General News & Features « East PDX News

Mad scientist teaches chemistry and physics to tots

See Madam Chaos in action! This off-kilter instructor grabs kids’ attention, from the first moment of her lecture.

Madam Chaos mixes a color-changing potion to the delight of her young students at Midland Library.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The tall woman in a white lab coat prepares her apparatus as we approach her. Because she’s in character, she states, “My name is Madam Chaos. You may call me either.”

Ms. Chaos explains why she’s at Midland Library, saying, “It gets kids very excited about science. After our session, kids run to find and check out all the science books they can find.”

Asked about today’s class, Chaos, who confides she has been with Mad Science¬Æ for three years, tells us, “We are focusing primarily on chemical reactions today. Oh yes, and fun!”

Madam Chaos helps a budding scientist learn about centripetal force, during her interactive course.

Mad Science¬ (yes, we’re told it is a registered trademark) is the world’s leading science enrichment provider. They deliver unique, hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational. Mad Science encourages scientific literacy in children, in an age when science has become as important as reading, writing and arithmetic.

For more information regarding Mad Science, see www.madscience.com.

Glendoveer Woods gets TLC treatment from neighbors

Discover what volunteers are doing to improve this hidden natural spot‚ located on the land apex between our two outer East Portland watersheds‚

Neighbor Mike Harrison and Cole Miller, a student volunteer from Parkrose Middle School, and his dad, Bob Miller, all spend the morning cleaning out invasive plants, and planting native greenery.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although the weather was what one would expect from a typical winter morning on March 10, 14 volunteers converged on the naturally-wooded area west of the Glendoveer Golf Course in Hazelwood.

One of the volunteers was project coordinator Linda Robinson. “We’ve been clearing ivy for a couple of years. Now, we have enough open spaces to plant in among the shrubs and cedar trees. These are all native plants: Roses, thimbleberry and snowberry, and red-twig dogwood.”

Maintaining this area is important, Robinson said, because “this is one of the few wooded natural areas that remain in this part of the city. There is a lot of potential for natural habitat among these two acres of established fir trees. We’re trying to add some plant diversity. In doing so, we’re providing more shelter and food sources for the birds, and native rabbits and squirrels.”

Cynthia Palormo says she’s visiting from Los Angeles, and decided to help out. “I traveled all the way to Glendoveer to do some gardening work!” She’s giving a hand to new Hazelwood resident, Jim Caudell, who happens to be a Metro Park Ranger.

Top ‘o’ outer East Portland
We learned from Robinson that the woods in which we were standing is the “summit” of outer East Portland.

“We’re at the top of the watershed,” Robinson pointed out. “These trees soak up the rain so it doesn’t all run into the Columbia Slough to the north, or Johnson Creek to the south. By keeping the trees healthy and the ground covered, we’re keeping and using rainwater right here.”

Just then, the threatening skies opened and‚ it started to rain. “Look,” Robinson pointed out, “there are trilliums blooming.”

You can help
Come join in the “No Ivy Day” at Glendoveer Woods on May 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Go to 1260 NE 132 Ave., and park in the parking lot of St Therese Church. You’ll find them in the southeast corner of the parking lot between the buildings.

SE Walk presents rare artistry‚ each medium unique, and well done

You don’t need to fight for a parking place, as you might in the Pearl, when you take in the SE Area Artwalk. Take a look and see who we met on our stroll‚

Annie Meyer, of Studio 2507 on SE Clinton St., shows us her unique, artistic tiles.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Southeast Portland artists flung open their studio doors the first weekend in March as they participated in their fourth annual ArtWalk. From SE 9th Ave. to 41st Ave., 75 artists amazed visitors with their works of art.

Because we couldn’t visit all 45 locations, we took in the talent of five artisans showing their works in the Inner SE Portland portion of the show.

Our first stop was at Studio 2507 on SE Clinton St. where we met Annie Meyer.

“I’m a painter working in three mediums,” Meyer explained. “I do paintings, ceramic tile and monotype prints. My subject matter is the human figure, and landscapes of France.”

Admiring her miniature works of art, ceramic tiles, Meyer told us she’d been creating tiles since 1984.

“I love the SE ArtWalk,” said Meyer. “It’s a free, friendly event, exposing people to local artists and their work.”

Charley Wheelock of KaPow Designs sits on one of his benches, with his kids, Madeleine and Leo.

Wooden works of wonder
In a woodworking shop, we meet Charley Wheelock of KaPow Designs. He showed us custom cabinets he was making. But, he looked lovingly at newly-finished benches he had on display

“These benches are made out of pallet stickers,” enlighten Wheelock. “They were in a pile, being sold as firewood. I started milling them, and found a crazy variety of hardwoods. So, I designed a line of furniture that would minimize the amount of milling. I’ve succeeded, there is very little waste‚ and these benches showcase a huge variety of wood.”

Scott Stewart, furniture artist, sits at a unique table of his design and construction.

Wheelock suggested I meet the owner of the wood shop located on SE Division St. at 25th Avenue, Scott Stewart.

There, we asked the name, or nature, of his business, and Stewart answered simply, “I’m a furniture artist. I mostly create custom, commissioned furniture and wood artwork. But, I also do my own line of designs, unique to my style.”

Sitting on one of his designs — a hand-made chair — Stewart glances over at the “Iris Table” next to him. “The way they open up, it reminds me of the flower.”

House of art
Our final stop was on SE Brooklyn St, just east of SE 23rd Ave. to see Kristin Yount’s “house of art”.

Customer Marge Weigert visits Kristin Yount at her neighborhood home-turned-art-studio.

“I make terracotta pottery,” Yount told us. “I like the color of terracotta.”

In addition to her unique designs and decoration, Yount told us she makes her own lead-free colors, which she uses to paint the pottery. “My pottery is all ‘food-grade safe’. You could put it in the dishwasher, but you shouldn’t. After all, it is a work of art.”

Amy Stoner shows her acrylic paintings

At the same location, we also met Amy Stoner. “This is my third year exhibiting in the ArtWalk,” relates Stoner. “I like the sense of community this event brings about. I also like meeting other artists in the area. That is how I met Kristin, who is hosting me here.”

The best part, Stoner said, is seeing people who are interested in your work. “Having them stop by to talk for a while is much better than, for example, meeting them at a store or gallery,” she added.

Want to learn more? Check the website www.seportlandartwalk.com, or call (503) 232-0745 for more information.

Classic ballet performance graces Gateway stage

This is your invitation to experience real culture‚ in outer East Portland! Read this, and you’ll be calling to get tickets for Metro Dancers’ new show, presented March 17 and 24‚

Preparing for their roles in the ballet “La Fille Mal Gardee” are Metro Dancers Moriah Newman, Amy Johnson, Krista Bennett, Lorianne Barclay, Bridgette Emard, Meng Paulson, and Helen Rappe.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
You don’t have to drive and park downtown to treat yourself (and friends) to a great program of ballet.

Presenting both matinee and evening shows, the Portland Metro Performing Arts Center proudly presents the Metro Dancers’ production of La Fille Mal Gardee.

Metro Dancers prepare, as rehearsal gets under way their Spring production.

From what we saw during the rehearsal, the entire family will enjoy this colorful dance program.

You don’t need to speak French to enjoy “La Fille Mal Gardee” ‚Äì the story is acted out in dance. It’s a comic tale that unfolds as its characters romp through the timeless entanglements of love and marriage.

You’ll hear wonderful music, see the dancers dressed in professional costumes, marvel at the sets, and fully enjoy seeing the dancers’ skill as they make this story come alive.

Metro Dancers Nigel Swehla, Calvin Fackrell, and David Larison make a breathtaking catch after full-time PMPA volunteer Len Mills leaps into the air.

Shows on March 17 and 24
Metro Dancers present La Fille Mal Gardee is presented on both days at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Tickets, at the door are: Adult $18, Children $12; Pre-Sale Price: HS/Adult $15, Children $10. Reserve your seats now by calling (503) 408-0604, emailing us at info@PDXMetroArts.org or in person at the PMPA box office.

Portland Metro Performing Arts Center is located at 9933 SE Pine St. (just north of E. Burnside St.) in Gateway.

Cleveland High hosts Mayor’s ‘Budget Forum’

Learn what citizens had to say about the new, round-robin format designed to encourage more input regarding the Portland City budget ‚Ä¶

The organizer of the event, Laurel Butman, of the Portland Office of Management and Finance, talks with Mayor Tom Potter, at the SE Portland meeting.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In an effort to strip away the mystery of the City of Portland’s budget process, the City’s Office of Management and Finance has created a new “citizens’ forum” format.

Instead of having a parade of City officials talk amongst themselves ‚Äì with little citizen input ‚Äì a new “round-robin” format was instituted at the meeting a couple of weeks ago at Cleveland High School, on S.E. Powell Boulevard.

Hundreds of people, from the far corners of outer East Portland ‚Äì to the close-in neighbors from inner SE Portland packed the school’s cafeteria.

Potter pleased with project
“I’m a graduate of this fine institution,” Mayor Tom Potter told us at the forum.

“This forum is a way for citizens to provide us input about what they think is important. It gives them a chance to look at what we are recommending. If there are things we need to add, they let us know.”

Looking out over a sea of tables, charts, and people, the mayor told us how this event differs from ones held in the past. “We have a table for each of the major bureaus of the city. There are some initiatives hosting tables, also — including public safety and Children’s Bill of Rights.”

Surrounding the room were tables for neighborhood and community services. Sylvia Bogert, the executive director for SW Neighborhoods, Inc., and Cece Hughley Noe, the executive director of the Southeast Uplift Coalition agency. The latter explained, “We’re working together to show our support for the Office of Neighborhood Involvement budget.”

Citizens spent about ten minutes at each table, looking over the proposed budget for that particular department, and gave their input and listened to the opinions of others. Then, they rang a bell, and people changed tables.

Mayor Tom Potter, Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, and Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten told what they learned at this forum.

Commissioners comments
Wrapping up the evening, top city officials talked with the attendees.

“I’ve sat in at several of the tables,” commented Potter. “People are asking really good questions. It saves citizens time; we get more input of a higher quality. I think the result is much more effective.”

Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman said “I like it. I was able to wander around and hear many thoughtful comments at the tables. We’ll take the ideas. I appreciate the enthusiasm for sustainable development and parks, Children’s Bill of Rights, and other initiatives the City Council supports.”

“This has been really been fun”, enthused Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten. “I’ve had more in-depth conversations that I usually get. We were just talking about affordable housing. I do think it is important that we get good feedback from all of the tables. Having more in-depth discussions is more helpful than two-minute ‘hits’ from a few people. I heard a lot about how the City can better integrating projects and programs. You’ve set the bar very high.”

The tables were filled with citizens — learning more about the city’s budget, and asking probing questions about expenditures.

Many people at the event with whom we spoke were upbeat about the new format.

Business and housing concerns
Nancy Chapin, from the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, said she liked hearing that more storefront-improvement funds will go to businesses outside the Urban Renewal Districts. “As important as housing is, I’m still concerned there is still way too much housing in southeast Portland with not nearly enough community development. The city is still spending too much money downtown.”

“Did you feel you’d been heard?” we asked.

“Well, they wrote it down,” Chapin replied.

View from Mt. Tabor
Neighborhood activist Paul Leistner, Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association and chair of SE Uplift, commented, “There is some good projects here, but we have more good projects than we have money to fund. I hope the community will stay engaged and continue to have a voice in this process.”

We asked Leistner if he thought city officials were really listening. “I saw comments being written down. I know it doesn’t stop here. We have to continue to be heard to make sure the programs we feel are important get funded.”

Transportation topics
Marianne Colgrove, vice chair of SE Uplift, and Secretary of the Ardenwald/Johnson Creek neighborhood told us she liked being able to ask questions of city officials. “It was important to hear other people’s concerns. But I felt that the time at the tables wasn’t long enough.”

Colgrove said the major issues in her neighborhood are transportation and transportation safety. “Including a lot of the things people mentioned — pedestrian and bike safety, ‘Safe Routes to School’, traffic calming within the city to make it safer when not in a car.”

NE Portland resident Dave Lister said he liked being able to look over the City’s complete line-item budget, on display at the forum.

And finally, a quip from Lister ‚Ä¶
A former City Counsel candidate, Dave Lister said this format was “much improved”, and quipped, “When [former mayor] Vera Katz ran these [forum meetings], they presented the budget in such a sophomoric fashion, they should have handed out coloring crayons!”

Rugby players bring traditional football to Westmoreland Park

It might look like a vicious sport, played without rules, but read this, and learn why rugby is a lot more civilized than you may think ‚Ä¶

Performing what looks like a cross between a ballet leap and an acrobatic cheerleader stunt, rugby players hoist a team member high into the air to catch the ball during a “line out”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Their game over, soccer players quickly cleared the field at Westmoreland Park when they saw the blue-uniformed Oregon Sports Union “Jesters” and the red-jersey clad “Portland Pigs” (a/k/a Portland Rugby Football Club) on February 17.

“We don’t want to be in the way of these guys,” said a soccer player, making a hasty exit to the sidelines.

About to take place was the semi-annual competition between Portland’s senior men’s rugby leagues.

Century old sport shows no age
While the game of rugby came into being in 1872, the first Portland club was organized only in 1961, we’re told by Shawn Waterman, assistant coach of the Portland Rugby Football Club, known as the Portland Pigs.

“Portland Pigs?” we ask.

“According to oral tradition,” Waterman said with a smile, “at a tournament in San Francisco, a pig wandered on the field. The club adopted it, brought it back to Portland, and later roasted it. It was said to have been delicious.”

Not for the faint of heart
Waterman enthused, “It’s a fantastic game. It gets in your blood. It is a very physical game. It isn’t for the weak at heart, nor unsound of body.”

As in American football, rugby players grab the ball and do their best to carry into the scoring end-zone.

Rugby differs from American Football, we learned, in that players don’t wear helmets or hard pads. They are permitted to use soft, foam shoulder pads.

Asked about the basics, Waterman does his best to simplify the game play.

“The playing field is 100 meters in length, goal posts on each end. There are 15 players on a team. The object is to tally more points than your opponent by scoring a “try”, a “penalty kick” or a “drop goal”. A “conversion” after a “try” scores points as well.”

In simple terms, each team alternately attacks the opposition goal or defends their own.

Unlike American football, a when the player running ball is tackled ‚Äì and wow, are they tackled ‚Äì they untangle themselves and the play continues.

An adult-level rugby match lasts 80 minutes, played in two halves of 40 minutes each. It is controlled by a single referee and two touch judges.

“One thing that makes the game so vigorous,” Waterman stated, “is that, unlike American football, play continues immediately after a tackle.”

Parent calls it a “clean” sport
On the sidelines, watching what looked like violent roughhousing, we met Richard Sorem, the parent of Taylor, a Portland Pigs player. We asked if he had concerns for his son’s safety.

“True, it is a very ‘physical’ game,” Sorem replied. “But, he’s been playing for three years. Even though they play hard, it’s a ‘clean’ sport in which sportsmanship is highly valued. Rugby doesn’t have rules ‚Äì instead, they call them ‘laws’ ‚Äì and they are meant to be obeyed.”

Overall, Sorem said, he didn’t think the chance for injury is any greater than in other contact sports. “There are risks in playing any sport.”

It looks like a coordinated shoving match, but this grapple with the ball is called a “scrum”.

The greatest game
During a break, we ask Waterman why he chose this sport. “Simply, we play it because it is the greatest game.”

Portland rugby is played in a split season, in the fall and spring. “Wet, sloppy fields don’t make for a good game, but we play it in the season,” Waterman commented.

You can see the Portland Pigs practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Montavilla Park, SE 82nd Avenue of Roses and Glisan Street, at 7:00 p.m. Games are played on Saturdays.

You can learn more about this fascinating, traditional sport by going to www.portlandrugby.org.

Kids encouraged to be cut-ups at Midland Library

Take one look, and you’ll see the fun these kids had making dimensional paper artwork in this class ‚Ä¶

Instructor Jean Choy helps kids get started on their Sunday afternoon art project.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Not all events at the library involve books.

Not long ago, we stopped by Midland Library to see a paper crafts class that brightened up an otherwise dreary Sunday afternoon for kids and their parents

“This is paper art for children,” explained the instructor, Jean Choy, “and also for adults who like to make art!”

Choy said she’s taught Chinese-style brush painting for 25 years, and enjoys creating art in charcoal and pen and ink. “I’m also a Chinese language teacher.”

-Alisha Archer with a little help from mom Julia, doing arts and crafts at Midland Library by making birds.

The craft at this session was making fanciful birds from paper cutouts.

Check our Community Calendar and you may find a class or special interest program that tickles your fancy. The best part? They’re all free.

TriMet pitches I-205 MAX plans to East Portlanders

Wonder why they’re digging up the hillsides along Interstate 205 between Gateway and Clackamas? Read this, and find out how the construction will affect you ‚Ä¶

I-205 MAX community affairs reprehensive Leslie Hildula discusses construction issues with Lents resident Larry Sullivan, at the Lents MAX open house.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Larry Sullivan lives in the Lents neighborhood on SE 92nd Avenue. He, and other neighbors, say they’re concerned about the MAX light rail train construction now underway.

“I’m anxiously waiting to see what will be happening,” Sullivan tells us at the TriMet’s open house they are holding in Lents in late January. “They’re closing up SE 94th Avenue, and moving out the houses. All the houses are boarded up. I was hoping there was a meeting instead of an open house.”

But, at the open house, Sullivan meets, and is able to ask questions of Leslie Hildula, community affairs representative for the MAX I-205 project.

“We started to move utilities, fiber optic and water unities in preparation for the project,” Hildula tells us. “I expect to see heavy construction starting in March. We’ll be working our way from the north, near Gateway, south to Clackamas.”

No parking in Lents
Looking at the map, we ask Hildula about parking at the Lents station.

“The Lents/Foster Road Station will primarily be for people walking or take busses to it. The park-and-ride stations are at Powell Blvd. and Holgate Ave.,” she tells us.

At the Mall 205 open house, residents check over a large, photographic map depicting the location and stations of the new I-205 MAX light rail line.

Asked about area disruptions, Hildula says, “One major change will be disruptions in the I-205 Multi-Use path. The construction of the light rail line will go between the freeway and the path. We created an alternative route, so they wouldn’t have to worry about what part is open or closed; they could use SE 92nd Avenue all the way down to Clackamas County.”

Meghan Oldfield, the TriMet’s lead I-205 MAX project engineer talks with George Till at their Mall 205 open house.

Mall 205 gets MAXed out
A few days later, TriMet held another open house, this time at Mall 205.

Neighbors lined up, all looking points of interest or reference, such as their homes, businesses or schools. “We’re showing how we’re bringing MAX to people in outer East Portland and Clackamas County,” says the project manager, Meghan Oldfield.

Former Lents Neighborhood Association chair Judy Welch examines the map, looking at how her area will be served.

Neighbor George Till doesn’t appear to be all that thrilled with the project. “I’m trying to figure out what it all is. It this really approved?”

Yes, George, like it or not, expect construction along the freeway for a year while Portland’s newest light rail line is constructed.

Full-service ‘Justice Center’ for East County may become a reality

Will citizens of outer East Portland and East Multnomah County finally get something more than its current one-room leaky courthouse? Your comments will count: Read about an upcoming forum you should attend on February 8 ‚Ä¶

Multnomah County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts has led a four-year effort to create a full-service Justice Center to serve the 200,000 citizens of East County.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
After years of wrangling ‚Äì and two “blue ribbon” committees’ recommendations ‚Äì building an East County facility to house courtrooms and other services is edging closer to becoming a reality.

“We’ve been at this for the past four years,” Multnomah County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts tells us, as we visit the proposed site on SE Stark Street in Gresham. “Actually, the real movement, including our funding plan ‚Äì selling excess county property to pay for it ‚Äì has been going for the past three and a half years.”

More than meeting the mandate
Roberts reminded us that Multnomah County, by Oregon State law, is mandated to maintain a courthouse in Gresham. But, the current facility is a one-room courthouse on Powell Blvd. “It’s old; it leaks when it rains. It is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It may meet the requirement of the state law, but it certainly doesn’t meet the needs of the people of East County,” Roberts said.

The commissioner added, “We’re looking to serve over the over 200,000 people from 122nd Avenue out to the eastern edge of the county.”

Will give Rockwood an economic boost
The land for the Justice Center that’s been recommended, Roberts explained, is in Rockwood, at the former site of the Fred Meyer Home & Garden Store on SE Stark Street. “In addition to the convenience of providing county services, there is a strong indication that building this facility here will lower crime in the area. This is the kind of project the spurs other kinds of economic development in this area.”

Roberts continued, “We have a unique way of paying for it. This project won’t put the county into debt. We’ll have a building already paid for, that will give the community what it needs, in many ways.”

Commissioners vote for “full service” facility
On February 1, the County Commissioners agreed, in a unanimous vote, on the “full service” concept for an East County facility.

As described, the new facilities will be more than a courthouse. The “full service” Justice Center will:

House a courthouse with four courtrooms, and the space to build two more if needed;
Allow the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office finally to vacate the mold-ridden, leaky Hansen Building in which it now operates;
House the District Attorney’s office, as well as satellite offices for county agencies.

“There’s also a good possibility that Gresham Police will have a station located in the building,” said Roberts.

Be heard on February 8
Although the Rockwood site has been proposed, and has considerable backing, whether it will be built there or somewhere else is still up in the air. While many support the proposed Rockwood site, others are pushing locate it in downtown Gresham.

To get more input from citizens, Roberts said that he — in partnership with the Centennial Neighborhood Association — will hold a public meeting to present information and receive comments on the East County Justice Center.

Sheriff Bernie Giusto will be on hand, as will be representatives from the County Chair’s office.

The meeting will take place February 8, 2007, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Parklane Christian Reformed Church, 16001 SE Main St., in Gresham.

“Please come, and let us know what you think,” Roberts urged.

Full-service ‘Justice Center’ for East County may become a reality

Multnomah County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts has led a four-year effort to create a full-service Justice Center to serve the 200,000 citizens of East County.

The commissioner added, “We’re looking to serve over the over 200,000 people from 122nd Avenue out to the eastern edge of the county.”

Commissioners vote for “full service” facility
On February 1, the County Commissioners agreed, in a unanimous vote, on the “full service” concept for an East County facility.

As described, the new facilities will be more than a courthouse. The “full service” Justice Center will:

House a courthouse with four courtrooms, and the space to build two more if needed;
Allow the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office finally to vacate the mold-ridden, leaky Hansen Building in which it now operates;
House the District Attorney’s office, as well as satellite offices for county agencies.

“There’s also a good possibility that Gresham Police will have a station located in the building,” said Roberts.

Sheriff Bernie Giusto will be on hand, as will be representatives from the County Chair’s office.

The meeting will take place February 8, 2007, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Parklane Christian Reformed Church, 16001 SE Main St., in Gresham.

“Please come, and let us know what you think,” Roberts urged.

Ruptured East County water main worries residents

Folks living on the eastern edge of Portland worried whether the water main break on NE 162nd Avenue would cause a sinkhole ‚Ä¶

We saw water gushing — not seeping — between cracks in the street and curb along NE 162nd Avenue for nearly a city block.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
So far this winter, the water supply system in East County hasn’t experienced the ruptured water mains and massive sinkholes we’ve seen in other parts of the metro area.

But, some residents along NE 162nd Avenue, just north of NE Glisan Street, wondered if it was their turn to see the pavement in front of their homes crumple and sag into the ground, on January 28.

Patrick Healy and his son Daniel Owen Healy first noticed the wet pavement ‚Äì on a very cold, windy dry evening in East County.

Patrick Healy says he, and his son, were working on a car when they noticed something odd. “About 8:30, my son said, ‘Dad, there’s water out in the center of the street’. It’s not raining, so I didn’t think anything about it. Then, I noticed the other side of the street was wet. Since then, it’s been progressing and getting bigger.”

Looking back a little later, Healy says he saw water coming up between the curb and the street. “The area where the water came up kept growing. We couldn’t find the number for the water company, so we called 9-1-1. They said calling this in was a good thing to do.”

Water streams up from the pavement
We arrive at 10:45 p.m. and find that water is not only coming up through the center of the street, but also burbling up where the roadway meets the curb for the length of a city block.

Officials and firefighters say they can’t do anything other than keep calling Rockwood Water District ‚Äì and keep people off the street in case it caves in.

A Gresham firefighter said when they drove into the parking lot off the street; they saw the water coming up turn from clear to murky brown. “We called the Rockwood Water District office,” said a firefighter, “but so far, we’ve only reached an answering machine.”

By 11:00 p.m., Gresham police officers had cordoned off the block, fearing the water might erode the soil under the roadway and create a sinkhole.

When we returned on January 30, crews had filled in the hole and were repaving NE 162nd Avenue.

Rockwood Water crews dug up the street the following day and repaired a water main line. “The main cracked all around a joint,” explained a worker at the site. “It happens this time of year.” But, no comment on why all the emergency responders got, when they called, was voice mail.

Railroad owner shares museum dreams with ‘Holiday Express’ riders

Read why SamTrak owner Dick Samuels persistently pursues building the transportation museum ‚Äì a facility promised to citizens by the city fathers more than fifty years ago ‚Ä¶

Jim Abney, engineer of the 440-ton Portland & Seattle #700 steam locomotive, walks near the drive wheels which spread the tracks apart, causing the “Holiday Express” excursions, after many successful trips, to be derailed for the season.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For neighbors along the ridge above Oaks Bottom, the holiday season had an old-time touch ‚Äì the sound of a giant steam engine chugging along, as it pulled the “Holiday Express” excursion train from Oaks Park to OMSI.

Brett Engel holds Madeleine as they travel through Oaks Bottom ‚Äì and “back in time” ‚Äì aboard the steam excursion train. “We wanted to ride on this train from Oregon’s history,” Brett said, “so we came here from Portland’s west side to enjoy the journey.”

All Aboard Portland’s Holiday Express
When we boarded the “Holiday Express” at Oaks Amusement Park on December 23, the journey was sold out, with only standing room available.

The conductor’s call, “All aboard!” cut through the stillness of the morning, enshrouded in soft, “Oregon rain” mist.

Steam hissed from the valves of the mighty 17-foot tall, nearly 1 million pound locomotive, which was festooned with a holiday wreath and decorative electrical lighting.

Releasing the brakes, pulling the “Johnson Bar”, and advancing the throttle, Jim Abney, engineer of Portland & Seattle’s #700 steam locomotive, caused its pistons to turn the massive steel drive wheels ‚Äì first slowly, then more rapidly. Soon, a platoon of passengers were whizzing northward through Oaks Bottom.

Dick Samuels, owner of the “SamTrak” railroad on which the Holiday Express runs, shares with riders his vision of creating a rail museum ‚Äì fulfilling a promise made to Portland citizens more than five decades ago.

Weighty engine spreads tracks
The holiday revelers, plied with sparkling cider, home-made chocolates, and apricot delights, didn’t know that this particular ride was about to come to an abrupt end.

A little more than two miles from the departure point; the train lurched and came to a sudden stop. The railroad ties, softened by heavy rains, had allowed the steel tracks to spread just enough to allow the mighty locomotive to drop between them.

Crew members check the track under the #700. They discover that the 440-ton weight of the locomotive, over the course of some fifty excursion trips, had weakened the rain-softened railroad ties, and the rails to spread. The behemoth engine simply sank down between the tracks.

“We made about fifty trips this year,” engineer Abney told us. “It looks like we’re done for the season.”

The man behind the track
Richard “Dick” Samuels owns the railroad along which the Holiday Express runs. His Oregon Pacific Railroad Company ‚Äì often referred to as “SamTrak” ‚Äì transports freight between Inner Southeast Portland and Milwaukie.

A few days after our abbreviated journey, Samuels told us about his business ‚Äì and his passion: A Portland railroad museum.

“We allow Oregon Rail Heritage Association (ORHA) to use our tracks as a fundraiser,” began Samuels. “Once we brought in our heavy equipment, it took about a half-hour to re-rail the train.”

He said the rail line was originally built to handle lightweight trolley cars, not freight. “We put in 400 new hardwood ties last year. We maintain the lines for our freight business.”

Rail Transportation Museum derailed
Samuels told us he’s a native (Milwaukie High School, class of ’62), and has always loved trains.

“Did you know that, in the 1950’s, railroads serving our area donated steam locomotives to the City of Portland, to be placed in a transportation museum to be built in Oaks Park?” He asked.

“We have two of only six large, operating steam locomotives in the world today ‚Äì and, fifty years later, they still don’t have a home.”

Samuels explained that ORHA volunteers have lovingly restored and maintained these engines, but they have been left subject to the elements, vandals, and thieves. “The tweekers [methamphetamine addicts] break in and steal whatever brass and aluminum they can sell for scrap.”

Importance of rail history to Portland
Railroads, powered by steam locomotives, provided the transportation necessary to help the Pacific Northwest, and the greater Portland area, grow and mature.

“A rail transportation museum,” Samuels continued, “will allow future generations to see how people traveled. They’ll be able to touch the actual equipment that built our great country. It would be a terrible loss for Portland if we don’t fulfill our promise to build this museum.”

A Milwaukie native, Samuels says he’s doing everything he can to make sure the citizens of Portland get the railroad museum promised to them at Oaks Bottom over 50 years ago.

Samuels takes action
“We’ve offered METRO to swap some of our Sellwood right of way ‚Äì in exchange for land owned by the City of Portland. The Oaks Pioneer Transportation Museum will be built, through private donations, on this land.”

Samuels said he thought METRO was receptive to the idea, by which he would exchange land he owns at the south end of Sellwood, wanted by METRO to complete the “Sellwood Gap” of the Springwater Trail, for a lease on the unused, former dump site south of Oaks Bottom and across from Oaks Amusement Park.

“It is a ‘win-win’ kind of deal.”

Liberty weighs in
Although he said he couldn’t comment directly on the land-swap negotiations underway, District 6 Metro Counselor Robert Liberty told us, “This will make the Springwater Corridor trail a lot more usable and important.”

Liberty emphasized that every added transportation option takes some pressure off the crowded highways. “And, as we complete segments of the trails, we find trail use increases throughout all of the trail’s segments. The easier we make it for people to bike or walk, whether for transportation or pleasure, the better it is for our entire community.”