Come underground and see exclusive photos of your sewer-bill dollars at work …

How far is 160 feet down? Yes, those are people standing at the bottom of this shaft!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Portland’s “Big Pipe Project” to divert sewage out of the Willamette River isn’t news – the West Side project has been completed, and is currently in operation. But the opportunity to travel 160 feet underground to see this giant tunnel dug on Portland’s east side caught our interest.

Our tour began at the contractor’s East Portland offices in the Portland Opera building, located just south of OMSI.

“We are at the Opera Shaft location,” Steve Marriott, director of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services said as he began our orientation.

“This shaft is where we inserted ‘Rosie’, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). It is driving north toward Swan Island.”

Our tour guide, Shane Yanagisawa, explains the equipment used in the massive project.

Brief history of sewers
Marriott stated that about 1,000 cities across the nation were built with a “combined” sewer system. The raw sewage and stormwater were collected in the same system, and sent into the river for disposal.

“When the sewage treatment plant was built in the 1950s,” Marriott went on, “they also constructed interceptor pipes to convey a lot of that flow to the treatment in North Portland. They didn’t size these pipes big enough to handle the runoff from every single rainstorm. At the time, they considered that having a clean river in the summer was good enough; it provided a huge improvement in water quality.”

But in the 1990s the city agreed to a 20-year program to address the chronic wintertime problem of combined sewer overflows.

Portland is ahead of most cities in solving this problem Marriott said. “Many other cities have yet to address the problem.”

This machine – the separator – divides mining spoils into piles of gravel, pebbles, sand, and the mining slurry that is returned to the tunneling machine.

This conveyor belt system takes the excess sand and gravel from the tunnel to barges which remove it and dump it in Ross Island lagoon.

Tunneling support system
Our first stop on the tour was seeing the technology that supports excavating tons of sand, dirt, and gravel, and sealing a pipe – all 160 feet underground.

Our tour guide, Shane Yanagisawa, lead planning engineer with Kiewit Bilfinger-Berger, walked our group over to a three-story tall building on the project site, just east of the Opera Shaft.

“This is the separator,” Yanagisawa explained. “Everything that is cut by the mining machine is mixed with slurry made up of water and bentonite clay. It is pumped to the surface where it is separated in into big chunks, small rocks, sand, and slurry. The slurry is pumped back down to the TMB.”

The rocks and sand are barged from a conveyor belt south of OMSI to fill in the lagoons once mined at Ross Island.

The most visible portion of the project to folks in Inner SE Portland is the Opera Shaft crane. It lifts and lowers all parts and supplies for the project.

These pre-cast concrete segments form rings that stabilize the tunnel section just dug by the TBM. The disks to the left of the ring segments are some of the TMB’s cutting heads.

Paving the pipe
After the TBM pushes forward, cutting a section of tunnel, it is lined with a series of 25 identical, pre-cast concrete ring segments, and finished with one key segment that locks the ring in place. A special grout is injected into the soil around the rings to help seal the pipe.

These ring segments are made on site, using some of the spoils from the tunneling operation. They – and all other equipment and supplies – are lowered down the Opera Shaft by a huge construction crane, perhaps the most visible evidence of the construction project in East Portland.

Yanagisawa continues, “This operation is a continuous process. Everything has to be working at all times – the TBM, slurry plant, separator, grout plant, ventilation system and ring manufacturing.”

Even Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams is required to wear safety gear, including the snappy yellow toe protectors we all slipped on our boots.

Commissioner Adams endorses progress
Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, joking that he is “The Sewer Commissioner”, exited the elevator, coming up from his tour of the project,  as we were preparing to descend.

“Hopefully the calisthenics portion of the safety orientation wasn’t too strenuous for you,” he kidded.

“This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to tour the east side project. This is an effort to reduce, by 94%, the sewer overflows into the Willamette River. We will have spent $1.4 Billion, when all of the tunnels have been dug and pumping stations have been installed. We’re about 66% complete on the overall project.”

The Loki train hauls personnel and equipment from the central shaft to the trailing end of the TBM.

When the Eastside Big Pipe goes into operation, this pipe will be carrying pressurized, raw sewerage. We prefer to tour the pipe in its pristine state!

As we speed toward the trailing end of the TBM, we pass endless sections of Big Pipe rings.

Going down
Our group gets into a construction elevator affixed to the side of the shaft for our ride to the bottom. Along the walls of the 67′ diameter shaft are the electrical conduit that powers the TMB, incoming and outgoing slurry pipes, and a large air ventilation duct.

On the bottom are train tracks, on which runs a “Loki” – a squat but powerful diesel engine and passenger cars.

Once aboard, we rumble northbound, heading toward the end of the line: the TBM rig. The tunnel is temperate and dry; we see segments of the concrete liner rings along the way.

Members of this press junket marvel at the size of a machine that cuts a 26-foot-diameter tube far underground.

This is a view of the “trailing gear” that feeds supplies and power to the TBM in the distance.

Tunnel manager Greg Colzani says today is just another day at “the office” – but much quieter, since today the machine isn’t running.

The TBM at rest
Because this was a system maintenance day, the TBM was silent when we exited the train, about a mile north of the Opera Shaft.

Greg Colzani, tunnel manager tells the group that the TBM is about 30 feet long; but the equipment behind it, including the devices used to set the ring segments in place, is about 70 feet long. As it inches forward, the 100′ long assembly is pulled along with it.

“The TBM has entered the Alder Street Shaft, where the old ‘Corno’ building once stood” Colzani comments. “Standing here behind the machine, we’re right below the Montage Restaurant.”

This is the back of the TBM. Ahead of it lies more soil and rock to bore through, 160 feet below SE Alder Street.

Southbound trip begins in 2010
From this point, the crew will keep mining north to the Swan Island pumping station. “When we reach that point,” Colzani said, “We’ll take the machine apart. We’ll haul it back to the Opera Shaft, and reassemble it for its trip south. It will tunnel about 8,000 feet to our [southernmost] shaft at SE McLaughlin Boulevard and SE 17th Avenue.”

And, when it arrives there in 2011, Colzani said, another giant crane will be built there to lift out the TBM, including the 160-ton main bearing.

A large, but smaller, tunnel will be bored south a short distance to the intersection of S.E. 18th and Insley, and the “Insley Collector” which collects sewage from Inner Southeast Portland will be connected to the “Big Pipe” with this new, final tunnel.

That will complete the project that Commissioner Adams said he considers to be a “100-year project that will prevent all but the worst overflows into the Willamette River. And keep the sewer system functioning for the next century.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

She’s not saving just a lighting fixture or faucet – read how Shannon Quimby plans to save every piece of a dilapidated house to build a brand new home on the same lot …

“This is the first step toward the ‘rebirth’ of this house,” says Shannon Quimby as she starts dismantling the home on SE Rex Street.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Sellwood’s “queen of recycling and reusing”, Shannon Quimby, is famous for sharing her “Q-Renew” projects with a nationwide audience in books, articles, and on TV’s Home & Gardens Network. She’s also a former Board member of the SMILE neighborhood association in Sellwood and Westmoreland.

“My whole purpose, what I’m all about, is being a responsible homeowner by recycling and reusing,” says Quimby.

Shannon Quimby, flanked with the architects for the project, Peter Brevic and chief architect, Laura Migliori, have created the plan for a new house that will incorporate every piece of the original home they’re dismantling on the site.

As she stands, crowbar in hand, at the site of her latest and perhaps most ambitions project on Nov. 28, Quimby quips, “Well, I’ve really done it this time! I’ve found the greatest challenge of my career – to take a dilapidated house and attempt to reuse 100% of it in my new home construction project.”

Recycling an entire house
She says it all started as a remodeling project of a modest 660 sq. ft. house in Westmoreland, at 2022 SE Rex Street. “From the foundation on up, we found out the house couldn’t be saved. I didn’t want to bulldoze it and put it in the dump. More than half the content of landfills is construction waste.”

Quimby says she speculated, “What if we recycled the entire house into a new one at the same location?”

Thus was created the “REX Project“, Quimby tells us, at the project’s groundbreaking – or we should say “housebreaking” – gets underway.

“It’s on SE Rex Street so we’re calling this our ‘Reuse Everything eXperiment’,” notes Quimby.

A new construction concept
As far as she knows, Quimby says, never before has each and every part of a building been recycled into a new structure at the same location. “Even the landscaping will be reused. The camellias, laurel wood – everything will be reused in the same form, or different.”

Everything, even the foundation, siding, and lumber will be used in the new house, assures Quimby. “We’ve even had an idea of what we’ll do with the lath and plaster. We haven’t figured out everything – we’re asking for help from the community to help us meet our goal of 100% recycling. I’d like to see all the dumpsters at remodeling and building sites in our neighborhood disappear. My goal is to see all homeowners and contractors take this approach.”

At the REX Project kick-off, Shane Enicott, Rebuilding Center Deconstruction Services, says he’s fascinated by Quimby’s 100% material reuse concept.

Regional educational project
Shane Enicott’s crew from Rebuilding Center Deconstruction Services has the job of dismantling, sorting, and storing – on site – the REX house.

“METRO says 75% of a structure can be recycled,” reports Endicott. “We can normally save 85% of a house. But when Shannon said she wanted to save the entire home, from the roof into the basement, it opened our eyes to more possibilities to what could be done. This project can be an education for the whole region, perhaps the world.”

Even though the home will be larger, Quimby says they plan to reuse and recycle all landscaping on the site. Two weeks after this photo was taken, the house was completely dismantled.

Open for idea exchange
Although you might see this project highlighted on HGTV, the project isn’t a closed movie set. “We’re inviting the community in to suggest ways we can reuse everything – even the “Hot Wheels” race track mounted on the living room ceiling.”

Additionally, the site will be open for what she calls Saturday Seminars, as the house is being rebuilt. She plans to hold “Kids’ Classroom” sessions so young students can watch – and participate in – this unique project.

Ambitious schedule set
Quimby says the project must be completed by June, 2008. “And, we’re already on board to be featured in the Oregon Builder’s Association ‘Ultimate Open House Tour’ in April. We hope to be 80% completed by then, but still be able to show how materials are being reused.”

Check back; we’ll keep you updated on the progress of Shannon Quimby and her REX team.

As the work gets underway, dry rotted wood is uncovered. It doesn’t phase Quimby. “It can be composted into the soil. There are some things we already know how we’re going to reuse; other things, right now, we don’t have a clue. But we’re going to do it.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how the East Multnomah County office of this oft-criticized state agency has put together an event – sponsored by donors – which provided recovering parents the chance to reunite with their kids …

At the DHS Christmas Party, Joel successfully fishes for a teddy bear, with the help of his dad Joey Sue and DHS worker Sarah Lee.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Beneath the fairy-tale image of a toys-and-tinsel Christmas depicted in the advertisements, there lies a dark and often-confusing world in which live kids who’ve been taken into protective custody.

“There has to be severe risk involved, for children to be taken into protective custody,” says Mary Boehme, DHS Child welfare Case Worker at the East Multnomah County Branch Office which serves outer East Portland and Rockwood. “It happens, if there is a genuine concern about the child’s safety.”

Many methamphetamine addicts are also parents, law enforcement officials remind us. “But there are many different drug addictions which cause parents to neglect their children and not give them the care they need. Domestic violence and mental health issues are also things that hinder a family from staying together,” explains Boehme.

The parent or parents are given up to a year, Boehme tells us, in which to remedy their situation and get their lives in order.

“Often times, these parents are thankful for the DHS process that helps them turn their lives around. This process includes parenting classes, drug and alcohol treatment, counseling, and maintaining a stable residence and job so the can support their child. If one or both of the parents have been involved in the criminal justice system, they also need to abide by the conditions of their release,” adds Boehme.

Elf Kathie Nicholas and Santa Claus encourage Anthony Dominquez to share his Christmas wishes with them.

Party brings delight, and anticipation
On December 18, both kids and adults streamed into an office building with no sign, set back in a large strip mall on SE 122nd Avenue – there to attend a Christmas Party put on by DHS case workers.

The children, if they have not in the care of a family member, have been staying with a foster care family. The adults invited to the party are parents who have dedicated themselves to changing their lives and getting their families back together.

“For parents who are working through the DHS process,” Boehme says, “it gives them a glimpse of ‘what could be’ when they complete their program and are reunited with their children. If they are engaged in the process, they welcome the opportunity to have some kind of engagement with their child.”

And, by the looks on their faces, the kids love the event from the moment they enter.

Meeting and counseling rooms offer host of crafts and games in which all the kids are winners. And, in a special room, the youngsters get to have a one-on-one meeting with jolly Santa Claus himself.

“A lot of these kids don’t have any good Christmas memories – like making cookies, playing games, getting new gifts, and seeing Santa,” observes Boehme.

Delivering hot pizza for the party, flanking Santa and the Elves, are Pizza Baron’s Jeff and Bill Dayton.

Pizza feast caps event
We meet case worker Stacey Mahler in a large room, deep in the office complex, that has been turned into a holiday luncheon café.

Looking at the smiling, giggling kids pouring in, Mahler comments, “These kinds have a lot of disruptions in their lives. Events like this provide the setting for a positive visit with their mother, father or siblings – sometimes kids are sent to different foster homes.

“We have fun activities to do. It gives back to them when most it is unpleasant and negative stuff. When they get here they have a good time together.”

Community pitches in
Kids make a beeline to the hot, bubbling pizza provided by Bill Dayton’s Pizza Baron, just up the street. Their eyes light up as they see the “Dot Cakes” provided by Saint Cupcake.

And, both parents and kids take home more than memories.

Caricature artist Sam Arneson draws ‘toon pictures of kids for 5 hours; elves take instant photos of kids visiting Santa. For the youngsters, Christmas comes early, in the form of all kinds of toys – ranging from plush animals to bicycles.

“What makes this possible is the generosity of businesses and organizations in our community,” Mahler confides.

She asks us to acknowledge the major sponsors: Pizza Baron, Safeway on SE 122nd Avenue at Powell Boulevard; N.W. Priority Credit Union; Ace Hardware on SE 122nd Avenue. at Division; Saint Cupcake; On Line Credit Union; The Vance Foundation; Portland Winter Hawks; FGG Inc.; and Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 290, which made a grant of $1,000.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Think Leach Botanical Garden is a great place only in the summertime? See why folks mark their calendars so they don’t miss this annual event ..

Kate and Liz Sullivan choose cuttings and greens they say will make great centerpieces and wreaths.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
By December 7 and 8, the Johnson Creek floods had subsided, and a steady stream of crafters and nature lovers were making their way to Leach Botanical Gardens in outer East Portland.

Karen Young, Executive Director of Leach Botanical Garden, told us, “We’re raising funds for the garden at our Annual Holiday Bazaar. It’s being going on for more than two decades.”

Guests selected cuttings, clippings, fresh greens, fir, noble fir, variegated holly, and juniper, from which to make holiday crafts and decorations.

“They buy the greens to make their own decorations,” Young added. “We also offer great baked goods, like cookies and breads, for sale. It’s a special time to come to the garden this time of year. Everyone is festive; we all enjoy a cup of our tasty mulled hot cider.”

In the patio area, we met visitors from the Mt. Tabor neighborhood – Kate and Liz Sullivan.

“We came a couple of years ago,” Liz said, “and we remembered to come again this year. We’ll be making centerpieces and wreaths. It’s nice, instead of buying it in the store.”

Garden Steward Scotty Fairchild shows off holly with berries – one of the many items sold at the Holiday Bazaar.

“Community-building is a best part about this event,” commented Scotty Fairchild, Garden Steward. “People come here for a specific purpose, the Holiday Bazaar, then find out there are lots of things going on here at the garden, even during the winter months. Then, they come back for another visit!”

Come for a visit; admission is free. Leach Botanical Garden, Portland’s only public botanical garden, is located at 6704 SE 122nd Avenue (just south of Foster Road). For further information call Nancy at (503) 823-1671.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why officers say this “cop shop” will be more than just a report-writing station …

Officer Greg Baldwin, Dennis Adair, manager Parkrose Hardware, and Sgt. John Anderson here look at lighting improvements they’ll be making at the new Parkrose Police Contact Center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Portland Police Bureau will soon have a new East Precinct Contact Center on NE Sandy Boulevard at NE 111th Avenue.

“Parkrose has traditionally been ignored by the city,” explains the project manager, Sgt. John Anderson. “Even with our enhanced patrols, there’s still a lot of crime, including drugs and prostitution. Increased police presence here would be a good deterrent.”

Some police substations, often referred to as “cop shops”, provide a place for district officers to relieve themselves, eat lunch – and write reports.

Adair and Anderson check out the front door, while identifying improvements they plan to make to the office space.

A community meeting place
“While it won’t be full-time staffed by officers,” Anderson says, “We want this to be a place where people can come and gather. It will be open to the public, so citizens can speak directly to an officer when they’re here.”

The sergeant says he plans to hold monthly events at the office. “We’ll talk about all kinds of public safety issues – including graffiti, identity theft, and elder abuse – in addition to working together to solve problems from drugs and prostitution.”

Special Parkrose phone hot-line
Anderson also plans to install a “Parkrose Crime Hotline” phone line for non-emergency problems. “Citizens can call and talk to a district officer right here. Officers will log the issues and problems which neighbors call in.”

Rossi family contributes community office
They were contacted by the Rossi family, Anderson tells us, and were offered the office space, “charging only a dollar per year. It’s a great deal for us and for the community”.

Although the space is in fairly good condition, police and community members will be sprucing up the office with new lighting, some fresh paint, and new carpeting.

In a few weeks, this office will become the newest East Portland police substation.

“We’re doing this on a tight budget,” reports Anderson, “so we’re accepting volunteer labor help and contributions of materials.”

Already, Parkrose Hardware has donated paint, hardware, and some electrical supplies.

“We look forward to having an open house in the spring,” Anderson says. “I hope the neighbors and businesses will come join us in making Parkrose a safer and more livable community.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

This group really knows how to throw a party. These photos tell the story better than words …

Terry Brier, of Davey/Organicare, checks out items on which he’s bidding during the silent auction.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A great dinner, homemade entertainment, and an auction provided members and guests of the Parkrose Business Association (PBA) with a wonderful start to the holiday season at their Holiday Dinner on December 8.

From the performance of the Parkrose High School Debonairs, to the silent auction, to the fabulous buffet dinner, to the door prize giveaway, it was a grand evening. The story is best told in photos …

Anita Tabayoyon of A.R. Moss Florists, Amy Salvador of Rossi Farms, and Rex Hollingsworth of Rex Heating & Air Conditioning share a light moment, at the Parkrose Business Association Holiday Dinner.

A welcomed tradition at the event is the appearance of the Parkrose High School Debonaires, serenading the gathering with traditional and newly-arranged Christmas songs.

Great food? You bet, and lots of it! No one puts on a banquet in East Portland like Chef Edgar and hostess Eileen of Steamers Restaurant and Lounge, the hosts of the event.

The after-dinner entertainment took the form of “New member” introductions – in the form of a hilarious skit produced by Amy Salvador. Here, “New Member” Victoria van Snooty (Kyle Ziegler, Castlegate Realty) announces her “new school of terpsichorean elegance”.

“New member” Big Bucks Bash (Gail Bash, Jackpot) pitches his great deal on wristwatches – and office supplies, and …

“New member” Marion the Librarian (Amy Salvador, Rossi Farms) says as she fumbles her books, “Reading is good. No, really!”

T.J. Tycoon, also a “new member” (formerly known as Jon Turino, Farmer’s Insurance) tells the secrets of his success.

“Very Merry Kaye” (Marsha Lee, Copy Express) gives such a convincing cosmetics presentation; even guys were ready to buy her beauty potions.

“Newly practicing Dr. Dorthea” (Mary Brown, Bob Brown Tires) offered free “exams”. But when she had no takers, she provided practical advice for staying well during flu season.

We’re still not sure about the line of business “George” (Terry Brier, Davy/Organicare) is in, but it smelled like compost.

Outgoing PBA president Mark Eves, of Eves & Wade, LLP ,presents the Gavel of Office to incoming president, Jon Turino of Farmer’s Insurance.

Awards
The PBA pauses at the end of each year to recognize members who have provided outstanding service to the organization.

The Karl F. Lind Award is given to a member of the community who has given countless hours of volunteer time, is known for personal integrity, and has become an integral part of the Parkrose community.

The presentation was by the 2006 award winner, Gail Bash, who announced that Michael Taylor, former Superintendent of Parkrose School District, was the 2007 Karl F. Lind Award winner. Mr. Taylor, however, was unable to attend.

On behalf of the PBA board, outgoing President Eves is given the association’s Outstanding Leadership Award.

Marsha Lee of Copy Express is presented the Artie Johnson Award, symbolizing selfless dedication and a high level of dedication to the organization, by the 2006 recipient, Mary Brown of Bob Brown Tires.

Mark Eves presents to David F. Ashton of “eastPDXnews.com” the 2007 President’s Award.

Guests are welcome at the PBA
Come enjoy the best business luncheon in town, and meet the members at their next meeting, on Thursday, January 17 at Steamers Restaurant, 8303 NE Sandy Blvd. (east of NE 82nd Ave.); NO reservations required. For more information, see  www.parkrosebusiness.org.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

We love reporting on the good deeds kids do. And our “humorous photo of the week” is also contained herein (below) …

While “Scouting for Food” the Cub Scouts of Pack 64 brave sleet and snow while gather hundreds of pound of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Many people recall that a couple of weeks ago, Scouts were combing neighborhoods on a selfless field maneuver – collecting food for the needy.

The Cub Scouts of Pack 64 – a group of youngsters from several inner SE Portland neighborhoods – brave freezing temperatures and snow flurries as they trudge door-to door on this gray morning.

“We’re collecting canned food and non-perishable for the Oregon Food Bank,” reports their Cubmaster, Tom Armstrong. “Our food drive is one of our major the community service Scouting projects.”

Their diligent efforts pay off: By mid morning, the 20 Cub Scouts have amassed 653 pounds of food. Asked if they want to say anything to readers of THE BEE who contributed to their food drive, they say, “Thank you for helping!”

Humorous Photo of the Week

It looks like one of these scouts is REALLY scouting out a snack!

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Potter was photographed doing what? Take a look …

Portland Mayor Tom Potter pitches the Sellwood family, Teri, Sam and Sofia Laos, about helping Loaves & Fishes Centers.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Many shoppers did a double-take at the door of the Sellwood New Seasons Market, a couple of weeks ago, when they saw Portland Mayor Tom Potter greeting citizens.

“I’m here letting people know about Loaves & Fishes, a great organization,” said Potter, attired in a New Seasons apron. “Loaves & Fishes do a good job of making sure our elderly shut-in people have a good meal every day. I’m here tonight asking people, ‘When you’re buying your groceries, would you please buy a little extra for a senior?'”

Even with his busy schedule, Potter said he takes time to deliver Loaves & Fishes meals. “They’re always looking for volunteer drivers. It is a really good program, and it takes very little time. But, it does a very important service in our community.”

Whether you are considering being a volunteer at the CherryWood Center at the East Portland Community Center, or the Thelma Skelton Loaves & Fishes Center in Brooklyn – or at one of the thirty other centers – you can find out more on the Internet at: www.loavesandfishesonline.org

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It’s amazing to see hundreds of tough-looking, occasionally-tattooed hombres on motorcycles, amassing for an outing – all of them carrying teddy bears. But plush toys aren’t the only thing these bikers bring each year to hospitalized kids …

Past event leader Geoff White and Michael Friend, coordinator of the 28th Annual Shriners ABATE Toy Run “direct traffic”, and welcome bikers to the event.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“We laugh at the snow! Ha, ha, ha! Welcome riders,” calls out Michael Friend, coordinator of the 28th Annual Shriners ABATE Toy Run, through a megaphone.

He’s welcoming riders of motorbikes – ranging from huge Harley-Davidson motorcycles to Vespa motor scooters – as they pull into the TriMet maintenance lot on SE 17th Avenue in Brooklyn on December 1st.

Riders of more than 1,000 motorcycles of all descriptions braved the sleet and cold on December 1st to ride this year’s Toy Run.

Although it’s less than an hour before their scheduled departure time, the lot isn’t quite as full as years in the past. “They’re worried about icy roads,” comments Friend. “But look at them come in, now that they see that the weather is holding.”

As inbound two-wheeled traffic streams into the staging area, Friend comments to us, “We already have about a thousand bikes here. It’s going to be a good ride up to the Shriner’s Hospital today.”

This is how many area bikers kick off their Christmas season, Friend tells us. “We’ve been doing this to benefit the children up at the hospital for 28 years. It’s something we look forward to.”

The best part for him, Friend confides, is seeing all kinds of motorbike riders come together for a cause. “This is the one time when you’ll see hard-core Harley riders next to motor-scooter riders, side by side. We all get together and do something positive for the community.”

Al Kadar Shrine member, and TriMet driver, Dannye Adamson here gets a hand, stocking his bus with toys, from Aura Barkley and the turning away Cameron Dahl.

Helping Friend this day is his buddy, and past event coordinator, Geoff White. “My first toy run was 21 years ago, and I haven’t missed one yet. The first year I did it, there were forty of us. It’s really grown.”

The best part for White is “seeing how the kids respond to the gifts and love we show them. It is the one time you’ll see hard-core bikers with tears of joy in their eyes.”

By the time they were ready to ride, bikes crowded the TriMet lot along S.E. 17th Avenue.

Bikers raise big bucks
None of the bikers there looks more “hard-core” than Edd Dahl, especially when he’s astride his ’05 Heritage Softtail Harley.

“It’s more than toys,” Dahl elaborates. “Last year, our group, ABATE of Oregon, raised and spent over $35,000 buying wheelchairs and adaptive living tools for the kids. Until we started raising money, some kids waited up to six years for a power wheelchair.”

Dahl adds that cynics might say the bikers’ generosity is a publicity stunt to help improve their image. “Doing this for nearly 30 years, it’s pretty clear we do this because we love the kids.”

Their biggest fundraiser is a raffle. This year, Dahl says, the grand prize is a brand new Harley-Davidson.

Bus full of teddies
Some bikers have toys strapped to their bikes; others give their toys to Shriner and TriMet driver Dannye Adamson to pack in his bus, for the trip up “Pill Hill”.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” remarks Adamson, “I get to drive this bus, loaded with toys, up to the hospital. I’m kind of sad this will be my last Toy Run as a TriMet driver, I’m retiring soon. To see the happiness their kindness brings gives you a great feeling.”

And the motorcyclists are off on their mission of mercy and joy, as they join the annual Toy Run from S.E. 17th in Brooklyn to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital on Marquam Hill.

About noon, the gate opens – and the roar of a thousand motorcycles fills the air, as these bad-ass bikers ride off, northbound to Powell on S.E. 17th, on their annual mission of kindness and generosity.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The young man’s mother says her son, the accused drunk driver, is “a good boy”. See why the bereaved family may hold a different opinion …

This broken sapling is the only reminder of the fatal accident – on this SE Stark Street sidewalk – that took the life of a pedestrian.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Nearly the whole night, on December 11, the 11200 block of SE Stark Street was closed, as the Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team investigated a fatal collision between a Jeep and pedestrian.

Just after 11 p.m., 42-year-old Angela Buyas had been walking near her home, westbound on the sidewalk along SE Stark Street with another person. She never saw the out-of-control vehicle careening toward her from behind.

“Based on information learned during the investigation, officers believe that a Jeep was driving westbound on SE Stark St. at a high rate of speed,” reported Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz. “The driver lost control of his car and drove it up onto the sidewalk on the north side of the street.”

The individual with whom she was walking saw the Jeep at the last moment and jumped clear, but Buyas, a mother of three teenagers, was mowed down, investigators said.

The Jeep’s driver, 21-year-old Tareq Temple, “returned to the roadway and continued westbound for about a half block before stopping, then ran back to the scene. Temple remained there until officers arrived, and cooperated with the investigation,” Schmautz continued.

Temple was taken into custody and charged with one count each of DUII, Reckless Driving, and Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

“As you can imagine, the kids have been devastated by the news that their mom has been killed,” added Schmautz. “The victim’s children are being cared for by their grandmother.”

Police accuse 21-year-old Tareq Temple of killing a pedestrian with his Jeep as she walked along a sidewalk near her home.

Following Temple’s arraignment, his mother, Annette Moody, spoke briefly, saying “Please forgive my son, he’s a good boy.”  She admonished the family of the slain mother to be strong, and added, “It was a terrible mistake.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how, by acting on a hunch, this East Precinct police sergeant put the brakes on three gun-toting crooks. How did a standoff with one of the thugs end? Read this …

SE Powell Blvd. was closed from mid-afternoon until 10:30 p.m. as police and SERT officers tried to coax a suspected gunman out of a home he’d invaded.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Joey Conn walked in on three armed thugs committing a home-invasion robbery at his Centennial neighborhood house in the 2500 block of Southeast 168th Avenue, shortly after 3:00 p.m. on December 7.

This crime, which included Conn being pistol-whipped before the trio ran off, kicked off an eight-hour police action that closed SE Powell Blvd. from SE 112nd Avenue to SE 122nd Avenue.

Acting on a hunch, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Sgt. John Anderson (shown here previously speaking at a Parkrose Business Association meeting) said he was the first to spot the thug’s getaway car.

Sergeant spies get-away car
Portland Police Bureau East Precinct’s day sergeant, John Anderson, told us his role in this story. He said it started when he heard a radio dispatch call about the home invasion robbery.

“After you’ve been a cop for a while,” Anderson began, “you sometimes get a hunch about where to be.”

Anderson headed east on SE Powell Blvd., he continued, looking for the smaller, white Chevrolet identified in the dispatch call. “The license plate number stuck in my mind. The number on the plate reminded me of the name of a company with which I deal.”

Trapped on a dead-end street
When he saw a small, white car, Anderson related, he spied the plate – and it matched the description. “I made a hard U-turn and headed west. Fortunately a TriMet driver let me in. I followed the car, and turned south on SE 118th Avenue – it’s a short dead-end street.”

As he pulled up at the end of the road, the trio of suspects had abandoned the car with engine still running. “I saw two of them hike over the fence westbound. I radioed asking for more cars – and to come with their sirens on. Hearing the cars approaching often encourages [fleeing criminals] to give up.”

Makes a second, armed home invasion
But, almost immediately after the suspects split up and ran, the 911 Center received a call from an apartment a block away. The resident reported that someone had forced entry to his apartment and hit him with a gun.

During the struggle, a shot was fired. “Fortunately for that man,” Anderson said, “the gun jammed after the round went off.” The suspect then fled the apartment.

Within minutes, officers had two of the three suspected home invaders pinned down, waiting for police backup before taking them into custody.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers stand back while SERT officers search in darkness – because of the early winter sunset – for the armed, accused criminals who didn’t ditch their guns.

Kicks in the door of a third residence
As patrol cars swooped into the area, folks from a house in the 11600 block of SE Powell Blvd. ran from their house.

“They told us that it sounded like someone kicked in the door leading to the washroom and basement of their house,” Anderson told us.

Officers secured the home and surrounded the yard. Anderson activated the bureau’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT). “When we have a situation with armed individuals on the run, or in a standoff, barricaded in a home, the SERT team has the equipment and training to deal with it.”

The holed-up suspect then broke into the main part of the house, said Anderson. “It looks like he smoked some cigarettes and stole money from the house while he was in there, surrounded by police.”

Spreading out over a two-block area of Powellhurst-Gilbert, officers combed yards, outbuildings and brambles.

SERT combs blocks
Because there was talk that there were others involved and still on the loose, Anderson reported that the SERT officers made a careful, yard-by-yard search of two-block area.

“Using our night-vision scopes, I could see them moving through the area. At one point, they used a ladder to climb over brambles. Those are long blocks where Powell Court curves around. They searched every shed and thicket in the area.”

Holed-up suspect gives up
Because the suspect had invaded the house of innocent citizens, officers hesitated to shoot tear gas into the house.

“They set up a loud-hailing system and kept telling the guy to surrender,” continued Anderson. “Finally, a SERT officer shot a ‘SAGE’ round — a rubber baton – through the home’s front door window. The suspect gave up and was taken into custody about 10:20 pm.”

Police say they’ve charged (shown left to right) 28-year-old James Gerald Richardson, 20-year-old George Edward Rowe and 27-year-old Travis Edward Saltsman each with four counts of Robbery in the First Degree.

Three in custody
Police initially took 28-year-old James Gerald Richardson and 20-year-old George Edward Rowe into custody. Finally, after the hours-long standoff, they led 27-year-old Travis Edward Saltsman away. Three handguns were recovered.

“Thanks to good police work, Anderson said, “we contained the suspects in a relatively small area.”

We learned that a total of 67 officers were on-scene; the number grew to 120 when the SERT officers joined the mission.

“This was one of the more intense situations I’ve been in years,” Anderson concluded. “We’re not going to risk the public’s safety when we know there are three armed guys, on the run, forcing their way into houses.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It’s one of the largest in the area! See what you missed if you didn’t make it to this great event …

Some of the 89 vendors at the David Douglas Holiday Bazaar lineed this hallway at the Dec. 1 event.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Crafters galore – 89 vendors in total – took over the north cafeteria and adjoining hallways, as the David Douglas Holiday Bazaar got underway.

Tantalizing shoppers at the front door was the intoxicating aroma wafting from the TNT Kettle Corn stand. Student helpers swung the doors open for guests as they came in – and later left the event, arms loaded with goodies.

At the “100% DDHS Crafts” table were Ashely Hale, organizer Karen Britton, Megan LaFontaine, seated are Amber Thomas and Kayloni Kilang.

Students sell crafts, too
Karen Britton, president of the David Douglas High School Parent Teacher Student Association welcomed us to their event.

Britton was standing near a table she considered special. “We have a student section called ‘100% DDHS’. It showcases our student’s artistic work, here at the high school. Their sales support the fundraising efforts for their clubs or classes.”

About this, their eleventh annual event, Britton explained, “This is a fundraiser for the scholarship program. And, this year, the PTSA decided to encompass more of our community.”

That project, Britton told us, is to get the funding necessary to construct an “electronic reader board” at the North building – and eventually, another one at the South building.

Serving coffee and refreshments to the venders were DDHS Holiday Helpers Ann Huynh, Quan Huynh and Ruth Ruiz.

Holiday helpers abound
In addition to the student vendors, Britton told us that this year’s event benefited from 20 DDHS students serving as “Holiday Helpers”.

“We have a great crew of students here today setting up, moving in vendors and serving them refreshments. Then, they help take it all down at the end of the day,” Britton explained.

Woodcrafters from the Centennial neighborhood, Diane Rossi and James Holstrom, show and sell their wares.

Featured vendor
One of the many booths that caught our eye was the one set up by Diane Rossi and James Holstrom.

Most of the woodcrafts they displayed were created from Manzanita wood, they told us.

“In fact,” Holstrom explained, “the wood comes from Manzanita, Oregon. We cut it all ourselves from our land there. It takes about six months for it to cure. We look at the wood, and its shape and texture suggests what we should make from it.” You can see more of their products at www.Oregonrusticwoods.uni.cc.

Partnering with other DDHS organizations
Britton told us that the PTSA will – for the first time ever – hold a Spring Craft Fair which will coincide with the Senior All-night Party Committee Rummage Sale.

“We, along with the Dad’s Club, work together to help better our school community,” Britton concluded.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service