Take a look, and see why you should be at the 1st Annual “Black and Blue Bowl” game coming up in a couple of weeks …

The first of 30,000 dump truck loads of dirt will start rumbling off Powell Butte in July, as the city starts excavating a new reservoir. Find out how this gigantic public works project will affect the neighbors around, and visitors to, Powell Butte …

What is known is that a high school senior – a week away from graduation – was killed by a gunshot in this out-of-the-way outer East Portland park. But who shot her – and why – remains a mystery …

Find out why the entire student body of Portland Adventist Academy “played hooky” for a day – and in the process, worked hard helping others …

See what this organization did to help reduce tragic problems – before they occurred – in outer East Portland neighborhoods …

Find out why officials came out, made speeches, and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open Portland’s new “cool” place to jump, grind – and oh, yes – skate, in outer East Portland’s Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood …

Not all “community garden” projects are City-based. Learn why – and how – members of Parkrose United Methodist Church ripped up their lawn to provide garden space …

See why the American Legion Post #1 – “out SE 122nd way” – again stepped up to throw a barbeque party for United States Armed Forces personnel, after the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade …

Crewmembers from the USS Shoup (also known as the Destroyer DDG 86) step off a shuttle van at American Legion Post #1 for an afternoon of burgers, and camaraderie with veterans.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For many years, there was an official “Hospitality Center” for visiting United States Armed Forces personnel – especially sailors whose ships were docked at the Willamette River seawall – which welcomed them to the Rose City.

Dismayed that the Hospitality Center was “decommissioned” a couple of years ago, due to the change of ownership at the hotel that had long hosted the event, the commander of American Legion Post #1 at the time – Tom Fulton – couldn’t imagine a Rose Festival without some sort of hospitality for servicemen and women.

So, although their Post is located in outer East Portland at 1830 SE 122nd Avenue, the members, with the energetic assistance of the Post Auxiliary, decided to host a barbecue party for visiting servicemen and women.

American Legion Post #1 member, Nate Gray, says he enjoys being of service to fellow sailors.

Provides all-day shuttle service
Shuttle van drivers, like volunteer Nate Gray, spent the afternoon and evening hours of June 6th driving servicemen and women from Naito Parkway out to the post – and back again.

“I’ve been a member of American Legion Post #1 – we call it ‘The Service Post’ – for a long time,” Gray revealed, while his passengers disembarked. “I’m an ex-Navy guy, so I like to volunteer to help bring in folks from the Navy every year. The Navy is a very important part of our US military.”

Restating the purpose of the day-long event, Gray continued, “Our guys and girls deserve the best – here at our post, there’s good, clean hospitality you can’t really find downtown. They all love this event; I’m happy to help.”

Hamburger chef Gene Hamann cooks up big cheeseburgers for visitors during the American Legion Post #1 Hospitality Day.

Destroyer crew welcomed
The group Gray was dropping off while we were visiting was from the Everett, Washington, based USS Shoup – an Arleigh Burke class of Aegis guided missile destroyers.

One of the first to arrive from that ship  – and to succumb to the urging of Post members to fill a plate – was Sonar Tech Petty Officer 3, Michael Kisner.

“Right now, we’re doing a lot of training, and we’ll probably be deployed in October,” Kisner told us. “I’m really enjoying my experience in the US Navy.”

STG 3 Michael Kisner, a crewmember on the USS Shoup docked at the Willamette River riverwall, says he’s delighted with the chow – and the warm hand of friendship extended to his fellow crew members.

The barbecue wasn’t a surprise, Kisner noted. “When I visited an American Legion post in San Diego, I heard that the Portland Post was going to throw a party for us when we visited during Rose Festival. This is fantastic.”

Kisner took a couple more bites of his burger before he added, with evident sincerity, “I’m really grateful for all the American Legion does for us. These veterans are the ones who laid the ‘brickwork’ before us. I really appreciate them for their service to the country, and for hosting us here today.”

The general speaks, we listen
We asked to speak with the highest-ranking officer at the post, and everyone pointed to past Commander of Portland American Legion Post #1, and its chaplain, Jim Arling.

We asked Arling about his status; he told us he is a two-star general. “I’m the Western Sector Command Chaplain for the National Command Force. And, I’ve been in the American Legion for about 37 years. It’s the greatest organization in the world.”

In awe of meeting a two-star general, we paused in surprise before continuing the interview.

“Generals put on their pants the same way everyone else does,” Arling said with a broad smile. “We stand on the foot locker and jump in ’em.”

Asked about the Hospitality event, Arling told us, “This is our way of paying tribute to what the service people are doing for our country today. This post is comprised of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm veterans – some served in Grenada, others in Panama. There is an unbelievable camaraderie among the veterans. The only place you’ll find it other than this, is in an active-duty military situation.”

Jim Arling, past Commander of Portland American Legion Post #1, and its chaplain, talks with CTT 2 Brian Smith and CTR 1 Wesley Travis – both from the USS Shoup.

Because of this spirit of comradeship, Arling continued, “We take care of our troops. We do everything our can to support them. More than just by patting them on the back and tell them they’re doing a wonderful job, we host events like this one, introduced by our past commander, Tom Fulton, who passed away not too long ago.”

Arling retold the story about how Fulton, a retired Navy Chief, started Rose Festival Hospitality Day. “We are determined to carry it on in his name, because it’s such a wonderful program for the troops. They get free food, a couple of beers, and have a good time. Here, they’re safe and among friends.”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Officials are saying little about this killing, the most recent SE Portland homicide. Find out what we learned – and see exclusive photos at the scene – right here …

Here’s where to go – either in outer East Portland, or inner SE Portland – to find the freshest produce, fruit and meats, and very nice people …

With samples in hand, market master Steve Voorhees welcomes outer East Portland shoppers to the Parkrose Farmers’ Market.

Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
Two great farmer’s markets – located on opposite ends of our coverage area – are up and running this season.

Parkrose Farmer’s Market
This market is on every Saturday, and market master Steve Voorhees told us, on their opening day, that they were looking forward to good markets this year. “We do run a long season, it’s a total of 27 weeks.”

Their farmers and growers come from as far away as Maryhill and Elgin, Washington, Voorhees told us. “We have a wide variety of produce – obviously, what’s in season –  and beef and other meat products, and other great things.”

It’s important to have a market in Parkrose, he said, because it establishes a community meeting place. “Parkrose-area people disperse to other parts of town to do their shopping – especially for fresh foods. The money would leave the area; they’d go to other farmers markets both East and West. Those are great markets, but why spend money traveling?”

Joy Voorhees uses a new wireless debit and food stamp data machine to help make shopping easier at the Parkrose Farmer’s Market – with just a swipe of the card [inset], you can buy as many Market Tokens as you need.

Neighborhood grant helps market expand
Voorhees said they are grateful for an East Portland Neighborhood Organization grant that helped them start the market last year. “This year, a grant has helped us promote the market by sending out 10,000 flyers. Also, it helped us install a debit card system that also takes Oregon Trail Card Electronic Benefit Transfer [food stamps].

“Now, instead worrying about having enough cash, shoppers can swipe their card, and get $1 or $5 tokens to spend like cash at the market,” Voorhees noted. This really opens up the demographics of the market.”

Market shopper Mindy Durias select from the plants brought by Anita Tabayoyon, proprietor of AR Moss Floral Designs and Embellishments in Parkrose.

Special promotions in June, in Parkrose
There’s great free music every week, Voorhees said. On June 6, it’s “Will West and Friends”; and the “Good Old Days String Band” plays the following week. (See our Community Calendar for a complete listing each month.)

On June 13, the market welcomes the Lions Club’s FREE mobile Health Screening to the market; and on June 20 is the monthly Karaoke Contest.

The Parkrose Farmer’s Market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Parkrose High School’s west parking lot on NE Shaver St, a block west of NE 122nd Avenue – across the street from Parkrose Middle School. For more information, CLICK HERE to see their website, or contact Voorhees at steve_voorhees@q.com

Moreland Farmer’s Market

The torrential downpour on opening day doesn’t stop Annie Gullion and Erik O’Banion from shopping at Creative Growers Organic Foods booth at the Moreland Farmer’s Market.

Inner SE Portland’s market, the Moreland Farmer’s Market, got off to a soggy start, when it opened for the season on Wednesday, May 13.

“It’s just the luck of the draw,” remarked Market Manager Laura Wendel. “We will have many beautiful days during this, our fourth season.”

Many of the market’s 38 regular vendors were on hand, selling fresh produce, cheese and dairy, poultry, meat, eggs, baked goods, nursery stock, planting starts, cut flowers, prepared food, and specialty items. EBT and debit cards are now accepted at the market.

“We can always use volunteers – especially big strong volunteers – to help open and close the market each Wednesday,” Wendel said.

The cool, damp weather on May 13th was just right for keeping these vegetables crisp and delicious.

The nonprofit Moreland Farmers Market is open every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 until 7:30 p.m. on the Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial parking lot, SE Bybee Boulevard at SE 14th Avenue.

CLICK HERE to learn more by visiting their website, or call (503) 341-9350.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Can kids make a real difference to help improve this important East Portland waterway? Take a look and see what they’re doing …

Wondering what’s happening at Multnomah County these days? Outer East Portland’s relatively new Commissioner, Judy Shiprack, will bring you up to date, if you read this informative article …