2016 Kerns / Buckman Spring Cleanup

One of the surest signs of spring in Southeast Portland is the annual Kerns/Buckman Neighborhood Cleanup. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 16, from 9 am to noon. For those not familiar with the event, the Kerns/Buckman cleanup is a great way to divest yourself of the detritus of daily life that seems to have a way of piling up year after year. Old furniture, electronics, bulk waste, yard debris and more all find a home in the large Cloudburst Recycling bins that are provided each year. It’s a great way to get rid of items that are too large to just leave at the curb on trash day. Please note that certain toxic items cannot be accepted. This list includes fluorescent/CFC bulbs, batteries (including automotive, lithium and household alkaline), and styrofoam.

The cleanup will take place at its usual location in the parking lot of the Hinson Baptist Church, located at the intersection of SE 20th Avenue and SE Salmon Street. People bringing items to the cleanup are asked for a small donation on a sliding scale (typically in the $5–20 range), depending on the size of their load.

Anyone interested in giving their time to help organize and staff the event should contact the BCA board at buckmanboard@googlegroups.com.

26th Annual Buckman Art Show & Sell

A Benefit for Buckman Arts Focus Elementary Join us March 12 & 13, 2016 to explore 140+ art booths, art activities, and more. This beloved Southeast Portland tradition is now in its 26th year. 140 artists and craftspersons will sell their original artwork, furniture, toys, jewelry, textiles, paper creations, photography, paintings, ceramics and more.

In addition to these artists our own Buckman students will be selling their creations. Participating artists donate 30% of their proceeds to benefit the Buckman Elementary School PTA. The remaining 70% goes directly to the artists themselves. Thousands of volunteer hours make this event a win for both participating artists and our school. Free hands-on art activities will be available for kids and there will be food carts on site.

The Buckman Art Show & Sell is a fantastic event for the whole family. Don’t miss it!

Saturday, March 12, 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, March 13, 10 am – 4 pm

Venue: Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School
320 SE 16th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

Admission: $2–5 suggested donation per person (kids 4 and under free)

For more information: http://buckmanartshow.weebly.com, or http://www.facebook.com/buckmanartshow/

2016 Candidate Forums: March 10 & April 14

Elections for Portland Mayor and Commissioner are happening May 17, 2016. The Buckman Community Association is holding election forums to encourage dialog between residents and candidates. These forums have been very successful in the past. All candidates who have filed for office have been invited to participate. The Commissioner Candidate Forum is Thursday, March 10, 7 pm–9 pm. The Mayoral Candidate Forum is Thursday, April 14, 7 pm–9 pm.

Both forums will be held in the Commissioners Board Room of the Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Refreshments will be provided. This is a free event and is open to the public.

The format typically includes: 2–3 minutes opening statement from each candidate Questions from the audience* and prepared topics 2–3 minute response from each candidate 1–2 minute rebuttal Closing statements 1–2 minutes

*Questions from the audience: each candidate will have the opportunity to answer the questions. No questions will be directed at a specific candidate.

Spring 2016 Volunteer Opportunities

FAMILY FUN PAINTING Come out June 4 and 5, 2016 to repaint our street graphics at SE 16th and Ash (June 4) and SE 15th and Alder (June 5).  Festivities start at 9 am blocking off the streets; Painting begins at 10 am. These two events are supported by the neighbors and coordinated through City Repair as part of the Village Building Convergence. At potluck street party will complete the events. Information will be on posters near the sites.

GOT GARDEN? Garden plots are ready for weeding, tilling and planting at three locations. Picture a Garden provides small garden plots for those without yards. A small donation goes to the landlord to pay for summer water. Contact the Buckman Board for more information.

ADOPT A TRAFFIC CIRCLE Pollinator Friendly plants have been established in three Buckman Traffic Circles. Work Parties will be held this spring to clean up, replant (if needed) and maintain the circles. Look for posters in the neighborhood that will announce dates. What’s next, pollinator corridors?

Buckman Street Tree Inventory

The Buckman Street Tree Inventory was completed the summer of 2015 with help from Urban Forestry and local neighbors. Trees along our neighborhood streets were surveyed for species, size, and health.

Findings included:

• Buckman has 4,463 street trees with 98 different species.
• Maples account for 35% of the street trees in Buckman.
• 17 trees have a diameter greater than 4’ across.
• There are 2,363 empty spaces along neighborhood streets eligible for a tree.

Stay posted for details on the annual December Buckman tree planting.

Save Buckman Pool

For the 6th time in 14 years, the city is trying to close Buckman Pool permanently. While this pool is not as intensively used as other pools due to the limitations on its hours (not open to the general public on weekends, closed at 7 pm on weekdays, and not available during some afternoon hours due to school use), it is the only Parks facility in inner SE Portland.

This area of Portland has been promised a community center for over 40 years. Parks will come up with a proposed budget to meet the Mayor’s request for 5% cuts. Budget hearings will be held April 5, May 5 and May 12, 2016. Please participate in these hearings and/or comment on the proposed budget cuts.

If you would like to get involved or get updates visit the Save Buckman Pool Facebook page. An An advocacy group, Friends of Buckman Pool, will be putting together an online survey to help in e orts to support keeping the pool open. Please be sure to check the Buckman Voice e-newsletter or SE Examiner to find a link and fill out the survey when it is issued in March.