At this year’s “Oregon Science Festival” in the OMSI Auditorium, the Electronic Music Club presented “Make Your Fruits and Veggies Sing” – using bananas as a keyboard. A possible life lesson to learn from this: “Thou shalt not eat nor squish thy keyboard!” (Photo by David F. Ashton)
OMSI’sI2024 ‘Science Week’ ends with ‘Festival of Science’
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
In mid-September, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) was bustling with activities during their second annual “Science Week” – which culminated with a three-day “Oregon Science Festival”.
This OMSI Festival featured some 60 partner booths, science demonstrations by OMSI educators, and events and workshops all focused on “STEAM” [an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math] topics all over its campus.
The topics demonstrated and explained by experts ranged from medicinal plants to live reptiles, solar cars, a sound engineering display, and even a demonstration called “The Science and Art of Roller Skating” led by Oaks Park Roller Rink staff instructors.
“All of our exhibitors are providing some type of hands-on activity – across the museum, plaza, courtyard, and esplanade,” pointed out OMSI Director of Events Melony Beaird. “We have beekeepers, robotics engineers, puzzle designers, farmers, crafters, and experts in fossils, clean energy, aerospace engineering, and many other subjects, who are glad to share their knowledge with guests.
“This year’s festival not only pulls from people and organizations in a wider geographic area, but also does so within ‘STEAM’ disciplines,” pointed out Beaird.
From robots to rockets, from growing greenery to helping green our planet, just about every topic – from Astronomy to Zoology – was represented at the festival.
“It’s important for us to hold festivals like this because it celebrates science and our community,” explained Beaird. “And, also, it inspires kids to consider careers in science – or, at least, to become life-long learners.”
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is open year ’round on the east bank of the Willamette River, just north of the Ross Island Bridge. Get details online – http://www.omsi.edu
Now, take a look at just some of the 60 exhibits and activities at the Festival of Science in this brief and exclusive BEE VIDEO:
The power system upgrade, in progress for some time on Milwaukie Avenue between S.E. Powell Boulevard and Holgate Boulevard, will be completed soon, according to PGE. (Photo by Eric Norberg)
Lengthy power upgrade project on Milwaukie Avenue nears end
By ERIC NORERG Editor, THE BEE
Motorists driving S.E. Milwaukie Avenue between the McLoughlin Boulevard overcrossing and Powell Boulevard have been living with flaggers and restricted lane use at times of the day when as many as four separate crews have been seen simultaneously working on high-lifts around the power poles on the west side of the street.
The visible results have been orange extensions of the utility pole crossarms, with additional wiring on them, from north of Powell to south of Holgate. Many wondered what the months-long project was for, and THE BEE contacted Andrea Platt at PGE for the explanation.
Andrea responded, “What you’re seeing on S.E. Milwaukie Avenue is maintenance to replace and update poles and powerlines that are nearing the end of their useful lifecycle. This includes a power distribution line that delivers energy to homes and businesses extending north of Powell Boulevard. It also includes our equipment along Milwaukie Avenue from S.E. Pershing Street, near Powell Boulevard, to Pardee Street, near Holgate Boulevard. The project is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.”
She explains that the orange crossarm extensions are “hot arms” that allow a crew to replace equipment while the existing lines on the original crossarm remain energized, helping to minimize outages that this type of work can require.
She concedes that, for a little while longer, area residents may expect minor traffic delays and traffic control – which includes flaggers, cones, and signage – when a lane is closed for safety’s sake, as work is done. “Some residents may experience planned outages,” she says, “which we communicate to them in advance, so they can plan.”
On stage, these young dancers entertained the audience during this year’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival – which has this year moved to Eastport Plaza, at Holgate and S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Chinese ‘Autumn Moon Festival’ moves to Eastport Plaza
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival took place on September 14 in the southern parking lot of Eastport Plaza on S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses, in front of the newest location of the “Hong Phat Supercenter” which is situated in the former Walmart building.
In this new venue the Southeast Portland celebration drew record attendance – some 5,000 people – despite threatening weather. It was put together by organizers from the White Lotus Foundation.
Throughout the afternoon, entertainment on the main stage featured performances by five acts – ranging from a local pop music star, to music and dance cultural performances, all offered by members of the AANHPI [Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander] communities.
Then, dark rain-bearing clouds in the west began to skitter east across the sky, and the air chilled as the storm front moved in. Although TV weather forecasters suggested there’d only be a “light mist of rain” – a real deluge swept in! The pelting cold rain sent guests scurrying for shelter under vendors’ canopies. Within minutes, rivers of rainwater runoff were flowing across the ground in the exhibition area.
Some attendees, soaked to the skin, did run for their cars in the parking lot. However, an amazingly large portion of the crowd of revelers stayed on – hoping that the storm would soon be over. And, in fact, after twenty minutes of heavy rain, the downpour did subside, diminishing into a light rain.
Surprisingly, the storm did not even chase away most of the people still standing in line to get in. That line wrapped around the block as people waited to enter the festival. Prepared food vendors continued cooking and serving traditional and savory dishes, and sellers of merchandise resumed transacting with shoppers.
After the showers turned into a light drizzle, intrepid members of the White Lotus Lion Dance Team put on an acrobatic demonstration that had the crowd cheering and applauding.
New venue permits larger event “We knew that we wanted to grow this event, and needed a larger space to hold it,” White Lotus Foundation Executive Director Nhan Danh explained after the festival was over. “So, we partnered with the new Hong Phat Supercenter – a local Vietnamese-owned grocery chain which welcomed us with open arms!”
This year’s enlarged Mid-AutumnMoon Festival had space for 75 vendors, plus a large, elevated stage, dining areas, bouncy houses, and games.
“What most people don’t know is that we put on this celebration with only 25 volunteers – but they were outstanding volunteers,” Danh commended. “Seeing the line of people around the block, waiting to come in, after the rain lifted my spirits and gave me heart for the festival; all of us are happy that people stayed through the rain. This festival brings the community together, rain or shine – that is clear!”
When two Hondas violently collided, nearly head-on, at S.E. Flavel and 72nd on November 10th, both vehicles came to rest in the southeast corner of the intersection. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Sunday smashup totals two cars in Brentwood-Darlington
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
Two Honda vehicles colliding almost head-on were what closed the intersection of S.E. Flavel Street and 72nd Avenue – just east of the Southeast Portland Grocery Outlet store – at noon, on November 10.
East Precinct officers, Portland Fire & Rescue Lents Station 11’s Engine Company, and an ambulance arrived at what was called a “multiple injury accident” at 12:02 p.m.
Witness accounts differed as to which vehicle had the right of way, and which was responsible for the crash. The front ends of a black Honda Accord EX sedan and a white subcompact Honda FIT were both smashed in.
As paramedics began evaluating the crash victims in these vehicles – airbags were activated in both of them – the medical personnel talked about dispatching a second ambulance to the scene.
“Looking at the reports, I see a call for a second ambulance, but it’s unclear if anyone was actually transported by ambulance,” Portland Police spokesperson Mike Benner later told THE BEE.
“And, from what I can see, there’s no indication of citations for DUII or other traffic infractions,” Benner added. As some police officers have told us at other crash sites when citations were not issued, “Sometimes an accident is just an accident.”
Photographed at the 2022 annual “Johnson Creek Clean-Up, Daniel Newberry clearly enjoyed working with the other volunteers to pull rubbish and debris out of the stream. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s Director leaves Woodstock
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
On his last day with the Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC), its current Executive Director Daniel Newberry was packing up personal items in his office in the Woodstock neighborhood. It was Friday, October 25, when THE BEE stopped by for an exit interview.
“I started here early in 2015, so it’s been almost ten years that I’ve been with this organization,” reflected Newberry. “One of the things I’ve learned is how much more you can get done, when you’re working together as a community. Last year we had 1,800 volunteer sign-ups.
“Volunteer service is the model that we use as an environmental nonprofit organization,” Newberry remarked to THE BEE.“That’s a model that’s really empowering; it gives people the community a way to actually participate in taking care of their own watershed. It’s really so much more powerful than having a few people being paid to do it; instead, there’s a whole community behind this effort.”
Looking back on his decade of working with the JCWC, Newberry said that what he’ll take away from leading this Portland nature-based organization is seeing the outcome of many restoration projects.
“I’ve gotten to see – and revisit, year after year – some projects that we started when I first came, and to see how nature has flourished from them. That is, we provide a ‘light touch’ in nature restoration – just enough so that nature can take over and restore itself.”
So what’s next, now, for Daniel Newberry? “I’m taking a position with the Bonneville Power Administration as a Fish and Wildlife Administrator. Fortunately, for the time being, I’ll still be based in the Portland area!”
Bob and Terry Schroeder of Bremerton, Washington, proudly show their top prize-winning entry, “Westerton Ella Grace” – which was adjudged the “Best Single Fully-Double in Show”. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Regional dahlia show attracts growers and fanciers to Oaks Park
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
Although it was quite late in the dahlia growing season, the historic Oaks Amusement Park Dance Pavilion was abuzz, as exhibitors from four states – Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California – arrived to display their blooms at the Portland Dahlia Society Annual Show held in early October.
Row upon row of tables were laden with many of the 42 recognized species of dahlias – as well as a number of the 57,000 registered varieties – in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, and purple.
“Our show features a total of 1,795 blooms,” PDS spokesperson Larry Smith exclaimed on the opening day of the show. “This number of blossoms makes this year's show one of the most successful in recent memory!
“Changes in the climate have made it challenging to produce quality blooms by our traditional late-August show date – so the Society decided to move our show to early September,” Smith told THE BEE. But then, due to September date conflicts with the American Dahlia Society’s National Show, this regional exhibition was finally moved to the end of the season.
“Still, the quality of the blooms shown is simply amazing,” extolled Smith. “Our biggest challenge was finding enough room on tables to display them all, including more than forty dahlia arrangements.”
In addition to enjoying all the exhibits, many attendees specifically came to talk with the experienced dahlia growers, who were on hand to get answers and tips about growing dahlias. If you missed it, expect the Portland Dahlia Society’s annual show to appear at Oaks Amusement Park again next year. Watch for the date.
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