Wilshire Park Trail Repaired in 'Record Time'   By David de la Rocha

Work Party… Volunteers at the Wilshire Park Trail project managed to do both on Saturday, April 29, by working hard, then celebrating the fruits of their labor. A glance at the project could have been disheartening when the first workers arrived at eight in the morning to repair and improve the jogging trail at Wilshire Park. There were piles of bark dust four feet high scattered in regular intervals along the trail for the workers to spread into a jogging surface. Indeed it would have been an impossible task for a few people. But few is not the word I can use to describe the robust turnout we had to improve our park. No, there were dozens upon dozens of wonderful people who I'm proud to call my neighbors.

A job that was to last until 12 noon was completed by 10:30 a.m. Workers included all ages from preschool children to the happily retired. Most of the volunteers hailed from Beaumont-Wilshire, Alameda, and Concordia neighborhoods, but a welcome addition was a crew of workers completing community service under Multnomah County's alternative court system. There was a wonderful spirit of community as all endeavored to improve this community resource.

I'd like to offer many thanks to those who donated their time and resources to this project, including those businesses that provided breakfast and coffee to this energetic crowd. When we work together we can really make a difference for livability! Look for pictures from this event on our website at www.neighborhoodlink.com.

4 Guys + Neighborhood Association + City + Neighbors = New Path

By Janet Baker

Just four guys. Guys that run in the wee hours of the morning in Wilshire Park, guys that bring their dogs to the park, guys that bring their kids to the park. Just four guys that noticed the path around the park getting soggier and soggier over the years. Just four guys that thought, "hey why not just fix this trail; we can do that."

So that's how it started. Dale Allen, Tom Dearing, Dan Brody, and Bruce Niemann-four guys that decided to fix the wet trail in the park. Dale, their fearless leader, turned to the neighborhood association board for advice, then met with the city to arrange the first phase of the project-digging up the low spots, applying new gravel and dumping load after load of bark chips. They advertised continuously with flyers in the park and solicited for donations from Coffee People, Marsee Baking, Trader Joe's, Nabisco, and Starbucks to feed the hungry volunteers.

The last part of the equation came in the form of 100+ neighbors from all over Northeast Portland. They arrived early on a Saturday morning to spread the bark chips around the path. The group finished the project in a record breaking 2½ hours and celebrated with a victory lap around the park. Many thanks to all of you that contributed to this very successful community project!

New Board Encourages Your Participation

By Willie Nolan
President, BWNA

At the recent general election meeting, several officers and board members were elected to serve in the BWNA. I appreciate the enthusiasm and energy exhibited by each and everyone present. I am very encouraged by the willingness of these individuals to take a leadership role in maintaining the charm of this wonderful neighborhood and look forward to working with everyone to accomplish the Association's goals. A special thanks is in order to those outgoing and the ongoing officers and board members who have helped to continue and build upon our neighborhood association's tradition of accomplishment.

We recently held a board retreat to discuss topics and goals for the next few years. Among the upcoming events are two in which everyone should plan to participate. The first is our annual picnic held the first Tuesday in August. This is held at Wilshire Park in conjunction with the National Night Out celebration. The second is the annual Fremont Fest. Scheduled for Saturday, August 5th, the event promises to be more fun than ever. I would like to encourage anyone interested in taking an ownership role in their community to participate by either volunteering in upcoming projects or by voicing their opinion on relevant topics at the bi-monthly general meetings.

For those unable to attend the meetings, questions and concerns are welcome and can be directed to any of the listed board members and officers. Probably the best approach is by email, if available. Anyone requiring a ride to the general meeting is encouraged to call a board member a few days before the meeting. We will be happy to assist. I look forward to serving as your president and to seeing everyone at the next meeting.

Fremont Fest Grows

by Margaret Davis

"Fremont Fest is a way for us business owners to say thanks to the neighborhood," says Byron Ady, chief festival organizer on behalf of the revitalized Beaumont Business Association (and co-owner of Gazelle with Robin Ady). "It's also a day when the neighborhood shows pride of ownership in its business community." This year's Fremont Fest, held Saturday, August 5, promises to be bigger, better, and certainly longer than years previous, with the aim of spreading the festival farther east along Fremont to incorporate the many new businesses.

Following tradition, a bicycle parade, for which kids are encouraged to dress up (both themselves and their cycles), will start off the day. Ady hopes to provide additional kids' activities this year, including balloon vendors and face painting, as well as bring back the plow horses Salt and Pepper to transport wagonloads of festival goers along Fremont. Other attractions include browsing sidewalk sales, looking at pictures of the 1999 picnic at the BWNA table, and visiting the artists' booths in the plaza across from Beaumont Middle School.

Ady seeks volunteer performers, musical or otherwise, for the festival; leave a name and number at Gazelle to his attention, 288-3422. Artists interested in a booth should contact Elaine at Bella Flora, 493-2330, or Andrine at Beaumont Health Care Clinic, 249-7752.

Picnic at Wilshire Park

By Helen Koba

Tuesday, August 1, is the date for the annual neighborhood picnic at Wilshire Park. Each year, this neighborhood wide event has been a huge success thanks to hundreds of neighbors and businesses who have donated time and food, who have shown up, chowed down, had a great time and helped clean up! The picnic coincides with the National Night Out event-an evening for people to take to parks and public spaces in celebration of safe neighborhoods, streets and cities.

This year's picnic is off to a good start: BWNA treasurer, Roger Meyer, who organized last year's event, is taking the lead for this year's picnic. He needs volunteers to assist with the usual picnic duties and jobs:

• picking up food and beverages o setting up and taking down tables
• food preparation
• general clean up, etc.

Please call Roger at 331-9794 if you are ready and willing to help. All contributions and assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Wipe Out Crime, Wash Off Graffiti

By Diane Charlton

Beaumont Wilshire is still a relatively graffiti-free neighborhood thanks to many local volunteers. However, there always seems to be a rise in property vandalism during the summer months and we cannot let our guard down. When you see graffiti on property in our neighborhood, or anywhere in Portland, please get involved and take action. By following these few simple steps, we can all make the Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood even more beautiful. If you see graffiti vandalism:

• At a business location: Encourage the owner to remove it. If they will not, ask permission to remove the graffiti.
• On your property (including the sidewalk in front): Remove or cover over the graffiti as soon as possible. Not removing it may encourage more graffiti.
• On your neighbor's property: Explain the importance of removing graffiti promptly. Offer to help remove it if they are unable to do the clean up. Everyone's property values are affected by the presence of graffiti in BWNA.
• On a Tri-Met bus shelter: Call Tri-Met Graffiti Hotline at 238-7577.
• On school grounds: Call Portland Public Schools at 916-2000.

Call the Portland Police "Graffiti Hotline" at 823-4TAG (823-4824) to report other graffiti vandalism. Please contact me at 287-5222 if you would like to help keep graffiti vandalism in check. Let's all have a great summer and enjoy our wonderful neighborhood as better weather arrives.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

By Debra Kennedy

We all know what a great neighborhood we live in. Our community is filled with caring involved neighbors, great local businesses and many beautiful homes. Our local economy is strong and the unemployment rate is at its lowest level in a very long time.

Our Neighborhood Association is involved in many projects throughout the year that help keep our neighborhood a great place to live. We should all be proud of the participation and the volunteer spirit that so many of you show when asked to help out.

For many in our community though, just trying to make ends meet every month is a real challenge. Consider the elderly widow living on a fixed income having to choose between purchasing medications or heating her home, or the single parent worried about feeding her family after paying for housing and heat with a minimum wage job.

Former Senator Mark Hatfield once said, "We cannot close our eyes to our neighbors' needs because we all face times when we need to lean on someone else." If we want to maintain the livability in our community, we need to be good neighbors all year long.

It doesn't take much to be a good neighbor. Is there an elderly person on your block that could use a ride to the store for groceries (or to the next neighborhood meeting)? Maybe you could trade that ride for a batch of home made cookies. Is there a single working parent who could use a little help getting the lawn mowed? Maybe she would trade an hour of babysitting. Most of us don't like to ask for help, but it is easier if we can give something in exchange.

On a larger scale, area food banks need food all year long, not just during the holidays. In-kind donations such as food and clothing are always welcome at helping agencies in our area. Donations of cash provide rental assistance, utility bill payment assistance, bus tickets, etc. Volunteering is always a great way to make a difference.

You not only get to help, but you see first hand how your contribution makes a difference. Below is a brief list of agencies in the area that provide assistance to those in our area who need it. Any and all of them are also happy to provide information about how to contribute time, money or goods. I will also provide resources at our next General Meeting.

FOOD & CLOTHES

• Salvation Army Fam Svcs - Food only 1712 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-239-1226
• Albina Ministerial Alliance 1425 NE Dekum M-F 8:30 AM - 5 PM 503-285-0493
• Sunshine Division Food and Clothing 687 N. Thompson 503-823-2102
• St Vincent de Paul North & Northeast 503-233-5589

DELIVERED MEALS

• Loaves and Fishes Centers- Meals on Wheels 6125 SE 52nd Ave. 777-6741 Call for locations

MEDICAL

• Multnomah Co. Health Clinic Latest Info on clinics M-F 8 AM - 5 PM 503-248-3816
• Medication Clearing House Prescriptions up to $50.00 503-288-5995
• Salvation Army Family Svcs 1712 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-239-1226 Prescription assistance for low income seniors

SENIOR / COMMUNITY CENTERS

• Hollywood Senior Center 1820 NE 40th Ave. 288-8303
• Salvation Army Rose Center 211 NE 18th 239-1221
• Multi-Cultural Senior Center 5325 NE MLK Blvd. 248-5470

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

• Albina Ministerial Alliance 1426 NE Dekum 503-285-0493 Serves Zip Codes 97212, 97213

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

• Multnomah Co. Crisis Providence Triage Center 503-215-7082 Multnomah County. Information and Referral (United Way) 503-222-5555

Welcome New Newsletter Editors

By Baer and Diane Charlton

It is with great pleasure that we introduce our new BWNA newsletter editors, Helen Koba and Mario Caoile. We know that they will enjoy this great volunteer opportunity and meet many wonderful neighbors. Helen and Mario have already embraced this important job with enthusiasm and we wish them a wonderful experience serving BWNA.

Articles for the newsletter should now be sent as Word or WordPerfect attachments to their email address at: Feel free to call them at 503-288-2568 if you have any questions about submitting articles to our great neighborhood's great newsletter. Thank you Helen and Mario!

(And thank you, Diane & Baer, for helping us with this, our first issue, and thanks to all who submitted articles. H & M)

Metro Update

by Ed Washington
Metro Councilor, District 5

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)

Planning is Metro's top job, and one of the biggest planning tasks is the urban growth boundary. Since the late 1970's, Metro has been responsible for managing the boundary that surrounds the 24 cities and urban portions of the three counties. There are some new developments I'd like to tell you about.

Metro has asked the State to put its UGB work under what's called 'periodic review.' Periodic review is a process by which the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) works with local governments and citizens to review the government's work. The goal is to make sure Metro's land-use work, specifically in regards to the UGB, complies with state land use goals.

The idea is not to have LCDC approve or disapprove of the decisions Metro makes, but rather to approve of the process and findings by which Metro's decisions are made. The Metro Council is proposing a three-phase periodic review program.

The first phase wraps up the changes Metro must make to the urban growth boundary related to the 2017 regional land supply need. Metro is obligated to finish this work by October. Phase 2 looks at the 'sub regional need' to balance housing and jobs in different parts of the region. The third phase looks ahead to the next round of 20-year land needs (to the year 2022) as required by state law. A detailed listing of the draft work plan is available.

Compost Bins

If you're in the mood to create worm food, we've got the goods for you! Metro will again be selling reduced-cost compost bins. Mark June 3 and 4 on your calendar. There are two locations in Portland. You can go to the Gateway park-and-ride (behind the Gateway Fred Meyer at NE Pacific and 99th). The Gateway sale is on Saturday only from 8-5. You can also go to Portland Community College-Sylvania (12000 SW 49th). The PCC sales goes on Saturday and Sunday from 8-5. The bins cost $25 each.

Recycled Paint

I also want to let you know about a great program that we've been able to open up to private citizens. We are collecting old paint that used to be thrown away, and we are recycling it. It is high quality-but you won't pay high prices! A 5-gallon pail (the smallest amount available) is only $22. If you belong to a non-profit group, talk to us about even bigger discounts! We recommend citizens buy Metro's recycled paint at the Rebuilding Center, 3625 N. Mississippi in Portland. As always, if you have questions or ideas about your regional government, give me a call or send me an email. My direct number is 797-1546, or write me at: washingtone@metro.dst.or.us