More stories from May's issue of THE BEE! Thick smoke nearly hides the six crewmembers from two PF&R fire stations as they battle this Southeast Portland blaze. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Blaze shutters decades-old Southeast barber shop By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Drivers during rush hour might have thought it was an April Fool’s prank when S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses was closed down on April 1, just before 5 pm, but it wasn’t.  Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews had arrived to fight a stubborn blaze at a barber shop on the corner of S.E. Ramona Street. “My dad took me there for my first haircut,” recalled neighbor Merle Lincoln, as he watched crews scramble to put out the fire at the Dale Brothers Barber Shop – which has done business for four decades at 5762 S.E. 82nd Avenue. “And, I took my son there for his first haircut.” The crew riding PF&R Engine 11 from the Lents neighborhood’s fire station arrived first, and reported seeing “heavy fire and smoke” coming from the two-story house, which long ago had been converted into a barber shop. Over their two-way radios, firefighters seemed, at first, frustrated in their efforts to locate any stairway to the upper floor – while other crew members entered the burning building from the ground-floor doors to search for possible victims. Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Sgt. John Anderson said he was on-scene when the firefighters opened an upper door to gain entry. “When it opened, I think the air that rushed in fueled the fire,” observed Anderson. “There was a ‘foomp’ sound; the whole roof lifted a little, and flames shot out from around the eves.” Responders from Woodstock’s Truck 25 and Hazelwood’s Truck 7 laddered up onto the steeply sloped roof – to provide “vertical ventilation”, by cutting holes to release smoke and heat, so that the firefighters inside could navigate the interior of the business. “Despite encountering heavy fire on the second floor and attic,” said PF&R Public Information Officer Lt. Rich Chatman, “interior crews were able to stop the fire, in this locally-owned business of 40 years.” Two firefighters suffered minor injuries that did not require ambulance transport, Chatman told THE BEE after the fire. PF&R Fire investigators determined the fire’s cause to be an unspecified electrical problem, Chatman added. “Property loss is estimated at $30,000.” For now, the barber shop’s telephone has been disconnected, without a forwarding number. Whether or not this long-standing Southeast business will reopen is unclear. On the bridge, connecting the west side of Westmoreland Park to the playground, stand U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Public Affairs Specialist Michelle Helms; City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services’ Science, Fish and Water Life Division Manager Kaitlin Lovell; Portland Parks & Recreation Capital Project Manager Sandra Burtzos; Sellwood-Westmoreland neighbor and steering committee member Bradley Heintz; and Bureau of Environmental Services Environmental Program Coordinator Ronda Fast. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Crystal Springs Creek restoration in Westmore-land Park reviewed By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE With the work scheduled to begin in June, representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, and Portland Parks & Recreation, met at Westmoreland Park on April 22, to inform THE BEE about plans for the $2 million “Westmoreland Park Crystal Springs Creek Restoration Project”. “Part of our mission is to take care of our aquatic resources, while also sustaining communities,” explained U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Public Affairs Specialist Michelle Helms. “We do a lot of restoration projects in areas away from the city. But to be working IN the city, and to be able to restore a healthy creek to improve fish passage, makes this an exciting project for us. “The project will also provide an area for the park visitors to enjoy the wildlife, and the natural environment, right here in the city,” Helms added. In June, said Helms, the Corps will prepare to rip out the concrete in and around the duck pond. “The actual in-water work must be completed within six weeks – from July 15 and August 31 – to minimize the impact on fish. That’s a lot of work we’ll need to complete in just six weeks.” City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services’ (BES) Science, Fish and Water Life Division Manager Kaitlin Lovell joined the conversation, commenting, “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is doing the ‘heavy lifting’ on this project.” The project is part of a larger BES program, Lovell said. “This is ‘project seven of nine’ in the a major restoration effort the Bureau is undertaking, which spans from the mouth of Crystal Springs [at Johnson Creek], to the headwaters of Crystal Springs at Reed College. We hope to have the whole watershed restored by 2014.” BES is partnering with Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) to implement the vision for the park, detailed in its 2004 Master Plan, reminded Lovell. On that beautiful sunny morning of April 22nd, many families were playing with their kids and on the playground equipment in Westmoreland Park. “Part of the project is taking out all the existing playground equipment,” said PP&R Capital Project Manager Sandra Burtzos. “It’ll be replaced with a ‘Nature Play Area’ for which we underwent a design process last year.” The Natural Play Area will be more than a pile of sticks and mud, Burtzos pointed out. “There will be a lot of features made out of natural elements like logs and boulders for the children to play on, scramble on, and climb.” Sellwood-Westmoreland neighbor Bradley Heintz strolled up to the group. “My interest centers around my kids,” Heintz said. “Both of my kids served on the committee to help select the features of the Natural Play Areas, as was I.” Asked his thoughts about the current playground being taken out, Heintz replied, “I think the playground will be more ‘transformed’, than ‘gone away’. There are lots of different ways for kids to play. If they have more access to nature and natural elements, that’s where they’ll go.” Westmoreland Park users should be aware that construction fences will close off the most of the north section of the park – west of the primary path from S.E. Bybee Boulevard to Lambert Street – from June until December of this year. Inside the house-trailer set of GRIMM’s central character, Portland Police Detective Nick Burkhardt, 52nd Avenue Hardware & Building Supply owner Steve Besaw admires one of the props in the “weapon cabinet”. (Photo by David F. Ashton) “GRIMM” Local store’s merchandise is seen weekly on national TV By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Every week on the NBC television show, Portland Police Detective Nick Burkhardt uses his inherited abilities to adroitly fight supernatural forces on NBC Universal’s show, GRIMM. But, behind the scenes, a crew of nearly 200 folks – mostly local craftsmen – labor on building the sets and props used at one of the production company’s three North Portland soundstages. While visiting the set between filming, 52nd Avenue Hardware & Building Supply owner Steve Besaw stood behind a set, and pointed to one of hundreds of 1” x 3” pine board boards used to frame and hold up sets. “From what our records show, we’ve delivered about 37 miles of pine to this production, over the last two seasons,” he mused. The tour guide, Construction Coordinator Alun Vick, said the producers continue to call on Besaw’s company, “Because they are the only people who can keep up with us. In this business – whether it’s wood, or special supplies like oversized doors – we always ‘need it yesterday’.” Vick said he also appreciates the way Besaw and his crew continues to “find the impossible” and deliver the materials in a timely way. “Sometimes we have to scramble, and find special products out of the area,” Besaw said. “We love to take on challenges.” In short, with Vick running a full-time crew of 30 workers in his department, he can’t afford to have them sitting around, waiting for lumber and supplies. “And, all of these folks are local people,” Vick added. “They're all from the metro Portland area – not Hollywood. We buy Miller Paint. Even the restaurants, gas stations, and Laundromats benefit; this production brings a lot of money into the area.” But, too soon, the backstage tour ended, and it was Besaw who ended it. “I’ve got to get back to the store and help my dad – he’s working the counter while I’m out.” With mapping underway for Portland’s Comprehensive Plan Update, some major thoroughfares – such as S.E. Holgate Boulevard, seen here – which connect outer Portland to the Central City may be designated Civic Corridors, and may be zoned for low- and mid-rise apartment developments. (Photo by Merry MacKinnon) Comprehensive Plan: “Pay attention to Neighborhood Centers, Civic Corridors” By MERRY MacKINNON for THE BEE Portland has been deeply engaged for some time in planning for the future. But now that Portland is beginning to map its neighborhoods for land-use, in its Comprehensive Plan Update, professional planner Tamara DeRidder has advice for residents. “It’s going to be very important that neighborhood representatives participate in the mapping process,” said DeRidder, who was volunteer chair of the Apartment Planning Task Force. The task force was formed in response to controversy over the issue of Portland’s lack of parking requirements for new apartment construction on streets such as Southeast Division. Last year, the task force distributed a survey throughout Portland and, based on those results, made recommendations to the Portland City Council regarding off-street parking rules for new apartment developments. Recently, the City Council voted to change the parking requirement, establishing that apartment buildings with 30 or more units now must provide a certain number of off-street parking spaces. That's a good first step, DeRidder said. But many issues were not covered in that decision, she added. “Everybody should hunker down, and see what needs to be done in their neighborhoods concerning the need for off-street parking,” she told THE BEE. Currently in a draft stage, Portland’s long-range 20-year Comprehensive Plan is being reviewed for ways to update zoning. While parts of the Comprehensive Plan have been amended since it was adopted in 1980, it has never before been updated overall. Five pattern areas are identified in the draft update plan: They are the Central City, Inner Neighborhoods, Western Neighborhoods, Eastern Neighborhoods, and Industrial and River. Within those areas, the draft plan prioritizes growth in Centers, which include Town Centers and Neighborhood Centers. Town Centers have a role in growth, explains the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/pdscompplan), “with capacity for about 7,000 households within a half-mile of their core.” Neighborhood Centers are smaller than town centers, but they also have a role in accommodating growth of about 3,500 households within a half-mile of their core. Places cited by the Bureau as having the characteristics of Neighborhood Centers include the main street area of Woodstock. According to the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability’s Neighborhood Centers Meeting Minutes for April 18, 2013, staff are also involved in identifying streets and nodes “to improve their ability to implement policies for commercial, employment, housing, and design and scale outcomes in centers and corridors.” It's the zoning for those centers, along with what the Bureau refers to as “Civic Corridors”, that DeRidder urges residents to watch closely. Population projections vary for the Tri-County region, but Metro forecasts over one million additional people living here by 2030. To capture a significant portion of those new arrivals, Portland wants to increase density. And to further the land-use, environmental, and transportation goals outlined in the original Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Bureau has, for instance, identified major thoroughfares – those wide streets that connect centers to each other and to the Central City – for high density use, and called them Civic Corridors. Civic corridors in Southeast Portland, DeRidder said, include all of Powell Boulevard, Foster Road, and Holgate Boulevard. Any street identified as a Civic Corridor may be zoned on a higher density scale, allowing for low-rise to mid-rise apartment developments. A mid-rise apartment building would be five to ten stories high, DeRidder clarified. “People need to be aware of this terminology, and what it means,” she said, referring not only to Civic Corridors but to Neighborhood Centers, also. DeRidder, who lives in the Rose City Park neighborhood, is co-chair of her neighborhood association's Land-use and Transportation Committee. She said her neighborhood association is concerned about zoning for the N.E. 60th Street Station area. “We don't want mid-rise apartment development,” she said. Controversy in the neighborhoods over apartment heights – and parking – has just begun to surface, she observed. “They lowered the limit to 30, but they did not address 20- to 30-unit apartments,” DeRidder remarked about the City Council’s recent decision on parking. “They’ve been sitting on a powder keg all these years.” Remembering 20 years of students, Llewellyn secretary retires By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE When the evening of June 30 rolls around, Jean Cheney will tidy up the office at Llewellyn Elementary School for the last time. “I've always been ‘Jean’ to students and parents. It seems more like family this way.” Cheney told THE BEE after the school day ended on April 9.  “I’m going to be leaving the school, after 20 years in this building.” The school’s secretary added, “I’ve seen a lot of kids and parents come and go. It’s been a great job to have.” Before coming to Llewellyn, Cheney said, she worked with a program at Lent School, helping second and third graders with “a little shot of extra learning” needed to help them meet the reading benchmarks When she learned that Fern Waltz was retiring as Llewellyn’s secretary, after 23 years in the school’s front office, Cheney applied for the position. She’s seen more than one generation at the school, she said. The moms or dads of several of the school’s current students attended as students, when she first came to the job two decades ago. “That makes it even more fun to watch these kids, as they grow. It’s interesting to see how many of their parents’ habits and personality traits their kids picked up.” The only shift in education, from her vantage point, Cheney remarked, is today’s increased parental involvement. “That’s good, and I think it’s very important, in this day and age. Especially with the economy the way it is, it’s nice that parents make the time to be part of their kids’ education. And, good parenting definitely helps students to do better in school.” The community from which the school draws seems to Cheney more like a village than a section of a big city. “It’s wonderful that parents are very much more concerned about what’s going on here at school, and wanting to be involved.” The very best part of her job, Cheney said, is, “Just watching the kids come and go, and feeling like you’ve got a handle on what’s happening in the school. It is very rewarding to watch the kids come in as quiet and shy little kindergartners. Then, by the time they leave, it’s like they run the place!” Although not herself a teacher, Cheney has frequent interaction with Llewellyn students, she said. “Anytime they need to call home, they come in.  And, we have lots of Band-Aids and sympathy, here in the office.” Some students just stop in to say hello, she said. “It's just never a dull moment, never the same story twice. Some students have told me ‘big stories’. It’s just comical, some of the details that say, trying to explain about happenings in their life and their world.” Asked what she’d like to say to parents with whom she’s worked at Llewellyn, Cheney thought for a moment. “Thank you for sharing your kids with me.  It’s been fun; I have loved it!” BAC hears emergency plans for Brooklyn Park By RITA A. LEONARD for THE BEE At the March General meeting of the Brooklyn Action Corps neighborhood association, Carmen Merlo from the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management gave a presentation on the Brooklyn “BEECN” hub (“Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node”) being sited at Brooklyn Park. “We plan to organize about 40 meeting places citywide, where neighbors can gather after emergencies,” she explained."We want to permanently store caches of emergency equipment at each site to assist citywide communication and organized response.” Merlo revealed that locked cache boxes at each BEECN would contain a canopy tent, UHF radio, stretcher, and other supplies to assist trained Emergency Teams. The Brooklyn Park location is to be the hub for all the Inner Southeast neighborhoods served by THE BEE. A citywide test of the system is projected for May 22. Next, Tyler Grant from the American Red Cross discussed family emergency kits. “Take control of your own preparedness,” he urged. “Don’t be paranoid, but keep your resources fresh and accessible.” He suggested including water, first aid supplies, personal medicines, a flashlight with batteries, a multiband radio, cash, and food. “You can buy kits ready-made from the Red Cross, or from Costco,” he said. “The Red Cross also has a tool and directions for shutting off home utilities. You should have a pre-arranged meeting place for everyone living in your home. Some folks keep a supply of canned goods as part of their kits, donating the food to charity at the end of each year, and buying new.” The meeting included an update from Jennifer Koozer of TriMet, concerning the ongoing demolition and construction associated with the Inner Southeast MAX Light Rail to run south on S.E. 17th from Powell to Holgate. “Private development plans for open areas along S.E. 17th Avenue are still being discussed,” she commented. “Union Pacific Railroad plans to rebuild the footbridge at S.E. Lafayette Street. It should be under construction by 2016. A pedestrian crossing for the Clinton Street Station is being developed at S.E. 13th and Clinton.” Koozer also told the BAC meeting that historic neighborhood transit items will be transferred to the nearby Railway Heritage Museum. These included a section of narrow-gauge streetcar tracks currently visible at S.E. 17th and Mall Street, and parts of an old wooden rail car formerly housing The Brooklyn Diner that was discovered at S.E. 18th and Holgate Boulevard [see separate story]. In other business at the March Brooklyn Action Corps meeting, Police Officer Eric Weber advised that an apartment complex on Holgate that had drawn much attention from Police had just been sold. A short presentation by Paige Schlupp from Portland Parks & Recreation focused on receipt of a grant to include Brooklyn in Portland's tree inventory process. Neighbor Matt McComas introduced plans for a new Brooklyn Foot Patrol, requesting 12 to 20 volunteers to offer about two hours per month. BAC’s Wendy Miller announced Brooklyn’s Neighborhood Cleanup event scheduled for May 4, 9 am-3:30 pm at S.E. 16th and Center Street. She also mentioned a possible neighborhood rummage sale. In addition, Community Garden Coordinator Lee Kamrass reported on the Brooklyn Community Garden. “The access slope has been landscaped with native plants and berry bushes, a new sign and two wooden arbors have been installed, and three new plots were made available to people on the waiting list. There will be a 4th of July Celebration at the garden, open to everyone.” That last item refers to neighbors having found that the view from the new garden is ideal for observing the fireworks in the downtown Portland celebration. Lewis School first in area to receive bond’s improvements By RITA A. LEONARD for THE BEE Students and staff at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School in Woodstock look forward to the building improvements that are scheduled to begin in mid-June. Work will be performed with funds from the school building improvement bond passed by voters last November. This spring, C. J. Sylvester, Chief Operating Officer for Portland Schools, said the bond “Gives all Portlanders an historic chance to re-imagine how our schools create learning spaces that help our students and teachers do their best work.” Lewis is one of the five schools scheduled to be first in line for building improvements. The District plans to fix leaking roofs, upgrade access, and make seismic improvements. Lewis Secretary Tracy Buckley advised, “We’re going to be getting a new roof, and improvements to our boiler. We don’t require any access improvements, since we're already ADA-approved [Americans with Disabilities Act].” Lewis School was built in 1952, and Principal Tim Lauer says the leaking roof definitely needs replacement. The $482 million bond will afford much-needed repairs to the building in which are instructed some 400 students. Sylvester remarked, “Portland’s schools are cornerstones of our community. The schools we rebuild today will be great sources of pride for generations to come.” Community input meetings gave a chance to re-imagine how school buildings could support partnerships with community organizations, students, and neighbors who use schools every day for sports, meetings, and performances. Lewis school is used extensively for PTA activities, Garden Fairs, family events, community dinners focused on the school's garden curriculum, and the annual Holiday Art and Gift Bazaar, among other things. Lauer revealed that work would commence about a week after school is out for the summer. “Crews will construct a fence around the building, and repair sections [of the building] one at a time – ripping off old roofing, checking for underlying structural repairs, and replacing the roofing with new layered-on material,” he said. “Workers have assured us they'll be very careful with our Learning Garden. They’ll replace our old oil burner with a new gas model, and will lower the chimney as a form of seismic upgrade. They'll be able to complete work quickly, since there will be no programs going on at Lewis during the summer.” Lauer added that the school is also hoping to do a depaving project on the playground during summer. “We've applied for an East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District grant to ‘green up’ the playground on the east side of the building,” he said. “We’re planning to install a bioswale to improve drainage, and we’ll plant some trees there, too. It should improve the look of the playground, and offer more learning opportunities for students.” After twenty years, Llewellyn Elementary School Secretary Jean Cheney will soon leave the job she says she’s loved. (Photo by David F. Ashton) With Brooklyn Park now officially designated an gathering place for Inner Southeast Portland residents in the event of a major earthquake or other emergency, Tyler Grant from the American Red Cross appeared at the Brooklyn Action Corps meeting in March to promote “family emergency kits”. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) Lewis School Principal Tim Lauer shows new seedlings growing in the greenhouse of the school's Learning Garden. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) A driver transporting a railroad container got stuck turning north on McLoughlin Boulevard from S.E. 17th on the rainy morning of April 7th, partially blocking northbound lanes of McLoughlin for about an hour until a mechanic arrived to resolve an issue in the truck’s wheel well. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) Stuck semi on McLoughlin backs up traffic at S.E. 17th By RITA A. LEONARD for THE BEE A driver attempting to merge northbound onto S.E. McLoughlin Boulevard from 17th Avenue, hauling a container from the Union Pacific’s Brooklyn Yard containerized terminal, ran into trouble making the turn on April 7th. The rig stopped dead halfway through the maneuver, effectively blocking two lanes of northbound traffic until help arrived. Luckily, traffic was light on that rainy Sunday morning, so the incident did not cause extensive tie-ups. However, the incident did slow passage for drivers, who slowed down to gawk at the flashing lights of the two assisting Portland Police cars. After about an hour, an assistance vehicle arrived at the scene and checked out the left front tractor wheel. Shortly after working his magic, the rescuer returned to his pickup and the semi and trailer roared back to life. Police cars and tractor-trailer left the scene simultaneously, clearing the well-traveled thoroughfare. Mentors Alan LohKamp and Rebecca LohKamp stand with 2013 honorees: [Back row] Thomas Hubel (Most Growth Award), Chase Foreman (Communications Award) , Duncan Moats (Pinch Hitter Award), Lewis Hicks (Most Accomplished Freshman Award), Hadrian Carlson (Perseverance Award); and [Front row] team members Ian Mettlestaedt, Jared Roper, Matt Robinett. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Surviving against long odds, robotics team celebrates 10th anniversary By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1432, a/k/a “Mahr’s Metal Beavers”, celebrated their tenth anniversary on April 20 – even though the future of this after-school club seemed very dim when it was removed from the sponsoring school, Franklin High, a couple of years ago, for which there has never been a satisfactory explanation. Rebecca LohKamp, one of the team’s founding mentors, began the Anniversary ceremony, which was being held at the Knights of Pythias Lodge, 32 blocks east of their former home – the high school which many of their members still attend. “We have a wonderful program that helps young people learn that they can be more than they ever thought that they could be,” LohKamp said. “And, these young people grow to be much more than others thought that they could become. They learn skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and workforce skills like machining and computer programming.” The team still exists thanks to many adult mentors, and the support of the Knights of Pythias lodge, which turned over their basement to the team, she added. “And, we also owe a great debt to the Southeast Portland Rotary Club,” LohKamp remarked. “Not only have they been kind enough to act as our fiscal agent, so we can continue to receive grants – they have also given us their own community grants this year and last, to help us continue this program – which costs about $20,000 a year to operate.” To find out how your teen can join this great club – or, you can provide needed support – go online to their website: www.team1432.org. Portland Fire & Rescue and AMR paramedics assess the injuries of the crash victim, who witnesses said walked right into the path of a slow-moving motor home. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Pedestrian walks against signal, struck by motorhome By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE A pedestrian crossing from the Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood into Brooklyn, along SE Brooklyn Street at S.E. 39th (Chavez), was struck and knocked down the pavement – landing nearly under the front wheel of an Arrow motor home – on the evening of April 1, just after 9 pm. According to Portland Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson, a witness in a car stopped at the light saw the incident – and reported that the pedestrian had been crossing against the signal. The driver of the motor home told officers that he was eastbound on S.E. Gladstone Street “on a solid green”, slowing down to turn north on 39th (Chavez) just prior to the impact. When he heard the bump, the driver said, he stopped and got out and looked; then he backed up the vehicle to make sure it was not on the victim. “I don’t know why,” witness Jim Singleton told THE BEE, “but it looked like the guy just walked in front of the motor home as it slowly came around the corner. The driver wasn’t ‘whipping around the turn’ by any means.” The crash victim was conscious when medical first responders arrived minutes later. Even though he was apparently not badly injured, the pedestrian was transported to OHSU Hospital. “There were no arrests or citations issued resulting from this incident,” Simpson said. Oregon Wildlife Executive Director Tim Gresseth, and Board Member John Esler, present their really big check to the Ardenwald/Johnson Creek neighborhood’s Russ Stoll, and to JCWC Executive Director Matt Clark. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Watershed Council wins competition for MAX Station salmon project funds By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE In December’s issue of THE BEE brought you the story about improvements to salmon habitat, and a 220-foot-long interpretive boardwalk, both proposed for the Tacoma Street MAX Light Rail Station by the Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC). The proposal has been accepted, and the Watershed Council is getting to work on it. The 220-foot-long boardwalk will lead from the station platform to a viewing space overlooking the new Johnson Creek natural habitat site. Based on construction bids, the cost for habitat enhancement has increased to about $86,000 for the salmon habitat restoration – and the cost of building the interpretive boardwalk is now estimated to be $250,000, said JCWC Executive Director Matt Clark in late April. “We glad there’s been strong, positive interest in the project,” Clark told THE BEE. “So far, we’ve raised $45,000 for the habitat portion, and about $80,000 has been pledged for the boardwalk.” Giving the project a big boost, Clark added, was a $10,000 donation made by Oregon Wildlife on April 12 at the SMILE Station. “They had to receive the most ‘Likes’ during our Facebook contest,” explained Oregon Wildlife Executive Director Tim Gresseth at the check presentation. “JCWC folks did a fabulous job giving this project great support and they won.” It was close, Gresseth said, with JCWC garnering 457 “Likes” versus 441 received by the nearest competing project. “It was right down to the wire.” Clark pointed out that individuals are still very much encouraged to contribute to the Tacoma Street Johnson Creek Max Station Enhancement Project. For a contribution of $100 or more, your name will be engraved on a handrail along the boardwalk, too, he said. To learn more, see their webpage: www.jcwc.org/support-the-johnson-creek-interpretive-boardwalk-and-habitat This portable toilet has been moved to a less prominent “Portable Potty” stink allegation resolved in Eastmoreland By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Early in April, a dustup about accumulating portable toilets at the Duniway School field ended up in weekend radio and television news reports – and with the home of the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association (ENA) being covered with toilet paper. Some accused ENA of being heartless, making kids and adults “hold it” while playing sports on Duniway Field, rented out to various groups and organizations. “The problem came to a head last year,” ENA President Robert McCullough told THE BEE. “At one time last summer, there were four porta-potties at the field,” McCullough observed. “But more than the sheer number, the real problem was that facilities were not being properly serviced. Neighbors reported the stench as being almost overwhelming.” On April 3, THE BEE visited Duniway Field, where a kids’ baseball game was underway. One “Honey Bucket” portable toilet was set up against the backstop. “My son is here playing T-ball,” said Eastmoreland resident David Shenson. “We live close enough to walk to the game. But, it’s nice to have a convenient bathroom instead of having to walk home.” Asked about the ruckus being played up in the broadcast media, Shenson commented, “I can understand why neighbors might be upset. But, I also think that reasonable people have to come together to compromise. “We need facilities here at the field,” Shenson added. “But, we also need to make sure that it's not intruding on others by giving off odors that they have to put up with every day.” While that game was underway, inside the school McCullough and Eastmoreland resident Brian Oringdulph were meeting with Portland Public Schools and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) officials. And, on April 9, PP&R Facilities & Asset Management staff member Marlys Mock reported to the ENA board that the “portable restroom has been moved [near the school building], next to the camellias”. “We’re working on an idea to build a permanent bathroom structure on the site,” McCullough said. “We want people to enjoy recreation outdoors – we simply don’t want to repeat what happened last year.” Portland Police issue “Stranger Danger” alert for Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Police were dispatched to the area of S.E. 18th Avenue and Rex Street at 4:15 p.m. on the afternoon of April 23, on a parent’s phone call of suspicious activity in the area. On the way, officers were told the 9-1-1 caller was reporting a “creepy man”, driving a silver four-door sedan, and that the vehicle left in an unknown direction. “Officers checked the neighborhood but did not locate the vehicle,” said Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson. “At the scene, officers spoke to an 11-year-old girl, who told police that she was outside playing when a stranger parked his car facing westbound on the corner of 18th and Rex, and got out of his vehicle. “The girl told police that he walked towards her and asked her how old she was and what her name was, so she ran away and told her dad what happened,” Simpson related. The girl described the man as a white male in his 30s, short brown hair, no facial hair or glasses, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Although no crime of any sort had been committed in the incident, the police dutifully issued the alert. Calls ‘Stranger Danger’ an outdated term| Seeing this release, City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement East Portland Crime Prevention Specialist Teri Poppino talked about it with THE BEE. Poppino has solid credentials on this topic, being a former Portland Police Officer and the mother of two boys; she has taught classes on keeping children safe from predators for more than a decade “First, for the girl to say this guy was ‘creepy’, that's good enough for me!” Poppino began. “But, ‘Stranger Danger’ is an outdated term which frequently causes confusion between adults and kids,” she added. Adults have an idea of what constitutes a “stranger”, but children are much more literal. “If [an unknown] person tells a child his name, and says he’s looking for his lost puppy, Fido, most children will not consider him a stranger.” Usually, adults who molest children are people known to them, and are people to whom the parents have given permission to have access children: Faith leaders, club leaders, coaches, friends' parents or older siblings, mothers' boyfriends, and family members, Poppino enumerated. “So, although this incident captures our attention, please be mindful of every person who has access to your kids. Pay attention to their behavior, not just their stranger/acquaintance status.” ·         If an adult clearly would rather hang around with your kids instead of other adults, that's a red flag. ·         If anyone seems “too good to be true”, they probably are. Saying things like “Go ahead and go grocery shopping, he’s fine with me!” is a red flag. There are some predatory adults, Poppino pointed out, who try to trick kids by asking them for help, or give them directions, for example. “Alert parents know that these people should actually be asking other adults for this type of assistance, not kids.” Ideas to help kids safe from predators ·         Keep your eyes open and keep talking with your kids. Let them know that most people in the world are good people and care about children. ·         Tell your children that it’s OK to say “No!” to an adult. If you talk with your kids ahead of time, they'll be better able to recognize behavior that might be risky. ·         Check in with your kids periodically to see if they've gotten that “Uh-oh” or “creepy” feeling when they’re around anyone. Keep the lines of communication open. “You won’t scare your kids,” Poppino concluded, “if you talk about it in a matter-of-fact way,  like you would about traffic safety, or what to do if the smoke detector goes off.” The Portland Police Bureau would like to hear from anyone with information about this person or any similar occurrences in Portland. Anyone with information can send it to CrimeTips@PortlandOregon.gov , reference Portland Police Bureau Case #13-32378. Duniway student Henry Matusow, with his cat, Luna. The third grader raised a total of $2,823.74 to help preserve wildlife habitats. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) Duniway student gathers pennies to save animal habitats By RITA A. LEONARD for THE BEE Henry Matusow is a self-starter. After learning about the plight of wild animals and their shrinking habitats, the Duniway third grader, on his own, vowed to do something about it. With the support of his teacher, Joanne Chow, and Principal Sara Hahn, he established a March penny drive for students at Duniway as well as at Woodstock’s Whole Child Montessori Center – his former alma mater. He had originally pledged to send the World Wildlife Fund $350 for conservation purposes, but he ended up collecting and sending a whopping total – $2,823.74! Principal Hahn had advised the boy, “If you really want to do this, you’re going to do it right.” She helped him organize his goals, and allowed him to make and hang posters around the school. He prepared a notice for the school’s weekly newsletter, and he was provided time to present his story to each class. He decorated donation jars, which his friend George helped him distribute. Henry first learned about shrinking animal habitats from an article he read about an endangered desert ground owl. “I worry that people are building in, and destroying, animal habitats, making it difficult for them to survive,” he explained. His favorite animal is the tiger, among other cat species, he says. The young man researched various conservation organizations, and settled on The World Wildlife Fund. “They appealed to me, since they seemed to use donations the most efficiently,” he explained. “I pledged to send $350, and decided that a penny drive might prompt other kids to contribute their spare change. I asked students to check behind couch cushions, in their family cars, and maybe even raid their piggy banks for spare change. “Everything from pennies to $20 bills came in, but there were mostly quarters. My mom and dad brought me to a change converter at the end of the month. It was fun pouring the coins in from Zip-Loc bags. I was surprised to see that it added up to $657.” But there was more to come! Family friends raised $13, and relatives and businesses chipped in, too. “My friend Dillon contributed $40 from his parents’ job,” Henry recalled, “And someone else sent in a check for $10. My grandfather, and my parents, had pledged to match the school’s donations, and my Grandmother matched my classroom’s donation. “My Dad works at Microsoft, and after he told them about my project, Microsoft also matched the school’s donation. When we added it all up, it came to $2,823.74. We were amazed.” Henry sent the entire amount to The World Wildlife Fund. His school and family are very proud of his success. “If other people want to contribute to the WWF, they can check online, at www.worldwildlife.org, and do their own research,” he told THE BEE. It just goes to show what the inspiration of a single person can bring about. Attendees at the third and final “Foster Corridor Investment Strategy” open house at the Wikman Building near Foster Road at Holgate Boulevard talk with representatives from many City and County Bureaus. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Neighbors mull Foster Corridor questions at open house By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE When the third and final “Foster Corridor Investment Strategy” open house was held recently, some 70 people came to participate at the Wikman Building, at 4420 S.E. 64th Avenue. Provided as refreshments were a variety of tamales, and guests noshed on them as they browsed exhibit stations set up by many City and Multnomah County agencies. “This is a multi-agency effort to take a look at the needs and interests out here, along the S.E. Foster Road corridor,” explained Portland Development Commissioner (PDC) Neighborhood Manager Sara King. “These Bureaus, along with PDC and Foster Green, are looking for ways that as a community that we can solve some of the safety, environmental, and economic development issues out here,” King told THE BEE, while attendees found seats for the formal meeting. “Tonight, we have several proposals that have been developed in partnership with the community,” explained King. “This is a chance to show the progress to date, and get some final comments.” Potential types of projects that had been reviewed included: ·         Commercial property energy retrofit program ·         Traffic safety and streetscape improvements on Foster Road (52nd - 82nd Avenue section) ·         Integrated capital improvement plan for infrastructure ·         Small scale projects that can be implemented immediately by community groups, such as improvements to Laurelwood Park and local alleyways. The stated goal of the project selected is to “Develop a sustainable infrastructure and neighborhood-based job creation strategy to guide stakeholders and investors.” The facilitator, Tony DeFalco, started the meeting by pointing out, “Financial development – with sustainability – directs the activity.” Showing a graph on a PowerPoint presentation which displayed three intersecting circles – labeled “Equity”, Economic Prosperity”, and “Environment” – DeFalco continued, “It is the sweet spot in the middle of these three circles that is what we’re looking toward. “We’re working to get all folks involved with a match-up of the resources, benefits, and opportunities,” DeFalco added. The project was funded mostly by a $250,000 Community Planning Grant from Metro, but the PDC also chipped in $50,000 from Tax Increment Financing, and there was a $50,000 Capital Improvement Fund investment by the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. Although this was the last “open house” scheduled to be held, King conceded, “There may be another meeting dealing with specific projects or issues.” Two new Eagle Scouts honored in Westmoreland By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Some eighty guests streamed into the Moreland Presbyterian Church social hall on April 22 to honor two Boy Scouts of America Troop 64 members as they were invested as Eagle Scouts. Cleveland High School senior Collin Faunt told how he designed, and recruited volunteers to build, 21 stackable wooden benches at Multnomah Educational Service District’s Outdoor School. The other scout, Kevin Craig, a senior Benson Polytechnic High School, told how his project was organizing and executing the painting of a 75-foot long hallway at Holy Family Catholic Church Parish Center in Eastmoreland. The evening’s master of ceremonies, Troop 64 Scoutmaster Jim Sharp, said he was proud of both young men, having known them as they came “up through the ranks” over the years. “I’ve had the opportunity to see them achieve their different awards, and I’ve been to their campouts,” Sharp said. “I’m proud to see how Scouting has really developed them from boys, into men.” For “Fair Housing Week”, County Commissioner reads at Woodstock Library By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE It came as a surprise to many of  the parents at the Woodstock Library “Story Time”, on April 19th, to learn that Multnomah County District 3 Commissioner Judy Shiprack would be their host at the 10:30 am session. “I was invited here by the Fair Housing Council of Oregon,” Shiprack told THE BEE. “It’s ‘Fair Housing Week’, and I feel privileged to read the story, ‘A Pig Is Moving In’ to these thirty preschoolers.” The book tells the story of how Henrietta Hen, Nick Hare, and Doctor Fox are appalled to discover that a pig is moving into their apartment building, Shiprack said. “It seems that their worst fears are confirmed – but they failed to see how the pig actually cleaned up after himself, and then offered friendship. “I do think that there is a pretty powerful moral here – sometimes you can’t judge a book by its cover,” Shiprack said, in a sly reference to the venue in which she was reading. She said she took the time to come read in Woodstock, “Because the most important population for us is right here in this room – children and their parents.  I think that the Fair Housing Council is doing a marvelous job of reminding all of us that we all live together, and not to rush to judgment.” Duniway students show off art and music skills By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Although it was after hours at Duniway Elementary School, on Wednesday evening, April 24, the building was abuzz with excitement. Students were showing off their artwork, and performing music for parents and friends. Since the Duniway parent-led art program began in 1999, the Duniway Elementary Art Show and Annual Spring Concert has become a highlight of the year. “All of the students – every single one of them at the school – are involved in the art program,” Kari Rittenour, one of the exhibition co-chairs, told THE BEE. Rittenour, a Portland native and a Duniway parent, was also this year’s Artist-in-Residence. “This year I was teaching work in clay.” Co-chair Jocelyn SyCip chimed in, “We have here a representation of both two- and three-dimensional artwork in the show, from every grade.” A core of about eight parents work with the program, Rittenour said. “But, including those who work behind-the-scenes during the year, and others who help us to get ready for the art show,” SyCip added, “There are about 150 parent volunteers who help in different ways. There a lot of things that go into putting on the art show.” It’s well worth the effort, both Rittenour and SyCip agreed. “I feel that the art program enriches our children’s educational experience,” SyCip commented. “This ranges from the kinesthetic to the conceptual. It really gets them to think ‘outside-the-box’ from what a student normally finds in a typical classroom setting.” The organizers asked to acknowledge Trader Joe’s for donating flowers, Blue Kangaroo Coffee Shop for the coffee, and the parents who brought baked goods to the two-day event, which concluded the following evening. Troop 64 Scoutmaster Jim Sharp congratulates the two new Eagle Scouts who flank him: Collin Faunt and Kevin Craig. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Multnomah County District 3 Commissioner Judy Shiprack reads “A Pig Is Moving In” to preschoolers at this Woodstock Library Story Time, during the 45th Annual Fair Housing Month. (Photo by David F. Ashton) A large crowd gathered to enjoy the art created by Duniway Elementary School students during the 2012-13 school year. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Comments? News tips? Click here to e-mail us! 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