Find out why officials say the game of chess helps disadvantaged youth to enter life on a level playing field …
These young chess-masters don’t wiggle or squirm while their game is in play – they appear to be completely focused on the chess board.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In the gymnasium at Duniway Elementary School, 80 kids sit at tables and play games on a Saturday morning. But this cavernous room isn’t ringing with playful outbursts or giggles; there is no whirl of youthful exuberance.
Instead, forty pairs of young people are sitting across from one another at tables on March 1, nearly motionless, gazing at a chess board.
Just outside the gym’s doorway, Julie Young, executive director for “Chess for Success”, whispers to us in the hushed tones of a TV golfing commentator, “We’re holding our regional tournaments today.”
In the hallway, Young explains this event is one of 25 regional tournaments being put on by their organization. “Kids are competing for titles within their age category. The winners will go on to the final playoffs.”
“Chess for Success” officials Ed McVicker – assistant tournament director and program director – Christopher Maguire, and executive director Julie Young track statistics and keep time during the tournament at Duniway Elementary School.
Four decades of chess
“Chess for Success” was formed in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to setting up chess clubs in low-income Portland schools, Young tells us. It now support chess clubs in 73 Title I schools.
“This tournament has a 41-year history,” says Young. “It started at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). By 1998, it grew until it became too large for a volunteer organization to run. ‘Chess for Success’ began to provide the logistics and administrative support, but the tournaments are still staffed by many of those volunteers who started the event.”
The players of the next game quietly listen to instructions from the tournament officials.
Lessons in personal responsibility
On the grade school level, Young continues, volunteers and staff of “Chess for Success” teach more than just how move figurines around on a checked board.
“These chess clubs are important, because it brings together children from all different backgrounds to play with one another. Beyond that, when children learn how to play chess, they learn how to sit still, concentrate, and think ahead.”
And, kids also learn personal responsibility, adds Young. “They get the credit for their successes. And, they can’t blame their losses on their family’s situation – or even on what they had for breakfast. The ‘field is level’ for every child. Winning at chess doesn’t take any special physical or mental skill – it takes concentration, and a will to succeed.”
This young lady is focused only on her next move.
Chess breeds success
Their program goes far beyond developing young chess mavens, Young continues. “As soon as a child joins the chess club, other students – and even some teachers – often think, ‘my gosh, they’re brilliant’. It really increases their self-esteem when they get good at playing chess.
“Whether they achieve mastery of chess or not, kids who learn to play tend to do better in school. As they improve at the game, many of them start taking their studies more seriously.
“We’re not really interested in making chess masters in our after-school program. Our goal is to teach children skills that will carry forward in life.”
At the Franciscan Montessori Earth School, just off outer SE Division Street in the Centennial neighborhood, players from the eastern region are concentrating on their tournament.
Outer East Portland tournament
Indeed, this chess tournament really is spread across the city. Later that morning, we visit another sponsored tournament, this one at the Franciscan Montessori Earth School.
“We have 52 kids playing today, says Melissa Light, development and communications director for the organization. “We have 12 schools represented at this tournament.”
In schools supported, Chess for Success is open to all children in the school, without cost. “Fortunately, we have strong support from parents, teachers, public school districts, and the community.”
You can learn more by going online to and visiting www.chessforsuccess.org.
In outer East Portland, Melissa Light, development and communications director at “Chess for Success”, helps officiate other players in the early March tournament.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See how this SE Portland high school’s boosters show their spirit by throwing a grand luau that raises $100 grand …
Debbie Greene checks in Clara and Paul Cook; Paul’s Cleveland High’s Principal.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Warrior’s benefactors at Cleveland High School topped last year’s “007 License to Spend” spy-themed shindig by taking the annual fund-raiser in a laid-back, tropical direction this year.
“We’re having a Hawaiian luau,” said event chair Vikki Melrose as patrons filed into the sold-out event on March 1. “The theme of our annual auction this year is ‘Hula for Moola’. We’re raising money to help support academics, performing arts, and athletics at Cleveland.”
Over 100 volunteers associated with the school’s Parent Teacher Association volunteered hundreds of hours to produce the evening’s event, Melrose noted, along with four chairs and a formal committee of 40.
Welcoming folks into the fundraising party are two of the four event chairs and their Cleveland High School students: Darcy Wente, Natalie Wente, Michael Wente, Danielle Melrose, Vikki Melrose, and Brianna Melrose.
Relaxing for a moment in the silent auction tent are Sally Shuey, Pre-event Chair, and Kennedy Wolfe, Procurement Chair.
Supports school’s programs
“Even though it’s a public school, we don’t have enough funding,” Melrose said. “If we don’t help raise money, the school will be forced to cut programs we think are necessary and important, here at Cleveland.”
The event, held at the Oaks Park Pavilion – in a huge heated tent that more than doubled the size of banquet room – was a sell-out, with 430 guests attending.
Ann Gray, Debra Meyer, and Sho and Loen Dozono pause, while hunting for bargains at the benefit silent auction.
Cleveland boosters, like Betsy and Steve – dressed appropriately in their Hawaiian shirts – circulate around the silent auction tables, looking for treasures on which to bid.
After the silent auction, the casually-dressed group sat down to a meal of island delicacies catered by Noho’s Hawaiian Café, and enjoyed the music and hula dancing provided by Roland Espy.
Then, the action picked up, as auctioneer Chris Sheik got top dollar for vacation home rentals at the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and Mexico; tickets and passes to cultural events; dinners at leading restaurants; sports memorabilia; and VIP tickets to local sporting events. Between the two auctions, revelers bid on a record 500 items and packages.
Selling raffle tickets are Cleveland High Hula Gals (and students) Lauren Krueger, Liza Gray, Stephanie Welch, and Natalie Wente.
Bringing live “music and dance from the enchanted Hawaiian Isles” are Roland Espy and his dancers.
After the event, Melrose reported, “It went really well. We met our goal of netting $100,000. The chairs thanks all of our dedicated volunteers who worked to make this event a big success; and, all of our supporters who attended and bid so generously.”
In the silent auction tent, lots of moola was bid on great items and packages ranging from vacations to objects d’art.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Two East Portland schools select their ambassadors
– see who won …
Marshawna Williams reacts to hearing her name being announced as Cleveland High School’s Portland Rose Festival representative.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The student bodies of Cleveland and Franklin High Schools chose their representatives for the 2008 Portland Rose Festival Court in March.
At Cleveland High School, Marshawna R. Williams was selected to represent their school.
With the Cleveland High School court is 2008 Princess Marshawna Williams.
Looking like she’s ready to sit on the Portland Rose Festival thrown is Cleveland High’s 2008 Princess Marshawna Williams.
Williams is the Co-President of Black Student Union, Student Body Vice President, and active member of National Honors Society, and she enjoys volleyball and being of service to the community. Her hobbies include “singing, writing, poetry, and babysitting neighborhood kids.”
About her future, Williams said, “I plan to attend University of Portland and earn a Bachelors degree in Engineering.”
Franklin High School
Surrounded by her Franklin High School court is their 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess, Diamond Symone Zerework. Photo: Portland Rose Festival
Franklin High School’s chosen representative was Diamond Symone Zerework.
For the past two years, Zerework has been part of Franklin High’s Leadership Program and a S.T.A.R.S. teen Leader/counselor. She’s been the President of the Black Student Union for 3 years. “I have also been dedicated to the Mock Trial and Advanced Mock Trial program for the past two years. I will receive my Law course completion Certificate from Franklin High School this year.”
Introducing 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess, Diamond Symone Zerework, representing Franklin High. Photo: Portland Rose Festival
Looking ahead, Zerework added, “I intend on receiving my B.A. in Psychology, then attending Law School before becoming a Corporate Attorney.”
The 2008 Portland Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation takes place on June 7, before the Grand Floral Parade. For tickets, or more information, see www.rosefestival.org, or call the hotline: 1-877-789-ROSE.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
For the second time in four days, late-night gunfire erupted on SE Division Street just east of SE 122nd Avenue. See what officials – and locals – say about this latest round of violence …
On early Sunday morning, gunfire caused patrons to scatter from what authorities say was an illegal, after-hours party at LaCueva Night Club on SE Division Street, just east of SE 122nd Avenue.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Both neighbors and business people are wondering about two late-night shooting sprees in the Midway area of outer East Portland, near the intersection of SE Division Street and 122nd Avenue.
At this time, officials aren’t saying whether or not the two shooting incidents, one in the wee hours of March 16 and the second just before midnight on March 20, are related. But, folks in the area say they’re concerned that this may indicate a dangerous trend.
Gunfire outside of LaCueva
At about 4:15 am, on March 16, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers were called to the area near the LaCueva Night Club – the most current name of a windowless party room that has been the location of many disturbances in the past.
“Several people called 911 to report that they heard gunshots,” said police spokesman Brian Schmautz. “Officers determined that participants in a nearby after-hours party appeared to have fired several shots at an unknown person or target.”
Hostile witnesses
Individuals at the scene were uncooperative and hostile towards the officers, Scnmautz reported. “Officers couldn’t find anyone who wanted to report a crime. The scene was processed and officers do not have a suspect in custody.”
Officers did see what appeared to be bullet holes in some vehicles and nearby buildings. “This investigation is continuing,” pointed added Schmautz.
Police guard the back lot of the Maverick Restaurant and Lounge on SE Division Street after they find shell casings, and a gun – said to be used in the most recent shooting spree.
Shootout at the Maverick
Fast-forwarding just four days to Thursday night, March 20, at 11:30 p.m. – the relative quiet of the evening was shattered as seven shots rang out behind the Maverick Restaurant and Lounge, at 12424 SE Division Street.
“You bet I heard the shooting,” said the night manager (she declined to give her name) of the Taco Bell restaurant located east of the Maverick. “It was loud. I think I heard seven shots – pop, pop, pop! It scared me. Then, a dark-colored car took off.”
Shortly thereafter, the eyewitness said she saw people running, “and cops pulled up right away. They started looking at buildings – trying to find bullet holes, I think.”
Neighbors and business owners in the area say they’re concerned about the recent increase in violent crime.
Cop confronts gun-toting felon
Apparently, officers did respond quickly to the shooting.
“East Precinct Officer Wilbon arrived on-scene, and confronted a suspect,” confirmed Portland Police Bureau spokeswoman Officer Cathe Kent.
“He was still holding a gun, as he got into a dark green Dodge Intrepid,” Kent continued. “The vehicle left the area and drove to SE 125th Avenue and Ivon Court, where officers initiated a high-risk traffic stop.”
We heard the police radio crackle with a report that officers had located several gun shell casings behind the Maverick, plus a gun. The crime scene was quickly cordoned off.
Police say they are charging 24-year-old Tyrone Mask with shooting up the area; but there was no apparent victim or reason for firing the gun.
“24-year-old Tyrone Mask was arrested and charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Felon in Possession of Weapon,” Kent stated. “Additionally, Mask is an admitted gang member, and has numerous felony arrests for possession of firearms and for robbery, to name a few.”
Mask was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. The driver of the vehicle was released. The gun was located behind Maverick’s Bar.
There was no shooting victim, Kent added, and investigators are still unsure why Mask was allegedly firing the gun.
LaCueva shot up – again
Investigators from the Gang Violence Response Team responded to the area to start an investigation, Kent told us.
“An additional crime scene was located at an after-hours club located at 12241 SE Division Street,” Kent reported. “It appears several bullets were fired into the back door of the club. No one was inside at the time of the shooting.”
Kent recalled that this was the second shooting this week connected to this after-hours club. “Investigators have asked for a building inspection, as well as involvement from OLCC regarding illegal drinking and various code violations discovered inside the building.”
If you have information related to either shooting, police ask that you call the Gang Violence Response Team at (503) 823-4106.
Business leader express concerns
Bill Dayton, the owner of Pizza Baron, a pizza parlor serving three decades of outer East Portland families, told us that crime in the area has ebbed and flowed over the years.
“Violent crime hasn’t been a big concern here,” said Dayton, the current president of the Midway Business Association. “But the statistics we’re getting from the police show an increase in shootings. It seems that crime from the inner city has been exported to outer East Portland.”
What concerns him, Dayton went on, is that government officials say that crime is going down in the Midway area. “This may be true, but it looks like we’re having more violent crime. Crime is one issue, violent crime is quite another issue.”
To help combat crime in the area, Dayton said that the Midway Business Association is supporting the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association and their new Citizen’s Bike Patrol to help detect problems – and report them to police – before violent crime takes place.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
While city and county officials touted their crime-reduction achievements, some feel they didn’t answer the main question: What can you do to further improve or streamline the criminal justice process?
The primary organizer of the event, vice chair of the Centennial Community Association Ron Clemenson, “sets the stage” for the forum – stating concerns about increasing crime in outer East Portland and Gresham.
By Watford Reed and David F. Ashton; photos by David F. Ashton
Increased funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs – backed up by jail beds for those who don’t reform their ways – was the prescription given, as a partial cure for Portland’s crime wave by a dozen Portland and Gresham city and Multnomah County elected and appointed official, to the 120 citizens who gathered at the Parklane Christian Reformed Church on March 11.
The meeting was sponsored by the Centennial and Glenfair neighborhood associations and the East Portland neighborhood office. Moderator David F. Ashton pointed out that what these groups are trying to do is reduce crime and the fear of crime in their neighborhoods.
Participating in the East Portland Public Safety Forum were Eric Sevos, Cascadia Behavioral Services; Multnomah County Commissioners Lonnie Roberts and Lisa Naito; Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney, Chuck French; Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Edward Jones; Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler (standing); City of Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard; Representing Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland Public Safety Director Maria Rubio; Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer; Gresham City Council President Paul Warr-King; City of Gresham Police Chief Carla Piluso, and Gresham City Counselor David Widmark.
County chair leads off
Ted Wheeler, the Chair of Multnomah County, spoke first, and said a commission of 200 experts had “found a big gap in public safety.”
But Wheeler added, “I must caution you, two things must happen if we want to keep our public safety system whole. First, we need to spend the dollars we have committed to public safety more effectively. And, we need to find additional resources, in terms of dollars, from outside the system.
“You’ve heard talk of a potential public safety levy in the fall [election]. That is an option, but the board has not deliberated on that. We may ask you to support additional public safety resources in the system.
“We’d like to include treatment and addiction services. The levy may include more funding for law-enforcement services.
“We need to break drug addiction so they won’t keep on committing crimes,” Wheeler concluded. “Otherwise, we’ll keep seeing the same people again and again.”
Police chiefs chime in
Part of a strategy for reducing crime, Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer commented, “Is that it’s highly desirable, regardless of the offense, for offenders to be kept in jail at least until the next morning, when they see a judge and are given an attorney. This will help end the cycle in which the [the accused] fail to appear for court dates.”
Gresham’s Chief Carla Piluso said that while crime prevention is important, “enforcement was key to reducing the problems we experienced along 162nd Avenue near E. Burnside Street. As we look at our side of the street in Gresham, we’ve seen a huge decrease of crime, according to our statistics.”
Noting that crime has picked up in other areas along the border where Portland meets Gresham, Piluso added, “Displacement of crime is an unintended consequence of strict enforcement. We have to continue working to make sure that that’s not the rule.”
Sevos, Roberts, and Lisa Naito listen to Chuck French, Senior Deputy Multnomah County District Attorney, say that the criminal justice system agencies need to overcome resistance to change policies within their offices. Circuit Judge Edward Jones sits to his right.
Breaking the agency inertia
Senior Deputy Multnomah County District Attorney Chuck French said that nowadays “criminals laugh” when they are given tickets to go to court, and then go away without punishment.
French added, “One of the things Chair Wheeler said is that we need to break the cycle of criminality. To do that, we need to deal with inertia in our agencies. Agencies do certain things because they’ve always done it that way. We need to explore new ways of doing things.”
Known for progressive criminal justice system
Circuit Judge Edward Jones spoke eloquently, and his humorous asides brought several rounds of laughter.
“When you talk about crime, commonly you talk about sentencing,” Jones began. “And when you talk about sentencing, you turn around and look at the judge. It would be nice to think that just a few minutes of my time as a judge will turn a criminal in a good citizen. But the reality is this: Telling people to stop committing crimes is about as effective as telling someone to quit smoking.”
Jones continued, saying the typical offender is a “slow learner”. He added, “Don’t get me wrong: Deterrence does work. Most of us have values or impulse control – at least, sufficient to keep us out of trouble. But there are those who need to be incarcerated.
“Why doesn’t punishment work as well as it should? The simple answer is that we don’t have enough rational criminals. For many of the people that I see every day, deterrence does not work.”
The judge told of an offender he jailed 11 times for parole violation before the man became clean and sober. “If I had that jail available to throw him into those 11 times, he wouldn’t have finished treatment.
The most substantial problem, Jones said, isn’t the lack of funding. “The biggest issue is courage. We must find the courage to admit our past failures, and commit ourselves to working from the evidence; to do we need to do to solve the problem.”
Addiction treatment seen as the answer
Other panelists suggested that treating drug and alcohol addiction is the key to solving the area’s crime problems.
Leonard said he had read that 71% of crimes are committed by people with drug or alcohol problems.
“We need to focus on why people commit crimes,” he said. “Otherwise we will only move the crime around.”
Maria Rubio, representing Portland Mayor Tom Potter, called for a “countrywide” drive against drugs is to “fill that gap, close quote, about which chair Wheeler had spoken.”
Taking a different tack, a member of the Gresham City Council, Paul Warr-King, said that he hopes Gresham will hire more police in the fall.
Returning to the concept of rehabilitation, Lisa Naito, Multnomah County Commissioner, warned that treatment centers are “sorely lacking” in the community. She also said that child abuse is “a significant problem”.
Multnomah County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts forecast that the new East Multnomah Justice Center, planned for Gresham, will help stabilize the area and its mere presence will help reduce crime..
Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler suggests that citizens look at how they, individually, are contributing to the reducing of the causes of crime, instead of looking to their elected officials to do so. City of Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard and City of Portland Public Safety Carmen Rubio sit to his right.
Wheeler: Don’t look to elected officials
Ashton noted that it sounded as if all East County’s crime problems have been solved. He asked by a show of hands, how many audience members worry about their safety. Most present raised their hands.
“What can people in this room actually do to work with their elected officials to help reduce crime?” Ashton asked the panel.
Wheeler took the question and responded, “Forget your elected officials. If you rely on elected officials to do everything you need, you can forget about it.”
Peppering the audience with a rapid-fire stream of questions, Wheeler continued, “Instead of a relying on elected people, let me ask you this: How many people here know your neighbors [well]; or know folks in your community who may need help, perhaps older folks who are frail? Watch over them and take care of them? Help keep others from advantage of them? Do you know if they’re suffering from elder abuse? What about your kids?
“Do support the schools? I don’t necessarily mean financially, but do you take time to work with kids in the community? There are a lot of kids in this community who are looking for adults ‘on the right side of the law’ to spend time with. Have you thought about being a mentor?”
The Chair concluded, “Look beyond the criminal justice system. Bring back a sense of community responsibility, particularly toward the youth in our community. I believe this will make the biggest impact. And yes, if we put up a public safety levy – vote for it.”
Leonard talks up ‘Program 57’
Commissioner Leonard chimed in, “When we opened 57 jail beds, we quickly concluded that jail time, by itself, will not stop people from committing crime. We also need people to get treatment. The only way we can get people to stop committing crime is to get into treatment and stay in treatment.”
Leonard intoned, “We’ve had a big reduction in crime in Portland, and this is attributable to arresting people, and actually grabbing them by the collar and putting them in the back of a police car and taking downtown and putting them in jail. After they sober up, or withdraw from drugs, look them in the eye and ask ‘Do you like being in jail?’ Most people do not like being in jail.
“Early on we started this program, people in jail would say ‘Sure, I’ll go into treatment.’ If they’d walk in the front door the treatment center and out the back door, we’d pick them up, take them back to jail. As a result we’ve reduced crime in Portland.
“I’m absolutely convinced we need this two-pronged approach. The most effective dollars we can spend are in drug treatment and alcohol treatment.”
Says anti-poverty program is needed
Representing Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland Public Safety Carmen Rubio said, “A lot of people in our city and the county are feeling disenfranchised. A lot of people are in poverty; many of them are working two jobs. And that definitely is a link to criminality. I think we need to look at what the root causes are.
“Something we can do, individually or as a community, is reducing poverty in our community.”
While citizens were provided with a comprehensive review of current public safety and criminal justice programs, several left the forum indicating that they felt officials were shifting responsibility for community safety to the community, instead of themselves taking the lead.
D.A. decries lack of flexibility
Senior Assistant District Attorney French spoke up next.
“In the last seven or eight years,” French stated, “Our criminal justice system has lost its flexibility in how to deal with criminals.”
Over the past decade, French shared, many corrections programs have been cut due to budget restraints. Thus, judges’ only options are to put an offender in jail or set them free. “We must restore the ability to craft a type of response for an offender that doesn’t currently exist.”
Detouring petty criminals
Judge Jones spoke up, “Let me add this about preventing a crime in the first place. We have roughly 1,000 serious Measure 11 crimes in the county every year. About 80% of them have passed through the system [for minor offences] during the year before they were arrested for a serious crime.
“The jails are a screening process; they find people whose lives are in disarray.
“If we can do something with them, as they come through on a minor crime – whether it’s treatment for drugs or alcohol, or getting the job, or whatever it is – we have a significant chance of having many fewer victims the following year.”
Attendees left feeling uncertain
Several individuals lingered after the formal program to speak with officials who were on the panel.
A number of citizens expressed the opinion to us that, although they appreciate their law enforcement officers, they were still concerned about crime issues in their neighborhoods.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Without a doubt, the fire that tore through one unit of this four-plex could have done far more harm – had the smoke alarms not been working that night …
Firefighters report seeing flames “blowing out the back door” of this wood-frame, three-story unit when they arrived. *Dick Harris photo
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There was a bit of panic in the voice of a caller when the 9-1-1 Center operator took a call about a fire on SE 119th Avenue, just north of SE Harold Street, on March 7.
“There’s a fire! Stuff is blowing up!” are the words that were recorded at 9:05 p.m.
Three minutes later, Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 29’s Captain Mike Glenn was on-scene, sizing up the situation. He grabbed his radio and reported, “There is a working fire on the back side of a wood frame three- story four-plex.”
From both the front and rear of the unit, firefighters attack the fire in a unit that appeared to be unoccupied.
According to Battalion Chief C3 Chris Babcock, the crew of Engine 29 pulled the fire hose hooked up to their rig, and began their attack on the fire as Engine 7’s crew provided back-up. “We had heavy fire showing on the back of the building when we arrived.”
The smoke detectors in the building were still shrieking as we arrived on-scene; smoke was pouring from the second unit from the end. Hoses snaked from SE Harold Street to the engines that responded to the fire.
Babcock told us the fire was knocked down by 9:15 – at which time they’d completed a primary search of the structure for people; a secondary search was completed six minutes later.
Prompt response by all Portland Fire & Rescue units kept a potentially disastrous fire relatively small; no one was injured in the fire.
“In a wood structure like this, the fire could have been much worse if we hadn’t been promptly called,” Babcock said.
The fire remains under investigation, according to PF&R spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt. “The smoke detector alerted the occupants next door who called in the fire. Again, working smoke detectors saved lives, and property.”
* Special thanks to Dick Harris, photographer for Portland Fire & Rescue, for taking the EXN camera behind fire lines to snap the rear-of-building action photo us!
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Meet the new executive director of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations, East Portland’s Jon Turino …
Newly-named Executive Director of the APNBA Jon Turino shakes hands in front of Portland City Hall with Commissioner Sam Adams and APNBA president Jean Baker.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Having been a volunteer organization since it was organized, the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business District Associations, Inc. (APNBA), a nonprofit coalition of over thirty local business district associations, took a step forward this month, by naming a full-time executive director and establishing an office.
“Our organization was able to take this step,” said Jean Baker, the current President of the association, “having recently received a grant to improve its capacity and its ability to serve the business districts.”
The APNBA, Baker explained, helps neighborhood business districts cross-pollinate ideas, and work together to solve mutual problems.
Association hires local businessman
There were some concerns among APNBA members that the talent search to fill the position might bring in an individual from out-of-state who was unfamiliar with Portland’s politics and business climate.
However, their search led them to Jon Turino, a Parkrose-based business person who has been active in many civic organizations and has served on the boards of the Gateway and Parkrose business associations.
In his office at City Hall, Portland Commissioner Sam Adams says Turino’s leadership skills will help the organization develop a stronger voice for neighborhood business districts.
Commissioner Adams commends choice
“I’m very exciting that Jon Turino was named executive director,” commented Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams. “In addition to being a successful business person in East Portland, Turino has demonstrated the ability to help diverse groups of business people to work together. He’s been active in the APNBA, and will help take the organization to the next level of effectiveness.”
We asked Adams why he felt it was important to spearhead the effort to find funding that dedicated to helping the APNBA develop into a stronger organization.
“Small, neighborhood, local businesses are the economic spine of the city,” replied Adams. “84% of Portland businesses employ 10 or less employees. Most of them are outside of the downtown Portland area. Portland’s distinctive neighborhood business districts make our city truly unique. It would be a missed opportunity to not support them.”
As the newly-named APNBA Executive Director prepares for his role, Adams admonishes Turino to listen carefully to the organization’s constituents, develop clear goals and strategies and communicate positively with officials and city and county government.
Full time office
Instead of the APNBA’s organizational materials, records and equipment being kept in boxes held by the current president and board members, the grant also permits the association to establish an office.
“In addition to our new office,” commented Baker, “we’ve hired a full-time administrative coordinator. “Working together with our board and membership, we’ll be better able to achieve our organization’s mission: Making business district associations, and the businesses that make up their membership, even more successful.”
For more information, contact the APNBA at 107 SE Washington St, Suite 244, Portland, OR 97214; telephone (503) 234-7642 or e-mail info@apnba.com.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
The startling, daylight take-over robbery took place a month ago – and police need your help finding the criminals who terrorized this popular outer East Portland restaurant …
The Refectory, a well-known dining and meeting establishment, was taken over by armed robbers on February 15. See if you can help the cops bust these dangerous crooks.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
The Friday morning – one month ago, on February 15 – was a crisp winter day that started to warm as the sun came out.
Workers were going about their routine of setting up for their lunch crowd at The Refectory, 1618 NE 122nd Avenue, just north of NE Halsey Street, across from the parking lot from the outer Gateway Winco grocery store.
At 9:14 a.m., two thugs strolled in, forced employees to the ground, and stole money from the safe. Additionally, the suspects stole an employee’s 2005 gray Jeep Liberty to use as their getaway vehicle. On Saturday, February 16, Fairview Police recovered the vehicle in the 2700 block of Northeast 205th Avenue.
Suspect #1 is described as a white male in his 30’s, 5’8 -5’10”, 200 pounds, light brown hair, stubble on his face, and wearing a blue hooded jacket.
Suspect #2 is described as white, possibly a female, in the 30’s, 5’8, 180 pounds, wearing an orange and blue jacket with a white stripe across the chest and back. The suspect’s face was covered during the robbery.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to the an arrest in this case, or for any unsolved felony, and you can remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357).
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See why some were disappointed when the Regional Arts & Culture Council director gave discouraging news about helping secure public art for the new Parkrose landmark …
Regarding funding for public art in the Parkrose Triangle, Eloise Damrosch, Executive Director, Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), tells the group, “We don’t have money sitting around looking for opportunity.”
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Parkrose business people and neighbors have worked diligently over the past year to clean up the overgrown – and, frankly, unsightly – large traffic island where NE Sandy Boulevard crosses NE Killingsworth Street.
After days of back-breaking work, these volunteers transformed this plot of land into the beautifully landscaped “Parkrose Triangle”. And, they prepared a large, concrete pad on which they plan to mount a display of public art – such as a statue or sculpture – that would be changed out every year or so.
With this in mind, members of the Parkrose Business Association (PBA) welcomed Eloise Damrosch, Executive Director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), to their general membership meeting not long ago.
Commission brings culture to greater Portland
Damrosch began by telling of the organization’s mission to “integrate arts and culture in all aspects of community life”.
The RACC, Damrosch added, was formed in 1995 when Multnomah County “transitioned” the Metropolitan Arts Commission into a not-for-profit organization. “Existing arts organizations asked that we not solicit money from their donors, so we came up with a unique funding plan.”
About that time, Damrosch said, Multnomah County passed the “1% for Art” plan, under which one percent of municipal capital building budgets had to be set aside for art.
Damrosch tells the group how the city and county commit at between 1.5% and 2% of every capital building project to public art.
Tax-supported art program
“The beauty of this plan is that it assures that art will be involved in every capital project built with public money,” Damrosch stated. “There is local input on the art projects; artists, citizens, and users of the building agree on the artwork.”
The downside, she conceded, is that RACC is primarily funded, and restricted, by the 1% mechanism. “The good news is that we’ve been able to bump that up. Multnomah County is 1.5% and the City of Portland has committed 2%. Our maintenance funding has grown, as well. We don’t want the [public] art to look awful; it needs to be maintained.”
Over the years, Damrosch added, the RACC and its funding model has achieved a degree of national recognition. “We consult around the country for communities who want to set up a program like ours.”
Additionally, the RACC’s “Work for Art” program encourages individual and corporate donations. “We realize that individuals care about arts and culture. They may not be used to writing a check to an art organization. This makes it easy, by working with workplace-giving programs, to encourage them to put aide $5 a month.”
Supports a variety of art programs
The RACC supports 35 art programs throughout the three-county area. “These include project grants and grants to schools’ artist-in-residency programs. We also offer smaller artist education grants.”
When times get tough, Damrosch emphasized, arts are the first to be cut from schools. “There are still arts programs, but it is inequitable. Kids in less affluent schools suffer the most from inequity. We want to bring arts education back, K-8, in all three counties.”
It looks as if the space created here on the Parkrose Triangle will go without art – unless Parkrose folks raise money to buy it. PBA photo
Art on the Parkrose Triangle
Turning to the local issue, public art on the Parkrose Triangle, Damrosch told asked, “You have a spot here in Parkrose for public area. What are the options? Do you have in mind that you would like a permanent art piece?”
Several members spoke up and said, “The plan is for a rotating display of art.”
Damrosch responded, “In Lake Oswego, every two years, the downtown business foundation changes out the artwork on the pedestals they’ve built.”
Damrosch says she doesn’t have encouraging words for the Parkrose Triangle art project for the PBA members.
Artists don’t favor plan
“The downside we hear from artists is that the chances it [their artwork] will be sold is remote, after has been on display. It is out of their control; they don’t know if it will be in good condition when it is returned to them,” Damrosch explained, adding that most artists say the honorarium they receive for “loaning” the artwork isn’t sufficient to cover having the work unavailable for sale, and having to install and remove it.
“We don’t have money sitting around looking for opportunity,” cautioned Damrosch. “We provide a service to help people go through a process to set up a program. We can help you with that. But, we may not be able to help cover the cost of finding art and installing it.”
For more information, see www.racc.org.
The PBA’s Member Moment spotlights NICKEL ADS’ Jeanie Alpert. “We put out about 1 Million papers up and down the I-5 corridor,” she says. “Locally, we are a sponsor of the new Parkrose Farmer’s Market. We have a sincere commitment to promote your business and community events.”
Special “field trip” meeting on March 20
Instead of their usual locale, the PBA members will be heading east this month, to Quality Inn & Suites at 9727 NE Sandy Blvd (97220).
Come see for yourself how a faith group took a run-down, seedy “no-tell motel” and turned it into a first-class lodging facility that has become the pride of the neighborhood.
The meeting on March 20 will be at 11:30 a.m. Because this is a catered event, they ask that your RSVP: marsha@copyexpresspdx.com — and let them know how many will be attending. Next month, they’ll be back at outer East Portland’s top dining spot, Steamers Restaurant and Lounge.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
After commending this outer East Portland shopkeeper for taking down a petty thief, police tell the steps you should take if your home or car is burglarized …
By David F. Ashton
Because those involved chose not to meet with us, we don’t have photos of this solved crime – but the story which we uncovered, and what you can learn from it, are important.
Pawn gone wrong
On February 28, a man stomped out of the Money Market Pawn Shop, near SE 169th Avenue on SE Division Street – angry because the pawn keeper, Peter Lim, didn’t buy the bicycle he was selling.
“Lim recognized the man,” said Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, “and suspected the bike might be stolen. But, he took down information on the bike, and 0n the man, before he turned him away.”
Then, Lim picked up the phone and talked with detectives from the Police Bureau’s Special Property Investigations Unit. That led to a search of Sutton’s residence, which uncovered yet another stolen bicycle – a bike which police say was the victim’s only means of transportation to and from work.
They didn’t have to go far to arrest the man who officials say is a repeat thief, 31-year-old William Sutton; he was already in jail for Probation Violation.
Sutton subsequently was charged with Attempted Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Attempted Theft in the Second Degree, one count of Theft in the First Degree, and one count of Theft in the Second Degree in connection with the stolen bikes.
Police say this man, William Sutton, makes money by selling and pawning things – namely, other people’s property that he’s stolen.
Sticky-fingered Sutton
Schmautz reminded us that, in September of last year, Sutton was arrested when he tried to pawn a widow’s stolen wedding ring at a Portland pawnshop.
“That arrest occurred after alert pawnshop employees, acting on information provided by the police, recognized Sutton and the ring, and then called the police while Sutton was still in the store,” said Schmautz. “Months later, police learned that Sutton was out of custody and selling property again.”
Something stolen?
Many people believe they’ll find their stolen goods on sale at a pawnshop or secondhand store immediately after being stolen.
But, Schmautz explained, “What many don’t realize is that property sold to one of these locations is kept in a ‘police hold area’ for 30 days – and for 90 days, if it was pawned and not redeemed.”
During this “hold” period, he added, the Police Bureau’s Special Property Investigations unit works to identify any of the property that might be stolen. “One of the best ways to help law enforcement recover your stolen property is to document all serial numbers, photograph valuables, and give this information to the police if you are victimized.”
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See photos of this moving show, which ends this weekend! There may be a few seats still unclaimed …
Rather than be split up in Nazi “relocation camps”, Anne (Marissa Hanson), along with her father, Otto (Sam DeRoest), sister Margot (Kaila Munay), and mother Edith (Laura Leonard) take up residence in the hidden attic of the family business for nearly two years.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Before the show opened, we told our readers that the David Douglas High School Theater Department’s intimate, small-box production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” would probably sell out – and it has.
The school’s Small Box Theatre, located under their massive theater’s main stage, seats 74 audience members. “It’s almost like you’re right there, with the Frank family, as they hide from the Nazis in an attic during the Holocaust,” comments director Judy LeCoq.
Anne and her sister, Margot, wonder what lies ahead as they first walk into the small attic that will become their new home.
About the story
The central character of “The Diary of Anne Frank” actually kept a diary of her life and experiences, starting the week before the thirteen-year-old girl and her family went into hiding in 1942. The play, drawn from the pages of Frank’s diary, tells how she, her family, and four other people went into hiding in sealed-off upper rooms of her father’s office building in Amsterdam – until they were betrayed.
LeCoq says, “Anne has been recognized as a tremendous writer. And, this newly-adapted version of the award-winning play reveals the stress of confinement, awkward teenage relationships, and the tension and fear of betrayal.”
Thanks to the realistic set that focuses the audience’s attention on the dozen players, the work of Mark Taylor’s Theater Arts class significantly adds to the quality of the production – as does the student crew running lights, sound, and taking care of stage management duties.
While some critics might say the production is an extreme departure from their ensemble’s usual musical-comedy fare, LeCoq responds, “The book, on which the play is based, is required reading for most middle-school students. And, the story of Anne Frank is one that should never be forgotten.”
Because Anne Frank was a young teenager when her family went into hiding, she never got to experience life as most kids do. In this scene, she and friend-in-hiding Peter Van Daan (Zeke Fetrow) wonder if they’ll ever have a normal life, outside the confines of the attic.
Show ends Saturday night
“The Diary of Anne Frank” ends on March 15. There may be some last-minute seats available. Call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270 to check.
The DDHS Small Box Theater is located on the lower level of the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233. This theater is handicapped-accessible.
Thinking they are about to be rescued, the families hiding from the Nazis feel joy for the first time in two years. Minutes later, they realize that a Nazi sympathizer has reported them – and they are moments away from being marched off to concentration camps – and certain death.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
No, it isn’t a Flintstones-like vehicle – a bus with no floorboard!
ake a look, and you’ll get the idea …
Where’s the bus? The idea, we’re told, is simply that kids walk to school as a group, with parents strolling alongside.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When the City of Portland’s Office of Transportation announced that its “Safer Routes to School (SR2S) program” had received a $599,515 grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) – and they were spending the money programs like a “Walking Bus” – we had to check it out.
What we found was that a Walking Bus isn’t an odd, kid-powered vehicle. Instead, it is a simply a plan that, PDOT officials say, “Enables fun, healthy, and safe ways for students to walk and bike to school.”
Kelly Elementary Principal Sharon Allen and Portland Mayor Tom Potter welcome kids to Kelly Elementary School as they get off their “Walking Bus”.
We asked Portland Mayor Tom Potter, present to celebrate the kickoff of the program at Kelly Elementary School in Lents, to clarify.
“Well, what’s important is that obesity is a national, state, and local problem. By having kids walk or ride their bikes to school, they actually are healthier, and also are coming to school better-prepared, because their minds are clear. It also reduces traffic [-caused] pollution – because now, many parents drive their children to school. Plus, the children seem to enjoy doing it.”
Kelly Elementary School organizer Diane Galvez explains the program to us – and to KOIN-6 News.
“The ‘walking bus’ idea is that the group moves together,” explained Diane Galvez, the organizer of the Kelly Elementary School program. This is for safety reasons, primarily. They move together – as if they were a bus – but instead, they are on foot or on their bikes.”
Parents come along for the “ride”, said Galvez. “We make sure that kids stay on the path and don’t get hit by a car, or hurt other people’s property. We keep them close to us, and make sure they’re okay.”
Echoing the Mayor’s sentiment, Galvez added, “Exercise and good health are the primary issues. We have a huge number of kids that are a little bit overweight, and we try to make them realize that there is an easy and healthy way for them to get in shape and get to school.”
The program’s organizer, Diane Galvez, is joined by volunteers Christina Helvie, Cher Bengard, and Cece Mills – just some of the 50 parents who share responsibility in the program.
The Kelly “Walking Bus” covered a mile, on the morning we visited a couple of weeks ago. “Today we had 22 kids on our school bus, and seven or eight parents,” noted Galvez. “This is the biggest one we’ve ever had. It’s very rewarding. It makes you feel good, just thinking about it.”
If you want to volunteer for the Kelly Elementary School “Walking Bus”, call the school at (503) 916-6350.
Behind the news: We weren’t the only medium covering the event! We hope the Walking Bus concept continues after this media event was staged. But, we always enjoy working with our friends at the TV stations!
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
