Outer East Portland citizens have been given two more opportunities to have their photo taken – for only $245 per picture. See where these handy “outdoor photo booths” are now working …

Drivers who speed through this intersection on a yellow light had better take heed! By late August, police will issue tickets to those who blow the read light!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Lead-footed, red-light-running drivers in the Gateway shopping area: beware! The City of Portland has installed two new “red-light cameras” along SE Stark Street. And, they’re up and running.

The new red-light cameras are on SE Stark at 99th Avenue, and on SE Stark at 102nd Avenue.

The system camera systems were put into operation on August 7, according to Portland Office of Transportation’s Greg Raisman.

SNAP! This car didn’t heed the traffic control signal – and will be sent warning ticket while the red-light photo system is being tested.

“During a two-week test period,” Raisman told us, “Portland Police will be checking the violation photos and mailing warning letters to vehicles and drivers that would have been issued a citation.”

But, don’t press your luck. Beginning August 21, scofflaws will receive a $245 fine when the newly-installed cameras flash drivers’ photographs as they run red lights. The photos will generate a citation.

“Basically, the camera cannot take a picture unless a vehicle enters the intersection after the light is red,” assured Raisman. “Each photograph is reviewed by a Police officer to ensure there is evidence of a violation before a citation is issued.”

The red-light camera program is administered jointly by the Portland Police Bureau and the Portland Office of Transportation.

For all the details about how the system works – and why the City of Portland believes these devices will increase safety – CLICK HERE to read our February, 2008 article about outer East Portland’s first red-light camera.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why this young lady gave a special virtuoso performance at SE Portland music education center; and how you see if old instruments are valuable  …

On her way to play a benefit recital, Violin virtuoso Becky Anderson pauses for a moment with the Community Music Center’s director Gregory Dubay.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Located in a historic firehouse, nestled in inner SE Portland, is a unique performing arts educational facility called the Community Music Center.

“We’re a Portland Parks & Recreation resource,” explained their director, Gregory Dubay. “We work in partnership with nonprofit organizations to ensure that no student will be turned away for lack of ability to pay for music lessons.”

The reason we visited the Community Music Center on January 21 was to meet a young violinist named Becky Anderson.

17-year-old violinist Becky Anderson plays confidently for good reason: she has already won numerous competitions and has performed internationally.

Alumnae gives benefit recital
As we walked up the winding stairs to meet her as she warmed up while waiting in a practice room, Dubay told us, “Becky is doing this benefit recital for us. She’s one of our distinguished alumnae; she’s studied music with us for many years.”

Anderson looked poised when she greeted us. With an air of confidence, the charming 17-year-old said, “The Music Center was very instrumental in starting me in music. I started when I was three years old, taking music lessons here. I began private violin lessons here when I was five years old. I probably wouldn’t be playing this concert if it weren’t for Community Music Center.”

The music center is an important asset to the community, Anderson stated, because “Now, there is a lack of music education in many of our public schools right now. The center helps many young people gain a valuable musical education they couldn’t otherwise afford.”

Although Anderson is an accomplished musician, she says she may choose neuroscience and biochemistry as a career.

May choose science over music
Anderson said she’s been applying to colleges and music conservatories. “I’ve had some interest from conservatories back east. But, I’m also interested in neuroscience and biochemistry; I’m hoping to continue studies in that, as well as music.”

Before her recital started, we learned from Dubay that Anderson is a senior and National Honor Society student at Lincoln High School. She’s won numerous awards, and has performed internationally. “She’ll be performing on the national radio show ‘From the Top’ in May,” he added.

In performance, Anderson confidently and artistically played a program that included works by Bach, Mozart, Paganini, and Prokovief, with verve.

The event raised $800 for the Community Music Center, Dubay reported.

An “Instrument Roadshow” event at CMC on March 9 helps support the musical program that allows young musicians, such as Becky Anderson, to excel.

Instrument appraisal “roadshow” on March 9
Find out if your old violin in the closet, trumpet in the attic, or guitar in the garage is a clunker or a keeper.

On Sunday, March 9, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Music Center, you can bring violins, violas, cellos, woodwinds, brass and guitars to this “Antiques Roadshow” style event to obtain a verbal appraisal of market value and suggestions of needed repairs from some of Portland’s top instrument experts.

There will be food and live music by special guest performers including Tom Grant, the Portland Cello Project, the Oregon Renaissance Band, Klezmer and Duo Hora Tziganye.

Admission is $5 for an entry fee and $25 for each verbal appraisal. Tickets are on sale at Brown Paper Tickets (BrownPaperTickets.com or 1.800.838.3006). There is no extra ticket charge by ordering online or over the phone. Appraisal times are non-reserved. For written appraisals participants may make further contact with the professionals directly.

Music Center Auditorium is located at 3350 SE Francis Street. For more information, call them at (503) 823-3177, or visit their web site at www.communitymusiccenter.org.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Although you could see it anywhere in East Portland, find out why this astronomical event drew such a large crowd in the river-side museum’s darkened parking lot …

Getting a close-up view of the eclipsed Moon and of Saturn, visitors use telescopes set up by the Rose City Astronomers Club.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although the full lunar eclipse in the early evening hours of February 20 could be seen anywhere in the greater Portland area, a crowd – mostly families – poured into the parking lot east of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to join in the “moon party”.

“It’s great to see everyone here enjoying themselves,” beamed OMSI’s planetarium manager, Jim Todd, as he looked out over the sea of sky watchers. “It’s remarkable that we have a perfectly clear sky for viewing tonight, in Oregon, in February.”

More than 600 people gathered to watch the lunar eclipse in OMSI’s parking lot. Looking closely just to the right of the enlarged inset box, you can see the planet Saturn in the night sky!

During a total eclipse, Todd told us, the moon and the sun and the Earth line up perfectly. “The Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow. If you’re standing on the Moon, looking back at the Earth, the sun move behind the Earth, and you would see a red ring around the Earth.”

By the time the Moon was completely shadowed, about 7 p.m., the group watching the eclipse had grown to over 600. “This is so cool,” said 4-year-old Sellwood resident Jason Lee. “I’ve never seen anything like this before in my whole life!”

OMSI’s planetarium manager, Jim Todd, gives a live, play-by-play description of the unfolding celestial event.

Rose City Astronomers Club set up telescopes at the event, giving people a close-up look at the moon as it fell into darkness. Because the sky was clear, and the moon was dark, one powerful ‘scope gave visitors a clear look at Saturn and its rings.

“We hope that some of the people who are visiting us tonight,” Todd commented, “next come to a planetarium show, and see what else they can learn about the night sky. Who knows, it may spark a lifelong interest in astronomy in one of these kids, who might grow up to be the astronaut who takes a photo of the earth – from the moon – during a future lunar eclipse.”

“Moon over McLoughlin”, as a bus passes by.

OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue. For general information, call (503) 797-4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

If you wondered why the street was closed to northbound traffic – creating a massive traffic jam through the parallel neighborhood streets – here’s why …

Portland Police Bureau shut down 92nd Avenue of Roses from SE Foster Road north to SE Raymond Street to protect citizens from sparking wires

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although the problem affected only one business, according to Portland General Electric spokesman Steve Corson, the sparks flying off the glowing electrical wires did cause considerable concern on the evening of February 17.

Sizzle, zap! Power kept flowing through the line, but it shorted out intermittently, causing these sparks to fly.

“The problem was reported at 5:52 p.m.,” Corson told us. “It was windy. The wind was pushing a power wire into a steel pole. It caused sparking. It didn’t cause the wires to fault totally, so power was able to flow.”

By 7:40 p.m., crews insulated the wire, and a message was put into PGE’s maintenance system to address a long-term solution. And at that point, S.E. 82nd was reopened to traffic, and the traffic jam in nearby neighborhoods dissipated.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

From the Benson Hotel, to the Hilton Hotel, and other top-drawer establishments in downtown Portland, see these David Douglas High School juniors getting a taste of working in the hospitality trade …

David Douglas High School students Jannette Young and Natalie Sutantodinata flank Rachel Huestis, Desk Manager at the Benson Hotel, as they learn to check guests into one of the city’s top lodging spots. The students look so professional, it’s hard to tell them from the manager!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Moving from the theoretical to the realm of the practical, 62 Hospitality & Tourism section students from David Douglas High School fan out across Portland for their annual “job shadow” day.

Thanks to the efforts of the program’s coordinator, Debbie Page, these junior-class students aren’t sweeping floors at a burger joint or changing sheets at a the No-Tell Motel. Instead, they are getting a first-class introduction to the business at businesses named Benson, Hilton, Monaco, and Greek Cusina.

They feel the heat, but they’re staying in the Benson Hotel kitchen, as students Jamison Miller and Marie Thompson help Executive Chef Scott Krushner get plates ready for a 150-seat upscale luncheon banquet.

Full-day experience
As we walk among several downtown locations, instructor Debbie Page fills us in on the students’ day.

First, she tells us, the students aren’t bussed in – they’re each responsible for getting to their jobs at their assigned starting times. “It is an eye-opening day for students to see what it’s like to get up, dress according to their hosts’ requirements, and find their way their job, and be on time.”

Each student will spend four to eight hours on the job today, explains Page. “In addition to learning a specific job to which they’ve been assigned, they’ve asked specific hospitality-industry questions that they’ve researched, and write a report based on what they learned.”

Additionally, Page continues, their hosts will complete an evaluation form and give the students feedback at the end of the four- to six-hour workday.

Preparing for international service
By providing specialized training in high school, Page reveals, their students have can often enter the workforce at above entry level

“And, this is growing industry segment,” Page elaborates. “Hospitality and tourism is the fourth largest industry Oregon – and the second largest job market worldwide. Once these kids learn certain skills, they can go anywhere in the world, and get a good job.”

Thomas Feseha learns from Hilton’s assistant director of front office operations, Brad Noah. “He’ll be checking guests in and out, referring guests to meetings at various locations, and learning about what I think is the greatest department in this hotel,” says Noah.

Tucked away in the Hilton Hotel offices, James Tiet works with junior accountant, Julian Xiong, learning “how the revenues flow in and out of our business.”

Good start in the industry
Todd Schaeffer, Director of Human Resources at the Portland Hilton, says they look forward to “job shadow day” at their business.

We’ve developed a close relationship with the David Douglas Hospitality and Tourism Program,” Schaeffer says. “Five students will work in five departments here today.”

This work/school connection helps them, because some of the students in the program learn they can work at entry-level positions where they can work while they’re going to school, he adds.

Bill Tritt, Hilton’s assistant director of catering, shows Hanh Nguyen about his department. “We’re showing him what a great opportunity it is to join an industry where you can start at the bottom and work your way to the top,” says Tritt. “I’ve been in the business for 26 years – what started as a job turned into a great career.”

Ashley Ortiz learns about the Hilton’s housekeeping department from director Cyndi Matto. “In our department,” Matto tells him, “there are new challenges every day; no day is the same.”

“Others will join the industry after they get out of school,” Schaeffer adds, “and find there is a real opportunity for career growth. Not all students are college-bound. The hospitality industry gives students the opportunity to find a great career path.”

Job shadows lead to internships
Accompanying us on our downtown tour is David Douglas Career Center counselor Deb Murray.

“It’s a really good experience for our students,” says Murray.

Greg Pinetti, the front office manager at the Hotel Monaco, shows students Chris Harrel and Jordan Olsvik the finer points of checking guests into this posh downtown boutique hotel.

“Not only is it a requirement for students to participate in a junior-year job shadow,” Murray explains, “it gives them a ‘snapshot’ of what it will be like when they go out for their business internship as a senior. The job shadow requires them to dress and speak professionally, and to interact with adults.”

At the Greek Cusina

Jonathan Byers and Dusty Whipple serve Debbie Page, Hospitality Tourism teacher at David Douglas High School, and Deb Murray, Career Center, David Douglas high School.

We stop in at Portland’s famous Greek Cusina and check in with two students, already at work, preparing for the lunch rush.

“I like how a chill everyone is,” comments Jonathan Byers, one of two students working at the restaurant. “Everyone is very nice, and this place is really cool. I think I’ll like working in the hospitality industry a lot.”

Fellow student Dusty Whipple adds, “I think would be good to have a job here. We’re learning what you don’t get to see and learn in the classroom.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

There’s nothing cheesy about seeing outer East Portland folks enjoying the gala Chinese New Year traditional celebrations, featuring dancing lions, and symbols designed to bring good luck – not rodents …

Martial arts demonstrations provided some of the entertainment on the stage at Midland Library for the Chinese New Year’s celebration.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Because the time allotted to celebrate the incoming Lunar Calendar year lasts several days, both of these events were official Chinese New Year celebrations.

At Midland Library
On February 17, we stopped by the Midland Library to spend a few minutes at their Chinese New Year festival.

Serving Asian refreshments at the library’s celebration are Amanda Vu, Donna Trung, and Jadine Delfin.

Making crafts at Midland Library are Chris and Hien Tang.

“Welcome to our celebration of the Lunar New Year,” we were greeted by Javier Gutierrez, manager of Midland Library. “The Chinese celebrate starting on February 8th, and it ends on the 22nd.”

The library put on the event because they endeavor to encompass all of the cultures one finds in outer SE Portland, Gutierrez explained. “In 2006, we conducted a survey to determine how our community is changing. What we’re trying to do is serve the new communities moving into Portland.”

Ngoc Nguyen is helping guests with their Chinese New Year crafts.

For many peoples from different countries, Gutierrez noted, the notion of a public library is quite foreign.  “What were doing is helping them learn that their public library is a place for them to come, learn, socialize, and find cultural enrichment.”

Donna Dionne, VP of Midway Business Association, welcomes guests to the celebration.

At PCC’s Southeast Center and Legin Restaurant

Annie Chung; Wing Kit Chung, vice president of administration; Preston Pulliams, district president for the college; and Nan Poppe, president, Extended Learning Campus, Portland Community College

The following day, on February 18, Portland Community College’s Southeast Center held their event, primarily at the nearby Legin Restaurant Ballroom.

We were welcomed by Nan Poppe, president, Extended Learning Campus, Portland Community College. “This event has grown every year – to the point that it won’t fit in our grand atrium hall. It’s the chance for the community, students, and staff to come together and celebrate Asian culture.  Every year we learn a little bit more about their cultures.”

Northwest Lion Dance Association brings three fanciful, colorful and acrobatic lions – and their percussion section – to start the Chinese New Year’s celebration at Portland Community College Southeast Center’s event.

An event organizer, Trina Hing, said the event was important, “Because we want the community to be aware of our population of students, and to share the different Southeast Asian cultures.”

In addition to the population of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Laotian students, the school also provides services for students from Russia, Latin American countries, and Somalia. “Today, everyone is enjoying this Chinese custom.”

Costumed dancers from many Asian cultures performed for hundreds of celebrants.

The event started with three hours of dances, demonstrations, and speeches. Then, the tables were cleared for arts and crafts, children’s games, and some vendors.

Lisa Hayes, student government ASP chair for the event, told us a lot of planning went into this year’s celebration. “It has taken for months, at least one meeting a week, to set this up. We went out into the community and talked businesses and associations into working together and as a team.”

Although a little nervous about the outcome of the event, Hayes said, “I’m really excited, I’m really jazzed.”

What did she look forward to the most?

“The best part of the day for me is the Lion Dance,” Hayes replied, just as one of the three mighty lions awoke, and the opening ceremony began.

People filled the Legin Restaurant Ballroom as the celebration go underway.

Representatives from different Southeast Asian countries talked about the Lunar New Year traditions celebrated by their people.  This included a bowing ceremony, dances, and a lesson in how to say “happy new year” in Chinese.

This first Chinese character was shown upside down, meaning that happiness and luck is coming. When turned upright, it means that happiness and good life has arrived. “It comes from the Ming Dynasty, about 700 years ago. Now it is traditional in use all over the world.”

After the three-hour program a Chinese-style lunch was served to the happy and hungry throng.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Find out what folks at the packed Gateway Area Business Association learned about these candidates, during their first East Portland outing …

As is their tradition, Gateway Keystone Kop Brad Sanchez gives the Rubber Chicken Award to Nancy Zuffrea of ExecuTech Suites, and crowns her “Queen of the Fun-O-Rama Community Fair” in recognition for her work on the project.

Story by Watford Reed, Photos by D.F. Ashton
Five candidates for the Portland City Council presented two main themes when they spoke to 60 people at the Gateway Area Business Association on February 14: East Portland should have more attention, and so should small business.

The five are seeking the post that Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams currently holds on the Portland City Council.  Adams is running for mayor.

The five candidates at this form were Jeff Bissonnette, John Branham, Amanda Fritz, Charles Lewis, and Christopher Smith. A sixth candidate, Mike Fahey, could not attend.

Jeff Bissonnette
Giving their opening statements, speaking in alphabetical order, Jeff Bissonnette led off. He said, if elected, he will open city offices in the neighborhoods so that people can take care of business with the City of Portland without having to go downtown. Two of those offices will be located east of 82nd Avenue of Roses, and one will be in the St. Johns area, his longtime home. He wants better education for young people beyond high school and better accountability in both schools and government, he said.

John Branham
John Branham, a classroom teacher who leads development for Portland Public Schools, said schools are essential, and business will not succeed in the future without good schools. Further, he said, a variety of leadership styles is what is needed to put good ideas into action.

Amanda Fritz
Amanda Fritz, a psychiatric nurse and mother of three children, called herself a “neighborhood activist” and said she is active in East Portland causes. “I’ve been making a difference in neighborhoods, schools, parks, social justice, and holding development accountable to the Portland way,” she said. “As a nurse I listen to people and help them solve their problems,” she declared.

Charles Lewis
Charles Lewis, head of the Ethos Music Center that brings music education to more than 2,200 children in Portland, said the city “is pouring money into downtown,” not East Portland.

Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith likewise called himself a “community activist” who has sought to make city government more accessible.  He wants a “sustainable” city – “environmentally, socially, in housing, and its institutions,” he declared. To him, housing is the most important aspect, but commercial and residential aspects are also important too.

Role of city government defined
Moderator David F. Ashton asked each candidate, “What are the primary tasks, or duties, of city government?”

Lewis promised to ask questions with a true interest in the answers, and “not sit in the City Hall and say I know all the answers”.  He called for “open multi-use” of school lands, partly because of pressure on open spaces, and promised to do his best “for the little guy”.

Bissonnette agreed that public safety is foremost and added, “Small businesses are our economic lifeline.”  Portland has a reputation for being bad for small business, he warned.

Fritz said the primary responsibilities of city government include public safety and to keep the city’s infrastructure in good order. She declared that the “primary job” is to “look after the little guy”.  Too much attention is now given to big businesses and developers and “affordable housing is needed”.

Smith listed police, fire protection, water, and sewer is as leading responsibilities, but added that “we need to decide collectively on what we want from our city government.”

Branham likewise said protecting people comes first, but said citizens need to be “drawn together” to create a better city.  “We have the basics in place now, but we need plan looking ahead 30 or 40 years,” he added.

Moderator Ashton ended the discussion by saying that many political leaders in Portland city government “Hope you don’t vote”.  The more outer East Portland citizens who vote, “the more attention is paid to our part of town,” he pointed out. He estimated that if “just over half” of registered voters in the area to cast ballots, they can tip the scales for the new city commissioners and the next mayor to succeed.

“Think about it,” he concluded. “Encourage your friends to vote.”

Resources:

Jeff Bissonnette: www.portlandersforjeff.com

John Branham: No web site could be located.

Amanda Fritz: www.amandafritzforcitycouncil.com

Charles Lewis: www.charleslewis.com

Christopher Smith: www.citizensmith.us

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

As night falls, see how Portland Fire & Rescue crews use a modern conveyance to rescue an injured horseback rider …

Firefighter Bruce Linson, a team member attached to PF&R Utility Truck 22, stationed at the St. John’s firehouse, drives the ATV carrying the injured horseback rider down Powell Butte.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A beautiful, late afternoon horseback ride with friends on Powell Butte went awry on February 18, when one rider’s horse lost its footing, and threw its rider.

Because after the fall he couldn’t ride or walk, his friends called 9-1-1 asking for help.

At 5:30 p.m., a Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Station 29 crew scrambled to locate and rescue the man — said to be on the South side of Powell Butte. The injured rider’s friends met firefighters at the trailhead, and together they hiked about a mile back up the trail with their medical equipment in hand.

Firefighters and paramedics prepare the injured rider to be moved off the ATV and onto the waiting gurney.

Soon, twilight turned into darkness on the Butte.

“The firefighters realized they couldn’t carry the patient down the steep trail,” PF&R spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt told us at the scene, as we stood near the waiting ambulance at the trailhead. “They asked that Utility Truck 22 (stationed at the St. Johns Fire Station) be dispatched to assist with transporting the patient down the trail.”

When we asked why they asked for a truck to drive all the way from St. Johns, Oswalt said, “This rig carries our two four-wheeler all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) – the same ones we used during the Powell Butte and Oaks Bottom controlled burns last summer.”

He explained that specialized equipment allows the ATVs to be adapted for many uses, including patient transport. “We have Utility 22 Units stationed at the St. Johns firehouse, primarily for use in Forest Park.”

While we awaited the arrival of the crew, Oswald told us that St. Johns Honda helped arrange a special deal, allowing PF&R were able to purchase two identical ATVs, instead of the single unit for which they originally budgeted.

Preparing the injured man for his trip to the hospital, rescue workers make sure the patent is secured and in stable condition.

Slowly, the headlights and emergency lights of the ATVs came into view as the crew, and patient, came down the trail.

As the crew carefully moved the patient, his leg already splinted, from the back of the ATV to the gurney, he looked to be in good spirits. His only comment was made to the firefighters, “Thank you. You guys are great.”

The patient was said to be in satisfactory condition as he was transported to Sunnyside Kaiser Hospital at 7:21 p.m.

The rescue of this rider was more swift and certain thanks to the crew trained to use the PF&R ATVs under a variety of conditions.

Precise location prompts faster rescues
“Rescues in the many wild spaces, even inside the city limits, often seem to take a long time,” commented Oswalt.

“A primary challenge is finding the exact location of the patient,” the PF&R spokesman continued. “Although firefighters have maps of all of the trails in every park, many times the signs marking the trail are vandalized, or people are unsure of their location. The best way for the public to help the rescuers is to send someone out to a main trail, to guide firefighters to the patient.”

A cell phone is an indispensable tool, since most of the wild areas in the City of Portland have cell phone coverage, Oswalt added.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why this program, loaded with barbs and brags – presented live, on the radio – proves that politically conservative folks do have a sense of humor …

Don McIntire, president of the Oregon Executive Club sits with KPAM’s Victoria Taft at the Annual Taxpayer’s Academy Awards show – both live at the Shilo Airport Hotel, and on the air – gets underway.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In most politically-oriented meetings we attend, politicians and those who are politically liberal take conservatives to task.

But at this event, The Annual Taxpayers’ Academy Awards, held this year on February 6 at the Shilo Inn Airport, it was the conservatives’ turn to take a swipe at people and policies they say are not working in the best interest of taxpayers.

‘Awards’ chosen by ballot
The event’s sponsors, Oregon Executive Club and Taxpayer Association of Oregon, sent ballots out to 10,000 individuals who were asked to nominate candidates for awards such as Wiener Politician, Pork Barrel Project, and Bureaucratic Bungler.

Conservative KPAM radio talk show host Victoria Taft served as the MC for the evening’s ceremony, which was also broadcast, live, from the event. Taft set the stage: “Tonight, we give awards to those most deserving – the biggest bungling politicians and decisions of the year.”

Victoria Taft enjoys roasting liberal policies and politicians at the event.

Pass the onions, please!
Sadly, and understandably, many of the award winners were not present to receive their awards in person. What follows is the opinion as stated by the hosting organizations, not necessarily the opinion of eastPDXnews.com, nor of our sponsors:

Golden Schnoz Award
Best example of government sticking its nose in other people’s business:

• Foster Parent Gun Rule – The Human Services Department tried to void second amendment gun rights for foster parents who had concealed gun permits.

Pork Barrel Project Award
The best example of government waste:

• Million Dollar Consultant Mistake – Went to the City of Portland for paying a consultant firm $900,000 to design and implement a study that would save the city money. The consultant came up with only $61,000 in savings.

State Representative Linda Flores sits in with Victoria Taft for a segment of the program.

Bureaucratic Bungler Award
Best example of government regulation, overreach, or bureaucratic mistake:

• Baby Gabriel goof-up – Not one, but two State of Oregon panels tried to separate 2-year old baby Gabriel from his Oregon foster parents, and send him to Mexico (where he has never been, and does not speak the language).

Wiener Politician Award
The most obnoxious, cowardly, or reckless elected official:

• Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Jeff Merkley – The two legislative leaders approved an “astonishing 21% budget growth” with the help of $856 million in new taxes and 44 fee increases. To prevent future citizen dissent, they also passed tough new petition regulations making it twice as hard for citizens to petition their government. They sent voters an “anti-property rights ballot measure” (Measure 49) and an “anti-double majority protection ballot measure”, and “wrote their own highly deceptive ballot title”, according to the group.

Singing their praises

Thomas Jefferson Award
Awarded to Oregonians for advancing the principles of individual liberty and limited government in 2007:

• George Taylor, State Climatologist – In defense of science over politics: State Climatologist George Taylor has made national impact with his demonstrable problems with many global warming theories. Governor Kulongoski has been trying to use a technicality to forbid him from using the title State Climatologist, and left him out of the Governor’s Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions.

Government Innovation Award
Best example of a government cost-saving or successful program:

• Feds inquire on missing Oregon roads – The Federal Highway Department made headlines when it criticized Metro’s transportation plan. The plan ignored people who drive cars, which was the primary purpose of the plan.

Excellence in Journalism Awards
These awards are chose by the governing official of the presenting organizations.

• “$1 billion can’t cut class size“, Scott Learn & Steven Carter, Oregonian;
• “Truth And Consequences”, (Measure 49 ballot title deception) Nigel Jacquiss, Willamette Week;
• “95% of drivers buckle up, so why the tickets?” ($1.5 million grant for non-problem) Ryan Knutson, Oregonian;
• “Are those cranes, or an inventory glut on the horizon?” (Continuing expose on Waterfront Project, for which Brainstorm Magazine accurately predicted in 2003 its fallout), Ellen Lewis, Brainstorm Magazine.

During a commercial break, some of the organization’s elite gather for a photo.

Straw poll skewed
Because the survey’s Presidential Straw Poll ballots were returned primarily in December, Jason Williams of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon said the results didn’t reflect current opinions.

At that time, Republican candidates John McCain lagged substantially behind Mitt Romney (who has since put his delegates in McCain’s camp), and Fred Thompson (who dropped out of the race in January). Tied for last place, not surprisingly for a conservative forum, were Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York State Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See the Metro Dancers, from Gateway’s Portland Metro Performing Arts Center, audition for “Alice in Wonderland” …

To land a part in PMPA’s “Alice in Wonderland” production, these future ballerinas must demonstrate they can quickly learn the dance steps they’ll need if they are chosen.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Portland Metro Performing Arts (PMPA) hall was filled both aspiring and studied ballerinas, when we visited a couple weeks ago.

These dancers, each wearing a number, were focused on the instructions given by the center’s Director, Nancy Yeamans, who was giving dance step instructions and playing snippets of music.

At a front table, three dance instructors watched how well the dancers, ranging in age from preschool to adult, could learn the combination of steps, and perform them in time with the music. After each section, these judges wrote down the numbers of dancers who could perform the steps well.

“We’re auditioning performers for the Metro Dancers’ presentation of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ show in April,” Yeamans told us.

Yeamans reminded us that the Metro Dancers is a regional dance company comprised of local pre-professional and professional dancers, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season. “Our performances of ‘Coppelia’, ‘La Fille Mal Gardee’, and ‘Les Ruses d’Amour’ have played to sold-out audiences,” she added.

Nancy Yeamans demonstrates a series of steps the dancers are expected to perform in time with the music she’ll play.

Working toward April 5 performance
This ballet version of “Alice in Wonderland” is appropriate for all ages, Yeamans told us. It features all of the classic story’s characters – in full costume – including the busy White Rabbit, the mysterious Cheshire Cat, and the domineering Queen of Hearts, as they romp through dance re-creation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass”.

It isn’t too early to consider buying tickets. There will be two performances at 2 pm and 7 pm on April 5 at Portland Center for the Performing Arts Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway.

Tickets are $20 for high school and adults, $14 for children. Reserve your seats by calling (503) 408-0604, emailing them at info@PDXMetroArts.org or pick them up at the PMPA box office at 9933 SE Pine Street.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

If you missed the Portland Classical Chinese Trio’s performance at Midland Library this week – you can still catch these outer East Portland celebrations …

Adding cultural elegance to the main hall of Midland Library is the Portland Classical Chinese Trio.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Celebrations of the Lunar New Year, celebrated by many Asian cultures, are underway in outer East Portland.

We stopped by Midland Library to take in a performance of the Portland Classical Chinese Trio on February 12.

Jerry Lin plays a two-stringed classical Chinese instrument called a derhu.

“We’ve each played our instruments for several years,” said spokesman Jerry Lin. “We’ve been playing together for three or four years.”

Emily Deng serenades playing the zheng.

Emily Deng added, “I think that we enjoy working with each other. We enjoy entertaining others as much as we enjoy entertaining ourselves, at the same time.”

Deng says her instrument is a classical Chinese zheng. “It’s very similar to a Western zither. It has it has 21 strings with movable bridges. I play it with [finger picks made from] tortoise shell fingernails. I learned to play this instrument when I was 6 years old, back in my hometown of Uhon near Shanghai.”

Henry Hung plays one of the many bamboo flutes he brought to the performance. “I have more than one, because each flute plays in a different key,” he says.

More celebrations …

February 17
> Lunar New Year — Celebrate the Lunar New Year traditions of China, Vietnam, and Korea with dance, music, games, food, and crafts. It runs from 1:30 – 5 p.m. at your Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Avenue. Call (503) 988-5392 for more information.

February 18
> Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rat – Portland Community College’s Southeast Center, in partnership with Legin Restaurant, is hosting its annual Asian New Year Celebration at 9:30 a.m. today. The event, which will be held at the Restaurant (8001 S.E. Division Street, just west of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses), features music, arts and crafts, entertainment, games, food, door prizes, and plenty of lion dancers. Food is $1, and parking is free. The Asian New Year Celebration is open to the public. Children are welcome. For more information, call (503) 788-6262.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

In addition to forcing thousands of residents to awaken to cold houses and chilly showers, this underage drunk driver also shut off power to Adventist Medical Center …

There weren’t any signs of skid marks, which would have shown that the driver made any attempt to stop before plowing in the PGE Midway Substation.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Almost 16,000 homes, businesses, intersections – and yes, even Portland Adventist Medical Center and Emergency Room – lost electrical power in the early morning hours of February 6.

Police say the wide-spread outage was caused by the out-of-control driving of an under-age drunk driver.

A neighbor across the street, Larry Fender, said he slept through the crash. “What woke me up was the noise from the sirens and the flashing lights outside my window. I went to turn on the lights, but our power was off.”

Looking out his window, Fender said he could see that a car had driven into PGE’s Midway Substation on SE Division Street at SE 139th Avenue. “I didn’t see it, but my neighbor said she saw the driver of the car struggling to get out of the car, and try to run away, but she couldn’t get back out through the fence.”

Judging by the damage caused when the car ripped through the fence and into the electrical substation, it must have been traveling at a high rate of speed.

Passed out at the wheel
We inspected the pavement and lawn at the accident scene.

There were no skid marks or signs the driver tried to stop or slow down as she drove wildly south on SE 139th Avenue, whipped across SE Division Street, popped up over the curb, whizzed across 20 feet of lawn, took out guy wires, barreled through a heavy-duty chain-link fence, and came to a stop after knocking out two supports for one of the giant electrical power breakers in the substation.

Neighbors gathered to watch the repairs underway, and commented that the driver must have been “dead at the wheel” drunk.

Dangerous work in the dead of night
Soon after the accident, reported at 2:38 am, Portland General Electric crews were on-site, looking at the damage.

“While the Subaru was still wedged in the tower supports,” PGE spokesman Steve Corson, told us, “our crews were working on ways to get the power back on.”

Long after the intruding car was removed – and long into the following day – PGE crews worked around live, dangerously-high current-carrying equipment, to repair the damage caused by the underage drunk driver.

An electrical power substation, Corson explained, is a central distribution point that feeds the power “feeder” lines snaking out into the surrounding neighborhoods. “When the driver clipped the guy wires holding utility poles that supporting our incoming power transmission lines – and damaged the support stanchions for the lines – the substation shut down.”

By 7:30 a.m., workers managed to restore power to about half of the affected area, still leaving 7,800 homes and business in the dark.

“We want to get power restored quickly to customers, but we do have to do it safely,” commented Corson. “Our workers put their safety training to work, while they were working in a hazardous situation. The Subaru was in the midst of it all, and we had to work safely around it.”

8:15 a.m., everyone’s juice was back on. Yet, throughout the day, as many as a dozen PGE crew members carefully worked around the electrified lines, welding new supports into place, and fixing damaged monitoring equipment.

Police say that this young woman, 20-year-old Felica Londres, was the driver who smashed into the Midway Substation.

Driver shouldn’t have been boozing
The hard-partying driver responsible for this costly and inconvenient incident was, according to Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, 20-year-old Felica Londres.

“Londres attempted to run from the scene, but was trapped by the fence and was taken into custody,” Schmautz reported. “She was evaluated at Portland Adventist Hospital. Then, she was booked into jail on one count each of DUII, Hit and Run, and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service