July 2013
SE Uplift e-News 
Keeping you up-to-date with the coalition!

The new SE Uplift e-Newsletter brings you stories and news about our neighborhoods and happenings in the coalition. You will also be able to find event listings for our neighborhood associations in the newsletter and community-wide listings on our events calendar. Learn more about submitting news, stories and events here.
Seeds of SE Uplift: Volunteer Spotlight

 

Bill Crawford and his daughter enjoy the water fountain they helped bring to Piccolo Park
Bill Crawford and his daughter enjoy the water fountain they helped bring to Piccolo Park 
Our volunteer appreciation program is called Seeds of Southeast Uplift. Read about Bill Crawford and his involvement in the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood District (HAND). Bill is Vice-Chair of HAND and a new board member of the Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition.

 

In 2010 he began attending monthly meetings of HAND and pitched in to make things happen. Bill worked with other HAND Board members and neighbors on the annual neighborhood clean-up and the push to install a water fountain at Piccolo Park. The advent of light rail and the streetcar in the neighborhood meant that major changes and opportunities were unfolding. Bill attended the PSU Transportation Class offered by the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation to learn the ropes of neighborhood activism and local traffic and transportation issues. During the class Bill investigated and championed the replacement of the unsafe pedestrian bridge over the train tracks that will be one of the only crossing points after the Milwaukie light rail project is completed. Through advocacy and finesse, Bill successfully pushed UP and the City to replace and improve the Lafayette Street Pedestrian Bridge - connecting Southeast neighbors to one another. Seeking a "bigger frame of reference" for how things work, Bill joined the board of Southeast Uplift this summer. He values hearing ideas, challenges and solutions from other board members. And, while thinking locally, he continues to think about the bigger issues that our neighborhoods and city will face in the future.

If you'd like to learn more about these projects, contact Bill at bill@handpdx.org.
He answers a couple of questions from SE Uplift.

Q.What was your inspiration for being active in your Neighborhood Association?

 

A. I was writing for a small newspaper in North Portland called The Sentinel. My bread and butter there was talking to the wise men and women who knew everything that happened in their neighborhoods. Without exception they were all heavily involved in their neighborhood associations. They were so inspiring to see advocating for what they thought was best for the neighborhood. Once I moved to the HAND Neighborhood I thought it would be a good idea to participate myself. 

There is also a legacy of successful community activism here. Without the neighbors coming together in HAND during the early 70's, the whole neighborhood would be under a sprawling freeway. Neighbors put a stop to the Mt. Hood Freeway project and changed the whole outlook of Portland as a livable city forever. Now HAND is a part of town people want to live in. In a bizarro alternate universe without neighborhood activism, it wouldn't be that way.

Q. Why is volunteering important to you?

 

A. My neighborhood is in a part of town that is changing so rapidly. In a few years, we'll have a light rail, streetcar, a new bridge, a bike highway and all the development -- good and bad -- that comes with those amenities. It's important to me to do what I can to make my own backyard the best place I can. 

Sometimes I feel like I live in a sitcom. My friends from high school keep moving back to Portland from all over the country. Not just Portland, but this neighborhood in particular. My daughter Róisín was born two years ago and now my Mom is moving to the neighborhood. You could say I have a number of interests in the area.

 

Movies in the Park Kick-off

 

Portland Parks and Recreation have begun their annual Movies in the Park series! Beginning in late June and going through September 12th, there will be a new film (or several films) featured each week in parks across the city. 

 

The Kerns Neighborhood Association will be hosting a movie on July 11th at Oregon Park (NE 30th & Oregon St). The festivities, including live music and food vendors, will begin at 6:30 and The Hobbit will be shown starting at dusk. If any local businesses are interested in helping sponsor the event, please contact kernsna@gmail.com.

 

Richmond, Sunnyside, and HAND have also teamed up and will be presenting Planet of the Dinosaurs on Saturday, August 17th at Sewallcrest Park, SE Market and 32nd Ave. Look for more details about that event in the August issue of e-News.

 

  

 

Here is a list of a few upcoming films for July happening in our neighborhoods:

  • Thursday, July 11th - The Hobbit
    • Oregon Park, NE 30th & Oregon (Kerns)
  • Thursday, July 25th - Brave
    • Hazeltine Park, 5416 SE Flavel (Brentwood-Darlington)
  • Sunday, July 28th - Jack the Giant Slayer (Subtitled in Spanish) 
    • Lents Park, SE 92nd & Holgate (Foster-Powell)

For a complete, city-wide listing off all the Movies in the Park, please visit:

 

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/446659 

 

Street Fairs to Begin in Late July
Businesses Associations across Southeast Portland are beginning to gear up for their annual street fairs and parades. 

  

Each year the Hawthorne, Belmont, Division/Clinton, and Montavilla/East Tabor Business Associations put on parades and street fairs to highlight local businesses, connect neighbors and community, and celebrate the neighborhoods.  

 

 

Photo courtesy of PDX Kids Calendar 

 

First will be Montavilla/East Tabor's street fair on Sunday, July 21st from 11AM to 5PM. There will be a beer garden in front of Roscoe's at SE Stark and SE 81st, together with a live music stage on SE 81st and a family stage on SE 79th.There will be plenty of arts and crafts for kids and anyone else interested, as well as a variety of vendors - food, craft, demos, and more - located on both closed streets (SE 79th and SE 81st). 

 

For more information about Montavilla's street fair, please visit their website at

http://metba.org/home/montavilla-street-fair.html 

 

Up next will be the Division/Clinton Street fair on Saturday, July 27th beginning at 10:45AM and running through 9PM. There will be parades, live music, vendors, and many other activities. 

 

The parade will begin at 10:45AM at SE 50th and Division, and there will be two stages for music; one at SE 41st and Division going from 11:45AM to 5PM, and another at SE 25th and Clinton with music from 3AM to 9PM which will be followed by a dance party.

 

For more information about the Division/Clinton Street Fair and Business Association, please visit their website at www.divisionclinton.com 

 

Holgate Library

The Holgate Library will be continuing a series of reading events for young people and toddlers, as well as a plethora of classes. Among the reading activities will be Toddler Story time, where two-year olds accompanied by an adult will be able to enjoy interactive stories, songs and games designed to help develop language skills.

 

The Library will also be offering six Citizenship classes starting on July 6th at 10:45AM. This class will be aimed at those who are learning to become United State Citizens. You will learn about the process of becoming a citizen, learn American history, government, and get help preparing for the examination. Classes are in English and are taught by library volunteers. For more information about how to sign up, call 503-988-6318.

                

For more information about the events and activities happening at the Holgate Library, please visit their calendar at  https://multcolib.org/library-location/holgate/events

 

For general Multnomah County Library information, please visit https://multcolib.org/ 

 

Neighborhood Association Happenings

Richmond  
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The Richmond Neighborhood Association will be continuing their emergency-preparedness workshops throughout July. Here are the upcoming workshops which are free and open to all.

Workshop #3 - Home Strengthening  

  

Wednesday, July 10th, 6:30 - 8:45PM, Waverly Heights Congregational United Church  

  

Topics will include:  

Secure Your Living/Work Space - What to secure and how. 

Secure Your House - Seismic strengthening of your home to its foundation.

  

Workshop #4 - Neighborhood Network


Thursday, July 25th, 6:30 - 8:45PM, Waverly Heights Congregational United Church  

  

Topics will include:  

Getting Prepared with Your Neighbors 
Map Your Neighborhood 
Block Connectors - Local neighbors share their experiences. 

NET - What it is and how it functions, designated hubs and gathering locations.

  

  

For more information, please visit Richmond's website at http://richmondpdx.org/?p=1124 

  

  

Mt. Scott-Arleta

 

The Arleta School Boosters will be hosting a depaving event at the Arleta School Playground to make way for new native plants, trees, and the installation of a story circle. Volunteers of all ages are welcome and will be provided with all the proper tools and safety gear. Snacks and lunch will also be provided.

 

Date: Saturday, July 13th

Time: 10AM - 2PM

Place: Arleta School Playground, NW corner off of SE Raymond and 64th.

 

Volunteers are encouraged to show up for the orientation around 9:45AM, however all are welcome to come and go at any time. Due to the physical nature of the work, volunteers are also encouraged to wear long pants. Closed-toe shoes are required for depaving. 

 

For more information, please visit the Mt. Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association page at http://www.mtscottarleta.com/2013/06/depave-arleta-school-july-13-2013.html

 

For more information about depaving events, please visit http://depave.org/events/ 

SE Uplift Coalition Happenings

SE Uplift Volunteer Lawn Party

 

 

 

We would like to invite you and your family for an evening of lawn games, ice cream and laughter.  The event will be a celebration of all the volunteers who give their time and talents to make our neighborhoods such amazing places to live, work and play!  More info to follow, but please mark your calendars for this special event.

 
National Night Out 

National Night Out is set for August 6th, 2013. Marking its 30th year, National Night Out activities take place across the country. Many Neighborhood Associations hold gatherings to promote strong, connected neighborhoods and numerous other block parties and gatherings take place. Plan your own get together, find out what your neighbors are organizing or get tips from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement on creating a safer neighborhood with a party.

For more information, please visit http://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/55345

New Site Rolling out at Office of Neighborhood Involvement

Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) is welcoming visitors to their new web site.  They note that the site is "still a work in progress" and that they appreciate any suggestions readers have to share. The site shows off the depth of information and resources available through ONI from crime prevention to neighborhood mediation. Features include timely news feeds, calendars and event listings plus details on how to get involved in city boards, committees and commissions. Training opportunities to build skills and abilities are highlighted. The site is a beta test and they are inviting feedback as they work toward a final version. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/oni.

SE Uplift Wants Your Art!

We are seeking donations of photos and artwork that highlights neighborhoods throughout the Southeast area for our building. We are looking for works that exemplify the history, persona, and sense of community of each neighborhood. 

If you or someone you know might be interested in having their work featured in our facility, please contact Jay Derderian at jay@southeastuplift.org.

  

Community Calendar
Our calendar is reserved for community; coalition; neighborhood; and city events, workshops and trainings. To submit an event or meeting to our calendar email  info@southeastuplift.org.

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3534 SE Main St., Portland, OR 97214 ˇ 503.232.0010 ˇ www.southeastuplift.org