Mayor Tom Potter outlined a plan to combat prostitution along the Avenue of Roses. So why did neighbors – 200 strong – take their concern about this problem to the streets? Find out right here …

Nearly 200 citizens from area neighborhoods take part in the “March to Reclaim 82nd Avenue”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Since the Portland City Counsel allowed the Prostitution-free Zone ordinance to “sunset” a year ago – on September 30, 2007 – street-level prostitution has exploded along 82nd Avenue of Roses.

If you wondered why NE Glisan Street was shut down most of Sunday morning – it ended OK, except for dozens of golfers who missed their tee-time …

Numerous Glendoveer Golf Course duffers and path hikers discovered their Sunday morning recreation would be delayed until nearly noon, as the police SERT crew coaxed a released felon out of a home directly across from the Ringside Restaurant.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A 5:30 a.m. “domestic violence” call reporting an inebriated felon, on post-prison release supervision, claiming to be armed with a pistol, was enough cause to rally the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Emergency Response Team on September 14.

If you didn’t make it to this community fair and music festival a couple of weeks ago, see what you missed, right here …

Alex Hall, a Parkrose High sophomore and “PDX Teen Idol” finalist, performs at a summertime music festival and community fair held at Mt. Scott Park.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A new event this summer was a festival featuring family activities focusing on the arts and entertainment at Mt. Scott Park.

We came to see Parkrose High School’s Alex Hall, a “PDX Teen Idol” finalist, perform as part of the day-long show a few weeks ago.

We braved downtown traffic to bring you this story.
Come on! Take a look …

SE Portland’s Patrick Horsley says he hasn’t been to an art fair in 25 years, but is happy to be at twelfth annual Art In The Pearl, the Pearl District’s annual Labor Day weekend arts festival.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although SE Portland potter Patrick Horsley hasn’t exhibited his works at a public show for 25 years, he put some of them on display at the twelfth annual “Art in the Pearl”, the Pearl District’s annual Labor Day weekend arts festival.

Take a look at the photos – if you know this jerk and
anonymously turn him in – you’ll net a cool $1,000 …

Do you know this guy? Help put him behind bars.

By David F. Ashton
We’ve kicked back a few with friends at the Ace Tavern, a friendly neighborhood bar at 8868 Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

But on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 1:58 a.m. a “last-call customer” decided to use the Ace’s cash register as his personal ATM.

“The suspect, armed with a knife, entered the tavern through the rear entrance and immediately went into the bathroom,” police spokesperson, Catherine Kent told us.

A year after Portland City Council stripped cops of their street prostitution-fighting ordinance; street sex has exploded along 82nd Avenue. See how the City now plans to combat this unsavory problem and (below) how neighborhood organizations are responding …

Standing in the background, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs, Roseway Neighborhood board member Tyler Whitmeyer, Madison South neighborhood’s Geneva McArtor, Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer, Portland Police Bureau SE Precinct Lt. Vince Elmore and Madison South neighborhood chair Ruth Hander listen as Portland Mayor Tom Potter reads a statement detailing plans to curtail street-level prostitution.

Find out why national honors were awarded to this
outer East Portland kindergarten teacher …

Carolyn Snowbarger, the director of the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative, US Department of Education shares a light moment before the awards ceremony with Barbara Rommel, Superintendent of the David Douglas Schools.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Lincoln Park Elementary School’s kindergarten teacher Tess Miller didn’t know why the school’s staff and 550 students were called to a special assembly on September 10 at 2:00 p.m.

But, by 2:10 p.m., Miller discovered that she’d been chosen Oregon’s 2008 “No Child Left Behind American Star of Teaching” award winner.

See why many folks came for the party –
and stayed to see the game …

He’s the “Parkrose Can Man” – he runs returnable container drives that support Parkrose school activities the first Saturday morning of each month at Parkrose Middle School. It’s Dave Luce, who prepares to enjoy the buffet dinner served at the Tailgate Party.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
School spirit was running high on September 5 at Parkrose High School, before the Parkrose Bronco’s football team took on their first opponents of the year.

You haven’t missed them all! Look here and discover
the great line-up of acts you’ll see on Sunday …

Henry Weeks and Moggy Vanderkin play and sing Americana style music at the first Lents Music in the Park concert on September 7.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Carrying a folk-music theme, this Lents Music in the Park series is pleasing folks with top musicians.

This concert series runs through September. This year, it’s produced in cooperation with the Portland FolkMusic Society.

See why Mayor Tom Potter visited Parkrose’s Sacramento Elementary School on the first day of school; we’ll even tell you what was on the menu …

Seated with members of Mrs. Steinfeld’s 3rd Grade Class at Sacramento Elementary School, Portland Mayor Tom Potter hears why his tablemates are excited about returning to school.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As the school bells rang the day after Labor Day, kids all across East Portland headed back to school.

The smoke from the fires could be seen across the greater Portland area. See why the firefighters intentionally torched 34 acres of natural area …

Using special fire-starting gadget called a drip-torch, Portland Fire & Rescue’s brush-fire specialists light fires that burn off weeds on Powell Butte.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although firefighters train throughout their careers to proficiently extinguish fires, crews from the Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Urban/Wildland Interface team proved equally adept at igniting a firestorm on Powell Butte on Thursday, September 4.

So, exactly what activities drew 250 neighbors to
this late-summer event? Take a look …

Event Coordinator Delores Wood lines up the parade at the Powellhurst/Gilbert Neighborhood Fair at Raymond Park.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Visiting neighborhood-sponsored activities is one of our summertime joys – and the Powellhurst/Gilbert Neighborhood Fair on August 16 was no exception.

More than a dozen organizations – ranging from Leach Botanical Gardens, to the Midway Business Association, to city and county agencies – provided information and goodies in tents set up in Raymond Park – on SE 118th Avenue, between SE Holgate Boulevard and SE Harold Street.