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
If you didn’t get to the dinner at New Copper Penny,
you’ll see right here how businesses and neighbors
came together that night to support great events
YOU can enjoy for FREE, starting on August 19 …
The neighbors and friends who came to the New Copper Penny’s Pantheon Hall to support Lents’ “Concerts in the Park” were treated to a three-course dinner, in exchange for their contribution to the cause.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The only “Summer Concerts in the Park” concert series east of S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses, staged in the Lents Park gazebo, has become an August tradition. The first performance is traditionally held on Lents Founder’s Day.
It’s hard to believe that everyone walked away from this accident caused by a driver who witnesses say ran a red light …
This accident closed down the intersection of SE 52nd Ave. and Woodstock Blvd. for hours.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
From his home, two blocks away from the intersection of SE 52nd Ave. and Woodstock Blvd., Neil Paulson says he heard “a crash that sounded like something big running through a metal building.”
Paulson is one of many bystanders who tried to make sense of the scene that included four badly-smashed vehicles at this major intersection on Thursday, August 9.
Homicide Detectives are continuing their search for 20-year-old Raymundo Marquez-Vela in connection with the August 12th stabbing death of 47-year-old Merle Graham. Detectives have information to believe the suspect is still in the Portland Area, and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.
Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357) or 9-1-1, if you know where police can find Raymundo Marquez-Vela.
Shortly before he died, the victim and other area residents heard the sounds of a domestic disturbance in the area. The victim walked over towards the argument to provide assistance and became involved in an altercation with the suspect. During the altercation, the victim was stabbed to death.
In our continuing coverage of Portland’s skyrocketing rate of car thefts, see how taking just one car-stealing criminal off the streets can make the whole community safer …
Portland Police SE Precinct Officer Terry Colbert stands before a table, laden with goods allegedly stolen from cars in S.E. Portland.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thanks to sharp-eyed cops, one less car thief is on the street. In this case, this means your car is now much less likely to be stolen.
What’s a good way to raise money for neighborhood activities? Take a look, and see how this first-time event worked out …
Volunteers from the Brentwood Darlington Neighborhood Association gather after their successful “Neighborhood Garage Sale”.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Looking for ways to raise money for their neighborhood projects, including maintaining the newly-installed Hazeltine Park, volunteers of an East Portland neighborhood decided to hold a “Neighborhood Garage Sale” on July 28.
“I suggested we have this event,” said Jill Robbins, a board member with Brentwood Darlington Neighborhood Association. “Several volunteers pulled together as at team and put it together here at Hazeltine Park.”
Although the neighborhood sits astride two cities and counties, see why Ardenwald neighbors come together for and share food, music and camaraderie …
Past neighborhood chair Cheryl Ausmann-Moreno cuts and serves cake.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The earliest of the National Night Out against Crime events in Portland, Milwaukie, and Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, was in one single neighborhood embracing all of those jurisdictions: Ardenwald-Johnson Creek.
As she served up big slices of chocolate and spice cakes, elegantly decorated with the neighborhood association’s logo, immediate past chair Cheryl Ausmann-Moreno reminded us that while the park in which we were standing was in Milwaukie, the houses across the fence were in Portland.
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.
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 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!”
We held this story until we could find out what caused this unusual crash. Do you believe the driver’s explanation?
Is it possible at an SUV with a stalled engine – driving at the speed limit on NE Glisan Street – could snip this heavy utility pole like it was a twig, and continue on into the school?
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Witnesses say a westbound Jeep Cherokee, on NE Glisan Street, veered across eastbound lanes of traffic and struck a utility pole with such force that it sheared off the pole at its base.
Who’d leave their vehicle running in the parking lot while they grab some coffee? Far too many average folks, cops say. Learn what they’re doing about this growing problem …
Sgt. John Scruggs gives a stack of anti-car-theft flyers to Aaron Linn at the Dominos Pizza shop on the 3600 block of NE 82 Avenue of Roses.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
So many drivers in outer East Portland leave their vehicles empty – and running – that crooks have a coined a name for these ready-to-steal cars.
