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Community Features
The "Events and Activities" for the month are below these featured stories!
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| It’s the man himself: Isaac “Frenchy” Gratton, in a photographic portrait taken sometime in the 1890s. (Courtesy of Doneva Shepherd) |
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SOUTHEAST HISTORY
Part 2 – Frenchy Gratton makes moves on Milwaukie!
By EILEEN G. FITZSIMONS
For THE BEE
For those who came in late: In the last issue of THE BEE, the location of the mysterious “Gratton’s Grove” was revealed, and a few facts about its namesake – Isaac “Frenchy” Gratton – were offered. These included both the successful operation of his legitimate business, the Standard Box Factory, and his other marginally legal enterprises – running gambling saloons in downtown Portland.
Leaving his native Quebec at age seventeen he worked his way across the United States, harvesting cotton in the South – it was said he left there, because the food was unpalatable – and working in mining camps in Colorado, before arriving in Portland in the late 1870s. His first business was operating a stable in northwest Portland, where horses and carriages could be rented, or animals boarded by their owners.
Arriving in America as a non-English speaker, he absorbed the language while laboring in rough circumstances. By listening and observing closely he acquired his new language, but also learned to “read” through non-verbal means what someone was really communicating – a skill employed by successful card players. With the income from the stable, and profitable evenings around the card tables, Frenchy and a partner opened their first saloon/card room in 1880: The Brunswick Billiard Parlors on S.W. 3rd near Alder. Offering more than a beer and a friendly game on the green baize, the Brunswick was a gambling club that was raided often, beginning just a few months after it opened. Responding calmly when arrested, Frenchy promptly made bail, and when charged before a judge always pled guilty, paid a reduced fine, and returned to work. He understood that his arrests were a superficial gesture in the face of massive corruption – just part of doing business.
Picking up, and concluding, the story
Well into the 20th Century Portland was a “wide open” town, where drunkenness, prostitution, and gambling were rampant – and, for the most part, unchallenged. The reasons for these conditions were complex and involved a dense network of the city’s social and business Establishment who owned downtown properties where the activities occurred, but concealed their ill-gotten incomes behind false “owners.” The most thorough explanation of this part of Portland’s history can be found in E. Kimbark MacColl’s 1988 book, “Merchants, Money & Power, The Portland Establishment, 1843-1913”. Frenchy Gratton was a very small fish compared to the Big Fish (or sharks, if you will) who were always safe. His operations provided them with steady rent, and in his sphere he was a successful businessman. He was not a joiner; he would never be a member of a social club or the Chamber of Commerce and – except for the Elks – of any fraternal organization. His clubs (there were others in addition to the Burlington) were apparently fairly run, he did not cheat his patrons or water their drinks, and he was never accused of running a brothel, or doing any “temporary matchmaking”.
In 1888 he married a widow, Mary (Fuhr) Weber, whose father was his business partner. Mary’s deceased husband Emil Weber ran another saloon, and was gunned down in the street by a disgruntled customer. With property from Weber estate, Mary became a successful real estate dealer and developer. She lived with Frenchy in their house on Milwaukie Avenue for some time, but he filed for divorce in 1908 on the grounds that she had abandoned him. They must have remained friends, though, because after her death in 1938 she was buried next to him in River View Cemetery.
Frenchy invested his money in land, including a farm of several hundred acres outside of Washougal, and another in far eastern Multnomah County. In the late 1890s he bought the box factory, and soon after moved to his large property and home on Milwaukie Avenue just south of Holgate, the area soon referred to as “Gratton’s Grove”. He kept his downtown stable and one of his card rooms, but they were managed by others, as was his factory.
Following an extended visit to Quebec in 1903 – his first since leaving decades earlier – Frenchy lived quietly, and now in his fifties he could relax and become a gentleman farmer. But according to an interview in the Oregonian, he was “tired of doing nothing”. He stated that “no gambling houses were open in Portland” because Mayor Williams had closed all pool rooms in 1904. He missed sparring with the city’s constabulary and courts, and the interactions with his customers.
But, sensing the hot winds of moral reform, Frenchy began looking for opportunities beyond Portland and Multnomah County. He didn’t have to look far: Upriver, and just across the county line, was his next target – the snug little town of Milwaukie.
Frenchy did his due diligence, meeting with the Mayor and City Council members in both Milwaukie and in Oregon City – the county seat – before purchasing twelve acres on the Willamette River in downtown Milwaukie in March of 1905. Residents were hopeful that a new business would offer increased employment – perhaps an extension of his box factory. Others, like members of the local Lutheran Church and the Law & Order Club, who were familiar with Frenchy’s gambling reputation, were wary.
Within weeks a substantial new building on the riverbank was under construction, and by June the “Milwaukie Country Club” was open. Privacy for the members-only club was assured by a tall fence that surrounded the structure. Gratton also arranged for “express” service on the streetcar line from downtown Portland, providing quick transportation to Milwaukie. When gamblers were ready to return, heavy losers were kindly provided with a free ticket back to the city, as well as one to be used for a future visit.
While there were state and county laws prohibiting gambling, towns had their own ordinances that were enforced by local police and judges. Before the new “Country Club” opened, the Milwaukie City Council thoughtfully passed an ordinance allowing it to license pool selling, and off-site paramutual betting on horse races; but other types of gambling were forbidden.
Continuing the business model developed in Portland, activities at Gratton’s Milwaukie club were discreet; there was no violence, loud music, or drunken behavior. As members stepped into the club from the nearby streetcar line, rumors began to seep through the fence that gambling was going on – including roulette, faro, craps, and poker. The managers were queried by Milwaukie police, and the club subsequently paid for an operating license that cost $1,000. With his liquor license, Frenchy’s establishment was now paying more fees than the rest of city’s businesses combined. Elected officials did not object, because they were always short of tax money, and the council wanted to build a new City Hall.
Despite the city license, there were state laws against pool selling. Oregon had many racetracks with both fall and spring seasons; the animals traveled from track to track throughout the Pacific Northwest. Betting in person at the race was legal; off-track betting was not, because the activity was “invisible” and could not be monitored. But why should enthusiasts not be allowed to bet on a race in Tacoma, Spokane, Montana, or even Canada? Frenchy came up with an ingenious plan that used both the latest technology – the telephone! – and a superb public transportation system, the inter-urban streetcar line, to extend his reach back into Portland, where pool selling remained illegal.
For the enormous sum of $65/month he had a private telephone line installed between the Milwaukie club and a small back room in The Owl saloon in downtown Portland. At the Owl, odds on distant races were communicated from the Western Union telegraph company just around the corner. As the operator at The Owl picked up the information, he entered the details into a “pool book” that was displayed in cigar stores and communicated to the Milwaukie Country Club on the private telephone line. Information about the horses, their jockeys, and betting odds were written on an enormous blackboard at The Club, where bets were placed by gamblers in person.
In downtown Portland, as men sidled into the cigar stores to pick their favorites, the information relayed to Milwaukie. At the Club an employee listened on the phone from Portland, as odds changed and were updated on the board. When the race began, the employee at the Club phone – speaking as fast as an auctioneer – described the races as they were transmitted by telegraph to The Owl, and on to Milwaukie. In the evening Frenchy and his partner would travel to downtown Portland to pay the winners. Technically only information was being transmitted from Portland to Milwaukie, across county lines, and money was won or lost only in Milwaukie. But it didn’t take long for word of the ingenious arrangement to reach the ears of Portland’s “Reform Mayor”, Harry Lane, who was outraged.
In November, citing an ordinance in Portland’s City Charter that stated that the Mayor could suppress gambling activities up to four miles beyond its city limits, Lane ordered a police sergeant and five detectives to travel to Milwaukie and shut down the Country Club. As usual, Frenchy paid bail, and waited for his court date in Portland – but Milwaukie Mayor Shindler was furious at Portland’s overreach, commenting that “the club was not a threat to morals, because the young men of Milwaukie were not patrons.” Later in the month both the city’s attorney and the county District Attorney stated that Portland had no legal authority to cross a county line and interfere with another municipality’s activities. A judge agreed and the matter was tabled.
In April of 1906 Gratton and his business partner stood trial in Multnomah County for maintaining a nuisance by running a branch of the Milwaukie Country Club in Portland at The Owl. The two-day trial ended following three ballots in 40 minutes by the jury, which declared Gratton “not guilty”. A year later public agitation against the club within Clackamas County was increasing, leading to the Clackamas County Sheriff witnessing open gambling at the club. This caused a previously-silent investor, a horse breeder and whiskey distiller from Kentucky named Col. Applegate, to call a halt to the pool selling until the situation quieted down.
The Milwaukie Club was then reorganized for the purpose of “selling and buying wines, liquors, cigars and real estate”. Although newspaper accounts are sparse, it appears that the Club closed in 1910. It disappeared from the headlines until 1913, when Frenchy announced he wanted to reopen it as the “Milwaukie Tavern”, with a restaurant, a beer garden, and live music. City residents, now well-organized, pushed back – and the city did not approve an operating or liquor license.
In 1910 Oswald West was elected Governor of Oregon. Like Portland Mayor Harry Lane, he was a reformer and populist. Six years earlier, in 1904, voters had approved the “local option” which allowed individual counties to pass prohibition laws. But it was common for liquor in “plain brown wrappers” to be transported into “dry” counties by railroad and truck. West was not for statewide prohibition, which did pass in 1914, but he was disgusted by the flagrant disregard of law. He knew that vice and corruption continued to thrive in Portland, to the benefit of the city’s business and social elite, who he referred to in a speech in Portland – commenting that he “was against capital punishment, because the rich were never hung”.
In 1912 Frenchy opened his newly-built, two-story restaurant and hotel on the riverbank at the foot of Monroe Street. The Gratton Hotel had several dining areas, an experienced chef, and wine and liquor was legally available. But the rooms on the second floor were not filled with overnight guests, but gambling equipment! When he learned of these activities, illegal under state law, Governor West ordered the state militia to close the hotel. The liquor license was withdrawn and the Mayor and two City Council members resigned.
After a lifetime of “reading” his customers, and challenging and dodging laws in various municipalities, Frenchy knew that big social changes were underway. Oregon women finally were allowed to vote; dry counties would be followed by statewide prohibition, and just two years earlier in downtown Portland, his old poolroom/saloon was torn down to make way for the Yeon building.
As always, Frenchy Gratton had other business options. In addition to his hotel, renamed The Belle and leased to a new manager, he built a commercial automobile garage in downtown Milwaukie; and in 1917 he sold some of his original twelve acres on the riverfront to the Hawley Pulp Mill. The fate of the Milwaukie Country Club is unknown, but it possibly burned, or was demolished. His hotel was turned into apartments in 1942, later acquired by the City of Milwaukie for housing, and finally demolished in 2000.
After beginning his Portland business career with a stable, Frenchy became passionate about speedy new automobiles. When in 1911 at age 61 he remarried, he presented his 38-year old bride with a custom Stearns touring car. In spite of primitive road conditions, the couple enjoyed many long road trips, and it was on the return journey from Yellowstone Park in 1927 that Frenchy missed a turn somewhere outside Pendleton, and died when the car plunged off the highway. His widow Arvilla and her son Paul whom Frenchy had adopted, lived in the house on Milwaukie Avenue until she died in 1945.
So ends the account of the forgotten but tumultuous and complicated life of Isaac “Frenchy” Gratton, and the origin of “Gratton’s Grove”. At present, the western edge of the Grove, recently the site of La Carreta Mexican restaurant, is now being redeveloped into a food cart emporium. Information provided at the location, S.E. Holgate at McLoughlin Blvd., indicates that a new lounge and a number of food carts will occupy the space.
Perhaps one of the food carts will offer “poutine”, a popular dish in Quebec, Frenchy’s birthplace. In the interest of disclosure, this writer did sample poutine in a McDonald’s restaurant in Montreal – but it would take many hours of vigorous ice hockey to justify consuming that rich combination of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy!
(Dana Beck’s monthly “Southeast Portland History” articles will return to this space next month.)
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| This summer, Reed College has been hosting workshops for Tango musicians from around the world. Seen here is one of the many ensembles that played for the public on Friday, June 28th. (Photo by Elizabeth Ussher Groff) |
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Reed College’s summer highlighted by Tango workshops
By ELIZABETH USSHER GROFF
For THE BEE
On Friday, June 28th, Reed College offered a free Tango concert in its Eliot Hall Chapel. A large audience was treated to ninety minutes of live, exhilarating Argentine music – performed by musicians participating in the college’s summer program, “Tango for Musicians”.
Tango for Musicians is North America’s leading workshop for players of any instrument who want to learn to play, arrange, compose, improvise, and/or teach the rich and diverse musical form of Tango music. Workshops were not held during the pandemic, except for one year online, but they resumed this year in person – and, from now on, they will be held every other year.
In this unique summer program, artistic faculty from Argentina teaches students who come from far and wide. The more than sixty participants travel from different parts of the U.S. and Europe, as well as Japan, Latin America, and Australia, to learn new Tango playing skills, or to expand their repertoire. At the end of the week, participants share new compositions and newly-honed skills in several public concerts, one including Tango dancing, on a weekend in June.
This distinctive experience was started at Reed in 2013 by Morgan Luker, a Woodstock resident, and Reed College’s Associate Professor of Music (ethnomusicology). Luker grew up playing saxophone, and then attended the University of Wisconsin to study music performance. In his final years there he became interested in ethnomusicology.
In 2004 he traveled to Argentina, as a graduate student, to study the effect of the country’s economic collapse on local music. He insisted he wasn’t going there to study Tango music, thinking that would be too stereotypical. But he surprised himself, and became enamored with inspiring and vigorous music that was much richer and more culturally complex than he had imagined.
The Reed “Tango for Musicians” program builds upon Luker’s 2004 experiences and connections from his twelve months of fieldwork leading to his dissertation on the Tango music communities in Buenos Aires.
That year in Argentina in 2004, plus three subsequent visits – three months each – and many additional trips to continue learning and making connections with musicians Argentina, are why Reed is so supportive of these unique workshops that are shared with the community. And to continue learning, Luker is working on his second book. He told THE BEE, “It is about the early years of the recorded sound industry in Argentina, and how recordings from that time largely came to define how the popular music industry works internationally.”
This summer the performances included musical combinations of bandoneon (a “button squeeze box” or concertina), guitar, violin, piano, saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass fiddle, and several vocalists. It is always evident that the musicians enjoy learning, playing, and performing together.
Luker told THE BEE that the college has been supportive of his work over the years because it recognizes the importance and uniqueness of these workshops. He is pleased and proud that the events are open to the public, and mostly free due to that support. He adds, “This is actually the first year we ever charged anything [for the faculty concert – $30, or suggested donation] because of some budget-tightening.”
So mark June of 2026 on your calendar for treating yourself to the invigorating music of Tango at Reed College. For more information, refer to – http://www.reed.edu/events
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| As at traditional “National Night Out” neighborhood parties, first responders were invited. Here, Central Precinct Brentwood-Darlington District Officer Paul Wolfer presents stickers to Michael Johnson, and young Owen. (Photo by David F. Ashton) |
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BDNA hosts ‘night out’ party for Brentwood-Darlington
By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE
Reminiscent of the “National Night Out Against Crime” gatherings once endorsed by the City of Portland, leaders of the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) hosted a neighborhood barbecue and party on Saturday afternoon, August 10th, at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center
Inside the building and out – with activities spilling out into Brentwood City Park -- some 300 adults and kids enjoyed the party.
Unlike many of the “Party On! Portland” events taking place on the first of August that are completely the work of City of Portland staff members, this was completely “home-grown”, pointed out BDNA Chair Stephenie Frederick. “Indeed, our neighborhood association is the event’s sole sponsor; we put on every scrap of this family event – with support from Southeast Uplift, which provided the event insurance.”
Screams of delight issued from the big bouncy castle, brought in and supervised by staff from the SUN Community Schools program – which is a collaboration between Portland Parks & Recreation and Multnomah County.
The savory aroma of beef and vegetarian burgers – and chicken hot dogs – on the grill filled the air. And, volunteers provided snow cones for cool treats. Volunteers also ran active games – such as a water balloon toss – that entertained both kids and grownups.
“In essence, this afternoon, we are celebrating the revival of our Community Center; it’s been kind of forgotten during the pandemic years,” Frederick remarked. “Here, today, our families have opportunity to enjoy live music, eat together, and play some games. Our goal is to create good feelings among our neighbors, and to help them realize that they are part of a real neighborhood – a community.”
Asked how the organizers managed to round up so many volunteers, Frederick later explained. “Our wonderful key event organizers, BDNA Board Directors Anna Cox and Stephanie Torgerson, invited candidates for City of Portland District 3 City Council positions to attend – but, only if they agreed to help!”
The candidates who came – and they all helped out – included Jaclyn Smith-Moore, Jesse Cornett, Tiffany Koyama Lane, Sandeep Bali, Terry Parker, Theo Hathaway Saner, Dan Gilk, and Kelly Janes.
For more information about the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association, go online – http://www.brentwood-darlington.org
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| This hand-painted sign was uncovered in late July on the former Bank of America building on Milwaukie Avenue at Claybourne, in Westmoreland. (Photo by Eileen G. Fitzsimons) |
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SOUTHEAST HISTORY
Westmoreland building across from QFC undergoes fourth remodel
By EILEEN G. FITZSIMONS
For THE BEE
In late July, the façade was peeled away from what was most recently a Bank of America branch at S.E. Milwaukie Avenue and Claybourne Street – disclosing a hand-painted sign for “Silhouette Spa.” This was apparently a health club and weight reduction business operating in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But, when stripped bare, the poured-concrete structure featured subtle geometric Art Deco ornamentation, suggesting an even earlier architectural style.
After sifting through building and newspaper records, with helpful leads from fellow BEE writer Dana Beck, its varied uses reveal many changes to the building over the past century.
The structure was finished in August of 1929, just two months before the stock market crash that launched the Great Depression. It was constructed for $8,500 by local contractor Frank A. Waldele specifically for H.R. Gibbs, who had owned the “Sellwood Transfer Company” since 1925. Gibbs had purchased the business from Frank E. Fruiht, who established the company in a barn on Umatilla Street in 1905.
At that time the moving trade used horses to pull heavy freight-loaded wagons, and as many as 25 animals were stabled – including boarding them for customers. In 1914, Fruiht upgraded to a new concrete building, adding more storage space and installing a wagon scale to calculate the price of hauling goods. In addition to moving and storing household furnishings, he offered a large truck and six wagons for rent – particularly for picnics and fishing parties.
Fruiht’s original two door building at 1133 S.E. Umatilla Street still stands, and in recent memory has been used for boat-building and auto body work.
According to THE BEE in 1929, Gibbs’ new 50x100 foot facility on Milwaukie Avenue had been “planned just to fill his needs”, having made that move to better serve his customers. Gibbs operated his Transfer Company there – which included automotive repair, and the sale of electric kitchen appliances – until 1949.
In 1950, the building and two adjacent 50x100 foot lots were purchased by Roy Selby Allnuth, recently demobilized from the U.S. Navy. Prior to military enrollment, Roy was a meat cutter, providing butcher’s services at Wizer’s Fine Foods on Milwaukie Avenue near Bybee. While Roy was away during the war, his wife Ollie worked as a clerk at Wizer’s; their house was nearby on S.E. 19th Avenue.
When small neighborhood grocery stores began to be considered outmoded in the post-war period, Wizer’s closed their Westmoreland store and opened a new supermarket in downtown Lake Oswego – a story told not long ago in these pages by Dana Beck.
It was at this time that Allnuth altered the former transfer garage at Milwaukie and Claybourne to accommodate large walk-in frozen food lockers. Domestic refrigerators at the time had very small compartments for frozen items – usually only having space for a couple of aluminum ice cube trays, and perhaps a rectangular box of ice cream. Until American manufacturers began redesigning and enlarging home appliances after the war, individuals often would rent a locker space in a shop – like Selby’s Frozen Foods, the name Allnuth gave to his new business – and store extra food there, for a monthly fee. Allnuth’s independent freezer-locker business lasted for only six or seven years.
Then, in late 1956, the building was transformed into an exercise studio, which is when the Silhouette Spa sign was painted on it.
Beginning in the 1920’s, body-building was offered in male-only gyms by entrepreneurs like Charles Atlas, who developed a system of exercises and weightlifting that transformed him from the “97-pound weakling” of his advertisements at the time, into a muscular marvel.
According to female stereotyping after World War II, though, being strong and building muscle was not feminine – but sculpting the body, redistributing inches, and adding and losing pounds was acceptable. The Spa that replaced Selby’s Frozen Food Locker was part of a nationwide chain for women, American Health Studios.
In late 1956 Portland-based Johnnie Johnson merged his own ten studios with American Health, and they launched three Portland facilities just for women under Mrs. Johnson’s management, and one was this one. Silhouette Figure Form body conditioning featured mirrored studios, private dressing rooms, slimline lighting, Finnish ceramic tile steam baths, and Swedish and alcohol massage facilities. And, in case the sculpting activities overheated customers, modern air conditioning would cool them down.
Curiously, while American Health programs were being advertised in THE BEE, individuals were still trying to sell prepaid Figure Form plans which they no longer used. Despite relatively low monthly fees, and the possibility of looking less matronly and more like a calendar girl, the women of Westmoreland just did not flock to the spa – and the building was vacant again by 1960.
It remained empty until 1962, when it was remodeled for use by a banking institution – the Equitable Savings & Loan Association. When the federal government seized The Equitable as insolvent, during the Savings and Loan crisis in the late 1980’s, it persuaded a solvent and profitable Ben Franklin Savings and Loan to take it over – but then shortly afterwards seized Ben Franklin, and sold all its branches to Bank of America.
As a result, in 1990, the Bank of America moved into the structure, and operated there for close to three decades – but, in turn, that particular branch was closed in a downsizing move shortly after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was empty again.
Finally, in late 2023 the empty building and its two parking lots were purchased by Goodwill Industries for almost three million dollars. Reconstruction is underway for the fourth time of this venerable building across the street from today’s QFC Market, and sometime in early 2025 a new “Goodwill boutique” will open in the freshly-stuccoed facility…as it approaches its century mark.
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| Rena Popivchak, left, and Ruby Smith – with their “101st Birthday” cake, at Westmoreland’s Union Manor. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) |
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Two 101st birthdays celebrated at Westmoreland’s Union Manor
By RITA A. LEONARD
For THE BEE
Friday, July 19th, was a special occasion at Westmoreland’s Union Manor, on S.E. 23rd Avenue just north of Bybee. Two of the residents of the nonprofit senior apartment building – Rena Popivchak, and Ruby Smith – were celebrating their 101st birthdays in the ground floor Multipurpose Room. Flowers, cards, balloons, and a chocolate-covered cake were also part of the party.
Ruby Smith was born in Minnesota; and Rena was born in London, England, but lived in Pennsylvania for 67 years. Ruby formerly worked for the local telephone company that is now CenturyLink for 22 years, and has lived in Westmoreland for 34 years. Rena is a former bookkeeper, and has lived at the Manor for 11 years.
Both women were quite active in their earlier years. Ruby was in a Merrimaker Band, playing the washboard. Rena enjoys watching DVDs, and also has enjoyed sewing clothes and knitting. Both women were pleased to be recognized at the occasion, organized by Bill McLeod, President of the Manor’s Men's Club.
A dinner choice of meatloaf or ribs was part of the celebration, followed by pieces of birthday cake. The women received many cards and expressions of good wishes, and are already looking forward to their 102nd birthday party!
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SEPTEMBER 1
Arab Mahrajan Festival at Oaks Park, open to the public: The 13th annual Arab Mahrajan Festival again takes place this year at Oaks Amusement Park in Sellwood – all afternoon, 1-7 p.m. today – open to the public without charge. Delicious cuisine, a bazaar, Arabic music, face painting, and much more. Not to be missed. Presented by the nonprofit Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon.
Postponed SMILE “Free For All” concert is TONIGHT: The PP&R “Summer Free For All” concert in Sellwood Park which was rained out by a thunderstorm on August 17th has been rescheduled for TONIGHT, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Sellwood Park. The originally-scheduled band wasn't available for this rescheduled date, so stepping in will be the Afrobeat band, “Jujuba”. PP&R says, “Should be a fun show ... and, hopefully, no rain!”
SEPTEMBER 5
Portland City Council District 3 Candidate Mixer: Southeast Uplift is hosting a “District 3 Candidate Mixer and Open House” for all voters in the new City Council District 3 this evening – 6-8 p.m. The event is free to attend, and non-alcoholic drinks are provided, as is food. Alcohol for purchase (cash only). Join your neighbors from throughout District 3 to mingle with the candidates for three seats in the district. Also, you can get more information about the changes to Portland’s governmental structure in the November election. The location is nonprofit Southeast Uplift, 3534 S.E. Main Street, a block east of Hawthorne Boulevard – access Main from Chavez Blvd (formerly 39th), on the north side of the Hawthorne Fred Meyer Store.
SEPTEMBER 7
22nd Annual Eastmoreland Neighborhood Clean-up: The annual Eastmoreland Neighborhood Clean-up returns today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s cleanup will be held in the parking lot at the corner of S.E. 28th and Steele. Bring your NON-HAZARDOUS household waste, yard debris, scrap metal, Styrofoam, electronics, and other unneeded items to the clean-up event. NOTE: No hazardous or construction materials can be accepted. This is a great opportunity to get rid of items in your yard, basement, attic, garage, and elsewhere in your home that are ready for disposal. For residents who can't participate in person, there is a concierge service, but spots are limited. This cleanup is sponsored by the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association, and all waste-collection fees benefit the ENA. For further details, please visit the ENA website, http://www.eastmorelandpdx.org/events/eastmoreland-clean-up – or contact the organizer, Derek Blum via email – cleanup@eastmorelandpdx.org
The Portland Petanque Club’s annual “Rose City Open”: Today through Sunday, The Portland Petanque Club hosts its annual national tournament in Westmoreland Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with the public welcome at no charge. “Invented in France, Petanque is a very easy to learn, precision sport where teams vie for best ‘boule’ (ball) position in relation to the ‘cochonnet’ (French for ‘piglet’), a small wooden sphere called a ‘jack’. Boules are metal and baseball sized.” At the Rose City Open, 40 nationally-ranked teams of two will combine skill, strategy, and a bit of the unpredictable as they “point and shoot” in what frequently becomes a game of cat and mouse. You’ll find yourself holding your breath as points are determined by millimeters. For more details, go online – http://www.pdxpetanque.org
Spiritual open House in Sellwood: Today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the nonprofit ECKANKAR Spiritual Center of Portland [in the former Sellwood Library building on S.E. Milwaukie]. “Curious about who we are? Feel free to stop by to chat or browse our books. If you would like to add another tool to your spiritual toolkit, learn about the sacred lovesong, HU, and try it out with a group of like-hearted people. Or share your stories in spiritual discussions on topics like gratitude, Divine guidance, humor, and learning through dreams.” Light refreshments will be served. There is a children’s area with fun activities. There’s also a drawing for visitors – to give away four copies of the book, “Animals are Souls too”. The ECK Center is located at 7904 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue. Email any questions to – inekservice@gmail.com
Cleveland High Class of 1974 reunion: This evening, 7-10 p.m., the CHS Class of ’74 will celebrate its 50-year reunion with finger foods, a no-host bar, and activities, at the Eastmoreland Golf Course Clubhouse. Cost is $50 per person or $75 per couple. Classmates from 1973 and 1975 are also invited! Pay at the door. Earlier today, a Golf “Scramble” Tournament is to take place, with space for 40 golfers (10 teams). Cost for 18 holes is $52 to walk the course, and $72 to ride a cart – pay at the golf course. Significant Others are also welcome to play. If you want to play, email your interest to – ClevelandHighClassOf74@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER 8
Brooklyn’s “Ice Cream Social in the Park”: This afternoon, 1-4 p.m., the Brooklyn Action Corps neighborhood association sponsors the annual “Ice Cream Social” in Brooklyn Park, on S.E. Milwaukie Avenue, a couple of blocks south of Powell Boulevard. In addition to the ice cream and live music, there will be booths by neighborhood groups, artisans, businesses, and residents offering interesting information. Fun for the whole family.
SEPTEMBER 11
Woodstock Pantry Grand Opening this morning: Today, 10 a.m. to noon, the community is invited to the Grand Opening of the Woodstock Pantry food source. Thanks in part to the fundraising efforts of our community, the Woodstock Pantry now has a permanent structure! There will be tours of the pantry space – plus music, refreshments, and special guests to celebrate this tremendous community achievement. The Woodstock Pantry is located at the northeast end of the campus of All Saints Episcopal Church, 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard.
SEPTEMBER 14
Sellwood Community House Grand Reopening and 5-Year Birthday Bash: Today, from noon until 4 p.m., you’re invited to come celebrate reopening after ice storm repairs, and the 5th anniversary at the Sellwood Community House! Live music, birthday treats, food and drinks and much more. And register now for the EXPANDED preschool and after school programs! On the corner of S.E. Spokane Street and 15th Avenue in Sellwood.
SEPTEMBER 15
“Strut your kidney” for NW Kidney Kids’ eighth year: This is a fun family-friendly run (5K, 10K, and Fun Run) at the Sellwood Riverfront Park at the foot of S.E. Spokane Street in Sellwood. It starts at 9 a.m. this morning, and functions as a fundraiser for this nonprofit organization. For more information, on watching or participating, go online – http://www.nwkidneykids.org – and donations are welcomed.
SEPTEMBER 20
Annual Oaks Park Oktoberfest, today through Sunday: Oktoberfest at Oaks Park – beer, brats, and bands are back in the annual fall festival that features authentic German food and beer, Kinderplatz children's activities, cooking shows, German music and dancing, wiener dog races, vendors, and more! Fun for the whole family. Today, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday 11 until 10, and Sunday 11 to 7. Gate-only admission; small charge for parking. Oaks Park is accessed by turning north on Oaks Park Way, just west of the railroad tracks at the foot of S.E. Spokane Street in Sellwood. For more Oktoberfest details, go online – http://www.oakspark.com
SEPTEMBER 21
Woodstock community cleanup this morning: This morning Woodstock residents and anyone interested will be coming to the Woodstock Community Center 9:30-11:30 a.m. to join in the monthly morning Walk ’n Clean to pick up litter and trash in the neighborhood. It’s also an opportunity to meet neighbors and enjoy refreshments. All equipment provided.
“Eastmoreland-Woodstock Oktoberfest” at Holy Family: Eastmoreland’s Holy Family School and Church are partnering with Otto’s Sausage Kitchen in Woodstock this year, in presenting their annual community Oktoberfest today from 1 until 8 p.m. Activities, fun, food, and beverages for the entire family. No admission charge; bring some money for the food and beverages. On the7400 block of S.E. Chavez Blvd. (formerly 39th).
Folk Music concert series starts tonight: The Portland Folk Music Society starts its new concert season this evening with Canadian carpenter turned singer-songwriter Dave Francey. The concert starts tonight at 7:30 (doors open at 7) at the Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 S.E. Steele Street in the Reed Neighborhood. Tickets sold online – or at the door, as space allows. For more information, go online – https://www.portlandfolkmusic.org
SEPTEMBER 22
Learn how to “Choose and Plant Native Plants” from experts: From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., OSU Extension Service Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to teach methods of winter gardening, and to provide tours of their beautiful one-acre “Demonstration Garden” for no charge! And no registration needed. It’s at the County Master Gardener Association Demonstration Garden, on S.E. 57th Avenue – 500 feet south of Duke Street. For more information, go online – https://tinyurl.com/4szfhnkd
OCTOBER 6
City Council Dist. 4 Candidates Forum this afternoon: SMILE, the Sellwood-Westmoreland neighborhood association, presents an Election Forum for District 4 City Council candidates this afternoon, 1-4 p.m., at Sellwood Community House – on S.E. 11th Avenue at Spokane Street (one block north of Tacoma Street). Voters in Eastmoreland, the Reed neighborhood, and the City of Portland’s part of Milwaukie’s Ardenwald neighborhood, will all be voting in District 4 and may also want to be there. All declared District 4 candidates have been invited to briefly introduce themselves, provide election materials, and chat with their new District 4 voters located east of the Willamette River.
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SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY HOTLINKS -- USEFUL, AND JUST PLAIN FUN HOTLINKS -- IMMEDIATELY BELOW!
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Useful HotLinks:
Your Personal "Internet Toolkit"!
Charles Schulz's "PEANUTS" comic strip daily!
Portland area freeway and highway traffic cameras
Portland Police
Latest Portland region radar weather map
Portland Public Schools
Multnomah County's official SELLWOOD BRIDGE website
Click here for the official correct time!
Oaks Amusement Park
Association of Home Business (meets in Sellwood)
Local, established, unaffiliated leads and referrals group for businesspeople; some categories open
Weekly updates on area road and bridge construction
Translate text into another language
Look up a ZIP code to any U.S. address anywhere
Free on-line PC virus checkup
Free antivirus program for PC's; download (and regularly update it!!) by clicking here
Computer virus and worm information, and removal tools
PC acting odd, redirecting your home page, calling up pages you didn't want--but you can't find a virus? You may have SPYWARE on your computer; especially if you go to game or music sites. Click here to download the FREE LavaSoft AdAware program, and run it regularly!
What AdAware doesn't catch, "Malwarebytes" may! PC's--particularly those used for music downloads and online game playing--MUST download these free programs and run them often, to avoid major spyware problems with your computer!
Check for Internet hoaxes, scams, etc.
Here's more on the latest scams!
ADOBE ACROBAT is one of the most useful Internet document reading tools. Download it here, free; save to your computer, click to open, and forget about it! (But decline the "optional offers" -- they are just adware)
Encyclopedia Britannica online
Newspapers around the world
Convert almost any unit of measure to almost any other
Research properties in the City of Portland
Local source for high-quality Shaklee nutritionals
Note: Since THE BEE is not the operator of any of the websites presented here, we can assume no responsibility for content or consequences of any visit to them; however we, personally, have found all of them helpful, and posted them here for your reference.
Local News websites:
The news TODAY
Local News Daily.com
KATU, Channel 2 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 24)
KOIN, Channel 6 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 25)
KGW, Channel 8 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 26)
KOPB, Channel 10 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 10 and 28)
KPTV, Channel 12 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 12)
KRCW, Channel 32 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 24 and 25)
KPDX, Channel 49 (Digital/HDTV broadcast channel 12 and 26)
"Next Generation TV", in the incompatible ATSC-3 format, is currently duplicating (in the new format) KATU, KOIN, KGW, KOPB, KPTV, KRCW, and KPDX on channels 30 and/or 33; you will need a new TV or converter box capable of receiving the new ATSC-3 format in order to see these broadcasts. The one we use and can recommend is the Zapperbox -- learn more at: www.zapperbox.com
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