Pray for those in the path of the wildfires and for those fighting the wildfires, and for those in the flood areas, too.

I can think of no other photo I have which would serve as a better call to increased prayers at this time than the statue of Jesus behind St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter.

About the statue, found on the Internet: While Hurricane Katrina did not affect the French Quarter as profoundly as other parts of New Orleans, the high winds managed to displace two large oak trees in St. Anthony's Garden behind the Cathedral. The trees dislodged thirty feet of ornamental gate, while the nearby marble statue of Jesus Christ lost only a forefinger and a thumb. Locals have already declared that the statue of Jesus sacrificed two fingers while flicking the storm away from the city and saving it from total destruction. (Hurricane Katrina was downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 3 before landfall, when it made a turn to the north just before striking the Louisiana coast.)

This is a close-up of the one I took on Oct. 21, 2009.

Douglas Brinkley and "Cronkite"

Here's a photo that I took after the Oregon Historical Society sponsored event at First Congregational Church, downtown Portland. I got there early, bought my already-signed copy of the hefty book, found myself a seat in the beautiful sanctuary on the first non-reserved-seats-row. Turns out folks like former Governor Ted Kulongoski and his wife, President Nixon's brother Ed, and Senator Mark Hatfield's widow Antoinette were among those sitting in the reserved seats. The only one I actually recognized was Governor Kulongoski.

And it wasn't until I overheard Brinkley talking with someone as we walked after the event to the Oregon Historical Society building next door for the short reception and more book signing that I realized the former president's brother had been in the audience. So, when I got home, I Googled Ed Nixon and realized he had been in front of me! I had said, "Excuse me," to Mr. Ed. Nixon as I made my way to talk with Governor Kulongoski and his wife after a superb 90-minute-lecture in which Brinkley had the audience in the palm of his hand, as the saying goes.

Yes, I wanted to talk with the Governor and his wife because one day after he had left office last year, I found myself seated on the homeward bound bus, with him standing right in front of me, holding onto the strap as we turned onto NE 16th. I looked at him and realized I knew him from somewhere, but I couldn't place him. When a man a strap or two away called him Ted, it clicked. Former governor! On the bus! In front of me! Kulongoski explained to the man that he was on his way home, proving to his wife that he could get off at the right stop, chuckling all the way along with the man who knew him. In fact, he looked down and me and smiled as he said that last part. So I piped up, "Governor, I moved here from Mississippi in 2006 and ride the bus everyday. I don't think you're going to have any problems at all." Both of us chuckled and he stepped back as I stood up to get ready to get off at my stop. What a neat happening! Only in Portland, I remember thinking. And here he was again, this time with his lovely wife. I just had to share the neat happening with her, and him. We three enjoyed more chuckles and smiles as I told the tale. His wife said they'd been in Mississippi last year for the historic Freedom Summer events (she showed me the folded up program which was still in the bottom of her purse) and they both were interested in why I'd moved to Oregon, both happy that I had found their home state to be such a good place for Mama and me and my sons. 

 At the signing, I asked Mr. Brinkley if he could personalize my book, which he graciously agreed to do. As I stood there, I just had to mention Lemuria Books, the best independent bookstore if the whole world--to me and lots of other folks and not meaning to disparage Powell's which is grand in its own right but it's not in my birth-city-home-town! He smiled real big and we talked for a few moments about Lemuria and his visits there before I asked if he'd like me to give a message to John Evans and/or Joe Hickman. He smiled and said, "Yes, tell them I'd like to bring Cronkite there!" So I called John later in the week and e-mailed Joe, too. What fun!

What an evening! All thanks to Douglas Brinkley and the Oregon Historical Society and First Congregational Church. Next up, reading "Cronkite."

About the event: Acclaimed author and historian Douglas Brinkley will share a fascinating lecture surrounding the release of his latest book, "Cronkite." In "Cronkite," Brinkley presents the definitive, revealing biography of an American legend: renowned news anchor Walter Cronkite. Brinkley has drawn upon recently disclosed letters, diaries, and other artifacts at the recently opened Cronkite Archive to bring detail and depth to this deeply personal portrait. He also interviewed nearly two hundred of Cronkite's closest friends and colleagues, using their voices to instill dignity and humanity in this study of one of America's most beloved and trusted public figures. Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University. Seven of Brinkley's books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. One of his most recent books The Wilderness Warrior, became an instant New York Times best-seller. Brinkley is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and The Los Angeles Times Book Review.

 About Brinkley from Harper Collins: Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. The Chicago Tribune has dubbed him "America's new past master." Six of his books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. His most recent book, The Great Deluge, won the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.

Seen on the AHC Yamhill Historic District and Beyond, downtown Portland, May 31, 2012

Close-up view of magnificent adornment on the facade of the middle building of three at 824-828 SW 1st Avenue. I wish I could remember the names of the buildings which our guide told us, but I cannot, doggone it.
 

Oh, joy! I just found some info online! The building with the green trim is the Pearne Building (built 1865 at one place online and 1874 at another). The one in the middle is the Poppleton Building (built 1867 at one place online and between 1875-1880 at another), and the one next to it with the brown awning, now known as the Patrick Building, originally was the Harker Building (1878 at both places online). About the Poppleton and the Harker, I found this note at that site which is a Flickr account of a local historian, Dan Haneckow: Originally built in 1867, destroyed except for the lower cast iron features in the Great Fire of 1873. The first two floors were rebuilt in the mid 1870s, the third circa 1880 and the roof added in 1890.)

I used the name of each building and searched for it at the database, Historical Oregonian 1861-1972, online at the Multnomah County Library. I narrowed the search to several years on either side of the date(s) associated with it.

I didn't find anything about the Pearne Building.

However, I found a bit about the one in the middle with the red window trim and a portion of which is seen in the close-up at the top of the post. It's the Poppleton Building. Here's an announcement in the September 21, 1868, Oregonian: "Nonpareil Lodge No. 86, I. O. G. T. meets every Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock. Hall in Poppleton's building, First Street, between Yamhill and Taylor. Members in good standing are invited to attend." By April 9, 1869, the announcement stated that the lodge "Meets every Thursday evening at 7 1/2 o'clock." I like this bit, found in the May 7, 1869, paper: "Dancing Academy - Prof. Cardinell's classes are held every week-day evening, and on Saturday afternoon for children. Hall in Poppleton's Building, First Street." I found mention of a Dr. E. Poppleton, Coroner for Multnomah County, around the same span of years. I wonder if he owned the building. And I found that an Edgar Poppleton was being sued, but I didn't have the time to dig around to find out why or even if Edgar and E. are the same Poppleton.



Van Rensselaer Building (1878)

About the Harker Building, I couldn't find anything, except an interesting tidbit which connects that last name to a building on the next corner north which is known as the Van Rensselaer, completed in 1878, with the third and fourth floors added in 1884). (Now it's the home of Paddy's Bar & Grill, on the corner of SW 1st Avenue and SW Yamhill.)  In the November 3, 1879, Oregonian, there's mention of the fact that Mrs. J. B. Harker and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Van Rensalier (the spelling in the old newspaper) were owners of a mill that had recently burned in the town of Dayton, the Dayton Flouring Mills. Interesting. I had already seen mention of Sarah Harker who may or may not have been Mrs. J. B. Harker, and mention of a J. B. Harker, bankrupt in Dayton, Oregon.

Whoops. May have been on a wild goose chase.

I just found several interesting mentions in the January 1, 1879, Oregonian, in an article titled "Growth of Portland, Improvements for the Past Year, A Solid and Substantial Growth, Good Record for the City of the Northwest." First, "J. C. Van Rensselaer, two brick stores, cor Yamhill and First streets, W. S. Ham contractor, value $11,000.). (That's the location in the photo above.) Second, "Asa Harker, two brick stores, First Street near Yamhill, G. F. Wells contractor, value $5000." (First near Yamhill just might be the Poppleton and the Harker which are on First and half a block south of Yamhill.)

Isn't that interesting? Different Harkers connected with Mr. J. C. Van Rensselaer. Wonder if Asa and J. B. Harker are brothers? Cousins? Father and son?

Well, I never. I've just found something else very intersting in the July 25, 1870, Oregonian. Sheriff's Sale, The Circuit Court found against J. B. Harker and his wife Sarah E. Harker and directed the Sheriff to sell "all the right, title and interest" of the buildings and improvements on the south half of lot 7, block 3 in Portland. You see, according to Portland Maps, the three buildings in the photo are on lot 6, block 4. Makes me wonder even more about the relationship of J. B. and Asa. Could these lots and blocks be next to each other?

Here's one more very interesting thing I've found just now, in the March 19, 1872, Oregonian. "A CHURCH BELL - There is on the wharf a large bell, brought by the Almatia, for the Congregational church of this city. It is from the Menulay Bell Foundry, Troy, N. Y., and weighs 1,511 pounds. It bears this inscription: "Presented by Asa Harker to the First Congregational Church of Portland, Oregon, A. D. 1871." This is so cool because on Thursday night, June 21, I sat in the sanctuary of that very same church and listened to Douglas Brinkley speak for nearly 90 minutes about Walter Cronkite, the subject of his latest book. Now I'm wondering if this particular home of the church is the one in which the bell was installed.

Wow. I love these connections! I'll have to find time to do more research on these Harkers and on that bell.

Eye-catching kick at the intersection.

Naturally I noticed this inflatable martial arts character, but not in time to get a photo as the bus buzzed by going east to Killer Burger on Saturday a week ago. So, on the way back towards home, I remembered to swivel around and make the effort to get a few photos as we slowed down for the bus stop diagonally across the street. That's why this photo is at a slant--I decided to share it with you SOOC, straight out of camera, no alteration at all, not even any cropping.

The intersection--the blue car is turning northeast from NE 42nd onto NE Sandy Blvd.--is five blocks west of Killer Burger , a block wset of Whole Foods , and two blocks east of the Hollywood Theatre , and one block east of Paulsen’s Pharmacy .

A Fine Home in the Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood

What a fine home seen on the Architectural Heritage Center Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Walking Tour on May 17. The 1917 house which sits on the southeast corner of the intersection of NE 19th Avenue and NE Clackamas Street seems to glow as the setting sun highlights it exterior.

About Sullivan's Gulch, from Portland Neighborhood dot com: Sullivan's Gulch is located in Northeast Portland. It is bordered by the Lloyd, Kerns, Hollywood, Grant Park, Laurelhurst, and Irvington neighborhoods. Sullivan's Gulch is conveniently located on bus lines, and within a short distance to the MAX light rail station at Lloyd Center. Sullivan's Gulch is a mixed urban and residential area that is located within walking distance to dining, shopping, and other entertainment. This well-established community has a mix of older East Portland homes, usually mid-sized to larger family homes located on streets with mature trees. There are also some lovely vintage apartments, and plexes for rent, as well as some newly developed condominiums for a more urban lifestyle.

About Sullivan's Gulch, from Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Association at Portlandonline dot com: A historic, pedestrian-friendly, diverse neighborhood in the Northeast section of Portland, Oregon -- just across the Willamette River from downtown. It is a truly urban neighborhood with large comfortable homes, gracious apartments and shady, tree-lined streets, and a vibrant local business district -- yet close to the central city and adjacent to Lloyd Center, bus lines, transit stations, and freeways.

And here's something else from the actual SGNA Web site: SULLIVAN'S GULCH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SULLIVAN'S GULCH IS LOCATED IN INNER NE PORTLAND (OREGON). WE'RE BORDERED BY THE LLOYD DISTRICT, HOLLYWOOD, GRANT PARK, LAURELHURST, KERNS AND IRVINGTON NEIGHBORHOODS. WE COVER HOLLADAY PARK AND NE 15TH TO 33RD AND I-84 TO NE BROADWAY. OUR BOUNDARIES INCLUDE LLOYD CINEMAS AND HOLLADAY PARK & THE MAX STATION WHICH OVERLAP WITH THE LLOYD DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCATION. WE ARE THE PROUD HOME OF GULCH-O-RAMA AND A MYSTERIOUSLY BALANCING ROCK GARDEN.

Sailors and their ropes, at the west seawall, Willamette River, during Fleet Week June 7, 2012

The rope goes up, up and hopefully away.
 

The rope falls short.
 

Left to right: The rope comes back again. A rope gets tossed. Another rope connects to the seawall.



Left to right: A rope gets worked. Another rope begins as a loop. A third rope heads for the seawall.

Adirondacks all in a row at Schreiner's Iris Gardens, Salem, OR

On Memorial Day, a few hours after I took this photo of long row of empty Adirondack chairs, each one held at least one person, maybe two, or more if a child was involved. You see, from when I arrived and parked as the third vehicle in the lot until the BBQ began at 11:30 a.m., more and more people arrived to enjoy themselves in the sunshine and flowers.
 

I didn't notice if the same size chairs sprinkled more randomly alongside and at the opposite end of each display garden had filled with folks, but surely they had. By the time I'd eaten my BBQ, every seat at every table situated beneath the canopies you see here was taken, too, with other folks surely as hungry as I had been.

1954 Plymouth Explorer Sport Coupe, Allure of the Automobile, Portland Art Museum's Photography Day, August 14, 2011

1954 Plymouth Explorer Sports Coupe - I bought a special ticket which allowed entrance a couple of hours prior to the regular Sunday opening time. Hardly anyone present, just a few workers and a few photographers. Here is the all important agreement I signed about these particular images.

Under no circumstances may you download, upload, copy and paste any of these photos in this post. Thank you. They are not to be used for any purpose other than by me, and that purpose is to be posted on my blog, Portland Oregon Daily Photo. These are the conditions put forth by the Portland Museum of Art when I bought my Photography Day ticket. Thank you.




Across the front and along the passenger side.



Side view of front passenger tire, turn signal, headlight, and the grill.



Grill and headlights.



From the trunk forward.



A second view from the trunk forward.



Passenger door to front end.



Passenger door to back end.



Close-up.



Finally, two photos with a bit different exposure, making the color look a bit different, too.

See what I mean about the color? I think all of the earlier photos are more true in portraying the vehicle's actual color.

Info found at Concept Carz: In the post-World War II era, the public were very enthusiastic about the so-called Concept Cars of 'Dream Cars.' Virgil M. Exner had been placed as head of Chrysler's Styling department and was responsible for improving Chrysler's rather stodgy late 1940's image. He turned to Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy, to produce a unique series of one-of-a-kind 'idea cars' on production Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth chassis. Exner had sourced the work out to these Italian craftsman because they could build these one-of-a-kind cars more creatively and less expensively than any American company.

Exner designed the Chrysler K-310 Series, which was followed by three more Ghia-built Chrysler design studies: the C-200, the SS, and the D'Elegance, as well as the DeSoto Adventurer 1 coupe. Luigi Segre of Ghia was asked to produce a memorable quartet of cars for Dodge called the Firearrows. The Dodge Firearrow III was a precursor of the subsequent De Soto Adventurer II and Plymouth Explorer concept vehicles that followed.

The sleek, wide-mouthed Explorer was mounted on a 114-inch wheelbase Plymouth chassis and was just 54-inches tall. Powering the vehicle was a 230-cubic-inch Plymouth l-head six that offered a humble 110 horsepower. There was a semi-automatic transmission, twin exhausts that exited through the rear fenders, and wire wheels. The car was distinguished by elegant ivory-hued side reveals, vestigial fins, a metal green finish, a white leather interior with bucket seats and fitted luggage.

Along with giving the public a glimpse into future designs for the company, the Dodge Firearrows, DeSoto Adventurer and Plymouth Explorer significantly helped to rejuvenate the company's image. Chrysler's 'Forward Look' styling of 1955 - 1961 inspired other automakers to return to their drawing boards to revise their models which lacked Chrysler's fresh, Italian-inspired flair. The car debuted in the May 1954 Motor Trend. Despite its racy good looks, the Explorer was powered by the 110-horsepower, 230 cubic-inch, 6-cylinder engine coupled to a Hy-Drive transmission. The dream cars were the inspiration of Virgil Exner who was hired by Chrysler boss K.T. Keller to reinvigorate the Plymouth brand. Chrysler had discovered that there was considerable interest in 'dream car' design proposals, so much so that GM took its cars on tour, staging the elaborate Motoramas around the country. Throughout the 1950s, Chrysler displayed a string of dozens of cars penned by some of the leading styling houses in Europe.

Jack, the Studebaker pickup truck

I know this pickup truck's named Jack 'cause it's painted on the passenger door just below the window. Note the sliding rear window on the cab.
 

See?
 

And it's a Champ. I don't know the year.
 

I'll say it is!
 

What a swell sight, all that chrome on a pickup truck! And how about that hood ornament? Stock?
 

Studebaker Champ, from Wikipedia:

The Studebaker Champ was a light-duty pickup truck produced by the Studebaker Corporation from 1960-1964. Designed at a time when Studebaker's truck line hadn't seen major upgrading in over 10 years, the company, which had endured years of declining sales, was forced to use a number of existing components, but the result was impressive.

The chassis and cargo box of the Champ were basically the same as what had been used for Studebaker's ½ and ¾-ton trucks since 1949, but the cab section was very different. An entirely new cab was out of the question because of cost considerations, but the new Lark compact car's body proved to be just the right size and shape to suit the purpose. The engineering staff took a four-door sedan, cut it in half behind the front doors and modified the front half slightly to fit the truck chassis. The only new sheetmetal stamping that was required was the back wall of the new cab. Minor modifications for mounting of the cab to the 1949-vintage truck frame were also made. The Lark's front end sheetmetal was retained as well, but funds were allocated to give the Champ a new horizontal-bar grille that delivered a "tougher" look.

Power Studebaker equipped the Champ with engines that had served well in the company's lineup for years. Buyers in 1960 could choose the last of the company's flathead sixes, either the Lark's 170 in³ (90 hp (67 kW)) or the time-honored 245 in³ "Big Six" (110 hp (82 kW)) which dated to the early 1930s. The 170 engine was upgraded to overhead valves (OHV) for 1961, gaining 22 hp (16 kW) in the process (up to 112 hp (84 kW)), enough of an improvement that Studebaker saw fit to finally discontinue the Big Six. The new OHV six was a novel design, retaining as many existing components as possible while modernizing an engine that had been introduced in 1939. Unfortunately, the little engine's quality came into question early on, with a number of engines developing cracks in the cylinder head. The problem, which occurred most often in engines that had improperly-adjusted valves, was never completely solved, but with proper care, the 170 remains a serviceable engine for many owners more than 40 years after it went out of production. From the start of production, those desiring V8 power could choose between Studebaker's 259- and 289 in³ engines with either a two- or four-barrel carburetor. Both engines remained largely unchanged during the Champ's production run. A wide variety of transmissions, both manual and automatic, were available in Champs. Base models came with a three-speed column shifted manual (AKA: 3 on the tree), with four- and five-speeds optional, as well as overdrive (with the three-speed). Studebaker's Flight-O-Matic (built by Borg-Warner) was the automatic option.

1960-1964 Given the cobbled-up nature of the truck, sales were fairly good for the 1960 model year "5E" series. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. 1961's 6E series saw the addition of a full-width cargo box, the Spaceside, for which Studebaker had purchased the tooling from Dodge. It didn't help sales, however, nor did the problems which developed early on with the redesigned six-cylinder engine. Few changes were made to the Champ in 1962 (7E series) or 1963 (8E series), and the few 1964 models built actually continued the 8E series started for the '63 models. The only new feature introduced for the 8E trucks was air conditioning. By December 1963, Studebaker's board of directors announced the closure of its South Bend, Indiana factory, and the trucks were among the casualties of the company's consolidation around an abbreviated family-car lineup in its Hamilton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant. When they purchased the rights and tooling to the Studebaker Avanti in 1964, Nate Altman and Leo Newman also acquired the rights and tooling to Studebaker's trucks. However, Altman and Newman, for reasons which are lost to history, never built as much as a single truck, and the Kaiser Jeep Corporation took over Studebaker's former Chippewa Avenue truck plant in South Bend for military production in late 1964.

A pioneering truck The Champ is seldom given credit for introducing a feature that is nearly universal among today's pickup trucks: the sliding rear window, which was available from the start, proved to be quite popular among Champ buyers. It was truly one of Studebaker's better ideas, and caught on later among the major truck makers. With a cab based on a sedan body, the Champ was among the first pickups to offer true "car-like" comfort, with a wide, comfortable bench seat and a handsomely-styled interior. Other manufacturers took until the late 1960s and early 1970s to follow the Champ's lead. Finally, the last Champs of 1963-64 were among the first American trucks — if not the first — to offer service bodies constructed of fiberglass. Today, such bodies made of fiberglass and composites are still gaining acceptance, with the steel service body remaining the mainstay. While it didn't prove to be the savior of the Studebaker truck line, the Champ also pointed the way to a more rationally-sized yet still rugged pickup, something Dodge later claimed as a "first" with their mid-sized Dakota, which was introduced as a 1987 model, nearly 27 years after the Champ.

Collector vehicles Today, the Champs that still exist are highly prized for their interesting combination of passenger-car comfort and style and their rugged mechanical durability (the sixes' head problems notwithstanding). About the only major failing of the Champ is shared with many Studebaker models: rust. Champs tend to rust most severely in the cab floor and front fenders. If left unchecked, it can be extensive and very costly to repair, if it is repairable at all.

Trivia The Champ, unlike most American pickups of the 1960s, was never offered with power steering, although such a system was offered on Studebaker's heavier-duty Studebaker Transtar and Diesels. The final "8E" (1963-64) models had an improved steering system that reduced friction and, thus, steering effort, but not to the degree that power steering would have. Of course, power steering was not yet commonplace in light trucks during the early 1960s, so Studebaker was not necessarily at a competitive disadvantage by not offering the option. From 1960 through 1964, Studebaker offered a sliding back window in the Champ pickup. This utilized the same opening as the single pane rear window, but used a double sliding channel and two panes of glass. One window could be opened until it was flush with the other. This helped with ventilation and access to the front of the cargo bed without leaving the cab of the truck.

In honor of Father's Day, here's LeRoy, back in the day

My sons' Daddy--LeRoy--driving a Volkswagen Beetle I imagine--he was partial to them. This photo was taken before I had met him on July 31, 1972, so I can't say for sure when this photo was taken or what he's driving. I can say with confidence he's certainly good-looking.

 

LeRoy, still handsome, with Lamont, probably August or September, 1976.

 

LeRoy holding Leland, probably March or April, 1979. And he's still handsome.

Vintage vehicle at Voodoo Doughnut & some colorful serendipity, downtown Portland

Today on the 12 bus, on the way to Killer Burger from downtown, I noticed a crowd outside the original location of Voodoo Doughnut. The reason that I got the chance to notice the crowd and the gorgeous vintage vehicle parked at the sidewalk was that the Burnside Bridge was near the end of a bridge lift, stopping traffic in both directions.

Actually, the crowd is a double line which snakes from out of sight on the right to just left of the original Voodoo sign on the brick wall at which point it snakes back towards the corner and the red-framed door. After I saw the crowd, I saw the wine-colored vintage vehicle. The way the sun hit the back chrome bumper and the back window made me stand up and walk to the front of the bus so that I could take this photo through the windshield, looking at an angle towards SW 3rd from the intersection where the bus waited for traffic to clear once the bridge lift completely ended.

Once I had downloaded the photo, I quickly noticed the girl in the pink sundress, playing the guitar on the sidewalk directly beneath the Voodoo Doughnut sign. Ah, serendipity--all of that wine and pink color right there, together.



One more photo, taken straight on through the bus windshield. Wish I could've taken one a little bit before this one because the bridge lift would've shown up much better.

As it is, if you look there at the top edge of those two box trucks, you should notice a line continuing from beneath the traffic signal on the left all the way across to the right where it runs out of sight in the leaves. That line is the edge of the western section of the Burnside Bridge which is on its way down so that it will once again meet the edge of the eastern section of the bridge and form a complete, solid surface for the bridge. I know bridge lifts interrupt traffic and therefore people's lives and work, but I continue to be fascinated by them and how these gigantic structures operate.

Info from the Voodoo Doughnut Web site, about this location:
1. Voodoo Doughnut 22 SW 3rd Avenue Portland Oregon, U.S.A.
phone 503.241.4704
OPEN 24 hours 7days a week, Cash only, ATMs available
Voodoo Doughnut is located just south of the Burnside bridge on SW 3rd Ave. On the corner at SW 3rd Ave. and SW Ankeny

Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week, June 7, 2012, more photos No. 1

Once the USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) completely cleared both the Broadway Bridge and the Steel Bridge, two tugboats went to work, turning the destroyer around right in the middle of the Willamette River! The tug at the back pushed; the tug at the front pulled,using a blue strap, and in no time at all the 510 foot long ship went from pointing south to pointing west.
 

Not that the tugs stopped there. The goal, to turn the ship completely so that it pointed north, the direction that would it would go on Monday, headed to the mouth of the Willamette River where it meets the Columbia River. That's the route the ship would take back to Astoria so that it could reach the Pacific Ocean and head on home. It's totally amazing to watch, fascinating enough that time literally flies by!
 

I took all of these photos through the openings in a chain link fence erected along the seawall to keep the ships, except at boarding areas, separate from folks walking along in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Festival of Flowers, Pioneer Courthouse Square, downtown Portland

Let me set the scene. You're looking slightly north of east across Pioneer Courthouse Square, nicknamed Portland's Living Room. The white glazed terra cotta building houses Macy's and The Nines Hotel, but it was originally the Meier & Frank department store, the first major commission of my favorite Portland architect, A. E. Doyle; the building was completed in stages between 1909 and 1932. The lovely building to the right of the trees is the Pioneer Courthouse, completed in 1875. And in front of it is a TriMet MAX Yellow and Green line light rail station--those people milling about are waiting for a ride closer to home.

At BeFunky dot com, I've altered this photo by cropping it, sharpening it, and using the special effect Orton. The result reminds me how some vintage post cards look--I really like it.

About the flowers, here's the news release from The Square PDX dot org:
FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS CONTAINER OF ESSENCE ARRIVES TO PORTLAND’S LIVING ROOM JUNE 1ST! PORTLAND, OR – (May 25, 2012)

The 28th Annual Festival of Flowers celebration officially opens June 1st in the heart of Downtown Portland!

This year’s design, Container of Essence created by local artist and sculptor Dana Lynn Louis, will be on display at Pioneer Courthouse Square through June 12th.

Container of Essence at the Square will bring together nearly 20,000 colorful flowers, bamboo and ornamental grasses to create a mandala in the heart of downtown encouraging peace within one’s self and the world at large. In conjunction with the two week festival there will be plenty of noon time activities encouraging downtown visitors to find their inner peace with free yoga and meditation! For two weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, grab your yoga mat as the Square transforms into an outdoor yoga studio. Beginning June 4th at 12pm, CorePower Yoga instructors will be conducting FREE Yoga classes on the Square. For more moments of Zen, Maitripa College, one the first Buddhist colleges in America will be leading classes in meditation on June 5th and 12th. KIND Healthy Snacks will also be at the Square for “KIND Tuesday” on June 5th as they hand out free snack bars and seed packets for your garden, while supplies last.




See the little girl sitting on the bricks, near the mandala, with her left arm raised in the air? Would that I could read  her mind and know the memories she's making at the sight of these lovely flower designs.


And this info about the Flower Sale, from the same Internet source:

2012 Festival of Flowers Price List

Container of Essence Design by Dana Lynn Louis
4” Flowers/Annuals & Herbs
$1/each or $10/Dozen

Flowers/ Annuals ($1 each)
Blue Salvia, Red Salvia, Red Begonias (bronze leaf), Red Begonias (green leaf), Durango Red Marigolds, Orange Marigolds, Orange Impatiens Extreme, White Alyssum, White Impatiens Extreme, White Begonias (green leaf), White Begonias (bronze leaf), Light Pink Impatiens Extreme, Light Pink Begonia (green leaf), Coral Petunias Simply Madness, Dark Pink Impatiens Extreme Rose, Dark Pink Begonias (green leaf), Lime Green Coleus Versus

Herbs ($1 each)
Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Common Sage, Hyssop, Chives

3.5” Grasses/ Perennials ($3 each)
Acorus Gramineus ‘Ogon’, Carex Dolichostachya ‘Kaga-Nishiki’, Juncus Effusus ‘Unicorn’

1 gallon Grass ($5 each) Imperata Bloodgrass

Bamboo ($60 each) 8-10ft Phyllostachys nigra from Bamboo Garden

Flower Sale begins Wednesday June 13th at 8:00AM
Boxes and Bags available while supplies last!

Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week, June 7, 2012

Both of these photos have been altered at PicMonkey with the HDR special effect.
 

As much as I love parades, my favorite event connected with the Portland Rose Festival is the arrival of the fleet. I took this photo of the Portland Fire Bureau's fireboat as it passed under the Broadway Bridge which is in full open position during a bridge lift. The bridge lift means that not too far north of the fireboat there must be a United States Navy vessel on its way to dock at the west seawall, right in downtown Portland.

Turned out that the guided-missle destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) was the first to arrive.

The destroyer's dimensions: length, 510 feet; beam, 66 feet; and draught, 31 feet. It's surface speed can reach 37 mph. The engines are 4 x General Electric LM2500-30 gasoline turbines developing 100,000 shaft horsepower to 2 x shafts.

Here are two interesting articles about the destroyer which I found on the Internet at Navy dot mil. 

Navy Welcomes William P. Lawrence To The Fleet Story Number: NNS110604-08Release Date: 6/4/2011 9:23:00 PM A A A By Mass Communication Specialist First Class Brian S. Finney MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) --

The Navy welcomed guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) into the fleet during a commissioning ceremony in Mobile, Ala., June 4.

The newest Arleigh Burke-class ship, the 60th of its class, is named in honor of the late Vice Adm. William P. Lawrence, a highly-decorated Naval aviator and Vietname prisoner of war.

Lawrence began his naval career as an academic scholar and athlete at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he later returned to occupy the Chair of Naval Leadership after retiring from active duty, Feb. 1, 1986.

His aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam in June 1967 and he was held captive until March 1973. His dedication and perseverance during that period inspired the ship to claim the motto, "Never Give In."

"[Lawrence] and many others were heroes among heroes by leading a resistance of our prisoners in Vietnam," said Adm. James Winnefeld, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and Commander, United States Northern Command. "Indeed we should recognize those men that are with us today because consistent with our ship's motto, they never gave in."

"I assure you we will be ready," said Cmdr. Tom Williams, commanding officer, USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). "Whatever challenge may be ahead for this crew, we have set a good course and the only course I will accept is toward excellence."

An audience of more than 3,000 attended the ceremony, held at the Alabama State Docks. The crowd consisted of family and friends of USS William P. Lawrence crew members, a host of U.S. military veterans and many others associated with the Lawrence family.

The ship was christened by three women important to Lawrence, his widow, Diane Wilcox Lawrence, and daughters, Dr. Laurie Macpherson Lawrence and U.S. Navy Capt. (ret.) Wendy B. Lawrence, the ship's sponsor.

The ceremony concluded when the Lawrence family said, bring our ship to life!" The Sailors then manned the rails.

"I look at this as a spring board to much greater things, it's my first command and I couldn't be happier," said Sonar Technician Seaman Apprentice Scott Peterson. "I am very proud to be a part of the most technologically advanced warship in the world."

During the ship's brief stop in Mobile, the crew of William P. Lawrence was heartily welcomed by the local community. The city's minor league baseball team hosted a Navy night, during which Williams threw the first pitch. Crew members also donated many service hours to Habitat for Humanities community relations projects.

"The Sailors on this ship has taken [Lawrence's] spirit and his character to heart and they're the real secret to making this the best ship in the fleet, said Williams. "We're named for a modern naval hero who was known as the Sailor's Admiral, and he really took care of people."

And here's one more: Navy's Newest Destroyer To Arrive In San Diego Story Number: NNS110628-16Release Date: 6/28/2011 9:31:00 PM A A A From Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs SAN DIEGO (NNS) --

Sailors on the Navy's newest destroyer are scheduled to arrive with their ship at Naval Base San Diego, July 1.

The guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), the 60th Arleigh Burke class destroyer, was built in Pascagoula, Miss. and commissioned during a ceremony at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile, Ala. June 4.

After commissioning, the ship departed Mobile and sailed through the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Panama Canal into the Pacific Ocean on its voyage to its homeport of San Diego.

Cmdr. Thomas R. Williams II is the first commanding officer of the 9,200-ton warship's 280-person crew.

"It is wonderful to celebrate our homecoming on the 4th of July weekend with our families," said Williams. "Our goal as a command for the past year was to make it home by the 4th, and I'm very proud of the Lawrence warriors who worked so hard to make it possible."

The new destroyer honors the late Vice Adm. William P. Lawrence, an accomplished leader and the first naval aviator to fly twice the speed of sound. During the Vietnam War, as commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 143, Lawrence was awarded the Silver Star for a strike against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam. He completed his mission, but was captured after his aircraft went down in June 1967 and remained a prisoner of war (POW) until March 1973. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership to fellow POWs.

While a POW, Vice Adm. Lawrence composed a poem entitled "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee," which was subsequently designated as the official poem of the State of Tennessee by the state legislature.

The ship is capable of carrying Tomahawk missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, surface-to-air missiles, as well as a five-inch gun and two SH-60 helicopters.

William P. Lawrence helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Rose Festival Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 6, 2012

Nicknamed by some "the children's parade," last week's event drew a crowd of 40,000-50,000 along its route in the Hollywood District, Northeast Portland. The Rock 'n' Roses refers to the theme for this year's Portland Rose Festival. I took a day of vacation so that I could go for the first time. After lunch at Killer Burger at the corner of NE Sandy Blvd. and NE 47th, I took my lawn chair outside, found a space on the sidewalk at the curb, and settled down to enjoy myself.

I expected to see lots of bands and scout groups, but I didn't expect to see maybe 40 children of all ages being pushed along in their wheel chairs by people who might be parents or who work or volunteer at the Providence Child Center.

Here are two photos of just a handful of the children and those who care enough to provide them with a chance to be in a parade. How neat!
 

I found this online about Providence Child Center which is Part of Providence Health and Services:

Providence Child Center (PCC) has been caring for Oregon’s most vulnerable children for over 60 years. Today it continues to fill an important gap in the community not provided by any other organization regionally. We are rooted in the commitment to promote the inherent dignity of all children by providing each child in our care the opportunity to achieve his or her potential and the highest quality of life in an atmosphere of acceptance and love.

And this explains all about a concept new to me, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense.
Pediatric recreational therapy

Also known as: Recreational therapy, pediatric; Therapeutic recreation, pediatric

Recreational therapists provide recreational activities and treatment for patients with disabilities or illnesses. Therapeutic activities can include arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music or community outings. Recreational therapists improve and maintain the physical, mental and emotional well-being of their clients.

The therapeutic recreation team at Providence Child Center provides recreational opportunities for our kids that enhance their health, functional abilities, independence and quality of life. Our therapy staff is supported by hundreds of volunteers who make it possible to provide unique and exciting recreational activities.

The following are highlights of a few of these programs:

• Crafts, music and sports groups are continuously provided by our creative staff, volunteers, and community partners. 
• Community integration field trips to Portland Trail Blazer Games, OMSI, the Saturday Market, the movies and more. 
• The Friend to Friend program partners local students with our kids for a year’s worth of friendship and life-long memories. 
• Holiday parties, like the annual Christmas Present Celebration, a Valentine’s Day Dance, the New Year’s Eve party, and the Chinese New Year’s parade. “Foster” Grandparents who help with everything from getting our kids on the Portland Public School buses every morning to tucking them into bed at night. 
• Special events and typical child-hood traditions including the Jr. Rose Parade, a traditional Prom, birthday parties and summer camp. 
• Alternative therapy services like music therapy and pet therapy– we’ve hosted everything from harps to lamas! 

It is our goal and privilege to provide therapeutic recreational activities that celebrate ability while ensuring every child in our care has access to typical childhood experiences. 

The other few moments that I witnessed during the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on May 20, 2012, at the intersection of NE Sandy Blvd. and NE 20th Avenue, right in my neighborhood!

The sign boldly states "Street Closed." Well, until the Portland Police Bureau officer (and a nearby, out of the photo TriMet employee) decided that the time had come to let the traffic stopped on NE Sandy flow east and west. Thus, the runners came to a stop, waiting silently, speckled with falling rain. I heard only the sound of tires traversing the wet pavement.
 

This intersection must have been just one of many on the route at which runners had to stop for a short time while law enforcement officers cleared the stopped traffic. NE Sandy Blvd. is one of the major thoroughfares in northeast Portland, used by two busy bus lines, even on a Sunday. Since it was cool and rainy, I wondered whether or not the runners welcomed the short pauses. I have to imagine that, for the most part, they didn't.
 

The intersection is almost cleared now. Runners, ready!
   

There they go, on their way mid-way from mile 10 to mile 11 and beyond!

The first of a few moments that I witnessed during the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on May 20, 2012, at the intersection of NE Sandy Blvd. and NE 20th Avenue, right in my neighborhood!

A woman on a bicycle cautiously approached NE Sandy, heading north on NE 20th Avenue. Since there's a police officer stopping traffic from the center of the intersection so that runners in the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon can continue on their way, she crosses the street. I like how the red hand on the traffic signal looks as if it is attached to her bicycle helmet like the comb on a rooster!
 

Here comes the next bicyclist crossing Sandy behind her. I have to say that I am shocked somewhat to see that the two of them are bicycling the city streets in flip flops. Thank goodness they're wearing helmets. I'll bet they're together--the flip flops give them away.

 

The two of them wait patiently on the corner, searching for a break in the runners. You can tell how much rain the man's been riding in when you take a look at the discolored front of his shorts; her pants are wet, too, but the difference in color is not easy to discern unless you click on the huge original size of the photo which I cannot put here on the blog--sorry. On that original size, it's easy to see drops of rain here and there, too.



Just about made it, threading the needle all the way across NE 20th, heading west.
 

Yep, home free now. What cracks me up is that when I looked at this photo as I cropped it, I wondered what in the world is that woman doing with the toes of her left foot? The dark spot caught my eye, and I had to see for myself, so I clicked on the huge original size of the photo to take a look. She's got those two outer toes crooked upward like she's trying to keep them from hanging off the edge of her flip flop as she trots along beside her bicycle. How many of us do something similar, unconsciously? I used to do that back when I wore flip flops.