Beaverton, OR. Groundbreaking for The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts launched construction of the first of its kind facility to be built in the Portland-metro area in more than 30 years. On November 13th, Chris Ayzoukian of Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, lead donor Pat Reser and Lani Faith of the Beaverton Arts Foundation used their ceremonial shovels to dig in.
Thomas Lauderdale and 180-voice choir celebrate the new regional performing arts center.
A crowd of about 400 attend the ceremony at the site of the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. It’s adjacent to the Beaverton Round which is near Hall Boulevard and SW Millikan Way.
Lead donor, Pat Reser, addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Center for the Arts. It’s set to open in the fall of 2021.
“As we approach the realization of this performing arts facility, we have been provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity within our community to broaden exposure to the arts, including artists and arts education,” said Pat Reser, chair of the capital campaign for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts.“This center will provide a place to celebrate artistic expression in all of its forms and it is my strong conviction that both the arts and our community will continue to flourish, impacting residents for decades to come.”
“I’m thrilled that this long-held personal dream and our community vision of a vibrant downtown with culture and arts at our heart is becoming a reality,” said Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle. “This center is a benefit to our city, the region and beyond. I’m counting down the days to opening and the opportunity to share this wonderful asset for many to enjoy.”
Together with emcee and Eye on the NW host Natali Marmion, Mayor Doyle, the Beaverton City Council and Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency Board welcomed lead donor Patricia Reser, as well as Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, among others. To highlight the center’s mission of bringing a diverse range of artists and audiences together, a nearly 200-voice choir – especially assembled for the occasion – performed “True Colors” and “All You Need is Love,” including an audience singalong led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. The choir included members from iSing Choir, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Portland Lesbian Choir, Arts & Communication Magnet Academy Choir, Southridge High School Choir and others, along with singers Marilyn Keller, Maddie Green and members of Big Horn Brass.
Nestled near to The Round between SW Cedar Hills Boulevard and SW Hall Boulevard, the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza and adjacent parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion.
“I’m excited about the many possibilities at the center to bring regional and national artists and attractions to Beaverton in a professional and intimate setting,” said Chris Ayzoukian, general manager for Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. “It will be a welcoming regional destination for many kinds of events and arts education programs that will highlight the cultural diversity of Beaverton and create more access to the arts for all.”
On July 17, 2018, the Beaverton Arts Foundation announced a gift of $13 million to the project. This transformative pledge made possible by Patricia Reser is an investment that provides nearly one-third of the $51 million in project costs needed to build the Center. Another $21.9 million is coming from public sources, including a land donation and a new City Transient Lodging Tax (TLT). In total, 96 percent of the construction costs have already been identified through public and private philanthropic investment.
“It has truly been inspiring to see how the community has stepped up in support of the vision for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts,” said Lani Faith, executive director for the Beaverton Arts Foundation, the fundraising partner for the new center for the arts. “The dream of a vibrant stage and central gathering place has been in the hearts and minds of residents for many years, and it’s an incredible privilege to watch it come to life.”
The project’s design and construction team includes Skanska USA Building Inc., Gerding Edlen and OPSIS Architecture.
From the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts:
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be the first performing arts center of its kind to be built in the Portland-metro area in more than 30 years. Nestled near to The Round between SW Cedar Hills Boulevard and SW Hall Boulevard, the facility will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza and adjacent parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion. For more information, please visit: centerfortheartscampaign.org and beavertonoregon.gov/prca.
Portland, OR. ‘Ohana Oasis hosted its 3rd annual “Giving for Joy Gala” at the Multnomah Athletic Club on November 9th. The goal of the event is to create an evening of joy while raising funds to send parents grieving the loss of a child on a healing retreat in Hawaii. The retreats are a revitalizing experience for parents, and a safe space to be with others who have gone through the painful death of a child. At the benefit, featured speakers Kristi Kimball, the nonprofit’s founder Heidi Low, and Quinn Kimball posed for a photo. The benefit also included some crowd-pleasers such as the Wine Wall and Dessert Dash. (Photo credit, Blaine + Bethany Photography)
Meryl Riddle dashes for her dessert. Organizers offered a champagne welcome with live music, a silent auction, and live auction.
125 supporters listen to Kristi Kimball share about her daughter Lila, her experiences at the ‘Ohana Oasis retreat, and the way she’s been impacted by Lila’s life.
Gala Chair, Becka Carter shares why she works to put on this gala every year.
From Ohana Oasis:
Ohana means family and an oasis is a refuge. Ohana Oasis is a safe and peaceful space for bereaved parents to spend a week beginning a new way of life. Retreats create a revitalizing personal experience for each parent, as well as a safe space to be with others who have gone through the painful death of a child. Through Ohana Oasis they can hear and share their own fears, struggles, questions, joys and hopes echoed by others. Next year’s event will be held on Saturday, November 14th at the Multnomah Athletic Club.
Portland, OR. It’s still over a month until Christmas, but Local Mud Bay pet stores have some special visitors. Eight Portland-area stores are offering pet owners keepsake pictures of dogs, cats, hamsters or other pets with Santa. All family members are also welcome. The photos benefit The Oregon Humane Society.
Here are the details of the event:
When: Nov. 9-10 and Nov. 16-17, 11 AM – 3 PM
Where: 8 Mud Bay stores in the Portland metro (see below for full list)
What: For $20, you get two prints of a professional 5×7 portrait and a digital copy of your photo.
Why: All proceeds go to help pets at OHS.
Photos will be ready for pick-up at Mud Bay within five days of your photo session.
Portland, OR. “Reach for the Stars” was the theme of the 10th Annual De La Salle North Catholic High School Fall Benefit. The popular gala was held at the high school facility on North Fenwick Avenue and raised $522,000. Organizers thanked members of the Class of 2020 who helped serve dinner and the parents, faculty, and staff who volunteered for the October 24th fundraiser. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas)
Phil Silver, Marty Brantley, Cyndy Maletis, Fred Jubitz
VP for Advancement Ashleigh de Villiers, Martha Richards and Alice McCartor pose with the recipients of this year’s Cassin Award, Barb and Steve Spence. HS President Oscar Leong also extends his congratulations.
Senior Juan Larazo addresses the gathering.
Michael Alexander, Board Member Milt Coleman, David Leonard
Founder Matt Powell and Tom Brenneke
Kim Malek (center) of Salt & Straw
Sanda Stein and Cooper DuBois
Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson, Amy Donohue, HS President Oscar Leong
Werner Nistler of Touchmark
Fred and Gail Jubitz
Brittney Clark and Chris Brooks
Carolyn Murphy raises her paddle.
Alumna Khadjia Bruce (on right) and her family return to support the school.
Here’s a video featuring Khadija Bruce, De La Salle North Catholic High’s Class of 2015, (George Fox Class of 2019.) She shares her journey to become a 5th-grade teacher at Sabin Elementary.
From De La Salle North Catholic High:
Our mission is to provide an affordable, college preparatory, faith-based education to young men and women throughout the Portland metro area with limited financial resources. Over 325 years ago, St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers and their schools, established the practice of providing a Christian education to the young, especially those who are most on the margins of society. Today, along with the support and sponsorship of the De La Salle Christian Brothers (San Francisco New Orleans District), De La Salle North Catholic strives to continue this mission.
Since the school was founded in 2001, our school has continued to grow and develop into a community of dedicated teachers and staff who, along with our many corporate work-study partners and volunteers, provide our unique education to capable, motivated and interested young people.
What is so unique about our school:
Our school turns no one away based on an inability to pay tuition. Even though our tuition is more than $10,000 less than any other private, Catholic high school in our area, most of our families still would find it hard to afford our low tuition.
Every student in our school works five days each month at “real-world” jobs. Not only does the money they earn at these jobs off-set nearly 50% of the cost to educate each student, but the work experience is life-changing for them. We are a founding member of the Cristo Rey Network® of schools which, today, number over 30 and are located in every major urban area throughout the United States.
In that we are a relatively small, faith-based school, we can provide a safe and supportive environment where students truly do “enter to learn and leave to serve” (our school’s motto).
Our students don’t simply graduate high school; over 95% have been accepted to colleges and universities—each and every year. Our students go to college with employable skills which help them pay for their college education, which ultimately, will help them break the cycle of poverty. Their success is a result of a culture of goal setting and achieving high standards by blending rigorous academics, four years of professional work experience and Catholic morals.
So, on behalf of our religious sponsor, the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the Board of Trustees and the entire De La Salle North Catholic community, thank you for your interest and we invite you to come visit our students and experience our unique, innovative, and transformational school! More information at: https://www.delasallenorth.org/
Portland, OR. Edison High School welcomed 350 guests to the Oregon Zoo for its annual Partner with Edison Breakfast. Edison supporters Elizabeth Gewecke and Catherine Bekooy visited with Edison parent Diane Engelhard at the event. Guests heard from junior Grace Penaflor, alumnus Jensen Clarke, and Edison teacher Rachel Hansen about the importance of Edison High School. The benefit on November 1st generated $220,000 to help support financial aid, technology, and professional development. Edison is the only high school of its kind in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with learning differences. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Blake Howells, Steven Klein, and Tyler Kaluza
David Squire, the parent of a current Edison senior, shares his “Edison Story” about the positive impact the school has had on his entire family.
Desiree Baldocchi and Leslie Ganz get up early to support Edison.
Kristen Leonard arriving for the event.
John Russell enjoys the Partner with Edison Breakfast.
From Edison High School:
Our Mission
Edison High School empowers students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth, while preparing them for the future. We are guided by a set of Core Values. Edison is student-centered and characterized by attunement, collaboration, dedication, accesssibility and organization; our students become future-ready. We have a very low student:teacher ratio, an excellent student support program, a unique educational approach and methodologies specific to students with learning differences. Learn more on our General Information tab!
Student Profile
Edison High School is open to students who have learning differences such as Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Visual Perception and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. Students are referred by parents, schools, counselors, tutors and medical professionals. Each student and family is interviewed prior to admission and evaluated by staff to ensure a good fit. We have a close-knit community, a welcoming and safe environment and vibrant student life.
The History of Edison High School
Our school was founded in 1973 as the Tree of Learning. For many years, students were taught in portable classrooms on the Jesuit High School campus. In 1992, we moved into a brand-new building of our own, changing our school’s name to Thomas A. Edison High School in honor of the famed American inventor who had a learning difference. In 2014, we streamlined the school’s name to Edison High School. Students also take classes in a satellite building in the Valley Plaza next door.
Edison High School is accredited through AdvancED (formerly Northwest Association of Accredited Schools).
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