Hey there, Concordia! It’s already June, and I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us at Chilango PDX. Thank you, Wilder, for the gift certificates. We had a blast, and it was great to see so many familiar faces and meet some new ones too!
Social committee meetings
Speaking of community events, I want to give a big shoutout to everyone who attended our first in-person Social Committee meeting of the year. Your presence and input were greatly appreciated. Social Committee meetings are generally scheduled for the first Friday of each month, sometimes online and sometimes in person. Business owners, please reach out to Social@ConcordiaPDX.org if you are interested in hosting a Social Committee meeting.
Upcoming events
We’ve got some exciting events lined up for the rest of the year, and I wanted to share them with you all. First up, on Saturday, June 3, we’re having a neighborhood litter pickup event at Alberta Park, 1905 N.E. Killingsworth St. Volunteers will be meeting bright and early at 9 a.m., so bring your best trash-picking-up skills. It’s a great opportunity to get some exercise, meet your neighbors, and make our community a better place.
In June, we’ve got two big events happening. Concordia’s very first gay pride event will be held at the wine bar, Bonne Chance, 2209 N.E. Alberta St., on Thursday, June 15! The event starts at 3 p.m., so come out and show your support for our LGBTQ+ community members.
Then, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29, we’re having a concert in Alberta Park. We’re asking neighbors to gather at 5:30 p.m. This year, there will be a salsa band playing and we’re moving the stage to the front of the park to create more shaded areas for our neighbors. It’s going to be a blast, so mark your calendars!
In August, Concordia will celebrate National Night Out, an event to raise police awareness, and details are being finalized, so stay tuned for more information on that one. I
n late summer, the Social Committee is hosting another neighborhood cleanup at Alberta Park on Saturday, Sept. 2, and then a yard sale over Labor Day weekend.
Volunteering
In October, the committee is planning a Halloween party, but it needs your help to make it happen. If you’re interested in volunteering, planning, or coordinating, please let us know; we’d love to have you on board. Finally, in December, we’re looking at having our holiday party at Teote Mezcaleria, 2700 N.E. Alberta St. More information will be coming soon.
Last but not least, the social committee needs your help with its Labor Day Yard Sale. It was a huge success last year, and we’re hoping to make it even bigger and better this year. If you’re interested in participating or volunteering, contact Social@ConcordiaPDX.org. We want to hear your ideas and suggestions to make this year’s event even fun and inclusive.
That’s all for now, folks. Keep an eye out for more updates and events coming your way, and stay safe and healthy.
Javier Puga-Phillips has served on the Southwest 1 position on the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors, managed rentals of the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room and has chaired the CNA Social Committee. He is a real estate professional locally, and he is a published author and motivational speaker in Latin America and Spain.