Thanks for an Amazing Picnic!

Thanks for a great Picnic! We’re so happy so many of you came out to share the experience!

Special thanks to the sponsors who helped fund the event: Brandon CS Sanders, Honest 1 Auto Care on Stark, Keep Buckman Free!, GPS Products, Elizabeth Bryan, Bill Wentworth, Susan Lindsay and New Seasons Market!

And thanks to all the door prize contributions!: ValerCie Garrett, Light Bar, Ben & Jerry’s, Fredmeyer, Venus Allure Spa and Salon, the Thorns, the Timbers, Portland Farmer’s Market, Three Friends Coffee Shop, Meat Cheese Bread, Enso, Zupans, Whole Foods Market, Sheridans, Universal Cycle, East Burn and Sunee’s Thai Kitchen!

And of course, thanks to all of the AMAZING volunteers, musicians and individuals that helped make the event happen!! The Buckman Picnic Committee was beyond incredible and Hinson Baptist Church and their team of Picnic Activities experts were invaluable!

Hope to see you all at next year’s event!

Call for Participation: Newsletter Articles, Candidate Forum Questions, Summer Picnic

Opportunities abound for you to get involved in the BCA, in a variety of ways! Read on for more details.

Newsletter Articles

Planning is underway for the next paper edition of our newsletter, which, like this blog, is called the Buckman Voice. We’re currently soliciting articles on any topic you think would be of interest to your neighbors. They don’t have to be long; even just a few paragraphs is fine. Examples include: a group or organization you’d like to publicize, a new local business that you think people should know about, a neighborhood cause you’d like to stump for, etc. To pitch us your idea, simply send an e-mail to buckmanboard@googlegroups.com. Articles are due by Thursday, March 8th. You can download PDF versions of past issues of the Buckman Voice from our website: http://www.buckmanpdx.org/newsletter.

Because we hand-deliver copies of the Buckman Voice to every home in the neighborhood, we’re also always on the lookout for volunteers willing to help with the delivery. It’s a great excuse to get out for a stroll and perhaps meet some new neighbors. Volunteers are encouraged to e-mail us at buckmanboard@googlegroups.com.

Questions for our Candidate Forums

We’re in the midst of election season, and the BCA is getting in on the action by hosting candidate forums at our next two monthly meetings. At our March meeting, which will be held on Thursday March 8th, we’ll be inviting the candidates for the two City Council seats to come and take questions from our members. At our April meeting, on Thursday April 12th, we’ll be doing the same with the candidates for mayor. Of course, you’re encouraged to attend both meetings in person, where you can ask questions of the candidates, but if you can’t make it for any reason, you can also submit questions to us via e-mail at buckmanboard@googlegroups.com. You can also feel free to post questions on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/50481109906.

Picnic Organizers

We’re 6 months away from our third annual Summer Picnic in the Park, to be held on Sunday, August 5th. We’re looking for volunteers to help with the picnic planning and organizing process. It’s a fun and easy way to get involved in your neighborhood by helping to put on this great event. Interested parties are welcome to e-mail us at buckmanboard@googlegroups.com.

BCA Awarded SE Uplift Neighborhood Small Grant for Summer Picnic

The BCA recently learned that we were awarded a SE Uplift Neighborhood Small Grant to help fun our third annual Summer Picnic in the Park this coming August:

3rd Annual Buckman Picnic in the Park, Buckman Community Association. Amount funded:   $2000.
The Buckman Community Association plans to host its 3rd Annual Picnic in the Park.  The goal of the event is to introduce the association board to new and diverse community members, strengthen existing Buckman community ties and to provide a free and fun venue for neighbors from varied backgrounds to meet and build relationships.  Funds will support publicity, entertainment, refreshments and other event related costs.

http://www.southeastuplift.org/content/2012-neighborhood-small-grant-recipients

 

Summer Fun!

Just a quick note to let you know about two upcoming events. First, the 2nd annual Buckman Summer Picnic will be taking place next Sunday, August 7th, from 4-8pm at Col. Summers Park. We’ll have live music (provided by Portland band Level 2), food from local vendors, and plenty of fun activities for the family. Last year’s inaugural picnic was a tremendous event, and this year’s promises to be even better. Don’t miss it!

Secondly, SE Uplift will be hosting a community block party later in August. We’ll let them tell you about it:

The SE Uplift Neighborhood Coalition is hosting a community block party on Saturday, August 27th from 4pm to 9:30pm, celebrating communities and neighbors across Southeast Portland. The SE Uplift building and grounds at 3534 SE Main Street will serve as the hub of the festivities, with the entire block of SE Main Street between 35th and 36th Avenues filled with an array of fun activities, music, food and beverages throughout the evening. A number of food carts will be on site offering food, with St. Josef’s Winery and Coalition Brewing also on hand offering wine and beer. Kid’s activities will also be in abundance, as the Portland Mennonite Church (1312 SE 35th Avenue) will be hosting a Kid’s Corner that will include a bounce house, playground and a host of fun games throughout the evening.

The event will also be a great way to learn about and connect with fantastic community projects, meet neighborhood association and community leaders, learn more about how SE Uplift supports your community and meet your neighbors from not only down the block but across Southeast Portland. If your organization or community group is interested in participating, please get in touch at the email address below. We look forward to seeing you there!

We have fun (really!) volunteer opportunities available in short one or two-hour slots on August 27th — your assistance will be greatly appreciated! Please email volunteer@southeastuplift.org to participate as a volunteer!

Please contact celebration@southeastuplift.org for more information or to donate raffle prizes (we will be certain to praise your generosity). Thanks to our other generous sponsors and partners: KBOO Community Radio, New Seasons and Umpqua Bank.

BCA Awarded Grant for 2nd Annual Picnic in the Park

First things first: Happy New Year!

Secondly, the BCA got some great news today when we learned that our application to the Neighborhood Small Grant Program for a grant to help fund our 2nd annual Buckman Picnic in the Park had been approved!

The Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s (ONI) Neighborhood Small Grants Program funds a wide variety of community projects in Portland’s seven neighborhood districts each year. The goal of the program is to provide neighborhood and community organizations the opportunity to build community, attract new and diverse members, and sustain those already involved.

Each year, a grant selection committee convenes to review applications in depth. The committee then makes recommendations on grant approval to the SE Uplift Board of Directors. Our grant application was one of those recommended to and approved by the SE Uplift Board.

Last summer saw the inaugural Buckman Picnic in the Park, which was a rousing success. This year, the BCA applied to the Neighborhood Small Grant Program for a $4000 grant to help fund the second installment of the picnic. We were awarded a $2000 grant. The money will go a long way towards ensuring that this year’s event is even bigger and better.

The Picnic in the Park is held the second Sunday of every August from 4-8pm at Col. Summers Park, SE 17th and Taylor Street.  We’re always looking for volunteers to help plan, coordinate, and staff this fun, active family event.  Please contact the BCA at buckmancommunityassociation@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping.

Read more about the grant on Southeast Uplift’s website: http://www.southeastuplift.org/content/2011-neighborhood-small-grants.