Police are baffled regarding the disappearance of a 32-year-old outer East Portland woman. Give them a solid lead, and you could get $1,000 from Crime Stoppers …

32-year-old Heather Dawn Mallory, seen here in her “chef whites” was taking classes at Oregon Culinary Institute downtown before she vanished without a trace on March 8.

Story by David F. Ashton
CRIME STOPPERS case #08-13 reads like a fictional detective story we’d see on TV – but it is not. This case is very real.

Police are so concerned about locating 32-year-old Heather Dawn Mallory, they’ve assigned it to their Missing Persons Unit and have Crime Stoppers has issued a $1,000 reward for information.

On Friday, March 7, 2008, Mallory attended classes at Oregon Culinary Institute and worked the entire shift at her job, says Portland Police Bureau’s Detective Tim Sukimoto.

After work, she spent the night socializing with several friends and arrived at her Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood home, about a half a block from Raymond Park about 10:30 am, Saturday, March 8.

Police ask you to be on the lookout for Mallory’s car – a bright red 2001 Ford Focus with Oregon plates 061BZX.

Disappears after a domestic dispute
After Mallory arrived home, she became involved in an argument with her husband, 35-year-old Brian Cole. She reportedly left home awhile later and has not been seen or heard from since.

Mallory reportedly left in a bright red 2001 Ford Focus bearing Oregon license 061BZX. There is a black-colored bike rack on top of the car and a child seat in the back seat.

Mallory is the mother of a 3-year-old child and has no prior history of being missing.

Described as a normal person
Based on information obtained from family and friends, investigators believe it is highly unusual for Heather to remain out of contact. She has been described as professional and responsible in her work habits. Mallory has no known history of mental illness or medical issues.

Investigators have confirmed that there has been no electronic activity on any of her accounts. At this time, detectives have no evidence of foul play.  However, Heather’s sudden disappearance and lack of any contact to family or friends, whatsoever, is considered highly suspicious.

Have you seen this woman? If you have, please call police, or CRIME STOPPERS immediately and help crack this case.

Mallory is a 5’5″, 120-pound white female with blonde hair and brown eyes.

CRIME STOPPERS is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to a resolution in this case, and you remain anonymous.

Call CRIME STOPPERS at (503) 823-HELP (4357). To speak directly with the investigator, call Detective Tim Sukimoto at (503) 823-0462.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Just in time for Easter, see (in LOTS of photos) how two SE Portland neighborhood groups bring their communities together with traditional Easter Egg Hunts …

Kaitlin and Jack Nelson get a real “two carrot” treat from the Easter Bunny at Westmoreland’s Easter Egg Hunt.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There’s no better sign that springtime has arrived than seeing hundreds of kids in two neighborhoods running – baskets in hand – at the start of annual Easter Egg hunts on March 22.

Waiting as patiently as possible, families wait for the “tiny tots” section to be opened for the big Sellwood-Westmoreland hunt.

Sellwood-Westmoreland’s Easter Egg Hunt
It was promoted as “come rain-or-shine”, and the brilliant sunshine drew hundreds of families to this annual event.

The event was free, but many folks brought canned goods for the FISH Food Bank, some gave cash donations.

In minutes, hundreds of kids get about the business of gathering their eggs.

Phoebe Diamond has great success finding chocolate eggs.

“We love helping SMILE put on this event,” said Edwina Swart, President of Oaks Bottom Lions Club. “It’s just great; the kids are having lots of fun.”

At 10 a.m. sharp, the ribbons cordoning off areas in the southern part of Westmoreland Park were lifted and the kids took off on their hunt. Actually, the colorfully foil-wrapped milk-chocolate were plentiful – making the kids’ mission more “gathering” than “searching”.

Leasa Wiebke appears to enjoy the Westmoreland Easter Egg Hunt as much as her daughter, Julia!

Because three football field-sized areas were swept clean of candies in minutes, the organizers made sure no one went home empty handed. They thoughtfully withheld a small bucket of treats for those too timid to grab their share.

10th Annual Woodstock Easter Egg Hunt

Some of the more than 200 kids at Woodstock Park await the start of their Easter Egg Hunt for some 1,700 candy-and-prize filled plastic eggs.

We had just enough time to head east to this event, now in its tenth year.

Set more as a “hunt”, families and kids gathered in the central portion of Woodstock Park. Tom Vice counted down the minutes, and at precisely 10:30 a.m., kids fanned out in three searching areas, each assigned to an age group.

“Ready, set go!” says Tom Vice. The kids didn’t need to be egged on.

Gale and Michael Budde tag along as Jill sets off to find her eggs.

At their event, the kids searched for plastic eggs containing candy, a toy, or a coupon good for a larger toy or sheet of stickers. See how many folks had come out on the sunny morning, organizers asked that each kid take only five eggs – most everyone complied and shared – so all were satisfied.

The “man with the megaphone”, Tom Vice, said the event was hosted by the Woodstock Business Association, and sponsored by Safeway, BiMart, The UPS Store, Papa Murphy’s, Hollywood Video, and Life House Church.

With a little help from mom and dad, Amy and Jeff Loney, Lucy quickly collected her Easter eggs.

“We prepared 1,700 Easter Eggs,” Vice recounted. “They were all gathered in about seven minutes. It’s incredible to see the great energy here. We easily have over 200 children participating.”

Jill Budde is exploring the contents of her newly-found Easter eggs as her parents, Gail and Michael look on.

Darren Almli and his little bunny-girl Shayla wait to redeem their tickets for prizes.

While their event features candy and prizes, Vice said, “The important thing is this event brings families, who live in the Woodstock area, together. We’re focusing on finding ways to help build community, and the best way is events like this that brings people together. Look around! So many people are here having a great time!”

Elise Nettle getting her treats directly from the Woodstock Easter Bunny.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Take a look and see how this inner SE Portland dance school is training young people who will be competing in the upcoming International Irish Step Dancing competition …

Four An Daire Academy students show off their Irish Step Dancing skill – which may take them to the international competition.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Behind the An Daire Academy of Irish Dance, hidden away in an industrial area of inner SE Portland, is a story of passion, romance, dedication – and Irish Step Dancing.

The international show theatrical production “Riverdance” popularized traditional Irish Step Dancing, in which dancers take rapid and sometimes acrobatic steps, while their torsos and arms remain motionless.

But the proprietors of this unique Portland-based dance school, Jim Mueller and Lauren Crowe-Mueller, started perfecting their dancing technique long before Riverdance-styled shows became all the rage.

Owners of the dance academy, Jim Mueller and Lauren Crowe-Mueller, tell how the love of Irish dance brought them together both in love and in business at an East Portland Chamber of Commerce networking event.

Portland natives, but strangers
Both members of this husband-and-wife team grew up in Portland and attended rival high schools – but in those days, they never met.

At an East Portland Chamber of Commerce function in March, Jim told the group he learned his first Irish steps as a postgraduate hobby, took to dancing, and started instructing.

A 1988 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Lauren studied nursing and musical theater, before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where she took up Irish dance. She progressed, finally dancing with The Chieftains, and performing at renaissance festivals throughout the United States.

“We met in a class taught by Tony Comerford in Seattle,” Lauren said; “We became engaged at his Feile na Nollaig (Irish dance event) in December of 1999, and were married in our hard [dance] shoes in May of 2000.”

Jim added, “Thanks to the Comerford School, we became successful open champions, competing at the North American, All-Ireland, and World Championships, in both solos and teams.”

Opens studio in Portland
Under Comerford’s direction, the Muellers opened a dance studio in Portland in 2000.

“In 2005, Tony said we were ready to, and able to, operate our own school; and, with his blessing, in 2005 we opened the An Daire Academy of Irish Dance,” explained Lauren.

She informed us that instructors must be certified in Irish dance if their students are to compete. “The examination process was difficult, but we were both certified before we opened our school.”

Wee dancers Kate, Emilie, and Kendal admirably perform a “Three-hand Reel”.

Armless dancing explained
“Why don’t you use their arms when you dance?” is the question they’re most frequently asked, Jim said.

“It started with the church movement in Ireland,” he related. “When St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, the church was very tied into the state. As the British came into the Emerald Isle, their magistrates tried to suppress the Irish; getting them to submit to their will.”

Because the Irish are such a celebratory people, he continued, they tried to break their spirit by decreeing that dancing was an offence to God. “The Irish learned to dance with her hands at their sides. So, if a church magistrate walked past the window, appeared as if they were listening to music and having a good time.”

It wasn’t long until competitions arose to see who could dance the best steps – with their arms at their sides.

These fast-stepping An Daire dancers demonstrate the speed, precision, and skill required to enter and win Irish Step Dancing competitions.

Workout on the dance floor
It’s only been within the last decade that the Irish dance form has come on par with jazz and ballet, Jim mentioned. “Irish dance technique is very young. Over in Ireland, it’s still ‘Shut up, put your shoes on, and dance’.”

Lauren explained that they realized, early on, that poor technique will limit the life of a dancer, due to injuries. “We want to help dancers enjoy a lifetime of dance, without injury. So, we’ve created special warm-up exercises and strength training, based on the ballet and jazz. It’s a great workout.”

This top ranked Irish Step Dancer, Allie Lewis, traveled to Ireland in March, to enter in the 2008 dance competition.

Dancing for fun, and prizes
“This year has been especially wonderful,” Lauren beamed, “because not only do we have dancers going for solo competitions, we also have three teams of dancers going to the 2008 international competition in Ireland.”

Jim added, “We’ve got our fingers crossed; we’re hoping we can get a team on the [winners] podium in Belfast.”

Wide variety of skills taught
Visiting their studio, we learned they also teach Highland dance, and offer music lessons on Celtic and medieval eclectic instruments as well.

“We do a lot of fun things here at the studio,” Lauren concluded. “All told, we have just shy of 300 dancers throughout the Northwest. If you know anyone who wants this type of musical education, please tell them about us.”

This dance troupe appeared more than a dozen times at various St. Patrick Day observances around the greater Portland area this year.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Meet these schools’ ambassadors to the 2008 Portland Rose Festival. Will one of these ladies become the Portland Rose Festival Queen? Take a look …

Standing with her court, Brenda Estela Olmos has just learned she will represent David Douglas High School at the 2008 Portland Rose Festival.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

David Douglas High Princess
It is always an invigorating experience to visit “full-school assembly” at David Douglas High School. The student body is well behaved; but when it’s time to cheer, the nearly 3,000 students nearly lift the roof of the gymnasium.

Last week, when we visited the assembly at which the David Douglas High 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess was announced – it was an occasion to cheer.

Almost overtaken by emotion, Olmos does her best to smile, as she’s presented with a bouquet of roses.

After the announcement, Olmos told the enthusiastic crowd, “I thank my family for being there, for all the good times and the bad times. Thank you for this honor.”

Olmos said she’s been involved with Student Council, National Honors Society, Link Crew, Peer Mediation, Key Club, Academic All-Stars, MECHA, and Varsity Soccer.

Her other activities including working at a Subway store, volunteering at Mill Park Elementary as a tutor, playing in the River Park Soccer League, and participating in American Friends Service Committee and youth group. Her hobbies are playing soccer, coaching basketball and soccer, gardening, and listening to Mexican music.

After the selection, Principal Randy Hutchison commented, “This is a great opportunity for our kids.  It’s nice to see how many showed up for the competition. Any one of the students would’ve been a great selection, and we’re proud of them all. Brenda will make a great ambassador for David Douglas High School.”

After the gym cleared, Olmos told us, “I’m really excited. I thank all of my peers who supported me. I look forward to representing my school and meeting many people in the Portland Rose Festival program.”

Madison High Princess

Introducing Madison High School’s 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Jill Tremblay. PRF Photo

Last week Madison High School also held their 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess selection assembly.

The outcome: Representing Madison will be Jill Tremblay.

In the future, Tremblay said she plans to enroll in Portland State University’s Pre-Dental program, and later attend Oregon State University.

She’s been recognized for her participation in the Academy of Science & Natural Resources, Class Council, Track (hurdles and pole vaulting), and Cheerleading.

The other activities Tremblay said she enjoys are Art (drawing and painting), snowboarding, exercising, and Cosmology. She is involved with the Ascension Church Youth Group, and volunteers at Providence Children’s Hospital.

Marshall Campus’ Princess

The students at Marshall Campus selected Kim Pham as their 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess. PRF Photo

And, during the same week, the four schools at Marshall Campus selected their 2008 Portland Rose Festival ambassador.

From the Pauling Academy of Integrated Science at Marshall Campus, Kim Pham won the title.

Asked about her plans, Pham said, “This fall, I plan to attend the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. I’m not quite sure what I’ll be studying, but I’ve been contemplating Pre-Med for a very long time, so that might be it.”

Pham said she likes being active, and participates in tennis, soccer, National Honor Society, Music Club, and the school’s 2008 Yearbook – of which she’s the chief editor.

“I’ve done a lot of volunteering for Hands On Portland, and other projects,” Pham told us, “including cooking at Clark Center, Multnomah Summer Reading Program, serving seniors for Loaves and Fishes, playing the Easter Bunny for Easter Seals, and volunteering for Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children.”

Her hobbies include cooking, baking, riding bikes, going to concerts, playing guitar, writing poetry, drawing, and being in the outdoors.

Coronation on June 7
The 2008 Portland Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation takes place on June 7, just before the start of the Grand Floral Parade. For tickets, or more information, see CLICK HERE and we’ll take you directly to their web site. Or, call their hotline: 1-877-789-ROSE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

In exchange for learning about law enforcement, see the many ways these young people help build the community …

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Cadets Nathan Huff and Ryan Mele tell community members about their experiences, at a Commander’s Forum not long ago.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Regular readers have read our coverage of the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Cadets, and the good work they do in the community.

At a recent Commander’s Forum – a meeting held each month by East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs – a roomful of community members were introduced to the Police Cadets and their work, by their main sponsor, Sgt. Michael Gallagher.

East Precinct’s Sgt. Michael Gallagher tells how the Police Cadet program helps young people prepare for a law enforcement career.

On-scene career training
“The Police Cadet Program helps introduce young people, between the ages of 16 and 20, to a law enforcement career,” began Sgt. Michael Gallagher, the leader of East Precinct’s program.

“The program includes classroom instruction, hands-on training, and mentorship,” Gallagher continued. “When Cadets complete the program, we encourage them to apply to the Portland Police Reserve, and when they’re eligible, with the Portland Police Bureau.”

Giving Cadets an understanding of the criminal justice system, and of the professional ethics applied to law enforcement, are the goals of the program, he added – as well as helping them understand of Oregon laws.

Wide variety of assignments
The program doesn’t relegate the Cadets to backroom clean-up chores, Gallagher said. “Police Cadets work many details and assignments in uniform, and are involved in the following areas of community events and services…”

Although Police Cadets have no police powers, they do provide valuable service to their community while they learn about police work.

On patrol, Cadets do vacation house checks, traffic speed watches, and help out by directing traffic around road hazards, traffic accidents, and crime scenes.

Helping out at the Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division’s “Holiday Deliveries” is one of the many missions for the Police Cadets. Most Cadets volunteer about 90 hours of service monthly.

Police Cadets help maintain order when the LPGA Golf Tournament comes to Portland, assist in loading and delivering Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division boxes, and help out at community fairs – like the East Precinct Annual Open House, and the Gateway Fun-O-Rama Parade and Gateway Community Fair at 111th Square. Typically, the Gallagher said, Police Cadets volunteer about 90 hours per month for service and community activities.

“An important activity for our Cadets is ‘Underage Alcohol and Tobacco Missions’,” Gallagher reported. “They go into stores, bars, and restaurants, and attempt to buy alcohol. If they’re asked, the Cadets never lie about their age; they show their real driver’s license. Doing this, we help the OLCC cut down on alcohol sales to minors.”

Cadets undergo formal training
Each post has training every week, Gallagher went on. “They are taught how to protect themselves in hand-to-hand situations. And, at our firing range downtown, they learn to shoot various firearms, and are taught firearms safety by the range instructors.”

In addition, Police Cadets learn:

• Community Policing philosophy;
• Ethics and decision-making;
• Cultural awareness;
• Driving techniques;
• Crime scene control;
• Report writing;
• Oregon laws; and,
• CPR/First Aid

Sgt. Gallagher narrates videos of past Police Cadet training exercises, and tells about the extensive training program developed for these young people.

Beyond classrooms and schoolbooks
Not all Police Cadet training takes place in the classroom or during a patrol car ride-along. “They learned how to search a house,” said Gallagher. “And how to execute a search warrant. From a field trip to the Police Academy in Salem, to Camp Rilea on the Coast, the cadets get a wide variety of training.”

But it isn’t t all work. They also have softball games, and participate in other fun events, Gallaher added.

‘Clean noses’ a requirement
“We hold the Cadets to a higher standard of conduct,” Gallagher explained, as he turned to the topic of membership requirements. “It’s just as we do for our police officers. For example, they can’t be where underage alcohol is being used, or get traffic tickets.”

Specifically, Portland Cadet recruits:

• Maintain a “C” grade point average with no failures in high school;
• Have no arrests or convictions which would prohibit employment as a police officer; and,
• Are a U.S. citizen, or have a valid green card.

If you know of a young person who would benefit from this program, he or she can get more information by talking with Portland Police Cadet Officers in East Precinct at (503) 823-4836.

And, if you know of a young person in Inner Southeast who would benefit from this program, they can get more information by talking with Portland Police Cadet Officers in SE Precinct at (503) 823-2143. Sgt. Charlie Brown, or Officers Sue Kahut or Tom Kaplan will be happy to tell you more.

Or, download the application form by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Why are they doing that, and which was the featured instrument when we visited Midland Library? Find out right here …

Oregon Symphony member Jeff Johnson talks about being a string bass player, and demonstrates the instrument for the children at Midland Library.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There’s almost always something interesting happening at Midland Library, in the Mill Park neighborhood on SE 122nd Avenue.

On a rainy Saturday, early in March, we went to see Symphony Story Time, to learn about the program.

“This is for preschool age children and their families,” explained Monica Hayes of the Oregon Symphony. “It is important for young children to meet members of the orchestra family. Also we pair literature about music with music itself, so they get the most out of the experience.”

On successive Saturdays, the Oregon Symphony featured woodwinds…brass…and then percussion, in the library presentations.

When we visited, we met Jeff Johnson, a 16-year veteran of the Symphony. He was tuning up his string bass, getting ready to talk with the children.

“It’s important to get out into the community and reach audiences of varying sizes and ages that wouldn’t normally be exposed to this music,” said Johnson. “We don’t want to have our musical life restricted to the concert hall.”

The best part about playing a string bass, Johnson tells us, is that the musical parts they play form the “foundation of the orchestra. Being at the ‘bottom of the orchestra’, we have a chance to listen to the rest of the orchestra as it plays.”

The bass line, Johnson continues, is the foundation of all music. “Perhaps not so much in modern music, but certainly in jazz and standards. That’s another thing I like about the instrument; it’s so versatile. I’ve played many different types of music at one time or another.”

Midland Library children’s librarian Sue Ciesielski reads the story of “Berlioz The Bear”, as Johnson illustrates passages musically on his bass.

The bass and the bear
After the youngsters are seated, Johnson tells them about his life and times as a professional musician.

“When I was very young, I wasn’t tall enough to play the string bass.  My mother had me stand on a chair to be able to play the instrument. I’ll show you how I play it, and let you touch the instrument. Before we do that, my friend Sue and I are going to read some stories, and I’ll play along and supply some sounds to go with the story.”

The kids eagerly agree when he asks the question, “Does this sound like a good thing to do?”

With that, Sue Ciesielski, children’s librarian at Midland, opens and starts reading the storybook, “Berlioz The Bear”.

Johnson comments, “this has always been one of my favorite books, ever since I can remember.  Can you imagine why?”

As Ciesielski reads, Johnson musically illustrates the story on his bass, to the delight of the kids. The children look enraptured as the librarian and musician gently guide the next generation into the land of symphonic music.

After storytime, brother and sister, Matthew and Ruth Benzar, help the little kids make “shoebox violins”. “These show and demonstrate the structure of a violin,” says Matthew.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

“HOUSE RECYCLING” PROGRESS REPORT:
Learn what surprisingly new information ‘Ms. Q-Renew’ has discovered – and is passing along – as she attempts to recycle every piece of an old SE Portland old house into a new one …

Sitting on a bench made entirely from hawthorn tree branches and siding removed from the old house, Shannon Quimby told us she’s glad an artist found a use for these items that most redevelopers would toss into a landfill.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
If Shannon Quimby has her way, the house she’s building at 2022 SE Rex Street in the Westmorland neighborhood won’t have a dumpster on the construction site. “If we have one, it won’t be very large,” she says.

As we’ve been reporting, instead of bulldozing the old house on the property, Quimby’s team dismantled the building, piece by piece, and has stored it in two large containers. Last month, they carefully moved mature trees – instead of cutting them down – to make way for the new home.

Quimby, who hosts “Q-Renew” shows on the Home & Garden TV Network, calls her project “REX” – for Reuse Everything eXperiment. “We’re recycling an old house into a new one, to show it is possible, and practical, to save building materials, instead of dumping them into a landfill.”

In front of the newly-poured foundation, Quimby reminds us that the massive holly tree they removed is being milled into open beams that will grace the house. “But we didn’t know what to do with the branches until an artist, Tim Boyden contacted us. He specializes in making garden furniture from reclaimed materials. He’s making benches, and trellises and tables for the project from our tree branches, old siding and floorboards.”

Quimby says this thin layer of concrete will keep the home warm and dry – and save $1,000 per year in energy costs.

Energy savings from the ground, up
We noted that the crawl space in the new home looked like a shallow basement.

“It’s called a conditioned crawl space,” Quimby states. “I don’t know why this isn’t a standard building practice. Over plastic sheeting, we poured a thin layer of concrete, and seal it where it joins the foundation.”

In addition to eliminating the possibility of mold, mildew and dry rot, Quimby adds, “The $1,000 it cost will cut our energy usage and bills by that amount every year! And, it will give us additional under-house storage space.”

Quimby invites neighbors to drop by and follow their progress as their project continues. Learn more by visiting www.shannonquimby.com.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See what transportation planners say they can do to ease slow-moving traffic around Airport Way and I-205 – and when they plan to take action …

Matt Freitag, ODOT consultant, and Port of Portland project manager Robin McCaffrey ask people to tell them how they’re affected by congested traffic around PDX.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Matt Freitag, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) consultant and project manager, didn’t mince words when he began our conversation: “There is congestion at the Airport Way/I-205 interchange. We’re looking for ways to alleviate it on both the Airport Way East and Airport Way West.”

Primarily, he added, ODOT, with the help of the Port of Portland, is looking for a way to speed up sluggish traffic traveling from eastbound Airport Way to northbound Interstate 205.

Handles 200,000 cars per day
Congestion at this interchange has been a problem since 1998, we learned; and east- and westbound traffic issues on Airport Way have been documented since 2000. The documentation shows that the Airport Way interchange is used by nearly 200,000 vehicles daily.

At an open house a couple of weeks ago, Freitag added, “We were trying to get some information out on what citizens see as a congestion issues, and get suggestions regarding what they perceive are the issues we should be looking at.”

Robin McCaffrey, Port of Portland, also working on the project, commented, “The I-205 north interchange design cannot handle today’s peak-hour traffic, much less tomorrow’s [increased] traffic.”

Smooth sailing a long time off
McCaffrey explained that they are in the early stages of the project. “We’re developing information, and getting all of our alternatives lined up.”

The timetable for improvements won’t be complete until 2014, noted Freitag. “In 2009 we’re hoping to move into a more in-depth analysis of specific solutions and alternatives. We want to be moving into design by 2010. We need to find a solution that works here, we don’t want to rush into it.”

Ross Monn talks with Scott King, a Port of Portland airport planner.

Wilkes Community Group Chair Ross Monn stopped by the open house. He commented, “You don’t go into this area after four o’clock. The traffic is clogged. . .  I look forward to something being done to help improve the situation here.”

Deposit your two-cents
“We’re in the early stage of this,” McCaffrey noted. “There will be many opportunities for people to give input; we encourage people to participate.”

To take a look for yourself, and register your comments, at the ODOT web site. We’ll take you there if you CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Two East Portland schools select their ambassadors
– see who won …

Marshawna Williams reacts to hearing her name being announced as Cleveland High School’s Portland Rose Festival representative.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The student bodies of Cleveland and Franklin High Schools chose their representatives for the 2008 Portland Rose Festival Court in March.

At Cleveland High School, Marshawna R. Williams was selected to represent their school.

With the Cleveland High School court is 2008 Princess Marshawna Williams.

Looking like she’s ready to sit on the Portland Rose Festival thrown is Cleveland High’s 2008 Princess Marshawna Williams.

Williams is the Co-President of Black Student Union, Student Body Vice President, and active member of National Honors Society, and she enjoys volleyball and being of service to the community. Her hobbies include “singing, writing, poetry, and babysitting neighborhood kids.”

About her future, Williams said, “I plan to attend University of Portland and earn a Bachelors degree in Engineering.”

Franklin High School

Surrounded by her Franklin High School court is their 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess, Diamond Symone Zerework. Photo: Portland Rose Festival

Franklin High School’s chosen representative was Diamond Symone Zerework.

For the past two years, Zerework has been part of Franklin High’s Leadership Program and a S.T.A.R.S. teen Leader/counselor. She’s been the President of the Black Student Union for 3 years. “I have also been dedicated to the Mock Trial and Advanced Mock Trial program for the past two years. I will receive my Law course completion Certificate from Franklin High School this year.”

Introducing 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess, Diamond Symone Zerework, representing Franklin High. Photo: Portland Rose Festival

Looking ahead, Zerework added, “I intend on receiving my B.A. in Psychology, then attending Law School before becoming a Corporate Attorney.”

The 2008 Portland Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation takes place on June 7, before the Grand Floral Parade. For tickets, or more information, see www.rosefestival.org, or call the hotline: 1-877-789-ROSE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

For the second time in four days, late-night gunfire erupted on SE Division Street just east of SE 122nd Avenue. See what officials – and locals – say about this latest round of violence …

On early Sunday morning, gunfire caused patrons to scatter from what authorities say was an illegal, after-hours party at LaCueva Night Club on SE Division Street, just east of SE 122nd Avenue.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Both neighbors and business people are wondering about two late-night shooting sprees in the Midway area of outer East Portland, near the intersection of SE Division Street and 122nd Avenue.

At this time, officials aren’t saying whether or not the two shooting incidents, one in the wee hours of March 16 and the second just before midnight on March 20, are related. But, folks in the area say they’re concerned that this may indicate a dangerous trend.

Gunfire outside of LaCueva
At about 4:15 am, on March 16, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers were called to the area near the LaCueva Night Club – the most current name of a windowless party room that has been the location of many disturbances in the past.

“Several people called 911 to report that they heard gunshots,” said police spokesman Brian Schmautz. “Officers determined that participants in a nearby after-hours party appeared to have fired several shots at an unknown person or target.”

Hostile witnesses
Individuals at the scene were uncooperative and hostile towards the officers, Scnmautz reported. “Officers couldn’t find anyone who wanted to report a crime. The scene was processed and officers do not have a suspect in custody.”

Officers did see what appeared to be bullet holes in some vehicles and nearby buildings. “This investigation is continuing,” pointed added Schmautz.

Police guard the back lot of the Maverick Restaurant and Lounge on SE Division Street after they find shell casings, and a gun – said to be used in the most recent shooting spree.

Shootout at the Maverick
Fast-forwarding just four days to Thursday night, March 20, at 11:30 p.m. – the relative quiet of the evening was shattered as seven shots rang out behind the Maverick Restaurant and Lounge, at 12424 SE Division Street.

“You bet I heard the shooting,” said the night manager (she declined to give her name) of the Taco Bell restaurant located east of the Maverick. “It was loud. I think I heard seven shots – pop, pop, pop! It scared me. Then, a dark-colored car took off.”

Shortly thereafter, the eyewitness said she saw people running, “and cops pulled up right away. They started looking at buildings – trying to find bullet holes, I think.”

Neighbors and business owners in the area say they’re concerned about the recent increase in violent crime.

Cop confronts gun-toting felon
Apparently, officers did respond quickly to the shooting.

“East Precinct Officer Wilbon arrived on-scene, and confronted a suspect,” confirmed Portland Police Bureau spokeswoman Officer Cathe Kent.

“He was still holding a gun, as he got into a dark green Dodge Intrepid,” Kent continued. “The vehicle left the area and drove to SE 125th Avenue and Ivon Court, where officers initiated a high-risk traffic stop.”

We heard the police radio crackle with a report that officers had located several gun shell casings behind the Maverick, plus a gun. The crime scene was quickly cordoned off.

Police say they are charging 24-year-old Tyrone Mask with shooting up the area; but there was no apparent victim or reason for firing the gun.

“24-year-old Tyrone Mask was arrested and charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Felon in Possession of Weapon,” Kent stated. “Additionally, Mask is an admitted gang member, and has numerous felony arrests for possession of firearms and for robbery, to name a few.”

Mask was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.  The driver of the vehicle was released. The gun was located behind Maverick’s Bar.

There was no shooting victim, Kent added, and investigators are still unsure why Mask was allegedly firing the gun.

LaCueva shot up – again
Investigators from the Gang Violence Response Team responded to the area to start an investigation, Kent told us.

“An additional crime scene was located at an after-hours club located at 12241 SE Division Street,” Kent reported. “It appears several bullets were fired into the back door of the club. No one was inside at the time of the shooting.”

Kent recalled that this was the second shooting this week connected to this after-hours club. “Investigators have asked for a building inspection, as well as involvement from OLCC regarding illegal drinking and various code violations discovered inside the building.”

If you have information related to either shooting, police ask that you call the Gang Violence Response Team at (503) 823-4106.

Business leader express concerns
Bill Dayton, the owner of Pizza Baron, a pizza parlor serving three decades of outer East Portland families, told us that crime in the area has ebbed and flowed over the years.

“Violent crime hasn’t been a big concern here,” said Dayton, the current president of the Midway Business Association. “But the statistics we’re getting from the police show an increase in shootings. It seems that crime from the inner city has been exported to outer East Portland.”

What concerns him, Dayton went on, is that government officials say that crime is going down in the Midway area. “This may be true, but it looks like we’re having more violent crime. Crime is one issue, violent crime is quite another issue.”

To help combat crime in the area, Dayton said that the Midway Business Association is supporting the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association and their new Citizen’s Bike Patrol to help detect problems – and report them to police – before violent crime takes place.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

While city and county officials touted their crime-reduction achievements, some feel they didn’t answer the main question: What can you do to further improve or streamline the criminal justice process?

The primary organizer of the event, vice chair of the Centennial Community Association Ron Clemenson, “sets the stage” for the forum – stating concerns about increasing crime in outer East Portland and Gresham.

By Watford Reed and David F. Ashton; photos by David F. Ashton
Increased funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs – backed up by jail beds for those who don’t reform their ways – was the prescription given, as a partial cure for Portland’s crime wave by a dozen Portland and Gresham city and Multnomah County elected and appointed official, to the 120 citizens who gathered at the Parklane Christian Reformed Church on March 11.

The meeting was sponsored by the Centennial and Glenfair neighborhood associations and the East Portland neighborhood office. Moderator David F. Ashton pointed out that what these groups are trying to do is reduce crime and the fear of crime in their neighborhoods.

Participating in the East Portland Public Safety Forum were Eric Sevos, Cascadia Behavioral Services; Multnomah County Commissioners Lonnie Roberts and Lisa Naito; Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney, Chuck French; Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Edward Jones; Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler (standing); City of Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard; Representing Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland Public Safety Director Maria Rubio; Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer; Gresham City Council President Paul Warr-King; City of Gresham Police Chief Carla Piluso, and Gresham City Counselor David Widmark.

County chair leads off
Ted Wheeler, the Chair of Multnomah County, spoke first, and said a commission of 200 experts had “found a big gap in public safety.”

But Wheeler added, “I must caution you, two things must happen if we want to keep our public safety system whole. First, we need to spend the dollars we have committed to public safety more effectively. And, we need to find additional resources, in terms of dollars, from outside the system.

“You’ve heard talk of a potential public safety levy in the fall [election]. That is an option, but the board has not deliberated on that. We may ask you to support additional public safety resources in the system.

“We’d like to include treatment and addiction services. The levy may include more funding for law-enforcement services.

“We need to break drug addiction so they won’t keep on committing crimes,” Wheeler concluded. “Otherwise, we’ll keep seeing the same people again and again.”

Police chiefs chime in
Part of a strategy for reducing crime, Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer commented, “Is that it’s highly desirable, regardless of the offense, for offenders to be kept in jail at least until the next morning, when they see a judge and are given an attorney. This will help end the cycle in which the [the accused] fail to appear for court dates.”

Gresham’s Chief Carla Piluso said that while crime prevention is important, “enforcement was key to reducing the problems we experienced along 162nd Avenue near E. Burnside Street. As we look at our side of the street in Gresham, we’ve seen a huge decrease of crime, according to our statistics.”

Noting that crime has picked up in other areas along the border where Portland meets Gresham, Piluso added, “Displacement of crime is an unintended consequence of strict enforcement. We have to continue working to make sure that that’s not the rule.”

Sevos, Roberts, and Lisa Naito listen to Chuck French, Senior Deputy Multnomah County District Attorney, say that the criminal justice system agencies need to overcome resistance to change policies within their offices. Circuit Judge Edward Jones sits to his right.

Breaking the agency inertia
Senior Deputy Multnomah County District Attorney Chuck French said that nowadays “criminals laugh” when they are given tickets to go to court, and then go away without punishment.

French added, “One of the things Chair Wheeler said is that we need to break the cycle of criminality. To do that, we need to deal with inertia in our agencies. Agencies do certain things because they’ve always done it that way. We need to explore new ways of doing things.”

Known for progressive criminal justice system
Circuit Judge Edward Jones spoke eloquently, and his humorous asides brought several rounds of laughter.

“When you talk about crime, commonly you talk about sentencing,” Jones began. “And when you talk about sentencing, you turn around and look at the judge. It would be nice to think that just a few minutes of my time as a judge will turn a criminal in a good citizen. But the reality is this: Telling people to stop committing crimes is about as effective as telling someone to quit smoking.”

Jones continued, saying the typical offender is a “slow learner”. He added, “Don’t get me wrong: Deterrence does work. Most of us have values or impulse control – at least, sufficient to keep us out of trouble. But there are those who need to be incarcerated.

“Why doesn’t punishment work as well as it should?  The simple answer is that we don’t have enough rational criminals. For many of the people that I see every day, deterrence does not work.”

The judge told of an offender he jailed 11 times for parole violation before the man became clean and sober. “If I had that jail available to throw him into those 11 times, he wouldn’t have finished treatment.

The most substantial problem, Jones said, isn’t the lack of funding. “The biggest issue is courage. We must find the courage to admit our past failures, and commit ourselves to working from the evidence; to do we need to do to solve the problem.”

Addiction treatment seen as the answer
Other panelists suggested that treating drug and alcohol addiction is the key to solving the area’s crime problems.

Leonard said he had read that 71% of crimes are committed by people with drug or alcohol problems.

“We need to focus on why people commit crimes,” he said.  “Otherwise we will only move the crime around.”

Maria Rubio, representing Portland Mayor Tom Potter, called for a “countrywide” drive against drugs is to “fill that gap, close quote, about which chair Wheeler had spoken.”

Taking a different tack, a member of the Gresham City Council, Paul Warr-King, said that he hopes Gresham will hire more police in the fall.

Returning to the concept of rehabilitation, Lisa Naito, Multnomah County Commissioner, warned that treatment centers are “sorely lacking” in the community.  She also said that child abuse is “a significant problem”.

Multnomah County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts forecast that the new East Multnomah Justice Center, planned for Gresham, will help stabilize the area and its mere presence will help reduce crime..

Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler suggests that citizens look at how they, individually, are contributing to the reducing of the causes of crime, instead of looking to their elected officials to do so. City of Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard and City of Portland Public Safety Carmen Rubio sit to his right.

Wheeler: Don’t look to elected officials
Ashton noted that it sounded as if all East County’s crime problems have been solved. He asked by a show of hands, how many audience members worry about their safety. Most present raised their hands.

“What can people in this room actually do to work with their elected officials to help reduce crime?” Ashton asked the panel.

Wheeler took the question and responded, “Forget your elected officials. If you rely on elected officials to do everything you need, you can forget about it.”

Peppering the audience with a rapid-fire stream of questions, Wheeler continued, “Instead of a relying on elected people, let me ask you this: How many people here know your neighbors [well]; or know folks in your community who may need help, perhaps older folks who are frail? Watch over them and take care of them? Help keep others from advantage of them? Do you know if they’re suffering from elder abuse?  What about your kids?

“Do support the schools?  I don’t necessarily mean financially, but do you take time to work with kids in the community? There are a lot of kids in this community who are looking for adults ‘on the right side of the law’ to spend time with. Have you thought about being a mentor?”

The Chair concluded, “Look beyond the criminal justice system. Bring back a sense of community responsibility, particularly toward the youth in our community. I believe this will make the biggest impact. And yes, if we put up a public safety levy – vote for it.”

Leonard talks up ‘Program 57’
Commissioner Leonard chimed in, “When we opened 57 jail beds, we quickly concluded that jail time, by itself, will not stop people from committing crime. We also need people to get treatment. The only way we can get people to stop committing crime is to get into treatment and stay in treatment.”

Leonard intoned, “We’ve had a big reduction in crime in Portland, and this is attributable to arresting people, and actually grabbing them by the collar and putting them in the back of a police car and taking downtown and putting them in jail. After they sober up, or withdraw from drugs, look them in the eye and ask ‘Do you like being in jail?’ Most people do not like being in jail.

“Early on we started this program, people in jail would say ‘Sure, I’ll go into treatment.’ If they’d walk in the front door the treatment center and out the back door, we’d pick them up, take them back to jail.  As a result we’ve reduced crime in Portland.

“I’m absolutely convinced we need this two-pronged approach. The most effective dollars we can spend are in drug treatment and alcohol treatment.”

Says anti-poverty program is needed
Representing Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland Public Safety Carmen Rubio said, “A lot of people in our city and the county are feeling disenfranchised. A lot of people are in poverty; many of them are working two jobs. And that definitely is a link to criminality. I think we need to look at what the root causes are.

“Something we can do, individually or as a community, is reducing poverty in our community.”

While citizens were provided with a comprehensive review of current public safety and criminal justice programs, several left the forum indicating that they felt officials were shifting responsibility for community safety to the community, instead of themselves taking the lead.

D.A. decries lack of flexibility
Senior Assistant District Attorney French spoke up next.

“In the last seven or eight years,” French stated, “Our criminal justice system has lost its flexibility in how to deal with criminals.”

Over the past decade, French shared, many corrections programs have been cut due to budget restraints. Thus, judges’ only options are to put an offender in jail or set them free. “We must restore the ability to craft a type of response for an offender that doesn’t currently exist.”

Detouring petty criminals
Judge Jones spoke up, “Let me add this about preventing a crime in the first place.  We have roughly 1,000 serious Measure 11 crimes in the county every year. About 80% of them have passed through the system [for minor offences] during the year before they were arrested for a serious crime.

“The jails are a screening process; they find people whose lives are in disarray.

“If we can do something with them, as they come through on a minor crime – whether it’s treatment for drugs or alcohol, or getting the job, or whatever it is – we have a significant chance of having many fewer victims the following year.”

Attendees left feeling uncertain
Several individuals lingered after the formal program to speak with officials who were on the panel.

A number of citizens expressed the opinion to us that, although they appreciate their law enforcement officers, they were still concerned about crime issues in their neighborhoods.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

If you don’t yet know the Multnomah County Commissioner
District 3 candidates, take a look at this article …

Shirley Smith, sales representative with The OUTLOOK, is presented the famous Gateway Rubber Chicken, in thanks for the paper’s help in supporting the Gateway Fun-O-Rama.

Story by Watford Reed; Photos by David F. Ashton
Five candidates for the Multnomah County Commission District 3 agreed on more things than issues about which they argued when they spoke to the 50 members of the Gateway Area Business Association last week.

The district stretches from Laurelhurst to Lents, explained the Candidate Forum’s moderator, David F. Ashton.

More open decision-making, inclusion of everyone – not just special interest groups – and respect for the environment were the keynotes of the candidates who spoke to the group.

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Bruce Barclay.

The first to speak was Bruce Barclay, a commercial appraiser in the County Assessors Office, who criticized “loose management” of county business.

He also called for credits to foster energy conservation, and criticized officeholders who “make decisions behind closed doors because they think they know best.”

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Roy Burkett.

Roy Burkett, a veteran of 20 years in the electronics business, called for “fresh, workable plans based on American ideals.”

“The county and city have been in the grip of special interests for too long,” he charged.

He has learned to work with groups that have sharply different outlooks, he said.  He also called for steps to lessen crime by repeat offenders and said requiring restitution is often more effective than the punishment.

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Mike Delman

Care for everybody’s welfare — not only those “at risk” – was urged by Mike Delman, public affairs director for the Portland Habilitation Center, which trains and finds work for the disabled. He said he was a lobbyist at one time for the American Federation of State County and municipal employees for 29 years.

He declared, “when I worked at the county, our employees were proud to be considered the government of last resort.  I think that attitude has been suppressed and I will work to bring it back.”

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Rob Milesnick.

Business can work with environmentalists, said Rob Milesnick, who forecast that “change is going to happen”, and promised to “work to make county government more helpful.”

He stressed the need for public safety, “including MAX”, and said he will work for better health care for everyone and streamlined health-care plans.

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Judy Shiprack.

Judy Shiprack, a former Oregon State legislator of three terms, former teacher, and one-time deputy district attorney, said that at one time 30,000 arrest warrants were outstanding in the county. She suggested that the prosecutor’s office call the defendants the day before they’re due to appear in a hearing, as doctors offices call patients. She claimed that this alone would “save the county millions of dollars”.

Candidates answer questions
In answer to questions, Shiprack said the state business tax rate is too low, and that makes County business taxes too high.  This, in turn, drives businesses away from Multnomah County and the Gateway District.

Melisnick called for better relations between city and county and said, “Strengthening this is will strengthen the county.”

Delman said the area needs more “fair wage” jobs, as well as a fair share of public appropriations.  Decision-making should be “collaborative,” he went on.

Burkett said two thirds of criminals are right back in jail within two years of their release.  They need jobs, he said.

Berkeley promised to encourage growth of small business, and said he listens to voters, because, “I don’t have all the answers.”

GABA’s Secretary, and long-time Gateway booster, Fred Sanchez (center), stands flanked by Richard Kiely as well as Greg Zuffrea from Home Run Graphics.

Graphics seminar featured at meeting
Just before the meeting, GABA members learned how to get the most for their printing and advertising specialty dollars from Richard Kiely and Greg Zuffrea of Home Run Graphics.

“Good design will help you save money when it comes to printing a project,” Kiely told the group. “And, having a good marketing idea behind the design will help the printed piece do its job.”

Greg Zuffrea told the group how matching the personality of a company with the advertising specialties improves the impact of a promotional campaign.

For more information, see their informative web site: CLICK HERE!

Next month: Mayoral Candidates Forum
On April 11, candidates in Portland’s race for the job of Mayor will come by to meet folks in Gateway.

Be sure to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to be assured of a seat. Reservations are not required; guests are welcome. Other than buying your lunch, the meeting is without cost. It’s at JJ North’s Buffet, 10520 NE Halsey St. Reservations NOT needed. For more information, go to www.gabanet.com.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service