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April, 2024- Vol. 118, No. 8 Scroll down to read this issue! 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 the special centenary retrospective!
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After years of planning, surveying, and permitting, a contractor has begun digging out dirt paths in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, along S.E. Flavel Street, making the area ready to pour and finish new sidewalks. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
$4.65 million in federal funds More sidewalks finally being built in Brentwood-Darlington
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
As March began, so did the long-anticipated “Brentwood-Darlington Multimodal Improvements Project” street construction plan.
The project actually began when, in 2016, the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) leaders at the time advocated for federal funds to replace muddy dirt paths along streets with concrete sidewalks – especially near schools – through the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). The grant was awarded in 2017.
Funding for the project didn’t come through until 2019, however – and the surveying and environmental work required first began in August, 2020. Then came project planning, permitting, and ODOT approval – until, this past December, the Portland City Council let a contract to Brown Construction to start filling in the sidewalk gaps, and to add crossings, on S.E. Duke and Flavel Streets. Only now has the construction finally started in earnest.
Altogether, the project is projected to improve access to a number of local schools and parks, including:
Woodmere Elementary School
Whitman Elementary School
Lane Middle School
Brentwood Park
Flavel Park
“I have one major comment about the ‘sidewalk infill’ project that will give us continuous sidewalks on both sides of Duke and Flavel Streets between 52nd and 82nd Avenues: ‘My heart goes out to PBOT; and I regard the Bureau with awe and appreciation’,” current BDNA Chair Stephenie Frederick exclaimed to THE BEE.
The price tag for the “Brentwood-Darlington Multimodal Improvements Project”, which is expected to be completed next year, totals $7.8 million. That includes $3.15 million of Portland Transportation System Development Charges funds; and, $4.65 million of federal funds – $2.45 million of it from Federal Regional Flexible Funds Allocation act, and the other $2.2 million from American Rescue Plan Act.
Meet the 2024 Portland Rose Festival Princess from Franklin High School – Princess Julia Dixon! (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Franklin High’s new Rose Festival Princess announced
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
In the Franklin High School (FHS) Theater, after school let out for the day on March 6, students, parents, staff, and officials from the Portland Rose Festival gathered for the school’s 2024 “Princess Selection Announcement”. This year, Franklin’s ceremony preceded Cleveland High’s, which took place after this issue of THE BEE went to press; we’ll cover their announcement in our next issue.
“Both of our candidates, senior Julia Dixon and junior Zar Xie, are outstanding students who care about their community,” FHS Vice Principal Amy Gervais told THE BEE. “And, they’re brave; it takes a lot to put yourself out there to apply for this – which is why our finalists this year are really great representatives of our school, and greater community.”
After the finalists were called to the stage, Vice Principal Gervais presented each with a bouquet of roses. Their Rose Festival mentor then greeted them, and presented both a memento of their participation. Then came the official “reveal” of the student selected this year to represent FHS in this year’s Rose Festival, after which Gervais placed the tiara on the head of the Franklin High School’s 2024 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Julia Dixon.
“The most important thing about this is representing your community and making sure that you really involved with it, and are making a difference,” Princess Julia told THE BEE at the ceremony.
“Representing Franklin, I’ll share about our incredible college prep options here at the school and our Performing Arts Department,” Princess Julia said, after recovering from the surprise of learning she was chosen. “There are a lot of great opportunities here, and you have to make the best of them.”
After graduation, Princess Julia revealed her career plan -- of becoming a clinical psychologist. That goal will be supported by a $3,500 scholarship from The Randall Group.
Learn more about the 2024 Portland Rose Festival by visiting their official website at http://www.rosefestival.org
From left, here are: Faez Soud (PP&R Project Manager), Patti Miles (PP&R Board Member), Laura Roark (FFA Architecture), Robin Laughlin (PP&R Capital Renovation Projects Manager), Adam McGowan (Mt. Scott Community Center Supervisor), Casey Miller (Bremik Construction), and Adena Long (PP&R Director) – taking a ceremonial first scoop of dirt to kick-off the construction of the Mt. Scott Community Center project. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
‘Ground broken’ for Mt. Scott Community Center’s renovation
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
As reported at the time in THE BEE, the Mt. Scott Community Center officially closed to the public on November 23, 2023, as workers began the renovation project.
The official groundbreaking for the “Mt. Scott Community Center Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project” – as it’s officially called by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) – didn’t take place until Thursday, February 22nd, in the fenced-in area along S.E. Harold Street. Those arriving for the observance were well aware that the contractor was already busy on the renovation!
“This is an important day, and it’s so amazing to see the work beginning on this recreation center – a true community center that has been serving neighbors for over 100 years,” PP&R Director Adena Long told THE BEE. “Interestingly, 1t’s been built, and added onto, in stages over the decades.
“But now, it’s no longer serving as well as it can, nor as much as it needs to. We’re super excited about moving forward, making it more efficient and user-friendly, and adding amenities to make it a better place to play and connect with your neighbors.”
During the brief ceremony, while serving as its emcee, Ms. Long first brought up Mt. Scott Community Center’s Supervisor, Adam McGowan, who told about “exploring” the attic and other hidden spaces of the building complex, and being amazed at how it had been built up over time.
Speakers also included Casey Miller from the contractor, Bremik Construction; Laura Roark of FFA Architecture, and Robin Laughlin, Portland Parks’ A&D Capital Renovations Project Manager.
Then, while heavy machinery was already grinding away in the background demolishing parts of the old building, many at the ceremony took hold of the provided “golden shovels” and prepared to turn over dirt, to symbolize the official start of the $15 million project – which is expected to open next year.
Now, if you’re interested in seeing what it’s like to be breaking ground for a project that’s already well underway right behind you, here’s a brief and exclusive BEE VIDEO!....
The informal, open-to-all 2024 St. Agatha Catholic Church and School St. Patrick’s Day Parade was ready to start its march through Sellwood and Westmoreland right at noon. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
St. Agatha Catholic School gathers the community for St. Patrick’s Day
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
The Sellwood-Westmoreland tradition continued under cloudless blue skies on summer-like Saturday, March 16, as St. Agatha Catholic Church and School once again hosted their St. Patrick’s Day Parade and day-long celebration.
Cascadia Bagpiper John Goff provided the music as the Portland Police Transit Division SUVs and Motorcycle officers rolled out at noon, the officers both leading and protecting the community parade as it marched through both Sellwood and Westmoreland. When the revelers returned to the church campus at parade’s end, the St. Patrick’s Day observance was, by then, well underway – with the high-energy Celtic Katie Jane Band performing.
“The St. Agatha Catholic Church and School takes great pride in hosting this annual celebration, as a way to honor the St. Patrick's Day holiday, and provide a fun-filled, family-friendly festival,” spokesperson Kurt Krasneski told THE BEE.
“We invite our entire community to come enjoy all the events – the parade, the carnival, the food, and the music – as we have been doing for more than 20 years. It’s our way, at St. Agatha, to 'say thank you' to all our neighbors, and all of our families in the greater East Portland area; we want to bring the community together.”
This year, numerous food trucks offered a wide variety of tasty delights. The beer tent supplied libations for the adults, and, there were plenty of soft drinks and treats for the kids.
“It’s quite an undertaking; more than 120 parent and 30 student volunteers have been working to make this day a success.
“The best thing that comes out of this each year is providing an opportunity for the community to come together for a great celebration, reconnecting with friends, making new relationships, and having fun together,” concluded Krasneski, with an appreciative nod to the magnificent warm and sunny weather on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
If you missed it, or would like to relive it, here’s a short and exclusive BEE VIDEO of that great day in the sun!...
With extra firefighters brought in by the “second alarm” callout, the intense fire was quickly extinguished in the garage and office of the used car lot. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Two-alarm fire burns garage and office at 82nd Avenue used car lot
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
The charred “Going Out of Business” banners at the Bob’s Auto Sales, at 5826 S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses, seemed strangely prophetic and ironic after a fire ripped through the business’ two-car garage and office on Saturday morning, March 9.
After several callers to the 9-1-1 Center reported seeing heavy fire there – and hearing explosions, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews were dispatched to this “Commercial Fire” at 8:02 a.m.
The lieutenant on the first apparatus to arrive reported back to dispatchers seeing fire burning throughout the garage area, and into the attached structure – which originally has been built as a home, but was now used as the office of the used car lot.
Due to the intensity of the flames, and the proximity of vehicles to the inferno, the first arriving PF&R Battalion Chief called for a “second alarm” to bring double the amount of apparatus and firefighters to assist.
“Fire crews first used ‘defensive tactics’ – that is, they fought the fire from the outside – until it was safe to enter the buildings,” PF&R Public Information Officer Rick Graves told THE BEE as the remains of the business were still smoldering.
Ladder Truck Company crews cut holes in the roof of the office to access the fire in the attic, and to provide vertical ventilation.
At 8:32 a.m. the fire was mostly put out, and the second-alarm crews were released from the scene. Two PF&R Fire Investigators arrived soon after to examine the burned remnants of the buildings. The fire is still under investigation.
“At this time, there are no reported injuries or any victims,” Graves said. Other than, of course, the owner of the burned used car lot, who may be going out of business a bit earlier than he was planning.
OMSI guests examine a life-sized Tyrannosaurs skeleton at they walk through the new “Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family” exhibition. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
‘Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family’ opens at OMSI
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
The main display halls of the nonprofit Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Southeast Portland are now filled with the new exhibition, “Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family”, which opened on March 2nd. THE BEE attended a preview of the exhibit, along with several dozen invited guests.
“This new offering is important to the mission of OMSI, because we’re all about science discovery,” OMSI VP of Learning Experiences Akiko Minaga told THE BEE atthe preview reception. “And, we’re really excited to bring dinosaurs back to OMSI, and proud that we’re hosting the premiere showing of this exhibition on the West Coast!
“It showcases the earth’s ancient past, and incorporates the latest breakthroughs, research, and ongoing advancements in paleontology,” he said.
Entering the exhibit on the main floor, we found that guests walk into a stunning life-size immersive video display, depicting OMSI’s front exterior – with members of the “the family” skittering past!
Then, visitors learn that tyrannosaurs came in all shapes and sizes, and various species lived in different habitats – at different times – and evolved in different ways to fill ecological niches.
Highlights include:
Three full life-sized skeletons of a Daspletosaurus, Albertosaurs, and Lynthronax
An interactive, augmented-reality display wherein visitors play with life-sized dinosaurs
Two tyrannosaur species discovered recently in excavations in China
Four never-before-toured T. rex fossils
“Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family” will be on display this spring and summer through September 8th. Better still, this exhibition is included with the cost of museum admission. Learn more online – http://omsi.edu/exhibits/tyrannosaurs-meet-the-family.
OMSI is just north of the Ross Island Bridge on the east bank of the Willamette, under the east end of the Marquam Bridge – at 1945 S.E. Water Avenue.
Here’s a quick preview of this new exhibition, if you’re thinking of seeing it in person – in a short and exclusive BEE VIDEO!...
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