Center to reopen Friday, March 1, when Boys & Girls Clubs takes over operations

It's been a chaotic week for children and teens who attend the Police Activities League center, affectionately known as the PAL center, in Gresham.

The suppers they rely on for food after school were not provided on Monday and Tuesday, leaving parents and staff scrambling to supply meals for roughly 100 children and teens.

Buses that transported children from local schools to the center stopped delivering kids, cutting typical attendance in half.

Yet, other school buses that include the center as part of their routes, continued the practice of stopping at the center to drop children off — unaware that the center was closed Wednesday and Thursday as part of the transition to new management.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area announced late last week that it would be taking over operation of the Gresham youth center as of Friday, March 1. Just two weeks earlier, officials with the Police Activities League of Greater Portland put out a call for donations so it could make payroll. Otherwise, the doors to Gresham's PAL Center, at 424 N.E. 172nd Ave., would have closed on Friday, Feb. 15.

Instead, the community raised $16,000, or enough to stay open through the end of the month, officials said.

As reported in the Tuesday, Feb. 19, issue of The Outlook, the agency used its endowment fund to shore up a $336,000 budget deficit during its 2011-12 fiscal year, but still operated at a nearly $200,000 deficit. Executive Director Patricia Day TenEyck, who was hired as the new director in late 2010, said the agency struggled to secure increasingly scarce grants from government agencies and foundations. Previously successful fundraisers also failed to make much money.

So last week, PAL's board of directors approved returning Beaverton's youth center to the city of Beaverton, which used to operate it before the city transferred it to the Portland league in 2006. It also announced on Friday, Feb. 22, that the Boys & Girls Clubs would take over management of the eastside PAL Center on March 1.

But with a week to go before the proverbial passing of the baton, there was a possibility the center would close for a few days while the management details were ironed out. For example, PAL staff would have to be interviewed in order to be rehired as Girls & Boys Club employees.

PAL officials, however, did not notify parents whose children attend the PAL center about the changes or a possible closure.

Rebecca Hamilton, whose daughter attends the PAL Center, was shocked on Monday, Feb. 25, to learn that the center would be closed Wednesday and Thursday, but could possibly reopen Friday under new management.

In addition, the after-school meal PAL provides had been suspended. She delivered nine pizzas to the center on Monday, so that her daughter and the other children and teens wouldn't go hungry.

Leftover hotdogs and chips from a Saturday fundraiser supplied the Tuesday meal. At the end of the day, staff hugged the kids goodbye not knowing whether they'd be back on Friday as Girls & Boys Clubs employees.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, staff returned for hiring interviews. Meanwhile, a few PAL kids came by only to discover the center was closed. Javier Coyt, 16, got off a school bus from Reynolds Learning Academy, ambled over to the doors and staff told him about the temporary closure. By then his bus had already left.

He's been coming to the center since middle school, mostly to play basketball. It beats the courts near his family's apartment off Northeast Sandy Boulevard. “We don't have to worry about getting jumped or shot at or nothing,” Coyt said.

The center is a haven for teens with gang ties who want to avoid trouble, he said. “This keeps us off the streets doing bad things,” he said. Some kids at the center don't even have a place to live, let alone a place to go after school, he added. The center and its staff is their safety net.

“They really care about you,” Coyt said.

Sierra Moyer, 13, agreed. On Wednesday, after getting out of school at H.B. Lee Middle School up the street, she bounced her basketball in the center's parking lot, unable to go inside. “There's really no place like it,” she said, adding that she's been going there since she was 8. “I hope they hire all the staff. They're not just like my friends, they're like my family.”

Recently, she found herself in a bind. She was supposed to meet her basketball coach at the center for a ride to a game. But the MAX was running late, so Moyer missed her ride. A center staffer saved the day by driving her to the game.

“They help me with my homework, too,” she said.

As Moyer wandered off bouncing her basketball, three top officials from the Boys & Girls Club, including Chief Executive Officer Erin Hubert, toured the center.

They were checking the place out, seeing what kind of maintenance is needed now — paint — and what would be a waste of money — roof repairs and asbestos abatement — if the organization is successful in raising enough money to replace the center with a new building.

Later that night, Hubert met with parents whose children go to the center to answer any questions and address concerns about the transition.

That meant a lot to Hamilton, who attended the meeting.

“They have great heart and great ideas to make this center even better,” Hamilton said.

Although she's sad to see PAL go, Hamilton said she's excited about the potential for the center under its new leadership. The Boys & Girls Clubs will embark on a capital campaign to raise money to build a new state-of-the art center, hopefully on its existing footprint, Hubert said. During construction, the organization hopes to partner with local churches to provide a temporary club for kids.

Kimberlee Peterson — whose son Bradley, 9, goes to the center — said her frustration about how PAL handled the center's transition and its financial problems is now giving way to optimism.

“I'm really excited about the possibilities,” she said.

Alternative high school would also have to relocate students and programs

Riverside Elementary School is under the budget axe to save $450,000 in what promises to be another tough budget season, as announced Thursday at the North Clackamas School Board meeting.

Superintendent Matt Utterback acknowledged that it would be a “hard decision” for the School Board on March 21 to merge Riverside Elementary into neighboring Concord and Oak Grove elementary, sending Riverside’s bilingual program into El Puente Elementary.

The Rex Putnam High School feeder area is being targeted for a school closure, noted Assistant Superintendent Aeylin Summers, because all of the elementary schools in the region between Milwaukie and Gladstone have less than 400 students. Summers tried to put a positive spin on the district halving its number of bilingual opportunities.

“This is a nice opportunity to mass resources for supporting the bilingual model,” she said.

Two years ago the district closed Campbell and Clackamas elementary schools to howls of community protest.

Board member Sam Gillispie said that the district learned from the painful process of closing Campbell and Clackamas to get as much input as possible. Vivian Scott added she didn’t know how else to minimize the pain beside communicating as much as possible.

• A March 6 community meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at Riverside, 16303 S.E. River Road, Oak Grove. In addition, district leaders will also hold a meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at noon at Riverside for parents and community members who can’t attend a meeting at night. Childcare and Spanish interpreters will be available at both meetings.

• Parent meetings about the proposed plan for school consolidation are planned for 6:30 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays, March 5 and 12, at New Urban, 1901 S.E. Oak Grove Blvd.

• A public budget hearing takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, in the commons on the south campus of Sabin-Schellenberg Center, 14450 S.E. Johnson Road, Clackamas. There will be an opportunity for individuals to address the board regarding the proposals.

• The School Board meeting at Rex Putnam, 4950 S.E. Roethe Road, Oak Grove, with a likely School Board vote on the proposal, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.

Fate of New Urban

New Urban High School would also move to the Sabin-Shellenberg Career and Technical Center under the district’s plan to save another $540,000. There, district officials say that students who are in danger of dropping out would have access to programming that shows them a path to productive careers.

The proposed move is similar to the “co-location” of the Sojourner Elementary magnet program at Linwood Elementary that was part of the district reconfiguration two years ago. The buildings in Oak Grove that once housed Sojourner and New Urban would be vacant this summer if the board accepts the latest district plan. The cost savings would come from cutting New Urban administrative staff and building maintenance.

School Board member Kyle Walker suggested that the board should consider imposing a fee on art classes to help generate revenue.

Other cuts possible

District officials are fairly confident that classroom cuts would be avoidable during this budget cycle. The district faces a $7.5 million shortfall next year, assuming the governor can apply savings on public-employee retirement plans to the total.

Hundreds of participants in recent budget forums said they wanted to avoid increasing class sizes, affecting technical education, or art and music classes. Elimination of textbook purchases was a popular option for cuts, as were school consolidations for parts of the district not affecting their family’s own schools.

NCSD officials plan to look under their figurative couch cushions for opportunities such as sale of district property, which was the most popular option in the community survey. One-time transfers from Medicaid and rebates could shore up $1.6 million, and the district could also take out a line of credit for “unforeseen expenditures.”

Open enrollment

On the eve of a state-mandated decision, School Board members voted 6-1 on Thursday to open NCSD borders to Gladstone, Oregon City, Lake Oswego and Riverdale school districts.

Only 50 slots for freshman or sophomores will open, equally divided between Milwaukie and Rex Putnam high schools. Students from West Linn High School boundaries, and the southern parts of Portland Public Schools and the David Douglas School District, will also be invited to apply for the slots.

Utterback called the open-enrollment plan a “conservative approach” to bringing new revenue into the district. He spoke with superintendent in Oregon City and Gladstone for advice and found that they did not see an influx of high-cost, disabled students.

“They were both very clear that the students they received through open enrollment matched their current demographics,” Utterback said.

“There’s a certain amount of risk involved, but I will support this,” said newly appointed board member Daryl Dixon.

Kyle Walker said she voted no because she thought that the district had been rushed to make a decision without enough data to determine whether revenue benefits could outweigh the increased staff time for logistical issues.

First Thursday features Gresham art students

For the first time, the annual Gresham High School International Baccalaureate Art Show will take place in the Pearl District, coinciding with Portland’s First Thursday art exhibits.

An opening reception will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Albina Community Bank, 430 N.W. 10th Ave., Portland. Art will be displayed through April 1.

Student artists include: Trynity Alvarez, Lizzy Babicz, Sarah Brodesser, Lauren Casto, Junior Cortez, Samantha Hanson, Mary Lor, Angelina Macca, Kaela Meixner, Kelsey Miller, Adylene Romero, Sarah Steinbrugge, Yaroslave Sokol, Meranda Taylor, Hanna Temple, Alyssa Vedus, Sally Veunnasack and Tiffany Yang.

For more information, call Hoan Tran, art instructor, at 503-674-5500, ext. 5318.

Green Schools Summit hosted at Portland Lutheran

Portland Lutheran School is hosting the annual Oregon Green Schools Summit on Friday, March 1.

Representatives from member schools in the Oregon Green Schools Association are coming together to learn, network and celebrate earth-friendly achievements.

Oregon Green Schools, a nonprofit organization, formed in 1997. The organization sets up and maintains effective, permanent waste reduction and resource efficiency programs that improve schools and communities. It also recognizes schools for their efforts and achievements.

Reynolds hosts senior all-night party benefit

The Reynolds High School senior all-night party auction will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 1, in the multipurpose room at the high school.

Admission is $5 per person, with cash and credit cards accepted. The night features Hawaiian style food and entertainment, along with a silent auction.

Proceeds will benefit the alcohol and drug-free graduation event for seniors.

Art on exhibit at college

The Fireplace Gallery at Mt. Hood Community College is offering a free art exhibit by Patrick Driscoll from March 4-28 called, “I offer so much, but commit so little.”

Located in the student union at 26000 S.E. Stark St., the gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

The Visual Arts Gallery at Mt. Hood will exhibit Tara Burkhardt’s oil paint series, “Quiet: Being Within” from March 4-28.

The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Learn about cybersecurity

The FBI will give a talk about cybersecurity at Mt. Hood Community College at 4 p.m. Monday, March 4, in Room AC1271 at the college.

The college began a networking and cybersecurity program last fall to prepare graduates for careers specializing in the new field.

“While the United States is the most technologically advanced nation in the world, most people do not realize just how vulnerable we are,” said Wayne Machuca, Ph.D. and MHCC computer information systems and web instructor. “The widespread use of everything mobile has put us at great risk.”

The event is free and open to the public, with limited seating.

Will you be a high school freshman or sophomore in the upcoming school year? Do you live in the in the Gladstone, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, or Riverdale districts; the Portland Public Schools attendance areas of Wilson, Cleveland or Franklin high schools; the West Linn High School attendance area; or south of Powell Boulevard in the David Douglas School District?

Then the North Clackamas School Board wants you to apply for one of 50 open slots at Milwaukie and Rex Putnam high schools, where students can take elective classes at the Sabin-Schellenberg Center, the state’s largest career-technical center, with 15 hands-on programs providing college-credit opportunities. (Within hours of the board’s approval of the transfer program on Thursday night, the district has already received several applications.)

Another part of NCSD’s pitch is that both high schools have competitive band, orchestra, choir, drama and athletic programs, and a large number of on-site courses in which students can earn college credits. Milwaukie has on-site health care free to students and a newly renovated arts center. Rex Putnam offers the county’s only International Baccalaureate college preparatory program and a newly renovated building.

“Providing students with engaging, challenging learning opportunities to pursue their individual interests is a huge catalyst for academic success,” said Superintendent Matt Utterback. “In North Clackamas, we offer a full spectrum of electives—from college-level AP and International Baccalaureate courses and career-technical programs to first-rate performing and visual arts. We work to meet each student’s unique needs.”

Under Oregon’s open-boundaries law, approved in 2011, students admitted under the law’s provisions gain permanent district-resident status. Current district applicants have first priority for the designated openings. All applications (in-district and external) are due April 1.

For information and application forms, visit http://www.nclack.k12.or.us/site/ or contact the schools:

Rex Putnam High School & International Baccalaureate Programme: 503-353-5870; Milwaukie High School: 503-353-5840; Sabin-Schellenberg Career-Technical Center: 503-353-5940.

If you need help filling out your application, call 503-353-6044.

In wake of little girl's tragic death, Rep. Shemia Fagan leads charge for pedestrian safety improvements

Rep. Shemia Fagan, D-Portland, whose House District 51 includes parts of East Portland, Gresham and Damascus, is among 10 legislators calling for more funding for sidewalks and other pedestrian safety improvements in outer East Portland following the Thursday, Feb. 28, death of a 5-year-old girl.

Morgan Cook was walking home with a 13-year-old friend at about 7 p.m. when she crossed the street and was hit by a car at Southeast 136th Avenue and Ellis Street, just west of Powell Butte. She died in an ambulance while being driven to a hospital short time later. The driver — a 68-year-old woman — was unimpaired and traveling at or below the speed limit, police said. No citations have been issued and the case is under investigation.

In the wake of the tragic accident, Fagan is galvanizing legislators representing portions of east Portland who have signed a letter to Portland's mayor and city council to immediately reinstate funding for sidewalks and crosswalks on Southeast 136th Avenue.

Other local legislators to sign her letter include Rep. Greg Matthews, D-Gresham, and Rep. Christopher Gorsek, D-Troutdale.

In a press release, Fagan said that for the past week, East Portland legislators have “conducted frank conversations” with the City of Portland in response to the transportation bureau's proposal to spend $1.2 million previously allocated for sidewalks along Southeast 136th Avenue on road paving projects in other parts of the city.

The sidewalk project had been slated for the section of 136th between Powell and Holgate, just north of where the girl was hit. And the proposal to reallocate its funding for road paving took place before Portland Mayor Charlie Hales took office in January.

Fagan's letter also urges the major to provide additional funding for at least three crosswalks complete with rectangular rapid flashing beacons on 136th Avenue between Division Street and Foster Road.

The tragic accident brought into stark and horrifying reality East Portland’s lack of basic infrastructure, Fagan said.

“As a mother I am heartbroken by what happened last night less than a block from my home,” said Fagan. “The City cannot continue to pretend that East Portland can wait for the sidewalks and adequate lightning that most of the city takes for granted.”

Southeast 136th Avenue is a major road and a common route to area two elementary schools and a middle school.

Fagan has formed the East Portland Caucus to advocate for East Portland and to work with the city to improve what she called “this long-neglected part of the city.”

Parts of east Portland still have unpaved roads and few sidewalks and crosswalks. Mayor Hales, who was elected in November, included promises of road improvements as part of his campaign.

Marcos Ugarte, 15, earns national recognition for rescuing his neighbor from burning house last year

The Troutdale teen who rescued his 8-year-old neighbor from the second story of a burning house last fall has been named one of the final 23 Citizen Service Before Self honorees.

Recognized through the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Marcos Ugarte will move on to a second round of judging by Medal of Honor recipients.

The four final honorees will be announced Monday, March 11, and awarded at a ceremony on National Medal of Honor Day — Monday, March 25, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“It’s an honor just to be nominated,” said Marcos, a 15-year-old Gresham High School student. “These are people who have done better things than I’ve done.”

But Marcos has received numerous accolades the past six months for his act of hometown heroism.

His first month of high school, Marcos made an appearance on “Good Morning America” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” touted as a hero after the Sept. 24 rescue.

Along with VIP tickets to see his favorite football team, the Oregon Ducks, Marcos received a $10,000 for college savings from Ellen. Later, he was honored by the Troutdale City Council with a heroism award.

Along with the kuddos, Marcos has formed new career ambitions of becoming a firefighter or joining the Army.

“It’s been a really humbling experience," Marcos, said. "I'm very thankful for the nomination."

Finalists for the Citizen Service Before Self honor are from 13 states and include three minors.

Ranging in age from 6-91, the finalists' heroic acts took many forms, including daring water rescues, fire rescues, a lifesaving organ transplant and a foiled kidnapping.

Three of the honorees were New York residents who assisted in Hurricane Sandy rescues and relief.

Nominations for heroes surrounding the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December will be handled separately later this year.

For more information, visit csbsh.org.

Councilors hope transparency can break down walls

When Fairview’s City Council opted by one vote not to fund the Chili on the Green, it appeared every resident had an opinion about the controversial decision.

Tempers flared, message boards erupted and councilors engaged in online spats with voters and one another.

The Wednesday, Feb. 20, vote may have ignited strong emotions regarding Fairview’s signature event, but some councilors said it unearthed a deeper issue.

“I believe it’s a sign of things to come,” Council President Lisa Barton-Mullins said. “Right now (the council) is too divided.”

Funding for the Chili Festival was rejected 4-3, with councilors Dan Kreamier, Steve Prom, Ken Quinby and Tamie Tlustod-Arnold voting no, while Steve Owen, Mayor Mike Weatherby and Barton-Mullins were in favor of the proposal.

Some councilors say that vote identified the two sides of a divided council.

“I think some are in step with one another,” Owen said.

Quinby, though, doesn’t access the notion that the council is divided. He said the councilors vote as individuals, not as teams. But, he added, that in his nearly 13 years of service as a city councilor, he’s often been an outcast.

“I don’t know what walls exist,” he said. “In the almost 13 years I’ve been on the council, I rarely am contacted by other councilors. The last three years, especially, given the history between me and the rest of the council. They simply, in the majority of cases, discussed issues amongst themselves. There were various prior councils who did the same thing.

“We have hardly been a team, it’s very sad to say.”

That past divide could be the driving force for tension that still exists, Barton-Mullins said.

Last November, Brian Cooper lost his council seat to Tlustod-Arnold, while Barbara Jones lost hers to Quinby.

During a heated election, Jones filed a complaint with Oregon’s secretary of state, alleging violations of compaign finance laws by Quinby and Tlustod-Arnold. Both councilors were cleared of the accusations, but bitter memories weren’t forgotten.

“There was a lot of bad blood between the other four and past councilors,” she said. “Whether this is fallout, I don’t know.”

Owen said, Everyone is a little guarded right now because there are still some scars from the election season and it can take a while to heal.”

Cooper and Jones were strong advocates for the Chili Festival this year, and Owen said some councilors chose not to fund it based on animosity between them and the former councilors.

“It’s not a lot of money,” Owen said. “It’s about Brian Cooper. It’s about (Barbara) Jones. It’s all about payback right now and I hope people can move on.”

The council held a work session on Wednesday, Feb. 27, where they identified goals for the coming year.

Both Barton-Mullins and Owen said that hearing councilors speak about goals and hopes for Fairview could begin to break down walls, create needed transparency and allow the city to “move on.”

“At the goal-setting session, I’m hopeful that once we outline what our goals our, we’ll have a better understanding of each other,” Owen said. “Right now, what we know about each other comes from what we’ve heard about other people, not from what we’ve learned ourselves. Let’s see how the goal-setting session goes and that will answer that question.”

And Weatherby said the council must work together if it’s to properly serve the community.

“The more we work together — even if we don’t vote same — it’ll be a bloc of seven working together, not four or three,” he said. “And that benefits our citizens.”

Greshams Carnegie Library reaches its centennial milestone

One has to wonder what Gresham’s earliest residents would think of the way folks acquire and read books these days.

Grabbing a paperback at the grocery store. Using headphones to listen to a book. Or turning pages on an electronic device with a lighted screen.

Fortunately, Gresham also had some fairly forward thinkers, when it came to providing reading material to local residents. From their humble beginnings, Gresham’s first public library building, the Carnegie Library, reaches the century mark Friday, March 1.

To commemorate the milestone, the Gresham Historical Society will host a 100-Year Celebration and open house for the public from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Gresham History Museum. Vignette displays will tell the story of how the area — once known as “Campground” — blossomed into the fourth largest city in the state. The displays will feature historical documents and everyday artifacts.

Visitors will find photographs of Gresham’s unique landmarks, like Zim’s 12-Mile Corner and the former Multnomah County Fairgrounds and hear historical recollections from some of the city’s pioneer families.

But the event also will be a step back in history, when children gathered in a corner of the building for story time and when getting your hands on a book wasn’t as easy as it is today.

Gresham’s earliest library was established in 1903. It was one of three “deposit stations” housing collections of books in Multnomah County outside the main library branch in downtown Portland. Stations in Bridal Veil and Fairview served residents in other outlying areas. Nestled in a room above the city’s post office, Gresham’s “reading room” was open three days a week and offered a choice of nearly 100 books. Folks obtained their library cards through postmistress Mrs. Ione McColl, but securing the services of a librarian proved difficult and the reading room closed in May 1905.

Timothy Brownhill and H.L. St. Clair, who later founded the Outlook, fostered interest in a library and resurrected the community reading room later that year. Residents took on the project, turning it into a cooperative effort, by providing the room with heat, lights, furniture and janitorial services.

The Library Association of Portland allocated books and magazines and picked up the $1 weekly salary for a permanent librarian. Gresham’s first official library housed between 200 and 300 books, was open five hours a day and by 1907, was circulating more than 7,000 books to residents.

But by 1912, the reading room had outgrown its space. Community members raised $1,900 to purchase land for a permanent library on the corner of North Main Avenue and Fourth Street and secured more than $13,000 from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for construction and furnishings.

The Carnegie Library was dedicated and officially opened to the public on the afternoon of March 1, 1913. The 3,032-square foot building has long been revered as one of the finest examples of Tudor architecture, boasting a unique brick arrangement on its exterior walls and colophon windows made from glass and lead. Seven libraries in Multnomah County were funded by the Carnegie Foundation in the early 1900s. Three are still part of the public library system.

Philanthropist for public institutions

Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant, was an early industrialist who amassed a fortune in the steel and railroad industries in the mid-1800s. He was reputedly “appalled” at the level of illiteracy across the country and blamed westward migration for the lack of consistent education.

Among institutions like universities and medical centers, Carnegie identified libraries as philanthropic areas worthy of public support.

In 1868, Carnegie wrote himself a note — “Thirty-three and an income of $50,000 [sic] per annum…Beyond this never earn — make no effort to increase fortune, but spend surplus each year for benevolent [sic] purposes.”

Carnegie’s philosophy was a “gospel of wealth,” meaning those with money had a responsibility to give their excess to others so they could help themselves.

It wasn’t until Carnegie sold his steel interests to J.P. Morgan, for nearly $500 million in 1901 that Carnegie lived up to his preachings.

By the time he died in 1919, Carnegie had donated more than $333 million ($4 billion today) to underwrite numerous causes and institutions.

In 1960, Gresham’s Carnegie Library was busting at the seams along with the city’s population of nearly 10,000.

The library was remodeled to include more shelving and a reference room and within a year, library users had checked out 74,826 books.

But the historic library soon found itself sorely in need of space again. Gresham had become the fourth largest city in the state by the mid-1980s, and annual circulation for the local library was more than 220,000 items.

In 1987, voters passed a $1.7 million ballot measure for construction of a new 20,000-square foot library on the corner of Northwest Miller Avenue and Third Street.

Book Brigade

On Saturday, Dec. 30, 1989, between 400 and 500 volunteers formed a human chain passing nearly 15,000 books hand-to-hand through downtown streets from one building to the other.

Utahna Kerr, a longtime member of the Gresham Historical Society and museum volunteer, remembers the chilly, cloudy morning and those who turned out to help with the move.

“There were so many people who wanted to be part of the Book Brigade that they had to take turns,” Kerr said. “There were a lot of school children, too. And they all got a button that said, ‘I Was Part of the Book Brigade.’ ”

Gresham’s new library was dedicated Jan. 7, 1990. It featured such state-of-the-art upgrades as a computerized card catalog system and a locator service to find books at other branches.

The Gresham Historical Society took charge of the Carnegie building in 1990, renaming it the Gresham Pioneer Museum. The group spent three years restoring the inside of the building — replacing flooring, polishing woodwork and installing newly donated display cases. The museum’s first exhibit was called “Tombstones Tell Tales.” It featured pioneer headstone rubbings done by a local high school student as part of his Eagle Scout project.

But the exhibit also unveiled a mystery.

“Someone had turned in a headstone they found in a bunch of blackberry bushes,” Kerr said. “We put it on a piece of marble and used it as part of the exhibit. We were never able to find the headstone registered in Multnomah County, so it had to have come from somewhere else — we think Kentucky. What we learned was when people from the Ozarks were coming west, they knew they weren’t going back, so they brought the tombstones of their loved ones with them.”

The late Pat Stone became museum director in 1990 and is credited as the driving force behind the Gresham Historical Society. Under Stone’s watch, the museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places and renamed the Gresham History Museum.

Stone is highly remembered for her tireless dedication to preserving not only the museum’s artifacts but also the city’s history. Bequeaths from her estate, as well as $27,000 from the estate of longtime Gresham businessman Jack Malcom, has allowed the historical society to continue the building’s restoration.

“If it weren’t for Pat, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Dorothy Douglas, president of the historical society’s board of directors. “She was obsessed with preserving Gresham’s history.”

The museum board honored the will of its generous benefactors last year, when it buttoned the doors for six months to remove a false ceiling believed to contain asbestos. Construction to raise the ceiling yielded previously unknown electrical wiring, which not only allowed additional lighting, but also an opportunity to enhance the building’s historical accuracy. The museum reopened, all spiffed up, in July with an exhibit of vignettes showcasing the people, places and events that shaped the city.

“It was a lot of work and because we were closed so much, I think people forgot we were here,” Kerr said. “But it was wonderful because people came in and said, ‘I used to come here when it was a library.’”

The museum has also become beneficiary to an annual funding source supplied by passage of a 2011 library levy. Those resources have allowed the historical society to provide a stipend for a part-time museum clerk, a collections database for registering artifacts, video and audio equipment to record and document oral pioneer interviews and a security system for the building.

In addition, Douglas said, the historical society’s current board of directors is upholding Stone’s mission by mapping future plans to include fund raising, special museum events and volunteer development.

Visitors at the Carnegie Library’s 100 Year Celebration on March 16 won’t find shelves with books anymore, but an event planned to open this summer will prove history does repeat itself.

“It’s amazing the people who remember the Story Corner so we’re bringing it back,” Douglas said. “We’re going to put a blanket on the floor, since reading and blankies go together — even if you’re 25! The purpose is to bring kids in to see history, hear history and make it relevant in their lives.”

Carnegie Library Through the Years

1903 — First “book deposit” opens to residents, above the Gresham Post Office, offering a 50-book collection.

1905 — Unable to find a permanent librarian, the “book deposit” closes.

1906 — A cooperative effort by residents launches a new “reading room” with aid from the Portland Library Association and the Gresham’s first permanent librarian.

1912 — Community members raise $1,900 to purchase land on North Main Avenue and Fourth Street to build a library; $13,000 in additional funding came from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.

1913 — Gresham’s Carnegie Library opens on March 1, with 3,000 book titles.

1960 — Library is remodeled to meet growing demand, installing additional bookshelves, new furniture and equipment.

1987 — Voters pass a $1.7 million ballot measure to build a new library on the corner of Northwest Miller Avenue and Third Street.

1989 — On Dec. 30, between 400 and 500 volunteers formed a human chain to move books hand-to-hand from one library building to another.

1990 — Gresham Regional Library is dedicated on Jan. 7; Gresham Historical Society absorbs care of the Carnegie building and renames it the Gresham Pioneer Museum, with Pat Stone as director.

1994 — Museum reopens after a three-year renovation, featuring an exhibit called “Tombstones Tell Tales.”

2000 — The Carnegie building is added to the National Register of Historic Places and renamed the Gresham History Museum.

2012 — The museum closes for six months, to remove a false ceiling believed to contain asbestos; it reopened in July with an vignette exhibit of Gresham’s pioneer families called “Gresham Welcomes You.”

March 1, 2013 — The Carnegie Library turns 100.

Ledwidge-Cardoza

Megan Laurel Ledwidge and Michael Edward Cardoza were married Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at Jenkins Estate in Beaverton.

Christopher Ledwidge, the bride’s uncle, officiated the ceremony. The bride’s aunt, Pamela Montgomery, created the yellow and blue floral arrangements.

Following the ceremony, wedding attendees celebrated at a reception held on the 68-acre country estate.

The bride is the daughter of Sean and Laurie Ledwidge of Portland. She graduated in 2008 from Centennial High School and is employed by Cascade Eye Associates.

The groom is the son Mike and Shelley Johnson of Brush Prairie, Wash., and Bill Cardoza of Oregon. He is a 2004 graduate of Prairie High School, enrolled in the Inside Electrician Apprenticeship.

Megan selected Erin Schnell as the matron of honor, with Renee’ Williams, Danae Lietzke, Alexandra Spring and Melany Lay as bridesmaids. The flower girls were Kylee Maxwell, Kylie Schnell and Sophia Montgomery.

The groom chose his twin brother, Nicholas Ryan Cardoza, as his best man. The groomsmen were Sam Cole, Ryan Ledwidge, Eric Biklen and Robby Carter. The ushers were Cameron Ledwidge and Hayden Shirts. Logan Maxwell was the ring bearer.

Following a honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple is living in Happy Valley.

The following students were named to the 2012-13 Centennial Middle School honor roll:

Seventh grade

3.5-3.74 — Isabel Abnal, Karina Alcaraz, Alex Apling, Taber Arias, Jesus Arroyo-Diaz, Aleksandr Bodin, Damaris Borcoman, Avelina Borovskiy, Megan Cannard, Gracie Cha, Eddie ChenKenny ChuBrendan CoxDiana David Kaynosha Dias, Brandyn Dinh, John Doumit, Aidan Dunn, Zach Ellibee, Adrian Garcia, Casey Griffin, Chase Griffin, Gavin Hemmer,, Hai Ho, Baileigh Jamero, Stephani Jeronimo-Martinez, Cole Jette, Jeremiah Judson, Jaiden Kappes, Brennan Kelsall, Calvin Le, Timothy Ly, Andrea Mejia-Medina, Colton Menconi, Montserrat Merino, Ana Miranda, Jorge Narcio Echave, Adalisia Navarro, Vicky Nguyen, Vy Nguyen, Jeremy O’hora, Mimi Orozco, Nikolay Pavlenko, Tuan Pham, Kyra Phung, Jadon Pickles, Ciara Polito, Jessica Remorenko, Natalie Rood, Alex Saechao, Yoanna Santos-Brambila, Leonid Satskiy, Madison Seigler, Crystal Tat, Alonzo Tillman, Jr., Kassidi Tobiasson, Jason Tran, Angelina Vang, Jasmin Vazquez-Sierra, Adam Voigt, Nick Wesley, Rebecca Wheeler, Wendy Wrobel, Dennis Yakimov, Nick Young and Luis Zurita-Lopez.

3.75-3.99 — Adnan Agic, Dakota Angelovic, Gianna Basile, Rhyan Becker, Naimeh Bozorgnia, Yasmeen Bozorgnia, Ira Buzhduga, Danielle Bracy, Draven Carrere, Savanna Castillo, Anatoli Cernei, Thomas Chao, Owen Cook, Emily Cope, Emma Dobesh, Kira Fox, Zachary Jefferis, Cole Johnson, Brian Koll, Courtney Lueb, Jackie McCoy, Isabel McKean, Vera Mordvinova, Megan Nguyen, Thuy Vy Nguyen, Mason Rettinger, Hannah Thoms,Yelena Tipikina, Sheila Trnjanin, McKayla Turner, Roberto Ventura and Erika Zuel.

4.0 — Tess Bostwick, Emily Brady, Jenniffer Chavez-Marrero, Kathy Chen, Angela Chubok, Claire Dobesh, Emily Dragomir, Samuel Foghis, Katherine Frazier, Jony Garcia, Lorivie Garcia, John Gurney, Lena Karam, Nadya Khoma, Liana Kobylinsky, Katie Le, Kailina Lewis, Estrella Lopez, Alina Lozovinskaya, Katrina Mai, Theresa Mai, Kailea Messenger, Rebecca Mobley, Tylor Moua, Ally Panis, Kathleen Pham, Sonam Phuntsok, Eli Porterfield, Koby Scheetz, Ryan Standley, Kiana Sullivan, Yuliya Sulza, Sophie Vawter, Aaron Wong and Phoebe Yoon.

Eighth grade

3.5-3.74 — Brittani Arden, Autumn Arter, Rhys Atkinson, Brian Bach, Eamon Bailey, Chihara Barnes, Brandon Blaga, Jasmin Brambila-Pelayo, Liam Carter, Jay Cha, Anthony Chan, It Zaam Cing, Samantha Cohen, Auna Colipano, Mariya Dumitrash, Daniela Farfan-Reyes, Willy Garcia-Hernandez, Marco Garcia-Sierra, Alyssa Guthrie, Kenya Hamlet, Savannah Helwig, Sarah Her, Michael Hij, Chantel Holley, Hailey Houghton, Nic Kuffler Karina Kulakevich, Chance Larson, Randy Le, Tommy Le, Nick Lyngheim, Brendan Lyons, Cienna Marshall, Lauren Meader, Zane Mills, Kevin Moua, Nicole Mudannayake, Asea Ngo, Kelly Nguyen, Laura Ojeda, Angel Ortega-Garcia, David Pitsul, Jesse Porter, Jr., Dante Ramos, Tyson Regimbal, Aaron Rivera, Lydia Sifri, Blake Styles, Marianna Sviridiuk, Angelica Tano, Yvette Tapia-Doroteo, Nikquelas Tran, Kyler Turin, Krista Vawter, Cole Vose, Jerry Vuong, Sami Wagner and Damica Waterman.

3.75-3.99 — Justin Anderson, Alyssa Beckham, Emely Burchell, Henry Button, Megan Byram, Clarisa Chow, Julia Colling, Taylor Decker, Abby Ede, Hanna Hardison, Rebecca Jones, Isaac Keppler, Anna Kozhokar, Tim Kunda, Randy Duy Le, Autumn McCollum, Maritza Montes, Adelina Mudryak, David Pham, Lacey Schooley, Jonny Stanescu, Kaylee Vawter, Tyler Wagner and Serena Ward.

4.0 — Angela Aguilar-Rivera, Carrie Bean, Tuesday Bellingham, Julia Bezzubets, Nicole Byers, Devin Camat, Mykel Caruso, Lani Chin, Ethan Christianson, Jovonn Cunningham, D.J. Dalzell, Dawson Day, Maslin Deiss, Hali Fischer, Devin Fitzgerald, Autumn Forespring, Maria Fuentes-Deonate, Polina Gannotskaya, Idalia Gastelum, Destiny Gross, Zuri Herrejon-Gonzalez, Trinity Holthausen, Delaney Huffman, Michelle Jensen, Nawal Karam, Lydia Krichevsky, Norphel Lama, Cheng Lee, Katie MacAulay, Anthony Mai, Jeralyn Medrano, Frankie Moua, Marisa Parker, Alonzo Perry, Sydney Pinheiro, Brittney Pioquinto, Phet Pitsnukanh, David Pleshakov, Michael Ray, Brendan Ritschard, Cassie Saepharn, Gabby Saetern, Jeret Schmelling, Holly Schmidt, Madison Scully, Autumn Sevy, Kristin Shore, Natalie Southard, Jamie Stone, Deleena Swafford, Tristan Tam, Gabby Thornton, Jasmine Tran, Jill Uyeda, Brennah Warner, McKenzie Weston, Michelle Wong and Qi Qi Ye.

Daniel Clair Salsgiver

Sept. 15, 1953-Feb. 22, 2013

Gresham resident Daniel Clair Salsgiver died Friday, Feb. 22. He was 59.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Omega Funeral Home, 223 S.W. 122nd Ave., Portland.

Daniel was born Sept. 15, 1953, in Ford City, Pa., to Gene and Eileen Salsgiver.

He graduated from high school in Fremont, Calif., in 1967 and worked at Aid Warehouse in Wilsonville.

Daniel is survived by his mother; brothers, Harold and Gary Salsgiver; and sister, Linda Christensen.

Lane Lewis Tarlecki

March 16, 1958-Jan. 14, 2013

Longtime Gresham resident Lane Lewis Tarlecki died Monday, Jan. 14. He was 54.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Good Shepherd Community Church in Boring.

Lane was born March 16, 1958, in Norristown, Pa., to Don Tarlecki and Janet Cuthbert. He enjoyed a long career in quality control in the precision casting industry and maintenance.

Lane married Janice Roecker Dec. 16, 1977. He loved to ride motorcycles, fix up classic cars and play guitar.

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Amy Karas and Wendy Hesselman; two grandchildren; sisters, Lori Tarlecki Greene, Sue Diehl and Lynn Tarlecki; father, Donald Tarlecki; and many other family members and friends.

Legacy Funeral and Cremation Care is handling arrangements.

Shannon Lee Malone

Oct. 7, 1956-Feb. 21, 2013

Portland resident, Shannon Lee Malone died Thursday, Feb. 21. He was 56.

No services are planned.

Shannon was born Oct. 7, 1956, in San Diego, Calif., to Gerald and Carol Malone.

He graduated from Ashland High School and worked as a plumber. Shannon married Shelly Lynn Turner Feb. 14, 1985, in Jackson County.

Shannon enjoyed bicycling, auto and motorcycle mechanics and brewing beer.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ella Malone; and brother, Gregory Malone. Shannon is survived by his wife; daughter, Emma Malone; sister, Mary Burns; and brothers, Kevin Malone and Shane Malone.

Crown Memorial Center is handling arrangements.

Paid obituaries

Arthur Leroy Kennedy

January 27, 1916 - February 23, 2013

Born on Jan. 27, 1916 in Spokane, Washington the son of Arthur and Alice (Fales) Kennedy. In 1920, Arthur, his younger sister and parents moved to Rayleigh, Alberta, Canada. While there, four more children were born. After 10 years they moved to Oregon. In 1933, Arthur joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. In 1934 Arthur enlisted in the United States Army. While serving in WWII he was awarded the Bronze Star. Honorably serving 20 years, retiring in 1955. On November 2, 1935 Arthur married Caroline Stange in Kelso, WA. After retiring from the Army the family settled in Portland where Arthur worked for various companies retiring from Industrial Control in the early 70’s. After retiring Arthur and Caroline spent the summers in Portland and the winters in Mesa, AZ, until 1997. Together traveling in the United States and several countries. Arthur made friends where ever he went, conversing, playing cards and enjoying life.

Arthur was preceded in death by his wife; Caroline in 2003, daughter; Linda Hahn in 2010, and three of his siblings.

He is survived by son; Arthur Kennedy, Jr. (Martha), daughter; Janice Kennedy, siblings; Marjorie Hanifin, Stanley Kennedy, grandchildren; Adam Kennedy, Alan Hahn, Julie Miehe, Molly Wedge, and great grandchildren; Eva and Annah Miehe, Maxwell and Jackson Kennedy.

Visitation will be Friday, March 1 from 3-8 pm; followed by a Funeral service on Saturday, March 2 at 1 pm at Gresham Memorial Chapel 257 SE Roberts Ave. Gresham. Private interment at Willamette National Cemetery.

Elsa M. (Heier) Liepold

January 1, 1923 - February 12, 2013

Elsa M. (Heier) Liepold, age 90 died February 12th, 2013 lovingly surrounded by her children and husband.

She was born January 1, 1923 in small village outside of Odessa, Russia to wealthy German landowners, Paulina and Adolf Heier. The oldest of seven children, her family escaped for their lives from the Bolshevik Revolution. A harrowing adventure with jewels stitched into their clothes, one suitcase, a sinking ship and grave illness ultimately lead to her family being saved with the aid of the Lutheran Church. The Heiers emigrated to Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

At 18 Elsa trained at Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan to become a Registered Nurse.

Following WWII she met John Junior Liepold in Bengough, Saskatchewan, married him June 25, 1950, became a US citizen and settled in Boring, Oregon in 1952 where they established Liepold Farms. The Liepold home was the daily social hub for fellow parishioners, friends and neighbors where everyone was welcome for coffee, a bite to eat and conversation. Ace, as she was commonly referred to, was very friendly and socially outgoing. She developed an amazing social network over her lifetime. Elsa spoke 4 languages, read extensively, traveled, loved polka music, and aided in the plight of refugees from around the world as her family had been helped.

Deeply believing in the German saying, “work makes life sweet,” Elsa would say to all, “America is where any dream can be earned with hard work.” She realized her dream by proudly nursing for 43 years, raising her children, and farming with her husband of 62 years. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Gresham for over 55 years, Elsa was tireless in helping others escape political or religious persecution to establish within the community. She was thankful to God for her blessings and most for the love of her family.

Elsa is survived by her husband John; 3 brothers, lrv Heier and Walt Heier of British Columbia, Skip Heier of Ontario and her sister, Ime Heier of British Columbia; her 3 children and their spouses, Rod and Marcia Liepold of Boring, Marcia (Liepold) Patterson and Jim Patterson of Boring, Mark and Carla Liepold of Boring; her 8 grandchildren Michelle (Liepold) Krummenacker of Happy Valley, Jeff Liepold of Boring, Jon Liepold of Portland, Melody Eisenzimmer of Sandy, James Struck of Newport Beach, California, Heather Patterson of Klamath Falls, Kim Liepold of Gresham, and Katy Liepold of Boring and finally her 13 great grandchildren. The celebration of Life will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gresham on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to Mt. Hood Hospice in her honor.

North Gresham students celebrate anti-bullying week

Students at North Gresham Elementary School kicked off their Wednesday morning singing and signing to an adaption of “YMCA.”

“We have pride in our work, we have fun when we play, we love learning in every way!” they sang, shortly before learning the entire school had won a party for tip-top behavior.

The energy burst in their weekly assembly as fourth- and fifth-grade choir students pulled off their jackets, revealing hot pink “Stand Up Together” T-shirts and matching pom-poms.

The students broke into a flash mob, singing and dancing throughout the cafeteria to Katy Perry’s “Firework” and kicking off a weeklong anti-bullying event called “Stand up Together.”

After living in Canada, where the last Wednesday of February is focused on anti-bullying in schools, a parent and volunteer, Denise McCloud, helped introduce the Stand Up Together program at North Gresham.

Older students helped lead the kickoff assembly, with fourth-grader Salamasina Napoleon challenging the school to higher standards.

“This school is great, but we can do better,” she said. “That’s why we’re having this acceptance week.”

“Stand Up Together” is intended to teach students acceptance and stop bullying behaviors. During the week, students will celebrate Dr. Seuss Day; design a mural; and learn about the Peter, Paul and Mary song, “Don’t Laugh At Me.”

The event will conclude with a singalong assembly on Wednesday, March 6, with accompaniment by Cherie Carstensen, the music teacher, and Tom Klansnic, principal.

After the flashmob Wednesday, fourth- and fifth-grade students spoke about why the week was important.

“People need to stop bullying because it makes you feel like you’re locked in a cage and can’t get out,” said fifth-grader Madison Shewbert.

Fourth-grader Hannah Anderson described how she had been teased as the smallest person in her class. She challenged fellow students to care for each other.

“Repeat after me,” Hannah said, as students lifted up signs. “Stand. Up. Together.”

Students clasped hands and cheered, concluding the kickoff to the “Stand Up Together” week.

“Nobody should be treated badly,” said Juliette Fleurimond, a fourth-grader. “I think a lot of times bullies were bullied when they were little. If they learn a different way, they can avoid being bullies.”

Each student received the hot pink T-shirt the flashmob donned. In the afternoon, students gathered on the north side of campus for a photo-op to spell out “STAND UP.”

"You should accept everyone for who they are," said Isabella Pobieglo, a fourth-grader. "It’s not about how they look or what’s on the outside. It’s about the good person on the inside."

Southridge hangs on to beat David Douglas 53-51 in Fridays second-round playoff game

BEAVERTON — Southridge point guard A.J. Monterossi stepped to the free-throw line with 0:22 on the clock and the Skyhawks clinging to a one-point lead. He sank the first foul shot, but saw the second attempt fall off the rim. David Douglas center Samson Ebukam ripped down the rebound, and Scots’ coach Chad Reeves called timeout.

The game would be decided on the team’s next trip downcourt.

David Douglas put the ball into the hands of Sirgio Palmore, the buzzer-beating hero in the team’s first-round win against West Salem. He dribbled down the edge of the lane, but the Scots weren’t playing for overtime. They were going for the win.

As he got in close to the basket, Palmore stopped in his tracks and fired a pass into the far corner. His throw had to get through a crowd of Southridge arms and sailed high, forcing teammate Steven Wallace off his feet just to retain possession, reaching high over his head to snag the ball.

Any thoughts of an open 3 were erased, and Reeves called timeout — a chance to draw up another play on the clipboard.

With :06 on the clock, the Scots weren’t in panic mode, but would have to move quickly to put points on the scoreboard.

With the crowd on its feet and screaming full throttle, David Douglas inbounded from the sideline. The pass went toward the basket where Palmore had broken free behind the defense only to have the ball squeeze inches past his fingertips and bounce out of bounds.

Turnover. Skyhawks ball.

Monterossi dodged David Douglas defenders in the backcourt and dribbled out the final six seconds without being touched.

Southridge advances to the 6A quarterfinals Wednesday at the Rose Garden and will kick off the tournament against Lake Oswego at 1:30 p.m.

Look for extended game coverage in the Tuesday, March 5, print edition.

View a photo gallery from the game at …

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/march1_dd-southridge_hoops

Police are investigating a report of a disturbance with multiple gunshots fired, but found no victims, at an East Portland apartment complex.

Portland Police officers assigned to East Precinct responded to an 11:20 p.m. Saturday, March 2, report of shots fired at an apartment complex at 16047 East Burnside Street. Officers, including those from Gresham and Troutdale police departments, set up a perimeter around the complex and repeatedly tried to contact the occupants of three apartments believed to be involved in the disturbance, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, Portland police spokesman.

The Gresham Police Department used an armored vehicle to safely approach the apartments and used a loud speaker to communicate with the occupants.

Eventually police cleared all the apartments and found no gunshot victims.

Officers did find evidence of gunfire, but did not get any cooperation from witnesses, Simpson said.

The multi-agency Gang Enforcement Team is investigating and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Gang Enforcement Team at 503-823-4106.

Three Gresham children who were last seen with their grandmother in Portland were found safe Monday morning. They have been reunited with their mother.

The children were last seen with Barbara Cameron, 58, at her house near Northeast 77th and Halsey at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. Police reported she drives a peach or beige colored 2000 Toyota Corolla with Oregon license plate 702BYF.

The news was reported on TV, radio and newspaper websites. At 6:34 a.m. Monday, a citizen spotted a 2000 Toyota Corolla with the same license plate as previously reported. The citizen called 911 to say that he had seen the car on the news and was following it from the area of Northeast 141st and Sandy.

The citizen stayed on the phone with the 911 call taker until Portland Police were able to catch up to the citizen and the car with the grandmother and the children inside near Northeast 162nd and Glisan. Portland Police were able to confirm the identities of the people in the car and that everyone was safe.

The children are: Amaya Cameron, 11; Riley Melia, 6; and Gage Melia, 2. They had not returned to their mother's home in Gresham by the early Sunday evening when Cameron had agreed to bring them home. The children's mother called from her home at 9:52 p.m. to report them as missing.

Cameron frequently talks to herself in religious-themed phrases and may be having a mental health crisis. Police were checking all of Cameron's known favorite spots and her home in search of the children when they were found.

A Gresham woman is in custody after allegedly strangling and severely beating her former girlfriend on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Micialia Rea-Branch, 21, is being held on $20,000 bail at the Multnomah County Detention Center on allegations of strangulation, coercion, fourth-degree domestic violence assault and criminal mischief.

A Portland police officer responding to the domestic disturbance at 6:02 a.m. in the 17700 block of Southeast Division Street, noted that the side of the victim’s face was very swollen and saw what appeared to be a ligature mark around her neck, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The victim told police that she dated the suspect for more than a year before they broke up seven months ago. They moved in together one week before the incident, which was sparked when the victim told Rea-Branch she didn’t want to date her again.

When the victim tried to go to her bedroom, Rea-Branch reportedly blocked her path and tackled the woman when she tried to push by her.

The two women wrestled before Rea-Branch allegedly hit, bit and wrapped something around the victim’s neck, strangling her at least four times before the victim blacked out.

When she regained consciousness, she tried to leave again, but Rea-Branch allegedly blocked the front door and punched her in the face with a closed fist, knocking her to the ground, when the victim tried to get by.

Rea-Branch then picked up a knife, threatened to kill herself and began cutting her wrist. She also reportedly cut up the victim’s credit cards and identification.

Rea-Branch eventually left the apartment and used the knife to cut a hole in one of the victim’s tire. Police noted that one tire appeared to be half as inflated as the other tires.

Rea-Branch was arraigned on Thursday, Feb. 28, in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Her next court appearance is Friday, March 8.

Three Gresham children who were last seen with their grandmother in Portland on their way to church were found safe Monday morning. They have been reunited with their mother, said Officer Adam Baker, Gresham police spokesman.

The children were last seen with Barbara Cameron, 58, at her house near Northeast 77th Avenue and Halsey Street at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3.

The news that the children were missing with their grandmother, who’d recently shown signs of mental illness, was reported on TV, radio and newspaper websites. At 6:34 a.m. Monday, a citizen spotted Cameron’s 2000 Toyota Corolla. The citizen called 9-1-1 to say he had seen the car on the news and was following it from the area of Northeast 141st Avenue and Sandy Boulevard.

The citizen stayed on the phone with the 9-1-1 call taker until Portland police were able to catch up to the citizen and the car with the grandmother and the children inside near Northeast 162nd Avenue and Glisan Street. Police were able to confirm the identities of the people in the car and that everyone was safe.

The children are Amaya Cameron, 11; Riley Melia, 6; and Gage Melia, 2. They had not returned to their mother’s home in Gresham by early Sunday evening when Barbara Cameron had agreed to bring them home. The children’s mother called from her home at 9:52 p.m. to report them missing.

Early Monday morning, police through the media, asked for help finding the grandmother and children.

Police did not issue an Amber Alert, which is a media-wide bulletin for the public to look for an abducted child, because the child’s mother gave the grandmother permission to take the children, the missing child’s mother told KOIN 6’s Brent Weisberg during an early morning interview.

The grandmother’s lack of technological know-how also made it more challenging for police to track her. She does not have a cell phone, doesn’t use bank cards or credit cards, and her car does not have a global positioning system.

When asked if she could get a message to the grandmother or the children, the crying mother pleaded for the grandmother to bring the children home, and urged the oldest child to get away and find help.

The youngest, at just 2 years old, would be unable to escape. And the older children would not leave the baby behind to get away if they were in danger, the mother said.

Rosewood Initiative trades tiny storefront for huge space to be used as coffee shop and community hub

After nearly two years in a tiny storefront in outer East Portland, the grassroots Rosewood Initiative has made a small move to a huge new space.

The Rosewood Initiative — an effort to create a sense of community in the crime-ridden, high-density area centered around Southeast 162nd Avenue and Burnside Street — began based in a 1,000-square-foot space tucked next to a laundromat in an L-shaped shopping plaza on the southwest corner of Southeast 162nd Avenue and Stark Street.

On moving day, Wednesday, Feb. 27, a band of six volunteers shuttled the organization’s meager assets around the corner and into the cavernous 7,100-square-foot space previously home to Cue’s Billiards at 16126 S.E. Stark St.

Jenny Glass, the Rosewood Initiative’s executive director, is calling the new space the Rosewood Center.

“This has so much more potential for activities and events that we can have on-site,” she said, while a couple of volunteers rolled an upright piano through the front doors.

Glass joined the nonprofit organization in 2011. That spring, it moved into its original space, which the organization planned to turn into a café. The goal was to build a warm, inviting, safe place that would serve as a community hub, a gathering spot where local residents, merchants and others who work in the Rosewood area could relax and get to know their neighbors.

And those relationships would create the kind of network needed to combat the crime and poverty plaguing the area.

But as is the case with many dream-based start-ups, the project didn’t take off exactly as planned.

The space opened its doors and people from the neighborhood flocked to it.

“We outgrew it before we even started construction,” Glass said.

Rosewood Initiative volunteers hosted hip-hop parties, bringing local teens in off the streets to dance. They worked with a home-grown talent to create a colorful mural on the back of a gas station.

Most recently, volunteers collaborated with local students on a multi-media art show.

Community involvement grew so much that there wasn’t enough room in the Rosewood Initiative’s space to hold events. It instead became a landing spot for events held off site — either in the parking lot, at a nearby community garden, a local church or at Papa’s Pizza.

Meanwhile, estimates for what it would cost to build the coffee shop/café snowballed. Glass encountered one stumbling block after another in her quest to open a café that would provide job skills and stability to nearby residents.

But Glass came to a pleasant realization.

That network of involvement the café was designed to create had knitted itself together already. It was the space, the coffee shop, that hadn’t gotten off the ground.

Other than some initial demolition work on walls and the like, it remained largely untouched — stymied by jaw-dropping estimates for electrical and plumbing work.

Surveying the initiative’s new space, Glass called it a blessing in disguise.

“Now that this is happening, this is why the café really didn’t get any traction there,” she said.

Now, those investments can be made in the new Rosewood Center.

With the larger space, Glass would like to reach out to more community partners to bring additional resources to the area.

Two bike fairs are already planned for May and September.

The initiative is strengthening its partnership with two local elementary schools, the Metropolitan Family Service’s SUN program and the Sunshine Division to provide weekend food supplies for low-income students.

Plus, the Portland Development Commission recently named the Rosewood area one of six neighborhood prosperity centers earmarked for economic development.

“A lot of people and organizations know they need to be working out in this area,” Glass said. The extra space provided in the Rosewood Center could make that easier for them to head east, she added.

The long-term vision is for the center to operate around a nonprofit café, which could take up about a quarter of the space.

But that’s a long time off.

Until then, a coffee pot and mugs will await members of the community who will use the remaining square footage.

The possibilities for community partnerships are endless, Glass said.

Art projects.

Birthday parties for residents in nearby apartment complexes that don’t have a community room.

Workforce development.

After-school classes on everything from ballet to Zumba.

Movie nights.

Landlord/tenant workshops.

As if on cue, in walks Christy Hagman, who lives in an apartment across the street.

After a long hug, Hagman explained to Glass she’s been too busy dealing with a property manager who thinks Hagman is at fault for some water damage in her bathroom to come by and pick up her son’s new bike.

Izaiha, 6, was one of about 18 children who applied for the donated bike. Each child filled out an application stating why he or she should get the bike. Glass said the exercise teaches the life skill of filling out an application form, but also teaches them they need to earn things and not expect a handout.

The benefactor who donated the bike was so moved reading the applications — it was up to him to select the winner — that he donated three more bikes to the Rosewood Initiative.

It’s just one example of how the initiative helps the community, Hagman said.

“It gives the kids in the neighborhood a more positive thing to do instead of fighting and other ungodly things,” she said. Then with a loud sigh, the mother of three added, “The things that kids do today.”

Before the initiative started informally in 2009, neighbors routinely failed to call the police if they saw a crime being committed. Some feared retaliation from neighbors. Others just thought it was a hopeless endeavor, so why bother.

Hagman said in the past two years, crime — especially near the shopping center on 162nd Avenue and Stark Street — has dropped. An alley next to where the Rosewood Initiative opened its doors in the spring of 2011 used to be a haven for drug users, pushers and prostitutes. She once saw firsthand a woman being beaten there one night.

“Since Rosewood, I haven’t seen any kind of violence like that,” Hagman said. “Just having this kind of positive presence deters that. ... The kids have changed, too. This whole Rosewood Initiative has changed 162nd for the better.”

Before leaving, Glass made sure Hagman had a helmet big enough to fit her son. And Hagman invited Glass to her daughter Arianna’s first birthday party on Saturday.

“I’m watching the neighborhood grow up,” Glass said.

What is the Rosewood Initiative?

The Rosewood Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the Rosewood neighborhood, a 15-block area centered around Southeast 162nd Avenue and East Burnside Street. Its boundaries are between 157th and 165th avenues, and Northeast Holiday and Southeast Alder streets.

The area straddles Gresham and Portland city lines, and is home to about 5,000 people. Between 70 percent to 80 percent of residents live in apartments.

With such high density and so many people renting in large complexes, the Rosewood Initiative aims to provide a sense of community while combating crime, improving public safety, engaging young people and working with police, property managers, churches, neighborhood associations, social service agencies and business owners to improve the area.

For details, email Jenny Glass at jenny@rosewoodinitiative.org.

A man and woman from Sandy are behind bars following an arrest in Gresham as part of an ongoing investigation by the Portland Police Bureau's gun task force.

Gustavo Isabel Vega, 21, and Kathleen Olinger, 33, both of Sandy, are being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center on accusations stemming from the arrest on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Vega, who is a convicted felon and can't legally possess a firearm, faces weapons, drug and domestic violence charges, while Olinger is being held on a federal warrant for identity theft.

Members of Portland's gun task force and gang enforcement team arrested the two at 4 p.m. in the Fred Meyer parking lot in the 2400 block of Southeast Burnside Road, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, Portland Police spokesman. During the arrest, police seized a .22-caber handgun and $600.

Officers searched their home in the 38600 block of Dubarko Road in Sandy, where they seized mason jars and a Tupperware container of suspected marijuana. Police also found a safe containing digital scales, packaging materials and narcotic paraphernalia.

In addition, officers found a live .22-caliber round and a black gun holster.

The investigation began on Jan. 22 after the mother of Vega's 3-year-old son reported that Vega, who she'd recently separated from, threatened her with a gun while visiting their son, according to court records.

He allegedly pointed a gun in her face and said, “You're lucky you're the mother and I didn't kill you,” before leaving the house. Then, while he was in the driveway, he turned toward the woman who was in the doorway and reportedly pointed the gun at her before he left.

While booking Vega into jail, a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deputy reportedly found a small baggie containing 2.8 ounces of heroin in Vega's sock.

Vega is being held on $72,500 bail on allegations of heroin and marijuana possession, delivery of marijuana with consideration, domestic violence menacing, domestic violence reckless endangerment, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.

He also is being held on two no-bail holds — one from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and another for violating his probation on a first-degree burglary charge.

Olinger also is being held on a no-bail US Marshal's hold on a federal identity theft warrant.

Nancy J. Smith was stunned to learn one of the victims of the Clackamas Town Center shooting last December was the gregarious outdoors enthusiast she had met at the Gresham Farmers Market.

In honor of Cindy Yuille, Smith, a Gresham nature photographer, is donating 30 percent of proceeds from the sale of her 2013 Splendid Wildflowers and Plants of the Pacific Northwest calendar to help fund Outdoor School experiences for Gresham area children.

“I’ve always wanted to encourage people to get outside,” Smith said. “I think it’s so healing for all of us. Outdoor School is one glimpse of nature kids can have.”

Smith said she is concerned about the violent video games and movies that children are exposed to in their daily entertainment. Her goal is to expose kids to nature instead.

“I think some of our basic values come from being quiet and being outside,” Smith said. “It gives you time to think, to reflect and to forget about the worries of the day and just be.”

Funds raised through the calendar sales will be donated to the Multnomah Education Service District and specified for Outdoor School experiences for students in Gresham area school districts.

Along with exposing children to nature, Smith wants to honor Yuille’s life.

“I remember she bought a T-shirt from me,” Smith said. “She talked about how much she loved hiking and nature. We are all connected in some way.”

Smith said she hopes the wildflower and plant calendar brings a sense of healing to the people who buy it.

“I feel compelled to do something special for our community and our kids,” she said.

The wall calendar features 12 full-color photographs and inspirational quotes. To buy a calendar, call 503-658-4408 or visit nancyjsmith.com.