Just how old was the document from which Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish read, supporting his decision to deny industrial development? You might be surprised to learn …

Golfers at this year’s East Portland Chamber of Commerce tee off at the northern edge of Colwood National Golf Course, located next to Portland International Airport.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
At a regular session of the Portland City Council a couple of weeks ago, the commissioners decided – once and for all – whether the Cully Neighborhood’s only green space, Colwood National Golf Course, would be bulldozed for industrial development.

To the chagrin of neighbors near the airport, owners of the 138-acre property located between NE Columbia Blvd. and Portland International Airport had hoped to sell the land to a developer who wanted to build an industrial park.

Because a hearings officer rejected the plan, Haertl Development Company, the applicant, and Colwood Partnership, the property owner, sought to appeal the decision, and took their case to the City Council.

The Portland City Council met at City Hall to decide the fate of Colwood National Golf Course.

Commissioner Fish quotes report
When the vote was called, Commissioner Nick Fish said he’d like to reread information he’d voiced during the earlier hearing on the topic.

“I want to read briefly from the following report,” Fish began.

“And I quote: ‘The remaining great landscape feature of the City is that of the Columbia Slough which borders the eastern part of the city on the north. The region is low and distant from the city and seems to be at present comparatively valueless for any other than farming purposes. It is therefore to be hoped that a much larger park, of the meadow type, than can elsewhere be afforded, will gradually be acquired here by the city.'”

He continued quoting the report, “No other form of park has been proved so attractive and so useful to the masses of the people as a meadow park, particularly where there could be associated with it long stretches of still water as a landscape attraction and for boating purposes.”

Commissioner Fish tells the City Council that honoring Olmsted’s vision is a “historic opportunity”.

Says century-old report stands up
After reading several more passages, Fish concluded by saying, “I’m quoting from the 1903 Olmsted report which addressed the question of the possible use of the land adjacent to the Columbia Slough. We have a historic opportunity through this vote to honor the vision of Olmsted, over 100 years ago, to maintain the current designation of open land – and, in my judgment, to correctly apply the law to the facts before us.  Aye.”

Mayor Potter abstained from voting because he’d missed earlier meetings on the subject – and so the rejection of the industrial plan was upheld at the City Council session on October 22. As a result of the decision, Colwood National Golf Course will remain as it is.

For now, the property will remain a duffer’s delight.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Across Portland, this special cultural event helps art lovers ‘pull back the curtain’ to see how artisans create their magic. See what we discovered, visiting five SE Portland studios …

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Spending an afternoon at a museum or art gallery admiring the work of artists who have passed on years, even decades, ago may appeal to some. But thousands of Portlanders annually spend one or more weekend days on a self-directed tour of 98 artists’ studios, during Portland Open Studios.

We didn’t have to travel far to meet five fascinating artists, all located in SE Portland, who opened their studios to the inquisitive, as part of the tour a couple weeks ago.

Brooklyn’s Madeline Meza Janovec says jewelry-making is just one of her creative talents.

Madeline Meza Janovec
4504 SE Milwaukie Avenue
www.mmjanovec.com

Janovec is well-known in the art community – she’s ensconced in the yellow building on the corner of SE Holgate Boulevard and SE Milwaukie Avenue, in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

“I first moved to Brooklyn in 1966,” Janovec says, taking a break while working at her jewelry workbench. “I’ve lived in three different buildings in this neighborhood over those decades.

“I do jewelry, prints and paintings,” she explains. “I’m not just the jeweler; I’ve always been involved in all three forms of art for my entire career.”

Janovec says she uses recycled metal objects and stones (not gems) to create her elegant jewelry. “Many of my materials have had a ‘former life’, and suggest to me what they’d like to become.” The idea, she added, is to transform them into jewelry, yet allow them to keep their character.

What she likes about being on the Open Studio tour, Janovec says, is letting people see how her art is created. “I enjoy sharing my creative process. There is ‘magic’ involved in making art; we create ‘something’ from a ‘nothing’.”

Sellwood’s Marcy Baker both practices and teaches her artistic techniques.

Marcy Baker
1500 block of SE Rex Street
www.MarcyBaker.com

“I live and work here in Sellwood as a painter and a printmaker,” Baker told us when we visited her home studio. “I work in acrylic paints.”

The professional artist of 20 years said her move from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Portland, about seven years ago, has influenced her art. “I just feel so hydrated here; I love the moisture and all the trees. Moving here brought more botanical imagery into my art.”

She also showed us a large hand-operated device. “It’s a monotype press used in the printmaking process that applies oil-based etching inks on paper. I combine printmaking with the painting processes and many of the elements of collage.”

In addition to being a professional artist, Baker said she teaches monotype and collage at Multnomah Art Center in Multnomah Village.

Baker says the Open Studios tour is “a wonderful way for people to feel that they’re welcomed into the artist studio to connect with the artist and her process. And, it’s a great way for artists to connect with people who love art work.”

Sculptor Samuel. H. Soto is laminating wood he’ll carve into a work of art in his “ground level” loft. He’s also known as painter Thomas Soule. Confused? Read this!

Thomas Soule & Samuel H. Soto
632 SE Haig Street
(503) 341-8571

After watching the two-story, rectangular building being constructed just off SE McLaughlin Boulevard a few years ago, we’ve always wondered about the use of the structure. That is, until the Open Studio tour indicated this building contained the studios of artists Thomas Soule & Samuel H. Soto.

“We built it as a place to live and work,” Soule explained. “I lived in a loft, but I couldn’t continue living there because I made too much noise. So I decided to build a ‘loft on the ground’ – so here it is. It’s a two-story building similar to a loft.”

When we naively asked about his counterpart, Samuel H. Soto, Soule smiled and said, “I do both sculpture and painting. Thomas is the painter, Samuel is the sculptor. The name is an anagram; the names represent my two different ways of working.”

The painter, Thomas Soule, talks with visitors to his ground-level loft and gallery.

When painting, Soule explained, he begins with a blank rectangle. “In a way, it determines how the painting turns out. Sculpture is a whole different activity. There’s no predetermined sort of location; space is handled in a totally different way.”

Showing us first his acrylics, then his sculptures, he added, “For most artists to create in both media, their work looks similar. In my case, the two different kinds of activities produce different styles of art.”

The artist, who said he’s also been a teacher and worked in computer graphics, said he likes the Open Studio concept because, “When people come here, they’re here to enjoy art – not just drink wine and eat cheese. I get an interesting variety of people who come to visit.”

Clinton Street’s Annie Meyer uses a monotype press to transfer the image to paper.

Annie Meyer
2507 SE Clinton St.
www.anniemeyerartwork.com

Although it’s been a couple of years since we last visited Annie Meyer’s studio and gallery, she welcomed us like an old friend.

While she considers her art the work of a painter, Meyer said she works in three media: Monotypes, paintings, and ceramic tiles.

“I’ve drawn the [human] figure since high school, and I’ve been doing landscapes since about 1995,” Meyer explained as she prepared to make a monotype. “I just love what I’m doing, and can’t imagine doing anything else. To have a life where one is making a living doing what they love is the very best thing one can do.”

Meyer shows how she first creates her painting on a block of acrylic, before she makes the print in her press.

Meyer explained that her monotypes are one-time prints. Using her fingers, as we watched, she created an image on a piece of Plexiglas using a special kind of paint. She then placed the Plexiglas face up on the bed of a press and carefully positioned paper over it, and used the press roller to transfer the image to the paper. The result was an original print.

“I really enjoy the Open Studio tour – I get to show visitors my art process, just like I showed it to you,” Meyer said.

If you’ve visited a high-end poster shop, you’ve certainly seen Allan Stephenson’s work on sale; but he says he loves talking with art lovers who visit his home-based studio.

Allan Stephenson
3800 block of SE Clinton St.
www.allanstephenson.com

When we walked into his basement studio, we listened as Stephenson told a visitor how the idea for a painting, a print of which the guest had purchased, had come to him. He graciously signed the print for the guest.

“I’m a landscape painter, and I work in oils and acrylic and pastel – all three media,” Stephenson told us. “Most of my work is used by designers, consultants and publishers. A lot of my work becomes published as posters.”

Asked how art became his vocation, Stephenson said, “There was never any other option for me. I drew from when I was a kid onward. When you realize what your strengths and weaknesses are, you go for your strengths.”

That strength, for him, was being able to easily draw and sketch scenes that are recognizable. “Since day one, I’ve been an artist. I’m not saying I haven’t worked the odd job here and there when I was younger, but I’ve managed to be professional artist all my life.”

The best thing about his profession, opined Stephenson, is having control over one’s time. “There are two things in life: Time and money. You can usually only get one or the other. The downside of being an artist is sometimes one doesn’t have the money, but what one does have is the time to organize one’s life as we so choose.”

Stephenson said he was also enthusiastic about the Open Studio tour. “A lot of people are intimidated going to galleries. They feel silly asking questions in a gallery like ‘What’s the difference between an oil and acrylic?’

“Whether my visitor is one who enjoys art – or is a student – people feel comfortable asking questions and exploring the process of art at my home.

“Here, they get to learn the stories behind my art.”

And once again next year, on the Open Studios tour, you’ll have the chance to do the same.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland Nooz

It looked as if this driver tried to pass a stopped bus – by bouncing up on the sidewalk to pass on the right. Officials say, he apparently hit the gas instead of the brake. See why it was fortunate no one was killed …

Witnesses say they can’t figure out why the driver gunned his engine – and tried to pass the stopped TriMet bus – on the right!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There weren’t any serious injuries in a bizarre wreck that took out a utility pole in the 6400 block of SE Holgate Boulevard on November 3. But, the accident totaled one car and damaged a truck.

Once on-scene, we learned that an eastbound TriMet bus stopped to take on passengers just after 10:30 a.m. Witness Bill Farr told us, “I was stopped behind the bus. The driver of a red car in front of me was impatient, he pulled out and passed the bus. Then, this other car drove off the street, right beside the pickup, and took out the pole.”

Was this driver trying to pass on the right – using the sidewalk? That’s what it certainly looked like, to witnesses.

Roof rack saves passenger
“We were stopped behind the bus,” said eyewitness Ilia Morozov. “In my mirror, I saw a car driving quickly up. Before he hit our truck, went like he was going to pass our truck and the bus on the right side. But there is no lane – just curb, and grass, and sidewalk. He ran right into the pole.”

Morozov said when the utility pole toppled; it landed on his truck “My dad ducked down, like the pole would crush us. But the roof rack on our truck saved us.”

Although the accident looks serious, no one was injured, police say.

Driver confuses car’s controls
The official word on the wreck came from Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Brian Schmautz. “The collision occurred when 81-year-old Norbert Paul Kent inadvertently applied the accelerator instead of the brake as he approached some vehicles stopped for a TriMet bus.”

To avoid the stopped vehicles, Schmautz added, Kent drove up onto the sidewalk. He missed the first car but sideswiped the second and then hit a pole on the sidewalk.

“Kent was cited for Careless Driving. No one was injured in the collision.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See the fun we found at several Halloween celebrations this year …

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Lots of treats, and few tricks, highlighted the [three] Halloween events we attended this season.

Westmoreland Union Manor hosts party
As they have in years past, the Westmoreland Union Manor welcomed trick-or-treaters to their facility with a long table, laden with candy.

Peggy Lewis, Joy Irons, and Mary Lou Combs welcome guests to Westmoreland Union Manor on Halloween evening.

Inside the Manor, master magician Bob Eaton entertains a crowd that included many kids – such as butterfly Ariel, and good witch Tara.

“Inside our great room, the Manor’s entertainment committee also put on a party, featuring master magician Bob Eaton,” reported the event’s organizer, Mary Ann Muldoon. “It’s our way of welcoming in our neighborhood community, and providing camaraderie for our residents.”

Woodstock Community Center’s spooky soirée
This second annual event was a combined effort of the Woodstock Community Business Association and Woodstock Neighborhood Association.

“We started off with a story-time at Woodstock Library,” explained the event’s organizer, Gina Ballard. “Then, kids trick-or-treated their way west along ‘Candy Corn Lane’ (a/k/a Woodstock Boulevard), here to the Woodstock Community Center.”

Here, welcoming visitors to the second annual Halloween event at the Woodstock Community Center, is event organizer Gina Ballard.

The Krill family – Robin, little Amalea Krill and Jim – work on Halloween crafts at the Woodstock Community Center.

Upstairs was a room dedicated to making seasonal arts and crafts. Downstairs, volunteers made sure even the littlest kids won candy prizes while playing the offered games. The Center’s kitchen counters were laden with healthy treat – like sliced apples, crackers, and cheese.

And she wasn’t alone in this year’s effort, Ballard pointed out. “Twenty-five volunteers pitched in to make this event fun and safe for everyone. I think it’s great that many of our helpers are young people, including Read College students. It’s really wonderful to live in a neighborhood that cares about community.”

This little Woodstock bee, Ryan Dash, tries the ring toss game, with the help of volunteer Josh “Bobo” Hobson.

Decorations at the Woodstock Community Center let families know that they were in for a fun, not-so-spooky time.

By the end of the evening, the Community Center had welcomed about 375 people to the community event; about 200 of them were children.

The LifeHouse Church was another major sponsor,” Ballard said. “And, we really appreciate our business sponsors: UPS Store, Otto’s, Laughing Planet, First Cup, Papaccino’s, and Hair Styles Unlimited.”

Lents Harvest Festival provides food, music and fun
On the lookout for more fun, we made our way out to the Harvest Festival put on by the Lents Lutheran Community, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church on SE 92nd Avenue, north of SE Holgate Boulevard.

“Welcome to our wonderful sixth annual Harvest Festival,” was how we were greeted by one of the event’s organizers, Jean Ferguson.

The Muller family and friends come to party at the Harvest Festival.

One of the Lents event’s organizers, Jean Ferguson, serves up a hearty meal of spaghetti and meatballs.

Kids were playing games; “Laughing Moose” – the event’s musical professor – was playing and singing tunes; and everyone was enjoying a hearty Italian dinner.

Couples, families and groups drifted in and out of the celebration throughout the evening, Ferguson said. “The idea is to provide a very safe and enjoyable place for the community to gather.”

“Professor of Music” Laughing Moose (also known as Bruce Kjeldsen) jams with his little buddy, Aspen Bouma at the Lents celebration.

Caleb and Eliana Eby enjoy the Lents Harvest Festival.

Judging from the warm, friendly atmosphere that prevailed there, they succeeded.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why firefighters were delayed in helping this tree-trimmer down, after the tree in which he was working became electrified …

An arborist waits until a PGE crew arrives to untangle a rain-soaked branch from the tree in which he was working from a high-voltage power line.

Story by David F. Ashton; PF&R/Dick Harris photos
A project that started as a simple tree-trimming job turned into a harrowing rescue on November 6 in the Hazelwood Neighborhood.

“The call came in from the homeowner at 9:52 a.m.,” reported Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt. “Firefighters from PF&R Truck 7 responded to the 500 block of SE 130th Avenue on the report of a man that had been electrocuted – and that the man was still hanging in a tree.”

Hangs in electrified tree on fire
Oswalt said a branch of the tree in which the arborist was working was wet with rain, and had fallen into the power line. “When the crew arrived, the branch was arcing, sparking, and starting to catch fire.”

The treed man appeared to be a professional arborist, reported PF&R’s Lt. Jeff Klug. “He told us if he touched anything got a severe shock. We kept talking with him to keep him calm, and let him know our plan of action.”

Klug noted that the arborist’s boots were insulating him from the tree, and that he was not getting a jolt of electricity as long as he didn’t touch anything. He added that this arborist’s proper use of safety gear kept him from taking a nasty tumble from this electrified tree.

Apparently the whole tree was energized with electricity, and an immediate rescue attempt would have exposed firefighters to electrocution, explained Klug. Although the arborist was cold and tired, and hanging in midair in the rain, he had to wait for a crew from Portland General Electric (PGE) to de-energize the power lines – or come up with another solution.

Instead of shutting down the entire power grid, a PGE worker uses an insulated pole to dislodge the branch from the live power lines.

PGE to the rescue
“Within minutes, PGE workers were on-scene,” Oswalt told us. “Working from a boom rig on a truck, and using an insulated pole, the PGE lineman was able to pull the fallen tree limb free of the power line. This broke the circuit that was allowing electricity to run through the entire tree.”

Once the power was shut off the arborist was able to climb down, and was checked by paramedics. He had no injuries from the harrowing incident, and he refused transport to the hospital.

“Several things worked together that helped this event have a good conclusion,” summarized Oswalt. “The arborist had good safety equipment and used it, the neighbor called 9-1-1 promptly – and PGE arrived quickly.”

PF&R’s Lt. Jeff Klug checks with the arborist after he climbed down tree to determine if the man has been injured. It seemed the tree-worker was more embarrassed than anything.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Although she’ll represent all of Portland – find out why so many East Portland folks threw their support behind Portland’s newest City Commissioner …

Moments before the election results were posted, Amanda Fritz watches the coverage – with a couple hundred close friends and supporters – to see how her second attempt at gaining a seat on the Portland City Council would resolve.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Portland City Commissioner-elect Amanda Fritz became an “instant success” this week – after 17 years in the making – as she won Seat #1 on the Council this year by a wide margin over her opponent, Charles Lewis.

A 17-year journey
Just before the first results were posted, Fritz stepped in front of about 200 friends and supporters – including Mayor Tom Potter, and Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish – and talked briefly about her latest campaign.

“This journey started for me 13 months ago,” Fritz began.

“Actually, I started this journey 17 years ago when a neighbor left a flyer in my mailbox saying trees were about to be chopped down and I needed to come to the neighborhood Association meeting.

“At the time, I had children – ages five, three, and one – I like to describe it as being ‘knee deep in babies’.  I went to that neighborhood Association meeting; I’ve been going to them ever since.”

Fritz concluded saying, “If you ever wonder about being a neighborhood activist – whether or not you can make a real difference in your neighborhood and city – the answer is yes. Yes, you really do.”

Outer East Portland neighborhood leaders – and Fritz supporters – Arlene Kimura, Alesia Reese, and Linda Robinson, say they’re cheered by the election of Amanda Fritz.

Outer East Portland volunteers recognized
One of the many supporters Fritz went on to recognize was Linda Robinson, current Chair of the Citywide Parks Team. When asked if she would help in the campaign, Robertson outlined four different ways that she could help, and then suggested a few more, Fritz commented.

We asked Robinson why she so actively supported a candidate who lives in deep Southwest Portland – when she, herself, hails from the outer East Portland neighborhood of Hazelwood.

“Where she lives,” Robinson responded, “There are many infrastructure deficiencies, like we have in East Portland. Her neighborhood was also annexed within the last 20 years.”

But what really made Fritz stand out as a potential leader, she said, were her group interaction skills. “I’ve watched how she carefully thinks things through and how she communicates with people. But most of all, she really understands citizen advocacy and has actively participated in government. She both ‘gets it’ and ‘does it’.”

Popular in East Portland precincts
Fritz opined that she won the election because she’s worked with neighborhood and business groups all over East Portland for ten years.

“My support and interest is issue-based,” Fritz told us after the election. “The problems and challenges in outer East Portland are the same ones in deep Southwest Portland. The City made promises to many neighborhoods that have never been fulfilled.”

During her two campaigns for office, Fritz said she found that both neighbors and businesspeople all across Portland expressed similar concerns. “I found that ‘most every group considers themselves unheard and uncared for.”

Portland City Counselor-elect, Amanda Fritz, thanks her supporters after elected to Position #1 by a landslide margin. Her son, Luke, sits in the background.

When we asked how she’ll use her office to remedy this situation, Fritz responded, “When people come to the City – that will be me – to express their concerns, I’ll let them know I’ve heard them, and will respond with practical solutions.”

Because Fritz was already meeting with city officials and civic groups, she was pressed to move to her next appointment.

We asked if she’d enunciate how she’ll use her soon-to-be invested authority.

“As one of five members, I’ll do my best to help the City Council work together for the common good. Bringing people together is what I’ve done for the last 17 years,” replied Fritz.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News