Discover why these students joined the “No Ivy League”‚ and learn how neighbors work to make this hidden park a natural sanctuary‚

Portland Christian School students Adan Rodriguez, East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson, Shelby Remington, Kenda Whener, Austin Swift, Sterling Anderson, Edgar Rodriguez, Ashley Runyan, teacher Kena Jacobs, Nathan Harris and Matt Joslen‚ after they attacked ivy at Glendoveer Woods.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Nowhere in Glendoveer Woods was a safe place for ivy plants to hide on May 5, as a troupe of youngsters from local schools hunted the invasive plants down and ripped ’em out by their roots.

“It was great,” said East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson. “We had 25 volunteers at our ‘No Ivy Day’ event at Glendoveer Woods from 9 am until noon.”

Many of the students were from Portland Christian School. “We heard about it from your web site,” said the kids’ teacher, Kena Jacobs.

“Each fall, I present a unit for our seventh graders on noxious weeds. We decided to go out and ‘fight ivy’. I talked with the superintendent about it. He said it, fine, go ahead,” Jacobs told us.

But soon, the storms of winter arrived. Because of the bad weather, Jacobs said they put the project off until the spring.

“Not long ago, one of my students suggested we remove some ivy. A friend sent me a link to the East Portland News Service, about this event here today,” Jacobs added.

Why Ivy is targeted
“Ivy wipes out the diversity of plants in green places and wooded areas by smothering them with a viney mat,” Robinson explained. “This destroys native plans that provide food and shelter for desirable wildlife.”

Ivy vines are “girdled” and stripped all the way around the tree’s lower trunk then pulled from a six foot circle around the tree, Robinson said. This technique, known as “the lifesaver”, kills ivy in the upper reaches of the tree and thwarts ivy’s re-growth up the tree.

Goldann Salazar, Niki Gainer, Sam Jones and Dani Gainer from Madison High School.

Joining these students and the adult neighborhood volunteers were Madison High School students.

“Niki and I had do create a senior project,” said Dani Gainer. “We decided to do it on invasive plant species. This is part of our project‚ and we got a couple of friends to come and help.”

The event was part of “No Ivy Day #5”, a Portland-wide event dedicated to removing invasive plant species and improving natural areas.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It wasn’t an “official” event‚ but see how neighborhood association members pitched in to help a senior citizen in need‚

Clint Lenard, wearing the red shirt in the background, orchestrated the clean up a badly-overgrown senior citizen’s yard.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Lents Neighborhood home was in great condition; good siding, solid roof, and a new deck. The only problem was that the yard was so overgrown‚ one couldn’t see the house from the street.

“It seemed like a good idea to give her a hand,” said project organizer, Clint Lenard, a neighborhood association board member.

“The homeowner didn’t have anyone to help her with the yard work. Not only was the house hidden, you couldn’t hardly walk up to get in,” Lenard explained.

Neighbor Casey Meredith, East Portland Crime Reduction Specialist Rosanne Lee, and association member Rachel Slottke find and remove all kinds of things while clearing the yard.

One of the volunteers, Casey Meredith climbed trees, removed rubbish and hauled chips.

“I live down the street. Lenard asked me to help, and here we are,” Meredith said. “You can see by the chips how much we’ve taken out.”

Lents Neighborhood Association member John Notis rakes some of the chips generated from the massive clean-up project.

While their effort didn’t make the front page of the newspapers, it didn’t go unnoticed by neighbors. “We’re just trying to make a difference here in Lents,” Lenard commented as he wiped sweat from his brow.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The beautifully-restored Montavilla movie palace was the perfect place for a “Fabulous ’40s” party supporting the Oregon Symphony. Take a look! We have a backstage pass‚

Beau escorts Rosalie Williams, Chair of the event, as they welcome guests to Oregon Symphony benefit party at the Academy Theater.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When the Mt. Tabor chapter of the Friends of Oregon Symphony wanted to throw a 1940s-themed “Night at the Academy” party, they knew right where to go‚ the Academy Theater, in Montavilla.

“Can you think of a better place for our event than this beautifully-restored theater?” asks event chair Rosalie Williams when we meet her.

Sivia Kaye and Marcella Nandor toast the glamorous atmosphere.

“We’re volunteers who support the Symphony in every way we can‚ from ushering at youth concerts, to putting on benefits like this,” explains Williams. “It is important to have music and arts in our city. Fine music brings culture to our city, and adds to the livability.”

1940 newsreels are running in one of the theater spaces; “On the Town” with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Ann Miller play in another; and the “Two Sisters Trio” entertain in the third auditorium.

Meanwhile, guests nosh on appetizers supplied by Yahala Restaurant, another Montavilla business, as well as by Flying Pie Pizzeria.

The main course‚ chicken strips, steak and mushrooms, prawns, salads, and fruit‚ is catered by Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen.

The Academy Theater’s host, Ty Dupuis, shows off one of his delicious pizza pies.

Ty Dupuis, part-owner of Flying Pie Pizzeria and the Academy Theater, is on hand to greet‚ and feed‚ the multitude of well-dressed guests who mingle throughout the building.

“This is a spectacular event,” confides Dupuis. “It brings the community together in a way you don’t see any more. I’m glad we could host this party.”

Even the event photographer, Rachael Kubik is fashionably dressed in vintage style.

About the theater, Dupuis comments, “We’ve built a place where friends and family can get together and have a good evening. It is wonderful to see how Montavilla is making real comeback. Now there are many reasons to come and visit our district ‚Äì Montavilla and South Tabor.”

Judging by the merry countenances of the nattily-attired guests, the Academy Theater may become the setting of more vintage-themed festivities in the future.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service.

You’re invited to the “fun, family fair” May 26‚ 28. Read this and discover all the reasons you should plan a visit this year‚

The magical Mother Goose will entertain kids of all ages at this year’s Multnomah County Fair at Oaks Park.

Story and archive photos by David F. Ashton
Against overwhelming odds, and without financial assistance from the county, the 101st edition of the Multnomah County Fair kicks off in late May at Oaks Amusement Park.

“‘We’re Still Kickin’ — Get your kicks at the 101st Multnomah County Fair’ is our theme,” says the fair’s coordinator, Cheryl Jones.

The fair is a safe place for young people to learn how food gets from the farm to their table.

“It’s a great deal for families,” Jones tells us. “Admission and parking is free. People of all ages will enjoy the activities and events scheduled this year.” She adds that heaps of contests, prizes, exhibits, demonstrations, good friends and good times make this a popular and traditional gathering.
Pirate shows to musical acts

Those rascally “Pirates at the Beach” scallywags will be back this year in full costume, doing pirate shows.

Be sure to see Humphrey’s Farmyard Frolics‚ with the magical Mother Goose and a dozen farm-themed activities for the kids.

“We’ve booked musical and other entertainment acts,” Jones says.

A wide variety of food vendors cook up hot meals the whole family will enjoy.

Contests galore
Many categories for competition feature special awards for items designed around this year’s theme. In addition to arts-and-crafts judging, this year’s fair will include:

• A professionally-judged rabbit competition and show;
• The “Big Cluck” chicken cook-off hosted by “Mr. Barbeque“;
• Cowboy Boot Contest — Grab your old cowboy boots and decorate them to win a trophy; and,
• Weiner Dog races ‚Äì the winner gets a year’s supply of Hill’s Science Diet.

See craftspeople create beautiful works of art‚ right before your eyes.

Silent auction supports fair
In The Pavilion, check out some of the great items up for auction: dinner for 8, cooked by a chef in your home; wheelbarrows of gardening supplies; beach vacations; gift baskets and much more.

“The items will be on display on May 27,” says Jones, “and the bids close on May 28.

KXL’s “Mr. Barbeque” will host another “Big Cluck Chicken Cookoff” at the fair on May 26.

Fun and educational
The Multnomah County Fair is still an important institution, Jones explains, so city-dwellers can get a taste of country life.

She adds, “The fair is a place to learn and explore. Having a place where arts, crafts, agriculture and livestock can be judged encourages young people to participate in positive activities‚ arts and crafts.”

And, Jones reminds us, rides at Oaks Amusement Park are reasonably-priced‚ unlike the rides at traveling carnivals.

You can help
“We need community-minded people to help us produce the Fair,” says Jones. “You can contribute a little time or a lot. Please call the Friends of the Fair at 503-761-7577 and volunteer.”

Thrill rides at Oaks Park provide fun and excitement for the whole family‚ at an affordable price.

101st Multnomah County Fair
Saturday through Monday: May 26, 27, & 28, 2007
Hours: Noon – 7:00 PM
Oaks Amusement Park
7100 SE Oaks Park Way
at the foot of SE Spokane St., Sellwood.
For more information, see the Fair’s website: www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/multcofair

We’ll see you at the 2007 Multnomah County Fair!

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

No, it wasn’t all black-powder guns and cannon fire at this “living history” lesson. See what else these middle-school kids learned, as actors recreated life in long-ago Parkrose‚

Crag Flynn shows the items most solders carried with them. “Remember, they were living in a time when most people wouldn’t go more than fifty miles from home. Going from Parkrose to Portland was a strenuous, day-long trip.”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Walking the dirt street of long-ago Parkrose, it’s like we are stepping out of a time machine, and into the old Wild West, on April 27.

Unlike dry history lessons taught from a book, students from Parkrose Middle School are seeing history being brought alive‚ along with the smells and sounds of the old west‚ on the grounds of Rossi Farms.

“We like doing this because we get to fire the black powder guns and cannon,” quips Craig Flynn.

“But really‚ is a fun, educational experience for the kids. By dressing and acting the parts, kids get an idea of what it might have been like in the Civil War era much more vividly than they would get from reading a book, or even seeing a movie,” Flynn adds, as he takes a break from his demonstration.

Flynn, and his town full of soldiers, farmers, and farm wives, provide a full immersion experience helping the students understand what Parkrose pioneers went through in their everyday lives.

Dressing up Parkrose Middle School student Ricar Ross in clothing of the era are Tanya Little and Linda Steffen.

The well-dressed lady
Along the boardwalk, Tanya Little and Linda Steffen show the way a lady was expected to dress in the Civil War era.

“It took at least a half hour for women to dress,” Little tells the students. “And, they couldn’t do it alone. If women didn’t have a servant, they relied on their mother, sister, or a friend to help the dress for the day.”

They did wash their undergarments on a regular basis, she adds; but the outer garments got washed only once a year.

“Does anyone have an idea what the primary cause of death was then?” asks Steffen.

It wasn’t tripping, nor dehydration, she says. “It was fire. Even though the women weren’t wearing their ‘hoop skirts’, they did have on all their petticoats. Think about it. If a woman turned around, too closely to the open-flame cooking fires‚ either outdoors, or at the hearth‚ their garments would catch fire.”

Captain Rick Spooner and Benjamin Sanford explain how Civil War solders were outfitted for battle.

Off to war
At another station, Captain Rick Spooner holds up a small box of ammunition.

“At first, the commanders didn’t issue repeating rifles to their troops,” instructs Spooner. “If the solder could fire rapidly, he’d just waste valuable ammunition instead of taking careful aim. Even after the government issued repeaters, ammo was limited.”

Lynn Zimmerman-Stevens demonstrates the finer points of real camp cooking.

Real home cooking
“If one wanted to enjoy a hot meal,” says Lynn Zimmerman-Stevens (who, in real life, is a speech pathologist with Parkrose Schools), “it didn’t come out of a microwave oven.”

Set up to cook in front of the Jail, Zimmerman-Stevens is making split-pea soup. Although the students see the wholesome ingredients that go into the camp-cooked soup, few are willing to sample her pottage.

“Because meals had to be prepared completely ‘from scratch’, obtaining the raw ingredients, preparation and cooking took up a good portion of a woman’s day,” she adds.

This sharply-dressed mounted solder attracted many students.

On mounted patrol
Staying in character, a mounted solder says he’s Lt. Ken Morris, 10th New York Cavalry.

He’s riding “Pistol”, an 18-year-old Morgan Cross horse. “I’m in the Union Army. We fought in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania between 1861 and 1865.”

Even though the shots fired were blanks, most students cringed and plugged their ears as a team demonstrated the “rapid-firing cannon drill”.

Students, and their teachers agree: The living-history lessons provided by these history re-enactors are ones they’ll long remember.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Take a look at what you missed, if you skipped Leach’s big spring plant sale. And, learn about the Children’s Nature Fair on May 19 right here‚

Karen Young rings up plants purchased by Chet and Reagan Orloff at the Leach Gardens plant sale.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The gym at Floyd Light Middle School was turned into a huge nursery showroom, not long ago, as the Friends of Leach Botanical Gardens held their annual spring plant sale.

“We are run by a nonprofit organization, even though the grounds are part of the City of Portland Parks system,” the garden’s executive director, Karen Young, told us. “We rely on special events and donations to support the garden and keep it going.”

At this event, Young said, they have 20 vendors who sell their plants and donate a portion of the proceeds to the organization. “But, many of the plants we sell‚ primarily those native in the Pacific Northwest, are raised in the nursery at Leach Gardens.”

Hundreds of horticultural plant-hounds scout out greenery of all kinds at the Leach Garden plant sale.

Young added that this event is the Friends’ major fund raising activity. “But more importantly, it directly represents what Leach Gardens is all about.”

Leach Botanical Garden Children’s Nature Fair
“On May 19, come to Portland’s only public botanical garden, for a day of fun and learning for the whole family,” invitedYoung.

“Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to learn about pollinators, hear wonderful storytelling prepared just for Leach Garden, make wood ‘cookies’, origami flowers, and pine cone critters. You can take part in a ‘treasure hunt’ to learn about native plants and bird species in the garden. There will be ‘Lady Bug Walks’, Slug Races, and more.”

The event runs from 10 am until 3 pm. A $1/person donation requested. For more information, call Katie at 503-761-4751 or Nancy at 503-823-1671.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why we’re surprised that “Flawed Genius” is playing in SE Portland‚ instead of a large, downtown theater‚ and why you should plan to attend this weekend,

The “Flawed Genius” portrayed by Barnaby King isn’t a baggy-pants comic‚ instead, he takes his audiences on an emotional journey that is entertaining and oddly moving.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After traveling the world, and presenting his one-man show at festivals across Canada, Barnaby King — a most unusual entertainer — has come to settle in Portland.

Barnaby is a clown. Please read on‚ he doesn’t blow up balloons or do birthday parties!

We meet Barnaby in a rehearsal studio as he prepares to present his show, “Flawed Genius”, this weekend in SE Portland.

“When most folks think of a clown, they envision baggy-pant, pie-in-the-face, pratfall-taking circus clown,” begins Barnaby.

“Circus clowns performances are geared for huge spaces; thus they broadly play out larger-than-life gags. My performance is theatrical. It is based partly on a Native American concept of clowns: Facing all directions of one’s self at the same time and laughing at the beauty of one’s own ridiculousness.”

This English chap says he heard about an instructor in Toronto, Canada, who was teaching this concept. “Susan Morrison helped me develop this show, based on European clowning.”

Barnaby, an entertainer described as “The thinking man’s clown”, emotes at his magical piano.

In this show, he continues, he conveys emotions most people don’t wish to express. “Through this show, I hope to help audience members get in touch with what it means to be human. I share this in a unique and intimate way.”

Because he draws “on the moment”, Barnaby says each show is different and unique. “I want to inspire people; move them in some way.”

After his Canadian tour, Barnaby says he came to Portland, and met Molly, the love of his life. “We’re being married this fall.”

See “Flawed Genius” May 11-12
In his show, you’ll see Barnaby with the full sized piano that he plays and climbs over, and from which he extracts the battered paraphernalia of his life. The show runs two days at Performance Works Northwest, 4625 SE 67th Ave, just off SE Foster Rd. Tickets at the door; show time is at 8:00 p.m. For ticket information, call (503) 777-1907.

Resources:
To learn more about Barnaby, his show and workshops he leads, click HERE.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

With homes now ringing Powell Butte, wildfire management at this natural park is more critical then ever. See what officials are doing to reduce the danger, and to improve the natural habitat‚

Mart Hughes, Portland Parks and Recreation, shows Powell Butte neighbors Jim Kreipe and Tom Rush the plans to improve the native habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires on Powell Butte.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
With its great views of downtown Portland, the Columbia River, and Mt. Hood, Powell Butte is a great place to hike, ride bikes, and to ride on horseback.

But when a fire gets started, the rugged terrain makes firefighting difficult‚ even for 4-wheel drive “brush rigs”.

“We’re here talking about the work we started September,” says Gay Greger, a public relations staff member of Portland Parks & Recreation. “This is part of a three-year FEMA grant that targets Powell Butte, the Willamette Escarpment (Willamette Bluffs and Oaks Bottom area), and Forest Park.”

This project, Greger continues, allows the bureau to consider the ecological health of Powell Butte. “At the same time, we’re reducing the risk of wildfire. This is for both the butte itself, and the natural resources it represents. We also take into account what this means for the neighbors that live adjacent to the butte.”

Along with the staff from the parks bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue representatives are also on hand at that April 21 open house.

The next step, Greger adds, is for the bureau to finalize its project list. “Based on the feedback we get today, others we receive through the comment period, we’ll start implementing these projects this summer.”

Tamra Dickinson, co-president, Friends of Powell Butte looks at both the progress and plans made for Powell Butte.

Butte ‘Friends’ enthusiastic
It’s great seeing so many people caring about Powell Butte, and coming to see what’s happening,” co-president of Friends of Powell Butte, Tamra Dickinson says.

“We’re concerned about wildfire. Beyond that, there are other important things to be accomplished, like removing non-native species of plants, and habitat management. It’s really important that we keep views open. It’s is really a great thing for Powell Butte.”

Details the plan
Mark Wilson, project manager for the FEMA Wildfire Hazard Reduction Project for the greater Portland area, is also on hand.

Wilson point out that the project has multiple goals:

• Reduce wildfire hazards;
• Reduce populating of non-native plants, focus on flammable plants;
• Improve wildlife habitat;
• Maintain scenic views; and,
• Maintain grass over existing and proposed water facilities.

“Part of this work we’re doing is creating a project that is maintainable over time,” Wilson adds. “This is a 50-year project; we’re taking the first steps today.”

Resources:
Join the Friends of Powell Butte. They meet every third Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the old Powell Valley Water building‚ now the home of Human Solutions‚ at 123rd and Powell Blvd.

Read more about the project online by going to: www.Portlandonline.com/wildfire.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Led off by Mayor Tom Potter, the parade some people thought would never happen‚ but did‚ was one that everyone enjoyed. In addition to seeing fun photos, learn about the dedicated group of volunteers whose diligent work turned this dream into a reality‚

The first parade of the 2007 Portland Rose Festival is lead by the VFW Post 1442 Honor Guard and by the Grand Marshal, Portland’s Mayor Tom Potter.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As recently as a couple of years ago, no one would have guessed that the first sanctioned event of the Portland Rose Festival’s centennial year would be a parade along 82nd Avenue.

But, against all odds, dedicated volunteers from three neighborhood business districts and six neighborhood associations saw their big dream turn into reality on April 28.

2007 Portland Rose Festival Princesses gather for a group photo before perching on convertibles for their ride up the newly-renamed 82nd Avenue of Roses.

Right on schedule, the First Annual Portland Rose Festival Avenue of Roses Parade started north along 82nd Avenue of Roses‚ led off by Grand Marshall Mayor Tom Potter.

The “rat-ta-tat-tat” of the Madison High School Drum Corps kept the parade moving. Participants included Portland Rose Festival Princesses, Royal Rosarians, and representatives of business districts, neighborhood associations, schools and supporting firms.

SE Portland’s own PEParazzi Squad gets ready to cheerlead along the parade route.

Festivities continued after the parade, with a sidewalk festival hosted by the Montavilla East Tabor Business Assn. and Montavilla Neighborhood Assn. on SE Stark St.

Parade a symbol of change
“When I saw our parade listed on the Portland Rose Festival calendar of events, I said to myself, ‘This is big stuff’,” commented one of the key volunteers, Sandra McDaniel, past chair of Montavilla Neighborhood Association. “So many of us worked so hard, I’m grateful that we were able to create this event.”

Organizing the first parade in the history of 82nd Avenue of Roses, Ken Turner works with two of the parade’s 35 primary volunteers.

As a long-time resident of the area, McDaniel said she was skeptical much could be done to improve the working-class reputation of 82nd Avenue. “But when I heard Ken Turner share his vision at an organizing meeting, I knew he was on to something.”

She said that notion of changing the thoroughfare’s name to “Avenue of Roses” was the turning point that got people to think differently about this strip of outer East Portland.

“It’s catching on. People are excited about it.”

Keeping the parade participants stepping along to a brisk rhythm is Madison High School Drum Corps.

Along with the parade, pride
One volunteer told us of an elderly lady who watched the parade, camera in hand. “I’m taking pictures of this,” she said, “to put in our history, to make sure this is part of the history of Outer Southeast.”

Along the parade route, a neighbor commented, “It’s about time we had something good like this here. People will look at Outer Southeast Portland in a different way now.”

Riding in their very first parade are 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princesses (clockwise, starting from top/left) Chelsea Linn, David Douglas High School; Hong Le, Marshall High School; Audria Shaw, Madison High School and Tiffany Loanzon, Cleveland High School.

Two years in the making
We talked with Ken Turner, president of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association‚ the man credited with sparking the area’s turn-around effort‚ about the parade.

“About two years ago,” Turner began, “our group of volunteers was looking for ideas, and perhaps events that would help band together neighborhoods and businesses along the avenue. Along with developing the Avenue of Roses concept‚ including beautification, reducing crime, and giving our area a good identity‚ we came up with the idea of a parade.”

Turner said the idea “got legs” a year ago, and the volunteers filed for the parade permit last fall.

Ruth Hander, chair of Madison South Neighborhood Association, catches a ride with Reid Trumel.

A true grassroots effort
The parade, we learned, was a community-driven and directed event. Turner said, “We, about 35 key volunteers, spent hundreds of hours to make this happen. We did it on our own‚ working against tremendous odds. Our volunteers stayed with it right through to the end‚ actually, right till the beginning of the parade.”

Turner would himself take little credit for the parade’s success. “People talk about how neighbors and businesspeople should work together. The Avenue of Roses parade is an example of volunteers actually doing it. We had folks from three business associations and six neighborhood associations working, side-by-side to realize this event. They all took ownership of producing an event that builds pride in our part of outer East Portland.”

Leading off the procession representing the three participating local business districts is (top) Alema McCrea, Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (passenger in the Buick); followed by (bottom left) Jean Baker, Division/Clinton Streets Business Association; and, (bottom right) Nancy Chapin, Foster Road Business Association.

Nattily dressed in their white suites, the Royal Rosarians greet outer East Portlanders watching the parade.

In addition to the core of organizing volunteers, others pitched in. They gathered volunteers, obtained parade entries, gained permits and helped promote the event by distributing more than 10,000 flyers to neighbors along the route.

On parade day, more than 100 volunteers helped register entries, coordinate staging of the participants and act as “street monitors” along the route. The disbanding of the parade in Montavilla “went flawlessly”, Turner said.

Asian Lion and Dragon Dancers, sponsored by Wong’s Chinese Seafood Grill, delight bystanders as they prance along the parade route.

East Portland Chamber of Commerce president Greg Zuffrea greets all, riding in a spiffy car supplied by Chamber member Gresham Ford, “The dealer with a Heart”.

Parade draws ‘fan mail’
“This is an example of what communities can accomplish when they work together on a common goal,” Turner commented.

For the past few days, Turner said he’s been gratified by the volume of complimentary calls, cards, and e-mails that have come in from spectators.

Johnni Jones, a Montavilla resident and one of the key volunteers, told us she sees real changes happening along the avenue.

“It was such an awesome feeling on Saturday to see the community out along the avenue,” expressed Jones. “And the best part is to see the increasing camaraderie among of business people and neighbors. This effort is making a difference here.”

As an example, Jones notes the new rosebushes planted along 82nd Avenue of Roses and E. Burnside St. “Our avenue is blooming, in more ways than one.”

Local fresh food purveyors — Lents International Farmer’s Market (opening at SE 92nd Ave. and Foster Rd.) and the brand-new Montavilla Farmers Market (opening at 7700 SE Stark St.) — are well represented at the parade.

Contributing sponsors, like Richard Kiley’s Home Run Graphics, help make the Avenue of Roses parade possible. Yes, Gail is driving …

Next year’s parade being planned
“We’ve already started planning for next year already. Our first meeting is coming up in a few days,” recounted Turner. “We’ll take what we’ve learned from this event. We’ll build on the best things, and improve other areas.”

The Burgerville Trolley snakes up the Avenue of Roses, as do fire trucks from Portland Fire & Rescue Station 2 – each entry greeted by cheers from the crowd.

Major Sponsors are Eastport Plaza Shopping Center and Washman, USA.  Other sponsors include Banfield Pet Hospital, SEUL, 82nd Ave of Roses Business Assn.  A supporting grant was received from the City of Portland Business District Grant Program through the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Assns. (APNBA). Contributing sponsors include Portland Community College, Home Run Graphics, The Support Group, Grace Baptist Church, and Bank of the West.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See who was awarded firefighter and police officer of the year at the 30th edition of this East Portland event, which honors all of Portland’s public safety personnel‚

At the VFW Post #1 Awards Friendship Dinner, Post M.C. Tom Murphy stands with their “Firefighter of the Year”, Portland Fire & Rescue’s John Hill. Captain Marco Benatti presented the award.

By David F. Ashton
Every year, members of outer East Portland’s VFW Post #1 takes time out to celebrate the good work done by local firefighters and police officers.

“This is the 30th year,” the post’s Adjutant, Richard Linstead explained, “that our post has held an awards banquet to honor our dedicated public servants.”

On April 21, at the Friendship Dinner, more than 100 people packed the organization’s banquet hall on SE 122nd Ave. The awards ceremony‚ filled with humorous comments about the recipients‚ began after the assembled group enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Awards Firefighter of the Year
Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter Specialist John Hill, a Gresham resident, was presented the “Firefighter of the Year” of the year award. Hill serves at Station 24, the marine emergency response center for Portland Fire & Rescue. He’s developed a comprehensive navigation system to help Portland’s fireboats traverse our rivers, even during bad weather.

According to the bureau, Hill is role model — both in his organization and in the community. This firefighter has given more than 800 hours of community service time to support the Barlow football programs.

Last year’s “Police Officer of the Year“, Michael Gallagher, accompanies this year’s award winner, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Officer Robert Slyter, to the podium. East Precinct’s Lt. Ron Anderson presented the award; he’s accompanied by M.C. Tom Murphy.

Police officer from East Precinct honored
It doesn’t surprise us that Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Officer Robert Slyter was nominated as the “Police Officer of the Year.”

An outer East Portland native, Slyter graduated from David Douglas High School. He’s served as on the Neighborhood Response Team and Crime Reduction Unit‚ and initiated a pilot project for patrolling a portion of NE Sandy Blvd.‚ on foot. (Click here to read our detailed story about the Parkrose Foot Patrol.)

The two award winners, Linstead said, were chosen by the men and women working in their respective bureaus. “We are in debt to the men and women who work around the clock, often putting their lives in danger, to help keep us safe,” he added.

Special thanks to Anita Finn for her photographs.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~East Portland News Service

If you think you’re keeping your kids safe from child sexual predators by telling them to “stay away from strangers”‚ you’re WRONG! Don’t let your kids become victims. Read this article now‚

The information that Crime Prevention Program Specialist Teri Poppino shares about child molestation is, to many, startling

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Several months ago, we sat in at a special meeting at which Crime Prevention Program Specialist Teri Poppino talked to group of neighbors in northeast Portland about child sexual predators.

“For years, it has been ‘common knowledge’ that typical child molesters are creepy, smelly strangers, who entice kids into their clutches, entreating them with nickel candy,” Poppino began. “But the fact is: A child molester looks like me; or you, or you,” she says as she points to herself and others in the room.

The room fell eerily silent. One mother’s face turned ghostly pale. A father looked stunned as he sat motionless, his mouth agape.

“The truth is that child molesters‚ child sexual predators‚ know the child, perhaps better than do their parents,” the former police officer continued. “Molesters know what clothing, foods, TV shows, video games, and school classes the child enjoys and dislikes‚ more than their mother or father do.”

During her presentations about defending your kids against child sexual predators, Poppino talked frankly. Occasionally, she said, parents will leave‚ they find the information she presents too disturbing to contemplate.

Again, at the East Precinct Commander’s Forum on May 1, Poppino is sharing her message with East Portland neighbors.

Most kids grow out of the “playing doctor” phase of adolescence, Teri Poppino says‚ but sexual predators never do.

Shattering molester misconceptions

It isn’t a life event that turns a “normal” person into a child molester. “Most little kids have ‘played doctor’ when they were young. But soon, the novelty wears off and the typical child loses interest. But, most molesters never grow out of it, and keep playing the ‘game’ with friends, then with other, younger people as they get older,” she tells the group.

Simply teaching kids that all “strangers” are bad, and people whom they know are “good”, is dangerously unsafe, Poppino instructs. “The fact is, a molester can be young or old, male or female, or of any race or religious belief. They are likely to be stable, employed, and respected in the community. They may be looked up to as a community leader. Moreover, they are ‘trusted’ and thus, have easy access to the ‘objects of their affliction’, your children.”

Scary facts better than misinformation
Poppino doesn’t tell groups this kind of information just to scare them, she says‚ but instead, to help them understand that child molesters play a “confidence game”, and learn to play it well. “Molesters don’t want to get caught. They learn to be very good at not getting caught; and they’re helped by ‘stay-away-from-strangers’-types of misinformation.”

Poppino explains why molesting parents are difficult to catch.

Molesting parents are especially difficult to catch and prosecute, she goes on. They look “normal” to other people. They “accidentally” expose themselves to their children while changing clothes or using the bathroom. They may touch their children sexually while tucking them in bed at night.

Then, they tell their children, that “this is what all loving fathers do with their children”, so they don’t tell others. Parental molesters may be so good at manipulating children that the kids never tell, because they love the parent.

Prevention tips
“The very best prevention we have is open communication with our kids,” says Poppino, herself a mother. “Instead of warning them to ‘stay away from strangers’ or scaring them with sex talks when they are too young to understand‚ simply let them know,over and over again, to come confide in you if anyone talks to them, or touches them, in any way that feels odd, yucky, or strange.”

It is easy to “trick” a child into keeping a secret, She adds. “Our children need to know that anytime someone touches them, and then swears them to secrecy; this is not right. Even if the situation seemed fun, this is a secret they must not keep. Get to know any older kids or families who want to spend more time with your children.”

Poppino urges parents to think about people they know who may take a “special interest” in their children. “They may be good, pure souls; and they may not.”

The key isn’t making kids feel uncomfortable around nice people, but making them aware of specific behaviors. “The key is to teach them to watch for inappropriate behaviors and actions.” Constantly remind your kids, she continues, that “secret touching” is never the child’s fault; and they aren’t “bad” if they get tricked into it.

Poppino says to pay attention to individuals who pay a “special interest” in your child and trust your intuition about people in your life.

Many adult molesters target single moms, she explains. “Why? Once they earn the trust of the mother, they have access to their kids. I tell all single moms to never share their personal history, especially if it includes molestation or victimization, with any people they date.”

Finally, Poppino urged parents to “Trust your intuition. If you feel something is not right in your child’s relationship, act on it immediately.”

Up to you
“As you walk away from this training, you will hopefully have an increased sense of awareness. This isn’t information to scare you, but to strengthen you,” Poppino concludes. “If you are like me, you may become hyper-vigilant. This is OK; I assure you, over time, your feelings will normalize.”

What we can’t bring you in this article is the video tapes Poppino uses during her special presentations on this topic. Attendees see, and hear, child predators tell how they approached children and used them. These videos are both chilling — and informative.

To see the complete program on child molestation presented for your group, contact your neighborhood’s Crime Prevention Program Specialist. Also, contact the Portland based, nationally-recognized, Center for Behavioral Intervention at (503) 644-2772.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service.

See why this East Portland neighbor works to reduce the number of wild cats roaming Inner SE Portland‚ and learn about the May 12 “Fur Ball” right here‚

Christy Lee, a certified veterinary assistant, puts a feral kitty cat under anesthesia before it is spayed, at the free Feral Cat Coalition clinic.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On this Saturday morning, it’s raining (pardon the expression) cats and dogs, as we seek out the confidential location of the spay/neuter clinic operated by the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon.

We’ve written about this unique organization in the past. People who feed stray cats voluntarily participate in this trap-neuter-return program.

Secret clinic locations
We locate the one-day clinic hidden away in an industrial district of Portland, and meet a volunteer coordinator for the program, Carma Crimins, a Woodstock neighborhood resident.

“The goal of the program,” Crimins begins, “is to reduce suffering for existing feral cats, and prevent births and suffering of future generations.”

She leads us in to where the organization’s 24-foot mobile hospital is parked. We learn it is designed specifically for spaying/neutering feral cats, has three separate rooms: A surgery suite with room for three veterinarians to operate simultaneously; a prep area, complete with sink and autoclave; and also an anesthesia room.

One Sunday a month, the mobile hospital operates in Portland. Other weekends, it travels to other communities that sponsor their program.

“The reason we keep the location secret,” explains Crimins, is that we don’t operate a ‘drop-in’ program. We only want to deal with individuals who demonstrate a commitment to do what we request.”

What they don’t want, Crimins added, is for people dropping off cats at the clinic, thinking that, somehow, someone will find the stray cat a good home. “This isn’t an adoption service.”

To trap a cat
The program’s services are specifically for feral cats being fed by caregivers. The caregivers trap the cats, bring them to a clinic, and return the cats to where they are being fed with a commitment to keep feeding the cat on a permanent basis.

“Typically, the cats we see here haven’t ever been touched by humans; and they never will,” clarifies Crimins. “We lend humane, ‘live traps’ to the caregiver, and show how to use them. These traps are simple, and don’t harm either the cats or the people.”

On this day, 96 cats will be seen‚ each of them from the Inner SE Portland area. “In Woodstock, and further east, is an area rich in feral cats,” Crimins tells us. “And, there are a lot of good-hearted people who care for them enough to bring them‚ and take them home again.”

Performing a spay operation in their mobile surgical unit is Marla McGeorge DVM.

In the cat M.A.S.H.
We have about 30 volunteers operating the day-long clinic, in addition to the four vets and four vet technicians. Caregivers bring in the cats inside cages or traps. A blanket is put over the cage to keep the cat warm and reduce anxiety, we’re told.

Then, one by one, they’re taken into a feline version of a Mobile Army Surgical Unit. The mobile hospital gleams of stainless steel and smells antiseptic.

After being anesthetized, the cats are checked over, are spayed or neutered, and receive distemper and rabies shots.

As they sleep, get the full feline “day spa treatment”. They’re flea-combed and sprayed, treated for ear mites and other minor medical conditions, and each has his or her right ear tipped for future identification. Cats that appear to be suffering, as determined by a veterinarian, are tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus; all which test positive are euthanized.

Volunteer coordinator Carma Crimins watches as Suzanne Tate helps a spayed kitty recover from her operation.

In the “recovery room”, we see a dozen volunteers, stroking, warming, and watching over cats as they wake up.

As she caresses a drowsy kitty, Crimins tells us she’s been involved with the coalition for five years. “Over the years, I’ve brought in hundreds of cats. Now, I started help other people get their cats in to the clinic.”

No more unwanted cats
Crimins says she’d like to live in a world in which every cat is wanted. “What we’re doing today will eliminate the suffering of hundreds of kittens this year, and prevent thousands of unwanted and homeless kittens down the road.”

No other programs in Portland provide this service, Crimins says. It’s supported by volunteers and donations. “When you donate to the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, 92 cents of every dollar goes to fulfilling our mission of spaying/neutering, and community education.”

Ninth Annual Furball May 12
One way you can support the organization is by attending their annual “Furball”. This year, it’s on May 12 at the World Forestry Center. This year’s theme is “Night on the Nile”. To donate to the event, to volunteer, or for more information, contact Karen Kraus at kkraus@feralcats.com.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service