How to Throw a Block Party in 5 Easy Steps
By Signe Todd

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, found at: tinyurl.com/noisepermit .

Step 2: Contact Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN)
Once you have decided upon a date, visit NECN’s website, necoalition.org (“Services” > “Neighborhood Social Support” > “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 (at) necoalition (dot) org if you get stumped along the way.

Step 3: Fill Out the Petition Continue reading →

Taking the Pulse of our Immigrant Communities

Host: Leadership Fellows Alumni Association featuring panelist from IRCO, I-SOS, and Catholic Charities

Thursday, June 7 from 4:30-6:30 pm

Portland State University’s Urban Center- 2nd floor gallery, 506 SW Mill Street Portland, OR 97201

Join us as we hear about and discuss the pressing concerns and needs of our growing and diverse communities.  IRCO’s Lee Po Cha- Asian Family Center and Djimet Dogo-Africa House along with the Islamic Social Services of Oregon State’s Laila Hajoo and Catholic Charities El Programa Hispano’s Linda Castillo will share critical stories as they work to meet community needs and look to mobilize resources for the common good.

This event opens at 4:15pm; the panel discussion will begin at 4:30pm.  This event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated and can be made at the event.  Proceeds go toward building the Leadership Fellows Alumni Association for the continued cultivation of leadership in communities of color.

King Neighborhood Association Board Meeting – draft agenda

King Neighborhood Facility, 4815 NE 7^th Avenue

June 13, 2012 – 6:30 to 8:00 pm

6:30     Welcome & introductions, agenda, announcements, meeting minutes.
6:40     Update from the Portland Police Bureau.

6:45     Update from the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN).

6:50     KNA tasks & projects:

7-11; communications funds; Portland Playhouse & parking;  Soil to Soul’s Backpack campaign; Movie in the Park; summer potluck picnic; KNA needs a secretary to keep minutes & records.

7:30     KNA by-laws; NA structure.

Portland Farmers Market seeks neighborhood experts to join us for a one-day urban homesteading fair at the Sunday King Market.

The fair will take place on July 15th from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the King Market, located in the parking lot of King Elementary School at NE 7th and Wygant.

The Market seeks community members to staff resource booths to answer shopper’s questions and execute simple demonstrations or activities that illustrate different areas of urban homesteading. The goal of the event is to educate urbanites about how they can become more self-sufficient in the realm of home arts. Expert staffers can be self-taught or sanctioned, local business owners, or simply individuals passionate about sharing skills with the public.

Community members are still being sought to staff booths in the following areas of focus:

* Food preservation

* DIY baby food

* Animal husbandry for city dwellers (goats, bees, chickens)

* DIY personal care products (make your own shampoo, toothpaste,

laundry soap, deodorant, etc.)

* Simple bike repair/inspection

* Creative ways to stock the home pantry

* Creative reuse (i.e. making reusable tote bags from old t-shirts)

If you are interested in sharing your talents with your neighbors or have other partnership ideas, please contact Anna Curtin at anna@portlandfarmersmarket.org or call (503)241-0032.