Portland, OR. Cast and creative crew raised their glasses to toast the launch of the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home. Portland Center Stage at The Armory’s 30thanniversary opened with the groundbreaking work described by the New York Times as, “a Beautiful Heartbreaker.” It’s based on the celebrated graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel. The Fun Home opening night party was September 22nd, and the musical will run through October 22nd on The Armory’s U.S. Bank Main Stage. At the party opening night party, “Fun Home” cast members, the three Alisons, Allison Mickelson, Aida Valentine and Sara Masterson, posed for a photo.
“Fun Home” director Chris Coleman with his husband Rodney Hicks (who recently appeared on Broadway in “Come From Away”); actor Merideth Kaye Clark (creator/performer for The Armory’s upcoming production of “Winter Song”); and “Fun Home” Stage Manager Mark Tynan.
Members of the “Fun Home” cast and creative team: Faith Sandberg (Helen Bechdel) with Stage Manager Mark Tynan and Sara Masterson (Medium Alison).
Allison Mickelson, who stars as adult Alison in “Fun Home” with Chris Porras, media director for Artslandia Magazine.
The cast of “Fun Home” with Stage Manager Mark Tynan (center).
“Fun Home” director Chris Coleman with his husband Rodney Hicks.
“The story is an emotional excavation of sorts,” said Chris Coleman of Fun Home. “I think it’s one of the smartest, freshest pieces of writing we’ve seen in the musical theater genre,” he continued. “I had a chance to see the original incarnation at the Public Theater in New York and was just knocked out by how inventive the piece was. It manages to be charming and funny and heartbreaking and haunting all within the same 90 minutes.” Portland Center Stage at The Armory is fortunate to be one of the very first regional theater companies to get the rights to produce its own version of the production, which will be presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Based on Alison Bechdel’s witty and wistful illustrated autobiography of the same name, the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home ushers us inside Alison’s head — at three different ages — as she struggles to process the chain of childhood events that made her the adult she is today. Growing up in a funeral home as the closeted lesbian daughter of a father with secrets of his own was complicated. But by looking back on her family life, and remembering all the loving, silly, and even shameful moments, Alison learns to see her parents — and herself — for who they really are.
Theo Curl as John Bechdel, Karsten George as Christian Bechdel, Allison Mickelson as Alison, Faith Sandberg as Helen Bechdel and Aida Valentine as Small Alison in “Fun Home” at The Armory. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.
The cast of “Fun Home” at The Armory. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.
Allison Mickelson as Alison, Karsten George as Christian Bechdel, Theo Curl as John Bechdel and Aida Valentine as Small Alison in “Fun Home” at The Armory. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.
From Portland Center Stage:
Regular tickets for Fun Home start at $25 and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at www.pcs.org, 503.445.3700, or in-person from the box office (128 NW Eleventh Avenue, Portland, OR). Rush tickets are $20. Students and patrons who are 30 or younger can purchase $30 tickets in premium seating areas. $5 tickets are available for Oregon Trail Card holders through the Arts for All program. Regular tickets are 50% off for active duty or veteran military personnel and their immediate families. Discounts for groups of 10+. General performance times are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., and Thursday matinees at noon (special exclusions apply, see below). Fun Home is recommended for ages 16+; it contains adult situations, explicit language and sexual references. More information at www.pcs.org/funhome.
THE MUSICAL
Fun Home premiered Off-Broadway at The Public in 2013 as a sell-out hit with critical acclaim. The New York Times review called it a “beautiful heartbreaker” and the production swept the Off-Broadway awards, including winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, Lucille Lortel and Obie awards for Best Musical. The following year, Fun Home was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When it opened on Broadway in 2015, The Huffington Post called it a “grippingly heartwarming story mixed with some of the most smart and joyful musical numbers presently on Broadway. Seekers of provocative, invigorating and entertaining theatre will find it.” Fun Home earned 12 Tony Award nominations and won five, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. It made history as the first Broadway hit written by an all-female team to win a Tony Award for Best Musical
THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
Allison Bechdel’s graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic was released in 2006 to widespread acclaim. The New York Times book review hailed it as a “pioneering work, pushing two genres (comics and memoir) in multiple new directions” and London’s The Times described it as a “profound and important book.” It was listed as one of the best books of 2006 by numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Times, New York Magazine and Publishers Weekly, and it was a finalist for the National Book Award. Bechdel, who had already gained national prominence for her countercultural comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, won the Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work for Fun Home, along with the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book and the Stonewall Book Award for Best Non-fiction, among others. Fun Home – despite controversial attempts to ban it from libraries and remove it from reading lists at universities – is now regarded as a contemporary literary classic.
THE CAST
Three actors play the central character at various ages: Allison Mickelson (National Tour of Elf: The Musical and Ragtime at Surflight Theater) will play Alison as the adult cartoonist reflecting on memories of her past; Sara Masterson (The Secret Garden at Idaho Shakespeare Festival and A Christmas Carol at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) will play Medium Alison, the college freshman discovering her sexual identity; and Aida Valentine will play Small Alison, the young daughter living with her family in the house on Maple Avenue. Robert Mammana (Les Misérables on Broadway; The Sound of Music, Show Boat and Les Misérables National Tours) will take on the role of Alison’s father, Bruce Bechdel. Alison’s mother, Helen Bechdel, will be played by Faith Sandberg (The Fourth Messenger for New York Music Festival and The Good Girl for Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab). Alison’s brothers, John and Christian, will be played by Theo Curl (James in Oregon Children’s Theatre’s James and the Giant Peach) and Karsten George (Pugsley in The Addams Family at Broadway Rose Theatre), respectively. Joe Knispel (All The Way and Ah, Wilderness at Asolo Repertory Theater) will play the roles of Roy, Mark, Pete and Bobby Jeremy. Kristen DiMercurio (Murder Ballad at D.C.’s Studio Theatre and Grease at Totem Pole Playhouse) will take on the role of Joan, Medium Allison’s college classmate. Alexa Kelly Shaheen (The Magic Flute at Portland Opera) will be the understudy for Small Alison.
THE BAND
Eric Little (The Last Five Years and Sweeney Todd at The Armory) will serve as pianist; Will Amend (Little Shop of Horrors and Ain’t Misbehavin’ at The Armory) will play bass; Dale Tolliver will play the cello (LIZZIE and Fiddler on the Roof at The Armory); Mitch Wilson (Little Shop of Horrors and One Night with Janis Joplin at The Armory) will play the drums; Eric Toner (Little Shop of Horrors and Dreamgirls at The Armory) will play guitar; Mieke Bruggeman will play reeds (Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Fiddler on the Roof at The Armory); and Tylor Neist (Fiddler/Ensemble in Fiddler on the Roof at The Armory) will play violin/viola.
tHE Creative Team
Director Chris Coleman (recently Constellations and Astoria: Part One at The Armory) leads a creative team that includes Music DirectorRick Lewis (Astoria: Part One and Little Shop of Horrors at The Armory); Scenic DesignerWilliam Bloodgood (Cyrano and Other Desert Cities at The Armory); Costume Designer Alison Heryer (Lauren Weedman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Wild and Reckless at The Armory); Lighting DesignerWilliam Kirkham (Constellations and The Oregon Trail at The Armory); Sound DesignerAlex Hawthorn (The Armory debut; Fly By Night and The Great Immensity Off-Broadway); Stage Manager Mark Tynan; Kristen Mun (assistant stage manager) and Jordan Affeldt and Katie Nguyen (production assistants).
Ticket and Performance Information
When: September 16* – October 22, 2017
*Opening night is Friday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Showtimes: General performance times are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (excluding Oct. 1, 15, 17 and 22), Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (excluding Sep. 16, 17, 23 and Oct. 7), and Thursday matinees at noon (excluding Oct. 21).
To Purchase: Regular tickets range from $25 to $85. Rush tickets are $20. Students and patrons who are 30 or younger can purchase $30 tickets in all premium seating areas. $5 tickets are available for Oregon Trail Card holders through the Arts for All program. 50% off regular tickets for active duty or veteran military personnel and their immediate families. Discounts for groups of 10+. Prices vary by date, time, and seating area, and are subject to change.
Portland Center Stage at The Armory is the largest theater company in Portland and among the top 20 regional theaters in the country. Established in 1988 as a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the company became independent in 1994 and has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Chris Coleman since 2000. Around 150,000 visitors attend The Armory annually to enjoy a mix of classical, contemporary and world premiere productions, along with a variety of high quality education and community programs. 11 productions are offered each season, in addition to roughly 400 community events created — in partnership with 170+ local organizations and individuals — to serve the diverse populations in the city. As part of its dedication to new play development, the company has produced 23 world premieres and presents an annual new works festival, JAW: A Playwrights Festival. Home to two theaters, The Armory was the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue, to achieve a LEED Platinum rating.
THE 2017-2018 SEASON
The 2017-2018 season is funded in part by Season Superstars Tim and Mary Boyle and Lead Corporate Champion Umpqua Bank. Further support comes from Season Sponsors the Regional Arts and Culture Council, The Wallace Foundation and Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the state of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support for Fun Home comes from Production Sponsors Blue Hour, The Standard, GBD Architects, Drs. Ann Smith Sehdev and Paul Sehdev, Dr. Barbara Hort, and Don and Mary Blair. Mark Spencer Hotel is the official hotel partner for the company. Portland Center Stage at The Armory was selected as a participant of the Wallace Foundation’s Building Audiences for Sustainability Initiative, a four-year effort with a nationwide cohort of 26 performing arts organizations.
Portland, OR. A Carnivale Gala was the kickoff for the upcoming 50th anniversary and a fundraiser for the Golden Jubilee Preservation Project. The Old Church on SW 11th, built in 1882 and on the National Register of Historic Places is a world-class concert hall and community arts organization. Keith and Elizabeth Sconiers from the Northwest Advisory Group enjoyed the Saptember 15th gala. The benefit included performances by Aaron Meyer, Groovy Wallpaper, Circus Project and the unfurling of a new logo. (Photo credit, Richard Kolbell, Bridette Emard Photography)
Here’s a video about the event:
Amanda Stark, ED and Bob Hermanson, President of the board, The Old Church Society
Patrick and Maria Harvey / Really Big Video
Valarie Rundquist, Oregon Community Foundation
Michal Ann Russell, Richard and Anne De Wolf, ARCIFORM
The big reveal of our new logo
Moe Lincoln, Artist Liaison, TOC Concert Hall and Emcee for the evening
Janet Penner, actress
TOC Concert Hall, 50 Years in the Heart of Portland
From The Old Church:
The Old Church is a nonprofit, non-religious concert hall and all-ages event venue with a rich history and a dynamic 21st century identity. Built in 1882, it is the oldest church building in downtown Portland and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1967, dedicated citizens banded together to purchase and save this heritage building from demolition. Our dual mission is to preserve and celebrate the building’s historic architecture and create music and arts programs that enhance the cultural life of the community. Through our programming and operations, we are committed to being a cultural living room open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, disability status, geography, age and other forms of bias. Diversity, equity and inclusion are central values as we strive to foster inspired and creative community.
We encourage you to read more about our history, but we’re most excited about our present and future. The Old Church is run by a creative and dedicated staff and a passionate board of directors. With contributions from supporters like you, we are able to offer free music, culture and community-building programs for children and adults – all in a unique performance venue in the heart of the city.
Portland, OR. The second annual Taste of Giving event had a band that played vintage blues, jazz and ragtime music. The event on September 13th was designed to showcase the grant-making capabilities of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF). Jewish young professionals who attended enjoyed an evening of food, conversation and inspiration. Cara Perellis and Andrew Rosengarten, OJCF Giving Council Members, enjoyed the evening at the Lagunitas Community Room on NE Broadway.
Attendees gather to reflect on their personal giving and share with each other.
Chairs Brad Stern and Jacob Caniparoli join OJCF staff Sonia Marie Leikam for a quick picture.
From Oregon Jewish Community Foundation:
Since 1989, OJCF’s mission has been to create, promote and facilitate a culture of giving and to serve as a guardian of permanent funds available to safeguard the quality of Jewish communal life in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
We do this by helping individuals and families manage their current philanthropic giving as well as customizing permanent charitable endowments for the benefit of their favorite organizations. OJCF also manages and administers funds on behalf of other Oregon and SW Washington Jewish charities.
Portland, Or. In celebration of the Oregon Historical Society exhibition, High Hopes: The Journey of John F. Kennedy, the Oregon Historical Society welcomed Caroline Kennedy for a special lecture. She took time to meet Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Governor Barbara Roberts, and Governor Kate Brown at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on September 19th. Gov. Roberts gave opening remarks. Caroline Kennedy served as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017. Caroline spoke about her experience as ambassador and why strong U.S.–Japan cooperation is so important for the security and prosperity of both countries.
Ambassador Kennedy poses with the Mark Family outside of the Oregon Historical Society exhibit High Hopes: The Journey of John F. Kennedy, on display now through November 12. Pete Mark, who passed away this past spring, was the catalyst for bringing the Ambassador to Portland. Much of the High Hopes exhibition features artifacts from his personal collection, and is the fifth exhibition of artifacts and rare documents from the Mark Family Collection to be displayed at the Oregon Historical Society.
Ambassador Kennedy met with Keiko & Rex Ziak prior to her lecture to hear about their work with the OBON Society, a non-profit that provides opportunities for reconciliation between family through the return of personal items taken during war.
Ambassador Kennedy poses with Oregon Historical Society Board President Carl Christoferson and Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk.
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy is an attorney and editor of nine New York Times best-selling books on constitutional law, American history, politics, and poetry. From 2002 to 2011 she was Vice Chair of the Fund for Public Schools, raising over $280 million to support public school reform and engaging a record number of New Yorkers to volunteer in New York City schools. She is Honorary President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and a member of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Committee. A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School, Caroline is also Honorary Chair of the Senior Advisory Committee of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.
Caroline Kennedy toured the exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society which is on display through November 12th. It celebrates President John F. Kennedy in what would have been the 100th year of his life. The new 6,000-square foot exhibition, “High Hopes: The Journey of John F. Kennedy” features hundreds of items from the president’s life and time in office. It is be the largest display of its kind outside the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Caroline Kennedy is a prominent member of the Kennedy family and the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
There are many photos of John F. Kennedy from visits he made to Oregon.
The Oregon Historical Society is located at 1200 SW Park Ave Portland, Oregon 97205
Portland, OR. Volunteers washed over 300 dogs at the 23rd annual Dogtoberfest on September 16th. The sudsy benefit at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub on SE Hawthorne raised over $17,000 for the DoveLewis Blood Bank.
DoveLewis Marketing Director Tess Payne, KGW’s Drew Carney and Lucky Lab owner (and founder of the event) Gary Geist help wash a Superhero blood donor to promote Dogtoberfest, Portland’s biggest dog wash.
Representatives from Delap, a Dogtoberfest main sponsor, helped support the DoveLewis Blood Bank by volunteering to wash dirty pups at the event.
KATU meteorologist Mary Loos and Willis the Weather Dog enjoyed exploring all the activities at Dogtoberfest.
US Bank, one of the main sponsors of the event, gave away treats and held a fundraising raffle for DoveLewis at their booth on Pet Promenade, Dogtoberfest’s pet-friendly street fair.
The DoveLewis Blood Bank, the largest volunteer-based animal blood bank in the Pacific Northwest, provides dogs and cats with more than 500 transfusions each year.
“Last year, more than 130 dogs and 30 cats donated blood to save the lives of animals in need. Dogtoberfest is a fun way to support the vital services of our blood bank,” said Blood Bank Director Jill Greene.
The American Red Cross was also on site for a human blood drive in celebration of the importance of donating to save human lives.
Here are more photos from the sudsy benefit:
From DoveLewis Emergency Animal 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. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal loving community. With 43 years of service, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals and has been deemed one of Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofits by the Portland Business Journal for eight years. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
Portland, OR. Dogs were welcome alongside their human companions for the first time at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The 26th annual fundraiser for breast cancer support and research drew tens of thousands to Portland’s waterfront September 17th. Organizers say many patients say their pets are a comfort so they deserve a place in the race.
So far the 2017 Komen Portland Race for the Cure® has raised over $375,600. The ambitious goal is $800,000 and donations will be collected through October 31st.
There was also a new route. Stepping away from the downtown streets, participants looped around the Willamette River over the Hawthorne and Steel bridges and along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park walkway and the Eastbank Esplanade. This move eliminated street closures and provided a pleasant view for the racers.
Here are some snapshots from the colorful race:
Team Compass Oncology (photo credit, Jason Hill Photography)
From Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure:
Seventy five percent of the funds from Sunday’s event support critical, local programs: screening, diagnosis and treatment services, safe and accurate breast cancer information, and patient navigation programs.
The remaining 25 percent will go toward understanding metastasis and how to prevent recurrence and develop more effective treatment. Two leading research centers in Portland, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and Providence Cancer Center, have received significant grants from Susan G. Komen.
Komen is the largest non-governmental funding source of breast cancer research in the world, with $12.2 million dedicated to researchers at Providence Cancer Center and Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute.
Portland, OR. Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington will recognize the outstanding leadership and community contributions of Rukaiyah Adams and DJ Wilson at the Marie Lamfrom Women of Distinction Luncheon. There are still tickets available for the September 26th luncheon at the Portland Hilton Hotel, located at 921 SW 6th Ave, with a reception at 11 a.m. and a luncheon at noon.
Here’s a link for tickets:
Here’s more about these distinguished honorees.
Rukaiyah Adams is the Chief Investment Officer at Meyer Memorial Trust. Under her leadership, Meyer invests in a diversified portfolio of global equities, fixed income, private equities, real estate, commodities and hedge funds. Before joining Meyer, she ran the $6.5 billion capital markets fund at The Standard. Adams is also the Chair of the Oregon Investment Council. Adams holds a BA with academic distinction from Carleton College, a JD from Stanford Law and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
DJ Wilson is president and general manager of the KGW Media Group in Portland, Oregon, a position she has held since July 2007. Wilson has held numerous community board positions over the last 20 years. She is currently the Board Chair of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters and The Classic Wines Auction, and the Chair Elect for the Portland Business Alliance. In 2012, Wilson was inducted into the Edward R. Murrow Hall of Achievement and was the recipient of the Portland Business Alliance “No Glass Ceiling” award. Wilson is also a past Portland Business Journal Women of Influence/Orchid Award recipient, recognizing top female leaders in the Portland region.
The Marie Lamfrom Women of Distinction Luncheon recognizes outstanding women leaders for their contributions to the community. Honorees exemplify the Girl Scout mission as women of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Luncheon proceeds allow GSOSW to provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), enhance four priority program areas: Financial Literacy, Healthy Living, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and Outdoor Leadership, and support various Girl Scout activities and programs for nearly 15,000 girls throughout Oregon and SW Washington.
Please contact Shannon Spencer at (503) 977-6843 or [email protected] for any questions.
For information on sponsoring the 2017 Marie Lamfrom Women of Distinction Luncheon, contact Shannon Spencer at (503) 977-6843 or [email protected].
Here’s a look at some of the photos from last year’s event:
Marie Lamfrom’s Family: Sally Bany, Eva Labby, Gert Boyle and Rachael Bany Sneddon
Both Girl Scout Alumni, KGW Anchor/Emcee Laural Porter and KGW General Manager DJ Wilson
Laural Porter, KGW News Anchor and host of KGW’s current affairs show, emceed the event on September 19th with more than 560 Girl Scout alumnae and community supporters in attendance. The event raised over $160,000 to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and enhance programs in financial literacy, healthy living, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and outdoor skills for more than 14,000 girls throughout Oregon and SW Washington.
Jyoti and Karina Shah, both Girl Scout Highest Award recipients. Karina was the 2016 Gold Award speaker at the luncheon sharing her project of providing technology training to older adults in retirement facilities.
Girl Scout Alumni Robyn Shuey and GSOSW Board Member Barbara Gibbs proudly display their uniform sash.
Honorees and – Judge Adrienne Nelson, 2015 Honoree, Peggy Maguire, 2015 Honoree, Dr. Judith A. Ramaley, 2016 Honoree, Sally Bany, 2016 Honoree, Governor Barbara Roberts, 2013 Honoree, Barbara Alberty, 2014 Honoree, and Mary Shaver, 2014 Honoree
A testament to the value of investing in girls’ leadership, Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Karina Shah shared her experience in the leadership program. “Looking back at my 12 years in Girl Scouts, it’s hard to think of what I would do and who I would be without this organization. Girl Scouts has taught me so many important life skills and values. It has shown me how to be a leader, to respect myself and others, to build healthy relationships, to advocate for myself and to think about other people. The experiences Girl Scouts has brought me are endless and I can’t thank enough the people who have made my Girl Scouting experience possible.”
The event’s success was bolstered by a $25,000 Challenge Grant generously given by Wells Fargo. The match was met and exceeded thanks to the incredible support of alumnae and community. The event’s Gold Sponsors included The Standard and Portlandia Club Inc. Silver sponsors are Brown and Brown, Ferguson Wellman, Cambia and Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C.
“You know what Bluebird would say… a Girl Scout can do anything,” honoree Sally Bany reflected on her grandmother, Marie Lamfrom who served as a troop leader for a special needs troop in Portland for 35 years. She served on the Girl Scout council’s board of directors and received the highest award a Girl Scout adult can receive, the Thanks Badge. Lamfrom co-founded the company that would become Columbia Sportswear.
For more information, or to express interest in sponsoring the 2017 Women of Distinction Luncheon, contact Shannon Spencer at [email protected] or call 503-977-6843.
About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Our council serves nearly 15,000 girl members in 37 counties with the help of over 10,000 adult members. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Every opportunity in Girl Scouting develops these essential skills in an all-girl, inclusive, safe environment. Our century of success is demonstrated by the fact that 70 percent of female CEOs on the Fortune 500 list and 59 percent of women serving in the U.S. Congress are Girl Scout alumnae.
Portland, OR. Over 350 guests filled the street outside Castaway in Northeast Portland to watch 56 teams battle it out for the gold medal at Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) 5th annual Cornhole Classic.
PYB is a program for youth from 17 to 24 whose experiences with poverty, violence, drugs, hunger and loss have interrupted their route to success. Serving more than 200 young people a year, the nonprofit offers a program of high school completion, vocational training, counseling, and support to help students realize their dreams.
The September 8th event, presented by O’Neill/Walsh Community Builders and the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, raised over $140,000 to support PYB students and programs.
Attendees ham it up at the photo booth, provided by Phototainment
Guests enjoy dinner provided by Jake’s Catering before the live auction begins.
From Portland YouthBuilders:
We are always inspired by stories from our students like our graduate Jesus and all the good that he is bringing to his neighborhood. This is what we do: PYB gives young people the tools and confidence needed to stabilize, thrive, and participate in their communities.
We could not have had this event without the support of our sponsors and guests, and their belief in our students’ ability to create a better future for themselves, for their families, and for their communities.
Portland, OR. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) presented KGW’s Drew Carney with an Excellence in Media award for his efforts to raise awareness about ground-breaking blood cancer treatments and support services offered to patients by LLS. This year approximately 30 recipients nationwide were recognized in the Television and Media Personality categories.
Drew was nominated by the Oregon, SW Washington, Idaho & Montana (OSWIM) chapter for his outstanding partnership this year. OSWIM chapter Executive Director Stephanie Carlson said, “Drew’s generosity and guidance helped spread awareness about our services so that local blood cancer patients can understand that we can help them.” On September 12th, at a special event at the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel in downtown Portland, Drew was honored in front of eighty business, community and student leaders as well as patients, families and volunteers.
Top fundraisers Kyra Bussanich and Paige Spratt
In addition, three top fundraisers were recognized for their outstanding achievements in 2017, raising a collective total of $285,000 in just 10 weeks:
Dr. Yale Popowich, Founder of Portland Plastic Surgery Group and 2017 Man of the Year
Paige Spratt, attorney with Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt and 2017 Woman of the Year
Kyra Bussanich, CEO of Kyra’s Bake Shop in Lake OswegoAbout Man, Woman & Student of the YearThe Man, Woman & Student of the Year is a unique fundraising and leadership opportunity for local business, community and high school-aged student leaders who wish to make an impact on the cancer landscape.Candidates form teams and fundraise for 7-10 weeks. Every dollar raised counts as a vote, and the teams with most votes win. Student candidates also compete for college scholarships.
Local chapter’s winners are ranked nationally and in 2017 over $50 million was raised across the US. In Oregon & SW Washington, Man & Woman of the Year is leading its 14th year and Students is leading its 5th!
In 2018, Oregon & SW Washington’s Students of the Year will run from January 11 – March 4, 2018, and Man & Woman of the Year will run from March 4 – May 12, 2018.
Nominations are now open for 2018 – please visit www.lls.org/oswim for more information.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Mount Angel, OR. No wonder they’re all smiles at Oktoberfest, the community festival has distributed nearly three million dollars to nonprofits since its inception in 1966 and that distribution doesn’t include the money earned each year by 50 local non-profit food booths. For most of these organizations, Oktoberfest is their most important fundraiser of the year. Oktoberfest runs from September 14th through 17th in the quaint town about an hour south of Portland. Most events at Mount Angel Oktoberfest are free, only three of the venues have a cover charge.
The Webertanz and the Engelberg Dance Troupe perform at 12:15 each morning. Mt. Angel School Children are a big part of this group, including the First Graders.
This year, a special collaboration with Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) means festival goers can enjoy a unique Pacific NW take on a Bavarian Session Ale with the limited edition release, Mt. Angel Volksbier on tap at the 52nd Annual Mount Angel Oktoberfest.
“Mount Angel Oktoberfest is pleased to partner with Hopworks Urban Brewery,” said Monica Boschler, Mount Angel Director of Marketing and PR. “Giving back to our communities and supporting family are highly valued shared goals”
There are 3 New Bands on the schedule for 2017: Oberkreiner Juhej – from Slovenia, great biergarten style Dopplebockers – local Oregon band; traditional polka for the Biergarten Chardon Polka Band – from Ohio; Polka meets Punk!
From Oktoberfest:
Did you ever wonder why Oktoberfest is celebrated in September? Even in Munich the bulk of the festival occurs in September. Oktoberfest has come to mean a celebration of German Culture in the fall season. Most fall festivals come at the end of the harvest when the crops are in and everything sits in the lager house. It is time to celebrate the year’s hard work and praise the Creator’s bounty with a grand harvest festival. Few harvest festivals in Germany are called OKTOBERFEST. In Mount Angel, Oktoberfest always starts the second Thursday after Labor Day – about when the hop harvest is in. Another reason for celebrating Oktoberfest in September is that the weather tends to be more cooperative. We can attest to that in Mount Angel.
The venue pricing varies a bit by day and time:
All Festival Pass: four day ALL FESTIVAL PASS/Wristband for $30.00 unlimited entry to all venues for all 4 days at any time. Most economical choice for those with an extended stay, and once on your wrist your wristband allows quick entry any day, any time!
Day Passes: Day passes are available for each day of the festival and are used for unlimited entry and reentry to the 3 venues on that day only. A pass purchased before 5:00 pm is good through the remainder of the day – no additional evening charge. A different colored wristband will be used for each day of the festival.
Day Pass pricing:
Thursday: Before 5:00pm -$5 After 5:00pm – $8
Friday:* Before 5:00pm -$7 After 5:00pm – $12
Saturday: Before 5:00pm -$10 After 5:00pm – $15
Sunday: Before 5:00pm -$10 After 5:00pm – $10
*Friday is our Saluting Our Armed Forces Day – a $2 discount is offered to those who are serving or have served in our Military. Sponsored by Les Schwab Tires and Mount Angel Oktoberfest. Not valid with other discounts.
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