The Pirates of Penzance at Parkrose High School is great! This is the last weekend to see the show and find out why we awarded ith with the PDX News HOT TICKET!
  
  
  
What more could one ask for in a theatrical experience? You’ll find enjoy music, comedy, romance and great fun in this production of “The Pirates of Penzance”. David F. Ashton photo
 By David F. Ashton
Put it on your calendar: Make a date to see Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”, presented by the Parkrose High School Thespians.
 Swirling dance numbers, touching songs and duets, goofy comedy moments and live music, under the direction of Lesley Bossert, make this show a delightful evening out.
¬†And, here’s a bonus: You don’t have to go downtown; parking is free ‚Äì and you will support students in the arts in Parkrose.
“The Pirates of Penzance”
at Parkrose High School Theater
12003 NE Shaver St
7:00 p.m. performances are on
April  27, 28, 29
Tickets:
$8  Adults; $5  HS/MS Students and
$3  Children 12 and under / Seniors 65+ 
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Neighbors who attend their association’s meetings learn what’s going on; how to solve problems on their block.
Jack Vahey, acting chair, Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association looks at the map with other neighbors as TriMet’s David Unsworth, Project Development Manager gives residents an update on the I-205 MAX line. He talked about the stations located in outer SE Portland and public art on display. David F. Ashton photo
By David F. Ashton
Some people complain about problems on their block, their area, neighborhood or the city in general. While all their whining might make them feel better, it certainly won’t solve any of their problems. Maybe they just like to gripe, eh?
Other folks take just 90 minutes, every now and then, to attend their neighborhood association’s meeting. They learn how to reduce crime, keep from being a victim of criminals, deal with trash in a neighbor’s yard, deal with a noisy tavern – and the list keeps going.
Another great whine is, “No one told me about the apartment project being built along my back yard …” Had they been involved in their neighborhood, they would have found out long before the three-story wall started to rise, blocking their view.
At the Centennial Neighborhood Association meeting in April, Crime Prevention Specialist Teri Poppino shares a wealth of neighborhood resources available to anyone who calls the “right” phone number – all of them found on an informative sheet she passed around. David F. Ashton photo
How? When? Where?
It costs nothing to attend these meetings. Some are held monthly; others bimonthly; others less frequently.
We make it a point to list your neighborhood’s meeting in our Calendar, because it is important. You’ll also find listings in printed newspapers like Mid County Memo and East County News.
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
The “dirty little secret” politicians hope you won’t learn ‚Äì and how you can become a better informed voter at these two Candidate Forums
By David F. Ashton
Do you know why some neighborhoods and business districts seem to get all the “goodies” while others suffer with so little?
One reason is that some areas vote; others don’t. It’s just that simple.
The city is divided up into “precincts”. Elected officials and bureau staff members can easily check to see in which precincts citizens register ‚Äì and actually vote. Word is, they don’t much care whom voters elect nor for what they vote in or out.
Think your vote doesn’t count?
In outer East Portland, there are huge pockets of non-voters. Did you know that if everyone (who was qualified) to vote here did so – we could elect anyone to office, or pass or defeat any measure?
Please – register now. Vote in the May Primary Election.
Meet the candidates
The East Portland Neighborhoods, Central Northeast Neighbors, Avenue of Roses Business Association and East Portland Chamber of Commerce sponsored two Candidate Fairs in early May for East Portland residents and business people. Those who came got to meet and hear from candidates for City of Portland, Multnomah County and Metro positions.
These Candidate Fairs were scheduled the week voters’ ballots were mailed.
Thanks to Bonny McKnight and Aaron Minoo for coordinating these events.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
See why the East Portland Chamber of Commerce is growing larger and better every week
By David F. Ashton
For a group that meets at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings, the East Portland Chamber of Commerce (EPCC) sure has a lot of fun. While the group doesn’t have a “no grouches” policy, it seems to attract delightful business people who enjoy supporting both their business and neighborhood communities.
Chamber grows again
East Portland Chamber of Commerce’s Bob Bonnel of Sid Dorn’s Car Buying Service welcomes Tom Davenport with Waddell & Reed, Sandra Sprague with Care Givers NW, Alicia Pons and Shaunne McNamee with Mill Park Acupuncture Herbal Clinic, Steve Karm of Steve’s PC Repair. David F. Ashton photo
Not available for the photograph were new East Portland Chamber of Commerce members Maggie Terrell of Home Capital Funding, Kathy Wertz of Lotus Rising Publishing, a job-changing Lisa Upshaw (a member, and Chair of the EPCC Ambassadors) now with Bay Bank, Ed Bejarana with Acme Scenic & Display, Inc., and Brian Dazey with Avenue Mortgage, Inc.
Richard Keily, Home Run Graphics, is hosting a chamber meeting at Cherrywood Village on April 12. David F. Ashton photo
At a typical “Good Morning East Portland” meeting, members and guests have time to mingle, have a cup of java (or juice) and do business. To start things off, the “host” of the meeting tells the group about his or her business. Then, everyone has a brief moment to introduce themselves to the group, hear announcements and get a “Two-minute Tip” to help their business. It’s a great way to start the day.
On the Avenue of Roses
EPCC President Greg Zuffrea takes part in another official planting ceremony held by the Royal Rosarians at Bank of the West and Portland Community College SE Center at SE 82nd Ave. of Roses and Division St. on April 7.David F. Ashton photo
Fools Bowl
It isn’t an athletic competition – the Fool’s Bowl is one of two bowling events the group holds “for the fun of it”. This year’s tourney was held at the Hollywood Bowl on – you guessed it – April 1st. David F. Ashton photo
Take 43 adults and 5 kids; put them in a bowling alley and you‚Äôve got another fun social event held by the EPCC. Richard Keily of Home Run Graphics was the main sponsor. Tom Rich of Mt Hood Computers was an awards sponsor, and volunteered during the event and Elan Chance of Cartridge World – Hawthorne was also an awards sponsor.
After having his photo published in a newspaper, Multnomah County Chair candidate Ted Wheeler declined to be photographed; Portland City Council candidate Dave Lister said, “Sure! Why not? Nothing can hurt my bowling score!” David F. Ashton photo
Top Team FOOLS BOWL Award: Team LazerQuick won the trophy, and each member got a medal and a $25.00 STAPLES gift certificate. The winners: Steve Mansell, Stephanie Mansell, Bruce Womack, Jan Womack. David F. Ashton photo
Top Individual FOOLS BOWL Award: A fun, “fool’s” pair of glasses, and a box of delectable truffles from Baskets of Joy went to Bruce Womack. David F. Ashton photo
Fool’s Award: OK, they didn‚Äôt bowl so good, but holy cow ‚Äì they had fun! Getting the Schnoz Glasses and a giant size Hershey‚Äôs kiss are Team STUFF members Inga and Hal Halmark (Ceasar Villaea and Chip Hosan split before the photo was taken). David F. Ashton photo
Prizes and Giveaways were donated by Dave Lister for Portland City Council; Sue Eastman of SE Works; Lila Simms of Baskets of Joy; Dan LaGrande of LaGrande Public Relations; Michael O’Leary of Pre-Paid Legal; Gary Marschke of Portland Wrestling; The Gals at The Bookkeeping Company; State of Oregon.com and Scott Hendison of PDXtc.com
Check out this great business group at www.eastportlandchamber.com – the Wednesday AM meetings are held at various locations in East Portland.
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
The “dirty little secret” politicians hope you won’t learn –
and how you can become a better informed voter
By David F. Ashton
Do you know why some neighborhoods and business districts seem to get all the “goodies” while others suffer with so little?
One reason is that some areas vote; others don’t. It’s just that simple.
The city is divided up into “precincts”. Elected officials and bureau staff members can easily check to see in which precincts citizens register – and actually vote. Word is, they don’t much care whom voters elect nor for what they vote in or out.
Think your vote doesn’t count?
In outer East Portland, there are huge pockets of non-voters. Did you know that if everyone (who was qualified) to vote here did so – we could elect anyone to office, or pass or defeat any measure?
Please – register now. Vote in the May Primary Election.
Meet the candidates
The East Portland Neighborhoods, Central Northeast Neighbors, Avenue of Roses Business Association and East Portland Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring tow Candidate Fairs in early May for East Portland residents and business people. Come meet, and question, candidates for City of Portland, Multnomah County and Metro positions.
These Candidate Fairs are scheduled the week voters’ ballots will be mailed. Come meet the people you will be selecting for government roles that will impact you and those around you in East Portland.
Monday, May 1, 2006 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Parkrose High School Student Center
12003 NE Shaver St. (west of NE 122nd Ave. @ Shaver St.)
Featuring Multnomah County and METRO Candidates
Thursday, May 4, 2006 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fir Ridge High School Student Center
11215 SE Market St. (Corner of SE 112th Ave. @ Market St.)
Featuring Portland City Council Candidates, Positions 2 and 3
Questions from those attending will be added to questions from the event sponsors. Campaign information tables will be part of each event, as well as neighborhood association service information. Please use this opportunity to find out more abut these candidates before you send in your ballots. Thanks to Bonny McKnight and Aaron Minoo for coordinating these events.
Lents candidate “Open Mic”
Candidates for both seats on Portland’s City Council will get chance earn SE Portland votes at the Lents Candidate Forum to be held April 25th at the Kelly School Auditorium located at 9030 SE Cooper.
Each candidate will get the chance to share their own unique perspective and recommendation on such hot-button issues as education funding, local economies, and housing strategies. In addition, candidates will be dedicated equal time at the podium to recap why they are running and why you should vote for them.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with introductions at 7:15 p.m. There should be time for some post-forum mingling as well. This event is brought to you by the Lents Neighborhood Association and the Kelly SUN Community School. If you have particular questions you wish to be addressed at the forum, please e-mail them to deweyakers@comcast.net. Otherwise, for more info, call 503-869-6398. Voter registration cards will be available at the door.
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
By David F. Ashton – April 11, 2006
In the vast expanse called outer East Portland, there is one – yes only one – good, old-fashioned parade every year.
That’s why nearly a thousand adults and kids line NE Halsey St. every May to see the Fun-O-Rama Parade.
The Floyd Light Band plays great marching tunes. David F. Ashton Photo
The high and low if it – unicyclists are a favorite along the parade route! David F. Ashton Photo
This parade usually has it all: Floats, marchers, bands, and the famous Keystone Kops’ antics along the route.
Commissioner Sam Adams announces the Fun-O-Rama Parade, and welcomes folks to the Fun-O-Rama Fair. David F. Ashton Photo
We’re told that Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams will again announce the parade as it passes the reviewing stand at 111th Square.
Those krazy Keystone Kops pull pranks for the crown in front of the reviewing stand at last year’s Fun-O-Rama Parade. David F. Ashton Photo
Getting this parade together takes a lot of time and effort. Pamela Colton, Nickel Ads, is the parade’s chair. She, and a dozen volunteers, starts lining up the parade north of NE 122nd Ave. early in the morning, before it starts down NE Halsey Ave. at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine. Have a group to march in the parade? Call Colton at (503) 252-7519 – but do it now! Spots are filling up.
The fun doesn’t end
Wait! There’s more! The fun doesn’t end with the parade. The Gateway Area Business Association presents the Fun-O-Rama Fair at 111th Square (at NE Halsey St. and 111th Ave.)
A young marshal artist demonstrates her skills. David F. Ashton Photo
See representatives from local businesses. Each year, the Fair features entertainment like clowns, dance, music and martial arts demonstrations.
Steevie Weevie squeeks up balloon hats at the Fair. David F. Ashton Photo
Also, the “Gateway Citizen of the Year” is honored. We’re told “Father Jack” Mosbrucker is this year’s honoree.
Golf tourney on May 13
The annual Golf-O-Rama will again be held at Glendoveer Golf Course. Past proceeds have gone to support the organization’s scholarship fund for David Douglas High School seniors. Interested? Call organizer (and Snoopy’s friend) Karen Montez, Met Life, at (503) 252-6241 for more information of this fun event.
We’ll see you at the 2006 Gateway Fun-O-Rama!
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
By David F. Ashton
Bars and mini-mart workers must know it’s wrong to sell booze to kids. A quick look at the ID of a young-ish looking guy or gal isn’t that difficult. Yet, during Spring Break, getting a swig of hooch wasn’t a problem for several underage youth.
Some of these young people who got served were on a mission ‚Äì and, that mission wasn’t go get drunk. These kids were Portland Police Cadets. They were working with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to identify employees of businesses who sell alcohol to minors.
The mission included 100 randomly selected businesses located throughout the city.Of the 96 businesses that were open, employees in 28 of those businesses sold alcohol to minors. By the way, the Cadet’s never carry fake ID ‚Äì they present their real Oregon Driver’s License when ‚Äì or in some cases, if ‚Äì asked for it.
During their eight-hour spree, some establishment employees did not ask to see the Cadets’ identification, while others did not check the identification closely enough. These careless employees were cited for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Noted restaurateur tells of her awareness mission at Parkrose Business Association
By David F. Ashton – April 2, 2006
She couldn’t help but noticing the young boys outside the porn shop on NE Sandy Blvd., said Eileen Stocker. “They were trying to see what was inside, behind the painted out windows.”
Seeing these kids, Stocker told us, fostered a question that kept running through her mind: “Should our kids be growing up in this kind of environment – believing that adult oriented stores and sex shops on every corner – is normal?”
Leah Sauer recipient Eileen Stocker shows her award to members of the Parkrose Business Association. David F. Ashton photo
Concerned about “Pornrose, OR”
It’s true. Drive through the Parkrose area – or any other main street in outer East Portland and you’ll see “lingerie modeling” parlors, adult merchandise stores and strip clubs on nearly every block. Some wags call the area “Pornrose”.
“I’ve been involved in lobbying City Hall to limit the number of these kinds of businesses that can be set up in a given neighborhood,” Stocker continued. “I’m not trying to eliminate them. We just think it is a good idea to limit their number. When goes out of business, new businesses can’t open.”
By resolution of the City Council, Stocker added, “they can limit the number of businesses in a given area, but they don’t want to. I don’t think they’re protecting citizens of Portland. Wouldn’t it be worth it to do a small [research] study [to measure the impact of adult businesses on neighborhoods]?”
Please, no shell game
“The people in Parkrose are so wonderful – both neighbors and regular business people. I love this area and want to protect it.
‚ÄúBut we don‚Äôt want to just shove [the sex trade] into another neighborhood. We don‚Äôt want another area to go through what Sandy Blvd has endured.”
Stoll, the Western ally
One of the people whose help Stocker enlisted was that of Hollywood booster, Helen Stoll. “Helen’s been trying to stop prostitution along Sandy Blvd. for many years. We’re looking for support through churches and local organizations. More people need to voice their concern,” Stocker said.
Stoll told Stocker about the Oregon Association of American Mothers*. “I spoke to them and asked for their help. They understood our situation and have helped.”
Apparently, the organization thought so highly of Stocker’s efforts, they gave her their Leah Sauer Award – an award named after the organization’s first “Mother of the Year”.
Take action
“The best thing you can do is write the mayor if you think the sex businesses should be limited in Portland. Don’t you think it makes sense for the city to, at least, look at the situation,” Stocker concluded.
* According to their web site, the Oregon Association of American Mothers is an organization of women and men, married and single, parents and grandparents, dedicated to preserving the moral and spiritual foundations of the family in America. At a time when the return of family values has become a national priority, American Mothers, Inc. responds educational, cultural, and spiritual programs for mothers of all ages.
?ì 2006, David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
The 3 a.m. fire at Portland Christian High School was perhaps the work of cowardly hoodlums, students surmise. David F. Ashton Photos
By David F. Ashton – April 3, 2006
The normally quiet of an early morning on NE San Rafael St. was shattered by the roar of fire engines and the wail of sirens early Monday morning. Firefighters sped along NE 122nd Ave. to answer a second fire call to Portland Christian School, within in the past two months.
Bureau officials say the 3 a.m. fire was at the school’s field house and coach’s office. The blaze, it appears, was started in two portable toilets located next to the grandstand structure, on the north side of building.
This fire was said to have caused $7,500 in damages. The fire about 60 days ago did $32,000 in damages to vehicles and buildings.
Officials say “racist and sexual graffiti” was emblazoned on the outside of a structure nearby the fire scene. Portland Police Bureau Bias Crimes Unit has been called in to investigate the case.
“The talk at school is that who ever did this probably doesn’t even know the meaning of a swastika. It’s the work of punks who want to seem tough,” is how a student who identified himself as Josh, put it to us, outside the school grounds that afternoon. “You notice that these cowards did this in the middle of the night – not when we’re out here.”
The culprit of this fire is subject to Felony Arson charges, officials say. Have information? Call Portland Fire & Rescue investigators at (503) 823-3791.
More on this story as it develops.
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton ‚Äì East PDX News ‚Äì All Rights Reserved
A Wednesday afternoon joy-ride for a 21-year-old ended abruptly at 4:00 p.m. on March 29 in outer East Portland. Police say Jennifer Leeanne Cogswell‚Äôs fun ended when she was found at the wheel of a stolen, black Acura — and arrested.
Cogswell was nailed near SE Powell Blvd. and 122nd Ave. by the Portland Police Bureau’s Auto Theft Task Force. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Hillsboro and used in the commission of a burglary in the Hillsboro area earlier on Wednesday.
Cops are looking for a male riding in the vehicle with Cogswell who escaped and has not been found. He is described as a white male, 5’6″, thin and approximately 25-years-old.
Facing a charge of Unauthorized Use Of a Motor Vehicle and one count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Cogswell was lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center.
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton – East PDX News
Published March 24, 2006 ~ By David F. Ashton
 
Leaders from all of the neighborhoods that border 82nd Avenue of Roses gather for the event. Photo by David F. Ashton
A light mist in the air didn‚Äôt stop 100 neighbors, business people and rose lovers from attending the Royal Rosarians‚Äô official recognition of 82nd Ave. being renamed “The Avenue of Roses” on March 22.
Joann Superstore Ribbon Cutting
Flanked by the Royal Rosarians, neighbors and chamber members, Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams and East Portland Chamber of Commerce president Greg Zuffrea cut the ribbon signaling the opening of the new Joann Superstore at Eastport Plaza. Photo by David F. Ashton
The dedication was held at Eastport Plaza, in conjunction with the ribbon-cutting of the new Joann Superstore opening there. At the store opening, Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams quipped, “My mom has been hoping for a new Joann‚Äôs here for so long, I gave her the manager‚Äôs number to call to find out when it would open.”
Adams continued, “This is a great company; you will be a success here. Thank you for your investment, and the jobs you are bringing to SE Portland.”
“We are pleased to be here,” Kevin Kneeshaw, Joann Regional Team Leader responded, “helping with the revitalization of the area. I did the easy part, siting the store here. But we have a great staff who got this store together to the community. As the store grows, we‚Äôll hire even more than our current 54 coworkers.”
  
Members of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce (www.eastportlandchamber.com), including president Greg Zuffrea, were on hand. The Chamber’s Holly Moss handed off the giant Golden scissors to Sam Adams and Zuffrea, photos were taken ‚Äì and the ribbon cut ‚Äì signaling the opening of this great new store.
Another rose in East Portland grows
At the Royal Rosarian‚Äôs official ceremony dedicating 82nd Ave. as the “Avenue of Roses” on March 22, Eastport Plaza manager Ken Turner, Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, Marilyn Schultz, Royal Gardener of the Royal Rosarians plant the rose “We Salute You” as Eileen Curtis, Portland Rose Society, is ready to perform the official watering. Photo by David F. Ashton
The rose planting ceremony, presided over by Harvey Collier, Lord High Sheriff of the Rosarians, gave many their first opportunity to witness the dignified service.
“At the express command of Queen Caitlin,” Collier intoned, “it is our duty to present and plant this official rose today for the official dedication of 82nd Avenue being renamed the Avenue of Roses; and on behalf of Joann Superstore, and their decision to plant their business here on the newly named Avenue of Roses.”
Royal Rosarian Chaplain and Scribe, John Creegan, told the gathering that the groups official planting ceremonies pay tribute to “a particularly honorable place or event. We plant this rose in recognition of the men and women that have caused 82nd Avenue to be named the ‚ÄòAvenue of Roses‚Äô. We plant this rose as a living testimonial of the truth and honor, which is the sworn duty of our sir knights and dames to uphold.”
Marilyn Schultz, Royal Gardener of the organization, added, as she set the rose in the prepared soil, “By this planting, we show the high regard with which the Royal Rosarians hold for good works. We are planting the rose, ‚ÄòWe Salute You‚Äô, named in honor of the firefighters and police who lost their lives on 9/11.”
Eileen Curtis, Portland Rose Society, administering the Official Watering, said, “As I water the rose, let it be the start of many, many new rose gardens of that will bloom along 82nd Avenue of Roses.”
John Creegan, Royal Chaplain and Scribe gave the invocation. “They shall rejoice and blossom as a rose. The heavens shall declare the glory of God, and the ferment show His handiwork. In the presence of Him who created the flora of the world, and spread it out as a glorious carpet across the world, and in the presence of these Royal Rosarians and their friends we ask His blessing upon this queen of flowers, and this spot from which it shall spring forth in ever increasing beauty, fragrance and purity.”
Lord High Sheriff Collier ended the ceremony adding, “Around the world, Portland is known as the Rose Capitol of America. Around the globe goes our phrase, ‚ÄòFor you a rose, in Portland grows.‚Äô May a rose ever grow in your garden, and may a rose grow, forever, in your hearts.”
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton – East PDX News
Published March 26, 2006 ~ By David F. Ashton
 
In an effort to isolate the problem, a PGE engineer opens a massive switch at the Johnson Creek Substation just as a power serge comes through the system. The result is this massive arc. No one was injured. Photo by David F. Ashton
 Standing outside the fence at the massive Portland General Electric (PGE) electric power sub-station on SE Johnson Creek Blvd., at Flavel Drive., one can hear a loud, deep, resonant hum as the giant electric transformers pass electricity to homes and businesses throughout East Portland.
Throughout the afternoon of March 19, there was a quite different sound. Every few minutes, a low toned, resounding “thuang” noise growls from the power station transformers. “That‚Äôs the sound of a ‚Äòhit‚Äô somewhere in the system,” a PGE worker, who asked not to be identified by name, tells us. He says this means something, somewhere is shorting out Portland‚Äôs east side main, high-voltage power system.
  
A PGE Crew members uses test equipment, trying to locate the problem on the power grid that shut down Precision Cast Parts on March 19. Photo by David F. Ashton
In homes and businesses, from inner SE Portland to western Gresham, this “power anomaly” — as the electrical works describe it ‚Äì happens repeatedly, from early afternoon through the early evening hours. The lighting go brown, appliances groan to a stop, then the power goes completely out for a few minutes.
These repeated blackouts, followed by a power surge as the juice came back resulted in blown surge-protectors, but no real damage, at our home office. Because it is a Sunday afternoon, homeowners found the on-off-on power cycle more of an annoyance than anything else.
Cost to Precision Cast Parts: $1 million
We drive the few blocks to the Johnson Creek Substation late in the afternoon to learn more. Shortly after arriving, we meet two men who identify themselves to PGE crew as the Johnson Creek Precision Cast Parts (PCP) Information Technology and Plant Engineering managers.
“Our entire, nationwide computer network is down,” complains the PCP IT manager. “Every time we reset our network, another power glitch shuts us down. We‚Äôre a seven-day-a-week business.” The PGE crew listens sympathetically. But until they isolate the “fault”, they tell the computer manager, they can‚Äôt predict when it will be repaired.
Another “thowang” emanates from the substation. It seems the events are coming more frequently now; each one sounding louder.
“We‚Äôre working to catch up on orders,” says the PCP plant engineer, “and that means we‚Äôre scheduled to turn out as much as $1 million worth of parts today. We‚Äôve had to shut down the plant. This is serious, costly problem.”
Arcs and sparks
“Thowang” ‚Äì again, the power grid takes a “hit”, as the PGE workers call the event.
“We‚Äôve ridden the lines from Sellwood to Gresham and everything looks good,” crackles a report to the two-way radio of a PGE crew member standing near us. “The Midway Substation is OK. So is Sellwood. We‚Äôre looking at the Gresham end.”
A PGE worker disarms the inner electric fence at the power substation. He releases an immense, chest-high lever. The lever is hooked to a thick pipe that travels upward, operating a gigantic power switch located high atop the power station.
At 6:22 p.m., he pulls the switch ‚Äì “thwang” another power hit ‚Äì and the switch contacts arc with a blinding blue light that lasts for at least five seconds. The air crackles loudly as a colossal amount of current jumps from one open switch contact to another. We try to take a photo, but it takes six seconds for our camera to fire up; we catch a shot the final surge, as the switch contacts explode in an orange fireball. Molten metal showers the area, filling the air with a sent of both ozone and an electrical fire. The blast was so loud, it attracted onlookers from blocks around.
The workers are visibly shaken. But they, and the bystanders, are unharmed. “We took inner SE Portland off the grid from this side, just as we took a ‚Äòhit”,” he explains. “But their power is on; they‚Äôre getting electricity from the other end of the grid.” We‚Äôre comforted to learn PGE has built redundant fail-safe systems into our power grid.
Isolating the problem
As the smoke clears, evening is falling. We notice the mighty transformers are now nominally humming. They’re taking no more hits.
About 6:30 p.m., PGE crews isolate the problem ‚Äì a “jumper” power regulation device at SE 190th Ave. and Powell Blvd., Ariana White, PGE Communications Specialist, tells us. It was failing intermittently throughout the afternoon, she added, but the problem wasn‚Äôt identified until it completely failed.
“While we repaired the jumper power regulator,” White says, “we had to temporarily turn off service to some customers, resulting in phased outages from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Those without power for periods of time, during the repairs, numbered¬†8,000 to 10,000.”
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton – East PDX News