I never thought I’d see Timber Joey at Portland’s NW Natural Street Of Dreams.
I mean, a guy with a chainsaw next to million dollar homes? Sounds dangerous!
But just after doing live weather for KOIN Local 6, I turned around and there he was, welcoming guests to a charity event at the Street of Dreams. Chainsaw in tow.
“No need to worry,” Timber Joey tells me, “the chainsaw is an emblem of celebration and love.”
Timber Joey fires that thing up at Major League Soccer games in Portland.  Whenever the Portland Timbers score a goal he slices off a piece of wood.
So who is Timber Joey, anyway? In my ongoing series of Friday interviews, we’re about to find out.
#1 How did you get the gig as Timber Joey?
It all started when I fell in love with soccer and the team’s original mascot, Timber Jim. This was back in the 1970s. Timber Jim retired in 2008 and I did all I could to get an interview for this job.
#2 Do you even know what you’re doing with that chain saw? And is your name really Joey?
Yes. my real name is Joey Webber. And I do know how to use a chain saw. I’m from Wren, Oregon–not far from Philomath. It’s an Oregon logging town and we had a huge forestry program at my high school and I competed in forestry competitions.
#3 What else did you do while growing up?
I played Rugby. My dad was–and still is–the Rugby coach at Oregon State. I also competed in rodeos from the time I was twelve years old.
#4 What are your most exciting moments so far this season with the Portland Timbers?
I loved winning our first ever home game. That was really great. And our big win over the LA Galaxy last week.
#5 I saw one of the reporters ask David Beckham about you and your chainsaw tradition. Isn’t it cool that one of the world’s best known soccer players knows who you are…which means the Spice Girls have probably heard of you, too?
Honestly, I just fill the gaps in-between soccer. This whole thing is about our players and the team. I’m just honored to be a small part of it.
#6 Do you have a day job?
I do a lot of charity appearances for the team, helping the Amy Roloff Foundation, the Brian Grant Foundation and the MLS Works program. But I also run security for the Rialto and Kell’s Irish Pub. And no, I do not use my chainsaw!
And of course, Timber Joey is on facebook. And twitter.Â
It was nice to meet you, Joey. And thanks for leaving all the homes in one piece!
I have been asking myself, “What kind of chainsaw is Joey using?” Dumb question, but I use chainsaws and I am interested. What ever it is it really goes thru that big log!!
Another thought, I read thru several different articles and they all refer to the Round that Joey cuts off as a slab. A slab is the first cutting off of a log length wise in a saw mill. Wouldn’t it be better to call Joey’s cutting as a “Round” ?