Why did folks from this outer East Portland neighborhood give coffee mugs to all the officers and workers in East Precinct? We’ve got the answer right here …

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs receives the first Argay coffee mug from Argay Neighborhood Association Chair Valerie Curry.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
We wondered what was happening, when we saw Argay Neighborhood Association chair Valerie Curry getting a couple of East Precinct cops to help her carry large and obviously-heavy cardboard boxes into the police station.

During a break in last month’s East Precinct Citizen’s Advisory meeting, we found out, when Curry presented a wrapped gift to Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs. “Its our way of saying ‘Thank you for all you do’,” Curry told Crebs as they stood before nearly 80 people who were at the meeting.

Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer admires her new coffee mug.

Curry also gave a coffee mug to Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer. The chief politely thanked Curry as she examined the gift and noted the mugs were green, the official color of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department.

Curry informed Chief Sizer, “This is the official color of our neighborhood association – it’s called ‘Argay Green’!”

Upon closer inspection, we observed that the coffee cups feature the Argay Neighborhood Association logo on one side, and the Portland Police Bureau shield on the other.

These substantial coffee mugs are a token of appreciation from the Argay neighbors to their cops, according to their association’s chair.

Asked how the idea of making mugs for Crebs and Sizer came up, Curry told us, “We wanted to say thank you. There’s not enough public support in Portland for the police.”

Curry added, “The boxes we were carrying in are full of coffee mugs. We made up 144 cups, so all of the police officers and East Precinct workers could have one.”

Meet the Argay neighbors on January 20
If you live in the Argay Terrace area – it’s located east of Parkrose, and runs along the south bank of the Columbia River – consider coming to an association meeting and getting involved in reducing crime and improving livability.

Their General meeting is on January 20, and gets underway at 7:00 p.m. at the Portland Fire Station Training Center, 4800 NE 122nd Avenue. To see their website, CLICK HERE. Or, for more information, call (503) 256-5579 or e-mail to argayinfo@yahoo.com.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why police detectives say that stealing a few bucks, under false pretences, really is more than a petty crime. Perhaps YOU can help …

Portland Police Bureau Southeast Precinct Detective Dan Andrew shows a “donation sheet” signed by victims of the suspect’s door-to-door solicitation fraud.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One might think that door-to-door solicitors asking for donations for non-existent causes constitute a pretty inconsequential scam. But, a Portland Police Bureau detective, building a case against one of these scam artists, said there is more to such a criminal enterprise than simply cheating citizens out of a few dollars on a false pretext.

Just after noon on December 28th, Eastmoreland neighbors called police when they suspected that band of door-to-door solicitors were fakes.

“Neighbors on SE Glenwood Street [in Eastmoreland] said three suspicious subjects were going door-to- door attempting to collect money for the Grant High School basketball program,” reported police spokesperson Officer Catherine Kent.

“They told officers that the suspects could not answer questions about the program, and appeared older than high school age,” continued Kent. “Officers arrived in the area and located a suspect in the area of SE 32nd Avenue and SE Tolman Street who matched the description they were given.”

Suspect is known to detectives
Although his accomplices were not located or identified, officers arrested 19-year-old Antone Marquece Foster, and charged him with Theft by Deception after he was identified by the victims, according to Kent.

“This isn’t his first time,” Portland Police Bureau Southeast Precinct Detective Dan Andrew told us. “Foster was arrested and charged for Theft in March, 2008, when he was canvassing neighborhoods in NE Portland, soliciting money for an AAU basketball tournament. He was arrested again in September of 2007 for soliciting funds in North Portland for the Jefferson High School basketball program. He wasn’t affiliated with any of these schools.”

Pot in his pocket
When he was arrested this time, Andrew said, Foster had $89 in his possession. “He also had three baggies of marijuana. So, if people believe that they were giving him money for a good cause, perhaps this money was simply used to supply himself and his crew with marijuana. We don’t think this is a good cause.”

The detective said fake solicitors tend to deter people from donating to legitimate charities. “They are selfish people who are denying other people the ability to receive charitable donations because neighbors have given to them, and because of their bad experience, may not then give to legitimate organizations.”

Prelude to other crimes
While not accusing Foster of other crimes, Detective Andrew said that this individual, on other occasions, printed fake “donation sheets” on which he collected information from unsuspecting neighbors – including personal information. “This could be used for identity fraud.”

Further, as with other scamming solicitors, these visits might have been a prelude to burglary. “It’s an easy way – a semi-legitimate-appearing way – for a criminal to case a house,” noted Andrew. “If no one is home, the residence might become a burglary target. Or, during warm weather, they may come in the screen door and grab a laptop computer or purse. They are specifically looking for ‘crimes of opportunity’.”

Help stop fake solicitors
Andrew advises not to give money to door-to-door solicitors. “Really think about someone who is at your door asking for a donation. If you give to a fraudulent solicitor, in a sense you’re helping to enable and perpetuate their criminal activity. It’s easy to check out legitimate charities using the Internet.”

If your area has an active Neighborhood Watch program, Andrew added, let your neighbors know you think a scam artist is working your street. “Get the best description you can of the person. Come out and see if there is a vehicle associated with the solicitors – and get the license plate. Don’t be afraid to walk out to the end of your walkway to see where he is going. If they see you’re paying such close of attention, though, they’ll probably move on. Then, call and report it to our non-emergency number, (503) 823-3333.”

Police say they suspect that this man, Antone Marquece Foster, keeps fleecing unwitting neighbors, and officers need the help of victims to make the theft charges stick. Foster was arrested in Eastmoreland, after neighbors suspected he was a fake and reported it.

Asks victims to come forward
Many victims give because they want to help the cause, reported Andrew. Others give because they are afraid of “brick through the window” retaliation. Nevertheless, the frauds add up to good money. A scam artist can take in $150 within an hour or two.

Andrew said that scam artists get more confident over time. Because scammers collected only a dollar here, or five dollars there, they figure they won’t get prosecuted, because people who’ve been cheated will not follow through with the charges.

“Right now, we’re ‘up to here’ with this kind of behavior,” affirmed Andrew. “We want to see that these people are prosecuted, but we need victims to come forward – even if they were only taken for a couple of dollars.”

If believe you’ve been a victim, call Detective Dan Andrew at (503) 823-5031.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Dreaming of motor boating to this Willamette River isle – to take family and friends for a delightful picnic ashore? Forget it! Find out why, before, during, and after restoration you can look at – but not touch – this City-owned 45-acre paradise …

David McAllister of Portland Parks & Recreation points out the Holgate Channel where they hope to create a “No Wake” zone.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
More than a year after Robert B. Pamplin Jr., owner of Ross Island Sand & Gravel Company and Community Newspapers, Inc., donated a 44.83 acres parcel of land on the north end of Ross Island to the City of Portland, plans for managing the property were announced in a Portland Parks & Recreation board meeting – held, of all places, on the west side in Multnomah Village.

PP&R’s David McAllister talked about the progress they were making – and some of the challenges they face – in developing a Ross Island Management Plan.

City owns land, but not shoreline
McAllister noted that the donated land parcel excludes the shoreline on the east side of the island, along the Holgate Channel, facing Inner Southeast Portland. “Another 15 acres of island land in the area is to be negotiated in good faith in the future, but there’s no guarantee.”

The northern tip of the island is owned by the Port of Portland. Ross Island Sand & Gravel owns a southern portion, and the waters inside the lagoon are owned by the State of Oregon, and are open for public use.

Endowment helps restoration
Along with the donation agreement, Pamplin included a $100,000 endowment to help with the city’s efforts to complete major wildland reclamation work by 2013. The endowment also passes the obligation to meet the reclamation requirement on to the City of Portland.

“We’ve done a vegetation survey of the property,” McAllister said. “It is in severely degraded condition, and overrun with invasive species. In spite of its condition, it is being used by nesting birds.”

Dredge mining was discontinued in 2000, and an objective of the reclamation plan is to improve endangered species’ fish habitat, explained McAllister. “Fish can spend some time in the lagoon before they out-migrate.”

McAllister explains the bureau’s efforts to create a Ross Island Management Plan to the PP&R board members.

Four commitments outlined
The Parks official said they’ve developed four main commitments in the Ross Island Management Plan:

• Develop a habitat plan for City-owned property;
• Manage the island property as a natural area;
• Control the invasive species and restore habitat in the island; and
• Manage the habitat.

“We have no other total-water access parks,” McAllister mentioned. “The Parks Bureau didn’t own a boat; we had to buy one.”

Look, but don’t touch
If you’ve dreamed of motor boating to Ross Island to enjoying a picnic lunch, with the Portland skyline as your backdrop – this will never become a reality, we learned.

“A restriction [in the plan] is NO public use,” stated McAllister. “We want people to love the island, but not ‘love it to death’. But we are looking at ways of providing information access, in a limited way, for environmental education.”

This past October, the Parks Bureau started developing an agreement with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office to enforce the policy of keeping citizens from coming ashore on this City park. “We’re developing signs, to let people know it’s off limits.”

Motor boats to be banned
“We’re also working on a ‘No Wake’ proposal,” McAllister continued. “We want to reduce all of the high power watercraft in the Holgate Channel. This will reduce wildlife disturbance and soil erosion, and provide a pleasant place for people to recreate.”

In addition to the “No Wake” demarcation, the bureau hopes to enlist the aid of groups like Willamette Riverkeepers and the Portland Audubon Society to propose a ban of ALL motorized watercraft in the lagoon to the Oregon State Marine Board. Citizens will be allowed to “experience the lagoon” in a kayak or rowboat.

This map shows the portion of Ross Island now owned by the City of Portland that you may view – from shore – but not touch.

Short term steps
“We’re using the endowment to work with the Bureau of Environmental Services on a re-vegetation plan,” McAllister explained. “First, we’ll remove the invasive species. After a couple of years, we’ll replant the area with native plants, then make sure they take hold.”

The next step, he said, is to develop a management plan. “The plan will be created with pubic involvement, and will emphasize the visual nature of the island,” said McAllister. “We will develop was of providing access, but not like people may think. We will encourage participation, but without actually being on the site.”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Folks at the Portland Police Bureau’s Sunshine Division wondered whether the snowy weather would leave needy families without food boxes for the holidays. Boy, were they surprised when then opened the station house door! Find out who showed up …

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Police Cadets Andrea Ettlin, Colton Sharmen, Ryan Mele, and Jose Perez get ready to load food boxes into the vehicles of drivers who await to take them to needy families.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The wacky winter weather on the morning of December 20 worried Cliff Madison, retired Portland Police Commander, and Chairman of the Sunshine Division’s board of directors. He, and everyone else involved with the annual food box delivery program, wondered if anyone would brave the sideways-blowing snow and predicted blizzard.

“Here at East Precinct,” Madison said that day, “We have 554 boxes of food – complete dinners, including meat and bread – that need to be delivered, today.”

While the food drive distribution materials were being organized by members of the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Police Cadets in the station’s garage, folks started filling in the Community Room, awaiting dispatch on their seasonal mission of mercy.

Thanks to many drivers from outer East Portland – plus many more from Gresham and East Multnomah County – it looked as if many volunteers had braved the elements to help make deliveries.

Gresham’s Steve and Shannon Jannsen are waiting to get their car loaded with Sunshine Division food boxes in the East Precinct Community Room.

Waiting in the early-morning sub-freezing temperatures, with snow falling and swirling around, volunteer drivers line up in front of East Precinct, ready to receive their cargos of mercy.

Come to ‘share their blessings’
Steve and Shannon Jannsen, who live in Hunter’s Highland in Gresham, warmed up in the precinct’s Community Room before they made their delivery run. “We came to help, because we feel so blessed this year,” Shannon told us. “We wanted to share our blessing with somebody else.”

“My motivation for coming was that I didn’t know if other people would be inclined to come out,” Steve said. “I figure that Christmastime is the best and most appropriate time to show the love of Christ through works; that’s enough motivation for me.”

Before being loaded up to make deliveries, Portland Police Officer Larry Keller gets his delivery instructions and maps from “traffic coordinator” Kandi Marks, an East Precinct employee.

Sunshine Division’s Chair, Cliff Madison, and East Precinct Officer Michael Gallagher, coordinator of the East Precinct Police Cadet program say they’re thrilled with the volunteer turnout on such a nasty morning.

Intrepid drivers lined up on SE 106th Avenue
When they opened the parking garage door, organizers were surprised and delighted to see a line of vehicles that stretched northward to SE Washington Street. Others queued up in the Floyd Light Middle School parking lot.

“The number of drivers here amazes me,” East Precinct Officer Michael Gallagher, coordinator of the East Precinct Police Cadet program, told us. “With these weather conditions, we were concerned we might not have nearly enough drivers to get the boxes delivered before the blizzard sets in this afternoon.”

Eleven East Precinct Police Cadets picked and packed food boxes, meat and bread into cars, trucks, vans – and even an open-air Jeep. Five more Cadets hopped into tire-chained bureau cars and headed out to make distant deliveries.

“Every year, many of our cadets say they look forward to helping out on this project, because they find it so rewarding,” Gallagher commended. “It would be difficult to do without their hard work.”

East Precinct Police Cadets hustle to load cars and trucks, quickly sending them on their way.

Saying he “Just came to help our community”, Joe Short drove in from his home in East Gresham to volunteer for the Sunshine Division deliveries. East Precinct Cadet Adam Hartless loaded Joe’s SUV to the roof with food for the needy.

Many volunteers quickly pack out boxes
In addition to the score of civilian volunteers, cops such as East Precinct Officer Mike Chapman and his wife, Rachel, packed 19 boxes into their car. “We live here in outer East Portland,” Rachel said. “We took boxes to deliver to people in the district he patrols.”

While they didn’t have an exact count, officials estimate about 130 drivers came to drive Sunshine Division food boxes to their destinations.

“The best thing about having so many willing drivers,” Gallagher reflected, “is that all of the boxes were out by 10:30 a.m. – well ahead of the blizzard.”

In addition to encouraging folks to help the Sunshine Division deliver boxes, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs (second from left) and his family themselves headed out with a SUV full of food boxes.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Everyone thought the flood in December, 2007, was bad – but take a look at what this week’s major rainstorm did to businesses – and even to a PGE Substation – on SE Foster Road …

Looking east on SE Foster Road from SE 101st Avenue, the water on the roadway gives a whole new meaning to the term “traffic island” – the Springwater Trail crossing is deep beneath flood water.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thirteen months and six days have passed since Johnson Creek last flooded Lents area businesses and neighbors. (Read about last year’s flood by CLICKING HERE.)

The 2009 New Year’s Day rainstorm did more than dampen holiday plans – it caused land to slide and creeks to swell throughout the metropolitan Portland area.

And, the third “10-year storm” within the decade also caused Johnson Creek to rise more than four feet above its bank, flooding Lents-area residents and businesses.

James Thompson says this is the worst flooding he’s seen. The blue steel building behind him in the distance – across “Lake Foster Road” – is his business: Thompson Auto Body.

Business owners work through rain and darkness
“Homeowners say they’ve had more flooding today, from 103rd Avenue and 109th Avenue, than they did in 1996,” James Thompson, owner of Thompson Auto Body, told us. “Ten years ago, Johnson Creek didn’t flood like it does today – all of a sudden, they’re under water.”

Thompson said his business has been at its current location, 10310 SE Foster Road, for 18 years. “Back in 1996, we moved everything up about a foot. And, we equipped the shop so we can lift cars high above the water level, and move our equipment quickly. With all the snow, and then the prediction of rain, we saw [a flood] coming.”

To this end, Thompson said they didn’t schedule any new auto body jobs, and started preparing for the storm. “We’ve now got about 6 inches of water in our building. With the water receding the way it is, we’ll probably come out OK, after we clean up the mess.  So, while we’re losing business, at this point, everything is ‘golden’ for me.”

Business loads up and moves, overnight
As in last year’s storm, Gary Sargent’s business – Sargent’s Motor Sports – is almost directly across the street from Thompson’s, at 10207 SE Foster Road.

Looking at his business, inundated by two to three feet of muddy water, Sargent moaned, “Another winter, and another flood. What a way to start out the year.”

Sargent said he got a call from staff members at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services warning him about the impending flood. Throughout the day, and into the night, he and his staff and friends loaded their entire inventory of motorcycles, ATVs, shop equipment, and parts into semi trailers and trucks.

“We took everything that was within four feet of the floor. When the water goes down, we’ll have a big cleanup ahead of us – again.”

Muddy water, now about three feet deep, separates Gary Sargent from his business on SE Foster Road.

Owner blames ‘land filling fairies’
Sargent said appreciates the work the City of Portland has done to help reduce flooding along Johnson Creek. But, he again brought up the Freeway Land Company area of infill he says was never approved – yet still remains high above the creek’s flood stage.

“According to the last Army Corps of Engineers study, [Freeway Land’s] storage of ‘recyclable materials’ is where the water used to pond and flow,” Sargent maintained. “It seems that the ‘land filling fairies’ magically filled the property, so it is out of the 100 year flood plain.”

The City has a plan to work with homeowners along SE Foster Road, Sargent added. “I’m told that Mayor Sam Adams informed them that the only way that they can make their water retention pond work properly is to take all of their land and houses. I hope the city makes these people whole.”

Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Johnson Creek Watershed Manager, Maggie Skenderian, stays in touch with her coworkers, as they evaluate the current flooding conditions in Lents.

City monitors flooding
We caught up with Maggie Skenderian, Johnson Creek Watershed Manager for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, at SE 111th Avenue, north of SE Foster Road.

“I can’t say the water level is record-setting,” Skenderian told us, “but this is a major flood event. It peaked out at 14.69 feet around nine o’clock this morning (January 2nd).”

The next reading taken at their Sycamore station showed that the creek had dropped to 14.64 feet. Skenderian told us that Johnson Creek’s bank is at 10 feet; and “overflow” occurs when it reaches 11 feet. “At 14 feet and above, we consider this to be a major flood – one of the top 10 or 15 events that we’ve measured at the creek.”

More water than ‘Restoration project’ could handle
We asked what impact the East Lents Flood Plain Restoration Project would have had during the current flood, if the construction work had been completed.

“This is not that kind of an event,” Skenderian replied. “At best, it will mitigate the flood events that happen every 10 years. I have a feeling this amount rainfall would’ve overflowed that ‘bathtub’ by a long shot. Mother Nature always has her way – we’ve already spent $30 million on our Johnson Creek restoration projects.”

(CLICK HERE to read our article about the progress of the East Lents Flood Plain Restoration Project.)

Jackson Green, his friends and neighbors fill sandbags at SE 111th Avenue and SE Harold Street. “We’re hoping to keep water from flooding our home, east of this location and SE 115th Avenue. Our next-door neighbors’ houses are already flooded,” he said. “We hope we can put around enough sandbags to prevent our home from flooding as well.”

City official comments on Freeway Land infill
We asked Skenderian if the infill on Freeway Land property contributed to the 2009 flood – and, if anything is being done to remove that landfill which some people call “unauthorized”.

“This area has been a flood plain since the [prehistoric] Missoula Floods,” replied Skenderian. “Folks are looking for someone, or something, to blame – and that ‘fill’ has been there well over a decade. This is the reality of the situation: This is a flood plain fed by a creek that overflows. It floods a lot. The money it would cost to remove that fill from Freeway Lands is astronomical. This is not to say it is impossible to be done someday – but we’re talking millions and millions of dollars to remove it.”

Skenderian recalls that the Schweitzer Project at SE 159th Avenue near SE Foster Road cost more than $5 million, and involved removing about 140,000 cubic yards of fill along Johnson Creek’s bank. She estimated the Freeway Land fill to be 10 times that size; and added that the land in question is private property.

“I know everyone wants to point fingers and try to find out who they can get to take responsibility for the flooding,” Skenderian concluded. “The truth of the matter is, people should live and work outside of a flood plain. This area has had a very long history of flooding – long before anyone could fill in at the Freeway Land property.  This is not to say that that fill does not make matters worse, or that nothing can be done about it to remove it.”

This now-flooded Portland General Electric electrical substation on SE Foster Road was taken off-line until the flood water recede and the equipment can be serviced.

Electrical substation flooded
Sargent and Thompson pointed out that the Portland General Electric (PGE) substation near both of their businesses was also flooded.

We asked a PGE worker if this assertion was true, as he climbed into a large dump truck towing an industrial-strength vacuum system.

“We had between 2 and 2½ feet in the main control building at the Foster Road Substation,” he said. “We got to our dispatcher about 2 a.m. this morning to let them know we were losing the battle.  So we had to cut power off at the station.”

-7 PGE crews will use the vacuum towed behind their truck to start cleaning out their substation’s control room as soon as the water recedes.

PGE’s Public Information Officer, Steve Corson, confirmed the story. “Two feeders [major distribution lines] coming to the substation that supplies about 3,200 customers were affected. Power went out about 5:00 a.m., and was restored at 8:20 a.m.”

The power grid system is designed to provide flexibility when things affect a substation, noted Corson. “It is handled, in part, through our downtown control center – but a lineman has to switches in the field.”

The water was deep at the intersection of SE Foster Road and SE 111th Avenue – and was closed to traffic most of the day.

Neighbor praises BES warning
Long time Lents area Johnson Creek activist Joyce Beedle, a homeowner at SE 108th and Foster Road, called to say that her home was still above water.

“We owe a big thank you to BES and Mayor Sam Adams. On New Year’s Morning, they called to say that the National Weather Service was predicting a flood so we could do what is necessary to protect ourselves. We weren’t at home, and thus, weren’t aware that the creek was on the rise. We came home and sandbagged our place.”

Most of her other neighbors are sitting high and dry, but some of their outbuildings have been flooded, Beedle reported. “We don’t expect the City to come and take care of us individually; I found this worthy of praise.”

Rain not record-breaking
Dan Keirns a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said total rainfall was 3.04 inches as measured at the airport. (However, a Southeast gauge measured 3.83 inches over the first two days of the New Year.)

“This was a good heavy rain, but not nearly a record,” Keirns said. “It was a record for a January 2nd, breaking the record previous record recorded in 1987 by .10″. But it isn’t unusual to get heavy rains this time of year.”

Keirns said things would dry out over the weekend. “We’re expecting another system to come in Sunday night or Monday, and will bring about half as much this storm.

“However, we could get hammered again next week,” he forecasted.

Get the latest weather forecast from the experts!
Regardless when you read this, you can always get the up-to-date forecast from the National Weather Service for outer East Portland by CLICKING HERE. Or, enter the Zip Code at the top of the page to see the 7-day forecast for any location in the country.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Read this and see what you missed at the “Fix-it Fair” in Lents – and discover all of the money-saving, health-improving, safety-enhancing topics to be covered at the January 10 event at Parkrose High School …

Kyle Barton with Energy Trust of Oregon gives Fix-it Fair attendee Ed Sharick a free energy-saving light bulb and tells him, “Our mission is to help people save money on their energy bill.”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Once again this year, the streets around Lent Elementary School were packed with cars, as neighbors flocked in to attend the City of Portland’s Fix-it Fair a couple of weeks ago.

“This event, at the Lent School, is our first Fix-it Fair of the ’08-’09 season,” said Jill Kolek, the Training and Outreach Manager at City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development.

We marveled aloud that that the event has taken place for more than two decades. “Portlanders love the Fix-it Fair; this is our 22nd season of producing them,” she agreed.

Welcoming guests to the Lents Fix-it Fair are organizer Jill Kolek, Desiree Williams-Rajee, and Derek Smith – all from Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development.

Exhibitors show attendees how to save money, be safer and “greener” at the annual Fix-it Fair events.

Money-saving resource connection
The point of the Fix-it Fair, Kolek said, “is to get people connected to all kinds of available resources to help them conserve natural resources like energy and water, and to do ecologically-friendly repairs and upgrades to their homes.”

In addition to helping citizens “be green”, it helps people save money, especially in energy costs. “At this event, people can learn to save a little money by connecting with local food sources, and save a lot of money by learning how to becoming a homeowner instead of paying rent.”

This toy dinosaur looks friendly – but it’s covered with lead paint, explains Perry Cabot, who is with the City’s Lead Poisoning Prevention team, during the free seminar he presents at Fix-it Fair events.

Super safety seminars
Kolek noted that community safety is featured at this year’s Fix-it Fair. “People can meet with crime prevention specialists, learn about identity theft prevention, and learn how to be prepared for major emergencies.”

We always enjoy playing with Portland General Electric’s “Shocking City” exhibit that teaches electrical safety, and we sat in on a seminar that demonstrated how to take steps to protect a family from the dangers of lead poisoning in both air and water.

Ian Fabik and his son, Roland really enjoyed their Burgerville Tillamook Cheeseburgers while attending the Lents fair.

Free samples, classes, and lunch
All of the 45 exhibitors provided one-on-one help in the area of their expertise, and many of them gave free samples to those who visited their booths.

Throughout the day, free classes provided timely information taught by experts on a wide variety of topics. Most of these sessions gave printed handouts to help participants get the most of their learning session.

Coming to Parkrose on January 10
And it’s not too late to attend one of these fairs. “We’re excited to be bringing the Fix-it Fair to Parkrose High School,” Kolek told us. “It’s our first time at the high school.”

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, at Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver Street (just west of NE 122nd Avenue).

Parkrose Fix-it Fair Class Listing

“Exactly what topics are presented?” is the question we’re most commonly asked. Kolek responded with the list of classes planned for the January 10 event:

Utility Bill Savings

• Furnace Basics – Improve the efficiency of your furnace by learning about operation and maintenance, thermostat types, and ducts. Presented at 9 a.m. by Multnomah County Weatherization.
• Saving Water Makes Cents – Learn simple home repairs and modifications to conserve water and reduce sewer and water bills. Receive a free water conservation kit. Presented at 9 a.m. and at noon by the City of Portland Water Bureau.
• Home Weatherization – Keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer by learning how to install effective weatherization materials with basic tools. Presented at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. by Community Energy Project.
• Water Heaters 101 – Get hands-on experience with a step-by-step demonstration of gas and electric water heaters. Presented at 10 a.m. by City of Portland Bureau of Development Services.
• Cutting Your Energy Bill – Seven easy steps for lowering electric and gas bills. Presented at 11 a.m. by the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development.
• Snooping Out Air Leaks – Focusing on air and heat movement, professional methods for identifying and measuring air leaks, and solutions for your home. Presented at 11 a.m. by Multnomah County Weatherization.

Home and Personal Health

• How to Create an EcoSafe Home – A room by room audit of ways to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, with effective alternatives. Presented at 9 a.m. by Oregon Center for Environmental Health.
• Green Remodel – See how Portlanders conserve resources, save energy, and reduce their “carbon footprint”. Attendees receive a Green Home Remodel Guide. Presented at 10 a.m. by the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development.
• Principles of a Healthy Home – Creating a healthier home environment adds to your family’s health and well-being. Presented at 11 a.m. by Multnomah County Environmental Health.
• Got Mold? – What is mold? Can it make you sick? How do you remove it? How do you prevent it? Presented at noon by Multnomah County Environmental Health.
• Green Cleaners – Save money and protect your family and the environment by using safe, simple ingredients to clean your home. Presented at noon by Metro.
• Lead Poisoning Prevention – Protect yourself and your family from lead poisoning. Presented at noon by Community Energy Project.
• Stress Less – Learn about the effects of stress on your body, and how proper nutrition and other techniques can help you lower stress in your life. Presented at noon by Everyday Wellness Clinic.
• Lead-Safe Home Projects – Accessible and easily applicable Lead Safe Work Practices for the layperson. Receive a free lead-safe project kit, and be pre-qualified to borrow a HEPA vacuum from the Community Energy Project. Presented at 1 p.m. by Community Energy Project.
• All Season Cycling – Learn tips to stay dry, comfortable, and safe while riding all year round. Also includes a demo of flat-tire repair. Presented at 1 p.m. by the City of Portland Office of Transportation.

Your Home, Your Money

• Downspout Disconnection 101 – A hands-on demonstration of how to disconnect your downspouts, including tools, materials and safety standards. Presented at 9 a.m. by the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
• Emergency Preparedness – Protect lives and property in the event of a natural- or human-caused disaster. Presented at 10 a.m. by the City of Portland Office of Emergency Management.
• Financing Your Home Fixes – Discuss popular financing tools and learn common terms for financing home improvement projects. Presented at 10 a.m. by the Portland Development Commission.
• Identity Theft – Stop identity theft before it occurs, and be prepared if it does. Presented at 10 a.m. by the Identity Theft Awareness Group.
• Improving & Repairing Your Credit – Repair damaged credit and raise your credit score to get the best terms and rates on loans and related offers. Presented at 11 a.m. by the Portland Development Commission.
• Homebuying 101 – Learn what you need to buy a home. Discuss the home-buying process and learn helpful tips and resources. Presented at noon by the Portland Development Commission.
• Emergencies: Beyond 72 Hours – Prepare yourself and your family for beyond the first three days after an emergency. Presented at 1 p.m. by the City of Portland Office of Emergency Management.
• Create a Budget That Works – Learn the best ways to budget, save money, and reduce debt. Presented at 1 p.m. by Mirra Consulting.
• Crime Prevention – Solutions to crime and livability issues. Presented at 1 p.m. by the City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Team.
• Hiring a Contractor – Understand contract details, how to avoid fraud and scams, and get valuable tips. Presented at 1 p.m. by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

Yard & Garden

• General Tree Care – Thorough pruning results in trees that thrive. See examples of healthy trees and pruning techniques. Presented at 9 a.m. by City of Portland Parks and Recreation.
• Grow Your Own Vegetables! – Learn which plants grow best in the Pacific Northwest, when to plant, and how plentiful the bounty will be. Presented at 9 a.m. by City of Portland Parks and Recreation, Community Gardens.
• Introduction to Naturescaping – Naturalize your yard with naturescaping and help keep it healthy. Presented at 9 a.m. by East Multnomah Soil and Water.
• Weeds – Discuss why some weeds are unwanted or invasive, and learn how to control them in your yard. Presented at 10 a.m. by East Multnomah Soil and Water.
• Introduction to Rain Gardens – Manage stormwater from disconnected downspouts. Assess a site for suitability, chose appropriate plants and more. Presented at 11 a.m. by East Multnomah Soil and Water.
• Vegetable Gardening for the Northwest Climate – Plant a successful vegetable garden with easy tips for soil preparation, planting calendars, planting methods, and water conservation strategies. Presented at 11 a.m. by Oregon Food Bank.
• Converting Lawn to Garden – Reduce your lawn mowing chores and grow chemical-free vegetables instead! Learn how to convert your lawn – or weed patch – into raised garden beds. Presented at noon by Metro.
• Composting Made Easy – It’s easy and inexpensive to improve garden soil by composting your food and garden waste. Learn how to set up and maintain a compost system or worm bin. Presented at 1 p.m. by Metro.

The 22nd Annual Fix-It Fair season is presented by The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development and supported by the following sponsors: Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power, Portland Development Commission, and Portland General Electric.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Hey! Don’t throw away those return-deposit bottles and cans that piled up during the Holidays! Here’s where to take them – and why …

The first Saturday in December, the Parkrose Swim Team helped Dave “Can Man” Luce collect and sort deposit-return bottles and cans.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
On the first Saturday of the month – including January 3, 2009 – the Parkrose Can Man (aka Dave Luce) and his clan (student volunteers from clubs, sports teams and groups at Parkrose-area schools) collect deposit-return cans and bottles.

As the Parkrose High Swim Team takes our cans, Luce tells us, “We raised $576.40 last month.” To learn more about how and why Luce has become known as the Can Man, read our past articles: CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE for two of them.

Just a reminder: Instead of dragging your cans all over town – or worse, leaving them out by the curb, thus enabling drug-affected scavengers – round ’em up and take them to the Parkrose Boosters Pop Can Drive – they’re open 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Parkrose Middle School, on NE Shaver Street, across from Parkrose High School.

If you manage a place of business, call Dave Luce and he’ll bring over and service a can recycling barrel for you. Or, if you have a large load of cans to be picked up, call him at (503) 255-3745.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Officials aren’t saying if this partial cave-in is related to the collapse that happened four years ago. Find out what we did learn about the incident …

Shoppers looked puzzled and confused when they were directed to stay away from the Gateway Fred Meyer store last Saturday.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“This is kind of creepy; the roof fell in at the same place a few years ago,” was the sentiment expressed by shopper Marta Sanchez as she walked away from the yellow tape which warned shoppers to stay away from the Gateway Fred Meyer store on December 27.

She was right: the roof once before gave way at this store, in nearly the same place – on the store’s west side – in January, 2004.

In this four-year-old East Portland News archive photo, workers clear debris and begin to rebuild the section damaged after part of the Gateway Freddie’s roof collapsed.

It happened again – in nearly the same spot – as this PF&R photo shows.

Finds roof top ‘swimming pool’
Some reports said shoppers were in the store when the roof caved in this week. But, according to Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) spokesperson Kim Kosmas, “The collapse happened when only a few employees were in the store.  Everyone was able to escape without any injuries.”

When PF&R crews rolled up to the store on NE 102nd Avenue at 7:10 a.m., Kosmas said they discovered a 30′ x 30′ section of roof had collapsed on the side of the building facing the Gateway MAX station.

According to Kosmas, roof drains were blocked by a heavy accumulation of snow. When it started raining on Saturday morning, there was nowhere for the water to go. “This caused a ‘swimming pool effect’ on the roof,” stated Kosmas.

Water gushing from the store’s sprinkler system added to the mess at this Fred Meyer store. PF&R photo

Broken pipe floods store
As the roof gave way, falling debris struck the store’s fire suppression system water pipes, knocking them loose from a sprinkler riser pipe. “That added insult to injury, with additional water pouring into the structure,” Kosmas noted.

PF&R crews were concerned that a secondary collapse might occur, and closely monitored the structure until they relinquished control of the scene to the building owners and structural engineers. The fire crews were gone by 10:00 a.m.; the store employees looked to be involved in recovery efforts when we arrived at noon.

Our request to speak with a Fred Meyer official on-scene was greeted with a gruff rebuff, preventing us from being able to report on the recovery effort, but the store did reopen the following day.

A little after 12 noon, heavy cranes, like this one, started rolling on scene to help workers with damage control and reconstruction efforts.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why volunteers each year turn the outer East Portland DHS office into a delightful wonderland for hundreds of kids during the Holiday season …

Amanda Martinez and Sherry Robinson, children living in foster care, say they’re thankful they can enjoy a delicious Holiday meal and the DHS Holiday Party events.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While many people find the Holidays taxing, consider the stress felt by a child living in foster care at Christmastime.

“When parents are unable to keep their children safe,” explained Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Service Specialist, Mary Boehme, “the children are often placed in foster care with relatives or non-relative families. Parents are given an opportunity to change their circumstances in order to reunite. The Holidays are a difficult time for the children and parents alike.”

For the eighth year in a row, workers at the DHS East Multnomah Branch have worked to make the Holidays bright by hosting a special Christmas party for foster kids. The event has grown over the years; this party hosted more than 200 children with their siblings, parents, and foster parents, from Mid- and East Multnomah County.

Event brings families together
“This time of year, parents of children in foster care often want to be with their kids,” Boehme told us, as the event got underway.

“This party gives kids the opportunity to experience a fun, no-stress event with their visiting parents or foster parents,” Boehme noted. “It’s a way that East Branch can give back to the kids that we serve, and perhaps allow the parents to have some fun time with their kids while they’re in foster care.”

DHS volunteers turn the normally utilitarian-looking visiting rooms at their offices on SE 122nd Avenue into a Holiday wonderland. Cheerfully decorated visiting rooms offer games, crafts, face painting, and cookie-decorating.

Mary Boehme, with the DHS East Branch, gets help from Jeff Dayton and Bill Dayton, owners of Pizza Baron, who present Santa Claus his own Christmas pizza. “It’s like leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, but hot and cheesier,” Bill said.

Labor and supplies donated
The children and families who attend this party are often without financial resources,” pointed out Boehme’s coworker, Stacey Mahler. “This party allows them to enjoy a rare Holiday event as a family. This year, as families are struggling more than ever before, it seems really important to do this.”

The party is organized by staff volunteers who plan, manage, acquire in-kind and monetary donations, decorate, and volunteer in the party rooms. “We hold fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for supplies and food,” Mahler added.

We ran into Jeff and Bill Dayton, owners of Pizza Baron just up the street at SE 122nd Avenue at SE Division Street, as they were bringing in stacks of hot, bubbling pizza. “Our customers come from the outer East Portland community,” Bill Dayton told us, “we do our best support good causes here, as we have for the past 30 years.”

Boehme said their organization appreciates local companies, such as Pizza Baron. “The kids love their pizza. And, Bill and Jeff have been supportive of DHS East branch, helping us and our organization, and our kids, for years in so many ways.”

Weather gives ’em a break
Many Holiday events were cancelled this season due to poor weather conditions, but good fortune – and the sun – shone on the DHS volunteers, as the party got underway on December 16.

We saw many small, smiling faces as the youngsters “fished” for gifts, got their faces painted, spent a few moments with Santa Claus – and gobbled down slices of pizza.

Caricature artists Steve Dorris and Sam Arneson draw whimsical portraits of the visiting kids.

Boehme and Mahler asked us to acknowledge other organizations who contributed to the event: The Duck Store, Oaks Amusement Park, Portland Children’s Museum, Columbia Sportswear, Higgins Restaurant, Learning Palace, Music Millennium, Old Spaghetti Factory, OMSI, Maletis Beverage, NW Priority Credit Union, On Point Community Credit Union, Steamfitter Union Local 290, and Met-Tek Inc.

“We thank them so much; this wonderful day wouldn’t be possible without their support,” Boehme said.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

You might say this bungling crook got clean away – but didn’t get a single cent for his efforts. The victim’s hands weren’t totally clean, though – find out why he was arrested during the investigation …

This Washman car wash on NE 82nd Avenue of Roses at NE Glisan Street sprays down hundreds of vehicles every day – and power-washed a would-be bandit on December 13.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The crime was simple, although perhaps not well-thought-out: Just rob a Montavilla-area carwash, and scoot with some quick cash.

On Saturday, December 13, at 10:42 a.m., a man wearing a skull-stenciled ski mask tried to rob the Washman Carwash, located at 426 NE 81st Avenue of Roses, The suspect approached an employee on foot, pulled a gun from his sweatshirt, and demanded money.

“The suspect dropped the gun, and it appears the gun fell apart,” reported Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Officer Catherine Kent. “The suspect then waved his fist at the employee and demanded money.

These four photos, taken by the car wash’s security cameras, tell the story.

The employee, Chris Truax, walked the suspect over to a booth and opened up the till, as the suspect demanded.

“I wasn’t trying to be a hero,” Truax said. “It just really upset me that this guy was getting into my personal space, even though I was trying to cooperate.” When the masked bandit reached for the money, Truax said he grabbed the power washer and sprayed the suspect in the face.

Perhaps thinking the “skeleton” ski mask would frighten his victim, the suspect charges Truax.

Truax picks up a gun of his own – a high-pressure washer spray gun – and prepares to blast the suspect in the face.

“The suspect fled on foot westbound on NE Everett Street,” Kent reported. “The suspect is described as a white male in his 20’s, 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and a white ‘skeleton’ ski mask. The employee described the suspect as having dark eyes and unusually long arms. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Becomes a Crime Stoppers case
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony, and you remain anonymous.  Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357) or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com.

Victim later arrested
We’d heard that Truax, the victim of the robbery attempt, was later arrested on an unrelated charge.

Kent told us, “Yes, that is correct. Officers discovered an unresolved, seven-year-old DUI warrant during the course of their investigation. He was arrested, and later released.”

“I should have taken care of this long ago,” Truax told reporters. “I’m taking care of it now!”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

If you haven’t noticed, this story is unfolding just outside your door – and been on TV for the past week. Here’s our take on the situation …

Sledding down this East Portland hill was occasionally interrupted by folks who had to get out in their trucks to drive around during the height of the snow storm.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
We can’t ignore the weather – it interrupted Christmas plans for everyone in East Portland. Those that must work struggled to find a way to their place of employment. Schools, alternately open and closed as the weather changed by the hour, had to be maintained during the storm.

The snow was deep and beautiful, looking out behind the East Portland News and www.eastPDXnews.com international headquarters in SE Portland.

The East Portland News Cruiser remains under feet of snow and ice during the worst of the storm.

Snowiest of Decembers
This winter storm didn’t bring the coldest weather on record, according to Charles Dalton meteorologist intern at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service is located in outer East Portland on NE 122nd Avenue, just south of NE Airport Way.

“Typically, we see temperatures in the low- to mid-40s,” Dalton told us today. “We were 10º to 15º below normal – quite a way from breaking any records.”

But the snowstorm that started on December 19 is a record-breaker, Dalton added. “From the 19th through the 25th, this is pretty much a 40 year event. This has been our snowiest December on record. It really compares to the deepest snowfall on record – the storm in January 1950 with 42” measured at the airport.

Your editor discovers that the East Portland News Weather Deck is snowed in!

Along with a break in the weather on Christmas Eve day came shoppers – hoards of them – whether or not they were equipped to drive in winter weather conditions.

White Christmas after all
Mother Nature gave forecasters the Bronx-cheer on Christmas Day.

Instead of balmy temperatures and warm rain to scour out the snow and ice still clinging to Portland area streets as predicted, fringed Arctic wind swept south, and then west through the Columbia Gorge midday, changing the rain into final blast of snow and sleet.

What are the forecasters saying about this week’s upcoming weather? Regardless when you read this, you can always get the up-to-date forecast from the National Weather Service for outer East Portland by CLICKING HERE. Or, enter the Zip Code at the top of the page to see the 7-day forecast for any location in the country.

The day after Christmas, most major highways and freeways were drivable. Side streets remained almost impassable.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See what happened when these young craftsmen turned their attention to making toys for disadvantaged kids – instead of producing gifts for their own family and friends …

David Douglas High School instructor Jeff Reardon shows the process flow chart that he and his class members developed to help them successfully manufacture 100 wooden toys in a very short period of time.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One of the few high schools that haven’t axed classes in practical skills – such as woodworking and metal shop – is David Douglas High School.

“Our Woods Manufacturing Program is one of the school’s eight ‘Career Paths’ that are available,” said instructor Jeff Reardon as we met in his office overlooking the woodshop floor to get way from the noise made by saws, drills, and sanders, operated by students.

DDHS student Gerardo Ruiz cuts out wheels for toy trucks using a drill press.

Manufacturing opportunity appears
“I was looking for a manufacturing project for our students,” Reardon began. “The questions that come up are, ‘What do we make?’ and ‘Where do we get the materials?’ and “Who will the customer be?'”

These questions were answered by Gig Lewis, who is with the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers. Explained Reardon, “He asked if we’d like to be involved in a special project. They would provide the plans and material for the project.” The product turned out to be a toy truck.

Members of the Guild, Reardon noted, had been making hand-crafted wooden toys, destined for the Marine’s Toy-and-Joy drive, for three years. “We had six weeks to design a manufacturing process, and produce them.”

It takes teamwork, coordination, and good communications, documenting what is to be done to run a manufacturing operation, Reardon said. “We’ve created a list of the parts for our project, and a process. These are valuable skills to build high-quality products, whether you manufacturing in wood, metal, or plastics.

Students like Max Basarava discover and utilize methods for mass-producing toys –like sanding dozens of wheels at one time.

Experienced young woodworkers rise to challenge
Once they’d completed their production methods, the classmembers got to work. “These students have been in the program for two to three years; they know how to operate the woodworking equipment. What they’re learning is how to mass-produce a product – instead of making an individual project.”

The eleven students in Reardon’s class worked diligently to meet their goal of producing 100 finished units. “That’s quite a few – for example, they need to make 400 wooden wheels. And, there are 14 parts in each toy.”

Geonard Castaneda, Kevin Orszulak, Mr. Reardon, and Anatoliy Pshenichnykh check the production schedule at the end of a class period.

Student volunteers pitch in
All David Douglas students are required to provide several hours of volunteer time, Reardon explained. To make sure that Santa’s bag wouldn’t be light by a few toys, Reardon said he asked teachers of other Career Pathways to ask their students to volunteer on the project.

“The response was great,” the instructor said. “Many of our volunteers, like those from the Arts and Communications group – your future reporters and editors, someday – had never done woodworking. They came in and sanded their hearts out. We could not have done it without them.”

On December 9, the class had their trucks finished and ready for delivery. Because of their efforts, 100 youngsters will be having fun with toys made for them by older kids, right here in outer East Portland.

Student project manager Chris Becker approves of the quality of this finished toy truck before it is packaged.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News