Oregon

In the beginning, we were shocked.  Then we were saddened, and now we’re sickened.  Why would Portland Mayor Sam Adams lie about a sexual relationship with another man if that man was a legal adult?  Why would he ask other people to help cover up the story if it was a legal and consenting relationship?  What do we do when we find out the man that was voted into office by a landslide is not the man we thought he was?  How will he be able to lead Portland if this is what his character really is?  Is there more corruption that what we’ve uncovered?  Will Mayor Sam Adams resign?  Is that the right thing?  Was Beau Breedlove really a minor who Adams had a sexual relationship with?  How can we let such immorality represent us as a people?

It appears that Portland Mayor Sam Adams plans on keeping his post as Mayor even with the looming sex scandal shadow hanging over him.  The question now is whether or not the people of Portland will allow him to stay, or will they force him to leave.  This has sprung up many debates across the world with some people saying, “there is business to be done, so let’s just get on with it,” and still others thinking that if we let him get away with possibly breaking the law, than we send a message that corruption and sexual misconduct is acceptable as long as you hold a public office.

In the light of so many questions, Beau Breedlove said in an interview with the Oregonian that he and Mayor Sam Adams did indeed kiss twice while the boy was still seventeen, making him a minor.  The question now is not a question of morality, but truth.  Is Sam Adams guilty of committing a crime?

Beau Breedlove says that he wasn’t a victim, and stated, “I do not see any relationship that I ever had with Sam as me being taken advantage of,” and, “I don not feel like I was ever a victim.  I may have been seventeen, but I was an adult, and I knew what I was doing.”

While Breedlove may have known what he was doing, isn’t it really Mayor Sam Adams’ responsibility as the legal adult to know what he was doing?  Isn’t it the adult’s responsibility to not knowingly break the law?

There is a criminal investigation underway as Portlanders become more and more infuriated at the situation.  Yes, there is work that needs to be done that is on the back burner in the city of Portland, but it’s not because we are holding him back from doing it, it’s because of his own choices to allegedly have sexual relations with a minor and lied about it, and now he has to face the angry people who cried his praise and voted him in.

In another turn of events, Wade Nkrumah, Mayor Sam Adams’ spokesperson has called it quits today.  Sources say that Nkrumah gave Adams the news last night that he would be resigning effective immediately.  Could Mayor Sam Adams’ ship be sinking?

Protesters for both sides of Portland Mayor Sam Adams’ sex scandal battled wits today outside City Hall in downtown Portland.  Supporters rallied to urge Mayor Adams to stay on and fight for his job, saying that Portland needs him too much.

Opposition to Mayor Adams showed up, as they have since the news broke earlier this week stating that Mayor Adams is a liar, and they are outraged that he covered up the scandal to get voted in.

Both groups became vocal with each other as they stood up for what they believed in, but the supporters of Adams ended up going into City Hall to avoid further turmoil.

Oregon’s Attorney Genera’s office is currently investigating the relationship between Mayor Adams and Beau Breedlove, who was a seventeen-year-old intern who came to Sam Adam, who was 42 at the time, for career advice.

Both Adams and Breedlove say that the relationship didn’t turn sexual until Breedlove turned eighteen.

Portlanders don’t know what to believe from a man who would lie about a legal relationship and convince others to lie as well.

Adams told media that he will announce in a couple of days whether he will resign or fight for his post as Mayor of Portland.  He also said that if it is in the city’s best interest, that he will resign.

Supporters of Adams are also upset that he lied, but state that, “This is not time to focus on sex scandals.  There is so much facing our city in terms of jobs, education, and quality of life.”

If Mayor Adams does decide to keep his job, any who oppose will not be able to file a formal complaint to have him removed for six months.

Now that the story is out about Portland Mayor Sam Adams having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy and then lying about it and convincing others to help cover up the story, Portland is speaking out.

Some believe that the boy was eighteen, therefore making him a legal adult, and it’s none of our business what kind of sex consenting adults have behind closed doors.

Is that really the issue?  For over 85% of Portlanders, the sexual relationship with the teen boy is only a small part of the problem, which is amazing, because he won the race by a landslide.  Over 85% of Portlanders want Mayor Sam Adams to step down.  People of Portland are furious that Mayor Sam Adams would lie to them, and convince others to lie for him in order to be elected mayor.

This is not a gay issue, or a sex issue, this is an honesty issue.  People feel violated, and don’t think they can ever trust Sam Adams again.  How can the city stand behind some one who would lie like this?  Not only that, but why did he lie?  Most people polled think it’s because the boy was not really eighteen, but seventeen, as the story originally was told.

Portlanders are starting to refer to Mayor Sam Adams as ‘The creepy pervert mayor’.

Is he stepping down?  As of right now, Sam Adams has only apologized and thrown himself at the mercy of the people of Portland.  He is making no plans to step down from his seat as Mayor.

What is being done?  Nothing.  No investigation, no mobs with torches and pitchforks, and no plans to do either of those things are in the works, however, authorities are stating that all it would take is one complaint of misconduct for an investigation to begin.

Oregonians watched with the rest of the world as President Obama was sworn in, parades wound by, and crowds of millions cheered all day long.  The solidarity of the President and his First Lady never faltered on this long, exciting, and trying day.  The Obama family is strong, and it shows no matter where they are or what they’re doing.  This is a refreshing twist on the most powerful man in the world.  For the Obamas to open up their lives for all to see is going to be a wake up call for America, and hopefully will raise the bar as far as family is concerned.  The first dance of the night was a perfect example of what they stand for.

The most beautiful thing about President and First Lady Obama’s first dance of the night was the way their eyes shined when they looked at each other.  So many times in past inaugurations we’ve seen two people who were raised in wealthy and powerful families robotically waltz their way through the inauguration balls as if they were straight out of charm school.

Tonight, we saw two people who didn’t come from wealth or power, and weren’t brought up with butlers and drivers.  Tonight, we saw two real people who came from Middle America, where most of us reside.  Tonight, it wasn’t a stuffy awkward ordeal, but a testament to solidarity.

Instead, we saw a man who right off the bat shouted, “First of all, how good-looking is my wife?”  We saw beautiful awkwardness as they took the stage together, because they weren’t forced into dance lessons and schooled in how to be “proper” at a ball.  We saw them look at each other, and cling to each other a little tighter, as if saying, “Don’t you leave me here alone, because I cannot do this without you by my side.”  When he looks into her eyes, you can see that she is looking back.  We saw a man who isn’t ashamed to tell the world how much he loves his wife.

If the Obama family does nothing else but to teach us how to strengthen our marriages and be parents to our children, then he has already done this country a great service.  If the only new trend is that people want to stick it out through thick and thin, then we are winning a war in our own country and saving thousands of children from being casualties of divorce.

Michelle Obama was beautiful, as always, in her white chiffon skirted dress by Jason Wu.  She showed America that it’s okay to be sexy and that you can do it with elegance.  Sexy doesn’t have to be super thin, cleavage, and short skirts.  When you look at Michelle Obama, you see a strong confident woman who is comfortable in her own skin.

Beyonce, who performed ‘At last’ with Etta James, saw the strength of the bond between them.  They symbolize strength, unity, and change, and it brought Beyonce to tears to witness such a beautiful moment.

Here’s to the Obamas!  May President Obama be a tool in God’s hands as he works tirelessly to save our country from sinking.  May Michelle be the spark in his eye as he fights for change.  May they stand together as a pillar of strength and a beacon of light for the world to see.  Let them be an example to American families on how to bind together through thick and thin so we can weather any storm.  Let us all take lessons from them on how to be better parents to our children.  Good luck and Godspeed President Obama. 

Portland Mayor Sam Adams has found himself in a bit of hot water this week.  Monday, January 19^th, 2009, Mayor Adams admitted that he had a sexual relationship with a teenage boy in 2005.  What’s worse is the fact that he lied about it, and told the boy, now an adult in his 20’s to lie too.

Now, Adams, without emotion, admits to making a mistake by lying to the very people who voted him into office.  As Mayor Adams told the story, he did not apologize for having a sexual relationship with a teenaged intern, but only for lying to the public.  He also states that the sex didn’t happen until his intern turned eighteen, although he met the boy when he was seventeen.

In 2007, when Mayor Sam Adams planned to run for mayor, the story began rearing its ugly head.  Rumors spread that Adams and the boy had sexual relations, and that it started when he was only seventeen.  Under the law in the state of Oregon, that would be a misdemeanor.

Sam Adams denied the claims, and he and the boy both told the story of a mentor and professional relationship and denied any claims that they had sex.  The rumors were written off as just that-rumors.  Adams and others blamed it on one of his opponents, Robert Ball, who happened to be gay and interested in running for Mayor of Portland.

A news conference was held as Sam Adams stared into the cameras and the public’s faces and lied about his sexual relationship with the boy.  He claimed that, “I wouldn’t get involved with someone under 17.  That’s illegal.  That’s just wrong.”

WAIT A MINUTE-In his denial, did he admit the relationship.  Sam Adams stated that he wouldn’t get involved with some one under seventeen.  Hmmmm…..

Strangely enough, there is no investigation planned, and Mayor Sam Adams doesn’t plan to step down as Mayor of Portland.  Apparently, lack of morals is not against the law.  In a society where politicians are getting away with horrid sexual misconduct, is the City of Portland just going to take his apology and condone his horrid behavior?

Mayor Sam Adams doesn’t seem to think that the sexual relationship with the boy would have swayed voters not to vote for him.  He believes that a simple sorry will make it okay and not leave Portlanders wondering what else he has or is going to lie about.  He thinks that saying he is sorry for pressuring other people into lying for him will just be swept under the rug.

We shall see Mr. Adams.  I think the city of Portland expects more out of their elected officials.

There are many things to be proud of in the Portland/Vancouver Metro area, and we pride ourselves on being the best.  That’s why we have the biggest out-of-water boat show west of the Mississippi.  You don’t want to miss the 49^th Annual Portland Boat Show.  This year at the Portland Expo Center browse through 369,000 square feet of aquatic amazement.  If you can use it on, in, or under the water, you’ll find it at the 2009 Portland Boat Show.

This year, the Oregon State Marine Board will be holding Equivalency Exams.  The Oregon State Marine Board will be holding Equivalency Exams this year.  The exam is a 75 question test with multiple choice questions that cover a boater’s knowledge of water safety.  Most questions are about power boating, but some will cover personal watercraft and sailboats, and takes 30-40 minutes.  Even if you are a skilled boater, the Oregon State Marine Board is suggesting that you study if you plan to take this exam, or to take Boat Oregon to learn how to be a responsible boater.  This course is available from the Marine Board or the local Marine Patrol Office.  For more information on how to take your free exam to get your boating license, look on the web at   http://www.otshows.com/PBS/seminar_schedules.htm .

Equivalence Exam times are as follows:

Saturday, January 3^rd, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, January 4^th, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Monday-Friday, January 5^th-9^th, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday January 10^th- 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, January 11^th, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

When you arrive, go to the Boating Resource Center at the Marine Board counter during these times and follow the proctor’s instructions.  If you pass the test, you will receive a Boater Education Card application to fill out and mail in.  The cost to receive your card is $10, and must accompany the application that you mail in.  To learn more, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatEd/ClassDescription1.shtml. on the web.

Even if you’re not interested in taking the test, there will be fun for the whole family at the Portland Boat Show this year.  Whether you’re a boat owner, a first time buyer, or you just love the sights and sounds of boats, this is an event that you don’t want to miss. 

Learn about the River Boat Patrol and see ships from the Vietnam Era.  Learn about what they do and who was on board.  See what the US Navy has to bring to the table as they strut their stuff this year.  Kids 15 years and under are invited to build and take home a sailboat or a speed boat from wood with hand tools and expert help. 

The Portland Boat Show is located at the Portland Expo Center at 2060 North Marine Drive, Portland, Oregon, 97217.  Click here for directions to the show.  For more information about the show, call (503)246-8291, email info@otshow.com, or find them on the web at http://otshows.com/PBS/ .

For a discount coupon for weekday savings, click here.

This year, the Portland Boat Show starts January 3^rd and runs through January 11^th.

Hours are as follows:

January 3^rd -11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

January 4^th -11 a.m. to 6 p.m.   

January 5^th-9^th -2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

January 10^th -11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

January 11^th -11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grab your captain’s hat and head down to the Expo Center, get a Boater’s License, and pick out a boat.  You know this year’s Portland Boat Show is going to be big.

If you missed it last year, don’t make the same mistake again, because the 4^th Annual ChocolateFest is right around the corner, and this year is sure to send you to chocolate ecstasy.  Saturday, January 31^st and Sunday February 1 2009, Portland’s largest chocolate festival will take place at the World Forestry Center Campus in Portland’s own Washington Park.  From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, oogle delectable chocolate fountains, indulge in delicious chocolate samples made by the Northwest’s best Chocolate Artisans, and purchase some of your very own, to take home and enjoy.

Did you ever wonder which wines go with different chocolates?  Learn all about it at ChocolateFest and dazzle your friends at your next dinner party.  Watch chocolate filled demonstrations that will tantalize your taste buds.  If you want to learn even more about this amazing treat, drop in for Chocolate 101 and learn everything you didn’t know about chocolate.  Did you know that the Aztecs used chocolate as money?  Have you ever wondered how many different kinds of chocolate there are?  Do you know where it comes from and how it goes from tree do delicious tasty goodness?  Learn all of this and more at ChocolateFest.

This scrumptious event is free with museum admission, which is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for kiddos ages 3-18.  Children 2 and under and members are free.  There is a $2 parking fee per car if you drive to the museum if you’re not already a member, or make a day out of it and take MAX, which drops you off right at the front door.  Another option is bus# 63, which takes you on a beautiful scenic drive through Portland’s Washington Park.  Check the TriMet web page for more information on schedules and routes.

The World Forestry Center is located in Portland’s Washington Park just off of Highway 26(The Sunset Highway) on the west side of the tunnel.  For more information call (503)228-1367, send an email to mail@worldforestry.org, or find them on the web here to get driving directions from any part of the city.

Why is this event being held at the World Forestry Center?  Chocolate comes from the cacao bean which grows in the cacao tree.  Only with education can the trees of the world remain protected and productive.  Without the cacao tree, there would be no chocolate, and what would the world be like then?  Don’t miss ChocolateFest this year, and come support the World Forestry Center’s educational programs.