It’s more than just a Cruise-in – Parkrose business folks are getting ready for a day-long festival! See why they’re working so hard to make this event happen …

Parkrose Business Association Past President Wayne Stoll, of Century Associates, shows off the street banners about to be hung along NE Sandy Boulevard to promote the August 2 Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As we’ve been telling you – the “Rose Festival Parkrose Cruise-in” has been put to rest.

Traditionally poor early June weather led the sponsoring group, the Parkrose Business Association (PBA), to replace it with a brand-new event – the Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in on August 2.

Amy Salvador, of Century Associates, tells how flower baskets will hang from lamp poles along NE Sandy Boulevard to give the area some color – the sample basket is displayed here by the event’s originator, Gail Bash of Lucky Corp., and Mark Eves of Eves & Wade LLP.

Sprucing up Sandy Blvd.
Volunteers are asking city and agencies to spruce up NE Sandy Boulevard in preparation for the new Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in.

One project, Amy Salvador revealed at the group’s June meeting, is putting hanging baskets along Sandy Boulevard. “Many people have volunteered to help with this project,” Salvador said. “Rex Hollingsworth and his crew from Rex Heating & Air Conditioning (the title sponsor for the Festival) manufactured the brackets that will hold the plants – they will hang them. Joe Rossi is storing them until they go up; Freedom House is watering and maintaining them, and Century Associates is paying for the fertilizer and amenities.”

Other projects include street and bus stop cleaning and window washing along the boulevard.

Gordon Boorse, of Compaction & Recycling Equipment, and Marsha Lee, with Copy Express, tell the story of how the original Cruise-in program was started to support scholarships for local high school graduates.

Event sponsors scholarships
The reason the PBA started the event seven years ago was to raise a fund that would provide scholarships for graduating Parkrose High School seniors, explained Marsha Lee.

Lee introduced this year’s benefiting scholars – all of whom will be on hand to give out awards at this year’s Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in. Each of the scholars was vetted by a committee from the association consisting of herself, Mary Brown, Alison Stoll, Nancy Murphy, and Craig Mendenhall. Each scholar was awarded a $1,000 check.

Nancy Murphy gives Natasha Rose her award. Natasha will attend Mt. Hood Community College, working toward a degree in Secondary English, to become a high school English teacher.

Mary Brown presents her award to Renae Brown (no relation). Renae will attend Mt. Hood Community College, majoring in Psychology, with the goal of becoming a social worker.

Toyin Oyemaja gets her scholarship check from Mary Brown. Toyin will attend Portland State University, to major in Nursing, with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Alison Stoll presents a scholarship check to Tru Tran. Tru will attend Beloit College, studying Political Science and Pre-med.

Marsha Lee hands off a check to artist and scholar Cesar Pina. Cesar will attend Mt. Hood Community College, working toward his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with the goal of becoming an animator.

Representing the “Dollars for Scholars” program that provides a matching grant, Carley Brown awards Justin Garvin. Justin will attend Oregon State University.

Meg Kilmer, higher-education counselor at Parkrose High School, accepts the plaque listing all of the benefiting scholars – past and present. You can see that they started out by sponsoring a single scholar!

Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in is August 2
What can you expect at this event? It’s a street fair on NE Sandy Boulevard, between NE 105th and NE 112th. It’s one the largest cruise-ins in the region. And, there’s fun for the entire family! It includes:

Cruise-in:

• A wide variety of antique, specialty, and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles
• Over 55 trophies awarded to participants – including the giant 5-foot Grand Prize trophy
• Goodie Bags for first 300 cars in the Cruise-in Show & Shine
• Parade of Cars

Food:

• Authentic Swedish Pancake Breakfast prepared by the Harmoni Club
• Parkrose Lions’ BBQ Chicken Dinner
• Bad Ass Barbeque favorites
• Boss Hawg’s Beer Garden
• PBA Chuck Wagon’s Burgers, Dogs, & Snacks

Activities:

• Kids’ Area and Activities
• Community Resource Booths
• “Blow-up Car” contests – Guess how long a car can run without oil!
• The Big Parkrose Raffle – Grand prizes are: A $1,500 barbeque center, sponsored by Rex Heating &  Air Conditioning; and a set of four tires & wheels, sponsored by West Coast Bank & Bob Brown Tires. Plus, there are hundreds of other great prizes to be given away
• Fun activities within businesses along Sandy Boulevard

The Title Sponsor for this event is Rex Heating & Air Conditioning; the main sponsors include West Coast Bank and Pacific Northwest Credit Union.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

At one time or another, it seems most people in East Portland use the Sellwood Bridge to get to the West Side. Learn why Multnomah County is using “superglue” to prolong the life of the bridge …

Injection ports, affixed to the concrete directly over the cracks, allow the contractor to force high-strength epoxy into Sellwood Bridge cracks under high pressure.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It isn’t a joke that the Sellwood Bridge – dedicated in 1925, and considered to be in the poorest condition of all major Oregon bridges – is now held together with glue.

Earlier this year, Multnomah County bridge crews examined every inch of the bridge. They documented cracks in its concrete superstructure, particularly on the ramp approaches to the bridge on both sides of the river.

The epoxy is being pumped through these plastic tubes, into the injection ports, under high pressure.

During the last two weeks in August, contractors completed a $100,000 project that involved cleaning 450 lineal feet of cracks and filling them with an epoxy cement.

“The process prevents water from corroding the steel rebar in the concrete, and slows the growth of cracks,” explained county spokesman Michael Pullen.

The ports are sealed with a red cap after the crack is filled.

Epoxy injected under pressure
Drivers who ignored the “Bridge Closed” signs, drove up to the foot of the bridge, and then had to make a U-turn, couldn’t see the workers as they injected the epoxy into cracks during the evening hours.

A crewmember of the Leewens Corporation, the Seattle-based company contracted to do the injection work, showed us the “mixing head” with which the two-part epoxy is mixed, ready to be pumped into the cracks.

This superglue isn’t just smeared into the cracked concrete. Workers first clean out the fissures, then install “ports” into which the epoxy mixture is pumped. Then, the mixture, now a high-strength bonding agent, is used to seal the cracks and ports.

A supervisor charts the progress of the epoxy treatment as the project continues.

We watched as a worker on a high-lift, 60 feet above the ground, attached two epoxy-filled tubes to the ports, and then injected the glue under 50 pounds of pressure till it oozed from an adjacent port. The ports were then capped, and the worker moved on.

According to information provided by the contractor, “a full depth permanent repair is achieved by injecting a high-strength epoxy grout, under pressure, into the crack”.

Below the bridge ramp, a supervisor charted the progress of each injection, as the crew moved from site to site.

Although most of the epoxy injection work was completed during the twilight hours on each of the days the bridge closed just before 6:30 pm, the bridge remained closed all night – to all but cyclists and pedestrians – to allow the epoxy to cure without vibrations from traffic.

The bridge is now open to motorists, but it remains closed to vehicles weighing 10 tons or more.

Weight restriction stays in place
The per-vehicle weight limit on the Sellwood Bridge was reduced to 10 tons in 2004, after cracks were found in the concrete girders that support the bridge ramps.

“This summer’s repairs will not allow those weight limits to be increased,” Pullen conceded. “But the project should extend the life of the bridge at its current service level, until a long-term solution is implemented.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why Jerry Leggett’s Peace Bubble show gave special meaning to the word “peace” at this summertime event …

Singer, songwriter, and entertainer Jerry Leggett tunes up for his Peace Bubble Café show at the Parkrose Peace Labyrinth, with the help of event organizer Camie Pugsley.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
From groundbreaking to construction to the dedication, we’ve brought you the story of the “Parkrose Peace Labyrinth” on the grounds of Parkrose High School.

“This seemed like the ideal place to hold our event, the Peace Bubble Café,” explained event organizer Camie Pugsley.

“It’s important to bring the community together, to provide a comfortable and safe place to talk about peace,” Pugsley told us. “A lot of times people think that you’re ‘way out there’ if you talk about peace. We’re creating a ‘safe space’ to hold conversations about peace without controversy.”

There are all kinds of peace, Pugsley went on. “There is internal peace, peace in the community, in the neighborhood, in our households, and peace in the world. We’re respectful of what peace means to each individual here.”

A portable water slide proved a popular attraction during this event, held on a hot August Saturday afternoon.

Invites nationwide traveling peace advocate
Pugsley said the event was centered on singer, songwriter, and entertainer Jerry Leggett. “He’s been across the country with his travel trailer, the ‘Peace Bubble’. This year he added the ‘Peace Bubble Café’, which is a metaphor for a place to gather and visit and chat about peace.”

Before the start of his show, Leggett himself spoke with us about his mission and full-time vocation.

“I think it’s a positive way to show that you love your country,” explained Leggett. “And also, that you care about peace. I believe we’ll all benefit if we talk with one another about ideas to make peace. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone: Peaceniks, soldiers, old people and young people, people of different cultures and different ideologies.”

Parked near the stage was his “Peace Bubble” – a vehicle that’s logged 80,227 and made 230 stops – as of his trip to Parkrose.

“I think that the Parkrose Peace Labyrinth is something that people can do as individuals or together,” commented Leggett. “I think this is one way of bringing some good energy to the community; people will remember this event here for a long time.”

Taking advantage of the shade are the folks awaiting the start of Leggett’s Peace Bubble Café show.

Music and interactive play
As the show began, the peace troubadour sang songs about peace, and engaged members of the audience of about 50 in interactive activities as the evening advanced.

Pugsley thanked volunteers from Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, Zion United Church of Christ, and others, for their help with the event.

Learn more about Leggett and the Peace Bubble by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Discover why this faith-based group once again practices the ‘Theology of the Hammer’ in Southeast Portland …

With a “1, 2, 3, Heave”, workers lift a wall in place as a new SE Portland Habitat for Humanity residence starts to take shape.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
With the worldwide banking meltdown, and the current economic downturn, very few new residential homes are being built right now. The exception is in SE Portland, a block south of SE Woodstock Blvd. where, before long, seven families will be moving into new homes.

“Because Habitat for Humanity Metro Portland East serves as the banker, mortgage broker and the homebuilder,” explained their executive director Steve Messinetti, “we’re able to provide low-income homeowners with no-interest mortgages that allow them to buy a home, develop equity, and become part of the community.”

Habitat for Humanity executive director Steve Messinetti, standing with the development’s new homeowners, says providing good-quality housing for folks of modest means is more important now than ever.

‘Theology of the Hammer’ in action
Habitat for Humanity is unashamedly a Christian-based organization, Messinetti reminded us, which also works with corporate partners to provide home ownership to hard-working folks who want to permanently join the community as neighbors.

“We have people from eight different faith-based groups here working side-by-side,” Messinetti said at the “wall raising party” on not long ago. “This is because of what we call our ‘Theology of the Hammer’.  We can disagree on which church to attend or which political party to support – but we all agree on the common mission of swinging a hammer to build housing for families who need it.”

Bill Gates, pastor of Parkrose United Methodists Church, tells why he believes in the “theology of the hammer”.

Helpers come from greater East Portland
When we saw Pastor Bill Gates from Parkrose United Methodists Church take a break, we asked why his group comes to inner SE Portland to help out.

“I believe in the theology of a hammer,” Gates told us. “We have a team of 14 of us from our fellowship here today. It’s wonderful to be able to work in our community, and help in a tangible way.

Development manager, Shannon Tennant, says new homeowners must work alongside of volunteers as a condition of purchasing a new home.

Lisa Timmerman – she volunteers one Saturday each month – tightens the first bolt that will hold the wall to the foundation of the new building.

Not a hand-out program
“We’ve never been a handout program,” noted the organization’s development manager, Shannon Tennant. “We provide a helping hand up to hard-working families. Each new homeowner must contribute at least 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ to this or other projects.”

When the projects are built, added Tennant, the participants will purchase their home with a zero-interest, 1%-down mortgage. The principal from those payments will be used to help build more homes in Portland area.

At the SE Martins Street building site, seven town homes – a triplex and a quadplex – will be standing when the project is completed.

Hundreds of volunteers turn out to “raise the walls” of each new Habitat for Humanity project.

“These are roomy houses,” Tennant stated. “The two-bedroom units are 900 square feet each, and the four bedrooms are 1,400 square feet each. We are thankful for the many contributors who support our work, and make it possible to provide high-quality housing.”

If you want to learn more, to contribute – or to swing a hammer, CLICK HERE to visit their website.

Representing Stanford’s Restaurants, providing delicious box lunches for all of the volunteers, are Henry and Monica Marcum, Rick, Tina, Madison and Taylor Brady, and Chris Hein.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Discover why – thanks to a whole lot of folks, including a Portland City Commissioner – outer East Portland’s tree canopy expanded during one January morning …

One of the event’s prime organizers, Powellhurst/Gilbert’s John McDonald, finishes bracing a newly planted tree with Friends of Trees crew leader Rachel Larson at Gilbert HydroPark.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For the first time ever, the Powellhurst/Gilbert and Lents Neighborhood Associations sponsored a two-neighborhoods-wide planting event with Friends of Trees on January 17.

“We’ve planted 15 trees at the Gilbert HydroPark alone,” said Friends of Trees crew leader Rachel Larson. “Overall, throughout the neighborhoods, we’ve planted 50 trees.”

Friends of Trees is important to Larson, she said, “because the activity provides a sense of community. People working on tree-planting projects together get to know their neighbors. It gives people a feeling that they can do something positive for their city, for their neighborhood, and for their block.”

Additionally, getting kids involved “helps encourage the younger ones to think about how they can help, and be part of their community in the future,” Larson added. “It’s exciting. I love it.”

“Hurry up and take the picture,” urged many of the happy, energetic, and cold volunteers who planted trees on this clear – but freezingly chilly – Saturday morning.

John McDonald, the Powellhearst/Gilbert board member and land use chair, said he contacted Friends of Trees and arranged for the planting. “This has been quite successful, almost more than I expected. We’re already planning to do it next year.”

In all, McDonald said, about 50 volunteers showed up on a crisp, cold, and windy-but-sunny morning.

Better together
Portland’s newest City Commissioner, Amanda Fritz, helped out at the Gilbert HydroPark planting. “I love Friends of Trees plantings. This is the 17th or 18th that I’ve participated in.”

Fritz said, in spite of the cold weather, she came out because “During my campaign, I promised this neighborhood association that I would come back to help out in their community. This is a wonderful project, especially near the park.”

Her other reason for coming out to help, Fritz said, was to participate in Mayor Sam Adams’ “Better Together” program.  “Mayor Adams encourages everybody to see what they can do to help out their community and help out their neighbors.”

The newly-planted trees will improve the appearance of the park – and the neighborhood in general, Commissioner Fritz said.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Don’t pass up seeing this powerful story presented
by the Parkrose High School Thespians, now playing.
It closes March 7 …

Slave girl Tituba (Kylie Simmons) tends her witch’s brew, as village girls dance with wild abandon – in defiance of their parents wishes.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose High School Thespian Troupe 1783 winter season production is the dramatic classic written by Arthur Miller, The Crucible.

The sparsely-decorated sets and evocative lighting focus audience members’ attention on the story, based on actual historical events surrounding the 17th Century Salem Witch Trials.

When Senator Joseph McCarthy set about “blacklisting” people like Miller, who were accused of being (or associating with) communists, during the infamous House of Representatives’ Committee on Un-American Activities hearings in 1956 – Miller said he wrote this story as an allegory as a response.

The sly and deceitful Abigail Williams (Taylor Grady) tells John Proctor (Olimpio Arellano), a man with whom she had an affair, that she will make sure his wife is charged with witchcraft.

About the story …
Teenage girls are caught cavorting around a pot of witch’s brew in the forest outside of a small Massachusetts hamlet in 1692. To keep from being hanged for practicing witchcraft, the girls, led by their cunning and devious friend Abigail Williams, start accusing other villagers of instigating devil worship.

Tituba admits she did little more than just dabble in the occult. To escape the gallows, she professes her faith in God – and accuses other village women of witchcraft – to Reverend John Hale (Jason Newman), a self-proclaimed expert in occultist phenomena.

The astute, yet weak of character, Ezekiel Cheever (Caesar Santizo), a onetime friend of Proctor, “finds” a doll planted by Abigail Williams with the aim of implicating Proctor’s wife in witchcraft, as an astonished Reverend Hale looks on.

Accusations start flying, as a visiting, well-meaning preacher – a self-professed expert in witchcraft – tries to find the truth. Instead, he accidentally fans the flames of deception. Some lie to advance in wealth; others tell falsehoods out of fear.

In the end, magistrates prosecute more than 150 townsfolk accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693 – and, sadly, many of the falsely-accused are put to death.

In the vestry of the Salem, Massachusetts, court, citizens and the accused make charges and countercharges of trickery, witchcraft and land theft.

Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth (Tom Crawford) is gulled by the performance of three of the girls caught dancing around the witch’s caldron, Margaret Parker (Amariah Moran), Lydia Foster (Amanda Coalwell), Betty Parris (Shannon Webb), when the treacherous Abigail Williams pretends to be plagued by spirits.

• Is it possible that Abigail Williams will get John Proctor all to herself, using her treacherous and deceptive means?
• Can “expert occultist” Reverend Hale find the truth – and convince magistrates of his findings – before innocent people hang at the gallows?
• Will Thomas Putnam get away with “appropriating” John Proctor’s land and animals while John languishes in jail?

Who will die? Who will be set free? Will slave girl Tituba really find her way back to her home in Barbados?

Come see The Crucible and find out!

“Miller’s demons were wrapped up in the McCarthy-era hearings,” noted Ms. Zena, the show’s director. “This story still resonates today; we still face prejudices based on a lack of knowledge – and sometimes on selfish actions based on a desire to make ourselves feel better or safer. This makes The Crucible a timeless play.”

Even though he seems to know that the witch trials in Salem are a sham, Deputy Governor Danforth (Tom Crawford) fears of being seen as weak – and of having his high government position undermined – if he releases any of the prisoners falsely accused of witchcraft.

John Proctor (center, blue shirt) professes his innocence, and holds to his convictions – but will this act cost him his life?

Production values add to the drama
Well-thought-out set design and decoration, period costumes, and dramatic lighting increase the realism of the story, as the drama builds throughout the evening.

The show features a cast of 30 students, and a production crew of 20 more. This production of The Crucible promises to be a great evening of theater. However, due to the dramatic adult themes (but not the content), it might be uncomfortable for very small children.

The cast assembles for a low-key curtain call at the end of this moving performance.

The Crucible runs through March 7
Opening night was on February 26; it plays on the evenings of February 27 and 28 – then again on March 6 and 7. Curtain time is 7 pm for all shows.

Tickets will be available at the door, and are only $8 for adults, $5 for students 18 and under, and $5 for honored citizens 65+. Come early to assure yourself a good seat.

The production is staged at the Parkrose High School Theatre, 12003 NE Shaver Street, just west of NE 122nd Avenue.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See how long it took kids to swoop in and collect fields full of Easter eggs at these two traditional events …

The Easter Bunny presents Poppy and Finnegan Friel with … fresh carrots!?!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Volunteers prepared for days, for the April 11 Easter Egg Hunts – and then spent hours sowing parks with foil-covered chocolates and plastic-shelled eggs at two East Portland parks. We were fortunate to witness them both!

“This is a really fun event,” grinned Edwina Swart, President of the Oaks Bottom Lions Club, at Westmoreland Park, a few minutes before their 10:00 a.m. start time. “This is our sixth year doing this, and we always look forward to it.”

Westmoreland Park egg hunt organizers Edwina Swart and Fran Shaw, with the Oaks Bottom Lions Club, pause after all the eggs have been distributed.

At exactly 10:00 a.m., kids rush out to start gathering candy at this event.

Ten volunteers planted the south lawn of the park with thousands of foil-covered chocolate Easter Eggs, supplied by the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League neighborhood association (SMILE), while the Easter Bunny, as usual, gave kids real carrots, provided by New Seasons Markets.

Parents lined up their kids behind one of three section tapes, marking off areas for toddlers, little kids, and older youth.

Audrey Morris is looking for her next nest of Easter eggs to collect.

Alana, dad Tom Keepes, Andrew, and Olivia show off their Easter Egg collection.

Anticipation ran high, as kids – restrained by their parents – awaited the appointed moment to dash out and gather the goodies set out for them. Within minutes of the start, the whirlwind of children picked the lawns clean of goodies.

Easter comes to Woodstock
When we next arrived at Woodstock Park, organizers were minutes away from their own 10:30 a.m. start time.

“It’s the 11th Woodstock Park Easter Egg Hunt,” said event chair Tom Vice, as he kept a careful watch on the time using his cell phone. The hunt, originated and run for years by realtor Janis Wigg, was recently assumed by the Woodstock Neighborhood Association (WNA).

Tom Vice, one of this year’s organizers of the Woodstock Easter Egg Hunt, counts down to the start time of the 11th annual event.

Boys, girls, moms, and dads make a dash for the eggs and prizes at Woodstock Park.

Vice said that volunteers stuffed 1,900 plastic eggs with toys, a coupon good for merchandise or candy; they also distributed another 1,500 foil covered chocolate eggs on the lawn in the park.

“We’ve divided our hunt into two sections: one for older kids, and one for the little ones. Hopefully everyone will go away happy,” Vice told us.

Some run to the far corners of Woodstock Park; others start gathering nearby eggs as the Hunt begins.

Logan Hancock, Cedrus Barrett, and mom Samantha Hancock say they’ve got what they came for – Easter Eggs loaded with treats!

“This event helps connect our neighbors with each other,” Vice said about the egg hunt. “And, it involves area businesses with the neighbors. We have lots of sponsors this year, and we especially thank those who donated food: First Cup, Papaccino’s, Space Monkey, His Bakery, Sweetness, and Mehri’s Café and Bakery for helping out.”

The elapsed time between Vice calling “Go!” and the lawn being picked clean was about four minutes.

But, neighbors spent a good portion of the rest of the morning opening and recycling the plastic eggs, and networking. The kids? They were happily munching on the candy!

Volunteer Jodi Smith shows lucky ticket-holders the prizes they’ve won in the drawing, complements of Woodstock-area businesses.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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.”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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.”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News