TV star Shannon Quimby’s project to recycle an old home into a brand-new one even includes the landscaping. See what she’s doing with trees that are in the way of the new construction …

Shannon Quimby, the “Q-Renew” star from the HGTV network, stands by a camellia tree’s root ball before it is moved 22 feet northward. She says moving it fits with her “reuse everything” philosophy – and saves money as well.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Shannon Quimby, the “Q-Renew” gal seen on the Home & Garden TV Network is sticking with her publicized mission to reuse everything while rebuilding of her home at 2022 SE Rex Street in the Westmorland Neighborhood.

She calls it the “REX (Reuse Everything eXperiment) Project”.

“I said I was saving and reusing everything,” Quimby tells us, “and I am including the six mature camellias.”

With the help of a half-dozen workers – and a gigantic crane – she’s transplanting the trees, on site in different locations.

Trees aloft! A giant crane easily lifts the trees to be replanted in another part of the yard.

Massive move saves money
“Isn’t this costing you a fortune?” we ask.

Quimby replies, “Actually it’s saving me money.  If I had to replace all of these trees, doing landscaping, and if I had purchased these trees, it would cost over $25,000.  To dig the trees, ball the roots, and move them is going to cost about $10,000. So I’m way ahead of the game. And, these camellias have been here for years and years.  So not only am I saving money, I’m saving part of the neighborhood.”

City arborists told Quimby that the holly tree on the property was on their nuisance list and she could chop it down. “We did. But, now we’re milling it into an interior exposed column in the new family room and dining room area.”

You can follow her adventure – recycling an entire house and yard, board by board – at her web site: www.ShannonQuimby.com.

It takes one huge crane to lift trees weighing thousands of pounds – but that expense is only half the price of buying replacement trees, Quimby says.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It’s called the “East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project”. Discover why citizens who live and work along outer SE Foster Rd. say they’re cautiously optimistic about the city’s effort to reduce flooding …

Many people turned out to learn more about the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project, and share their concerns

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Remember early December rainstorms that caused outer SE Foster Road to flood and close for two days?

This flooding in the Lents Neighborhood is a symptom of a long-standing problem which the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) staff is working to resolve.

On January 22, BES staffers held an open house to discuss their plan to reduce flooding – the plan is called the “East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project”.

Lents neighbor Joyce Beedle talks with Marie Johnson, BES Program Coordinator for the Johnson Creek Watershed Program.

Extra channel to absorb storm surges
“We’re here to share with people the initial design work done,” Marie Johnson, BES Coordinator, Johnson Creek Watershed Program, tells us. “This is a project that will be built south of SE Foster Road, between the former Freeway Lands Company site and about SE 112th Ave.”

Looking at a proposed design map, we see they propose to build a new channel that snakes around existing properties. We ask if this project will impinge on established neighbors.

“Our design ideas take advantage of BES-owned properties,” explains Johnson. “We’ll use them to the extent we can – with the budget we have. It’s always been our assumption in this part of the project that we are working on BES property we currently own.”

Johnson again asserts that this is an early design. “There’ll be a lot more work on it as we go along.”

Timetable spelled out
The design work will happen over the next year or so, Johnson informs us, and then will go into the permitting process. Actual construction is scheduled for year 2010.

Here’s the early design project drawing for the plan floated by BES that will add an extension to Johnson Creek that is designed to absorb the higher levels of water produced by major storms.

Gives historical perspective on creek floods
Saying she’s witness to the history of the area, neighbor Joann Davis mentions that she grew up living close to Johnson Creek. “I now live within two blocks of where I grew up; my folks purchased in 1930 at SE 101st Avenue and SE Boise Street.”

While she doesn’t live directly on the creek, Davis says, “It affects my community. I remember when Johnson Creek used to flood much worse than it does now. A lot of the kids I went to school with were flooded out every year.”

Comparatively speaking, Davis goes on, “things now are very good. Flooding is just one of those things that happen. I think what BES is going to help. I’ve seen it help already.”

City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services engineer Dave Whitaker answers questions posed by Lents neighbor Ed Fitzgerald about the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project.

Thinks City takes it seriously
Lents neighbor Ed Fitzgerald says that, although he lives in the flood-prone area between SE 106th and 108th Avenues, south of SE Foster Road, “In the ’96 flood, we had a couple of inches of water in our house. We were indirectly affected by our last high-water episode. My house was okay, but I couldn’t get out for 12 to 15 hours, because Foster Road was flooded.”

Regarding the proposed solution, Fitzgerald comments, “I think they’re taking the flooding seriously. I’m not sure what the solution is, but they are looking at the problem. I’m interested in what they’re proposing, because their Brookside Project doesn’t seem designed to handle rain runoff like it is supposed to do.”

Expresses cost concerns
Wes Wolfe, a board member for the neighborhood association, says he’s just speaking for himself, and says, “I’m here because I’m real curious about the different proposed plans for this project. I don’t know what could go wrong with it; I think it may do the job. And it looks like they’ve learned from their other projects; I can see they’re getting better and better.”

A concern for one unidentified resident, who lives near SE 108th Avenue and Foster Road, is the cost. “It is expensive. It looks like there is a lot of overhead that is not construction costs.”

Shares her misgivings
Joyce Beedle, a long time Lents neighbor who lives within the floodplain area, says she thinks the finished project will be great.

But, “I have a couple misgivings. One is that I would like there to be more than 30 days for us to look at the plan and think about it, and come up with suggestions. It’s taken BES years to come this far, and 30 days seems a short response time.”

Another trepidation Beedle expresses is past communication problems with the BES. “We do have some history. Sometimes, we’ve had rapid response to our concerns; other times, things been pretty dismal. So my trepidation is, which way will this project go? We’ve talked about how desperately we want the BES to be responsible, accountable contractors.”

Nevertheless, adds Beedle, she’s hopeful: “Actually, really hopeful. We have really good communication going now. I’m looking forward to how cool it could make the neighborhood.”

“Can the City make water run uphill? Asks neighbor Chuck Glasco.

Questions water running uphill
“I know the City of Portland can do some wonderful things,” muses neighbor Chuck Glasco, “but I don’t think they can make water run uphill. It looks like the southern area of the project will turn into a pond, instead of emptying out where it ties into Johnson Creek.”

Glasco points out that the surface elevation at SE Foster Road is considerably higher than at the southern point of the proposed creek extension. “It looks like the elevation rise could be to 3 feet.”

We wanted to find the answer to Glasco’s interesting question, because we checked the topographical maps and what he said was true. But time ran out to learn the answer; the Lents Neighborhood Association’s meeting was starting in the same space.

Later, Scott Clement, BES Supervising Engineer went over the proposal with us and provided the answer.

“No, we can’t make water flow uphill,” comments Clement. “The general fall of the land in that area is, north to south, high to low. But the level of the creek doesn’t follow that topography. In this case, the fall of the creek is from east to west. Indeed, the water will be flowing downhill.”

BES to review citizen input
“We’ll take input from this meeting, and from the review of the pre-design reports, and consider that, in finishing the final design,” Johnson informs. “From there, we’ll hire a design firm that will go with a critique of the process and come up with a ‘30% design’. Then we’ll go back to the community and share the design of them. We’ll also think about construction impacts, and how we mitigate for those with the neighbors.”

Their web site isn’t up yet, Johnson says, but encourages people to call her at (503) 823-6199, or e-mail her at Marie.Johnson@bes.ci.portland.or.us, for more information.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

This driver must have been in a big hurry while traveling SE Holgate Blvd. in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood …

Officials say the driver of this car jumped the green light and plowed into a pickup truck making a left turn on to SE 112th Ave.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Witnesses say they were astonished to see a car “not even slow down” as it headed westbound on SE Holgate Blvd on January 28 about 3:15 p.m.

“The blue car was going way too fast,” Estella Gomez tells us. “I was standing here, waiting for a bus, and the car looked like it didn’t even slow down a bit before it hit the truck.”

This 1/2-ton pickup truck was spun 90 degrees by the impact from the car that collided with it.

The driver the pickup truck says he was driving eastbound on SE Holgate St., and was about to turn left (north) on SE 112th Ave. As the traffic control signal at the intersection turned yellow the car in front of him made the left-hand turn and he followed it.

The impact drives the pickup truck into another car, stopped at the intersection, facing south, preparing to make a right-hand turn on to SE Holgate Blvd.

“I don’t even think the guy in the blue car slowed down a bit,” said the driver of the pickup truck.  “It’s as if he didn’t have a red light or anything.  He just plowed right into me.”

Even though the driver was stopped at the intersection, the accident destroyed her car.

The woman driving that car waiting at the light looked visibly shaken by the sudden collision that totaled her car. “When I close my eyes, all I can see is this big old pickup truck flying right at me and landing on my car’s hood.”

Police officials were unable to report whether or not a citation was issued. No traumatic injuries were reported in the three-car smash-up.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Although other houses are close by, neighbors chose simply to gawk at the blaze, instead of calling 9-1-1. Their neglect, it appears, cost a human life. Read why you can’t blame the fire department for being late to this fire …

When the firefighters finally located it, far from where first reported, this house was blazing. Dick Harris, PF&R photo

Story and some photos by David F. Ashton
The early Sunday morning house fire – officials guess it started about 7:30 a.m. – was burning furiously. It was “fully involved”, as firefighters say, by the time they pulled up at 7:45 a.m.

Huge flames were belching out of the house at 4429 SE 65th Avenue, on the north side of SE Holgate Boulevard, two blocks from SE Foster Road, as crews quickly pulled hoses, set up ladders, and sprinted into action.

Two residents of the house escaped the inferno, but Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) firefighters located an unconscious occupant in a second floor bedroom next to the room engulfed with flames. The fire fighters rushed the victim to safety, for treatment by the ambulance crew on-scene – and after CPR, he was rushed to the Burn Center at Emanuel Hospital.

What the official PF&R photos don’t show are the neighbors standing around watching the fire – and no one calling 911 for help. Dick Harris, PF&R photo

Hidden spaces hinder quenching
“The attack on the fire was a challenge for crews,” reported PF&R spokesperson Kim Kosmas, “because the home had many hidden spaces in the walls and attic in which the fire spread. The fire burned most of the second floor, the attic, and later the kitchen, which was located on the first floor.”

The crews of seven fire engines and two trucks battled the blaze until past 9 a.m., Kosmas said, and kept on working, putting out hot spots, until early afternoon.

Wrong address delays response
Typically, fire crews arrive within minutes. Their timely response saves lives and reduces property damage.

In this case, Kosmos reported, a call to 9-1-1 said that the house was located at SE 61st Street at SE Holgate Boulevard. When crews arrived in the area, they found no fire; but after hunting around the neighborhood, they noticed smoke coming from SE 65th & SE Holgate.

We later checked in with PF&R Public Information Officer, Lt. Allen Oswalt, to find out what went wrong.

“The woman who called in the fire to the 9-1-1 Center was driving through the neighborhood,” said Oswalt. “She was unfamiliar with the area, and wasn’t sure of her location. Even though firefighters were directed to the wrong address, she did the right thing, and called.”

This fire left the house a total loss, injured two residents, and killed another.

Many cell phones to take photos, not call 9-1-1
When we visited the scene of the fire later in the week, the devastation was apparent. The entire back half of the residence gaped open, and burned timbers, walls, and furnishings were exposed to the elements.

We spoke with a neighbor who was also looking at the damage. He didn’t want to identify himself, but said, “It seems like the whole neighborhood was out watching the fire. One guy was videoing it; lots of cell phones were out – taking pictures.”

“Did you call 9-1-1?” we ask.

“No,” was the response. “I thought someone else did. It was a huge fire.”

Back at the office, we learned the man whom firefighters rescued, Bradley Holsclaw, age 28, died the following morning, according to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner.

We asked Lt. Oswalt if the preoccupation with photographing the fire – instead of calling it in – could have cost Holsclaw his life.

This rain-soaked makeshift lawn shrine is in memory of Bradley Holsclaw, the man who died in the fire.

“We’ll never know,” replied Oswalt, and he made this appeal: “Please, if you see a fire, don’t assume someone else is calling 9-1-1 for help. We don’t mind getting a dozen calls reporting a fire. We use information gathered from each call to help our crews prepare, en route, for what to expect – and to verify the exact location.”

While not an official finding, Oswalt said he understands there wasn’t a working smoke and fire detector in the house. “It’s a good idea to have two or more. They’re inexpensive, and they save lives.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

EXN Exclusive! While still sturdy, this outer East Portland’s gymnasium floor was pitted, scarred, and warped. Find who paid to have the indoor sports flooring completely resurfaced … and why …

Portland Trail Blazers mascot Blaze clowns and whoops up the students and staff at Marshall Campus, as the new gym floor dedication begins.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Until this season, the caustic epithet “Jail Blazers” seemed appropriate for the professional basketball team whose members, for many years, could neither win games – nor stay out of trouble with the law.

But, capitalizing on their winning streak, the Portland Trail Blazers are building on their new winning ways outside the Rose Garden, with a community-service effort they call “Make it Better”.

Outer East Portland school benefits
On January 28, we’re attending a special rally at the 900-student Marshall Campus (formerly known as Marshall High School) on SE 91st Avenue, just east of Eastport Plaza.

“We are dedicating a newly-refinished gym floor,” beams Tom Hewitt, a teacher at Marshall High School attached to “BizTech Academy”. “It’s good to make a big difference for our kids and the community.”

The previous floor was warped, ugly-looking, and not very bright, says Hewitt. “Now this new floor surface has revived the kids both in PE classes and athletics.  It’s always been a good, springy floor.  They’ve just taken the floor down to the bare wood and refinished it. This is very cool.”

Asked what the Blazers have to do with it, Hewitt responds, “The Blazers had everything to do with it.  They paid every penny to have the floor be refinished.”

Marshall Campus staff member and students sit on the newly-refinished gym floor is a symbol of the how businesses can help public schools provide a better education, Blazers officials say.

Calls project a ‘no-brainer’
“For us this project is kind of a no-brainer,” says Traci Rose, VP of Community Relations for the Portland Trail Blazers. “We’re involved in basketball, the school plays basketball – so we went ahead and refinished this floor for them.

“Just why is the Blazers organization doing this?” we ask.

“It’s true, the Portland Trail Blazers don’t play on this floor. But the kids who do play on this floor – they’re the next generation of our sports fans, and maybe athletes.”

More importantly, Rose adds, their organization is trying to encourage other, larger corporations and individuals to contribute to upgrading sports facilities at other high schools in Portland. “There is a lot of work that needs to be done to help bring these sports facilities up to par. If there is private funding, school district can concentrate its spending on programs to help improve academics.”

Blazers’ Tom Fletcher extols students to follow their lead and “make it better” in their communities.

Dedication a lively event
With the team’s mascot, Blaze, running into the bleachers and pumping up the crowd, the Trailblazers’ dedication ceremony looked more like a pep rally.

Starting the formal part of the program, Tom Fletcher, Community Relations for the Blazers, tells the students, “It is the goal of the Trail Blazers to excel on the [playing] floor. But also we want to do our best for our community, off the floor. This has always been a commitment in our organization through the years.  But it’s even more of a commitment now.

“And, I encourage you to make a difference. And the best way to ‘make a difference’ is to ‘do good when nobody is looking’. Do something in your neighborhood to make something better there.  If you do that, I guarantee the benefit will come back to you threefold.”

On had were former Portland Trail Blazers star players.

Presidential proclamation
The new Portland Trail Blazer’s president, Larry Miller, takes up the theme as he explains, “Being part of the community, it is important for the Blazers organization to give back any way we can. A few months back, we started this project, putting new basketball courts in Portland high schools. Were doing here today, dedicating this new floor, as part of our ‘Make it Better’ in Portland Public Schools.”

Stars, students and games
Tom Gilmore, Marshall Student, responds, “We’re really proud of our school. We’re presenting to a basketball that has been signed by all of our schools players.”

Past Blazer stars in attendance are introduced, the Blazers’ Cheer Leaders perform, and some of the students are chosen to participate in a “spin around and shoot a basket” game for prizes.

In all, this is a great day for a school, struggling to meet the needs of a lower income, diverse neighborhood.

On the way out, however, a staff member comments, “Now, if they could only find some money to fix the gym roof. It leaks in five places. I’d hate to see the floor ruined before summer.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The East Portland Chamber of Commerce keeps going and growing. Read this, and see what this year’s leaders have in store …

Newly elected officers are (left to right): President, Richard Sorem, Stewart & Tunno Insurance; Vice President, Pam Olson, Farmers Insurance; Treasurer, Norm Rice, 1st Class Properties; and Secretary Jill Critchfield, Pacific HR.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The East Portland Chamber of Commerce was formed four years ago to serve the city’s large eastside area, home to approximately 14,000 businesses, with an annual payroll of nearly $520-million.

Most are small businesses with fewer than 50 employees each.

The Chamber’s new board members are: Casey Ryan, vice president, Riverview Community Bank; and Nancy Zuffrea, marketing director, ExecuTech Suites.

The organization’s new president this year is Richard Sorem, Stewart & Tunno Insurance, who explains, “The Chamber’s focus in 2008 is on helping our members grow, learn, and be heard – especially down at Portland City Hall and in County government.”

The group holds free Wednesday morning networking meetings at various locations each week. See our Community Calendar for the location of this week’s “Good Morning East Portland” session. “We also offer educational seminars, golf and bowling tournaments, social events, and opportunities for our members to give back to their community,” says Sorem.

Merkley addresses Chamber members

David Douglas Schools District Superintendent Barbara Rommel outlines a brief history of the District before introducing DDHS graduate, Oregon’s House Speaker, Jeff Merkley, at this Wednesday morning meeting held at the offices of DDS.

“I’m proud to be a product of David Douglas Schools,” begins Jeff Merkley, Speaker of Oregon’s House of Representatives, and candidate to be the Democratic Party nominee to run against US Senator Gordon Smith.

How did Merkley get his start in politics?

“When I was a high school junior here,” Merkley recalls, “I remember sitting in the library. A person came and asked me to sign his petition to run for SA president. I asked him to ‘treat the students right’ if he was elected. If he didn’t, I told him, I’d run against him. He just laughed at me. I marched down to the student office, got my petition forms, sighed up, and ran against him. I won the election.”

The frustration of the student body, he continues, led him to take action. “It changed my outlook on life. It has dominated my outlook on life since then. I want to dive in and do things better. From working in small villages, to the Pentagon, to running a small business, I have gained a lot of experience.”

Merkley expresses his admiration for businesspeople, saying, “I appreciate your sheer tenacity, your drive to make your businesses run. I congratulate you all for being active in government, and especially Ken Turner, for helping to drive the Small Business Bill of Rights through the Portland City Council.”

Jeff Merkley tells how the current State Legislature has improved the state’s financial footing, and has worked more cooperatively.

Talking about the last legislative session, Merkley characterizes it as “productive. Our committees worked hard to find solutions together.”

About the state’s economic outlook, he remarks, “We haven’t slid into a recession yet, but other states are.”

He states that the new “Rainy Day Fund” has boosted Oregon’s bond rating, even though “the national debt has doubled in the last seven years. Everything, including education, is getting squeezed. Much of the interest on our nations’ debt is held by Chinese lenders. I don’t want my tax dollars going to China.”

Regarding education, the Speaker says, “I’m concerned about educational funding, especially higher education. A first-tier economy in Oregon requires providing first-rate education.”

About the “special emergency session” held this month, Merkley said, “A Citizens Advisory Council requested that we hold an emergency session.” He was unavailable to answer questions regarding that advisory group.

Merkley answers questions put to him by members of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce.

Merkley answers questions raised by chamber members

Q “We’re all busy. What is the way for busy people to stay informed about local and state politics?”

A “Read the newspaper, listen to public radio and watch news, like on KGW-TV. For businesses, check with your trade association. Call, or meet with, your state representatives. If you can’t visit them, write or send an e-mail. I do put out an electronic newsletter to keep people informed.”

Q Regarding the “special emergency Oregon Legislative session”, a member asks, “It’s been said that government that is best governs least. What is this ‘special session’ going to cost the taxpayers?”

A “Jefferson said the best government is local government. It costs us about $10,000 per day to hold a session. Marginal costs are about the same. There is the increased per diem. When I came to legislature there was 24-hour pubic notice. We’re going to post a week out the bills taken up by the House. You get a lot better oversight when you utilize citizens in the process.

“Our hope in the special session will be adding more Oregon State Police Troopers to intercept drugs, like methamphetamine, coming in from the South. We’re holding this thought in mind: ‘How can we keep the problem-solving mentality?’ We will only be dealing with committee recommended bills.”

Q “In regard to you running for your party’s US Senate seat nomination: People have become polarized. There is gridlock. What would you do as a US Senator to reduce that phenomenon?”

A “We were able to overcome this by acting more inclusively. This means recognizing the minority party members on the committees; requiring they sit together, not on opposite ends of the table, for example.

“I can’t write the rules for how the Senate behaves. But years ago, [members of our US Legislature] went through wars and depressions together. Regardless [of their political party] they were on the same team. We have to figure out how to get out of Iraq; how to balance the budget; how to reduce the ‘carbon load’ off the world’s ecology. I will bring the philosophy of cooperation. I’m hoping leaders around the country will see more collaboration, rather than keep using a burnt-earth strategy for negotiations.”

Q “Why can’t [the City of Portland] adopt an attitude of commons-sense spending? I’m seeing trams built; and trolley car lines and other wasteful projects being built. Shouldn’t we spend money to help revitalize business so people can get good jobs and revitalize their lives?”

A “I don’t follow the city budget closely. Common sense budgeting makes sense. Downtown has added a number of features to strengthen the City’s inner core. I’m concerned that there may be an over-concentration of poverty and in outer East Portland. We need to engage Portland better.”

Q Judith Huck, Classique Floors asks, “How do we go about that? I see gentrification of inner Portland. Now, schools out here are underfunded. We need to support our schools here; now that so many of the poor have moved out here.”

A “We need to be more engaged with City politics. We need to get City Council meetings out here. The more engagement with the city, the more results we’re going to get.”

For more information regarding the East Portland Chamber of Commerce, see their web site, CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

If you missed the event, see why so many people
came to this year’s event, held in Lents …

Jill Kolek of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development, with Fix-it Fair staff members Wing Brabowski, Genevieve Joplin, Yvonne Garcia, and Ishah Ahumada. All, here, are welcoming folks to the fair.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After 20 years of City of Portland sponsored “Fix-it Fairs”, one might think folks in East Portland might have tired, a bit, of the familiar event.

Not so, says the event’s organizer, from the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development, Jill Kolek. “We have had a record number of visitors. We’ll see more than 800 participants today at our 21st annual Fix-it Fair. Our daycare room has filled up several times today.”

Parking was tight around Lent School on SE 97th Avenue, between SE Harold Street and SE Holgate Boulevard on January 12 – another testiment to the Fair’s success.

“The Fix-it Fair is important,” Kolek says, “because it makes great community resources available to all these folks.”

In addition to the 45 vendor booths set up in the school’s gym, two dozen classes about efficient water use, energy efficiency, the dangers of lead in the home, remodeling, gardening, recycling, and other topics are presented throughout the day.

“The whole idea,” adds Kolek, is to help direct neighbors to community resources that help them both conserve the environment – and also their money.”

Fix-it Fair photo album

Caron Kepic, Madine Lutes, Jimi Johnson talk with Rex Hollingsworth (Rex Heating & Air Conditioning) and Dave Lutes, at the Multnomah County Weatherization Program table. Hollingsworth is holding a cracked furnace heat-exchanger which allows carbon monoxide to leak into the airflow of the furnace. “It’s both inefficient and dangerous,” Hollingsworth says.

Caran Goodall, Master Recycler, at the “Remodel It Green” table, speaking with visitor James Graham. Graham commented, “The exhibits and information are really good. I’m glad I came.”

Nancy Weber, on behalf of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, leads a seminar called “How to avoid mistakes when hiring a contractor”. How many mistakes can there be? Quite a few, it turns out. Weber handed out a thick booklet illustrating many disastrous outcomes.

Burgerville employees coming from all four outer East Portland restaurants are fixing some of the 1,000 cheeseburgers they’re handing out  – for free – at the Fix-it Fair. Jerry Otto, manager of the Burgerville at SE 122 Avenue & SE Stark Street explains, “Company-wide, we’re all about sustainability – helping the environment and giving back to our community.”

The 21st Annual Fix-It Fair season was sponsored by The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development, as well as by Burgerville, Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Portland Development Commission, and The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Most fires can be avoided, Portland Fire & Rescue officials say.
See the devastating results of two such blazes …

After knocking down the fire, Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters move inside on the 10400 block of NE Morris St. to finish extinguishing the blaze that stared in the front-room.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The stillness of the frigid night in Parkrose Heights was shattered late Friday night, January 18, by the sound of wailing and whooping sirens and flashing emergency lights a little after midnight.

Trucks and engines from Portland Fire & Rescue Stations 12, 2, 7, and 30 were racing to a house fire the 10400 block of NE Morris Street. “The fire was ripping so strongly,” a firefighter on the first-arriving truck told us, “you could see it lighting up the sky from NE 102nd Avenue.”

Firefighters, dressed in their heavy turnouts, haul saws up to the roof to cut holes for ventilation and to put out fire that extended to the attic.

Fire lights the sky
Portland Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief C4, Jay Olson, agreed, “The fire was going pretty good.  I’m sure the firefighters saw it from a long way away. The front part of the house was fully involved in flames upon arrival. The firefighters quickly knocked down the fire.”

Flames from the front of the house traveled to the back of the home, Olson told us on scene. “The smoke traveled throughout the entire structure.”

This fire presented a challenge Olson added. “Firefighters had to cut in to the roof, tear down ceilings, and go through walls to extinguish the fire.” Firefighters tended the ruins of the house until 5:30 a.m.

Fortunately, fire crews discovered all the occupants had escaped with their dog, said the Battalion Chief.

Although firefighters arrived minutes, one look at this photograph will show how intensely the fire ripped through this Parkrose Heights home.

Escapes midnight blaze
We approached people standing on the curb across from the smoldering home; firefighters suggested they were the neighbors who called in the alarm. We asked what they saw when the called in the alarm.

“Ah, well, actually, it’s our house,” said Josh Schrader. “We haven’t been living here all that long.”

Schrader continued, “My dog woke me up.  It let me know there was something going on in the living room. As I was making my way down the stairs I could smell something burning. I got to the living room and I could see that stuff we had in the living room was on fire. I turned around and got everyone out.”

Firefighters pull down the ceiling to make sure all of the fire has been completely extinguished.

The homeowner paused to look for their kitten, and said he couldn’t find it. “I didn’t think we had much time.” Schrader gestured to the woman wrapped in a blanket standing next to him. “Me and her, we made it out with what were wearing.”

Although we didn’t press Schrader, he volunteered, “One good thing is all my fishing gear is in the trailer in the driveway! It’s OK.”

Although the fire was put out quickly, crews remained on the scene looking for flair-ups until 5:30 that morning.

Lessons to be learned
Fire Investigators could not determine if there was a working Smoke Alarm in the home. The cause of the fire was a malfunctioning baseboard heater, which ignited nearby combustible materials.

About this fire, Portland Fire & Rescue spokesman Lt. Dave Centers asked us to remind readers: “Always give any heater or heating device (including hot water heaters) at least 16 to 18 inches of clearance.  Do not store or pile combustible materials (paper, clothing, wood, etc.) in these spaces.”

Friday Fire #2

As the other crews pull up, they find the fire was put out quickly by the crew of Truck 11.

A week later, on Friday January 25 – the report of another house fire, in outer East Portland, came in at 1:21 p.m. One minute after the call came in, Portland Fire & Rescue Truck 11 pulled up to the burning home in the 5100 block of SE 85th Avenue, a couple of blocks south of Eastport Plaza.

Pumping water directly from the tank in their engine, the Truck 11 crew rushed in and attacked the fire.

This is the charred room the firefighters saw when the looked in the window.

With minutes, units from Stations 25, 19, and 29 joined their comrades – but the fire was already out, and the damage was done.

The house didn’t look damaged when we arrived. “It looks like a bedroom fire,” said Battalion Chief C3, Pat Davies.

The firefighters removed a burned door and some charred furniture as they “overhauled” [looking for embers and removing burnt material] the bedroom. Burned material is at the feet of the firefighters.

A gentleman talking with fire officials at the home stopped and told us his daughter lived at the house. “I think my granddaughter was playing with matches or a lighter in the bedroom.”

“Damage was extensive enough, to force the two adults and three kids to be displaced from the home,” reported Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson Kim Kosmas. “The investigator determined that the fire was started by a youth playing with a lighter.”

A Portland Fire & Rescue fire inspector talks with a gentleman who identified himself as the father of the one of the residents of the house.

Lesson to be learned
“Kids are fascinated by fire,” Kosmas told us. “Parents must teach their children that fire is a powerful, destructive force. And, it helps to keep lighters and matches out the reach of small children.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Residents at this meeting, from Sellwood, Woodstock and outer East Portland, admitted that this fraud cheated them out of their home and savings. Read, and learn how to avoid this tragedy …

Portland Police Bureau Detective Liz Cruthers introduces mortgage fraud expert Richard Hagar

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Nationally, and locally, real estate and mortgage fraud is rising to unprecedented levels – according to Richard Hagar, a nationally-known expert on real estate and mortgage fraud, at an East Portland meeting a few weeks ago.

“This crime is affecting our local economy, and consumers need to be aware of its impact on home values in their neighborhoods,” said Portland Police Bureau Detective Liz Cruthers, as she introduced Hagar. “Fraudulent transactions by real estate professionals are also fueling foreclosure rates and the sub-prime meltdown.”

Hagar’s presentation exposed the seedy world of fraudulent real estate transactions, including foreclosure rescue and mortgage elimination schemes, predatory lending, adjustable rate mortgages with huge balloon payments, and other scams.

Think twice before calling a “stop foreclosure” expert – you’ll likely lose your home, credit and equity.

‘Foreclosure Rescue’ scams
“People who run ‘foreclosure rescue’ operations are the lowest of the low,” Hagar stated. “They offer an individual in dire circumstances false hope; and then, shaft them.”

Here’s how it works: A homeowner gets behind on mortgage payments. A “helpful” person comes along, claiming to be able to help them eliminate the foreclosure problem.

Gets deed for pennies on the dollar
The rescuer, Hagar said, tells the homeowner that the only to remedy the problem is for them to sign a “Quit Claim Deed” over to them. The rescuer gives the homeowner $5,000, offers to rent the house back to the homeowner, and, “gives them the option” to purchase the home back later. However, if the homeowner misses one rent payment, they’re evicted.

“The rescuer, the scammer, now has title to the home for pennies on the dollar – and a promise,” explained Hagar. “And, it is usually an oral – not written – promise.”

Hagar tells of a local widow who was emotionally distraught following the death of her husband. Because her late husband always had taken care of the bills, the widow didn’t make any payments for a couple of months; her mortgage payments fell behind, and the bank started foreclosure procedures.

Richard Hagar, a nationally-known expert on real estate and mortgage fraud, exposes current scams.

$300,000 house for $15,000
“One of these slimy stinkers got wind of the situation,” said Hagar as he told the horror story. “He offered to refinance the widow’s home for her, but never took an application. He then offered to sell the widow’s house for her; but he didn’t. He said he’d stop the foreclosure process himself; and then he did nothing.”

On the courthouse steps, Hagar went on, this scam artist purchased the property for the amount remaining on the mortgage – a mere $10,000. Out of the “kindness of his heart”, he gave the widow $5,000 “moving money”. Within two months, he sold the house for $300,000.

When Hagar asked if anyone in the audience had personal experience with this kind of fraud, a woman in the back of the room meekly raised her hand. She said her mother, who had a home in Sellwood, just lost her nearly-paid- off home to such a “foreclosure predator”.

Spotting the scam
Hagar said he’s been to classes taught by traveling instructors that instruct people how to become a “foreclosure rescue” expert. “I personally think this is evil behavior. It isn’t illegal, but it is evil.”

Common instructions for the “deals” which foreclosure-rescue students are taught, Hagar said, include:

• Check foreclosure listings frequently – perhaps daily – to find “fresh” prospects;
• Look for homes with high equities (value of a home over the mortgage);
• Approach the victim homeowner early in the foreclosure process;
• Delay the homeowner from taking any action until the very week of the foreclosure auction;
• Describe the transaction terms orally – not in writing – to the homeowner;
• Prepare documents that favor the “rescuer”, regardless of what was told to the homeowner; and
• Induce the homeowner to sign incomplete or blank documents.

“These crooks take care to make sure that no specific step they take in their process is illegal,” stated Hagar. “Some foreclosure rescuers seem actually to think they are helping people. The real question is, at the end of the day, who gets the equity? The homeowner or the rescuer?”

Eliminating your mortgage
Addressing the flood of offers now seen on yard signs and Internet sites that offer to “eliminate your mortgage” – Hagar advised considering this concept carefully before taking any action.

“Realistically, there is only one way to eliminate a mortgage,” Hagar stated. “And that is to pay it off. If you sell your home to pay off your mortgage, you can’t live there.”

Flipping out
“There’s good flipping, and bad flipping,” Hagar continued. “A good flip is when you research and buy an undervalued house, fix it up, and sell it for an increased value.”

But, even instructions for “good flipping” – as glamorized by TV shows such as Flip That House — don’t mention, Hagar said, that flippers often get stuck holding the house and losing money.

But worse, Hagar informed his audience, is the “bad flip.”

“A scammer buys house at or below property value. They may make some cosmetic improvements, but don’t substantially improve the property. Then, they jack the price way up.”

With the help of shady real estate agent and mortgage loan originator – and an appraiser bullied into “passing” the home by the bank – the home is sold to an unsuspecting buyer, typically one with a poor credit history. “Buyers get stuck with a bad house, their credit is wrecked, and usually the bank gets stuck with a foreclosure.” (All this may help you understand some of the current “subprime mortgage meltdown”!)

Hagar displayed many reports to back up his warnings about real estate and mortgage swindles.

Consequences for consumer cheating
“People do tell lies to get a place to live,” Hagar stated. “People do commit fraud because they want property or cash.”

The biggest lie a cheating consumer will tell is overstating their income. “Don’t do it, even if originators tell you to do it. You’re the one breaking a federal law by lying; you’re the one who will face the consequences. More than losing your home and equity, you can go to jail.”

Other forms of dishonesty perpetrated by those trying to get a mortgage include providing false statement of assets or source of down payment, and inflating sales prices to cover non-real-estate items.

Hagar summed up his presentation: “Deals that seem too good to be true usually are! Read your documents, ask questions, and get legal help with real estate transactions when you need it.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The driver who hit the 68-year-old bicyclist stopped, offered help, information. He stubbornly but kindly waved her on, and then found he really was injured. Learn how his resulting hospital bill will get paid …

This is the intersection, known as “Bell Station Corner”, where 68-year-old Howard Dempsey was struck by a car while walking his bike across the street – on a green light – on January 20. He was walking south, the same direction as this biker is riding.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Because he says he likes exercise, 68-year-old Howard Joel Dempsey was out riding the Springwater Trail on Sunday January 20.

His outing ended painfully at 10:50 a.m. when he was by struck by a car – the driver ran a red light – where the popular trail intersects with SE Johnson Creek Boulevard and Bell Avenue.

Recovering in his home, Howard Dempsey was presented with a gift of reading material to help pass the time during his recovery by the driver who struck him, Amanda Willard.

Motorist offers aid and information
As Dempsey sprawled on the pavement, his bike going flying, the driver did the right thing: She pulled over and ran to Dempsey’s side.

“Witnesses on-scene confirm that the driver tried to aid the injured cyclist,” reported Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) spokesman Detective Jim Strovink. “This driver was very concerned for the welfare of Dempsey, and did what was compassionately expected and required by law.”

However, as Dempsey struggleed to his feet, he reportedly refused to accept any insurance and contact information the driver eagerly attempted to provide. “Reportedly,” Strovink added, “Dempsey continued to exclaim he was going to be just fine, and intended to just ‘walk-it-off’.”

Amanda’s dad, Michael Willard, says their family is just “trying to do the right thing”.

Fractured hip and no insurance
“After the responsible driver exhausted numerous attempts to have Dempsey accept her information, she departed the scene,” said Strovink.
But, a short time later, Dempsey discovered he couldn’t mount his bicycle, and fell to the pavement in pain.

Thanks to a 9-1-1 call from a bystander, CCSO Deputy Dave Willard arrived on-scene, and summoned medical personnel to examine a still-reluctant Dempsey. The victim was taken to Providence Milwaukie Hospital, where clinicians found Dempsey was suffering from a seriously fractured hip, requiring extensive surgery.
During the investigation, Deputy Willard discovered Dempsey is a nearly- full-time volunteer in this very hospital – and, unfortunately, doesn’t have medical insurance.

Because those on the scene described the woman whose car struck Dempsey as appearing very genuine and conscientious, Strovink put out press releases asking for the driver to come forward. “We hope this is the case, and that she is courageous enough to step forward, at this most difficult time,” it said.

Lars Larson to the rescue
Less than four minutes after he heard local radio talk show host Lars Larson mention that the Sheriff’s Offices hoped the driver would step forward, Michael Willard (no relation to the CCSO Deputy) called the CCSO and reported that the driver for whom they’re looking is his teenage daughter.

The Deputy visited the Willard home on January 23, obtained insurance and driver’s information, and filled out an accident report. Because the daughter, 19-year-old Amanda Willard, is insured under the family policy, Dempsey’s medical bills will be covered

Driver and victim reunite
At an unusual meeting on the evening of January 24, the Willard family visited Dempsey, who was now at home recovering from an operation that included placing three steel pins in his damaged hip.

Amanda, a dental assistant student at Concordia University, walked in with a stack of books – tied with a ribbon and bow – for Dempsey to enjoy while he recuperates.

Dempsey’s kitty, Muffins, looked bemused by the media crews and equipment that filled his living room.

“It’s nice the way it’s worked out,” Dempsey admitted, “but I hope it never happens again.”

Asked how the accident will change his life, Dempsey replied, “It’ll probably be a couple of months before I can get back to my volunteer work at the hospital. I volunteer a lot. I like being around other people.

“It’s better than being here by myself,” added the recently widowed gentleman.

“I’ll go back to riding my bike when I get better; I’m not to let this shut me in. I’ll ride 30 to 40 miles on a weekend. It gets me out of the house.”

Howard Dempsey says he looks forward to, once again, volunteering at Providence Milwaukie – the same hospital that repaired his shattered hip.

Dad faces the press
Amanda didn’t want to speak on camera, so her dad, Michael Willard, met the assembled media.

“As soon as Amanda came home, as soon as she came right in the door, she told us what happened. She did get kind of emotional, at that point.”

At the time, her father recounts, they didn’t think the man struck was seriously injured. “Had we thought so, we would have filed a report the next day.”

The young lady’s dad continued, “I went to lunch at work on Wednesday afternoon, I always listen to the Lars Larson Show during my lunch break. I called the Sheriff’s Office, was put through to Deputy Dave Willard (again, no relation), and found out it was indeed the incident. Because it’s my daughter I was a little hesitant to say I know what’s going on, but everything matched up.”

East PDX News asked Willard why he thought his daughter did the right thing at the scene.

Willard replied, “When we put her on our insurance, she studied the course the insurance company gave her. And, she’s a responsible girl.  She did what she thought was right. When I heard they needed to talk with Amanda, I picked up the phone. I try to do the right thing too.”

Bewildered by media blitz
Confiding that he is somewhat bewildered by all the media attention, Willard asked, “I’m wondering, am I the first person, or the only person in the City of Portland, who has come forward in a situation like this? I was a little concerned about coming out, meeting Mr. Dempsey, doing this interview.”

To the question, “What do you say now that you’ve met him?” Willard said that Dempsey was very nice.

“I try to be as nice as I can,” Dempsey piped up.

Asked how he has spent his days since returning home, Dempsey answered, “It’s not something I wanted to do, but the operation [to repair his shattered hip] was something I had to do.  The doctor said to stay sitting as much as possible while it heals. My daughter comes by to take care of me. I watch the news and shows on TV.”

Howard Dempsey and Amanda Willard shake hands before she departs.

A perky news gal piped up, “You watch Channel 2, right?”

“No, no,” Mr. Dempsey answered, without missing a beat, “I watch the news on Channels 6 and 8.”

The laughter that filled the room broke the tension of the situation as news crews packed their gear.

Interestingly, despite the blown red light, no citations were issued in this case, Strovink said. But, his headline on his final press release about the incident summed up his view of the situation: “Well, yes, we do have compassionate and extraordinary citizens amongst us!”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

State Senators Rod Monroe, Brad Avakian and Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard hosted the event – see what we learned when we stopped by …

State Senator Rod Monroe explains the intricacies of funding state highway improvement – such as outer SE Powell Boulevard.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Billed as a “Livable Communities Town Hall”, co-hosted State Senator Brad Avakian and Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard, the event was scheduled to touch on issues ranging from land use to water resources, and renewable issues to public safety and emergency response.

Senator Brad Avakian had little to say – but surprise guest State Senator Rod Monroe wasn’t shy about speaking up, at the January 15 meeting held at the David Douglas High School library.

Randy Leonard spoke enthusiastically about the promise of bio-fuels, and how this new industry would help the state economically while reducing auto pollution.

Rod Monroe talked about the “Special Emergency Session” to be held by the Oregon legislature in February, calling it “an experiment” in annual sessions – currently prohibited by law in the Oregon State Constitution.

Many of the people present talked about their own personal concerns – the environment, low spending on education, and the upcoming elections. We were surprised to see a contingent supporting national candidate Lyndon LaRoushe espousing his fiscal policies. And, much of the conversation revolved around national issues, like the debt, spending, and foreign investment.

At times, the Town Hall sounded more like a political rally, as the trio blasted the Republican Party on the Oregon Kicker law, among other topics. Many of the state’s ills were blamed on Republican politicians.

Powell Boulevard concerns
A neighbor from the Centennial Neighborhood asked why SE Powell Boulevard, from I-205 east to Gresham, was still a two-lane road without sidewalks.

Senator Monroe took the question, and said he’d work with the City of Portland, until he was reminded that Powell Boulevard is a State highway.

“The problem is funding,” Monroe then explained. “There are a certain amount of federal dollars coming in; those dollars are minimal. The truth of the matter is, the amount of taxes and fees that are paid on each auto in the states of Washington or California. And our gasoline tax has not gone up for many years.”

Monroe went on, saying that Washington State has doubled the amount of money it collects – per cars driven, not population – than has Oregon, in the past few years. “You’ll notice a lot of work has been done in the state of Washington, but not in Oregon. We’re looking for ways to get projects going. They’re right at the top of my list. I’ve lived here all of my life and yes, [SE Powell Boulevard] is an absolute bottleneck.”

Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard spoke enthusiastically about alternative fuels, and gaining greater financial support for outer East Portland schools. Senator Brad Avakian, a panelist, mostly listened.

Sees support for schools
Because we could attend only a portion of the session, we later asked Commissioner Leonard what he felt were the main issues that came up.

“What I took away from the meeting the other night,” Leonard replied,  “was the overwhelming public support of the work Commissioner Sten and I are partnering on, to come up with the money to build David Douglas a new grade school using downtown urban renewal dollars.

“Both Senators Monroe and Avakian said they would support legislation in Salem next month to clear the way for us to give the David Douglas District the money needed for the school.”

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

One of the unique treats Portland offers during the holiday season is a ride on the Holiday Express, from Oaks Park to Portland. But, read this, and learn why this piece of history may slip away …

Providing a total of 10,000 passengers a trip back into another era, the Southern Pacific 4449 roared to life at Oaks Park again this past Holiday season.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Standing seventeen feet tall, on 80-inch-high wheels, the massive, 100-foot long Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive is an impressive sight.

As the engineer released the brakes and the steam hissed from the pistons, the ground trembled, and the 4449 began another “Holiday Express” run from Oaks Amusement Park to OMSI and back.

Engineer George Lavacot releases the “Johnson bar”, and applies the throttle inside the Southern Pacific 4449, as another load of riders are off on a riverfront journey on the Holiday Express.

For two weeks in December, the Holiday Express allowed visitors – some traveling from as far away as Seattle – the opportunity to step back in time, and ride the rails to the chug, chug, chug sound of a steam locomotive.

As riders traveled Dick Samuels’ Oregon Pacific Railroad Company tracks along the east bank of the Willamette River, they took in unique views of the downtown Portland on one side, and the serenity of the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on the other.

After being donated to the city in the 1950’s, when diesel-electric locomotives replaced steam locomotives, the SP-4449 sat outside on public display at Oaks Park for many years.

Riders of the Holiday Express get amazing views of Oaks Bottom and the Portland skyline while chugging along the tracks.

Members of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation refurbished the locomotive, and continue to maintain and run the locomotive for the love of it. It eventually drew the “Bicentennial Train” around the United States in 1976. However, it burns about 10 gallons of fuel and uses 100 gallons of water per mile – an expensive ride.

“The Southern Pacific 4449, and other working steam engines here, don’t have a permanent home,” stated Jonathan Kromer, Director of the Holiday Express program for the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF). “The Holiday Express is the primary fundraising activity of the ORHF to further its mission.”

ORHF was founded in 2000, we learned, with the mission of establishing a permanent home for these three city-owned historic steam locomotives, as well as to save the Brooklyn Roundhouse, and to build a rail and industrial heritage museum. This would create a place where these mechanical marvels could be put on display for generations to come.

The problem is that the Union Pacific, which has been donating the space to house the locomotives in the old, crumbling roundhouse just north of the S.E. Holgate viaduct over the Brooklyn train yard, now needs the space to meet its own needs. It has asked that the historic locomotives and other antique railcars at the same site be moved somewhere else.

One possibility is a spot of land with rails on it just east of OMSI on the Willamette’s east bank. But, though the railroad, which owns the property, seems positive about such a use of that location, the money needed to accomplish the dream at that site has yet to be raised, and time is running out.

Without a destination, these unique, working artifacts of the nation’s past, owned by the City of Portland, may have to be parked somewhere to rust in the rain and get tagged by graffiti vandals.

New this year were rides being offered on “speeders”. These small rail vehicles once zipped workmen to remote sites along the tracks.

At this point, there is no evident solution to the problem. But if one is to be found, money will be needed. And the ORTF did make some money again this Holiday season – in all, some 10,000 tickets were sold during the train’s annual run.

To make sure you’re on their list for 2008, or to learn more about this new holiday tradition, or learn how you can support ORHF, the check their Internet website at: www.TheHolidayExpress.org.

All aboard? Maybe not for long! It’s up to you. Let City of Portland, METRO and Multnomah County leaders know you want to keep these mighty locomotives here!

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service