Category: What’s Happening in Sunnyside?

Blair Community Garden Returns to Sunnyside!

Kids bring new life to Blair Garden

After five years of laying fallow, the Blair Community Garden is back! The first official garden work party got off to a great start on October 30 with the enthusiastic help of a group of kids and their coaches from the All in One Basketball Academy. Gray weather did not deter 15 young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, from an afternoon of garden preparation. Lamar Hurd and several other coaches at the All in One Basketball program worked with the kids hauling and spreading compost over the entire upper section of the garden.

The SNA would like to thank Lamar, the coaches and the kids for an entertaining and very productive afternoon. When they are not shooting hoops, Lamar and his team are often volunteering for groups such as the Oregon Food Bank and the Blanchet House. We would also like to thank Bridget Hazard, who helped bring the hoop-shooting gardeners to the event, and Portland Community Gardens staff Dan Franek and John Iott.

Our next work party is November 13 from 9:30 to 11 am.

The  garden entrance is located on the west side of SE 33rdAvenue, about a half block south of Stark Street. For some recent press on the garden’s rebirth http://sunnysideportland.com/. For more information, contact the SNA hotline at 503 295-1699.

Thanks, Tim

Neighbors work together for public safety

A true story, from neighbor Mary Ann.

As kids were leaving school at Sunnyside today, Mary Ann and I were walking my dogs past the corner at 35th and Yamhill. A hostile drunk with an open brown bag container was yelling profanity at some of  the many kids and parents on bikes and foot passing by there at the corner by the church. Mary Ann yelled back at him to watch his mouth around the kids. He started shouting profanity back at her for interfering and at us for walking dogs. I called 911 and reported it as an aggressive drunk with an open container. We continued down Yamhill, as did he. As we got to 34th, he started around toward Belmont, but then came back and continued on Yamhill. He started yelling at us again, threatening us and my dogs. I called 911 again and reported that the same guy was being threatening. The report was taken, the cops responded and the guy was arrested. I’m very glad to see an alcohol related complaint taken and responded to. Please pass along thanks to dispatch and the police bureau and all involved.

A response from Commissioner Fritz:

Thank you for telling me about this incident. I will pass along your kudos to the Bureau of Emergency Communication. Thank you to you and Mary Ann for your good citizenship.

Sincerely,

Amanda

Amanda Fritz

Commissioner, City of Portland

Yes, it takes a village to raise a child. Katie and I have done our very best to invite the Sunnyside Environmental Teachers and Playground parents to do the same — call 9-1-1 — with the individuals description, how tall, color hair, clothing, and shoes, if carrying a brown paper bag. Please note, this occurred on Monday, not on Wednesday, or on Friday when the Sunnyside United Methodist Church prepare evening meals to the hungry. My fears for Katie? This guy not know which house was hers: therefore, we stayed standing on the sidewalk a few minutes — long after he was out of sight.

Good citizenship is simply “neighborhood watch” in action.

Blessings,

mas

A response from Sarah Taylor, Principal Sunnyside Environmental School:

Thanks everyone,

These things are very stressful when thy happen at recess or during the school day but we call 911 too.

Sarah

 

 

Community Forum Nov. 6th

Hello Neighborhood Association and Community Leaders,

Portland Parks and Recreation is facing the possibility of having another cut to its budget this time that of 6%.  This may have significant ramifications to the neighborhoods that you represent in terms of lost services and lost care to existing sites.
The workers of Portland Parks and Recreation, cordially wish to invite you to come to our community forum that we are holding.  Presentations will be made in regards to who performs the work, why it matters who performs the work, what taking this work away will mean to the community.
Our effort is seeking to be as inclusive as possible, to that end we have formed a new coalition called Progress Forward NWbecause we are seeking solutions that progressively build a better tomorrow for PP&R and the community it serves.
In addition, we are open to hearing from the neighborhood associations, what projects or initiatives they are working on and what opportunities there may be to support your efforts as well.  This may prove to be a great event to network different plans for the greater Portland area.
So please join us this Saturday, November 6 from 1-3 P.M.   The site is 1125 SE Madison, Portland Oregon 97214.   Food will be catered in by Madison’s Bar and Grill.  There will be a Q&A session in which you will be able to ask questions of the presenters.
For more information, please contact me.
Thanks for your time,
Toby Green
Progress Forward NW/ Laborers Local 483
503-708-7667

 

 

SE Uplift Hosts Community Resource Fair as One-Stop for Interested Community Advocates

Portland, Oregon – SE Uplift will host a community resource fair focusing on community planning, environmental justice, public health, sustainability and livability on Saturday, November 6, 2010 from 10AM to 1PM. Non-profit organizations from across Portland will gather at SE Uplift to offer community members one convenient place to gain resources, get training and create essential networks.

This FREE resource fair will provide avenues for motivated citizens to learn how they can better organize around issues for the purpose of uplifting their neighborhood and community. This fair will provide the tools to empower and inspire citizens to become effective community advocates.

Participating organizations confirmed thus far: Ainsworth Street Collective, Roadway Not Improved, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Urban Garden Collective, Our United Villages, DePave, Second Stories, Upstream Public Health, Community Energy Project, Neighborhood Emergency Team. Trainings will cover advocacy, grant writing, asset mapping and how to start your own street collective.

Keep up-to-date with updated event information and additions of organizations through SEUL.

Click on the pdfs below for more information. Spread the word!

Color PDF for More Info

PDF with more info

Hawthorne Safeway Remodel Meeting

From Kevin Caplener, HBBA

Below is a message from a neighbor of the Safeway on Hawthorne. They have organized a meeting this Thursday at 6:30 to discuss the new store going in. It will be at the library of Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th and anyone is welcome to come:

This is Mike Rogoway, a resident of Southeast Clay Street. I’m working with HAND and our neighbors to organize Thursday night’s meeting with Safeway and the city of Portland to discuss the company’s proposal for a new Hawthorne store.
I know my last note went out on the HBBA mailing list, but I wanted to ensure your members know we now have a places, as well as a date, for the meeting.
It’s at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 28 in the library of Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th Place.
We’re working to ensure the new store is a plus for the area and that it fits with the character of Hawthorne and the residential neighborhood.
We’d love to have you there, and as many of your members as would like to attend. If you or your members have additional questions or comments, please pass them along — or they can contact me directly.
Thanks so much,
Mike Rogoway
SE Clay Street
503-577-4775