Without a doubt, the fire that tore through one unit of this four-plex could have done far more harm – had the smoke alarms not been working that night …
Firefighters report seeing flames “blowing out the back door” of this wood-frame, three-story unit when they arrived. *Dick Harris photo
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There was a bit of panic in the voice of a caller when the 9-1-1 Center operator took a call about a fire on SE 119th Avenue, just north of SE Harold Street, on March 7.
“There’s a fire! Stuff is blowing up!” are the words that were recorded at 9:05 p.m.
Three minutes later, Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 29’s Captain Mike Glenn was on-scene, sizing up the situation. He grabbed his radio and reported, “There is a working fire on the back side of a wood frame three- story four-plex.”
From both the front and rear of the unit, firefighters attack the fire in a unit that appeared to be unoccupied.
According to Battalion Chief C3 Chris Babcock, the crew of Engine 29 pulled the fire hose hooked up to their rig, and began their attack on the fire as Engine 7’s crew provided back-up. “We had heavy fire showing on the back of the building when we arrived.”
The smoke detectors in the building were still shrieking as we arrived on-scene; smoke was pouring from the second unit from the end. Hoses snaked from SE Harold Street to the engines that responded to the fire.
Babcock told us the fire was knocked down by 9:15 – at which time they’d completed a primary search of the structure for people; a secondary search was completed six minutes later.
Prompt response by all Portland Fire & Rescue units kept a potentially disastrous fire relatively small; no one was injured in the fire.
“In a wood structure like this, the fire could have been much worse if we hadn’t been promptly called,” Babcock said.
The fire remains under investigation, according to PF&R spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt. “The smoke detector alerted the occupants next door who called in the fire. Again, working smoke detectors saved lives, and property.”
* Special thanks to Dick Harris, photographer for Portland Fire & Rescue, for taking the EXN camera behind fire lines to snap the rear-of-building action photo us!
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See why one of our favorite local musical groups, Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band, most recently dropped their anchor in Westmoreland …
Arrrr, Mates! Shiver me timbers! We spy Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band’s a-playing again in East Portland!
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Instead of plundering inner SE Portland for their own gain, the sea dogs of Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band dropped off a chest of gold – to benefit Llewellyn Elementary School Foundation not long ago.
“This event shows real community spirit,” said the co-coordinator of the benefit concert, Robin Johnson. “Two New Seasons Markets and Wallace Books sold tickets, and the Moreland Presbyterian Church loaned the risers. And, volunteers Eileen Stone and Pete Diamond helped put the stage together.”
The co-organizers of the concert, Robin Johnson and Julie Wright, welcome the 300 fans that came to see Captain Bogg & Salty’s Pirate Band.
In their front row seats in the Moreland Theater, Captain Bogg & Salty fans Zaib, Jillian, Maggie, Winnie are giving us the secret pirate sign (a hooked finger) – showing they are ready for a good time.
The organizers said they appreciated the owners and staff at the Moreland Theatre. “We appreciate them having us back this year; they very kind to us,” said organizer Julie Wright.
Captain Bogg welcomes the crowd of pirate fans to the show.
As a couple hundred young fans and their parents filed in, and the group was about to come on stage, the band’s spokes-pirate – First Mate McGraw – commented, “It’s a strange and wonderful feeling of playing pirate songs in an old movie theater like this. It can’t be replicated elsewhere.”
With a mighty “yar”, and the sign of the hook, another rollicking concert was underway, featuring songs that included “Pegleg Tango”, “I’m A Pirate”, and “Pieces of 8ight”.
The pirate band opens the show with “Weigh Anchor”.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See what a Portland economic planner says can be done to encourage stores providing everyday needs to move into the Powellhurst-Gilbert and Centennial neighborhood areas …
At the Midway Business Association meeting, Alma Flores – Economic Development Planner for the City of Portland – says a recently-completed study looked at the demographics, land use, employment, and transportation needs of southern outer East Portland – and found lots of automotive services there, but few food stores.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After brief announcements, the newly-elected President of the Midway Business Association, Bill Dayton, got the association’s meeting underway by introducing the meeting’s speaker, Alma Flores, an Economic Development Planner with the City of Portland.
“We’ve completed an economic survey among people living and operating businesses in southern portion of outer East Portland,” began Flores. “In this area, we had a 60% survey return rate, the highest in the city.”
The study found that this area has a surplus – more than enough – businesses to satisfy consumer needs in these categories:
- Automobile dealers;
- Auto parts, accessories and tire stores;
- Personal and healthcare stores;
- Sporting goods, hobby and musical instrument stores; and,
- Drinking places for alcohol beverages.
“There is also a vast surplus of use to merchandise stores,” noted Flores.
Business opportunities pointed out
The economic planner pointed out the “Community Trade Area Gap Analysis” in their report, and noted that folks are having to drive out of the area to buy:
- Clothing and clothing accessories;
- Electronics and appliances;
- Furniture and home furnishings;
- Gasoline and motor fuels; and,
- Food and beverages.
Asked what stood in the way of these stores coming into the area, Flores commented, “We have lost a lot of commercial zoning to residential.”
Flores says the area needs to find an “advocate” in the city to champion economic development programs in southern outer East Portland.
Actions to consider
Suggested actions presented in the report, Flores said, include:
- Pursue an advocate for funding for economic development and beautification programs, such as storefront and street safe improvement programs, and technical assistance programs for corridor business and property owners.
- Encourage mixed-use along the corridor – currently, the commercial zoning is being lost to residential development. Focus on redevelopment and infill development.
- Continue to pursue grant funding toward capital improvements and community building. Examples: Department of Justice “weed and seed” grants and regional and citywide transportation improvement programs.
In addition to providing goods and services to local residents, Flores concluded by saying, “Our corridors need to be looked at for employee growth. We’re getting residents, but not jobs in this area.”
The new slate of officers for the Midway Business Association were introduced at the meeting. They are: President, Bill Dayton, Pizza Baron; VP Donna Dionne, Love Boutique; Treasurer, Teresa Anderson, Washington Mutual. Not available for the photo was Secretary Dr. Norbert Huntley, DC.
Meet with Midway on March 11
Come learn all about this new business group dedicated to helping neighbors and businesses improve the southern end of Outer East Portland. Visitors ARE welcome, and the presentation is free (but you pay for your own lunch). Their meeting runs from 11:45 AM until 1 PM at Bill Dayton’s PIZZA BARON Restaurant on SE 122nd Ave., just south of Division Street. For more information, go to www.midwayba.com.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Had the fire gone unnoticed, it could have been much worse. See what else you can learn about fire safety by reading this one …
-1 Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters, arriving minutes after the fire was reported, quickly extinguish a fire in the upper level of this home.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Just four minutes after the alarm sounded at 2:18 p.m. on March 2, the crews of Portland Fire & Rescue (PFR) Station 25 rolled up to a house on the 6400 block of SE Duke St.
They saw what their neighbor had reported – smoke rolling out of a vent in an attic area in the house, according to the Battalion Chief on scene, Terry Munro.
“Our crews got right up there and put it out with a portable fire extinguisher,” Munro explained. “They had their water lines ready, just in case the fire grew larger.”
As it was, the prompt response of the crews kept the fire small. “They’re doing overhaul [removing burnt material, and looking for remaining embers] with just one pan,” added Munro. “And, they’re removing bits of insulation and other materials, to make sure they can get a good look at the source of the fire.”
We noted engines from Stations 11 and 20 were standing by, and asked why the bureau responded with so many crew members and equipment.
“It’s our standard response to a house fire,” explained Munro. “We don’t know if it will be a large or small fire until we get there. It’s better to have resources there, and not need them, then not have them and need them. It keeps a smaller fire smaller.”
Thanks to the firefighter’s prompt response, only one pan was needed to remove burned debris from the home’s attic.
Fire due to overloaded circuits
When we talked with PFR spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt about the fire, later this week, he said inspectors had found that the fire started in a branch electrical circuit, not sheathed in metal, in the ceiling and roof of the house.
“The report says there was a failure in the power circuit where it went through structural members of the house,” commented Oswalt. “Two space heaters, plugged into the same circuit, caused the overloaded wiring to arc.”
Total loss was about $1,000.
Update your smoke alarm
Oswalt reminded us that, with the coming of Daylight Savings Time on March 9th, fire departments suggest folks check their smoke alarm batteries.
“With the new available technology,” Oswalt said, “we’re now suggesting that when you ‘change your clock’ you install a new smoke alarm with a ten-year lithium battery.”
In 1998, the fire bureau spokesman reminded us, an Oregon law required that any new smoke alarm installed contain a 10-year lithium battery. “The ten years are up. If you installed a new one back then, it’s time for buy a new unit.”
The new smoke alarms also have a “hush button”, he added. “This button silences the alarm when nuisance smoke or shower steam accidentally sets it off.”
New alarms cost about $15. “But remember, smoke alarms continue to provide the most important protection against death in a fire,” Oswalt reminded.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
If you miss this musical theater retelling of “The Ugly Duckling” – you’ll miss a fun production replete with fowl puns, feathered frolics, and a purrr-fectly sinister Cat …
Dot, (Maya Houston), based on the bad information provided by Cat (Jordon Beck), a sly, cunning – and generally hungry – feral feline, helps her husband, Admiral Goose Graylag (Sam Bennett), get ready for Ugly’s search-and-rescue mission. It isn’t easy, because Graylag is a really bad navigator.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Taking a turn away from traditional musicals, the Cleveland High School Thespians are now presenting – through March 16 – a relatively new, but award-winning, show simply entitled “HONK!”.
“We thought a contemporary musical would be a nice change from the traditional musical shows we’ve been doing for the last six years,” said the show’s director, Jane Ferguson, Cleveland High’s drama instructor.
“Yes, ‘HONK!” is a cute show,” Ferguson continued, “but, more than that, this is a story about accepting people who are different from you. And, we have a very diverse population of students here at Cleveland High School.”
The central character of the story is Ugly (Michael Chafee), the ugly duckling. Although the others think he’s gawky and odd-looking, he turns out to be a good swimmer with a heart of gold.
Ida (Joellen Sweeney), Ugly’s mother, seems to be the only one who thinks her awkward, honking duckling will ever amount to anything.
About the story …
This retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” mixes in a theme of tolerance for others.
The British songwriting duo of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe aimed their book and score, originally titled “The Ugly Duckling, or the Aesthetically Challenged Farmyard Fowl”, at children and their parents. Since it first premiered in 1993, its name was changed to “HONK!” and it has won numerous awards, including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical, beating “The Lion King”.
Dot (Maya Houston), wife of the Admiral Goose, gets the air squadron (actually, geese) ready for a mission to find Ugly.
“Our musical director, Sam Barbara, recently starred in this same show at the University of Portland,” noted Ferguson.
“HONK!” is set in rural England. As the story unfolds, Ugly – gawky and odd-looking as he is – finds he simply doesn’t fit into life around the duck pond.
Ida, his tearful mom, does her best to defend Ugly, while his dad Drake ‘ducks’ his fatherly responsibilities.
Along the way, Ugly meets a purrr-fectly cunning, sly – and hungry – stray Cat, who sings of the joys of “playing with food”, and wants to have Ugly over for lunch or dinner, literally.
Ugly stumbles into the house of the Farmer’s Wife while trying to escape the ridicule, and encounters into the sophisticated, domesticated Cat, as well as Queenie (Eleanor Bray), and house-frau hen, Lowbutt (Liza Cortright), who exclaims, “A feather pillow must have burst” when she sees Ugly.
Honk is a pun-filled backwoods romp that includes a wisecracking bullfrog, a snide house-hen, and other comical barnyard creatures.
Will Cat “cook Ugly’s goose”? Can Ugly survive the rejection he faces, a blizzard, and the farmer’s carving knife, and fulfill his destiny of becoming a graceful swan? And in the end, will Cat go insane, and scream “Take me to the Betty Fuur Clinic!”?
It looks like Cat, poorly disguised as Ugly’s father, finally has his paws on the duckling he wants to have over for lunch – as Duck à l’Orange, that is.
About the production
“We hope the community will enjoy this unique musical,” Ferguson said. “This show is a new, hot musical that is being presented in many schools and community theaters.”
The cast of 50 students is aided by a professional choreographer, Aerin Shannon, and a set designer from Lewis and Clark College, John Gerth.
The cast of “HONK!” draws from all grade levels at the school, Ferguson added. “It looks like we have a great group of underclassmen who will be here to continue in our future productions.”
It is love at first sight for Queenie and Cat – they dance a purrrr-fect tango of romance, causing Cat to forget his dastardly luncheon plans for Ugly. But, Ugly’s problems are far from over!
“HONK!” runs through March 15
This show opened to an enthusiastic audience on March 6, and continues on March 7 and 8 at 7:00 p.m. Or, you can catch the show next weekend, March 14 or 16; again with a 7:00 p.m. curtain time. The final showing is a special matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16.
Tickets are only $10 for adults and $8 for students at the door. Advance tickets available online at: www.clevelandhighmusical.com, or call Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.
Cleveland High School is located at 3400 S.E. 26th Avenue, just north of SE Powell Boulevard.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
It may be difficult to picture the 35 acres they’re talking about along I-205 that’s planned for the Gateway Green. See why lots of folks are enthusiastic about the possibilities the park affords …
East Portland’s tireless neighborhood promoter of parks, Linda Robinson, talks about plans for the new “Gateway Green” site with neighbors, along with Cedar Kyes (“I’m the roaming bicycle expert”), and Oregon Department of Transportation operations manager Karla Keller.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not long ago, a group of more than forty participants spent several hours huddled around tables holding drawings in the gym at Crossroads Christian Church.
These folks were looking at plans and commenting on how a strip of land – running along I-205 from the Gateway Transit Center north to Rocky Butte – might become an accessible, 35-acre nature area called “Gateway Green”.
Where will the Gateway Green lie? Oddly enough, in the area marked in red on this drawing!
“I am really excited about the site’s potential,” commented Linda Robinson, East Portland Parks Chair, after the meeting. “I’m pretty confident we can reach an agreement with Oregon Department of Transportation [ODOT], and actually make this neglected property work for the community.”
Says project will ‘create a positive buzz’
At each of the half-dozen large tables, community members conferred with planners, landscape architects, and governmental officials – and shaded in, drew on, and noted their comments on large drawings of the project.
Joined by many community members, real estate developer Ted Gilbert and Hazelwood Neighborhood’s association Chair Arlene Kimura share their dreams for the Gateway Green.
At one table, we met developer Ted Gilbert, who said he’s “absolutely enthusiastic about this project. The Gateway Green is something that will create a destination to visit and a ‘positive buzz’ around the entire region. People will come and take a fresh look at Gateway.”
The Gateway already has “some amazing attributes”, reminded Gilbert. It’s one of the most accessible areas in the region, being the epicenter of the MAX light rail system; and, it offers underdeveloped land.”
“A lot of people might say, ‘yes, but it’s Gateway’,” Gilbert went on. “But if this project comes about, it may spur catalytic quality development here.”
Jordan Secter, a landscape designer with Lando & Associates Landscape Architecture looks over the plans with Marcie Emerson Peters, Parkrose Neighborhood Association and Parkrose Vision Team, and Gill Williams, a landscape architect with David Evans and Associates.
According to traffic studies, continued Gilbert, about 65 million people go past the site every year – on their way to somewhere else. “But if we make it accessible, by a four minute walk, to the Gateway Transit Center – or other pedestrian and bicycle access points – and if it gets connected with the Sullivan’s Gulch bicycle trail, there will be a lot of visitors who come to enjoy it.”
Based on the ideas we saw being discussed at the tables, it appears the area could be a recreational opportunity for cycling, pedestrians, running and jogging, as well as a safe area for bicycle commuting.
“This could create the branding that puts the Gateway region on the map,” concluded Gilbert. “The question is whether or not we can pull it off.”
Outer East Portland’s Teena Ainslie, and Larry Kotan, a Parkrose Heights resident and member of the East Portland Action Plan Committee, study the plan and make their recommendations.
The process continues
Robinson explained that the neighbors interested in the project must go through several more steps addressing the issues identified by ODOT when they gave permission to do this initial exploration phase.
“It will take a while to move through the rest,” Robinson commented, “answering questions, like which organization would manage and maintain the site. We wanted to get a better feel for what activities the community would like to see there, before we talked with a specific agency/organization about management.”
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Even though only one Rose Festival event takes place in outer East Portland, all of our high schools participate in the Rose Court. Meet the lovely young lady who will represent Parkrose in this year’s citywide celebration.
After being evaluated and scored, all four Parkrose High School 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess Candidates – Toyin Oyemaja, Vy Nguyen, Vivian Ngo, and Holly Ho – await the announcement.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose High School Theatre filled on Friday afternoon, March 7, with students, staff, and family members as outer East Portland’s first 2008 Portland Rose Festival event got underway: the selection of the Parkrose High Princess.
From the podium, Parkrose High School Principal Roy Reynolds announces, “Please welcome your School’s 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess Candidates.”
The curtains sweep back and reveal Toyin Oyemaja, Vy Nguyen, Vivian Ngo, and Holly Ho standing on the stage. The enthusiastic cheering is deafening.
Parkrose High’s 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Margaret Drew, greets the assembly, looks at the official tally card, and announces the name of the young lady who will take her crown.
Parkrose Princess Drew returns
Reynolds asks the throng to welcome Parkrose High’s 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Margaret Drew, to the stage.
“I’m so excited,” Drew says. “In just a few minutes will be announcing your Portland Rose Festival Princess. Thank you so much for all of your support. It has been an amazing experience for me. I’m so happy that you’re taking part in the festival and showing your pride in Parkrose, because we have a lot of good things here.”
Beaming her trademark smile, Drew takes the envelope Reynolds presents to her, opens it, glances at it, and proclaims, “And now, without further ado I’d like to announce your 2008 Rose Festival Princess … is Vy Nguyen.”
Vy Nguyen reacts to hearing her name read – meaning she’ll represent Parkrose High School as their 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess.
Margaret Drew prepares to crown Vy Nguyen.
The Princess speaks
The gathered assembly stands and cheers. After being crowned, she strolls toward the podium.
“Thank you very much,” says Princess Vy. “I thank the girls in the court. I think any one of us would have made an outstanding representative for Parkrose.” She went on to thank staffmembers, family and friends who helped along the way.
Wearing her crown and robe, Princess Vy Nguyen walks to the podium to make her acceptance speech.
Princess Vy pauses for a moment with the school’s principal, Roy Reynolds.
After hundreds of photos are snapped, Princess Vy talks with us, and says, “I’m overwhelmed; I’m not sure what I am feeling, other than I’m phenomenally happy about this.”
Asked to what she looks forward as this year’s Parkrose Princess, Nguyen confides, “I’m looking forward to going to see a lot of places around Portland to which I’ve never been, and meeting new people. I’m sure that becoming the representative for Parkrose High School for the 2008 Portland Rose Festival will have a very positive impact on my life.”
Principal Reynolds comments, “These are all great ladies. I think any one of the ladies would have been a great princess for Parkrose. In fact, all of our princesses, for the last 21 years, made excellent queens, too – but so far, that hasn’t been the case. Perhaps this is our year!”
Here she is – outer East Portland’s first 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess to be crowned, Princess Vy Nguyen!
The school and organization thanks Terry Franceschi, Theater Operations Manager, and members of the stagecraft class, for a lovely, fitting setting and professional lighting.
Also, thanks go to members of the Parkrose Bronco Boosters Club and sponsors Menlo Park Flowers and Mr. Formal for the floral arrangements and the men’s formal wear.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
You can’t get much farther east than Alder Elementary School! See what happened, and what neighbors thought about the process, right here …
Portland Mayor Tom Potter welcomes outer East Portland citizens to the first of several Budget Forums held across the city.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
City of Portland officials said they were kicking off their “City Budget Community Forum” process in outer East Portland. The location they selected for the event — Alder Elementary School, at 17200 SE Alder Street – is about 500 yards west of the Gresham border.
Before the meeting started, participants were invited to peruse a “Community Resource Fair”. Here, Richard Bixby, director of the East Portland Neighborhood Office, helps neighbors locate their neighborhood.
“This is the city’s first community budget meeting,” said Mayor Tom Potter as he greeted us. “We’re talking about the 2008/2009 budget. What we do, before we get too far down the road developing a budget, is to hold some community meetings to find out their concerns, issues, and desires about how we spend our money.”
In the school’s gymnasium, each of the City’s bureaus set up a table. “People can go to each table and discuss issues about that bureau,” Potter explained. “We also have tables set up by the City Commissioners’ offices, because they, and myself, also have special funds requests. For example I’m requesting funds for a Office of Human Relations. So I’ll have a table here, and I’ll be glad to have people talk to me about issues of human rights here in Portland, Oregon.”
These meetings are important, Potter said, “Because, actually, it’s the citizens who pay for this. I think the residents of Portland who pay their taxes should have a say in how things are done. We’re listening to the folks who finance our city, and we’re asking, ‘Here’s what we’re looking at what you think’?”
Participants sat at tables hosted by City bureau personnel. At regular intervals, participants were asked to change tables.
Forum features round-robin format
Although it was made clear to the participants that no formal testimony would be taken, and that Council will not be making any budget decisions at the forums, their comments were recorded at each of the tables.
Participants in the community budget forums expressed their opinions in a round-robin format, where Commissioners listened. At these tables, community members learned what is being proposed in various areas of the budget, were invited to give their comments, expressed their concerns, and asked questions.
Neighbors speak …
Donna-Lynn Kublick, Chair of the Glenfair Neighborhood Association listens to a city official speak.
Following the meeting, Donna-Lynn Kublick of the Glenfair neighborhood commented that it “was a good experience.”
The best thing for her about the meeting was “Having the choice of sitting at different tables with experts in the fields I wanted to know more about, and being able to give opinions on things that need to change. But, I felt we should have been at the tables at least 5 or 10 minutes longer that we were, and instead of going to only three tables [during the evening] we should have been able to go to a fourth.”
Kublick said she appreciated that a “scribe” wrote the comments voiced on the easel boards. “I felt they really were listening, even to our negative comments – including mine, of how they have treated East County. And, they heard several other negative comments about how outer East Portland has been neglected.”
Jon Turino participates in the forum
Outer East Portland businessman Jon Turino’s take on the Portland Community Budget Forum was that it was well planned and executed. “It provided a good mechanism for Portland residents and business owners both to learn the details of the proposed budget items and to provide their feedback to those requesting the budgeted amounts.”
Turino said he liked the idea of people rotating among tables staffed by bureau executives. “It allowed me to visit those groups of most interest to me, without having to hear about extraneous material that was not of interest to me and/or my constituency. But, it would have been good to have all of the elected officials present to show their direct interest in the inputs from the East Portland community.”
While he saw that his thoughts, issues, and ideas were heard and recorded by the staffers, Turino told us, “I am concerned about how those inputs will be valued and applied as the City’s budgeting process goes forward, and I hope that there will be some feedback regarding the impact of my input.”
What Turino took away from the forum was that the City of Portland budgeting process is a complicated, with a lot of competing priorities. “Some of the City issues are also impacted by County and Metro plans, making it difficult to nail down some specifics.”
Coming from Pleasant Valley, the southernmost neighborhood in outer East Portland, Linda Bauer said she enjoyed the process.
Speaking for herself, Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association’s Chair, Linda Bauer, said she appreciated the Budget Forum, because, “Lots of Bureau people were there. But it is disappointing to see that not many citizens participated.”
Bauer said she did believe the bureau representatives did hear and record her comments. Most interesting, she added, was that each Portland City Commissioner had picked a special project to champion.
Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer listens to the public safety concerns of Centennial neighbor Ron Clemenson. “Overall, it was a good event,” commented Clemenson.
After the release of the Mayor’s Proposed Budget, the City Council will return to the community for more input. A community hearing will be held on May 8 at the King School to take testimony. Additional testimony opportunities are available at the regular Council meetings before that body approves and adopts the new budget.
Want to chime in? Go online and let ’em know Downtown in City Hall what you think by CLICKING HERE.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Why would crew members from Portland Fire & Rescue volunteer don their full gear, and prepare to race to the top of a 69-story building that is NOT on fire? Take a look, and find out …
Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter Marc Ham takes his turn on the stepping exerciser, as firefighter Tim Spring “passes the boot”, asking shoppers for a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even though the firefighters of Portland Fire & Rescue stay in shape by working out and training – and responding to emergencies – several of them spent February 23 on a stair-stepping exercise machine at Costco’s Airport location.
When we arrived, we found a resident of the Sellwood neighborhood for fifteen years, firefighter Mark Ham, working up a sweat. In full gear – 70 pounds of it, including his breathing apparatus, he was vigorously working out. “I’m getting ready for the ‘Scott Firefighter Stairclimb for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’,” said the firefighter, who works at the bureau’s Training Academy on NE 122nd Avenue.
The stairclimb event, held on March 2 at Seattle’s Columbia Center, is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world, we learned. More than 1,300 firefighters from across the Pacific Northwest – including 25 Portland-area firefighters – will compete in this timed race to the top of the building.
Firefighter Tim Spring, a crew member of Station 25, on SE 52nd Avenue, said he was encouraging people to help “fill the boot” he carried with donations.
“The proceeds go to help find a cure for cancer,” Spring explained. “We’ve had several people in the department that have had cancer in the last five or six years. We’re trying to get out in the community and show our support for cancer research.”
Ham agreed, “We’re volunteering our time because cancer has affected quite a few of our firefighters; this fundraiser is close to our hearts.”
You can still help: Drop off cash or a check for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at any PF&R station.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
If you like locally-grown and newly-picked produce, you won’t find it fresher than what comes from this fellow’s organically-grown ‘mini-farms’, scattered throughout SE Portland …
Kollibri Sonnenblume, the bike farmer, is weeding a garlic patch in one of his 18 SE Portland vegetable garden plots.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Kollibri terre Sonnenblume is a proficient organic farmer. Throughout the growing season, dozens of families come to Sonnenblume every week, selecting newly-picked produce.
But, unlike traditional growers, Sonnenblume doesn’t own a tractor, nor does he raise his crops on the outskirts of town.
“I’m what you’d call an urban farmer,” said the soft-spoken Sonnenblume as he wiped soil from his hands after weeding a patch of winter crop. “And I like to get around by bicycle. I’m a bike-based urban farmer.”
He didn’t create the concept, Sonnenblume said. “Look at cities all over the world, and you’ll see the urban gardening is typical, rather than being the exception. And you’ll find they get around by bicycle. It may be odd here in the United States – but as oil prices keep going up, it seems very practical.”
Finds local ‘acreage’
Instead of farming acres of land out in the country, Sonnenblume’s “farm” is distributed throughout inner SE Portland. Homeowners allow him plant and care for a crop in a portion of their property in exchange for produce during the season.
“Right now I have 18 plots of different sizes going. The largest one is just under one third of an acre. The smallest one is, maybe, 5′ xk 10′. I tend my crops by going from plot to plot on my bicycle. I use a trailer attached to my bike to carry tools and supplies, and to carry harvested crops,” he said.
With the cost of fuel rising, Sonnenblume says bike-based farming makes more sense now than ever.
Community-Supported Agriculture proponent
He’s been a “bike farmer” in Portland since 2005; and this season is second year as a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) producer.
“CSA started in Japan in the 1980s,” comments Sonnenblume, “and moved to Europe and the United States in the 1990s. With CSA, people in the community give resources – usually money – to a farmer in the spring, when most of the expenses are incurred for seeds and equipment, in exchange for a share of crops that are produced throughout the season.”
Instead of driving to a farm, or farmer’s market, “people come to my house right here in inner SE Portland. For many folks who purchased winter crop CSA shares that live close by, I make deliveries by bike.”
Web developer to farmer
Sonnenblume told us he’s always enjoyed gardening. “Even when I was in an apartment, I had a small garden on my porch.”
In his 20s, Sonnenblume recalled, he owned 75 neckties and “worked in tall glass buildings in the Bay Area. I made more money in Internet web design than I ever thought possible. But after the big Internet bust, I started looking around. I thought to myself ‘agriculture is a growth industry’. It is recession proof.”
Inspired by Katrina
What inspired him to become a full-time urban farmer, he stated, was watching events unfold after Hurricane Katrina.
“It occurred to me that we all need to be taking care of each other. We can’t count on help coming from the outside. There are lots of needs: Housing, clothing, medicine, and food. I’m doing food.”
Speaking before a packed house at People’s Co-op, Sonnenblume shares his experiences with a very receptive audience.
Shares his ‘secrets’
When we first met him, Sonnenblume was giving an illustrated talk about his vocation at Peoples’ Co-op, north of the Brooklyn neighborhood, on January 30. The store’s meeting room was packed with 58 people who peppered him with detailed questions. He looked happy to answer them all.
“There aren’t any trade secrets,” Sonnenblume said about the meeting. “I enjoy sharing this experience I’m having with everyone.”
Asked why he thought so many people showed up on a windy and rainy night – mostly on bicycle – he counted off three reasons. “Portlanders support local and organic agriculture. Secondly, people learning about the CSA model think it’s cool to have a personal relationship with their farmer. The third aspect is that people in Portland are fairly well-read and well-informed, and want to see different ways that we can do things.”
Pollinating SE Portland
After getting to know this “bike farmer”, we noted that he is doing more than growing crops – he’s also spreading a sustainable idea.
“In fact,” he replied, “my first name, Kollibri, is ‘hummingbird’ in Norwegian. Like they pollinate flowers, I definitely feel that part of my work is being an example, inspiring others. There’s room for a lot of other people in town to do and I’m doing.”
Season shares available
If you want fresh organically-grown produce all summer, grown just down the block from you, now is the time to buy a share and participate. Learn more by visiting his web site at www.trashfactory.net/sunrootgardens, e-mail him at Kollibri@riseup.net, or call him at (503) 686-5557.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Their first parade was a success. See what these volunteers are planning for the second one on April 19 – and how you can play an important role in this new, exciting outer East Portland event …
Looking at photos taken of last year’s successful parade, members of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade committee are Ken Turner, Paul Ellison, Nancy Chapin, Kevin Williams, Richard Kiley, Judy Welch, Kathryn Notson, Johnni Jones and Arlene Kimura.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Last April, most of the spectators watching the first annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade simply enjoyed the event.
But one long-time resident along the parade route looked amazed and said what others thought: “I never thought I’d see the day. Things really are changing for the better along 82nd Avenue.”
Plans are underway for an even successful, colorful, exciting, stupendous, and colossal event this year, according to its organizer, and long-time East Portland booster, Ken Turner.
“We’re looking forward to a great event,” Turner predicted when we caught up with him at a meeting of the organizing volunteers. “It looks like we’ll have 40 entries, including floats, and walking entries from neighborhood and business associations, service organizations, car clubs, and farmers markets.”
Turner reminded us that the parade will be one of the first public appearances of the newly-selected 2008 Portland Rose Festival Court and the Royal Rosarians. “And there’s a good chance you’ll see some of Portland’s and Multnomah County’s leading politicians in the parade.”
This year, the parade is scheduled to feature the music and marching band antics of the “Get a Life Marching Band”.
The April 19 parade steps out onto SE 82nd Avenue of Roses from Eastport Plaza at 9:00 a.m. sharp. The parade will proceed north to the Montavilla East Tabor Business district.
Who will be this year’s Grand Marshal? Turner said they’d release that information in a couple of weeks.
Volunteers are needed
Many volunteers are needed the day of the parade.
“There isn’t heavy lifting involved,” said volunteer coordinator, Johnni Beth Jones. “And, the time commitment is small. We need adults willing to be ‘street closure guards’ the morning of the parade.”
Contact Jones at johnni.jones@gmail.com; she asks that you list “Parade Volunteer” in the subject of your e-mail so she’ll spot it right away.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Discover what Kyle Ziegler hopes to share with the world if she wins this pageant and goes to represent Oregon in the International competition …
Lauren Bishop, of “Your Vocal Advantage” talks with Kyle L. Ziegler, CastleGate Realty, and “Mrs. Portland International 2008”, at the Parkrose Business Association meeting.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It seems like nearly all Parkrose area residents and business people who have been involved in their community know Kyle L. Ziegler because of her involvement in her community.
Now that Ziegler has been named “Mrs. Portland International 2008”, and will compete for the “Mrs. Oregon International 2008” crown, she hopes to share her zeal for community volunteerism nationwide.
If she wins the state title on March 15 in Portland, she’ll go on to present her message at the July “Mrs. International Pageant” in Chicago, Illinois.
Actively involved in neighborhood improvement
“It started in 1987,” Ziegler says, “I got involved in my neighborhood association’s board because of a traffic issue. I’m still on board today – the Argay Terrace Neighborhood Association.”
In 1989, Ziegler became a Crime Prevention Coordinator for the City of Portland, helping residents set up a Neighborhood Watch programs. “Then, in 1991, I became the executive director of the Parkrose Business Association for four years, while I started my real estate business.”
While her real estate brokerage, CastleGate Realty, Inc., keeps her occupied during the day, Ziegler still finds time to be involved in projects that increase the safety and beauty of her neighborhood – and helping to build the Parkrose Business Association by being a board member and chair of the Programs committee.
While talking with us in her office at CastleGate Realty, Kyle Ziegler says hopes to spread her message of community participation nationwide if she is selected to go on to the national finals.
Mission: Stimulating volunteerism
“I’ve found that many people want to be of service to their community, but don’t know how to get involved,” states Ziegler. “People get so tied up in their own lives, but they don’t see that there are opportunities for participation out there. One person can’t change the world, but they can make their neighborhood a better place.”
If one projects a “bubbly enthusiasm” for a project, she goes on, people can be enticed entice to tackle one small part of a project. “Then, they feel good about themselves because they participated. That’s the basis of my success. I’m able to bring people around to do one task by sharing my enthusiasm with them.”
Ziegler readies her platform
Saying she’s been working on her platform for the upcoming pageant, Ziegler tries it out on us: “Going beyond grassroots participation by stimulating others to participate in local issues.”
If she wins the crown in at the upcoming pageant, “It will give me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned about helping to stimulate community participation in other parts of the country. It’s what I’ve done for 25 years.”
Oregon pageant held in NE Portland
According to the pageant’s state director, Lesley Nardini, “Kyle will represent our city and county at the 2008 Mrs. Oregon International Pageant. She’ll be competing for $5,000 in cash and prizes, and the opportunity to proceed to next level.”
The Mrs. International Pageant system, Nardini explains, recognizes women for their professional accomplishments, community service, and commitment to marriage and family. “Throughout her year, the new Mrs. Portland International will not only compete for the state crown, but she will also be available to make appearances, attend special presentations, and assist with civic events and non-profit projects.”
Come on East Portland! Let’s support Kyle Ziegler by cheering her on at the Mrs. Oregon International Pageant on Saturday, March 15, at the Sheraton-Airport Hotel. Tickets are $20 per person, and include a post-pageant reception. And, you can vote for her online before the competition. For more information CLICK HERE:
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
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