Overlook Neighborhood Update (Jan. 20)

1) Movies in the Park 2019

2) Patton Square Park playground project meetup on Tuesday

3) Learn about Hazelnut Grove’s move to St. Johns

4) Caddie in the summer; win a big college scholarship

1) Movies in the Park 2019

Do you enjoy attending the movies in Overlook Park held on Sunday of Labor Day weekend? Would you like to be part of making that event happen this year? If so, we invite you to step forward now.

Overlook Neighborhood Association Board Member Cynthia Sulaski, who has organized our movie events in the past, can’t take it on this year because of other OKNA board projects. However, she is happy to coach someone willing to take on this important role organizing one of the neighborhood’s favorite events. But you must act quickly! The deadline for applying to Portland Parks to host a movie is Feb. 1.

If you’re interested, let Cynthia know by Friday, Jan. 25. Write parks@overlookneighborhood.org with your phone number and Cynthia will call you to explain what’s involved in greater detail.

2) Patton Square Park playground project meetup on Tuesday

Friends of Patton Square Park is excited to announce an opportunity to move forward with aspects of their playground enhancement vision. Portland Parks and Recreation has given them the go-ahead to piggyback onto the Parks Replacement Bond project of replacing the playground’s surface late this summer. Friends of the park will add some play features geared to children five years and younger. However, they will be responsible for raising the funds to pay for those additional play pieces no later than the end of May. Therefore they must move quickly.

Please join your neighbors and Friends of Patton Square Park on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at Atomic Pizza (1936 N Killingsworth St.) (Thank you, Jenna!) for a no-host gathering anytime 5:30 -7 p.m. to hear more details about the PP&R project, to review and rate preferred panel options and to sign up to work with Friends of Patton Square Park on the next steps of planning and fundraising.

This project will need neighbors, businesses and non-profits stepping up to donate time, energy and funding.

This initial meeting will be flexible, not rigidly organized. If you can’t get there at 5:30, don’t worry. As long as you show up by 6:45, supporters will be there to walk you through the details and get your input. And if you’re not available then but would like to get involved, let Friends of Patton Square Park know by emailing them at parks@overlookneighborhood.org.

3) Learn about Hazelnut Grove’s move to St. Johns

The city/county Joint Office of Homeless Services will open a pod village in the St. Johns Neighborhood that will be the new home for residents of the Hazelnut Grove homeless camp in Overlook. The office had originally hoped to open the new pod village in the spring, but some staffing changes mean it will likely be pushed back into summer.

The St. Johns Center for Opportunity will host a village fair about homeless villages on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Wayfinding Academy (8010 N Charleston Ave.), 5:30-7:30 p.m. What really is a pod village? What is it like to live there? How will this village have a positive impact on the St. Johns community? Get answers to all your questions. Representatives from the Joint Office will also be there to provide available updates to village plans and project timelines.

Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to bring a donation of warm socks, gloves, hats, sleeping bags or blankets.

4) Caddie in the summer; win a big college scholarship

Portland-area high school freshmen (boys and girls) are encouraged to apply for the EAGLE Caddie program. The program is a unique internship, a cooperative venture between Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the Western Golf Association, and public and private high schools located within the City of Portland. It is aimed at introducing students to all aspects of golf course operation.

Qualified students are paid an hourly wage, receive work credit hours and have a mentor who monitors their progress. In addition, scholarship opportunities are available from their involvement in our program. Since 1992, more than 80 students have successfully completed college on Evans Scholarships received through PP&R’s EAGLE Caddie Program.

A history of interest in the game of golf is not required. EAGLE participants successfully completing the program become eligible to apply and compete for an Evans Scholarship. This scholarship provides college tuition and housing at the University of Oregon and may be renewed for up to four years. The scholarship is valued at more than $100,000.

The EAGLE Caddie program is accepting applications from qualified freshmen currently enrolled at public or private high schools located within the City of Portland. The deadline for applications is May 3. Interested parties in the EAGLE Caddie Program should contact Carolyn Lee at carolyn.lee@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5076.