The Weekly OKNA Email 12/7/12

1) Beach School PTA Survey (NOW)
2) Santa visits Overlook House this Sunday! (12/9)
3) OKNA Holiday Potluck Dinner Gathering (12/11)
4) Adopt An Overlook Family (NOW)
5) Adidas

Employee Store Pass (thru 12/16)
6) Learn To Advocate for your Community (1/8)

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1) Beach School PTA Survey (NOW)

Neighbors, your Beach School PTA president Aaron Smirl has sent an urgent request to all Overlookers, on the current topic of “enrollment balancing”.

The story is long and complicated, but it’s possible that the PPS School Board of Education will vote on changes that will effect Overlook’s neighborhood’s school, Beach. The changes could involve changing the grade structure back to K-5, moving the Spanish Immersion school, moving the neighborhood school and making an all-Immersion campus.

The PTA has put together a survey to tap the opinions of parents, teachers, community members and others.

This is a rich topic with a lot of information; you can read more here: https://overlookneighborhood.org//2012/12/jefferson-pk-8-cluster-enrollment-balancing/

Then, please complete the survey and make the neighborhood’s wishes known:

Survey in English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Beachcommunity

Survey in Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BeachEspanolestudio

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2) Santa visits Overlook House this Sunday! (12/9)

A very special visitor comes to Overlook House this Sunday – hint: he’s dressed all in red and has a big, hearty laugh. Yes – it’s Santa Claus! We hope you can join us for all the holiday fun. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas, and get your picture taken with him! Write a letter to the North Pole! Get your face painted! Play some games!

Sunday, December 9, 11 AM to 1 PM
Historic Overlook House
3839 North Melrose Drive

Be sure to come, because Santa whispered to us that he’s specially looking forward to seeing YOU!

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3) OKNA Holiday Potluck Dinner Gathering (12/11)

Join your Overlook neighbors for our annual holiday season meal and gathering. Bring a dish to share and be fine company!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
6:00pm-8:00pm
Daybreak Cohousing, 2525 N Killingsworth

OKNA will provide drinks and our hosts at Daybreak Cohousing will have silverware, plates and napkins. You should bring a favorite dish to share: main dishes, salad, appetizers and deserts are all welcome. Please bring a serving spoon if your dish needs one.

This meeting replaces our usual OKNA meeting for December.

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4) Adopt An Overlook Family (NOW)

REACH Resident Services is seeking Overlook residents who are able to adopt a neighbor for the holidays.
Last year Overlook neighbors made a difference to 8 families and a total of 24 children in our first year! Families living with low income are often left out of gift-giving and receiving. Patton Park Apartments (5272 N. Interstate) is home to over 46 children living below median income and our current economy has local service agencies unable to meet the increased demand.

This is where you can make a difference in your own neighborhood. To adopt a family of 1-3 or just one family member, contact Erica Tucker, MSW- Resident Services Coordinator at (503)546-1662 etucker@reachcdc.org and she will send you a Wish List. We only have four families left waiting to be adopted!

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5) Adidas Employee Store Pass (thru 12/16)

Overlook neighbors are invited to participate in a toy drive with Adidas America, KPTV Fox 12 and Les Schwab, December 1-16, 2012.

Bring a toy to donate and come to the Adidas Village and you’ll get a free pass to the Adidas Employee Store to enjoy the employee discount of 50% off retail prices. Details at www.OverlookNeighborhood.org

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6) Learn To Advocate for your Community (1/8)

Legislative Advocacy 101 Training

Tuesday, January 8, 2013
6:00 to 8: 00 p.m.
Portland Building, 2nd floor Auditorium
1120 SW 5th Ave., Portland

Don’t miss the Legislative Advocacy 101 training! It is designed to give you the tools to be an effective advocate for your neighborhood and community needs during the 2013 State Legislative Session. The topics that will be covered include an overview of the State Legislature, the state legislative process, lobbying do’s and don’ts, and community organizing strategies.

Information you will gain from the workshop:

· An understanding of the State Legislature
· The process for how a bill becomes a law
· Strategies for mobilizing your base of membership or coalitions to maximize advocacy impact
· How to build relationships with legislators and their staff
· Do’s and don’ts for lobbying on all fronts—one-on-one visits, committee testimony, letters and phone calls

To register or for more information:
Jeri Williams–PHONE: 503-823-5827 or EMAIL: jeri.williams@PortlandOregon.gov