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!

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 The Bylaws were outdated and require revisions and additional information for the current and future Boards of Officers to be able to operate more efficiently and in the best interests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

BLCA Membership

Thank you to the many 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)

The benefits provided by the association benefit the entire neighborhood. Your membership each year is important and appreciated.

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!

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

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

National Night Out in Boulevard Lane!

Boulevard Lane residents participating in National Night Out.

This year Boulevard Lane celebrated National Night Out in our community, our first time doing so.  I think we are all in agreement that it was a huge success! 

National Night Out is celebrated on the second Tuesday of August.  It includes such events as block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.  We chose to have a street barbeque this year!

We estimate approximately 100 people showed up to support the cause, get to know their neighbors in the community, and enjoy hot dogs from the grill.  In fact, we nearly ran out of hot dogs and had to request an emergency run to the store from Rich Upton!

We wish to extend a big Thank You to all who attended.  We also would like to extend a special Thank You to the Hilburns for making their yard and grill available, and for Jay Hilburn and our president Rob North for grilling those hot dogs just riiiiiight!

Finally, we should all extend a HUGE thank you to Andrea Upton, our VP - Community Development for organizing this event.  Awesome job Andrea!

We hope to see even MORE of you next year!

A Busy June in Boulevard Lane!

The month of June proved to be a very busy one in Boulevard Lane this year, with three community programs in three weeks!

First up was the annual Garage Sale.  “It was great to get out and talk to people again this year,” said Don Geyer, VP - Programs.  “People were very excited about the traffic, which seemed to be up considerably from last year.  We advertised heavily and I think our efforts paid off.  Of course, the beautiful weather didn’t hurt our cause either!”

Don reported that a couple residents sold out of all their goods on Friday, leaving them nothing to put out on Saturday or Sunday.  “Based on last year, I was told to expect to go through 20 maps at the entryway.  Well, we went through those on the very first day, and 75 maps by Sunday morning!”

Dumpster Day was also a huge hit.  Most of the Board members took turns manning the dumpster at the four-way stop throughout the day, and by the end of the day it was full.  “We saw a few trucks swing by and even some mini vans came with things to get rid of, there was even two barbecues’ being rolled up and thrown away during the event,” offered Andrea Upton, VP – Community Development.  “Watch for updates because we will definitely be having this event again!”

The second annual Soos Creek Walk/Run completed the run of consecutive events.  “I think we are going to have to add bike ride to the title next year,” explained Don.  “Bikes were very popular and rightly so on such a beautiful day, especially with the kids!”

When asked how the event is going in its infancy, Don offered “I think it is going great!  I really enjoy seeing others getting outside for recreation and the chance to meet other people from the community with similar interests.  I run and bike the trail regularly, and have always wondered how many people I see might be Boulevard Lane residents.  I’m learning it’s quite a few!”

The Board would like to thank everyone in the community who took part in these events.  It’s these kind of events and the participation that make our community so special and rewarding to be a part of.

2013 Soos Creek Trail Walk/Run!

It's time for our second annual Boulevard Lane sponsored Soos Creek Trail Walk/Run event!

The event will take place this Saturday, June 15th from 9am to noon.  The meeting place is the trailhead across the street from Meeker Middle School.

You won't be able to miss us - we'll have a table set up and balloons to get your attention!  We'll have free water and Gatorade available for participants, as well as Boulevard Lane tags to wear!

We encourage everyone to come join us.  Bring the kids!  Last year we had parents pushing toddlers in strollers, dog walkers, casual walkers, light joggers and even a couple of avid runners!

The weather forecast is looking excellent for this event - cloudy early burning off to sunny skies with temps in the mid-70's.  Perfect for exercising in!

We hope to see you there!

Welcome to Our New Boulevard Lane Blog!

We hope you like our new digs!  Our goal is to use this blog to keep the community of Boulevard Lane informed of current news and events as they happen, much like we've been doing on our Facebook page (yes, we have a Facebook page too - friend us!). 

We hope this compliments our main Boulevard Lane web site nicely.

Sign up to follow with your e-mail address and you will get an e-mail in you inbox every time we make an update.  How cool is that?

Our main web site is still the best place to go for information, and will continue to serve as our "home base".  We are currently working to bring it update and adding improvements as well.

We welcome you comments!