Happy Solstice this week, Overlook. We've been spoiled with sunshine, which makes the winter seem shorter already (yay).
Just a couple of items to tidy up this week; there will be no email digests delivered for the next two weeks.
Happy Holidays, and a bright New Year to you all!
1) Tree Ordering: Final Call to Sign Up with Friends Of Trees (12/19)
2) The Storyteller Children's Program at the Historic Overlook House (Mondays)
3) Yay For Neighbors! See Something? Call 911 (now)
4) Thank You, New Neighbors
5) OKNA Newsletter, Email, Website & Facebook
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1) Tree Ordering: Final Call to Sign Up with Friends Of Trees (12/19)
Trees are available at steeply discounted rates again this year for Overlook residents, and the deadline for signing up is in 3 days, Monday December 19th! Friends of Trees offers trees for your yard and sidewalk planting strip for only $50. If that is too much, extra discounts are available if you inquire. Go to Friends of Trees’ website, www.FriendsOfTrees.org, and create an account. Once you are logged in, you can order yard trees or sign up to have a tree specialist inspect your planting strip. After the specialist checks out the place that you want to plant trees in the planting strip, you can get back on the website and order trees for that place by January 9th. But you have to do the basic sign-up by December 19th! So get on it or call me if you want help or have questions!
(if you have any trouble with the website, please call Garrett, number below)
Whether or not you order tress, come out on Saturday January 28th for the neighborhood planting event. We will meet at Kaiser Permanente Town Hall at 8:30 for hot drinks and some breakfast items. Then we will go out in small groups and plant trees. Last year over a hundred neighbors came out, and we want you to join us this year! If you want to contribute but can’t do minor physical planting work, please consider contributing some breakfast item or a dish for the big lunch we will have after all the trees are planted. Every year we also need people to help organize the meeting places, and to drive volunteers and trees in your pickup truck. Last year was a huge success and we’re going to make it even better this year. So get in on the fun!
Call Garrett if you have any questions about how to order trees or about volunteering, 503 422 5070. Thanks!
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2) The Storyteller Children's Program at the Historic Overlook House (Mondays)
The Storyteller will be at the historic Overlook House Community Center at 3839 N. Melrose Drive, every Monday Afternoon from 3:30 to 4:30 PM for a free hour of children’s stories, songs and games around a make believe campfire in an imaginary northwest forest. Jerry Cowan (The Storyteller) is a long time Overlook resident and has a current approval by the State of Oregon Child Care Division background registry to work with children. Some stories (for older children) will be offered and are based on ancient Native American legends and myths handed down for generations. Some stories are crafted for preschool age children and may be traditional (storybook) tales more compatible with younger children.
The Storyteller’s intent is to host a story hour where families can meet get to know each other and share some quality time with their children. There will be a full sized electronic keyboard and an extra full sized acoustic guitar available (with some music books for each) for any adults or older children who want to practice or share their talent and entertain the audience. As always, guest storytellers and entertainers are welcome to perform anytime. All children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
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3) Yay For Neighbors! See Something? Call 911 (now)
Portland Police Arrest Christmas Gift Thief in North Portland
Portland Police officers responded to a report of two people stealing boxes off of front porches in the neighborhood.
A witness reported seeing a man and a woman walking from her neighbor's yard and thought the pair's activity was suspicious so she called 9-1-1.
Officers arrived in the area and with the assistance of the 9-1-1 caller, located the pair at North Van Houten and Willis. 26-year-old Melissa Schwab had a pair of shoes hidden inside her coat. Officers walked with the 9-1-1 caller to Northgate Park, where the caller reported seeing the pair go, and officers located a box in a park garbage can. The box was addressed to a residence in the 5900 block of North Hudson Street. Officers went to that address and contacted the resident who told officers that he was expecting a package of Christmas treats from his sister in Seattle. Officers presented the missing box of treats to the man that had been recovered from Northgate Park. Officers were also able to determine that the shoes being held by Melissa Schwab were stolen and they too were returned to their owner.
The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind residents to be aware that thieves may target neighborhoods this time of year as many packages are delivered each day and that residents should be mindful of when packages are delivered and consider picking them up at the post office, UPS or FedEx.
Portland Police Bureau would like to recognize the witness for calling 9-1-1 when she suspected these two individuals were up to no good. This arrest may not have been possible without the witness calling 9-1-1.
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4) Thank You, New Neighbors
Thanks to the involvement of surrounding neighbors, Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Wells, the Overlook Village Business Association and the eager participation of two new business owners, OKNA is pleased to announce the signing of Good Neighbor Agreements with our new neighbors on N Killingsworth, The Old Gold and Mextiza. With input from all parties, an agreement was crafted to connect neighbors face to face, agree on some basics for good neighborliness and create a structure for working together to solve any neighborhood problems in a friendly manner.
One issue that may arise, illegal parking. Anyone can call the Parking Enforcement Hotline at 503-823-5195.
The Old Gold and Mextiza share a building at 2103/2105 N Killingsworth Street. Welcome to Oerlook!
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5) OKNA Newsletter, Email, Website & Facebook
The next issue of Overlook Views will be distributed in February which means now is the time to email us with your upcoming story ideas. Write to Views@OverlookNeighborhood.org to let us know what you have in mind for the next issue. Your deadline will be in mid January, but space must be reserved beforehand.
Your short neighbor messages can be included in the weekly email; write to OKNA at info@ OverlookNeighborhood.org
Keep tabs on midweek stories at our website: www.OverlookNeighborhood.org
Of course, don't forget to look up our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Overlook-Neighborhood-PDX/215220578543609) and 'like' us. You'll get your basic Overlook news, with some quirky items thrown in for fun.
For this tool to work, we need your participation and posts.
Business Neighbors: Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Overlook neighobrs. You are welcome to post your specials and share items from your page with us.