INCLUDES VIDEO VIGNETTE | See how this growing outer East Portland business association increased the sense of community in their district at a colorful festivity …
On this summery day, in what’s called “PBOT Plaza”, the Portland Lee Association Dragon and Dance Team finishes a performance at this Lents Grown festival.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After the leadership of the Foster Area Business Association decided to focus on the area west of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses several years ago, several business owners east of 82nd created a new Neighborhood Business District for the greater Lents Town Center area, and named it the Lents Business Association. It’s promoted as “Lents Grown”.
The boundaries for Lents Grown are from SE Flavel Street to Powell Boulevard, and between SE 78th and 122nd Avenues.
With the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic having shut down public events for an extended period of time, the fledging Lents Grown group was deprived of the opportunity of public events to help improve and promote their community.
At the “Lents Information and Culture Fair”, nonprofit organizations and government agencies provide information to community members.
But, on Sunday, September 5, in an area commonly called “PBOT Plaza” – it’s on the corner of SE Foster Road at 91st Avenue – from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., the group did hold a festival they called the “Lents Information and Culture Fair”.
“We came up with the idea for this because we felt it was important bring our community together, after such a long time being apart, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lents Grown president Nick Lee, owner of Studio Sign Company. “Since 1963, our company has been located right here in Lents Town Center.”
-3 Venture Portland Lents Grown Business District Manager Art Aguilar and the district’s president, Nick Lee, show their logoed shirt at the fair.
“We’re trying to utilize the last little bit of sunshine we have here today, before heading into the fall weather,” Lee told East Portland News.
“We have lots of talent, including such acts as Son Huitzlin, Moon Patrol B-Boys, and the Portland Lee Association Dragon and Dance Team with us today,” Lee pointed out.
Providing information at the Green Lents booth is their Development Director Dasha Foerster.
“We’re also are very thankful to Green Lents, Portland Street Response, and East PDX Collective, for joining us and providing information and resources to the community; as well as being grateful for the support of Portland Bureau of Transportation, which sponsored this fair, and helped us activate this public space in Lents,” acknowledged Lee.
When people come together as a community, Lee pointed out, “it provides an opportunity for learning about cultures – different styles of dance, music, and arts – thus broadening their horizons.”
Get a feel for the “Lents Information and Culture Fair”
from our VIDEO VIGNETTE:
Membership in the Lents Grown Business Association is open to any business which wishes to join, and everyone is welcome to attend their bi-monthly meetings.
“Because Lents is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the Portland area, we are excited to see new residents and businesses moving into our neighborhood,” Lee remarked. “Our goal is to promote a safe and enjoyable place to live, shop, and work, in this amazing community.”
Meet with Lents Grown on October 20
All who own or manage a business in this area, as well as residents, are invited to attend monthly Lents Grown board meetings, held on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 6 p.m., on the outdoor patio of Humdinger Pizza; at 9201 SE Foster Road, 97266.
The next such Board meeting is Wednesday, October 20th, at Humdinger Pizza, from 6 until 7 p.m.
Learn more about the Lents Grown Business Association at their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2021 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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