London, August 8th. Wilsonville’s Richard Fellers and his 16-year-old Irish Sporthorse, Flexible (who has his own website flexiblegrandprixjumper.com) came to London on August 1st from their training farm in Holland. Flexible’s owners, Harry and Mollie Chapman report, “Flexible is bright and happy and ready to go…so is Rich.” The 52-year-old was the first American to win the World Cup show jumping finals in 25 years and it’s his first time competing in the Olympics. Steve Guerdat of Switzerl won the Gold medal.
Steve Guerdat of Switzerland celebrates on the podium after winning the Gold medal, Gerco Schroder of Netherlands (L) the Silver medal and Cian O’Connor of Ireland (R) the Bronze medal in the Individual Jumping Equestrian on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In this Olympic team photo, World Cup champion Rich Fellers is on the left. He’s pictured with newcomer, Reed Kessler. Beezie Madden and McLain Ward are returning to the show jumping team and looking for their third-straight Olympic gold medals in the team event. In the second row are staffers George Morris and Elizabeth Parker.
Despite all of Feller’s success, including taking home the FEI Rolex World Cup Championship in April, Fellers isn’t letting it go to his head. “People ask me, how many wins, how much prize money, but none of that really matters to me,” said Fellers. “I just take it day by day, and focus on keeping moving forward,” according to Spruce Meadows Media.
Portland, July 29th. “Get into your river” was the theme of the 2nd annual Big Float . Over 1,400 people hopped into the Willamette River, according to organizer Will Levenson. (Photo credit, Lisa Loving, News Editor of The Skanner) The goal of event is to support river preservation and healthy development of the Willamette as a recreational resource, and have a whale of a good time. The Big Float is a benefit for Willamette Riverkeeper.
Open to all ages, the event begins with a parade. Floaters gather near the east entrance to the Hawthorne Bridge, then carry or wear their flotation devices across the bridge, march south along Waterfront Park and finally launch into the river at the beach area beneath the Marquam Bridge.
The Big Float is an opportunity for the people of Portland to partake in a public display of affection for the Willamette.
Will Levenson was offering “Free Hugs”. He’s the high spirited organizer of The Big Float.
Despite public perception, the Willamette River is approved for swimming, except in the now rare instances when Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) conditions are present. According to DEQ, with the Big Pipe project now complete, it’s expected that a CSO will occur only once every two summers.
This year featured a paddlers parade, kayakers, canoeists, dragon boaters, and crew teams.
A few four-legged friends made the Willamette River Crossing.
Floaters said the water was pretty warm. They headed east across the river and proceeded downstream to the landing area, where swimming was allowed.
Live music was featured on water as well as on land for an after-party.
A Great Crossing celebration featured live music by local bands, plus food carts, exhibits and sponsor booths and a children’s area sponsored by the Grand Ronde Tribes with native American crafts.
Here’s a The Big Float video:
From Willamette Riverkeeper:
Willamette Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to protect and restore the Willamette River. We believe that a river with good water quality and abundant natural habitat is a basic public right. The Willamette River belongs to all of us and should be protected as such.
We invite you to take a look around our website and get to know more about the Willamette River and our Programs. Join us for a Saturday paddle trip, a volunteer training, or sign up for our action alert list and stay up to date on issues affecting our river.
Thank you to Lisa Loving, News Editor of The Skanner.
Portland, August 1st. The VIP screening of “In This Together” was sold out. 380 PHAME supporters gathered at the The Hollywood Theatre to watch the new feature-length documentary about PHAME, and its inspiring student artists and performers. The film, produced in collaboration with Portland’s own Runaway Mustache Productions, follows performers on their ten-city tour, called “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour.”
PHAME visited communities across the metro region, showcasing their remarkable talent and tenacity to audiences in Portland, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Estacada and Beaverton, Oregon, as well as Vancouver, Washington.
The production team assembled for the film, “In This Together” includes: Producer/Director: Alex Huebsch, Associate Producers: Marc Friedman and Stephen Marc Beaudoin, Cinematographer: Paulius Kontijevas, and Lead Editor: Marc Friedman
At the film premier, PHAME raised over $7,000 in donations, ticket sales and merchandise sales. Supporters enjoyed the red carpet treatment.
PHAME board chair Ethan Dunham, and his partner Michelle Schmidt
Here’s are a couple of trailers for the film (they can be viewed in most browsers including Explorer and Safari.)
PHAME’s Chrystal Figueroa
“We are absolutely delighted to be collaborating on this feature length documentary film about PHAME with the incredible vision and talent of Alex Huebsch, Marc Friedman and everyone at Runaway Mustache Productions,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. ‘In This Together’ asks us to look freshly at what it means to be an artist, and to look more deeply at the very definition of art itself.” PHAME will offer DVDs of the film for sale in the near future.
From PHAME Academy: PHAME is the Portland region’s acclaimed fine and performing arts academy for adults with developmental disabilities.
PHAME Academy supports the development of skills and self-esteem in adults with developmental disabilities through education and participation in the fine and performing arts. Our slogan is “Talent Revealed.” In order to accomplish this goal, PHAME practices the “Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain” teaching philosophy. This approach supports the students by providing opportunities that encourage education, enlightening experiences, and entertainment derived from not only the classroom and special event environments, but also from the experiences and support derived from parents, guardians, and the students themselves.
Portland, August 1st. The Portland Japanese Garden announced the largest gift in its history, a $1,000,000 endowment donation from The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation to establish The Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art & Education. (Arlene is pictured in the Japanese Garden in 2010 with her late husband. Harold Schnitzer, the Portland real estate and philanthropic powerhouse, died in 2011 from complications related to cancer and diabetes. He was 87.)
“As a citizen of Oregon it is important to me to ensure the longevity of Portland’s prestigious Japanese Garden, which is considered to be one of the finest examples in the world outside of Japan,” says Arlene Schnitzer. “I am thrilled, along with the other trustees, to help maintain the Garden’s celebrated status by granting a significant gift to their upcoming expansion capital campaign.”
The gift fulfills one-third of the $3 million goal for endowment support needed toward the Garden’s planned expansion. The endowment will help fund the permanent curatorial position at the Garden that develops and oversees cultural, art, and education programs. The Portland Japanese Garden will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013.
This series of programs was launched in 2007 under the leadership of Diane Durston, who will now be named the The Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art & Education. New and enhanced programs presented at the Garden over the past five years include annual public lectures by nationally and internationally known speakers, authentic Japanese cultural festivals, the annual Art in the Garden exhibition series, and new programs for teachers and underserved school children. The goal of these programmatic advances is to bring new audiences to the Garden, enhance the visitor experience, and raise awareness of the broader cultural context in which Japanese gardens evolved.
Speakers in the Garden’s lecture series have included world-class experts in Japanese gardens and related fields such as Hoichi Kurisu, Shiro Nakane, and Marc Peter Keane. The groundbreaking Parallel Worlds: Art of the Ainu of Hokkaido and Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest drew more than 26,000 visitors to the Garden in June 2009. Other exhibitions have included internationally recognized artists in the field of traditional and contemporary Japanese arts including sculpture, prints, bonsai, and more.
“The creation of this endowment will support the Garden’s efforts to be a world leader in the field of Japanese gardens and culture,” says Steve Bloom, CEO of the Portland Japanese Garden. “The gift is a significant endorsement for the important work of the organization and the planned expansion project. We are fortunate to be the recipient of Arlene’s inspiring generosity.”
The Portland Japanese Garden is in the process of planning for an expansion designed to preserve and enhance the tranquility of the existing Garden, respond to increased visitor numbers, and take advantage of opportunities in the areas of education, environmental sustainability, revenue generation through visitor amenities, and enhancing visitor and member services.
Arlene Schnitzer and her family have a long history with the Garden. She and her late husband, Harold Schnitzer, made a significant gift to the Garden’s renovation of the iconic Zig Zag Bridge in 2010. Arlene’s sister-in-law Mildred Schnitzer was a founding board member of the Garden, her son Jordan Schnitzer is a past president of the Board of Directors, and her nephew Alan Davis is currently on the Garden’s Board of Directors. Arlene is also an active member of the Garden’s Golden Crane Society and its International Advisory Board.
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About the Portland Japanese Garden:
The Portland Japanese Garden is the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Situated on more than 5 acres nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, the Garden features five traditional garden styles. The Garden is located above Washington Park at 611 SW Kingston Ave. in SW Portland, Oregon and is open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Visit the Garden online at www.japanesegarden.com.
London, August 1st. The 2012 Olympics are being called the “social media games” and one of its most popular players is Kevin Love. The Minnesota Timberwolves power forward from Lake Oswego is standing out, with stats like 16 points and 6 rebounds in a game against Tunisia, and the 24-year-old is tweeting about his Olympic experiences to his 374,596 Twitter followers.
Russell Westbrook high-fives Kevin Love after a play against France on July 29, 2012. ( Jamie Squire/Getty Images Europe)
The 6’10” two time NBA All-Star, in true Oregonian fashion, doesn’t take himself too seriously with his fans, or Facebook followers, that’s where he posted these Olympic snapshots:
Kevin writes, “Since I’m the team photographer…check out the presser.”
This is the type of image Love sends to his followers, USA Teammates sleeping on the plane.
Kevin Love explained on facebook, “Deron Williams & Russ caught me slipping…”
In this interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Love talks about growing up in Oregon, his love/hate relationship with Twitter, and why his chances were good to make Team USA, because he explained, “They always need at least one token white guy.”
Carmelo Anthony, Lebron James, James Harden, Kevin Love, Deron Williams and Anthony Davis pose prior to their game against France on Day 2 of the London Games on July 29, 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama hugs Kevin Love after the Men’s Basketball game between the United States and France on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Kevin Love will have more time in London to post to Facebook, use his Instagram account, and tweet to followers. The twelve member USA basketball team is favored to play through the games and into the Olympic finals in basketball on Sunday, August 12th.
The Men’s Basketball team will play the following games:
Portland, July 21st. The Zoolala benefit party raised nearly $150,000 to support the important animal welfare, conservation, education and sustainability programs at the core of the Oregon Zoo’s mission. OZF Board Member Campbell Kidd, Mike Clark, OZF Board Member Tracey Clark, and OZF Director Jani Iverson enjoyed the event.
Seattle-based painting performance artist Jimmy Gersen painted two original pieces during the event that were auctioned off to benefit the Oregon Zoo.
More than 700 zoo aficionados turned out for the charity benefit. A sold-out VIP reception featured a champagne ride on the zoo’s iconic train to the Great Northwest and patio of the new state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center. Signature drinks and sample plates from generous eateries tempted palates as Seattle-based performance painting artist Jimmy Gersen created works of art to be auctioned off later in the evening.
Summer soiree blends fun, fundraising for Oregon Zoo supporters.
The party got into full swing on the zoo’s concert lawn area. Guests tried their luck at the Monte Carlo tables and collected their winnings in the marketplace. For those who liked groovin’, the Tara Williamson Quartet and Beatles-through-the-ages band Apple Jam provided plenty of fodder for happy feet .
Of course, the animals weren’t left out of the fun. The zoo’s famous elephants, orangutans and sun bears were among the wildlife who stayed up late to enjoy a few enriching activities of their own!
We owe a great deal of thanks to everyone who came out to support the zoo, to those who donate to help create a better future for wildlife, to the zoo’s invaluable corps of volunteers, to all the vendors who served guests and to the event sponsors: Spirit Mountain Casino, Ray and Karolette Peterson, NW Natural, The Standard, Nike, Lease Crutcher Lewis, PLACE, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Jane Buchan and Jim Driscoll, Portland Monthly, KEX, Chateau St. Michelle, Deschutes Brewery, New Deal Distillery and DRY Soda.
Portland, July 24th. Tom Hanks received a warm welcome in the Rose City even though he’s an avid Aston Villa fan (so much so that he’s featured on the club’s official website as a ‘Famous Fan,’ along with British royalty, Prince William.) The Aston Villa team, based in Birmingham England, defeated the Portland Timbers with penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in regulation. (Photo credit, Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers)
Tom Hanks visits the Timbers locker room at JELD-WEN Field.
The gracious star posed with the Timbers and their opponents, Aston Villa.
Hanks took time to pose with British Consul Priya Guha and Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler before the start of the Timbers game versus Aston Villa. The Academy Award winning actor supports several charity foundations which advocate for health, the environment, and an end to poverty. Hanks turned 56 earlier this month.
Hanks’ visit coincided with President Obama’s fundraising trip to Portland where he spoke at a Oregon Convention Center. Obama’s reelection team created a campaign video trailer which is narrated by Tom Hanks.
The Timbers hold up log slabs after the game with Aston Villa.
During the Timbers game, Rookie Rincón scored his first goal for Portland. Tom Hanks joked with the team beforehand instructing them to, “Change the face of the game.” The Hollywood movie star enjoyed the Portland fans. Reporter Shawn Levy said that Tom Hanks gestured toward the Timbers Army and said, “Why can’t all of America have something like this?”
Portland, July 24th. The President landed at the Oregon Air National Guard base and met with greeters, including his brother-in-law OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson. White House journalists who travel with the President were treated to Voodoo Donuts. According to Jeff Mapes, they were quite amazed by the bacon maple bars. In a lighthearted moment, President Obama asked local reporters, “Got any granola?”
The quick fundraising visit brought out protesters and created traffic snarls.
The President held two fund-raising events. An invitation-only gathering where 25 people paid $30,000 each to meet with the President, according to campaign officials. He also attended a fundraising lunch, where 950 people paid about $500 to attend. At the Oregon Convention Center, President Obama told supporters, “It’s wonderful to be back in Portland, one of the memories I love is the rally we had by the water four years ago, it was just as pretty as can be. There were people kayaking and in boats, you could see just as far as… it was just beautiful.”
Along with supporters, protesters lined the streets outside the convention center. Many waved signs pushing for stricter gun laws in the wake of the mass shooting in Colorado.
The First Family has a warm relationship with OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson. That connection brought Robinson’s sister, First Lady Michelle Obama, to Oregon State University’s graduation last spring.
Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker at the main graduation ceremony for Oregon State University on Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republic presidential nominee, visited Portland in June. Romney was in Portland for a luncheon at the downtown Governor Hotel. The event was not open to the public or media. The event reportedly cost $2,500 per person to attend.
Look for more campaign visits from the Presidential candidates in advance of the November 6th General election.
Portland, July 19th. Charity movers and shakers learned about new social media at workshop organized by Meyer Memorial Trust. Amy Sample Ward, Holly Ross and Eleigh Doineau from NTEN offered advice. NTEN and PAGATIM joined forces to educate over 175 nonprofit leaders.
Laura Mansfield is the Co-Founder of PAGATIM, Marie Deatherage is the Director of Communication & Learning for the Meyer Memorial Trust, Tara Rojas is from PAGATIM, and Mike Phillips is from Myer Memorial Trust
We work with and invest in organizations, communities, ideas and efforts that contribute to a flourishing and equitable Oregon.
Values:
As of December, 2011, Meyer Memorial Trust had made 6,687 awards for more than $554 million since it began operating in 1982. The man behind the Meyer Memorial Trust – Fred G. Meyer – was ahead of his time. His values – to innovate, take risks, embrace diversity, adapt to changing circumstances, contribute to economic development/parity and to develop the power of the mind – continue to create and inform our culture, influencing what we do and how we do it.
We fulfill our mission using a mix of strategic, proactive and responsive investments, including grant-making, loans, initiatives, commissioning research, supporting policy advocacy and a range of community and nonprofit engagement strategies.
First called the Fred G. Meyer Charitable Trust, this foundation was created by the late Fred G. Meyer, who built the chain of retail stores bearing his name throughout the Pacific Northwest. When Mr. Meyer died in 1978 at the age of 92, his will established the charitable trust, bequeathing it nearly two million shares of stock in Fred Myer Inc. In 1982, most of the designated funds were transferred from the estate and the charitable trust began operating. All stock in Fred Meyer Inc. was sold prior to the transfer.
Portland, July 21st. The Organically Grown Company hosted a fundraising party for one of its favorite charities: the mentoring program for homeless and transitional teens called p:ear. Marketing Communications Specialist for Organically Grown, Tonya Haworth, and Marketing Manager, Stacy Kraker, organized the event.
Nate Engkjer, a p:ear employee, Steph Chase, the Development and Community Relations Manager, and Beth Burns, p:ear’s Executive Director
The party was on the Ecotrust terrace at 721 NW 9th Avenue.
Phresh Organic Catering Company served up tomato basil salad, roasted potatoes, and chicken breast with Oregon honey-chipotle barbecue sauce.
Organically Grown Company is employee and grower owned. Every summer the company gives boxes of fresh produce to the p:ear kitchen to help feed hungry teens.
This fundraiser for p:ear had views of the “Sundown at Ecotrust” event happening below.
Mo and Don Mayfield look over the terrace with Tonya McMillan and her son Koen.
Tyler Clear and Brian Cook gave a thumbs-up to the organic food at the party.
Baby May had a wonderful time looking at the terrace tomato plants and blueberry bushes .
Melyssa Sharp, Katie Trudeau and Sean McConahay
Organic Grown Company is the largest wholesaler of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs within the Pacific Northwest. It was founded by farmers who purchase 90% of their products directly from the growers themselves.
Kristi Yoder and Rachel Ebert enjoyed the atmosphere.
Matt Mylet, Jae Easterbrooks and Laurie Landeros take a quick picture after getting some drinks from the inside bar.
Each year “p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives”. Throughout this process, p:ear helps serve around 900 “homeless and transitional young people” who vary in age from 15 to 24.
To truly exit homelessness, kids must develop the internal strength, skills and foresight to make healthy choices. p:ear provides a safe, non-judgmental environment in which youth are trusted to outgrow unproductive and harmful behaviors. We offer individualized mentoring and education programs in a safe, reliable setting designed to foster trust, build self-esteem and to teach homeless and transitional kids – who all too often are regarded by society as disposable, “hopeless cases” – that they are valuable individuals with a future who have something vital to contribute to this community.
p:ear staff and volunteers serve as mentors, friends, and role models, while p:ear’s unique programs create opportunities for young people to grow intellectually, express themselves constructively, communicate in positive ways and engage in meaningful interactions with the larger community of Portland. This is not work that can be accomplished in the short-term. These are relationships based on trust that take years to cultivate and require enormous dedication to sustain.
We are committed to being there for p:ear youth over the long-haul to share failures and successes, mundane events as well as life-altering milestones.
p:ear mentors youth through education, art and recreation.
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