Overlook Neighborhood update (May 27)

1) Memorial Day weekend
2) Neighborhood cleanup a huge success
3) Get earthquake ready
4) OKNA June 5 board meeting canceled
5) Mark your calendar for neighborhood yard sale/free share


1) Memorial Day weekend

The Overlook Neighborhood Association hopes you are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Get outside and safely enjoy the beautiful Portland weather. Cookout season is upon us.

But as you play, don’t forget to take a moment to remember the reason for the holiday by reflecting on the military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. We owe them all an incalculable debt.

2) Neighborhood cleanup a huge success

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the 30 people who volunteered last Saturday at the annual neighborhood cleanup. Overlook residents and businesses appreciate the time and energy donated to pick up trash from the curbs and sidewalks and to remove graffiti and stickers from poles and other public structures. This year, the cleanup crews focused on Interstate, Alberta and Killingsworth, all of which look spiffier thanks to their efforts.

Residents also took advantage of the opportunity for some spring cleaning around the house, dropping off broken TVs, printers, fans and other useless household stuff.

All total, the neighborhood cleanup collected 1,900 pounds – nearly a ton! – of garbage and other waste.

Special thanks go out to:

  • Our sponsors: Metro, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, City Recycle and OKNA,
  • adidas employees who volunteered with our cleanup and adidas for donating many prizes that were raffled off to volunteers,
  • Grand Central Bakery for pastries and Blend for coffee.

Remember, cleanups can be done any time and aren’t limited to the organized annual event. If you’d like to clean up your block or an area close to your home but lack the right supplies, let us know. We’ll help you get what you need. Write us at info@overlookneighborhood.org.

3) Get earthquake ready

Are you ready for the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake? Find out at a June 10, 1-2:30 p.m. program at North Portland Library. You’ll learn what to expect and how to prepare physically and psychologically for a major geological event.

Participants will walk through what to expect and how to prepare for each stage of a major earthquake: during the shaking, immediately after and in the days/weeks/months to follow. You’ll learn how to prioritize and customize your planning, as well as how to involve your neighbors in this important work. You’ll also learn what’s being done by government and schools to prepare for the Big One, and you’ll hear what local Neighborhood Emergency Teams are doing to prepare for the quake.

Register for this free event.

4) OKNA June board meeting canceled

It’s summer, and the Overlook Neighborhood Association Board is taking a break. The June 5 board meeting has been canceled. The June 19 general meeting will take place as usual.

5) Mark your calendar for Overlook Yard Sale & Free Share

Doing some spring cleaning and noticing some items you’re ready to part with?  Thinking you might want to do a yard sale this summer?  Mark your calendars for this year’s Overlook Yard Sale & Free Share, July 21-22.

As we’ve done for the past seven years, set up shop in your yard or garage on Saturday, July 21. By organizing our yard sales as a neighborhood on the same day with coordinated advertising we attract more visitors … and buyers!  We also get a chance to get to know our neighbors while decluttering our homes.

Then, on Sunday, we’ll do the Free Share in which anyone can put items curbside, such as the stuff that didn’t sell the day before, and offer it up as free to neighbors. In this way we part with unused items, extend their lifecycles, and spare them from the landfill.

As in past years, we’ll advertise this sale online as well as throughout the neighborhood.  During the week leading up, we’ll post an interactive map showing each address that is participating to help visitors track down each sale.  If you would like to sign up to participate in this year’s Yard Sale and get added to the map, please visit  to fill out a quick sign-up form online. If you have any questions or suggestions, let Josh know via sustainable@overlookneighborhood.org.