Gresham, Sandy, Estacada choirs to sing at shrine

Several choirs from East County will perform at the Grotto’s 25th annual Christmas Festival of Lights, which runs from 5-9:30 p.m. daily Friday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Dec. 30.

The Catholic shrine, at 8840 N.E. Skidmore St., Portland, will be closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

General admission is $9, $8 for seniors, $4 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and younger. Folks are asked to bring nonperishable food items for SnowCap Community Charities.

This year’s theme is “Angels on High,” and the festival offers music, carolers, a petting zoo, puppet shows and seasonal treats.

This event displays more than 500,000 lights and draws more than 60,000 visitors every year. It is believed to be the world’s largest Christmas choral festival featuring 179 concerts presented by more than 6,000 volunteer performers.

The following East County choirs are performing:

n Saturday, Dec. 8: 8 p.m., Sandy High School Symphonic & Pionaires Choirs.

n Sunday, Dec. 9: 5:15 p.m., Centennial Middle School Middle C’s.

n Monday, Dec. 10: 8 p.m., Barlow High School Choir.

n Tuesday, Dec. 11: 5:15 p.m., Corbett Middle School Cardinal Choir.

n Thursday, Dec. 13: 6 p.m., Estacada High School Choir & Brass Ensemble.

n Thursday, Dec. 20: 7 p.m., Centennial High School A Capella Choir; 8 p.m., Gresham High School Choir.

Volunteers are still needed for two shifts nightly, the first from 4:45-7:30 p.m. and the second from 7:15-10 p.m. Volunteers greet visitors, help in the retail shops, the food booth and the petting zoo or assist in the hospitality kitchen. Most positions are outdoors where volunteers can enjoy the decorations, hear the music and interact with guests, but some indoor positions are available.

For more information about volunteering, call Tim Larson at 503-261-2433 or email volunteer@thegrotto.org.

The Grotto offers a discount to groups of 15 or more people arriving in the same van or bus during the first three weeks. The group discount is $1 off admission. The driver and group leader receive complimentary admission. To qualify, you must call 503-254-7371 to arrange your group visit.

For more information, visit thegrotto.org.

Churches, groups fight hunger during holidays

It’s the spare change that gets to the Rev. Bruce Montgomery, who organizes the annual Thanksgiving dinner for SnowCap Community Charities.

The dinner is free and open to the public, and more than a few of the guests are single moms with children, or lonely seniors. Despite the poverty that brings them there, however, some of the guests feel obligated to give back.

“They’ll ask, ‘Can I give you something?’ “ he says. “We’ll say, no, keep it for yourself. But sometimes they’ll have a pocketful of change, and they’ll put it in the pot. We’ll say, OK, we can use that to offset the costs of the dinner.”

He appreciates the gesture, he says, but cherishes their hearts much more.

“Some of them come in, and they’re practically in tears,” he says. “They just can’t believe we’re providing this for nothing.”

For 13 years, the retired Methodist minister has been organizing the dinners, which are served in Rockwood United Methodist Church, located in front of SnowCap’s offices at 17805 S.E. Stark St.

Judy Alley, SnowCap’s executive director, says the free Thanksgiving dinner will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22.

Both Alley and Montgomery say they’ve seen the number of folks attending the dinner steadily increase over the past few years. Last year’s dinner consisted of 131 volunteers preparing and serving meals to 326 people, Montgomery says, adding the food served is not taken from SnowCap’s pantry, but is all donated specifically for Thanksgiving.

“Because of the poor economy, there are many more people needing assistance this year than ever before,” Alley adds. “When families double up there isn’t room for them all to sit and eat together. It is rewarding for a family to gather at a table and take stock of what they might be thankful for.”

In addition to SnowCap, folks who would like a complimentary Thanksgiving dinner this year can go to Estacada Assembly of God Church, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Zobrist St, from 1-6 p.m. Nov. 22. All are welcome to enjoy turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and desserts, according to Terry Hamlin, a church board member. For more information, call 503-502-8847.

“We know there are people out there who don’t get the traditional Thanksgiving experience,” he says. “We know there are a lot of hungry and lonely people out there and we want to make an impact on that.”

Another option for people seeking a Thanksgiving dinner is Camp Arrah-Wanna in Welches, located on Highway 26. The dinner takes place from 1-4 p.m.

Hunger and the holidays

Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christmas season are a joyous time for many. Yet for folks struggling to make ends meet, the season can only serve to highlight just how hungry they are.

We contacted groups, churches and schools to find out how many folks are struggling to pay for food in the areas of Gresham, Sandy and Estacada, and found out the following:

• About 67 percent, or 4,130 students, in the Centennial School District, receive free or reduced priced lunches.

• Almost 74 percent of students in the Reynolds School District receive free or reduced price lunches.

• Fifty-five percent, or 6,629 students, in the Gresham-Barlow School district receive such assistance.

• An average of 90 families or individuals go to the Estacada Area Food Bank to obtain food and other types of assistance each week.

• The Sandy Action Community Center provided 276 emergency food boxes to folks in October of this year, which translates to about 777 people needing food.

“People are hungry for many reasons,” says Rita Ezard, the Sandy center’s director. “There are the ones on fixed incomes. Their income never makes it to the end of the month. Their food/SNAP stamps run out so they come to us to help bridge the gap. Prescriptions cost a lot, and many have to choose between eating or getting the medications they need to live on.

“The cost of gas keeps going up,” she adds. “People use their grocery money to buy gas so they can go to work then don’t have enough money to feed their families. Homelessness. Obviously if you don’t have enough money to keep a roof over your head you don’t have enough money to buy food with.”

Greg Koegel, a volunteer with the Estacada Area Food Bank, which serves Estacada, Colton and Eagle Creek, has spent two years at the bank.

“Primarily what I see is a loss of income, a loss of jobs,” he says. “A number of our clients are homeless. A lot of the clients who have come in have been laid off, unable to find work.”

Folks of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens need help, he adds.

“I hear so many different stories that everything is a bit of a surprise,” he says. “They can be quite destitute. But they seem to have solid attitudes and their character is strong.”

How to help

One theme each group fighting hunger continually reiterated was the public can do a lot to help fight hunger, no matter the age or income of people who want to help.

For example, students in such schools as Reynolds High and Alder Elementary have recently participated in anti-hunger drives.

And you’d be hard-pressed to find a church or fraternal group in the area that hasn’t helped out with a soup kitchen, a food pantry or canned food drive.

Here’s just some of the groups folks in the Gresham, Sandy and Estacada areas can contact to help fill the bellies of the hungry. The list is by no means exhaustive, but intended to give a flavor of the efforts out there.

n Lynch View Elementary School, 1546 S.E. 169th Place, Portland, has a bucket for nonperishable food donations used for a pantry. Donors can drop off food from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days. Info: 503-762-3203.

n SnowCap Community Charities can always use monetary and food donations. Info: 503-674-8785, snowcap.org.

n Zarephath Kitchen & Food Pantry, located in a house owned by Trinity Lutheran Church at 59 N.W. Ava Ave., Gresham. The kitchen serves hot meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Friday. Info: 503-667-2692 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. The pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Info: 503-667-7932 from 9 a.m. to 2 pm.

n Sanctuary Church, 3101 S.E. Orient Drive, operates a food pantry the first, third and fifth Saturdays of each month for those who live in east Gresham, Troutdale, Boring, Damascus and Sandy. If you need food, you can call 503-663-9146, visit ajesuscommunity.org/pantry.php or email sanctuaryajc@gmail.com. If a person has a minimum of four hours a month available and would like to get involved in helping with this ministry, call Sheila Isley at the church.

n The Salvation Army operates a center at 473 S.E. 194th Ave. Info: 503-661-8972 or visit salvationarmygresham.org.

n Sandy Community Action Center, 38982 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy, coordinates anti-hunger efforts in the Sandy area. For more information, call 503-668-4746 or visit sandyactioncenter.org.

Four places in Sandy serve free meals.

• The Community Church of Sandy offers a free dinner at 6 p.m. every Friday at 39290 Scenic St. For more information, call 503-668-4543.

• The Sandy Assembly Of God Church offers a free dinner at 6 p.m. every third Monday at 39800 Highway 26, Sandy. The church also has its food pantry and clothes closet open those nights. For more information, call 503-668-5589.

• St. Vincent de Paul serves a free lunch from noon-2 p.m. every Wednesday at the Sandy Community Action Center, 38982 Pioneer Blvd. For more information, call 503-668-4746.

• St. Michael Catholic Church offers a free dinner at 6 p.m. every Saturday at 18090 Langensand Road. For more information, call 503-668-4446.

n Estacada Area Food Bank, 272 Broadway, serves folks in Estacada, Colton and Eagle Creek, and is located across from Key Bank. Info: 503-630-2888.

n Oregon Food Bank and Meals on Wheels People/Loaves and Fishes Centers are both excellent sources on how to help the hungry. Visit oregonfoodbank.org to learn more or mealsonwheelspeople.org. To donate $10 to Oregon Food Bank, just text OFB to the number 20222 now through Dec. 31.

A section of Northeast 238th Drive in Wood Village is scheduled to re-open by 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 following a closure for a road safety improvement project.

The road has been closed between Northeast Glisan Street/Cherry Park Road and Northeast Treehill Drive for several weeks.

For the next three weeks, a single lane will be closed during weekday work hours as the contractor completes the project. A traffic lane will remain open in both directions.

Westech Construction made safety improvements to the road near the bottom of a steep hill, adding a shoulder to the northbound lane, shifting a sidewalk east and removing vegetation to improve sightlines for travelers.

The $200,000 project was funded through federal and Multnomah County funds.

If approved, monthly $7.50 fee for all Gresham households and businesses could take effect in January/February with a levy vote in May 2014

Gresham city councilors will vote on Tuesday, Dec. 4, on whether to charge every household and business in the city $7.50 a month to avoid more cuts to police, fire and parks services.

If approved, the fee would go into effect in late January or early February, appearing on utility bills.

Gresham City Manager Erik Kvarsten recommended on Tuesday, Nov. 20, that the council approve the fee on a temporary 17-month basis while city staff prepares a levy for residents to vote on in May 2014. Such a levy would generate the $3.5 million a year the fee would also generate but would be in place for five years.

If voters approve the levy, it would replace the fee starting in July 2014. What it would cost residents remains to be seen, but Kvarsten said a levy would be at least $1 per $1,000 of taxable assessed property value.

The proposed fee is in response to the city’s long struggle to fund services with one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.

Gresham residents narrowly defeated a public safety levy in 2008, which marked the first year of the global economic downturn.

Forecasts for property-tax revenue show a decline — the first since the recession began four years ago — and that decline is expected to continue.

Mayor Shane Bemis’s proposed fee would charge every business and household in the city — including apartments — $7.50 a month, raising $3.5 million to prevent further cuts to public safety. Ninety-five percent would fund police and fire services, with 5 percent funding park maintenance.

The fee would be added to utility bills for businesses and all households — apartments, duplexes, rental houses and owner-occupied dwellings — in Gresham because all businesses and households, not just property-tax paying homeowners, benefit from police and fire service.

Residents who attended five town hall meetings in September and October complained that the proposed fee is regressive — it’s the same for a multimillion-dollar corporation as a single parent living in poverty. They also complained about the possibility of city councilors approving the fee without a public vote. Citizens also suggested the fee be capped.

As part of Kvarsten's recommendation, he suggested adding a one-time yearly business license surcharge for companies with more than 50 employees. Such companies would pay an extra $2 per every employee in excess of 50.

He also recommended creating a financial assistance program for low-income residents who would struggle to pay the fee and scaling back the city's rental home inspection program to lessen the fee's impact. A three-tier approach also could be created to phase the fee in for apartment complexes and to account for the city's 4.1 percent vacancy rate.

City councilors commented on how thoughtful and balanced Kvarsten's proposal was because it addressed all of the issues residents raised during the town hall meetings.

In the end, they asked that the city manager's recommendations be added to the Tuesday, Dec. 4, council agenda for a vote.

Bemis said the fee/levy is the most important issue to face the council in the 10 years he's served. “Some people will never be happy with this,” he said, while others have offered to pay even more. “Residents recognize that closing a fire station is unacceptable.”

And while the city has done a good job of cutting services and positions to mask the financial crisis it's facing, at some point those constraints start to break the system. “That's where the city is at,” Bemis said.

“We cannot close one fire station and lose one life,”said Councilor David Widmark, who did not run for re-election and whose days on the council are numbered. “Not on my watch.”

If you go

What: Gresham City Council vote on a monthly $7.50 fee to prevent more cuts to fire, police and parks service, as well as on a possible levy to come before voters in May 2014

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4

Where: Gresham Council Chambers in the public safety and school building at 1331 N.W. Eastman Parkway

The Mt. Hood National Forest is selling personal use Christmas tree cutting permits at ranger district offices as well as select local vendors.

Permits sell for $5 each, cash or check only, and there is a limit of five permits per household. When purchasing your permit you will get an informational sheet that details the rules of cutting Christmas trees in the national forest. The permits allow cutting a tree of up to 12 feet tall. Permits for trees taller than 12 feet are available at forest district offices for an additional cost.

Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly. Forest Service roads are not plowed. Carry traction devices and be advised of winter road closures and Sno-Park permit requirements. The Forest Service recommends you start early in the day and be out of the forest before dark. Dress warmly and bring a forest map, snacks and water. Also make sure relatives or friends know where you are going and when you plan to return.

And don’t forget a tool to cut your tree and rope or cord to secure it to your vehicle.

The Mt. Hood National Forest also offers free bough permits for up to 25 pounds of boughs, and commercial bough permits for larger quantities. Bough permits are available only at Mt. Hood National Forest district offices and are required to harvest boughs.

Christmas tree permits are available at the following locations:

• Clackamas River Ranger District, 595 N.W. Industrial Way, Estacada, 503-630-6861, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch). Special holiday hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 1 and 8, and Sundays, Dec. 2 and 9.

• Zigzag Ranger District, 70220 E. Highway 26, Zigzag, 503-622-3191, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch). Special holiday hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15, and Sundays Dec. 2, 9 and 16.

• Ace Heritage Hardware, 39181 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy, 503-668-8731, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

• Estacada Tackle Shop, 210 S.E. Highway 26, Estacada, 503-630-7424, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, closed on Thanksgiving.

• Hoodland Thriftway, 68280 E. Highway 26, Welches, 503-622-3244, open daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The 116th meeting of UO and OSU expected to thrill

Read all about this years match up between the Oregon State Beavers and Oregon Ducks. This year's Special Section includes player profiles and bios, key matchup data,and more.

Click on the link below to open the document in a new window for viewing, You can also download the document for your archives!

publications.pmgnews.com/fpubs/civil-war-2012-insert/

A man who police say is part of a trio of robbers reportedly rammed a police car in an attempt to escape being arrested.

Lashawn Davis Peterson, 36, of Portland is being held on $377,500 bail at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail on 13 allegations of first-degree robbery, attempted assault, criminal mischief, hit and run and attempt to elude police by vehicle.

Police planned to arrest Peterson after he left his apartment in the 1500 block of Southeast 122nd Avenue on Monday, Nov. 19, said Sgt. Claudio Grandjean, Gresham Police spokesman.

Instead, they followed him and tried to pull him over near Southeast 157th Avenue and Stark Street. There he reportedly rammed a police vehicle and tried to escape, but he crashed near Southeast 162nd Avenue and East Burnside Street.

Peterson ran away, but police caught him with help from a police dog and arrested him at 9:09 p.m.

Nobody was injured in either the crash or the apprehension.

Police suspect Peterson and two others of robbing two people on Oct. 25 at the Rodeway Inn, 2323 N.E. 181st Ave. There Peterson, another man and a woman forced their way into the victims' room after the woman knocked on their door. The victims knew the woman as an acquaintance. One of the robbers was armed with a gun and pistol-whipped one of the victims.

Video surveillance of the hotel, the victims and follow-up investigation helped identify the suspects.

The other two suspects were arrested Friday, Nov. 16. Alexander J. Lewis, 21, and Jaquina S. Anderson, 21, both of Gresham, were arrested during Lewis' appointment with his probation officer in Gresham. Each is being held on $1.3 million bail on charges of first-degree burglary and first- and second-degree robbery.

Police arrested a Gresham man for a litany of weapons offenses after reportedly pointing a gun at a man he lives with.

Bernard R. Brandt, 62, posted bail on Sunday, Nov. 18, the same day he was arrested, and was released from the Multnomah County Detention Center.

Police arrested him at 12:19 a.m. at Southeast 181st Avenue and Stark Street on allegations of domestic violence (strangulation), domestic violence (menacing), unlawful use of a weapon/domestic violence, being a felon in possession of a firearm, pointing a firearm at another person and driving under the influence of intoxicants, according to a police report.

The case began with a 9-1-1 call from a 46-year-old man who lives with Brandt in the 300 block of Northeast 202nd Avenue, said Sgt. Claudio Grandjean, Gresham Police spokesman.

The victim reported Brandt came home intoxicated, went into the victim's room and asked him where his dog was. Brandt then reportedly grabbed the man by the throat and pointed a shotgun at him. The victim managed to escape and call 9-1-1.

Brandt left the scene and the victim provided emergency dispatchers with details on what way Brandt was going and what kind of car he was driving.

Responding officers stopped Brandt's vehicle at Southeast 181st Avenue and Stark Street and arrested him without incident.

Inside the vehicle, police recovered a shotgun. Because Brandt has been convicted of second-degree burglary, he is a felon and can't have firearms, Grandjean said.

Teen daughter died in 2012 snowboard crash at ski area

The father of a 17-year-old Sandy girl who died while snowboarding at Mt. Hood Skibowl is suing the resort for allegedly underestimating the degree of difficulty of the trail where she crashed almost a year ago.

Taylur DeWolf died Jan. 27 after striking a tree and suffering severe trauma to her head and chest while night skiing on the resort's Dog Leg Trail.

On Wednesday, Nov. 21, Harry DeWolf filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court against Kirk Hanna, the owner of Skibowl, for between $1 million and $10 million, claiming Skibowl's intermediate trail consisted of “expert-level” terrain.

Skibowl conducted an investigation following the accident but denied the DeWolf family's request to release its findings unless the family sued the resort, according to a press release from the DeWolf's attorney, Jeff Merrick.

“Taylur's parents sought information directly from Skibowl,” the press release states. “Unfortunately, Skibowl's attorney said Skibowl would disclose its investigation only if the parents sued Skibowl for wrongful death.”

The DeWolf family requested a multitude of documents, including accident reports from previous years and personnel files of all employees working the day of the accident, according to Skibowl's attorney Brad Stanford.

“Skibowl has made every attempt to be sensitive to the DeWolf family's needs, including transporting the family to the accident scene for a memorial,” Stanford said. But the family's broad request for documents consisted of 48 categories, and possibly thousands of pages, most of which were completely unrelated to the accident, he added.

The family tried to subpoena the documents in Clackamas County Probate Court on Sept. 7. The judge denied the request, citing that without specific allegations, the court could not determine which documents were relevant to the case, Stanford said.

The suit alleged the trail's "blue square" rating misrepresented its advanced degree of difficulty.

“Taylur was a responsible, intermediate snowboarder,” Harry DeWolf said in the press release. “Her mom and I wanted to learn why she died on an intermediate snowboard trail.”

Skibowl said this is the first death to occur on this trail.

“The run at issue is appropriately designated as intermediate and has been designated as such for decades,” Stanford said. "No similar incident has ever occurred at the location."

A trail's designated level of difficulty, however, is not consistent throughout every ski resort in the country or the state. According to Dave Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs for the National Ski Areas Association, the ski industry trade association based in Lakewood, Colo., a trail's level of difficulty is relative only to the specific ski resort.

"The easiest slope on one mountain may be the most difficult slope on another...," he said. "Designations for slope difficulty are reflective of the trails at a particular mountain or resort, and do not necessarily characterize similar difficulty level of trails within the same state or even region.”

The family conducted its own investigation and based on its findings, believes the trail needs a more advanced rating.

The lawsuit alleges that the trail funneled Taylur into a tree in a wooded area without allowing her to naturally come to a complete stop.

It also states that during the summer, the trail's “dangerous part” is fenced off to divert mountain bikers.

Stanford countered that no trails are entirely open to mountain bikers during the summer.

The family also states that the run consists of a 38-degree slope, which creates “Ferrari acceleration that an intermediate snowboarder cannot control, and it is twice the steepness of what experts consider 'intermediate,' ” according to the press release.

But Stanford denies that claim, stating that the family is being “imprecise” and that the trail does not include 38 degrees of slope or a 38-degree slope angle — both are measuring units to determine the steepness of a hill.

Local Xmas tree farms make the holiday season merry and bright

We live in a state of ignorant bliss when it comes to Christmas tree availability.

Whether you live in East Multnomah County, Gresham, Boring, Damascus, Sandy or Estacada, the freshest Christmas tree possible — one you cut or had help cutting — is just minutes away.

Some tree farms offer a full holiday experience with wreaths, ornaments, stocking stuffers, fire pits, cocoa and candy canes. Others are more rustic with trees, saws and a kind word of encouragement for hardy souls who insist on doing it themselves.

Yet others go the extra mile to re-define customer service.

At CanyonHaven Nursery in Sandy, owner Chuck Hanson has been known to take pity on customers who can't punch out until after dark. He'll find out what type and size a tree is needed, custom cut one to fit the bill and load his selection onto a grateful customer's car.

Oxbow Rim Tree Farm in Gresham offers a service package that should be advertised as the “Save Your Marriage Christmas Tree” — it's shaken, bailed, bolted to a re-usable stand and strapped to the top of your car. Just carry the little torpedo inside, cut the twine and poof — instant Christmas tree — without the knocked over lamps, furniture rearranging and arguments that deck the halls when spouses customarily wrestle trees into stands.

In the spirit of the holidays, here's just a sampling of some local U-cut and we-cut farms. If you're particular about tree type, call before heading out to make sure it's still in stock. Also, bring cash and a checkbook. Most don't accept credit cards.

Clackamas County

• 4J's Tree Farm — 2862 S.E. 352nd Ave., Boring, 503-663-1455. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday starting Friday, Nov. 23. U-cut and we-cut Christmas trees with saws provided. Noble firs of all sizes with large selection of tall trees perfect for churches, businesses and large entry halls. Wreaths, boughs and free hot cider available. Santa is also known to pop in. From Boring, take Highway 212 east and go across the Highway 26 overpass. Highway 212 becomes Compton Road. Pass Orient Drive, turn right on Southeast 352nd Avenue and the tree farm is on the left at the corner of 352nd and Dunn Road. Cash and checks accepted.

• Beissmann Tree Farm — 38075 S.E. Boitano Road, Sandy, 503-668-7632, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting Friday, Nov. 23. U-cut trees including nobles, grands and Douglas firs. Tree baling offered. Wreaths, handmade crafts and toys also available. Cash and checks only.

• Bob'z U-cut Tree Farm — 21579 S. Springwater Road, Estacada, about half a mile south of McIver Park, 503-631-4585. Open 10 a.m. to dusk on weekdays, 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends, Friday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Trees also are available weekends only from 9 a.m. to dusk from Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 16, at 28821 S.E. Powell Valley Road, Gresham, 503 663-4505. U-cut, We-cut and precut Christmas trees with saws provided. Christmas wreaths, boughs, garlands and mistletoe also available. Full service, including help cutting, retrieval from the field, shaking, trimming, bagging, baling and loading. Flocking also available. Snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, fire pit and free hot cocoa or coffee. Farm boasts 14 acres with thousands of nobles, grands and Douglas firs. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Look for the Bob’z Tree Farm signs from Carver or Estacada. From I-205 take exit 12A East (Clackamas/Estacada) onto Highway 212/224. After approximately three miles turn right onto Highway 224 toward Estacada. Go about one mile to the town of Carver. Turn right, crossing the bridge over the Clackamas River. Turn left onto Springwater Road and go about 10 miles to Bob’z Tree Farm on the right.

• CanyonHaven Nursery — 45280 S.E. Coalman Road, Sandy, 503-668-5826. Open 1 p.m. to dusk Monday through Friday, weekends 10 a.m. to dusk. Friday, Nov. 23 through Dec. 22, also by appointment. U-cut and we-cut with saws available. They'll even load it onto your car for free. All trees cost $15, cash only. Trees range from 4 to 8 foot nobles, grands, Douglas fir and that hard-to-find New England favorite Balsam firs. From Sandy, head north on Southeast Ten Eyck Road about half a mile, turn right on Coalman Road and follow the U-cut signs for about three miles to the nursery.

• Dutcher's Tree Farm — 33755 S.E. Compton Road, Boring, 503-663-4127. Open 8 a.m. to dusk through Sunday, Dec. 23. U-Cut, we-Cut and pre-cut Douglas firs, grands and nobles up to 12 feet tall. Saws, tree baling and flocking available, as are hand crafted wreaths, candle arrangements and decorations. Pet the farm animals and feed bread to the ducks.

From Gresham, go seven miles east on Highway 26 to the Boring exit. Turn left at stop sign, continue to Orient Drive and farm is half a mile on the left.

• Hamburgs 4D Tree Farm — 36731 S.E. Hauglum Road, Sandy, 503-668-8007, open 9 a.m. to dusk, Friday, Nov. 23, until Christmas Eve.

U-cut, we-cut and pre-cut grands and nobles. Saws provided, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms. Free refreshments, including chili, on weekends along with hot apple cider or hot chocolate plus free candy canes for the kids. Make your own wooden ornament as a memento of the tree you selected. Materials are also provided for making your own Christmas swags. Table arrangements available for purchase. Cash and checks only.

From Gresham take Highway 26 toward Sandy. Take the Boring exit and take left onto overpass. Continue and cross Orient Drive. Head east on Compton for one mile. At the stop, turn left onto 352nd. Take the first right turn onto Hauglum Road. Continue on Hauglum for one mile. Hamburg's 4D Tree Farm is on left. From Sandy: Take Bluff Road heading north past the high school for three miles. Turn left onto Hauglum Road, go half a mile to Hamburg's 4D Tree Farm on the right.

• Mt. Hood Tree Farm — on Harding Road in Clackamas, 503-932-7967, open weekdays from 11 a.m. to dusk, 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends from Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Nobles, Douglas firs, grands, Nordman firs and turkey firs. Saws and cutting assistance available. They'll even shake the tree, bail it and load it on your vehicle for free. Enjoy a warm fire, cider, cocoa, candy canes and cookies. From Carver, turn left on Springwater Road, follow signs to Harding Road. Take a left on Harding and follow signs to Mt. Hood Tree Farm on the right.

• Sandy Farms — 36210 S.E. Highway 211, Boring, just look for the big red barns, 503-668-4525. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. U-cut and we-cut trees with handsaws provided. They'll haul your tree to your car for free and help you strap it down, but bailing costs $2. Free candy canes and/or coffee and cocoa, and usually something for dogs, as well. Grands, Douglas firs and nobles.

• Van Diest Farm — 11221 S.E. 352nd Ave., Boring, 503-701-4580, 503 504-7012. Open weekends from dawn to dusk. From Gresham take Highway 26 east to Compton Road. Turn left on Compton and the left on 352nd Avenue and take a left at the end of the gravel road. Noble firs from 8 to 12 feet tall. Services include help cutting and tree bailing. Cash and checks only.

Multnomah County 

• Christmas Nobles by Holscher's — 16550 S.E. Foster Road, Gresham, just east of the Space Age Fuel, 503-328-6632. Open daily 9 a.m. to dusk Friday, Nov. 23, through Saturday, Dec. 15. U-cut, we cut, saws provided. Large selection of tall trees, 10 to more than 20 feet high, including well-shaped nobles, Nordman and grand fir trees. Smaller Fraser fir, grands, nobles and other varieties between 5 and 9 feet tall also available. Cash and checks only.

• Olcott's Christmas Trees — 43120 S.E. Deverell Road, Corbett, 503-695-5219. Open the Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Call for week day hours, open 9 a.m. To 4 p.m. weekends. We-cut and U-cut nobles, saws are provided, free cordage/tie material, free hot cider. Seasoned firewood also available. From I-84, take exit 22 or Stark Street into Corbett. From the Corbett Fire Hall on the east end of town, travel east on Columbia River Highway 1.6 miles to Larch Mountain Road, travel a little more than three miles on Larch Mountain Road to Louden Road. Follow signs to the tree farm.

• Oxbow Rim Tree Farm — 34623 S.E. Homan Road, Gresham, 503-663-6815. Open Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. U-cut, we-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees. Saws provide. They'll clean, bale and load the tree for you. Tree stands also available. Nobles, Douglas-fir, grand fir and Scotch pines. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Wreaths, refreshments, gift shop with almost 4,000 ornaments, restrooms, food including hot dogs, elephant ears and more. All that plus, candy canes, balloons and wood stoves to warm your toes. The farm is located just above Oxbow Park, 18 miles east of Portland and six miles east of Gresham.

The second-round playoff begins at 12 p.m. Saturday in McMinnville

The No. 3-ranked Linfield Wildcats face No. 14 North Central out of Illinois in the second round at 12 p.m. Saturday.

North Central picked up a 41-21 road win at Cal Lutheran, keeping the Wildcats from a rematch with the Kingsmen who they beat by a field goal early in the season.

“It’s hard to beat a good team twice, so it will be fun to have a chance to play somebody new,” Linfield coach Joseph Smith said.

The Cardinals (9-2) put up 24 first-quarter points on Cal Lutheran and were never challenged.

North Central runs the ball almost twice as often as it puts it in the air. Nick Kukac is the main option in the backfield where he piled up 252 yards in last week’s playoff win. QB Spencer Stanek is careful with the ball, giving up only six interceptions for the season.

Linfield counters with a balanced attack, although Smith admitted to taking a conservation approach in last week’s game against a familiar league opponent. He may open up the attack this week, relying on a deep corps of receivers and putting the game in the hands of QB Mickey Inns — a Gresham High grad.

“Had we turned Mick loose, I think our offense would have gone,” Smith said. “But I was a bit stubborn and wanted to be more ball control today.”

Inns finished last week without a touchdown pass for the first time this season. For the year, he has completed 60 percent of his throws with 27 TDs and only six interceptions.

Inns is 20-1 (.952) as a starter at Linfield — his only loss coming last year — in the second round.

Both teams are averaging better than 40 points per game, and both have kickers capable of long-range field goals.

Nick Dace of North Central is 2 for 3 for 50-plus yards, while Linfield’s Josh Kay hit a pair from 40-plus in last week’s win, including a season-long 47-yarder.

Linfield has won its last nine November home games — a streak that dates back to 2009.

General admission tickets are $10 and are sold on game day only with the ticket office opening at 10 a.m.

The Wildcats unit is tops in Division-III when it comes to sacks and tackles for loss

North Central QB Spencer Stanek will have to double check to make sure he’s handing off to a player in a white jersey when the Cardinals come to Maxwell Field to face Linfield in the Division-III playoffs Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats defense has been wreaking havoc all season often breaking into the opposing backfield before the opposing team has a chance to take a breath. Linfield leads the nation in tackles for loss (114) and in quarterback sacks (56).

The defense came up with several key stands in Linfield’s 27-24 first-round win over Pacific Lutheran.

The first came late in the first half when a Linfield fumble gave the Lutes the ball at the 34-yard line on the edge of field-goal range. But Pacific Lutheran couldn’t advance the ball an inch. In fact, they went backward seven yards, ending with Marq Randall’s QB sack on third down to protect Linfield’s 20-7 lead heading into the halftime locker room.

The Lutes had a golden opportunity to take the lead late in the third quarter when a long pass completion put them on the doorstep with a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

The end zone was just six feet away, but it might as well have been two miles.

Defensive back Tyler Robitaille slashed into the backfield and dropped the Lutes’ Niko Madison for a 1-yard loss on first down. That was followed with a QB keeper that went nowhere and an incomplete pass into the end zone.

“We pride ourselves on that,” Robitaille said. “You can put the ball on the 1-inch line and we’re going to keep you out. Stuffing them and holding them to three points was a momentum changer.”

It was also a four-point swing on the scoreboard in a game that the Wildcats would win by three.

The defense’s last stand came in the final two minutes when Mike Maierhofer and Brian Dundas each got through for sacks that prevented the Lutes from getting within range to attempt a tying field goal.

The Wildcats haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in their last seven games.

Brynnan Hyland leads the team in tackles for loss (19) and sacks (18), while linebacker Dominique Forrest leads the Wildcats in total tackles (66) and interceptions (3). Forrest was named the Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

In an early October episode of Katie Couric’s talk show, the journalist pans for gold with the cast of “Gold Rush.”

Dave Turin, a cast member from Sandy, says the gold will be given to an important Portland-area charity.

Wednesday, Turin and his wife, Shelley, a former nurse for the organization, presented Chairman Drake Snodgrass, Dr. Bob Sayson and Director Blake Petersen of Good News Center in Rockwood with two small bottles of gold valued at $1,800 each.

“This is one of my favorite charities,” Turin says of the nonprofit Christian health center that helps uninsured Rockwood residents. “They’re the real heroes.”

Whether or not you have gold to donate, there are dozens of ways to contribute to East County communities this holiday season — by volunteering, making charitable donations, participating in events and learning about social issues.

Don Peters, a longtime East County volunteer for three food banks, including Sandy Action Community Center, says he’d like to see more volunteer commitment in communities.

“I could work around the house, put in fewer hours and get more done than running up and down the road (volunteering), but it takes people to get these projects off and running. It’s important to try to help out and see what’s going on in your community. I got involved and I can’t stay away.

“I’ve never been down in the dumps, but I’ve seen people that have been and it really hurts. If we could get a few more people really dedicated and seeing what’s really going on, it’d make such a difference.”

Judy Alley, executive director of SnowCap Charities says the best thing community members can do to alleviate the need for charities is create job opportunities and a more vibrant economy.

“You don’t have to be Boeing or a big business to hire people,” she says. “To hire someone to clean your house, you create a way for that person to take home money and food to their family.”

Denise Martin, who has been staying in a Motel 6 in Troutdale with two puppies, her young son and everything she owns, trying to make it through 24 hours at a time, has a message she would like to relay to the community.

“We need to have a huge quantum awakening and shift in our hearts,” Martin says. “The need is so much bigger than you can imagine. Reach out and open your heart,” Martin says.

Here are a host of ways East County residents can contribute to their communities during the next six weeks.

GRESHAM

Bogey’s Toy Drive

Owner Carolyn Bailey

503-489-0900

1965 N.E. Division St., Gresham

Instead of receiving presents for her December birthday, Carolyn Bailey, the owner of Bogey’s Grill, decided to organize a toy drive. Beginning Friday, Nov. 23, Bogey’s will collect new, unwrapped toys for low-income children of all ages and donate them to SnowCap Charities.

East Child Welfare holiday party for foster children

Caseworker Stacey Mahler

971-673-2041

3618 S.E. 122nd Ave., Portland

For 13 years, East Child Welfare has provided a holiday party for children in the foster care system. The department welcomes donations for the Dec. 11 party — from decorations and utensils to gift cards for teens and items for its quarterly silent auctions that support the party throughout the year.

Gresham Elks Lodge No. 1805 Christmas baskets

Co-chairmen Bill Hay and Jim Foreman

503-666-1805

3330 N.E. Division St., Gresham

For 44 years, The Gresham Elks have delivered Christmas baskets to families in need, picking families suggested by local schools and charities. “We deliver 150 boxes of food and we include enough food for three or four days plus Christmas Day dinner,” Public Relations Chairwoman Betty Chisum says. “We add a turkey, sack of potatoes and a sack of apples with each box. We need cans of vegetables, corn, beans, soup, peanut butter and anything a family would eat.”

Good News Community Health Center

503-489-9576

18000 S.E. Stark St., Portland

“We’re always looking for dentists and their staffs to volunteer a day a month,” Dr. Bob Sayson of Good News Center says. “When you go out for a job, you want to feel good smiling.” Along with medical volunteers, the clinic appreciates financial donations that can help provide services such as dentures for homeless people and scholarships for services. The clinic also partners with churches to reach out to the homeless population.

Medical Teams International #Giving Tuesday donation drive

Communications Coordinator Angela Pratt

503-341-6620, medicalteams.org/givingtuesday

Medical Teams International is participating in a new national movement, #GivingTuesday, that emphasizes charitable giving. Through Tuesday, Nov. 27, Medical Teams International will accept donations of hygiene supplies for distribution to 70 service agencies in the metro area. Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Medical Teams will accept: gallon-size Ziploc bags, combs and hairbrushes, bars of soap, wash cloths, toothpaste and toothbrushes. While its office is located at 14150 S.W. Milton Court in Tigard, Pratt said buying gifts through the organizations’ online gift catalog or donating personal care items through the website is another way to contribute.

Operation Christmas Child through Mountainview Community Church

Collection Coordinator, Terri Johnson

503-492-1200

1890 N.E. Cleveland Ave. Gresham

Help Operation Christmas Child reach its goal of surpassing 100 million shoe boxes distributed by packing a shoe box with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies for a children ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Since 1993, more than 94 million shoe box gifts have been delivered to children in more than 130 countries through Samaritan’s Purse, a religious organization. Mountainview will collect boxes 6-8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

SnowCap Community Charities

503-674-8785, ext. 37, kari@snowcap.org

17788 S.E. Pine, Portland

SnowCap has a host of ideas for how East County residents can contribute to the community during the holidays, from hosting their own food drives at annual holiday events to volunteering with family members by contacting Kari James, special projects coordinator. Residents are encouraged to donate their empty bottles and cans, which can result in hundreds of dollars each month, and to buy SnowCap auction tickets ($60) as holiday gifts for the the Feb. 9, 2013 event. SnowCap also encourages residents to consider donating their cars, trucks or boats to the organization, which is tax deductible. Donations of food, clothes and new toys are received at the warehouse door 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Fill-A-Bag program will be highlighted in the Nov. 20 edition of The Outlook.

OTHER EAST COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES

AntFarm

503-622-3548

The youth organization AntFarm and Sandy Historical Society are partnering to sell Noble Christmas trees and splitting the profits beginning Friday, Nov. 30. Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, AntFarm will be open with food and refreshments for community members who are alone or struggling with the holiday season. Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24, volunteers are invited to join AntFarm to harvest fall crops from its garden behind Suburban Auto and pack up the garden for the year. Volunteers also are invited to deck the halls at Avamere at Sandy on Dec. 5. In addition, AntFarm is a part of a kickstarter campaign right now, “AntFarm Café and Bakery, a healthy community choice,” that if funded, would complete its self-sustaining cafe and bakery.

Clackamas Women’s Services

503-772-2366

Instead of “adopting” families for the holiday season, Clackamas Women’s Services, an agency providing services in Sandy and Estacada, takes another approach by hosting a holiday store for its participants to shop for their families. “We’ve chosen to do it because often it feels more empowering and personal for moms to be able to pick out gifts for their kids,” Kristin Schlotterbeck, prevention, education and youth programs manager, says. To learn more about donation items and hours, email Maggier@cwsor.org.

Kiwanis Christmas Basket Program

Event Chairman Ken Hallgren

503-668-6015

Kiwanis Community Christmas Baskets, P.O. Box 1261 Sandy, OR 97055

For 57 years, Sandy Kiwanis has organized a project that brightens the holidays of Sandy-area families in by providing gift baskets. Students, scouts, Sandy fire and police departments, businesses, youth organizations and other community members come together to assemble more than 400 holiday gift baskets with gifts for children and food for several meals. Donate new, unwrapped toys; canned food; and money for the meat, fresh foods and additional canned food.

Sandy Community Action Center

503-668-4746

38982 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, the center will hold its annual Santa Day. The center will fill more than 400 stockings with new toys for children 0 to 18. In addition, the Center has an adopt-a-family program that sponsors a family for Christmas dinner and gifts.

Together for Better

Jim, Donna and Heather Cole

503-668-4483

Two years ago, the Cole family from Sandy say they found their holiday spirit by witnessing 150 of their family members and friends doing something for the greater good — what they’ve dubbed the “Together for Better” project. In their third year of the project that brings homeless people in downtown Portland essential resources, the Coles are focused on collecting blankets, backpacks, socks and coats. For more information, and to get involved visit the Facebook community page, Together For Better.

Local Christmas tree farms make the holiday season merry and bright

We live in a state of ignorant bliss when it comes to Christmas tree availability.

Whether you live in East Multnomah County, Gresham, Boring, Damascus, Sandy or Estacada, the freshest Christmas tree possible — one you cut or had help cutting — is just minutes away.

Some tree farms offer a full holiday experience with wreaths, ornaments, stocking stuffers, fire pits, cocoa and candy canes. Others are more rustic with trees, saws and a kind word of encouragement for hardy souls who insist on doing it themselves.

Yet others go the extra mile to re-define customer service.

At CanyonHaven Nursery in Sandy, owner Chuck Hanson has been known to take pity on customers who can't punch out until after dark. He'll find out what type and size a tree is needed, custom cut one to fit the bill and load his selection onto a grateful customer's car.

Oxbow Rim Tree Farm in Gresham offers a service package that should be advertised as the “Save Your Marriage Christmas Tree” — it's shaken, bailed, bolted to a re-usable stand and strapped to the top of your car. Just carry the little torpedo inside, cut the twine and poof — instant Christmas tree — without the knocked over lamps, furniture rearranging and arguments that deck the halls when spouses customarily wrestle trees into stands.

In the spirit of the holidays, here's just a sampling of some local U-cut and we-cut farms. If you're particular about tree type, call before heading out to make sure it's still in stock. Also, bring cash and a checkbook. Most don't accept credit cards.

Clackamas County

• 4J's Tree Farm — 2862 S.E. 352nd Ave., Boring, 503-663-1455. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday starting Friday, Nov. 23. U-cut and we-cut Christmas trees with saws provided. Noble firs of all sizes with large selection of tall trees perfect for churches, businesses and large entry halls. Wreaths, boughs and free hot cider available. Santa is also known to pop in. From Boring, take Highway 212 east and go across the Highway 26 overpass. Highway 212 becomes Compton Road. Pass Orient Drive, turn right on Southeast 352nd Avenue and the tree farm is on the left at the corner of 352nd and Dunn Road. Cash and checks accepted.

• Beissmann Tree Farm — 38075 S.E. Boitano Road, Sandy, 503-668-7632, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting Friday, Nov. 23. U-cut trees including nobles, grands and Douglas firs. Tree baling offered. Wreaths, handmade crafts and toys also available. Cash and checks only.

• Bob'z U-cut Tree Farm — 21579 S. Springwater Road, Estacada, about half a mile south of McIver Park, 503-631-4585. Open 10 a.m. to dusk on weekdays, 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends, Friday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Trees also are available weekends only from 9 a.m. to dusk from Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 16, at 28821 S.E. Powell Valley Road, Gresham, 503 663-4505. U-cut, We-cut and precut Christmas trees with saws provided. Christmas wreaths, boughs, garlands and mistletoe also available. Full service, including help cutting, retrieval from the field, shaking, trimming, bagging, baling and loading. Flocking also available. Snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, fire pit and free hot cocoa or coffee. Farm boasts 14 acres with thousands of nobles, grands and Douglas firs. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Look for the Bob’z Tree Farm signs from Carver or Estacada. From I-205 take exit 12A East (Clackamas/Estacada) onto Highway 212/224. After approximately three miles turn right onto Highway 224 toward Estacada. Go about one mile to the town of Carver. Turn right, crossing the bridge over the Clackamas River. Turn left onto Springwater Road and go about 10 miles to Bob’z Tree Farm on the right.

• CanyonHaven Nursery — 45280 S.E. Coalman Road, Sandy, 503-668-5826. Open 1 p.m. to dusk Monday through Friday, weekends 10 a.m. to dusk. Friday, Nov. 23 through Dec. 22, also by appointment. U-cut and we-cut with saws available. They'll even load it onto your car for free. All trees cost $15, cash only. Trees range from 4 to 8 foot nobles, grands, Douglas fir and that hard-to-find New England favorite Balsam firs. From Sandy, head north on Southeast Ten Eyck Road about half a mile, turn right on Coalman Road and follow the U-cut signs for about three miles to the nursery.

• Dutcher's Tree Farm — 33755 S.E. Compton Road, Boring, 503-663-4127. Open 8 a.m. to dusk through Sunday, Dec. 23. U-Cut, we-Cut and pre-cut Douglas firs, grands and nobles up to 12 feet tall. Saws, tree baling and flocking available, as are hand crafted wreaths, candle arrangements and decorations. Pet the farm animals and feed bread to the ducks.

From Gresham, go seven miles east on Highway 26 to the Boring exit. Turn left at stop sign, continue to Orient Drive and farm is half a mile on the left.

• Hamburgs 4D Tree Farm — 36731 S.E. Hauglum Road, Sandy, 503-668-8007, open 9 a.m. to dusk, Friday, Nov. 23, until Christmas Eve.

U-cut, we-cut and pre-cut grands and nobles. Saws provided, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms. Free refreshments, including chili, on weekends along with hot apple cider or hot chocolate plus free candy canes for the kids. Make your own wooden ornament as a memento of the tree you selected. Materials are also provided for making your own Christmas swags. Table arrangements available for purchase. Cash and checks only.

From Gresham take Highway 26 toward Sandy. Take the Boring exit and take left onto overpass. Continue and cross Orient Drive. Head east on Compton for one mile. At the stop, turn left onto 352nd. Take the first right turn onto Hauglum Road. Continue on Hauglum for one mile. Hamburg's 4D Tree Farm is on left. From Sandy: Take Bluff Road heading north past the high school for three miles. Turn left onto Hauglum Road, go half a mile to Hamburg's 4D Tree Farm on the right.

• Mt. Hood Tree Farm — on Harding Road in Clackamas, 503-932-7967, open weekdays from 11 a.m. to dusk, 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends from Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Nobles, Douglas firs, grands, Nordman firs and turkey firs. Saws and cutting assistance available. They'll even shake the tree, bail it and load it on your vehicle for free. Enjoy a warm fire, cider, cocoa, candy canes and cookies. From Carver, turn left on Springwater Road, follow signs to Harding Road. Take a left on Harding and follow signs to Mt. Hood Tree Farm on the right.

• Sandy Farms — 36210 S.E. Highway 211, Boring, just look for the big red barns, 503-668-4525. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. U-cut and we-cut trees with handsaws provided. They'll haul your tree to your car for free and help you strap it down, but bailing costs $2. Free candy canes and/or coffee and cocoa, and usually something for dogs, as well. Grands, Douglas firs and nobles.

• Van Diest Farm — 11221 S.E. 352nd Ave., Boring, 503-701-4580, 503 504-7012. Open weekends from dawn to dusk. From Gresham take Highway 26 east to Compton Road. Turn left on Compton and the left on 352nd Avenue and take a left at the end of the gravel road. Noble firs from 8 to 12 feet tall. Services include help cutting and tree bailing. Cash and checks only.

Multnomah County 

• Christmas Nobles by Holscher's — 16550 S.E. Foster Road, Gresham, just east of the Space Age Fuel, 503-328-6632. Open daily 9 a.m. to dusk Friday, Nov. 23, through Saturday, Dec. 15. U-cut, we cut, saws provided. Large selection of tall trees, 10 to more than 20 feet high, including well-shaped nobles, Nordman and grand fir trees. Smaller Fraser fir, grands, nobles and other varieties between 5 and 9 feet tall also available. Cash and checks only.

• Olcott's Christmas Trees — 43120 S.E. Deverell Road, Corbett, 503-695-5219. Open the Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Call for week day hours, open 9 a.m. To 4 p.m. weekends. We-cut and U-cut nobles, saws are provided, free cordage/tie material, free hot cider. Seasoned firewood also available. From I-84, take exit 22 or Stark Street into Corbett. From the Corbett Fire Hall on the east end of town, travel east on Columbia River Highway 1.6 miles to Larch Mountain Road, travel a little more than three miles on Larch Mountain Road to Louden Road. Follow signs to the tree farm.

• Oxbow Rim Tree Farm — 34623 S.E. Homan Road, Gresham, 503-663-6815. Open Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. U-cut, we-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees. Saws provide. They'll clean, bale and load the tree for you. Tree stands also available. Nobles, Douglas-fir, grand fir and Scotch pines. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Wreaths, refreshments, gift shop with almost 4,000 ornaments, restrooms, food including hot dogs, elephant ears and more. All that plus, candy canes, balloons and wood stoves to warm your toes. The farm is located just above Oxbow Park, 18 miles east of Portland and six miles east of Gresham.

Linfields 30-14 win sets up a quarterfinal clash of unbeaten teams against Wisconsin-Oshkosh next Saturday

McMINNVILLE — Linfield coach Joseph Smith unlocked his quarterback Saturday and it paid off in a big way during the Wildcats’ 30-14 win over North Central (Ill.) in the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs.

After admitting to a conservative game plan that “handcuffed” senior QB Mickey Inns in last week’s 27-24 first-round win over Pacific Lutheran, Smith turned the offense loose against the Cardinals.

“You take what the defense is giving you, but I’m really pleased with what Mickey did today,” Smith said. “Standing in there and delivering the ball while you’re getting hit is a hard thing to do.”

Inns, out of Gresham High, completed 24 of 39 passes for 305 yards and two TDs despite getting knocked around by the North Central defense most of the day.

“Every QB prides himself on being able to make the throw while taking a big hit,” Inns said. “You just have to stay in the zone. You’re going to get hit anyway, so you might as well complete the pass.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Linfield took the lead early in the second on a drive that saw Inns complete 6 of 7 throws — the toughest coming on 3rd-and-1 when he lasered the ball between a pair of white jerseys and hit Charlie Poppen for a 27-yard gain.

Inns appeared to finish the drive when he hit Deidre Wiersma over the middle for a short touchdown only to have the points taken away due to a pass interference penalty.

Inns was not phased.

He dropped back on the next play and hit Poppen on the left side for a 17-yard scoring strike.

North Central took the ball into Linfield territory looking for an answer, but Linfield linebacker Mike Nardoni pulled down Cardinals’ running back Jordan Tassio for a short loss on 3rd-and-1.

After missing a field goal in the first quarter, the Cardinals kept the offense on the field for fourth down. North Central QB Spencer Stanek took a quick drop and fired into a crowd over the middle. The pass hit Linfield linebacker Dominique Forrest in the numbers and he had a clear path 73 yards to the end zone with the interception return.

Stanek bobbled a snap on North Central’s next possession, and Linfield’s Michael MacClanathan recovered. Kicker Josh Kay converted the turnover into points with a 44-yard field goal, and within minutes a scoreless game had turned into a 17-0 Linfield lead.

“They rely on the ground game and weren’t a team that was going to be able to get down a lot and come back,” Smith said. “It’s certainly easier to call plays when you’re working with a big lead.”

North Central had some life early in the second half after recovering a Linfield fumble at midfield. The Cardinals went for the end zone immediately, sending Beaverton High grad Jeff Stolzenburg down the middle of the field. But Linfield’s Michael Link was with him stride for stride and broke in front to swat the pass away a couple steps from the goal line.

The next play ended with Brandon Funk intercepting a ball near the sideline.

The North Central threat was over, but Linfield wasn’t letting off the gas.

Inns dropped back to pass, had the pocket collapse around him only to slip out the front of a pack of linemen and launch a deep ball in front of the grandstands. Seeing his QB in trouble, receiver Lucas Jepson broke down the sideline in a dead sprint, and Inns’ pass hit him in the hands 50 yards downfield. Jepson shook a tackle at the 5-yard line to complete the 64-yard scoring strike.

“They dropped some guys into coverage and nothing was open, so I scrambled a bit and they came up on me,” Inns said. “Lucas just broke down the sideline and finished the play.”

Jepson led the Wildcats with eight catches for 132 yards.

Another North Central interception would lead to a Chad Coburn 4-yard touchdown run, and Linfield found itself with a commanding 30-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

“The biggest thing was the turnovers today,” Smith said. “You can’t have five interceptions and expect to win the game. I’m proud of the way our defense played today — it was a combination of pressure up front and solid coverage.”

North Central got a pair of touchdown runs by Nick Kukuc to close the gap, but the Cardinals comeback bid ended with a Link’s second pick of the day.

Linfield took possession with 7:36 to play and wouldn’t give the ball back until less than two minutes remained. Gresham High graduate Wes Meng helped drain the clock when he caught a 5-yard pass to convert a 3rd-and-1.

“Every time we thought we were getting back into it, they would come up with a big play,” North Central coach John Thorne said. “You just can’t keep giving the ball away.”

Linfield (11-0) is expected to host Wisconsin-Oshkosh (12-0) in next Saturday’s quarterfinals, although the NCAA officially announces home sites for the next round Sunday. The Titans knocked off Bethel 37-14 on Saturday.

North Central had its chances in the first quarter, converting three straight third-down plays on its opening drive.

The Cardinals started their next two possessions near midfield, but couldn’t produce any points. The team’s best chance came when kicker Nick Dace came onto the field for a 37-yard field goal. He booted the ball between the uprights, but whistles killed the play. North Central had called timeout with the play clock ticking to zero.

Dace’s second attempt went wide left.

“You need to get points when you have those chances, and missing that field goal was a huge shot in the heart,” Thorne said.

Kukuc, the Cardinals all-time leading rusher, gained 194 yards on 25 carries.

Forrest led Linfield's defense with 12 tackles, and punter Josh Repp averaged 43.9 yards per kick and pinned North Central inside the 10-yard line twice.

Scoring summary

NORTH CENTRAL 0 0 7 7 — 14

LINFIELD 0 17 13 0 — 30

Second quarter

LNF — Charlie Poppen 17 pass from Mickey Inns (Josh Kay kick), 14:22

LNF — Dominique Forrest 73 interception return (Kay kick), 10:48

LNF — Josh Kay 44 FG, 6:42

Third quarter

LNF — Lucas Jepson 64 pass from Inns (Kay kick), 8:18

LNF — Chad Coburn 4 run (kick blocked), 5:12

NC — Nick Kukuc 32 run (Nick Dace kick), 2:32

Fourth quarter

NC — Kukuc 15 yard (Dace kick), 14:54

View a photo gallery of today’s game at …

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/linfield_football_2nd_round

Gresham chamber recognizes local business and nonprofit organization volunteers

It seems fitting that in keeping with the season of giving, the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce took a moment to acknowledge those who don’t wait for a holiday to make their community a better place.

During the inaugural Business Excellence Awards luncheon Thursday, Dec. 7, the chamber honored volunteers from local businesses and nonprofit organizations, as well as an Entrepreneur of the Year. Chamber members were nominated, with winners selected for their exceptional volunteerism.

The event replaces the Golden Note Awards, which recognized individual volunteers with a nonprofit organization. This year’s addition of excellence in business awards expands the chamber’s recognition for volunteerism within the business community, said Chamber CEO Alison Hart.

“We thought it was important to acknowledge the diversity of our membership by including both our business and nonprofit members,” Hart said. “The winners exemplify the caliber of businesses in this region and their volunteers.”

This year’s winners for the Excellence in Business Awards were:

• Large Business (companies with more than 50 employees) — Adventist Health.

Adventist Health’s mission is to administer compassionate care to all patients while providing a regional presence that serves the community’s needs. The hospital has been recognized nationally for its exceptional services in gynecological and spinal surgeries, and regularly provides workshops, seminars and support groups for community members with health issues. Adventist Health’s president and CEO, Tom Russell, has advocated for the needs of patients to state legislatures and various government officials and recently was presented with the 2012 Grass Roots Champion Award for his leadership.

• Small Business (companies with fewer than 49 employees) — Riverview Community Bank.

Serving the community’s financial needs may be the purpose of a bank, but supporting those who live within its service area is equally important to Riverview Community Bank. Led by Casey Ryan, vice president and branch manager, Riverview’s presence in East County is felt by numerous charities, nonprofit and service organizations. The bank is a corporate sponsor for community events and festivals from Gresham to Corbett, while Riverview’s employees have given numerous volunteer hours to the Teddy Bear Parade, SnowCap Community Charities and local school functions. Riverview also supports local businesses through the Gresham chamber’s Try Local First program and annually, helps steer the Fill-A-Bag campaign to feed the hungry during the holidays.

• Golden Note Volunteer of the Year, supported by business — Ed Hoover, Adventist Health.

With more than 1,700 volunteer hours to his name, Hoover has been described as “an inspiring coach and mentor to others and an advocate for those in need.” By teaming up with churches, schools and health plans, Hoover has been able to establish alternative access for health screenings and services needed by uninsured or underinsured members of the community. To date, Hoover has reached more than 2,300 people through health education classes, health fairs and other events.

• Golden Note Volunteer of the Year, supported by a nonprofit organization — Merlin Aufdengarten, SnowCap Community Charities.

Aufdengarten’s passion for those who have come upon tough times has led him to devote more than 1,215 volunteer hours to those in need. He has delivered food to hundreds of senior citizens and disabled people and helps acquaint newbies to his style of volunteerism. But his pet project is aiding convicted felons in finding employment. He developed an employment seminar for felons, assisting them with their résumé and interview skills, and now helps employers consider the person’s past work experience to provide him or her with a second chance.

• Entrepreneur of the Year — Sue Piazza, Take Shape for Life.

For the past five years, Piazza has coached others in their efforts to achieve their optimal health goals. Her independent business has grown to more than $6 million in annual sales, and she now assists 450 other coaches in their Take Shape for Life businesses. But in June 2011, Piazza launched the Fab50 Project to raise $50,000 for five local charities in honor of her 50th birthday in June 2012. With the support of nearly 400 people and 100 businesses, her project raised $78,000 in 12 months, which allowed her to present checks for $13,000 to six different charities at her birthday party.

Judging this year’s awards were Travis Stovall, executive director, East Metro Economic Alliance; Mike McLaran, CEO, Oregon State Chamber of Commerce; and Erik Pozzo, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and Angel investor.

The chamber’s Try Local First Committee presented Community Newspapers President Mark Garber with its fourth annual Champion Award. The award is in recognition for The Outlook’s efforts to encourage support of local businesses through the newspapers editorial and advertising departments.

For information on next year’s Business Excellence Awards, call the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center at 503-665-1131.

Leo Hendricks

Oct. 6, 1919-Nov. 30, 2012

Longtime Boring resident Leo Hendricks died Friday, Nov. 30. He was 93.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Hood View Seventh-day Adventist Church in Boring.

Leo was born Oct. 6, 1919, in Ulman, Mo., to Oscar and Tennie (Beard) Hendricks. He grew up and attended school in Ulman until his enlistment in the U.S. Army.

After leaving the Army, Leo moved to Colorado, where he met Bessie New. They married in 1947.

In 1955, Leo and his family moved to Boring, where they made their permanent home and he and his wife raised their children. He worked at the Columbia Steel foundry in Portland until his retirement.

Leo loved to hunt for deer, camp and golf in his spare time.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jamie Hendricks.

Survivors include his wife; son, Terry Hendricks of Boring; daughter, Gaylen Lister of Vancouver, Wash.; five grandchildren;13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Sandy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

A holiday to remember

I have served the past 10 years helping at the church feeding the needy, but skipped this year. I went to turkey dinner at a friend’s house; things have changed. No longer are the meals on time, but the younger guys don’t remember what time to come, let alone what they were supposed to bring. They did remember there was a ball game and what time it was. They picked the most comfortable chair, and that is where they sat and sat. Grandparents arrived and said hi. They all noticed they were there at halftime. Then comes Christmas time. They all enter with wet hair and hangovers, only to tell you they have to go to another house for dessert. Do they give you a hand in the kitchen? Oh no — they save those fingers for texting who is having the late-night party. That’s when their eyes open like deers in a headlight, and they come alive. But we all know grandparents don't last forever and their turn will come up. God help them all.

Eileen Ayers

Fairview

Something better than nothing

Guess I am confused by the statements made by Mr. Bowerman in the Tuesday, Dec. 4, issue of the Gresham Outlook regarding the taxation of those who bring in more than $250,000 a year. If that tax increase generated the amount he states, $85 billion, we would be that much ahead. I always thought something was better than nothing. I don’t begin to understand his attack on the president when it has been Congress that has failed us. The GOP doesn’t seem willing to compromise on the tax issue, in the fact that the wealthier won’t be strapped for cash if they are required to pay more. What happened to the edict that those who have more should help those who don’t?

Mr. Bowerman speaks of the president’s “alleged arrogance.” Funny, as I always thought the same thing about Bush when he was making decisions that put us in this financial crisis in the first place.

Alyson Huntting

Gresham

Studded tire users must pay

Stud lovers should be made to pay for the damage they do to our roads. The damage far exceeds that of trucks that are performing necessary services. Skiers get off their dead rumps and put chains on for their day of play, and should not expect the rest of us to drive in the ruts for hundreds of miles all year long. The solution is very simple in a conservative world: Calculate the cost of stud damage to the roads and tax the studded tire sales to cover it, period!

Richard Crampton

Gresham

Medical examiner releases cause and manner of Miranda Crockett's death

Miranda Crockett, the 10-year-old Fairview who died on Nov. 24, drowned and is considered a homicide victim, according to state medical examiners.

The girl's cause of death is asphyxia by drowning and the manner of death is homicide, said Multnomah County Medical Examiner Larry Lewman.

No other details about the girl's death are being released from the office, police or court officials.

Her father's live-in girlfriend, Chandra Ilene Rose, 34, is in jail on seven charges, including criminal mistreatment and coercion. Police arrested her early Monday, Nov. 26, two days after authorities found the girl's body at the Kings Garden Apartments in the 2700 block of Northeast 205th Avenue in Fairview where the girl lived with her father, Daniel Crockett, Rose and Rose’s three children.

Rose has not been charged in Miranda Crockett's death, but in the wake of her arrest, her three children were taken into protective custody.

A preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, has been postponed to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the request of Rose's public defender.

Investigators have called Miranda Crockett's death suspicious but have released few details. The medical examiner conducted an autopsy last week but didn't release the findings until today.

A group of retirees, with help from current employees, spend months making toys from hand that are given to needy, hospitalized and otherwise worthy children

Kelly Broomall is too tall to be an elf, but the wood shop at his Troutdale home is busy year-round to the benefit of good little boys and girls.

Broomall is part of a team of 15 retirees from Boeing’s Gresham facility who for more than 30 years have put their work skills to use making Christmas toys for children.

“We’re all good at working with our hands,” Broomall says. After all, they make plane parts for a living.

The toymakers call it the Holiday Community Outreach Program, which technically is in its 30th year.

But Broomall, who knows a thing or two about being a grateful kid on Christmas morning, launched the program with another Boeing employee, Ron Case, back in 1978.

Broomall grew up in Philadelphia with his 13 brothers and sisters. His father worked for “Ma Bell,” formally known as Bell Telephone, as an engineer, but with so many mouths to feed relied on the kind souls at the Salvation Army for Christmas gifts.

“We probably wouldn’t have had much for Christmas without them,” Broomall said of the charitable organization. “I still remember the wooden toys they gave us.”

He also remembers the feeling of powerlessness he had, knowing he was unable to help his parents financially.

“It’s terrible,” Broomall said.

Broomall grew up to follow in his father’s footsteps and found work at Boeing as an industrial engineer in 1978.

That same year, he and a co-worker started making toys for three charitable organizations — SnowCap, the Sunshine Division and Toy & Joy. The next year, a third volunteer, Sue Enders, pitched in. Then a fourth and a fifth.

In 1982, the toymakers joined forces with another charitable offshoot of Boeing, whose employees had for many years been providing food to hungry families during the holidays.

Now known as Spirit of the Holidays, the program includes current employees who adopted families, equipping them with boxes of food plus toys for the kids. When the programs joined forces, the number of toymakers swelled from a band of five full-time employees to 35, most of whom were retirees.

The gifts have changed with the times. Raggedy Ann dolls in the 1980s have given way to baby dolls in handmade cradles complete with mattresses, blankets and pillows sewn by yet more volunteers, including some who still work for the company. Some years the toymakers make wooden cars and trucks. This year it’s train sets and cradles.

Volunteers make the toys for local children as well as children in hospitals and children of local veterans. After Sept. 11, 2001, the group sent 150 cradles and train sets to the children of emergency responders in New York who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Fred Krieger, 89, is the longest serving volunteer toymaker. He began volunteering with Broomall 26 years ago after retiring from the Boeing plant in 1986.

He even roped his wife, Frances, into it: She’s sewn everything from stuffed animals to pillows.

Illness has forced Frances to sit out the program the past two years. Last week, hospice workers came to their Northeast Portland home. But Krieger still made it out to the plant to help with the cradles.

“It’s something to do,” he says. “Some people golf. We do this.”

The annual gathering of the retirees every October has come to symbolize the kickoff for the holiday season for all employees.

Broomall and Mike Murphy of Boring spend all year cutting wood, sanding and preparing wooden pieces to be made into toys. Then he brings them all to Boeing’s cafeteria, where starting in October, volunteers work four-hour shifts three times a week sanding, assembling, packaging and wrapping toys until the last one is delivered, usually about a week before Christmas. This year, deliveries will be made Saturday, Dec. 15.

“It’s always a thrill,” Krieger says. “To know who will be getting them and to know they’ll be appreciated. Some families are in bad shape.”

As for the toy-making, “It’s kind of a get-together of old friends,” Krieger says, adding that he made many friends over his 45 years working at Boeing.

“Why sit around when there’s something to be done to help?” he asks. “I just enjoy it. I’ll probably do it again next year if I’m still here.”

Boeing employee Jennifer Steele has volunteered for 25 years sewing stockings for adopted families, sewing blankets for the toymakers’ cradles and even sanding wood that later was made into log trucks.

She knows the joy these toys bring children — children in such dire straits that they recognize a cradle or train as a cherished extra.

“They’re not looking at something wrapped, they’re looking at the food,” Steele says. “The oranges, the apples.”

Sometimes a mother will discreetly ask if the food boxes include toilet paper.

“It’s very sad,” Steele says.

It’s also a lot of work. Broomall retired in 2010, and this year he spent an estimated 1,500 hours in his wood shop preparing the wood to be made into toys.

And the work load increases as age conspires against the retirees.

Or as Broomall puts it, “They fall off the other side.”

“We lost two key players this year,” he says. Each cradle is marked with their names — Bob Regan and Ray Schwartz — in their memory.

It’s a sad situation, and Broomall finds himself facing it more and more. “The ranks have been thinning,” Broomall says, adding that volunteers numbered 50 at the program’s peak. Today there are only 15.

Broomall, at 70, is the youngest volunteer. Next year will be his 36th year in the program and very well could be his last.

He’s planning to end the program after next year.

Employees will continue to adopt families. The families just won’t get the handmade toys as in years past.

“We would lose a key part of it,” says Jason Marr, another employee who volunteers on the company’s executive committee, which oversees the Spirit of the Holidays program.

Marr also fears how the Program’s loss will affect the retirees.

“I’ve had more than one elf say, ‘This is what keeps me going,’ ” Marr said.

Retirees who have the time to make toys are running out of energy. Or health problems prevent them from volunteering.

Newer employees have the energy but not the time to give, with young families to tend to.

Employees who help with the Spirit of the Holidays Program dread the day the toymakers hang up their woodworking tools.

“I don’t want to think about it,” Steele says.

But they will continue to provide food boxes with meat, fresh produce, dairy products and candy to needy families.

“It helps set up our holiday spirit because we know what real need is,” Marr said. “How lucky we are to have good jobs, especially these last few years.”