OKNA Overlook Neighborhood Email 11-7-14

1) Overlook Neighborhood Association meeting time changes
2) Overlook House holiday craft bazaar (Nov. 15-16)
3) Providence Bridge Pedal 2015 registration (Nov. 10)
4) Don’t worry if your water looks a little funny
5) New city tree code is coming
6) Get on your bike this winter

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1) Overlook Neighborhood Association meeting time changes

OKNA logoOur OKNA general meetings have a new time. Starting with the Tuesday, Nov. 18 meeting, the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. (Formerly meetings had begun at 7 p.m.) This time change occurs to meet requirements of our kind hosts at Kaiser Town Hall and will continue for future meetings. Don’t be late to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood.

OKNA general meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Kaiser Town Hall (3704 N Interstate Ave., across from Overlook Park)

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2) Overlook House holiday craft bazaar (Nov. 15-16)

Shop for local, handmade gifts at this year’s Overlook House holiday craft bazaar next weekend. It’s a great opportunity to begin your holiday shopping in the neighborhood. More than 30 artisans and crafters will fill all three floors of the Overlook House. You will find it bursting with stocking stuffers as well as that perfect gift for someone special.

Several new vendors will join some old favorites. Items include scarves, quilts, tea towels, table covers, aprons, clothing, bath & body products, caramels, fruit spreads, jewelry (beaded, resin, button, upcycled), purses, reflective accessories, felt animals, cards, journals, photo prints, drawings & paintings, dolls, doll clothes, fairies, and more.

Stop by the dining room for delicious baked goods – both savory and sweet – prepared by your neighbors.

Do you have a favorite treat you would like to make and donate to the bake sale table? Bring them on Friday, Nov. 14, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., or on Saturday morning around 9 a.m. All proceeds go toward future programming at the Overlook House.

Overlook House holiday craft bazaar
Saturday, Nov. 15, 9-5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 16, 9-4 p.m.
Historic Overlook House (3839 N Melrose Dr.)

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3) Providence Bridge Pedal 2015 registration (Nov. 10)

Anticipation is building for next year’s Providence Bridge Pedal.  As part of the event’s 20th anniversary, TriMet has invited Providence Bridge Pedal to be the inaugural public event on the Willamette River’s newest bridge, Tilikum Crossing. The ride will take place Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015.

Riders on the 11-bridge, 9-bridge and 7-bridge routes will all bike across Tilikum crossing. The car-free upper decks of the Marquam and Fremont bridges will also be part of each ride.

Providence Bridge Striders will walk across the Marquam Bridge and Tilikum Crossing.

In response to anticipated high levels of interest, Providence Bridge Pedal 2015 registration begins on Monday, Nov. 3 at noon.  Find more details and register online.

To minimize congestion on Tilikum Crossing and to ensure all participants can finish their routes within the time limits required by event permits, registration will be limited.  Register early to make certain you, your family and friends will be part of the celebration.

Providence Bridge Pedal 2015
Registration begins Monday, Nov. 10 at noon.
Bridge Pedal ride occurs Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015
ProvidenceBridgePedal.org

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4) Don’t worry if your water looks a little funny

Leaves aren’t the only thing that changes color in Portland with the coming of fall. Sometimes the drinking water changes, too. You may notice slight color changes in your drinking water. Don’t panic! It’s normal – and harmless.

Heavy fall rains cause tannins (natural organic materials) to wash into streams that feed the Bull Run Watershed. Tannins do not change the quality of water, just the color. The Bull Run provides some of the world’s best drinking water.  Because it’s so high in quality, we do not need to heavily filter and treat our water – so the fall colors may show up in your faucet.

The Portland Water Bureau closely monitors our water systems.  It ensures that it meets all state and federal quality and safety regulations – providing you with the best water possible.

Check out the Portland Water Bureau’s website for more information.

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5) New city tree code is coming

On Jan. 2, 2015, the Portland Bureau of Development Services and the Bureau of Parks and Recreation will implement elements of the Citywide Tree Policy Review and Regulatory Improvement Project (“Tree Project”) through a new Tree Program. To help city residents better understand the new rules, the city is hosting a series of training dates on different aspects of it. View the complete schedule online.

The tree-related regulations that the City of Portland administered prior to the implementation of the new tree code were adopted in a piecemeal manner over many years. The result was a patchwork of complex, inconsistent regulations that were difficult to understand, administer, and enforce. Community members complained that the City’s tree regulations were confusing and did not adequately preserve and protect trees, particularly large trees and tree groves. Developers found the tree regulations frustrating and difficult to meet. City staff also found the current rules frustrating and challenging to administer.

To address these concerns, the Citywide Tree Project was created. The Citywide Tree Project was a multi-bureau effort to examine the city’s current policies and regulations relating to trees.

Read the new tree code online.
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6) Get on your bike this winter

Let Portland By Cycle keep you active and on your bike all winter long. Just in time for the rainy weather, PBC is offering a free All-season cycling class on Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30-8 p.m. at the PCC Climb Center. Attendees will learn:

Simple bike maintenance tips for winter including strategies for staying warm and dry without breaking the bank, bike handling techniques for wet weather, and more.

For some additional motivation for trying out your new skills, join PBC for the Coffee and Donuts Ride on Saturday, Nov. 15, 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting from Irving Park at NE Fremont and 7th Avenue.

This ride will be an easy paced loop with several stops along the way to refuel and is great for folks new to biking or new to the area. The approximately 14-mile route will follow mostly low-traffic streets and neighborhood greenways with some off-street paths. As always, the ride is free but helmets are required.

Be sure to bring your own cup for coffee and cash for snacks. As an added incentive, there will also be a free raffle at both the class and the ride.

All-season cycling class
Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30-8 p.m.
PCC Climb Center (1626 SE Water Ave.)

Coffee and donuts ride
Sat. Nov. 15, 9:45-1 p.m.
Begins at Irving Park (NE Fremont Street at 7th Avenue)