Come underground and see exclusive photos of your sewer-bill dollars at work …

How far is 160 feet down? Yes, those are people standing at the bottom of this shaft!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Portland’s “Big Pipe Project” to divert sewage out of the Willamette River isn’t news – the West Side project has been completed, and is currently in operation. But the opportunity to travel 160 feet underground to see this giant tunnel dug on Portland’s east side caught our interest.

Our tour began at the contractor’s East Portland offices in the Portland Opera building, located just south of OMSI.

“We are at the Opera Shaft location,” Steve Marriott, director of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services said as he began our orientation.

“This shaft is where we inserted ‘Rosie’, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). It is driving north toward Swan Island.”

Our tour guide, Shane Yanagisawa, explains the equipment used in the massive project.

Brief history of sewers
Marriott stated that about 1,000 cities across the nation were built with a “combined” sewer system. The raw sewage and stormwater were collected in the same system, and sent into the river for disposal.

“When the sewage treatment plant was built in the 1950s,” Marriott went on, “they also constructed interceptor pipes to convey a lot of that flow to the treatment in North Portland. They didn’t size these pipes big enough to handle the runoff from every single rainstorm. At the time, they considered that having a clean river in the summer was good enough; it provided a huge improvement in water quality.”

But in the 1990s the city agreed to a 20-year program to address the chronic wintertime problem of combined sewer overflows.

Portland is ahead of most cities in solving this problem Marriott said. “Many other cities have yet to address the problem.”

This machine – the separator – divides mining spoils into piles of gravel, pebbles, sand, and the mining slurry that is returned to the tunneling machine.

This conveyor belt system takes the excess sand and gravel from the tunnel to barges which remove it and dump it in Ross Island lagoon.

Tunneling support system
Our first stop on the tour was seeing the technology that supports excavating tons of sand, dirt, and gravel, and sealing a pipe – all 160 feet underground.

Our tour guide, Shane Yanagisawa, lead planning engineer with Kiewit Bilfinger-Berger, walked our group over to a three-story tall building on the project site, just east of the Opera Shaft.

“This is the separator,” Yanagisawa explained. “Everything that is cut by the mining machine is mixed with slurry made up of water and bentonite clay. It is pumped to the surface where it is separated in into big chunks, small rocks, sand, and slurry. The slurry is pumped back down to the TMB.”

The rocks and sand are barged from a conveyor belt south of OMSI to fill in the lagoons once mined at Ross Island.

The most visible portion of the project to folks in Inner SE Portland is the Opera Shaft crane. It lifts and lowers all parts and supplies for the project.

These pre-cast concrete segments form rings that stabilize the tunnel section just dug by the TBM. The disks to the left of the ring segments are some of the TMB’s cutting heads.

Paving the pipe
After the TBM pushes forward, cutting a section of tunnel, it is lined with a series of 25 identical, pre-cast concrete ring segments, and finished with one key segment that locks the ring in place. A special grout is injected into the soil around the rings to help seal the pipe.

These ring segments are made on site, using some of the spoils from the tunneling operation. They – and all other equipment and supplies – are lowered down the Opera Shaft by a huge construction crane, perhaps the most visible evidence of the construction project in East Portland.

Yanagisawa continues, “This operation is a continuous process. Everything has to be working at all times – the TBM, slurry plant, separator, grout plant, ventilation system and ring manufacturing.”

Even Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams is required to wear safety gear, including the snappy yellow toe protectors we all slipped on our boots.

Commissioner Adams endorses progress
Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, joking that he is “The Sewer Commissioner”, exited the elevator, coming up from his tour of the project,  as we were preparing to descend.

“Hopefully the calisthenics portion of the safety orientation wasn’t too strenuous for you,” he kidded.

“This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to tour the east side project. This is an effort to reduce, by 94%, the sewer overflows into the Willamette River. We will have spent $1.4 Billion, when all of the tunnels have been dug and pumping stations have been installed. We’re about 66% complete on the overall project.”

The Loki train hauls personnel and equipment from the central shaft to the trailing end of the TBM.

When the Eastside Big Pipe goes into operation, this pipe will be carrying pressurized, raw sewerage. We prefer to tour the pipe in its pristine state!

As we speed toward the trailing end of the TBM, we pass endless sections of Big Pipe rings.

Going down
Our group gets into a construction elevator affixed to the side of the shaft for our ride to the bottom. Along the walls of the 67′ diameter shaft are the electrical conduit that powers the TMB, incoming and outgoing slurry pipes, and a large air ventilation duct.

On the bottom are train tracks, on which runs a “Loki” – a squat but powerful diesel engine and passenger cars.

Once aboard, we rumble northbound, heading toward the end of the line: the TBM rig. The tunnel is temperate and dry; we see segments of the concrete liner rings along the way.

Members of this press junket marvel at the size of a machine that cuts a 26-foot-diameter tube far underground.

This is a view of the “trailing gear” that feeds supplies and power to the TBM in the distance.

Tunnel manager Greg Colzani says today is just another day at “the office” – but much quieter, since today the machine isn’t running.

The TBM at rest
Because this was a system maintenance day, the TBM was silent when we exited the train, about a mile north of the Opera Shaft.

Greg Colzani, tunnel manager tells the group that the TBM is about 30 feet long; but the equipment behind it, including the devices used to set the ring segments in place, is about 70 feet long. As it inches forward, the 100′ long assembly is pulled along with it.

“The TBM has entered the Alder Street Shaft, where the old ‘Corno’ building once stood” Colzani comments. “Standing here behind the machine, we’re right below the Montage Restaurant.”

This is the back of the TBM. Ahead of it lies more soil and rock to bore through, 160 feet below SE Alder Street.

Southbound trip begins in 2010
From this point, the crew will keep mining north to the Swan Island pumping station. “When we reach that point,” Colzani said, “We’ll take the machine apart. We’ll haul it back to the Opera Shaft, and reassemble it for its trip south. It will tunnel about 8,000 feet to our [southernmost] shaft at SE McLaughlin Boulevard and SE 17th Avenue.”

And, when it arrives there in 2011, Colzani said, another giant crane will be built there to lift out the TBM, including the 160-ton main bearing.

A large, but smaller, tunnel will be bored south a short distance to the intersection of S.E. 18th and Insley, and the “Insley Collector” which collects sewage from Inner Southeast Portland will be connected to the “Big Pipe” with this new, final tunnel.

That will complete the project that Commissioner Adams said he considers to be a “100-year project that will prevent all but the worst overflows into the Willamette River. And keep the sewer system functioning for the next century.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Can yet another City-sponsored committee improve livability in outer East Portland? You’ll see what some of the participants think … right here …

The David Douglas School District boardroom is nearly filled with delegates and observers, as the East Portland Action Plan Committee holds its first meeting.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The East Portland Action Plan Committee, a project co-sponsored by Multnomah County and the City of Portland, has held its first meeting earlier this month.

“This effort is designed to look strategically at near-term opportunities to improve livability, as well as long-term strategies to address issues in East Portland, generally east of I-205,” said the organizer, also East Portland Liaison for the Portland Planning Bureau, Barry Manning. “The committee includes a mix of elected officials, agency representatives, and eighteen community members working together on problem-solving and improvement strategies in East Portland.”

Governmental officials on hand who participated included Portland Mayor Tom Potter, Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler, and State Representative Jeff Merkley, Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten; METRO Counselor Robert Liberty audited the meeting.

In addition to elected officials and governmental staff members, eighteen members from the business, faith, education and neighborhood communities also been appointed to participate in the forum.

Looks to identify livability solutions
Manning stated that some of the anticipated outcomes of the East Portland Action Plan include:

• Validation of high priority livability issues in East Portland;
• Direction to initiate near-term actions that can be accomplished within one to two years;
• Identification of longer-term actions to be implemented through respective agency work plans; and,
• Commitment to follow through.

Struggling to deal with increased density
As once run-down parts of the city have gentrified, the City’s less affluent have been forced to migrate to outlying areas in outer East Portland.

As neighborhoods continue to change due to ever-increasing density, many citizens have expressed concern about reduced quality of life in their outer East Portland neighborhoods. Along with higher-density housing crowding once semi-rural areas has come increased crime and the lack of services, infrastructure, and amenities, to serve the burgeoning population.

Issues identified and potential actions
After two hours of roundtable discussions, the panel members had developed a list of concerns that include:

• Schools, Families, Housing: Develop a partnership and specific strategies with school districts serving East Portland to address school facilities issues.
• Community Safety: Develop partnerships to intensify the city’s public safety and social services responses.
• Community Organizing: Develop and fund methods to improve public participation, and broaden the base of community involvement in East Portland.
• Transportation Needs: Refine transportation priorities for East Portland, and explore budget proposals necessary to fund them.
• Land Use Planning: Explore and implement land use code changes to address infill development issues and lay the groundwork for longer range planning.
• Business Enhancement: Identify strategies for improving the business climate in East Portland, focusing on specific strategies for different areas.

Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and Portland city Commissioner Erik Sten say they’re in agreement with the goals of the project.

Officials pledge help
Portland Commissioner Erik Sten said he’s pleased with the project, and very pleased with the large turnout of committee members and the public in general to the December 1 meeting. Sten pledged to find City funding to help out with the project.

Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler also commended the committee, the meeting, and the progress; but said he couldn’t offer financial support, citing the County’s tight budget.

“We want to see something immediate happen like you folks do,” summarized Portland Mayor Tom Potter. “We’re going to work to make sure some of these needs are met. All the assets of the cities, like our bureaus, will provide technical support, so you aren’t left stranded. We believe in this process. Rather than just take our word for it, wait and see what happens.”

Eighteen community members, along with governmental officials, say they’re working to solve some of outer East Portland’s most pressing issues.

Cautious optimism noted among participants
Judith Huck, owner of Classique Floors, told us, “I think the City and area agencies are looking to East Portland to see what we really need. They’re listening to us to see what really needs to be done out here. We’re struggling out here.”

Asked if she thinks this will provide concrete results, Huck smiled and said sincerely, “I have great hope.”

Opportunity to make a difference
Dr. Karen Fischer Gray, Superintendent, Parkrose Public Schools, commented, “The meeting was an excellent way for all of the super-stakeholder groups to get together and focus on East County planning. Everybody, to an extent, is on the same page about economic development, overdevelopment of housing, educational needs. This is a real opportunity for people to make a difference.”

Expresses concerns about housing
Hazelwood Neighborhood Chair Arlene Kimura said, about the meeting, “This is a very good first step. If we can do at least a portion of the things we set out to do – those are going to be big, giant steps. I do hope we can come up some critically-needed first-action items. That will demonstrate the sincerity of this effort. It will show it isn’t just a bunch of people sitting around the table.”

Asked for what she most hopes will come from this program, Kimura replied, “To really look at where they’re clustering the housing in relation to where the services are located. Changing our land use patterns and popping into housing in the middle of neighborhoods is not helpful. We’ve got to look at neighborhoods as a whole, and not just as housing developments.

I know people need housing, but we have to temper that with the fact that people have to be able to live and get around their neighborhood.”

Interested in transportation and education
Speaking for himself, James Chasse a board member of Board of Powellhurst Gilbert Neighborhood Association and land use chair, summarized his feelings: “It’s about time. It is a great opportunity for people in East Portland to be involved and hopefully see some action taken in the community to address some of the issues that have come up in the last ten years.”

Chasse added that his greatest concerns for outer East Portland are transportation-related issues and overcrowded schools.

Endorses new process
Brian Heron, Pastor, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and with the Foster Family Care Network, said it is good for the community to envision a new process for dealing with issues in outer East Portland.

“The best part of the meeting,” stated Heron, “is the fact that so many people, from so many walks of life, are here representing the community. It’s not so much what has come out if it today, but the fact that we we’re all together in the same room. We’re ready to talk. The concept that stood out for me was building community. The community is so diverse; and at the same time, we’re dealing with diverse issues like poverty, and broken families, and lack of stability.”

Ethnic diversity a concern
Mike Vander Veen, Ministries Coordinator at Parklane Christian Reformed Church, agreed with Heron, but added, “And yet, there is a certain lack of diversity here today. There are a lot of white faces at the table. Even though we’re all coming from different perspectives, I saw limited participation of people of color. I’d like to see more ethnic inclusion. It was great we had a member of the Slavic community here. Diversity in the community was a value many people shared.”

Vander Veen added that he’s most concerned about finding was to protect our outer East Portland educational system. “In eastside schools, we still have music, arts, and PE, in addition to good quality academics. But it looks like education may be at risk. Its important! Children are the future of our community.”

East Portland Liaison in the Portland Planning Bureau Barry Manning, and METRO Counselor Robert Liberty, listen and respond to comments made at the meeting.

METRO Commissioner Robert Liberty told us after the meeting, “The most important thing was that this meeting was held. Next important thing was to see who came from the community and government. It is great.”

While Liberty characterized some of the data as being “a little daunting and disturbing”, he added that, from METRO’s perspective, this is perfect timing. “We’re talking about how to implement Plan 2040, we’re looking at investments. I think we need to look for answers to questions about where people of modest means can find a place to live in the region. It isn’t just an eastside phenomenon.”

More meetings to come
The committee is scheduled to meet monthly through June 2008.

The next meeting of the East Portland Action Plan Committee is scheduled for January 10, 2008, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, location to be announced.  Contact the Bureau of Planning at 503-823-7965 for more information.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

We love reporting on the good deeds kids do. And our “humorous photo of the week” is also contained herein (below) …

While “Scouting for Food” the Cub Scouts of Pack 64 brave sleet and snow while gather hundreds of pound of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Many people recall that a couple of weeks ago, Scouts were combing neighborhoods on a selfless field maneuver – collecting food for the needy.

The Cub Scouts of Pack 64 – a group of youngsters from several inner SE Portland neighborhoods – brave freezing temperatures and snow flurries as they trudge door-to door on this gray morning.

“We’re collecting canned food and non-perishable for the Oregon Food Bank,” reports their Cubmaster, Tom Armstrong. “Our food drive is one of our major the community service Scouting projects.”

Their diligent efforts pay off: By mid morning, the 20 Cub Scouts have amassed 653 pounds of food. Asked if they want to say anything to readers of THE BEE who contributed to their food drive, they say, “Thank you for helping!”

Humorous Photo of the Week

It looks like one of these scouts is REALLY scouting out a snack!

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It’s amazing to see hundreds of tough-looking, occasionally-tattooed hombres on motorcycles, amassing for an outing – all of them carrying teddy bears. But plush toys aren’t the only thing these bikers bring each year to hospitalized kids …

Past event leader Geoff White and Michael Friend, coordinator of the 28th Annual Shriners ABATE Toy Run “direct traffic”, and welcome bikers to the event.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“We laugh at the snow! Ha, ha, ha! Welcome riders,” calls out Michael Friend, coordinator of the 28th Annual Shriners ABATE Toy Run, through a megaphone.

He’s welcoming riders of motorbikes – ranging from huge Harley-Davidson motorcycles to Vespa motor scooters – as they pull into the TriMet maintenance lot on SE 17th Avenue in Brooklyn on December 1st.

Riders of more than 1,000 motorcycles of all descriptions braved the sleet and cold on December 1st to ride this year’s Toy Run.

Although it’s less than an hour before their scheduled departure time, the lot isn’t quite as full as years in the past. “They’re worried about icy roads,” comments Friend. “But look at them come in, now that they see that the weather is holding.”

As inbound two-wheeled traffic streams into the staging area, Friend comments to us, “We already have about a thousand bikes here. It’s going to be a good ride up to the Shriner’s Hospital today.”

This is how many area bikers kick off their Christmas season, Friend tells us. “We’ve been doing this to benefit the children up at the hospital for 28 years. It’s something we look forward to.”

The best part for him, Friend confides, is seeing all kinds of motorbike riders come together for a cause. “This is the one time when you’ll see hard-core Harley riders next to motor-scooter riders, side by side. We all get together and do something positive for the community.”

Al Kadar Shrine member, and TriMet driver, Dannye Adamson here gets a hand, stocking his bus with toys, from Aura Barkley and the turning away Cameron Dahl.

Helping Friend this day is his buddy, and past event coordinator, Geoff White. “My first toy run was 21 years ago, and I haven’t missed one yet. The first year I did it, there were forty of us. It’s really grown.”

The best part for White is “seeing how the kids respond to the gifts and love we show them. It is the one time you’ll see hard-core bikers with tears of joy in their eyes.”

By the time they were ready to ride, bikes crowded the TriMet lot along S.E. 17th Avenue.

Bikers raise big bucks
None of the bikers there looks more “hard-core” than Edd Dahl, especially when he’s astride his ’05 Heritage Softtail Harley.

“It’s more than toys,” Dahl elaborates. “Last year, our group, ABATE of Oregon, raised and spent over $35,000 buying wheelchairs and adaptive living tools for the kids. Until we started raising money, some kids waited up to six years for a power wheelchair.”

Dahl adds that cynics might say the bikers’ generosity is a publicity stunt to help improve their image. “Doing this for nearly 30 years, it’s pretty clear we do this because we love the kids.”

Their biggest fundraiser is a raffle. This year, Dahl says, the grand prize is a brand new Harley-Davidson.

Bus full of teddies
Some bikers have toys strapped to their bikes; others give their toys to Shriner and TriMet driver Dannye Adamson to pack in his bus, for the trip up “Pill Hill”.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” remarks Adamson, “I get to drive this bus, loaded with toys, up to the hospital. I’m kind of sad this will be my last Toy Run as a TriMet driver, I’m retiring soon. To see the happiness their kindness brings gives you a great feeling.”

And the motorcyclists are off on their mission of mercy and joy, as they join the annual Toy Run from S.E. 17th in Brooklyn to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital on Marquam Hill.

About noon, the gate opens – and the roar of a thousand motorcycles fills the air, as these bad-ass bikers ride off, northbound to Powell on S.E. 17th, on their annual mission of kindness and generosity.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Potter was photographed doing what? Take a look …

Portland Mayor Tom Potter pitches the Sellwood family, Teri, Sam and Sofia Laos, about helping Loaves & Fishes Centers.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Many shoppers did a double-take at the door of the Sellwood New Seasons Market, a couple of weeks ago, when they saw Portland Mayor Tom Potter greeting citizens.

“I’m here letting people know about Loaves & Fishes, a great organization,” said Potter, attired in a New Seasons apron. “Loaves & Fishes do a good job of making sure our elderly shut-in people have a good meal every day. I’m here tonight asking people, ‘When you’re buying your groceries, would you please buy a little extra for a senior?'”

Even with his busy schedule, Potter said he takes time to deliver Loaves & Fishes meals. “They’re always looking for volunteer drivers. It is a really good program, and it takes very little time. But, it does a very important service in our community.”

Whether you are considering being a volunteer at the CherryWood Center at the East Portland Community Center, or the Thelma Skelton Loaves & Fishes Center in Brooklyn – or at one of the thirty other centers – you can find out more on the Internet at: www.loavesandfishesonline.org

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See what the wild weather earlier this week did to outer S.E. Foster Road. and learn why it’s still flooding businesses …

Constant heavy rain on December 2nd and 3rd flooded out blocks of SE Foster Road from SE 102nd to SE 111th Ave., shutting down businesses and stalling out foolish drivers.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
This week, the wild winter weather played out like a classic “good news/bad news” story.

The good new was we didn’t get beaten with a wind-blown blizzard. The bad news: Inches of rain fell within hours. Good news: it wasn’t as bad as cities to the west like Vernonia and Tillamook. But, the storm was bad news for the Lents area merchants who had to close their businesses due flooding; some are still scraping muck out of their stores.

Jack Gilbert and a friend diligently fill sandbags in the rain and wind at the S.E. 111th Avenue at Harold Street site, hoping to keep water from pouring into their home.

Forecasters’ warnings come true
“We started forecasting this event five days before it hit,” says Jonathan Wolfe, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service at the Portland Airport.

“It was an atypical event. Usually we get rain or winds; in this storm, we got both,” reports Wolfe. “The first three days of the month, Southeast Portland got as much rain – about four inches within hours – as we typically see in a month.”

The downpour was caused by moisture coming in from Asian typhoons, riding the jet stream across the ocean into the Pacific Northwest, explains Wolfe.

By the time we arrive on December 3, Sargent’s Motorsports at 10207 S.E. Foster Rd. is closed – but that doesn’t stop drivers of high-riding trucks who insist on plowing through the water and causing more water to spill into the businesses along the highway.

Sargent’s Motorsports flooded … again
Even though S.E. Foster Road was still closed at SE 102nd Avenue, we snaked through the parking lot on the north side of the street on Dec. 4 to check in with Gary Sargent at Sargent’s Motorsports and see how his shop fared.

“Yesterday, we had two events,” begins Sargent. “First, the street filled up. About noon, the creek overflowed. And, it doesn’t help that morons driving jacked up trucks keep driving fast along (the closed off) Foster Road, sending waves of water into our place.”

Sargent says he’s had intermittent high-water problems since he purchased the property and building in 1988. “The previous owners told us they had a little water on the lot, and coming up to the building, when the street drains filled up.”

There are no storm sewers in outer East Portland, Sargent reminds us; rainwater runoff flows into drywells. “Dry sumps are holes in the ground; when they get filled up, the street floods.”

Gary Sargent says he has yet to tackle cleaning up this storage closet filled with soaked office supplies.

Blames City and ‘Freeway Land’ owners
“The City says they’re working on plans to slow down Johnson Creek,” continues Sargent as he and his workers stack up soaked office supplies and scrape the muck off the floor.

“But the Brookside project, on Johnson Creek at SE 111th, operates between 40 to 60 percent of its real capacity; the City will tell you so. They claim they’re going to dig channels (to absorb flood water) on other property they own across the street.”

Standing in his parts department, Sargent looks at motorcycle ignition switches and electrical systems he says were ruined by the floodwater.

He also blames the raised Springwater Trail not letting excess water flow north into the Beggar’s Tick Refuge.

“What I’d really like is for the City – or someone – to launch an investigation into the illegal land filling they did across the street at the ‘Freeway Land’ site,” he fumes. “It was once a pond, along the creek, that the sawmill used for floating logs. They filled it in and diverted the water.”

As the water recedes Sargent looks over his empty display lot and says he’ll hold a “waterlogged sale” to stimulate business.

Not all losses covered by flood insurance
They did get most of their inventory of motorcycles and ATVs on trailers or high ground at the back of his property, the business owner states.

However, although he has flood insurance, Sargent says it doesn’t reimburse him for his loss of sales during the holiday season – and repair work in the shop. “Our company has grown to eleven employees. FEMA doesn’t pay you for ‘down time’. I’ve lost thousands of dollars.”

At a meeting in early 2007, Marie Johnson, Bureau of Environmental Services, talks with a neighbor about the City’s East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project.

A history of flooding
To get answers about what the City of Portland is doing about Johnson Creek flooding, we speak with Marie Johnson, Johnson Creek Watershed Team, at the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES).

“There was a flood in the area in 2003,” Johnson begins. “Foster Road has some level of flooding about every two years. Because the terrain is so flat, less than a foot of water over flood stage will flood quite a large area.”

Asked about Brookside, Johnson responds, “We’re in the early design phase for the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project. One of the things we’re looking at how well Brookside Wetland works; and what kind of improvement might be made there.”

During the height of the rainstorm, the Springwater Trail – we’re looking south on SE 111th Avenue – restricts water flow, adding to the flooding problem.

Regarding flooding caused by the Springwater Trail, Johnson tells us, “it was built on a raised, 100-year-old railroad bed that bisects the wetlands. It hampers the flow of water. Any time water flow is restricted, it can get backed up.”

While the City is actively working to reduce flooding, Johnson adds, “A lot of the conditions affecting the Lents area are historic – going back thousands of years to the Missoula Flood that carved out the region.

Illegal landfill at Freeway Land confirmed
We look into Sargent’s allegation that the “Freeway Land” property was illegally filled. A topological map shows much of the land is higher than surrounding area.

Further, City officials confirm that previous owners of the Freeway Land site did, indeed, perform an “illegal fill”, and the current owners are working with Bureau of Development Services and other agencies regarding the situation.

City’s plan to fight floods
“BES is planning to make improvements in highly flood-prone areas,” Johnson informs us. “Our goal is to reduce private property damage from flooding during ‘nuisance’ floods, up to ’10-year’ floods.

This drawing illustrates where the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project will absorb water through a series of channels south of SE Foster Road, west of S.E. 108th Avenue.

“In East Lents, we are hoping to do the first phase of a multi-phase project. We secured $2.9 Million FEMA disaster prevention grant and matched it with $900,000 BES funding. It will have some benefit. Hopefully restoration on a portion of Freeway Land site will also help.”

“Will this cure the flooding problem?” we ask.
“It is impossible to totally prevent floods,” replies Johnson. “Each change is an incremental improvement. There are limitations to what we’re going to be able to achieve.”

Resources
For answers to questions regarding the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project, contact Marie Johnson at (503) 823-6199, or by e-mailing Marie.Johnson@bes.ci.portland.or.us.

In March, 2007 we reported about the kick off of the “East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project” and an Army Corps of Engineers project to help remediate Johnson Creek flooding. CLICK HERE to read the story.

And in an August, 2007 article we reported on the progress of the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project. CLICK HERE see this story.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Why would a well-known East Portland attorney give away his sage advice to landlords every month? The discovery on this matter begins right here …

Attorney Jeffrey S. Bennett, Warren Allen, LLP, specializing in landlord/tenant law for 17 years, shares his advice with new and experienced property managers at November’s Citywide Landlord Forum.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When homeowners complain about apartment complexes in their neighborhoods, it usually isn’t about the design of their building or the layout of the parking lot.

Neighbors usually find fault with the behavior of the renters.

Partly based on the notion that “good tenants make good neighbors”, attorney Jeffrey S. Bennett, of the outer East Portland law firm Warren Allen, LLP, holds regular seminars called the Citywide Landlord Forum.

“Better landlords and property managers can improve the livability of the neighborhood in which they are located by attracting better renters,” Bennett told us. “And, better tenants reduce costs and liability issues for the property owner.”

He should know: He’s been dealing with rental housing issues for 17 years; other attorneys consider him an expert in the field and seek out his advice and training.

Today’s landlords are confronted with challenges that never existed in the past, explained Bennett. “Landlord/Tenant laws have become more complex, and tenants have become savvier. Countless traps await the unsophisticated landlord; the forums we hold bring them valuable information.”

Bennett says he helps landlords avoid common legal traps.

Avoiding beginner’s mistakes
November’s meeting, held at the Portland Neighborhood Office, was entitled, “All the Beginners’ Mistakes”.

Bennett listed four common errors unsophisticated landlords make.

• Failing to properly screen tenants – Screening is critically important, and should include a check of their personal background history, such as prior convictions or evictions.

“Bad tenants can give rise to untold losses in the form of unpaid rent, property damage – or, worse, injuries to other tenants.”

• Lack of good rental agreements – Failing to enter into a well-written rental agreement that clearly outlines both sides’ duties and rights.

“Poorly written rental agreements often diminish the landlord’s legal rights, or fail to grant the landlord remedies that would have otherwise been available under Oregon law.”

• Lack of inspections – Failing to periodically inspect the premises to make sure they’re safe, sound, and undamaged.

“Whether caused by destructive tenants, or mere deterioration, property damage can undermine the value of the investment. Left unchecked, minor repair items can give rise to thousands of dollars in repair bills – and to needlessly unhappy tenants.”

• Illegal discrimination – Discriminating against protected classes of people based upon such things as their race, national origin, age, or familial status is both wrong and illegal.

“Oregon landlords are governed by local, state, and federal laws prohibiting housing discrimination. Discrimination lawsuits can be costly – but are easily avoidable.”

A landlord armed with good information can increase the value of a rental dwelling — and the surrounding neighborhood — by attracting better quality tenants, Bennett says.

Bennett suggested that landlords and property managers join a landlords’ organization such as the Rental Housing Association of Greater Portland, the Metro Multifamily Housing Council, or the Oregon Landlord Support Association.

“Their forms, handbooks, and newsletters are some of the best available,” Bennett commented. “They’ll help you stay abreast of current legal trends. And, come to our forums. You’ll have the opportunity to network, learn, and have your questions answered by a specialist.”

Interested? Check our Community Calendar for the date, time, and location of the Citywide Landlord’s Forum.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It’s not often an 80-tree orchard is established in SE Portland. Here’s your chance to see how – and why – these trees now grow in Woodstock …

Katherine Drotos (far right) helps kids learn about some of the trees planted at the Learning Garden.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although groups like Friends of Trees help neighbors plant trees along rights-of-way and in yards throughout the city, no one with whom we’ve spoken can remember the last time an 80-tree orchard was established in SE Portland.

“Over the weekend, we’ve planted eighty fruitful trees and shrubs,” explains Cem Akin, Director of the non-profit Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.

Chad Honl (on left) explains to students how the ground for trees – like the Asian pear tree they’re about to plant – needs to be prepared. “It’s more than digging a hole and dropping it in.”

Students learn, then plant trees
Folks from the foundation didn’t plant all of its trees – two remained in buckets – as about thirty 7th graders arrived at the site.

“Today’s activity will help bond the students with the orchard,” Katherine Drotos, an educator with the foundation, tells us. “When they actually plant trees, and then tend them, they feel more personally connected to the trees.”

Before they do their planting, the class tours the orchard. Stopping at each variety of the newly-planted trees, a student reads a “hint card” relating to the identity of tree or fruit-bearing bush, before the kids guess what it is.

Then, educators ask the students to list reasons why it is a good idea to plant and care for trees. Their responses: Shelter for animals, creating oxygen, providing food, and being a naturally-renewable raw material for pulp products.

Cem Akin, director of the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, gets a hand from students Alana Clouser and Monique Key as they plant an Asian pear tree.

Orchard to serve students of many schools
As they start planting, Drotos reveals, “We chose the Learning Garden, here on SE 60th Avenue, because it is wonderful site that serves many area schools. It meets the criteria of our organization: To donate a fruit tree orchard that serves students from a wide geographic area by providing improved nutrition – and educational opportunities to learn about sustainability and the environment.”

It wasn’t all work. After the tree planting, a foundation educator teaches the kids about the benefits of fruit in their diet. Both natural and prepared fruit snacks were gobbled up by the kids.

Within a couple of years, the arbor educators say, these kids will start enjoying the fruits of these trees.

“I learned what a lot of trees are today,” Andrew Nguyen tells us. “By looking at them, I can now figure out what kind of tree it is. It is good to learn about nature.”

As the lesson ended, Akin declares, “The manufacturer of an organic fruit snack called ‘Fruitabu’ funded the orchard planting.”

Learn more about them at www.ftpf.org

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See what it looked like, when the crew of “MANAGEMENT” landed in the Reed Neighborhood …

The movie’s stars were well hidden away – but tons of movie-making gear was visible along SE 34th Avenue in the Reed Neighborhood.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When the motion picture “Management” was filming in the Reed neighborhood just days ago, trucks full of movie-making equipment lined the streets near the intersection of SE 34th Avenue and Raymond Street. Electric power generators whirred, workers scurried about carrying lights and stands, and caterers were standing by to feed the multitude.

However, none of the neighbors with whom we spoke managed to catch a glimpse of the motion picture’s stars, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zhan.

Bud Frimoth, a neighbor since 1993, who lives a few houses away from the home used for the shoot, admitted, “I don’t think I’d recognize Jennifer Aniston if I did see her.”

When we visited Frimoth at his home a few days after the production came and left, we saw he’d had a front-row view of the production from his living room.

“About two days in advance,” Frimoth told us, “a young woman came by and told us that a motion picture production crew was going to be filming in the area.”

Although we learned it wasn’t their first choice, producers selected this Reed neighborhood home in which to film – for one day only.

On the designated day, about 10 p.m., trucks and semi-trailers started to line the residential street. A big electric power generator started up and ran all that night and into the next day, their actual day of filming.

“They set up their gear,” Frimoth said, “Went about their business, and were, overall, very pleasant. The only problem is that people use SE Raymond as a through street. At the intersection of SE 34th Avenue, there were two big trucks parked along there.”

On the set
On the day of the shoot, we’d arranged to meet with the Unit Publicist, Guy Adan. As we walked to the brown, ranch-style ranch house on SE 34th Avenue used as the day’s set, Adan gave us some details about the movie under production, “Management”.

He said that the Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Temple Hill Productions film, slated to be released in 2008, is a romantic comedy about a traveling saleswoman of corporate art (Aniston) who has a chance encounter with a young man who is stuck managing his parent’s roadside motel (Zhan). He follows her, resulting in a surprising cross-country relationship.

We snap our photos of the production, and are escorted off the block.

All of these trucks, trailers and equipment were gone an hour ahead of schedule.

Production ‘wraps’ in 23 hours
That evening, Frimoth said, he stepped into his front yard to take a snapshot of the production – and a security guard rushed up and told him he couldn’t take pictures. “I’m standing in my own yard,” Frimoth reminded the guard, “and, I’m the one that brought you cookies this afternoon! …They were OK with it all.”

Originally, the production company told neighbors they’d “wrap up” the production by 11:30 p.m. “But, when I went out about 10:30 p.m., they were gone – just like they were never here, 23 hours later,” Frimoth said.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Discover why this aquatic sport draws participants of all ages – and if you’re good, you don’t even get wet …

Racing crews swiftly glide under the Sellwood Bridge as they near the finish line of the Lake Oswego to Oaks Park regatta.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As these race boats sprint north, under the Sellwood Bridge, and shoot past the finish line at Oaks Park, there’s no motor’s roar or sail’s flapping to be heard.

In fact, the only sound emanating from the eight-person, 60-foot long, 250 pound craft is the voice of their coach urging on the rowing team with calls like, “Now’s when it counts”, “Just a little more”, “This is what you’ve trained for”, and “Give it all you’ve got”.

We’re witnessing the 19th Annual “Portland LO/OP Regatta of Champions”.

LO/OP stands for “Lake Oswego to Oaks Park” we learn from organizer and Pacific Northwest rowing legend, Frank Zagunis, executive director of Oregon Rowing Unlimited.

Event organizer Frank Zagunis monitors the race from the portable dock at the regatta’s finish line.

Half-hour, human-powered race
“The teams start at Oswego Point and row downstream 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) to the finish line,” explains Zagunis. “It takes under a half-hour for the teams to complete the race.”

Some of the finest rowing crews in the country attend this event, adds Zagunis. “Today, we have crews from Seattle, Olympia, Eugene, and Portland. This is the ‘home course’ for the Willamette Rowing Club.”

If rowing 4.5 miles in half an hour isn’t enough exercise, this Willamette Rowing Club crew also gets a workout just lifting their craft out of the water, and carrying it up the riverbank to their boathouse at Oaks Park.

The fastest crews at the November 3 regatta are the college kids from Washington’s and Oregon’s state universities. “In the national standings, Washington State was undefeated last year.”

The morning air is cool and crisp, and participants from the 40 crews entering the regatta agree that the calm, clear weather is perfect for the event.

This well-organized event, in its 19th year, draws both local rowers and nationally-ranked athletes.

Says rowing promotes fitness and friendships
“Rowing is a great sport for overall fitness,” claims Zagunis. “It’s a real workout. But, most people stick with it because of the camaraderie. Rowers enjoy staying fit by working out with their friends.”

As the last of the teams come in, Zagunis looks pleased. “This race is a great way of enjoying the Willamette River on a beautiful Saturday morning. For racers, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Want to learn more? Visit www.oregonrowing.org on the Internet.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

While not a comprehensive survey, see what we found during a tour of four prominent East Portland independent hardware stores …

Parkrose Hardware’s David Ableidinger and Michael Nelson stand by the chains that are part of the store’s compliance measures for the new city ordinance.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Portland City Council says their new Graffiti Materials and Sales code will put a halt to tagging and gang marking.

“Spray-paint police” have been on patrol since the code went into effect on November 1 – and at least one major hardware retailer SE Portland has been ticketed for noncompliance. They were busted, we’re told, by Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard, author of the measure.

Are independent hardware stores in East Portland complying, and locking up their spray paints and “marking materials”? Here’s what we found, checking into four establishments.

Parkrose Hardware complies
It seems like everyone across East Portland – from Sellwood to Wilkes – knows about the city’s best-stocked independent hardware store: Parkrose Hardware, at 10625 NE Sandy Boulevard.

“We opposed the ordinance from the beginning,” says Michael Nelson, Chief Operating Officer at the store. “We tried to persuade members of the Portland City Council to change their minds. We were not successful.”

Michael Nelson shows us the “purchase log” on which more than 300 customers have been compelled to share personal identification information when buying spray paint at Parkrose Hardware.

But, Nelson says, they’re complying with the ordinance. “During the first 15 days of enforcement, we’ve already copied down information on more than 300 customers who have purchased spray paint from us.”

It is a major inconvenience for the customers, Nelson tells us. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of negativity from customers, to the extent they’ve walked out of our store because of the law. These aren’t ‘taggers’, they are older folks who feel it is inappropriate to give detailed, personal information to buy a can of spray paint.”

Nelson adds that, because they’ve always kept their spray paint visible, and in the front of the store, they’ve never had a problem with stolen paint.

One of store’s owners, David Ableidinger, adds, “Customers can go across the river, or, even closer – drive out less than sixty blocks to Gresham. We try to educate them. We try to make the best of the situation.”

No scofflaws in inner SE Portland

Westmoreland True Value Hardware’s Ivan Stahlecker assists customer, Chris Custer, who said, “I think it is a good idea. Maybe this will help slow down taggers.”

At Westmoreland True Value Hardware, 6505 SE Milwaukie Avenue, we check with owner and store manager John Horsman.

It wasn’t practical for them to move the spray paint into a secured room, Horsman tells us. Instead, they locked it up.

“Magic Markers, glass etching and cutting tools, spray paint – anything considered to be a ‘grafitti material’ – must be locked up,” explains Horsman. “We’re in compliance.”

Spray paint prison
We walk over the shelving, now secured by heavy powder-coated steel bars. “This is our ‘spray paint prison’. The law requires employee assistance to access it. Then it has to be taken up to the front, and logged into a special form.”

Store clerk Ivan Stahlecker unlocks the display, slides back the bars, and helps his customer, local restaurateur Chris Custer, select several cans of spray paint.

“Actually, I think it is a good idea,” confides Custer. “I’m opening a new restaurant down at SE Lambert and 13th Avenue called Acena. We’ve gotten tagged already. Maybe this will help slow down taggers.”

John Horsman, owner and manager at Westmoreland True Value, logs a spray paint purchase, as checker Grace Sweeney looks on.

Custer takes his cans to the front counter where Horsman notes down information from his driver’s license, lists the products sold, and rings up the purchase.

“It hasn’t yet affected business,” notes Horsman. “But, we’ve never had a problem with spray paint theft. It might slow down impulse sales by someone who wants to pick up a can of paint.”

Even under these new rules, the transaction didn’t take that long – about five minutes, total.

Out of sight in Woodstock

In the “employees only” room at the rear of Woodstock Hardware, Barry Odgers shows us the store’s secured supply of spray paint, markers – and their official log.

When customers come in to Woodstock Hardware at 4430 SE Woodstock Boulevard looking for spray paint on the shelves, they won’t find it.

“Our way of complying with the new law is to take everything off the display floor,” says weekend manager Barry Odgers. “We put it in the back room, an ’employees only’ area, away from customers.”

It’s too soon to tell whether or not the new law will slow down paint sales, Odgers tells us, as he shows us his official purchase log.

“But, in my opinion, I don’t think this is an important step ahead for the city. If someone wants to buy spray paint – without the paperwork – they’ll go to across the county line. But, we are obeying the law.”

May drive customers to nearby store
Many area residents know the owner of 52nd Avenue Hardware and Building Supply, Gordon Besaw. He and his sons have operated the business there since 1972.

Most of their facility is dedicated to lumber, plywood and building supplies; their showroom is smaller than the other stores.

“We’ve had to put all of our spray paint up here, on a shelf you can only reach with a ladder,” Besaw says. “We haven’t had a customer yet. Spray paint is not a big seller for us, anyway.”

At 52nd Avenue Hardware and Building Supply, owner Gordon Besaw shows how they put their paint cans out of reach – and opens for us his still-blank spray-paint sales log.

Will drive business to nearby store
However, this new law will be an inconvenience to his customers, Besaw emphatically states. “Anyone can go right down to Wichita Feed & Hardware to buy it off the shelf. They’re just a few blocks away.”

(We checked: Wichita Feed, just over the line in Clackamas County, is indeed just a mere 1.4 mile – four minute – drive from Besaw’s store.)

Gordon’s son, David Besaw, pokes his head around the corner and says, “This really doesn’t make any sense.” He hands us the still-unused purchase log form and adds, “See how much information they want?”

“We’ll do it to please City Hall,” the elder Besaw says with an air of resignation. “But it just makes business a little more difficult.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See volunteers, teaching staff, farmers and guests enjoying a truly international afternoon at this delightful event in SE Portland …

The cofounders of the Learning Garden on SE 60th Avenue, Dr. Pramod Parajuli, standing with Dilafruz Williams and Lane Middle School Principal Karl Logan, welcomed all to their first International Harvest Festival.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As one walked through the Learning Garden’s gate on SE 60th Avenue, just across from Lane Middle School, one could see the canopy tent set up in the clearing on the sunny afternoon a couple of weeks ago.

But the sense that was most delighted was the sense of smell – savoring the pungent, tangy and earthy scents given off by more than a dozen dishes being prepared as the first International Garden Festival got underway.

As we walked up to the canopy, Portland Public Schools board member, and co-founder of the Learning Garden, Dilafruz Williams was welcoming the nearly 225 guests to the event.

These young gals carved pumpkins grown in the Learning Garden.

“The kids are responding to the garden,” proclaimed Dilafruz. “Having kids learning here helps them become engaged in learning about their bodies, health, science, and math. It is that kind of transformation that is important. We have many supporters here, including the Parks Bureau. I thank them all.”

Turning to the man on her right, Portland State University professor, Dr. Pramod Parajuli, Dilafruz lauded her friend – the co-founder of the Learning Garden:

“I don’t want to leave out Pramod Parajuli. He’s a visionary person; an amazing intellectual who is able to cross disciplines, borders, boundaries, countries – coming from a little Himalayan village in Nepal where there was no electricity. He remembers his roots. At the same time, he’s able to embrace this culture. He brings everyone together.”

Selena Nita learned the difference between domesticated and wild rabbits from Rabbit Advocate volunteer, and elementary school teacher, Karen Corsini.

Feasting and fun in the sun
After the brief greeting, guests started lining up and were served some of the dozen international dishes and beverages being offered.

Kids carved pumpkins grown in the garden, played on hay bales, and learned about bunnies from Rabbit Advocate associates.

Serving up some of the one dozen varieties of international foods were volunteers Maria Spaccarelli, Karen Wolfgang, and Heidi Mann.

About 225 people came by to socialize, enjoy the garden and foods prepared from vegetables grown there.

Dilafruz looked pleased with the event. “This particular event has brought together our entire community of SE Portland. Some are involved with the project; others are here because they care deeply about the formation of community,” she told us.

“Today, we’re here celebrating the harvest with some of our international farmers who have worked this land,” she added, smiling broadly. “It is a wonderful day to come together, hang out, and enjoy the fruits of the labor of all these months of work.”

Portland Public Schools Board member Dilafruz Williams introduced the new PPS Superintendent, Carole Smith, to their garden festival.

New school superintendent approves
With Dilafruz was Portland Public School’s Carole Smith – in her fourth week of being the District’s Superintendent.

“This is fabulous,” commented Smith approvingly. “This garden – the whole program – is a wonderful representation of well-working partnerships. It is fun to be here and watch the garden program grow. I’m really touched by experiencing this high-quality, learning environment.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service