Welcome to the June edition of What’s Up in Beaumont-Wilshire — your monthly roundup of meetings, news, events, and ways to get involved in the neighborhood.
Meetings & Engagement
BWNA Events Committee Meeting — June 2 (Tuesday), 7:00–8:30 p.m.
For meeting location, contact committee chair John Sandie at SandieFam@gmail.com.
BWNA General Meeting — June 8 (Monday), 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Sylvan Learning, 4300 NE Fremont St., Suite 150. Held in person and broadcast via Zoom. A full agenda will be posted on the Upcoming Events page prior to the meeting.
Topics to be covered include:
- NE Village PDX: volunteers Chris Rauber and Kim Williams discuss the ins and outs of NE Village PDX, a nonprofit that for a monthly fee offers a wide range of services to seniors.
- Open Floor: an opportunity for non-board attendees to speak for up to 3 minutes on any topic of relevance to the neighborhood.
- BWNA internal business matters and project updates, including:
- Approval of the 2026–2027 fiscal budget
- Insurance coverage for Beaumont Crossing, the BWNA co-sponsored public plaza opening in mid-June
- New ownership of the Bethany Lutheran Church property
- Approval of Graeme Rudd as the new chair of the Transportation Committee
- Possible participation in BBA’s Fremont Fest
- Proposed re-design of the BWNA website
- Upcoming BWNA-sponsored events
- The ongoing issue of disappearing crosswalk safety flags
As always, all meetings are open to the public — please come join your neighbors!
BWNA Communication Committee Meeting — June 16 (Tuesday), 4:30–5:30 p.m.
For meeting location, contact committee chair Michelle Rudd at pdx.stmptwn@gmail.com.
Community News
Public Plaza Update
In separate late-April votes, the Beaumont Business Association (BBA) and BWNA approved joint sponsorship of a public street plaza on NE 44th Avenue just north of Fremont for a three-month trial period beginning mid-June.
On the heels of these approvals, an ad hoc planning committee of BBA and BWNA board members, business representatives, and neighbors was convened and has been hard at work ensuring the plaza will be a wonderful neighborhood amenity with a range of activities and events to be enjoyed by all.
So far, key decisions include the selection of a plaza name — Beaumont Crossing — and opening dates. Street closure and plaza installations will occur on Saturday, June 13, and grand opening festivities will follow on Saturday, June 27.
Many more details on these events — including a call for volunteers of all ages and abilities to assist with street painting on June 13 — will be shared widely via BBA and BWNA communication channels. Find more information about Portland’s public plaza program in PBOT’s 2025 Public Realm and Street Activation Report.
Note: the grand opening was later moved to July 11. See the Public Plaza page for the latest.
2026 PDX World Naked Bike Ride to Launch from B-W; Transportation Routes Affected
Saturday, July 25, is the date scheduled for the 2026 PDX World Naked Bike Ride, which will start in Beaumont-Wilshire. Representatives of the city-permitted ride attended the BWNA board meeting on May 11, and while they asked that we keep the launch location quiet for now, they reported that thousands of riders will be participating, so streets will be significantly impacted.
Riders will start to assemble in B-W at 6:30 p.m. and begin departing at 8:00 p.m. to a final destination that will be announced at a later date. Look for more details in the July–August BWNA newsletter. For more information visit pdxwnbr.org.
An “Attractive Nuisance?” Flags on Fremont Stolen, Vandalized
It is with great disappointment that BWNA reports the loss of over 20 orange pedestrian flags in just a three-week period this spring. Adding to the disappointment, on May 12 BWNA board member Angela Frome found that flags had been thrown in the street at several locations on Fremont in Beaumont Village.
Although there are no eyewitnesses to the flag disappearances or vandalism, Fremont Flag coordinators Angela and Patti Koehler wonder if some of the mayhem may be the work of neighborhood young folks out on a lark, and they’re asking parents to be on the lookout for orange safety flags on their premises. If you know something about the missing or badly treated flags, please email info@bwnapdx.org.
Friends of Wilshire Park Reboots Website
Friends of Wilshire Park (FoWP), a committee of BWNA, has updated its website and invites you to visit it for information on the park and to learn how you can get involved. As FoWP continues to develop the site, volunteers will be adding information about quarterly meetings, events, and a neighbor spotlight section. Visit friendsofwilshirepark.org.
One-Legged Crow
Are you the good Samaritan who took our resident crow to the veterinarian to help with its injured leg? Rumor has it that someone helped the crow, often referred to as “Peg,” by taking it in for medical care. The leg was amputated, and now Peg seems to be doing great. We would love to do a story on you! Please email friendsofwilshirepark@gmail.com, and follow FoWP on Instagram at @friendsofwilshirepark.
Events in B-W and Nearby
Free Stuff on the Lawn at Bethany Lutheran
May 22–24 (Friday–Sunday) — 4330 NE 37th Ave.
On the days listed, find a host of items on the Bethany Lutheran Church lawn, all free for the taking: kitchen supplies, office supplies, small furniture, concrete garden blocks, and other miscellaneous items. Any items remaining will be removed the morning of Monday, May 25.
With the disbanding of the Bethany Lutheran congregation over a year ago, the Oregon Synod has been getting closer to transitioning the property to its new owners; this weekend’s event is the Synod’s last step in clearing out the building. The Native American Youth & Family Center (NAYA) will be assuming ownership of the property. More information about its plans will be forthcoming in the BWNA newsletter and future Community Updates.
Rose Festival Junior Parade
May 30 (Saturday), 12:00–2:00 p.m. — Begins at NE 52nd & Sandy Blvd.
Come celebrate our community’s children at the Rose Festival Junior Parade, a beloved tradition dating back to 1918, when six kids in the Hollywood District, sorely disappointed about the cancellation of the Rose Festival due to World War I, decided to hold their own parade. Today, children from all parts of Portland participate by dressing in costumes, creating floats, decorating bikes, and parading with friends and family. The parade travels down Sandy to NE 40th Avenue, then west onto NE Tillamook Street, ending at Grant High School. For details and how to participate, visit the Rose Festival Junior Parade page.
First Thursdays on Fremont Street
June 4, July 2, August 6, and September 3 (Thursdays), times vary — NE Fremont Street in Beaumont Village
Businesses on Fremont Street host special events on the first Thursday of the month through September. Visit the BBA’s Instagram (@bbapdx) for more details or look for balloons in front of participating businesses.
BWNA Annual Stairs Clean-up
June 6 (Saturday), 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Meet at the top of the stairwell at 42nd & Alameda
The BWNA Events Committee’s beautification team is hosting its annual stairway clean-up. Event partner Portland Bureau of Transportation will assist with debris pickup. Affected neighbors have been notified. For more information contact BWNA board member Angela Frome at AngFrome@yahoo.com.
BWNA Neighborhood Yard Sale
July 11 (Saturday), 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. — Throughout Beaumont-Wilshire
Whether you’re ready to de-clutter and make some cash or want to hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures, you won’t want to miss this community yard sale! BWNA will promote the event and produce an interactive map of participating households. No fee to participate.
BWNA Art & Garden Tour
July 18 (Saturday), 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Beaumont-Wilshire. Tickets: $17 donation; tickets are limited.
In its third year, this BWNA-sponsored event offers the opportunity to discover five private gardens in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, each with art for sale displayed in the gardens. Get ideas for your own garden, meet new people, connect with old friends, and simply partake in the community — all while helping BWNA raise funds for our many free events throughout the year.
Get Involved
Meet people. Do good. Have fun! For more information about ways to get involved, visit our Get Involved page.
Outgoing & love the neighborhood and the newsletter?
Do you love to meet new people and would enjoy extolling the virtues of the BWNA newsletter to prospective advertisers? If this type of volunteer effort would hit your hot buttons, we’d love to have you on the newsletter team. Advertising revenue is the main fundraising source for BWNA’s events, so it’s an important role. Email Editor@BWNApdx.org if you’re interested.
Calling STEM/STEAM volunteers
Help bring back the Science Fair to Alameda Elementary, or a Family Science night. These events provide elementary students with an invaluable opportunity to nurture their curiosity, develop critical thinking skills, and get hands-on learning experience in a friendly, supportive environment. If interested and able, contact Julia Love at vpcurriculum@alamedaschool.org.
Ideas for our Speakers Forum?
Birds, bees, seeds? History or herstory? City politics? Aging in place? Downsizing? In 2025, BWNA logged talks on neighborhood history, beneficial bugs, going all-electric, and the Cascadia Subduction Zone. What’s in store for 2026? Send ideas to John Sandie at SandieFam@gmail.com.
Be a Trash Walker
Help keep the neighborhood clean by picking up trash and removing graffiti. BWNA holds two organized cleanup events per year, but regular attention keeps the problem in check. To receive free cleaning supplies, email Angela Frome.
Help with events
Looking to get involved, but not too involved? We’d love your occasional help with neighborhood events — many hands make light work. Email BWNA Events Chair John Sandie to be notified when help is needed.
Newsletter distribution team
Get a walk in, meet new neighbors, and help bring news to the neighborhood. The distribution team is seeking people to hand-deliver the BWNA newsletter to a prescribed route every other month, or in a fill-in capacity. Email John Sandie or Georgina Head for more information.
Ongoing BWNA Events
BWNA Board Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of January, March, May, July, September, and November from 7:00–8:30 p.m. The public is welcome; time for public input is limited.
BWNA General Meetings are the 2nd Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December from 7:00–8:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and participate.
Meeting locations change; most meetings are also held via Zoom. Look for current info in your monthly email from BWNA or check the Upcoming Events page on the day of the meeting.