Find out why officials say the game of chess helps disadvantaged youth to enter life on a level playing field …

These young chess-masters don’t wiggle or squirm while their game is in play – they appear to be completely focused on the chess board.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In the gymnasium at Duniway Elementary School, 80 kids sit at tables and play games on a Saturday morning. But this cavernous room isn’t ringing with playful outbursts or giggles; there is no whirl of youthful exuberance.

Instead, forty pairs of young people are sitting across from one another at tables on March 1, nearly motionless, gazing at a chess board.

Just outside the gym’s doorway, Julie Young, executive director for “Chess for Success”, whispers to us in the hushed tones of a TV golfing commentator, “We’re holding our regional tournaments today.”

In the hallway, Young explains this event is one of 25 regional tournaments being put on by their organization. “Kids are competing for titles within their age category. The winners will go on to the final playoffs.”

“Chess for Success” officials Ed McVicker – assistant tournament director and program director – Christopher Maguire, and executive director Julie Young track statistics and keep time during the tournament at Duniway Elementary School.

Four decades of chess
“Chess for Success” was formed in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to setting up chess clubs in low-income Portland schools, Young tells us. It now support chess clubs in 73 Title I schools.

“This tournament has a 41-year history,” says Young. “It started at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). By 1998, it grew until it became too large for a volunteer organization to run. ‘Chess for Success’ began to provide the logistics and administrative support, but the tournaments are still staffed by many of those volunteers who started the event.”

The players of the next game quietly listen to instructions from the tournament officials.

Lessons in personal responsibility
On the grade school level, Young continues, volunteers and staff of “Chess for Success” teach more than just how move figurines around on a checked board.

“These chess clubs are important, because it brings together children from all different backgrounds to play with one another. Beyond that, when children learn how to play chess, they learn how to sit still, concentrate, and think ahead.”

And, kids also learn personal responsibility, adds Young. “They get the credit for their successes. And, they can’t blame their losses on their family’s situation – or even on what they had for breakfast. The ‘field is level’ for every child. Winning at chess doesn’t take any special physical or mental skill – it takes concentration, and a will to succeed.”

This young lady is focused only on her next move.

Chess breeds success
Their program goes far beyond developing young chess mavens, Young continues. “As soon as a child joins the chess club, other students – and even some teachers – often think, ‘my gosh, they’re brilliant’. It really increases their self-esteem when they get good at playing chess.

“Whether they achieve mastery of chess or not, kids who learn to play tend to do better in school. As they improve at the game, many of them start taking their studies more seriously.

“We’re not really interested in making chess masters in our after-school program. Our goal is to teach children skills that will carry forward in life.”

At the Franciscan Montessori Earth School, just off outer SE Division Street in the Centennial neighborhood, players from the eastern region are concentrating on their tournament.

Outer East Portland tournament
Indeed, this chess tournament really is spread across the city. Later that morning, we visit another sponsored tournament, this one at the Franciscan Montessori Earth School.

“We have 52 kids playing today, says Melissa Light, development and communications director for the organization. “We have 12 schools represented at this tournament.”

In schools supported, Chess for Success is open to all children in the school, without cost. “Fortunately, we have strong support from parents, teachers, public school districts, and the community.”

You can learn more by going online to and visiting www.chessforsuccess.org.

In outer East Portland, Melissa Light, development and communications director at “Chess for Success”, helps officiate other players in the early March tournament.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

When the car in which the costumes were stored was stolen, just before the state competition, the dance team’s coaches and parents got busy. Learn the rest of the story, here …

The Cleveland dancers show they are “on a mission” to win their championship, by rehearsing for hours on March 13, the day before their competition.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Just a few days before the Cleveland High School dance team’s entry into the state dance competitions, it looked like petty criminals might sink their spirits by stealing some of their costumes.

“My car was stolen,” said the team’s long-time coach and supporter, Ms. Chris Burgess, “right out of my driveway at my home in Gresham. It’s the third time it’s been stolen.”

Gone with her red Toyota Camry hatchback, were 30 ornate dance team headdresses, Burgess reported.

Instead of giving up, parents, sponsors, and coaches worked to reproduce the headgear in a day-long sewing bee on March 8.

Because of their dedicated rehearsal, their dancers placed well in the state dance competitions.

Found: Box of green glittery stuff
But on March 12, Burgess said she got a call from the police saying they had found her car. To make sure it was hers, officers asked her on the phone, “Did you have a box with a lot of green, glittery stuff in it? There’s glitter all over the back.”

Although her car was found a couple of miles from her house relatively undamaged, all of Burgess’ personal items were missing, as was a box containing four brand-new costumes.

“The headdresses added a lot to our intricate dance routine,” Burgess told us just hours before the team headed to the competition being held at Memorial Coliseum on March 14. “We’re going into the competition with two sets of headdresses.”

The situation didn’t seem to faze the dancers as we watched them rehearse their elaborate routine in the Cleveland High gym.

Focusing on their routines, dance coach Chris Burgess gives team members tips on tuning up one of their intricate routines.

‘On a mission’
After the competition, the team’s head coach, Nicole Narong, told us, “We felt great about the performance. We were on a mission to dance and represent our school well. We worked real hard, and all the girls are excited and happy to place in the state competition.”

Three Cleveland high students were among the six finalists in the drill-down, reported Cleveland High’s Assistant to the Principal, Sandee Dressel.

“In the 2008 Dance State Competition, Eilise Ward took first place, Lauren McLeron came in fourth and Brynn Opsahl placed fifth,” Dressel said. “Kendall Udoutch was selected to the 5A All-State team. Cleveland placed 5th in the 5A All-State Large School division.”

“Did the stolen costumes hinder the team?” we asked the coach.

“It was harder on the parents and coaches than on our dancers,” Narong said. “I’m so proud of our dancers. And, I’m thankful to our supporters, who helped out when we really needed them.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

If you don’t yet know the Multnomah County Commissioner
District 3 candidates, take a look at this article …

Shirley Smith, sales representative with The OUTLOOK, is presented the famous Gateway Rubber Chicken, in thanks for the paper’s help in supporting the Gateway Fun-O-Rama.

Story by Watford Reed; Photos by David F. Ashton
Five candidates for the Multnomah County Commission District 3 agreed on more things than issues about which they argued when they spoke to the 50 members of the Gateway Area Business Association last week.

The district stretches from Laurelhurst to Lents, explained the Candidate Forum’s moderator, David F. Ashton.

More open decision-making, inclusion of everyone – not just special interest groups – and respect for the environment were the keynotes of the candidates who spoke to the group.

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Bruce Barclay.

The first to speak was Bruce Barclay, a commercial appraiser in the County Assessors Office, who criticized “loose management” of county business.

He also called for credits to foster energy conservation, and criticized officeholders who “make decisions behind closed doors because they think they know best.”

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Roy Burkett.

Roy Burkett, a veteran of 20 years in the electronics business, called for “fresh, workable plans based on American ideals.”

“The county and city have been in the grip of special interests for too long,” he charged.

He has learned to work with groups that have sharply different outlooks, he said.  He also called for steps to lessen crime by repeat offenders and said requiring restitution is often more effective than the punishment.

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Mike Delman

Care for everybody’s welfare — not only those “at risk” – was urged by Mike Delman, public affairs director for the Portland Habilitation Center, which trains and finds work for the disabled. He said he was a lobbyist at one time for the American Federation of State County and municipal employees for 29 years.

He declared, “when I worked at the county, our employees were proud to be considered the government of last resort.  I think that attitude has been suppressed and I will work to bring it back.”

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Rob Milesnick.

Business can work with environmentalists, said Rob Milesnick, who forecast that “change is going to happen”, and promised to “work to make county government more helpful.”

He stressed the need for public safety, “including MAX”, and said he will work for better health care for everyone and streamlined health-care plans.

Multnomah County Commissioner District 3 candidate Judy Shiprack.

Judy Shiprack, a former Oregon State legislator of three terms, former teacher, and one-time deputy district attorney, said that at one time 30,000 arrest warrants were outstanding in the county. She suggested that the prosecutor’s office call the defendants the day before they’re due to appear in a hearing, as doctors offices call patients. She claimed that this alone would “save the county millions of dollars”.

Candidates answer questions
In answer to questions, Shiprack said the state business tax rate is too low, and that makes County business taxes too high.  This, in turn, drives businesses away from Multnomah County and the Gateway District.

Melisnick called for better relations between city and county and said, “Strengthening this is will strengthen the county.”

Delman said the area needs more “fair wage” jobs, as well as a fair share of public appropriations.  Decision-making should be “collaborative,” he went on.

Burkett said two thirds of criminals are right back in jail within two years of their release.  They need jobs, he said.

Berkeley promised to encourage growth of small business, and said he listens to voters, because, “I don’t have all the answers.”

GABA’s Secretary, and long-time Gateway booster, Fred Sanchez (center), stands flanked by Richard Kiely as well as Greg Zuffrea from Home Run Graphics.

Graphics seminar featured at meeting
Just before the meeting, GABA members learned how to get the most for their printing and advertising specialty dollars from Richard Kiely and Greg Zuffrea of Home Run Graphics.

“Good design will help you save money when it comes to printing a project,” Kiely told the group. “And, having a good marketing idea behind the design will help the printed piece do its job.”

Greg Zuffrea told the group how matching the personality of a company with the advertising specialties improves the impact of a promotional campaign.

For more information, see their informative web site: CLICK HERE!

Next month: Mayoral Candidates Forum
On April 11, candidates in Portland’s race for the job of Mayor will come by to meet folks in Gateway.

Be sure to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to be assured of a seat. Reservations are not required; guests are welcome. Other than buying your lunch, the meeting is without cost. It’s at JJ North’s Buffet, 10520 NE Halsey St. Reservations NOT needed. For more information, go to www.gabanet.com.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

While city and county officials touted their crime-reduction achievements, some feel they didn’t answer the main question: What can you do to further improve or streamline the criminal justice process?

The primary organizer of the event, vice chair of the Centennial Community Association Ron Clemenson, “sets the stage” for the forum – stating concerns about increasing crime in outer East Portland and Gresham.

By Watford Reed and David F. Ashton; photos by David F. Ashton
Increased funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs – backed up by jail beds for those who don’t reform their ways – was the prescription given, as a partial cure for Portland’s crime wave by a dozen Portland and Gresham city and Multnomah County elected and appointed official, to the 120 citizens who gathered at the Parklane Christian Reformed Church on March 11.

The meeting was sponsored by the Centennial and Glenfair neighborhood associations and the East Portland neighborhood office. Moderator David F. Ashton pointed out that what these groups are trying to do is reduce crime and the fear of crime in their neighborhoods.

Participating in the East Portland Public Safety Forum were Eric Sevos, Cascadia Behavioral Services; Multnomah County Commissioners Lonnie Roberts and Lisa Naito; Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney, Chuck French; Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Edward Jones; Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler (standing); City of Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard; Representing Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland Public Safety Director Maria Rubio; Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer; Gresham City Council President Paul Warr-King; City of Gresham Police Chief Carla Piluso, and Gresham City Counselor David Widmark.

County chair leads off
Ted Wheeler, the Chair of Multnomah County, spoke first, and said a commission of 200 experts had “found a big gap in public safety.”

But Wheeler added, “I must caution you, two things must happen if we want to keep our public safety system whole. First, we need to spend the dollars we have committed to public safety more effectively. And, we need to find additional resources, in terms of dollars, from outside the system.

“You’ve heard talk of a potential public safety levy in the fall [election]. That is an option, but the board has not deliberated on that. We may ask you to support additional public safety resources in the system.

“We’d like to include treatment and addiction services. The levy may include more funding for law-enforcement services.

“We need to break drug addiction so they won’t keep on committing crimes,” Wheeler concluded. “Otherwise, we’ll keep seeing the same people again and again.”

Police chiefs chime in
Part of a strategy for reducing crime, Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer commented, “Is that it’s highly desirable, regardless of the offense, for offenders to be kept in jail at least until the next morning, when they see a judge and are given an attorney. This will help end the cycle in which the [the accused] fail to appear for court dates.”

Gresham’s Chief Carla Piluso said that while crime prevention is important, “enforcement was key to reducing the problems we experienced along 162nd Avenue near E. Burnside Street. As we look at our side of the street in Gresham, we’ve seen a huge decrease of crime, according to our statistics.”

Noting that crime has picked up in other areas along the border where Portland meets Gresham, Piluso added, “Displacement of crime is an unintended consequence of strict enforcement. We have to continue working to make sure that that’s not the rule.”

Sevos, Roberts, and Lisa Naito listen to Chuck French, Senior Deputy Multnomah County District Attorney, say that the criminal justice system agencies need to overcome resistance to change policies within their offices. Circuit Judge Edward Jones sits to his right.

Breaking the agency inertia
Senior Deputy Multnomah County District Attorney Chuck French said that nowadays “criminals laugh” when they are given tickets to go to court, and then go away without punishment.

French added, “One of the things Chair Wheeler said is that we need to break the cycle of criminality. To do that, we need to deal with inertia in our agencies. Agencies do certain things because they’ve always done it that way. We need to explore new ways of doing things.”

Known for progressive criminal justice system
Circuit Judge Edward Jones spoke eloquently, and his humorous asides brought several rounds of laughter.

“When you talk about crime, commonly you talk about sentencing,” Jones began. “And when you talk about sentencing, you turn around and look at the judge. It would be nice to think that just a few minutes of my time as a judge will turn a criminal in a good citizen. But the reality is this: Telling people to stop committing crimes is about as effective as telling someone to quit smoking.”

Jones continued, saying the typical offender is a “slow learner”. He added, “Don’t get me wrong: Deterrence does work. Most of us have values or impulse control – at least, sufficient to keep us out of trouble. But there are those who need to be incarcerated.

“Why doesn’t punishment work as well as it should?  The simple answer is that we don’t have enough rational criminals. For many of the people that I see every day, deterrence does not work.”

The judge told of an offender he jailed 11 times for parole violation before the man became clean and sober. “If I had that jail available to throw him into those 11 times, he wouldn’t have finished treatment.

The most substantial problem, Jones said, isn’t the lack of funding. “The biggest issue is courage. We must find the courage to admit our past failures, and commit ourselves to working from the evidence; to do we need to do to solve the problem.”

Addiction treatment seen as the answer
Other panelists suggested that treating drug and alcohol addiction is the key to solving the area’s crime problems.

Leonard said he had read that 71% of crimes are committed by people with drug or alcohol problems.

“We need to focus on why people commit crimes,” he said.  “Otherwise we will only move the crime around.”

Maria Rubio, representing Portland Mayor Tom Potter, called for a “countrywide” drive against drugs is to “fill that gap, close quote, about which chair Wheeler had spoken.”

Taking a different tack, a member of the Gresham City Council, Paul Warr-King, said that he hopes Gresham will hire more police in the fall.

Returning to the concept of rehabilitation, Lisa Naito, Multnomah County Commissioner, warned that treatment centers are “sorely lacking” in the community.  She also said that child abuse is “a significant problem”.

Multnomah County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts forecast that the new East Multnomah Justice Center, planned for Gresham, will help stabilize the area and its mere presence will help reduce crime..

Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler suggests that citizens look at how they, individually, are contributing to the reducing of the causes of crime, instead of looking to their elected officials to do so. City of Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard and City of Portland Public Safety Carmen Rubio sit to his right.

Wheeler: Don’t look to elected officials
Ashton noted that it sounded as if all East County’s crime problems have been solved. He asked by a show of hands, how many audience members worry about their safety. Most present raised their hands.

“What can people in this room actually do to work with their elected officials to help reduce crime?” Ashton asked the panel.

Wheeler took the question and responded, “Forget your elected officials. If you rely on elected officials to do everything you need, you can forget about it.”

Peppering the audience with a rapid-fire stream of questions, Wheeler continued, “Instead of a relying on elected people, let me ask you this: How many people here know your neighbors [well]; or know folks in your community who may need help, perhaps older folks who are frail? Watch over them and take care of them? Help keep others from advantage of them? Do you know if they’re suffering from elder abuse?  What about your kids?

“Do support the schools?  I don’t necessarily mean financially, but do you take time to work with kids in the community? There are a lot of kids in this community who are looking for adults ‘on the right side of the law’ to spend time with. Have you thought about being a mentor?”

The Chair concluded, “Look beyond the criminal justice system. Bring back a sense of community responsibility, particularly toward the youth in our community. I believe this will make the biggest impact. And yes, if we put up a public safety levy – vote for it.”

Leonard talks up ‘Program 57’
Commissioner Leonard chimed in, “When we opened 57 jail beds, we quickly concluded that jail time, by itself, will not stop people from committing crime. We also need people to get treatment. The only way we can get people to stop committing crime is to get into treatment and stay in treatment.”

Leonard intoned, “We’ve had a big reduction in crime in Portland, and this is attributable to arresting people, and actually grabbing them by the collar and putting them in the back of a police car and taking downtown and putting them in jail. After they sober up, or withdraw from drugs, look them in the eye and ask ‘Do you like being in jail?’ Most people do not like being in jail.

“Early on we started this program, people in jail would say ‘Sure, I’ll go into treatment.’ If they’d walk in the front door the treatment center and out the back door, we’d pick them up, take them back to jail.  As a result we’ve reduced crime in Portland.

“I’m absolutely convinced we need this two-pronged approach. The most effective dollars we can spend are in drug treatment and alcohol treatment.”

Says anti-poverty program is needed
Representing Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland Public Safety Carmen Rubio said, “A lot of people in our city and the county are feeling disenfranchised. A lot of people are in poverty; many of them are working two jobs. And that definitely is a link to criminality. I think we need to look at what the root causes are.

“Something we can do, individually or as a community, is reducing poverty in our community.”

While citizens were provided with a comprehensive review of current public safety and criminal justice programs, several left the forum indicating that they felt officials were shifting responsibility for community safety to the community, instead of themselves taking the lead.

D.A. decries lack of flexibility
Senior Assistant District Attorney French spoke up next.

“In the last seven or eight years,” French stated, “Our criminal justice system has lost its flexibility in how to deal with criminals.”

Over the past decade, French shared, many corrections programs have been cut due to budget restraints. Thus, judges’ only options are to put an offender in jail or set them free. “We must restore the ability to craft a type of response for an offender that doesn’t currently exist.”

Detouring petty criminals
Judge Jones spoke up, “Let me add this about preventing a crime in the first place.  We have roughly 1,000 serious Measure 11 crimes in the county every year. About 80% of them have passed through the system [for minor offences] during the year before they were arrested for a serious crime.

“The jails are a screening process; they find people whose lives are in disarray.

“If we can do something with them, as they come through on a minor crime – whether it’s treatment for drugs or alcohol, or getting the job, or whatever it is – we have a significant chance of having many fewer victims the following year.”

Attendees left feeling uncertain
Several individuals lingered after the formal program to speak with officials who were on the panel.

A number of citizens expressed the opinion to us that, although they appreciate their law enforcement officers, they were still concerned about crime issues in their neighborhoods.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

For the second time in four days, late-night gunfire erupted on SE Division Street just east of SE 122nd Avenue. See what officials – and locals – say about this latest round of violence …

On early Sunday morning, gunfire caused patrons to scatter from what authorities say was an illegal, after-hours party at LaCueva Night Club on SE Division Street, just east of SE 122nd Avenue.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Both neighbors and business people are wondering about two late-night shooting sprees in the Midway area of outer East Portland, near the intersection of SE Division Street and 122nd Avenue.

At this time, officials aren’t saying whether or not the two shooting incidents, one in the wee hours of March 16 and the second just before midnight on March 20, are related. But, folks in the area say they’re concerned that this may indicate a dangerous trend.

Gunfire outside of LaCueva
At about 4:15 am, on March 16, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers were called to the area near the LaCueva Night Club – the most current name of a windowless party room that has been the location of many disturbances in the past.

“Several people called 911 to report that they heard gunshots,” said police spokesman Brian Schmautz. “Officers determined that participants in a nearby after-hours party appeared to have fired several shots at an unknown person or target.”

Hostile witnesses
Individuals at the scene were uncooperative and hostile towards the officers, Scnmautz reported. “Officers couldn’t find anyone who wanted to report a crime. The scene was processed and officers do not have a suspect in custody.”

Officers did see what appeared to be bullet holes in some vehicles and nearby buildings. “This investigation is continuing,” pointed added Schmautz.

Police guard the back lot of the Maverick Restaurant and Lounge on SE Division Street after they find shell casings, and a gun – said to be used in the most recent shooting spree.

Shootout at the Maverick
Fast-forwarding just four days to Thursday night, March 20, at 11:30 p.m. – the relative quiet of the evening was shattered as seven shots rang out behind the Maverick Restaurant and Lounge, at 12424 SE Division Street.

“You bet I heard the shooting,” said the night manager (she declined to give her name) of the Taco Bell restaurant located east of the Maverick. “It was loud. I think I heard seven shots – pop, pop, pop! It scared me. Then, a dark-colored car took off.”

Shortly thereafter, the eyewitness said she saw people running, “and cops pulled up right away. They started looking at buildings – trying to find bullet holes, I think.”

Neighbors and business owners in the area say they’re concerned about the recent increase in violent crime.

Cop confronts gun-toting felon
Apparently, officers did respond quickly to the shooting.

“East Precinct Officer Wilbon arrived on-scene, and confronted a suspect,” confirmed Portland Police Bureau spokeswoman Officer Cathe Kent.

“He was still holding a gun, as he got into a dark green Dodge Intrepid,” Kent continued. “The vehicle left the area and drove to SE 125th Avenue and Ivon Court, where officers initiated a high-risk traffic stop.”

We heard the police radio crackle with a report that officers had located several gun shell casings behind the Maverick, plus a gun. The crime scene was quickly cordoned off.

Police say they are charging 24-year-old Tyrone Mask with shooting up the area; but there was no apparent victim or reason for firing the gun.

“24-year-old Tyrone Mask was arrested and charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Felon in Possession of Weapon,” Kent stated. “Additionally, Mask is an admitted gang member, and has numerous felony arrests for possession of firearms and for robbery, to name a few.”

Mask was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.  The driver of the vehicle was released. The gun was located behind Maverick’s Bar.

There was no shooting victim, Kent added, and investigators are still unsure why Mask was allegedly firing the gun.

LaCueva shot up – again
Investigators from the Gang Violence Response Team responded to the area to start an investigation, Kent told us.

“An additional crime scene was located at an after-hours club located at 12241 SE Division Street,” Kent reported. “It appears several bullets were fired into the back door of the club. No one was inside at the time of the shooting.”

Kent recalled that this was the second shooting this week connected to this after-hours club. “Investigators have asked for a building inspection, as well as involvement from OLCC regarding illegal drinking and various code violations discovered inside the building.”

If you have information related to either shooting, police ask that you call the Gang Violence Response Team at (503) 823-4106.

Business leader express concerns
Bill Dayton, the owner of Pizza Baron, a pizza parlor serving three decades of outer East Portland families, told us that crime in the area has ebbed and flowed over the years.

“Violent crime hasn’t been a big concern here,” said Dayton, the current president of the Midway Business Association. “But the statistics we’re getting from the police show an increase in shootings. It seems that crime from the inner city has been exported to outer East Portland.”

What concerns him, Dayton went on, is that government officials say that crime is going down in the Midway area. “This may be true, but it looks like we’re having more violent crime. Crime is one issue, violent crime is quite another issue.”

To help combat crime in the area, Dayton said that the Midway Business Association is supporting the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association and their new Citizen’s Bike Patrol to help detect problems – and report them to police – before violent crime takes place.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Within a couple of days of each other, Parkrose High School’s library unveiled permanent student artwork – and the school’s Swim Center held a movie night in their beautiful pool. You’ll learn about both, here …

Parkrose High School artists Jazzy Koczian and Heather Aplington, both juniors, show off their art, decorating the end of the Reference Section book rack.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose High School library is modern and well stocked with books. In fact, the least attractive part of the spacious room has been the shelves – until librarian Stephanie Thomas got an idea.

“The hospital-gray shelves are very sturdy and functional, but they’re just not very attractive,” Thomas said, as parents and student artists gathered for the unveiling of a major art project two weeks ago.

“We talked to art students, and their teacher, Bev Cordova, and we decided what we can do with the shelving,” Thomas told us. “We decided to decorate them by asking students to create works of art for the ends of the shelves.”

Parkrose High School librarian Stephanie Thomas thanks the student artists for their contribution.

Art, by topic
The artwork is inspired by the topic of books on the shelf, noted Thomas.

Your reporter was puzzled looking at the tall panel on the Library’s east end, decorated by juniors Jazzy Koczian and Heather Aplington – when trying to guess the content of those shelves.

“If it looks random,” explained Aplington, “well, it is. That’s because this is the reference section of the library. There’s everything here from National Geographic Magazines to encyclopedias.”

Koczian added, “That’s why it looks like outer space – with the nebula, and the apple and chicken. Almost every topic in the universe is in these books.”

It looks as if books, we surmise, which are about art, are on the shelves for which Cesar Pina painted an end cap. He says we’re correct.

Color coordinated panels
“As the panels go from one end of the library to the other,” Thomas pointed out, “the colors flow and blend.”

Now getting the idea, we met student Cesar Pina, a talented Parkrose High student artist.

“Yes, they’re books about art,” Pina affirmed. “They’re both about historical art, and cartoons. So I thought we could incorporate both styles of art in the drawing.  I have a Salvador Dali ‘Melting Clock’, ‘The Thinker’, and ‘Scream’.”

Up to the challenge
“The project was a pretty big challenge,” admitted art instructor Bev Cordova. “Finding some kind of theme to turn into an image can be pretty difficult, when there are as many 500 books in a section.

“Finally, we projected the final images onto the panels, traced them out, and started painting,” concluded Cordova. “It took a lot longer than we expected, because we are working for equality. The kids love the idea that these will be up for 20 to 30 years.”

During the six-week-long project, some of the students didn’t finish their panels. “Students Cesar Pina and Isaac Song spent many hours, five or six days after school, getting them ready for display,” Cordova commended.

Valerie Robinson, a senior, calls her panel, “Stairway to the Unknown”. It represents the mystery and horror fiction which are on these shelves, she says.

Terry Franceschi, the school’s Theater Operations Manager, was credited for suggesting that the shelves could be capped with wood. “More than that,” Thomas said, “he cut the wood to size, and mounted each of the works of art for us.”

Everyone present agreed that the project turned out well.

“I feel like the panels create a warm and inviting environment,” said Thomas. “When students come in they feel more welcome here.”

Parkrose Swim Center hosts “Dive-in Movie” night

It was unclear whether the draw was the movie they planned to show in the Swim Center – or the attraction of a free community swim night – but the facility was packed to capacity at the event.

The last day of February, just a couple of days after the library’s art project was unveiled, the school hosted another event.

“I’m the coordinator for the ‘Dive-In Movie Night’ at Parkrose High School,” said Brendan Gill, the school’s program developer for its Community Connections Program.

“It was the idea of Career Center Coordinator, Meg Kilmer,” explained Gill. “We agreed it would make a big impact on the school; it would be a great after-school activity, because we have a great pool here.”

Brendan Gill, an AmeriCorps member assigned to the school, says he’s happy the event was such a “splashing” success.

The event, Gill said, was the kickoff for other Community Nights in the upcoming weeks. “They’ll be held in the Parkrose High Theater.”

As workers prepared to run the movie, more and more families poured into the Swim Center. Soon, the facility was at capacity. The event drew a crowd that topped out at 150 folks.

While some of the organizers seemed peeved that not many of those present settled down to actually watch the movie, it was clear that a swim in pool was the event’s main attraction.

The lights dimmed, but few people could hear the soundtrack of the movie over the ambient noise of folks having fun in the pool.

It was clear the kids and adults were having too much fun to settle down and watch a movie. Movie-goers may have been annoyed by the splashing ruckus, but we didn’t hear any complaints. It looked as if everyone was having a great evening.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

No, it isn’t a Flintstones-like vehicle – a bus with no floorboard!
ake a look, and you’ll get the idea …

Where’s the bus? The idea, we’re told, is simply that kids walk to school as a group, with parents strolling alongside.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When the City of Portland’s Office of Transportation announced that its “Safer Routes to School (SR2S) program” had received a $599,515 grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) – and they were spending the money programs like a “Walking Bus” – we had to check it out.

What we found was that a Walking Bus isn’t an odd, kid-powered vehicle. Instead, it is a simply a plan that, PDOT officials say, “Enables fun, healthy, and safe ways for students to walk and bike to school.”

Kelly Elementary Principal Sharon Allen and Portland Mayor Tom Potter welcome kids to Kelly Elementary School as they get off their “Walking Bus”.

We asked Portland Mayor Tom Potter, present to celebrate the kickoff of the program at Kelly Elementary School in Lents, to clarify.

“Well, what’s important is that obesity is a national, state, and local problem.  By having kids walk or ride their bikes to school, they actually are healthier, and also are coming to school better-prepared, because their minds are clear. It also reduces traffic [-caused] pollution – because now, many parents drive their children to school. Plus, the children seem to enjoy doing it.”

Kelly Elementary School organizer Diane Galvez explains the program to us – and to KOIN-6 News.

“The ‘walking bus’ idea is that the group moves together,” explained Diane Galvez, the organizer of the Kelly Elementary School program. This is for safety reasons, primarily. They move together – as if they were a bus – but instead, they are on foot or on their bikes.”

Parents come along for the “ride”, said Galvez. “We make sure that kids stay on the path and don’t get hit by a car, or hurt other people’s property. We keep them close to us, and make sure they’re okay.”

Echoing the Mayor’s sentiment, Galvez added, “Exercise and good health are the primary issues. We have a huge number of kids that are a little bit overweight, and we try to make them realize that there is an easy and healthy way for them to get in shape and get to school.”

The program’s organizer, Diane Galvez, is joined by volunteers Christina Helvie, Cher Bengard, and Cece Mills – just some of the 50 parents who share responsibility in the program.

The Kelly “Walking Bus” covered a mile, on the morning we visited a couple of weeks ago. “Today we had 22 kids on our school bus, and seven or eight parents,” noted Galvez. “This is the biggest one we’ve ever had.  It’s very rewarding.  It makes you feel good, just thinking about it.”

If you want to volunteer for the Kelly Elementary School “Walking Bus”, call the school at (503) 916-6350.

Behind the news: We weren’t the only medium covering the event! We hope the Walking Bus concept continues after this media event was staged. But, we always enjoy working with our friends at the TV stations!

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See photos of this moving show, which ends this weekend! There may be a few seats still unclaimed …

Rather than be split up in Nazi “relocation camps”, Anne (Marissa Hanson), along with her father, Otto (Sam DeRoest), sister Margot (Kaila Munay), and mother Edith (Laura Leonard) take up residence in the hidden attic of the family business for nearly two years.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Before the show opened, we told our readers that the David Douglas High School Theater Department’s intimate, small-box production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” would probably sell out – and it has.

The school’s Small Box Theatre, located under their massive theater’s main stage, seats 74 audience members. “It’s almost like you’re right there, with the Frank family, as they hide from the Nazis in an attic during the Holocaust,” comments director Judy LeCoq.

Anne and her sister, Margot, wonder what lies ahead as they first walk into the small attic that will become their new home.

About the story
The central character of “The Diary of Anne Frank” actually kept a diary of her life and experiences, starting the week before the thirteen-year-old girl and her family went into hiding in 1942. The play, drawn from the pages of Frank’s diary, tells how she, her family, and four other people went into hiding in sealed-off upper rooms of her father’s office building in Amsterdam – until they were betrayed.

LeCoq says, “Anne has been recognized as a tremendous writer. And, this newly-adapted version of the award-winning play reveals the stress of confinement, awkward teenage relationships, and the tension and fear of betrayal.”

Thanks to the realistic set that focuses the audience’s attention on the dozen players, the work of Mark Taylor’s Theater Arts class significantly adds to the quality of the production – as does the student crew running lights, sound, and taking care of stage management duties.

While some critics might say the production is an extreme departure from their ensemble’s usual musical-comedy fare, LeCoq responds, “The book, on which the play is based, is required reading for most middle-school students. And, the story of Anne Frank is one that should never be forgotten.”

Because Anne Frank was a young teenager when her family went into hiding, she never got to experience life as most kids do. In this scene, she and friend-in-hiding Peter Van Daan (Zeke Fetrow) wonder if they’ll ever have a normal life, outside the confines of the attic.

Show ends Saturday night
“The Diary of Anne Frank” ends on March 15. There may be some last-minute seats available. Call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270 to check.

The DDHS Small Box Theater is located on the lower level of the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233. This theater is handicapped-accessible.

Thinking they are about to be rescued, the families hiding from the Nazis feel joy for the first time in two years. Minutes later, they realize that a Nazi sympathizer has reported them – and they are moments away from being marched off to concentration camps – and certain death.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

After commending this outer East Portland shopkeeper for taking down a petty thief, police tell the steps you should take if your home or car is burglarized …

By David F. Ashton
Because those involved chose not to meet with us, we don’t have photos of this solved crime – but the story which we uncovered, and what you can learn from it, are important.

Pawn gone wrong
On February 28, a man stomped out of the Money Market Pawn Shop, near SE 169th Avenue on SE Division Street – angry because the pawn keeper, Peter Lim, didn’t buy the bicycle he was selling.

“Lim recognized the man,” said Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, “and suspected the bike might be stolen. But, he took down information on the bike, and 0n the man, before he turned him away.”

Then, Lim picked up the phone and talked with detectives from the Police Bureau’s Special Property Investigations Unit. That led to a search of Sutton’s residence, which uncovered yet another stolen bicycle – a bike which police say was the victim’s only means of transportation to and from work.

They didn’t have to go far to arrest the man who officials say is a repeat thief, 31-year-old William Sutton; he was already in jail for Probation Violation.

Sutton subsequently was charged with Attempted Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Attempted Theft in the Second Degree, one count of Theft in the First Degree, and one count of Theft in the Second Degree in connection with the stolen bikes.

Police say this man, William Sutton, makes money by selling and pawning things – namely, other people’s property that he’s stolen.

Sticky-fingered Sutton
Schmautz reminded us that, in September of last year, Sutton was arrested when he tried to pawn a widow’s stolen wedding ring at a Portland pawnshop.

“That arrest occurred after alert pawnshop employees, acting on information provided by the police, recognized Sutton and the ring, and then called the police while Sutton was still in the store,” said Schmautz. “Months later, police learned that Sutton was out of custody and selling property again.”
Something stolen?

Many people believe they’ll find their stolen goods on sale at a pawnshop or secondhand store immediately after being stolen.

But, Schmautz explained, “What many don’t realize is that property sold to one of these locations is kept in a ‘police hold area’ for 30 days – and for 90 days, if it was pawned and not redeemed.”

During this “hold” period, he added, the Police Bureau’s Special Property Investigations unit works to identify any of the property that might be stolen. “One of the best ways to help law enforcement recover your stolen property is to document all serial numbers, photograph valuables, and give this information to the police if you are victimized.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why some were disappointed when the Regional Arts & Culture Council director gave discouraging news about helping secure public art for the new Parkrose landmark …

Regarding funding for public art in the Parkrose Triangle, Eloise Damrosch, Executive Director, Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), tells the group, “We don’t have money sitting around looking for opportunity.”

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Parkrose business people and neighbors have worked diligently over the past year to clean up the overgrown – and, frankly, unsightly – large traffic island where NE Sandy Boulevard crosses NE Killingsworth Street.

After days of back-breaking work, these volunteers transformed this plot of land into the beautifully landscaped “Parkrose Triangle”. And, they prepared a large, concrete pad on which they plan to mount a display of public art – such as a statue or sculpture – that would be changed out every year or so.

With this in mind, members of the Parkrose Business Association (PBA) welcomed Eloise Damrosch, Executive Director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), to their general membership meeting not long ago.

Commission brings culture to greater Portland
Damrosch began by telling of the organization’s mission to “integrate arts and culture in all aspects of community life”.

The RACC, Damrosch added, was formed in 1995 when Multnomah County “transitioned” the Metropolitan Arts Commission into a not-for-profit organization. “Existing arts organizations asked that we not solicit money from their donors, so we came up with a unique funding plan.”

About that time, Damrosch said, Multnomah County passed the “1% for Art” plan, under which one percent of municipal capital building budgets had to be set aside for art.

Damrosch tells the group how the city and county commit at between 1.5% and 2% of every capital building project to public art.

Tax-supported art program
“The beauty of this plan is that it assures that art will be involved in every capital project built with public money,” Damrosch stated. “There is local input on the art projects; artists, citizens, and users of the building agree on the artwork.”

The downside, she conceded, is that RACC is primarily funded, and restricted, by the 1% mechanism. “The good news is that we’ve been able to bump that up. Multnomah County is 1.5% and the City of Portland has committed 2%. Our maintenance funding has grown, as well. We don’t want the [public] art to look awful; it needs to be maintained.”

Over the years, Damrosch added, the RACC and its funding model has achieved a degree of national recognition. “We consult around the country for communities who want to set up a program like ours.”

Additionally, the RACC’s “Work for Art” program encourages individual and corporate donations. “We realize that individuals care about arts and culture. They may not be used to writing a check to an art organization. This makes it easy, by working with workplace-giving programs, to encourage them to put aide $5 a month.”

Supports a variety of art programs
The RACC supports 35 art programs throughout the three-county area. “These include project grants and grants to schools’ artist-in-residency programs. We also offer smaller artist education grants.”

When times get tough, Damrosch emphasized, arts are the first to be cut from schools. “There are still arts programs, but it is inequitable. Kids in less affluent schools suffer the most from inequity. We want to bring arts education back, K-8, in all three counties.”

It looks as if the space created here on the Parkrose Triangle will go without art – unless Parkrose folks raise money to buy it. PBA photo

Art on the Parkrose Triangle
Turning to the local issue, public art on the Parkrose Triangle, Damrosch told asked, “You have a spot here in Parkrose for public area. What are the options? Do you have in mind that you would like a permanent art piece?”

Several members spoke up and said, “The plan is for a rotating display of art.”

Damrosch responded, “In Lake Oswego, every two years, the downtown business foundation changes out the artwork on the pedestals they’ve built.”

Damrosch says she doesn’t have encouraging words for the Parkrose Triangle art project for the PBA members.

Artists don’t favor plan
“The downside we hear from artists is that the chances it [their artwork] will be sold is remote, after has been on display. It is out of their control; they don’t know if it will be in good condition when it is returned to them,” Damrosch explained, adding that most artists say the honorarium they receive for “loaning” the artwork isn’t sufficient to cover having the work unavailable for sale, and having to install and remove it.

“We don’t have money sitting around looking for opportunity,” cautioned Damrosch. “We provide a service to help people go through a process to set up a program. We can help you with that. But, we may not be able to help cover the cost of finding art and installing it.”

For more information, see www.racc.org.

The PBA’s Member Moment spotlights NICKEL ADS’ Jeanie Alpert. “We put out about 1 Million papers up and down the I-5 corridor,” she says. “Locally, we are a sponsor of the new Parkrose Farmer’s Market. We have a sincere commitment to promote your business and community events.”

Special “field trip” meeting on March 20
Instead of their usual locale, the PBA members will be heading east this month, to Quality Inn & Suites at 9727 NE Sandy Blvd (97220).

Come see for yourself how a faith group took a run-down, seedy “no-tell motel” and turned it into a first-class lodging facility that has become the pride of the neighborhood.

The meeting on March 20 will be at 11:30 a.m. Because this is a catered event, they ask that your RSVP: marsha@copyexpresspdx.com — and let them know how many will be attending. Next month, they’ll be back at outer East Portland’s top dining spot, Steamers Restaurant and Lounge.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The startling, daylight take-over robbery took place a month ago – and police need your help finding the criminals who terrorized this popular outer East Portland restaurant …

The Refectory, a well-known dining and meeting establishment, was taken over by armed robbers on February 15. See if you can help the cops bust these dangerous crooks.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
The Friday morning – one month ago, on February 15 – was a crisp winter day that started to warm as the sun came out.

Workers were going about their routine of setting up for their lunch crowd at The Refectory, 1618 NE 122nd Avenue, just north of NE Halsey Street, across from the parking lot from the outer Gateway Winco grocery store.

At 9:14 a.m., two thugs strolled in, forced employees to the ground, and stole money from the safe. Additionally, the suspects stole an employee’s 2005 gray Jeep Liberty to use as their getaway vehicle. On Saturday, February 16, Fairview Police recovered the vehicle in the 2700 block of Northeast 205th Avenue.

Suspect #1 is described as a white male in his 30’s, 5’8 -5’10”, 200 pounds, light brown hair, stubble on his face, and wearing a blue hooded jacket.

Suspect #2 is described as white, possibly a female, in the 30’s, 5’8, 180 pounds, wearing an orange and blue jacket with a white stripe across the chest and back.  The suspect’s face was covered during the robbery.

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

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Meet the new executive director of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations, East Portland’s Jon Turino …

Newly-named Executive Director of the APNBA Jon Turino shakes hands in front of Portland City Hall with Commissioner Sam Adams and APNBA president Jean Baker.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Having been a volunteer organization since it was organized, the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business District Associations, Inc. (APNBA), a nonprofit coalition of over thirty local business district associations, took a step forward this month, by naming a full-time executive director and establishing an office.

“Our organization was able to take this step,” said Jean Baker, the current President of the association, “having recently received a grant to improve its capacity and its ability to serve the business districts.”

The APNBA, Baker explained, helps neighborhood business districts cross-pollinate ideas, and work together to solve mutual problems.

Association hires local businessman
There were some concerns among APNBA members that the talent search to fill the position might bring in an individual from out-of-state who was unfamiliar with Portland’s politics and business climate.

However, their search led them to Jon Turino, a Parkrose-based business person who has been active in many civic organizations and has served on the boards of the Gateway and Parkrose business associations.

In his office at City Hall, Portland Commissioner Sam Adams says Turino’s leadership skills will help the organization develop a stronger voice for neighborhood business districts.

Commissioner Adams commends choice
“I’m very exciting that Jon Turino was named executive director,” commented Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams. “In addition to being a successful business person in East Portland, Turino has demonstrated the ability to help diverse groups of business people to work together. He’s been active in the APNBA, and will help take the organization to the next level of effectiveness.”

We asked Adams why he felt it was important to spearhead the effort to find funding that dedicated to helping the APNBA develop into a stronger organization.

“Small, neighborhood, local businesses are the economic spine of the city,” replied Adams. “84% of Portland businesses employ 10 or less employees.  Most of them are outside of the downtown Portland area. Portland’s distinctive neighborhood business districts make our city truly unique. It would be a missed opportunity to not support them.”

As the newly-named APNBA Executive Director prepares for his role, Adams admonishes Turino to listen carefully to the organization’s constituents, develop clear goals and strategies and communicate positively with officials and city and county government.

Full time office
Instead of the APNBA’s organizational materials, records and equipment being kept in boxes held by the current president and board members, the grant also permits the association to establish an office.

“In addition to our new office,” commented Baker, “we’ve hired a full-time administrative coordinator. “Working together with our board and membership, we’ll be better able to achieve our organization’s mission: Making business district associations, and the businesses that make up their membership, even more successful.”

For more information, contact the APNBA at 107 SE Washington St, Suite 244, Portland, OR  97214; telephone (503) 234-7642 or e-mail info@apnba.com.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service