Nobody will confuse Foster Road with the likes of Belmont, Alberta, or Mississippi.  And while the latter streets get all the attention, and draw the biggest crowds to their yearly neighborhood fairs, Foster Road manages to hold its own.   At “Fun on Foster,” which was held Sunday, Sept 25, our neighborhood was treated to an array of arts and crafts, live music, open storefronts, and vendors selling/promoting everything from all natural body care products and handcrafted ceramics, to Itallian ice, burritos, and handmade soap.  This year’s crowd seemed quite larger than last year’s, and more vendors managed to squeeze into Laurelwood Park.  Most of the business along Foster Road opened their storefronts and welcomed customers and windowshoppers alike.  And while the long stretch of vendors and participating business along Foster Road may have taken away from a more centralized feel to the event, the weather was perfect for walking, and it was uniquely our own.

In 1984, Matt Peskin and the National Association of Town Watch, organized an event to bring more awareness to police programs and foster community building and crime prevention throughout American cities. This event, National Night Out, was meant to encourage the public to take back their streets through a sense of community-mindedness. The movement caught traction, and 26 years later, on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is still celebrated across the country in neighborhood parks, porches, front lawns, cul-de-sacs, and dowtown centers.

As Portlanders celebrate National Night Out city-wide, Tuesday, August 3rd, Foster Powell residents will be able to show their community spirit at Kern Park (SE Center and SE 66th), from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The Foster Powell Neighborhood Association will be hosting the yearly event, with Bar Carlo selling food and the band, All the Apparatus,  providing entertaiment with live music. While numerous events will be happening throughout the city, Foster Powell will be well represented with good food, live entertainment, information/resource tables, and family-friendly fun. While it is a good excuse to party and get to know your neighbors, it is a worthy cause, too, meant to encourage community and police involvement in creating safe and healthy neighborhoods. No doubt, the increased community involvement and awareness in Foster Powell has brought about postive change. According to last year’s statistics, crime in the neighborhood has decreased 28 percent over the last five years. KATU ran a story on last year’s event,  discussing some of the changes our neighborhood has seen, and some of the impact National Night Out has made.  This event aims to keep the momentum going and strengthen the Foster Powell community.  Mark your calendars, and make sure to come show off your neighborhood pride on August 3rd. This will be a family friendly event, so bring your friends, family, and all the kids.

Monday, June 14, 2010

6:30-8:00

Sweetness Bakery
3524 SE 52nd Ave