Portland Parks & Recreation Free Movies in the Park, Concerts and More!

Portland Parks & Recreation Free Movies in the Park, Concerts and More!

Portland, June 21st, 2015. One of the terrific aspects of summertime in Portland is the long list of free outdoor concerts and movies scheduled though the City of Portland’s Parks Bureau. The links below will give you more details and there’s also full listing of movies and concerts below. YES! It’s music to our ears!

Movies in the Park 2015

Fun for the whole family! Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30pm with live performances. Movies begin at dusk. (The whole list is below!)

Fun for the whole family! Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30pm with live performances. Movies begin at dusk.

Fun for the whole family! Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30pm with live performances. Movies begin at dusk.

Playgrounds & Free Lunches 2015

Organized sports, games, crafts, and hot weather play – plus a free healthy lunch for kids age 18 and under.

Organized sports, games, crafts, and hot weather play – plus a free healthy lunch for kids age 18 and under.

Washington Park Summer Festival 2015

Join us for phenomenal evening performances in the Washington Park Rose Garden, August 7-14, 2015

Open Play Swim 2015

Free open play swim sessions offered each week throughout summer

Rock Wall Schedule 2015

Find out where our Mobile Rock Wall will be this summer!

Concerts in the Park 2015

Summer concerts in neighborhood parks, 6:30pm almost every night beginning in July. Rose Garden at Washington Park

Summer concerts in neighborhood parks get underway at about 6:30pm almost every night beginning in July, like this one last year at the Rose Garden at Washington Park.

Here are the details for the Movies in the Parks:

Movies in the Park 2015

  • Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30 PM: performances by local musicians and free popcorn!
    Note: music begins at 5:30 PM on Sept 13 at Sewallcrest Park
  • Movies begin at dusk.
  • Bring jackets and extra blankets – it can get chilly when the sun goes down!
DATE LOCATION & ADDRESS BUS/MAX MOVIE TITLE PRE-MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT
Wed,
July 8
Peninsula Park,
700 N. Rosa Parks Way
#4, #44,
#72
Despicable Me 2 (2013) PG Echoes of Yasgurs & Portland Teen Idols
Thu,
July 9
Woodlawn Park,
NE Claremont & Oneonta
#8, #75,
#6
The Princess Bride(1987) PG Manimalhouse & Portland Teen Idols
Fri,
July 10
Wilshire Park,
NE 33rd & Skidmore
#70, #17,
#24
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) PG Echoes of Yasgurs
Sat,
July 11
Kenilworth Park,
SE 34th & Holgate Blvd.
#17, #75,
#10
The Lego Movie (2014) PG The Sale
Sun,
July 12
Glenhaven Park,
NE 82nd & Siskiyou
#72, #24,
#12
The Book of Life (2014) PG (in Spanish with English subtitles) Conjunto Alegré
Thu,
July 16
King School Park,
NE 6th & Going St.
#72, #6,
#44
The Karate Kid (1984) PG Global FM & Portland Teen Idols
Thu,
July 16
Portland Art Museum / South Park Blocks, 1219 SW Park Ave. #6, #38,
#45
Jason and the Argonauts(1963) G The Terry Robb Trio
Fri,
July 17
Irving Park,
NE 10th & Fremont
#24, #6,
#8
The Imitation Game(2014) PG-13 The Definition & Brothers Jam
Sat,
July 18
Glenhaven Park,
NE 82nd & Siskiyou
#72, #24,
#12
Back to the Future (1985) PG (in English with Spanish subtitles) All Together Now
Sat,
July 18
St. John’s Park,
8427 N. Central
#4, #16,
#44
Annie (2014) PG The High Water Jazz Band
Sun,
July 19
Lents Park,
SE 92nd & Holgate
#17, #10,
#9, Max
Green Line
The Goonies (1985) PG The Portland School of Rock & Portland Teen Idols
Wed,
July 22
Reed College (sports field), SE 33rd & Steele #19, #10 Big Hero 6 (2014) PG The Sale
Thu,
July 23
Grant Park,
NE 36th & Brazee
#70, #77,
#12
Kuky se vrací (2010) NR (in Czech with English subtitles) Klezmocracy
Fri,
July 24
Woodstock Park,
SE 50th & Steele
#10, #71,
#19
The NeverEnding Story(1984) PG Manimalhouse
Sat,
July 25
Lents Park,
SE 92nd & Holgate
#17, #10,
#9, Max
Green Line
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) PG (in Russian with English subtitles) Music provided by the Slavic Festival
Sat,
July 25
Concordia University,
2811 NE Holman
#17, #75,
#70
Labyrinth (1986) PG Hot Club Time Machine
Wed,
July 29
Jackson Middle School,
10625 SW 35th
#43, #12,
#64
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) G The Terry Robb Trio & Portland Teen Idols
Thu,
July 30
Elizabeth Caruthers Park,
3508 SW Moody
#35, #36,
#43
The Princess Bride(1987) PG The Jellyroll Society
Fri,
July 31
Laurelhurst Park,
SE 37th & Oak
#75, #66,
#15
Toy Story 2 (1999) G Manimalhouse & Portland Teen Idols
Fri,
July 31
Gateway Park,
NE 106th & Halsey
#23, #77,
#22
Field of Dreams (1989) PG  (in English with Spanish subtitles) The Sale
Sat,
Aug 1
Earl Boyles Park,
SE 112th & Boise
#9, #17 How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) PG (in English with Spanish subtitles) Echoes of Yasgurs & Portland Teen Idols
Sat,
Aug 1
Dickinson Park,
SW 57th Pl. & Huddleson
#43, #12 The Book of Life (2014) PG The New Iberians
Sun,
Aug 2
Sellwood Park,
SE 7th & Bidwell
#70, #35,
#36
Frozen *Sing-along!*(2013) PG Echoes of Yasgurs & Portland Teen Idols
Tue,
Aug 4
Mill Park,
SE 117th & Stephens
#71, #4 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day(2014) PG (in English with Spanish subtitles) Global FM & Portland Teen Idols
Wed,
Aug 5
Parkrose High School
(upper soccer field),
NE 115th & Skidmore
#22, #71 The Incredibles (2004) PG (in English with Spanish subtitles) Echoes of Yasgurs & Portland Teen Idols
Thu,
Aug 6
Parklane Park,
SE 155th & Main
#20, Max
Blue Line
McFarland, USA (2015) PG (in English with Spanish subtitles) Echoes of Yasgurs & Portland Teen Idols
Fri,
Aug 7
Glenfair Park,
NE 154th & Couch Ct.
#25, #20,
Max Blue
Line
Big Hero 6 (2014) PG (in English with Spanish subtitles) The Touchables
Fri,
Aug 7
Alberta Park,
NE 19th & Ainsworth
#72, #17,
#8
101 Dalmatians (1996, Live-action) G Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers
Sat,
Aug 8
Wilkes Park,
NE 154th & Beech
#21, #23,
#22
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) G (in English with Spanish subtitles) The Portland School of Rock
Sat,
Aug 8
Warner Pacific College,
2219 SE 68th
#4, #71,
#9
The Lego Movie (2014) PG POPgoji
Sun,
Aug 9
April Hill Park,
SW 54th & Logan Ct.
#1, #45 A Bug’s Life (1998) G The Pearls
Sun,
Aug 9
Colwood Golf Course,
7313 NE Columbia Blvd.
#72 Happy Gilmore (1996) PG-13 POPgoji
Thu,
Aug 13
Oregon Park,
NE 29th & Oregon
#19, #12,
#20
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure(1985) PG The Sale
Fri,
Aug 14
Irving Park,
NE 10th & Fremont
#24, #6,
#8
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) PG-13 Echoes of Yasgurs
Fri,
Aug 14
Washington Park (at the Rose Garden Amphitheater),
410 SW Kingston
#83, #63,
#20
Grease *Sing-along!*(1978) PG-13 The Steve Bradley & Jim Mesi Band
Sat,
Aug 15
Concordia University,
2811 NE Holman
#17, #75,
#70
Paddington (2014) PG The Sale
Sun,
Aug 16
Arbor Lodge Park,
NE Delaware & Bryant
#35, #44,
#75
Mary Poppins (1964) G Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers
Wed,
Aug 19
Wellington Park,
NE 66th & Skidmore
#71, #24,
#12
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial(1982) PG Echoes of Yasgurs
Thu,
Aug 20
Brooklyn Park,
SE Milwaukie & Haig
#19, #17,
#70
The Wizard of Oz (1939) PG Manimalhouse
Fri,
Aug 21
Laurelhurst Park,
SE 37th & Oak
#75, #66,
#15
Cinderella (2015, Live-action) PG Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers
Sat,
Aug 22
Sewallcrest Park,
SE 31st & Market
#14, #4,
#15
Napoleon Dynamite(2004) PG Manimalhouse
Tue,
Aug 25
Mt. Scott Park,
SE 74th & Reedway
#10, #14,
#19
101 Dalmatians (1961, Animated) G Echoes of Yasgurs
Thu,
Aug 27
Wallace Park,
NW 25th & Pettygrove
#15, #77,
#18
Wicky and the Treasure of the Gods (2011) NR (in German with English subtitles) Hot Club Time Machine
Fri,
Aug 28
Dawson Park,
N. Williams & Stanton
#4, #24,
#44
Labyrinth (1986) PG The Terry Robb Trio
Fri,
Aug 28
Montavilla Park,
NE 82nd & Glisan
#19, #72,
#20
Home (2015) PG The Knotty Pines
Sat,
Aug 29
Spring Garden Park,
3332 SW Spring Garden
#12, #44,
#43
Back to the Future (1985) PG Danny Black
Sat,
Sept 5
Hamilton Park,
SW 45th & Hamilton
#55, #56,
#54
Maleficent (2014) PG Danny Black
Sun,
Sept 6
Overlook Park,
N. Interstate & Fremont
#4, #35,
Max Yellow
Line
Toy Story (1995) G Danny Black
Fri,
Sept 11
Multnomah Arts Center,
7688 SW Capitol Hwy.
#44, #45,
#64
Big Hero 6 (2014) PG Chuck Cheesman

Concerts in the Park 2015

Summer concerts in neighborhood parks, 6:30pm almost every night beginning in July. Rose Garden at Washington Park

Summer concerts in neighborhood parks start at about 6:30pm almost every night beginning in July, like this one last year at the Rose Garden at Washington Park

Here’s the list:  All concerts begin at 6:30 PM unless otherwise noted.

  • Pack a picnic dinner, bring a blanket or chairs, and spend time with family and friends!
  • Washington Park Summer Festival – 8 evening performances in the Rose Garden Amphitheater
MONDAYS

BUS/MAX

SELLWOOD RIVERFRONT PARK • SE Spokane & Oaks Pkwy • 6:30 PM

#35  #36

July 6 Chervona – Eastern Euro Carnival Insanity
July 13 Windermere Stellar, Moreland Group Presents:
Ural Thomas & the Pain – Portland’s Pillar of Soul
 July 20 OnPoint Community Credit Union Presents:
Mary Flower & the BBQ Boys – Legendary guitar picker meets Jug Band
 July 27 Roseland Hunters – New Orleans Funk
 Aug 3 Sellwood Westmoreland Business Alliance Presents:
Catarina New & Brazilian Touch – Saxafunky Latin Rhythms

 

TUESDAYS

BUS/MAX

MT TABOR  PARK • SE 69th & Taylor • 6:30 PM

#15

July 7 Freak Mountain Ramblers – Home Brewed Mountain Rock ‘n’ Roll
July 14 Jacob Miller & the Bridge City Crooners – Toe-Tappin’ Ragtime Swing
July 21 Bloco Alegria – Dance to the Brazilian Samba Beat
July 28 Warner Pacific College Presents:
Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band – Bass-Driven Blues
COLUMBIA PARK ANNEX • N. Woolsey & Willamette Blvd. • 6:30 PM

#75, #44

July 7 The Quick & Easy Boys – Harmonious Indie Rock
July 14 Tony Ozier & the Doo Doo Funk All Stars – Funk & Beats Galore
 July 21 The Quadraphonnes – PDX’s Female Sax Sensation
KENTON PARK • N. Kilpatrick & Delaware • 6:30 PM

#4, #35,
Max Yellow
Line

July 28 Sam Bam Boo – Caribbean Grooves & Tropical Rhythms 
Aug 4 National Night Out
Norman Sylvester Band – Portland’s Original Boogie Cat
Aug 11 The Little Sue Band –  Powerful Acoustic Folk-Rock
MCCOY PARK • N. Fiske & Trenton • 6:30 PM

#4, #35

Aug 18 New Columbia Community Campus Partners Presents:
Pa’Lante – Fiery Salsa & Afro-Cuban Rhythms
Aug 25 Andy Stokes – Traditional Rhythm & Blues

 

WEDNESDAY

BUS/MAX

DAWSON PARK • N. Stanton & Williams • 6:30 PM

#4, #24,
#44

July 8 Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Presents:
Music-Community-Legacy –  Remembering Janice & Linda
July 15 Muthaship – Old School Grooves
July 22 Tracy Fordice & the 8 Balls – Original, Soulful Rock
July 29 Pilon D’azucar Band – Incendiary Havana Salsa
WILLAMETTE PARK • SW Macadam & Nebraska • 6:30 PM

#35, #36,
#43

July 8 Multnomah University Presents:
Darrell Grant – Sophisticated Bluesy Swing
July 15 National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) Presents:
The Stolen Sweets –  Harmonious 30s Swing Jazz
July 22 Portland Water Bureau Presents:
Bon Ton Roulet – Uproarious Cajun & Zydeco
July 29 Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Presents:
The Strange Tones – Volcano Vixens & Sonic Blues
VENTURA PARK • SE 115th & Stark • 6:30 PM

#20, #71,
Max Blue
Line

Aug 5 The Krebsic Orkestar – Exuberant Baltic Brass
Aug 12 University of Western States Presents:
Pete Krebs & the Earnest Lovers – Old School Western Swing
Aug 19 Sabroso – Passionate, Acoustic Latin
Aug 26 Obo Addy Legacy Project: Okropong –
Traditional Ghanaian Drums & Dance

 

THURSDAYS

BUS/MAX

WALLACE PARK • NW 25th & Raleigh • 6:30 PM

#15, #18

July 9 SELCO Community Credit Union Presents:
Jon Koonce & the Vermadons – Original Rock & Memphis Funk
July 16 SELCO Community Credit Union Presents:
Karen Lovely – Award-Winning Contemporary Blues
July 23 OnPoint Community Credit Union Presents:
Malcolm Noble’s Cool Breeze – R & B Funk Classics
July 30 Lil’ Queenie – Roots Rock & Good Ol’ Blues
GLENHAVEN PARK • NE 82nd & Siskiyou • 6:30 PM

#17, #72

July 9 The Barn Door Slammers – Honky Tonk & Western Swing
July 16 Vagabond Opera – Eccentric Operatic Cabaret
July 23 Brownish Black – Indie Basement R & B and Soul
BERRYDALE PARK • SE 92nd& Taylor • 6:30 PM

#15,
Max Green
Line

Aug 6 Tony Starlight – Comedic 70s Gold
Aug 13 Too Loose Cajun Zydeco Band – Louisiana Dance Tunes
Aug 20 Keegan Smith – Original Urban Americana
COUCH PARK • NW 20th & Glisan • 6:30 PM

#77

Aug 6 New Seasons Market, Slabtown Store Presents:
The Wanderlust Orchestra – Rip-Roaring Cabaret Swing Band
Aug 13 Lloyd Jones – Swingin’ Rhythm & Blues

 

FRIDAYS

 BUS/MAX

FERNHILL PARK • NE 37th, North of Ainsworth • 6:30 PM

#75, #72

July 10 Hank Shreve Band – Rockin’ Blues & Soulful Originals
July 17 Conjunto Alegre – Salsa, Cumbia, Bachata & More
July 24 Ken Derouchie Band – Muddy Nominated Blues
July 31 Samsel & the Skirt – Alternative Harmonious Indie Rock
Tue,
Aug 4
National Night Out
Concordia Neighborhood Association Presents:
Chata Addy – Afro Highlife & Funky Reggae
LOVEJOY FOUNTAIN PARK • SW 3rd & Harrison, Downtown • 6:30 PM

#35, #54
Max
Green/
Yellow
Line

Aug 7 Downtown Neighborhood Association Presents:
Redray Frazier – Amalgamation of Rock & Soul
Aug 14 Curtis Salgado – Blues-soaked R & B
Aug 21 Portland Community Wind Band – Celebration of American Music

 

SUNDAYS

BUS/MAX

UNTHANK PARK • 510 N. Shaver • 6:30 PM

#44, #4

July 12 Melao De Cuba – Vibrant Energetic Cuban
July 19 Geno Michaels & Soul City – Neo-Soul, R & B, Funk

 

INDEPENDENT CONCERTS

BUS/MAX

PORTLAND FESTIVAL SYMPHONY • 6:00 PM
Sat, July 25 CATHEDRAL PARK

#16, #4

Sat, Aug 1 LAURELHURST PARK

#20, #75

Sun, Aug 2 PENINSULA PARK

#4, #44

Sat, Aug 8 GRANT PARK

#70, #77

WILLAMETTE PARK • SW Macadam & Nebraska • 5:30 PM

#35, #36,
#43

Wed, Aug 5 OHSU & NCNM Presents:South Portland Health & Safety Fair
LAURELHURST PARK • SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark St • 6:00 PM

#20, #75

Sun, Aug 16 Providence Stage Band

All SFFA Events are Free!

  • If you need a sign language interpreter or FM loop amplifier, please contact 503-823-4333 or 711 (TRS) at least ten (10) business days in advance of the performance. Information about PP&R programs and services is available online for those needing a voice synthesis – www.PortlandParks.org.
  • Alcoholic beverages for personal consumption are permitted only during Summer Concerts in the Park events.
  • All dogs must be on a leash.
  • All parks and natural areas are smoke and tobacco free zones.
Flawless Foundation Benefit Raises Awareness about Brain-Based Behavioral Challenges

Flawless Foundation Benefit Raises Awareness about Brain-Based Behavioral Challenges

Portland, May 17th, 2015. Flawless Foundation board member Sheila Hamilton hosted a private event in her home to benefit the work of the foundation. She’s pictured with Ron Cain, Jeff Kohnstamm and Sally Kohnstamm. The evening offered a chance for guests to become acquainted with the Foundation’s mission, which is to revolutionize the way people perceive, prevent, and treat brain-based behavioral challenges. (photo credit, J.Francis Rhodes)

Allison Kehoe, Henry Hillman, Amber Hinsvark Hillman, Ron Cain, Jillian Cain

Allison Kehoe, Henry Hillman, Amber Hinsvark Hillman, Ron Cain, Jillian Cain

Pierre Hauser, Jeff Kohnstamm, Janine Francolini, Katie Kelley, Ross Szabo

Pierre Hauser, Jeff Kohnstamm, Janine Francolini, Katie Kelley, Ross Szabo

Flawless Board Member Ross Szabo, author and CEO of the Human Power Project, spoke about mental health in high school and college students, and there was a lively question and answer session with Sheila Hamilton and Flawless founder Janine Francolini.

The event was held in honor of a symposium sponsored by the Flawless Foundation the next day, Monday, May 18, at Swindells Resource Center at Providence Portland entitled: New Approaches to Mental Health.

Funds raised will support the foundation’s therapeutic yoga classes at the Pioneer Special School in SE Portland, and video production for the #FlawlessTalks mental health awareness and education media campaign.

Sheila Hamilton and her husband Colin MacClean hosted the event. Brain-based behavioral challenges are a cause Sheila is passionate about. She has written a book which explores her personal story about a loved one struggling with mental illness. “All the Things We Never Knew” will be released in the fall, but can be pre-ordered on Amazon.  Here’s a bit about the Book.

Even as a reporter, Sheila Hamilton missed the signs as her husband David’s mental illness unfolded before her. By the time she had pieced together the puzzle, it was too late.

Her once brilliant, intense, and hilarious partner was dead within six weeks of a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder, leaving his nine-year-old daughter and wife without so much as a note to explain his actions, a plan to help them recover from their profound grief, or a solution for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt that they would inherit from him.

“All the Things We Never Knew” takes readers from David and Sheila’s romance through the last three months of their life together and into the year after his death. It details their unsettling descent from ordinary life into the world of mental illness, and examines the fragile line between reality and madness.

Now, a decade after David’s death, Sheila and her daughter, Sophie, have learned the power of choosing life over retreat; let themselves love and trust again; and understand the importance of forgiveness. Their story will resonate with all those who have loved someone and lost them to mental illness.

Sheila writes about her experience: “Mental illness, unlike breast cancer, isn’t celebrated with big marches or pink ribbons. The stigma is stifling and it prevents most people from seeking help. David refused to accept the label of bipolar disorder. He could not imagine a life of medications and therapy, which did so little to help. David’s path is not unique. Suicide is now the ninth most common cause of death for men and women in America. Every thirteen minutes, another American dies from suicide. What could we have done differently? What should we have known? It is my belief that many people could benefit from hearing more about how psychiatric conditions unfold. In the years, months and days leading up to David’s death, I didn’t classify him as mentally ill. I missed many signs. I ignored others, believing it could get better. And I scrambled, as the world came crashing down around us, I scrambled to maintain my own sanity and the health of our daughter.”

 

Powell’s Books on Burnside will be the host of the book launch on October 20th. 

Broadway Rose Theatre’s Hootenanny Raises $83,000 for Musical Theater

Broadway Rose Theatre’s Hootenanny Raises $83,000 for Musical Theater

Portland, May 29th, 2015. Broadway Rose Theatre hosted this year’s annual fundraising gala with a Western sensibility. More than 110 cowpokes, including gala committee chair and Broadway Rose board member Barbara Amling, The Boeing Company’s Deanna Haley and Barbara & Conrad Pearson of the Pearson Financial Group, gathered to celebrate at the Hootenanny! and embraced the theme in all their denim-and-gingham finery. Conrad Pearson, owner of Pearson Financial Group, Broadway Rose Founding Artistic Director, Sharon Maroney and Broadway Rose board member Barbara Pearson enjoyed the Western atmosphere. The event raised a record-breaking $83,000 to support Broadway Rose’s musical theater productions and education programming. A matching grant was given by the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

Performers  Bobby Jackson, Amy Jo Halliday, James Sharinghousen, Claire Avakian and Joe Theissen open the show.

Performers Bobby Jackson, Amy Jo Halliday, James Sharinghousen, Claire Avakian and Joe Theissen open the show.

Broadway Rose General Manager, Dan Murphy shares a laugh with Hootenanny! guest and longtime Broadway Rose supporter, Bonnie Conger.

Broadway Rose General Manager, Dan Murphy shares a laugh with Hootenanny! guest and longtime Broadway Rose supporter, Bonnie Conger.

Upon entering, guests were greeted by the members of the St. Paul Rodeo’s Royal Court and treated to music by the River City Ramblers. In addition, Broadway Rose actors including Amy Jo Halliday, Joe Theissen, Bobby Jackson and James Sharinghousen performed throughout the evening. Founding Artistic Director, Sharon Maroney, spoke to the enthusiastic crowd about the theater’s 24-season history and what she hoped to achieve in the future. Singer Claire Avakian closed the show with her rendition of “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie. Avakian will play the titular character in this popular musical during Broadway Rose’s production, which runs July 2-26 at the Deb Fennell Auditorium.

For more information about Broadway Rose, visit www.broadwayrose.org.

Vision Action Network Honors The Washington County Mental Health Response Team

Vision Action Network Honors The Washington County Mental Health Response Team

Hillsboro, June 4, 2015. The Vision Action Network VAN is a nonprofit striving to be a catalyst for positive change in Washington County. VAN convenes diverse stakeholders from government, business and faith-based organizations to address complex issues and strengthen the community. Margaret Rodriguez Springer, the Energy Education Coordinator at Community Action, Forest Grove City Councilor Elena Uhing and Bridget Cooke, the Executive Director at Adelante Mujeres all enjoyed the event. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Cameron Award Winner - The Washington County Mental Health Response Team

Cameron Award Winner – The Washington County Mental Health Response Team

Vision Action Network Executive Director Glenn Montgomery and Washington County Chairman Andy Duyck

Vision Action Network Executive Director Glenn Montgomery and Washington County Chairman Andy Duyck

115 supporters joined in the celebration including elected leaders including Chair Duyck, Commissioner Schouten, five of our cities’ mayors, city councilors, the Sheriff, and the County Auditor.

From the Vision Action Network:

The Vision Action Network (VAN) is a private nonprofit organization committed to the promotion and support of collaborative community-based problem solving. We believe strongly that we can be more successful working together than we can working alone.

By bringing together a broad array of community partners to tackle ongoing and emergent issues – such as health care access, affordable housing, economic security, diversity, education and sustainability – we intend to make fundamental changes in the civic structure and health of our community, and move toward a more vital and sustainable community for all Washington County residents.

Our MISSION is to identify critical issues and support collaborative community-based solutions.  We work across sectors – government, nonprofit, education, business and faith – to accomplish our mission.  Part of our work involves promoting and supporting relationship-building, partnerships and collaboration to ensure solutions are sustainable and that the culture of working together in Washington County thrives.

Providence’s 17th Annual “Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon” Lifts Spirits

Providence’s 17th Annual “Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon” Lifts Spirits

Portland, May 23rd, 2015. Humor and hope made for a winning combination at Providence’s 17th annual “Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon” which also marked the start of its #finishcancer campaign. The luncheon raised a record $615,000 for research at Providence Cancer Center, which is internationally known for its immunotherapy work. “CancerVixen” author and illustrator Marisa Acocella Marchetto hugs 10-year-old Scarlett Judson as Scarlett’s mother, Michelle Judson looks on. Scarlett and Michelle read Marchetto’s graphic memoire about her breast cancer journey several times over the course of Michelle’s own breast cancer treatment. The book prompted many conversations and Scarlett has since loaned it to classmates whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer. Scarlett* and Michelle* introduced Marchetto, Providence’s 17th annual Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon keynote speaker, to the crowd of more than 600.

Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., oncologist and director, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, right, acknowledges the speakers at the Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon which included cancer survivor and luncheon co-chair Mark Williams, cancer survivor and Providence Cancer Center researcher Nick Morris, Ph.D., cancer survivor and CancerVixen author and illustrator Marisa Acocella Marchetto, cancer survivor Julie Randall, Julie’s husband Scott, and cancer survivor Michelle Judson and daughter Scarlett.

Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., oncologist and director, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, right, acknowledges the speakers at the Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon which included cancer survivor and luncheon co-chair Mark Williams, cancer survivor and Providence Cancer Center researcher Nick Morris, Ph.D., cancer survivor and CancerVixen author and illustrator Marisa Acocella Marchetto, cancer survivor Julie Randall, Julie’s husband Scott, and cancer survivor Michelle Judson and daughter Scarlett.

Guest speaker Marisa Acocella Marchetto, a cartoonist for The New Yorker, is the author and illustrator of the graphic memoir “CancerVixen,” which chronicles the artist’s personal breast cancer journey. Her keynote address had the 600 luncheon attendees roaring with laughter as she described her sometimes overbearing mother (or as she put it, “smother”). Many then found themselves wiping tears away as Marchetto came to realize her course of treatment would mean never having children.

“I never thought I would be a cancer patient,” Marchetto said. But, challenged by a friend, she left behind being a “victim,” and found her “vixen.” “What had me cowering suddenly became empowering.” She ended her humorous and poignant talk by urging others to join in the fight, “Right here, right now – it is time to end cancer on this planet.”

And the crowd responded generously by raising $615,000 for cancer research at Providence, which is led by Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., oncologist and director, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute.       “All of us have been touched by cancer,” Dr. Urba told the crowd. “We fight because of you.”

Dr. Urba’s team of nearly 90 researchers is part of an elite international network eliciting novel immunotherapy treatments from the laboratory and quickly getting them into clinical trials with patients. “We work hard every day for cancer patients,” Dr. Urba said. “We work to give them hope. We are fighting to finish cancer.”

Providence Cancer Center researcher Michael Gough, Ph.D., explains immunotherapy studies to attendees at Providence’s 17th annual Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon. Prior to the program and lunch, the 630 attendees visited with a host of scientists describing the latest work at Providence Cancer Center. The cancer center focuses on immunotherapy – the ability of the body to heal itself.

Providence Cancer Center researcher Michael Gough, Ph.D., explains immunotherapy studies to attendees at Providence’s 17th annual Creating Hope for Cancer Patients Luncheon. Prior to the program and lunch, the 630 attendees visited with a host of scientists describing the latest work at Providence Cancer Center. The cancer center focuses on immunotherapy – the ability of the body to heal itself.

To learn more about Providence Cancer Center, visit finishcancer.org.