THE "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" ARE BELOW THE EDITORIAL From The Editor Some reminders – about e-mail, viruses, and cyberfraud The e-mail from a longtime friend in California had an odd subject line. The e-mail itself consisted of a single line, with a hotlink in it to a website somewhere.  I did NOT click on the link. I had seen such e-mails before; my friend had been victimized by a criminal somewhere in the world. Since then, I have seen a lot of these, from a variety of different people I know, both near and far away. You may well have seen some of these too. One has been coming for quite a while from a former local business owner who retired to Hawai’i. Apparently nobody has alerted him to what is happening in his name. However, getting back to the particular friend I was mentioning at the beginning – he had actually gotten a an infection on his computer: A virus or trojan which installed itself when he clicked on a link in a similar e-mail HE’D received. It then mined his e-mail address book for his friends and contacts, and relayed spam messages by sending them to these addresses. He found that out for sure by looking in his “sent mail”, and sure enough there were all these messages. His computer had sent them out itself at times when it was idle but online. But later variants have had different origins. Some arise from a similar virus or trojan, acquired the same way, which simply located the computer’s e-mail address book and e-mailed it back to the criminal who sent it. (It may have gotten passwords the victim used for a variety of online tasks at the same time.) These spam e-mails are then sent to the victim’s address book, “from” the victim’s e-mail address (which was identified the same way), but were actually sent from an Internet address in China, India, Brazil, Rumania, Nigeria, or some other common source of spam. In this case, the infected computer showed none of the messages were in the “sent mail”, and a little forensic work on the e-mails showed where they really came from. This does not mean that this computer is not still infected. The malware that did the deed on the computer might have uninstalled itself after sending off all this information to the spammer – but it might still be there on the computer, waiting for instructions to do something else, like relay a huge amount of spam at some point. So, this computer needed a visit to a savvy computer tech anyway. And, we have seen a third way these e-mails arise – spammers are breaking into online e-mail accounts, such as at Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail – and using the stored e-mail address book to send these e-mails FROM that account, but bypassing the computer of the victim. They come from the e-mail address they say they do, but no virus or trojan had reached the victim’s computer…yet. The fix in this case was simply changing the password on the hacked e-mail account. This is all provided to warn you about these cryptic e-mails, and what may happen to you if you click on the hotlink in one. Don’t click on them!  Just delete the e-mail and let your friend know what’s being sent out in his name. Clicking on the hotlink usually infects the computer, and that may lead to friends getting infected, online accounts getting hacked, and sometimes (when passwords for online banking are stolen) theft of funds. That said, there are a few other things worthwhile doing to minimize the chances of being victimized with “malware”. Some spam e-mails carry an attachment, which when opened infects the computer. Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know. Worse yet, it’s not uncommon for viruses and trojans to be embedded in the HTML code of an e-mail itself. When that happens, and particularly if you use the “preview pane” feature to see any e-mail you click on, you cannot delete it without infecting your computer, since just clicking on it opens it. The solution to that is to open all your e-mail in “plain text”. If you use an e-mail client such as Outlook Express, you can set the program to open all e-mail in plain text. For Outlook Express, the way to do this is to click on “tools” at the top of the screen, then select “options”, then the “read” tab, and checking the box that says “read all messages in plain text”. (The process can easily be reversed using the same steps, if need be.) Once you are reading the e-mail in plain text, clicking on the e-mail prior to “deleting” it may open it, but the malicious HTML code won’t run, and won’t infect your computer. The problem with reading in plain text is that some e-mails – including those sent using Constant Contact software – rely heavily on the HTML reading capability of the e-mail client, and look like gibberish in plain text. The solution to that, if you satisfy yourself that the e-mail is not malicious, is to click “forward”. The e-mail can then been seen in HTML, and you can then just close it without forwarding it to anybody. Do you have up-to-date, PAID anti-virus/anti-spyware/anti-malware software installed? If you have a PC, it’s a must. And generally, only the PAID programs include an automatic update feature – we often get e-mails sent by people with free antivirus programs, which even if they are reputable generally carry a tagline at the bottom of the e-mail advertising itself, and may say when it was last updated – usually a long time ago, since they have to be updated manually. Even if you use a Mac, you should have an anti-virus/anti-spyware program installed…with more Macs out there now than in a long time, and with Mac owners usually rather complacent about not being targeted, spammers and hackers are creating more malware for Macs now than they used to. Not using a PC? Just using a smartphone? You are a tasty target for the spammers – since many do not yet use any anti-malware program on their phone. Smartphones using Google’s Android operating system are particularly being targeted. Paid anti-malware programs for these phones are available, and should be used. Use common sense, don’t fall for scams, and stay safe on the Internet. Letters to the Editor The “BotBusters”: from left, Hannah Proctor, Emily Saling, Kees Wybenga, Zander DeLambo, Walker Reiersgaard, and Elizabeth Reiersgaard. (Courtesy of John Reiersgaard Kudos to local Lego team Editor, As a proud parent and coach I want to congratulate a local group of kids from Eastmoreland and Westmoreland for their outstanding performance at the 2011 First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Tournament at Hillsboro High School on December 10th. The team members are Emily Saling, Hannah Proctor, Kees Wybenga, Elizabeth and Walker Reiersgaard, and Zander Delambo. The team – the “BotBusters” – came away with two highly coveted awards: The Robot Performance Award for the best score in the tournament, and the Robot Design Award for best overall design. They won these awards over twenty other teams competing that day, and this is the second year in a row in which they have come home with an award; last year it was the Teamwork Award. The team has been together for three years, and each September they get together for three months, twice a week, designing, building, programming – and doing research on the designated challenge, to get ready for the Qualifying Tournament in the first weeks of December. Each year there is a different challenge that the children design, build, and program a robot to accomplish. This year’s theme was “Food Factor – Keeping Food Safe”, and The BotBusters did their research on the journey cucumbers take on the way to becoming a pickle! Congratulations BotBusters – your parents and coaches are very proud of your accomplishments of the past year. John Reiersgaard, Eastmoreland   A development in Reed “Local Improvement District” controversy Editor, I want to draw the BEE editor’s attention to a development that took place on December 21st, regarding the BEE story “Reed neighbors charge that Local Improvement District threatens their financial future”, by David Ashton. On that date, the Portland City Council voted to terminate the proposed Local Improvement District at S.E. 33rd and Pardee that was the subject of the story. The story featured a quote from a resident saying, “We had no idea that once we’d ‘opened the door’ asking about a L.I.D., they were not going to let us close it.” It also mentions that the action to terminate had been proposed, but not passed. Because of the December 21 development, I’m asking that the information be conveyed that the LID has now been terminated by City Council. Dan Anderson, Portland Bureau of Transportation, via e-mail  To Good Samaritan – thanks for the help Editor, On December 5, 2011, I had an icy accident on S.E. Bybee Boulevard, on the west side of the Overpass [the Bybee Bridge over McLoughlin]. I would like to say thank you in public to the young man who came to my rescue. Edna Zappa-Brocks, S.E. Ogden Street, Eastmoreland, via BEE online “Letters” form A Milwaukie baseball stadium would have value Editor, Re: “Milwaukie baseball idea” [January BEE]: There’s more to think about than revenue; think about attending a baseball game as a family. It’s better for kids to be at a baseball field watching bases being stolen than on the street watching other things being stolen! Sckavone Field [in Westmoreland Park] was turned down by the Portland City Council until proceeds came in from an exhibition Globetrotters game. So impressed, the City then played their part. The field [since then] has been fantastic for spectators and players. Shirley Finley, S.E. Knapp Street Wants a better plan for Tacoma Street MAX station Editor, I expected TriMet’s Tacoma Street station area planning process in 2009-10 to bring forth bold proposals for transit-oriented development (I kick myself for not taking part). After all, this is 7.77 acres of vacant land on a major highway and future transit line, five miles from downtown Portland. Instead, the project team proposed a park-and-ride structure and stream mitigation. Having a park-and-ride here is not unreasonable (it will certainly attract plenty of cars from Sellwood and Ardenwald), but to dismiss the possibility of true redevelopment is short-sighted. During the public process, a small retail use such as a coffee shop was discussed, but later determined unfeasible. Any redevelopment would be limited to surrounding private parcels, such as the Pendleton Woolen Mills warehouse to the south. Later in the planning process, due to reduced federal funding, the project team reduced the proposed 800-stall parking structure to a 320-stall surface parking lot. But it will have nice trees. The apathy embodied by this proposal blows my mind. Especially when (hopefully) hundreds of transit riders will be passing through this station area daily, along with tens of thousands of cars driving by on McLoughlin. ODOT’s most traffic recent count is 42,300 vehicles in both directions at the county line on an average day in 2010. This is a well-trafficked site, as they say in the biz. I understand there are development constraints at the site. The area north of the station is in a floodplain and most certainly was inundated in 1996. Retailers don’t like one-way streets (which McLoughlin essentially is in this section, due to a jersey barrier and no left turns). And who wants to be next to the West Coast’s main line railroad? Well, I can name at least one other place with the same issues: Portland’s Pearl District. Different type of location, yes, but one that proves that development constraints can be overcome with impressive results. I have a number of suggestions for how could this area look and function, say, 20 years from now; those interested can review them online at: http://tinyurl.com/8xz8bbw . Steve Szigethy, S.E. Spokane Street, via e-mail A Clackamas driver, about the Sellwood Bridge Editor, [Re: Feds help span Sellwood Bridge funding gap]: Sounds like the Sellwood Bridge replacement will now move forward. That is a good thing, and, based on usage numbers, a good thing for residents of Clackamas County. Also sounds like it will happen at the expense of near-term funding for the Sunrise Project. There is some justice there as Clackamas County residents will give up something to get something. Now those of us in Clackamas County can go back to figuring out how we pay for our own road and bridge improvements. No small problem. Doug DeHart, via BEE online comment form Local student in show downtown Editor, Living in the Woodstock neighborhood, I read THE BEE with keen interest whenever it arrives at my door. I thought you might be interested to know that my youngest daughter, Hannah Baggs, was performing in December in the Portland Center Stage production of “A Christmas Story”. She is one of only 9 child actors and 4 adult actors in the show, which ran for over 50 performances during the Christmas season. She also attends Sellwood Middle School as an 8th grader. Martin Baggs, via e-mail Radon is an issue in Southeast Editor, There’s been more talk about Radon recently here, and Inner Southeast is an area where it is sometimes found in basements and homes. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that forms naturally from the radioactive decay of Uranium in rock, soil, and water. When radon gas is formed, it migrates through the soil to the air above. Low levels of radon gas are present in ambient outdoor air, and it is normal for some level of radon to be present in indoor air. But, Radon is known to be a harmful carcinogen, and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. During the winter, something called the stack effect tends to increase in homes as the warm air within the house rises and escapes to the colder air outside. As air escapes, the house replaces the air to equalize pressure, often getting new air through drafty doors and windows. The soil under the house also provides replacement air to the home. This new air that enters the home can contain Radon gas. Based on data compiled by the Oregon Public Health Division, 25% of the homes tested in Multnomah County have elevated Radon levels that exceed the EPA recommended concentration of 4 pCi/liter. Radon levels can vary significantly from building to building in the same neighborhood; performing a radon measurement is the only way to find out for sure. The first step to protect building occupants is to have the structure tested to find out if elevated levels of radon are present. If higher levels are found, a mitigation system can be installed to minimize exposure to the harmful gas. A list of Oregon-based companies that have been certified by the National Environmental Health Association or the National Radon Safety Board can be found at a Public Health Website managed by the Oregon Health Authority: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/RadiationProtection/RadonGas/Pages/index.aspx Darren Blaine, Soil Solutions Environmental Services, via e-mail Franklin High loses a special person Editor, It is with a heavy heart that we report the death of long time friend and past head mentor of FRC Team 1432, Charles Landers, on December 21. Mr. Landers was a long time mentor and supporter of the Franklin High School Wood Shop and Metal Shop programs, giving both his time and his money to keep the programs going. He also worked hard to help students to get scholarships so that they might further their education post graduation. While FRC [FIRST Robotics] Team 1432 was at Franklin High School, Mr. Landers kindly stepped up to help when founding mentor Peter Mahr retired and left the school. Even before that, when the team’s ambitions grew the third year and we had outgrown our “shipping crate”, Mr. Landers let us use a closet in the wood shop to store our overflow of robot building materials. Our Fourth year, Mr Landers let us share a larger closet in the wood shop with Mr. Swofford, the electronics teacher. Mr. Landers was a good friend to our team and we are sorry to lose him. Our condolences go out to his parents Marie and Mel Stanislawski. Mr. Landers was predeceased by his father Lewis Arnold Landers, Sr., his wife Dr. Ann Hutchinson, and brothers Mario and Lewis Landers. He is survived by his sisters Glenda Merrill, RN, Doris Silva, Peggy Landers Kotz, Lissa Arnold, and Shirley Valdez, and his brothers Gary, Dennis, and Michael Landers, and brothers Ken, Don, and Mike Stanislawski. We hope that his legacy of an Industrial Arts program at Franklin High School will continue. Franklin is one of only two schools in the Portland Public School system that still has a wood shop and a metal shop program – and that is largely in part due to the personal and financial support of Mr. Landers. The majority of the tools in the wood shop either belonged to him, or were there because of him. He worked tirelessly to get donations for the program. He’ll be missed. Rebecca LohKamp, for “Mahr’s Metal Beavers”, FRC Team 1432, via e-mail Irritated by garbage cans Editor, Please request the residents of Sellwood to remove their garbage cans from the curb [after pickup] on the day of their garbage pickup. My street’s garbage day is Monday; this is Wednesday and three neighbors across the street from me have not put their empty cans away yet. It really is unpleasant to view garbage cans out one’s front window, and not at all attractive for our neighborhood. Sandra and Tom Biornstad, via e-mail Woodstock church marks an anniversary; seeks choir members  Editor, All Saints Episcopal Church celebrates the first year of Musical Director Dr. James Denman’s leadership. Prior to his work at All Saints’, Jim served congregations in Lake Oswego and Milwaukie, and directed music for 25 years at Church of the Epiphany in Seattle. He has extensive education and experience in organ, music theory and choral conducting. Apart from All Saints, Jim works as recordings producer/coordinator for Oregon Catholic Press. The Church, at 4033 S.E. Woodstock, began over 100 years ago, and the music program centers around a historic tracker organ built in 1892 by George Jardine & Sons. New voices in our four-part choir are always welcome. Neither church membership nor auditions are required. Rehearsals are 7:15 to 8:45 on Thursday nights, with Sundays from 9:30 to 11:45. If interested, contact Jim at 503/236-0288 or e-mail: denmanstill@comcast.net. Church choirs offer community members who have basic talent a chance to continue singing a variety of music as adults. Maintaining balance between the four classic sections, soprano, alto, tenor and bass, is always a challenge and goal. For example, All Saints currently has 3 basses and 6 tenors, something rare in most choirs. At one point, we had more altos than sopranos. We have some with music degrees who sometimes perform solos within the musical selections, and others whose gifts are strong ensemble singing. Our goal is to use each member’s contribution to the fullest, and no one is expected to perform beyond his or her ability and interest. Those who have sung in the choir have often sung with high school or college groups. Some combined singing with instrumental skills. All who join us will learn or re-learn a great deal, as training and practice on a regular, weekly basis is the best way to hone and maintain singing skills. Chuck Martin, via e-mail New Southeast business finally opens Editor, My name is Katherine and I am the office manager of Living Room Realtors as well as an Inner Souteast resident. I wanted let you know our new S.E. office opened in January at 2625 S.E. 26th Ave (Clinton, next to Noho’s). The owner is Jenelle Isaacson, and I’ve got to say she is an amazing woman and business owner. She opened Living Room Realtors in February 2009 as an alternative to what I consider big box real estate companies. We’ve grown out of our N.E. office and are branching into a S.E. office. It hasn't been without road bumps. I started here in May and what I gather is that there were issues with the city about seismic upgrades that the landlord had to complete before we could get in there and put the finishing touches to open up. Our contractors got everything complete about a year behind schedule, so some of us who live in S.E. are very excited finally to be open. Katherine Millan, via e-mail  Planner of “Occupy” talk reflects upon it Editor, The gathering for “The 99% at the SMILE Station” (not sponsored by S.M.I.L.E. nor representing OccupyPortland) took place on the evening of Wednesday, January 11. Twenty-two neighbors and friends watched a short presentation on the social and economic justice movement, OccupyWallStreet, followed by a discussion period. Modeling the “horizontal” discussion on OP’s General Assemblies, everyone was able to ask questions, make suggestions and express their opinions and desired direct actions. It was, all agreed, a good start. The group expressed the desire to know what OP is doing and to seek connections with and information from other neighborhood groups. To achieve this, two of us went to the open house put on by OP at St. Francis on Friday, 1/13 and met several people who could be resources for a next step (time, date and place yet to be decided). I would like to thank those of you who contributed to the success of this gathering including those who allowed us to put invitations on your community boards, in your businesses, in your homes, and in your info kiosks. I have to admit to some disappointment at the lack of turnout from the business community. The gathering was designed for any members of the 99% to be involved and seek to find commonalities with which to move forward in these troubled times – maybe next time. Jack DePue, Sellwood via BEE online “Letters” form Mentors for local students needed Editor, There’s a need for caring and committed volunteer mentors for students in Southeast’s Elementary Schools. Mentors meet their mentee one hour a week for a year, and offer support by engaging in mutually-interesting activities – such as sports, games, reading, arts & crafts, or just by listening. Mentors help our kids overcome personal, educational, and behavioral barriers to their success. We are specifically interested in Mentors to match with 4th and 5th grade students who are preparing for the transition from elementary school to middle school. We are looking for both male and female mentors and currently have several amazing students ready for a mentor. This Mentoring Program is one of the many services provided by Impact NW, a social service organization whose mission is to help people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, and to prevent and alleviate the effects of poverty. We invite BEE readers to consider volunteering your time to positively impact the life of a Portland youth. For more information contact me, the Impact NW Mentoring Coordinator, at 971/506-5036, or via e-mail at: jtodd@impactnw.org. Joel Todd, via e-mail  Sellwood Glory dahlia available Editor, Since my article about it, there has been a lot of interest in the Sellwood Glory dahlia, developed here, but not easy to find. For those interested, it’s not too early to order a “Sellwood Glory” dahlia for your garden. They will be shipped early in the spring for planting, but as they are in short supply, it would be best to order now. The source I found recently is Old House Gardens, 536 Third Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, a nursery that specializes in historic garden plants and bulbs. The tubers when they arrived last year looked like something from a kitty litter box, but they were the best Sellwood Glory dahlias I have ever grown! People have asked me over the years where to get them, so I thought I would share the good news. Old House Gardens also features, online, my 1996 BEE story about rediscovering this award-winning flower, and the nurseryman behind its development and name, the late Richard Beyerle. Mr. Beyerle had a greenhouse here, for many years on Nehalem Street, and named the dahlia after the neighborhood. It is not available from Swan Island or any of the other big local dahlia growers; it is difficult to find. You can order a catalog or view it online by using an Internet search engine, and searching for: Old House Gardens. For the story, go to the online listing of dahlias, and under “Sellwood Glory” there is a link to my article. Eileen G. Fitzsimons, Westmoreland Shu Ren preparing for April fundraiser Editor, Shu Ren is the nonprofit organization that supports the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) in three local Portland Public Schools – Woodstock Elementary, Hosford Middle School, and Cleveland High School. Shu Ren provides academic program support, community-building, fundraising, volunteers, advocacy, and organizational support to the PPS Mandarin Immersion Program. We are also the voice for Immersion families in curriculum and school policy discussions. Our major fundraiser is the Shu Ren Gala, this year on April 14 at the Portland Airport Sheraton, 5-10 pm. We hope to interest community members in volunteering their time to the Mandarin Immersion Program – sign up to help at: www.signupgenius.com – and, also, we’re always looking for more corporate sponsors. Any business interested in partnering with the Shu Ren Gala can obtain a Sponsor Packet online at: www.shurenofportland.org . By the way, there will be a raffle associated with the Shu Ren Gala this year – a $10 ticket gets you a chance at a $1,000 prize. If you would like to purchase one or more raffle tickets, e-mail: kelly.vanderwal@comcast.net. Khanh Nguyen, via e-mail Letters to the Editor may be submitted via e-mail by clicking HERE. All letters to the editor are subject to editing for clarity and available space, and all letters become property of THE BEE.   Comments? News tips? Click here to e-mail us! 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! READY TO MOVE ON TO THE COMMUNITY STORIES AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS ON PAGE 4?   CLICK HERE!