The 25 mph speed limit doesn’t slow drivers in a hurry; neighbors hope speed bumps will do the trick ‚Ķ

Traffic really flies along S.E. 41st Avenue, even when volunteers are out there urging drivers to slow down.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When Joe Macca called saying there was a problem with speeders along his street, he wasn’t kidding.

So, Macca and his neighbors held a “Safety Dance” event to gain attention to the problem. When we visited them, they weren’t dressed as “Men Without Hats” devotees, but were clad in yellow as they held up signs that read “SLOW” and “25 MPH“.

Read what Powellhurst Gilbert neighbors learned about their new park – and plans being put in place to mitigate fires on Powell Butte …

Portland Parks Bureau naturalist Mark Hughes and Portland Fire and Rescue planner Chris Brian talk about the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for Powell Butte.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Not long ago, neighbors in Powellhurst-Gilbert learned a lot about plans to improve Powell Butte, add amenities to their large neighborhood, and reduce crime.

Powell Butte Plans
Portland Parks Bureau naturalist Mark Hughes and Portland Fire and Rescue planner Chris Brian talked about the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.

See how, from Wilkes in the north, to Powellhurst-Gilbert in the south, these two associations help neighbors “get the junk out” ‚Äì and raise some money, too ‚Ķ

This neighborhood cleanup, sponsored by the Wilkes Community Group, raised funds while ridding the neighborhood of refuse.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
More than just holding meetings, many neighborhood associations take action to improve the livability of their immediate area.

Last month, “Clean-Up Days” were sponsored by two outer East Portland neighborhoods.

At the Wilkes Community Group meeting in November, several issues were discussed. But when staff from the OLCC stepped up to discuss why the soon-to-be-built Red Apple Bar and Grill’s license was granted, things began to heat up. Read and learn BOTH sides of the story ‚Ķ

At the site where the Red Apple Bar and Grill will be built on NE Sandy Blvd. near 162nd Avenue, owner David L. Thompson checks the plans for the facility he says will include family dining.

This harvest festival featured a safety theme – but see why it still proved to be good fun …

Dressed in costume for the season, Erica Ferguson and Kendra Martin make friends with McGruff, and learn how to “take a bite out of crime” at the Lents Harvest Safety Festival.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While this event, on October 28, featured food and children’s activities, the theme of the festival was “Building a Safer Community in Lents”.

See why these volunteers work so hard to help keep their neighborhood clean …

John and Judy Welch, coordinators for the Lents Neighborhood Clean Up take a break from helping the metal-recycling dumpster.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
For years, Lents residents John and Judy Welch have worked to make their neighborhood a better place in which to live. So, heading the neighborhood “clean up” on October 14 wasn’t anything new to them.

See how the hard work of neighborhood volunteers leveraged the city’s investment of $20,000 to make Portland’s newest city park worth at nearly $500,000 ‚Ķ

City and county dignitaries, parks bureau officials and neighbors gather as the ribbon dedicating Hazeltine Park is cut.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The project started as a “clean-up” of a vacant lot on SE Flavel Drive at Nehalem Street. The effort ended up producing a Portland’s newest city park.

“This is a special project,” explained Jeff Milkes, SE Services Manager for Portland Parks & Recreation, “because it was built as a coordinated effort between the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) and Portland Parks and Recreation.”

See the tree-planting ceremony that signaled the opening of once-fenced land, as the former Hazelwood Water District wellfield is transformed into a lush, public park …

The Portland city commissioner in charge of the city’s Water Bureau, Randy Leonard, welcomes folks to a tree planting ceremony, at the opening of the Hazelwood Hydro Park.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not long ago, the city block-sized parcel in the Hazelwood neighborhood was secured by a dingy, foreboding chain-link fence. Warning signs commanded that neighbors stay out.

Thanks to help from the Portland Water Bureau, the East Portland Neighborhood Office is now meets in the Hazelwood Water District building …

Now, these chairs and committee leaders of east Portland neighborhoods can meet in their own space.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
For years, the low concrete block building at 1017 NE 117th Avenue was used primarily for storage by the Portland Water Bureau.

“I was looking at some of the Portland Water Bureau properties last year,” Commissioner Randy Leonard tells us, “and thought this building might make a good location for EPNO.”

1,500 hot dogs later, another great Lents Founder’s Day celebration comes to a close. See our exclusive story, told in photographs ‚Ķ

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One of the great things about Portland is all the different ways neighborhoods celebrate. The big party in Lents takes place in mid-August every year.

See for yourself what goes into making a great Lents Founder’s Day celebration:

Lents Softball Challenge

When the dust settled, at the August 19 Lents Softball Challenge, the final score was 16 points for the City Stickers vs. 20 points for the Lents Rebels (pictured here), after six innings of regulation play.

As promised, here are more photos of this great annual celebration than you’ll find anywhere else ‚Äì including a pix of Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer’s ONLY visit to outer East Portland ‚Ķ

This chalk art welcomed neighbors to a Russell Neighborhood celebration on National Night Out.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
By all measures, the National Night Out for Safety was the best-attended outer East Portland event of its kind since its inception.

Participating groups held street parties, barbecues, parties-in-the-parks, and back yard gatherings.

Cop coverage gets stretched very thin in outer East Portland:
Read crime prevention tips … and learn how to get a booklet that will reduce your chances of being a crime victim …

Crime Prevention Coordinator Rosanne Lee gives valuable tips on home and vehicle safety to Russell Neighborhood Association members, co-chaired by Bonny McKnight.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
More than likely, you – or someone you know – has been a victim of crime.