Just as holiday lights buoy spirits through the darkness of winter, so nature’s awakening inspires fetes of spring. Not surprisingly, then, the religious holidays of Passover and Easter (this year coinciding on the same weekend, by the way) share a seasonal theme of regeneration, a time for renewal, rejuvenation, and reinvention. And so it is for BWNA each second Monday of April, as Taste of Beaumont strives to motivate civic spirit and reinvigorate association participation.
One of three major annual BWNA-sponsored community gatherings—the other two being July’s Movie in the Park (partnering with the Alameda Neighborhood Association) and August’s National Night Out Picnic—Taste of Beaumont uniquely combines the merriment of a community fest with gratification for service to the neighborhood (this special general meeting focused on filling vacated board positions and recruiting volunteers for committees and the newsletter team).
Along with promotion in this column and in Tim Hemstreet’s articles, you’ll find the date, time, and venue for Taste of Beaumont listed on our “Calendar of Events.” Nonetheless, experience teaches us that newsletter publicity alone is not sufficient to bolster turnout, mainly due to the bimonthly nature of this publication. Thus, if a resident were to read this issue online in late February (when the color version first appeared on the BWNA website) or read the hard copy upon delivery to the door (hopefully in early March), Taste of Beaumont would still be weeks away. More than enough time to slip one’s mind. In an effort to fill the memory gap, BWNA utilizes its blog (i.e., the website home page) as well as its e-mail list (i.e., e-mail addresses collected from attendees at BWNA events and from those signed up on the website) to publicize events closer to when they actually take place. Another convenient event reminder is the popular intra-neighborhood social network, Nextdoor—Beaumont-Wilshire, which is credited with the overnight success of recruiting graphic designer Jane Feinberg to replace departing Amy Gwilliam. (Of course the most reliable reminder of all is for you to take a moment right now to note “Taste of Beaumont” on your calendars for April 9 at 6:30 p.m.)
The hope is that a spring gala like Taste of Beaumont—with the allure of professionally prepared dishes, first-rate amateur musical entertainment, and a free door prize raffle—not only will serve to inspire attendance, but also kindle a spirit of service to the neighborhood via BWNA—as a board member, committee participant, or newsletter contributor. Speaking of which: with a heavy sigh, I announce the departure from our team of “roving reporter” Pat Bellamah, who enlightened readers on a diverse array of topics, from the 42nd and Fremont traffic light project to auto theft. It’s a tough loss for the newsletter, but one that opens the door for another willing and talented volunteer to contribute. If you enjoy writing and delving into local stories, please consider blossoming with us! Let me know.