Montavilla Neighborhood Association

Summer 2002 Newsletter (pg 1)

Taylor Court Block Party on Saturday, July 27th

The Taylor Court Grocery,2001 winner of the Spirit of Portland award, hosts a neighborhood block party and street parade each year to thank the neighborhood for it's business and to help bring together a rather ethnically diverse part of Portland at a time when many people do not know their neighbors and community is so important. The date of this year's event will be Saturday, July 27,from 12-4 pm. Parade line-up will start at 12 noon on SE Yamhill west of 80th,with the parade rolling at 1 pm. Immediately following the parade, the block party will begin with introductions of special guests followed by entertainment and games in
the street SE 80th in front of the store will be blocked off from Taylor to Salmon. Entertainment this year will be as diverse as the neighborhood from classical music at a grand piano in the middle of the street, Native American tribal dancing, square dancers, cocktail/cabaret musicians, Reed College opera singers, and a rock &roll band. Food will be kept simple with hot dogs, ice cream and soda pop. Last year there were 53 entries in the parade and approximately 700 people attending the Block Party. This years' party expects to be as popular with the neighborhood as ever. Join us at this wonderful neighborhood event!

Looking for a safe, secure neighborhood?

The more you know your neighbors and your neighborhood, the easier it is to fight crime and achieve that safe, secure neighborhood. Having a block party or a backyard barbecue with the people closest to you, your neighbors, on National Night Out is the perfect way to start. National Night Out, on Tuesday, August 6th,is the night where you are encouraged to turn on your porch light and go out and meet your neighbors. Neighbors all over the
country will be getting together for parties and barbecues! A few simple steps and you too can block off your street for a street party with music, games, and great food but most of all, a feeling of community. So make the connection with your neighbors and ask them to join you, you'll be surprised how excited they will be at the chance to party in the street! Call Lisa Laurenceau at 503-254-6138 for more information about a party near you or to plan a party for your block. Let's have the most block parties of any Portland neighborhood in 2002.

What you can do about graffiti?

Graffiti is an issue that we can all do something about. Rapid response for cleaning graffiti helps prevent its reoccurrence. Other prevention methods include camera surveillance, alarm systems, increased lighting at night, and strategic landscaping. Reporting graffiti is important because it assists with clean up efforts and the prosecution of vandals. The City contracts with the Youth Employment Institute (YEI) to remove graffiti free of charge to property owners. The YEI abatement team can also assist with the education and training of volunteers on how to report and clean graffiti safely. To reach the YEI abatement program call (503) 249-2856. To report graffiti to the police I &R graffiti hotline, call (503)823-4824.For information on graffiti abatement efforts city wide, contact Portland 's Graffiti Prevention Coordinator, Hugh McDowell, at (503) 823-5860.

Email us
Montavilla_Neighborhood_Association@hotmail.com