1998 Mount Hood Jazz Festival

Mt. Hood Community College's Mt. Hood Jazz Festival has been an iconic staple of the local and regional jazz scene since 1982. The Outlook's 1998 coverage begins on July 25 with an article by writer Kim Walker about how that year's event president, Nancy Minus-Tisdale, has been a fan of the fest for a long time. On July 29, Michelle Meyers reports that "Three is key" with "33 hours of music [being performed] on 3 stages over 3 days." Meyers also reported on August 1 and 5 that despite the fact that that year's festival didn't boast any big headliners, the opening went off without a hitch, beginning with some blues.

[photo to the right: Festival attendee draped in colorful clothing, beads, and feather boas.]

1998 World Masters Games

The summer of 1998 in the Portland area also saw the advent of the World Masters Games sporting event, sponsored that year by Portland's own Nike. The Outlook first began their coverage of the event on August 12, with writer Tiffany O'Dell reporting that the first medal in a swimming event went to Olympic legend Matt Biondi. August 15 saw articles from writers Curtis D. Smith about how the Games had been beneficial to local economies in some respects but unprofitable in others, and Jessica Blanchard about the essential role of volunteers and spectators in the success of the Games.

[photo to the right: World Masters Games Triathlon Event]

More Noise Pollution Than Ever Before?

In July of 1998, the Outlook began covering the increasing complaints of noise pollution from Gresham and Troutdale area residents and officials. Jessica Blanchard reported on July 18 that there were even some local politicians who joined in on a noise pollution forum hosted by the Port of Portland about a potential new landing strip at the Portland Airport. By August 1, there was a Citizens Against Airport Noise and Pollution group formed to oppose the proposed landing strip. Eventually, residents of Fairview also became concerned about the lack of noise barriers on the freeway, which Outlook writer Curtis D. Smith reports as contributing to even more noise pollution.

[photo to the right: Freeway with Lack of Noise Barrier Near Fairview]