You see listings for the Ladybug Theater every month in our Community Calendar. See some of the treasures sold in this most unusual yard sale …

Buying pieces of Portland theatrical history, Ladybug Theater garage sale patrons Stacey and Jon Maurer, from the Richmond neighborhood, hold “Uncle Sam” and “Tom Thumb”. Troupe founder, Michele Earley, is also selling them “The Bald Guy” – and Janell Collier, a Ladybug actress for 26 years, holds the show signs.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
In an effort to clean out the Ladybug Theater warehouse, founder and impresario Michele Earley held a “garage sale” to make room for new theatrical materials in late September.

How many hippies can you crowd into Sellwood Riverfront Park? Take a look; you’ll see what happened at this year’s location of this annual cannabis fest …

Portland Police Officer Abrahamson looks at photographs of growing cannabis, while he talks with medicinal marihuana grower Chris Charboneau.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Neighbors agree on this: Sellwood Riverside Park became a more colorful place in September, as patrons flooded in to visit this year’s “Hempstalk” festival.

It doesn’t come as a surprise to many that Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams is running for mayor. But you might be interested to see who introduced him at his kick off party …

Standing in the crowd, Sam Adams listens as Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard and County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey introduce him.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One of the most poorly-kept secrets in Portland politics was revealed on October 3, when Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams announced that he is running for the office of Mayor.

It looks like something you’d see in a National Geographic magazine! Take a look at the opening-day ceremonies …

In the center of the neatly-manicured grounds stands the temple, soon to be dedicated and put into use.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although it covers a couple of acres, the newly completed Buddhist temple compound which officially opened in Southeast Portland at 8318 SE Harney Street isn’t easy to see from SE 82nd Avenue of Roses.

But, seeing so many vehicles parked on area streets for blocks around signaled that a major event was taking place here, just inside the southern border of the City of Portland.

It’s no bull!
See why these kids were so happy to hear the “Story of Ferdinand” at this special library Story Time …

These kids and parents joined in the “Read for the Record” campaign at Midland Library and got to take home a new copy of the book, “The Story of Ferdinand”, after reading it with youth librarian Sue Ciesielski (back row, left side).

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Just two weeks ago, Midland Library’s Story Time was a very special occasion – even if some of the participants were too young to know why.

Look how five years of volunteer effort turned an
llegal dumpsite into a natural “pocket park” …

Working Wilkes Creek natural area is Cameron Packaham, an Eagle Scout from Troop 613, along with his dad, Kevin Kackham, and brother Kohler.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When it started out, the lot at 3655 NE 154th Avenue, just south of NE Sandy Boulevard, was an illegal dump.

“The lot was covered with a giant blackberry thicket,” the neighborhood chair of Wilkes Community Group, Ross Monn, told us at the site, “And was full of all kinds of refuse.”

Learn how this organization is working to help promote business – and public safety – in their area. And discover some of the tips that Kevin “Not your ordinary bean-counter” Minkoff CPA shared with the group …

Helping promote the idea of doing businesses, members of the Midland Business Association have printed and are distributing these promotional window clings to area stores.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Working to stimulate business in the southern area of outer East Portland, members of the Midland Business Association have started a “buy local” branding campaign in their area.

Is it safe to cross? Although the bridge is rated a “2″ on a federal sufficiency scale of “100″ it could be years until it is replaced. We’ve got the scoop (and some neat photos) right here …

Under and around the girders, inspectors take a close look at the substructure of the Sellwood Bridge.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As you read in our article featuring Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler’s remarks last week – the Sellwood Bridge is one of his four top priorities.

At a rally last week, orchestrated as well as any we’ve seen, Oregon State Representative Jeff Merkley kicked off his campaign to replace US Senator Gordon Smith. Look who showed up to cheer him on …

Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams revs up crowd with the chant, “Who are we here for? Jeff!”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
This article is not an endorsement – we don’t endorse candidates.

But the fact that outer East Portland resident – and David Douglas Schools graduate – Jeff Merkley is running for the US Senate seat held by Republican Gordon Smith is genuine news.

Find out why the CEO of Adventist Medical Center – and his top managers – took a day “off work” to do manual labor …

Adventist Medical Center’s Pam Strachan, of the Pastoral Care Department, Deryl Jones, hospital president, and Ray Ammon, also from Pastoral Care, help “build community” by swinging hammers at Jubilee Commons, the Mt. Hood Habitat for Humanity development at 635 S.E. 197th Avenue on September 18.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Helping to create Jubilee Commons, Mt. Hood Habitat for Humanity’s biggest project to date, the leadership team from Adventist Medical Center (AMC) stepped away from their desks, put on jeans and work boots, and grabbed builders’ tools last week.

Is the Rossi family working with developers? Will the farm be turned into a shopping center or low-income housing? Will Rossi Farms continue to host community events? Find out the truth right here …

Joe Rossi, enjoying a fresh, crisp apple at Rossi Farms “Movie Night” in September, says his family plans to continue hosting community events on their property.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A week after the Barn Bash in July, the daily Portland paper ran a story about the Rossi family and the demise of family farms in the area.

As school gets underway, see another way companies are helping Southeast Portland students get off to a better start this year …

Fifth-graders Jade Ramsey and Sierra Parsons are getting their backpacks from Susan McElroy, Principal of Grout Elementary School, and Kip Larson, representing his employer, Concero, as well as the Brooklyn Action Corps, of which he is Secretary.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not all Southeast Portland students come from well-to-do families; 67 percent of kids enrolled at Grout Elementary School on Holgate Boulevard qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.