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Community Features
The "Events and Activities" for the month are below these featured stories!
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| For 39 years the American at Heart store has been an institution in the Sellwood neighborhood. Other businesses that once operated in this building included the Woolworth Confectionery, the Sellwood Sweet Shop, the Sellwood U.S. Post Office, Earl Taylor’s Furniture Refinishing, and the Cozy Tavern. (2006 photo, Dana Beck Collection) |
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| Joan Blomberg, as many remember her – leaning over the French Door of “American at Heart” to chat with passers-by on S.E. 13th Avenue in Sellwood. (Dana Beck Collection) |
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SOUTHEAST HISTORY
Farewell to a great friend, and her historic store in Sellwood
By DANA BECK
Special to THE BEE
This month I am writing with a heavy heart about the last days of Sellwood’s historic “American at Heart” store – and waving a fond farewell to Joan Blomberg, whose health has forced her to retire.
You might have bumped into her in line at New Seasons, or talked with her at the monthly Sellwood Westmoreland Business Alliance meeting. Or maybe you have, around your home, a purchase you made at her “American at Heart” store – at the southwest corner of S.E. 13th Avenue and Tenino Street in Sellwood. Many of us remember her smiling face and her various and often-flowery hats, and how she sometimes waved to (and chatted with) pedestrians as they passed by her store.
Sunday, March 12th, was the final day for shopping at one of Portland’s favorite “Americana” Stores. I for one will miss the wit, humor, and the knowledge and neighborhood history that Joan Blomberg shared with us. Joan not only owned that business, but she was also a part of the neighborhood’s history.
I have gathered my notes from the many times I visited with Joan in her “American at Heart” shop. And, in appreciation of her thirty-nine years in the community as a business owner, I am going to share some of her memories of her time in Sellwood.
In fact, Joan was raised in Sellwood – during what she considered to be “carefree times”. Electric buses traveled down 13th Avenue on the path once navigated by trolley cars on rails; Saturday afternoons were filled with eating popcorn and watching matinees at Sellwood’s movie theater (now the Columbia Outlet store), or hiking down the trail to Oaks Bottom.
Her father, Earl Scofield, entered the Navy in the 1940s – and when he was discharged, he met and married Rose Webber. With not a lot of money available, and with housing at a premium and a child on the way, Joan’s grandmother Elizabeth Webber graciously offered the couple the opportunity to live with her in a small bungalow near where the library is now, at S.E. Bidwell and 13th Avenue.
In her early childhood, Joan’s grandmother and her own parents didn’t discuss their heritage with her; those who had come to America from Europe preferred to focus on the new country they had chosen to live in. Later in life, Joan learned of the struggles her grandparents went through to get to this country. Her grandmother had escaped from Hungry in 1915, during the unrest in Europe which led to the start of World War I.
Like many other immigrants in America, Elizabeth was interned for a time at Ellis Island in New York City, but she eventually made her way to Portland, where she settled and started a family. Once her children grew up and left home, and her husband had died, Elizabeth found the Sellwood community to be a peaceful and acceptable place to retire, and she remained here.
Life in Sellwood during the 1940s and 1950s was indeed a carefree and innocent time for most children here. But money was tight for the Scofield family, and Joan’s parents were just managing to get by. Her mother kept busy taking care of the household, while her father traveled to Scappoose, where he worked as a welder for the Pacific Chain Company.
With plenty of free time on her hands, young Joan often explored the neighborhood – wandering up and down the commercial district of 13th Avenue, finding out what each of the shops had to offer a young girl. Perhaps this was the experience that led her to desire that one day she would become a shop owner herself.
And, for Joan, there were plenty of stores filled with glitz and glimmer to gaze at along 13th Avenue when she was not in school. “Rhodes’ Fur Shop” at Bidwell Street showcased shiny mink coats and otter neck collars in their display window to seize the attention of passers-by. Wandering on, Joan glimpsed groups of older ladies who sat passively in the chairs of Barbara Langevin’s Beauty Salon, with “those funny round contraptions” on their heads. Then it was a quick dash past the City View Meat Market, where slabs of meat and racks of chickens could be seen hanging from the ceiling through the glass front door.
A bottle of Nehi Cola could be bought at Sunshine Grocery, just north of the beauty salon – that was where some of the family groceries were purchased. An afternoon of meandering through J.C. Brill’s department store, near Spokane Street, brought a variety of merchandise to view – but she seldom had enough money to purchase anything.
It was at Farley’s Grocery Store, at the corner of 13th Street and S.E. Miller, that Joan found her youthful true love – a snack she called “Walnut Chewies”. Her father, Earl, was close friends with Thomas Farley, who owned and operated his confectionary and grocery, and it became the family’s favorite shopping stop.
Once she was old enough, Joan began to earn money by babysitting neighborhood children, as well as selling subscriptions to THE BEE door to door – it was a paid weekly newspaper then. A year’s subscription cost customers $3.50 per year, and the money she earned in this enterprise usually went to purchasing those chewy walnut caramels at Farley’s counter.
The visits to Farley’s ceased when she unexpectedly received roller skates as a Christmas present from her parents. Her destination then became Oaks Park’s Skating Rink – a place to socialize with new friends. But, still, during breaks from skating, she was using her nickels and dimes at the snack counter to buy candy, popcorn, and refreshments.
In the 1950s, one of Portland’s Holiday traditions was a visit to Santaland at Meier and Frank, the big department store downtown. A parade was held on the day after Thanksgiving, and those invited to be in it had to walk the two to three mile long parade route.
A month after that, one of Joan’s biggest thrills as a child was taking part in the Meier and Frank Annual Christmas Parade in downtown Portland. Dressing up as Little Bo Peep, and wearing a costume she’d obtained from the Sellwood Community Center (now the “Sellwood Community House”), little Joanie gleefully trekked the whole parade route. In tow, behind her, was a pull-along sheep that her parents had bought her for the occasion. Joan remarked how tired her feet were afterwards, and in a later interview with THE BEE in 2020 she reflected, “Gosh, I wish I had that toy sheep today. I loved that little toy.”
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| This photo shows Sellwood’s Dr. Nickelsen, who not only waited on patients at his medical office but was also known for his pet cat, Chewie the cheetah, who joined him in this picture. Chewie could be found hanging out in his fenced pen at 13th and S.E. Sherrett Street, and riding with the top down on the back seat of the doctor’s convertible. (Courtesy SMILE History Committee) |
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The most memorable attraction in the Sellwood neighborhood at that time was Dr. Nickelsen and his live pet cheetah. During holidays from his medical duties, Nickelsen enjoyed traveling to Africa, where he spent time hunting “big game” animals. Joan remembered being invited to Dr. Nickelsen’s Sellwood home, where the main room was filled with animal trophies on the walls, with native spears and shields hanging around the room, and grass mats strewn about the floor. Along with all the souvenirs, lying nearby on the sofa, there was Chewie – the tame cheetah that Dr. Nickelsen encouraged his guests to pet.
During the day when the doctor was busy with his appointments, Chewie was kept caged behind a chain-link fence next to the doctor’s medical office on 13th and S.E. Sherrett (it’s now the home of Sellwood Medical Clinic). The large friendly cat could be viewed by anyone passing by – even children walking from home to their classes at Sellwood Primary, which is now Sellwood Middle School.
Joan recalls one time when that big celebrity cat jumped its enclosure, and was strolling the streets freely. Dr. Nickelsen had to postpone his medical appointments and go in search of his pet. There didn’t seem to be much apprehension among parents that a wild animal was loose, though, since Chewie had always been very friendly. In fact, frequently during the summers, the doctor could be seen driving his convertible with the top down through the community, with Chewie sitting placidly in the back seat.
Joan was enrolled at St. Agatha’s Catholic School, on 15th between S.E. Miller and Nehalem Streets; it was within easy walking distance of her home. However, being instructed by the nuns of St. Agatha proved to be a challenge for Joan, who admitted in a previous BEE interview with me, “I think I was sort of a hell-raiser in school.” Once during recess, she broke a teeter-totter while attempting to bump a fellow classmate off the top board. “That was the day I was called into to see Father Urban”, she said.
One time, while hosting a girls’ sleepover at her house, her guests from school decided it would be fun if they paraded through the streets clad only in their pajamas. When they tired of this escapade, and turned to return to Joan’s parents’ house, Joan had locked the doors on them! Evidently none of her classmates held that incident against her, since years later many of her past classmates still gathered for yearly get-togethers at a local restaurant. But, Joan added, “They still remind me about that.”
Many children who lived in Sellwood and Westmoreland in the middle of the Twentieth Century spent summer days swimming and lying in the sun at Sellwood Pool; it was certainly Joan’s regular summer hangout. After a long day of swimming, playing, and socializing with other children, she’d go to buy a penny candy, a cool bottle of soda, or a Londonberry ice cream cone at Soder Brothers’ convenience store on the corner across from Sellwood Pool (it’s now a private residence). Bartos Confectionary at S.E. 17th Avenue & Tacoma Street, and the Harpers Confectionary next to the Moreland Theater on Milwaukie Avenue in Westmoreland, were also places she frequented.
After graduating from St. Agatha’s in 1956, Joan went on to enroll at St. Mary’s of the Valley, and from there she followed the lead of her father before her, and enlisted in the Navy. There she was a yeoman, and ran the print room at the Naval Weapons Station Annex in Charleston, South Carolina.
In 1969, Joan opened a new chapter in her life. She met her future husband, Ron Blomberg – and after their honeymoon they moved back to the State of Washington, where Ron was hired for the engineering department at Freightliner. Together they rented a dilapidated pioneer barn and house in Felida, Washington, three miles north of Vancouver, for the princely sum of seventy-five dollars a month.
There, family life centered around raising their son Patrick and stepson John. It was about this time that Joan developed an interest in collecting furniture, lamps, rugs, and other household items that could be fixed up or painted, and resold at trade shows.
She continuing selling merchandise under the name “Country Living Antiques”, using her Washington farmhouse to store additional furniture, textiles, and products, until it was time to set up a booth at the Christmas bazaars, summertime antique events, or indoor mall shows – all of them being popular attractions for female shoppers in the 1980s.
On the weekends, Joan was regularly away from home attending shows or buying additional household items at garage and estate sales in the area. During the weekdays she tended to her garden, fixed meals for the boys, cut back the thickets of blackberry bushes, grew flowers, and raised baby calves.
After fourteen years of packing, sorting, pricing, and setting up her merchandise for trade shows, Joan decided it was time to look for a brick-and-mortar store. Joan returned to Sellwood to look for one, and in 1986 she purchased a small store that once had been a wicker shop, in the heart of Sellwood’s Antique Row.
Earl Taylor operated a furniture refinishing business next door to her shop for over fourteen years, and the Oregon School of Massage occupied the upstairs. Customers visiting the massage parlor had to enter through a glass entryway and climb a set of stairs built between both the American at Heart store and Taylor’s shop.
By 1996 Joan Blomberg had bought the entire brick building, displaying additional merchandise upstairs after the massage parlor moved west across the Willamette River. Then, acquiring Earl Taylor’s shop when he’d moved, Joan knocked down the wall between both stores to give her more floor space and easier access to the upstairs section of the store. She continued selling Americana furniture and trinkets that she’d collected on her annual shopping trips to the East Coast, after which each year she would rent a large U-Haul truck to bring back her collected treasures.
After nearly four decades of operating one of Sellwood’s premier decor shops, for health reasons late last year Joan decided it was time to retire. Joan and her family placed her historic building on the market, and on the first of March started a brief closeout sale to empty the building.
The place itself is woven firmly into the history of Sellwood. It was built in 1910 during the streetcar era, and it was first called the Woolworth Building; it contained two separate rental spaces for small businesses. The upstairs was used, back then, for apartments, and for dental or medical offices.
The Sellwood Townsite Company operated a Real Estate Company on the south side of the Woolworth Building until the Sellwood Postal Station moved into it, around 1918. Mail was sorted and delivered to the residents and stamped letters and packages mailed out over the counter in that building until 1950, when the USPS Postal Station moved to Westmoreland.
Archie G. Woolworth established his confectionary store on the north side of the building for six years, until he moved his sweet shop north to the Brooklyn neighborhood. But, after he left, the space continued on as a confectionary and candy store – renamed the Sellwood Sweet Shop. F.H. Maulding and J.G. Noble continued selling candy and ice cream there, along with magazines and cigars and cigarettes for adults. The duo of Bumgardner and Battson next took over the store in the 1920s, adding packaged ice cream from a freezer and ice-cold soda. Later, Leland M. Gott operated the candy and ice cream store on into the 1930s.
The “Elite Dressing Parlors” occupied a portion of the upstairs that was later converted into the Sellwood Apartments. In the 1930s and 1940s, Dr. Forrest A. Lowe ran his dental practice in a portion of the upstairs rooms.
After the Great Depression, the team of Murray and Sieter decided to change the downstairs into a tavern, and called it the Cozy Club. By 1958 it was known to the locals as the Cozy Tavern.
Because of the many businesses which once had occupied this structure, and due its historical background, the Blomberg family is hoping someone will step forward to buy it and preserve its historical character, instead of just buying it to remove it and build something else.
For many of us living in Sellwood, we took it for granted that Joan and her Americana Folk Art Decor Store would somehow always be part of the community – but, of course, all good things must come to an end, and now they have.
What Sellwood will miss most is Joan herself – the lady who knew so much about the history of the neighborhood, and was willing to share it with everyone – enhanced by her bubbly personality.
Life in Sellwood will never be quite the same without Joan Blomberg – the lady in the hat, waving over the open French door of her “American at Heart” store. We’ll miss you, Joan.
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| This photo is of “Morrie” Arntson, taken earlier in life. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1955. (Family-provided photo.) |
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Cleveland High mourns passing of 1955 grad, a longtime benefactor
By ERIC NORBERG
Editor, THE BEE
Morris “Morry” Arnold Arntson, Junior, passed away at Lake Oswego at the age of 86 early this year, just short of his 87th birthday. The son of Morris Arnold Arntson and Mary Arntson, he grew up in the Westmoreland neighborhood, and attended Cleveland High School – where he was a standout athlete – earning All-State recognition, and a position on the prestigious 1955 Shrine Football Game in the year of his graduation. He was a Football two-year letter winner; was named First Team All-PIL tackle, and received All-State recognition.
Morry’s skills also included basketball, which led to his also winning a letter in that sport; he was a member of 1954-55 PIL Championship team at Cleveland High – the Third Place team at the State Tournament.
Morris’ success at CHS earned him a football scholarship to the University of Oregon; but in the end, he could not play because of an injury. He later earned a Law Degree at Willamette University, and briefly practiced law. After the death of his father, for whom he was named, Morris was made Vice President of the family-owned Brake Supply Company, later renamed the Durametal Corporation. He was appointed President and CEO of Durametal in 1965, and later served as its Chairman until his retirement in 1992.
The family notes that he was very community-involved, serving as a director of the Metro YMCA of Portland for over a decade, and he was a delegate to the YMCA National Council. He co-founded the Tournament Golf Foundation – a sport he had grown to love – and was a director for both the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation and the Portland Chamber of Commerce. He was a good friend of Nike’s Phil Knight, and – like Phil – has long been a strong supporter of Cleveland High, and the ongoing efforts to upgrade its athletics facilities.
Recently-retired CHS “institution” Jan Watt remembers Morris as an “absolute treasure” for Cleveland High – always there to help when the school needed something, and always a strong supporter of the school, its students, and its faculty. “He will really be missed.”
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| Along S.E. Luther Road, we came across Lauren Cary pitching trash. (Photo by David F. Ashton) |
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Hundreds pull weeds and plant bushes in ‘Watershed Wide Event’
By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE
Along the banks of Johnson Creek, from its confluence with the Willamette River back out to Gresham – at one of seven sites – a total of 225 folks came out to volunteer on Saturday morning, March 1, for the annual Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) “Watershed Wide Event”.
During this effort, the volunteers come together to care for the creek and watershed. They weed, plant, and mulch, to restore a healthier watershed.
THE BEE’s tour of several locations included the Brookside Apartments property, in the Ardenwald-Johnson Creek neighborhood, where a sizable group learned how to plant small trees and bushes along the bank.
New this year was work at what they called Creek Care Property – land belonging to private owners, along S.E. Johnson Creek Road, just south of Bell Road – a project that that included planting, mulching, decommissioning old walking trails, and some trash pick-up.
JCWC Creek Crew Leader, Noah Jenkins, reported on the project: “Sunny weather certainly helped our turnout; we had a total of 21 people there who – in about three hours – planted 25 trees and 115 shrubs; and also removed about 20 cubic feet of trash.”
On the edge of the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, on S.E. Luther Road, some of the crew was doing “live willow stake-making”, while others planted shrubs, mulched existing plants, and picked up lots of trash.
“One of the goals of the Portland Parks & Recreation Stewardship Program is to make sure that the community feels a ‘sense of place’, and relationship to the land, where we are,” commented PP&R Botanical Technician Christian Orellana Bauer. “I think having people actually get their hands in the dirt, and them helping to restore the natural areas, really aids in developing that relationship.
“These areas are super beneficial – not only for the plants and wildlife, but also for us, the humans who are helping to create healthier ecosystems and healthy waterways,” Orellana Bauer remarked.
A little past noon, a cadre of volunteers drove the food and beverages for lunch out to the various sites, for other volunteers to enjoy. Nobody went hungry that day.
“As always, I am so impressed by our volunteers’ commitment to making Johnson Creek a better place for plant, animal, and human communities,” JCWC Volunteer Program Manager Marlee Eckman told THE BEE afterwards.
In total, this year’s “Watershed Wide Event” saw a total of 2,980 plants installed, and 230 cubic feet of rubbish removed.”
What are the volunteer opportunities at the Johnson Creek Watershed Council this month? Check their website – http://www.jcwc.org
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| This balloon arch marked the entrance to the new PlayLab, during its grand opening on March 1st in Sellwood. (Photo by David F. Ashton) |
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Sellwood Community House opens ‘PlayLab’ for kids
By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE
Parents of kids, ages one to five, welcomed with delight a new indoor play space associated with the Sellwood Community House, but not exactly IN that location, which is called “PlayLab”. It debuted on March 1st, and THE BEE was there.
“We saw a need for more indoor play spaces for children in our neighborhood,” explained the Community House’s Early Childhood Manager, Molly Hodge. “We’ve created a space that is fun – and inspired by the now-closed Portland Children’s Museum – but on a budget!”
Parents and their little ones can come by for sessions of “messy art”, sensory exploration, and open-ended play – or, join a group or a class.
“We’re also planning classes for new parents, and classes for families – such as a ‘picky eater’ class, or a pre-natal course for new moms, and just a lot of options for families to get together and to connect and to learn,” said Hodge.
WiFi is available there for parents who would like to get some work done while their children are playing.
The schedule for PlayLab accessibility through June 14th is Tuesdays, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. There’s a $10 “drop-in” fee. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
You’ll find PlayLab in the basement of Immanuel Lutheran Church, located about five blocks north of the Sellwood Community House, at 7810 S.E. 15th Avenue.
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| At the March 1st “Eagle Scout Court of Honor” ceremony, here with their celebratory cake are the three latest new BSA Troop 64 Eagle Scouts: From left, Samuel Minzheng Schaller, Maxwell Thomas Deggendorfer, and Javier Alain Mora. (Photo by David F. Ashton) |
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Sellwood-Westmoreland BSA Troop 64:
Three more new Eagle Scouts
By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE
Inner Southeast Portland’s Boy Scouts of America Troop 64 has done it again – another trio of members were recognized on March 1 at an “Eagle Scout Court of Honor” ceremony, held in the Community Room of Moreland Presbyterian Church.
When THE BEE asked about this club’s “secret sauce” for nurturing such an unusual number of youths into Eagle Scouts, Troop 64 Scoutmaster Mickey Yalon pondered the matter and replied, “That’s a good question – because, traditionally, the number is fairly low of those who start as a Cub Scout and make it all away to the Eagle rank.
“What I can tell you is that it’s been a tradition here at Troop 64, long since before I was involved, to make sure that as many scouts as possible make it all the way through the program and are able to rise to the Eagle rank!”
Pressed about just how they do it, Yalon responded, “A couple of things. One of them is that we focus – very much – on Scout skills and advancement, to make sure they’re moving ahead in rank.
“But, at the same time, we also focus on having fun – making sure our scouts are having a great time, and being a scout doesn’t become ‘chore’ to them.”
Eagle Scout Samuel Minzheng Schaller
Newly-minted Eagle Scout Samuel Schaller said he’d joined ‘Webelos’ in fifth grade – and now attends Cleveland High School.
“In addition to its being really fun, staying with Scouting shows commitment,” Schaller commented at the ceremony. “My brother also did it, so I can follow behind in his footsteps as well. This is been a long journey – a balancing act of school, school activities, and being involved in scouting.”
In addition to the required Eagle Merit Badges, Samuel also passed the requirements for elective Merit Badges, ranging from American culture to archery, and including pioneering, sculpture, and welding.
Eagle Scout Maxwell Thomas Deggendorfer
LaSalle High School student, and new Eagle Scout, Maxwell Deggendorfer told THE BEE he continues to be enthusiastic about Scouting.
“There are a lot of fun opportunities,” he said. “And, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and how to grow in character. You’re put in a lot of situations where you deal with hardships like bad weather and lack of sleep, it causes you to ‘go deep’, and find out who you are.”
His leadership positions have included Assistant Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader, and he is a member of the “Order of the Arrow”.
Eagle Scout Javier Alain Mora
New Eagle Scout Javier Mora said that he also attends LaSalle High School.
“My parents originally signed me up,” acknowledged Mora. “I definitely like being outdoors and all of the outdoor activities. While it’s super nice to have friends in school, I also get to have these cool adventures with this other set of friends, here in Scouting.”
In addition to required Eagle Merit Badges, Mora is also is a member of the “Order of the Arrow”, and has received honors in elective subjects such as Animation, Aviation, Fingerprinting, Leatherwork, and Radio.
As their slogan says these days, the new Eagle Scouts truly seem to be “Prepared. For life.”
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APRIL 11
“Who’s Who” on stage – drama for all age 12+: The nonprofit youth theatrical group Rogue Pack in Sellwood presents “Who’s Who”, an intergenerational story of how a mysterious bundle of letters from the 1940s, hidden in a library book, became the unexpected bridge between a misunderstood teenage girl and a lonely old woman – providing a balm to heal the tragic wounds of the past. Two women’s quests end in a friendship bridging two generations. The play is performed, starting at 8 p.m. tonight, at the “21-ten Theater”, 2110 S.E. Tenth Avenue, in Portland. It repeats tomorrow at noon; and at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 at the door; VIP tickets are $50 – with seating first row center, and including a T-shirt and a signed poster.
APRIL 13
Palm Sunday Service at All Saints in Woodstock: This morning at 8 or 10:15 a.m., celebrate Palm Sunday at All Saints Episcopal Church. The service begins with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and ends in the dramatic reading of Christ’s Passion. Coco the pony will be making a return appearance for the 10:15 a.m. service; come between 9:50 and 10:10 a.m. to get a picture with Coco. All are welcome. The church is at 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard.
Palm Sunday Service at Moreland Presbyterian: Moreland Presbyterian Church’s Palm Sunday Service is at 9:30 a.m. this morning; Labyrinth in Fellowship Hall today through April 18th. The church is situated at S.E. 18th and Bybee Boulevard in Westmoreland. The Maundy Thursday Service is April 17th at 6 p.m.; the Good Friday Service is April 18th at 6 p.m.
APRIL 16
“Stations of the Cross” Service today at noon in Woodstock: At noon today, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard, it’s the pre-Easter “Stations of the Cross”, with traditional prayers at each station and chanting. The service ends with Communion. Everyone is welcome.
APRIL 17
Maundy Thursday Dinner & Evening Service in Woodstock: At 5:30 this afternoon at All Saints Episcopal Church, you’re invited to the Maundy Thursday events. This observance calls to mind the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples, through symbolic foot washing and an Agape Meal. The evening begins with a meal in the Parish Hall, and then moves into the Sanctuary. All are welcome. 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard.
APRIL 18
Good Friday Service in Woodstock this evening: At 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard, everyone is invited to worship at this solemn service, with readings, a sermon, traditional music led by the Chancel Choir, the Veneration of the Cross, and Communion.
APRIL 19
Part II of the Walking tour of Historic Sellwood: On this 90-minute walk, members of the SMILE History Committee will share information on the businesses, interest groups and institutions that shaped the community of Sellwood, with a focus on 1910-1945. Gather at 9:30 a.m. in front of SMILE Station, S.E. 13th and Tenino. No registration or charge, but donations gladly accepted. Dress for the weather, and if you would like to enjoy an early Perogi lunch afterwards at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, bring some lunch money!
Community Easter Egg Hunt today at Oaks Park: SMILE’s traditional Easter Egg Hunt for kids – now also supported by Moreland Presbyterian Church and the Sellwood Community House – takes place at 11 a.m. at Oaks Amusement Park; ask to be directed to “Picnic Area 9” as you enter – and be sure to be early, because this event is over within five minutes of when it starts at 11 a.m.!! The egg hunt is free, but Oaks Park now does charge for parking. (Oaks Park is also offering 25%-off ride bracelets for those planning to stay after the egg hunt, available online at – https://www.oakspark.com – prior to your coming to the park, with discount code “EGGHUNT25”.)
Folk Music Society concert tonight on Steele Street: The nonprofit Portland Folk Society continues its monthly public concerts tonight, with Grammy winner Mollie O’Brien, and her guitarist husband performing music ranging from blues and jazz to traditional folk music. Tickets ($24) available at the door (ages 12-18 $12; under age 12 free), at the Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 S.E. Steele Street in the Reed neighborhood. Doors open at 7; show starts 7:30 p.m. For more information, go online – http://www.portlandfolkmusic.org
Easter Eve Vigil at All Saints’ in Woodstock: The Great Vigil of Easter this evening in Woodstock begins at 8 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church. This service, dating to the fourth century, begins at the door of the Church in darkness, with the lighting of the new fire – from which is lighted the Paschal Candle, and attendees hear the ancient Exsultet, and a dramatic retelling of biblical stories. With the announcement that the Lord is risen, and the ringing of bells, the first Eucharist of Easter is celebrated. Incense is used at this liturgy. All are welcome. 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard.
APRIL 20
Easter Services this morning in Woodstock: All Saints’ Episcopal Church at 4033 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard invites everyone to Easter Sunday Services this morning at the special times of 9 a.m. and also at 11:05 a.m.
Easter Service this morning in Westmoreland: Moreland Presbyterian Church invites you for the Easter Sunday Service at 9:30 a.m. Everyone welcome. The church is situated at S.E. 18th and Bybee Boulevard in Westmoreland.
Easter Service this morning in Mt. Scott: Mt. Scott Park Presbyterian Church invites you to come this morning for Easter worship, music, and fellowship at 10:30 a.m. The church is situated at 5512 S.E. 73rd Avenue. Call 503-771-7553 for more information, or visit their website – http://mtscottparkpres.org
APRIL 26
Pancake breakfast for 5th Grade parents at Lane this morning: Lane Middle School, at 7200 S.E. 60th Avenue, invites all prospective parents and guardians of fifth grade students to attend a “meet and greet pancake breakfast” at 10 a.m. at the school this morning. Included will be a tour of the school buildings and a chance to meet the teachers.
19th Annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade: This morning at 9:30 a.m., the first official Rose Festival parade of the season 82nd Avenue of Roses at Eastport Plaza, just north of Holgate, and travels north to S.E. Clinton Street before disbanding. Once again, it’s being put on by the nonprofit group, 82 Roses Community Enrichment Coalition. Its theme is “Roses in the Heart of Portland”. Spectators are invited to line the route to enjoy the parade. This year’s early parade sponsors include Washman USA, PBOT, KC Cars, Inc., the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Southeast Uplift, Meals on Wheels, and Garry Small SAAB. To register to be in the parade, or to sponsor it, or to be a volunteer, go online to – https://www.82rosescec.com
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Latest Portland region radar weather map
Oaks Amusement Park
Association of Home Business (meets in Sellwood)
Weekly updates on area road and bridge construction
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
Check for Internet hoaxes, scams, etc.
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
Research properties in the City of Portland
Local source for high-quality Shaklee nutritional solutions [sponsored]
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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