2019 Rose City Classic Dog Show Has Tails Wagging

2019 Rose City Classic Dog Show Has Tails Wagging

by | Jan 20, 2019 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. The Bull Terriers were out in force at the Rose City Classic Dog Show.  It’s one of the largest and most popular dog shows in the United States. More than 185 individual breeds are represented through January 20th. There are exhibitions of agility, obedience, and  Dog Tricks. The Best in Show winner was a German Shepard named Tony who was shown by Kent Boyles.

Tony is currently the number one German Shepard in the U.S. He has a big sister named Rumor who won the Westminster Kennel Club Show last year. 

A Wire Fox Terrier named King was the second place finisher on Saturday.

You can watch the Rose City Classic Dog Show live or on video on American Kennel Club TV. 

An Irish Setter is judged. The shows are hosted by Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon (DFAO), and the Tualatin Kennel Club (TKC) two AKC clubs that have served the greater Portland area for more than 70 and 40 years, respectively.

The members of these not-for-profit clubs donate their time and expertise to put on the Rose City Classic, and afterwards donate profits to causes that promote responsible dog ownership and the health and welfare of dogs.

Here are the details about the show:

The Rose City Classic Dog Show continues through Sunday, January 20th, 2019 at the Expo Center: 2060 North Marine Dr. Portland, OR 97217

General Public Hours

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Judging begins @ 8 a.m. daily (end times vary daily)

For a judging schedule please click here.

Admission
General Admission:
1-day ticket: $10
2-day ticket: $15

Family (up to 5 people):
1-day ticket: $20
2-day ticket: $30

12th Annual MLK Weekend of Service Inspires Volunteers

12th Annual MLK Weekend of Service Inspires Volunteers

by | Jan 20, 2019 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. “Service Selfies” show the feel-good mood of MLK weekend volunteers. For the twelfth year in a row, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Hands On Greater Portland are teaming up to make it easy for you to take action across Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark Counties. You can make a difference through Monday, January 21st. Here’s a link with details: Volunteer for MLK Weekend. 

My New Red Shoes is a charity that helps provide local low-income kids with new clothing and shoes throughout the school year. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon volunteered with this nonprofit. 

Hands On Greater Portland helps organize all of the volunteers. 

Timber Joey was packaging vegetables like carrots at the Oregon Food Bank this weekend.

Umpqua Bank volunteers spent time outside cleaning up Vose Elementary School.

MLK Weekend of Service is an integral part of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s 10-year agenda of reducing childhood poverty and advancing racial equity.

From United Way:

Each year, we come together, inspired by the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to strengthen our community one volunteer project at a time. Our mission at United Way is to invest in our region’s kids by giving them and their families the resources they need to thrive. From access to books to food on the table, when important resources are provided, children can succeed and in turn build a better future for themselves and their community.

This January, honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by joining us for the 12th Annual MLK Weekend of Service Beginning January 18, 2019, volunteer opportunities will be available throughout our community in celebration of MLK Day. Sign up for a project below – opportunities include:

  • Sorting donated children’s books: Help kids prepare for kindergarten by cleaning and organizing gently used books delivered to their home.
  • Transforming community spaces in need of TLC: Help kids have vibrant, safe places to play and discover by painting, cleaning and sprucing up neighborhood spaces.
  • Stocking food banks: Help families meet their basic needs by packaging boxes of food and essential items.

By volunteering your time, you’re adding hundreds of thousands of dollars of value back into your community. Take a look at what our volunteers had to say from last year’s MLK Weekend of Service:

“For me, living is about taking and giving, volunteering is part of giving. It’s part of keeping life in balance and I’ve been working at it for a long time.” – Xuan Sibell, Volunteer Leader
“We believe in Dr. King’s message and mission, and in keeping the memory of that stage of the Civil Rights movement alive.” – David, Volunteer Leader
“The impact for dozens of nonprofits and tens of thousands of kids and families is real. The bond it creates lasts well beyond the weekend itself.” – Keith Thomajan, President and CEO of United Way and Volunteer. Below are some options for volunteering.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20TH

PORTLAND
12:00pm Come Clean @ the PDX ReStore! (age 16+) – FULL
2:00pm Potluck in the Park Meal Service (age 12+) – FULL
2:00pm Potluck in the Park Dessert Service (age 12+) – FULL
3:00pm Potluck in the Park Recycling and Clean Up Crew (age 16+) – FULL

TIGARD
2:00pm Pitch-in at Tigard Library! (age 6+) – FULL
4:00pm Cook It Up at GNC (age 14+) – FULL

MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST

PORTLAND
9:00am Weatherize Homes with the Community Energy Project (age 16+) – FULL
9:00am Pitch-in at Peninsula! (age 12+) – FULL
9:00am Fresh Food Sorting and Repacking at OFB (Portland) (age 6+) – FULL
9:30am SnowCap Community Garden Clean-up! (all ages) – FULL
9:30am Day of serVOZ (all ages) – FULL
10:00am Garden Clean Up Day at Gilbert Park (age 12+)​ – FULL
10:00am Clean Up and Green Up the Audubon Society (age 10+)
10:00am Bundle STEM Kits for Early Learning Multnomah (age 12+) – FULL
1:00pm Fresh Food Sorting and Repacking at OFB (Portland) (age 6+) – FULL
1:00pm Wisdom of the Elders Office & Garden Cleanup (age 5+) – FULL
1:00pm Socialize with Cats & Dogs (age 12+) – FULL
1:00pm Cook Meals & Tidy Up for Homeless Youth at p:ear (age 16+) – FULL
1:00pm Spruce Up Martin Luther King, Jr. School (age 8+) – FULL
1:00pm Join SOLVE to clean up MLK Blvd! (all ages) – FULL
1:30pm Schoolhouse Supplies Donations (age 12+) – FULL
1:30pm Bundle STEM Kits for Early Learning Multnomah (age 12+) – FULL
6:00pm Serve A Meal and Play Bingo at Jean’s Place (age 18+) – FULL
7:00pm Kids! Sort & Package Supplies for Families @Buckman (age 4+) – FULL

GRESHAM
9:00am Plant Trees at Nadaka Nature Park in Gresham! (age 6+)​ – FULL
10:00am Winter Sales Floor Facelift at Habitat ReStore (age 16+)​  – FULL

BEAVERTON
9:00am Bink-A-Thon 2019! (age 4+) – FULL
10:00am Family Day Center Spruce Up (age 5+)​ – FULL
10:00am Processing & Merchandising Party at Habitat ReStore (age 16+) – FULL
1:00pm Perishable Repack at Oregon Food Bank Beaverton (age 14+) – FULL

TIGARD
2:00pm Pitch-in at Tigard Library! (age 6+) – FULL

TUALATIN
9:00am Put Down Roots in Tualatin: MLK Day Tree Plant (age 4+)

HILLSBORO
9:00am Spruce up the Library (age 6+) – FULL

VANCOUVER
9:00am Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Planting (age 5+) 

Rose Festival Names Meals on Wheels People as 2019 Official Charity

Rose Festival Names Meals on Wheels People as 2019 Official Charity

by | Jan 19, 2019 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. The Rose Festival will honor the more than 5,000 volunteers who annually donate over two million hours to help serve seniors through Meals on Wheels People. As the 2019 Portland Rose Festival official charity, Meals on Wheels People will be featured at events and celebrations including appearances in PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade and the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade.

Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal at a time, since 1970.

Volunteers provide more than a meal to thousands of older adults in the greater Portland metro area.

A bit of history: In 1970, three women got together in the basement of a church in Southeast Portland to prepare and serve a hot lunch to about a dozen seniors. From 14 newspaper-wrapped meals then, to nearly 12,000 seniors served annually today, Meals on Wheels People of Portland is now among the top 10 largest senior nutrition programs in the country, and one of the very few that has never had a waiting list for meals.

“Hunger is one of the most desperate and frightening feelings anyone, let alone an isolated senior, can experience,” says Teri Bowles-Atherton (President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation). “The Rose Festival is proud to partner with Meals on Wheels People as our Official Charity. Not only do they take care of seniors in need, they also make ethnic dishes for this very diverse community, and offer the Meals 4 kids program serving children and families experiencing low food security.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Rose Festival as their 2019 Official Charity,” said Suzanne Washington (Meals on Wheels People CEO). “This opportunity allows us to reach a broad audience with our vision that no senior will go hungry or experience social isolation. We look forward to joining in the many activities sponsored by the Rose Festival and sharing those with our senior participants.”

Their service not only alleviates hunger and social isolation, but allows seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care.

From Meals on Wheels People:

OUR VISION

No senior will go hungry or experience social isolation.

OUR MISSION

We enrich the lives of seniors, and assist them in maintaining independence, by providing nutritious food, human connections and social support. We also use our expertise and capacity to serve other nutritionally at-risk populations.

OUR VALUES

  • Integrity – We work in a trustworthy, compassionate and and ethical manner.
  • Respect – We value the self-worth of our staff, volunteers and populations we serve.
  • Inclusion – We are strengthened by diversity.
  • Creativity – We are innovative and willing to try new approaches.
  • Commitment – We demonstrate quality performance and dedication.
  • Teamwork – Together we accomplish more.

Would you like to volunteer? Here’s a link to the Meals on Wheels People website: https://www.mowp.org

DoveLewis Animal Hospital Offers Financial Assistance for Unpaid Federal Workers

DoveLewis Animal Hospital Offers Financial Assistance for Unpaid Federal Workers

by | Jan 12, 2019 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital is extending its financial assistance program to help all unpaid federal workers affected by the government shutdown. “We believe that pets are an important part of our lives, especially during difficult times,” said DoveLewis President and CEO Ron Morgan. “Supporting our community is an integral part of our mission, and we want to do what we can to help relieve some of the stress these families are experiencing.”

The DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund, a donor-supported financial assistance program, will be available to relieve some of the cost of emergency animal medical care through the duration of the shutdown. Eligible employees must be directly affected by the furlough and must show their furlough letter along with their matching state-issued government identification.

The Velvet Assistance Fund, which relies solely on donations from community members, is offered to low-income pet owners and covers up to $750 for animals with a good prognosis. Federal employees will receive the same offer for their pets experiencing emergency medical needs.

Each year, the DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund helps more than 1,700 pets and families.

From DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital:

DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With 45 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.

 

Cascade AIDS Project Honors Heroes on World AIDS Day

Cascade AIDS Project Honors Heroes on World AIDS Day

by | Jan 5, 2019 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) commemorated World AIDS Day by celebrating several people and organizations. CAP honored those dedicated to supporting and empowering all people with or affected by HIV, reducing stigma, and providing the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate healthcare. The City of Portland was honored at the December 3rd event, which was held at the Hilton. Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Cascade AIDS Project Executive director Tyler TerMeer and Commissioner Nick Fish all posed for a photo.

CAP supporters marked World AIDS Day, which takes place on the 1st of December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

This was the 30th anniversary of World Aids Day. Founded in 1988, it was the first ever global health day.

Here’s more information about those honored at the CAP event:

One of those honored was Kathleen Saadat. She’s is an activist and community organizer who has dedicated her life to social justice. Today, Ms. Kathleen Saadat continues her work as a private consultant and trainer in the areas of human diversity, organization development, and as a motivational speaker.Kathleen began her service by earning a BA in Psychology at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, holding several managerial positions with the City of Portland’s CETA Job Training Programs in the 1970’s and 80’s and the position of Executive Director for the Oregon State Commission on Black Affairs.

From 1987 to 1990, Kathleen was appointed by former Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt to State Director of Affirmative Action.From 1990-1992, she was Assistant to Portland City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury.From 1997 to 2001, she was Strategic Plan Coordinator for Multnomah County and Oregon’s Department of Community and Family Services.From 2005 to 2011, Kathleen joined Cascade AIDS Project as Manager of Communities of Color Initiative and was promoted to Director of Diversity and Human Resources.From 2011-2016, she served the City of Portland as Manager of Diversity and Affirmative Action and then as Chair, of the Community Oversight Advisory Board. Early in 2018, after a lifetime of singing, Kathleen released her first recording album Love for Sale.

Kathleen Sadaat has earned numerous achievement awards for her continued service to the Portland community. Kathleen received lifetime achievement awards from Portland PFLAG Black Chapter and Portland’s Equity Foundation. She was listed as one of 100 Who Lead, in Oregon; received the Woman of Achievement Award from Oregon State University; received two Portland Lesbian Community Project’s Spirit of Portlandia Awards for Leadership; the Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Award; the Harvey Milk Award; a Civil Liberties Award from the Oregon chapter of the ACLU; the Phoenix Rising Jack Abele award; and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Arts Foundation in recognition of her contributions to the efforts to “Keep Living the Dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.The Lifetime Achievement Award from Oregon Black PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is now named after Kathleen.

Corporate Hero – Edward J. Reeves / Stoel Rives

Edward Reeves is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA as one of the top Labor and Employment lawyers in Oregon. Mr. Edward J. Reeves received his B.A. degree from Yale University and his J.D. degree from Boston University Law School. He is currently a senior counsel in the Portland office of Stoel Rives LLP, a 375-attorney firm with offices throughout the Pacific and Intermountain Northwest.

Since 1984, Edward’s practice has focused on labor and employment, civil rights and education law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Oregon State Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, and the Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association. He was program chair of the original Lavender Law Conference held in San Francisco in 1988 and a cofounder of the National LGBT Bar Association. Edward Reeves started working with Cascade AIDS Project from its beginning in 1983. He has contributed the highest level of pro bono services of anyone in CAP’s history aroundlegal advice for HR issues and trainings for management.

Edward Reeves has been honored with numerous awards for his civil rights work including the Oregon State Bar’s Affirmative Action Award in 1991, the Basic Rights Oregon Superheroes Award in 2004 and the Cascade AIDS Project Torchbearer Award in 2006. He is the author of numerous articles including “Equality or Further Discrimination? Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination in Oregon Statutory Employment Law After Tanner v. OHSU,” 3 J. Small & Emerging Bus. L. 269 (1999) and “Before ENDA: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protections in the Workplace Under Federal Law,” 20 J. Law & Sexuality 61 (2011).

Community Hero – City of Portland

The City of Portland is deeply committed to equality and to inclusive public health, and are proud to partner with the Cascade AIDS Project. In 2016, the City approved a Special Appropriation to support Prism Health – reflecting in their shared values around ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. The City of Portland looks forward to continuing to work with Cascade AIDS Project to protect the rights of all community members who are living with HIV/AIDS.

CAP’s strength, as with all organizations fighting to end HIV, comes from the community banding together, united in a common cause.The City of Portland is an ally helping CAP achieve its mission of supporting and empowering all people with or affected by HIV, reducing stigma, and providing the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate healthcare. We recognize the City of Portland for their continued support for all community members.

From CAP:
CAP is the oldest and largest community-based provider of HIV services, housing, education and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington

Founded in 1983, Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) is the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our Mission: We support and empower all people with or affected by HIV, reduce stigma, and provide the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate healthcare.

With a staff of approximately 60, and a volunteer corps of over 700 individuals providing 20,000 hours of service each year, CAP manages a diverse array of programs and an annual budget of $4.2 million. Fifteen percent of CAP’s staff live with HIV, 25% identify from communities of color, and 30% are bilingual. A committed 14-member volunteer Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and oversight to ensure CAP accomplishes its mission and continues to operate with integrity and transparency.

Following is a brief overview of just a few of CAP’s programs:

• Pivot, a men’s wellness center, is open evenings and weekends to provide education, prevention, social and cultural programming, HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and much more. Pivot served over 2,000 individuals last year and tested 743 men for HIV and STIs.

• Last year, Oregon’s AIDS/STD hotline fielded over 4,500 calls from throughout Oregon about HIV and STIs. We’ve added a new on-line searchable database and live chat features.

• Latinos Unidos Enfrentando el SIDA (LUES) provides culturally-driven HIV prevention education in the Latino community. Last year LUES reached nearly 1,600 people through training, HIV/STI testing, and outreach events. In addition, LUES launched an innovative and popular radionovela series including characters living with HIV/AIDS.

• CAP’s Youth HIV Education program connected with over 1,000 youth through youth-facilitated workshops, and served an additional 2,581 youth through outreach, including distributing 7,602 in safer sex supplies.

• Short and Long-Term Housing Support. Last year, we provided housing services to 583 people living with HIV and developed 58 new housing opportunities. We also distributed just over $100,000 to 204 people in emergency assistance, and nearly 80% of those people still had stable housing six months after receiving assistance.

• CAP’s Family Support programs, encompassing CAP’s Kids Camp, Kids’ Connection, and Teens.Recreation.Education.Community, served 130 HIV-affected and -infected children in 66 families by offering a full menu of support programs.

For more information: http://www.cascadeaids.org/