Hi Overlook, happy weekend! Here's your weekly dose of OKNA goodness, but don't miss the fun on our Facebook page too! Surf over to www.facebook.com/OKNAinPDX to keep up with the latest neighbor news, like Jane F posted this week (ooh, is that a construction start on the Prescott Project?? Maybe, maybe!)
It's nearly newsletter time too. If you have a story or a piece of frivolity to share with us, please write to Michelle at views@ OverlookNeighborhood.org
The OKNA Board still has room for a few volunteers; specifically, we need a Land Use and a Transportation representative. These are topics of interest to many of you, and normally these positions fill up quickly. If you have feedback about why they haven't, I guess we'd be interested in hearing that too.
Thanks for the great turnout at the meeting this month! See you April 17 for the next OKNA meeting.
1) OKNA Meeting Recap
2) PSAC Public Safety Meeting This Week (3/28)
3) Rain Gardens 101: Register Now
4) Portland Harbor – Portland City Council Meeting, Open to the Public (3/28)
5) Easter Egg Hunt at the Historic Overlook House (4/7)
6) Monday Story Hour at the Overlook House (Mondays)
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1) OKNA Meeting Recap
Overlook neighbors turned out for a great meeting this past week with a comprehensive public safety update from our District officers and Mark Wells, Crime Prevention Coordinator. We are still seeing too many reports of people creeping through back yards, leaving gates open, up on porches etc in addition to a rash of cat burglaries. Please remain vigilant, continue to report to 911 or Non-Emergency as appropriate and if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call or email Mark: 503.823.40298 mark.wells@portlandoregon.gov
Representatives from Ethos/IFCC came by with an update of upcoming IFCC programming, which will include some daytime classes for adults. Visithttp://ethos.org/programs/ifcc/ for current schedules.
The meeting closed with a presentation from neighbor Jerry Cowan, The Storyteller. It was great to see Jerry in action; look for the listing about his weekly story hour at the Overlook House.
Upcoming Overlook events for your calendar:
April 11th – Graffiti Summit
Contact Mark Wells if you would like to attend this annual, regional event.
April 21st – OKNA Earth Day Clean Up
We’ll meet at the Pittman HydroPark, north of the Going Street pedestrian overpass, to pick up litter and beautify the park and areas along Going. Contact Alan Cranna to volunteer or donate: ascran3@hotmail.com or contact us at OKNA.
July 28th – Overlook Village Street Fair
Contact Jenna if you are interested in being a vendor or performer at this up and coming summer street fair: overlookvillage@gmail.com
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2) PSAC Public Safety Meeting This Week (3/28)
North Portland PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION COMMITTEE (PSAC)
Wednesday March 28th, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Historic Kenton Firehouse
2209 N. Schofield – across from the Kenton Post Office
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012. Topic: Traffic Safety
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3) Rain Gardens 101: Register Now
Rain Gardens 101 workshop sponsored by ONeSt (Overlook Neighborhood Sustainability Team)
Contain that rain! Rain gardens add beauty to your yard and can help restore overloaded urban streams at the
same time. Learn how to construct a rain garden in your own yard through topics like the following:
- assess your site to decide best location and size
- calculate impervious surfaces
- determine soil suitability
- choose appropriate plants for and how to maintain your new rain garden
Participants will receive a comprehensive manual and take a field trip to a nearby rain garden. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Called 503-935-5368 for more information. Hosted by East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District.
Register now while space is still available at http://www.emswcd.org/workshops-events/register-for-a-workshop/event/249/Rain-Gardens-101
Information: 503-935-5368
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4) Portland Harbor – Portland City Council Meeting, Open to the Public (3/28)
If you missed the recent OKNA presentation on the current state of the Portland Harbor Superfund project, or that meeting or the subsequent Oregonian articles caught your attention, you may want to get this further update.
Topic: Update on Portland Harbor, Presented by Dean Marriott, Director of Bureau of Environmental Services
Date: March 28, 2012
Time: Check council agenda on Friday, March 23 for time at http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=26997
Location:Council Chambers – Portland City Hall – 1221 SW 4th Avenue, 2nd floor. Portland, OR
Please note the Council will not be taking public testimony during this meeting.
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5) Easter Egg Hunt at the Historic Overlook House (4/7)
What: Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
When: Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. – Sharp!
Where: Overlook House, 3839 N. Melrose Drive
Grab your Basket and Hop to Overlook House!
Do you believe in the Easter Bunny? He sure hopes so, because he has hidden over one thousand colorful Easter eggs holding treats and toys for you to find on the grounds of Overlook House. Find one of 10 Golden Eggs and win a special prize!
The hunt begins promptly at 10:30 a.m., Saturday April 7, rain or shine.
It goes quicker than a bunny can hop, so don't be late!
This event is sponsored by the Friends of Overlook House for the young children of Overlook.
For questions, contact overlookhouseevents@gmail.com
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6) Monday Story Hour at the 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. The stories involve imaginary forest animals based on Native American legends and myths. Some stories are “story-songs” that are crafted to be 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 group. As always, guest storytellers and entertainers are welcome to perform anytime.