1) It’s holiday party week in Overlook
2) Leaf Day pickup on Thursday
3) Help a student learn to read
4) Free plants before demolition
5) Holiday runners pass through Overlook
6) Adopt-a-neighbor program
1) It’s holiday party week in Overlook
Come share some holiday cheer and fun with your Overlook Neighbors at parties and events in the next few weeks.
NET Holiday Party
The Overlook Neighborhood Emergency Team will hold its annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 11 at the Overlook Restaurant, 6-8 p.m. This meeting replaces the regular NET meeting and all are encouraged to attend to learn more about preparedness, meet the people you’ll want to know if an earthquake or other disaster strikes, and just have fun. There will be excellent prizes raffled off.
NET Holiday Party
Monday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.
Overlook Restaurant (1332 N. Skidmore St.)
Overlook Neighborhood Association Holiday Party
The annual Overlook Neighborhood Association Holiday Potluck Party takes place on Dec. 15 at Daybreak Cohousing, 6-8 p.m. Bring your favorite dish, drink or dessert to share. (Adult beverages not provided.) Come for the fun and stay for the fantastic neighborhood raffle. Bring your family, friends and good dose of seasonal spirit.
Overlook Holiday Party
Friday, Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m.
Daybreak Cohousing Common Home (2525 N Killingsworth St.)
2) Leaf Day pickup on Thursday
Overlook residents south of Going Street and West of Interstate Avenue should get their leaves to the curb by Thursday, when the annual leaf pickup comes. Only customers in a leaf service zone who pay for the service are sanctioned by the city to rake their leaves into the street. Call 503-865-LEAF (5323) to speak to a customer service representative Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click on the map to see the official boundary of the Overlook zone. Learn more at the Leaf Day Service website.
Overlook residents north of Going and east of Interstate are not in a leaf zone and should deal with leaves on their property by putting them into a compost bin or other legal disposal manner.
3) Help a student learn to read
The SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) program at Overlook’s Beach School is looking for volunteers to read with students in kindergarten to third grade. SMART pairs adult volunteers with children for weekly one-on-one reading sessions. Volunteers model the joy of reading, while supporting the child’s efforts to read independently, and act as a positive adult mentor.
SMART provides early reading support, access to books and community engagement to positively impact literacy outcomes and provide equitable opportunity for all kids. Volunteers are especially needed on Tuesdays for one hour sessions starting at 10:50, 12:15 and 1:15.
You can learn more about the SMART program and sign up online to volunteer at getsmartoregon.org.
4) Free plants before demolition
The developers of the corner duplex at 5036 N Maryland & 1336 N Webster have offered the shrubs and small trees to neighbors prior to building demolition. There’s no need to ring doorbells. Just bring your own shovels and clean up after you leave. Removal must occur no later than Thursday because utilities and excavators will begin work on Friday.
Please note that trees and plants in sidewalk strips are not to be removed/disturbed. Anyone removing shrubs or small trees from the main site does so at their own risk and agrees to hold owner harmless. Thanks in advance for helping give these shrubs and small trees a new home in the neighborhood.
5) Holiday runners pass through Overlook
The annual Holiday half marathon and 5k ran through the Overlook neighborhood today. While it might be an inconvenience to have roads closed off for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning, neighbors welcomed the runners by showing up on sidewalks to cheer and by playing festive music.
Over the past few years, this has become a signature race on Portland’s running scene, and Overlook residents should be proud to host it.
It’s never too soon to start training for next year.
6) Adopt-a-neighbor program
Over the past six years, Overlook neighbors have demonstrated their selfless spirit by participating in the REACH Resident Services’ adopt-a-neighbor program. The program returns for 2017. Families like those living at Patton Park Apartments in Overlook (5272 N. Interstate Ave.) are often left out of gift-giving and receiving due to the hardships of primarily focusing on meeting basic needs.
Patton Park is home to more than 100 residents living below median income. REACH is looking for Overlook residents who are interested in adopting neighbors there for the holidays. Donations of a new toy, clothing item or basic necessity (food, diapers, bus tickets, etc.) help restore a sense of community and hope.
Anyone interested in adopting or getting more information should contact Patricia Haggerty, Resident Services Coordinator, at 503-546-1662 or phaggerty@reachcdc.org.