saddened by the folding of Fire and Stone and Perlot—both first-rate restaurants with neighborhood-supportive ownership—but subsequently elated by the success of businesses like Pips Original Donuts, Tacovore, and Wild Hearts Wellness. I’m hopeful that uniquely named Anchor End Eurocafe & Bakery can make a go of it in what would seem to be one of the most advantageous locations in our neighborhood, but one that has, for whatever reasons, witnessed successive restaurant closings (Alameda Cafe and Thrive). As for personal favorites, you can’t beat The Arrangement for quality merchandise and friendly service, Beaumont Florist for exquisite floral arrangements, Americana Frame for selection and craftsmanship, and Beaumont Hardware for prompt, expert advice to go along with ample inventory.
What does being a board member mean to you?
We are indeed fortunate to live in lovely Beaumont-Wilshire, and I’m gratified to be able to give back to a neighborhood that has provided a wonderful environment in which to raise a family, make friends, and live a healthy, happy life. I’ve especially enjoyed my time on the board serving in leadership positions—first as BWNA President for several years, and now as BWNA Newsletter editor—through which I’ve been able to craft agendas, motivate civic participation, and steward activities to enhance livability.
What are the issues you want to help address as a board member?
Several years ago at the end of my tenure as BWNA president, I helped create, as well as name, the Beaumont-Wilshire-based grassroots preservation organization known as UNR (United Neighborhoods for Reform), which subsequently garnered endorsement from over 50 neighborhood associations or a resolution calling for a decrease in the incidence of single-family home demolitions, codifying of requirements for responsible demolition practices, and discouraging of willy-nilly development dismissive of neighborhood character. My priorities as a BWNA board member are to continue to advocate for UNR objectives, to promote closer ties between BWNA and BBA (Beaumont Business Association), to support CNN (Central Northeast Neighbors) outreach efforts to the homeless, and to lobby the City Council to reject any proposals that would dismantle our neighborhood association system.
Thank you, Al, for your service to our community!