What's Up in Beaumont-Wilshire in September

Welcome to the September 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 Communication Committee Meeting — August 26 (Wednesday), 5:00 p.m.

For meeting location, contact committee chair Steven Avery at hello@stevenavery.com.

BWNA Events Committee Meeting — September 8 (Tuesday), 7:00–8:30 p.m.

For meeting location, contact committee chair John Sandie at SandieFam@gmail.com.

BWNA Board Meeting — September 14 (Monday), 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Sylvan Learning, 4300 NE Fremont St., Suite 150. Held in person and broadcast via Zoom.

This month’s meeting features a presentation on emergency preparedness from Bec Lawson, the leader of the Beaumont-Wilshire/Alameda Neighborhood Emergency Team. A representative from the Portland Fruit Tree Project will also be on hand to talk about how the non-profit organization cares for and harvests from the trees that feed and shade our neighborhoods, including your trees if you’re interested.

Also on the agenda:

A proposed revamping of the BWNA website.
An update from the Beaumont Crossing Plaza Committee.

As always, all meetings are open to the public — please come join your neighbors!

Community News

Beaumont Crossing: Tell PBOT What You Think

The trial run of Beaumont Crossing is still just that, a trial, and no decision has been made about the plaza’s future. The best way to help determine its future is to respond to PBOT’s survey, which is intended to gauge the effects of the plaza on neighboring residents and businesses. We hope you’ll take a few minutes and complete the 2026 Plaza Survey. It’s also available in Spanish.

Want to host a community event at Beaumont Crossing? The city has a straightforward guide, and the plaza calendar has openings. Event applications must be submitted at least 7 days before your event.

You can also read up on the latest about the plaza, including PBOT’s assessment results when they’re available, by visiting our Public Plaza page. And, of course, your questions or comments are always welcome at plaza@bwnapdx.org.

Meet Graeme Rudd, Our New Transportation Committee Chair

Graeme Rudd has stepped up to lead BWNA’s Transportation Committee, and he has hit the ground running by researching, fact finding, and getting on calls with contacts at PBOT.

One thing he has already turned up may surprise you. NE Fremont Street is designated part of the city’s High Crash Network, a set of 30 streets and intersections identified as the city’s most dangerous for traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Graeme wants to understand why Fremont has earned that designation and what PBOT can do to help keep the street safe, and he’s convinced the more data we bring, the more effectively we can advocate for the neighborhood.

That is where you come in. Graeme wants to hear what neighbors are actually concerned about when it comes to traffic and transit here in Beaumont-Wilshire. Send him a note at pdx.stmptwn@gmail.com.

Emergency Preparedness: Two Ways to Join In

Our September 14 board meeting (details above) will feature Bec Lawson, who leads the Beaumont-Wilshire/Alameda Neighborhood Emergency Team. NET members are residents trained by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and Portland Fire & Rescue to help their neighbors after a disaster, in the window before professional responders can reach everyone.

Becoming an active NET volunteer involves completing a city-sponsored basic training program of roughly 28 hours and volunteering at least 12 hours of time yearly. Training is offered only a few times a year. This year’s session is full, and the next round is not expected until early 2027.

There is a second way to get involved. Affiliated Team Volunteers support NETs without holding full “active” NET status or having to complete the full basic training. No special skills are required. It is an easier ramp into the NET orbit, and a good way to meet the neighbors you would be working alongside if an emergency were to happen.

Come meet Bec on September 14 and ask how our team puts Affiliated Team Volunteers to work, or read the details on the Portland NET wiki. And if you do want the full training, you can start the application and preparedness videos now, and PBEM will notify you when the next basic training is scheduled.

Inner Eastside Zoning Project: Timeline Pushed Back a Year

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has asked that the Inner Eastside Zoning Project report timeline be pushed back a year, to summer 2028, to allow time for traffic studies, community outreach, and other research. The project is exploring zoning changes that would allow a greater diversity of housing, including multi-story apartments as well as commercial buildings, across inner eastside neighborhoods. A significant portion of the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood south of Fremont between NE 33rd and 60th avenues would be affected by these changes. Nothing has been decided, and public input will help shape the recommendations. Learn more and sign up for updates on the City’s project page.

Events in B-W and Nearby

Last Thursday on Alberta: Final Street Closure of the Season

August 27 (Thursday), 6:00–9:00 p.m. — NE Alberta Street, 15th to 30th Ave.

This is the final outdoor Last Thursday of the year. Fifteen blocks close to traffic for artists, makers, musicians, and performers. The street closures run June through August, so this is your final chance until next summer. Last Thursday continues indoors year-round at galleries along Alberta Street. More at lastthursdayalberta.org.

First Thursdays on Fremont Street

September 3 (Thursday), 4:00–8:00 p.m. — NE Fremont Street in Beaumont Village

The final First Thursday of the season. Businesses along Fremont host special events on the first Thursday of the month, so visit the BBA’s Instagram (@bbapdx) for details or just look for balloons out front of participating businesses.

BWNA Annual Block Party on Skidmore Street

September 11 (Friday), 5:00–8:00 p.m. — NE Skidmore Street between NE 35th Pl. and NE 37th Ave., alongside Wilshire Park

Our biggest event of the year is back with live music from Stone Pepper and Grant High School’s Royal Blues a cappella group, no-host food trucks, a Kids Zone with pickup games and a bubble machine, and a photo station set up across from the BWNA booth. Look for the sandwich boards on the day for band set times. If you have questions while you’re at the event, look for BWNA volunteers wearing bright neon green caps.

Neighbors on the affected blocks have already received notice about the street closure and noise variance, and no-parking signs go up the week before.

A Busy Month at Concordia Commons Public Plaza

September 12, 13, and 26 — Concordia Commons (NE 30th & Killingsworth), except the yard sale

Our neighbors to the northwest have a busy September planned, and the events below are free to attend.

Sept. 12–13 (Saturday and Sunday), 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Concordia Neighborhood Yard Sale. Sell or shop at homes across the neighborhood. Registration and a map are available at concordiapdx.org/yard-sale.
Sept. 12 (Saturday), 3:00–7:00 p.m., Concordia Artist Collective Art Show. Eight neighborhood artists will display their work, plus chalk drawing and art supplies for kids. Sponsored by the Concordia Neighborhood Association.
Sept. 13 (Sunday), 5:00–7:00 p.m., Angel Bouchet Band. A straight-up blues band, free and open to all.
Sept. 26 (Saturday), 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Fall Garden Fair. Free expert advice, plants for sale, and crafts for kids.

Concordia also runs a few activities year-round: Board Game Night at the Commons on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays (6:00–8:00 p.m.), Coffee in the Commons every Friday (9:30 a.m.), and the Loose Threads knit and crochet workshop every Friday (2:00–5:00 p.m.) in the Kennedy School Community Room. More at concordiapdx.org/upcoming-events.

Three More Weekends at Beaumont Crossing

September 19, 20, 25, and 26 — Beaumont Crossing (NE 44th & Fremont)

Our own plaza closes out its trial season with a full slate of events:

Sept. 19 (Saturday), 12:00–5:00 p.m., Makers Market: Sweater Weather Edition. Local neighbors selling handmade stickers, cards, art prints, dolls, and more.
Sept. 20 (Sunday), Plaza Bike Crawl. A neighborhood bike crawl is in the works for the plaza. Start time and meeting point to be announced.
Sept. 25 (Friday), 5:00–7:00 p.m., Black & White Band PDX. A local band made up of kids, performing live on the plaza.
Sept. 26 (Saturday), 2:00–4:00 p.m., Oregon Symphonic Band: Sounds of Summer. A 50-piece adult community band playing music you will recognize and love.
Sept. 26 (Saturday), 5:00–7:00 p.m., Patina. A local band, live on the plaza. Have a listen at patinamusic.com.

More events are being lined up every day, so stay up to date on these and other plaza events by checking out the BBA calendar.

Save the Dates

October 10 (Saturday), 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: Positive Aging Health & Wellness Fair. BWNA is a Community Partner of this free event presented by the Community for Positive Aging and the German American Society, at the German American Society, 5626 NE Alameda St. Expect resource tables, a vaccination clinic, workshops, and raffles, all celebrating and supporting the positive aging of older adults in Portland. Look for full details in next month’s update.
October 29 (Thursday), 7:00 p.m.: “The Ice Age Missoula Floods in Your Neighborhood.” BWNA’s fall speakers forum features Jim O’Connor, Ph.D., at Fremont United Methodist Church, 2620 NE Fremont St. The event is free, but reservations are required.
October 31 (Saturday): Trick or Treat on Fremont Street. The Beaumont Business Association is hosting a Halloween celebration with costumes, candy, and spooky surprises. Details to come; follow @bbapdx or visit bbapdx.org.

Get Involved

Meet people. Do good. Have fun! For more information about ways to get involved, visit our Get Involved page.

New this month

Share your traffic and transit concerns. Email Graeme at pdx.stmptwn@gmail.com. See his note above.
Join the volunteer Neighborhood Emergency Team. Full NET training is closed until early 2027, but the Affiliated Team Volunteer program is open now. See above.
Weigh in on the plaza. The 2026 Plaza Survey is open now.

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.

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.

From the Editor

That is the news for September. If something’s happening in your corner of Beaumont-Wilshire, send the info my way. Copy is due by the 20th of the month, and our Community Update goes out on the 25th of every month.

Steven Avery
Editor, BWNA Community Update
hello@stevenavery.com

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.