UnZip The Zip-Code: Discovering Alberta

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If you’re feeling curious, take a quick poll of your friends and ask them which zip-code in Portland is their favorite. The answer may surprise you – but you can be sure that after visiting 97211, the Alberta neighborhood will make the cut. As usual, I couldn’t get to everything in this popular part of the city, but I think I found some pretty cool places to showcase.

We started our tour at Caravan: The Tiny House Hotel. Have you ever been curious about what it’s like to stay in a 120-170 square foot home on wheels? Now you can get the full effect of tiny house living at Caravan, located on NE 11th and Alberta. All six homes are built by local builders and feature kitchens, full bathrooms, heat, unique local art, and sustainable, Fair Trade products.

Only in Portland can you find a summer concert series in the courtyard of a tiny house hotel. This is the second season of Caravan Campfires: Songs & S’mores. The whole community is welcome every Wednesday, starting June 1st, from 7-10pm for music, food, and fun. Purchase tickets to this popular event ahead of time and see the full line-up here.

After touring the tiny homes, I was impressed by how comfortable and relaxing such a small space can be. Tour them for yourself this Sunday, May 22nd from 4 to 5pm. Tiny House Tours include a presentation about the houses, the tiny house movement, and more.

Last Thursday is in its 19th consecutive season! This free, community-grown event celebrates the Alberta Arts District with art vendors, musicians, street performers, and food. The goal of Last Thursday is to provide local artists with the space and funding to display and sell their handicrafts. Last Thursday is much more of a street fair with a fun, boisterous atmosphere as compared to First Thursday in the Pearl. While Last Thursday runs throughout the whole year, May through September is particularly unique as part of Alberta Street is closed from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

The Alberta Art Works organization works hand in hand with Last Thursday. Alberta Art Works is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit that focuses on facilitating art and artists on Alberta Street. The group is comprised of the former Friends of Last Thursday, who used to manage the event. They work to connect local artists with space, funding, and materials in hopes of beautifying the neighborhood and connecting the community. Currently, they have several projects in the works including the History of Alberta Street mural series, located on the Black United Fund of Oregon building.

Traditional, authentic, family, and great food are all descriptors of the Swiss Hibiscus. With both Hawaiian and Swiss roots, this Euro cafe has become an Alberta Arts neighborhood favorite. An off-shoot of the popular Swiss Inn in Hawaii, Jennie Wyss, daughter of owner and chef Martin Wyss, opened the Swiss Hibiscus in 2010. Together with partner Tammy Hay, Jennie continues the tradition and cuisine of the Swiss Inn and still incorporates Martin’s famous Swiss dressing in her recipes.

I, for one, can attest that the dishes at Swiss Hibiscus are indescribably delicious. Try my favorite, the Tuna Salat and check out the full menu here. You can win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Swiss Hibiscus! Enter our raffle beginning May 20th to win.

For the past nine decades, Columbia Edgewater has been one of the best golf spots in all of the Northwest. Founded in 1925, the Columbia Edgewater continues to have impeccable course conditions and some of the best practice facilities in Oregon. Check out their hole-by-hole overview or head to the LPGA 2016 Cambia Portland Classic this June. Whether you are looking to improve your game or spend time with your family, you can find numerous golfing venues in 97211. Visit both Broadmoor Golf Course and Riverside Golf & Country Club in this area for a great day on the green.

Thanks for checking in this week and don’t forget to enter our raffle for a $50.00 gift certificate to Swiss Hibiscus! Click here to enter. You can also enter our ongoing Instagram contest and win a Summit Mortgage Corporation Klean Kanteen. Just find and like our Like It To Win It photo on Instagram to enter!

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STACY BENNER
Mortgage Specialist • NMLS 506902

C: 503.400.5738
stacyb@go-summit.com
why.go-summit.com
Summit Mortgage Corporation • NMLS 3236

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