At Oaks Amusement Park’s 2025 opening day, guests River and Reed Harkness enjoyed a ride on the Herschell-Spillman Noah’s Ark Carousel. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Even those brave enough to ride the Adrenaline Peak looping roller coaster look a bit worried about their decision, on the edge of the ride’s first big drop. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Oaks Amusement Park opens for its 120th season
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
Families from all over the Portland region enjoyed opening day – Saturday, March 22th – at Oaks Amusement Park, marking the beginning of its 120th season of continuous operation.
“Today’s the day that all of here at ‘The Oaks’ look forward to, all winter long,” Oaks Park Association Marketing & Events Director Emily MacKay told THE BEE with a happy smile. “Our staff has been getting all of our attractions prepared, and our ride operators are trained and ready for the season.
“Our big reason for celebration, though, is that this year marks a major milestone in our history – because today Oaks Park celebrates 12 decades of operation, as well as its status as the last of the historic trolley parks left on the West Coast,” MacKay said with pride.
As part of this special celebration, the rides on the Oaks Park Train and on the historic Herschell-Spillman Noah's Ark Carousel are free, all season long, said MacKay.
This historic and nonprofit amusement park in Southeast Portland was open every day for Oregon’s Spring Break, through March 30. “And, now, we’ll be open every Saturday and Sunday until school gets out for the summer,” MacKay said. After that, it will be open all summer long.
The first major event at the park this spring will be the return of the Multnomah County Fair during Memorial Day Weekend – from Friday, May 23rd, to Monday, May 26th.
For information about its hours and days of operation, as well as ticket and parking prices, visit the official Oaks Amusement Park website – https://www.oakspark.com
The park itself is situated on the Willamette River’s east bank, just north of the Sellwood Bridge. Drive north on Oaks Park Way, from just beyond the railroad tracks at the foot of S.E. Spokane Street in Sellwood.
Now, take a moment to stroll Oaks Park with us on its opening day this year – in this brief and exclusive BEE VIDEO....
Pulling wagonloads of contributed food, March 1st on S.E. Bybee Boulevard, from left, were BSA Troop 64 Scouts Colby and Ryan Vanderbout, Nicholas Ferguson – parent Tim Ferguson – and Carter Ferguson. It was the annual “Scouting for Food” drive in Inner Southeast. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
‘Scouting for Food’ drive nets 500+ pounds of groceries for the hungry
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
It’s been a while since THE BEE caught up with them in action – but on Saturday morning, March 1st, the members and leaders of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 64 were out canvassing Inner Southeast Portland streets in their annual “Scouting for Food” drive.
“This is a Council-wide activity in which we pick up canned and nonperishable foods, and deliver them to a food bank,” BSA Troop 64 Scoutmaster Mickey Yalon explained, while waiting for the Scouts to return to the pickup point.
“Today we are delivering what we gathered to the Oregon Bible Camp food bank,” Yalen explained. “We’re glad so many generous neighbors opened their doors and their pantries, and contributed to the cause!”
At the end of the food drive, the Scouts’ efforts paid off – having collected 548 pounds of groceries.
During the “Science of Pi” event at Lane Middle School, its Principal (center), dressed in plastic, was the target of a fun and popular drawing for throwing a pie at a staff member. Shown from left: Anna Cox, Rosemarie El Youssef, and Becky Love. (Photo courtesy of Jenny Lucas)
Principal of Lane Middle School meets Woodstock parents
By ELIZABETH USSHER GROFF For THE BEE
On Monday, February 24th, Lane Middle School Principal Rosemarie El Youssef attended the Woodstock Elementary PTA meeting to brief parents on the latest developments at Lane.
Her report included the news that Lane now receives students from seven different elementary schools in Inner Southeast Portland: Woodmere, Whitman, Kelly, Woodstock Elementary School’s Neighborhood Program (non-Mandarin-Immersion) – plus some students from Marysville, Arleta, and Lewis Schools, due to recent boundary changes.
At the PTA meeting El Youssef said that in her second year at Lane she sees the school actively growing, with a current enrollment of 440 students. She shared that eighth graders are learning how to mentor sixth graders – and a pancake breakfast planned for Saturday, April 26th, will be held for prospective students and families. That will include an opportunity for parents to see the building and meet the teachers. She noted that, “eighth graders are the stars of this event.”
El Youssef is very enthusiastic about Outdoor School, which has begun again, after a hiatus that began at the start of the pandemic. These days Portland Public Schools (PPS) doesn’t operate its own outdoor school camps, but instead makes use of the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) Outdoor School program, which operates at seven different sites. Last year, Principal El Youssef remarked, she had a great time visiting every camp.
Anna Cox, President of the Lane Middle School PTA, has a seventh grade son who entered Lane two years ago from Woodstock Elementary. “A principal plays a huge role in shaping a school’s culture,” she said, “and we are so lucky to have Principal E.Y. (as we call her) leading Lane. She has a special way of making people feel valued and welcomed, while also setting clear goals and working hard to achieve them. Her leadership has truly helped create a more positive and connected school environment.”
Becky Love, the PTA Board Secretary and also parent of a seventh grader at Lane, told THE BEE, “I am thankful to be part of Lane. The teachers are so invested and caring, and I think the Principal is a real standout. There’s a really great band teacher, as well, that goes above and beyond for the students.”
Love said her son is “taking an Engineering elective this semester that seems really great. We also like that there is year-’round P.E. They offer dance as a P.E. alternative as well, which I know a lot of people appreciate.”
She added that Lane offers a well-rounded core academic course of classes in math, science, social studies, and language arts. “The class sizes seem to be smaller, which is great. I like that in seventh and eighth grade they offer ‘Compacted Math’ to allow for an accelerated math track.”
Electives can change based on funding, but Lane offers Band, Spanish, Choir, Art, Leadership, AVID and Dance, she said.
She also told THE BEE about a grand finale event of the “Science of Pi Night” at the school: “The grand finale is a drawing by which four students win the opportunity to throw a pie at a staff member, one of which is ‘Principal E.Y.’ It is a big hit and a lot of fun, as you might imagine!”
All prospective parents and guardians of fifth grade students are welcome to attend the meet and greet pancake breakfast at Lane Middle School on April 26th, at 10 a.m., 7200 S.E. 60th Avenue.
From the people who live there, to the animals, trees, and plants they are surrounded by – OMSI guests learn all about the importance of boreal forests, in the current exhibition at Southeast’s premier science museum, and it’s free with OMSI admission. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
OMSI hosts traveling ‘Boreal Forest’ exhibition
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
Oregon’s nonprofit world-class science museum in Southeast Portland has been offering a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution on the Northwest’s “boreal forest” – which stretches from the Pacific Northwest up into Canada and Alaska.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry – OMSI – is hosting the exhibition through July 6th. It’s called “Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal”.
By taking a self-guided tour of the exhibit, visitors learn that “boreal forests” are home to many animals, and also help support diverse human communities.
Through static displays, videos, and hands-on activities, this family-oriented exhibition shows that the “boreal forest”, North America’s largest forestland, has the most dense concentration of spruce, fir, and pine trees on the planet.
“What makes this important is that the boreal forest includes nearly a third of the planet’s trees, covering much of the northern Pacific Coast – from Alaska down into the Pacific Northwest,” remarked OMSI Vice President of Learning Experiences, Akiko Minaga.
“This Smithsonian exhibition is a perfect fit for OMSI, not only because it teaches about the boreal forest, but also because it includes Indigenous voices in the discussion of the health of our planet and climate change – with a tone of hope and resilience,” Minaga said.
“Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest” – made possible by the National Audubon Society, with additional support from The Anders Foundation, Charlie and Nancy Hogan, and Anne C. Madison – is open all spring at OMSI.
Your OMSI admission ticket includes free access to “Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest”; you can visit it through July 6th. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is situated on the east bank of the Willamette River, just north of the Ross Island Bridge and underneath the Marquam Bridge, on S.E. Water Avenue.
After a three-car pileup in Brentwood-Darlington at a dangerous intersection on S.E. 52nd, the drivers involved emerged to inspect the damage. Apparently nobody was hurt. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Drivers sort out three-car smashup in Brentwood-Darlington
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
At one of the more hazardous intersections in Inner Southeast Portland, three cars tangled with each other late Sunday afternoon, March 16th, on S.E. 52nd Avenue at Flavel Drive.
Neighbors who heard the crash at 5:18 p.m. came out to see if anyone was injured, and to view the extent of the damage from the pileup involving a Hyundai Elantra, a Ford Focus, and a Subaru Outback SUV.
“It seemed like it kinda happened in slow motion,” one of the drivers told THE BEE. “Everyone says they’re okay, so we’re not calling the police, just exchanging information.” But they also pushed the cars to the side of the road to clear the street.
In Portland, if an auto accident does not result in injuries, the police respond only for traffic control, and they let the insurance companies resolve the matter. Of course, if someone is not insured, that is a citeable offense in Oregon, and police respond for that.
Food carts are moving in for the early April opening of “Brooklyn Carreta” pod, at the intersection of S.E. McLoughlin and Holgate. The site features heated and covered seating outdoors, with a full bar and coffee shop and more places to dine indoors. (Photo by Paige Wallace)
‘Carreta’ Brooklyn food cart pod to open this month
By PAIGE WALLACE For THE BEE
A large food cart pod is opening early this month in a familiar Brooklyn neighborhood space, with many nods to what was previously there.
The “Brooklyn Carreta” will feature 18 food vendors, a full bar, and a coffee shop. It’s located at 4534 S.E. McLoughlin Boulevard, at the intersection with Holgate.
Locals will recognize both the location and the name. Over three decades, the sprawling and colorful La Carreta Mexican restaurant served many loyal customers at this site. Patrons recall the venue’s festive atmosphere, family-friendly vibe, generous margaritas, and tableside serenades by a live Mariachi band. The restaurant permanently closed in 2022. Others may remember that this was previously the site of the “Rose Manor Inn” motel and restaurant once upon a time.
Lloyd Development, the company behind this new venture, wanted to honor the history of La Carreta. “It was clearly a nostalgic place, and we loved the idea of carrying that legacy forward,” said Lloyd Development’s Project Manager, Danielle Moody. “And ‘carreta’ means ‘cart’ in Spanish – a perfect fit for a food cart pod!”
Brooklyn Carreta includes dedicated parking. Visitors can enjoy meals indoors or outdoors. The courtyard dining area is partially covered, and features overhead heaters, a fire pit, and a vibrant mural.
The adjacent indoor seating is spacious and bright, and boasts a full bar and a coffee shop. Diners can sit at custom tables crafted out of reclaimed old-growth wood from the original La Carreta building. Garage doors lining an entire wall will open to the courtyard in warm weather.
For entertainment, visitors can try their wizardry in the pinball game room, or watch sports on a massive video wall. “Eventually we want to host community events,” explained Corey Atchley, Brooklyn Carreta’s General Manager.
At press time, the only branded food truck on site was the popular Sushi Burrito cart. Moody told THE BEE that the rest of the lineup will feature familiar Portland carts, offering up a wide variety of cuisines. Each vendor was chosen for their quality food, he said, as well as strong customer reviews and a loyal following.
It’s not just about the food, though. “We have a fantastic cocktail menu created by one of Portland’s best mixologists,” Moody remarked. “You can count on getting a great drink here.”
The bar menu also includes non-alcoholic mocktails, boozy slushies, local wines, and craft beers. Plus, in an homage to one of the most popular drinks served at the original La Carreta cantina, patrons can order oversized ‘fishbowl’ margaritas to share with friends.
“Most pods get the food right, but they often miss out on the extras that make a place truly special. Whether you’re 5 or 75, we’ve designed this space to have something for everyone,” Moody assured.
Although the specific opening date in April was still uncertain as this issue of THE BEE went to press, neighbors can follow @brooklyncarreta on social media for announcements of the grand opening, daily hours, and the vendor lineup.
A Central Precinct officer spoke with a neighbor, as the police search for the stabbing suspect in the Brooklyn neighborhood continued. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Police investigate a stabbing in Brooklyn
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
Both the perpetrator and victim ended up being cut, in a stabbing incident that took place in the Brooklyn neighborhood on Thursday morning, March 6 – but only one of them was taken to a hospital.
Central Precinct officers, dispatched to the intersection of S.E. Milwaukie Avenue and Lafayette Street at 11:07 a.m., found a victim with stab wounds.
“That person was taken by ambulance to a hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries,” PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner reported to THE BEE while the incident was still active.
“The suspect, possibly injured, ran from the scene and wasn’t located,” Benner continued. “Initial information is that this incident involved two men, who are known to each other, and that this was not a random crime.”
Later, when we asked why officers had been assigned to the investigation for some ten hours, PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen explained, “This is a Measure 11 felony criminal investigation, by Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit.
“These cases often involve gathering information, writing and executing search warrants, and biohazard cleanup; so, it’s not unusual for those tasks to take many hours. We only have one chance to get this critical evidence.”
If you have information about this assault with a weapon in the Brooklyn neighborhood, please e-mail – crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov – directed to the attention of the Major Crimes Unit; and refer to Case No. 25-58559.
Families visiting the “Annual Agate and Mineral Show” in March at OMSI were attracted to the “slab tables”, where they could buy unfinished rocks from which they could create their own lapidary art. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Geology show at OMSI was rock hound’s delight
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry was the venue once again for the 74th Annual Agate and Mineral Show on Saturday, March 8. It was proudly put on by the Oregon Agate and Mineral Society.
This wasn’t a “vendors market”, where sellers rent tables to sell their lapidary wares – it’s an exhibition put on by members of the OAMS. That’s what we learned from OAMS President Jim Urbaniak.
“This show continues to be put on entirely by the Society,” Urbaniak confirmed. “We have 22 exhibit cases here today, displaying all kinds of rocks and mineral samples. And, in addition to the exhibits, we offer lots of material for sale,” Urbaniak told THE BEE. “Guests can buy lapidary products – like cut and polished rocks, such as thunder eggs.”
Of particular interest to many visitors were the “slab tables”, at which everyone could examine and purchase raw materials to create their own finished “cabochon” (a gem polished, but not faceted) pieces.
“In addition to rocks and minerals, there are also fossils, too,” Urbaniak pointed out. “And, we offer live demonstrations that range from fastening to ‘cabochon’ work.
“One of our most popular exhibits is ‘Donna Ernst’s Rock Dinner Table’ – unfortunately, Donna passed away last year – the exhibit shows rock and mineral items that resemble food and dinnerware items that she spent decades collecting across North America.”
The exhibit’s “Kid’s Corner” was renamed “Minecraft” – based on the popular video game – and youngsters were invited to go on a “scavenger hunt” to find a dozen specific items on display around the show.
“We’re grateful for the thirty volunteers who worked so hard to put the show on,” said Urbaniak. “For me, it’s easy to put in the time and effort, because this is something I love!”
Find out more about the Oregon Agate and Mineral Society by visiting their website – http://www.oregonagate.org
East Precinct officers and an ambulance were called to this Foster-Powell neighborhood bar and grill, after a shooting in the parking lot seriously wounded a customer entering with his fiancée. (Courtesy of KPTV FoxNews 12)
Man shot, seriously wounded, outside Foster-Powell bar
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
A man and his fiancée were looking forward to gaming, late on Saturday night, March 1 – at the Shamrock Bar and Grill, at 4919 S.E. 82nd Avenue. But before they could enter the tavern’s rear door, gunshots were heard, and the man – later identified as 36-year-old Fidel Meraz – fell to the parking lot pavement.
East Precinct officers were dispatched there at 11:34 p.m., as was an ambulance.
“Officers who responded to reports of a shooting at that location determined there was a confrontation at the establishment, and an adult male was shot outside a back entrance,” PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner told THE BEE. “The wounded man was medically stabilized and taken by ambulance to OHSU. The suspect or suspects fled before officers arrived, and no arrests have been made at this time.”
From his hospital bed, while recovering from surgeries, Meraz told reporters that, as the couple walked through the parking lot, two men were having some kind of altercation. “I walked up. This guy wearing a black beanie and black shirt, with tattoos on his face, and asked me about gangbanging. I told him ‘no.’ He said some other stuff, and then all I heard was ‘boom, boom, boom’.”
The victim said the shooter jumped a gate on the property line and ran off. The other person got in a car, and drove away in front of him. “I thought he was going to shoot me again,” Meraz said.
Because Meraz will not be able to work and support his family, friends have set up a GoFundMe page for him. If you’d like to consider contributing, it’s online at – https://tinyurl.com/bdfa7nds
Meantime, the Portland Police Bureau’s “Enhanced Community Safety Team” continues to investigate this shooting. If you have information about it, please email it to – crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, and refer to Case No. 25-54612.
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