See how a softball game, parade, festival and a music concert all provide good family fun for folks in the outer East Portland neighborhood …

Celebrating their 12 year of providing lemonade at Lents Founder’s Day in Lents Park – and six decades of serving the community with quality flooring – is the Lansing Linoleum family and crew.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Platted as the Town of Lent in 1899, it was annexed into the city in 1912 – making it one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods.

Next time you visit the area, check out the history – and new renovations – along Hawthorne Boulevard …

Linda Nettekoven, vice chair, Hosford Abernathy Neighborhood Association; Jean Senechal Biggs, project manager, City of Portland; Karin Edwards, president, Hawthorne Blvd. Business Association; John Laursen, owner Press 22, and designer of the bronze plaques; and Portland Commissioner Sam Adams all take a peek at one of the monuments installed on Hawthorne Boulevard – one at the Multnomah County building, the other at SE 36th Street.

Take a look at one our favorite summertime events:
Sundae in the Sellwood Park …

International variety arts star Charlie Brown strikes a pose during his famous box juggling act during Sundae at the Park.

Liz Joffe says little Sophie Beck needs no help consuming her ice cream cone.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For many people, it would be enough that this event that provides 50-cent ice cream sundaes on a sunny, summer Sunday afternoon.

But the 27th annual “Sundae in the Park” offered even more, including world-class comedy and musical entertainers, crafts, and community service booths.

See how much fun kids had during
this “Magic of Reading” show …

Right before their eyes, magician Jay Frasier grows flowers on a bush, as part of his “Reading is Magic” show.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One of the great programs hosted at Midland Library, designed to keep kids interested in books during the summer months, was the “Magic of Reading” show.

Professional magician Jay Frasier performed simple magic tricks – in a very entertaining manner – to illustrate the benefits of reading.

Take a look at our “tour”, as we crisscrossed outer East Portland, visiting all of the National Night Out against Crime events …

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The idea behind National Night Out against Crime (NNO) is simple: When neighbors come together and socialize, they tend to look out for one another. As neighbors become less isolated and form community bonds, it makes it more difficult for criminals to succeed at their dastardly enterprises.

For most neighborhoods, NNO is their premiere networking event – from family potluck dinners to big barbecue dinners.

Saturday, August 4

See scenes from a great street parade and fair in
SE Portland, right here …

Last Regiment Drum Corps leads off the Division-Clinton Street Parade with a resounding syncopated beat.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
From the parade to the pizza-eating contests, sidewalk sales to snow-cones, this year’s Division-Clinton Street Fair and Parade provided an entire day of family fun for neighbors and visitors.

“Our event showcases commerce and community,” said Nancy Chapin, one of the event’s coordinators. “It is the biggest and best ever!”

See Portland Nursery transformed into an elegant outdoor event center – on behalf of this charitable organization …

Stuart Holgate and Teresa Holgate bidding in the Portland Impact Garden Party silent auction.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The people strolling around Portland Nursery are usually looking for yard and garden accruements. But, this garden-lover’s paradise is turned into the site of an elegant garden party, once each summer, on behalf of Portland Impact.

See how making magical picture-changing crafts keep Midway Library active during the summer months …

Naomi Carrisoza holds Xitlalli, while her son Ricardo makes a magical “op-art” picture with the help of instructor Dyann Alkire.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
When kids are out of school during the summer months, Midland Library holds programs to keep youngsters interested in reading.

One artwork, two pictures
The day we stop by the library, craft artist and instructor Dyann Alkire is helping kids make a changing-image picture.

You’ll see the fun we’ve had at a summer concerts in public parks during July‚ and discover where, and when, more concerts are coming to East Portland parks this month‚

Summer concerts in the park are a great place for a picnic dinner. Toasting the evening’s music at Mt. Tabor Park are John Halsey and Cindy Young.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Some of the best music one can enjoy during the summer months in Portland isn’t played in a nightclub‚ it’s found at the “Summer Concerts in Portland Parks” series, presented by Portland Parks & Recreation.

In August, the “Big Screen on the Green” is traveling to public parks all across Southeast Portland. Check out what is showing at a park near you.

Popcorn in hand, Jeanette and Nicole Finley get ready to watch Charlotte’s Web with their friends, Christa and Chelle Oakley.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although the days of drive-in theatres are over, there’s a new venue for families in East Portland to see major motion pictures together‚ outdoors.

See how people who stopped by NE Sandy Blvd were entertained, fed, and enlightened, at this first-ever event‚

Adding color, rhythm and movement to the International Festival are the Kanani O Ka Aina Polynesian dancers

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The newest business district located in Northeast Portland is the “Portland International District”.

Formerly the NE Central Sandy Business Association, this nonprofit serves businesses in the Roseway Neighborhood area along NE Sandy Blvd, from NE 50th Avenue east to Parkrose.

Take a look and you’ll see why this SE Portland community event thrives, and grows every year. And, you’ll see more photos of this even here than anywhere else,

Leading the Woodstock Festival Parade for the second year as Grand Marshal is Portland Mayor and Woodstock resident Tom Potter, and his wife, Karin Hansen.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The leisurely pace along this historic boulevard decidedly quickened on July 14 – the day designated for the 2007 Woodstock Festival and Parade.