Jantzen Beach SuperCenter celebrates 40th anniversary with major

Arbor Lodge
Bridgeton
Cathedral Park
Hayden Island
Kenton
Linnton
Overlook
Portsmouth
St. Johns
University Park
Jantzen Beach SuperCenter celebrates 40th anniversary with
major remodel
CW Parker Carousel will stay on Hayden Island after it gets a facelift
By Gayla Patton
St Johns Review Editor
From the editor: In 1989 I began
my publishing career with the formation of the Hayden Island Connection newspaper. I had lived on
Hayden Island for five years and
the Jantzen Beach Shopping Center was just 17 years old. Some of
the following information comes
from previous articles and photos
from the Connection’s archives.
F
or those who have lived in
North Portland for years, it
seems like just yesterday it
was announced the popular Big
Dipper Roller Coaster, the last remaining ride from the Jantzen
Beach Amusement Park, was being
torn down to make way for a mall.
. . a big mall. That was 1972, 40
years ago.
The Jantzen Beach Shopping
Center was indeed constructed and
for a time, it was considered substantial in size with its “L” shaped
design.
The upscale new mall brought
hoards of shoppers from Vancouver and Portland, but for those who
lived on Hayden Island and close
to the mall, traffic was a nightmare
beginning just after the Thanksgiving holiday. Most often, traffic on
Hayden Island Drive backed up for
its entire length. This was a problem because Hayden Island had
(and still has) just one main road.
But, it didn’t take long for residents
to find creative ways in which to
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Mid to late 1970s - A brand new Jantzen Beach Shopping Center
travel to the grocery store, banks,
etc. Residents knew every parking
lot and back path available that
would enable them to get to where
they wanted to go without getting
caught in 30-minute traffic jams.
The mall during this period for the
most part, was a huge success.
By 1995, having been purchased
by MBK Northwest for $18 million,
shoppers (and traffic) had dropped
off and the Mall’s owners decided
big box office stores were the way
to go. This led to approximately 2/3
of the struggling mall being torn
down (including a Lamont’s store
which was first a Liberty House,
then a Frederick & Nelson from
1979 until 1984, a The Crescent
until 1988, and finally Lamonts.)
What remained, of the center, received an extensive remodel with
the antique carousel becoming the
malls centerpiece and receiving its
own special enclosure. Not only did
the mall receive a major make-over,
but the antique CW Parker merrygo-round did as well.
New retailers were added in the
parking lot surrounding the remaining enclosed mall, as were anchors
that included Toys ‘R Us, Linen’s
N Things, Old Navy, Staples, and
Copeland’s, along with a center
strip mall where Pier 1 Imports,
Boater’s World, Hallmark, and a
Ritz Camera store was added. Soon
Continued on Page 4
“Jantzen Beach”
Main Street Executive Director departs;
Group looks for new leader and continued progress
By Pat Jewett, Reporter and
Gayla Patton, Editor
The St Johns Main Street Coalition has established an important
presence in St Johns and it appears
there is significant forward-movement continuing even with the recent resignation of Executive Director Holly Heidebrecht.
Heidebrecht, who left her position at the end of March to spend
more time with her family, is leaving behind a respectful list of successes
since she
began her
work in
October
2 0 1 0 .
W h e n
Holly Heidebrecht,
hired she
former Exec Director
of Main Street
WHO WAS JAMES JOHN
didn’t even have an office, but during her tenure found a great downtown location for the group, then
continued on to incorporate St.
Johns Main Street as an independent not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, restart the largest foot patrol in Portland, win grants to improve public safety and graffiti
abatement, create a Walking Map
marketing tool, achieve a comprehensive recycling program with
new locally designed (and built)
trash and recycling receptacles,
start a fun event called WinterFest
as a signature Main Street event,
and recruit Schnitzer Steel as its
first Ambassador sponsor.
“In true start-up fashion, getting
St. Johns Main Street up and running has required intense focus and
untold hours of work,” noted Jeff
Part IV
The controversy: Should it be “St. John” or “St. Johns”
The philosophy of the new St.
Johns Review newspaper was to be
politically neutral and to focus on
St. Johns and the North Portland
peninsula. Mr. Crome stated in Volume 1, Number 1, “It is the purpose
and the aim to make the St. Johns
Review worthy of every resident of
the Peninsula, and enable its patrons to refer to it with a feeling of
pride and satisfaction.”
However, no sooner that Crome
started the Review did he acknowledge the difficultly in staying on the
political fence to the reading audience. As publisher, Crome indicated that he had “no time nor inclination to meddle with political matters.” In volume two of the paper,
it’s clear that Crome’s thinking was
already being challenged. The very
city that Crome was representing
became the source of political intrigue and mystery. In commentary
the paper said; “Such has been the
impartial stand taken by the newspaper even though it has been difficult to maintain at times because
of the nature of the offerings and
practices of some of the contributors.” By this statement, Crome
was referencing political operatives
who were vying for favorable coverage, and businesses that had vested interests that sometimes conflicted with St. Johns.
Two things put Crome and the
newly formed St. Johns Review in
the crosshairs of political dealings
of the day. One was the ongoing
dispute over the James John will;
for the controversy over his estate
seemed to be renewed with the birth
of a paper that carried his name.
Secondly, was the budding popularity of the City of St. Johns, and
the contentious relationship it
would have with Portland until the
forcible annexation in 1915.
The fight over the intent and purpose of the James John will was not
an easy thing to put to bed. For instance, in April 1893 the Oregonian
said (in part) this: “Mr. John had
no direct heirs. Some time ago,
heirs of his brother, Ira John, and
his sister, Elizabeth Irwin of Indiana petitioned to have the will set
aside. They asserted he was not in
his right mind when he made the
testament in 1883. Edward H.
Deady and H. B. Nicholas who witnessed the will stated that Mr.
John’s mind was perfectly clear at
all times. The property was said to
be worth $100,000.”
James John was said to own 42
blocks of property when he died.
By 1903 some St. Johns’ citizens
had petitioned to have Mr. Catlin
removed as administrator. They
said that he was neglecting the
Bissonnette, board president of St.
Johns Main Street. “Holly has given us all of her expertise, experience and dedication since she
joined Main Street. We’re sorry to
see her go. There is no way to overstate her contributions of getting St.
Johns Main Street started from
scratch. We
thank her
and wish her
well.”
Bissonnette said
they plan to
hire a permanent ExJeff Bissonnette
ecutive DiMain Street
rector within
President
two to four
months.
Continued on Page 3
“Main Street”
property, and that he was not being
faithful to the will or to original intent of James John. It was stated that
Catlin was planning to give a sizable amount of the John’s estate to
local industries, and it was suggested that underhanded, “behind
the back” deals
were being cut.
He was accused
of undervaluing
the property,
and his plaintiffs By Jim Speirs
said that he was Historical
offering blocks Editor,
that were worth St Johns
Review
as much as
$1200 to $1300 for as little as $300.
So the stage was set for an ugly
legal contest. What was the original intent of James John? Was education of the children of St. Johns
his real aim, or could his estate be
divided differently? Where was his
estate supposed to be directed? Was
Continued on Page 5
“James Johns” Part IV
Page 2 - St Johns Review - #8 April 13, 2012 - PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Vanport City memorial
event coming up
Dear Editor,
With the interest in the Peninsula Story (by Jim Speirs, issues #26
in 2011, and 1,2,3 & 4 in 2012),
you may like to know of the event
at the Salvation Army Rose Center in Portland on May 30. The
Open Forum is free.
Thanks for a great paper.
Hal Freitag
“Vanport City & the Vanport
Flood of Memorial Day 1948
Come and hear the history of Vanport City, Oregon, the second largest city in Oregon at the time, as
told by people who lived, worked,
or helped in the flood. Bring pictures, stories, or memories for an
open forum.
Arrive: 9:45AM for the open forum
in the morning. Afterward sign up for
lunch on your own in the Rose Center dining room.
Depart: 1:00PM for a bus tour of old
Vanport, now Portland International Raceway and Blue Heron Golf
Course.
Enjoy with us a pleasant memorial trip to remember the Vanport
Flood of May 30, 1948.
The open forum in the morning is
free and the optional afternoon tour
will cost $8.00.
Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
Payment due May 23.”
The Salvation Army Rose Center is located at 211 NE 18th Ave.
----------------------------------------LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Letters can be emailed or
handwritten (must be legible)
and contain a name and/or
phone number for verification
purposes. (They will not be
published with your letter.)
Send to the addresses listed at
the top of this page.
Cleanup options for the Portland Harbor Superfund site
in the Willamette River have been submitted to EPA
By Barbara Smith
The Lower Willamette Group
(LWG) has submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
a report on sediment cleanup options
for an 11-mile stretch of the Lower
Willamette River.
The draft Feasibility Study is a key
step in the Superfund process and is the
“toolbox” from which EPA will select
the plan for cleaning up sediments
within the Portland Harbor Superfund
Site. The site includes a stretch of the
Willamette River, roughly between
Sauvie Island and just north of downtown Portland. The report is the result
of more than 10 years and nearly $100
million in environmental sampling and
data analysis. It will guide EPA decisions on how best to reduce potential
risks to human health and the environment from contamination in the river
bottom sediment.
Under the report’s different alternatives and assumptions, sediment cleanup activities would take from two to
28 years and cost between $169 million and $1.8 billion. All the alternatives but one meet the Superfund goal
of reducing risks to human health and
the environment but differ in their
cleanup methods, short-term impacts,
costs and other factors. The exception
is a “no action” alternative required by
the federal Superfund law to be reviewed alongside options that involve
active cleanup.
The potential human health and ecological risks at the Site are related to
four different groups of chemicals
(PCBs, dioxins/furans, the pesticide
DDT and its related breakdown products, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and overlap risks from other
chemicals also present in the river.
Direct contact with sediment or water presents much lower risks to people. Sediment contact during recreational activities (including swimming,
boating, etc.) does not pose significant
potential risk.
The Feasibility Study reviews six
categories of cleanup methods: dredging, capping, treatment, innovative
technologies, monitored natural recovery, and enhanced monitored natural
recovery. All of the cleanup options
(except the “No Action” alternative)
include combinations of these methods.
The natural recovery of the river is
also included in all the alternatives because it helps reduce risks. Portland
Harbor is recovering naturally in many
areas as a result of new cleaner sediment deposits and other river processes.
The use of innovative technologies
is evaluated in the report, such as mixing carbon into a thin layer of sand over
parts of the river bottom to enhance the
cleanup.
Cleanup alternatives were developed
using a broad range of cleanup methods, from taking no action to largescale dredging throughout Portland
Harbor. The alternatives vary based on
how quickly cleanup objectives are
achieved, the degree of constructionrelated impacts (for example increased
air emissions and neighborhood truck
traffic), the ease of implementation and
costs. All the options would require
monitoring, maintenance and periodic
reviews to ensure they are working as
intended. EPA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality are currently implementing a joint source control program at known existing upland
sources within the Site. The report assumes sources of ongoing contamination to the river will be effectively controlled by the time the sediment cleanup begins.
The report does not determine who
is responsible for the costs of cleanup,
define precise cleanup boundaries, select the cleanup methods or sediment
disposal sites. Those decisions will
take place after EPA has prepared a
Proposed Plan for public review and
issues a Record of Decision that describes the cleanup in greater detail.
Responsibility for funding and implementing EPA’s selected cleanup will be
determined in a separate process.
Two meetings remain where the public can learn more about the draft Feasibility Study report:
April 18 5:30 – 8 p.m. June Key
Delta Community Center, 5940 N. Albina Street
May 10
5:30 – 8 p.m. Ecotrust
Building, 721 NW 9th Avenue
The full report can be found at
www.lwgportlandharbor.org.
Where’s the Hardware Store?
By Guest Writer Wesley Ann Cook
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The St. Johns Review PO Box 83068, Port. 97283
2012 Published Issues
Issue:
#1 Jan. 6, 2012
#2 Jan 20, 2012
#3 Feb 3, 2012
#4 Feb 17, 2012
#5 Mar 2, 2012
#6 Mar 16, 2012
#7 Mar 30, 2012
#8 Apr 13, 2012
Front Page Article:
RHS Freedom Riders/Pat Wagner
Proposed 7-Eleven/New Dollar Tree
RHS Freedom Writers/Comm Rictor
Main St/70th Wed Anniv/$Tree photo
SJ Parade/St Johns Hotel
1910 Central Hotel pic
RHS princess/Treasure Hunt
JB Mall/Main Street
Historical Article:
A Peninsula Story Part II
A Peninsula Story Part III
A Peninsula Story Part IV
A Peninsula Story Part V
Who was James John Part I
Who was James John Part II
Who was James John Part III
Who was James John Part IV
When I first arrived in St. John’s
I needed some nails. Asking
around: “Where’s the local
hardware store?”
This simple question produced
smiles and no-nodding heads
accompanied by “We don’t have
one!” This is strange I thought.
Most everything else one could
need or want was locally available
in the community. Bakery, books,
gifts, art, theater, coffee, tea,
groceries, post office, along with
bits and bobs of other service/
needs. Why not hardware store?
Well, still in need, I found an old
fashioned one on MLK and of
course the Big Guy box stores over
in Gresham. But I’m not fond of
that drive or the Big Guy’s, so I kept
hoping and looking for an
alternative.
Well my neighbors, I’m here to
tell you that we do have a local
hardware store. It’s called Linnton
Feed and Seed. Yes, technically,
it’s in Linnton, just across the River,
but we have a BIG BRIDGE and
the little skip and hop over it
shouldn’t hurt one’s sensibilities.
At the Linnton Feed & Seed one
can buy nails there; One or ten
pounds of them. They keep um’ in
bins, along with screws and washers
and the such. You can buy a hammer
or screwdriver too, along with saws,
electrical parts and plumbing pipe
and glue. It’s an honest to goodness
hardware store. Really.
They also sell supplies for the
gardener, the poultry keeper, the pet
enthusiast, and if you want to dress
in overalls, they’ve got those too.
Last week they were selling ‘live
chicks’ and potted herbs and lovely
little flowering plants, along with
big bales of hay.
So, yeah, it’s not IN St. John’s,
but a far closer neighbor than the
other guy’s. Give them a look see
next time you need ‘a nail’!
Gayla Patton
Editor/Publ
The Review
2012 REVIEW
Issues & Deadlines
for Advertising &
Article Submissions
Issue # Issue Date
#9
Apr 27
#10
May 11
#11
May 25
#12
June 8
#13
June 22
#14
July 6
#15
July 20
#16
Aug 3
#17
Aug 17
#18
Aug 31
#19
Sept 14
#20
Sept 28
#21
Oct 12
#22
Oct 26
#23
Nov 9
#24
Nov 23
#25
Dec 7
#26
Dec 21
Deadline
Apr 18
May 2
May 16
May 30
June 13
June 27
July 11
July 25
Aug 8
Aug 22
Sept 5
Sept 19
Oct 3
Oct 17
Oct 31
Nov 14
Nov 28
Dec 12
Distribution Mgr.
Ginger Harris
Jim Speirs, Historical Editor; Patricia Jewett, Reporter;
Ginger Harris, Distribution Manger
Gayla Patton, Editor, Advertising. [email protected]
PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086 - #8 April 13, 2012 - St. Johns Review - Page 3
Portland Parks & Recreation partners with Portland Teen Idol
Talent Competition Auditions Begin April 20, Registration Now Open
Portland Parks & Recreation
(PP&R) is proud to partner with
Portland Teen Idol as the popular
local student talent contest begins
auditions for Season 6.
Portland Teen Idol offers finalists
cash prizes and spots on a summer
performance tour. Several former
Portland Teen Idol contestants have
gone on to success on FOX television’s smash hit, American Idol.
Portland Teen Idol Season 3
(2009) finalists Aubrey Cleland and
Madison Shanley made American
Idol’s top 100. Beaverton teen Haley Johnsen, who made this season’s American Idol top 24, has
committed to joining Portland Teen
Idol program as a judge.
The first open auditions for 2012
will be held Friday, April 20, 6:309:00pm at PP&R’s University Park
Main Street:
Continued from Page 1
There have been questions
about why there needs to be a paid
Executive Director at all. “It’s an
important role,” said Bissonnette.
“Having an Executive Director
versus having the Board members
take on the various jobs of Main
Street is an investment of time the
Board isn’t able to fulfill.” Board
members are all volunteers.
The job involves attending an
array of meetings, working alongside business and property owners, managing the all-volunteer
staff, making regular reports, and
working on the budget. “It requires a dedicated, knowledgeable
person,” said Bissonnette. What
hasn’t been determined is whether the next Executive Director will
live within the St. Johns boundaries, or will be someone outside
of them.
Babs Adamski, chair of the St.
Johns Neighborhood Association
said, “We are looking forward to
seeing someone at the helm who
has the communication and organizational skills (both in terms of
administration as well as community development) to really make
it a dynamic and interactive body
in St Johns. It would be great if it
was someone who knew the community well.”
“Board members want to hire
the best person for the job,” said
Bissonnette, “and that is not limited to hiring someone from outside the community. The best candidate will be able to listen to the
community and help it to develop
itself.”
One of Main Street’s challenges is how to improve the commercial district. People have raised
concerns that they do not want St.
Johns to become another NW 23rd
or Mississippi Avenue. Acknowledging St. Johns’ uniqueness and
how to enhance that asset is important, as well as, making sure
the public feels safe while walking at night or during the day, and
how to bring more services and
goods to the area. Those subjects
are always a part of the conversations within the group. Community events and recognizing the
area’s history is also important to
the Main Street group. “I’m really excited with the incorporation
of our local history with the development of St. Johns’ Main
Street,” said former Cathedral
Park Chair, Barbara Quinn.
Adamski added, “To date, Main
Street has gotten new energy going for the heart of the downtown
business district. They have been
able to leverage resources from
PDC, the University of Portland
and the Portland Police.”
Bissonnette acknowledges that
Main Street is not the “magic bullet” by itself, but it is providing a
good framework where positive
changes can happen. “It’s a vehicle for the community to express
how they want to shape St. Johns’
future,” he said. And, it is a tool
for the local businesses to receive
information about how they can
enhance or improve their buildings and businesses. Quinn
agrees. “I feel the Main Street program has done some great things
so far, and there is huge potential
to do even more.”
Main Street welcomes new
members who would like to be
involved in helping St. Johns prosper. In May they will be looking
for nominations to the Board.
They would like representatives
from the community’s retail and
non-retail section, property owners, financial contributors and
general members from the community. They would also like to
see an increase in membership
throughout 2012. If interested in
finding out more about it, go to
their website at:
www.stjohnsmainstreet.org. The
four committees are: Design, Promotions, Economic restructuring
and Organization. The committees
meet on Wednesdays throughout
the month.
Join Main Street on April 21 by
attending an all-day workgroup at
the St. Johns Community Center
where approximately many volunteer architects from the firm Ankrom Moisan will work with teams
as they venture into the community then design mock-ups of it.
In the afternoon the designs will
be shared so everyone can have
an opportunity to make comments
and suggestions. This will become
part of all future plans for shaping St. Johns.
Also find Main Street on twitter
at: Info@stjohnsmainst, and on
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/
shopstjohns.
BURLINGTON WATER DISTRICT
Notice of Budget Committee Meeting
A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Burlington Water District,
Multnomah County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year
July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, will be held at 16939 NW Wapato Ave., Portland, Oregon. The meeting will take place on the 18th of April 2012 at 6:30
p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. A copy of the budget document
may be inspected or obtained on or after April 16, 2012 at 16939 NW Wapato
Ave., Portland, Oregon between the hours of 4:30 pm. and 7:00 p.m.
This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will
take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed
programs with the Budget Committee.
Burlington Water District Board of Commissioners
Pd Adv
Community Center at 9009 N Foss
Ave, and Saturday, April 21,
9:00am at PP&R’s Mt Scott Community Center at 5530 SE 72nd
Ave.
Additional dates are expected to
be announced soon, along with auditions for Spanish-language singers and stand-up comedians.
Teens that sign up in advance online at
www.PortlandTeenIdol.com will
get priority over drop-ins. Therefore, contestants are encouraged to
sign up online before the April 15
advance registration deadline.
Contestants may enter drawings
for gift cards on both days.
About Portland Teen Idol
Portland Teen Idol is one of very
few competitions that include several rounds of competition, cash
prizes, a performance tour, IMDB
credit, and publishing on iTunes.
No other local completion includes
both English and Spanish in the
same program.
Several former finalists are scheduled to help this year, including all
five past winners – Jordan Thompson, Jeff Quigley, Gabriela Quintero, Jeyonna Barr, and Haley Ward
(winners of Portland Teen Idol seasons 1-5, respectively).
Portland Teen Idol director Dennis Gleason indicates that fans
should look for other surprise participants to make appearances.
Gleason adds that local favorites
Michael Allen Harrison and Ian
James will be returning, as well as
Mrs. Oregon International, Debra
Gilmour.
M’chel Bauxal will again serve
as a celebrity makeup artist & hair
stylist. Vocalist Laura Cochran and
many others are also involved with
Portland Teen Idol.
“We are expanding the scope and
the talent pool of Portland Teen Idol
in this, the sixth year of the competition,” says Gleason. “In addition
to English-language vocalist category with a $500 first prize; new
contests for Spanish-language vocals and a stand-up comedy division have been added. Winners for
each of those programs get $250 in
cash, and all finalists go on a summer tour together. This is what
makes Portland Teen Idol unique
from any other talent program!”
Eligibility:
Participating students must be in
grades 7 through 12, live within 35
miles of the Portland/Vancouver
metro area, and be at least 13 years
old as of April 1, 2012. Contestants
must NOT be professional artists or
former Portland Teen Idol finalists.
Portland Teen Idol welcomes volunteers to serve as interns, judges,
guest musicians, and sponsors.
Portland Parks & Recreation is a
key player in sponsoring the competition. Other nonprofits also ben-
BWD RATES AND
OTHER CHARGES
A public meeting will be held by
Burlington Water District, Multnomah County, in the state of Oregon, for the first reading of Ordinance No. 11/12-01; revision of
Rates and Other Charges and Ordinance No. 11/12-02 to update
BWD’s Rules and Regulations.
The meeting will be held at 16939
Wapato Ave., Portland, Oregon,
97231, on Wednesday, April 18,
2012, at 7:00pm. Please call if you
are attending the meeting. (Space
is limited, may change the location.)
Pd Adv
efit from the competition, including Oregon Media Production Association, Amy Roloff Charity
Foundation, The Snowman Foundation, The GrassHarper Foundation, and Oregon League of Minority Voters.
Portland Teen Idol is an education-driven career enhancement
program to help develop teens’ talents, assist them in reaching their
goals, and teach them to see their
own potential through industry-like
opportunities, performances, and
mentoring. The video portion provides similarity to how the biz
works thereby expanding the teens’
network and creating a viable system of contacts may benefit them
in future employment and provide
real world experiences that can be
applied to any pursuit.
For more information, contact Dennis Gleason at
[email protected] or
503-708-3487 or call 503-8235300 or visit portlandparks.
Support the REVIEW advertisers they help bring it to you.
To place your ad in the next issue
call Gayla at 503-283-5086
Page 4 - St Johns Review - #8 April 13, 2012 - PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086
Jantzen Beach...Continued from Page 1
R
COLO Business
&
Service
Directory
Call 283-5086
to join them would be a popular Barnes &
Noble complete with an always present
Starbucks; A fun (and what seemed like
successful) sport bar and restaurant called
Damon’s, as well as a Circuit City and
Home Depot.
Although the new additions were an exciting concept, many people living on Hayden Island were disappointed to see the
bowling alley and theater removed. Especially after seeing the amusement park torn
down, the ice rink, then finally the Big Dipper. It was obvious the island was changing rapidly from a small town recreational
type community, into a big box office shopping mecca.
In 1995 the mall renovations were completed to the cost of about $38 million and
expanded the shopping center to 800,000
square feet. Owners then aptly changed its
name to the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter.
The successful Grand Opening went on for
days, but shortly afterwards MBK Northwest announced it was selling the 70-acre
SuperCenter for $76 million.
In the following years the mall continued transformations with Burlington replacing Kmart; Target moving into a newly remodeled location where Montgomery
Wards was before going out of business,
Circuit City left after filing bankruptcy,
Copeland’s became Sports Authority, Ross
Dress for Less was added, Damon’s Restaurant disappeared suddenly, and the popular Linens N Things went out of
business…and so it went…
Jumping to 2011, owners Jantzen Dynamic Corporation is making changes that
have been in the works for years, but for
various reasons were postponed until recently. Soon to be demolished is the remaining enclosed portion of the mall. The
center’s managers, Edens & Avant Realty
Inc., have said the renovations will cost ap-
proximately $50 million, with
phase one completed in 2012 and
phase two completed in 2013.
When the mall’s coming changes
were first announced, what to do
with the carrousel was in question.
Citizens then became more concerned about what would happen to
it then the changes coming to the
SuperCenter.
Talks regarding the carousel included it being dismantled and
stored, or selling and sending it to
the Children’s Museum. Whether it
was outrage about it being removed
from its longtime “home”, or the
lack of funds to move it, the North
Portland community is relieved that
it will stay on Hayden Island and
receive yet another restoration. (See
end of this article for more information.)
The extensive mall renovation,
said owners, will include 30 new
stores with as many as 500 added
retail jobs. The new 139,000square-foot Target will be larger
than the current store and will have
an expanded grocery section. It will
be very similar to Cascade Station’s
store by the airport. Ross Dress for
Less has already relocated into the
former Linens ‘N Things site and
Best Buy is coming into the old Circuit City location.
The mall’s basic footprint will
stay pretty much the same according to the concept drawing, with
parking lots located in the same areas as well.
Developers said they will be naming some of the mall’s streets in
memory of historical places and
events from the former amusement
park days. There will be a North
Parker Avenue in memory of
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The 1921 CW Parker Carousel a
is giving FREE rides until Ap
undergo a facelift. It will retur
Mall’s construct
Charles Wallace (CW) Parker who
built the carousel; A North Pavilion Avenue named after the Golden-Canopied Dance Pavilion once
located in the amusement park; and
North Starlight Avenue in memory
of the roller skating rink.
CW Parker Carousel History
The Jantzen Beach SuperCenter
Merry-Go-Round was designed
and built in 1921 at the C.W. Parker Amusement Company in Leavenworth, Kansas. It was one of the
only four “superior style” carousels
that Parker built.
The large four-abreast machine
was constructed as a permanent
model rather than the more commonly built portable machines for
the traveling carnivals. The horses
are some of the most elaborate ever
carved by the Parker Company and
many are unique, one of a kind,
animals.
The CW Parker carousel has 72
horses and first operated at the Venice Beach, California Pier from
1921 until 1927. After surviving a
major fire it was put into storage
until 1928. It was then shipped to
Jantzen Beach Amusement Park,
where it operated for 42 years.
In 1970 it was refurbished for its
debut in the new Jantzen Beach
Shopping Center which opened in
September 1972. In 1995 it again
was restored, this time for $500,000
and became the centerpiece for the
new Jantzen Beach SuperCenter
after it had undergone its own remodel.
The 1995 restoration was extensive because each of the 72 horses
were given 250 hours each of stripping, repairing, sanding, priming
and repainting. The work, done by
Brass Ring Ventures, LTD in Van-
PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086 - #8 April 13, 2012 - St. Johns Review - Page 5
at the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter
pril 22 before it’s dismantled to
rn in 2013 when Phase 2 of the
tion is completed.
couver BC, were able to remove 75
years of use and up to 10 layers of
paint, which, when removed, they
discovered what the horses actually looked like. All the layers of repainting had hidden much of the
intricate carvings on saddles and
bridles.
In 1996 at the Grand Reopening
of the carousel and the Jantzen
Beach SuperCenter, the lead horse
was dedicated to Mayor Vera Katz
and to the citizens of Portland.
Once again the carousel will be
restored to pristine shape. But before it is closed on April 22, 2012
for its make-over, rides on the merry-go-round are free.
Look for it to reappear in 2013 at
the completed mall remodel.
Who was James John: Part IV
Continued from Page 1
By Jim Speirs
it clear, or was there reason to dispute the will and the man?
In 1904, the Oregon Journal said
the following: “By terms of his will
James John gave 40 blocks for
school purposes in St. Johns. Just
what kind of school he wanted is
vague, and it’s hardly probable
that his purpose will ever be carried out even if everything is left
out of the estate, which is doubtful. Had the bequest been made
direct to the St. Johns School District it could have been used by the
present district No. 29 where the
building is being enlarged. The
present board of directors found
the district has no claims on the
estate under bequest, and it is not
even known what is the present
value of the property.”
All the while, Mr. Crome was trying to keep the St. Johns Review
neutral in the dispute, but he was
finding it increasingly difficult to
remain detached from the ongoing
struggle. Political winds buffeted
the paper and the new publisher.
Demands for forceful editorial
comment pushed Crome, and soon
a committee of local residents was
appointed to try and sort out the
will and the estate. Regardless,
Crome remained true to his convictions, and tried to keep his distance from the largest quarrel in the
new city.
Other papers were less diplomatic, and weighed in on the dispute
frequently. This from the February
1906 Oregon Journal: “A committee of St. Johns citizens is on the
trail of Robert Catlin, administrator of the James John estate. (Unbeknownst to the committee, Catlin had left/fled the country, and it
was discovered that several tracts
of land had been sold, and that the
monies derived from the sale was
unaccounted for.) The reason for
this pursuit is the desire on the part
of the town to build a high school.
It is understood that the Johns’ estate holds money entrusted for
school purposes left by the will of
the founder of the town, and the
committee is trying to discover just
what the district can expect from the
An exciting tale of survival in
the midst of the Vanport Flood
estate and when it can get the money and the land.”
After the committee and taxpayers came to an agreement and finally authorized the building of a
school on property that was formally in dispute, a gradual coalescing
of ideas and understanding began
to take shape. As in most quarrelsome clashes involving money,
none of the interested parties were
100% satisfied. Again, in 1906 the
Oregon Journal said this: “The
committee sought Mr. Catlin and
after investigation found that he
was out of the country. (A polite
way of saying that he was missing
entirely!) The site of the new high
school will probably be the block
of land in the business district,
which was left for school purposes. John’s will left a cash appropriations for the school district.”
Later, the St. Johns Review commented (in part) in 1907: “Mr.
Thorndyke was reported to have
read the report of Robert Catlin
to the St. Johns Council.
(Thorndyke was the City Recorder.) The report shows that all the
property of the estate had been
disposed of except the school
block, No. 29 and another small
piece, all valued at $10,000 and
real estate at $25,242.29.”
A small, but not insignificant
amount of the James John will and
estate was liquidated in order to
satisfy legal requirements from
the lengthy and contentious struggle concerning the true intent and
purpose of the James John will/
heritage. (Legal fees.) In a nutshell, it seems very obvious that
John intended the bulk of his
property and memory to be assigned to the education of the kids
in St. Johns. Mr. Crome, and the
Review had to “dance” a careful
dance when it came to covering
the financial details of the James
John estate. Opposing sides in the
debate were to tug at the paper
from various points of view.
Through it all, Crome was able to
James John Part IV
Continued on Page 6
Banking is a choice.
Why not choose local?
The Big Dipper was a popular ride at the Jantzen Beach Amusement
Park. In 1972 it was torn down so the Jantzen Beach Shopping
Center could be built.
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Page 6 - St Johns Review - #8 April 13, 2012 - PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086
James John Part IV
Continued from Page 5 - By
remain clear and objective, setting
the personality of the paper, and
staying true to his beliefs.
Next, the St. Johns Review and
the community were thrust into the
ugly and litigious fight over St.
Johns proper, and the city’s relationship to Portland.
The St. Johns Charter:
In January 1903 the State of Oregon granted a charter to the town
of St. Johns, making it an independent municipality empowered to
conduct its own government and
levy its own taxes. Inherent in the
new charter was the ability of St.
Johns to exempt itself from paying the tax rate of the City of Portland.
At first, this independent city (St.
Johns) posed little or no threat to
Portland. But St. Johns officials
quickly understood the gift they’d
been given to set their own tax policy and rates accordingly. (If this
sounds glaringly similar to today’s
tax debates…it’s because it’s nearly identical.) St. Johns promptly
lowered the business tax, property taxes, fees and licensing for the
city. Almost overnight, the business results were obvious. Commercial and business activity skyrocketed; the revenues from large
numbers of new businesses locating in St. Johns were kept by the
city, and off limits to the greedy
hands of Portland. Within a short
period of time, the City of St.
Johns was referred to as the “Manhattan of the West.” Creative and
Obituary
Jim Speirs
imaginative people poured into the
area and it seemed as if the dream
of James John would finally be realized.
Seeing and sensing the dynamic
growth of St. Johns, the City of
Portland promptly began posturing
to annex the quaint and thriving
City of St. Johns.
The rest of the story is contentious
history, and has been covered many
times. The purposeful denigration
and division of St. Johns is a welldocumented and sad testimonial to
power politics. Obviously, St. Johns
was not able to resist the advances
of the City of Portland, and by 1915
it reluctantly and forcibly became
part of greater Portland.
What St. Johns did over a century ago, was to lower taxes across
the board and to insure development and wealth. Part of the motivation for the later St. Johns Secession movements (referenced in part
three of these articles) was the desire for St. Johns to once again be
“captain of their own fate.” By this,
the secession proponents wanted to
free the community from the gruesome oppression of the Portland tax
codes. That was the rallying cry of
the advocates for secession, coupled with the desire to exempt St.
Johns from further “social engineering” by Portland’s ruling Caliphates. Campaigners of secession
saw this radical idea through the
historic lens of example, and referenced how successful St. Johns had
once been when the city could set
its own standards for taxation and
monetary policy. Secession advo-
cates invoked the name of James
John as a rallying cry for financial independence and freedom
from stifling regulatory statutes.
Obviously, this did not work, and
our proud community still suffers
under the weight of domineering
codes and rules that hinder growth
and retard the community.
The legacy and vision of James
John continues, and there are additional ideological and pragmatic connections that make current
day St. Johns a scion of the city of
yore.
Part V in the April 27, 2012
St Johns Review
About the Author:
Jim Speirs is a lifelong resident
of North Portland, 4th generation.
He is a published author and enjoys writing about North Portland’s
history. He was a teacher of Political Science at Portland Community
College and Chemeketa Community
College and taught the politics of
World War II, Viet Nam, and Korea
at both colleges. He still lives and
works in North Portland. Jim has
four published books: “Death In
Spades” and “Tales of North Portland I, II and now III ” (from his
St. Johns Review articles) which are
available for purchase at Copy Pilot, St. Johns Deli & Grocery, and
Kenton Station. More novels and
Tales of North Portland books are
currently in the works.
His articles may not be republished without the permission of the
author. Send info/comments to: PO
Box 83068, Port, Or 97283
FULL-TIME OFFICE
ADMINISTRATOR
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Must enjoy working with clients and be serviceoriented, well-organized, and accurate
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Navigate to : us\branch support\search branch
support jobs. reference number 330058
Review CLASSIFIEDS:
CLASSES/LESSONS
YOGA CLASS - 55 & OVER
Revitalize mind & body. Improve
focus, release stress while increasing strength & flexibility. Class is
ongoing - join anytime. Thursday
9:15-10:15am at the University
Park Community Center. 9009 N
Foss Ave. Call 503-823-3631 for
more information.
=========================================================
VOICE & PIANO LESSONS
Jensen’s Voice & Piano Studio offers lessons with college credits
available. For an appointment or
more information call Pauline at
503-286-1168.
RUMMAGE SALES
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN
CHURCH on April 20 & 21. Friday from 9:00AM-5:00PM and
Saturday 9:00AM - 3:00PM.
St. John Lutheran Church is at
4227 N. Lombard.
======================================
WOMEN OF WONDER RUMMAGE SALE on Friday and Saturday from 10AM - 3PM at the
University Park United Methodist Church at 4775 N. Lombard,
at the corner of Lombard & Fisk.
Children’s and misc. items and
many other treasures will be available.
=========================================================
CLASSIFIED INSTRUCTIONS:
30 words for $15, 15 cents for each word over 30. Send payment with ad to: The
Review, PO Box 83068, Portland, Or., 97283. CC payments accepted over phone.
WORSHIP
DIRECTORY
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC
CHURCH
“In the Spirit of Unity, Welcome!”
5227 N
Bowdoin
(503)
289-2834
Sun: 8:00am & 10am
Sat Mass: 5:00pm
Spanish Mass: Sunday Noon
Daily Mass: Mon-Fri, 8:30am
Portsmouth Trinity
Lutheran Church
“Where All Are Welcome”
Worship & Sunday School:
10:00am each Sunday
7119 N. Portsmouth (503) 289-6878
Interstate Bible
Chapel
Non-Denominational
8036 N. Interstate Ave.
Portland Or.
Sunday: 11:00am
1st Friday of Each Month,
fellowship meal & video @6:30
2 Timothy 2:15
BRING YOUR BIBLE
Worship Directory ads are:
$240 for 13 ads
$315 for 18 ads
$390 for 26 ads
Ad information can be changed
throughout the ad’s run
Mary Margaret (Midge
Pinkey) Benshoof
Mrs. Benshoof was born Mary
Margaret Pinkey, October 27,
1922 to Joseph and Martha Pinkey
of Everson, Washington.
After graduating from Mt. Baker High School, Midge worked at
St. Joseph Hospital thinking she
might wish to become a nurse but
the depression during those years
made attending college impossible.
She married Jake Benshoof and
they lived in Mt. Shasta, Ca. After
about one year they moved to
Demming, Wa. After the birth of
their daughter Cliffa Marbeth, they
moved to Portland and found an
apartment at Gartrel Homes just
off Portsmouth. About three years
later they purchased their home on
N. Bar Ave. where new baby
Darmel spent her first night. The
couple has lived there for 61 years.
Midge had a great passion for
the important aspects of community life and her home. She was an
original member of the St. Johns
Parade committee. She also spent
35 years on the election board in
her precinct; was on the re-elect
Wayne Morse committee, active in
the PTA, President of the Eleanor
Roosevelt club, the George School
Park, and the Save the St. Johns
Library. She also was regimental
clerk in the 115th cavalry association, a recon combat regiment, IX
Army Corps that was dispatched
to protect the Oregon Coast on day
two of the Pearl Harbor attack. She
spent hundreds of hours on House
Bill 3012 and the Closing the St.
Johns Dump.
Midge loved to travel with her
Oregon Camper Club and enjoyed
many scenic areas of Eastern Oregon and Washington. She also visited California, Utah, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyomng, Ar-
Jake & Midge Benshoof
izona, Idaho, Montana and Canada.
She is survived by her wonderful family which includes her husband Jake, daughters Cliffa Bouyear and Darmel Benshoof; grandson Michael Bouyear; granddaughter-in-law Heather Bouyear;
step-daughter and son, Coral and
Marty Wangen, step-grandson and
daughter Donald Boetther and
Sheri Wait and many nieces and
nephews.
Midge loved life, people, the
ocean, flowers, her children, family life and community involvement. She dedicated her loving
spirit to all that was near and dear
to her heart.
Jake often said of Midge, “She
had a heart like a hotel - there was
room for everybody.”
She will be greatly missed by
all who knew her.
With her family by her side,
Midge departed this earthly station
on February 1, 2012. May she find
grace and peace in her new found
heavenly home.
PERSONAL ADS: PERSONAL ADS (which can include: Obituaries,
anniversaries, wedding announcement, births, engagements, accomplishments) are $30 each (approx. 200 words) which includes a photograph. Send
them to: [email protected]. Payment is accepted by Credit Card
or check. For more information call: The Review: 503-283-5086
PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086 - #8 April 13, 2012- St. Johns Review - Page 7
BITS & PIECES:
MEETING:
The Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Advisory
Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, April 16, 2012
from 6:30 to 8:30PM at the Kaiser Permanente Town Hall,
Classrooms A and B, 3704 N. Interstate Ave. This is a
quarterly meeting of the committee. The agenda includes
budget and project updates.
MILITARY:
Army Pfc. Jasmine T. Tkel has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, he studied the Army
mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness,
and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills,
military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill
and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy,
military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field
training exercises. Tkel is the cousin of Vilma Paquio of North
Hamlin Avenue and is a 2007 graduate of Palau High School,
Koror, Republic of Palau.
CONCERT:
Wind Symphony and Friends concert
The University of Portland will host the second annual
“Wind Symphony and Friends” set for Wednesday, April 25
on campus, in the Buckley Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. It
is free and open to the public. This year, the University’s
Wind Symphony will be joined by the Lincoln High School
Concert Band. The groups will perform Percy Grainger’s
famous Irish Tune from County Derry. Music from Leonard
Bernstein and Michael Gandolfi will also highlight the
evening’s program.
The Wind Symphony will be joined by numerous
guest soloists including UP low brass instructor Tayler
Stokes, saxophonist Jeff Siegfried, and soprano Brenna
Stacy.
Send events and news to the Review
at:[email protected] or mail to: The Review,
PO Box 83068, Portland, Oregon 97283.
Business & Service Directory
Cost: 1X ad: $35
2 Xs to 6Xs: $28 each
7Xs to 25Xs: $25 each
1 Year (26 Xs) $22 each
Red
Carpet
Service
Nicholas R. Mellum D.M.D.
Family and Cosmetic
Dentistry
Serving St. Johns since 1974
8910 N. Kellogg St. 503-286-4492
St. Johns Newest Sr. Adult Care Home
Two Locations!
Garden Place
For Your Loved Ones
Bonnie Gill
Owner/Operator
5903 N. Houghton St.
Jensen’s
503-247-7103
We dig the St. Johns Review
VOICE & PIANO STUDIO
High School and College
Credits Available
Call for an appointment: (503) 286-1168
Southwest Portland’s monthly community newspaper
since 1992. for news or advertising information please
contact Don Snedecor publisher at (503) 244-6933 or
visit wwwswportlandpost.com
Page 8 - St Johns Review - #8 April 13, 2012 - PO Box 83068, Portland, Or. 97283 - email: [email protected] - website: www.stjohnsreview.com - 503-283-5086
UP students make Clean Sweep a successful event
The Clean Sweeps Event on March
24 held by the St Johns Main Street
Coalition was a huge success. There
were over 250 volunteer students from
the University of Portland who worked
very hard removing graffiti, planting
trees, cleaning curbs, planting the concrete pots in the Plaza, picking up trash,
and removing ivy from Ivy Island.
Community volunteers, the Rebuild-
ing Center and many local restaurants
also participated. The purpose of the
event was to clean up the downtown
area and introduce students to the district. Each received a $5.00 coupon for
150 reasons to visit
your nearby branch
Earn $1501*
just for switching
to KeyBank!
Visit your St. Johns branch
and earn $150 when you:
t Open a qualifying KeyBank Checking Account
and enroll in KeyBank Relationship RewardsSM by May 4, 2012 and
t Make three direct deposits each of $500 or more within
three months of account opening plus
t Make at least five payments and/or purchases per month
for the first three months after account opening
Please drop by! Learn how you can receive $2002* when you
open a new Key Privilege® Checking Account!
We look forward to starting a rewarding relationship.
call 503-286-1896
visit your St. Johns branch
lunch at a participating restaurant.
Many students vowed to come back and
spend more time in the area.
19 trees that were diseased or dead
were removed prior to the event and
replaced with new trees from Friends
of Trees. Many organizations loaned
tools to make the work possible.