Eric Norberg, Editor & General Manager Gail Park, Design and Composition Cheryl Duval, Advertising design Jerrin Sipe, Accounting News Reporting & Display Advertising: 503/232-2326 fax: 503/232-9787 "Community Classifieds" want ads: 503/620-7355 Circulation/subscriptions: 503/620-9797 Accounting/Billing: 503/546-0712 Composition: 503/546-9832 Community Newspapers, Inc. Editorial and Sales Address: 1837 SE Harold St, Portland, OR 97202 Remit bill payments to: PO Box 22109, Portland, OR 97269 e-mail: ReadTheBee@myexcel.com LOCALLY OWNED BY PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP May 2012 -- Vol. 106, No. 9 Memories of THE BEE's first 100 years! In 2006, THE BEE celebrated its centennial of serving Southeast Portland!  A special four-page retrospective of Inner Southeast Portland's century, written by Eileen Fitzsimons, and drawn from the pages of THE BEE over the previous 100 years, appeared in our September, 2006, issue. Click here to read this special retrospective! _________________________________________ BEE SUBMISSION AND AD DEADLINES... The next issue will be our June issue, and it has a deadline of May 24th. (The July issue has an ad and copy deadline of June 21.) INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? CLICK HERE FOR RATES AND INFORMATION! Want to subscribe to receive the PRINT version of THE BEE? NOW -- subscribe securely, online -- by clicking HERE! But, if you would rather not do it online, you can E-mail circulation@CommNewspapers.com or telephone 503/968-6397. The 12-issue annual subscription rate is $14 per year for addresses located in Multnomah County, Oregon; and $24 for anywhere else in the U.S.(it's based on the differential postage rates for our class of postage). For international rates, enquire via that e-mail address just above!  _________________________________________________________________________ Daily news!  The all-new daily PORTLAND TRIBUNE website  is updated throughout the day, every day, when news breaks out.  Click the banner at left to keep up to date on the banner news throughout the Rose City! THE BEE has a second website -- it's searchable for past stories.  The content for the current month is similar to this one, presented in a different format.  To visit the other website, click the banner at right! As flames erupt from this Sellwood home on S.E. Bidwell Street, firefighters battle the blaze, inside and out. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Intense fire destroys Sellwood home By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE For more than an hour, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews battled a blaze that ravaged a home at 1136 SE Bidwell Street on the morning of Saturday, April 14. The first concern, for firefighters from Westmoreland Fire Station 20, who arrived at 9:58 am, were initial reports that one or more occupants might still be inside the house – from which was pouring heavy smoke, and then flames. “Two of the residents, a husband and wife, were safely outside on the front lawn, however they were unsure of the location of their adult son,” reported Fire Bureau spokesman Lt. Damon Simmons. As crews from additional fire stations responded, including one from Clackamas Fire District #1, a squad of firefighters carefully searched the burning home – twice – but no additional occupants or victims were located. Other firefighters hooked up water supply lines, while yet others headed inside to face what was fast becoming an inferno. When flames erupted through the roof, incident commanders ordered firefighters out of the structure inasmuch as conditions were quickly deteriorating inside the house. Firefighters continued to battle the fire from the exterior, until conditions allowed their return inside. In addition to the engine crews that responded, the Fire Commanders called for additional resources, including three ladder trucks, to help control this fire. “The fire was declared under control at 11:15 am, with firefighters remaining on-scene to ensure that all burning material was removed or extinguished,” Simmons said. Later, looking for the seat the fire, crewmembers said they believed it began in the basement. “Fire traveled up, in the walls, between the basement and the attic,” Simmons confirmed. “It was difficult to extinguish, because the fire was burning vigorously in the concealed spaces that are commonly found in homes with finished attics.” The husband and wife who lived in the home were transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for the evaluation and treatment of smoke inhalation,” Simmons reported.  “They are expected to be treated and released.” Their son was not in the house, and did not have a cellular phone, so although he was apparently safe, he was not immediately located. The house was declared uninhabitable, but neither the cause of the fire nor a damage estimate has yet been established. Introducing Eastmoreland resident – and the 2012 Portland Rose Festival Princess representing Central Catholic High School – Kate Sinnott. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Eastmoreland student is Central Catholic Princess in Rose Festival By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE After introducing you to the 2012 Portland Rose Festival Princesses from Cleveland and Franklin High Schools in the April issue of THE BEE, we were alerted that a third Inner Southeast Portland high school student is vying for this year’s Queen of Rosaria crown. Katherine (Kate) Sinnott, an Eastmoreland resident since birth who attended Holy Family Catholic School, was selected to represent Central Catholic High School in the Rose Festival Court. Sinnott is a senior this year. “When I was little, I always looked up to Rose Festival princesses,” Princess Kate told THE BEE. “Being a Portland Rose Festival Princess gives me the opportunity to give back to Portland – a city that has given me so much.” Looking radiant, and dressed in her tiara and formal gown, Princess Kate told how she’d been treated to an “up close” look of the Portland Rose Festival parades in years past. “My dad, Bill Sinnott, was Commander of the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division. He’d drive the leading car in every parade. As any little girl would dream to, I always got to sit in the back seat with a few special friends, waving to the crowds with the famous elbow-elbow wrist-wrist.” At Central Catholic, we learned, Princess Kate has participated in Junior Varsity tennis, is a writer for the school newspaper, and serves as a peer mediator. With interests in sewing, pattern making, and fashion illustration, she says her career path is clear: To pursue a career in fashion design – aided by a $3,500 scholarship from Randall Group. So there will be three Inner Southeast high school students in the competition for the Queen’s Coronation, June 9 at 8:30 am, in the Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum. For more, go online to: www.rosefestival.org The Sellwood Wet Weather Pump Station – and the entire system – is working well to keep sewage out of the Willamette River. (Photo by David F. Ashton) NO SEWAGE IN RIVER New Sellwood pump station handles record-setting rainfall By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Even after the City of Portland made its sewage treatment plant operational in 1952, it didn’t take much rain to cause Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) into the Willamette River in the Sellwood area. For sixty years, it’s happened every time rain fell here. But that’s all changed, since the Sellwood CSO Pump Station – and the Eastside Big Pipe – went on-line in December. “Despite our record rainfall in March, there were no combined sewer overflows to the Willamette River,” Portland Bureau of Environmental Services spokesman Linc Mann told THE BEE. “We had about nine inches of rain over the CSO service area in March, but our staff was able to operate the new Willamette River CSO tunnel system and the Sellwood Wet Weather Pump Station; all of the rain runoff from the storms was captured.” Before the CSO program was complete, Mann said, one-tenth of an inch of rain in 24 hours was enough to cause a CSO. “There would’ve been a lot of combined sewage in the river in March, if these had not yet been activated.” The Willamette River combined sewage system is required to capture winter storms of about 1.2 inches of rain in 24 hours. “Twice last month, 24 hour totals exceeded 1.2 inches,” Mann reported. “On March 19 and 20, about 1.5 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, and the ‘Big Pipe’ tunnel system was about 96% full. On March 29 and 30, the 24 hour total approached 1.7 inches and the tunnels filled to 85% full, at the height of the storm.” The City’s treatment plant on N. Columbia Boulevard, with its recently-increased capacity, also performed well, we learned. “From March 10 to March 16, the plant treated 1.1-billion gallons of sewage,” revealed Mann. “That matches a record weekly flow in January, and is far more than the plant ever treated in one week before the city activated the new CSO system.” When we asked Mann to forecast CSOs for the summer months, he said, “From May to October, we would average 10 to 12 CSO notifications. It looks like, for the first time in Portland’s history, the Willamette River is likely to be free of combined sewer discharges in the summertime.” Southeast students safe after bus accident On Friday, April 20, at about 1 pm, a First Student school bus was returning a group of 21 St. Ignatius School students home from a week at Camp Namanu when the bus slid off the wet road near Sandy, leaving it teetering on an embankment. Clackamas County Sheriff Deputy Alan Alderman, arriving at 1:14 pm, found that the students had all moved to the uphill seats, to help steady the bus.   He assisted them to evacuate out the rear emergency exit door of the bus. The Powell Boulevard students were shaken up and scared, but uninjured. The driver said the front wheel of the bus got caught in soft mud, and it went off the wet road at about 5 to 10 mph.  The driver was not cited.  (Photo courtesy Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office) Some of the organization’s supporters – officially breaking ground for the new Dougy Center on April 18th, at the former Dougy location on S.E. 52nd Avenue, just south of Foster Road. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Ceremony signals Dougy Center’s “rise from ashes” By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Flames leaping high into the darkness of a summer sky on June 21, 2009 made a terrifying sight – both for neighbors, and for those associated with The Dougy Center itself, at 3903 S.E. 52nd Avenue, just south of Foster Road. As reported in the July, 2009, issue of THE BEE, a still-unsolved arson fire displaced the work of this nonprofit organization, which provides support for children teens, young adults, and their families, who are grieving a death. It has continued its work in a temporary facility on N.E. Glisan Street. At last, on April 18 of this year, staff, guests, clients, and dignitaries were invited to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony – as the organization has begun to rebuild a new home for their organization on the same Inner Southeast Portland ground where the old building once stood. Dougy Center Executive Director Donna Schuurman began the ceremonial event by telling the assembled crowd, “When I got up early for a radio interview this morning, I heard the rain falling hard on my roof. I was thinking to myself, ‘I’ve seen fire, and I’ve seen rain’!” But the morning showers passed, as the program continued. Before the gathering, Schuurman recalled the night she took the call, telling her that the Dougy Cener was ablaze. “Driving over that night, I had these thoughts: This would be a ‘before and after moment’; the Dougy Center would rise again from the ashes. I also knew it would be a lot of work, but our community of friends would make it happen.” With the site cleared, and the attendees standing next to the newly-excavated basement site, Schuurman continued, “Today is the day we symbolically recognize this new beginning, and the support that made it possible. As you probably noticed, the ground has already been broken.” The artistic rendering of the new building showed that the new 11,750- square-foot facility will have the homey feel of the prior old house, and will include designated areas for the young people, preschoolers to teens – permitting families with children of various ages to attend Dougy Center sessions at the same time. “When the Center burned, we all felt ‘this is just one more "death" we have to deal with and process’,” remarked Gwyneth Gamble Booth, Chair of the PGE Foundation, and 20-year Dougy Center facilitator. “As a person who helps children who have been impacted death in the homicide or suicide of a family member, it’s exciting to be here at the rebirth at the new and wonderful center.” Schuurman acknowledged the firefighters from Woodstock Station 25 who came to the groundbreaking, and thanked them, and all the firefighters who tried to save the building, for their heroic effort. “The Dougy Center isn’t the plaster or the bricks,” Schuurman said. “It is the relationships of those who have experienced the death of a child or parent. And, through that tragedy, who forge a new path in their lives, showing there was a ‘then’, and there is a ‘now’.” This year marks the 30th anniversary of the nonprofit organization, Schuurman continued. $3.5 million has been raised to rebuild the center so far. “The fundraising is not over, but our goal is within reach. We’re now about 70% ‘there’. We hope and trust the community will step up, so we can open our doors by the end of the year.” Peggy McGuire, Senior Vice President at Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, and also a Dougy Center board member, told of the continuing support for the organization. “This is one of the ‘shining lights’ – not only our community – but also around the world. Since its founding, The Dougy Center has become the model for 500 similar programs, worldwide.” The last to speak was Laurie Zwingli, who told how the Dougy Center had helped her and her three children to cope with the suicide death of her husband, and their father. “At the Dougy Center, we found there were others who have experienced the same thing. We felt acceptance and companionship – after feeling like ‘outsiders’ in their own community – even with family members,” Zwingli said. “The Dougy Center was their safe harbor, their home away from home.” She added that her children are now “secure in knowing they have a safe, welcoming place here, if they need to come back and work with their grief.” A ray of sunshine broke through the clouds, as staff, friends, and supporters took golden shovels in hand, and ceremonially broke ground. Learn more about the resources provided for grieving children, or how you can help support the Dougy Center’s efforts, online at: www.dougy.org Attorney General John Kroger – now the incoming President of Reed College. Atty. Gen. Kroger named new Reed College President On April 24, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced he will resign this summer to take a job as president of Reed College in Southeast Portland. He will be Reed’s 15th president. He succeeds Colin Diver, who plans to retire after 10 years in the position. “I’m very excited about this opportunity to help lead this great Oregon college,” Kroger said. “Because I will need to be on campus for the beginning of the fall semester, I will be stepping down later this summer as Attorney General. I have informed the Governor of my plans, and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition for my successor. It has been a great honor to serve as Oregon’s attorney general.” Kroger, 46, was selected after an extensive national search. He met with faculty, staff, and students, as part of the process, and reportedly “made a strong and positive impression”. Reed’s presidential search committee also interviewed dozens of Kroger’s professional colleagues. “John impressed us with his brilliance and clarity, advocacy for the primacy of the liberal arts education, and his commitment to the mission and vision of Reed College,” said Roger Perlmutter, Chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees. “We are very excited about his arrival on campus this summer.” Kroger earned degrees from Yale University, and graduated from Harvard Law School magna cum laude in 1996. He was elected Attorney General in 2008. Prior to his election, Kroger was a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School, where he taught criminal law and legal philosophy. From 1997 to 2001, Kroger served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York, where he was lead counsel in more than 200 criminal cases involving racketeering, violent crimes, narcotic trafficking, public corruption, and white-collar crimes. Prior to his work as a prosecutor, Kroger was a U.S. Marine, and deputy policy director of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Frank Springer and Portland Police Chief Mike Reese stand by a vintage Portland Police patrol car. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) 100th BIRTHDAY Brooklyn parade honors “Portland’s oldest cop” By RITA A. LEONARD for THE BEE From bagpipes to balloons, Frank Springer's 100th birthday parade on March 24th gave Brooklyn a chance to celebrate Portland's oldest retired police officer. Springer worked at the Portland Police Bureau from November of 1938 until August of 1973. A longtime Brooklyn resident and now a recognized artist, he retains a lively interest in people and events, entertaining friends with his amusing and colorful historical reminiscences. The March 24th celebration began with a visit to Springer by Portland Police Chief Mike Reese, who congratulated him on his 35 years of service. Frank also received congratulatory letters from President Barack Obama, Governor John Kitzhaber, and Oregon Senator Diane Rosenbaum. The Portland Police Highland Guard Pipe & Drum band practiced at Brooklyn Park before joining the 1:30 pm parade at its staging area on S.E. 8th Avenue. A line of antique automobiles joined neighbors carrying signs proclaiming “Happy Birthday Frank – 100 Years”, as Springer was ushered into a 1938 vintage police car in which he was driven down to his very public birthday party. Along the route, adorned with early-spring pink-flowering trees, the delighted Springer was treated to waves and flags from bystanders, a bouquet, and cheery greetings. “My grandkids planned all this, and they never told me much about it,” he exclaimed. “It caught me so flat-footed – but it’s great.” While well-wishers passed out candy and Mardi Gras beads, hundreds of friends and neighbors joined police escorts, Shriners’ dignitaries, “The Last Regiment” syncopated drummers, synchronized dancers, and “The Beat Goes On Marching Band” on a winding route down to True Brew Coffee House at 3375 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue. There, volunteers had set up a “We Love You, Frank” sign, and installed 100 colorful balloons and decorations for a festive Mardi Gras birthday party. As mentioned, following his police career, Springer became a prolific artist – displaying many of his fused and colored glass creations at various local venues such as Janovec Gallery and The Geezer Gallery. He started out working with polished stone, eventually converting the pieces into "leaded glass"-style creations. Springer’s unique table-top collection of “leaded stone” vehicles includes a circus wagon, a green jade stagecoach, a Roman chariot, a rose quartz Cinderella’s coach, and a Conestoga wagon made of petrified wood. Springer has moved on from working with polished stone to creating stained glass panels and fused glass dishes, vases and jewelry. He has his own glass kiln in his home, and enjoys choosing the colors and designs that make his creations desired by fine art collectors. He also donates some of his work to charitable organizations for fund raisers. With his still-fresh memories of patrolling Portland during its notorious “Sin City” days, Springer has become an oral historian for the Police Bureau and the neighborhood. As head of the Vice Squad in the 1950s, he helped close down much of the illegal gambling and prostitution that gave Portland its bad reputation at the time. Springer was promoted to Police Captain, finally retiring as Chief Inspector. You can read his reminiscences online at: www.frankstown.us . After the parade was over and the crowds had dispersed, Frank was spotted later in the week arriving at True Brew for coffee with friends – and Springer flashed his naturally amiable grin, reminiscing about his special surprise party. "Wasn't that something?" he reflected with a chuckle. Comments? News tips? Click here to submit! Trying to remember or locate a BEE advertiser? Click here to e-mail us, and we'll help! Fair warning:  We have so many great photos on page 2 this month, it may take a while to load on slower connections!  So click the link below, then go get refreshment, come back, relax, and prepare to enjoy what we have for you on page 2! READY TO TURN TO PAGE 2 -- FOR "MORE NEWS"? Click here! Note to readers: At some point, this, our original Internet website, will be replaced at this web address by our new website, as part of the Community Newspapers group. At that time, you will still be able to access this older, but still operative, website, if you bookmark this address:  www.southeastPDXnews.com. Right now, it leads you to our new website. Eventually, it will lead you back to this old one! You'll still have your choice of which one to visit! Entire contents © 2012, THE BEE; all rights reserved. Get a free hit counter here.