1) Happy New Year!
2) Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop (Jan. 17)
3) Overlook Sustainability Summit (Feb. 21)
4) Nature in Neighborhoods grant applications deadline (Jan. 13)
5) OLCC seeks input on marijuana regulation (Jan. 12)
6) Noise control meeting (Jan. 26)
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1) Happy New Year!
Your weekly Overlook Neighborhood Association update returns refreshed from the holidays. Every Friday we will let you know about news, events and other information interesting and important to our neighborhood. Things are already shaping up for another exciting year of fun and neighborly goodwill.
If you have an event or news you’d like to see in the update, send it to info@overlookneighborhood.org. Please try to send your submission by Wednesday evening for inclusion on Friday and be sure to include contact information in case we have any questions.
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2) Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop (Jan. 17)
Good, timely pruning can improve the shape, strength and fruit set of your trees while simultaneously helping to reduce pest and disease pressure. Certain fruit trees benefit from winter pruning (Jan-Feb), while others benefit greatly from summer pruning (June-Aug).
The workshop will cover the fruit trees that are best pruned in the winter, general pruning theory, as well as specific techniques to help you learn how to make the best cuts on your fruit trees with confidence and skill. Methods taught are organic and incorporate permaculture principles. Taught by local fruit tree expert Monica Maggio of Core Fruit Institute.
Please register by emailing sustainable@overlookneighborhood.org with your name and contact information.
The workshop is cosponsored by Daybreak Cohousing and Sustainable Overlook.
Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Saturday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m. – Noon
Daybreak Cohousing Community Room
2525 N Killingsworth Ave.
Suggested donation $10
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3) Overlook Sustainability Summit (Feb. 21)
Mark your calendar for the inaugural Overlook Sustainability Summit organized by Sustainable Overlook. There will be panel and group discussions on ecology, local economy and equity. The purpose of this summit is to bring together committed neighbors, supporters and curious folks to talk about a range of efforts underway that are strengthening the resilience, livability and long term health of the Overlook neighborhood.
RSVP for the event and learn more online.
Overlook Sustainability Summit
Saturday, Feb. 21, Noon – 4 p.m.
Location TBA
Suggested donation $10
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4) Nature in Neighborhoods grant applications deadline (Jan. 13)
Do you have an idea to connect people with nature? Teach people about water quality, fish and wildlife habitat or to support healthier communities? A conservation education grant from Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods program could help your program grow.
Small grants up to $25,000 and large grants up to $100,000 are available for projects that connect neighborhoods with nature. A wide variety of projects can fit the bill, such as nature education for school-aged children, job training or internships for nature-based careers, or building capacity for groups to connect their communities to nearby natural areas. Please fill out a simple pre-application by 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 at www.oregonmetro.gov/grants.
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5) OLCC seeks input on marijuana regulation (Jan. 12)
It’s almost certain that North Portland will have one or more shops selling marijuana products when it becomes legal in Oregon. Streets such as Killingsworth and Interstate are attractive locales for development because of their accessibilty and high volume of traffic.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has launched an online community survey at marijuana.oregon.gov asking Oregonians to share their hopes and concerns about the coming legal market for recreational marijuana. The survey, which is open through Monday, January 12, will help the agency plan a statewide listening tour to be announced later this month.
“We need to hear from Oregonians across the state as we implement the law,” said OLCC Chairman Rob Patridge. “We need to hear from community members, parents, law enforcement, people who want to grow or sell recreational marijuana, and local governments. We want to know your priorities. What should marijuana regulation look like in your community?”
Patridge said the survey and listening tour are the first steps in a yearlong rulemaking process that will include monthly Commission meetings, rules advisory committee meetings and other opportunities to hear from the public.
“OLCC is committed to a transparent and inclusive public process to help us implement the law in a way that protects children, keeps our communities safe, and brings the recreational marijuana industry into the regulated market,” he said.
Under the new law, possession of recreational marijuana becomes legal on July 1 of this year. The OLCC must begin accepting applications for commercial licenses next January, with retail stores to open by late 2016.
The survey will be live on the web through January 12 at marijuana.oregon.gov.
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6) Noise control meeting (Jan. 26)
The Northeast Coalition of Neighbohoods will host a public meeting with Portland Noise Control Officer Pal van Orden on Monday, Jan. 26. The event is open to all Portland residents.
This is a chance to learn about the Portland Noise Office, including noise variances and neighbot’s rights, construction noise and the citizen citation process, and the citizen-based Noise Review Board.
Public meeting with Portland’s noise control officer
Monday, Jan. 26, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods
4815 NE 7th Ave.