Hello Neighbors! Here's what's happening in Overlook this week.
We've had several nice notes about the new website at www.OverlookNeighborhood.org – surf on by while you're online and have a look! You may be like neighbor Frank M, and spot some useful tips and links that we missed. Be like Frank M, and let us know! He noticed that we had missed a couple of parks on our 'About Overlook' page.
Thank you all for the nice comments!
Maybe you just want to tell us about something, or ask a question. You can always email us at info@OverlookNeighborhood.org with questions like Julie R had; she wanted to know about the new speed bumps on N Overlook Blvd. near the park. We told Julie that the speed bumps are part of the N Concord Bike Boulevard project and that we should all be on alert for traffic changes along the route this summer. There is some more information about it in the upcoming issue of Overlook Views, which should hit your stoop by June 14 (in time to remind you about the June 15 OKNA General meeting).
Neighbor Nicole writes in with an alert for other neighbors: someone dug up and removed several newly planted landscape plants, right out of her front yard! While we don't hear about that sort of problem every day, the advice to Nicole goes out for all of us:
If you have a theft, or vandalism, a car break in etc.. report it! Portland Police now have a handy online reporting tool for these types of crimes, and reporting helps keep police patrolling Overlook.
Start here and don't be shy! http://www.portlandonline.com/police/cor/
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High School Redesign Hearings – Last Chance
Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith has presented her revised plan for the High School System to the Portland School Board. The school board will take public testimony at two additional hearings.
School Board Public Hearings
Saturday, June 5, 1-3 p.m.
Franklin High School Auditorium, 5405 S.E. Woodward St.
Thursday, June 10, 4-6 p.m.
Blanchard Education Service Center, 501 N. Dixon St.
Those wishing to testify may sign up in person before the meeting begins, or in advance by e-mail to schoolboard@pps.k12.or.us or by calling 503-916-3741.
The Portland School Board will convene again in a work session on Wednesday, June 16, and plans to vote on the proposals in its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, June 21.
This urgent topic is worth your attention. Look for neighbor comment in the coming issue of Overlook Views and let PPS know your preferences concerning Overlook's High School, Jefferson.
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Village Building Convergence Concludes This Weekend
City Repair’s 10th Annual VilageBuildingConvergence takes place through June 6th. Everyone is invited to participate in the 31 community placemaking sites that will be in creation all across the city and beyond. Learn about cob and natural building, permaculture, public art, and much more as you help bring these communities projects from an idea into a reality!
Overlook's own project is happening at Trillium Charter School on N Interstate Ave. Contact vbcvolunteer@cityrepair.org for worktrade opportunities! Visit vbc.cityrepair.org or contact vbc@cityrepair.org for more information.
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Meet Oregon 's Air-Quality Cops on Monday, June 7
Come learn about your rights to keep your N/NE neighborhood free from polluters.
Around the country, minority and low-income communities have been overexposed to toxic dump sites, contaminated air and other health hazards from industrial carelessness. Did you know you have a right to hold polluters accountable for the chronic health problems affecting your community?
Early next week, representatives from the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will listen to and address environmental concerns in North and Northeast Portland . This community forum is sponsored by Sen. Chip Shields, Rep. Tina Kotek and Rep. Lew Frederick and graciously hosted by the North Portland Chairs Network, a monthly meeting of the chairs of North Portland neighborhood associations. The details are:
Date: Monday, June 7, 2010
Time: 7 – 8 PM
Where: 8105 N Brandon , Kenton Historic Firehouse
A representative from DEQ will briefly present info rmation on how businesses and industries are permitted to operate in the state, how residents can file complaints, and discuss what kind of oversight and follow-up the agency does with businesses that violate their permits. DOJ will outline how their agency investigates and prosecutes criminal polluters. There will be time allowed to learn about practical steps that ordinary residents can take to make sure environmental concerns are being reported and dealt with. The last 20 minutes of the forum is reserved for a question-and-answer period.
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Fruit Tree Gleaning Program
Portland Fruit Tree Project provides a community-based solution to a critical and growing need in Portland and beyond – access to healthy food. By empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of urban fruit trees, we are preventing waste, building community knowledge and resources, and creating sustainable, cost-free ways to obtain healthy, locally-grown food.
Because money doesn’t grow on trees… but fruit does!
We bring people together to gather fruit before it falls, and make it available to those who need it most. We register fruit and nut trees throughout the city, bring people together to harvest and distribute thousands of pounds of fresh fruiteach year, and teach tree care and food preservation in hands-on workshops.
www.portlandfruit.org
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Sunday Parkways Volunteer Call
Portland is looking forward to the May 16th NE Sunday Parkways and June 27th North Sunday Parkways. You're all invited to “Like” us on Facebook if you haven't already www.facebook.com/PortlandSundayParkways. You and your neighbors can keep updated on all things Sunday Parkways.
The website has been updated to make it easier to find out information www.PortlandSundayParkways.org. They still need volunteers for both dates – experience ALL the fun of Sunday Parkways by volunteering. Feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors to also sign up to volunteer.
Overlook will have a rest station on the route by Daybreak CoHousing on N Killingsworth and Wilbur. Contact OKNA if you'd like to take a short stint at the Overlook table.
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