It wasn’t gang activity that shut down East Burnside Street, just a block away from Ventura Park School. Could this tragic death been avoided? See what happened here …

Police say the residents of this small Hazelwood bungalow never gave them any problems — until a single shotgun blast ended the life of one of its residents.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The house at 11750 E. Burnside was the perfect bachelor dwelling for the two 18-year-olds who lived there. Now, it sits empty – one young man is dead; the other is in jail charged with his death.

Officials say turned deadly for the pair of teenagers, said to be long-time friends, a little after 2:30 p.m. on April 28. Neighbors heard a gunshot ring out and saw one of the roommates, Andrew Gabriel Perez, run out the door, shouting that someone had been shot.

“Portland Police Officers responded a call about a shooting that had just occurred,” stated Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Detective Wheat. “When officers arrived, they found 18-year-old Chance Domingo Caron deceased inside the residence.”

Portland Police Bureau homicide detectives confer outside of the home where one roommate apparently accidentally shot the other.

Detectives executed a search warrant for the residence, Wheat continued, and found the gun they believed was used in this incident. “The cause of death appears to be one gunshot wound.”

While neighbors reported there been troubles at the house next door to where the shooting occurred, Wheat said, there had been no problems at that residence itself. “It wasn’t gang-related; investigators believe that Perez accidentally shot Caron,” explained Wheat at the scene.

Police charge this man, Andrew Gabriel Perez, with accidentally shooting his friend and roommate – thinking his shotgun was unloaded.

Northbound E. Burnside Street was blocked off at SE 117th Avenue, while homicide detectives conducted their investigation.

According to police and court records, Perez was handling his shotgun, inserting and ejecting shells. Apparently, not all of the shells were ejected when Perez triggered the weapon; the blast struck Caron in the head, killing him.

“Andrew Perez was charged with one count of Criminal Negligent Homicide and was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center,” Wheat added. Perez was arraigned on Manslaughter in the Second Degree, we learned, and will be back in court on May 7.

Behind the scenes: Ever wonder how the TV stations are able to “go live to the scene”? They use mobile production trucks; their tall masts beam the TV picture to the station.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

How was it that the Shakespearean play, The Tempest, was chosen for a springtime high school theatrical offering? Read this, and see why you should plan to attend this romantic and light-hearted show, starting on May 7 …

Find out why outer East Portland musicians – ranging from teenagers to those in their 90s – got together, for this first-time-ever musical event …

Kiwanians Carol and Jewell Bailey welcome guests to “An Evening of Music”, benefiting Kiwanis charities, at David Douglas High School.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
With charitable giving on the decline, members of Peninsula Kiwanis in North Portland started of looking for new ways to raise money for the causes they support.

“A young man in our club, Harold Stoffer, a retired professor out of the University of Portland, came up with idea of a concert, and organized the event,” explained greeter Jewell Bailey, a Kiwanian for 47 years, at the April 5 program.

“Did I mention that Stoffer is 95 years old?” Bailey added. “He’s still playing clarinet in the East County Community Orchestra. It is his project, and we’re here to make it work.”

“The two charities receiving funds are the Dornbecher Children’s Cancer Program and the Kiwanis Camp for Disabled Children and Adults,” Carol Bailey told us, as we spoke in the lobby of the David Douglas High School Howard Horner Performing Arts Center.

Event organizer Harold Stoffer prepares to play his clarinet with the East County Community Orchestra, at the charity concert.

As the orchestra lined up for its entrance, we spoke with Harold Stauffer, and asked what inspired him to create this fundraising event. “A concert by the orchestra and the concert choir just seemed like the logical thing to do.”

Before the evening program began, video presentations illustrated the good being done for the community by the Dornbecher Children’s Cancer Program and the Kiwanis Camp for Disabled Children and Adults. Audience members were encouraged to generously contribute.

Jack Mahoney conducts the East County Community Orchestra.

Two concerts in one
During the first half of the program, presented by the East County Community Orchestra, the audience of about 300 people was first treated to a splendid rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. Moving on to the classics, Richard Wagner’s Suite from Tannhauser was next. Then, moving from the past to the distant future, the orchestra performed the Theme from “Star Trek Generations“.

The East County Community Orchestra plays tunes both old and new, composed both near and far.

An Irish Tune from County Derry and Shepherd’s Hey and Florentiner Grande Marche Italiana completed their warmly-received program.

After a brief intermission, the David Douglas High School Concert Choir took their turn on the stage.

The choral program began with Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal, under the baton of conductor Christopher D. Silva, accompanied by Marcia Thomas. They continued with If Music Be the Food of Love.

The David Douglas High School Concert Choir sounded as professional as they looked, as they sang in this benefit concert.

Next, they offered Veniki, a song that Silva told the audience is a Russian tongue-twister, the text of which is nearly meaningless: “Brooms, brooms, yes broom-sweepers, yes on the hearth laid about, you from the hearth were torn off …” The presentation was upbeat, rhythmical and fun.

A classical offering composed by Robert Schumann, Zigeunerleben, is a romantic tale of a Gypsy’s life told to music; it featured the quartet of Amanda Pred, Leigh Callahan, Keith Stokoe, and Corey Taylor-Cedarleaf. They ended their program with Ride On, King Jesus.

Christopher D. Silva conducts the choir through the tongue-twisting Russian song, Veniki.

At the conclusion of the event, Bailey said they’d raised about $1,000 from the concert. “Can you tell your readers about the 13th Annual Kiwanis Dornbecher Golf Tournament on July 17 at Gresham Golf Course? It’s a shotgun start at 10 am.”

Of course we can, Mr. Bailey! And, you can find out more, or register online for the golf outing, by visiting their website: www.kdccp.org/golf.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Find out why it’s important that we take this opportunity to recognize these diligent public safety workers as they toil, locked away in their Lents Neighborhood headquarters …

The 2009 Bureau of Emergency Communications awards banquet provides an upbeat, social evening for 9-1-1 Center team members.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Every hour of every day, Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) team members are on the job, at a bunker-like building in the Lents neighborhood, just east of the I-205 freeway.

These employees of the “9-1-1 Call Center” take incoming emergency calls; they dispatch police, fire, and medical responders all over the City of Portland.

But, these serious-minded people (at least, the ones who aren’t at that time on duty) get together each year to celebrate their successes and honor outstanding coworkers.

“Thanks for coming to our Sixteenth Annual Employee Awards Banquet,” welcomed BOEC’s director, Lisa Turley, on April 13 at the Gray Gables Estate in Milwaukie. “I think everyone who works here has an attitude of public service; they’re really interested in helping the public. All of us have a ‘call to serve’ the public. It’s a challenging job. I firmly believe none us would stick around, if we didn’t believe in the value of the work we do.”

Turley added that, at this event, the 140 people who work behind the scenes at BOEC – in fact, who are typically never seen on the job – are publicly recognized for the service they perform.

Rebekah Conklin, BOEC’s Telecommunicator of the Year, receives her award from Lisa Turley, Director of Bureau of Emergency Communications.

Telecommunicator of the Year
This year, her peers chose seven-year BOEC veteran Rebekah Conklin, an emergency communications lead operator, as the Telecommunicator of the Year.

“I take calls and dispatch,” Conklin said of her work. “I also am a trainer, helping new team members learn the various positions in BOEC.”

Conklin said she originally considered a career in law enforcement. “I heard that the BOEC was tiring, and thought that might be a nice ‘foot in the door’. Once I started, I realized I didn’t want to be a police officer, I wanted to be a dispatcher.”

Learning how to run the emergency communications equipment is challenging, but Conklin said the most important thing that she helps new team members to learn is how to psychologically adjust to the work.

“The most important thing is to ‘let the calls go’ when you go home. I tell them to be professional and caring with the callers – but, at the end of the day, don’t let the calls affect your personal life.”

Conklin said she was flattered to be selected for the honor. “It’s really nice to earn the respect of your peers and to be recognized.”

Looking back, Conklin said, she still think BOEC was a great career choice for her. “If you’re okay with shiftwork; if you like working with a team – and the people we work with are outstanding – this is a great career, with good job security and benefits.”

Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz is flanked by BOEC Supervisor of the Year Murrell Morley and Outstanding Team Member of the year, Britt Kramer.

A self-funded event
Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees BOEC, noted that the event is totally self-funded. “Everyone pays for their own ticket; sponsors donate the prizes.”

Fritz said that she’s learned a great deal since BOEC was assigned to her portfolio of agencies “The people here are fantastic. They take care of people on the worst day of their lives, and make sure that they’re getting the services they need. Their work involves matters of life and death; they are willing to do a very difficult job day in and day out.”

With Commissioner Fritz were two additional award-winners, the 2009 Supervisor of the Year, Murrell Morley, and Outstanding Team Member of the year, Britt Kramer.

“I’m dedicated to my employees,” said Morley, a 10-year veteran of BOEC. “I just go to work and do my job as well as I can every day.”

And Kramer said that, although she’s been with the agency for only about a year, she was pleased that her work in timekeeping and payroll has been noticed and appreciated.

Representing Portland Fire & Rescue, bureau spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt, chief of operations Mark Schmidt, and Chief John Klum are ready to celebrate the work done by the team members at the 9-1-1 Call Center.

Find out more
If you think you’d be a good emergency telecommunicator, find out more about what’s required by visiting their page on the City of Portland website: CLICK HERE.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Actually, it was more like a major remodel! If you were one of the folks who were surprised to find Midland Library closed, a couple of weeks ago – take a peek at what was going on inside …

Midland Library manager Javier Gutierrez shows us around during the week-long cleaning and remodeling project in April.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One of the most-used public buildings in outer East Portland is, without a doubt, Multnomah County’s Midland Library.

“This library building has been open for 12 years now,” manager Javier Gutierrez told us, as we walked into the great room on April 13. “This is the first time we’ve been closed for maintenance. We’re one of the busiest libraries in the county, so it does get a lot of wear and tear.”

This is an unusual sight: Midland Library devoid of books, and without patrons.

The wall-to-wall carpeting in the public areas, about 26,000 sq. ft. of it, was starting to wear out, especially around the desks and walking areas. Workers stripped it out and replaced it with large squares of carpet tiles.

“Being closed these days is a very big undertaking,” Gutierrez. “We wish we could have kept the library open, and done this in parts and pieces, but the amount of work to be done was simply too great.”

Contractor Fred Zittleman with H&F Enterprises talks with Multnomah County Project Manager Ned Nabeta about the remodeling project.

A ‘green’ remodel
We asked Penny Hummel, the library system’s communications manager to reveal some of the specifics that went into the spruce-up program.

She pointed out that, before the work could begin, computers had to be unhooked and stored, furniture moved, and everything covered with protective plastic – a major job in and of itself.

“The new carpet contains 45 to 48% recycled material; it’s a ‘Green Label Plus’ product,” Hummel began. “It’s very durable and stain-resistant, but if a carpet tile is damaged, it can be easily replaced. And, the old carpet was recycled by the installer. All of the adhesives that were used on this project were water-based, low-VOC products.”

In addition to the replacement of the flooring, county workers replaced lights that were out throughout the building, replaced feet on the chairs, replaced some of the wooden baseboarding by the restrooms, and refinished the edges of the tables.

In total, Hummel said, the effort was budgeted at $120,000.

Sonny Garcia quickly and carefully lays replaceable sections of carpet tile on the new library floor.

Workers stay on the job
During the peak of the remodeling, as many as 30 workers were in the building, racing to meet their goal of reopening on April 20.

“Our staff continued to work, even though the building was closed to the public,” Gutierrez told us. “We’ve been processing incoming books from the drops, sorting file cards, and getting ready to re-shelve items. We circulate over 60,000 items a month.”

As patrons started returning to Midland Library, after the week-long clean-up marathon, many of them looked surprised and pleased to see the clean, renewed building that was theirs again to use and enjoy.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

In this story, you’ll learn the message this TV network, carried on cable and satellite TV, is delivering to students across the nation …

Inside their mobile production studio, C-SPAN marketing representative Jennifer Curran shows students some of the programs carried on the twin-channel network.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The tour bus, turned into a mobile TV production studio for the C-SPAN TV network, looked impressive as it rolled into Parkrose High School’s west parking lot on April 7. It was the only Portland high school stop on its current west coast tour.

As groups of eight or nine students followed each other on board, they sat in comfort and learned more about C-SPAN programs from one of two marketing representatives.

Between sessions, Jennifer Curran told us, “C-SPAN is based in Washington, DC. This is a community outreach program. We’re teaching students media literacy skills and critical television viewing skills as well. Hopefully, students will become more aware of the programs available to them through C-SPAN.”

Promoting her network, Curran said the content of the twin channels is “commercial-free, unbiased, and unfiltered. It lets people see their government in action. We provide gavel-to-gavel coverage of the US House of Representatives and Senate.”

The networks are funded by cable and satellite networks, she added, and are offered to the community as a public service.

Stepping off the bus, Parkrose High student Matt Riley says he’s impressed with what he has learned.

After the formal introduction to the network, Curran pointed out the robotically-operated television cameras and production equipment on board. “Some of the programming during the last election cycle was done using this mobile production facility.”

“I thought was really awesome,” opined Parkrose High School senior Matt Riley. “It’s really a nice tool. I think I might stop for an extra second take a look at C-SPAN now.” Riley said he especially enjoyed watching the debate in England’s House of Commons.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

We’ve already added more events! We’re up to 89 listings so far — and add more as they come in during the month. Copy to a file – or print out – our Community Calendar and keep it handy! Or check back to sure you can enjoy great community events – and help your neighborhood.

Among these listings, you’ll find ways to get involved with your community, help the environment, participate in your government, learn valuable information – and have a lot of fun. Most activities are free!

Get your event seen by millions (actually about 66,000 readers per week) by sending your calendar information to David@eastPDXnews.com. Deadline? There isn’t a deadline! We update information during the month!

April 27
> Partners for a Safe & Livable Portland (PSLEP) – This group meets tonight from 6:30 until 8:30 pm at the East Portland Neighborhood Office, 1017 NE 117th Ave. Contact Arlene Kimura via e-mail at arlene.kimura@kraft.com for more information.

> Citywide Land Use Forum – This group meets from 7 pm until 9 pm downtown tonight at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500B. For more information, contact Bonny McKnight at 503-253-6848 or bonnymck@comcast.net.

April 28
> Lents Neighborhood Association – Their general meeting starts at 7:00 PM at Lents Adventist Church Auditorium, 8835 SE Woodstock St. Contact their Chair, Damien Chakwin at damien@ilovelents.com or LNA Vice-Chair Wes Wolfe at weswolfe@uci.net for more information.

April 29
> East Portland Chamber of Commerce – “Good Morning East Portland” networking meeting is hosted by different chamber members each Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Meetings are free and guests are welcome. Today’s host is Ken “Bear” Cole, Fishing With Bear at Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Avenue. For more information, see www.EastPortlandChamber.com or call (503) 788-8589.

> Lents Food Co-op – They’ll be planning for a public forum, from 6 until 8 pm at Pilgrim Lutheran Church basement, 4244 SE 91st Ave.

> Honey Bee Hikes at Leach Botanical Garden – This is a weekly event for preschoolers and parents to explore the garden and the creatures that live in it. Come any Wednesday, from 10 until 11am, through May 27. Cost is $2 per child. Contact Kate Sheridan at 503-823-1671 or ksheridan@leachgarden.org. Leach Botanical Garden is at 6704 SE 122nd Ave. – a long, winding block south of SE Foster Road.\

> Russell Neighborhood Association – Their meeting was postponed until tonight and it runs from 7 until 9 pm at Western States Chiropractic College, 2900 NE 132nd Ave. For more information, e-mail RNA Co-Chair Bonny McKnight writes, “This meeting is vitally important” — contact her at bonnymck@comcast.net.

> Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association – General meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Grange Hall, 17115 SE Foster Road. For more information, contact PVNA Chair Linda Bauer at lbauerpvna@aol.com.

Look ahead at these events in May!

May 1
Last day to order DDHS Flower baskets – Don’t wait until today! The David Douglas High School Class of 2009 is offering beautiful hanging baskets for sale! All proceeds benefit the Class of 2009 DDHS Drug and Alcohol Free Graduation Party. To order, go to http://hs.ddouglas.k12.or.us and click on “Spring Flower Order Form” at the top of the page.  Print out the form and mail your order with payment to: DDHS All Night Party, c/o David Douglas High School, 1001 SE 135thAve., Portland, OR 97233. Note: Prepaid orders for baskets must be received at the High School Main Office by Friday, May 1. Pickup information is located on the order form

Eastmont Church Women United – They meet this morning at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1525 W. Powell Blvd., Gresham. The meeting begins at 10:00; program follows at 11:00 a.m. – it’s their May Friendship Day Celebration. Following the program at noon, is POTLUCK lunch, with salads and desserts. There will be a “Least Coin Offering” taken, and donations are for Human Solutions. Women of all ages, faiths or denominations, are invited and welcome to join them.

May 2
Parkrose Farmer’s Market — Today is their season’s GRAND OPENING! Come by from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and check out what’s new in the marketplace. It’s located in the Parkrose High School west parking lot on NE Shaver St., a block west of NE 122nd Avenue. While you’re there …

> Huge Parkrose Schools Rummage Sale – Come to their “Super-Fabulous” Rummage Sale, a fundraiser for Parkrose Middle School from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. By the way, they’re accepting donations of “Gently Used” clothing, household items & small furniture. Drop off your items at the Middle School on Friday, May 1, from 1:30 pm until 5:30pm. Where’s Parkrose Middle School? It’s at 11800 NE Shaver St.; a block west of NE 122nd Avenue. For questions or more information, call Erica at (503) 408-2645.

> Trough Making Class at Leach Gardens – Come and make your own custom hypertufa planter. This class runs from 1 pm. until 3 pm today. Bring a box or rigid container (roughly the size of a dishpan) and rubber gloves. Dress for the weather; this class is taught outdoors. The cost is $20.00 or $17.00 for Garden Friends members. It’s at the Leach Botanical Garden Annex workshop area; 6704 SE 122nd Ave. – a long, winding block south of SE Foster Road. To register or for more information, contact Kate Sheridan at 503-823-1671 or ksheridan@leachgarden.org.

> Metro Dancers present Coppelia – The producers say this interpretation of Coppelia combines both great dancing but also great theatre. Coppelia is the comedic story of an eccentric inventor, the animated doll he creates and the havoc they cause in their small village. Music, costumes, sets and the dancers’ skill combine to make this a performance event you will not want to miss. There are two performances today, at 2 pm and 7 pm. Pre-Sale tickets are $10/Children & $15/high school students and adults; at the door: $12/Children & $18/HS & Adult. It’s at Portland Metro Performing Arts Center, 9933 SE Pine Street, in the Gateway area. For tickets or more information call (503) 408-0604; email at info@PDXMetroArts.org or www.PDXMetroArts.org.

May 5
> Inner SE Portland Combined Open Houses – Come by between 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and get updated on two timely, transportation topics: the Bicycle Master Plan Update project and the Portland Streetcar System Plan. Tonight’s open house is at Franklin High School Cafeteria (5405 SE Woodward St.). For more information, contact Ellen Vanderslice, project manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update, at (503) 823-4638 or email ellen.vanderslice@pdxtrans.org.

May 6
> East Portland Chamber of Commerce – “Good Morning East Portland” networking meeting is hosted by different chamber members each Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Meetings are free and guests are welcome. Today’s host is Kevin “Not your ordinary beancounter” Mincoff, CPA, LLC at their offices, high atop (Suite 250) the Gateway Washington Mutual branch building at 1515 NE 112th Avenue. For more information, see www.EastPortlandChamber.com or call (503) 788-8589.

> OUTER East Portland Combined Open Houses – Come by between 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and get updated on two timely, transportation topics: the Bicycle Master Plan Update project and the Portland Streetcar System Plan. Tonight’s open house is at David Douglas High School North Cafeteria, at 1500 SE 130th Ave. For more information, contact Ellen Vanderslice, project manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update, at (503) 823-4638 or email ellen.vanderslice@pdxtrans.org.

May 7 – 8 – 9
> Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Parkrose High – The spring offering of Theater Department and Parkrose Thespian Troupe #1783 is this early play by William Shakespeare. The TV series “LOST” has nothing on this show! See how a banished sorcerer uses his magical powers to punish and forgive his enemies when he raises a tempest that drives them ashore. This work has been called both a comedy and a romance story. It runs tonight and tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.; and there’s a matinee on May 9 at 2:00 p.m. The show also runs May 14,15 and 16; the curtain rises at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are just $8 Adults and $5 those under age 18 or over 65. All shows are in the beautiful Parkrose High School Theater, 12003 NE Shaver St., just west of NE 122^nd Avenue.

May 8
> Family Friendly Friday concerts – This series of concerts, designed for the entire family to enjoy together, continues. These short musical programs, by popular local musicians, are designed for the entire family to enjoy music together once a month. Tonight’s program runs from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. It features The OREGON RENAISSANCE BAND, directed by CMC faculty members Philip Neuman & Gayle Neuman, an 8 to 12 member ensemble dedicated to performing and recording music of the Renaissance, playing on faithful reproductions of historical instruments. Admission: $5 individuals/$15 families at the door only. A tip: Come early! These shows sell out quickly! CMC is located at 3350 SE Francis Street. For more information, visit www.portlandparks.org or the CMC website at www.CommunityMusicCenter.org, or call the Center at (503) 823-3177.

May 16
> Leach Garden Children’s Nature Faire – From 10:00 am until 3:00 pm today, bring your family to Leach for the day to explore the garden, meet local environmental groups and celebrate spring with hands-on activities and crafts! Suggested donation is $2 per child. Leach Botanical Garden is at 6704 SE 122nd Ave. – a long, winding block south of SE Foster Road. For more information, contact Kate Sheridan at 503-823-1671 or ksheridan@leachgarden.org.

> Rain Gardens 101 – Rain gardens are a great way to add beautiful landscaping to your yard and protect overloaded urban sewers and streams at the same time. Join us at this free workshop to learn how to build a rain garden on your property to keep our streams clean and healthy! It runs from 9 am until 1 pm at Portland Nursery, 9000 SE Division St. Advanced registration is required – AND SPOTS FILL FAST! Do NOT delay: register online at www.emswcd.org/workshops-events. For more information, call: (503) 935-5368.

Find out why these two rank-and-file members of their respective bureaus were selected to win the prestigious “Russ Lemmon” Award …

Come on by and check out the freshest foods at the season! – Here’s why …

Market Master Steve Voorhees welcomes everyone to the Parkrose Farmer’s Market. This is one of our favorite photos of him from last season!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose Farmer’s Market is coming back, and ready to for another great season, says Market Master Steve Voorhees – as he and the vendors gear up for another season in the Parkrose High School south parking lot, starting Saturday, May 2nd.

“Come, and you’ll see a great variety of produce, fruits, and merchandise for sale every Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

This year’s lineup of vendors includes:

AR Moss Floral Design and Event Embellishment, Portland OR – Selling Nursery stock, small plants and seeds.

• Be Bop Blooms – All natural tomato plants, 12 varieties of pepper plants, herbs and veggie plants ready for you take home!
• Be Bop USA – Pet Products – Locally made dog and cat collars, leashes and specialty training aids. Benefits unwanted animals.
• Bobs Elephant Ears, Portland OR – Selling Elephant ears for your tasting and cold beverages
• Bridge Pottery, Portland OR – Makers of hand-crafted, original, wheel-thrown functional pottery creations, suitable for daily use or displayed as fine works of art.  All pottery is “food safe”, with lead-free glazes, and may be used in a microwave, dishwasher, or conventional oven.
• Dig To Be Dug Nursery, Portland OR – Proudly growing plants with love, care, and attention
• Four Winds Restorative Grounds, Portland OR – Offering therapeutic and relaxation massage
• Gabriel’s Bakery, Portland OR – Selling whole-grain breads, bagels, French Pastries, Peruvian Pastries, cookies, etc.
• Happy Return Flowers, Portland OR – Selling Cut Flowers and Produce
• Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Parkdale, OR – Selling Fresh fruits and Produce
• MAVDAV Farms “The Farm”, Portland OR – Offering Fresh Picked Fruit and Produce
• Old Fashioned Caramel Corn, Happy Valley, OR – Get your Processed and Prepared foods here
• Pd Farms, Elgin OR – PD Farms strongly believe educating the public about the health benefits of naturally-grown produce and beef; they say it is as important as growing and marketing their products
• Sage-Works, Portland OR – See a variety of semi-precious and precious stones, hand-blown glass, bone, shell, swarovski crystals, and various other earthly materials in products including Leather and Hemp.
• Shell’s Jewel’s, Portland OR – Buy high-quality hand-made glass, crystal, shell, and stone jewelry for women, men, and children.
• Sturms Berry Farm Inc., Corbett OR – Berries include Straw, Rasp, Black, Blue, Marion, and Black Raspberry. Also selling Jams and Syrups.
• Maryhill Orchards and Vineyards; Takahashi Farms – Get the best fruit and produce of the season, as well as honey and jellies.
• Traveling Coffee Kids, Portland OR – Enjoy coffees and snack foods here.
• Twisted Stitches, Portland OR – aCrafts Artisan.
• Unger Farms, Cornelius, OR – This family has been growing strawberries for 63 years. “Quality fruit is what we bring to the market; sustainability is how we grow our fruit.”
• Wan and May’s Fresh Bloomers, Portland OR – Fresh Farm Nursery cut flowers and vegetables.
• Walchli Hermiston Melon Co., Hermiston OR – Fresh melons and fresh veggies.

Look for signs, like these, pointing to the Parkrose Farmer’s Market on Saturdays, starting May 2!

The Parkrose Farmer’s Market is 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

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See how you can pick up a $1,000 in cash for helping cops find the guy who is suspected of robbing the Ace Tavern last summer in Parkrose …

Find out what steps the school board is considering to balance next year’s budget – and discover why Parkrose isn’t in as bad financial shape as some districts …

Find out why this MAD Magazine writer brings his show, “The Joy of Censorship”, to outer East Portland – and, learn whether there was anything wasn’t allowed to say during this presentation …

Joe Raiola tells how his show, The Joy of Censorship came into existence.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The title of his talk looked intriguing, so we squeezed a side trip into a busy news-covering evening in order to speak with MAD Magazine’s senior editor, Joe Raiola, at Midland Library on April 7.

Instead of doing a quick interview and moving on, we found Raiola – and his presentation – so fascinating, we missed our next two stories and stayed for his presentation.

Program started by accident
As people filled into the library’s Great Room, Raiola told us that his lecture started accidentally 18 years ago. “Many years ago, a librarian called the MAD Magazine office asking a speaker to come out and talk to young librarians.” The reason they gave: “MAD was the most-stolen publication from the library system.”

Having a background as a stand-up comic as well as being a comedy writer, Raiola said he agreed. “But I knew very little about censorship at the time, and I was woefully ignorant of MAD’s own history about being censored in the 1950s.”

The presentation at the library went well, word spread, and Raiola soon started getting calls for the show he named The Joy of Censorship. “It’s become my greatest commercial success – I’ve performed it in more than 40 states. It seems that I’ve found a niche. I’m presenting in the Pacific Northwest for the first time.”

Raiola says the words he uses during his presentation, will not be censored an any way.

A totally uncensored performance
When we asked Raiola what he liked best about touring his show, he was quick to answer: “It’s being able to be fully expressed. It’s having a forum where I can truly be uncensored. Libraries provide a great service to their community – and to me as an artist – by giving me carte blanche to do a provocative, frank, edgy, and hopefully a thought-provoking show, about ‘all things First Amendment’. And my audiences have been great, because I challenge them.”

It’s a very frank show, Raiola emphasized. “It’s a show that uses adult language. It’s ironic that, even in 2009, it’s a show I probably couldn’t do in a lot of comedy clubs. But amazingly, I’m thankful that libraries have provided a fantastic venue.”

Will the audience be shocked by Raiola’s reading from a book, banned in this country for decades?

Starts with a banned passage
The 57-year-old Raiola, now a 25-year veteran of MAD Magazine, briefly introduced himself and said, since the show was being held in a library, he’s start by reading from a well known book.

“When you are convinced that all of the exits are blocked, if you take to believing in miracles, or, you stand still like a humming bird, the miracle is that the honey is always there, right under your nose. Only that you were too busy searching elsewhere to realize it. The worst is not being deaf, but being blind – a blind to the fact that everything about life is in the nature of the miraculous.”

Lowering the book, Raiola’s expression turned to mock shock and said, “That’s pretty scary stuff, isn’t it?  It’s terrifying! This passage, this book, was written over a half-century ago. We couldn’t allow a voice this vulgar, and so subversive, to be fully expressed! It’s too dangerous; too smart – and without any socially-acceptable values!

“The voice in this book would have to be silenced! At least, here in the United States.  So, for 30 years, it was – until the United States Supreme Court finally ruled in 1964, that this book – Tropic of Cancer – was not obscene, the passionate and uniquely American voice of Henry Miller was abandoned his own country.”

Raiola noted that in 1990, a movie about Miller’s life called Henry and June was rated “X” – a position successfully challenged by the film’s director. “They dropped the “X” Rating, yes, but came up with a new rating just for his movie called NC-17 – an admission it was not obscene – but the uptight [expletive deleted] were going to try to ban it anyway.”

[Editor’s note: While we weren’t offended by Raiola’s free and colorful use of language – and not repeating his exact statements feels like we’re committing the very censorship against which he rails – we feel compelled to not repeat the expletives.]

George Carlin’s 7 Dirty Words You Can’t Say on TV routine was one of his early inspirations for the show, Raiola says, as he repeats each phrase aloud.

An unrated, uncensored show
“Here we are, 20 years after that, we still censor movies – and not just movies – but also television shows and music!” Raiola started.

“Tonight, I’m proud to tell you, this program is completely un-rated. It is presented with no parental guidance, or no advisories of any kind.

“I’ll be using all language; I’ll not be censoring myself. I’ll use nouns, proper nouns, even conjunctions and split infinitives. I made dangle a participle or two.”

“My language will not be cleaned up, toned down, or sanitized for your protection,” Raiola says.

Controlling speech controls destiny
“Here’s why: Free speech must be free. If one can control one’s speech, one may be – just may be – able to control one’s own destiny,” Raiola postulated.

He noted that on pay cable television channels and pay satellite radio, any idea or concept can be voiced – using any word in the language. “Only in this country can you have free speech – if you’re willing to pay enough for it.”

Drawing on his experiences – starting in second grade and moving forward, Raiola railed against the fact that people “edit themselves” because they “do not want to suffer the consequences of free expression.”

Raiola tells how a yearbook editor airbrushed out the finger next to his index finger – although it was a key point in show called Almost Obscene he’d presented at a college.

During the remainder of his 90 minute show, he touched on censorship the FCC, the Patriot Act, Internet filters, flag burning, indecency, and the true meaning of obscenity, in one of the most outrageous, controversial, thought-provoking – and laugh-out-loud funny – presentations we’ve seen, anywhere.

If you have an open mind, believe in the First Amendment – and have the opportunity to see Joe Raiola live – then, don’t miss him.

For more information, CLICK HERE to visit his website.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News