March
Newsletter
Pre Meeting Community Space Sees Early Success
The inaugural launch of the SJNA community space was a great success! Thanks to the neighbors that came early to meet and mingle. Thank you also to our 2 community organizations for joining us.

Roosevelt PTSA shared exciting updates on the upcoming Grad Night plans to provide entertainment and a safe space for graduating seniors. They also invited the community to join for their annual multi-cultural celebration, Unity Fest, 6-9PM, April 12th, enter Roosevelt HS via N Central. Click here to donate, get involved, and get informed.

Our second community organization, North Star Villages detailed their mission to empower volunteer neighbors helping neighbors age in place. They are always looking for helper volunteers and home-bound neighbors who could use help with daily household projects. Click here to donate, volunteer, or enroll.

Come early to next month's St. Johns Neighborhood Association general meetings, Monday April 9th at 6:30PM. Coffee and snacks will be provided. All are welcome!

2 table spaces are available every month for community organizations, non-profits, and neighbors to provide an opportunity to give information, share updates, and engage with the community before meetings! Interested in reserving a table? Email the SJNA Board at [email protected] for details.
SJNA Endorses Inclusionary Proposals for RIP
As part of ongoing conversations around equitable and inclusive Portland housing policy, SJNA invited Cameron Herrington of Living Cully and Anti Displacement PDX to speak at Monday's general meeting. Anti Displacement PDX has drafted and submitted several proposals to Portland's Bureau of Planning and Stability (BPS) designed to ensure greater equity and opportunity with regard to the Residential Infill Project (RIP).

RIP is the first major initiative coming from the city wide 2035 Comprehensive Plan, designed to address the growing demand for greater housing.

It outlines new policies for managing density growth with respect to single-family dwelling lots. Along with several other considerations, RIP establishes parameters for the allowable number of dwellings permitted on a given lot.

In St. Johns, the initial RIP draft proposal restricts the development of more than one housing unit per lot for most of our community--properties north and west of Smith ( explore the map ).

The impact of which prevents higher density opportunities like duplexes, triplexes, and other key elements to creating affordable higher-density housing in these areas. Areas most impacted in St. Johns are also home to typically lower-income neighbors who desperately need greater access to affordable housing options. ( Learn more about the "missing middle" .)

SJNA added its support for the proposals submitted by Anti Displacement PDX and will draft and submit a letter of endorsement to BPS.
SJNA Compels PBOT for Greater Considerations on Lombard S-Curve Developments
After several planning and strategy meetings among concerned neighbors and the SJNA Land Use chair, a letter has been drafted and approved by vote of the board which requests additional considerations for the upcoming development for the S-Curve at N Lombard and N St. Johns.

PBOT plans to implement several safety improvements at the S-curve in conjunction with upcoming construction as part of the St. Johns Truck Strategy Phase II plan.

Among the considerations being submitted to PBOT include:
  • Streamline speed reductions for greater clarity and compliance
  • Explore alternative turning options and restrictions to promote consistent traffic flow
  • Considerations for street art installations the promote pedestrian safety and provide continuity as an extension of downtown St. Johns

Construction on N Lombard and St. Louis / Fessenden is set to begin Summer 2018.
Community Construction
Stay up to Date on the Coming Sewer Construction, Summer 2018
Follow Developments with the St. Johns Truck Strategy Phase II, Summer 2018
Emergency Preparedness
Community Corner
Houseless Defense Hotline

After the wake of several act arson against houseless neighbors in the St. Johns community, a hotline has been set up to provide emergency assistance for houseless neighbors at risk.

All neighbors are encouraged to be mindful and watchful of houseless community members. Establish connections and familiarities with your houseless neighbors. A close knit community is a safe and healthy community.

Neighbors are also advised to report any suspicious activity. DO NOT APPROACH ALONE. Instead, call authorities or the hotline to report any and all concerns. Donations always welcome.

IN AN HOUSELESS EMERGENCY CALL 971-251-5654

Store to Door Housebound Grocery Delivery

Store to Door is a local not-for-profit organization in Portland which provides grocery delivery services for housebound neighbors. Customers are charged a small delivery fee equal to 10% of the order cost and are limited to orders no greater than 40lbs.

Store to Door is active in St. Johns! Volunteers are also needed. For more information or to enroll, click here.

Plots Available at Piers Community Garden

Community members interested in a garden plot are encouraged to apply! Spaces are limited and going fast. Piers Community Garden is also looking for a volunteer garden manager. For more information, click he re.

Community Calendar
MARCH 15 | 6;30PM - 8:30PM | Resiliency District / NET Meeting
8010 N Charleston Ave

St. Johns NET invites all to attend their bi-monthly meeting. Meetings are hosted at Wayfinding Academy. This month's meeting is on: Search and Rescue Refresher

All are welcome to attend!
MARCH 16 | 5PM - 9:30PM | St. Johns Night Market
8641 N Lombard

A collection of Portland based vendors take over Therapy’s back room for their first ever pop up event! Sustainable furniture, handmade jewelry, vintage items, and all sorts of things. Be sure to like and follow us to find out who is participating. All proceeds from space fees will be donated to LDICP. For more information about their mission, click here.

MARCH 17 | 10AM - 12PM | St. Johns Litter Pick Up
8218 N Lombard

Join SurfRider PDX Chapter for a morning removing litter from our streets, keeping trash out of our Willamette river. Crews will meet at The Fixin To and follow a route down to the water's edge picking up trash. Don't just wear green this St. Patrick's Day weekend, do something green as well! Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, bags, and other useful items.

APRIL 5 | 5:30PM - 7:30PM | City Council Candidate Transportation Forum
1945 NW Quimby

Do YOU know where candidates for PDX City Council stand on important transportation issues, such as implementing Vision Zero, investing in East Portland, & allocating transportation funding? Join us for this informative & exciting forum and hear from the candidates themselves. A Moderated panel will be followed by open questions from attendees. Event space is open to all ages.

APRIL 12 | 2PM - 7PM | St. Johns Community Clothing Closet
8250 N Lombard

The free closet is open on the 2nd Thursday of the month for community members in need at our offices (8250 N Lombard St). Each person can select 15 items. We have a wide range of sizes and styles of clothing for infant-adult. 

APRIL 12 | 6PM - 9PM | Roosevelt High School Unity Fest
Entrance at N Central & N Ida

Roosevelt PTSA invites you to join them at their annual multi-cultural festival, renamed Unity Fest. This event is a celebration of diversity, at one of the most diverse high schools in the state of Oregon. This event is also a major fundraise for PTSA's planned Grad Night--a safe evening of entertainment for graduating seniors.

All are encourage to attend!

APRIL 14 | 7PM - 10PM | St. Johns Speakeasy SJCO Fundraiser
8325 N Central Ave

Join the St. Johns Center for Opportunity for their 2nd annual St. Johns Speakeasy fundraiser. Join for a night of dancing, live music, drinks and raffles to support and celebrate our work in the community. 20's era costumes encouraged! Hosted at the "Old Church".

Purchase your tickets  here !
Spread the word on Facebook  here !

APRIL 28 | 9AM - 3PM | SJNA Annual St. Johns Spring Clean
N Charleston & N Central

Mark your calendar for the annual St. Johns Spring Clean. Bring your bulk recyclables and refuse that otherwise won't fit into your curbside bins. We are also accepting tires, paint, and more. However, we cannot accept used household items like carpet or framing materials. A full list of accepted items will be published once confirmed.

Suggested Donation - $5 Per Car Load, Tire, & Electronic | $10 Per Truck & Trailer

SJNA is looking for volunteers to help with the event. Lunch will be provided! To sign up, email [email protected] for details.

MAY 19 | 5:30PM - 8:30PM | Celebrate North Portland - Community Heroes
University of Portland, Bauccio Commons - 5000 N Willamette

Dinner will be served, plus we'll be doing an awards ceremony to honor all of the heroes who make North Portland such a great place to live and work! Take advantage of the early bird deal on single tickets going through the end of February! 
 
To purchase tickets for the event, click here https://celebratenp2018.eventbrite.com
To nominate an individual, project, or business for an award use the nomination form. Due by April 6th.

  Important Resources 
:: Be neighborly with Nextdoor Android  | iOS
:: SJNA's  website
:: City of Portland's website
:: Important Portland phone numbers
:: PCC emergency response classes
:: NET Neighborhood Emergency Team  meetings
:: Multnomah county crisis line 503-988-4888
:: PDX Women's Crisis Line 503-235-5333
:: Report traffic concerns, call PBOT 503-823-7233
:: City of Portland Slow Down Yard Sign lender program

Please join us at our next neighborhood meeting.
April 9th, 7pm at the St. Johns Community Center.
Doors open at 6:30PM. All are welcome.

Forward to your neighbors :-)

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