By Daniel Greenstadt – Concordia Neighborhood Association Board Member
It seems that breaking with political and social norms has become an American trend lately, and your neighborhood association is keeping up with the times. So, beginning with this issue of Concordia News, we’re casting tradition aside and turning “Chair’s Corner” into “CNA Voices” where, instead of hearing only from the chair, we’ll offer the perspectives of Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) board and committee members.
CNA is led by many dedicated souls who show up to lead the board and to staff and support the various committees, where the real work gets done. Together with you – residents of Portland’s greatest neighborhood – we’re building a better community.
And just how much better? Well, the dawn of a new year calls for a quick review of 2016 accomplishments so we can be sure to outdo ourselves in 2017. Here are some of CNA’s community-building events:
- Spring Egg Hunt – Combine 7,000 handstuffed eggs and more than 300 children, and you get 10 minutes of the best kind of pandemonium! CNA partnered with American Legion Post 134 for this smashing success.
- Neighbor Cleanup – We netted $1,998 for CNA community programs.
- Sunday Parkways – CNA volunteers distributed 720 energy bars and gallons of water to hungry and thirsty cyclists, walkers and skaters. • Concerts in the Park – Bankrolled local business and community sponsors — and staffed and supported by CNA volunteers — we gathered some giant crowds at Fernhill Park to hear some of the best entertainment Portland offers.
- National Night Out – It featured a great children’s parade – complete with police escort – and the season’s final park concert.
- December holiday party – The food was fantastic at the HUGE party, children’s choirs were heavenly, the band was loud and attendees paid with nothing but their presence and some much needed food donations to Concordia Backpack Lunch Program. Thanks again to Cerimon House for the amazing venue.
- McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room – We earned a whopping $18,000 in rentals for CNA to reinvest in the community.
- Concordia News – We’re covering more issues, staying on schedule, reaching more people and continuing to invest in building CNews into the best neighborhood paper in the city. Our web and Facebook page made great strides too.
- Land Use & Transportation Committee – The group continues its amazing work on a wide range of topics deeply impacting life here.
- Open letter – One of the last actions of the board in 2016 was the letter you’ll see on the facing page. We want Concordia residents to feel safe and welcome here, and that’s something that requires “a village” to make happen.
Can we top all that in 2017? Let’s!