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sportiani» (0bserurr
O ctober 5. 2011
LastThursday
and compare it to other commu
nity fairs which are held to steeper
Happy-go-lucky crowds have requirements.
been a historical fact since Last
When nobody seemed to want
Thursday’s spawning, but so has to take full responsibility or had
the frustration of its close neigh the resources to do it, Friends of
bors who have little choice but to Last Thursday formed to oversee
join in the festivities or harbor in the event and help address the
doors with earplugs until the last issues. In February 2010, Mayor
drunken bar-hopper falls asleep.
Sam Adams and City Commis
“You can imagine how some of sioner Amanda Fritz asked Friends
the noise bounces down the of Last Thursday to take more
street,” said Officer Chinn.
responsibility for the event and
One such neighbor, the wife of expand its stewardship.
a couple living just off Alberta
Since then, Rochelle Saliba, co-
since 1972, says she can put up chair of Friends of Last Thursday,
with the noise, but won’t stand says the group has been unrelent
for public urination.
ing to their mission of “facilitat
This anonymous resident says ing a safe and sustainable monthly
that after watching two drunken public art festival that culturally
males relieving themselves in her enriches the community while fos
driveway some Last Thursdays tering neighborhood respect.”
ago, which she admits looks like
The group is working to as
an alleyway, she watered them sume full financial responsibility
down with a garden hose, “Those for event costs. It has raised
two won’t do that again,” she said. enough money to pay for this
Living one house down from year’s garbage bills, and plans to
the main drag, this veteran wit hold future fundraisers and find
ness shares a list of weirdness business sponsorships that will
that has spilled onto her property cover street closure barriers, pri
over the years; drunks falling vate security, and port-a-potties.
asleep in her yard, wooden stakes
“The biggest thing we’ve done
stolen from her peonies, fire spin is identifying the issues and imple
ning fireworks falling on roofs, ment programs to meet and change
and bands thrashing about late the culture of the event without
into the night.
changing the event itself,” said
Many of her neighbors share Saliba. The idea is to preserve the
similar frustrations and would spirit of the event while taming
agree that the community-owned some of the problems.
event that started 13 years ago by
An ambassador program was
a group of local artists to promote created to foster respect among
the art galleries on Alberta Street participants. Volunteers help ven
began to spin out of control quite dors, answer questions from visi
some time ago.
tors, and make sure the city’s
“When it started, it was sup safety codes are followed.
posed to be an art walk,” she said,
For example, ambassadors en
“but it’s built up into one big sure that noise should not carry
party.”
more than half a block or else a
Tired of mayhem that lasted ticket may be issued for $500. Fire
past the 10 o’clock official closing spinners need permits. No open-
time, neighbors have argued for containers or underage drinking
more control of the event while is allowed. Vendors cannot block
supporters defend the festival’s sidewalks or businesses.
organic and spontaneous nature.
Since the group got involved, the
Others question the city spend outspoken neighbor said she’s no
ing money for police enforcement ticed a change for the better.
c o n t i n u e d f r o m front
photo by
C ari H achmann /T he P ortland O bserver
Spontaneous performances entertain onlookers at Last Thursday on Northeast Alberta Street.
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