Portland, April 14th. Supporters grabbed their castanets and put on their dancing shoes for OBT’s Latin flavored benefit auction. Michael Mazzola, Kester Cotton and ballerina, Alison Roper enjoyed the festivities. The event featured Latin cuisine, delicious wines and performances from Portland’s finest Latin dancers paired up with members of OBT’s company for a maravilloso evening of entertainment and celebration.
Dancers Alex Krebs and Grace Schibley
Vicki Sellin, Mary Jane Schenk and Susan Franzen
Diane Syrcle, OBT Executive Director and Event co-chair Ken Hick
John Van Buren, OBT Artistic Director Christopher Stowell, Evans Van Buren and Marsha Warner
Supporters from Sponsor, Boeing: Owen Loh, Caludia Carbajal, Stewart Ibbotson, Deanna Haley, William Girton, and Toni Carlo
Lane Hickey, Siri McLaughlin and Colin McLaughlin
Director, School of OBT, Damara Bennett, with Clark Taylor and Claudia Taylor, M.D.
Angela Polin, Tina Skouras and Connie Greenblatt
From Oregon Ballet Theatre:
Ticket sales account for only 50% of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s annual operating budget, so we rely on the generosity of corporations, foundations and individual donors to close the gap. Our donors are an integral part of the OBT family, without them, we would not be able to present world-class ballet, provide training of the highest caliber to aspiring dancers and bring the arts to underserved school children in the Portland metro area.
Portland, April 14th. The Red Lion, Jantzen Beach was filled with hundreds of swells raising money for the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Costumed guest were told, “Time to throw on your glad rags and get swanky! Tap your toes and guzzle down the giggle water!” Terri Hammond, Lynn Ragsdale, Karen VanAcker and Kim Armstrong enjoyed the festivities. The camp offers children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience the great outdoors.
Terri Burns and Kaleen Deatherage, MHKC Executive Director
Beth Morehouse, Frank Morehouse and Versie Meyer
Holly Conger, Samantha Blythe and Daniel Hauten
Silent Auction items were a hit
Organizers dubbed the ballroom, "The Cotton Club"
Jason Behunin, Jim E. Chonga and Bill Ragsdale
Pam Pariani and Cary Solberg
Many more great photos on the website of photographer, Andie Petkus:
The Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp was founded in 1933 by the Kiwanis Club of Montavilla to serve low-income youth.
We began serving people with disabilities in 1957. Since 1972, the camp has enjoyed a unique partnership with Portland State University’s Special Education Department which provides planning and personnel support.
Every summer, over 500 children and adults with developmental, physical and/or neurological disabilities enjoy and benefit from their time at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp.
Sponsors for the Auction included: West Coast Bank, Kiwanis Club of Portland Oregon, Thorson Pacific, Consumer Cellular, Delta Graphics, Foster and Associates, Rainwater Family Trust, ABC Roofing, Behunin Family, Burns Family, DeVries Family, Doty Family, IWP, Metro Safety and Fire, Orepac, Pam Pariani, Parr Lumber Company, Partners Group, Ragsdale Family, RBC Wealth Management, Rockford Corporation, Carole Satterfield, Staff Infection Band, StevensIS, Synergo, Wirtgen America, Inc., Howard S. Wright Constructors, LP, Cedar Hills Kiwanis Club, East Portland Kiwanis Club, Historic Downtown Gresham Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Club of Portland, Kiwanis Club of Portland Foundation, Montavilla Kiwanis Club, Oregon City Kiwanis Club, Peninsula Kiwanis Club, Rockwood Kiwanis Club, Ross Island Earlyrisers Kiwanis, South Riverside Kiwanis Club, Southwest Hills Kiwanis Club, Troutdale Kiwanis Club, and Tigard Kiwanis Club.
Portland, April 11th. Supporters of the youth program, Elevate Oregon, gathered at Waverley Country Club to mark a series of important successes. The up-and-coming nonprofit offers a comprehensive program for grades 1-12 in one of the most under-served areas of NE Portland.
Some of the exciting news for the nonprofit includes:
-Bank of America, a founding funder of Elevate Oregon, awarded a gift of $25,000.
-A 100% graduation rate with its first graduating class. All students are moving onto some form of post secondary education.
-An Elevate senior, Bre’Shay was chosen as Rose Festival Princess.
-The M.J. Murdock Trust recently awarded a grant that allowed Elevate to complete its first two pipelines at Parkrose, allowing Elevate to serve 900+ students in its first district.
The nonprofit is located at: 12730 NE Marx St Portland, OR 97230
Here’s more information from Elevate Oregon:
Founded in 2010, Elevate Oregon consistently delivers the tools necessary to change the trajectories of the lives of students served, implementing year round support with full-time staff to youth in need. The organization operates on the premise that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, leveraging a robust partnership with the 30 year proven model of the nationally renowned Colorado UpLift.
Portland, April 12th. The spring tradition of planting of cherry trees originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship from the people of Japan to the people of the United States. Those trees were planted around the Washington, D.C. Tidal Basin, but this week the tradition was carried out in cities around the country. In Portland, Mayor Sam Adams and Consulate-General of Japan in Portland, Takamichi Okabe, planted a tree in the Japanese Garden in front of the garden’s Heavenly Falls.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Consulate-General of Japan in Portland, Takamichi Okabe, participate in commemorative cherry tree planting
Tea ceremony celebrating commemorative tree planting
Takamichi Okabe, Consulate-General of Japan in Portland, deliver remarks during the cherry tree planting ceremony at the Portland Japanese Garden as part of the nationwide centennial celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or “Sakura,” is an exalted flowering plant. The beauty of the cherry blossom is a potent symbol equated with the evanescence of human life and epitomizes the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages.
Photographers shooting cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. on April 4, 1922. National Photo Company via Library of Congress
The 5.5 acre Japanese Garden is composed of five distinct garden styles. When we enter a Japanese garden, the desired effect is to realize a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility and to experience the feeling of being a part of nature. In a deep sense, the Japanese garden is a living reflection of the long history and traditional culture of Japan. Influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies, there is always “something more” in these compositions of stone, water, and plants than meets the eye.
Portland, March 24th. The BodyVox “Director’s Cut” Ball raised $62,000 for the dance company’s creative fund. The benefit was a memorable evening and guests were encouraged to wear vintage Hollywood-style attire. The night included a silent & live auctions, live music by Swing Papillon & a special performance by BodyVox.
Anna Marra, Daniel Kirk and event co-chair Sara McCausland enjoyed the evening.
The event committee included: Michelle Neal – Co-Chair, Sara McCausland, Co-Chair, Kara Bertolucci, Rene Contakos, Anne Egan, James Fossen, Susan Gendein-Marshall, Lisa Redden, Susie Schwalge, MyKim Tran, and Marcie Westreich.
Mary Overgaard and Dave Cook cut a rug at the BodyVox Ball and BodyVox dancers bring a little Bollywood to Hollywood
Supporters also took to the dancefloor
About BodyVox:
The company blends contemporary dance with dance theater, and often makes use of humor and other performance art form such as live music. In addition to their performances, the company has worked extensively with film and multi-media.
The company’s upcoming production is:
The Cutting Room
MAY 3-19, 2012
Building on its fruitful history of working in film, this spring BodyVox will embark on a new approach to its unique brand of dance theater. Utilizing a mash up of cinematic scenes from classic films and cutting edge independent productions, action films will blend with comedy, drama and sci-fi to create an architecture for movement motifs that reinterpret the scenes, adding layers of dramatic context. Including a new film from Mitchell Rose, this original production will journey to an intersection of nostalgia, performance and innovation, where we find movies and memories at the heart of our shared experiences.
Dates:
Thu, May 3 7:30pm Opening Night Club
Fri, May 4 7:30pm
Sat, May 5 7:30pm
Thu, May 10 7:30pm
Fri, May 11 7:30pm
Sat, May 12 2:00pm Family Matinee
Sat, May 12 7:30pm
Thu, May 17 7:30pm
Fri, May 18 7:30pm
Sat, May 19 2:00pm
Sat, May 19 7:30pm
Portland, March 20th. The third annual Bridges to Health Care benefit offered a platform for Project Access NOW (PA NOW) to honor six medical clinics. Emcee Kimberlee Jo Buckingham, Jaileene Eubanks, Mrs. Oregon International 2012, and Linda Nilsen-Solares, executive director of PA NOW thanked guests for supporting the organization. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) The event drew over 400 people and recognized providers for the volunteer medical care of thousands of low income and uninsured families. The event at the Hilton raised over $43,000.
A light moment came when football favorite, and good sport, Joey Harrington donned a crown and sash to help raise money for the nonprofit.
Trent Green congratulates Honoree Robert Quintos
Honorees included: The Oregon Clinic, Pacific Heart Associates, Urologic Consultants, NW Rheumatology Associates, NW Gastroenterology Clinic, and Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon. These six clinics provided services for 500 distinct referrals for specialty care.
In 2011, more than $12 million in health care was donated to PA NOW clients at no cost to them. More than 3,500 cases were managed by local medical volunteers.
“It was a very difficult process to select our honorees,” said Linda Nilsen-Solares, executive director of PA NOW. “There are nearly 3,000 medical providers working through well over 100 individual clinics that provide critical services to the most vulnerable among us. We have enough worthy clinics to honor for many years to come!” Award winners were recognized for clinic size, number of referrals accepted per provider and exceptional generosity by specialty.
Project Access NOW is supported significantly by a number of health care stakeholders, the United Way of the Columbia Willamette as a strategic partner, philanthropic foundations and generous individual donors.
Sharon Meieran, Joy Conklin and Betsy Boyd-Flynn
Emily Harrington, Kimberlee Jo Buckingham and Joey Harrington
Those health care providers honored included:
The Oregon Clinic–the largest clinic that volunteers with PA NOW, provided care for more than 250 cases in 2011. The Oregon Clinic was also the first multi-specialty clinic to sign up with Project Access NOW. All physicians volunteer.
Pacific Heart Associates is the medium sized clinic honored this year. Every physician at PHA is available to accept one referral per month from PA NOW, resulting in more than 80 cases donated in 2011
Urologic Consultants and NW Rheumatology Associates round out awards based on clinic size with seven and five providers in each of these clinics respectively. Both provided critically needed specialty services to 40 clients in 2011. Urology and Rheumatology are high need specialties among the population served by PA NOW and have relatively few volunteers participating in these specialty areas, we are especially grateful for the generosity of these clinics in areas of scarce resource.
The final award category for exceptional generosity was given to the gastroenterology provider community. Nearly 200 referrals were made to GI specialists in the tri-county area last year—the highest volume of referrals by specialty. More than half of these referrals were accepted by two clinics: NW Gastroenterology Clinic and Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon.
Each of these clinics has pledged to accept more than 100 cases per year. The Oregon Clinic was also a major provider of these services.
About Project Access NOW:
Project Access NOW is a broad based community initiative that builds access to health care for low-income and uninsured people in the Portland metropolitan area by coordinating a network of volunteer physicians, clinics, hospitals, and other health care providers. By helping people navigate the healthcare system, we can get them the care they need – today.
Project Access NOW (Northwest Oregon & Washington) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which facilitates collaboration for local Project Access initiatives in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, including those in Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Project Access NOW and its participating local initiatives are part of a nationally-proven model of care.
Portland, April 7th. Leaders of the Portland Rose Society, Royal Rosarians and Portland Rose Festival gathered for the annual Rosarian Rose Planting at the Rose Building in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Living History characters representing the early 1900’s included “Unsinkable Molly Brown” and “Silas Christofferson” who posed with a Rose Festival Court Car from 1938. (Photo Credit, Brenda Moore)
Rose Society President Gretchen Humphrey, Royal Rosarian Prime Minister Rob Hungerford, Portland Rose Festival President Sue Bunday
The Portland Rose Festival hosted an open house in the national historic John Yeon building. Visitors toured the building and looked at memorabilia.
The Rose Festival was the winner of the International Festivals & Events Association Grand Pinnacle Award: 2011 & 2007
Displays of the Rose Festival’s rich historical memorabilia accompanied remembrances of important Centennial milestones, which include: the founding of the Royal Rosarians, the right for women to vote in Oregon, the daring flight by Silas Christofferson off the roof of the Multnomah Hotel to Vancouver, the opening of Terwilliger Parkway, the installation of the first Benson bubblers, the sinking of the Titanic and even the beginning of one of the world’s most popular cookie, the OREO!
Part of Portland’s popular culture for the past 105 years, the Rose Festival has its roots in tradition while its programming is both contemporary and nostalgic. With dozens of events spotlighting the diverse interests and culture of the community, the Rose Festival makes a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of lives annually.
This years Grand Floral Parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 9, 2012.
Portland, April 5th. Cirque du Soleil’s OVO is a breathtaking and innovative view of insect life and the VIP lounge was buzzing just like the elaborately costumed performers on stage. Joe Donlon had his wife, Kathy on his arm and Matt Zaffino enjoyed a night out with his wife, Robyn.
An exotic insect world aims to delight imaginations
The big top for Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” is in the parking lot of The Portland Expo Center, at 2060 N. Marine Drive.
KPTV’s Julie Grauert, Shauna Parsons and Lindsay Ford
Sally Watkinson and Doug Fir’s John Plummer
Designer Seth Aaron brought his family including son, Aaron, wife Megann and daughter, Tina
Molly Gilbert, Ali Fishner and Heather Villanueva
Rochelle Thayer and Amy Roloff
Caroline Emch-wei, Allie Ihrig, Christopher Miranda, Alexis Verkozen, Jessica Leupold
Combining elements of dance, acrobatics, athleticism and sheer agility, five yellow and-red fleas fling themselves through the air and come together in graceful, balanced sculptural formations.
There are several amazing aspects to the show including performers dangling 20 feet above the stage and a rock wall acrobatic ballet.
During the run, the local nonprofit, Circus Project is partnering with Cirque du Soleil on a May 4th performance. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of tickets benefit the Circus Project’s outreach programs for homeless and at-risk youth in Portland.
The show runs through May 20th. Tickets run from $43 to $143 and can be bought at: cirquedusoleil.com or by calling 866-624-7783.
Discounted tickets are available for children, students, seniors and active-duty military.
Portland, April 1st. Guided nature hikes and a native plant sale drew outdoor lovers to the 32nd Annual Trillium Festival in Tryon Creek State Natural Area.
Elisa Ford, Sarah Kreisman, Matthew Collins, David Cohen
“The festival is a great opportunity to introduce the park to new audiences and for visitors to learn more about the importance of using native plants in your garden and make a direct connection to nature with others who share those values”, says David Cohen, Executive Director of the Friends of Tryon Creek. Tryon Creek State Natural Area is located at 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd in southwest Portland.
Melarie DeSelvia with her daughters Malia and Priya get help from Derek Mellinger and Laura Markel
The Friends of Tryon Creek, together with their partner Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, celebrate spring with this fun-filled family event.
Ann Meub, Carl Axelsen, Karen Jorgensen, Aissa Harrofi, Bruce Rottink, John Mullen
Every spring leading nurseries from around the state come to Tryon Creek with a large range of native northwest plant inventory available for purchase.
The Trillium Festival also features guided nature hikes by Friends’ volunteers, children’s nature activities, local craft and edibles vendors, a garden art show and sale, and an information area featuring local environmental groups.
The 675-acre park currently welcomes over 385,000 visitors each year and is home to over 200 species of birds, mammals and amphibians. Visitors enjoy miles of hiking trails, a paved bicycle path and horse trails.
The Friends of Tryon Creek was founded in1969 by a group of forward-thinking individuals who came together to preserve a unique and historic forested canyon between Lake Oswego and Portland and turn it into a park.
About the Friends of Tryon Creek
The Friends of Tryon Creek are a catalyst for cultivating a lifelong relationship with nature using Tryon Creek State Natural Area, the largest urban state park in Oregon, as our classroom. We are known throughout the region for our exceptional environmental education programs and stewardship opportunities.
Today, the Friends, a private non-profit that receives no state funding, continues to utilize the park as a classroom for their environmental education programs as well as leading efforts to conserve and restore the park to its original pristine setting.
Membership opportunities are available, which include event fee discounts. For details and a schedule of events, visit http://www.tryonfriends.org/.
Beaverton, March 23rd. Fans dressed as their favorite characters to attended an HBO series preview of the Game of Thrones. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus) They also supported the Oregon Food Bank by bringing canned food for the nonprofit. The Emmy-winning Game of Thrones, explains HBO, “Follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime.” The show is based on the bestselling fantasy book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” by George R.R. Martin.
Representatives from the Oregon Food Bank accept donations from Game of Thrones fans.
The speak peek was sold out
Attendees had their photo taken in a themed photo booth.
Costumes were on display as organizers offered prizes
The fan with the best costume won an iPad2, and other Game of Thrones swag.
Hundreds flocked to the sneak peek preview and brought their cans of food.
CINETOPIA THEATERS
Game of Thrones season 2 premiered on HBO on Sunday, April 1st (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT).
From the Oregon Food Bank:
Oregon Food Bank believes no one should be hungry. With sufficient public will and the support of the entire community, we believe it is possible to eliminate hunger and its root causes.
Since 1982, Oregon Food Bank has been leading the fight against hunger in Oregon and southwest Washington by collecting and distributing food through a network of four OFB branches and 16 independent regional food banks. The OFB Network helps nearly 1 in 5 households fend off hunger. OFB also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, garden education and by helping communities strengthen local food systems.
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