Learn what Carolyn Schell, manager of Midland Library, shared with us as she talked about her tenure in East County, and what she says she’ll miss the most after she retires‚

One of duties Carolyn Schell, retiring manager of Midland Library, says she loves the most is “Story Stop” with young kids.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After 17 years at the Multnomah County Library’s Midland Library in SE 122nd Ave., retiring manager Carolyn Schell said she’s seen a lot of changes‚ both in outer East Portland and in the library.

Before she shelved her last book, and gave her last “Story Stop” for little kids on May 29, Schell sat down with us to talk about her love of libraries, but most of all, helping children gain an appreciation for books.

“Although I tried teaching,” Schell related, “I soon realized it was not my calling. I was interested in books and libraries. I got an MLS [Masters in Library Science] from University of Oregon because I knew what I wanted to be‚ a librarian.”

Schell said she started her career working part-time in 1968, and worked as Children’s Librarian. “After ten years, I became a full-time librarian and worked at many different library branches.”

Librarian Schell has seen many changes in outer East Portland.

Watches Midland branch grow
In 1990, Schell was assigned to outer East Portland’s Midland Branch of the Multnomah County Library. “It was about one-third the size of our new building. It was too small for all the patrons we served.”

A few years later, the County funded a new library building on the same site as the old one. “I was part of the building committee. It was a wonderful experience. We involved the public, had a great architect and hard-working building committee.”

Observes technology’s explosion
From her “window on the world” the library, Schell says she watched as outer East Portland grew and matured.

“The biggest change has been in the use of technology,” Schell said. “In fact, this is the biggest change across the library system. When I first started here, there were no computers. Then, we installed one computer for the checkout system‚ but still had none for the public. Not even for the reference librarians had a computer.”

But, when they built the new library building, provision was made for public computer terminals. “That was in 1995,” Schell recalls. “Since that time, computer usage has taken off. The public loves them.”

The Midland Library manager says she’s proud how they’ve kept up with the changing needs of outer East Portland residents.

Meeting the needs of changing demographics
“The demographics of the neighborhoods we serve have changed somewhat,” Schell pointed out. “Now, we have many immigrant families who use the library. Russians, Spanish-speaking patrons‚ people from all over the world use the Midland Library. We now have a very diverse population, and we’re changing our programs and offerings to meet these needs.”

Considering other demographic shifts, Schell said that, in 1990, the patrons were predominantly women looking for books. “Now we see as many men as women‚ they’re using the computers. We’ve always had a lot of teenagers. And, we’ve always served many senior citizens‚ now, we even offer computer classes especially for them.”

The importance of libraries
Most important thing about being a librarian to Schell, she told us, is making sure everyone has access to all information.

“It is part of our democracy. “If people didn’t have public libraries, our citizens wouldn’t have access to free information‚ of all kinds. Where would people get it? The library is a place where people can come and find out information they want to know. This is a very powerful concept.”

But the library offers more than books and computers, Schell said. “The library system prides itself in providing educational and cultural entertainment for our patrons.

More than a librarian
During her time at Midland, Schell didn’t confine herself to the stacks and help desk. She was active in the Gateway Area Business Association‚ serving on the board, and as president. She also was a founding member of the Midway Business Association where she served as secretary.

Behind the library is Midland Park; Schell worked with the “Jane’s Park Group” to help “make the park a safe and nice place for people to enjoy.”

Through her volunteerism in association with these organizations, Schell touched the lives of many people outside the library and helped her community thrive.

“Of all my duties, I think I’ve enjoyed doing ‘Story Stop’ for young people the most,” Schell told us.

Lasting memories
After she introduced us to the library’s new manager, Javier Gutierrez, we asked Schell what memories she’ll cherish about her time at Midland.

“I enjoy the interactions with everyone,” Schell said. “But some of the most fun are with the children.

“I’m lucky I can still do ‘Story Stops’ here. I love doing them. Just today, a little boy was so excited. ‘Oh, wait! Can I tell my mother what a fun story that was!’ he exclaimed For me, that’s part of what libraries are all about‚ getting kids hooked on books and reading when they’re little. Then, you know they’ll be readers their whole lives.”

On behalf of our community, we thank you, Carolyn, for your service‚ and enduring smile.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Mayor Tom Potter was ready and willing to listen‚ but he didn’t hear much. Read this, and learn of a missed opportunity‚

Glenn Taylor, Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association chair, host Bill Dayton of Pizza Baron, and Portland Mayor Tom Potter talk, while they wait‚ and wait‚ for citizens to come “Talk with Tom”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Across the city Mayor Tom Potter holds “Talk to Tom” sessions, giving ordinary citizens ten-minute sessions to bend his ear about any and all topics.

Potter’s May session was scheduled in outer East Portland, at the Pizza Baron on SE 122nd Avenue at Division Street.

“It was great to be able to talk with the mayor,” said host Bill Dayton. “I got to tell the mayor that business owners within the City of Portland deserve the right to vote on city issues‚ even if the don’t live in the city.”

Dayton says he learned that the City Charter prohibits his request‚ and nothing short of a change in the charter will change that. “He told me that groups, like our business association, can make these changes, not him.”

Overall, Dayton says he felt he got a fair hearing. “I think it is great he came to outer East Portland.”

Mayor Tom Potter says he came, ready to listen. Sadly, no one from outer East Portland bothered to come speak with him.

A session observer, Glenn Taylor, chair of the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association, expressed his concerns about zoning that allows for “massive amounts of infill housing and high-density housing” to keep sprouting up in outer East Portland.

After a spirited exchange between Taylor and Potter, the two sat back and waited. And they waited.

Sadly, no one came to talk with Tom. Please remember this, the next time someone says, “No one at City Hall listens to us out here‚”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how Junior Achievement’s new SE Portland $5 Million business immersion educational center helps youngsters get a hands-on feel for working in the grown-up world.

Fifth-graders Jimmy Linderman and Jeremy Banka were two of the first youngsters to experience “BizTown”, as Intel executives.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
What started as an idea six years ago‚ creating a mini-city with 19 public and private businesses‚ has become a reality, as Portland Junior Achievement unveiled “BizTown”.

Situated in Southeast Portland, BizTown is like an indoor commerce-oriented theme park. Around a town square are storefronts  and workspaces for banks, restaurants, retail shops, manufacturers, and services‚ most of which are sponsored and branded by Pacific Northwest businesses.

We talked briefly with two “junior executives” working at the BizTown Intel offices. Jimmy Linderman and Jeremy Banka, fifth-graders from our area dressed in white lab coats, were among the first to experience BizTown.

“I had a great time building the robot. It was really awesome,” said Linderman. “I had the sense of what it is like to work. I know more about what it’s like in an adult’s daily life from being here.”

Banka added, “My favorite part was building and programming the robot. It was fun to experiment putting things together.”

John Hancock, President of Junior Achievement; Mark Payton, secretary of the JA Board, and Director of Software Acquisitions Integration for IBM; Brian Rice, Immediate Past Chairman of the JA Board, and President of KeyBank of Oregon; and Steve Gray, Treasurer of the JA Board, and Vice President of KeyBank, here cut the ribbon signaling the official opening of “BizTown“.

More than a “play-date”
At the opening ceremonies, we spoke with John Hancock, the president of Portland Junior Achievement (JA). “Teachers of students who participate in our BizTown program give their kids 18 hours of instructional time before they come here. When they arrive for their day at BizTown, the youngsters roll up their sleeves, and try their hand at running a business.”

Hancock told us that JA helps young people see what it’s like being an adult. “While they’re not faced with the pressures of adulthood, they get to see what it’s like in business. It doesn’t get any better than this, in experimental learning.”

After having 18 hours of classroom instruction, local students get to try their hand at running a business, here in “BizTown“.

Bridging enterprise and education
“We believe the two most important institutions in our nation and our city are free enterprise, and the system by which we educate our young people,” Hancock said. “We’re proud to get resources from the private sector, and to deliver our programs to schools.”

The local JA office, recently relocated from S.E. Belmont to 7830 SE Foster Road, serves 35,000 kids in Oregon and Washington. For more information, see www.japortland.org.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Men and women who served their country under the seas gathered for this tribute. You’ll see exclusive coverage right here‚

A Portland Fire & Rescue Fireboat sends patriotically-colored streams of water in honor of fallen submariners at OMSI.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
1300 hours on Memorial Day, former submariner Bob Walters sounded the “dive” claxon to signal the start of a memorial service for those who have served our nation under the seas.

Then, a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” and the colors of our nation were honored.

“This memorial celebration is important because this is the time we remember those we served with, those with whom we are currently serving, and those who died in the service of their country,” J.D. Corbitt, the event’s organizer is with the Portland Blueback Base told us. “Memorial Day is a fitting day to do this.”

The Blueback Base, Corbitt said, is a gathering of men and women who have served their country on submarines.

Because they work closely together, in a confined space for a long period of time, “Submariners form a special brotherly-bond seldom seen in other branches of the armed forces,” explained Walters.

“These are all highly skilled people,” Walters continued. “To be a crew member on the USS Blueback submarine, now docked behind OMSI, had to be certified in every position on the vessel.”

Captain Kenneth Dale Walker places a wreath in memory of lost submariners at the memorial near OMSI.

Captain Kenneth Dale Walker, U.S. Navy, was the event’s keynote speaker.

During part of Walker’s speech, he told the group of 100 service people and family members, “What is our responsibility to the submariners who gave their lives in the service of their county? I believe it is to celebrate their lives. They are an inspiration. To the veterans here, you have a personal experience of the horrors of war, of grief and hope. We honor those who serve, take up arms, and place themselves in harm’s way, so we may live in peace.”

Retired submariner Bob Walters rings the ship’s bell in memory of those lost at sea in the service of their nation.

As part of the Memorial Day ceremony a bell was tolled in memory of lost boats and sailors; and a wreath was placed at the Submariners’ Memorial at OMSI by Captain Kenneth Dale Walker, U.S. Navy.

As a finale, a Portland Fire & Rescue fireboat shot streams of red, white and blue water, providing a patriotic background for the USS Blueback’s former crewmates gathered for the event.

Former submariner George Hager blows taps, ending the memorial service as a PF&R Fireboat salutes with a spray.

© 2007 David F Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Discover why people by the hundreds migrated to Sellwood Park for this annual celebration of their feathered friends‚

Jennifer Parks, an Audubon Society volunteer, holds Finnegan, a hungry peregrine falcon.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The biggest day for birders at Oaks Bottom and Sellwood Park is the annual “Festival of the Birds” celebration.

As families, toting binoculars and telescopes glide past us, Karen Munday, Urban Wildlife Specialist at the Portland Audubon Society, is all smiles about the big turnout.

“The idea is to get people out here to celebrate International Migratory Bird day today, May 12” Munday explains. “This festival for families; we have attractions for both kids and adults. Our sponsors are hosting activities ranging from bird-plaque painting to guided bird walks every half hour.”

Siena Geren, with just a little help from her dad Mark, paints a wooden bird plaque.

The event, sponsored by U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Portland Audubon Society and Portland Parks & Recreation is put on to raise awareness about the birds that live in, and migrate through, the greater Portland area.

Sue Thomas with Portland Parks & Recreation continues, adding, “We want people to understand that parks are a place where birds can stop when whey migrate. A lot of birds rest and feed here. We need to be mindful of them. Their health is an indicator of the health of our parks.”

The Oaks Bottom wetlands, because of its varied terrain ‚Äì the Oak bluff area, grasslands, ponds, amphibians, and insects for food ‚Äì  is a great place for all kinds of birds, says Thomas. And, it’s a great place for people who want to study birds too.

“This spring, we’ve been working with Reed College students,” Thomas told us. “We’ve put in a bird garden at the bottom of the north end of Oaks Bottom. We’ve planted berries and seed plants that will attract hungry birds.”

As we walk along the bluff trail, many organizations have set up information stations and craft booths.

The Audubon Society’s Karen Munday says Oaks Bottom is a great place to visit any time of year‚ but especially during the Festival of the Birds.

Along the way, we meet Jennifer Parks, volunteer with the Audubon Society. “I’m holding Finnegan, a peregrine falcon. He was born with a deformed foot; it is turned upside down. He doesn’t have the ability to hunt. He was discovered at a nest site in the Columbia Gorge in May 2000. He’s just turning seven.”

Finnegan stares at us with a hungry look. “No, he hasn’t been fed yet, and you are standing a little closer to him than he’s used to,” warns Parks.

On the way out, we ask wildlife specialist Munday why this particular park is so special to her.

Hazel, the event guest on the arm of volunteer Ann Spencer, gives a hoot about the good work of the Audubon Society. Hazel is a Northern Oregon Spotted Owl.

“So many wonderful neo-tropical [bird] migrants spend their winters in Central America, but the come through Portland on their way north or south. We’re lucky to have great bird habitat here‚ places like Oaks Bottom‚ that act as spots for breeding and feeding for migratory birds.”

Munday adds, “Oaks Bottom is an amazing place any time of year. Portland Audubon Society holds walks all year around. Come join us!”

You can learn more about their organization by visiting www.AudubonPortland.org

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why women were selling this summertime treat outside New Seasons markets on May 12‚

Sellwood New Seasons Market customer Darcia Krause, here being served strawberry shortcake by Soroptimist Cheri Wonsley, David Koch, Shauna Nokleby and Beth Dahlgaard.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In spots across the city, Portlanders were smacking their lips as they enjoyed fresh, strawberry shortcake treats on May 12.

“New Seasons Market generously supplied the space and ingredients to make and sell strawberry shortcake at their stores,” Soroptimist Cheri Wonsley told us, as she and her crew was dishing up the delectable desserts-to-go at the Sellwood New Seasons on SE Tacoma Street.

“All the money we Soroptimists raise today is going to help domestic abuse shelters in the greater Portland area,” explained Wonsley. “We hope to raise $7,000 from this event.”

The funds, she added, is to be divided among Bradley-Angle House, Clackamas women and Children’s Services, Domestic Violence Resource Center, Listen To Kids, Raphael House of Portland, The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter, and the YMCA Yolanda House.

The word “Soroptimist”, we learned, is coined from the Latin words soror and optima, and loosely translated as “best for women”. If you want to learn more, the East Portland Soroptimist club meets the first three Mondays of each month, from 6-8 pm at Why not Wine, 7907 SE Stark Street. For more information, see www.si-pdxeast.org.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

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

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

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

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