Overlook Neighborhood Update (March 7) – Overlook Neighborhood Association

1) Advertise in the Overlook Views

Overlook residents and businesses recently received the spring edition of OKNA’s quarterly newspaper, Overlook Views. For many years, generous financial supporters have covered the printing costs of the newspaper, but those sources of revenue have stopped. The OKNA Board therefore has decided to begin selling ads.

Putting together a high-quality newsletter takes a lot of work. Writers, designers and editors all volunteer uncounted hours each quarter to ensure that Overlook Views looks good and contains useful content. A team of volunteers delivers the paper to every household and business. When they can’t access apartments, they try to leave a stack in the lobby. Readers also find stacks in local shops.

OKNA thanks all of those volunteers. Without them, Overlook Views wouldn’t be possible.

But one big cost remains: printing. We print about 3,700 copies of each edition. And that number keeps increasing as new residential buildings go up and businesses open in Overlook. The cost now exceeds $500 each print run, so more than $2,000 per year.

Many Portland neighborhoods rely on advertising to fund their newspapers. OKNA’s board reviewed those other neighborhoods’ advertising plans and set rates in line with what they charge. Any revenue that exceeds production costs will go into the OKNA accounts to fund other activities such as the annual movie in the park, summer and winter parties, and neighborhood cleanups. Overlook remains a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

A hyper-local publication like Overlook Views that goes to every home in a geography is a great opportunity for businesses to reach neighbors. If you are interested in purchasing ad space or have questions, please contact info@overlookneighborhood.org for more information.

Ad rates for 2020 are:

Type	Size	1x	2x	3x	4x
1/16 page	4.9″ W x 1.8″ H	$40	$75	$105	$130
1/8 page	4.9″ W x 3.8″ H	$75	$140	$200	$240
1/4 page	4.9″ W x 7.8″ H	$145	$265	$385	$465
1/2 page	10″ W x 7.8″ H	$280	$510	$745	$900
Full page	10″ W x 15.8″ H	$550	$1,000	$1,400	$1,750
Listing in the Business and Service Directory: $50/year

2) Columbia Pool receives a reprieve

The Overlook Neighborhood Association has partnered with other North Portland neighborhoods to advocate for the Columbia Pool. The city had proposed closing this valuable North Portland resource. OKNA and others had requested that it be kept open until a replacement is built.

Our efforts paid off this week as Mayor Ted Wheeler included funding to keep the pool open for another year in his proposed budget.

“Columbia Pool is treasured by the North Portland community for swim lessons, water fitness, and as a neighborhood gathering place,” Wheeler said. “I’m pleased that we’re able to keep the pool open for another year and I appreciate the passion of the community, the work of Portland Parks & Recreation and the partnership of my council colleagues.”

This is only a temporary reprieve, though. OKNA will continue to work with other neighborhoods in to ensure that residents have access to aquatic facilities in North Portland on par with the rest of the city.

3) OKNA monitors postal delivery pilot project

In the fall, the U.S. Postal Service launched a delivery experiment in communities across the country, including the 97217 ZIP code, which includes the north half of Overlook and much of North Portland. Some postal customers have reported problems with the so-called “consolidated casing” model. Others have reported no problems. The intent of the change is to reduce costs and streamline sorting and delivery systems to better fit with changes in what people mail these days – more packages from Amazon and fewer letters.

The Overlook Neighborhood Association Board is monitoring the situation. We have asked residents of the 97217 ZIP code to share their stories by emailing info@overlookneighborhood.org. Have you experienced misdelivered mail? Have you been happy with your delivery team? Tell us the good and the bad. We’ll let the Postal Service and our congressional delegation know how the pilot project has gone.

The OKNA Board also voted this week to ask our congressional delegation – Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley – to intervene with the Postal Service to ensure that the evaluation of this program include a survey of customers in the pilot areas like 97217. Read our letter here.

4) Learn to keep your garden and yard beautiful

The East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is offering many spring classes. Discover how to create an attractive, low-maintenance landscape that conserves water, reduces pollution and attracts beneficial wildlife. The weekend and evening classes will help you realize your vision and bring it to life.

All classes are free, and everyone is welcome. View the schedule and register for a class here. Seats are limited, so sign up soon.

5) I-5 ramp closures

The Oregon Department of Transportation continues to work on Interstate 5 and other highways in and around Overlook. Watch out for Intermittent closure of the Greeley Avenue on-ramp to I-5 southbound, Monday to Friday, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

6) Daylight Saving Time begins

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour tonight (Saturday night/Sunday morning) at 2 a.m. for the start of Daylight Saving Time. One less hour of sleep tonight, but one more hour of sunshine in the evening all summer.