Local business spotlight: Find out why a woman with a degree
in criminal justice finds happiness purveying flowers and gifts …

Anita Tabayoyon, owner of A.R. MOSS Floral Design and Event Embellishments prepares another “gift of joy” at her Parkrose-area shop.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even though Anita Sauer was finishing up her Bachelor’s degree in social sciences at the Vancouver campus of Washington State University, she really wasn’t so sure that she wanted to pursue a career in Criminal Justice.

See what took place at this outer East Portland location during Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s annually “watershed-wide” event …

Property owners Shannon Raybold (holding Brennan) and her husband Travis (holding Freya) say they’re happy to have help restoring the floodplain along Johnson Creek at their home off SE 120th Avenue.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It’s pleasant to own a home in outer East Portland that runs up against Johnson Creek. But, Pleasant Valley Neighborhood homeowners Shannon and Travis Raybold found restoring the creek-side floodplain at the back of their property has been quite a challenge.

Exactly why were all of these kids out walking and running in the rain? Take a look and you’ll find why they put their backs (and legs) into this special program …

David Douglas High School senior David Dwyer, who’s in the Industrial and Engineering Systems program, sets a brisk pace as he circles Palermini Field’s track.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Even though blowing wind and rain didn’t really provide weather suitable for an outdoor event, more than 60 students involved in the David Douglas High School Industrial and Engineering Systems (IES) program still walked, jogged, and ran, on Saturday, March 14.

Although digging holes to plant trees seems like hard work, check out the smiles on these volunteers’ faces as they plant LOTS of trees, in these exclusive photos …

Thanks to the work of many willing hands, the Hazelwood HydroPark – located on NE 117th Avenue between NE Glisan and Halsey Streets – now sports dozens of new trees.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thanks to the efforts of a group of volunteers who labored most of the day on March 7, the Hazelwood Hydropark will someday enjoy the shade of tall native trees planted around its perimeter.

Find out why an alleged dope-peddler called ‘Lucky Luciano’ might want to start thinking of a new nickname – AND, what YOU can do to help keep drug dealers off the streets …

This sure ain’t baking soda! Here’s what of half pound if cocaine looks like. MCSO photo

Story by David F. Ashton
Based on the number of arrests we’ve seen lately, it looks like the flood of cocaine and heroin sneaking into Portland from Mexico isn’t slowing down.

Discover why a delightful aroma of wholesome, delicious food was wafting up from the farmhouse, at this unique outer East Portland institution …

Cook and instructor Katherine Deumling demonstrates how to chop vegetables – instead of fingers! – during her first class series at Zenger Farm.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not content with simply being one of the few urban farms anywhere, and Portland’s only farm-based youth food education center, Zenger Farm has now branched out into offering classes for adults.

Find out why more than one citizen fell prey to the silver-tongued promises of a man police say swindled at least 11 victims with two different scams, in this exclusive interview. What can you learn from this? Read this article now …

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Officer Barbara Glass reviews some of the evidence she and her partner assembled, while tracking the activity of what they characterize as “a rather prolific ‘confidence man’”.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
As a cop who investigates identity theft and scams at the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct command center, Officer Barbara Glass has seen more than her share of swindles, scams, and rip-offs perpetrated by Eastside crooks.

See why this event grows in size and excitement every year – how you can be a part of it – and why you should mark your calendar NOW …

Getting ready for the 2009 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade are committee members (back row, left to right): Lt. Tom McGranahan, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct; Richard Kiley, Home Run Graphics; Paul Ellison, Bank of the West; Johnni Jones, volunteer coordinator; Gail Kiley, Brentwood Darlington Neighborhood Association; and Kevin Williams, Portland Bureau of transportation; (front row) Julie Wolleck, Portland Community College SE Center; Ken Turner, 82nd Ave of Roses Business Association; Arlene Kimura, Chair, Hazelwood Neighborhood Association; Kathryn Notson, South Tabor Neighborhood Association; Eilene Curtiss, Portland Rose Society; and Judy Welch, Lents Neighborhood Association.

Daylight Savings Time is here again – see why your firefighters say “Change your clocks; check your fire alarm” on March 8 …

While at a training exercise (not a working fire), Portland Fire & Rescue spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt here reminds us to check the battery in – or replace – smoke alarms in homes and businesses.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It doesn’t take much for a small fire to become a killing blaze. Even though Portland has the best firefighters in the nation, in our opinion, they say citizens should take steps to protect themselves and their families by making sure their home has working fire or smoke alarm systems.

Find out why – and see what event the Gateway Area
Business Association plans for later this summer …

Members of the Gateway Area Business Association dine at their new location, Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes, on a meal prepared by Cherrywood Loaves & Fishes.

Story by Watford Reed and David F. Ashton, photos by David F. Ashton
One “first” after another, for the Gateway Area Business Association – when it held its first meeting at a new site on February 12 – Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes (OBRH), in the Gateway area.

What does the plan to collapse Portland’s five police
districts down to three mean to neighbors in East Portland?
Read on …

Regardless of where officers are headquartered, Chief Rosie Sizer insists, most officers will still patrol the districts they know.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As the City of Portland struggles to balance its budget by requiring all Bureaus to make cuts of up to 5%, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) hasn’t been spared from the need for cost-cutting.

Plan now to see the comedic play upon which the
musical Hello, Dolly! was based …

As the stage crew finishes the set, David Douglas High theater instructor – and the play’s director – Michael Givler gives direction to student actors Sam De Roest, Marissa Hanson, Kathryn Martin, John Ellis, Corey Cedarleaf, Quinci Daoust (and below) Carson Cook and Josh McKinley.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton|
During our visit, both onstage and behind the scenes at the David Douglas Horner Performing Arts Center stage, theater manager Mark Taylor and 20 class students were busy putting the finishing touches the set of DDHS Theater Department’s upcoming production of Thornton Wilder’s classic comedy The Matchmaker.