After the 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade, see what you missed if you didn’t stop by this wonderful community event at Eastport Plaza …
Martial artist Robert Andrejco, with West Coast Taekwon Do Portland, breaks a practice board with his foot, as their members of the dojo show their skills.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
New to the 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade this year was the Eastport Plaza Community Carnival and Izzy’s Cruise-in that followed on April 25.
“We wanted to have a party for all of our East Portland neighbors,” explained Dianne Gill, Manager of Eastport Plaza. “The idea was to give neighborhood and community service groups the opportunity to get their information out to citizens, provide space for commercial vendors, and host the FUNtastic Carnival here.”
East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson tells guests about the “Gateway Green” project she’s helping to create.
Representatives from the Portland Police Bureau Mounted Division introduce their equine partners to carnival guests.
Carnival rides provided thrills for young and old at the Community Carnival.
Carnival guest Dain Gray gets a free handgun lock from Richard Bixby, who is with the East Portland Neighborhood Organization.
The idea proved to be successful; throngs of people braved brief passing showers – and later basked in the late afternoon springtime sunshine. In addition to visiting the booths, guests enjoyed live music provided by The Carolina Pump Station, Trash Can Joe, Get a Life Marching Band, and a strolling barbershop quartet.
In all, Eastport Plaza sponsored a great community event; we hope it returns next year after the parade.
Classic vehicles pack Izzy’s Cruise-In
Jeff Morrison shares his love of classic cars with his young men, Luke and Logan, as they look at the “hot metal” on display.
At the north end of the Eastport Plaza parking lot, rows of bright-and-shiny cars lined up for the Izzy’s Cruise-In. All kinds of specialty vehicles – from hot rods, to custom cars, to classic, restored vehicles were on display.
Hundreds of cars were on display at the 2009 Izzy’s Cruise-In.
Winner of the EastPDXnews Choice Award, Kirk Schulenberg, shows off his canary yellow Chevelle station wagon.
When the awards were presented Cruise-In participants, we were pleased to meet the Kirk Schulenberg, to whom we presented the “EastPDXnews Choice Award“, for his rare 1964, 2-door Chevelle station wagon.
“It is very rare, indeed,” Schulenberg told us. “They only made 1,700 of them. It’s got a big block, 396 engine with a 700 R4 transmission, 12 volt Posi-traction.”
Although it looks chopped, Schulenberg said the car body is strictly stock – and that he’s spent the past 15 years lavishing it with care and attention, rebuilding it from the tires on up.
With this kind of success, we’re sure we’ll be seeing the return of the Izzy’s Cruise-In next year.
© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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