A neighborhood block party is an excellent way to enjoy a warm summer day, socialize with your neighbors and meet new people who live on your street.  When I lived in the Irvington neighborhood, my neighbor Dana Griggs taught me the nuts and bolts for planning a successful block party in 5 easy steps.

Step 1 – Plan Ahead!
Block parties require a street closure permit and liability insurance from the neighborhood coalition. When selecting a date for your event, you will want to allow 4-6 weeks for completing the application and to ensure you give the City two weeks advance notice of your permit request. The application process is not as daunting as it may sound and speaking from experience, the folks at the neighborhood coalition really support block parties and are available to help. Other points to consider are: Permits are typically not issued for parties that are longer than 1 block or extend past 10 pm. You cannot have a block party on a street that is on a bus route, has a bus layover, or is a signalized traffic intersection. Also, the City won’t allow alcohol in the street, so plan for drinking to take place on neighbors’ private property. Finally, if you’re planning to have amplified music that someone could hear (and possibly complain about) more than 10 houses away, be prepared to also fill out a noise variance application.

Step 2 – Contact Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN)
Once you have decided upon a date, visit NECN’s, website, Host a Block Party to download two sets of forms you will need in order to get your permit:

1. NECN’s Event Application Packet (This serves as a request for NECN to provide insurance coverage for your event. NECN requests a $15-35 sliding scale donation for insurance coverage.)
2. Block Party application packet. (This serves as your permit application)

NECN staff is available to answer questions about the application process. Call (503) 823-4575 or email or info@necoalition.org if you get stumped along the way.

Step 3 – Fill Out the Petition
Your block party application will include a petition, which must have signatures from all the residents and/or businesses on the street you wish to close. This is the fun part of the application process because it gives you a positive talking point to greet neighbors without asking them for money.  If a house is vacant, indicate that on the petition. You need to account for all of the houses on the block and its adjacent properties, including side yards.

Once you have all of the signatures, mail or drop-off your completed applications (Event and Block Party packets) to NECN; upon approval, NECN will submit your application to the City and the City will send you your street closure permit.

Step 4 – Rent Barricades

For our block parties we rented from American Barricade Company, located at 173 NE Columbia Blvd and can be reached at (503) 285-6616. Barricades (ask for six, “Type 1” barricades) should be placed at both ends of the street with a copy of the permit attached.

Step 5 – Coordinate Entertainment and Food

Distribute a flyer two weeks in advance of the event to remind neighbors and request donations of food, beverages, tables, chairs etc. Consider having an activity especially if there are young children in the neighborhood.  Inviting the local fire department to bring one of their fire trucks is always a big hit with the little ones plus they hand out cool stickers!! If you decide to rent a bouncy house or climbing wall you need to be aware that NECN’s insurance will not cover these items. Instead you will need to have the vendor to supply NECN with a copy of their insurance. Alternatively, you can have the bouncy house on your property and your homeowners insurance will cover injuries.

Another great option is to hold your block party in a park.  To begin, you need to reserve a park and obtain a park permit for a modest fee. Parks can be reserved by calling (503) 823-2525. If have your party in the park, you can skip steps 1 and 2 on this list.

Really it is that easy!!  I have coordinated two block parties and the rewards of building social connections with my neighbors far outweigh the time spent in planning. Dana, if you are reading this, thanks for teaching me how to throw a block party.

This is a conference room inside of the hospital.  Entrance on N Gantenbein at N Stanton.  (Location subject to change.  Please call Allan at 503-703-3910 if lost)

0.  Review minutes from April

1.  Changes to Agenda?

2. Developer Presentation: Emerio Design: 2-lot partition of 541 NE Tillamook

3. Developer Presentation: WDC Properties: 2 apartment projects on the west side of MLK.  One at Morris Street one at Cook Street.

4. Land Use and Transportation Committee will discuss the North/NorthEast Quadrant Project

5. Public Comments

6. Ajourn

Forwarded from:

This is a conference room just across the semi-circular driveway of the Medical Office Building, at 501 N Graham. (directions)

0. Opening Question: What can we do to work on our top priorities from the retreat?  What should our #1 and #2 priorities be?  (Report back and discuss 20 minutes) 7:00 pm

1. Welcome and Introductions 7:20

2. (Kristin) Read & Approve minutes 7:25

3. Changes to agenda?  (PPB?)

4. Earthquake Preparedness – Jacob Nitchals 7:30

5. Schools In Eliot – Angela 7:50

6. Summer In September Jambalaya & BBQ Festival – David Lomax 8:10

7. Good in the Hood – Cheryl Roberts 8:20

8. Neighborhood Cleanup (May 19th) – Julie 8:30

9. Committee Updates, NECN & other announcements and Public Comment 8:45

Opening day marks the unveiling of the second annual COUNTRY Financial Reusable Bag Contest winner, as well as the launch of new programs, partnerships and promotions. Throughout the season, King Market will organize activities like family-friendly kids cooking classes, educational information fairs, and barbecue fund raisers.

In addition to the reusable bag winner unveiling, opening day will include musical entertainment by How Long Jug Band and Gypsy Jazz West, as well as booths featuring seasonal produce samples and recipes, planting activities for children, and community partners Metro Master Gardeners, Alberta Main Street and Slow Food Portland.

“We want King Market to not only bring healthy farm-fresh produce to residents of the Northeast, but also to serve as a vibrant community gathering that reflects the surrounding neighborhood,” said Trudy Toliver executive director of Portland Farmers Market. “We hope the combination of new and returning vendors, events and programs will provide a lively market experience week after week for our valued shoppers.”

King Portland Farmers Market is located just north of Eliot Neighborhood at NE 7th & Wygant between Alberta & Prescott.

Here is the online link to the survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SZJST7D

Eliot Neighborhood Association Minutes

7:03—Welcome and Introductions

Minutes Read

 Allan Rudwick

Amanda Millholland moves to approve the minutes without changes and John Engleheart seconds.

Portland Public Schools

David Williams—-Government Relations Manager for PPS (basically PPS Lobbyist)

• Budgets and Buildings is the major concern for the upcoming year.
• Focusing on the achievement gap between races.
• Families are moving back into the city
• $27 million shortfall
• Closing Harriet Tubman and Humboldt Schools
• Meetings all week concerning these closures

Discussion of what we can do in Eliot

• Call Legislative candidates to get your voice heard
• Support the principal at Boise-Eliot because that is where many of the students will go

Good in the Hood

Cheryl Roberts and Shawn Penny   www.goodintheneighborhood.org

• Moving to Lillis—Albina Park (N. Russell & Flint)
• 20 year anniversary!
• Invites ENA to come to the event and have a table
• Looking for volunteers
• Parade route normal but done backwards
• Run/Walk along with the parade

Lee motions that ENA supports Good in the Hood and that we host a table.

All in favor none opposed

Sullivans Gulch Bike Trail

Brad Perkins

• Secured $250,000 to be used for Sullivans Gulch Trail
• Julie Woelfer suggests we table the discussion until next month, and that we ask LUTC to also give us an opinion before we endorse the trail.

Allan moves that we refer this issue to the LUTC but that it goes to them with our “semi blessing” after we get more information.

Amanda Millholland asks that they are given an image of what the trail will look like.

All in favor none opposed

Catlin Gabel

Lauren Spiegel and Jared Woods—Urban Studies Project

• How I-5 affects the cities health
• Eliot is directly attached to this issue
• Please fill out the survey found on ENA website
• They will be presenting their information to City Council

NECN Request

Katy Asher—-Neighborhood Cleanup Postcard

• Katy is asking for help from the Neighborhood Associations to assist in supplementing the cost of sending out the postcard that has all of the info for all of the neighborhood cleanups.

Motion passes that we give NECN $300 for the mass mailing of the cleanup.

All in favor none opposed.

Committee Updates

Julie Woelfer—Neighborhood Cleanup on May 19^th

• Please email her if you can help out.

Angela Kremer updates ENA on discussion of placing an overpass over Hancock. The meeting will be held April 11^th at 5:30 in the MOB

Amanda Millholland—-Boise Eliot Music Fest

• She needs volunteers.

Allan Rudwick updates on N. Williams

• Open house on May 11^th to go over what is happening

9:10 Meeting Ajourned

Title Wave Bookstore

We have a bargain-hunting lover’s paradise right here in our neighborhood!  If you don’t know about the Title Wave Bookstore you will want to check it out.  It is located at 216 NE Knott between MLK and Rodney Avenue.

The building, designed in the Spanish Renaissance Revival Style, was built in 1912 as the original Albina Branch Library, which means it will be celebrating a 100 years this coming October.  In 2009, it was renovated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  I met with Rod Richards, the store’s only employee, who gave me a full tour of this amazing building.

The other 50 or so people that work there are all faithful volunteers ranging from 20-89 years in age.  7 of the volunteers have been there since the Title Wave opened for business in 1988.

The books, CDs, and DVDs, discards from Multnomah County Library’s collection, are removed from the library’s computer catalog, stamped, sorted, researched, priced and shelved for retail.  The books prices are very low starting at $2 for a hard cover book, 75 cents for a paperback, CDs and DVDs for $1, and magazines for 25 cents.  Everything is always for sale, but every Wednesday there are special sales.  There are also big sales during the year.  All proceeds go back to the Multnomah Country Library.

You can find rare books at the Title Wave by searching the website.  If you are looking for an old Oregonian article or newspaper, you can do your search on line by using a keyword and the date through the Multnomah County Library website.  Rod mentioned this while taking me on tour of the lower basement levels of the bookstore.  There are 3 lower levels that house almost every issue ever printed of the Oregonian as well as old New York Times, and other newspapers.  The public can call the Central Library to ask for access to these.

The Title Wave will begin offering an educator discount starting March 26th.  Right now the hours are Monday through Saturday 10-4.  Starting April 4, it will be open later on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 6 pm.

The Title Wave is the perfect place to buy a National Geographic from most any year back to as early as the 1920’s!   It is also a cool place to pick up gifts whether it is a kids book, cookbook, travel book, coffee table book, or magazine.  You can donate your old magazines here too.

Drop off is at the side of the store from 8 am to 4:45 pm Monday through Friday.  They have snacks for sale at the bookstore and a pop machine in case you get thirsty or need something to munch on while browsing.

Next time you have the time, make sure you stop and check out this hidden treasure!  It will definitely make you smile.  As one reviewer commented, “My crush on the Multnomah County Library only got bigger when I went in to the Title Wave Bookstore for the first time”.

To keep up with what is happening at the Title Wave you can look up their Facebook page or visit their website.

The City of Portland has planned for denser commercial and residential districts all over town. Existing zoning around the City allows for enough new density for 100 years of growth. Which of that land will get developed first and where does our neighborhood rank? Our current understanding is that development follows development. So, when I walk down my street and see the Albert apartments at Beech and Williams going up I know that nearby properties are more likely to get developed in the near future. There have been proposals for 300-500 new housing units in the area and a New Seasons Market at Freemont and Williams. These projects are separate but they will each benefit from the presence of the others. My hope is that the neighborhood will also benefit from these developments. With the New Seasons set to open next year, we are finally getting a full-service grocery store within walking distance of North Eliot. More shops, apartments and some houses are coming and with that, more residents. More bicycle owners, car owners, more people on foot and more TriMet patrons are all in the future of North Williams.

How will the neighborhood evolve? Will residents or developers define the future of the Vancouver/Williams corridor? Will young people from around the country come to live here or will this be a place where folks who grew up here stay? These questions are pieces of ongoing conversations that started as a part of the Bureau of Transportation’s outreach on the North Williams Project. I have met a lot of neighbors that want life to improve for everyone without forcing out the existing residents. The vision of the last 20 years is still alive with this collection of involved citizens. As a community, we want to live in a walking neighborhood within short bicycling distance of downtown, and we want to be able to easily drive when it is raining or we’re just not feeling like getting exercise. We want to live in an area where people of all ages can go about their lives comfortably and safely. We want to live in a place where everyone is treated with respect. We want to see that respect on Williams Avenue.