Genevieve C. West

UPDATE: Please join the community for a press conference Monday 1/13/25 at 10am at Columbia Pool An Open Letter To Officials Serving North Portland, Oregon, I am writing to you in outrage and with profound disappointment over the permanent closure of Columbia Pool in 2023. This decision is not just a matter of budgetary convenience—it is a blatant example of racism, ableism, and socio-economic discrimination. The closure of this vital community facility disproportionately harms the most vulnerable populations in St. Johns and North Portland. It perpetuates systemic inequities and sends a clear message: marginalized communities are not a priority. Racism in Public Service Allocation St. Johns, one of Portland’s most racially diverse neighborhoods, has consistently been underserved. As of 2019, ZIP code 97203, which encompasses St. Johns, was 63% white—lower than Portland’s overall 71%. Black, Indigenous, Latino, and immigrant residents make up a significant portion of the population her...

UPDATE: There will be a press conference at Columbia Pool at 10am at Monday January 13, 2025. Neighbors and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.    For generations, Columbia Pool has been more than just a place to swim—it has been a cornerstone of community health, safety, and connection for North Portland. As a lifelong resident and parent, I have experienced firsthand the devastating impact of its closure. My oldest daughter Evie swam for Roosevelt High School’s team, then worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at Columbia Pool. Her younger sister Kaylie joined a swim team when she was just seven. But my youngest children, Ellie and Blake, have never had the opportunity to learn to swim. The closure of Columbia Pool and the limited access to other public pools—combined with overcrowding and hour-long bus rides to reach them—make it almost impossible for families like mine to teach children this essential life skill. During the summer, we’ve made the trek to Matt...

She poured every ounce of her soul into loving you. She would have stood by you and loved you forever.  But you couldn’t take it. Pure Love was too much for you. But instead of finding healing for yourself to be able to accept Love, you left her. You left her for years. Decades even. You left her in a thousand little ways every single day. You left her in such big, undoable ways that no one would have blamed her for leaving you back. But she stayed. And is he loved hard enough to make up for what you couldn’t give. She stayed because that’s what Love does. She turned towards you because that’s what Love does. She held you while you confessed and cried because that’s what Love does. She saw her partner in distress and she loved you and she stayed.  And in repayment for her affection and steadfastness, you made her cry. You broke her heart. You broke your vows. You broke your home. You broke your promises. You broke her hope.  You didn’t believe you could be so thoroughly l...

It’s official. The divorce is final.  I am untethered.  No longer a wife. No longer a “Mrs.” No longer able to afford to stay home with the kids.  No longer able to look forward to being an empty nester who finally gets to put herself first. No longer picturing sitting on the porch in the morning with coffee and the husband of my youth. I am adrift. I float through several days of sobbing and drinking and not getting out of bed and not wanting to go home and forgetting to feed myself and overeating and sleeping too much and not being able to sleep. I send regretful text messages compulsively, knowing I shouldn’t. Knowing I should practice self care rather than lashing out. But I ignore my wiser, saner voice and send them all anyway.  I am flailing. I am suffering. And I do not go quietly.   I do not apologize for saying out loud what I’ve been keeping secret for years.What do I have to lose now? Not my marriage. That’s been lost.  Exhausted from days or wee...

The End Of An Era 2006-2022 After 15 years of marriage, Eric and Genevieve are now officially divorced.  Just as their marriage began surrounded by loved ones, the former couple hopes to end their marriage with the support of loved ones as well. Celebrate Life.  Humans come together to acknowledge and celebrate every other momentous event, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, even funerals, so why not divorce too?  We chose to throw a joint divorce party together to signal to our friends and families that divorce is happening, that our divorce is amicable, that they don’t need to choose sides, and to announce to the world that life is changing for the West family!  Setting Intentions. A combined divorce party sets the intention of the type of divorce we’re envisioning. While I can only hope to achieve the co-parenting relationship that @momsoftampa have with their blended families, Eric and I have agreed that we will always put the kids first. And we make a g...

A post-coitus craving for Chinese food led my husband and I to Happy House Chinese Restaurant and Lounge , where their website boasts, "Happy House Happy Bar Happy Food Happy friendly People!" As we approach the weather worn entryway and sticker-clad front door off the parking lot, I realize I need to adjust my expectations. This is not a date night destination kind of place. This is a neighborhood watering hole where North Portland folks come to get more-bang-for-their-buck Chinese food. We place our To Go order in the bright restaurant portion with a petite, soft spoken woman with silky black hair and a sweet smile. We decide to wait with a drink in our hands, so we walk through a set of saloon doors leading us to the noisy, dark lounge. Video poker screens light the path to the bar where the lone bartender sports a messy bun, red lumberjack flannel, and modern, thick, cat eye glasses. Her hardy laugh glides over the noise and stands out. "She's like an evil ...