Find out why “Mayor Sam” chose outer East Portland for his public swearing-in ceremony. Also, see our exclusive photos, and read the full text of Adams’ remarks, right here …

Parkrose School District Board Chair James Woods Ph.D. checks over his opening remarks, while superintendent Dr. Karen Fischer Gray awaits the swearing-in ceremony for Sam Adams to begin, at the Parkrose High School Theater.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Perhaps you’ve seen the 60-second TV version of the story: At the Parkrose High School Theater, about 400 people gathered on January 5th to witness Sam Adams’ public Mayoral swearing-in ceremony.

But, there’s more to the story which you might find interesting: Why Parkrose High was chosen, and want was said at the occasion by its participants.

Superintendent on Adams ‘Education Cabinet’
We asked Parkrose School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Fischer Gray why she thought Parkrose was chosen as the location for this event.

“I think it came about because I am doing quite bit of work with the Mayor’s office, and will be part of his ‘education cabinet’. While he was preparing to take office, the superintendents of Portland area school districts met with him to talk about the things they think are important about improving education.”

Gray added that she feels thoroughly delighted and excited about the swearing-in ceremony being in Parkrose. “I feel honored and privileged.  I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Sam Adams in the months and years ahead.”

At the event on January 5, Parkrose High Principal Roy Reynolds commented, “There’s no better place that represents Portland than Parkrose. With the diversity here – the broad spectrum of students, and the community that we serve – Parkrose is Portland’s future.”

Dr. James Woods, Chair of the Parkrose School Board, introduces the event with theatrical allusions.

Introduction laced with theatrical allusions
The Chair of the Parkrose School Board, Dr. James Woods, revealed an irrepressible sense of humor as he began the program.

“This setting is truly appropriate, here in the theater,” Woods began. “While the ceremony won’t have the grandeur of being tapped on the shoulder with a sword, or being draped in ermine robes, it is the way we do things around here. In keeping with the theatrical motif, we’ll have a chorus out here in a moment. There will be some rote recitation, and if I know my politicians well enough, there will be a least one soliloquy.”

Woods identified several honored guests, beginning with former Mayor Vera Katz.  He also introduced the new slate of Portland City Commissioners: Nick Fish, Amanda Fritz, Randy Leonard, and Dan Saltzman.

The stage curtains open, and the Parkrose High Debonairs, under the direction of Lesley Bossert, sing the National Anthem.

Music and swearing
After the Parkrose High Debonairs sang the National Anthem, Woods introduced the Honorable Judge Jean Kerr Mauer.

Judge Mauer said it was an honor and a privilege for her to administer Sam Adams’ oath of office. “As we know, the public ceremony is an important part of what we ask of our public officials. It is an opportunity for the person who is assuming the office to declare publicly the vow – if you will, the oath – to uphold the law, and to refrain from personal interests. And it is important to all communities that that oath be taken publicly, in a public forum, and in front of members of the community that the public official serves.”

That Mayor Adams selected Parkrose High as the location for his public swearing-in, Mauer noted, “speaks volumes about the importance to him of children and education. Before we move forward with the oath, I like to ask Mayor Adams if he has anything to say at this time.”

Heeeeere’s Sam!
Officials on the stage, and people in the audience, looked around for Sam Adams – he was nowhere in sight. Nevertheless, they started applauding for him. Adams then walked out through the center of the closed curtains on the theater stage, and the applause grew even louder.

“I guess I’ve gotten so used to waiting to become mayor,” Adams quipped, “I was backstage wondering ‘How do I know when to come out?’  …There are a couple of things I need to do before I go any further.”

Mayor Adams gives Dr. Karen Fischer Gray a bouquet – and a hug – as he did with several other family members and dignitaries in the audience.

Brings bouquets to family and supporters
With an armload of floral bouquets, Adams strode down into the audience and gave flowers to his grandmother, to former Mayor Vera Katz, to Parkrose Schools Superintendent Gray, and to several other individuals.

Adams also introduced his father, seated midway in the auditorium remarking, “He is shy”.

Judge Mauer administers the oath of the mayor’s office to Sam Adams.

Back on stage, Adams rejoined Judge Mauer, and took the oath of his new office.

He repeated after the judge, “I, Sam Adams, do solemnly affirm that I will support the constitutions of the United States and of the State of Oregon, the charter of the City of Portland and its laws; and will faithfully, honestly, and ethically perform my duties as Mayor of the City of Portland.

“I have no undisclosed financial interest in any business located in Portland, or having any contracts with the city. I hold no other office or position of profit, and I am not a member of any partisan political committee.”

Sam Adams addresses his first audience as Portland’s mayor.

The audience applauded enthusiastically as Portland Mayor Sam Adams turned to address the audience. He began his speech saying, “My name is Sam Adams, and I am thrilled to be your mayor. I thank the judge for swearing me in, and I thank the Parkrose Broncos for their excellent hospitality.”

Adams’ remarks, in their entirety, appear at the end of this article.

Reverend William Lupfer provides the convocation closing the event.

Channels power to Adams
Closing the formal program, Reverend William Lupfer asked that all audience members to put their hand on the shoulder the person next to them. “I realize it might be a little touchy-feely for some in this crowd, but we want to channel all of the energy in this room in towards Sam; please do what you do when you pray.

“Holy and life-giving Spirit, we ask your blessing and care upon Sam upon his person,” Lupfer began. “We know the only way that he can lead is with a healthy soul.  So we thank you for Sam; we ask you to strengthen him.”

In his prayer, Lupfer asked of those in City government that “… some of the rivalry and squabbling be relaxed a bit, [that] they may come together in an unusual and powerful way to be a symbol of how all people in Portland can come together.”

Former Portland Mayor Vera Katz enthusiastically answers questions posed by a television news reporter after the ceremony.

The Parkrose High stage fills with well-wishers who greet Mayor Adams.

Celebration, with punch and cookies
At the conclusion of the official ceremony, the stage curtains swept open, revealing tables laden with cookies, punch and coffee.

The Chair of Parkrose Neighborhood Association, Mary Walker, greets Sam Adams.

Parkrose Business Association board member Marsha Lee, of Copy Express, gets a hug from Portland’s new mayor.

Mayor Sam Adams’ remarks

Mayor Sam Adams addresses officials and citizens at his inauguration.

“What a glorious and quirky city we have. Where else can you buy a donut designed to look like ‘dirt’?  Or browse one of the world’s largest bookstores and then walk a couple of blocks to the world’s smallest park. There is a reason experts always seem to rank us so high. As the nation’s most livable city, the best city for seniors, the best city for walkers — a city known for its bikers and hikers; food and flowers; beer and bridges.

“The reason for all this is clear: That reason is you. Us. All of us. Because we have created this think-different, keep-it-real, improve-the-world kind of culture; a culture of sustainability, a culture you can’t find just anywhere else. It is the reason why Portland is a city we can love. And it’s those values that position us to thrive at this moment of transition and transformation.

“Portland has also become what it is, in part, because of our leaders. Like Mayor Tom Potter. He brought youth, immigrants, Portlanders of color into civic decision-making. Like Mayor Bud Clark.  He boosted the city’s rainy day fund from a few thousand dollars to $20 million. And like my dear friend, Mayor Vera Katz. She created beautiful Portland places like the esplanade that circles the Willamette. Thank you. We are better people and a better place because of you.

“And before I go further, I want to thank my family, like my brother and sisters, my Mom and Dad; my boyfriend, Peter; and all the friends who keep me grounded and accountable. I love you guys.

“It’s a new year, and now Portland has new leadership. The 2009 City Council brims with fresh ideas. Please stand up. Auditor Gary Blackmer; Commissioners Nick Fish, Amanda Fritz, Randy Leonard and Dan Saltzman: I am excited to work with you. We are a small team with big plans, a city council willing to take on smart but unconventional ideas that give Portland its standout innovations.  Also: Portland has strong bureau management and dedicated city workers. You will help us steer a constructive course.  I have a tremendous team: perhaps the best mayoral staff in public service today, anywhere. Will my team please stand up?

“Together – with all Portlanders – we will make the city even better. Because Portland is better together and because Portland belongs to all of us.

“We will do more than just push back on the problems that confront us.  Together, we will push ahead.  Our goals are tough but doable. Make Portland the greenest city on earth.  Stoke our capacity for creativity and groundbreaking innovation.  Brand and sell Portland-made products and services around the globe.  Find more of our people family-wage jobs and affordable housing.  Keep Portlanders safe.  And, regardless of neighborhood or race or household income, educate all of our kids to world-class standards.

“As mayor, I will take risks to innovate. I will be grateful to those who help.  If things don’t work out as expected, I will take responsibility for failures.  To those who disagree with me, let’s not be disagreeable.  I promise to listen to you. Your ideas may be better than mine and your participation makes us stronger.  Because Portland is better together.

“Our community, of course, has problems — big problems – and fixing them will be tough.  The work might go slow.  This will be frustrating, at times. But we need to recognize that our problems can also offer us opportunities.  One thing is absolutely certain: Despite the worst economic recession in 60 years bearing down on us, Portland cannot wait; the time to move is now.

“To set a standard of action, in coming weeks I will announce my plans for the first 100 days in office.  To set a standard of inclusion, I will soon announce my citizen mayoral cabinet members.

“In addition to supporting the work of my council colleagues, as mayor, my focus is on jobs, education and sustainable planning. Let’s talk about jobs first.

Jobs
“Almost three out of ten Portlanders are unemployed or make so little they can barely afford basic essentials like food.  This means the city needs more family-wage jobs. Good jobs that come from successful and ethical businesses.  The City Council will work to support such companies to open, expand and stay here.  And we have already started.

“The resurgent Portland Development Commission and Governor Ted Kulongoski last month helped us attract the proposed North American headquarters of Vestas Wind Systems. That’s 850 more jobs and a quarter of a billion dollars in a private-sector investment in Portland.  Now we need our legislature to approve the deal.

“To help businesses more immediately, the Portland City Council this month will unveil the city’s first local job creation and economic stimulus package.  I intend it to include scholarships so people recently laid off can get training at our Worksource Centers and community colleges.  Also, I want provisions in the stimulus package to give local companies – and companies that hire local workers – “buy local” preferences in awarded city contracts.

“To build our local economy on a firm foundation of accountability, we aim to integrate these and other efforts into an economic development plan.  And, as Mayor, I am putting out the city’s ‘welcome mat’ to businesses.

Schools
“Another area of focus for me is schools. Here’s one figure that scares me.  Count off four eighth graders. One. Two.  Three.  Four.  In Portland, chances are that two of them will drop out of high school.

“Making sure our children graduate high school is more than an ethical thing; it is a smart investment in our future prosperity.  Our economy hinges on an educated workforce.

“So, Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and I have created a new education improvement partnership with local school districts and local school foundations.  We are collecting the best ideas on how to reduce the dropout rate.  Here is one idea.  Studies show that 8th graders going on to 9th grade are more likely to excel academically if
they get workplace experience during their summer vacation.

“So let’s help our students get the experience they need.  Let’s create the Portland Youth Corps.  For the summer of 2009, just five months away, the Portland Youth Corp would need 250 adults to volunteer as coaches.  These coaches will partner with employers to welcome young people to the workplace. You will be asked.

“Schools make the American Dream possible.  We need our families and teachers to educate our students to first class standards so all our children can soar.  Yes, education costs money.  Ignorance costs more. Let’s invest now.

Sustainability
“My third priority is sustainability. Sustainability means meeting our needs without compromising our children’s ability to thrive.  It means economic, social and environmental justice.

“We all know which bad habits that contribute to this planet’s potential environmental doom. We rely on a dwindling supply of fossil fuels. Burning them, poisons our atmosphere. Our climate is changing faster than experts expected.

“Here’s a silver lining to this toxic cloud:  Portland is the ideal starting place for this nation to get serious about environmental sustainability.  We can show what’s possible, setting an example the rest of the world can follow.  And we can prove sustainability pays off.  Our economy benefits from an estimated $2.6 billion annual green dividend. Portlanders get money back into their pockets through the automobile miles not driven, worse congestion not experienced and pollution not breathed.  Our green dividend grew from public investments in transit and land-use planning.

“Portland may be the greenest city in the country.  That’s no longer good enough.  We aim to be the greenest city on earth. We can do this with thoughtful planning that integrates Portland’s value of sustainability into everything we do.  I want to see this philosophy put into action with the completion of the Portland Plan, a blueprint for the next 30 years.

“The Portland Plan will put density where density belongs and shape our city so that the necessities of a good life, like grocery stores, are a 20-minute walk from home.

“But we need more than planning.  We need more sustainable ‘doing’, too.

“So, I am thrilled today to join the Governor and the Oregon University System to announce the proposed Oregon Sustainability Center, to be located in the Portland State University district.  Governor Kulongoski has included $80 million of state bonds in his proposed budget to help pay for it.  Thank you, Governor.

“A green revolution is about to bloom across America.  Let’s make Portland the hub.

Better Together
“In closing, I want to repeat a quote that I used on the campaign trail: The Scottish writer Alasdair Gray once wrote, ‘Work as if we are living in the early days of a better nation.’

“To me, this means working with a young nation spirit of belonging to something you can believe in. Even in the toughest of times, Portlanders never let our “young nation” spirit die. At our best, Portlanders do more than just push back on problems.  We push ahead. If we can channel our collective energy for the common good, there’s no stopping us, no problem we can’t solve, no opportunity we cannot seize.

“In the coming days, the City Council will announce an initiative that will make it easier for Portlanders to pitch in. Imagine a Portland with more people like Matt Todd, a city maintenance worker I met in December during a late-night ride-a-long on a city plow.

“Matt volunteers as a groundskeeper for Jefferson High School.  Nobody asked him to, but every summer, he mows and edges the sports fields.  He keeps the school’s outdated irrigation system functioning.  He spends many, many hours making the fields look better. Matt has respect, appreciation and fulfillment that come with improving a piece of Portland.  Thank you, Matt.

“I will work hard as your mayor to make Portland even better. And I ask that you work at it, too: because Portland is better together, and the responsibility for its care belongs to all of us.

“We need everyone’s help to move Portland forward, so I will close by paraphrasing a hero of mine, Harvey Milk, a great city leader, “My name is Sam Adams, and I’m here to recruit you!”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Folks at the Portland Police Bureau’s Sunshine Division wondered whether the snowy weather would leave needy families without food boxes for the holidays. Boy, were they surprised when then opened the station house door! Find out who showed up …

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Police Cadets Andrea Ettlin, Colton Sharmen, Ryan Mele, and Jose Perez get ready to load food boxes into the vehicles of drivers who await to take them to needy families.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The wacky winter weather on the morning of December 20 worried Cliff Madison, retired Portland Police Commander, and Chairman of the Sunshine Division’s board of directors. He, and everyone else involved with the annual food box delivery program, wondered if anyone would brave the sideways-blowing snow and predicted blizzard.

“Here at East Precinct,” Madison said that day, “We have 554 boxes of food – complete dinners, including meat and bread – that need to be delivered, today.”

While the food drive distribution materials were being organized by members of the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Police Cadets in the station’s garage, folks started filling in the Community Room, awaiting dispatch on their seasonal mission of mercy.

Thanks to many drivers from outer East Portland – plus many more from Gresham and East Multnomah County – it looked as if many volunteers had braved the elements to help make deliveries.

Gresham’s Steve and Shannon Jannsen are waiting to get their car loaded with Sunshine Division food boxes in the East Precinct Community Room.

Waiting in the early-morning sub-freezing temperatures, with snow falling and swirling around, volunteer drivers line up in front of East Precinct, ready to receive their cargos of mercy.

Come to ‘share their blessings’
Steve and Shannon Jannsen, who live in Hunter’s Highland in Gresham, warmed up in the precinct’s Community Room before they made their delivery run. “We came to help, because we feel so blessed this year,” Shannon told us. “We wanted to share our blessing with somebody else.”

“My motivation for coming was that I didn’t know if other people would be inclined to come out,” Steve said. “I figure that Christmastime is the best and most appropriate time to show the love of Christ through works; that’s enough motivation for me.”

Before being loaded up to make deliveries, Portland Police Officer Larry Keller gets his delivery instructions and maps from “traffic coordinator” Kandi Marks, an East Precinct employee.

Sunshine Division’s Chair, Cliff Madison, and East Precinct Officer Michael Gallagher, coordinator of the East Precinct Police Cadet program say they’re thrilled with the volunteer turnout on such a nasty morning.

Intrepid drivers lined up on SE 106th Avenue
When they opened the parking garage door, organizers were surprised and delighted to see a line of vehicles that stretched northward to SE Washington Street. Others queued up in the Floyd Light Middle School parking lot.

“The number of drivers here amazes me,” East Precinct Officer Michael Gallagher, coordinator of the East Precinct Police Cadet program, told us. “With these weather conditions, we were concerned we might not have nearly enough drivers to get the boxes delivered before the blizzard sets in this afternoon.”

Eleven East Precinct Police Cadets picked and packed food boxes, meat and bread into cars, trucks, vans – and even an open-air Jeep. Five more Cadets hopped into tire-chained bureau cars and headed out to make distant deliveries.

“Every year, many of our cadets say they look forward to helping out on this project, because they find it so rewarding,” Gallagher commended. “It would be difficult to do without their hard work.”

East Precinct Police Cadets hustle to load cars and trucks, quickly sending them on their way.

Saying he “Just came to help our community”, Joe Short drove in from his home in East Gresham to volunteer for the Sunshine Division deliveries. East Precinct Cadet Adam Hartless loaded Joe’s SUV to the roof with food for the needy.

Many volunteers quickly pack out boxes
In addition to the score of civilian volunteers, cops such as East Precinct Officer Mike Chapman and his wife, Rachel, packed 19 boxes into their car. “We live here in outer East Portland,” Rachel said. “We took boxes to deliver to people in the district he patrols.”

While they didn’t have an exact count, officials estimate about 130 drivers came to drive Sunshine Division food boxes to their destinations.

“The best thing about having so many willing drivers,” Gallagher reflected, “is that all of the boxes were out by 10:30 a.m. – well ahead of the blizzard.”

In addition to encouraging folks to help the Sunshine Division deliver boxes, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs (second from left) and his family themselves headed out with a SUV full of food boxes.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

You might say this bungling crook got clean away – but didn’t get a single cent for his efforts. The victim’s hands weren’t totally clean, though – find out why he was arrested during the investigation …

This Washman car wash on NE 82nd Avenue of Roses at NE Glisan Street sprays down hundreds of vehicles every day – and power-washed a would-be bandit on December 13.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The crime was simple, although perhaps not well-thought-out: Just rob a Montavilla-area carwash, and scoot with some quick cash.

On Saturday, December 13, at 10:42 a.m., a man wearing a skull-stenciled ski mask tried to rob the Washman Carwash, located at 426 NE 81st Avenue of Roses, The suspect approached an employee on foot, pulled a gun from his sweatshirt, and demanded money.

“The suspect dropped the gun, and it appears the gun fell apart,” reported Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Officer Catherine Kent. “The suspect then waved his fist at the employee and demanded money.

These four photos, taken by the car wash’s security cameras, tell the story.

The employee, Chris Truax, walked the suspect over to a booth and opened up the till, as the suspect demanded.

“I wasn’t trying to be a hero,” Truax said. “It just really upset me that this guy was getting into my personal space, even though I was trying to cooperate.” When the masked bandit reached for the money, Truax said he grabbed the power washer and sprayed the suspect in the face.

Perhaps thinking the “skeleton” ski mask would frighten his victim, the suspect charges Truax.

Truax picks up a gun of his own – a high-pressure washer spray gun – and prepares to blast the suspect in the face.

“The suspect fled on foot westbound on NE Everett Street,” Kent reported. “The suspect is described as a white male in his 20’s, 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and a white ‘skeleton’ ski mask. The employee described the suspect as having dark eyes and unusually long arms. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Becomes a Crime Stoppers case
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony, and you remain anonymous.  Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357) or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com.

Victim later arrested
We’d heard that Truax, the victim of the robbery attempt, was later arrested on an unrelated charge.

Kent told us, “Yes, that is correct. Officers discovered an unresolved, seven-year-old DUI warrant during the course of their investigation. He was arrested, and later released.”

“I should have taken care of this long ago,” Truax told reporters. “I’m taking care of it now!”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why volunteers each year turn the outer East Portland DHS office into a delightful wonderland for hundreds of kids during the Holiday season …

Amanda Martinez and Sherry Robinson, children living in foster care, say they’re thankful they can enjoy a delicious Holiday meal and the DHS Holiday Party events.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While many people find the Holidays taxing, consider the stress felt by a child living in foster care at Christmastime.

“When parents are unable to keep their children safe,” explained Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Service Specialist, Mary Boehme, “the children are often placed in foster care with relatives or non-relative families. Parents are given an opportunity to change their circumstances in order to reunite. The Holidays are a difficult time for the children and parents alike.”

For the eighth year in a row, workers at the DHS East Multnomah Branch have worked to make the Holidays bright by hosting a special Christmas party for foster kids. The event has grown over the years; this party hosted more than 200 children with their siblings, parents, and foster parents, from Mid- and East Multnomah County.

Event brings families together
“This time of year, parents of children in foster care often want to be with their kids,” Boehme told us, as the event got underway.

“This party gives kids the opportunity to experience a fun, no-stress event with their visiting parents or foster parents,” Boehme noted. “It’s a way that East Branch can give back to the kids that we serve, and perhaps allow the parents to have some fun time with their kids while they’re in foster care.”

DHS volunteers turn the normally utilitarian-looking visiting rooms at their offices on SE 122nd Avenue into a Holiday wonderland. Cheerfully decorated visiting rooms offer games, crafts, face painting, and cookie-decorating.

Mary Boehme, with the DHS East Branch, gets help from Jeff Dayton and Bill Dayton, owners of Pizza Baron, who present Santa Claus his own Christmas pizza. “It’s like leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, but hot and cheesier,” Bill said.

Labor and supplies donated
The children and families who attend this party are often without financial resources,” pointed out Boehme’s coworker, Stacey Mahler. “This party allows them to enjoy a rare Holiday event as a family. This year, as families are struggling more than ever before, it seems really important to do this.”

The party is organized by staff volunteers who plan, manage, acquire in-kind and monetary donations, decorate, and volunteer in the party rooms. “We hold fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for supplies and food,” Mahler added.

We ran into Jeff and Bill Dayton, owners of Pizza Baron just up the street at SE 122nd Avenue at SE Division Street, as they were bringing in stacks of hot, bubbling pizza. “Our customers come from the outer East Portland community,” Bill Dayton told us, “we do our best support good causes here, as we have for the past 30 years.”

Boehme said their organization appreciates local companies, such as Pizza Baron. “The kids love their pizza. And, Bill and Jeff have been supportive of DHS East branch, helping us and our organization, and our kids, for years in so many ways.”

Weather gives ’em a break
Many Holiday events were cancelled this season due to poor weather conditions, but good fortune – and the sun – shone on the DHS volunteers, as the party got underway on December 16.

We saw many small, smiling faces as the youngsters “fished” for gifts, got their faces painted, spent a few moments with Santa Claus – and gobbled down slices of pizza.

Caricature artists Steve Dorris and Sam Arneson draw whimsical portraits of the visiting kids.

Boehme and Mahler asked us to acknowledge other organizations who contributed to the event: The Duck Store, Oaks Amusement Park, Portland Children’s Museum, Columbia Sportswear, Higgins Restaurant, Learning Palace, Music Millennium, Old Spaghetti Factory, OMSI, Maletis Beverage, NW Priority Credit Union, On Point Community Credit Union, Steamfitter Union Local 290, and Met-Tek Inc.

“We thank them so much; this wonderful day wouldn’t be possible without their support,” Boehme said.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Officials aren’t saying if this partial cave-in is related to the collapse that happened four years ago. Find out what we did learn about the incident …

Shoppers looked puzzled and confused when they were directed to stay away from the Gateway Fred Meyer store last Saturday.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“This is kind of creepy; the roof fell in at the same place a few years ago,” was the sentiment expressed by shopper Marta Sanchez as she walked away from the yellow tape which warned shoppers to stay away from the Gateway Fred Meyer store on December 27.

She was right: the roof once before gave way at this store, in nearly the same place – on the store’s west side – in January, 2004.

In this four-year-old East Portland News archive photo, workers clear debris and begin to rebuild the section damaged after part of the Gateway Freddie’s roof collapsed.

It happened again – in nearly the same spot – as this PF&R photo shows.

Finds roof top ‘swimming pool’
Some reports said shoppers were in the store when the roof caved in this week. But, according to Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) spokesperson Kim Kosmas, “The collapse happened when only a few employees were in the store.  Everyone was able to escape without any injuries.”

When PF&R crews rolled up to the store on NE 102nd Avenue at 7:10 a.m., Kosmas said they discovered a 30′ x 30′ section of roof had collapsed on the side of the building facing the Gateway MAX station.

According to Kosmas, roof drains were blocked by a heavy accumulation of snow. When it started raining on Saturday morning, there was nowhere for the water to go. “This caused a ‘swimming pool effect’ on the roof,” stated Kosmas.

Water gushing from the store’s sprinkler system added to the mess at this Fred Meyer store. PF&R photo

Broken pipe floods store
As the roof gave way, falling debris struck the store’s fire suppression system water pipes, knocking them loose from a sprinkler riser pipe. “That added insult to injury, with additional water pouring into the structure,” Kosmas noted.

PF&R crews were concerned that a secondary collapse might occur, and closely monitored the structure until they relinquished control of the scene to the building owners and structural engineers. The fire crews were gone by 10:00 a.m.; the store employees looked to be involved in recovery efforts when we arrived at noon.

Our request to speak with a Fred Meyer official on-scene was greeted with a gruff rebuff, preventing us from being able to report on the recovery effort, but the store did reopen the following day.

A little after 12 noon, heavy cranes, like this one, started rolling on scene to help workers with damage control and reconstruction efforts.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Hey! Don’t throw away those return-deposit bottles and cans that piled up during the Holidays! Here’s where to take them – and why …

The first Saturday in December, the Parkrose Swim Team helped Dave “Can Man” Luce collect and sort deposit-return bottles and cans.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
On the first Saturday of the month – including January 3, 2009 – the Parkrose Can Man (aka Dave Luce) and his clan (student volunteers from clubs, sports teams and groups at Parkrose-area schools) collect deposit-return cans and bottles.

As the Parkrose High Swim Team takes our cans, Luce tells us, “We raised $576.40 last month.” To learn more about how and why Luce has become known as the Can Man, read our past articles: CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE for two of them.

Just a reminder: Instead of dragging your cans all over town – or worse, leaving them out by the curb, thus enabling drug-affected scavengers – round ’em up and take them to the Parkrose Boosters Pop Can Drive – they’re open 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Parkrose Middle School, on NE Shaver Street, across from Parkrose High School.

If you manage a place of business, call Dave Luce and he’ll bring over and service a can recycling barrel for you. Or, if you have a large load of cans to be picked up, call him at (503) 255-3745.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Read this and see what you missed at the “Fix-it Fair” in Lents – and discover all of the money-saving, health-improving, safety-enhancing topics to be covered at the January 10 event at Parkrose High School …

Kyle Barton with Energy Trust of Oregon gives Fix-it Fair attendee Ed Sharick a free energy-saving light bulb and tells him, “Our mission is to help people save money on their energy bill.”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Once again this year, the streets around Lent Elementary School were packed with cars, as neighbors flocked in to attend the City of Portland’s Fix-it Fair a couple of weeks ago.

“This event, at the Lent School, is our first Fix-it Fair of the ’08-’09 season,” said Jill Kolek, the Training and Outreach Manager at City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development.

We marveled aloud that that the event has taken place for more than two decades. “Portlanders love the Fix-it Fair; this is our 22nd season of producing them,” she agreed.

Welcoming guests to the Lents Fix-it Fair are organizer Jill Kolek, Desiree Williams-Rajee, and Derek Smith – all from Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development.

Exhibitors show attendees how to save money, be safer and “greener” at the annual Fix-it Fair events.

Money-saving resource connection
The point of the Fix-it Fair, Kolek said, “is to get people connected to all kinds of available resources to help them conserve natural resources like energy and water, and to do ecologically-friendly repairs and upgrades to their homes.”

In addition to helping citizens “be green”, it helps people save money, especially in energy costs. “At this event, people can learn to save a little money by connecting with local food sources, and save a lot of money by learning how to becoming a homeowner instead of paying rent.”

This toy dinosaur looks friendly – but it’s covered with lead paint, explains Perry Cabot, who is with the City’s Lead Poisoning Prevention team, during the free seminar he presents at Fix-it Fair events.

Super safety seminars
Kolek noted that community safety is featured at this year’s Fix-it Fair. “People can meet with crime prevention specialists, learn about identity theft prevention, and learn how to be prepared for major emergencies.”

We always enjoy playing with Portland General Electric’s “Shocking City” exhibit that teaches electrical safety, and we sat in on a seminar that demonstrated how to take steps to protect a family from the dangers of lead poisoning in both air and water.

Ian Fabik and his son, Roland really enjoyed their Burgerville Tillamook Cheeseburgers while attending the Lents fair.

Free samples, classes, and lunch
All of the 45 exhibitors provided one-on-one help in the area of their expertise, and many of them gave free samples to those who visited their booths.

Throughout the day, free classes provided timely information taught by experts on a wide variety of topics. Most of these sessions gave printed handouts to help participants get the most of their learning session.

Coming to Parkrose on January 10
And it’s not too late to attend one of these fairs. “We’re excited to be bringing the Fix-it Fair to Parkrose High School,” Kolek told us. “It’s our first time at the high school.”

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, at Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver Street (just west of NE 122nd Avenue).

Parkrose Fix-it Fair Class Listing

“Exactly what topics are presented?” is the question we’re most commonly asked. Kolek responded with the list of classes planned for the January 10 event:

Utility Bill Savings

• Furnace Basics – Improve the efficiency of your furnace by learning about operation and maintenance, thermostat types, and ducts. Presented at 9 a.m. by Multnomah County Weatherization.
• Saving Water Makes Cents – Learn simple home repairs and modifications to conserve water and reduce sewer and water bills. Receive a free water conservation kit. Presented at 9 a.m. and at noon by the City of Portland Water Bureau.
• Home Weatherization – Keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer by learning how to install effective weatherization materials with basic tools. Presented at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. by Community Energy Project.
• Water Heaters 101 – Get hands-on experience with a step-by-step demonstration of gas and electric water heaters. Presented at 10 a.m. by City of Portland Bureau of Development Services.
• Cutting Your Energy Bill – Seven easy steps for lowering electric and gas bills. Presented at 11 a.m. by the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development.
• Snooping Out Air Leaks – Focusing on air and heat movement, professional methods for identifying and measuring air leaks, and solutions for your home. Presented at 11 a.m. by Multnomah County Weatherization.

Home and Personal Health

• How to Create an EcoSafe Home – A room by room audit of ways to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, with effective alternatives. Presented at 9 a.m. by Oregon Center for Environmental Health.
• Green Remodel – See how Portlanders conserve resources, save energy, and reduce their “carbon footprint”. Attendees receive a Green Home Remodel Guide. Presented at 10 a.m. by the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development.
• Principles of a Healthy Home – Creating a healthier home environment adds to your family’s health and well-being. Presented at 11 a.m. by Multnomah County Environmental Health.
• Got Mold? – What is mold? Can it make you sick? How do you remove it? How do you prevent it? Presented at noon by Multnomah County Environmental Health.
• Green Cleaners – Save money and protect your family and the environment by using safe, simple ingredients to clean your home. Presented at noon by Metro.
• Lead Poisoning Prevention – Protect yourself and your family from lead poisoning. Presented at noon by Community Energy Project.
• Stress Less – Learn about the effects of stress on your body, and how proper nutrition and other techniques can help you lower stress in your life. Presented at noon by Everyday Wellness Clinic.
• Lead-Safe Home Projects – Accessible and easily applicable Lead Safe Work Practices for the layperson. Receive a free lead-safe project kit, and be pre-qualified to borrow a HEPA vacuum from the Community Energy Project. Presented at 1 p.m. by Community Energy Project.
• All Season Cycling – Learn tips to stay dry, comfortable, and safe while riding all year round. Also includes a demo of flat-tire repair. Presented at 1 p.m. by the City of Portland Office of Transportation.

Your Home, Your Money

• Downspout Disconnection 101 – A hands-on demonstration of how to disconnect your downspouts, including tools, materials and safety standards. Presented at 9 a.m. by the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
• Emergency Preparedness – Protect lives and property in the event of a natural- or human-caused disaster. Presented at 10 a.m. by the City of Portland Office of Emergency Management.
• Financing Your Home Fixes – Discuss popular financing tools and learn common terms for financing home improvement projects. Presented at 10 a.m. by the Portland Development Commission.
• Identity Theft – Stop identity theft before it occurs, and be prepared if it does. Presented at 10 a.m. by the Identity Theft Awareness Group.
• Improving & Repairing Your Credit – Repair damaged credit and raise your credit score to get the best terms and rates on loans and related offers. Presented at 11 a.m. by the Portland Development Commission.
• Homebuying 101 – Learn what you need to buy a home. Discuss the home-buying process and learn helpful tips and resources. Presented at noon by the Portland Development Commission.
• Emergencies: Beyond 72 Hours – Prepare yourself and your family for beyond the first three days after an emergency. Presented at 1 p.m. by the City of Portland Office of Emergency Management.
• Create a Budget That Works – Learn the best ways to budget, save money, and reduce debt. Presented at 1 p.m. by Mirra Consulting.
• Crime Prevention – Solutions to crime and livability issues. Presented at 1 p.m. by the City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Team.
• Hiring a Contractor – Understand contract details, how to avoid fraud and scams, and get valuable tips. Presented at 1 p.m. by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

Yard & Garden

• General Tree Care – Thorough pruning results in trees that thrive. See examples of healthy trees and pruning techniques. Presented at 9 a.m. by City of Portland Parks and Recreation.
• Grow Your Own Vegetables! – Learn which plants grow best in the Pacific Northwest, when to plant, and how plentiful the bounty will be. Presented at 9 a.m. by City of Portland Parks and Recreation, Community Gardens.
• Introduction to Naturescaping – Naturalize your yard with naturescaping and help keep it healthy. Presented at 9 a.m. by East Multnomah Soil and Water.
• Weeds – Discuss why some weeds are unwanted or invasive, and learn how to control them in your yard. Presented at 10 a.m. by East Multnomah Soil and Water.
• Introduction to Rain Gardens – Manage stormwater from disconnected downspouts. Assess a site for suitability, chose appropriate plants and more. Presented at 11 a.m. by East Multnomah Soil and Water.
• Vegetable Gardening for the Northwest Climate – Plant a successful vegetable garden with easy tips for soil preparation, planting calendars, planting methods, and water conservation strategies. Presented at 11 a.m. by Oregon Food Bank.
• Converting Lawn to Garden – Reduce your lawn mowing chores and grow chemical-free vegetables instead! Learn how to convert your lawn – or weed patch – into raised garden beds. Presented at noon by Metro.
• Composting Made Easy – It’s easy and inexpensive to improve garden soil by composting your food and garden waste. Learn how to set up and maintain a compost system or worm bin. Presented at 1 p.m. by Metro.

The 22nd Annual Fix-It Fair season is presented by The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development and supported by the following sponsors: Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power, Portland Development Commission, and Portland General Electric.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Everyone thought the flood in December, 2007, was bad – but take a look at what this week’s major rainstorm did to businesses – and even to a PGE Substation – on SE Foster Road …

Looking east on SE Foster Road from SE 101st Avenue, the water on the roadway gives a whole new meaning to the term “traffic island” – the Springwater Trail crossing is deep beneath flood water.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thirteen months and six days have passed since Johnson Creek last flooded Lents area businesses and neighbors. (Read about last year’s flood by CLICKING HERE.)

The 2009 New Year’s Day rainstorm did more than dampen holiday plans – it caused land to slide and creeks to swell throughout the metropolitan Portland area.

And, the third “10-year storm” within the decade also caused Johnson Creek to rise more than four feet above its bank, flooding Lents-area residents and businesses.

James Thompson says this is the worst flooding he’s seen. The blue steel building behind him in the distance – across “Lake Foster Road” – is his business: Thompson Auto Body.

Business owners work through rain and darkness
“Homeowners say they’ve had more flooding today, from 103rd Avenue and 109th Avenue, than they did in 1996,” James Thompson, owner of Thompson Auto Body, told us. “Ten years ago, Johnson Creek didn’t flood like it does today – all of a sudden, they’re under water.”

Thompson said his business has been at its current location, 10310 SE Foster Road, for 18 years. “Back in 1996, we moved everything up about a foot. And, we equipped the shop so we can lift cars high above the water level, and move our equipment quickly. With all the snow, and then the prediction of rain, we saw [a flood] coming.”

To this end, Thompson said they didn’t schedule any new auto body jobs, and started preparing for the storm. “We’ve now got about 6 inches of water in our building. With the water receding the way it is, we’ll probably come out OK, after we clean up the mess.  So, while we’re losing business, at this point, everything is ‘golden’ for me.”

Business loads up and moves, overnight
As in last year’s storm, Gary Sargent’s business – Sargent’s Motor Sports – is almost directly across the street from Thompson’s, at 10207 SE Foster Road.

Looking at his business, inundated by two to three feet of muddy water, Sargent moaned, “Another winter, and another flood. What a way to start out the year.”

Sargent said he got a call from staff members at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services warning him about the impending flood. Throughout the day, and into the night, he and his staff and friends loaded their entire inventory of motorcycles, ATVs, shop equipment, and parts into semi trailers and trucks.

“We took everything that was within four feet of the floor. When the water goes down, we’ll have a big cleanup ahead of us – again.”

Muddy water, now about three feet deep, separates Gary Sargent from his business on SE Foster Road.

Owner blames ‘land filling fairies’
Sargent said appreciates the work the City of Portland has done to help reduce flooding along Johnson Creek. But, he again brought up the Freeway Land Company area of infill he says was never approved – yet still remains high above the creek’s flood stage.

“According to the last Army Corps of Engineers study, [Freeway Land’s] storage of ‘recyclable materials’ is where the water used to pond and flow,” Sargent maintained. “It seems that the ‘land filling fairies’ magically filled the property, so it is out of the 100 year flood plain.”

The City has a plan to work with homeowners along SE Foster Road, Sargent added. “I’m told that Mayor Sam Adams informed them that the only way that they can make their water retention pond work properly is to take all of their land and houses. I hope the city makes these people whole.”

Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Johnson Creek Watershed Manager, Maggie Skenderian, stays in touch with her coworkers, as they evaluate the current flooding conditions in Lents.

City monitors flooding
We caught up with Maggie Skenderian, Johnson Creek Watershed Manager for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, at SE 111th Avenue, north of SE Foster Road.

“I can’t say the water level is record-setting,” Skenderian told us, “but this is a major flood event. It peaked out at 14.69 feet around nine o’clock this morning (January 2nd).”

The next reading taken at their Sycamore station showed that the creek had dropped to 14.64 feet. Skenderian told us that Johnson Creek’s bank is at 10 feet; and “overflow” occurs when it reaches 11 feet. “At 14 feet and above, we consider this to be a major flood – one of the top 10 or 15 events that we’ve measured at the creek.”

More water than ‘Restoration project’ could handle
We asked what impact the East Lents Flood Plain Restoration Project would have had during the current flood, if the construction work had been completed.

“This is not that kind of an event,” Skenderian replied. “At best, it will mitigate the flood events that happen every 10 years. I have a feeling this amount rainfall would’ve overflowed that ‘bathtub’ by a long shot. Mother Nature always has her way – we’ve already spent $30 million on our Johnson Creek restoration projects.”

(CLICK HERE to read our article about the progress of the East Lents Flood Plain Restoration Project.)

Jackson Green, his friends and neighbors fill sandbags at SE 111th Avenue and SE Harold Street. “We’re hoping to keep water from flooding our home, east of this location and SE 115th Avenue. Our next-door neighbors’ houses are already flooded,” he said. “We hope we can put around enough sandbags to prevent our home from flooding as well.”

City official comments on Freeway Land infill
We asked Skenderian if the infill on Freeway Land property contributed to the 2009 flood – and, if anything is being done to remove that landfill which some people call “unauthorized”.

“This area has been a flood plain since the [prehistoric] Missoula Floods,” replied Skenderian. “Folks are looking for someone, or something, to blame – and that ‘fill’ has been there well over a decade. This is the reality of the situation: This is a flood plain fed by a creek that overflows. It floods a lot. The money it would cost to remove that fill from Freeway Lands is astronomical. This is not to say it is impossible to be done someday – but we’re talking millions and millions of dollars to remove it.”

Skenderian recalls that the Schweitzer Project at SE 159th Avenue near SE Foster Road cost more than $5 million, and involved removing about 140,000 cubic yards of fill along Johnson Creek’s bank. She estimated the Freeway Land fill to be 10 times that size; and added that the land in question is private property.

“I know everyone wants to point fingers and try to find out who they can get to take responsibility for the flooding,” Skenderian concluded. “The truth of the matter is, people should live and work outside of a flood plain. This area has had a very long history of flooding – long before anyone could fill in at the Freeway Land property.  This is not to say that that fill does not make matters worse, or that nothing can be done about it to remove it.”

This now-flooded Portland General Electric electrical substation on SE Foster Road was taken off-line until the flood water recede and the equipment can be serviced.

Electrical substation flooded
Sargent and Thompson pointed out that the Portland General Electric (PGE) substation near both of their businesses was also flooded.

We asked a PGE worker if this assertion was true, as he climbed into a large dump truck towing an industrial-strength vacuum system.

“We had between 2 and 2½ feet in the main control building at the Foster Road Substation,” he said. “We got to our dispatcher about 2 a.m. this morning to let them know we were losing the battle.  So we had to cut power off at the station.”

-7 PGE crews will use the vacuum towed behind their truck to start cleaning out their substation’s control room as soon as the water recedes.

PGE’s Public Information Officer, Steve Corson, confirmed the story. “Two feeders [major distribution lines] coming to the substation that supplies about 3,200 customers were affected. Power went out about 5:00 a.m., and was restored at 8:20 a.m.”

The power grid system is designed to provide flexibility when things affect a substation, noted Corson. “It is handled, in part, through our downtown control center – but a lineman has to switches in the field.”

The water was deep at the intersection of SE Foster Road and SE 111th Avenue – and was closed to traffic most of the day.

Neighbor praises BES warning
Long time Lents area Johnson Creek activist Joyce Beedle, a homeowner at SE 108th and Foster Road, called to say that her home was still above water.

“We owe a big thank you to BES and Mayor Sam Adams. On New Year’s Morning, they called to say that the National Weather Service was predicting a flood so we could do what is necessary to protect ourselves. We weren’t at home, and thus, weren’t aware that the creek was on the rise. We came home and sandbagged our place.”

Most of her other neighbors are sitting high and dry, but some of their outbuildings have been flooded, Beedle reported. “We don’t expect the City to come and take care of us individually; I found this worthy of praise.”

Rain not record-breaking
Dan Keirns a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said total rainfall was 3.04 inches as measured at the airport. (However, a Southeast gauge measured 3.83 inches over the first two days of the New Year.)

“This was a good heavy rain, but not nearly a record,” Keirns said. “It was a record for a January 2nd, breaking the record previous record recorded in 1987 by .10″. But it isn’t unusual to get heavy rains this time of year.”

Keirns said things would dry out over the weekend. “We’re expecting another system to come in Sunday night or Monday, and will bring about half as much this storm.

“However, we could get hammered again next week,” he forecasted.

Get the latest weather forecast from the experts!
Regardless when you read this, you can always get the up-to-date forecast from the National Weather Service for outer East Portland by CLICKING HERE. Or, enter the Zip Code at the top of the page to see the 7-day forecast for any location in the country.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why Portland YouthBuilders’ students, staff members, and folks from ROSE Community Development all celebrated the positive results of this project …

Nick Sauvie, Executive Director of Rose Community Development Corp, and PYB Project Manager Bill Kowalczyk, tell about the importance of this project to their respective organizations.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Earlier this year, a unique outer East Portland educational institution, Portland YouthBuilders (PYB), broke ground and started building a new single-family house in the Lents Neighborhood. (Read more about the project and PYB by CLICKING HERE.)

Students and their families, instructors, and representatives from the developer, ROSE Community Development Corp., got together at the newly-completed home on December 10th to celebrate their accomplishment.

Turns tax-foreclosed property into community asset
“We first acquired the property in 2003,” noted Nick Sauvie, Executive Director of ROSE Community Development Corp. “With the help of Portland Community Land Trust, we are able to sort through a variety of issues and get started earlier this year.”

Sauvie said that ROSE was the project’s contractor and developer. “We got PYB involved as the builder; they provide training and career development opportunities for young people.”

The third partner in this project is Portland Community Land Trust (PCLT), Sauvie added. “Their participation makes sure that this home will be owner-occupied, and permanently affordable to moderate-income families.” (CLICK HERE to learn more about the PCLT,)

PYB instructor beams with pride
The building project manager, PYB’s Bill Kowalczyk, was all smiles at the open house. He recalled talking with us as their crew prepared to pour the home’s foundation earlier. “It’s really a fun thing to see a house be built from the ground up. And it’s rewarding to watch the kids transform into better citizens, as they go through the process of building a house.”

Kowalczyk noted that he observed students as they walked around the completed house. “You can see they feel moved by what they accomplished, and are incredibly proud of their work. A couple of our students are ready to move out of the program and into their next steps in life. I’m really excited about that for them.”

PYB is important, Kowalczyk said, because he feels that many of students are not fully served by the school system, and by society. “We are a school that provides a structure, a learning environment, where there is lots of interaction between staff and students. It helps them grow as people.”

Alex Butler, a student with Portland YouthBuilders, says the program helped him learn new skills and stay out of gangs.

Builds a new life while building a home
Outside the new home, we spoke with PYB student Alex Butler. “I’ve had a little experience, but I’ve learned a lot in this program. I’ve worked on landscaping, and doing trim finishing,” Butler said.

Butler credited his mother for going into – and returning to – PYB. “I got involved after I heard about it from a friend of mine; he said it was a good for people who dropped out of school. Coming here help me get rid of a lot of bad habits. I left the first time; I kept being late.”

His mom urged him to go back and try again, Butler said. “I was influenced to hang out in gangs. I would probably be out ‘banging it’ if not for PYB. I have a friend – he’s like the big brother to me, who I don’t have – but he’s in jail. He’s been telling me to stay with this, and not to join the gangs. I look up to him, and I took his advice and stayed with the program.”

Program builds character
In parting, Kowalczyk told us, “The most important thing we teach students is patterns of behavior that help students succeed when they come out our program. We don’t really focus on teaching sophisticated construction skills. We focus on the basics, and also help provide experiences that help kids become good workers and good citizens.”

If you know of a student, or a family with a student, who could benefit from the Portland YouthBuilder program, visit their website by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why this industrial-strength swing set appeals to both kids and adults – but, it’s only there till January …

The artist and inventor of the OMSI installation, Jennifer Steinkamp, shows visitors this swing-set is also for adults. Typically, participants are seated facing the screen!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In addition to unlocking the mystery within Mindbender Mansion’s teasing puzzles, you can also get into the swing of things at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s first-ever art installation.

At the top of the escalator on the west wall of OMSI’s Earth Science Hall you’ll find an “interactive swing set” – built sturdily enough to accommodate full-sized adults – with a giant projection screen and audio system, for their newest attraction called “Anything You Can Do”.

“This is the first time that OMSI has done a formal art installation,” commented OMSI’s Communications Director, Lee Dawson. “It’s a dynamic, kinetic piece of art with which people can interact – a feature that’s really important to us.”

It’s a swing set; but, as we observed, it interacts with high technology. “This swing is tied in with visuals and sound effects,” Dawson noted.

Each of the two swings control a layer of the image, and each have its own soundtrack. As the participants swing, the two video layers combine to form a single image. There are progressively-changing sounds for each of the movements, and the experience is heightened through participation and play.

Meet the artist
Jennifer Steinkamp, the artist (or should we say inventor) of the exhibit, was visiting Portland form her home in Los Angeles, California, when we came to see the installation.

“‘Anything you can do, I can do better’ was a song my mother used to sing – almost as a competitive mantra,” Steinkamp said, about her work’s title. “Ideas for many of my works have come into my head in response to song titles or hooks.”

The best thing about her animated swing set, Steinkamp told us, is “Watching people have fun and play. I like for people to have a new experience; I guess that’s what OMSI is all about, right?”

Audio track composer Jimmy Johnson joins Steinkamp to get competitive, while swinging on “Anything You Can Do”.

Technology behind the fun
What makes it work, Steinkamp disclosed, is a computer program that accepts input from sensors on the swings. “They’re like turn-knobs. One set of sensors tracks the swing’s actual back-and-forth swinging motion. The other set measures side-to-side or twisting motion. This input controls the visual images and sounds you hear when you swing.”

The artist introduced her “composer”, Jimmy Johnson, who explained, “I created the sounds, decided where they should go, and when they should happen – as one would compose music. The sounds are all generated with computer code.”

Artist challenges reporter
After showing how the interactive art installation worked, Steinkamp narrowed her eyes, raised her voice, and challenged this reporter, “You aren’t really going to report and write about this without swinging on it – ARE YOU?”

“Is this an official throw-down?” we asked

She nodded her head, crossed her arms, and waited while we set down our camera and mounted the industrial-strength swing set.

Steinkamp looked both surprised and pleased when we leaned back, and pumped the swing high into the air. The stereo speakers on the cross-bar emitted ethereal swishes. The higher we swung, the more animated the music, and the larger the graphics on the giant rear-projection screen in front of us.

Twisting in the swing, while in the air, changed the sounds and images on the screen. Looking up, we saw the silhouette of a family strolling between the screen and the projector, adding to the installation’s interactive feel.

Even adult visitors are more than welcome to climb aboard the swing-set to try out OMSI’s first-ever interactive art installation.

Limited time
The “Anything You Can Do” interactive art installation will be at OMSI through the ending of the museum’s Mindbender Mansion exhibition, scheduled to close in January, Dawson said. “But it may stay a little longer, depending how well our members accept it.”

For more information on the artist, see her web site at www.jsteinkamp.com. To learn more about OMSI, visit www.omsi.edu.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Did the bad weather keep you from donating? It’s not too late to help out the Portland Fire & Rescue Toy and Joy Makers. Find out why and how, right here …

Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter Specialist Bruce Thompson drives the waterborne sleigh for Inspector Mike “Santa” O’Keefe.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On the crisp, clear morning of December 4, more than one person gazing at the Willamette River from inner SE Portland was astonished to see jolly old St. Nick speeding north, from near OMSI to the fire dock under the Hawthorne Bridge, astride a powerful personal watercraft with Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) markings.

“Santa came early, on Jet-Ski,” explained, PF&R spokesman, Lt. Allen Oswalt. “Sleds don’t work well without snow; so to deliver a check to Toy-N-Joy Makers, we gave him a lift to help deliver a $2,000 check from the Fire Chief’s Association to them.”

Off they go on, on their mission to help the Toy and Joy Makers.

Started in SE Portland
While the Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Toy and Joy Makers current facility today sits on the Gresham city borderline in outer East Portland, the program started 94 years ago in Sellwood, at the fire station now designated Station 20.

“In 1914, close to Christmastime, a child was crying, looking at his broken wagon as he stood in front of the Sellwood district fire station,” related Oswalt. “The sight touched a firefighter’s heart – he so he brought the little boy into the station, and fixed the wagon for him. That was the act that kicked off what has become the Toy and Joy Makers.”

The idea caught on, and one by one, until the early 1980s, different fire stations had different assignments – one would fix bicycles and another would refurbish wagons, explained Oswalt. The firefighters would stockpile parts, repaint broken toys, and return them to as new a condition as possible.

“Nowadays, with the addition of new equipment, there isn’t the room to for firefighters to repair broken toys,” Oswalt went on. “So, to keep the tradition alive, we ask that people donate new, unwrapped toys.”

At the PF&R dock at Station 7, Inspector Mike “Santa” O’Keefe presents a check to the bureau’s Toy and Joy Makers “head elf”, Dean Johnston.

3,000,000 toys and counting
Dean Johnston, retired firefighter, and now the “chief elf” the organization met us at Station 20, to talk about the program.

“We work with organizations to make sure the toy-giving is not duplicated by other agencies and charities – thus making the ‘joy’ go farther,” said Johnston. “With the help and support of the community, we’ll be giving away about 10,000 toys to underprivileged kids this year; we’ve distributed more than 3 million toys since we began.”

Most needed toys noted
Now that this year’s toy supply has been depleted, they’re looking to start filling their warehouse for Christmas, 2009. “There is a special need for infant toys (Fisher Price, Playskool), due to the large lead-based paint recall of toys last year,” noted Johnston.
They’re also looking for toys suitable for older girls, ages nine through 13. Suggested toys include craft kits for jewelry-making, beads, friendship bracelets, books, and games.  Please do NOT donate make-up (even “play” make-up), or clothing.

Behind the scenes: Santa gets grilled by Portland’s TV station reporters who were all respectful as they questioned jolly St. Nick.

After Christmas donations gratefully accepted
Many parents help their children learn the value of giving by having the kids help pick out toys to be donated, Oswalt commented. “If the bad weather kept you and your family from dropping off new, unwrapped toys at fire stations, consider a cash donation. Because the organization can buy toys at wholesale, it really stretches the value of monetary donations. 98% of the money given goes to toys for kids.”

Financial contributions can be made online at their website. CLICK HERE to go there right now! You’ll be glad you did — and you may get a deduction on your income taxes if you contribute before the end of the year.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

We may never know for certain if the dead man police found holed-up in a Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood garage actually robbed the Advantis Credit Union. Read this, and learn why he’s still their prime suspect …

As SERT officers gathered around a house a half-mile to the north, the Advantis Credit Union was open for business after their morning robbery.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A man sporting a thin mustache carried a black briefcase with him, as he strode into the Advantis Credit Union at 3717 SE 17th Avenue, directly across from Portland General Electric’s SE Portland district offices in the Brooklyn neighborhood on December 19 at 10:45 a.m.

It soon became obvious that this fellow, described as being just under than 5’9″ tall, and in his early 30s – clad in a dark-colored baseball hat, blue-and-black rain jacket, and gloves – was there to make a withdrawal of the unauthorized and illegal kind.

He didn’t use a gun; he made his demands known by presenting a note to a credit union. The robber walked out the door with an undisclosed amount of cash stashed in his valise just moments later.

Joining the 20 Portland Police Bureau officers already on scene was about 50 SERT officers ordered into the neighborhood.

SERT Activated
Because the Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of all bank robbery investigations – and they frown on media attention during their on-site investigations – many such heists are only reported as a police blotter item.

But, as some 20 Portland Police Bureau officers set up a perimeter around a house in inner SE Portland – and ordered in their Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) officers – we took notice. They were dispatched to a detached garage at a house, north of the credit union across S.E. Powell and the Union Pacific tracks, on SE Woodward Street, between SE 15th and SE 16th Avenues.

With the property surrounded, police feel confident that the person they were seeking was still in the garage to which they’d tracked him earlier in the day.

Tear gas deployed
We learned from police records that at 11:23 a.m. police established that a Jeep Cherokee was associated with the holdup.

Hours later, an officer at the scene of the SERT callout told us that cops successfully tracked the alleged hold-up man from the credit union to the property they’d surrounded. “We’re confident the individual is still in the garage,” he said.

The officer suggested that we move from our position, downwind from the subject’s location. “We’re about to deploy tear gas,” he warned. We moved promptly.

Looking north on SE 16th Ave., the SERT officers prepare to deploy tear gas into a detached garage of a house.

“SERT deployed gas at 6:02 p.m.,” police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz told us. “When they entered the garage, they found a suspect dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The question remains: Is the dead man found in the garage the credit union robber?

Our calls to the FBI have not been returned; Schmautz said SERT was being used to assist the FBI, and not to further a Police Bureau investigation, and that further information would have to come from the tight-lipped FBI. So, far, it hasn’t.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News