Let's Clean Up the Neighborhood!

Let’s all focus on cleaning up our yards, driveways, sidewalks this spring—the Board has received numerous calls and emails that have increased in frequency in recent years, regarding sidewalks that are not cleared after snow storms, gutters that aren’t cleaned out to allow rain to drain properly, garbage left in yards instead of being disposed of properly, vehicles parked / left on shared street/sidewalk areas for weeks at a time.

We all need to do our part to make an effort in our neighborhood and to keep it looking nice. Cleaner neighborhoods not only look better to guests and prospective home buyers, but there are statistics to back up the fact that they are also SAFER for our children to grow up in. PLEASE DO YOUR PART to keep Boulevard Lane looking nice AND keeping our families safe.
PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS:
  ANNUAL GARAGE SALE — Fri/Sat, June 2 and 3

 DUMPSTER DAY / SHRED EVENT — Sat, June 10




Your neighbors and Board Members thank you for participating!

Easter Egg Hunt!

It's that time again - time for the Boulevard Lane Easter Egg Hunt!

Come join us for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Boulevard Lane Park Rain or Shine (the weather is actually supposed to be beautiful!)

We will have filled over 700 easter eggs for the kids to find. We will have a space for the littler kids to join the hunt too.

Bring rubber boots as the ground could be soggy from all the recent rain.  Be sure and bring your camera too!  This event is always so much fun.  You won't want to miss it!

Date- April 15th
Time- 12pm
Who- Kids of all ages

2017 Events in Boulevard Lane

MARCH

 3/30 (Thurs): SPRING GENERAL MEETING, NW Life Church (7pm) *



APRIL

 4/15 (Sat): EASTER EGG HUNT (12pm) *



MAY

 5/15 (Mon): ENTRANCE LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE



JUNE

 6/3 & 6/4 (Fri/Sat): ANNUAL GARAGE SALE (9am-4pm) *

 6/10 (Sat): DUMPSTER DAY *AND* SHRED EVENT (9am-4pm) *



AUGUST

 8/1 (Tues): NATIONAL NIGHT OUT (5-7pm) *

 8/15 (Tues): ENTRANCE LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE



OCTOBER

 10/26 (Thurs): FALL GENERAL MEETING, NW Life Church (7pm) *



NOVEMBER

 11/15 (Wed): ENTRANCE LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE



DECEMBER

  12/16 (Sat): HOLIDAY LIGHT WALK (6-8pm) *

* BLCA Board-organized or sponsored event

Upcoming Changes To Bylaws & Community Rules

The BLCA Board completed the first round of revisions to the Bylaws and Community Rules and presented the proposed changes to BLCA members at the Fall General Meeting on October 24, 2016. The Bylaws were outdated and require revisions and additional information for the current and future Boards of Officers to be able to operate more efficiently and in the best interests of Boulevard Lane residents and BLCA members.

We will have a formal vote of members regarding the new Bylaws at the Spring 2017 General Meeting. Proposed changes are being made available to BLCA members now, in preparation of the vote. Please review at the Boulevard Lane website.

2017 Membership Dues

With the New Year comes a new dues season. Boulevard Lane Community Association's annual year begins on April 1st every year and that is when annual membership payments are due. We will start billing for this round of membership the beginning of February.

What does my membership fee do? It provides for things like our beauty bark delivery/subsidy, dumpster day, the BLCA Crier newsletter, events such as our annual Easter Egg Hunt, community Garage Sale advertisement, and most importantly our entryway maintenance. Our entryway is the front door to our community—it being maintained is important for the resale value of our homes, as well as making our neighborhood appealing to renters and welcoming to our visitors.

Please consider making a donation above and beyond your $30 dues to help support the ongoing events in our community. We appreciate your community support and involvement. We look forward to seeing you at our next neighborhood event or general meeting!
Greta Nelson, President

We Need Your Help!

The Boulevard Lane Community Association is IN DESPERATE NEED OF VOLUNTEERS. Please do your part to help keep our association operating for the benefit of our entire neighborhood. The work handled by BLCA volunteers benefits everyone that lives in Boulevard Lane, and also those that visit. If no NEW / FORMER volunteers step up to help soon, the current Board (or what is left of the Board as Board Members step down) will need to begin some sort of process of dismantling operations. We face an unfortunate reality that many neighborhood favorites may no longer occur due to lack of volunteers—events such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the National Night Out BBQ, Dumpster Day (subsidized dumpster conveniently located IN our neighborhood for a day), Bark Day (subsidized bark delivery), and more. We welcome all thoughts, suggestions, creative ideas, and VOLUNTEER EFFORT. Please contact the Board for more information.



OPEN POSITIONS:

VP OF MEMBERSHIP: Organizes the annual membership drive for the BLCA. Work will begin in January 2017 for the next membership drive.

VP OF COMMUNICATIONS: This position is currently being developed (official title may change) and will be created to handle communication tasks for the BLCA such as publication of the Crier, Constant Contact, website updates, Facebook posts, etc.

TREASURER: **URGENT NEED** Must be good with numbers and have basic accounting and spreadsheet skills.

If you live in Boulevard Lane and you are willing to volunteer your time for the benefit of OUR COMMUNITY— please contact the BLCA Board for more information.

info@boulevardlane.org

Greta Nelson, BLCA President

Why I volunteer my time for the benefit of Boulevard Lane residents…

Growing up, I spent sunny afternoons riding my bike around the block for the umpteenth time, swinging on our play set in the backyard, and I participated in a coordinated effort to pick the grumpy old neighbor’s award-winning tulips (to bring them home to mom). We walked or biked to school. Most of our neighborhood knew each other by name. When I "borrowed" some rocks from my 1st Grade Teacher’s flower beds (because they were white and sparkly), I was sent back to her house to return them & apologize by the neighbor that saw me do it. Every summer the neighborhood would block off the streets and throw a BBQ with fun music and games for the kids.
There is a lot to be gained by fostering a neighborhood where these types of examples of a community of people are commonplace. We can all stand to be a bit more neighborly, right? We all can stand to participate more in our community. I hope to live (and for our children to grow up) in a neighborhood that looks out for one another. Where folks know their neighbors enough to realize that the vehicle in "The Joneses" driveway seems suspicious because you know they are on vacation. You might think that it is weird that their large screen TV is being loaded up and taken away—because you saw it being delivered recently. We could very possibly be THE DIFFERENCE for each other in matters of home security and the welfare of our children and pets.

Consider volunteering with the BLCA Board for a year—the time flies by faster than you might think. If not for the Board, then become involved in your local school’s parent/teacher association. Learn more about the neighbors that moved in across the street—get to know their kids and watch out for them as they dart in the street to catch their ball that went flying by because they missed the catch. Help the BLCA Board and other event volunteers set up at the next Easter Egg Hunt, and pick up trash when you notice it littering the entrance. BONUS POINTS if you organize a mid-summer block party in your cul-de-sac and start an annual tradition. A sense of community can only exist where there is participation by most. "Many hands make light work."




Greta Nelson, BLCA President & Crier Editor

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 2nd!

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT—TUESDAY, AUGUST 2ND

Boulevard Lane is celebrating National Night Out (NNO) in our community; this will be the fourth year doing so. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live. Block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars are examples of events that are hosted across the nation in an effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations. Turnout for this event has grown every year and demonstrates that it is a huge success in our neighborhood!

NNO is celebrated on the first Tuesday of August every year in a variety of ways. For our NNO event, we will grill hot dogs and have salads, chips, and dessert. You are welcome to bring whatever you’d like. We are in the process of booking special guests to attend our NNO such as our local FIRE DEPARTMENT, SHERIFF and even GUARDIAN ONE!



Come out, have fun, and meet your neighbors!


LOCATION: At or near the corner of SE 190th Place & 127th PL SE

Membership Report

 

Thank you to the 176 neighbors who have joined the Boulevard Lane Community Association for 2016. BLCA dues help to pay for many things, including the following:
 BLCA Membership Drive (every year)

 BLCA operational costs (office supplies, postage, etc.)

 BLCA website: BoulevardLane.org

 Inspection & maintenance of entrance & signs

 Inspection & maintenance of plum trees (arborist)

 Boulevard Lane Crier newsletter

 Spring General Meeting (every year, end of March)

 Annual Easter Egg Hunt (every year)

 Bark Day (every other year, next will be in Spring 2018)

 Annual Garage Sale (every year, first weekend in June)

 Dumpster Day (every other year, next will be in 2017)

 National Night Out (every year, in August)

 Fall General Meeting (every year, end of October)

 Holiday Light Walk (every year)


If you haven’t yet joined, please do (see latest Crier and the mini Membership Form on last page). The benefits provided by the association benefit the entire neighborhood. Your membership each year is important appreciated.

Annual Boulevard Lane Garage Sale

The Annual Boulevard Lane Garage Sale is scheduled for the first weekend of June every year. This year’s sale lands on the weekend of June 3, 4, and 5.

The BLCA Board will not be generating neighborhood maps of Garage Sale participant homes, but you will find a "GARAGE SALE" sign on Page 2 of your new Crier. Attach the sign page to cardboard for strength and post it in your yard in a conspicuous and easy-to-see spot (that you can see from the road). For best results, attach some balloons to the sign to draw attention.

The BLCA Board plans to advertise the Garage Sale in various local resources such as CRAIGSLIST, SEATTLE TIMES, RENTON PATCH, FAIRWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS. You are welcome to post your own advertisements if you’d like.


Clean out the junk in your house and yard, and make a little extra cash while you are at it!

GOOD LUCK!

Thank You Rob North!

   Last year, BLCA President Rob North announced he would step down from the Board at the end of the 2015-2016 term. The time has come, and if you see Rob around our neighborhood, please thank him for his time and effort—our neighborhood is a better place because of Rob’s volunteer work for the benefit of our community. Rob has graciously volunteered to take on delivery of Crier Route #6. 

Thank you, Rob, we appreciate all you have done, and continue to do!

Message From Our President

To our neighbors in Boulevard Lane: The Boulevard Lane Community Association needs your help. At this time we currently have an open position on the BLCA Board—the VP of Programs position. And, at the conclusion of the general meeting on March 31, I will no longer be President and this position will need to be filled. At the completion of the 2016-2017 term, Paige Booth will be stepping down as Treasurer. As you can see, the vitality of the board is at a critical juncture. WE NEED YOUR HELP. These are some of the things that the Members of the BLCA Board do for the benefit of OUR community:

Annual Membership Drive


WEBSITE: BoulevardLane.org


BLOG: ourboulevardlane.blogspot.org


Arrange for maintenance of the entrance


Inspection & maintenance of entry signs


Inspection & maintenance of plum trees


Boulevard Lane Crier newsletter


Annual Easter Egg Hunt


Bark Day (every other year)


Annual Garage Sale (first wknd in June, every year)


Dumpster Day (every other year)


National Night Out (every year)


Holiday Light Walk (every year)

As the number of Board Members gets smaller, the amount of responsibility, work, and effort on the remaining Board Members gets larger. As a result, some of the activities may not happen as frequently...and eventually, some may not happen at all.

If you have been able to attend National Night Out in the past, you have what it takes to serve on the Board.


If you have posted on the Boulevard Lane Facebook page, you have what it takes to serve on the Board.


If you have attended the Easter Egg Hunt, you have what it takes to serve on the Board.


If you have participated in the Garage Sale, had bark delivered, used the dumpster, visited the website, had a cup of holiday cheer during the Holiday Light Walk, you have what it takes to serve on the Board.

If you feel more comfortable volunteering for a position on the Board that is not "open," let us know. I bet that room can be made. Contact any Board Member and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about serving on the BLCA Board.

As it states in the name, the Boulevard Lane Community Association is a community association, and the Board needs help from its community. The Board appreciates those that have volunteered, and/or continue to volunteer to help make our community a better place.

Rob North, President

Board Members Needed

The BLCA board is in need of some help. Currently the VP of Programs position continues to remain unfilled and after the General Meeting next March, the President position will be open.

The vitality of the Boulevard Lane Community Association rests with neighbors willing to volunteer a little bit of their time and get involved. This would be a great time for a person to join the board. The Board has accomplished some great things during the past two years and the "Current Business" list is minimal.

If you are interested, curious, or have entertained a brief, passing, thought of what serving on the Board is like—contact a current Board member or, better yet, attend a monthly Board meeting.

Tickets are free.


Rob North, President

Fall General Meeting

Thank you to all the neighbors that attended the BLCA General Meeting on October 29, 2015. The fall General Meeting allows the Board to update our neighbors on what has been happening in Boulevard Lane since the spring General Meeting, and to provide a budget update.

At this meeting, there was a presentation of the recent changes to I-405. The presentation included an overview of the new toll / HOV lanes, how to use the new lanes, and different incentives being offered to encourage people to join a vanpool, use bus services, and the various rail-based transportation services.

More details can be found here: http://kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/InM
otion/GetInMotion.aspx

We also had a chance to discuss community crime concerns with KCSO Precinct Captain Scott Somers. The discussion was open in nature—covering specifics, philosophies, and general tips and best practices that all of us can use to maintain the quality of life
we enjoy in our neighborhood. The Board will be posting this information in future Criers, on our blog (www.ourboulevardlane.blogspot.com), on our web site(www.boulevardlane.org), and on our Facebook page(www.facebook.com/BoulevardLane).

The next BLCA General Meeting is scheduled for March 31, 2016. At this meeting, Board members will be elected for the next term and the next budget will be approved. I encourage everyone to attend.

Rob North, President

BLCA General Meeting

The Boulevard Lane Community Association’s general meeting will be held on Thursday, October 29th from 7-9pm at NW Life Church 13120 SE 192nd St, Renton WA 98058.

We have decided to switch up the fall general meeting, we have some special guests that have offered to come and talk to any homeowners that attend. The meeting will begin with the normal meeting until 7:15pm and then at 7:15 we will welcome Betsy Paige from King County Metro to talk to residents about the changes happening to I-405 with the HOV Lanes and would like to talk to explain the In Motion program and listen to your thoughts on transportation issues.

At 7:30 we will hand over the rest of the time to King County Sheriff Officer Greg Thomas to talk to residents and to have a conversation about community block watch, concerns of the neighborhood and what’s important to all of you.
 

What we need from you is an RSVP so our guests feel welcome and have a great audience. There will be refreshments and cookies too.

Please RSVP to community@boulevardlane.org or reply to the Facebook event to help us make this a great meeting for our neighborhood. See you there!!

Thank you- Andrea Upton - VP Community

BLCA Open Positions

The Boulevard Lane Community Association is still looking for two board members. One to fill the current vacancy of VP of Programs and another to take over as President when my current term endsnext March. The time commitment is not great at all and plenty of help is offered by the entire board when any event is held. Reach out to us and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about serving on the BLCA Board. The health and vitality of the neighborhood isshared by all of us.

Rob North, BLCA President

 President of Board, March 2016—March 2017 term

 VP of Programs, immediate need / vacant position

 Crier route delivery, immediate need for backups

ADDED BONUS: In addition to helping make our neighborhood a better and safer place to live, community involvement and volunteer work looks great on resumes!

Our Beautiful Entrance!

Boulevard Lane entrance pre-maintenance work, but in lovely display.

Boulevard Lane Community Association member's due are on display at the entry to our neighborhood. The incredibly early spring brought the plums to a beautiful bloom early. Since, the plums have been touched up with dead wood removed and other maintenance performed on them.

 Also, some low branches were removed from a few trees near the east entry sign to improve vision.The regular maintenance has also caused the rest of the plants and shrubs at the entrance to bloom in a spectacular fashion this spring. I can't remember when I have seen the entry in this much bloom.

All of the BLCA members are to thank for how the entry looks. If not for your dues, none of the work that has made the entry spectacular would have taken place. If you have not joined, please do and join your neighbors in showing Fairwood how much pride we have in our neighborhood.

Rob North, President

Bark Day - May 17th!

Ozzie's favorite community event is coming up - BARK Day!  Mark your calendars for May 17th, but don't wait that long to order!  We are accepting orders immediately!

Spring is here and once again the BLCA is happy to sponsor the very popular Bark Day where residents can have bark delivered to their homes in quantities from 1 to 5 cubic yards.

PRICING:

BLCA members: $18/yard for first two, and $23/yard each additional.  Non-members: $28/yard (LIMIT two yards).

Don’t miss out on this opportunity that only comes once a year!  Requests must be made and paid for in advance. Space is limited. If you are interested in ordering bark, please make your request no later than 5pm on May  15th, 2013.

Contact Andrea Upton, VP of Community Development by phone at (425) 226-9620 or email your order to info@boulevardlane.org

Please provide the following when you email or call to include your name, address, yards of bark and location of where you want bark delivered.

A New Website and New Direction for Boulevard Lane

Don Geyer

I am proud to announce that the NEW Boulevard Lane website is up!  This project has been in the works for some time now, with the goal of relieving Sarah, our former web designer, of the task.  Sarah moved away from Boulevard Lane several years ago and has many other projects keeping her busy now.  This also puts BLCA directly in control of the site's design, content, and updates.

The web site is not completely finished.  We will be making present and recent Criers available for download in PDF format soon, while older Criers will be available upon request (subject to availability).  The archive of old Criers were just taking up too much server space, costing us money. 

There will likely be other small changes as well as we move ahead, including updates to the Information Links page.

I'm really excited about this new direction, and hope you will take a moment to check the new site out.  The web address remains the same - www.boulevardlane.org.

As always, your feedback is welcome.

Don Geyer - VP, Programs

A Message from the President Rob North:

Boulevard Lane Neighbors

All of you have received this years membership form and I encourage all residents of Boulevard Lane to join. I would like to, on behalf of the BLCA board, personally thank all of our neighbors who have already joined for 2014. THANK YOU!

As you have noticed dues increased this year to $30, after being $25 for several years. As a courtesy, I want to explain why dues have been increased. First, postage has been rising steadily as have other costs that we have no control over. Secondly, the BLCA board is focused on the appearance and maintenance of our entry. The entry is our collective front door and reflects the pride we have in our neighborhood.

Several years ago Bud Battle, during his time as President, led the effort to replace our entry signs, the signs at the entrance now are the results of that effort – they are treasures. However, the signs need periodic maintenance. The dues increase will allow us to begin accruing a maintenance fund for each sign that will allow future BLCA boards to maintain the signs on a schedule.

Trees – they grow. As the entry signs need upkeep, so do the trees at the entry. Your BLCA board is also planning on accruing funds to maintain the trees at the entry on a schedule.

In addition to what I have described above your dues will continue to support the events that we have come to expect each year: The Easter Egg Hunt, The Garage Sale, Bark Day, Soos Creek Fun Run/Walk, and Dumpster Day to name a few.

I encourage all residents of Boulevard Lane to join the association. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Rob North

President, BLCA