Mt. Angel, OR. Lederhosen and Dirndls are all the rage at the 51st annual Oktoberfest. Musicians said, “Willkommen” to Drew Carney from KGW when he visited the festival. It’s a four day celebration for rural community, 40 miles south of Portland; Oktoberfest runs from Thursday, September 15 through Sunday, September 18, 2016.
The Biergarten is drawing crowds who want to stay out of the rain.
Michele Fennimore – Oktoberfest Director
Over the past 51 years, the Oktoberfest organization has donated over three million dollars to Mount Angel schools, churches, civic organizations, youth activities, senior services, hospitals, and scores of other worthwhile causes. Additionally, civic and non-profit organizations also earn money by manning food booths. Last year these grossed $616,000.00. For many, Oktoberfest is their major fund raising activity of the year.
Ted Schacher, Nick Splonski and Bill Bischoff join S-Bahn in singing
Dean and Molly Westbrook have a polka moment
Jim Hoke – Oktoberfest Sponsor
Oregon’s oldest and longest running Oktoberfest began in 1966, following a tradition of over 125 years of harvest festivals under various names and formats. The community founded by German pioneers in 1867, with its surrounding agricultural countryside bears a striking resemblance to rural Bavaria, making an Oktoberfest a natural choice. Organizers expect 350,000 people to come to Mount Angel and soak in the Bavarian charm.
At the festival you’ll find over 50 little food chalets with Bavarian treats; a large arts and crafts show; a new Bavarian Biergarten, family Weingarten and interactive family Alpinegarten. There is free entertainment on the village bandstand featuring the sounds of the alpine country and a free Kindergarten on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a sports program that includes golf and volleyball tournaments and a high school football classic, a 200-vehicle cruz-n car show and more.
Portland, OR. Looking for a way to support first responders and the community on Sept 11th? Sign up for Portland Fire & Rescue’s third annual Sept 11th Memorial Blood Drive at Station 1.
Former Marshal Erin Janssens, took part in the blood drive last year.
Portland Fire & Rescue and the American Red Cross are joining together for the third consecutive year for a Sept. 11 Memorial Blood Drive to honor those lost during the 2001 terrorist attacks. The annual Portland Fire & Rescue Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm at Station 1, 55 SW Ash St. Those who come to donate can enjoy an on-site cookout and get a $10 Visa gift card while supplies last, courtesy of Suburban Propane through a Red Cross sponsorship.
The blood drive is open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to roll up a sleeve to join Portland firefighters in donating blood in honor of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11th.
Portland Fire & Rescue kicked off the blood drive because the bureau wanted to offer an avenue of action for those marking this solemn day that has deep significance for first responders.
“Community health and wellness is one of the major components of today’s modern fire service, so it makes great sense to mark this day by joining together to contribute to our important blood reserves,” says Portland Fire & Rescue Chief Mike Myers. “I will be there to donate and I look forward to meeting our neighbors who will roll up their sleeves alongside me.”
Fire Commissioner Dan Saltzman encourages those who are able to sign up to donate blood.
“September 11th showed us that we must always be ready and resilient. Our first responders train to face worst case scenarios such as we saw on that tragic day in 2001 and their bravery cannot be overstated,” Saltzman says. “We as a community can also train for worst case scenarios; making sure we have plenty of life-saving blood on hand is one way that we can prepare. Please sign up to give blood on September 11th at Station 1.”
“First responders know firsthand how important it is to have blood readily available for emergencies,” said Neil Tosuntikool, Donor Recruitment director of the Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region. “By hosting this blood drive, they are helping ensure that blood is on the shelves before it is needed.”
Donors of all blood types – especially O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed. The Red Cross encourages donors to schedule their appointments in advance, but walk-ins also are welcome.
What: September 11 Memorial Blood Drive
When: Sunday, September 11, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Where: Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1, 55 SW Ash Street
Sign up: www.redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code PortlandFire or call 503-823-3700
Las Vegas, NV. Nearly 40 million people visit Las Vegas each year, according to the local Visitor’s Bureau, and with thoughtful planning more families are finding unique activities to enjoy in and around the city.
One outing kids and their parents rave about is zip-lining over the Mojave Desert. Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon excursion is about a 20 minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip and offers a picturesque getaway with heart-pounding rides down four separate zip lines.
The Flightlines outing also offers beautiful views of Lake Mead, Mt. Charleston, and the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Bootleg Canyon zip-lines range in length from 1,150 feet to 2,546 feet. The zip-line tours are offered 7 days a week at a cost of $159. Contact: (702) 293-6885 for more info.
If you’re spending time in the city be sure to plan your itinerary before you head out the door. Most resorts occupy vast tracts of land, so hailing a taxi or renting a car and parking in the free casino structures will keep navigating around town manageable for younger kids.
There are quite a few age-appropriate shows including Cirque du Soleil’s LOVE.
Here comes the sun, Las Vegas. Cirque Du Soleil Love Show, Mirage, Las Vegas.
About Cirque du Soleil: Since 1984, the company has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 40 countries in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 countries. In Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil has permanent resident shows like these: “O” at Bellagio, Mystèreat Treasure Island, KÀ at MGM Grand, MINDFREAK® LIVE! at Luxor (Criss Angel’s new show, still backed by Cirque du Soleil), The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage, Zumanity at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay. Tickets run from $69 to $180.
The Fountains of Bellagio–the Strip’s most famous free attraction–has some new musical hits: The Beatles, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean and the ’40s Glenn Miller hit In the Mood.
The display launches every 15 minutes at night and has a 29-song repertoire. With massive water cannons blasting over 460 feet in the air, the $40 million dollar fountain captivates crowds. The water show takes place in an 8-acre man-made lake utilizing a network of pipes with more than 1,200 nozzles. The show is illuminated by 4,500 underwater lights.
The lobby of the Bellagio is a also worth a look. Above the 18-foot ceiling is a chandelier called “Fiori di Como” created by glass artist Dale Chihuly. The stunning piece includes 2,000 colorful hand-blown glass blossoms.
If you loved the 1997 movie, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor is right up your alley. Featuring more than 300 artifacts from the famous ship, the exhibit brings history to life.
The exhibit features a full-scale re-creation of the Grand Staircase as well as a newly expanded outer Promenade Deck.
Through May 31st, 15 of the most prestigious artifacts recovered from the Titanic are also on display, including diamonds, sapphires, pearls and gold jewelry that once belonged to some of the wealthiest passengers.
Described as a floating palace, the incomparable Titanic was deemed “practically unsinkable” by the White Star Line and its builders. However, on a calm April night in 1912, the massive luxury liner struck an iceberg and slowly sank into the North Atlantic.
One of the most striking pieces of “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” is a huge portion of the hull called, “The Big Piece.” It’s the largest single slab of the ship ever brought to the surface and weights in at 15 tons. It took salvage crews two full days to slowly pull the 26-foot long piece of the ship up from the bottom of the Atlantic.
The 25,000-square-foot exhibit features numerous items from the Titanic, including luggage, the ship’s whistles, floor tiles, and an unopened bottle of vintage champagne.
Here’s a link for tickets or Call 800-557-7428. Ticket Prices are $32.00 for General Admission, $24.00 for Children (4 – 12 years) and it’s free for children 3 and under.
Here are some other family activities worth checking out:
If you drive 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas you’ll find Hoover Dam and the beautiful Bypass Bridge. The dam was built during the Great Depression when thousands of men and their families came to Black Canyon to tame the Colorado River. It took less than five years to build the largest dam of its time, a massive structure which still make a huge impression.
Sopping at the outlet mall is a teen favorite. The Las Vegas Premium Outlets – North is on South Grand Central Parkway and has 150 stores including: Armani Exchange, Ann Taylor, Burberry, Coach, Cole Haan, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Tahari, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, St. John, TAG Heuer, Theory, and Tory Burch.
Portland, OR. The 8th annual Volunteer Expo featured 137 nonprofit organizations vying for volunteers. The free event had a wide variety of focus areas including arts, culture, humanities, the environment, animal welfare, health, human services and more. (There’s a list with links to the organizations below.)
Alexa Paulsson and Mia Barnett recruit for the Children’s Book Bank.
“The nonprofit organizations featured at the Volunteer Expo have an invaluable impact on our communities, and they count on the public’s support and involvement to achieve their missions,” said Greg Ness, chairman, president and CEO of The Standard. “At The Standard, we’re proud to host the annual Volunteer Expos because when nonprofits and community members connect, everyone wins.”
Victoria Thompson and Erin Stephens recruited for the ALS Association.
Marianne Sadee and Katherine Vardanega were recruiting for Bridge Meadows. It has the mission of developing intergenerational neighborhoods for adoptive families of foster children.
Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council had help from Lisa Dixon (LMSW) and Gary Carroll.
Lawrence Evers and Marie Hutchinson were manning the Audubon Society of Portland booth.
Meghan Anderson spoke with a prospective volunteer on behalf of Albertina Kerr.
Holly Sturdivan and Eric Von Arx represented the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Portland, OR. Vaux’s Swift are swirling around Chapman Elementary again according to the Audubon Society of Portland. It’s the phenomenon is described as, “One of Portland’s most spectacular natural events.” Thousands of Vaux’s Swifts gather in the city as they prepare to migrate to Central America and Venezuela. (Photo Credit, KOV Photography)
Every September, bird lovers gather to watch Vaux’s Swifts prepare to roost for the night at Chapman Elementary School (1445 NW 26th Ave., Portland.) 2,000-15,000 swifts are spotted on a given evening.
Hundreds watch Vaux’s Swifts prepare to roost for the night. It happens one hour before sunset, each night in September
Vaux’s Swifts are using the Chapman chimney as an evening roost during their fall migration, and there’s still time to see them. Grab a seat on the school lawn and in neighboring Wallace Park to observe the birds gathering. On most evenings, Audubon volunteers will be on hand to share information.
Migrating swifts often use chimneys as roosts (places to sleep), and they are likely to return to the same roost year after year. One swift population has been returning to the Chapman chimney since the 1980s, and it is one of the largest known roosting sites of migrating Vaux’s Swifts.
Here’s a video from a Swift Watch:
From the Audubon Society of Portland:
Parking
Free Swift Watch parking is available at Montgomery Park and SELCO Community Credit Union. Do not expect to find on-street parking near the event – please park at Montgomery and SELCO if at all possible.
Montgomery Park is located six blocks from Chapman at 2701 NW Vaughn St. Note: from the Chapman area, NW Vaughn cannot be accessed from NW 27th, 28th or 29th Ave.
SELCO Community Credit Union is located at NW 25th and Thurman. Note: The SELCO lot will be available each night any time after 6:00 p.m.
We Need Your Help!
Please be a good neighbor to Chapman-area residents: 1) Do not expect to find on-street parking, so park for free at Montgomery Park and SELCO Community Credit Union or use other transit options. 2) During the event, leash and pick up after dogs. 3) After the event, pick up your trash and do not loiter on school grounds. 4) It is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages or smoke on public school grounds.
Here’s more information about the work of the Audubon Society of Portland, which promotes the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife and their habitats.
Conservation: We protect and advocate for birds and other wildlife in our city and across the region. We also work to ensure all Portland-area residents have easy access to nature.
Education: Our expert educators offer environmental camps, classes and trips for all ages.
Wildlife rehabilitation: Our Wildlife Care Center provides specialty care for native wild animals that are injured or orphaned. The center also answers inquiries about living with urban wildlife.
Sanctuaries: We run nature sanctuaries in the mountains, city and coast. They protect habitat, showcase healthy ecosystems, and provide places for people to connect with nature.
Birding: We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in birding by organizing a variety of birding and natural history activities.
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