You see their marching band and dance team in the Portland Rose Festival parade every year – now, learn about the fabulous, colorful stage show that only a very few are privileged to attend …

Some of the musicians we meet backstage from Shu-te High School band in Kaohsiung, R.O.C. give us a smile, before going onstage for their show.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The only officially-sanctioned 2008 Portland Rose Festival event that took place east of 82nd Avenue of Roses was a stage performance of the Shu-te High School students from Kaohsiung, R.O.C., at the Horner Performance Arts Center on the David Douglas High School campus this week.

Although each of the three performances on June 9 was given before a standing-room-only audience, we find that very few folks even know this energetic, colorful, and emotionally-moving show took place. We later found out why this event got so little publicity, as we’ll explain — please read on!

David Douglas School District Superintendent Barbara Rommel greets the standing-room-only audience, in the Horner Performing Arts Center on the high school’s campus.

Meeting the band
Before the show, we went backstage with the theater’s manager, Mark Taylor.

In the scenic shop, we stopped to talk with some of the student musicians. Without the aid of an interpreter, our meeting limited to mutual smiles. When we held up the camera, they immediately struck a group pose, as one would expect from teenagers.

In the past, all of the musicians and dancers from Shu-te High School were female. The young ladies pointed out a young man in their midst and said, “We now have one boy playing with us. It is so exciting!”

Dancers warm up before their energetic performance on the stage at David Douglas High School.

Music and movement
After the introduction of representatives from the city and schools of Kaohsiung, the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association, the Portland Rose Festival, and David Douglas School District, the band played and the curtain went up the show – entitled “The Night of Kaohsiung”.

During their music-and-dance number, “The Gorgeous Spring”, the dancers depicted a field of flowers as they opened. Nine acts followed; five of the numbers featured the band only. The fourth presentation featured a spirited drum solo, played by a diminutive young lady with such gusto that the hall reverberated.

Taylor and his crew of David Douglas High theater arts students provided professional, evocative lighting that enhanced every scene.

Dancers perform a work entitled “The Gorgeous Spring”.

Locals host world travelers
“For the past 15 years, student ambassadors from Shu-te High School have been hosted by Portland-area families during their Portland stay,” said the coordinator of the event, Dr. Richard Cole, Ph.D., when we talked with him after the group’s last Portland appearance.

“The reason the event isn’t promoted is that the host families are the focus of the evening performance. If tickets remain, they are distributed to others involved in our ‘sister city’ program,” explained Cole.

Earlier that day, the young visiting entertainers give two performances, before groups of fifth-grade students in the David Douglas School District, Cole said. “Our students were able to gain a first-hand understanding of the music, dance, and celebration enjoyed in China. It is that kind of education that helps promote international understanding.”

In addition to their being invited to this special program, members of several past host families have kept in contact with the girls they hosted; some have traveled to Taiwan to visit them. “This is a wonderful first-hand cultural experience for both the hosts and the girls,” noted Cole.

The Shu-te High School Band plays traditional Chinese instruments, some of them invented thousands of years ago.

Helps provide a world view
Cole has been involved in this unique cultural exchange program since the time he was the Curriculum Coordinator at the school district.

“My wife suggested we go and watch their performance in 1993,” recalled Cole. “I was so taken by the performance, I started coordinating the Host Family program, became a board member, and later president of the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association. Even though I retired in 1995, I’ve been with the organization ever since.”

The one-on-one diplomatic exchange between dignitaries and students from Kaohsiung and Portlanders allows people of diverse cultures to gain an understanding of one another, Cole commented. “Over the years, thousands of young people from China have been introduced to American culture and the kindness of our people. And, we have been enriched by their visits and cultural performances.”

“Rising Winds and Surging Clouds” dance depicts a storm chasing the dragons underground.

Visitors have a full schedule
The reason more performances of the Shu-te High School band and dance troupe aren’t scheduled is that their six-day stay is packed with activities. Other that taking time for a sightseeing trip around the Mt. Hood loop, the students have a full schedule.

“They rehearse for and participate in the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade,” noted Cole. “Some of the girls take part in the International Friendship Race at the Dragon Boat races. Then, they rehearse, and prepare for their three shows on Monday.”

Dramatic lighting enhance the tightly choreographed dance numbers presented by the troupe.

Calls it a fabulous program
David Douglas School District Superintendent Barbara Rommel talked with us about the educational exchange program.

“We’ve had a long-standing sister-school relationship with Shu-te High,” Rommel said. “The interaction, especially between the host families in the homes where our student guests stay, is a culturally broadening experience.”

In addition to the truly fabulous performance, Rommel added, “It is critically important for our students to have knowledge in other parts of the world. This relationship broadens their appreciation of the arts in another part of the world. It shows us all that people who live in a land distant and different from ours are also caring, talented, and intelligent.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See how one of the best variety arts entertainers on the west coast uses his skills to make science fun to learn …

Professional juggler, entertainer — and science teacher — Rhys Thomas quips, “There’s no job for a multi-tasker quite like mine.”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Perhaps the funniest physics instructor on the planet, Rhys Thomas, demonstrated the fascinating science behind the ancient art of juggling, during his “Science of Juggling” show at OMSI on the weekend of May 17th.

“It’s part of my ‘Science Circus’ show,” Thomas said, as he set up his props for an afternoon show – er, class.

We asked Thomas – considered by many to be the best variety arts entertainer on the west coast, and a former Smithsonian artist-in-residence – how he came up with the concept of blending entertainment and education.

Thomas jokingly asks for a volunteer with “juggling experience” to help on stage. But Angela Kaurin proves her skill with three-ball juggling!

“When I was first started out as a juggler, back in 1987, I was doing great as a street performer,” Thomas recalled.

“Then winter showed up, and I had to figure out how I can get off the streets and get into a building. I researched the science behind juggling, and created a show that teaches physics, using juggling tricks. I started performing in schools and museums – and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

With a young man standing by to catch flying balls, Thomas demonstrates why rhythm – based on math – makes juggling possible, as he keeps five balls in the air.

The Portland-based entertainer/educator’s show teaches concepts such as gyroscopic stability – using a spinning a ball; and inertia – by pulling the tablecloth out from under the dishes; and, gravity – by juggling all kinds of items.

“By juggling a bowling ball, a juggling ball, and a ping-pong ball, I demonstrate how gravity pulls objects down at the same rate of speed regardless of their mass.”

“But how do you demonstrate centripetal force?” we ask.

“What could be better than with a cowboy’s lariat?” Thomas said as he grabbed a rope and started it spinning.

Thomas demonstrates gravity’s equal pull on objects of differing masses, using three balls: bowling, juggling, and ping-pong.

As the show got underway, none of Thomas’ students had problems paying attention, as he demonstrated scientific principles using flower sticks, balancing tools, spinning ribbons, and hula hoops.

“I hope my performances spark a youngster’s interest in learning more about science,” Thomas said with a sly smile. “Or, juggling!”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Learn how one local company has kept reinventing itself for 100 years – and find what else is happening, as we catch up with the Parkrose Business Association.

Paul Sawyer of Miller Paints shows a new line of “green designer” paints the company is putting on the market.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Last month’s meeting of the Parkrose Business Association featured Miller Paint Co.’s secret of success; how a local family is “tops in taps” – actually all kinds of dancing shoes and apparel; a scholarship financial appeal; and more information on a new August 2nd area-wide event.

Miller paints a rosy future
In this age of business consolidation, Parkrose-based Miller Paint Company has resisted the “urge to merge”, and is one of the few stand-alone paint companies left, according to company President Paul Sawyer.

“We’re a fiercely independent company owned by 290 employees,” Sawyer declared.

President Paul Sawyer says the Miller Paint Company has been around for a century.

The paint company was founded by Earnest Miller, whose main occupation was being a muralist. “For the 1904 Exposition, Earnest Miller painted a large and long banner that depicted Lewis and Clark coming over Mt. Hood and ending in Oregon City,” Sawyer said.

The founder’s son, Walt Miller, worked with his father, and ended up running the company until he was 90 years old. In 1999, Miller became an employee-owned company.

Sets strategic plan
“Our industry is shrinking,” Sawyer said ruefully. “Now there are four major players. We knew we had to make a plan.”

The employee-owners created a “2010 Strategic Plan”, based on quality products and exceptional service. “We had to take what we did the best and kick it up a notch. We ask our people ‘Are you committed to it, and will you do it?'”

“Buying paint isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision”, Sawyer explained. “In Portland, there are hundreds of places to buy paint. We had to create stores with a sense of destination, featuring good advice, fast service, and beautiful colors.”

Instead of simply handing out paint “chips”, Miller Paints’ line of designer-inspired paint samples now come in pouches.

Sawyer showed two small plastic cards; one was their “Basic Extraordinary Service Tool”, listing their seven points of good customer service.

“We call the other one the ‘Get out of jail free’ card. If an employee has the chance to really ‘wow’ a customer with great service – you do it. If your supervisor questions you about it – you hand them the card,” Sawyer explained.

Product innovations
Sawyer touted their “green” line of zero-solvent-based products – and said that Miller became a leader in reducing carbon-emissions by introducing the paint in 1996.

“Divine Color” was a new line of paint created by a Lake Oswego artist. “Instead of paint swatches, we ship small pouches of paint so the buyer can actually see the result on their own wall.”

Thanks to bio-mimicry, Sawyer says, rain will actually wash dirt off Millers’ newest paint.

“Miller has signed a 10-year exclusive agreement with a company in Germany that has been doing bio-mimicry – finding things in nature that are unique, and replicating them through manufacturing. Like the lotus plant, our newest coatings won’t absorb water. The point is, rain washes dirt-coated surfaces.”

In support of the August 2nd Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in, Wayne Stoll pitches, “50 banners will be placed along NE Sandy Boulevard. Your name should be on on!” Holding the sample banner are Amy Salvador and Ansley Stoll.

Businesses pitch in for scholarship fund
The Miller presentation done, the Parkrose Business Association’s President, Michael Taylor turned to the organization’s scholarship fund: “Last year, it rained on the Cruise-in, and we didn’t do well. We’ve struggled to provide all of the scholarships we wanted. It goes against our grain to reduce the number of scholarships.”

Then, Taylor announced that an anonymous donor has chipped in $500 to support a scholarship.

Nancy Murphy, Bank of the West, presents a sponsoring scholarship check for $500 to the Parkrose organization.

Bank of the West Manager Nancy Murphy, brought up a $500 check; and additional sponsorship was shared by Compaction & Recycling Equipment and Bob Brown Tires. Taylor announced, “We’ve got it covered. This is what makes our community great.”

Kyle Ziegler talks about their family’s new business, Carrie B’s Dance Shop.

Parkrose people buy Midway-area business
The spotlighted business at this particular meeting was Carrie B’s Dance Shop. “In May, we bought this 35-year old business,” said owner Kyle Ziegler – also the owner of CastleGate Realty in Parkrose. “The previous owner built an Internet-based business from the 575-square-foot storefront; we ship dancewear, shoes, and accessories around the world.”

Meet the members
The Parkrose Business Association, one of our favorite groups, meets at one of our favorite restaurants.

Come on June 19 at 11:30 a.m. and meet this group of fun and energized businesspeople. This month, the PBA Scholarship Committee presents the Parkrose High students selected for scholarship awards. And, you’ll learn more about the all-new Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in in August.

You’ll get the best business lunch at town at Steamers Restaurant, 8303 NE Sandy Blvd. (east of NE 82nd Avenue); NO reservations required. For info: www.parkrosebusiness.org.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Beyond the new “Bike Boxes”, see how the City’s “Share the Road” program aims to increase bicyclist safety …

We can see Dean Lucas approaching in the truck’s side mirror. As he rides up alongside the truck stopped at an intersection. Then, he vanishes from sight.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Officials from the City of Portland’s Office of Transportation (PDOT) literally took their “Share the Road” show on the road a couple of weeks ago – on SE Clinton Street.

They’ve parked a PDOT dump truck, with trailer in tow, at an intersection – to allow both drivers and bicyclists to witness for themselves the difficulties drivers have of seeing bikers, and bikers have being seen.

“We want to promote to cyclists the importance of making eye contact with car drivers, and especially truck drivers,” explains PDOT Transportation Options specialist Barbara Plummer.

“Large heavy-duty trucks have significant blind spots,” Plummer explains. “Even with special mirrors and other emerging technologies, there are still areas where drivers can’t see a bicyclist along side of them.”

In addition to educating drivers, their campaign is also aimed at bike peddlers. “We want to make cyclists aware of blind spots, and to encourage them to stay out of – and not hang out in – those blind spots.”

Linda Ginenthal, with PDOT’s Transportation Options program, joins the conversation, adding, “State law says the bicyclists have the right-of-way. Even though a bicyclist has the right-of-way, they still need to be cautious. There needs to be a level of shared responsibility; everyone needs to watch out for each other.”

Linda Ginenthal and Barbara Plummer, both with the City of Portland Office of Transportation, hold this show-and-tell session to promote their agency’s “Share the Road” bicycle safety program.

The bicyclist in the mirror
To get the truck driver’s perspective, we hop up into the cab of a PDOT dump truck, and glance in the passenger-side mirror.

Coming up from some distance behind, we see a 20-year bicycle commuter, Dean Lucas, in the bike lane, approaching the intersection. As he approaches, he disappears from view; we can’t see him below the window of the high-sitting cab.

After the demonstration, Lucas tells us “I’ve been hit five times, and I’ve pushed myself away from cars and trucks cutting me off too many times to count. I appreciate the City’s effort to help keep cyclists safe on the road.”

When we ask if he’s seen cyclists riding unsafely, Lucas says, “The answer is ‘yes all the time’; there are bad cyclists just like there are bad drivers. The idea is for all of us to learn to ‘drive friendly’.”

Saying he’s had his share close calls with bicycles while driving his PDOT big rig, Raymond Gawthorne shows a prototype sticker promoting driver/bicyclist cooperation.

From the driver’s seat
Raymond Gawthorne says he usually drives the PDOT the 6-yard dump truck with a backhoe on a trailer they’re using in this demonstration.

“We go the extra mile when it comes to bicycles,” Gawthorne says. “I’ve had a lot of scares and close calls. That’s why I’m helping get this message across to people.”

Asked for his best advice to bicyclists, Gawthorne thinks for a moment, and says, “Make eye contact with the driver. Talk with your eyes. Let them know your intentions, and find out what their intentions are. If they can’t see your eyes, it’s a bet they didn’t see you. Why risk it?”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

How about “they sing for stands”? Take a look, and you’ll see why choir members are working hard to get new performance equipment …

The Parkrose High “A-Choir” performs at a special fund-raising concert at Parkrose United Methodist Church.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After 35 years of use, the risers – the stands used by the choir – at Parkrose High School were carted out to the dump just a few weeks ago.

“After taking a long look at our old risers, and choral shell,” said choir and voice instructor Lesley Ann Bossert, “We all agreed they had to go. It was getting to the point where safety might be an issue.”

With that in mind, the choir has taken on a new project: Replacing this much-needed equipment. The risers allow singers to stand in rows, each higher than the last. The choral shell helps the singers’ voices project.

Standing on the far left, Kiet Tran leads a men’s ensemble at the Parkrose fundraising concert.

May concert features jazz
Their concert on May 18 took place at Parkrose United Methodist Church, and featured the big band sounds of Jazz Express.

This program also featured the Parkrose High School “A-Choir”. And, Parkrose High student Kiet Tran’s senior project – a men’s ensemble – also performed.

June Awards Concert

“A-Choir” member Jason McGhee gets a wardrobe adjustment by choir director Lesley Bossert.

One of the highlights of the past year, that choir director Lesley Bossert shared with the audience, was the Debonairs’ experience of participating in their first jazz festival – along with a bass and percussion player.

Bossert talked about the high scores the choirs made in competition, and complemented the student musicians who qualified at the State competitions.

We can’t let you hear their wonderful music – but we can share photos of these talented students with you!

The Treble Choir was up first. They sang “Fly Me to the Moon”, “Ain’t That News”, “Danny Boy” and finished up with an energetic presentation of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. By the way, they’re standing on borrowed risers!

Under the direction of Parkrose High’s choir director, Lesley Bossert, many outer East Portland students have gained solid musical skills.

The Debonaires perform – with their combo – the songs “Turnaround”, “Lullaby on the Hudson” and “Down St. Thomas Way”.

The Concert Choir showed a wide range of musical skills as they performed “Song of the Sea”, “A Canon of Praise” and a toe-tapping medley: “Disney Dazzle”.

The renowned “A-Choir” performs “Arroz Con Leche”, Bogorodiste Devo”, and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Looks like their second season will be a “barn buster” – read this, and see what you’ll find – including their new barn …

Thanks to material donors – and volunteer labor provided by Stark Construction Services – this barn is now finished, in time for the opening of Montavilla Farmer’s Market’s second season.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Coming off their premiere season last year, the Montavilla Farmer’s Market is set to open on June 8.

This season, Montavilla’s market will feature its own landmark – a custom built barn.

Roger Stark, Jesse Stark, and Greg Anderson with Stark Construction Services here work to complete a custom-built barn, on the farmer’s market site.

Builders host ‘barn-raising’
“We’re volunteering our time to help out here at the Montavilla Farmer’s Market, by building the storage barn,” said Jesse Stark, between hammering nails. “They need a place to store the tents and shares on site.”

His wife, Tonia Stark, president of Stark Construction Services, is also the volunteer coordinator for the market. “We pulled together a [building] crew and some volunteers to get the site ready for another season.”

The crew built the barn from scratch. “Mr. Plywood donated about $500 worth of materials,” Stark said, noting that that New Seasons Markets also donated $1,000 toward the project, and that neighboring Flying Pie Pizzeria fed the volunteers who were preening the lot.

Nancy Yates works with Tonia Stark to clean up the Montavilla Farmers Market lot.

Grooming the grounds
“We’re also cleaning up the lot for opening day,” Stark added. “We’re weeding, and filling in the gravel and empty spots, so there won’t be puddles when it rains.”

Laboring with her was volunteer Nancy Yates. “I live nearby, and thought it was time for me to get out and help. I love the community aspect of having a farmer’s market here.”

Vendors on parade
Folks who go to visit the market will find a wide variety of vendors waiting for them. Scheduled to be there

Produce:

• Groundwork Organics, Junction City OR
• Deep Roots Farms, Albany OR
• Maryhill Orchards, Goldendale WA
• Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Parkdale OR
• Tamiyasu Orchards, Hood River OR
• Baird Family Orchards, Dundee OR
• Herr’s Family Farm, Troutdale OR
• Spellbound Farm, Portland OR
• PD Farms, Elgin OR
• Liepold Farms, Boring OR

Flower/Plant:

• Herr’s Family Farm, Troutdale OR
• American-Asian Quality Farm, Oregon City OR
• Maple Valley Nursery, Dayton OR
• Old House Dahlias, Portland OR (in Montavilla)

Bakery:

• Fleur de Lis Bakery, Portland OR
• Gabriels Bakery, Portland OR

On-Premise Ready-To-Eat Foods:

• Asian American Food-Chinese
• Hacienda-Tamales
• Wild Wild West BBQ
• Buns on the Run

Beverages:

• Cellar Door Coffee Roasters
• Liquid Sunshine

Processed Foods:

• Crabapple Company, Beaverton OR
• Must Love Dogs, Portland OR

Opening day entertainment
Organizers of the market say they’ll have live entertainment every Sunday. This week, Southern Skies – a folk music duo from Olympia, Washington – will entertain. And, a certified Master Gardener will be on hand to demonstrate sustainable growing techniques.

Kicking off the season on Sunday, June 8, the market will be open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Sunday, October 5, except on July 6th, Independence Day weekend. The market takes place on the 7600 block of SE Stark Street in the gravel lot across from Mr. Plywood.

For more information, CLICK HERE to see their web site!

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Even though they are 1/10th scale models, see these hand-made watercraft zip around the Westmoreland Casting Pond at speeds up to 50 mph at this new Portland Rose Festival event …

These model racers, running on the Westmoreland Casting Pond, travel actual speeds of up to 50 mph.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While it wasn’t the hoped-for return of the famed Milk Carton Boat Races – a watercraft competition of a different sort did return to inner SE Portland at the renovated Westmoreland Casting Pond on May 24, as part of the Portland Rose Festival.

“We’re racing 1/10th scale models of unlimited hydroplanes today,” explains Nelson Holmberg, the event’s Race Director for their club, Electric Radio Controlled Unlimiteds.

The drivers of the scale model boats pilot their craft standing on scaffolding on the west side of the pond.

“We love the Westmoreland Casting Pond,” Holmberg says. “It’s one of those places that is, in a sense, made for model boat racing. It’s shallow enough that the water stays calm; it’s perfectly shaped and sized.  It’s proving to be user-friendly for both the competitors and spectators.”

Proud to be a Rose Festival event
Although he grew up in, and still lives in, Vancouver, Holmberg tells us the Portland Rose Festival as always been “near and dear” to him. “It’s just great, bringing down members from our club – largely based in the Seattle area – to participate in a Rose Festival event located here at this facility – man, I just love it!”

While we speak, we hear Holmberg’s voice professionally and calmly counting down to the start of the next race. “That voice is recorded on our computerized timing system; it assures that every racer is given an equal opportunity to start the race in the correct position.”

SE Portland resident David Reiser prepares his scale racer, a replica of the 1958 “Breathless II” unlimited hydroplane for the next race.

Men with toy boats
While many members are from the Puget Sound area, we learn the club has about 20 active members in the greater Portland area.

Working under a canopy we meet long time inner SE Portland resident David Reiser, working on his boat – a replica of the 1958 “Breathless II” unlimited hydroplane. “In boat racing circles, it’s quite famous,” Reiser says. “It ran for three years under this name. I saw a photo of it, got ahold of the original plans, and built it.”

The race boats kick up their signature “rooster-tail” as they make the turn on the north end of the course.

As he inspects the boat, he points out that his model is crafted from wood, like the original. He points out how he’s painted the deck to simulate the 4′ x 8′ sheets of plywood used to build the original boat. We learn these scale-model speedboats cost about $2,000 to build and equip – the battery packs alone run up to $150 each. “It allows me the experience the thrills and speed of racing, without risk of injury and the expense of full-size craft.”

Having been involved with the hobby since the early 1990s, Reiser tells us the best thing about it is associating with friends who also like model boating. “It’s grown men playing with toy boats. I also enjoy the technical and engineering challenges of building and driving them.”

Considered an originator of this hobby and sport, Roger Newton shows us his winning racer, a scale model of “Miss Bardahl”.

Scale boat racing originator
People at the event told us to meet Roger Newton from Renton, Washington – acclaimed as one of the originators of model boat racing.

“I started racing scale boats back in 1968,” says Newton, “I’ve been doing it ever since.” He’s working on his model of “Miss Bardahl” at the meet. “It’s one of the most famous boats in racing history.”

Battery powered scale electric powered boats are relatively new, Newton informs us. “The electrics go pretty fast, probably close to 50 mph – it would equate to 150 mph if it were full scale.”

Newton comments that, while he enjoys running the battery-powered boats, he still likes the 1/8th scale “nitro” craft that run on a combination of white gas and nitro-methane fuel. “They do make a lot of noise; I’m pretty sure the neighbors wouldn’t be appreciative.”

About the Westmoreland Casting Pond, Newton comments, “Like it? I love it! I wish I had this in my backyard! It’s a good size, good location, and it’s got … water!”

Scale model race boats enthusiasts say this hobby gives them all of the thrills of the sport – without associated cost or danger.

Get racing here
If you’d like to know more about scale model boat racing, check out the clubs web site by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Learn how this annual event delights young people, while it introduces their parents to this unique outer East Portland natural beauty spot …

Leach Botanical Garden volunteer Mary Lou Koehler helps Cian Colgrove make a bark planting – as his aunt, Marianne Colgrove, approvingly looks on.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
An annual event that signals the turn of spring into summer is the Leach Botanical Garden Children’s Nature Fair. Even with soaring temperatures and under a blistering-hot sun, the May 17 event drew record crowds.

Fair promotes new visitors
“The Nature Fair is a way to expose Leach Botanical Garden to the public,” explained its organizer, Katie Goodwin, “especially to people who live right here in Southeast Portland. I’ve had a number people say that they didn’t know about the garden they came to the event today. This is a wonderful way to broaden our support base – by having young families come and discover our garden.”

The coordinator of the Nature Fair, Katie Goodwin, says she’s pleased at the turnout for the event.

As we stood under the lush and green canopy of trees, Goodwin, a volunteer on the education committee and chair of the Nature Fair, beamed about the event’s success. “Today we’ve had over 300 people come to our ‘home’; that’s a record for us. About half of the visitors were children.”

Activities included making wooden “cookies”, sun catchers, and bookmarks. Kids got to dig in the dirt and do planting. The more hearty youths enjoyed the spider and insect displays.

Deena Townsen visiting from Vancouver, Washington, shows us her drawing of the Zenger Farm “visiting chicken”.

“A popular activity was going on a fossil dig with a Portland Parks & Recreation specialist,” Goodwin added. “We even had a chicken visit us here,from Zanger Farms.”

Next event: English Tea
As we were leaving, Goodwin reminded us that, although the Leach gets some support from Portland Parks & Recreation, volunteers must hold events to raise money to keep improving the grounds.

“On July 16 and 17, there’s an English Tea at Leach Botanical Garden. Visitors will enjoy a three-course English Tea served on the east terrace. This tea is elegantly served by volunteers on antique dishware and table linens. It features premium tea, scones, sandwiches, and desserts,” Goodwin promised.

Treat your friends, or take a young person to enjoy a bit of historical culture here in outer East Portland. Reserve now for July 16th or 17th; seating is at noon or 2:30 pm. Just $25 per person – and it all goes to help further the work of the Friends of Leach Garden. This event usually sells out, so call Jean at (503) 771-2486 now to reserve your place.

Doing some planting at the Nature Fair are Bode (sitting on the table), his sister Corinna, and his mom Tanya Petrich.

Tours every Saturday
You need not require a special event to enjoy Leach Botanical Garden; it is open daily. And, at 10 a.m. every Saturday morning, they host a tour of the grounds.

Leach Botanical Garden is located at 6704 SE 122nd Avenue (just south of Foster Road).

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

If you haven’t made your thoughts known about the City’s project to reduce Johnson Creek’s flooding – read this, and learn how to respond …

It was only a few months ago when winter storms flooded homes and businesses along SE Foster Blvd. This program aims to reduce flooding when it is completed in two years.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) previously said they would stop taking comments at the end of May, they’ve now extended the public comment period on the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project Pre-Design Report until June 23, 2008.

To read about this report — and neighbors’ reactions so far  — CLICK HERE.

This is one of the two diagrams that details how the City of Portland plans to improve the floodplain in Lents, just south of SE Foster Rd.

According to Marie Johnson, on the BES Johnson Creek Watershed Team, the bureau extended the comment period in the hope that more citizens in the area might respond to the design reports.

The project, designed to reduce flood damage in Lents by improving floodplain functions and wildlife habitat on BES property, is slated for construction in summer 2010.

Do you prefer this alternative? Let the folks at the bureau know by registering your comments!

Comment by June 23
You can view the Pre-design Report and a supporting technical memo – and register your comments directly with the BES by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See what planners learned when they checked in with residents – including kids – while drawing up plans for the 15-acre Beech Park site …

Park consultant Aaron Abrams writes down neighbors’ suggestions, as Sally McIntyre facilitates the meeting at Shaver Elementary School. Both are from MIG, Inc.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Until neighbor volunteers talked the City of Portland into allowing them to build the small Senn’s Dairy Park on NE Prescott St., the Parkrose neighborhood was entirely devoid of developed parks.

Although the actual creation of an expansive, nearly 16-acre park is still way off in the future, Portland Parks & Recreation has hired a firm to gather input about how the uniquely-situated Beech Park will look when it is improved.

Park on two parcels
The Beech Park site is unusual; it consists of two separate parcels adjacent to Shaver Elementary School.

The 10.07-acre southern parcel is bordered by the school on the east side, and by homes on the south and west sides. Directly north of the school is a second 5.64-acre parcel; bordered on the north and west by houses, on the south by the school and more houses, and on the west by a working urban farm.

This diagram, including an aerial view of the parcels, shows the two sections of land that will make up Beech Park. NE Shaver Street is at the top if the diagram, and Shaver Elementary School is at the bottom right.

Diverse, but harmonious, views expressed
In May, a series of workshops were conducted to solicit ideas and concerns from neighbors, business people – and children.

“There were diverse cultures present at the workshop,” Sally McIntyre, of the parks consulting company, MIG, Inc., told us. “It looked like everyone felt free to participate; and they all seemed to get along very well. We’re hoping that kind of participation continues.”

The consensus gathered from workshops, and questionnaires distributed throughout the surrounding area, showed that folks are “Looking to create a place for neighbors to enjoy, plus have a place that can be used by the school for educational programs,” commented McIntyre. “Our mission is to make sure the designs reflect what people want; that it fits in with the nature of the neighborhood.”

We stopped in at one workshop (on May 19). The back wall of the Shaver Elementary School gym was covered with design ideas which the school’s kids had submitted earlier in the day. About 35 adults were there, sharing their dreams for the park’s development.

“The kids were really interested in having ‘water features’ on the site,” noted McIntyre.

Comments and concerns raised
Al Garre – he farms land to the west of the park parcels – posed questions about access within and around the park. “I hope there’s some way of discouraging vehicles from entering and damaging the park – then hopping a barrier and damaging the farmland.”

A neighbor voiced the opinion that there should be a building for arts and crafts and for both child and adult education. Other folks chimed in, saying they hope for collaboration between the school and the Parks Bureau to develop joint-use areas.

Wondering out loud of there could be a way for kids to “take some ownership” of the park, Argay Neighborhood Chair Valerie Curry wanted youths to feel sufficiently possessive of the park that if they were to see vandalism or illegal activities taking place there, they would report it.

“Who is going to be there to clean up the mess?” questioned Curry. “In Argay Park there is a constant cleanup of messes visitors leave in the park.”

Children were given the opportunity to have a say in the design of Beech Park. These are a few of the diagrams annotated by kids during the public input process.

Consultant addresses issues
“Our recommendations will consider the concerns of the farmers, as well as the neighbors directly surrounding the park,” McIntyre informed us after the meetings. “The best way to create a safe park is to design one that attracts many people throughout the day. It discourages people from misusing the park. We’ll look at sight-line issues as well.”

For the past few weeks, McIntyre and the staff of Portland-based MIG, Inc. – a consulting firm that specializes in park planning and design and in public involvement in design projects – have been conducting this sort of ascertainment process in the area.

“Both adults and kids have been interested in contributing to the ‘art element’ of the space,” McIntyre told us this week. “It’s not so much having separate art objects, as simply having areas artistically designed. There could be ways to incorporate children’s art and other kinds of art in that way. There may be some ways to reflect different cultures in the neighborhood.”

The next steps
Working with Portland Parks & Recreation, the consultants will develop three alternative plans.

“We’ll be working on this through the month of July,” McIntyre said. “We’ll have a booth at the Parkrose Farmer’s Market on July 26. We hope everybody comes out and takes a look at the alternatives.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Traditional high school settings don’t meet the needs of all students. See how this unique school gives young people skills – and pays them while they go to school …

Not your ordinary teachers, Carly Boynton (on the mini-track backhoe) and Bill Kowalczyk say their classrooms are at building sites like this one, on SE Schiller Street.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For many young people in outer East Portland, college is out of the question; for some, even getting a high school diploma seems like nearly unreachable goal. Without marketable skills, the future for these youth seems bleak.

“Our school, Portland YouthBuilders (PYB), is both a high school and a pre-apprenticeship program. All of our students are kids who dropped out of high school,” explained PYB’s construction manager, Bill Kowalczyk, as we visited him at his “classroom” – a house construction site in Lents.

“This program is an opportunity for them to change their lives by taking on the challenge of being successful academically – as well as preparing for the working world – when they complete our program,” Kowalczyk said.

Two-year school & work program
Portland YouthBuilders offers young people, ages 17 to 24, a two-year program. The first year is primarily in the classroom; then they work on a jobsite for 12 months. After that, the PYB staff provides follow-up mentoring, counseling and guidance services, guiding the students to whatever secondary education direction they choose.

“This program isn’t for a fixed period of time where they graduate from high school, and things are over and done,” Kowalczyk told us. “We look at training as a process. We develop the tools to help students develop incrementally, and move toward success.”

Molly Yong, Julia Vosmik, and Ryan Marr work to prepare the area inside the structure’s foundation, where the slab will be poured.

Learn and earn
Another unusual feature of the PYB program is that the students don’t pay for their specialized training; they actually get paid to participate.

“They don’t get paid wages,” Kowalczyk clarified, “they get paid a stipend to help them get through. A lot of our students already have children; some of them several children. Having a stipend means, for a lot of our students, the difference of being able to participate in this program or not. They’re really working hard to develop strategies to be successful in life.”

As many as 40 percent of these students will go directly into construction, the instructor said. Others will get a GED and go on to some form of secondary education. “We use a construction format as a means of teaching job-readiness skills, and teaching about the industries,” Kowalczyk went on.

Partner with ROSE and Land Trust
At the site of their current project on SE Schiller Street and SE 104th Avenue, the students poured the concrete footings for what will eventually be a two-story, four-bedroom home. Then, working with a professional concrete finisher, they poured the foundation and started framing the home.

PYB construction trainer Carly Boynton hopped down from the backhoe she was operating, and told us that she and the students have been working on this jobsite for about three months. “This project is a great opportunity for our students to work on an Energy Star certified house from foundation to finish.”

The home is being built for ROSE Community Development Corporation, and will be sold to a low-income buyer through the Portland Community Land Trust. The new house will be ready for a family to move into later this year, Boynton added.

Since we first reported this story, we revisited the site – the house is really taking shape!

Calls it a ‘life changing experience’
“For me, PYB is a life-changing experience,” said student Julia Vosmik. “It’s giving me a career and helping me change direction to where I want to go in life. It’s like the family you’ve never had.”

In addition to construction, PYB also offers a computer maintenance educational track.

If you know of a student who might qualify for the program and could be interested in checking out the program, contact Portland YouthBuilders in person at 4816 SE 92nd Avenue (a block south of SE Holgate Boulevard), or call (503) 771-2309. To visit their web site, CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Cops use the PIT technique to spin-out fleeing crooks – but learn what happens when a careless driver tags a delivery truck near Airport Way …

We don’t know why the driver didn’t make the eastbound Airport Way exit off I-205; we did see the results of her trying to pull back onto the freeway. At the bottom, you can see gouged earth where the truck hit after it got knocked off the freeway.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
All in all, 18-year-old Jake Council seems to be taking his harrowing experience rather well, as he sits on the back ledge of the delivery truck he was driving on around 9 a.m. on May 28.

“I was going [north] along on freeway, and just past the [eastbound] Airport Way exit, my truck started skidding out of control,” Council tells us. “That exit drops way down, you know. I tried to keep it under control, but I could see I was going over the top, down into the exit. I thought for sure the truck was going to roll, but it stopped on the other side of the ramp.”

Traffic backed up as tow trucks and rescue gear cleared the accident.

Indeed, the elevation drops off steeply at the exit; and we see where his truck’s tire marks end at the top – and begin again at the bottom of the drop off.

Even though it is well after the morning rush, traffic is backing up, as a towtruck removes a wrecked car from the freeway; the off ramp – where Council’s flying truck came to rest – is closed off.

This car won’t be driven on the freeway – or anywhere else – any time soon.

Executes the PIT maneuver
The official report says that the collision occurred at 9:03 am, when 19-year-old Olga Brichak swerved to attempt to take the Airport Way East exit northbound from I-205.

“The report says Brichak was past the exit when she attempted to merge onto Airport Way. When Brichak realized she could not take the exit, she was forced to re-merge with the freeway traffic,” police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz tells us.

As she did so, Schmautz says, Brichak inadvertently tapped the bumper of a truck Council was driving. “Officers are trained in the ‘Pursuit Intervention Technique’ – we call it the PIT maneuver. A rather small ‘tap’, if it’s in the right place, and send a large vehicle out of control.”

Brichak received a citation for Careless Driving.

Jake Council says he tried to regain control of his delivery truck – as it flew over the embankment and landed 20 feet below on the Airport Way East offramp. You can clearly see where the front of the truck gouged out the hillside of the exit – stopping it and keeping it from rolling over.

Called ‘Careless Driving’
Portland Fire & Rescue workers on scene tell us they’re amazed that that Council’s truck didn’t roll. “But, there were no injuries,” confirmed one of the crew members.

“This could have been a deadly accident,” confided a police officer.

With his foot still in a walking cast, Council continues to sit on the back ledge of his flying truck and says, “Today was my first day back at work. Maybe I should have waited another day.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News