“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
Popularized in a refrain from the 1990s hit song “Closing Time” by the band Semisonic, this lyric actually had its genesis some 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome, courtesy of philosopher, statesman, and dramatist Lucius Annaeus Seneca, known back then as Seneca the Younger (his dad being Seneca the Elder). Later, he was simply known as Seneca.
Selected as a tutor for young prince Nero, Seneca would later be elevated to the perilous position of royal advisor to erratic Emperor Nero, who eventually went off the rails, sentencing mentor Seneca to a “forced suicide” on specious charges of disloyalty. Quoting from a 1960s song, “Paranoia strikes deep.”
But what’s relevant in this for BWNA? Certainly not the erratic behavior of a paranoid autocrat. As we usher in the new year, what’s relevant for the BWNA Board is Seneca’s philosophical assertion that “every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” — i.e., that decisions made for the coming year are inextricably tied to what worked well or didn’t work so well in the previous year.
Last November, in a meeting room converted from a former classroom at McMenamins Kennedy School, our board met for its annual retreat to strategize for 2026. Five hours in length, the get-together also afforded the opportunity for members to get to know each other better on a personal level, impossible in the fast-paced environment of a BWNA monthly business meeting. Accordingly, at the top of the retreat agenda was the following “ice breaker” question: “What kinds of civic engagement have you participated in over the years, and what kinds of civic engagement are you interested in currently, including BWNA projects?” Responses ran the gamut from politics to volunteerism. It was impressive.
In many ways 2025 was a banner year for BWNA — our neighborhood association implemented the crosswalk safety flags project, expanded the all-neighborhood street party, and was instrumental in gaining the city and state attention needed to help Beaumont Market establish the Green Bag container redemption program, which is coming soon, we hope. We also maintained an engaged, full, 15-member board.
Looking for positive civic engagement on the local level? Look no further. Join one of our BWNA committees to help our neighborhood continue to progress in 2026.
Happy New Year, neighbors!
by Al Ellis, BWNA Board President