BMS Teacher Awarded Oregon Teacher of the Year
In an early October announcement from the Oregon Department of Education, Beaumont Middle School teacher Bryan Butcher, Jr. was named Oregon’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year.
“Teachers like Bryan go above and beyond to make Oregon schools a place where students not only learn, but feel a sense of safety, belonging, and pride,” said Governor Tina Kotek.
Butcher is a Portland native and Grant High School graduate. He attended Morehouse College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, graduating magna cum laude. Following graduation, he joined Teach for America, beginning a teaching journey that would eventually lead him to Beaumont Middle School, where he has taught math for eight years.
Dr. Harriet Vimegnon, Beaumont Middle School principal, said everyone at the school is very proud of Bryan. “Mr. Bryan Butcher is a professional and a team player who cares a great deal about his students,” she said.
BWNA Volunteers Tackle Graffiti, Clear Trash
BWNA organized its second clean-up event of the year in September, an ongoing effort to combat graffiti and trash in B-W. Led by BWNA board member Angela Frome, a half-dozen volunteers set their cleaning sights on neighborhood streets, picking up trash and removing tags and other graffiti at Wilshire Park, in the Fremont business district and along NE 42nd from Fremont north to Prescott and south to Knott. Donors to the event included Beaumont Hardware, the City of Portland, Adopt One Block, and Grand Central Bakery.
John Steup, B-W resident and graffiti abatement coordinator for the city, joined in. John noted that graffiti needing removal can be reported by calling 3-1-1. Free graffiti removal kits with cleaning supplies can also be requested from the city. Visit portland.gov/bps/graffiti/graffiti-removal-kits to order your kit for pick up. And look for another BWNA clean-up event next spring!
Beloved Local Coffee Shop Working to Stay Afloat
Jim & Patty’s Coffee, which operates one of its two locations at 4951 NE Fremont St., launched a $250,000 GoFundMe campaign in September to help keep its doors open. In early October the campaign was halted after raising nearly $41,000. Patricia “Patty” Roberts, who owns the iconic coffee spot, said the family ended the GoFundMe effort in light of what’s going on in Appalachia, which sustained severe hurricane-related damages.
“Our concerns are nothing compared to what those folks are going through,” Patty wrote to contributors to the fund. Visit Jim & Patty’s Facebook page to learn more about what’s happening with the business.
Clearing a Path Shows You Care
by Liz Erickson
On any given day, people out and about in our neighborhood use a variety of methods to get around — and we all want to get where we’re going safely.
After a robust growing season, however, plants and trees might spill over onto the sidewalks or block our vision while driving or cycling.
It’s a homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their sidewalks. So, as a neighborly nudge in the spirit of enjoying a safer community, please remember to cut back branches and other growth that might impede sidewalk travelers or drivers trying to navigate an intersection or turn. Thank you!