Marci and John Olivera, fresh from helping homeless members of the community displaced by the flood, organized their second Help the Homeless event Jan. 29.

More than 50 volunteers showed up at Steeles Karate school, a business the Oliveras own in northeast Salem, to help feed the homeless and get them some much needed provisions.

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Rising water levels displaced dozens of West Salem homeless residents from their makeshift community along the Willamette River during the wet week that culminated Jan. 19.

High water flooded the banks of Wallace Marine Park, much of its playing fields and parking areas, leaving it closed to the public well into last week.

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Rising water levels put out a lot of area residents last week, but perhaps none more than those who have the least and live the closest to the river.

A gathering is taking place 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at Steeles Karate, 860 High St.

Proprietors John and Marci Olivera of Salem invite volunteers to help put together care packages for area homeless, many of whom sojourned in camps that were wiped out by flooding. Volunteers will also help prepare a 4 p.m. meal, and nearby Half Time Bar and Grill will donate sandwiches and fries.

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Sensei John Olivera said he was "dragging home late one" chilly night about 10 years ago when he saw a homeless man and thought, "How cold is he?"

Olivera, who runs a dojo in northeast Salem, said he put the man up. First, the man took Olivera to a place in the woods near Wallace Marine Park where he lived, so he could gather some of his belongings. Olivera discovered a small homeless community camping in those woods.

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(SALEM, Ore,) - Sensei John Olivera of Steele's Karate in Salem, Oregon, is unique even among the Northwest's top ranked martial artists.

Beyond his own accomplishments, which include being top ranked black belt in the Northwest, this Karate expert has a connection with students young and old alike that is a key asset in the student's development in martial arts, and also a strong reason behind his years of success.

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Move over, Ralph Macchio. There's a new karate kid in town.

At age 71, Nick Zimmerman is becoming a karate sensation in Salem.

"I was never very good at sports, but this is something that I can participate in and get better at it," he said. "In the process, I get to be physically fit."

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Move over, Ralph Macchio. There's a new karate kid in town.

At age 71, Nick Zimmerman is becoming a karate sensation in Salem.

"I was never very good at sports, but this is something that I can participate in and get better at it," he said. "In the process, I get to be physically fit."

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Business/Owner Name: Steele's Karate & Kickboxing/John Olivera About the business: Steele's Karate & Kickboxing offers clients ages 3 1/2 to seniors instruction in karate, judo, boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Classes typically run an hour, and there are 16 classes per week.

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