Here’s our “feel-good story of the year”! See why we enjoyed meeting the gal who so well represented the Pacific Northwest’s Boys & Girls Clubs at the national competition in Washington DC …

The Pacific Northwest “Youth of the Year”, Ashley Turner, tells about her life – thus far.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Growing up, Ashley Turner’s life wasn’t easy. She drifted into a street gang.

But, instead of becoming a tragic statistic, she turned her life around with the help of caring folks the Meyer Memorial Boys & Girls Club in Westmoreland.

We sat at a table outside of the club festooned with a giant “Welcome Home Ashley” banner; a red carpet led up to the front doors. The guest of honor was being welcomed “home” a few weeks ago after returning from a national scholarship competition back east.

“I came from poor circumstances as a child,” Turner began her story.

“To escape this, I became a gang member at the age of 11,” the perky 19-year-old said. “I really had a lot of ups and downs. Then, I found the Boys & Girls Club. Although it took a ninety-minute bus ride to get here, I came here every single day – that’s how devoted I was to this place. They really made me feel like I belonged.”

Club provides life-changing experiences
The positive influence of the club helped Turner turn her life around, she explained. Over the years, she became an enthusiastic supporter; and this year, she was encouraged to enter the “Youth of the Year” competition.

On the strength of her public speech and personal interviews, Turner won the Portland-area title. She went on to prevail at the statewide contest.

“From there, I went on to represent Oregon in the Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition, against eleven others from Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and all over the Pacific Northwest. I won this competition as well.”

Although she didn’t mention it, we learned that by earning this title, she was also awarded $10,000 scholarship from the Readers’ Digest Foundation.

This large banner above the Meyer Memorial Boys & Girls Club was one of many welcoming Ashley Turner, after she represented the Pacific Region at the Youth of the Year competition in Washington DC.

Competes at our nation’s capitol
Although she wasn’t chosen for national honors, Turner beamed a genuine smile when she said visiting Washington DC was a great experience. “I’m so proud to be the face and voice of the past, present, and future members of our Boys & Girls Clubs.”

One highlight of the trip, Turner related, was meeting President Bush in the White House. “We met in the Oval Office – it’s a cream color, with thick yellow carpeting. The President was really funny and made a lot of jokes. But he also talked about the importance of leadership. He said the prayers of the people are with us. He was an amazing gentleman.”

Additionally, Turner spoke to members of Congress at a Congressional breakfast, and threw out the opening pitch at a Washington Nationals baseball game.

Shares her life’s mission
“I’ve decided that this is what I want to do with the rest of my life,” Turner stated resolutely.

“So many of our kids need somebody they can talk to,” she explained. “They need to feel like they belong, and feel useful. Most of all, they really need positive influences in their lives. This is the most important thing that I can do as an individual.”

When a young person feels like they “don’t belong”, they tend to give up and lose hope, Turner made clear. “It becomes easy to fall into gangs, drugs and alcohol abuse. You feel like you have no reason for being, no reason to live. When things get so bad at home and school that the only ones you can really get along with are gang members, you need someplace to go. The Boys & Girls Clubs are that place.”

Flanked by two of her young supporters, Fiona and Sophia Marziello, Ashley Turner is welcomed back to Westmoreland’s Meyer Boys & Girls Club.

Gives back to her community
Even though Turner is today a student at Portland Community College, she also takes time to be a part-time staff member at the Boys & Girls Club.

“It is important for me to give back to my community. I want to give back to kids that are going through the same circumstances that I was.

“Look: I know what it was like. When you walk us through these double red doors, see staff members smiling at you, giving you a hug if you’re feeling down, helping you do homework so you can succeed, or even picking up a basketball and playing a little one-on-one, and actually taking time to care about you – it’s the best feeling in the world. It really is.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

You can’t affect the plans of politicians in Washington DC – but you can decide who will take Lisa Naito’s Position #3 on the Board of Multnomah County Commissioners. Get to know the candidates better before you vote …

To get the meeting going, the Gateway Area Business Association’s “Rubber Chicken Award” is presented to Javier Gutierrez; manager of Midland Regional Library – the new home of the organization’s monthly meetings by the group’s president, Alan Sanchez.

Story by Watford Reed; photos by David F. Ashton
With the closure of JJ North’s Buffet, the site of their monthly meetings for years, the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA) has moved to Midland Regional Library for its October meeting.

The central topic of this month’s meeting was the race for Multnomah County Commissioner, Position #3, now held by Lisa Naito.

About 50 business people and neighbors came to hear the Candidate’s Forum presenting Mike Delman and Judy Shiprack

“This race is important,” observed moderator David F. Ashton, “Because the successful candidate will have a direct voice in administrating a $1.2 Billion dollar budget – derived from your tax dollars. And, with this responsibility, him or her will be paid $82,000 per year, plus benefits, for their services.”

With that, Ashton invited Mike Delman and Judy Shiprack to the front of the room, and asked each to say why they were running for the office.

Note: Rather than characterize the candidates’ responses, we present truncated full-text quotes so you may get to know them — in their own words.

Multnomah County Commissioner, Position #3 candidate Mike Delman.

Introducing Mike Delman
“Our county government is struggling to pay its bills, deliver services, and connect with the private sector and citizens,” Delman began. “The policies and programs undertaken by the county make a difference in all of our lives. I am running for Multnomah County Commissioner because my heart and soul is in this County, and I have the experience to make a difference.”

Delman outlined his service in the public sector as chief of staff to former Commissioner Gary Hansen, the executive assistant to the Multnomah County Sheriff, work with the Multnomah County Department of Aging and Disability services. He currently serves as the public affairs director for Portland Habilitation Center, a non-profit that trains and employs the disabled.

“I have seen first-hand how the county operates, and how it can run efficiently and effectively.”

Multnomah County Commissioner, Position #3 candidate Judy Shiprack.

Introducing Judy Shiprack
“I’m the candidate with real experience,” challenged Shiprack, as she outlined her vocational background as a teacher, deputy district attorney, and member of the Oregon State House of Representatives for three terms.

“I’ve been in charge of housing development for over 200 families and low income people. I have real experience, and have obtained real results. I understand problem-solving,” Shiprack said.

As a state representative, Shiprack said, “I created real programs; this is different from being a staff person. This is having a vote, and being in charge of advocating for programs that need to get support in order to pass.”

If elected to the County Commission, she said her priority is “investing in children; being smart about public safety, and getting our fair share of the taxes which we pay to Salem returned, to take care of services here in our community.”

Questions and Answers

Four questions were put to the two candidates; each had the opportunity to respond.

Q Many feel the board of Multnomah County Commissioners still carries the stigma of being back-room dealing, back-biting politicians; especially because some of these meetings appear to have broken “open-meeting” laws and these illegal meeting activities were never prosecuted. What will you do to make sure that the business of the County is conducted in the sunshine of openness and transparency?

A: Shiprack
“Was that a two-minute question?” Shiprack quipped. “The public meetings law is there for an important reason.  They’re important to me as a voter and a taxpayer. They will be important to me as a member of the Board of County commissioners.”

Shiprack paused giving her answer to make the aside that, in a six-candidate primary, she garnered 37% of the votes.

“The voters respect the fact that I am open; that I have conducted my businesses with high ethical standard, and I have been responsive to voters.  That is my record of achievement. I stand on that record. The conduct of public business in the full light of public scrutiny is very important to me. I will be an advocate for the continuation of that practice. And of course, as an officer of the court, they’ll be responsible and continue to be responsible to make sure that the light shines in our process.

Candidate Mike Delman.

A: Delman
“I’ve talked about independent verification for contracts and financial projects since I entered this race. I believe in further transparency. I will strongly work to enforce the existing statues to prevent decisions from being made behind closed doors; not before a public body.”

Turning to Shiprack, Delman added, “During this campaign, I have yet to hear my opponent comment on the actions of two of the [Multnomah County] commissioners considered responsible for allegedly breaking those public meeting laws.”

Q Politicians tell us of their lofty ideals. Instead, tell us the most important issues — ones that are actually under the control of the county — on which you’ll focus your efforts.

A: Delman
“I’ll focus my efforts on reopening a health clinic in the southeast quadrant of Multnomah County. There was a clinic at SE 33rd and Powell until three years ago. I’ve put forward a tangible plan inviting the Portland Adventist or Province Medical Center to partner with the county to open a health clinic to serve up to 2,500 people who are underserved. The incentive for them will be the reduction of uninsured clients coming in for emergency care.  Emergency care costs a lot more than primary care.

“I will examine the $57 million in [the County’s] general fund that goes to contracts. Auditors say as many as 58 contracts were turned in without any approval. I look to separate monitoring and evaluation from administering the contracts.

“I’ll look at getting the County out of its motor pool and vehicle maintenance business. The City of Portland has outsourced this for two years, and saved money.

“I will join [Multnomah County Commissioner] Jeff Cogan’s effort to get a voice with the Portland Development Commission to wisely use Urban Renewal dollars and tax increment financing dollars to promote family wage jobs all over District 3 – more than in the Gateway and Lents area alone.

“And, I would also work to open Wapato Jail through a partnership with the State of Oregon, and local government partners. I think it’s likely that one of the ballot measures [providing for mandatory sentences for property crimes] will pass, and that will give us the opening to open those first 150 beds which are the most expensive to the economy of scale.”

Candidate Judy Shiprack.

A: Shiprack
“I want to go back and say to invest in children; instead of moving public safety expenditures into what I like to call the shallow end of the pool. I know that investing in kids fights crime. We have two programs right now, Early Childhood Head Start and a targeted Visiting Nurse program. These are both evidence-based programs. They’ve been scientifically shown to prevent criminal behavior both in juveniles and in future adults. That’ll be one of my priorities – investing in kids.

“‘Smart public safety’ means that we need to invest more in addiction treatment. Over 80% of the people who are booked into the Multnomah County jails are alcohol or drug affected. We know that addiction treatment works. We know that when we release people from our jails back into our community, and they haven’t had any drug addiction treatment, they’re going to come back [into jail], because their property crimes are driven by their addiction. I want to have programs that divert mentally ill people from expensive jail beds.

“Right now, we know that 13% of the people who are incarcerated have a serious mental illness. Police are not equipped to diagnose mental illness, nor are emergency room treatment or booking room personnel. I will support a triage center so we can divert mentally ill people from our jails.

“I’m also going to support getting fair tax treatment — which means going to Salem — to go in for local option taxes.”

Q On your list of priorities, where falls “protecting citizens by incarcerating criminals, fully funding other Sheriff’s Office programs and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office” – and  why?

A: Shiprack
“I totally agree with [Multnomah County] Chair Wheeler that he did a wonderful job of establishing priorities for the county in light of an $18 million shortfall. Multnomah County, unlike the federal government, doesn’t print its own money. And we’re glad we don’t. What Chair Wheeler did with his budget process was that he drew a protective circle around services that Multnomah County provides to the most vulnerable of our services. By doing that, he defined what I was talking about as the ‘shallow end of the pool’.

“I was a deputy district attorney, and I understand how important is to fund programs in the attorney office.  In particular, child support enforcement programs in the district attorney’s office, get very little attention. But as we know, child support, and taking care of children, is one of the ways we invest in children and prevent crime in the future.

“Until the sheriff’s office has made real inroads on the recommendations that were made in the post-factors study, to limit the abuse of overtime – to limit the abusive behavior and abusive standards that were going on with the supervision of people in our jails – we should look with a very skeptical eye at increasing funding. We should ask the sheriff’s office to live within its means.”

A: Delman
“The county has cut budgets for eight straight years. I had three main priorities to maximize use of funding. Those are: Public safety, health care and the School Programs.

“After trying to protect funding for those three areas, I believe we have to look at a new paradigm rather than ‘thinning down the soup’. I am pleased that I have earned the support of Sheriff Bob Skipper, Senior Deputy Norm Frank, and the Multnomah County corrections officers Association for my stance on public safety.

“My opponent and I differ on the use of a Wapato Jail.  I have supported [Multnomah County District Attorney] Mike Shrunk’s plan for the use of ‘hard’ beds and treatment beds. I don’t believe treatment is a panacea for everything. Frankly, our economy is not bottomed out. We need to have ‘hard beds’ for those who are found guilty and need to be detained – as well as treatment beds.  I think we can open Wapato, but it still needs to be looked at with higher jail beds as well as treatment jail beds.

Q What do you see as the main difference between you and your opponent in this race — and why should we care?

A: Delman
“I have the best experience needed to make a difference on the Board of County commissioners. I’ve assisted in balancing eight county budgets during the 1990s. I have strong relations in the private sector, public sector and in the nonprofit sectors needed to open up our decision-making process.

“You should care because the county has a $1.2 billion budget. No one respects ‘other people’s money’ more than I do. I will be the watchdog to make sure that your tax dollars are put to their highest and best use.

“There’s a clear difference between my opponent and I, when it comes to fiscal responsibility. One, I would never put myself, my family, and my organization, at risk in a speculative project that could lose a lot of money.  This is especially if I was not confident of success. If I did, I would spend the rest of my life trying to make up and repay those tax dollars. I wouldn’t go to the newspaper editorial boards and tell them that this makes me a better candidate.

“The difference between my opponent and I is the $1.8 million loss which she has said, ‘is a good use of public funds’ to subsidize 60 units of housing that sold for $140,000-$469,000 in 2001.

“I’d rather spend a $1.8 million on 57 jail beds, five deputy D.A.’s, two health clinics to serve up to 5000 who are uninsured, or 21 School Programs.

“There is a clear choice here.  If you want the status quo, support my opponent.  If you want someone can make a difference, I welcome your support.”

A Shiprack
“I think we just heard part of the reason why I am the better candidate. And, why I will be a better County Commissioner than my opponent: I actually understand how these programs work.

“First, it is a totally appropriate role for the Portland Development Commission, as well as the nonprofit community, to be innovative and be creative. And, had we not participated in building affordable housing in Old Town/Chinatown, there would not be a Pacific Towers development that brought 157 units of rental housing; there would not be a 24-hour presence in the area.

“And, I also want to say that the $1.8 million feels like ‘It’s a wonderful life’.  The $1.8 million is in the building, the property that is not sold because of a difficult location, and because of a difficult market.  We will see that realized.

“But I think that what we’re hearing is really misconstruction. But that doesn’t surprise me, because we’ve already heard that my opponent confuses aggression and passion. I want to assure you that I don’t confuse either aggression with passion, nor do I confuse assertiveness with aggression.

“I’m going to protect the very important role of government, and especially in hard times, and especially with leaders such as yourselves, to be innovative, to be creative, to be bold and courageous, and to go places, that really, the private sector cannot go on its own.  That is truly the role of government. It is more of the role of government in difficult times that it is an ordinary times. And we are in difficult times. I appreciate your support.”

Candidates pitch for your vote

Candidate Mike Delman.

Mike Delman
“I’m running to make a difference. I think there is a clear choice in this race.  I’m not here in Gateway after the fact, simply as a candidate. I’ve been coming to this organization for 18 months; I’ve been going to six business associations and 14 neighborhood associations; I’ve gone to every festival, Parade and Farmer’s market. I’ve been coming here, not as candidate, but to start a relationship with you.

“My mentor, and my former boss, Gary Hanson, allocated staff throughout his eight years in office to participate in meetings, to bring legislation forward from groups such as yours. If I’m lucky enough to be elected to represent you. I’ll do the same thing.  I know the difference between right choices and wrong choices when using your tax money for the highest and best use.  I hope I can earn your support.”

Candidate Judy Shiprack.

Judy Shiprack
“First, thank you all of you for caring enough about your local government to be here today. It’s been engaging for me to be at the doorsteps of so many voters, and to have won the approval of so many voters.

“I want to say that in the primary, I had over twice as many votes as my opponent; I think that is going to carry through again. I want to remind you once again, that I have been in the arena. I’m not standing back and throwing stones at other people’s work. I have done the hard work myself. I stand ready to do more of that hard work; and heavy lifting.

“The first ‘hate crimes’ bill was drafted at my desk and passed by a single vote in the House of Representatives with my advocacy. The Oregon Housing Trust Fund was not an easy sell. The Oregon Lenders Housing Tax Credit was not an easy sell. These programs required advocacy, and innovation.

“In terms of Multnomah County’s future, it is the future of our children; it is a future of our communities; it is the future of our lives that is the quality of our allies in this community.  I’m very proud of have the support of District 3; I look forward to being back here with you on many occasions.

Meet the GABA Members
GABA meets the second Tuesday of each month – to network, and to learn from community and business leaders. Find out more by visiting their website at www.gabanet.com.

David F. Ashton transcribed candidates’ responses featured in this report.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

The FBI is asking for help finding a man they suspect of being a serial bank robber. See what we found out about the October 8th crime wave …

One of the triple robberies of October 8 was here – at the Fred Meyer Employee Credit Union, across the street from Midland Regional Library.

The crime wave actually started two days earlier, on October 6th, when officials say a man attempted to rob this Key Bank branch in the Gateway Shopping Center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
We may never know if the recent wave of bank stick-ups is related in any way to the faltering economy. We do know that four financial institutions – three banks, and two credit unions – were almost robbed or actually held up. And, three of the incidents occurred within one hour on October 8.

We listened to the jumble of calls coming over the police radios, and asked Portland Police Bureau (PPB) spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz if he could help us untangle the stories. “These are bank robbery investigations, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Schmautz explained. He added that while the police assists the FBI during these events, these are federal crimes, and he is not permitted to comment on them.

Another of the October 8th robberies took place at this Fred Meyer Employee Federal Credit Union office near Midland Library.

Credit union suspects corralled, but not arrested
We listened, as PPB officers tracked a stash of cash – containing a hidden transmitter – taken from the Fred Meyer Employee Federal Credit Union on SE Morrison Street, just north of the Midland Regional Library.

Officers followed the moving money to an apartment complex about a block south, on SE 122nd Avenue, abutting the library’s parking lot. As police moved in, the avenue was shut down between SE Stark and Mill Streets for nearly two hours.

The day after the incident, Midland Regional Library’s manager, Javier Gutierrez, told us, “Police officers told us to lock our doors and not let anyone in or out.” He said that police officers swarmed around the apartment buildings to the south of the library’s parking lot.

Witnesses say police shut down SE 122nd Avenue while they encouraged the surrender of two robbery suspects in an apartment in this small compex, just south of the library.

From what we learned after the incident, from people who say they witnessed it, the police focused their attention – and weapons – on one particular apartment for just under an hour, before one man surrendered. Shortly thereafter, another suspect exited the dwelling.

Both suspects were detained while cops searched the apartment for evidence. As of October 10, according to FBI spokesperson Beth Anne Steele, no one was arrested in the Fred Meyer Employee Federal Credit Union robbery.

An accused bank robber in custody
Another robbery on that afternoon took place at the US Bank branch on 12203 NE Glisan St. about 4:25 p.m.

Officials from the FBI say this man, Jheraun Alexander Dunlap, was taken into custody in connection with the robbery at the US Bank branch on NE Glisan St.

The FBI’s Steele told us 25-year-old Jheraun Alexander Dunlap was arrested in connection with this case, but gave no other details of the alleged crime.

FBI searches for “Mullet Man”
Typically, the FBI is tight-lipped about bank robbery investigations. However, their spokesperson, Beth Anne Steele, asked for help identifying and locating a man responsible for two bank robberies and three attempted bank robberies in the Portland-Vancouver metro area this week.

The man, nicknamed “Mullet Man” by the FBI because of his appearance, attempted his first robbery in Portland on Monday October 6 at the Key Bank located at 1205 NE 102nd Avenue. The same day, officials say he actually succeeded in robbing a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Tualatin.

Have you seen “Mullet Man”? If so, contact the FBI immediately!

“Mullet Man” is also wanted in connection with attempted or successful robberies of Bank of America branches in Vancouver and Portland, and the IBEW Federal Credit Union in the Mall 205 area.

In several of the robberies or attempts, including the Key Bank in Portland and the Bank of America in Vancouver, he wore what looks (on surveillance video) like a long-haired wig. Witnesses describe him as a white man in his mid-40’s with a slender build (about 160 pounds), and is about 5’9″ tall. On several occasions, he wore a blue Nike baseball cap as well.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI in Portland at (503) 224-4181 twenty-four hours a day, or the FBI in Vancouver at (360) 695-5661 during normal business hours.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

While all students from three Parkrose schools were eligible for the Masons’ Summer Reading Program, find out how many how many did – and what they won …

Dale Imbleau, Worshipful Master of Eastgate Lodge #155, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Christos Efthimiadis, Worshipful Master of Parkrose Masonic Lodge, begins the Summer Reading Awards program.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Eastgate and Parkrose Masonic Lodges celebrated youngsters who had participated in their Summer Reading program on September 25.

“This year, we expanded the program to include three Parkrose elementary schools: Prescott, Shaver, and Sacramento,” explained Dale Imbleau, Worshipful Master, Eastgate Lodge #155 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

Students who qualified for the drawing from Prescott Elementary School await their certificates – and to learn if one of their names was drawn to win one of the new bicycles.

Over the summer, Imbleau, said, young students were required to read 15 books – at their grade level – to qualify for a drawing for a free bicycle. “About 50 students took us up on our offer, and qualified for the drawing,” he told us, “and we have a dozen bicycles to give away tonight.”

Asked why the Masons host a reading program, Imbleau told us, “One of the tenets of Free Masonry is that we have is free thought. By encouraging children to read, we encourage them to become better-educated, and more active in their communities. In short, we equip them to be better citizens.”

Prescott Elementary School student Jack Ramirez draws names out the hat held by Christos Efthimiadis – Worshipful Master of Parkrose Masonic Lodge.

Short program features drawing
Christos Efthimiadis, Worshipful Master of Parkrose Masonic Lodge ,welcomed teachers, parents, and a room full of expectant students to their meeting. “This is our second year at Sacramento School, and we are glad that we can include Prescott and Shaver this year as well,” Efthimiadis announced.

“It is very exciting for us to reward the children. It is our honor to be able to reach out and encourage young readers, and bring them here for the special evening. It’s good that you’ve read books. It’s very important that you continue to do that.”

In addition to the brand-new bicycle, the winners also were given a bicycle safely helmet. Efthimiadis advised them, “Be sure to wear it and stay safe.”

Each child who qualified for the drawing received a Certificate of Participation. With that, the drawing began.

Parkrose Lodge’s Past Master James Akers presents lucky summer reader Mckenna Galyon with her brand-new bicycle.

Summer Reading Program Honor Roll

Prescott Elementary School

• Sonja Keller Young
• Caleb Martindale
• Lamberto Lavadores Villacis
• Steve Mendoza Ruiz
• Luis Soto
• Jason Gutierrez
• Christian Ponce Zuniga
• Daniel Senina
• Ivan Senina
• Bill Truong
• Jamari Gilbert
• Henry Mendoza
• Alan Lavadores Villacis
• Marlene Hernandez
• Karina Patel
• Tabitha Klein
• Nicolay Senina
• Kinsey Martindale
• Maria Than
• Michaela Bersine
• Alina Ursatiy
• Chelsea Lopez Cabrera
• Cherry Mendoza Ruiz
• Kaitlyn Cha
• Elizabeth Escobar
• Tamika Perret
• Shelbie Dunn
• Kelly Cha
• Candy Mendoza Ruiz

Sacramento Elementary School

• Jonathan Almasan
• Kayley Le
• Gabe Sieber
• Margot Amdal
• Yudie Lewis
• Benjamin Almasan
• Dmitriy Rogozhnikov
• Leia Braich
• Moses Ramirez-Torres
• Rikka Gustey
• Cassidy Calyon
• Alexus Torres
• Tyler Minden
• Buno Vongsay

Shaver Elementary School

• Rene Cervantes
• Maryangela Cervantes
• Erick Olvera Duran
• Belen Liliana
• Zemar Smith
• Minh Le
• Nguyen Le
• Ediberto Marvin

“Next year, we hope to encourage even more students to read over the summer months,” Imbleau said. “And, give away more bicycles.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Why this illegal-alien drug-runner thought hiding pounds of pills in a baby diaper was a good idea is beyond us!  But take a look at the stash sharp-eyed Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies found right here in outer East Portland …

MCSO Special Investigations Unit deputies say the baby diaper didn’t keep them from finding the two pounds of ecstasy pills. MCSO photo

Story by David F. Ashton
About 2:00 p.m., a blue Chevy Tahoe with California plates was headed northbound on I-205 on October 8. What happened soon thereafter will bring tears of sadness to rave-goers throughout the region.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO) spokesman Dep. Paul McRedmond said the driver wasn’t on a sight-seeing trip as he passed through town – he was on a delivery mission. “MCSO Special Investigations Unit, following a drug trafficking investigation, made a traffic stop,” stated McRedmond.

The Tahoe’s driver gave deputies permission to search his truck. “They found a specially-altered center console compartment,” related McRedmond. “Inside was about 4,000 pills of the illegal drug called ‘ecstasy’ wrapped in a diaper.”

Officials say that not only was 21-year-old Alonso Ramirez-Sanchez, in the country illegally, he was carried more than two pounds of ecstasy. MCSO photo

Ramirez-Sanchez was booked into the county jail on three felony drug charges related to his alleged possession and distribution of ecstasy (MDMA). He is also on an “immigration hold” for INS action

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Take a look! There’s nothing old-fashioned or boring about these new action-packed games, now at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry …

OMSI president and CEO, Nancy Stueber, welcomes guests to the opening of the new exhibit “Mindbender Mansion”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As more physically-interactive software titles come on the market for Wii and other gaming consoles, it might seem doubtful that a museum could come up with a room full of games that could truly engage young (and adult) visitors. We thought so too, until we visited Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) newest exhibit, “Mindbender Mansion”.

At the exhibit’s premiere, on September 26, we watched as hundreds of youngsters and grown-ups took the challenge of solving the newly-created human-sized puzzles throughout the “mansion”. Some challenges looked to be cerebral; others required full-body participation.

Eager visitors hurry into the “Mansion” for the first time.

Robert, Zandra, and Emmy Olko say they traveled from Tigard to be the among the first Mindbender Mansion gamers.

Play builds better brains
“Mindbender Mansion is an exhibit about problem-solving, and exercising your problem-solving skills,” commented OMSI’s president and CEO, Nancy Stueber, as visitors streamed into cavernous room on the museum’s lower level.

“We all need to exercise our problem-solving skills,” Stueber continued. “The same skills that are used to solve these puzzles may help our young visitors someday unravel important social, environmental or even engineering problems in the future.”

Jonathan, and his dad, Seldon Saks try their hands – and bodies – at playing the wacky furniture-moving game, “Mix and Match”.

Joining the “Space Race” are Jennifer and Douglas Davis as they pull strings to rack up points.

The ‘Mansion’ OMSI built
Over the years, Stueber related, the museum’s staff and management have noted that puzzles are a popular attraction. “We found that – in addition to solving puzzles themselves – visitors enjoyed pulling other people in to help them solve problems. We decided to turn this concept into a whole exhibit.”

The project took about a year, from inception to completion, Stueber noted. “All told, from the people who developed and research the ideas, to designers, into the evaluation team, to the exhibit fabricators, about 45 staff members and contributors worked on this exhibit.”

To add another layer of interest, the OMSI development team created a theme for the exhibit, so each of the room-full of puzzles contributes part of a solution to an over-arching puzzle. “When visitors complete the puzzles, they’ll have collected the clues and secret passwords that permit them to become a member of our ‘Mindbender Society’,” Stueber told us. “Society members are presented with a personalized certificate, and their photo is added to the ‘Wall of Fame’.”

David, and his dad, Tom Vollum, find that the Amazing Maze is like a pinball game in which players must tilt the machine!

Players young and old tackle mind-bending table games at the OMSI exhibit.

Push-ups for the brain
Lee Dawson, the museum’s public relations director, was enthusiastic about the new exhibit. “It’s like push-ups for the brain! While this exhibit is fun and a little bit wacky, guests learn essential problem-solving skills: Identifying patterns, thinking ahead, logical reasoning, and looking at problems from different perspectives.”

The games include:

• Feeding Frenzy – It’s a race in the kitchen as guests try to beat the clock by filling ‘TV Dinner’ trays with five kinds of food on a fast moving conveyer belt. (Does this remind you, at all, of a famous scene in the “I Love Lucy” series…?)
• Space Race – Maneuver a mechanical spaceship around a large game board by cooperating with other players.
• Spelling Fever – Its Hopscotch meets Scrabble®, as players race to correctly spell words by jumping on light-up letter squares.
• Move and Match – Visitors slide their dining room chairs on wheels into a correct pattern, before the clock runs out.
• Amazing Maze – By working together to tilt a giant “floating” table, players work to guide a steel ball into several holes as quickly as possible.

Ready to wait on customers at the newly-redesigned OMSI Science Store is April Powers.

Mansion goes mobile
After the New Year, Stueber said “Mindbender Mansion” start a tour as a “traveling exhibit” at other, similar science museums.

“Come and see one of our best exhibits ever,” she encouraged. “Membership to OMSI is a great way to enjoy it – you can come back again and again to work on the puzzles.”

To learn more, check out their newly-designed web site by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Find out why Central Northeast Neighbors held the event –
and why it was successful beyond all of their expectations …

Taking a brief break, sitting among some of the tons collected at their Electronics Recycling event, Ronda Johnson, CNN’s office manager and project coordinator, says she’s both amazed and pleased at the response.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The photocopier at Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN) was on its last legs – and the coalition office didn’t have money to replace the old machine that clicked, whirred, chugged, spit out a copy or two – then shut itself down.

“Our copy machine is in really sad shape,” added CNN’s office manager and project coordinator, Ronda Johnson, as she took a break from during the Electronics, Plastics and Metal Recycling Fundraiser she spearheaded. “We came up with this event to raise the money to buy a new one.”

At the event, held at Glenhaven Park, just north of Madison High School, cars and trucks were lined up on September 20, filled with all kinds of “appliances that plug in the wall”, as well as plastic items and Styrofoam.

CNN’s executive director, Alison Stoll, checks in and collects donations from one of the many neighbors ready to unload their expired electronics and used plastic things.

Raises money; reduces landfill dumping
In addition to helping buy a new copier,” Johnson told us, “this event shows our community how to recycle, and helps them recycle this stuff the right way. Without having an event like ours, a lot of electronic equipment would just go into the landfill.”

The recyclers break down all of this equipment into component parts, Johnson explained. Pointing to an abandoned home computer, “All of the parts will be recycled, reused, or broken down, to the point that only a handful of the remaining pieces will to into a landfill.”

The volunteer pitching old plastic into a recycling bin, is Rose City Park neighbor Fred Stovel.

“We kept the fee is very low; we’re charging just a little more than our recyclers are charging us,” Johnson added.

“We have quite a bit of traffic,” said CNN’s executive director, Alison Stoll, as she checked in folks waiting to drop off their recyclables. “In fact, the response is more than we expected. We,ve had people from Milwaukie, Oregon City and Clackamas. It looks like the word got out!”

Master Recycler Lisa Sundvy organizes recycled plastics at the event. “All of this plastic goes to a company that actually grinds it down and reuses it; none of it will be going into a landfill,” she said.

17 tons of waste
A total of 33,970 pounds of “e-waste” was collected during the one-day event, Johnson later reported. Here’s the breakdown:

• 16,383 lbs of monitors and televisions (151 monitors/210 TVs)
• 3,638 lbs of computers (154 computers)
• 7,679 lbs of general e-waste, including stereos, power tools, misc. electronics
• 2,748 lbs of scrap steel and printers
• 650 lbs of lead acid car batteries
• 605.5 lbs of insulated wire
• 353.5 lbs of household batteries
• 151 lbs of mixed ABS plastic
• 141 lbs of fluorescent light bulbs

“We were all very excited about the results of this fundraiser,” Johnson said. “We thank all of our wonderful volunteers, and all of the media that helped us publicize our event.”

Learn more about Central Northeast Neighbors, Inc., by visiting their web site: CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

The ‘public notice’ of this computer security breach was buried – literally – on the obituary page of the big Sunday paper. See what school officials have to say …

This former schoolhouse, serving now as the Maywood Park Campus for Mt. Hood Community College, is the location from which the ID information computer was stolen.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It is understandable that an institution of higher learning – Mt. Hood Community College – would prefer that it receive little publicity regarding an incident in which a computer, loaded with data used to produce student identification cards, was stolen sometime in the first week of September.

A month after the incident, the school’s administration informed the public of this potential security breach by placing a “Public Notice” advertisement in the daily newspaper, and local community papers, on the weekend of October 4.

We hadn’t heard of the theft that occurred at the college’s Maywood Park Campus, located at 10100 NE Prescott Street.

We couldn’t believe it when a sharp-eyed reader told us their ‘public notice” was buried – literally and actually – amid death and funeral notices last Sunday’s OREGONIAN, until we saw it for ourselves.

Here’s how Mt. Hood Community College’s “Public Notice” appeared in the paper.

The text of the Public Notice:

Important Notice for Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) ID Holders

On or around September 8, 2008, a computer used for issuing photo IDs was stolen from MHCC’s Maywood Park Campus. The computer contained the following information: names, birth dates and MHCC identification numbers from approximately 1995 through 2005. No other information was stored on the computer, and most importantly, no Social Security numbers or addresses were stored there. Initial findings from the investigation indicate that this is an isolated incident.

Because MHCC is committed to protecting the integrity of its constituents’ personal information, and the College is taking this situation very seriously, and is reviewing its data security processes and procedures throughout the institution to ensure that the situation never happens again, and is informing its constituents.

According to the Oregon Identity Theft Protection Act of 2007, the information stored on the stolen computer does not constitute personal information.  Individuals with questions about identity theft should contact the Oregon Department of Consumer Business and Services at 503-378-4100 or http://egov.oregon.gov/DCBS/.

For more information, please visit the MHC see Web site at http://www.mhcc.edu/, click on the Quicklinks drop-down menu and select “Data Security.”  Thank you.

School officials comment
Our first call regarding the situation was to the college’s president, Dr. John “Ski” Sygielski, who confirmed that the photo-ID computer was, indeed, stolen from their outer East Portland campus.

“I didn’t know that the Public Notice ad was run in the obituary section,” Sygielski told us. “Mike Wolfe and his team are handling this. He’s in a meeting in Salem; I’ll ask him to call you as soon as he can.”

While we’re accustomed to getting the “brush off” from officials – Dr. Sygielski apparently acted on his promise. Within the hour, we received a call from the school’s Chief Operating Officer and administrative VP, Michael D. Wolfe.

“In 2005, we were testing photo-ID software,” Wolfe explained. “We were doing a ‘beta test’ run with a test sample set of data to see how the system performed.”

Because they were testing software, the computer wasn’t hooked into the school’s database, and thus the hard drive of the stolen computer contained a limited data.

“We intended this ad to run in the ‘public announcements’ section of the newspaper,” Wolfe assured us. He declined to comment further, but added that this incident has prompted the school’s administration to carefully examine the policies, procedures and systems used, to ensure that personal data is kept secure.

Our suggestion: If you were a student of the college in the ten years listed, you may want check your credit report just to make sure an ID thief hasn’t found a way to utilize the pilfered information.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

One by one, we sadly bid farewell to East Portland markets. In addition to a photo of the cutest kid enjoying an ear of corn, see why – and when – this market will reopen in November …

Will Clem and enjoys a freshly steamed ear of corn on the closing day of the Moreland Farmers Market.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There was a good-sized crowd of shoppers at the Moreland Farmer’s Market on September 24 – the last day of its regular season. Rain-filled clouds moved overhead, and reminded shoppers that they are Oregonians, as a shower sent them scurrying undercover.

That didn’t stop market volunteers from dispensing cups of fresh-pressed apple cider and hot, steaming ears of corn-on-the-cob.

Looks back on a ‘great year’
It wasn’t long until we spotted the market’s manager, Laura Wendel, helping customers.

“Our market is year was great, just great,” Wendel said with a smile. “Our attendance increased from about 1,200 to about 1,500 customers in each market day; we saw as many as 1,800 on some Wednesdays.”

It looked as if all vendor stalls were full. “We’ve had pretty much the same 30 fantastic vendors, week to week,” Wendel reported. “The best thing about our market this year is the amazing variety and quality of the product. That’s what keeps bringing customers back.”

Moreland Farmers Market manager Laura Wendel says she’s pleased by the increased number of shoppers and vendors this season.

Volunteers credited for success
Wendel commented that she was pleased at how well the community has accepted and supported the market.

“And, we have a great team of volunteers, without whom we cannot do this. And, we really appreciate that Wilhelm’s Funeral Home continues to let us use their parking lot – it’s a wonderful location.”

During their “off season”, she said, the volunteers work on plans for the next year’s markets and write grant proposals.  “We look forward to being back in the mid May, for another 20-week season.”

Inner Southeast Portland residents scramble for greens, as farmers lay out their vegetables for almost the last time this season. But wait! They’ll open again on November 25 …

One-day-only November market
The market will hold a pre-Thanksgiving market on November 25, announced Wendel. “Note that this is a TUESDAY, not a Wednesday. It will be open from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., right here in this same spot. We’re hoping to find a big tent or some type of cover for the event.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Learn the steps the police took to find a man who they say is armed, dangerous – and still on the loose, after this disturbance shut down a large section of the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood …

Traffic is diverted off SE Powell Blvd. during rush hour as police search for an alleged gunman who took a pot-shot at his girlfriend as she drove off.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The usually-slow afternoon drive home along outer SE Powell Boulevard slammed to a complete halt, as police diverted traffic from the street between SE 112th Avenue and SE 122nd, starting about 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2.

According to Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Officer Catherine Kent, it all began with a “disturbance” call to 9-1-1 late in the afternoon, about an event witnessed in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood.

Because police officers didn’t find the handgun said to be used in the shooting at the scene, the officers who formed a perimeter around the area stood ready to defend themselves, should the armed gunman show up at their position.

The call, from a third-party, informed police that “a male and female were verbally arguing over a set of [car] keys. The female took off in a silver Mercedes, and the male subject took out a gun and fired a round (bullet),” Kent explained.

Officers were dispatched to the area of SE Powell Boulevard and SE 120th Avnue.

When officials suspect that a gunman is on the loose, they call in the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) to help search the neighborhood.

Above, Portland Police Bureau’s Air Two circles the area, looking for the suspect, using their high-power camera system.

Concern grows; SERT called out
From what we heard while monitoring the police radio, a young man, about 5′ 8″ tall with a medium built, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and grey pants, took off on foot. A brief inspection of the vehicle involved in the incident revealed no bullet holes, however.

We watched as police officers searched vehicles leaving the streets between SE Powell and SE Division, mostly from SE 115th Avenue east to SE 120th. From what we heard, police searched for the nickel-plated handgun allegedly used, but didn’t find it.

Because of their concern that an armed gunman was on the loose in the neighborhood, police supervisors activated SERT officers to comb the area. Overhead, the cops’ “eye-in-the-sky”, Air Two, circled with its high-power cameras and infrared sensors, searching for the alleged gunman.

Police officers search vehicles leaving the quarantined area, to make sure the suspect doesn’t slip away in a vehicle.

Neighbors kept from returning home
For hours, folks living within the area were told they could not enter the quarantined zone. “We’re just trying to keep everyone safe,” an officer explained to an exasperated-looking woman with four kids in her car.

“I wish I could get home,” Stella Longham told us, as she waited in the Rock & Roll Pizza parking lot on her way home from work. “There’s a lot of trouble here in this part of town. But, the police seem to react quickly. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

It wasn’t until later in the evening that police allowed residents to return to their homes.

Officials say this man, 20-year-old Eddy John Anthony Lewis, is their person of interest in the case, and should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, immediately call 9-1-1.

Police name suspect
The man police say who caused the ruckus is 20-year-old Eddy John Anthony Lewis. Officials say Lewis may be charged with “domestic violence with a firearm” and “attempted assault”. Citizens are urged to call 9-1-1 if they spot Lewis.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

What’s all the fuss about a little teddy bear named Corduroy? Discover the message behind this “Read for the Record” effort ….

Enjoying the story of “Corduroy“, as read by youth librarian Sue Ciesielski at Midland Library, are Tristan Hansen, Emma Zallee, Pearl Hilton, and Leah Zallee.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Few of the children gathered at Midland Library on October 2 realized they were part of a nationwide effort to break a world record: The most number of people reading the same book on the same day, an event called “Read for the Record”.

These 34 pre-school tots were instead focused on the pages of Don Freeman’s 1968 picture book entitled “Corduroy” during their morning “Story Time” hosted by youth librarian Sue Ciesielski.

As she turned the pages, the youngsters’ eyes widened as they wondered if the shopworn department store teddy bear, Corduroy, would be able to replace the missing button on his jumper; and thus, consider himself “good enough” to go home with the little girl who earnestly desires him.

As Sue Ciesielski presents the story, few of the children realize they’re part of a nationwide program called “Read for the Record”.

Event focuses attention on pre-readers
“Events such as ‘Read for the Record’ are important,” commented Ciesielski, “because it focuses attention on early literacy – having children become familiar with books, and the concept of reading.”

The term “early literacy”, Ciesielski explained, is helping youngsters learn what they need to know before they actually learn to read.

An organization called “Jumpstart” created the event, and encouraged adults to read Corduroy to youngsters in libraries, schools, and child-care centers around the country to bring attention to the importance of preparing children to read at an early age. The program was made possible here by grants from The Library Foundation and a local firm, Hanna Andersson.

Midland Library – and most of the Multnomah County library branches – hold several “Story Time” events every week to promote early literacy.

Early literacy promoted weekly; year-around
Helping young children develop pre-reading skills isn’t an annual event at Multnomah County libraries.

“Midland Library hosts 11 ‘Story Times’ every week,” explained Ciesielski. “Eight of them are primarily in the English language, but we also have one each in the Vietnamese, Spanish, and Chinese languages.”

By the way, although Corduroy got lost in the big department store while he searched for a btton — he was returned to the toy department in time to be found by the little girl who came back for him the following day, purchased him, and took him home. They were happy together, everafter. We love happy endings!

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Details of this wreck at SE 82nd Ave. and Woodstock Blvd. are sketchy, but take a look at one intersection-shutting accident, representative of the rain-caused motor mayhem many experienced as the winter rains returned …

The intersection of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses and SE Woodstock Boulevard was closed for hours on the rainy afternoon of October 3rd, as workers tried to untangle utility wires from a dump truck with trailer, a car, and a downed traffic control signal.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As the first dark, winter-like days descend over East Portland, the number of traffic collisions spikes up, every year. All over East Portland, a variety of motor vehicle accidents – large and small – were reported over the police radio on the wet day of Friday, October 3.

Fortunately, none of the smash-ups were serious – but at least one of them provided an interesting photo opportunity.

About 1:00 p.m. on October 3, we heard a police call about a crash involving a double gravel truck, a car, and a utility pole, at the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses and SE Woodstock Boulevard.

From what we learned, no one was injured in this odd-looking accident. From this view, it looks like the car has been destroyed. This was NOT the case!

-3 Looking at the car from this angle, you’ll note that the Buick seemed to have escaped the tangle with a double dump truck with only minor scratchs from the power cables.

Downed wires close intersection
When we arrived on-scene, we saw a Knife River dump truck and trailer combo stopped diagonally across SE Woodstock Boulevard, on the west side of the intersection.

A utility pole, on the northwest corner of the intersection, had been snapped into three sections. The upper portion of the pole – the pedestrian traffic signals were about a foot above its jagged end – smashed into the window at the Liberty Buy-Sell store; the security bars inside the store kept the pole from protruding further into the store.

Also west of the intersection was a silver Buick, stopped on another diagonal.

Hovering about a foot above the Buick was the top of that utility pole. The street lamp stanchion affixed to the pole, gracefully arched, followed the curve of the windshield and the hood; the lamp fixture dangled in front of the car’s bumper. Amazingly, we didn’t see any broken glass on the car. The only damage appeared to be a few scratches from the power lines being coiled on and around it.

This usually-busy intersection was closed; traffic signals were hanging chest-high above 82nd Avenue.

Details remain sketchy
Neither the police officer at the scene, nor police bureau officials, were able to provide any further information about this odd wreck, which closed this major intersection for hours, as utility workers worked to untangle the wires and restore service.

When we asked the men who were said to be, respectively, the drivers of the truck and car, what had happened – both refused to comment on the cause of the crash.

That unusual development suggests that perhaps BOTH drivers were at fault! Officials have yet to comment on the incident. No one appeared to have been injured in the wreck.

The utility pole was broken cleanly in three pieces.

We were told (unverified) that the man in the red shirt and hat was the driver of the dump truck rig – here he stands next to the store window shattered by the utility pole.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News