One local political race is still in progress this summer – Fritz and Lewis are each hoping to win the runoff for Portland City Commissioner Seat #1 in November’s election. Read what they had to say this week in Gateway …

Story by Watford Reed and David F. Ashton, photos by David F. Ashton
Portlanders know that Sam Adams will take over the Mayor’s Office in January, and that Nick Fish decisively won the Portland City Council seat vacated by the early retirement of Erik Sten.

But one race remains in city government – for Portland City Council Seat #1, currently held by Mayor-elect Sam Adams.

Fritz and Lewis in runoff race
Neighborhood control and interaction were the themes of both candidates, when Amanda Fritz and Charles Lewis stood to seek votes at a meeting in Gateway on July 10, as their runoff race begins.

Formally asked the same sets of questions, the two finalists showed more agreement than dispute as they spoke before the 40 people present at the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA) meeting.

Portland City Counsel Seat 1 Candidate Amanda Fritz

Fritz: Provide basic services
Fritz, a registered nurse, began by saying she won every precinct east of 82nd Avenue in the primary election for the city council seat.

In her opening statement, Fritz said, “I’m running to provide basic services for all 95 neighborhood associations. In the runoff, you’ll hear me talking a lot about all 35 business districts as well. We need to pay attention to both the business districts and the neighborhood associations – something I am very committed to doing.”

As the economy gets tighter, Fritz said, government needs to use taxpayer money more wisely. “I will make sure we are spending wisely. We need to remember that it comes from taxpayers – it’s not ‘fun money’ for politicians to spend as they wish.”

The first step, Fritz said, is to make sure the city is allocating funds to the core services — like “public safety, streets and infrastructure, and economic development.”

Portland City Counsel Seat 1 Candidate Charles Lewis

Lewis: Necessity of ‘affordable housing’
Lewis, who is a candidate for public office for the first time, started off by complementing his opponent on her ability and dedication.

He stated his credentials, including having earned a Masters degree in Public Policy, adding that he and his family are 30-year residents of the Gateway area. Lewis illustrated his ability and business acumen by recounting how he started Ethos Music Center with three volunteer helpers – and grew it to an organization with 78 employees.

“Affordable housing is absolutely critical, fairly distributed,” Lewis campaigned. “It is unfairly distributed into some neighborhoods. In the Hillsdale neighborhood they want more affordable housing; in some areas of outer Southeast Portland there’s too much affordable housing.”

Shifts in housing patterns affect school systems, he said; “Inner city schools are running at quarter capacity while outer East Portland districts are burgeoning at the seams. We need to do something to allow people to live and work in the same neighborhood, and go to school.”

Questions and Answers
Both candidates interjected their personal qualifications into their answers; we’ve edited the responses below for brevity.

Q: Which bureau would you like to have assigned to you — and what would you do differently with it?

A:
Lewis: The Bureau of Housing and Community Development. Affordable housing, appropriately distributed, is absolutely critical to everything we do.

Fritz: The Office of Neighborhood Involvement. If I am assigned that bureau, I’ll make sure we’re asking the right questions at the right time to best serve all of our communities.

Q: How do you feel about having specific and different zoning codes and land use reviews for each neighborhood or community?

Candidate Amanda Fritz.

A:
Fritz: Yes. There should be different zoning codes in different areas. We need to involve the community, businesses, and neighbors in setting [the codes] so we keep Portland ‘that special place’ with 95 distinct neighborhoods and 35 business districts, each with their own distinct character.

Candidate Charles Lewis.

Lewis: Neighborhoods are, and should be, different; we should celebrate those differences.  The cookie-cutter approach does not make sense for every single urban renewal area [such as Gateway]. We need to gain the input of community leaders as we move forward, to make sure that [zoning] is the right fit in every community.”

Q: Do you support increased density in Gateway?  Why or why not?

A:
Lewis: Density does not make sense in every community. The ’20 minute community’ [being discussed in the Portland Plan] – where you can walk and get everything you need within 20 minutes of your home – makes economic sense, it makes environmental sense, and I think it makes sense for our community.

Fritz: We need to be careful, as Gateway expands, so that existing businesses are supported and not squeezed out by exorbitant rents. Whether [residents are] walking or going by light rail, we need to make sure there is transportation for people to get to where they want to go – realizing that not everyone is going to walk [to their destinations].

Q: Are you in favor of “more affordable housing” in Gateway that is off the tax rolls [subsidized]?  Please explain!

A:
Fritz: We have a lot of affordable housing here. The question tax subsidies and affordable housing is complex. We want to make sure that people who have lived here for generations, and their children, can afford to buy homes here in outer East Portland. We also want to make sure that we have higher-end housing available [to house people who can afford] to support businesses.

Lewis: We have a heck of a lot out here right now. I’d like to see more affordable housing in the South Waterfront and Pearl District. We need to recognize that people need to be able to work and live in the same place; it’s going to be a focus of mine. The 35% set-aside in the urban renewal areas [for affordable housing] could be better used by the PDC to help businesses.

Q: How will you help grow existing businesses, bring in new business – and provide economic development – to Gateway?

A:
Lewis: We are in an urban renewal area. We’ve got the funds from PDC we can direct toward business development. It’s an incredibly powerful tool.  We need to focus on small to medium-size businesses.  I think too often the urban renewal money is used for humongous projects that benefit a very few wealthy people.

Portland City Counsel Seat 1 Candidate Amanda Fritz.

Fritz: Part of what I very much enjoy [about campaigning] is coming here [and experiencing a] sense of community: Parades, community events, and concerts in the park. I’ll be a cheerleader for Gateway. Grants for neighborhood business associations are also worthwhile; I’ll advocate for funding those grants.”

In the wrap-up statements, Fritz told how her years of community service – working with city and county governmental agencies, and being on the Portland Planning Commission for many years – make her uniquely qualified for the position.

Portland City Counsel Seat 1 Candidate Charles Lewis.

Lewis restated his business experience – starting, operating, and growing an organization in the City of Portland. He also stressed that, because he lives in outer East Portland’s Cully neighborhood, would give better geographic representation on the Portland City Council.

Timothy Mahar, who won a place in the Ambassadors of Music to seven European countries next year, received a $250 scholarship from GABA to be put toward his trip.

Gateway grant winner entertains
As a prelude to this political debate, GABA members heard music by Timothy Mahar, who won a place in the Ambassadors of Music to seven European countries next year.

Mahar, who will be a senior at David Douglas High School, plays the guitar and sang gospel and Johnny Cash songs.  He won a $250 scholarship from the Association, to be put toward the $6,000 cost of the trip next year.

He explained that the Oregon Ambassadors of Music are an honor band and choir, made up of top-notch students chosen by music teachers.  They will visit several countries in 16 days and perform in London and Paris, and sites in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, as well as other countries.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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

There aren’t any broncos to bust or calves to rope – but see what these electrical workers DO compete in, when they go to the region’s ‘lineman’s rodeo’ …

At this PGE training station on outer SE Powell Boulevard, linemen from all over the region gather to compete at the Pacific Northwest Lineman’s Rodeo.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Some of the toughest guys you’ll meet are at this all-day rodeo – but you won’t find any bull-riding, roping, or herding at the Pacific Northwest Lineman’s Rodeo, held annually out on SE Powell Boulevard on the last weekend in July – this year, on the 26th.

Instead, electric utility workers – some from as far away as Alaska – who climb utility poles to help repair wires or replace burned out transformers for a living, demonstrate their skills, as they compete against one another.

Rob Wales, a Portland General Electric lineman foreman, says that safety is more important than speed in their events.

East Portland was well represented at the event, said the event’s spokesman, Rob Wales, a Portland General Electric lineman foreman. “This is the 15th annual event,” Wales told us. “We’ve got 16 teams competing. Each one consists of three journeymen and a judge.”

Safety more important than speed
This rodeo’s events mirror tasks that electrical linemen perform in their daily work. “The key thing in each of our events,” Wales explained, “is safety above all else.”

Adam Blackwell, a journeyman from East Portland, races up a utility pole …

… and comes back down with the raw egg in his mouth still unbroken.

Wales pointed to Adam Blackwell, a journeyman from his facility, who was racing up to the top of a wooden utility pole in the “Speed Climb” event. The participant was climbing rapidly using a strap around the pole and spikes on his boots.

“Blackwell is climbing as quickly as he can. But he – and all of the linemen in this competition – holds a raw egg in his mouth. This assures he’s not overstepping his own natural abilities. If he breaks the egg, he loses the contest.”

After showing that his egg was intact, Blackwell paused a moment to talk with us about the rodeo. “The best part for me is winning!” he said. “It’s fun, and it’s great for the family to come see what we do, and to be with your friends and talk with other linemen you haven’t seen in a long time.”

The rodeo also provides these high-climbers with educational opportunities, Blackwell added. “Although there is a standard way of performing tasks, we get to learn techniques from others; everyone does things a little differently.”

As we walked to other event areas, Wales reemphasized that safety is paramount at the rodeo. “Yes, the object is to work as swiftly as possible. But when the teams are scored, their attention to safety is measured first, and quality of workmanship is second; finally, ranking third, speed. And, because swiftness plays a part in the events, the electric lines here are de-energized.”

MAX light rail electrician Chad Morrison helps his daughter try climbing a pole.

Nine-year-old Cassey Morrison climbs her first utility pole at the Lineman’s Rodeo.

Budding linemen try out
Not all of the events are for the linemen. Their spouses and children participate in hay-mound cash-grab, and other games.

And, the more daring family members were offered the opportunity to climb utility poles. Chad Morrison, an electrician who works on the MAX light rail system, helped his daughter, Cassey, strap into a safety harness and go for a climb.

“It’s hard work,” the little girl said, “But it was fun.”

Play with a purpose
In addition to providing camaraderie and showcasing skills, the event is also a fundraiser. “We have developed a relationship with the Oregon Burn Center; our proceeds go to support them. We have a lot of fun, but also get to support a good cause with the rodeo.”

One of the favorite family events is the hay-mound dash-for-cash.

© 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

Arrrr! Discover why Captain Bogg & Salty’s band continues
to delight SE Portland kids at this open-air music fest …

Jayla Boumann is turned into a perfect pirate puppy by event organizer Ann Knutson.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The stage is set up; the PA system is in place, the instruments have been tuned. Hundreds of kids (and their parents) – dressed in bandanas and eye-patches, and carrying plastic swords – are streaming into Sellwood Park.

That could mean only one thing, as the clouds cleared on the afternoon of August 27 – an appearance by the west coast’s favorite “pirate band”, Captain Bogg & Salty, again preparing to serenade the Sellwood Library’s summer readers.

Captain Bogg warms up the audience, asking, “How many here read a book? OK, how many here have ever seen a book?”

The pirate rock band has kids up and dancing during their first number.

This event, held in partnership with the Sellwood Community Center, annually celebrates the end of the library’s summer reading program, explains event organizer Ann Knutson, full-time library assistant at the Sellwood Branch Library, as she face-paints a Pirate Puppy.

“This event brings the community together, and gives us a chance to celebrate the reading accomplishments of our kids,” explains Knutson. “And, it seems, everyone loves Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band – they’re a big supporter of our library and the summer reading program.”

Dancing to the pirate band’s beat is Mckenna Arndt, holding Hayden Floyed.

About a thousand attendees enjoy Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band, performing outdoors at Sellwood Park.

This particular branch library’s summer reading program signed up 1,500 summer readers, with ages ranging from “very young” to kids in their late teens.

“This event gives us the opportunity to hank the half a dozen volunteers here today, and the 40 teenagers who help us during the summer reading program,” Knutson adds. “They just do a great job. And, we couldn’t be successful without the support of the Sellwood Community Center staff and volunteers.”

Captain Bogg works the crowd by wandering away from the stage, looking for kids to sing along with him.

Band on the run
As the band moves swiftly from the park’s red-brick brick utility building that serves as their dressing room, First-mate McGraw – the band’s lead guitar player – pauses to speak with us.

“This is one of our favorite shows,” McGraw says. “We look forward to performing here all year long. It’s such a beautiful setting, there is unlimited space so everyone can move around, and we have such a great, and big, crowd.”

Asked if having a good audience makes a difference, McGraw replies, “We love the great energy we get back from this audience. They seem to be really into the music.”

While it is a bit odd for a pirate-themed rock-and-roll band to also be chosen as a favorite kids group, McGraw says they’re pleased to find that people of all ages enjoy their musical act; even those in libraries. “There is literate side to piracy rooted in ‘Treasure Island’. I guess we really only have one book to stand on, but it counts for something in the library!”

The expression of joy on the faces of his young fans is evident, as the good Captain croons another tune.

Dancing to the Peg-leg Tango
As the band takes the stage, a cheer ripples across the audience, now nearing about a thousand strong.

Both kids and their parents dance to the lively beat of the music, sing along with their favorites – and make the secret sign of the pirate: The hooked finger.

As the band plays, it’s difficult to tell who is enjoying the show more – the audience or the band. The band’s motto seems to be a reverse of the one embodied by the “Pirates of the Caribbean”: “Give all you can; hold nothing back!”

It wouldn’t be a complete show without the Captain’s special brand of choreography.

Pirate Festival starts September 20
As the band packs up, McGraw reminds us that the Pacific Northwest’s premier pirate festival – for families to enjoy – runs September 20 and 21.

“I know it’s out of your territory, scribe, bein’ in St. Johns in Cathedral Park under the bridge and all … but we welcome ye scallywags from the East!” he exclaims.

When we visited that event in the past, we’ve found great musical acts (yes, there are other, pirate bands, albeit inferior to Captain Bogg & Salty), lively costumed entertainers, a vast marauder’s market of pirate treasures, children’s rides and activities, and international cuisine worthy of Blackbeard himself – as, in fact, their promotional scrolls state.

Interested? To find out more, you’ll be whisked off, like a schooner under full sheetsm to their web site if you CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

We’re glad we don’t have to travel to New York City
to enjoy this SE Portland neighborhood fun fest …

“Definitely not your average Joe” Mishkin squeaks together an out-of-this-world balloon hat (or is it a sweater?) for Brooklyn neighbor Sophia Martin.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although this SE Portland neighborhood isn’t the largest, or best known, we realized that  residents take pride in their area by the number of folks we see wearing tee-shirts emblazoned with the text: “Brooklyn, 97202” when we visited their annual Ice Cream Social at Brooklyn Park.

“I’m not sure why, but I’m happy we seem to always have beautiful weather the first Sunday in September,” noted Brooklyn Action Corps’ Marie Phillippi on September 7.

“This is our seventh year for the Ice Cream Social, and it gets better every year,” Phillippi said. “It’s a good-time event where people come together as neighbors. Most of us live within walking distance of the park.”

She pointed out that Brooklyn now has about 2,200 total residents – and more than a quarter of them attend the annual event.

Free prize drawings for the kids are always an event highlight.

Volunteer Michael Vurgwin is cooking up hot dogs and sausages for Thelma Skelton Loaves & Fishes.

Easy-going event
A primary attraction, Phillippi noted, is the ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches they sell for 25 cents each. “We sell it for less than we pay for it; it’s our way of giving back to the neighborhood. We ran out last year, so we purchased a few more cases this time.”

Folks also lined up for big, plump red-hots and sausages that were sizzling the grill, cooked up by volunteers from the Thelma Skelton Loaves & Fishes Center on S.E. Milwaukie Avenue ant Center Street, to raise money for their Meals On Wheels program.

Family fun abounded. “Definitely not your average Joe” Mishkin twisted unusual balloon hats and wearable sculpture for kids – and performed a juggling and circus-arts show later in the afternoon. A colorful bounce-castle with slides entertained kids of all ages, and art projects gave attendees a creative outlet.

Many family groups simply lounged on the lawn, enjoying the music of Kiri Kari.

Shane and Harrison Blitch, along with Ellery Ott, enjoy their hot dog lunch, as they spend a Sunday in Brooklyn Park.

Budding musicians play together under the wings of the colorful City Repair winged canopy truck.

Happy members of the group Kiri Kari (it means “To sing with joy” in the Shona Zimbabwe language) entertain with their lively-but-mellow music.

New volunteers enliven event
“This year, we have almost all-new volunteers helping out,” said Phillippi . “Everyone pitched in; I collectively thank everyone who is helping; we simply couldn’t do it without them.”

Learn more about the Brooklyn Action Corps neighborhood association online, CLICK HERE to be taken to their web site. CLICK HERE to visit Joe Mishkin’s web site!

Vending quarter-a-bar ice cream treats are the event’s organizer, Marie Phillippi, Amanda Stucke, and Daryl Phillippi.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why you should take a look at these proposed plans, costing from $18 Million up to $1 Billion, to ease slow-moving traffic around Airport Way and I-205 – and, why you should voice your opinion …

ODOT’s principal planner on the Airport Way Interchange Improvement Project, Andrew Johnson, shows us some of the improvement alternatives, ranging in cost from $18 million up to $1 billion.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In a project they started last spring, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Port of Portland, have been looking at ways to speed up sluggish traffic traveling from eastbound Airport Way to northbound Interstate 205.

The problem is that the interchange handles 200,000 cars per day, and traffic congestion in the area been a problem since 1998. East- and westbound traffic issues on Airport Way have been documented since 2000.

Welcoming us to their fall open house held a couple of weeks ago regarding the Airport Way Interchange Improvement Project at the Multnomah Educational Service District building was ODOT’s principal planner, Andrew Johnson.

“We’ve spent the summer working on this project,” Johnson began. “We started off with a three-day work session at which we created and developed ideas for solving the congestion problem.”

The committee came up with 68 different ideas,” Johnson told us. “We honed those down to 19 alternatives. We combined some of them, and reduced them to the 10 ideas you see here today.”

Project consultant, Brian Baker with HDR, Inc, talks with Ryan Brown, manager of the Airport Super-8 Motel.

Wonders if business will be bulldozed
One of the people attending the open house was Ryan Brown, manager of the Airport Super-8 Motel.

“There are some interesting ideas here,” Brown commented. “Some of the alternatives propose construction that will essentially wipe out our business, and others near it. It may put all of us out of work. Our owners worry about that, too – so I’m definitely giving them my ‘feedback’ about the alternatives.”

Alternatives range widely in cost; benefits not yet known
Their next step, commented Johnson, is to narrow the alternatives down to four or five. The projects alternatives shown ran from a “low” of $18 million up to $1 billion in cost.

“At this point, we’re asking for feedback from neighbors, businesspeople – the community in general,” Johnson explained. “We’ve been hearing people comment on the estimated costs – that’s the kind of comment that we need to hear.”

We asked if, other than the projected cost, any information is available regarding how many traffic snarls would actually be reduced or eliminated.

“That kind of [detailed] analysis is pretty expensive,” Johnson replied. “After we hone it down to five alternatives, in the next few months, we’ll put a lot of time and effort into developing information on the selections. We’ll develop a kind of ‘return on investment’ analysis for each project.”

Johnson added that he expects to see a blending of concepts as the committee moves toward making a final selection.

The charts, plans, and graphs on display for the Airport Way Interchange Improvement Project list the estimated cost for each improvement alternative – but the benefits of each remain unknown.

Comments sought
“The final project will be an important improvement to the Parkrose area; it’s the ‘economic gateway’ to the region,” Johnson added.

How might this affect your business or neighborhood? Now is the time to make your voice heard (or read), by checking in with the project and commenting.

To visit the official ODOT/PDX Airport Way Interchange Improvement Project website, CLICK 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

Find out how the school will use the $2,500 gift presented to them, when they cut the ribbon at this shiny-new super discount store …

The waiting is over – this Big Lots! store in Plaza 205 is finally open.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“Big Lots! shoppers rejoice! No longer must you drive to Vancouver or Gresham.” That’s what Richard McCaw, Manager of the Gateway area Plaza 205 “Big Lots!” (the name is officially spelled with a “!”) said, as he and his crew officially opened their store for business on October 28.

“Shoppers will find just about anything you can think of that you’d find in big box retailers,” McCaw told us as they readied to cut the ribbon, dedicating the store. “We buy from up to 3,000 sources. These sources give us closeout items; so, many of the items you’ll see carry brand names that you recognize.”

Categories of merchandise that line the aisles include furniture, housewares, food items, cosmetics, and utility items. “It’s a wide variety of products, anything that you’re typically finding in any other full-line store,” McCaw added.

The new store manager, Richard McCaw, says shoppers will find great prices and superior service at his store.

Presents a BIG check
To help with the store’s official opening, McCaw said they invited staff from Floyd Light Middle School to the opening. After his brief remarks, one new store employee volunteered that she was a Floyd Light and David Douglas High alumnus; another said she was a “Floyd Light Mom”.

“As a token of our appreciation,” McCaw then announced, “We’re presenting your school with this check. It’s my pleasure to make a donation of $2,500 to the school.”

Richard McCaw and Eric Sapp from Big Lots! present a check for $2,500 to Natalie Osburn, David Douglas School District’s Assistant Superintendent over secondary schools; and Floyd Light Middle School’s Improvement Coordinator, Lisa Just; Lili Olmos, head secretary; Michelle Heffner, a school counselor and Mark Gaulke, the school’s Principal.

Funds to support positive behavior program
Mark Gaulke, Principal of Floyd Light Middle School, said he and his staff were happy to help out with the grand opening – and to receive the big check.

“Our school operates several programs in which we provide incentives for kids,” Gaulke explained. “One of them is called ‘Positive Behavior Support” – we reward kids for doing the right thing.”

These incentives are like pizza parties, or an after-school activity, or clothing, the Principal said.

With a snip of scissors, the store opened, and customers streamed in to check out the new Big Lots! discount store in outer East Portland, located at 10548 SE Washington Street.

Floyd Light Middle School’s head secretary, Lili Olmos, cuts the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the store.

See why you should order your tickets NOW for year’s musical at David Douglas High School, starting its run on December 4 …

All of the townspeople – especially the girls – are enamored with Conrad Birdie (Sam De Roest, playing the lead role of the ’50’s rock star about to be drafted) in their production of Bye Bye Birdie, opening for a limited run on December 4.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For the first time ever, the timeless musical Bye Bye Birdie will take the stage at David Douglas High School (DDHS), opening on December 4.

This lavish production, played out on a double-deck stage, will feature a singing, dancing, and acting cast of 70 students – and 12 DDHS staff members (including Principal John Bier as a Shriner!) – plus the school’s full orchestra.

Adapting to adoration
“It’s pretty nice to be adored both on and off stage,” DDHS senior Sam De Roest says with a smile, about his lead role of Conrad Birdie, a 1950’s rock-and-roll star modeled after Elvis Presley.

“Birdie is a character who is kind of a jerk – making him fun to play – but he learns about love and responsibility. You can’t beat that in a role,” De Roest told us.

Here’s the story:
A hip-swiveling rock and roll superstar (modeled after Elvis Presley), named Conrad Birdie (the name is a parody of the ’50’s singer Conway Twitty), is about to be drafted into the army in 1958. Birdie’s agent wants to cash in on new song, “One Last Kiss” on live television, and give one lucky girl from his fan club a real “one last kiss” during the Ed Sullivan Show.

“In reality, Conrad Birdie is a person of questionable character,” explained the show’s director, Judy Le Coq. “The comedy comes from the disruption his visit causes both in the girl’s family – and the entire town – by his actions, and the town’s new-found fame.”

Spectacular staging
“The two-story, multi-position stage that theater arts instructor Mark Taylor and his class created is just unbelievable,” Le Coq said.

Taylor agreed that building a set of this kind is an ambitious project.

“We came up with this two-story set,” commented Taylor, “as we thought about a number in the show called ‘The Telephone Hour’ – and started designing a setting reminiscent of the ‘Hollywood Squares’ game show. Each cubbyhole will accommodate rapid scene changes.”

Conrad Birdie (De Roest) is coached on his performance by the show’s director, Judy Le Coq.

Show opens December 4
Bye Bye Birdie opens on December 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Then, the show runs in the evenings at 7:30 p.m. on December 5, 6 11, 12 and 13. And, there’s a special Sunday Matinee show on December 7 at 2:30 p.m.

All performances are at the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave., between SE Stark and SE Division Streets.

We understand that reserved seating sales are going at a brisk pace; we recommend you call for reservations (unpaid reservations are held only for 24 hours), or buy your tickets today. You can pick up your paid tickets at the theater’s box office in advance or before the show.

Tickets are $10 for adults; seniors/students are $7. Call to make your reservations at DDHS Box Office at (503) 261-8270.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Instead of grumbling as they rake, see why this family has so much fun with their leaf pile that they invite neighbors and friends over to play …

Esme Zehava flies through air before plopping in the fluffy leaf pile – this is her fifth jump of the afternoon.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
So many Portlanders love their trees – but hate the leaves that fall when the cold autumn winds blow. They grumble as they rake, blow, gather, and tote the brown, crusty remains of the summer’s lush green canopy to collection sites.

But, not the owners of the historic Young House in Southeast Portland!

“Welcome to our annual Leaf Jumping Party,” Angela Zehava greeted us on a bright-but-breezy November Sunday. “Our Copper Beech tree, planted in 1892 – the same year as the house is built – makes an enormous amount of leaves.”

Hostess Angela Zehava does a “test leap” into the pile of leaves.

She and others are raking the leaves into a six-foot high pile at the base of the tree. Kids giggled as they looked at the growing pile.

“About three years ago,” Zehava recounted, “it started as an impromptu event. Not only do invited friends jump into the pile of leaves – we’ve had passersby come and want to jump to the leaves, also.”

By “jump” – Zehava actually does mean “leap” into the leaf pile – as in from the crotch of the stately tree, about 10 feet above the ground. “Last year we had probably 50 people here jumping.”

Ely Alvaro is swimming in a pile of Copper Beech tree leaves.

After the leaves are piled and “fluffed” with rake handles, Richard Birke climbs into the tree and acts as the “tosser” – making sure the kids land in the center of the pile. Giggling, laughing, and screaming with joy – kids and adults fly through the air and plopp into the dark brown cushion below. So fluffy is the pile, smaller kids sink halfway down, and tunnel their way out of the stack.

Esme and Angela Zehava spend some quality leaf time together.

No leaf removal worries
We asked how long it takesthe family to cart off the leaves once the party is over.

“Beech leaves are only second to Oak for nutritional value in the compost pile,” Zehava noted. “Because a lot of folks around here grow their own food, they come to harvest leaves for their compost pile or mulch. I use quite a bit of them, too.”

In addition to learning about the way one Inner Southeast family shares their heaping leaf pile each autumn, readers now know that there is at least one Copper Beech tree in Sellwood – a type of tree which figured prominently in a famous Sherlock Holmes mystery story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Off … and away … Richard Birke takes his turn leaping into leaves.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News