Portland Opera’s BIG NIGHT season opener

Portland Opera’s BIG NIGHT season opener

Portland, September 24th. The Portland Opera’s 47th season started on a high note with a star-studded first: the concert was simulcast live on a 20 x 40 foot screen hung on the Keller Auditorium. Outside, merrymakers celebrated free world-class entertainment under the stars. (Photo credit, Portland Opera/Cory Weaver)

Keller Fountian glowing as opera music flows

Ira Keller Fountain glowing as opera music flows

 

Nicholas Nelson, Caitlin Mathes, Roger Honeywell, Maria Kanyova, George Manahan (Conductor), Andre Chiang, Lindsay Ohse, and Brendan Tuohy with the Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Nicholas Nelson, Caitlin Mathes, Roger Honeywell, Maria Kanyova, George Manahan (Conductor), Andre Chiang, Lindsay Ohse, and Brendan Tuohy with the Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Inside, Portland Opera fans reveled in the classical favorites. “We’re pulling out all the stops for an evening of unabashed Opera celebration,” said Portland Opera General Director Christopher Mattaliano. The evening featured a mix of favorite opera arias, duets, choruses and orchestral pieces.  All proceeds from the benefit concert were earmarked for the Portland Opera’s education programs which, Christopher Mattaliano explains, “are among the best in the nation and a great source of pride for us and our community.”

Portland Mayor, Sam Adams and Portland Opera General Director, Christopher Mattaliano.

Portland Mayor, Sam Adams and Portland Opera General Director, Christopher Mattaliano.

The Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus

The Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Portland Opera's Big Night

Portland Opera's Big Night

Now that the Portland Opera is off to a running start, musicians are looking forward to a season featuring a wide variety of composers. The beloved organization promises to provide exciting entertainment for all musical tastes.

Scheduled performances include:

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
November 4, 6m, 10, 12, 2011

MADAME BUTTERFLY
Giacomo Puccini
February 3, 5m, 9, 11, 2012
Portland Opera Production

GALILEO GALILEI
Philip Glass
March 30, April 1m, 3, 5, 7, 2012
Newmark Theatre
All-new Production
West Coast and Portland Opera Premiere

CANDIDE
Leonard Bernstein
May 1 1, 13m, 17, 1 9, 2012

The Portland Opera website is: www.portlandopera.org

 

Columbia Land Trust, Wine & Land event

Columbia Land Trust, Wine & Land event

A Wine & Land event at Montgomery Park was a hit with Columbia Land Trust supporters. The Board President of the conservation group, Jennifer Sims, was all smiles with Drew Carney from KGW.

Phil Trask, Lynn Palenksy, and Columbia Land executive director Glenn Lamb

Phil Trask, Lynn Palenksy, and Columbia Land Trust Executive Director, Glenn Lamb

On September 9th, Columbia Land Trust held its annual event to thank supporters and celebrate land conservation in the Columbia River region.  (Photo credit, Rosemary Ragusa Photography.) Wine & Land 2011 featured locally sourced Pacific Northwest cuisine from Food in Bloom, tastings from local wineries including Sokol Blosser and Elk Cove, a chance to bid on unique outdoor experiences, and live music from Freak Mountain Ramblers.

Columbia Land Trust Council of Trustees member Peter McCoy and his wife Naomi arrive by bike

Columbia Land Trust Council of Trustees member Peter McCoy and his wife Naomi arrive by bike

 

Columbia Land Trust board member Steve Cook and his wife Dr. Marianne Parshley

Columbia Land Trust board member Steve Cook and his wife Dr. Marianne Parshley

Columbia Land Trust works to permanently conserve the natural resources of the Columbia River region. It restores and manages signature landscapes, vital habitats, and working farms and forests in Oregon and Washington from east of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. By working positively with landowners and local communities Columbia Land Trust aims to sustain the unique qualities of the Pacific Northwest for future generations.

 

Portland Parks Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

Portland Parks Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

Portland, September 21st. Supporters of the Portland Parks Foundation gathered to raise a glass in celebration of ten years of community enrichment.  Many enjoyed the outdoor event in Simon and Helen Director Park; the park is named in honor of Jordan Schnitzer’s maternal grandparents.

Simon and Helen Director Park

Simon and Helen Director Park

 

Kelly Cress, Aaron Fitzgerald, Ned McCall and Lora McCall

Kelly Cress, Aaron Fitzgerald, Ned McCall and Lora McCall

 

Dick Davis, John Trachenberg, Barbara Trachtenberg, Tamara Crocker

Dick Davis, John Trachenberg, Barbara Trachtenberg, Tamara Crocker

 

Thomas Balmer, Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court and Founding Board Member, Mary Louis McClintock from the Oregon Community Foundation and Gary Withers VP of Concordia University

Thomas Balmer, Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court and Founding Board Member, Mary Louis McClintock from the Oregon Community Foundation and Gary Withers VP of Concordia University

 

Harriet Cormack, Mary Ruble and Barbara Walker

Harriet Cormack, Mary Ruble and Barbara Walker

 

Sherry Manning, Development Director and Nick Hardigg the Executive Director of the Parks Foundation

Sherry Manning, Development Director and Nick Hardigg the Executive Director of the Parks Foundation

Foundation leaders and volunteers explain that they, “Work to protect and grow Portland’s legacy of world-class parks by ensuring that private support for parks continues to flourish, and that its citizens are empowered to contribute toward that excellence.” At the anniversary party they honored founders, paid tribute to those behind the Parks 2020 Vision plan which gave rise to Portland Parks Foundation and, “Set a new course for the next decade of keeping Portland at the forefront of great American cities.”

 

This is my Village, Launch and Auction

This is my Village, Launch and Auction

Portland, September 22nd.  Africa Bridge is launching a new program called, This is My Village. Susan Welch and Sister Sabina Kabuga were among the many on hand to support this new a way to connect donors and African villages. In celebration of the new philanthropic venture the organization hosted a party featuring live music, fusion food, and an auction.

Lisa Perrin, Kathleen Lane and Jen Ochsner

Lisa Perrin, Kathleen Lane and Jen Ochsner

The auction was held at The Mercy Corps Action Center in downtown Portland

The auction was held at The Mercy Corps Action Center in downtown Portland

Christine Cicerone and Jeff Walter

Christine Cicerone and Jeff Walter

Jennifer Baldwin, Development Director and Aubrey Baldwin

Jennifer Baldwin, Development Director and Aubrey Baldwin

Sponsors included, Stoel Rives, LLP and Carpenter Smith Consulting. To learn more about sponsoring a village visit the website at www.africabridge.org.
Emily Pollard, Alex Chester, Abby Britton and Morgan Enfield

Emily Pollard, Alex Chester, Abby Britton and Morgan Enfield

 

 

 

National Charity League, Inc. Susan G. Komen fundraiser

National Charity League, Inc. Susan G. Komen fundraiser

Portland, September 18th.  430 mothers and daughters from the National Charity League, Inc. enjoyed a private shopping event at Nordstrom. The event raised $8640 for the Susan G. Komen For The Cure, Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate. Wendy Hill and Dana Petrusich from the Portland NCL Chapter and Annemie Williams from the Sunnyside Chapter were volunteers.

Laurie Kehoe, Blue Heron Chapter, Beth Swanson, Lake Oswego Chapter, Katie Erzen, Oregon Rose Chapter

Laurie Kehoe, Blue Heron Chapter, Beth Swanson, Lake Oswego Chapter, Katie Erzen, Oregon Rose Chapter

Alaina Lester and her mother, Linda Lester

Alaina Lester and her mother, Linda Lester

Lisa Crupi and her daugter Michaela Mueller

Lisa Crupi and her daughter Michaela Mueller

Food in Bloom, provided Champagne and special sparkling drinks for the girls.

Karen Holce, Portland NCL Chapter President, Nancy Truskowski event committee

Karen Holce, Portland NCL Chapter President and Nancy Truskowski, from the event committee

The private shopping event was a mixer for all five area Chapters of the National Charity League, Inc.  The non-profit has over 160 chapters, nationwide. Annually, NCL members volunteer approximately one million hands-on hours in local communities and as many, or more, supporting their own non-profit Chapter corporation.

Denise and Megan Gooding

Denise and Megan Gooding

Downtown Portland Nordstrom

Downtown Portland Nordstrom

 

Sarah and Shelly Bigley at the make-up counter

Sarah and Shelly Bigley at the make-up counter

All of the proceeds from the Nordstroms event are earmarked to support the local Susan G. Komen Foundation, specifically for screening and early detection of the under-served and underinsured as well as Patient Assistance Programs.

Martha Nielsen and her daughter, Natalie

Martha Nielsen and her daughter, Natalie