See photos of this moving show, which ends this weekend! There may be a few seats still unclaimed …
Rather than be split up in Nazi “relocation camps”, Anne (Marissa Hanson), along with her father, Otto (Sam DeRoest), sister Margot (Kaila Munay), and mother Edith (Laura Leonard) take up residence in the hidden attic of the family business for nearly two years.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Before the show opened, we told our readers that the David Douglas High School Theater Department’s intimate, small-box production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” would probably sell out – and it has.
The school’s Small Box Theatre, located under their massive theater’s main stage, seats 74 audience members. “It’s almost like you’re right there, with the Frank family, as they hide from the Nazis in an attic during the Holocaust,” comments director Judy LeCoq.
Anne and her sister, Margot, wonder what lies ahead as they first walk into the small attic that will become their new home.
About the story
The central character of “The Diary of Anne Frank” actually kept a diary of her life and experiences, starting the week before the thirteen-year-old girl and her family went into hiding in 1942. The play, drawn from the pages of Frank’s diary, tells how she, her family, and four other people went into hiding in sealed-off upper rooms of her father’s office building in Amsterdam – until they were betrayed.
LeCoq says, “Anne has been recognized as a tremendous writer. And, this newly-adapted version of the award-winning play reveals the stress of confinement, awkward teenage relationships, and the tension and fear of betrayal.”
Thanks to the realistic set that focuses the audience’s attention on the dozen players, the work of Mark Taylor’s Theater Arts class significantly adds to the quality of the production – as does the student crew running lights, sound, and taking care of stage management duties.
While some critics might say the production is an extreme departure from their ensemble’s usual musical-comedy fare, LeCoq responds, “The book, on which the play is based, is required reading for most middle-school students. And, the story of Anne Frank is one that should never be forgotten.”
Because Anne Frank was a young teenager when her family went into hiding, she never got to experience life as most kids do. In this scene, she and friend-in-hiding Peter Van Daan (Zeke Fetrow) wonder if they’ll ever have a normal life, outside the confines of the attic.
Show ends Saturday night
“The Diary of Anne Frank” ends on March 15. There may be some last-minute seats available. Call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270 to check.
The DDHS Small Box Theater is located on the lower level of the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233. This theater is handicapped-accessible.
Thinking they are about to be rescued, the families hiding from the Nazis feel joy for the first time in two years. Minutes later, they realize that a Nazi sympathizer has reported them – and they are moments away from being marched off to concentration camps – and certain death.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Within a couple of days of each other, Parkrose High School’s library unveiled permanent student artwork – and the school’s Swim Center held a movie night in their beautiful pool. You’ll learn about both, here …
Parkrose High School artists Jazzy Koczian and Heather Aplington, both juniors, show off their art, decorating the end of the Reference Section book rack.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose High School library is modern and well stocked with books. In fact, the least attractive part of the spacious room has been the shelves – until librarian Stephanie Thomas got an idea.
“The hospital-gray shelves are very sturdy and functional, but they’re just not very attractive,” Thomas said, as parents and student artists gathered for the unveiling of a major art project two weeks ago.
“We talked to art students, and their teacher, Bev Cordova, and we decided what we can do with the shelving,” Thomas told us. “We decided to decorate them by asking students to create works of art for the ends of the shelves.”
Parkrose High School librarian Stephanie Thomas thanks the student artists for their contribution.
Art, by topic
The artwork is inspired by the topic of books on the shelf, noted Thomas.
Your reporter was puzzled looking at the tall panel on the Library’s east end, decorated by juniors Jazzy Koczian and Heather Aplington – when trying to guess the content of those shelves.
“If it looks random,” explained Aplington, “well, it is. That’s because this is the reference section of the library. There’s everything here from National Geographic Magazines to encyclopedias.”
Koczian added, “That’s why it looks like outer space – with the nebula, and the apple and chicken. Almost every topic in the universe is in these books.”
It looks as if books, we surmise, which are about art, are on the shelves for which Cesar Pina painted an end cap. He says we’re correct.
Color coordinated panels
“As the panels go from one end of the library to the other,” Thomas pointed out, “the colors flow and blend.”
Now getting the idea, we met student Cesar Pina, a talented Parkrose High student artist.
“Yes, they’re books about art,” Pina affirmed. “They’re both about historical art, and cartoons. So I thought we could incorporate both styles of art in the drawing. I have a Salvador Dali ‘Melting Clock’, ‘The Thinker’, and ‘Scream’.”
Up to the challenge
“The project was a pretty big challenge,” admitted art instructor Bev Cordova. “Finding some kind of theme to turn into an image can be pretty difficult, when there are as many 500 books in a section.
“Finally, we projected the final images onto the panels, traced them out, and started painting,” concluded Cordova. “It took a lot longer than we expected, because we are working for equality. The kids love the idea that these will be up for 20 to 30 years.”
During the six-week-long project, some of the students didn’t finish their panels. “Students Cesar Pina and Isaac Song spent many hours, five or six days after school, getting them ready for display,” Cordova commended.
Valerie Robinson, a senior, calls her panel, “Stairway to the Unknown”. It represents the mystery and horror fiction which are on these shelves, she says.
Terry Franceschi, the school’s Theater Operations Manager, was credited for suggesting that the shelves could be capped with wood. “More than that,” Thomas said, “he cut the wood to size, and mounted each of the works of art for us.”
Everyone present agreed that the project turned out well.
“I feel like the panels create a warm and inviting environment,” said Thomas. “When students come in they feel more welcome here.”
Parkrose Swim Center hosts “Dive-in Movie” night
It was unclear whether the draw was the movie they planned to show in the Swim Center – or the attraction of a free community swim night – but the facility was packed to capacity at the event.
The last day of February, just a couple of days after the library’s art project was unveiled, the school hosted another event.
“I’m the coordinator for the ‘Dive-In Movie Night’ at Parkrose High School,” said Brendan Gill, the school’s program developer for its Community Connections Program.
“It was the idea of Career Center Coordinator, Meg Kilmer,” explained Gill. “We agreed it would make a big impact on the school; it would be a great after-school activity, because we have a great pool here.”
Brendan Gill, an AmeriCorps member assigned to the school, says he’s happy the event was such a “splashing” success.
The event, Gill said, was the kickoff for other Community Nights in the upcoming weeks. “They’ll be held in the Parkrose High Theater.”
As workers prepared to run the movie, more and more families poured into the Swim Center. Soon, the facility was at capacity. The event drew a crowd that topped out at 150 folks.
While some of the organizers seemed peeved that not many of those present settled down to actually watch the movie, it was clear that a swim in pool was the event’s main attraction.
The lights dimmed, but few people could hear the soundtrack of the movie over the ambient noise of folks having fun in the pool.
It was clear the kids and adults were having too much fun to settle down and watch a movie. Movie-goers may have been annoyed by the splashing ruckus, but we didn’t hear any complaints. It looked as if everyone was having a great evening.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Even though only one Rose Festival event takes place in outer East Portland, all of our high schools participate in the Rose Court. Meet the lovely young lady who will represent Parkrose in this year’s citywide celebration.
After being evaluated and scored, all four Parkrose High School 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess Candidates – Toyin Oyemaja, Vy Nguyen, Vivian Ngo, and Holly Ho – await the announcement.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose High School Theatre filled on Friday afternoon, March 7, with students, staff, and family members as outer East Portland’s first 2008 Portland Rose Festival event got underway: the selection of the Parkrose High Princess.
From the podium, Parkrose High School Principal Roy Reynolds announces, “Please welcome your School’s 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess Candidates.”
The curtains sweep back and reveal Toyin Oyemaja, Vy Nguyen, Vivian Ngo, and Holly Ho standing on the stage. The enthusiastic cheering is deafening.
Parkrose High’s 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Margaret Drew, greets the assembly, looks at the official tally card, and announces the name of the young lady who will take her crown.
Parkrose Princess Drew returns
Reynolds asks the throng to welcome Parkrose High’s 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Margaret Drew, to the stage.
“I’m so excited,” Drew says. “In just a few minutes will be announcing your Portland Rose Festival Princess. Thank you so much for all of your support. It has been an amazing experience for me. I’m so happy that you’re taking part in the festival and showing your pride in Parkrose, because we have a lot of good things here.”
Beaming her trademark smile, Drew takes the envelope Reynolds presents to her, opens it, glances at it, and proclaims, “And now, without further ado I’d like to announce your 2008 Rose Festival Princess … is Vy Nguyen.”
Vy Nguyen reacts to hearing her name read – meaning she’ll represent Parkrose High School as their 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess.
Margaret Drew prepares to crown Vy Nguyen.
The Princess speaks
The gathered assembly stands and cheers. After being crowned, she strolls toward the podium.
“Thank you very much,” says Princess Vy. “I thank the girls in the court. I think any one of us would have made an outstanding representative for Parkrose.” She went on to thank staffmembers, family and friends who helped along the way.
Wearing her crown and robe, Princess Vy Nguyen walks to the podium to make her acceptance speech.
Princess Vy pauses for a moment with the school’s principal, Roy Reynolds.
After hundreds of photos are snapped, Princess Vy talks with us, and says, “I’m overwhelmed; I’m not sure what I am feeling, other than I’m phenomenally happy about this.”
Asked to what she looks forward as this year’s Parkrose Princess, Nguyen confides, “I’m looking forward to going to see a lot of places around Portland to which I’ve never been, and meeting new people. I’m sure that becoming the representative for Parkrose High School for the 2008 Portland Rose Festival will have a very positive impact on my life.”
Principal Reynolds comments, “These are all great ladies. I think any one of the ladies would have been a great princess for Parkrose. In fact, all of our princesses, for the last 21 years, made excellent queens, too – but so far, that hasn’t been the case. Perhaps this is our year!”
Here she is – outer East Portland’s first 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess to be crowned, Princess Vy Nguyen!
The school and organization thanks Terry Franceschi, Theater Operations Manager, and members of the stagecraft class, for a lovely, fitting setting and professional lighting.
Also, thanks go to members of the Parkrose Bronco Boosters Club and sponsors Menlo Park Flowers and Mr. Formal for the floral arrangements and the men’s formal wear.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
If you miss this musical theater retelling of “The Ugly Duckling” – you’ll miss a fun production replete with fowl puns, feathered frolics, and a purrr-fectly sinister Cat …
Dot, (Maya Houston), based on the bad information provided by Cat (Jordon Beck), a sly, cunning – and generally hungry – feral feline, helps her husband, Admiral Goose Graylag (Sam Bennett), get ready for Ugly’s search-and-rescue mission. It isn’t easy, because Graylag is a really bad navigator.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Taking a turn away from traditional musicals, the Cleveland High School Thespians are now presenting – through March 16 – a relatively new, but award-winning, show simply entitled “HONK!”.
“We thought a contemporary musical would be a nice change from the traditional musical shows we’ve been doing for the last six years,” said the show’s director, Jane Ferguson, Cleveland High’s drama instructor.
“Yes, ‘HONK!” is a cute show,” Ferguson continued, “but, more than that, this is a story about accepting people who are different from you. And, we have a very diverse population of students here at Cleveland High School.”
The central character of the story is Ugly (Michael Chafee), the ugly duckling. Although the others think he’s gawky and odd-looking, he turns out to be a good swimmer with a heart of gold.
Ida (Joellen Sweeney), Ugly’s mother, seems to be the only one who thinks her awkward, honking duckling will ever amount to anything.
About the story …
This retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” mixes in a theme of tolerance for others.
The British songwriting duo of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe aimed their book and score, originally titled “The Ugly Duckling, or the Aesthetically Challenged Farmyard Fowl”, at children and their parents. Since it first premiered in 1993, its name was changed to “HONK!” and it has won numerous awards, including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical, beating “The Lion King”.
Dot (Maya Houston), wife of the Admiral Goose, gets the air squadron (actually, geese) ready for a mission to find Ugly.
“Our musical director, Sam Barbara, recently starred in this same show at the University of Portland,” noted Ferguson.
“HONK!” is set in rural England. As the story unfolds, Ugly – gawky and odd-looking as he is – finds he simply doesn’t fit into life around the duck pond.
Ida, his tearful mom, does her best to defend Ugly, while his dad Drake ‘ducks’ his fatherly responsibilities.
Along the way, Ugly meets a purrr-fectly cunning, sly – and hungry – stray Cat, who sings of the joys of “playing with food”, and wants to have Ugly over for lunch or dinner, literally.
Ugly stumbles into the house of the Farmer’s Wife while trying to escape the ridicule, and encounters into the sophisticated, domesticated Cat, as well as Queenie (Eleanor Bray), and house-frau hen, Lowbutt (Liza Cortright), who exclaims, “A feather pillow must have burst” when she sees Ugly.
Honk is a pun-filled backwoods romp that includes a wisecracking bullfrog, a snide house-hen, and other comical barnyard creatures.
Will Cat “cook Ugly’s goose”? Can Ugly survive the rejection he faces, a blizzard, and the farmer’s carving knife, and fulfill his destiny of becoming a graceful swan? And in the end, will Cat go insane, and scream “Take me to the Betty Fuur Clinic!”?
It looks like Cat, poorly disguised as Ugly’s father, finally has his paws on the duckling he wants to have over for lunch – as Duck à l’Orange, that is.
About the production
“We hope the community will enjoy this unique musical,” Ferguson said. “This show is a new, hot musical that is being presented in many schools and community theaters.”
The cast of 50 students is aided by a professional choreographer, Aerin Shannon, and a set designer from Lewis and Clark College, John Gerth.
The cast of “HONK!” draws from all grade levels at the school, Ferguson added. “It looks like we have a great group of underclassmen who will be here to continue in our future productions.”
It is love at first sight for Queenie and Cat – they dance a purrrr-fect tango of romance, causing Cat to forget his dastardly luncheon plans for Ugly. But, Ugly’s problems are far from over!
“HONK!” runs through March 15
This show opened to an enthusiastic audience on March 6, and continues on March 7 and 8 at 7:00 p.m. Or, you can catch the show next weekend, March 14 or 16; again with a 7:00 p.m. curtain time. The final showing is a special matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16.
Tickets are only $10 for adults and $8 for students at the door. Advance tickets available online at: www.clevelandhighmusical.com, or call Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.
Cleveland High School is located at 3400 S.E. 26th Avenue, just north of SE Powell Boulevard.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See why one of our favorite local musical groups, Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band, most recently dropped their anchor in Westmoreland …
Arrrr, Mates! Shiver me timbers! We spy Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band’s a-playing again in East Portland!
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Instead of plundering inner SE Portland for their own gain, the sea dogs of Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band dropped off a chest of gold – to benefit Llewellyn Elementary School Foundation not long ago.
“This event shows real community spirit,” said the co-coordinator of the benefit concert, Robin Johnson. “Two New Seasons Markets and Wallace Books sold tickets, and the Moreland Presbyterian Church loaned the risers. And, volunteers Eileen Stone and Pete Diamond helped put the stage together.”
The co-organizers of the concert, Robin Johnson and Julie Wright, welcome the 300 fans that came to see Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band.
In their front row seats in the Moreland Theater, Captain Bogg & Salty fans Zaib, Jillian, Maggie, Winnie are giving us the secret pirate sign (a hooked finger) – showing they are ready for a good time.
The organizers said they appreciated the owners and staff at the Moreland Theatre. “We appreciate them having us back this year; they very kind to us,” said organizer Julie Wright.
Captain Bogg welcomes the crowd of pirate fans to the show.
As a couple hundred young fans and their parents filed in, and the group was about to come on stage, the band’s spokes-pirate – First Mate McGraw – commented, “It’s a strange and wonderful feeling of playing pirate songs in an old movie theater like this. It can’t be replicated elsewhere.”
With a mighty “yar”, and the sign of the hook, another rollicking concert was underway, featuring songs that included “Pegleg Tango”, “I’m A Pirate”, and “Pieces of 8ight”.
The pirate band opens the show with “Weigh Anchor”.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See this moving story about families – hiding from the Nazis for two years, during World War II – up close in this special presentation in the DDHS Small Box Theater …
Sitting in the moonlight, Anne Frank (Marissa Hanson) and Peter Van Daan (Zeke Fetrow) ponder how life would be if they were “normal” teenagers, not living in hiding.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Audiences have come to associate the David Douglas High School Theater Department with great productions of larger-than-life musicals and broad comedies. But their winter show this year, “The Diary of Anne Frank”, is thought-provoking, presented in their intimate theater.
“This is the first major show we’ve done in our Small Box Theatre downstairs for ten years,” says director Judy LeCoq. “In this theater, the 74 audience members sit up-close to the actors. It’s almost like you’re right there, with the Frank family, as they hide from the Nazis in an attic during the Holocaust.”
For a few moments, the families hiding out in the attic from the Nazis are joyful when they learn of the successful Normandy invasion. Their joy is short-lived.
About the story
“The Diary of Anne Frank” is drawn from a thirteen-year-old girl’s diary she started writing in 1942. She, her family, and four other people went into hiding in sealed-off upper rooms of her father’s office building in Amsterdam. Her father’s trusted colleagues helped them remain hidden for two years and one month – until their betrayal.
“It’s about Anne’s desire to live, beyond her situation, as a normal teenager,” says LeCoq about the story. “Anne has been recognized as a tremendous writer. And, this newly-adapted version of an award-winning play reveals the stress of confinement, awkward teenage relationships, and the tension and fear of betrayal.”
Working on a scene from the play, Judy LeCoq directs the David Douglas High School thespians.
Members of Mark Taylor’s Theater Arts class built a realistic set that focuses attention on the 12 cast members. A student crew runs the lighting and sound system and provides stage management.
“It’s not intended for a very young audience because it’s dark material,” cautions LeCoq. “It’s appropriate for young people aged nine and above; the book is required reading for most middle-school students.”
Two weeks only
David Douglas High School Thespians production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” debuts on March 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Evening shows follow on March 7 and 8, and again on March 13, 14 and 15. On March 9, the offer a 2:30 p.m. matinee performance.
The DDHS Small Box Theater is located on the lower level of the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave., Portland, OR 97233. This theater is handicapped accessible.
Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. For ticket information, call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Why would crew members from Portland Fire & Rescue volunteer don their full gear, and prepare to race to the top of a 69-story building that is NOT on fire? Take a look, and find out …
Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter Marc Ham takes his turn on the stepping exerciser, as firefighter Tim Spring “passes the boot”, asking shoppers for a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even though the firefighters of Portland Fire & Rescue stay in shape by working out and training – and responding to emergencies – several of them spent February 23 on a stair-stepping exercise machine at Costco’s Airport location.
When we arrived, we found a resident of the Sellwood neighborhood for fifteen years, firefighter Mark Ham, working up a sweat. In full gear – 70 pounds of it, including his breathing apparatus, he was vigorously working out. “I’m getting ready for the ‘Scott Firefighter Stairclimb for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’,” said the firefighter, who works at the bureau’s Training Academy on NE 122nd Avenue.
The stairclimb event, held on March 2 at Seattle’s Columbia Center, is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world, we learned. More than 1,300 firefighters from across the Pacific Northwest – including 25 Portland-area firefighters – will compete in this timed race to the top of the building.
Firefighter Tim Spring, a crew member of Station 25, on SE 52nd Avenue, said he was encouraging people to help “fill the boot” he carried with donations.
“The proceeds go to help find a cure for cancer,” Spring explained. “We’ve had several people in the department that have had cancer in the last five or six years. We’re trying to get out in the community and show our support for cancer research.”
Ham agreed, “We’re volunteering our time because cancer has affected quite a few of our firefighters; this fundraiser is close to our hearts.”
You can still help: Drop off cash or a check for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at any PF&R station.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
There’s nothing cheesy about seeing outer East Portland folks enjoying the gala Chinese New Year traditional celebrations, featuring dancing lions, and symbols designed to bring good luck – not rodents …
Martial arts demonstrations provided some of the entertainment on the stage at Midland Library for the Chinese New Year’s celebration.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Because the time allotted to celebrate the incoming Lunar Calendar year lasts several days, both of these events were official Chinese New Year celebrations.
At Midland Library
On February 17, we stopped by the Midland Library to spend a few minutes at their Chinese New Year festival.
Serving Asian refreshments at the library’s celebration are Amanda Vu, Donna Trung, and Jadine Delfin.
Making crafts at Midland Library are Chris and Hien Tang.
“Welcome to our celebration of the Lunar New Year,” we were greeted by Javier Gutierrez, manager of Midland Library. “The Chinese celebrate starting on February 8th, and it ends on the 22nd.”
The library put on the event because they endeavor to encompass all of the cultures one finds in outer SE Portland, Gutierrez explained. “In 2006, we conducted a survey to determine how our community is changing. What we’re trying to do is serve the new communities moving into Portland.”
Ngoc Nguyen is helping guests with their Chinese New Year crafts.
For many peoples from different countries, Gutierrez noted, the notion of a public library is quite foreign. “What were doing is helping them learn that their public library is a place for them to come, learn, socialize, and find cultural enrichment.”
Donna Dionne, VP of Midway Business Association, welcomes guests to the celebration.
At PCC’s Southeast Center and Legin Restaurant
Annie Chung; Wing Kit Chung, vice president of administration; Preston Pulliams, district president for the college; and Nan Poppe, president, Extended Learning Campus, Portland Community College
The following day, on February 18, Portland Community College’s Southeast Center held their event, primarily at the nearby Legin Restaurant Ballroom.
We were welcomed by Nan Poppe, president, Extended Learning Campus, Portland Community College. “This event has grown every year – to the point that it won’t fit in our grand atrium hall. It’s the chance for the community, students, and staff to come together and celebrate Asian culture. Every year we learn a little bit more about their cultures.”
Northwest Lion Dance Association brings three fanciful, colorful and acrobatic lions – and their percussion section – to start the Chinese New Year’s celebration at Portland Community College Southeast Center’s event.
An event organizer, Trina Hing, said the event was important, “Because we want the community to be aware of our population of students, and to share the different Southeast Asian cultures.”
In addition to the population of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Laotian students, the school also provides services for students from Russia, Latin American countries, and Somalia. “Today, everyone is enjoying this Chinese custom.”
Costumed dancers from many Asian cultures performed for hundreds of celebrants.
The event started with three hours of dances, demonstrations, and speeches. Then, the tables were cleared for arts and crafts, children’s games, and some vendors.
Lisa Hayes, student government ASP chair for the event, told us a lot of planning went into this year’s celebration. “It has taken for months, at least one meeting a week, to set this up. We went out into the community and talked businesses and associations into working together and as a team.”
Although a little nervous about the outcome of the event, Hayes said, “I’m really excited, I’m really jazzed.”
What did she look forward to the most?
“The best part of the day for me is the Lion Dance,” Hayes replied, just as one of the three mighty lions awoke, and the opening ceremony began.
People filled the Legin Restaurant Ballroom as the celebration go underway.
Representatives from different Southeast Asian countries talked about the Lunar New Year traditions celebrated by their people. This included a bowing ceremony, dances, and a lesson in how to say “happy new year” in Chinese.
This first Chinese character was shown upside down, meaning that happiness and luck is coming. When turned upright, it means that happiness and good life has arrived. “It comes from the Ming Dynasty, about 700 years ago. Now it is traditional in use all over the world.”
After the three-hour program a Chinese-style lunch was served to the happy and hungry throng.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
If you missed the Portland Classical Chinese Trio’s performance at Midland Library this week – you can still catch these outer East Portland celebrations …
Adding cultural elegance to the main hall of Midland Library is the Portland Classical Chinese Trio.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Celebrations of the Lunar New Year, celebrated by many Asian cultures, are underway in outer East Portland.
We stopped by Midland Library to take in a performance of the Portland Classical Chinese Trio on February 12.
Jerry Lin plays a two-stringed classical Chinese instrument called a derhu.
“We’ve each played our instruments for several years,” said spokesman Jerry Lin. “We’ve been playing together for three or four years.”
Emily Deng serenades playing the zheng.
Emily Deng added, “I think that we enjoy working with each other. We enjoy entertaining others as much as we enjoy entertaining ourselves, at the same time.”
Deng says her instrument is a classical Chinese zheng. “It’s very similar to a Western zither. It has it has 21 strings with movable bridges. I play it with [finger picks made from] tortoise shell fingernails. I learned to play this instrument when I was 6 years old, back in my hometown of Uhon near Shanghai.”
Henry Hung plays one of the many bamboo flutes he brought to the performance. “I have more than one, because each flute plays in a different key,” he says.
More celebrations …
February 17
> Lunar New Year — Celebrate the Lunar New Year traditions of China, Vietnam, and Korea with dance, music, games, food, and crafts. It runs from 1:30 – 5 p.m. at your Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Avenue. Call (503) 988-5392 for more information.
February 18
> Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rat – Portland Community College’s Southeast Center, in partnership with Legin Restaurant, is hosting its annual Asian New Year Celebration at 9:30 a.m. today. The event, which will be held at the Restaurant (8001 S.E. Division Street, just west of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses), features music, arts and crafts, entertainment, games, food, door prizes, and plenty of lion dancers. Food is $1, and parking is free. The Asian New Year Celebration is open to the public. Children are welcome. For more information, call (503) 788-6262.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
If you missed the event, see why so many people
came to this year’s event, held in Lents …
Jill Kolek of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development, with Fix-it Fair staff members Wing Brabowski, Genevieve Joplin, Yvonne Garcia, and Ishah Ahumada. All, here, are welcoming folks to the fair.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After 20 years of City of Portland sponsored “Fix-it Fairs”, one might think folks in East Portland might have tired, a bit, of the familiar event.
Not so, says the event’s organizer, from the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development, Jill Kolek. “We have had a record number of visitors. We’ll see more than 800 participants today at our 21st annual Fix-it Fair. Our daycare room has filled up several times today.”
Parking was tight around Lent School on SE 97th Avenue, between SE Harold Street and SE Holgate Boulevard on January 12 – another testiment to the Fair’s success.
“The Fix-it Fair is important,” Kolek says, “because it makes great community resources available to all these folks.”
In addition to the 45 vendor booths set up in the school’s gym, two dozen classes about efficient water use, energy efficiency, the dangers of lead in the home, remodeling, gardening, recycling, and other topics are presented throughout the day.
“The whole idea,” adds Kolek, is to help direct neighbors to community resources that help them both conserve the environment – and also their money.”
Fix-it Fair photo album
Caron Kepic, Madine Lutes, Jimi Johnson talk with Rex Hollingsworth (Rex Heating & Air Conditioning) and Dave Lutes, at the Multnomah County Weatherization Program table. Hollingsworth is holding a cracked furnace heat-exchanger which allows carbon monoxide to leak into the airflow of the furnace. “It’s both inefficient and dangerous,” Hollingsworth says.
Caran Goodall, Master Recycler, at the “Remodel It Green” table, speaking with visitor James Graham. Graham commented, “The exhibits and information are really good. I’m glad I came.”
Nancy Weber, on behalf of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, leads a seminar called “How to avoid mistakes when hiring a contractor”. How many mistakes can there be? Quite a few, it turns out. Weber handed out a thick booklet illustrating many disastrous outcomes.
Burgerville employees coming from all four outer East Portland restaurants are fixing some of the 1,000 cheeseburgers they’re handing out – for free – at the Fix-it Fair. Jerry Otto, manager of the Burgerville at SE 122 Avenue & SE Stark Street explains, “Company-wide, we’re all about sustainability – helping the environment and giving back to our community.”
The 21st Annual Fix-It Fair season was sponsored by The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development, as well as by Burgerville, Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Portland Development Commission, and The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
One of the unique treats Portland offers during the holiday season is a ride on the Holiday Express, from Oaks Park to Portland. But, read this, and learn why this piece of history may slip away …
Providing a total of 10,000 passengers a trip back into another era, the Southern Pacific 4449 roared to life at Oaks Park again this past Holiday season.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Standing seventeen feet tall, on 80-inch-high wheels, the massive, 100-foot long Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive is an impressive sight.
As the engineer released the brakes and the steam hissed from the pistons, the ground trembled, and the 4449 began another “Holiday Express” run from Oaks Amusement Park to OMSI and back.
Engineer George Lavacot releases the “Johnson bar”, and applies the throttle inside the Southern Pacific 4449, as another load of riders are off on a riverfront journey on the Holiday Express.
For two weeks in December, the Holiday Express allowed visitors – some traveling from as far away as Seattle – the opportunity to step back in time, and ride the rails to the chug, chug, chug sound of a steam locomotive.
As riders traveled Dick Samuels’ Oregon Pacific Railroad Company tracks along the east bank of the Willamette River, they took in unique views of the downtown Portland on one side, and the serenity of the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on the other.
After being donated to the city in the 1950’s, when diesel-electric locomotives replaced steam locomotives, the SP-4449 sat outside on public display at Oaks Park for many years.
Riders of the Holiday Express get amazing views of Oaks Bottom and the Portland skyline while chugging along the tracks.
Members of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation refurbished the locomotive, and continue to maintain and run the locomotive for the love of it. It eventually drew the “Bicentennial Train” around the United States in 1976. However, it burns about 10 gallons of fuel and uses 100 gallons of water per mile – an expensive ride.
“The Southern Pacific 4449, and other working steam engines here, don’t have a permanent home,” stated Jonathan Kromer, Director of the Holiday Express program for the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF). “The Holiday Express is the primary fundraising activity of the ORHF to further its mission.”
ORHF was founded in 2000, we learned, with the mission of establishing a permanent home for these three city-owned historic steam locomotives, as well as to save the Brooklyn Roundhouse, and to build a rail and industrial heritage museum. This would create a place where these mechanical marvels could be put on display for generations to come.
The problem is that the Union Pacific, which has been donating the space to house the locomotives in the old, crumbling roundhouse just north of the S.E. Holgate viaduct over the Brooklyn train yard, now needs the space to meet its own needs. It has asked that the historic locomotives and other antique railcars at the same site be moved somewhere else.
One possibility is a spot of land with rails on it just east of OMSI on the Willamette’s east bank. But, though the railroad, which owns the property, seems positive about such a use of that location, the money needed to accomplish the dream at that site has yet to be raised, and time is running out.
Without a destination, these unique, working artifacts of the nation’s past, owned by the City of Portland, may have to be parked somewhere to rust in the rain and get tagged by graffiti vandals.
New this year were rides being offered on “speeders”. These small rail vehicles once zipped workmen to remote sites along the tracks.
At this point, there is no evident solution to the problem. But if one is to be found, money will be needed. And the ORTF did make some money again this Holiday season – in all, some 10,000 tickets were sold during the train’s annual run.
To make sure you’re on their list for 2008, or to learn more about this new holiday tradition, or learn how you can support ORHF, the check their Internet website at: www.TheHolidayExpress.org.
All aboard? Maybe not for long! It’s up to you. Let City of Portland, METRO and Multnomah County leaders know you want to keep these mighty locomotives here!
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Because his name is Ashton, we had to find out if this musician was related. Was he? – Read this and discover the answer – and why Jeffrey Ashton’s music is so well received …
Amid the stacks at Woodstock Branch Library, Jeffrey Ashton plays classical music for the enjoyment of library patrons.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
People at the Woodstock Branch Library seemed enthusiastic that a fellow by the name of Jeffrey Ashton was performing a few weeks ago.
When we met Ashton as he set up for his performance, we found he was a man of few words – but not a direct relative.
Listening to him play, we also discovered that Jeffrey Ashton is a very talented classical guitar artist; a world-class musician. Some members of his audience came because they read about his performance in our Community Calendar. As he continued to play, folks who came to the library for other reasons pulled up a chair and listened to the spirited performance of this musical artist.
The artistry of Ashton (the guitarist, not your writer) can be heard in every song he presented.
We wanted to rise and shout, “Bravo!” But, being in the library, we restrained ourselves, and now offer our tribute, quietly, in print.
From his friends at Portland Classic Guitar, we learned that Ashton has been playing guitar for over 30 years. He is an active performer, teacher, composer, recording artist, writer and arranger.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1955, he began to play the guitar at the age of 10. He lived in Europe, staying in Germany, Elgin, Switzerland, in Austria, Italy and England. We’re told that this immersion into these cultures gave him a deep appreciation of early and Renaissance music.
Ashton moved to Portland in 1982, where he lives with his family and teaches at the University of Portland, as well as Portland State University, the Community Music Center, and Portland Classic Guitar.
By the way, you can enjoy Ashton’s music anytime by picking up a copy of his CD, entitled “1536“. We’ve enjoyed the copy since we purchased it!
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
