Neighborhood News « East PDX News

City to Parkrose: Welcome to North Portland

Find out why the citizens of Argay Terrace and Parkrose say they’re dismayed that their neighborhoods are being shuffled into to newly-created North Precinct …

Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer says that moving precinct boundary lines will probably not please some neighbors.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Last month, we brought you the story about how the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) was planning to collapse the current five precincts down to three. (CLICK HERE to read that article).

Most neighbors in outer East Portland didn’t take notice; the map clearly showed that all 13 neighborhoods in the East Portland Neighborhood Organization (EPNO) coalition – including Parkrose, Argay Terrace and Wilkes – would continue to be served from East Precinct.

However, after wrangling by some non-EPNO neighbors, such as those who live in Madison South, to stay in East Precinct, the boundary lines changed.

The TOP map, from released in February, shows Parkrose, Argay Terrace and Wilkes are all in East Precinct’s beige-colored boundary. The BOTTOM map – the current precinct configuration – now in yellow, indicates these three neighborhoods, will be patrolled by officers reporting to North Precinct.

Twice the distance from the precinct
Outer East Portland neighbors say they understand that police officers, unlike firefighters, patrol an assigned district – a subdivision of a precinct – and that they don’t sit around waiting for calls at the precinct office.

Yet, there is concern that the North Precinct Commander, in his office at 449 NE Emerson Street, will be commanding officers in communities spanning from St. Johns, east to the City of Gresham border.

Specifically, the distance from North Precinct to Bob Brown Tires on NE Sandy Blvd. is 7.05 miles, with an estimated travel time of 19 minutes. East Precinct’s headquarters is a mere 3.67 miles away from Brown’s store, an 11-minute trip.

Parkrose Business Association president, Wayne Stoll, says he’s dismayed to learn their area is scheduled to be shifted to North Precinct, after many of its members supplied labor, materials, and funds to create a modern, welcoming police contact station on NE Sandy Boulevard.

Parkrose businesses express concern
At their March 19 meeting, Parkrose Business Association President Wayne Stoll said the proposal to shift the precinct boundary lines was troubling.

Stoll read a letter to the City, and asked members to consider signing their names to it. The letter read:

Dear Mayor Sam Adams:
We are writing you today concerning the proposed consolidation of police precincts in the City of Portland.

For a long time, we in the Parkrose area felt neglected and under-patrolled by the Portland Police Bureau. During the last five years, we have seen that trend improve through the hard work of the fine officers, command staff, and folks at East Precinct.

Recently, a Community Policing Office opened on Sandy Boulevard, in the heart of Parkrose. This happened due to the hard work of Commander Mike Krebs, Sergeant John Anderson, and Officer Greg Baldwin. East Portland citizens Joe Rossi, Rex Hollingsworth, and many other hard-working citizens volunteered for the project because they were concerned with livability in the Parkrose area.

Now, with a proposed realignment of the police precincts, this private-public partnership, successfully developed over many years, will be ripped apart if Parkrose becomes part of the new Northeast Precinct.

Parkrose, as a whole, wants to stay within the boundaries of East Precinct, and we ask your help in keeping us there. Please do not move us backward in time when people asked us, “Is Parkrose in the City of Portland?”

Earlier this year, Argay Neighborhood Association chair Valerie Curry presented PPB Chief Rosie Sizer with a mug their group had made for all officers and staff members at East Precinct.

Argay neighbors protest move
Earlier this year, the neighbors of Argay Terrace showed their appreciation for all of the officers and staff members at PPB East Precinct by presenting them deluxe, heavy-duty coffee mugs, emblazoned with their community association’s seal. (Read about it: CLICK HERE.)

Argay Neighborhood Association Chair Valerie Curry said their citizens were not at all pleased by being shifted into the new North Precinct.

“We are strongly urging that Argay remain in East Precinct,” Curry told us. “We’re concerned that our businesses and residents would not have the same response time from patrolling police if we were shifted to Northeast Precinct – located at approximately Killingsworth & MLK Boulevard.”

From a neighborhood-association perspective, Curry added, traveling to meetings at East Precinct takes less than 10 minutes. “This is important, because our 13 coalition neighborhoods share similar problems that we bring to Commander Crebs and his fine staff at Citizens Advisory Committee meetings.”

Curry said the three northern outer East Portland neighborhoods would be isolated – split off from the southern outer East Portland communities. “Realistically, what do our problems and needs have to do with communities such as Alberta and St. Johns?”

Speaking as a private citizen, Curry said she’s found the Portland Police officers and staff to be dedicated and resourceful. “But even this competent force can’t work magic, with the new North Precinct’s patrol area strung across many miles. I have little hope that Argay – with its considerable problems along NE Sandy Boulevard – could get quick police response to our calls for help.”

Chief Sizer comments, “I don’t think we’re going to be able to develop a map that is going to make everyone happy.”

Sizer responds to neighbors
On April 2, we had the opportunity to ask PPB Chief Sizer for her response to the concern expressed by these neighbors and business people.

“Our desire is to balance the workload between the precincts,” Sizer told us. “We have [created] over a dozen maps and plans to develop decent boundaries and a balanced workload.

“Part of the recommendation around that boundary came from our officers; about how they would get [help from other officers to provide] cover on calls. This was not a bureaucratic decision about where to draw the boundary line. It was about officers saying what was going to work, for them, in terms of getting help when they need it on the street.

“My strong feeling is that those officers, with whom the community has developed strong relationships – they’re still going to be working that area. I think that’s the most important thing.”

We asked Sizer to respond to the concerns expressed by northern outer East Portland folks.

“I think I just answered the question,” Sizer replied. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to develop a map that is going to make everyone happy. We do want to make it so that every community member is an equal chance to have good [police] service. We want to make sure officers can respond to calls in ways that they feel are safe.”

Speed, not booze, causes Centennial smash-up

It’s one of the worst single-car wrecks we’ve seen. Find out what happened, as told by an eye-witness who saw the incident unfold …

The car hit this wooden pole with such force, it snapped like a twig at ground level.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“SE 162 Avenue is like a speedway,” said Centennial Neighborhood resident Vera Andersen, as she watched police investigating a car wreck across the intersection at SE Taggert Street. “Because it’s smooth and wide between SE Powell Boulevard and SE Division Street, people drive way too fast along here all of the time.”

Andersen shook her head as she walked away from the scene on March 22, after taking a final look at the destroyed car, clipped utility pole, and torn-up yard.

Although injured, both the driver and passenger of this car survived the smash-up.

Eyewitness to disaster
Scott Beach told us it was raining heavily, a little after 1:00 p.m., as he was driving north on SE 162nd Avenue from SE Powell Boulevard, headed toward SE Division Street.

“I was driving in the inside, or ‘fast’ lane,” Beach began, “doing about 40 or 45 mph. A car passed me in the ‘slow lane’ doing, I’d estimate, between 60 and 80 mph. He passed me like I was standing still.

The driver swerved in front of Beach, “Then, it was like he was trying to turn right into a driveway or onto Taggert Street. He went sideways and into the telephone pole; then into yard over there. I though he’d hit the house.”

Gives good medical advice
Beach said he stopped in the left-hand turn lane on 162nd Avenue. “When I got out, family members or friends were hollering for me to help them pull them out of the car. I told them no, you need to leave them in the car. I’d noticed electrical wires hanging down into the water.”

Trying to help the situation, Beach said he directed traffic around the wreck until Portland Fire & Rescue and police officers arrived.

“It took them a while to get them out of the car; they both went to the hospital,” recalled Beach. “They look pretty banged up. The driver was conscious but the passenger was kind of twitching like he was of out of it.”

SE 162nd Ave. was closed for much of the day as the Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team investigate the wreck.

Although Beach recalled the younger of the two men he saw in the car being the driver, Portland Police Bureau’s Public Information Officer Detective Mary Wheat told us, “The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 23-year old George Pitsul. The passenger in the vehicle is a 16-year old juvenile male; we’re not releasing his name due to his age.”

Police say this man, 23-year old George Pitsul, was arrested and charged with three separate counts, all stemming from this accident.

Both occupants of the vehicle were hospitalized for several days, Wheat said. “Investigators believe that speed was a factor in this incident and do not believe any alcohol was involved.”

On Friday, March 27th, Pitsul was arrested on one count of Assault in the Third Degree, one count of Reckless Driving, and one count of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

East Portland Aquatic Center officially opens

After you see why folks flocked to outer East Portland’s new ‘swimming hole’ to celebrate its grand opening, you may want to grab your swim trunks and head on over for a dip, slip, or splash, yourself …

After the “snip, snip, snip” of the ceremonial ribbon, it was “slide, swim, and splash” for hundreds of guests, at the East Portland Community Center Aquatic Center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A couple of months ago, we gave you a sneak-preview of the East Portland Community Center Aquatic Center, when we tagged along with Mayor Tom Potter during his December 19. (CLICK HERE to read that story and discover all of the features the center offers.)

It took contractors a few more weeks to complete the unfinished tasks and solve some unforeseen problems, but the new aquatic center officially opened – with a big splash – on March 14.

Portland City Commissioner – and the new “Parks Commissoner” – Nick Fish says his son, 5-year-old Chapin, takes to water like a … well …

Fish takes to water
Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish, the newly-named commissioner overseeing Portland Parks & Recreation, was grinning ear-to-ear, as he and his 5-year-old son Chapin toured the facility.

“This day is important,” Fish said before the official ceremonies began, “because it shows that we kept faith with people in outer East Portland when we promised them a new aquatic center many years ago. The folks here passed a [parks improvement] levy in 2002 to build this center.”

For many years, Fish added, many outer East Portlanders have said they’ve felt ignored. “As we open this pool – just as [the Portland City Council] adopted the East Portland Action Plan – these actions shows that we’re paying attention.”

Three generations of Parkrose residents, grandmother Bev Schafer, mom Mary Walker, and her kids, Ahnika Reavis and Elizabeth Walker, wait with anticipation to use the new pool.

Proving that the giant waterslide isn’t just for kids! Mario Lopez takes his first, fast ride. Afterward says, “This is really fun and exciting.”

Saltzman touts green building
As a crowd of more than 100 bathing suit attired adults and children gathered at the Aquatic Center’s main door (there are three pools in the center), former Parks Commissioner Dan Saltzman quipped, “It’s nice to see this throng of smiling faces, ready to ‘mow us down’ and go swimming!

Even with the parks levy, Saltzman commented, the project fell $4 Million short of being built. He commended former Mayor Tom Potter and outer East Portland parks advocates for moving the project forward.

“This is not only the best aquatic facility in Portland,” Saltzman continued, “but is probably the best aquatic facility in the nation, in terms of its sustainable features. This is a state-of-the-art building – the only aquatic facility that will achieve a LEED Platinum* rating, the highest rating a building can have for green building in this country.”

* LEED is the U.S. Green Building Green Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” certification.

Saltzman talked about many of the facility’s “green” systems, starting with the pool water filtration and sanitation system, which allows for lower levels of chlorine. He said heat from the center is captured and used to reheat pool water – and that they’d be installing solar cells on the roof that will generate as much as 50% of the building’s energy.

Watching over the splashing citizens at the new East Portland Aquatic Center is certified lifeguard Danielle McConnell.

Eric Ridenour, with SERA Architects, and his son Milo, are about to cut the cake at the grand opening ceremony of the East Portland Aquatic Center.

Scissors at the ready
As officials and kids got ready to snip the ceremonial ribbon, Portland Parks & Recreation director Zari Santner thanked all of those involved in the project, but singled out David Douglas schools’ District Superintendent Barbara Rommel, for providing some of the land on which the facility sits.

“The David Douglas school board recognized the benefit to the community,” Santner said, “and thanks also to the students of Floyd Light Middle School, immediately adjacent to the facility.”

With that, the ribbon was cut – and the fun began, as outer East Portlanders enjoyed an afternoon of splishing, splashing, sliding, and swimming.

Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish, the new Parks Commissioner, signs beach balls for the Shore family – Peter, Vida and kids Lola and Caleb.

Whatever the weather outside, the climate is always perfect for swimming and floating down the “Lazy River” feature in the new East Portland Aquatic Center.

82nd Avenue of Roses’ third Grand Parade set for April 25

See why this event grows in size and excitement every year – how you can be a part of it – and why you should mark your calendar NOW …

Getting ready for the 2009 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade are committee members (back row, left to right): Lt. Tom McGranahan, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct; Richard Kiley, Home Run Graphics; Paul Ellison, Bank of the West; Johnni Jones, volunteer coordinator; Gail Kiley, Brentwood Darlington Neighborhood Association; and Kevin Williams, Portland Bureau of transportation; (front row) Julie Wolleck, Portland Community College SE Center; Ken Turner, 82nd Ave of Roses Business Association; Arlene Kimura, Chair, Hazelwood Neighborhood Association; Kathryn Notson, South Tabor Neighborhood Association; Eilene Curtiss, Portland Rose Society; and Judy Welch, Lents Neighborhood Association.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It takes a lot of time and effort to put on a community event. The committee behind the 2009 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade started on working on this year’s edition – scheduled for Saturday, April 25 – last June!

“Because of the positive reception we’ve had from the communities we serve,” said Ken Turner, president of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association, “we’re inspired to do even better. Every year, this event grows.”

The 2009 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade begins at Eastport Plaza, just north of SE Holgate Boulevard. It marches north on the Avenue of Roses, and disperses in the Montavilla Neighborhood area, Turner told us.

Portland Community College’s SE Center will host the Reviewing Stand and public announcement area, just north of SE Division Street.

More music, more fun
One of the highlights of this year’s parade will be the “One More Time Around Marching Band” – the world’s largest standing musical organization – regularly featured in Portland Rose Festival parades and events.

The parade’s Grand Marshal hasn’t yet been revealed. But we’re told you will see:

Portland Rose Festival Court
Royal Rosarians
Portland Rose society
Station 11 fire engine
Rose City Corvette Car club
Boys and Girls Club
Madison High Drum Corps
Color Guard
Ronald McDonald
Chuck-E Cheese

And, several other unique, colorful individuals and groups are said also to be making arrangements to march in this lively parade.

Events before and after – at the start and finish
Turner reported that there are several before- and after-parade events scheduled for Eastport Plaza and the Montavilla/South Tabor Business District, including a kids bicycle safety program and a bike rodeo.

“We have ton of other things happening to enhance the day of the Parade”, said Sadee Daniels, with Eastport Plaza. “There’ll be the Funtastic Carnival, Eastport Izzy’s Classic Car Cruise-in, pony rides, juggling clowns, stilt walkers, air brush face painting, a balloon shaper, and live music.”

Eastport Plaza’s Carnival Days will also feature booths for community service providers and civic groups.

Last year’s parade was lots of fun! Plan now to come to the 2009 edition on April 25!

Volunteers needed
If you’re not content to sit on the sidelines, watching a parade pass you by, consider volunteering on the day of the parade. “We need volunteers to help, by briefly closing off side streets as the parade passes, said Johnni Jones, the event’s volunteer coordinator. It’s easy – and you get to watch the parade! Contact her by e-mailing: johnni.jones@gmail.com.

Registration for the parade begins at 7:30, and closes off at 8:30 am; the parade begins promptly at 9 am, Turner promised. “Come out and enjoy the day, at this great family community event.”

Outer Marine Drive claims yet another driver

We waited to publish this until all the information was in. See exclusive photos, and see what the investigating officer had to say about this fatal wreck – which also sent three folks to the hospital …

Officers from Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team use a special GPS surveying device while investigating an accident that claimed the life of the driver of the Honda, behind them, on NE Marine Drive.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It wasn’t raining or foggy on February 27, when a Honda Accord crossed the center line of NE Marine Drive, across from the PDX Airport viewpoint, a little after 10 p.m.

A cold wind blew along the Columbia River embankment, as we watched Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team officers investigate a wreck that shut down Marine Drive from NE 33rd Avenue all the way to NE 122nd Avenue.

Although they had to pry the doors off this Ford Expedition, its three occupants suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

“About 10:15 p.m., officers were called to the 9500 block of NE Marine Drive regarding a two-car crash,” Acting Lieutenant Todd Davis, Traffic Division, told us. “When we arrived, we found there was one fatality at the scene.”

Davis said it looked as if a Ford Expedition, carrying three occupants, was traveling westbound on Marine Drive. “A Honda Accord was traveling eastbound on Marine Drive with one occupant. For reasons unknown at this time, the Honda Accord crossed the center line and hit the Ford Expedition head on.”

A semi-truck detours onto NE 122nd Avenue to avoid the closure. About ninety blocks of Marine Drive were blocked throughout the night, as the Major Crash Team investigated this fatal accident.

The three occupants of the Ford Expedition were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. “We have officers at the hospital interviewing them right now,” reported Davis.

The driver of the Honda, later identified as 44-year-old Jennifer Turcol by police spokesperson Detective Mary Wheat, died at the scene. “There were no citations issued, and the traffic investigators stated that the deceased crossed the center line of traffic.”

We may never know why this accident really occurred. But, Marine Drive does claim a life every six months or so – be careful!

All it takes is a moment of inattention, Traffic Division officers say, to cause a fatal car wreck like this one.

Lents neighbors honor local heroes; request flooding help

Find out why local business owners were honored – and why this oft-flooded neighborhood sent a letter to Mayor Adams praising his actions and making requests of the Bureau of Environmental Services …

Tom, Ryan, Scott and Reiko Rogers stood with Brent Crooks – all of whom are with R-Boes Automotive – as they were recognized by Lents Neighborhood Association President Damien Chakwin for their “Dedication and service to the Community”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On January 16, a man dashed out of the AM/PM Mini-Market at SE Holgate Boulevard and SE 92nd Avenue, and started shooting at a perceived assailant – only to blow out an innocent driver’s back window and scare Lents area neighbors. (Read the details by CLICKING HERE.)

The gunman ran toward R-BOE’s Automotive across the street, and headed east – but the mechanics at the auto repair shop, being fed up with crime in the area, took after the shooter, and reported where he had gone to the cops.

At the January 27 meeting of the Lents Neighborhood Association, these men were honored by their neighbors – receiving certificates and Portland Police Bureau medallions from East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs.

“Their actions show that Lents is moving away from the ‘Felony Flats’ image,” said the association’s Chair, Damien Chakwin. “We have people here who actually do heroic things. They risked life and limb, and injury to themselves, to help keep this neighborhood safe for all of us. This is the highest example of community spirit.”

We asked Commander Crebs why the men also received the Police Medallion. “Here’s a guy shooting off a gun in broad daylight. They risked their lives; their actions helped us catch a very dangerous person. I’m not sure we would have been able to capture the alleged gunman that night without their help.”

Crebs added he doesn’t recommend that citizens go after armed, shooting gunman. “Having people act as our ‘eyes and ears’ – from a distance – is invaluable. But these fellows followed their inner instinct and helped us capture a dangerous person. Anyone who puts their life on the line like that deserves our appreciation.”

During the Lents Neighborhood “buffet of information” session, Portland Police Bureau’s Lt. Baird and Crime Prevention Specialist Roseanne Lee shared at information the community safety table.

‘Buffet of information’ provided
We noted a refreshing change of meeting format. After introductions and official business was conducted, the group went into a breakout session.

We found that refreshing, because instead of subjecting attendees to sometimes long and boring committee chair reports, the neighbors in attendance were instead invited to circulate around tables around the back of the room. Committee chairs provided information, brochures, pamphlets, and other information regarding all of the main neighborhood functions.

Lents Neighbor Wendy Foster learned what the Portland Development Commission is doing as she spoke with Ray Hites at the Lents Urban Renewal table.

At one end of the room, the Bureau of Environmental Services was talking about the Johnson Creek project. Elsewhere, there was a table for the foods group, another for urban renewal, another for public safety, and so forth. “It’s like having a buffet of information,” said Wendy Foster. “You can find out more about the issues you’re actually interested in.”

Marie Johnson with the Bureau of Environmental Services talked about the Johnson Creek Floodplain Plan with neighbor Brett Kelver.

Letter thanks Adams for flood help
Finally, as the meeting reconvened, neighbors approved sending Portland city officials a letter lauding – not lambasting – the Bureau of Environmental Services:

January 26, 2009

Dear Mayor Sam Adams,

For twelve months the Lents Neighborhood Association has been requesting that BES representatives meet with our Special Subcommittee, which includes the residents residing within the boundaries of the proposed East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project (ELFRP).

Because of your insistence and superb facilitation, those meetings have begun. The residents whose homes still stand within the boundaries have expressed a deep appreciation for their questions being answered face to face and being given a written copy of the answers. This is the direct dialogue we have wanted.

We encourage you to continue working with BES and the families living within the proposed boundaries of the ELFRP. As you continue, please keep the following facts in mind:

According to BES, the “Willing Seller” program was created in 1997 “to purchase frequently-flooded properties.

The remaining homes within the ELFRP do not flood. These homes didn’t flood in 1996, nor recently in 2009. (And most didn’t flood in 1965.)

The current families were living in these homes prior to the inception of the “Willing Seller” program, and were fully informed of the program.

The current Federal matching funds for the ELFRP specifies that condemnation will not be used in order to complete this project.

The proposed project cannot hold the amount of water that caused the most recent flood in January 2009.

We look forward to your ongoing participation in the development of creative solutions to this complex proposed project.

Thank you very much for your successful efforts thus far, which have brought BES representatives to the table for candid, substantiated dialog about this very significant project.

Damien Chakwin
Lents Neighborhood Association President

The Lents Neighborhood Association meets the last Tuesday of the month – next on February 24 at 7:00 PM at Lents Adventist Church Auditorium, 8835 SE Woodstock St. For more information, go to their website by CLICKING HERE.

“Family-Friendly Friday” concert packs CMC hall full

Organizers and musicians booked a second performance did when their first show ‘sold out’ in minutes. Find out how to make sure you can enjoy the Tom Grant concert on February 13 …

CMC volunteer Judy Seubert sells David Malcolm one of last remaining tickets at their first Family Friendly Friday concert event.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Minutes after the doors opened at S.E. Portland’s Community Music Center (CMC) at 3350 SE Francis Street, and people began to flood in to buy tickets for the center’s first Family Friendly Friday concert on January 9, the event sold out.

Working his way through the crowded lobby, the Executive Director of CMC, Gregory Dubay, smiled faintly. “Everybody wants to have this problem: Too many people come to enjoy a concert!”

Community Music Center executive director Gregory Dubay welcomes folks to their new series of family-oriented concerts.

The idea for holding a Family-Friendly Friday concert series came from the CMC’s Board members, Dubay said. “There are lots of concerts in the community, but because of their late starting times – it being on a school night, or in a far-away venue – they felt many programs didn’t serve families with children.”

Making it fun for families
The CMC series programs begin earlier than most concerts, Dubay continued, noting the 7:00 p.m. start time. The musicians are chosen to appeal to a wide range of age groups.

“One of our Board’s primary considerations was to offer something that families can afford, especially with our economy the way it is. At just $5 for adults, or $15 for the entire family, these programs are affordable.”

The CMC performance hall at 3350 SE Francis Street – filled to capacity with folks listening to music from the Portland Cello Project.

So many people came to the concert, Portland Cello Project agreed to play a second concert that evening.

Group adds a second show
A CMC board member interrupted Dubay to whisper in his ear. “The Portland Cello Project has just agreed to do an entire concert for everyone who wants to come back at 9 p.m.,” he said. “Unfortunately, that doesn’t help our families with early bedtimes; we hope they come early next month.”

As the auditorium doors closed, the music started, and the rich, mellow sounds of cello music filled the center.

Tom Grant to play February 13
The series features instrumentalist, singer, and entertainer, Tom Grant at their February 13th program. Grant has been a recording artist for 35 years, and has been featured on CNN and a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

“This concert will sell out quickly,” Dubay said. “Because tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the door, come early to make sure you’re not disappointed.”

All proceeds from this volunteer-run concert series, sponsored by Larkins Vacura, LLP Trial Attorneys, benefit scholarships and other programs at the Community Music Center.