Wilshire Park Trail Repaired in 'Record Time'
By David de la Rocha
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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 2˝ 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
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