Please be alert, and careful.

OKNA meeting 7:00 pm tonight, Kaiser Town Hall Building 3704 N Interstate Ave (at Overlook Blvd)

This message is from Mark Wells, Crime Prevention Coordinator

Overlook has had 4 residential burglaries in the past week north and south of the Going St. area in the N. Concord area ( I do not have exact locations). Forced entry is being made through side or rear windows and all have taken place during the daytime hours. A window is being simply smashed and then the burglar(s) is going through each room and throwing items all over the place in what appears to be a search for valuable items. Dresser drawers are just being thrown down to quickly look for valuables. Of particular note, the suspect(s) are eating food in the kitchens and exiting through the front door. Officers are reporting the victim's houses are sustaining an unusual amount of damage almost as if the damage was done on purpose.

Community Action

- Please take note of anyone suspicious around your home or neighborhood. If you see anyone acting suspicious or "casing" a house, please call the non-emergency number at 503-823-3333. It can not be stressed enough how important it is for the community to call the police if anything suspicious is observed. If in doubt, error on the side of caution and notify the police.

- Lock all side gates if possible and ensure all windows remain locked. Cut back any shrubbery around windows or doors to prevent any areas of concealment.

- Talk to your immediate neighbors and ensure they know your normal schedule and keep an eye on your home if they are home during daytime hours when you are normally at work. Listen and pay attention to barking dogs inside homes, especially if they don't usually bark inside.

More information will be sent out as it becomes available.

Thank you-

Mark Wells
Crime Prevention Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
City of Portland
503-823-4098
mark.wells@portlandoregon.gov
Overlook, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, Piedmont, Bridgeton, Hayden Island, Sumner, Sunderland, Cully

Web: www.portlandonline.com/oni/cp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/portlandcrimeprevention
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/58578724@N06/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pdxpreventcrime
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/pdxpreventcrime

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) will have funds available in fiscal year 2012-13 for community livability projects in both the Lents Town Center and Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Areas. PDC’s Community Livability Grant Program began in the Interstate Corridor URA in 2006, expanded to the Lents Town Center URA in 2010, and has awarded $2.2 million to more than 51 projects that improve livability for residents and enhance the unique nature of the Interstate Corridor and Lents Town Center neighborhoods.

The Portland Development Commission is dedicated to and promotes diversity in contracting on the projects and programs that it supports or funds. This year applicants for the Community Livability Grant program will be required to solicit bids for a minimum of 20% of the project budgeted construction costs from State of Oregon certified Minority-Owned, or Women-Owned, or Emerging Small Businesses (M/W/ESBs). Examples of work completed with Community Livability Grant funds are: new roofs; exterior paint; kitchen and bathroom remodels; window upgrades; electrical and HVAC upgrades; community gardens; ADA ramps; new flooring; and energy efficient and sustainable improvements such as solar panels, geothermal heating and a water cistern.

The grants support a wide variety of community benefits: historic preservation, open spaces and gardens, community and cultural centers, social services, job training, and the growth of local businesses. The work is not always visible to those passing by, but these critical investments support each organization’s ability to serve the community.
Up to $300,000 in Community Livability grants will be awarded in the coming fiscal year in each of the two urban renewal areas subject to FY 12-13 budget approval by the PDC Board. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business district associations and neighborhood groups. The typical grant award is less than $50,000.

For more information on the Community Livability Grant Program, visit www.pdc.us/CLG. For more information on PDC’s M/W/ESB goals contact: Patricia Weekley, Business and Workforce Equity Program, Portland Development Commission, 222 NW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR 97209, email: weekleyp@pdc.us, phone: 503-823-3309.

Tonight is the general meeting of the Overlook Neighborhood Association (OKNA).
Join us at 7:00 pm at the Kaiser Town Hall building, 3704 N Interstate Ave
(at N Overlook Blvd)

On the agenda tonight, plan on hearing a public safety update, Senator Chip Shields and and update about the Portland Harbor Superfund clean up among other things.
See you there!

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lanes to close on new streetcar tracks next week for vehicle testing

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced that travelers on streets where new streetcar tracks have been laid should expect lane closures Tuesday through Thursday next week, February 21 through 23. New tracks are found on NW Lovejoy, N/NE Broadway, N/NE Weidler , NE Seventh, NE Martin Luther King, Jr., and NE Grand.

Both electrical and track testing will occur on the newly built segment as part of the ongoing creation of the Streetcar Loop project. Travelers will encounter closed lanes where streetcar are moving on new track segments and should use caution, obey signs and expect delays.

Streetcar and City of Portland staff thanked Portlanders in advance for their continued patience with the streetcar expansion to the east side.

The Portland Streetcar Loop Project is a 3.3-mile double-track extension of the existing streetcar system from the Pearl District in NW Portland, across the Broadway Bridge and south to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

For more information, please contact Julie Gustafson at 503-242-0084 and julie@sojpdx.com or visit www.portlandstreetcar.org for regular construction updates. Construction is subject to change.

OKNA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, February 21^st
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Kaiser Town Hall: 3701 N Interstate Avenue (at Overlook Blvd)

Remember to 'like' us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKNAinPDX  for news throughout the week and the opportunity for you to interact with OKNA & your neighbors directly.

1) ONeST Sustainability Film Series (2/20)
2) NEW date for Parent/Child Yoga & Overlook House news (2/25)
3) One Fix It Fair Remaining! (2/25)
4) Did You Get The Call? (send an email now)
5) Register for Spring Parks Programs (now)
6) Urban Farming Code Update (2/23)
7) Police Use of Force Investigation (2/28)

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1) ONeST Sustainability Film Series (2/20)

Monday, Feb. 20, Free! 6:00 pm

O•NeST Sustainability Film: The Farmer and the Horse: the story of three young people in New Jersey who’ve made the decision to farm with draft animals, and cut their dependence on petroleum. 

Please Join us for our February Sustainability Film!  Potluck at 6pm,  film at 6:30.  Come for one or both!

Daybreak CoHousing Community Room, 2525 N. Killingsworth. 

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2) NEW date for Parent/Child Yoga & Overlook House news (2/25)

The new Parent/Child Yoga class has changed its meeting day of the week. It will now meet on Saturday mornings 9:00AM -9:45 AM beginning Feb 25 - April 14.

(Please note this is a change in date and time from what is printed in Overlook Views.) For information contact Heather Hallett at  hallett.h@gmail.com

Also on Saturdays, join James Bloom for Children's Breath of Fire Qi Gong every Saturday morning 10:00 - 11:00 AM.
For more information contact James at dragonbreathoffire@comcast.net
Join Jerry Cowan for The Story Teller every Monday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 PM. Parents need to attend with their children. For more information contact Jerry at thestoryteller@whizto.us

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3) One Fix It Fair Remaining! (2/25)

Fix-It Fairs are free events where you can learn simple and effective ways to save money at home and stay healthy this winter and beyond. Featuring exhibits from numerous community partners, these events also include an extensive schedule of workshops held throughout the day. Experts will be available to talk with you about water and energy savings, home and personal health, food and nutrition, community resources, recycling and yard care, lead testing, bike tune-ups and more! Free professional childcare and lunch will be provided.

Saturday, February 25, 2012
Jefferson High School
5210 N Kerby Avenue
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Entrance is on the Kerby side of the building.

To find out more information about scheduled workshops, visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/fif To receive information and reminders on upcoming fairs, e-mail fixitfair@portlandoregon.gov.  

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4) Did You Get The Call? (send an email now)

Last week, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) engaged in an exercise to help ensure our city’s safety. PBEM did what very few emergency management agencies do: It put our community notification system through an ambitious, citywide “stress test.”

On a practical level, the test was designed to send a single message to as many Portlanders in the shortest amount of time possible. All landline phones were contacted, as well as all cell, text and email devices voluntarily registered atwww.PublicAlerts.org. On a symbolic level, we were challenging our privately contracted vendor, First Call. Though the company had demonstrated success reaching residents on small-scale emergencies during the past year-and-a-half, it had failed in reaching the entire city during a similar test two weeks prior. We wanted First Call to prove it could complete this ambitious task. And we wanted to know long it would take.

As we analyze the results of the test, we want to hear your feedback. Did you get the message? How, when and where did you receive it? Please contact PublicAlerts@portlandoregon.gov to let us know.

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5) Register for Spring Parks Programs (now)

Portland Parks offers thousands of classes for all ages and abilities. Register now for Spring programs; see what’s on offer now that you don’t receive a catalog in the mail. PortlandParks.org

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6) Urban Farming Code Update (2/23)

North Portland Roundtable Discussion: Urban Food Zoning Code Update
When: Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 from 7-7:30pm
Where: Historic Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N. Brandon

Why: The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is releasing a Discussion Draft of changes to the Portland zoning code that will affect the way that food can be grown and distributed in our neighborhoods!

The proposed changes support activities such as market gardens (growing food for profit), community gardens, farmers markets and food buying clubs. Learn more from project staff Julia Gisler and give your input on how the proposed changes could impact your community.

The Discussion Draft will be available on the project website at www.portlandonline.com/bps/foodcode after February 10th. Paper copies will be available at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offices at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, 7th floor. You may also contact Julia atjulia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823- 7624 to have a copy mailed.

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7) Police Use of Force Investigation (2/28)

U.S. Attorney's Office and Civil Rights Division Announce Town Hall Meeting Regarding Portland Police Bureau Investigation

PORTLAND, Ore. – The United States Department of Justice seeks community input concerning the investigation of the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) use of force policies and practices. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, in conjunction with the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, will conduct a town hall meeting with members of the public on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the St. John’s Community Center located at 8427 N. Central Street in Portland.

On June 8, 2011, the Justice Department opened a civil investigation pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 United States Code, Section 14141, in order to determine whether PPB has engaged in a pattern or practice of use of force which amounts to a violation of civil rights. During the first week of August 2011, the Justice Department conducted numerous individual interviews with members of the public in three locations throughout Portland. The Justice Department is returning to Portland as part of the investigation and invites any individual who has specific and recent information they would like to share about their personal interaction with PPB officers to participate in this town hall meeting.

Throughout the course of the investigation, the Justice Department will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law by officers of the PPB. The Justice Department will consider all relevant information, particularly the efforts that Portland has undertaken to ensure compliance with federal law. The Justice Department has taken similar steps involving a variety of state and local law enforcement agencies, both large and small, in jurisdictions such as New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, and California.

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon are jointly investigating this matter. If you have any comments or concerns, but are unable to attend the town hall meeting, please feel free to contact us at community.portland@usdoj.gov or 1-877-218-5228. You may also feel free to contact the U.S. Attorney’s local Civil Rights Hotline at either 503-471-5577 or by email at usaor.civilrights@usdoj.gov.

Oh, how could I forget?! The Spring issue of Overlook Views hits the streets starting tomorrow; watch your doorstep for your volunteer-delivered copy coming soon (posted at www.OverlookNeighborhood.org if you can't wait!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

1) Bike Helmet Sale (2/11)

2) Solar Drinks Venue Change! (2/16)

3) Seed Club is Coming! (soon)

4) Hayden Island Candidates Forum (2/26)

5) ICURAC Meeting (2/27)

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1) Bike Helmet Sale (2/11)

$5 Bike Helmet Sales - If you or someone you know is looking to save a little money and in need of a bike or skate helmet, be sure to hit up the sale this weekend at the Randalls Children's Hospital, 9th Floor (Legacy Emanuel), 2801 N Gantenbein Ave, Saturday, February 11, Noon to 6pm. Bike and skate helmets are $5 and ski and snowboard helmets are available for $20. Find more information at www.legacyhealth.org/safetystore.

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2) Solar Drinks Venue Change! (2/16)

Due to the level of interest in this month's Solar Drinks, we are moving it to a bigger location to accommodate a larger audience....   

Join us this month at The June Key Delta Community Center, (NOT the Kenton Firehouse, as originally advertised!)
5940 N Albina Ave
THURSDAY, February 16th
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

John Patterson of Mr. Sun Solar will be presenting his recent tour of the Chinese solar industry, and and his experience as a panelist at the Low Carbon Earth Summit in Dalian, China. We expect a large crowd, so please RSVP  to let us know you are coming!

Solar Drinks is an opportunity for folks in the greater Portland area to meet other community members who support renewable energy.  Come join us for a relaxed social and networking event where you can speak with Solar Oregon staff, solar industry members and your neighbors about any topic under the sun!

Doors open at 6:30pm and the event begins at 7:00pm.  
This is a free event, but we are asking for a $5 suggested donation from non Solar Oregon Members to help us cover the costs of providing this event. You must be 21 or over to attend.

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3) Seed Club is Coming! (soon)

Local nonprofit Grow Portland is gearing up for its third annual Seed Club. For the Seed Club, Grow Portland buys organic vegetable seeds in bulk from socially responsible suppliers. These seeds are repacked into smaller sizes and made available to home gardeners, schools, and non-profits at affordable prices.

This March and April, Grow Portland is hosting four sessions to pack these seeds. At these sessions, gardeners have a chance to socialize and learn with other growers, pack vegetable seeds, and take home 15 seed packets of their own.

Our Overlook neighborhood packing session will be Wednesday, March 28th from 7-8:30 pm at the Lucky Lab Tap Room (1700 N Killingsworth Ave). Gardeners sign up online in advance to attend.

See our website to sign up, and for more information on membership options for schools and nonprofits: www.growportland.org. Contact Lauren with additional questions: lmorse@growportland.org, 503-858-0216

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4) Hayden Island Candidates Forum (2/26)

Hayden Island Candidates Forum: February 26th, Sunday at Oxford Suites on Hayden Island from 1 pm- 4 pm

Many Mayoral, City Council, Merto & District Attorney Candidates will be in attendance.
Our moderator Bruce Broussard will be filming the forum for his "Oregon Voters Digest" program. It will also be available on www.youtube.com/38broussard

Brought to you by:
HINoon, Hayden Island Neighborhood Network
HILP, Hayden Island Livability Project
HIBA, Hayden Island Business Alliance
Contact: info@HELPHILP.com or 503-286-1150

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5) ICURAC Meeting (2/27)

Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Advisory Committee Meeting

Monday, February 27, 2012
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Quarterly meeting of the committee and review of the proposed URA budget for 2012-2013.

Contact Joleen Jensen-Classen, 503-823-3352

Kaiser Permanente Town Hall
3704 N Interstate Avenue
Classrooms A & B
Transit Stop 1150 MAX  Yellow Line

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Enjoy the sunshine!

Overlook Neighborhood Association
www.OverlookNeighborhood.org
facebook.com/OKNAinPDX

1) Town Hall with your Elected Representatives (2/4) 
2) Beach School Raffle Tickets (now)
3) QiGong Now at Overlook House (Mondays & Thursdays)
4) Family Yoga at Overlook House (Wednesdays)
5) Solar Drinks Special Guest (2/16)
6) Earthquake Preparedness; Is Portland Ready? (now)
7) Stories at the Overlook House (Mondays 3:30-4:30)
Beach School Auction (2/25)
9) PDC COMMUNITY LIVABILITY GRANT (coming up/plan ahead for March 6)

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1) Town Hall with your Elected Representatives (2/4)

Reminder: Town Hall This Saturday
Join Representative Tina Kotek, Senator Chip Shields and Representative Lew Frederick for a North/Northeast Portland town hall to hear what's going on in Salem for the 2012 Legislative Session.  They look forward to answering your questions and discussing the issues that are important to you.

What:    Town Hall Meeting
When:   Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Where:  St. Johns Community Centern Auditorium
                8427 N. Central St., Portland, OR 97203

For more information, call or email Tina Kotek’s legislative assistant, Michelle Rogelstad, at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us or (503) 286-0558.

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2) Beach Raffle Tickets (now)

Enter to WIN!!!

Beach PTA is having a raffle to help raise money to support the brilliant minds of the lovely Beach students!

Tickets are $5 and are available online or email Andee Zeigler at beachschoolauction@gmail.com.

Winners will be announced at the auction on February 25, 2012. Attendance is encouraged, but not required to win.

Grand Prize is an iPad

1st prize Wii

2nd prize is a weekend getaway for two at Salishan Resort on the Oregon Coast!

Tell your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers!! Your kiddos will thank you!

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3) QiGong Now at Overlook House (Mondays & Thursdays)

Join James H Bloom, an Overlook resident of 38 years, for Dragon’s Breath of Fire QiGong. QiGong dates back 5000 years and is great for all ages. James incorporates his study of Soaring Crane QiGong , Swimming Dragon, Baguan Xun Doa Gong, Ti-chi Yang style, Wudang and Shaolin Styles in sessions for adults and kids.

Adult Classes: Mondays and Thursdays 10:00 am and 6:45 pm

Kids Classes: Saturday mornings 10:00 am

Contact James for more information and bring your own Yoga mat. Phone: 503-285 8331 or email: dragonbreathoffire@comcast.net

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4) Family Yoga at Overlook House (Wednesdays)

There is a new Yoga class being offered for families beginning February 15 – April 11. Classes will be held at the Overlook House Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am.

To sign up or for further information contact Heather Hallett; email:  hallett.h@gmail or phone: 503-367-7821

Cost is $5 per family.

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5) Solar Drinks Special Guest (2/16)

All this sunshine have you thinking about solar power for your home? Come out to SOLAR DRINKS, an opportunity for folks in the greater Portland area to meet other community members who support renewable energy.  Come join us for a relaxed social and networking event where you can speak with Solar Oregon staff, solar industry members and your neighbors about any topic under the sun!

Join us this month at the Historic Kenton Firehouse!   
8105 N. Brandon St.
THURSDAY, February 16th
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

John Patterson of Mr. Sun Solar will be presenting his recent tour of the Chinese solar industry, and and his experience as a panelist at the Low Carbon Earth Summit in Dalian, China.

We expect a large crowd, so please RSVP to let us know you are coming!
Doors open at 6:30pm and the event begins at 7:00pm.  
This is a free event, but we are asking for a $5 suggested donation from nonSolar Oregon Members to help us cover the costs of providing this event. You must be 21 or over to attend.

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6) Earthquake Preparedness; Is Portland Ready? (now)

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) wants to hear your thoughts about our city’s newly proposed earthquake response document.

Having grown into major city long before scientists discovered its unique seismic vulnerabilities, Portland is now expected to experience a potentially devastating earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater. Work is underway to identify those vulnerabilities and make Portland a more earthquake-resilient city. This work -now embodied in the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management’s new Earthquake Response Appendix - will help lessen the severity of an earthquake’s impact on residents.

The Earthquake Response Appendix is a supplement to the City’s Basic Emergency Operations Plan and a framework for Portland 's ever-evolving approach to earthquake response. Soon, this document will reach Portland City Council for consideration. In the meantime, PBEM is asking the public to thoroughly examine the appendix and provide feedback.

To learn more about the threats facing Portland’s energy, water, sewer, transportation, communication and building infrastructures; to understand the roles elected leaders, city officials, emergency responders, the private sector and community-based organizations play in the context of earthquake response; and to understand the partnerships established among public and private agencies to help support this response, please read the appendix by clicking here.

To provide insight and comments about the document, click here and fill out the feedback form.

To view a web version of this email, click here: http://www.portlandonline.com/oem/index.cfm?c=53926&a=382009

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7) Stories at the Overlook House (Mondays 3:30-4:30)

Join Jerry Cowan long time Overlook resident as The Storyteller. He 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.

Contact Jerry 503.285.0555 or via email for more information thestoryteller@whizto.us

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Beach School Auction (2/25)

A Fun Night Out for You = Supporting Beach School!!!!

The Beach School Auction will be held on Saturday, February 25th, 2012 at the Madeleine Hall, 3123 NE 24th Ave, Portland, Oregon.

Tickets are $35 per person in advance, $45 at the door. Tables are available for eight and are $280.

Only table purchases are reserved, all other tickets are open seating.

Doors open at 5pm, dinner provided by PorQueNo!

Tickets are available for purchase online through this link: https://beachschoolpta.schoolauction.net/auction2012/register

Tickets are currently available in the school office or by contacting Pamela White at 503-740-9871 or email: mickey965  @q.com.

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9) PDC COMMUNITY LIVABILITY GRANT (coming up/plan ahead for March 6)

A new round of PDC Community Livability Grant funds will be announced on February 21. Up to $300,000 in grants will be available in each of the Interstate and Lents Town Center URAs.
These grants support a wide variety of community benefits: historic preservation, open spaces and gardens, community and cultural centers, social services, job training, and the growth of local businesses. All interested applicants are required to attend a mandatory workshop to learn more about project eligibility, completing the application, and the evaluation and selection process. For Interstate, the workshop will be March 6 at the June Key Delta Community Center, 11 am-12:30 pm or 5:00-6:30 pm; for Lents Town Center, March 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SE Works.
Watch for the email announcement with program details February 21 or check PDC’s website after that date –www.pdc.us/CLG.

Hi Overlookers, just a couple of quick notes. Be sure to join us for the Friends of Trees planting event tomorrow; drop in at Kaiser Town Hall & there will be something to do & lots of people to see. Did you hear about the food, too?!

Come out tomorrow Saturday for the Overlook's big tree planting event. We are going to try planting over a hundred trees around the neighborhood. It looks like its supposed to be cloudy but warm, in case you were waiting on a weather report. If you want get outside tomorrow to plant trees, come to Kaiser Town Hall (3704 N Interstate Ave) at about 8:30, have some breakfast, and then we will go out in teams to plant trees. If you don't want to plant trees, consider bringing a lunch item over for us, and then join us for lunch. We are looking pretty good on the amount of lunch food, but a little more wouldn't hurt. Fire up some soup in a crockpot, or make a casserole or whatever you want, and bring it over to Kaiser at 11:30 or 12. We hope to see you there!

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The Interstate/Kenton Little League sign-ups start this Saturday 9am - noon at Peace Lutheran Church on N Rosa Park.They are also in need of coaches, if you're interested please contact them at interstatekentonll@gmail.com

Interstate Kenton Little League - Portland, Oregon. North Portland Little League 
www.interstatekentonll.org

Dear Overlook Neighbors –

After many weeks and months of planning and waiting, the Friends of Trees planting is finally almost here! This (very long, sorry) message contains all the important info and last-minute details you need to know to ensure that we have another successful tree planting. Please don't hesitate to give me (Garrett 503 422 5070) a call if anything is still unclear after you read this. 
The planting date is Saturday, January 28th. See below for important information that you need to make sure that your tree is planted on time in the correct location.  There is also a detailed planting day schedule  for those of you who are coming out for the event. If you haven't decided to come out next Saturday, consider changing your mind and joining us.  There are different roles for people of all ages, abilities, and climate preferences, starting at 7am and ending at 2pm. You can be on your way when you need to be, or you can stay for lunch and head out by 1 or so.   

The planting staging area, where you'll start and end your day, is Kaiser Town Hall, 3704 N Interstate.

Once again, Arbor Lodge is partnering with Overlook neighborhood for our planting. This year we'll plant about 220 trees in the two neighborhoods!  This is about 50 trees more than last year! Thank you for making a huge contribution to our neighborhood’s beauty, livability, and environmental sustainability.

Saturday 1/28 - Planting Day!!!

Let the fun begin! Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. to register and enjoy refreshments at Kaiser Town Hall, 3704 N Interstate. This is a great time for meeting new neighbors and spending time with family and friends.

Planting is rain or shine -- only dangerous road conditions will stop us. Trust me, we'll have fun even if it rains! Come prepared for the elements and wear work shoes/boots and work gloves. Friends of Trees provides all the necessary tools, but an extra shovel is sometimes handy.

Please keep in mind that the planting crew will need a source of water for watering your tree as soon as it is in the ground (they will have a bucket).

Please bring a reusable coffee mug so we can reduce our waste.

Plan on re-joining your neighbors at the church after planting to relax, swap tree stories, and enjoy a great hearty lunch.

Planting Day Schedule

7:00 a.m.: staging area volunteers arrive and sign in (unloading and organizing trees)
8:00 a.m.: pick up drivers and crew leaders arrive and sign in
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.: homeowners and planting team volunteers arrive, sign in, eat pastries, drink coffee
9:00 a.m.: planting begins!
12:30ish: crews finish planting, return to staging area for lunch, relax
12:00 p.m: clean up volunteers arrive

Volunteer Roles

Friends of Trees plantings are all about building community through tree planting. You were asked to sign up for a volunteer role when you placed your order. See below for more information about when to arrive, what to do, and who your main contact is. If you are unable to volunteer in any capacity on planting day, consider finding another way to contribute to either Friends of Trees or the Richmond neighborhood (contact me for ideas). You are definitely always welcome to join a planting team on planting day even if you didn’t sign up for this role.

• Planting team - Arrive between 8:15 and 8:45; sign in to get assigned to a planting crew (you'll plant your own trees). Bring your family and friends!
• Staging area set up - Arrive at 7:00 to help unload trees and set up tables and chairs. Trees can be heavy, so unloading them requires a strong back. I’ll contact you to confirm.
• Registration helpers - Arrive by 8:00 to learn how to help homeowners sign in.
• Truck drivers - Arrive by 8:00 to sign in and get assigned to a crew. A Friends of Trees staff member will tell you where to park and your truck will get loaded up with trees and tools. You’ll head out to plant with your crew at 9:00.
• Refreshments (breakfast and/or lunch) – Garrett will contact you to confirm what you are bringing. Or call Garrett (503 422 5070) if you want to bring something but haven't said so yet.
• Staging area clean up - Arrive after noon to help clean up after lunch, wash dishes, stack tables and chairs, sweep floors, clean and load tools, etc.
• Summer inspector - If you signed up for this volunteer role, a Friends of Trees staff member will contact you about the inspector training, which usually happens in April or May.
• If you can't participate on planting day, consider one of these options:

Be on a planting team for another Friends of Trees planting, see http://www.friendsoftrees.org/calendar/portland-vancouver for full planting calendar

Sign up to be a summer tree inspector (aka Tree Team) volunteer; see http://www.friendsoftrees.org/volunteer/be-a-leader

Become a member of Friends of Trees; see http://www.friendsoftrees.org/support-us/membership

Thanks again for being an important part of our neighborhood's future. If you have any questions, please give me a call anytime.

Sincerely,

-Garrett Phillips