Men and women who served their country under the seas gathered for this tribute. You’ll see exclusive coverage right here‚

A Portland Fire & Rescue Fireboat sends patriotically-colored streams of water in honor of fallen submariners at OMSI.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
1300 hours on Memorial Day, former submariner Bob Walters sounded the “dive” claxon to signal the start of a memorial service for those who have served our nation under the seas.

Then, a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” and the colors of our nation were honored.

“This memorial celebration is important because this is the time we remember those we served with, those with whom we are currently serving, and those who died in the service of their country,” J.D. Corbitt, the event’s organizer is with the Portland Blueback Base told us. “Memorial Day is a fitting day to do this.”

The Blueback Base, Corbitt said, is a gathering of men and women who have served their country on submarines.

Because they work closely together, in a confined space for a long period of time, “Submariners form a special brotherly-bond seldom seen in other branches of the armed forces,” explained Walters.

“These are all highly skilled people,” Walters continued. “To be a crew member on the USS Blueback submarine, now docked behind OMSI, had to be certified in every position on the vessel.”

Captain Kenneth Dale Walker places a wreath in memory of lost submariners at the memorial near OMSI.

Captain Kenneth Dale Walker, U.S. Navy, was the event’s keynote speaker.

During part of Walker’s speech, he told the group of 100 service people and family members, “What is our responsibility to the submariners who gave their lives in the service of their county? I believe it is to celebrate their lives. They are an inspiration. To the veterans here, you have a personal experience of the horrors of war, of grief and hope. We honor those who serve, take up arms, and place themselves in harm’s way, so we may live in peace.”

Retired submariner Bob Walters rings the ship’s bell in memory of those lost at sea in the service of their nation.

As part of the Memorial Day ceremony a bell was tolled in memory of lost boats and sailors; and a wreath was placed at the Submariners’ Memorial at OMSI by Captain Kenneth Dale Walker, U.S. Navy.

As a finale, a Portland Fire & Rescue fireboat shot streams of red, white and blue water, providing a patriotic background for the USS Blueback’s former crewmates gathered for the event.

Former submariner George Hager blows taps, ending the memorial service as a PF&R Fireboat salutes with a spray.

© 2007 David F Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how Junior Achievement’s new SE Portland $5 Million business immersion educational center helps youngsters get a hands-on feel for working in the grown-up world.

Fifth-graders Jimmy Linderman and Jeremy Banka were two of the first youngsters to experience “BizTown”, as Intel executives.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
What started as an idea six years ago‚ creating a mini-city with 19 public and private businesses‚ has become a reality, as Portland Junior Achievement unveiled “BizTown”.

Situated in Southeast Portland, BizTown is like an indoor commerce-oriented theme park. Around a town square are storefronts  and workspaces for banks, restaurants, retail shops, manufacturers, and services‚ most of which are sponsored and branded by Pacific Northwest businesses.

We talked briefly with two “junior executives” working at the BizTown Intel offices. Jimmy Linderman and Jeremy Banka, fifth-graders from our area dressed in white lab coats, were among the first to experience BizTown.

“I had a great time building the robot. It was really awesome,” said Linderman. “I had the sense of what it is like to work. I know more about what it’s like in an adult’s daily life from being here.”

Banka added, “My favorite part was building and programming the robot. It was fun to experiment putting things together.”

John Hancock, President of Junior Achievement; Mark Payton, secretary of the JA Board, and Director of Software Acquisitions Integration for IBM; Brian Rice, Immediate Past Chairman of the JA Board, and President of KeyBank of Oregon; and Steve Gray, Treasurer of the JA Board, and Vice President of KeyBank, here cut the ribbon signaling the official opening of “BizTown“.

More than a “play-date”
At the opening ceremonies, we spoke with John Hancock, the president of Portland Junior Achievement (JA). “Teachers of students who participate in our BizTown program give their kids 18 hours of instructional time before they come here. When they arrive for their day at BizTown, the youngsters roll up their sleeves, and try their hand at running a business.”

Hancock told us that JA helps young people see what it’s like being an adult. “While they’re not faced with the pressures of adulthood, they get to see what it’s like in business. It doesn’t get any better than this, in experimental learning.”

After having 18 hours of classroom instruction, local students get to try their hand at running a business, here in “BizTown“.

Bridging enterprise and education
“We believe the two most important institutions in our nation and our city are free enterprise, and the system by which we educate our young people,” Hancock said. “We’re proud to get resources from the private sector, and to deliver our programs to schools.”

The local JA office, recently relocated from S.E. Belmont to 7830 SE Foster Road, serves 35,000 kids in Oregon and Washington. For more information, see www.japortland.org.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

She told cops she was still in SE Portland‚ when in fact the alleged gunwoman was heading toward Bend at speeds of up to 100 mph. Learn what happened‚ and see our exclusive photos‚ right here‚

Investigators examine the murder scene for evidence on SE Boise St., just east of SE 104th Avenue.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As dawn breaks on May 30, 36-year-old Michael Kellerman lies on the sidewalk on SE Boise Street, shot dead.

“At 5:36 a.m., Portland Police Bureau responded to a ‘report of a man down’ here, just east of SE 104th Avenue,” reports Sergeant Brian Schmautz, Portland Police Bureau’s Public Information Officer.

Police swarm the scene, and tape off streets in this typically quiet, working-class neighborhood, located between SE Powell and SE Holgate. Investigators arrive and start gathering evidence.

Suspect quickly identified
It doesn’t take detectives long to identify the individual suspected of this murder. Witnesses tell them a woman shot Kellerman and drove off in her green Chevrolet Malibu with Oregon license plates. This information is immediately dispatched to law enforcement agencies.

It didn’t take long for detectives to identify 30-year-old Jacqueline Kay Fielder, reported to be the ex-girlfriend of Kellerman, as a suspect in the shooting.

Just 12 days before the shooting, police and family members say Kellerman filed a restraining order against Fielder. Police add that Fielder then managed to convince Kellerman that she had committed suicide, so that he was reportedly mourning her death, and was caught totally by surprise when she showed up at his house with a gun, which was apparently her plan.

Police say they suspect this woman, Jacqueline Fielder, feigned suicide, broke a restraining order against her, and shot Michael Kellerman before fleeing to Redmond, Oregon.

Tracked to Central Oregon
An East Precinct Lieutenant on scene tells us police contact Fielder by cell phone; she leads them to believe she’s still in the area. But, in fact, Fielder is racing toward Central Oregon‚ at speeds topping 100 mph.

“State, county and city officers attempted to stop the vehicle southbound on Highway 97,” says Schmautz. “Eluding officers‚ and spike strips‚ she sideswiped a commercial truck in Terrebonne.”

An Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper spots Fielder’s Chevrolet Malibu at 7:40 a.m.; keeps the suspect vehicle in sight, and follows her until officers from Jefferson County and Madras Police Department arrive to help stop her.

As the chase to Central Oregon continues, detectives and investigators continue to examine the scene were Kellerman was shot to death.

Puts gun to her head
The officers finally stop Fielder at NW Birch and 6th Ave, in Redmond, Oregon. According to police reports, she slowly gets out of her car armed with a handgun. She runs toward an auto dealership. Officers follow; they find her behind a building on the car lot.

“As officers negotiated with the suspect to surrender,” Schmautz says, “she pointed a handgun at her head. Following several minutes of negotiations, she shot herself.”
While Fielder initially survives the shot from what officials tell us was a large caliber handgun, she dies early the following morning, at 12:15 a.m., in a Bend hospital; an autopsy reveals additional bullet wounds in her stomach.

“What a tragic end to all this,” says one of Kellerman’s neighbors who wishes to remain anonymous, “I still can’t believe that this happened.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Take quick look: You can learn a lesson from what officials say was a critical mistake made by members of this household‚

Portland Fire and Rescue’s Station 7 arrived on-scene at this house fire within minutes‚ yet, still too late to prevent substantial damage.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Neighbors and passers by call 9-1-1 Emergency and report smoke billowing smoke and flames as a home in the 12600 block of SE Stark St. is ravaged by fire.

Finds home fully involved in fire

“We had heavy fire and smoke showing at this two-story frame house when we got here,” reports Portland Fire & Rescue’s Battalion 3 Chief, Chris Babcock the morning of May 27.

The Babcock says the home looks “lived in”. He says the dwelling is furnished and points out the brand new trampoline in the side yard, and fresh food in outdoor pet dishes.

“We did a very through search of all rooms didn’t find any occupants. The good news is there wasn’t anyone at home, no one is injured” Babcock tells us. “Unfortunately, someone will come home to find their house pretty badly damaged.”

While officials didn’t release the family’s name, they did tell us the family who occupied this house came home from church to find their home ravaged by fire.

This home was destroyed, investigators believe, because a clothes iron was left plugged in, turned on, and overheated.

Unattended clothes iron suspected as cause
While the investigation hasn’t been completed, indications are, Portland Fire & Rescue’s spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt later tells us, the fire appears to have started in the laundry room‚ most likely by an electric iron left plugged in.

“Please, take a moment to make sure your coffee maker, electric clothes iron, or even curling iron is unplugged before you leave your house,” implores Oswalt. “It saddens all firefighters to see a home devastated by an appliance left plugged in‚ and by one forgetful moment.”

Firefighters from Station 7 roll up their hoses after putting out the house fire‚ one that might have been avoided, authorities say.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Look at this one and you’ll see why elementary students wanted to do more than just contribute only during the May 12 post-office-sponsored food-gathering event‚

Tammy Boone’s 5th Grade class at Ventura Park Elementary was chosen to help load up the food collected during their school’s “Stamp Out Hunger” drive.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
We, along with many other East Portland residents, put out some food items in the yellow collection bags left by postal carriers in their “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign on May 12.

But that wasn’t enough for students at Ventura Park Elementary School, in the David Douglas School District.

Response was ‘totally awesome’
As they were loading boxes of food to be taken to the needy, Fifth-grader Dammon Bowen told us, “It’s totally awesome that our school is donating all this food. It is great we’re doing this for people. Maybe this will help people who need it to get what they need.”

Heather Holsti, from the same class explained, “The people who can’t afford food still need to survive. We’re donating the food to them. That is important. I feel really good about what we’re doing.”

Week-long campaign produces truckload of food
Both of these students are in Tammy Boone’s 5th Grade at the school. “We’ve collected food all week for this drive. Our class is out helping load up the truck today because we donated two big boxes of food. We were chosen to help deliver the food to the truck.”

It is important for kids to learn to give back to their community, Boone said. “From this, they’ve learned the value of giving, generosity, and to think of more people beyond themselves and their families.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why folks came from all over outer East Portland to enjoy this wine festival and gourmet dinner‚

Dr. Thomas B. Taylor III shares his knowledge of fine wine with the 42 who gathered for the Sip of Parkrose.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The banquet room at Steamers Restaurant and Lounge quickly filled, as members and guests filed in the ‘Sip of Parkrose’ event put on by the Parkrose Business Foundation a couple of weeks ago.

“We created this event to benefit the Parkrose Business Foundation’s Scholarship fund,” chair Gail Bash told us. “We’re enjoying entrees of Grilled Wild Salmon, Cajun Style, or Saut?©ed Medallions of Pork Tenderloin.”

Carol Kohn and John Palmer are ready to enjoy find wine and food at Steamer’s Restaurant and Lounge. They’re being checked in the event by Carol and Gail Bash.

‘Wine Doctor’ educates palates
A different wine was paired with each course. The wines were selected by Dr. Thomas Taylor III, a man with 20 years experience pairing fine wines with gourmet food.

As he prepared to introduce the first wine, Dr. Taylor explained, “I love wine. I have a 30 year history with wine. I grew up with it. I learned about it when I was quite young. I met people in the import wine business, and the restaurant business‚ it all goes together.”

Asked why he was so delighted by wine, Taylor said, “Wine is both a social and food phenomenon. It goes with everything.”

Gordon Boorse, Joanne Hazel, Brenda Tank and Don Tank ready to enjoy fine dining and wines at first-ever “Sip of Parkrose” event.

Event funds another Parkrose scholarship
“The event was very successful,” commented Bash after the event. “42 people attended; we all learned more about how to enjoy wine, and had a great dinner prepared by Chef Edgar, and served by Hostess Eileen.”

The success of this event allows the group to fund “a scholarship and had half” for Parkrose High School seniors, Bash said.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Meet the DDHS junior who will be will be traveling to D.C. in June to see her painting hung in our nation’s capital. You’ll also meet two more of the 300 David Douglas High artists at the school’s annual show‚

Quincy Pogolowitz is the junior (soon to be senior) at David Douglas High School who won the 3rd Congressional District Discovery Art Competition. She and her family will fly to D.C. in June, and watch in person as her art is hung for display.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The breezeway in David Douglas Schools’ administrative center was packed with art works of all kinds, on May 17 as their Annual Student Art Show opened.

Many of the student artists told us that their art education is “just for fun”‚ but a few have chosen art and design oriented careers.

Artwork goes to Washington D.C. — so does she!
“I’m planning to go into fashion design,” said Quincy Pogolowitz, soon to be a senior at David Douglas High.

Pogolowitz won out over student artists from 14 schools in Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s district who submitted art for consideration in the 3rd Congressional District Discovery Art Competition.

“It’s great,” Pogolowitz told us, “because they’re sending us airline ticket, so my parents and I can travel to Washington D.C. for a ceremony with Congressman Blumenauer, when my painting will be hung in a gallery at our nation’s capital.”

In addition to having her work on display in D.C. for the next year, Pogolowitz also won a $5,000 scholarship to the Savannah School of Design in Georgia.

We asked how Pogolowitz evaluated the artwork of others.

“I look by how much effort, time‚ but mostly, emotion‚ is put into it,” she replied. “The technical skill the artist demonstrates does matter. But, the quality of work depends on the skill level of the artist and medium. And, a kindergartener won’t have the same technical level as an adult who has worked with a medium for many years.”

Mandy Vhang, now ending her freshman year at DDHS, tells us, “I’ll probably keep doing art. Colors and designs appeal to me the most.”

Work of 300 students exhibited
David Douglas High School’s seven art teachers each encourage their students to display their best work at the end-of-year art show.

“These kids work really hard all year long,” said Deena Boehme, art instructor at the school. “They bring their friends and families to the showcase, and let them see what they’ve been doing. It gives them the opportunity to feel proud of their best artistic accomplishment.”

The art show, Boehme added, also encourages art students to continue developing their skills. “And more, the students get to see what other students, in other classes, are doing,” explained Boehme.

Billy Dreitlein, a sophomore, says he likes drawing and painting, but really likes making fused glass art. “It’s just fun,” he says.

©2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Did you miss the “Fun-O-Rama”? If you did, take a look and see how much fun they really had in Gateway‚

The Fun-O-Rama Parade approaches‚ what follows are bands, floats and lots of great family fun. Yes, that is Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto on the ATV!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Outer East Portland’s second regional parade of the season of the season was a rousing success‚ according to viewers, participants and officials of the group that puts on the annual civic pride festival, the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA).

The streets were lined with spectators along NE Halsey St., from NE 130th Ave. west to 106th Ave. They heard marching bands, watched floats, saw Portland Rose Festival Princesses, snacked on candy handed out, laughed at clowns, ogled gals in bikinis and had a great time.

After the parade, the Community Fair at 111th Square kicked in, welcoming visitors to meet Gateway area business people, community service groups and nosh on a Portland Police Cadet dog.

Enjoy our photo album of the event:

Fred Sanchez James Luu, Student Body President Parkrose High School, his principal, Roy Reynolds; Barbara Rommel, Superintendent, David Douglas Schools; and Ellyn Ward, ASP President, David Douglas High School are on the reviewing stand.

Superintendent of Parkrose Schools, Michael Taylor, is the Grand Marshall of this Fun-O-Rama Parade.

The Parkrose Marching Band is one of the many marching musical groups.

East Portland’s Rose Festival Princesses ride in the parade. (top left and right) Margaret Drew, Parkrose High School; Chelsea Lynn, David Douglas High School; (bottom left and right) Hong Le, Marshall Campus; and Audra Shaw, Madison High School.

Blowing bubbles Evelyn Hull watching over Mark and Chloe.

Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, rides the Fun-O-Rama Parade in “Big Country” style!

East County’s own Multnomah County Commissioner, Lonnie Roberts greets his fans.

The Rossi Posse is on the lookout for their “most wanted” man‚ Mike Taylor. And, they’re reminding folks about the good time to be had at their annual Barn Bash on July 14!

Gateway’s famous Keystone Kops tickle the crowd’s funny bone (and they didn’t break any of their own!) at the Fun-O-Rama Parade.

Steevie Weevie twists up balloons‚ and gets in a duel with Bryce Duncan at the Community Fair at 111th Square.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Cadets cook up, and serve, more than 400 gourmet hot dogs at the Community Fair.

Finally catching up with their “most wanted man”, the Parkrose Rossi Posse struggles against the Gateway Keystone Kops to take in Michael Taylor.

Adding beauty and grace to the Community Fair are the lovely ladies of the Portland Rose Festival Court.

Community associations, such as the East Portland Neighborhood Office are represented at the Community Fair. Arlene Kimura, chair of the Hazelwood Neighborhood, volunteers to inform folks about area associations.

Sarah Revel gets a bicycle safety helmet for her son, Marcel, with help of Portland Police Cadet Leanna Heasley.

David Panichello giving Fred Sanchez the GABA Citizen of the Year Award; standing with them are current Sanchez’s son and GABA president, Alan and wife Ann Sanchez. Fred told the people at the fair, “I thank our association, sponsors and neighborhood for supporting Gateway since 1950. I’ve not been a member that long. Thanks for honoring me. It means a lot. I appreciate it. Thank you Gateway board and members ‚Äì but most of all, thank you for supporting Gateway.”

Parkrose High School student Tyree Harris is awarded a $500 to help fund his participation in the Youth Leadership Program at Yale University by Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman and GABA President Alan Sanchez.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Did you know “Izzy” is a real person? You’ll meet her, and her son, as they share why their family loves to make the pizza that makes people smile‚

Izzy Covalt and her son Jim, looking at the newly-hung photo mural depicting their family’s five-decade romance with pizza, at the Eastport Plaza Izzy’s Pizza Bar & Classic Buffet restaurant.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
As diners enjoy great pizza, specialty smoked delights, or crisp, cool salads from the buffet tables at an Izzy’s Pizza Bar & Classic Buffet restaurant, they may wonder, “Is there really an ‘Izzy’ behind this”?

Yes there is! Meet Isabel “Izzy” Covalt, matriarch of the “first family of Pizza” in Portland‚ and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Pizza before pizza parlors
“Fifty years ago, here in Portland, the only places serving pizza were Italian restaurants, as part of their fare,” she began.

“My husband, Jim Covalt, hadn’t finished college yet. He was in school. I was doing some part time nursing. Someone told him about his new pizza place that was being built on SE Foster Road. They were looking for someone to tend bar. He hadn’t been around alcohol; it didn’t appeal to him.

“He called my mother, herself a teetotaler, and asked her about it. ‘Jim, a job is a job’, she told him.”

‘Shakey’ job leads to career
Her husband got the job. The restaurant was called Shakey’s Pizza — founded Sacramento, California, in 1954. When the Portland restaurant opened, in Portland, Jim Covolt was their bartender. He soon learned the business, and became an assistant manager.

It looked like such a good business that the Covalts introduced the owners to the concept of franchising. “There weren’t franchises back then,” Izzy told us.

With funding provided by friends, and Izzy’s parents, the Covalts opened their first Shakey’s Pizza store in 1958. But, they had to move to Albany to do it‚ the company didn’t want franchise stores competing with them in Portland.

“We opened and operated franchises throughout mid- and southern Oregon, and in Montana,” Izzy recalled.

Says “goodbye” to franchise holder
The franchising company was sold to one conglomerate after another. “One of them was the Hunt Brothers‚ the Texas twosome who tried to corner the silver market,” Izzy said. “They kept losing ground.”

Izzy said that her husband died in 1978. “And, our franchise was up for renewal. We were their first franchisors, and had 19 years with them. But they wanted to change the terms. I decided to go on my own.

“We could have opened other kinds of restaurants, but it never entered my head. I never expected to go into the restaurant business when I was young. But, I found I like working with people and food.”

The first Izzy’s Pizza store was in Albany, and then they opened restaurants in Corvallis, Eugene, Bend, and Springfield. “We opened Izzy’s in Gresham in 1985. Jim (Junior) and David Covalt ran that operation.”

Innovation is difference between restaurants
Some of the Izzy’s Pizza Bar & Classic Buffet restaurants are still owned by members of the Covalt family; others are franchised.

Jim Covalt Jr. owns the Eastport Plaza location. “I’m creating a buffet that doesn’t serve typical buffet food. We have the freshest food possible. We’ve brought live music back to our restaurant.”

He told us he’s still coming up with new ideas at his restaurant, much like his father did. “My dad was the first person to put sliced tomatoes on Canadian bacon pizzas. He also threw on some pineapple. His friends thought it was delicious. But because the new recipes strayed from the set menu, the franchise almost closed him down for serving them.”

Jim Covalt Jr. owns this restaurant. “I’m hanging my hat here at Eastport Plaza.”

Most important to Jim Jr. is his approach with customers. “I think Shakey had the right idea: good food, beer, music, and having fun. It is working. More and more people are coming in. When they come to Eastport, they realize there is a difference between restaurants.”

Jim Covalt is also an active member in the community; he’s a member of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce, and hosts activities at his restaurant. He’s also involved with the 82nd Ave. of Roses Business Association.

“I’m hanging my hat here at Eastport Plaza,” Jim told us in parting. “Come in and see what’s new here.”

Resources
To learn more about Oregon’s “first family of pizza”, read Izzy Covalt’s book, “My Name is Izzy”. It’s available at www.Amazon.com.

To visit the Eastport Plaza web page‚ click HERE, or see www.izzyspizza.com.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It wasn’t an “official” event‚ but see how neighborhood association members pitched in to help a senior citizen in need‚

Clint Lenard, wearing the red shirt in the background, orchestrated the clean up a badly-overgrown senior citizen’s yard.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Lents Neighborhood home was in great condition; good siding, solid roof, and a new deck. The only problem was that the yard was so overgrown‚ one couldn’t see the house from the street.

“It seemed like a good idea to give her a hand,” said project organizer, Clint Lenard, a neighborhood association board member.

“The homeowner didn’t have anyone to help her with the yard work. Not only was the house hidden, you couldn’t hardly walk up to get in,” Lenard explained.

Neighbor Casey Meredith, East Portland Crime Reduction Specialist Rosanne Lee, and association member Rachel Slottke find and remove all kinds of things while clearing the yard.

One of the volunteers, Casey Meredith climbed trees, removed rubbish and hauled chips.

“I live down the street. Lenard asked me to help, and here we are,” Meredith said. “You can see by the chips how much we’ve taken out.”

Lents Neighborhood Association member John Notis rakes some of the chips generated from the massive clean-up project.

While their effort didn’t make the front page of the newspapers, it didn’t go unnoticed by neighbors. “We’re just trying to make a difference here in Lents,” Lenard commented as he wiped sweat from his brow.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Discover why these students joined the “No Ivy League”‚ and learn how neighbors work to make this hidden park a natural sanctuary‚

Portland Christian School students Adan Rodriguez, East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson, Shelby Remington, Kenda Whener, Austin Swift, Sterling Anderson, Edgar Rodriguez, Ashley Runyan, teacher Kena Jacobs, Nathan Harris and Matt Joslen‚ after they attacked ivy at Glendoveer Woods.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Nowhere in Glendoveer Woods was a safe place for ivy plants to hide on May 5, as a troupe of youngsters from local schools hunted the invasive plants down and ripped ’em out by their roots.

“It was great,” said East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson. “We had 25 volunteers at our ‘No Ivy Day’ event at Glendoveer Woods from 9 am until noon.”

Many of the students were from Portland Christian School. “We heard about it from your web site,” said the kids’ teacher, Kena Jacobs.

“Each fall, I present a unit for our seventh graders on noxious weeds. We decided to go out and ‘fight ivy’. I talked with the superintendent about it. He said it, fine, go ahead,” Jacobs told us.

But soon, the storms of winter arrived. Because of the bad weather, Jacobs said they put the project off until the spring.

“Not long ago, one of my students suggested we remove some ivy. A friend sent me a link to the East Portland News Service, about this event here today,” Jacobs added.

Why Ivy is targeted
“Ivy wipes out the diversity of plants in green places and wooded areas by smothering them with a viney mat,” Robinson explained. “This destroys native plans that provide food and shelter for desirable wildlife.”

Ivy vines are “girdled” and stripped all the way around the tree’s lower trunk then pulled from a six foot circle around the tree, Robinson said. This technique, known as “the lifesaver”, kills ivy in the upper reaches of the tree and thwarts ivy’s re-growth up the tree.

Goldann Salazar, Niki Gainer, Sam Jones and Dani Gainer from Madison High School.

Joining these students and the adult neighborhood volunteers were Madison High School students.

“Niki and I had do create a senior project,” said Dani Gainer. “We decided to do it on invasive plant species. This is part of our project‚ and we got a couple of friends to come and help.”

The event was part of “No Ivy Day #5”, a Portland-wide event dedicated to removing invasive plant species and improving natural areas.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why women were selling this summertime treat outside New Seasons markets on May 12‚

Sellwood New Seasons Market customer Darcia Krause, here being served strawberry shortcake by Soroptimist Cheri Wonsley, David Koch, Shauna Nokleby and Beth Dahlgaard.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In spots across the city, Portlanders were smacking their lips as they enjoyed fresh, strawberry shortcake treats on May 12.

“New Seasons Market generously supplied the space and ingredients to make and sell strawberry shortcake at their stores,” Soroptimist Cheri Wonsley told us, as she and her crew was dishing up the delectable desserts-to-go at the Sellwood New Seasons on SE Tacoma Street.

“All the money we Soroptimists raise today is going to help domestic abuse shelters in the greater Portland area,” explained Wonsley. “We hope to raise $7,000 from this event.”

The funds, she added, is to be divided among Bradley-Angle House, Clackamas women and Children’s Services, Domestic Violence Resource Center, Listen To Kids, Raphael House of Portland, The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter, and the YMCA Yolanda House.

The word “Soroptimist”, we learned, is coined from the Latin words soror and optima, and loosely translated as “best for women”. If you want to learn more, the East Portland Soroptimist club meets the first three Mondays of each month, from 6-8 pm at Why not Wine, 7907 SE Stark Street. For more information, see www.si-pdxeast.org.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service