By Astrid Furstner | CNA Chair
Although most of us are facing the trials and tribulations – aka adventure – of working from home and social distancing, the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors continues to be busy.
We have received many requests for funds.
Under normal circumstances, the association fundraises through various programs or activities we put together to help those within our community. Now, however, we too are facing a shortfall. Under normal circumstances we would be able to assist and donate funds but, as it stands, we don’t have the ability to put together activities. We are not generating any income. Therefore, we must fall back on reserves to persevere.
Participants in a street mural painting project requested funding to purchase paint so that they can restore a mural on Sumner Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Unfortunately, we could not fund their project this year, but perhaps those among us in the neighborhood can assist. If you have paint cans or funds you would like to donate, let me know and I’ll forward your offer along to them. My email is at the bottom of this column.
In addition, there were a few requests to assist local restaurants and businesses implement city-approved road closures. While the association cannot fund the entirety of the requests, we are able to spread it around among three plazas within the Concordia boundaries to assist with defraying some of the costs.
See Pages 6-7 for details on the innovations local restaurants and other businesses are pursuing to provide safe outdoor venues we can all enjoy.
Due to the current state we find ourselves in regarding COVID-19, the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room is not available yet for us to use and to rent out. As soon as it is, we can begin to offer that perk once again!
The team planning redevelopment of the Portland Community College Workforce Training Center updated the CNA Land Use & Transportation Committee (LUTC) recently. They received public input from the community through our general meeting and other venues late last year. Now they’re reporting back on how that input is being used. Visit the update at PCC.edu/bond/pmwtc.
Finally, I need some assistance. We would like to put together a few educational webinars for our neighborhood. What interests you? What can we do as a neighborhood association to help keep you in the know, in the loop and interested?
I could use some ideas – so please send them my way at Chair@ConcordiaPDX.org. I look forward to receiving them.
Astrid Furstner is a mother, a wife, an immigrant, a local artist and an artisan. She lives with her luthier husband, Brent, and her artist-in-the-making daughter, Luciana. Together, they call Concordia their home.