A Lifestyle Story: Portland, OR. The coronavirus is changing the way people live in many ways. With more families isolating together, many are craving more spaces outside of their primary residence where they can relax in places like Central Oregon. (The home above at 61794 Tam McArthur Loop in Bend is listed at $3.7 million with Sotheby’s.) People see the valuing of time with family, friends, and time spent together in the great outdoors. Also, many professionals aren’t tethered to their desks because they’re working remotely. Consequently, the real estate industry is seeing some new trends. There’s an uptick in sales of second homes in markets that are drivable from cities.
According to industry statistics, the number of pending sales in the Bend area was up 53% in June. And some prices in Central Oregon are sky-high.
In Central Oregon, according to Bend Premier Real Estate, million-dollar home sales are breaking records. “Over the years, as various sections of Bend were developed, the luxury market expanded into Pilot Butte, Awbrey Butte, and the various golf communities in town such as Awbrey Glen, Broken Top, Pronghorn and Tetherow.” Bend realtors say they are in the midst of one of the most active summer selling seasons in years and struggling to find homes to list.
It’s part of a national trend. People are fleeing their glass-enclosed, high-rise apartments for larger second homes with outdoor space.
There has also been a surge of interest across California, spanning from San Diego all the way up to northern coastal regions, such as Montecito, Carmel and into Northern California’s wine country. Here’s a video of another hot spot; a $65 million dollar listing in Malibu, California.
According to Real Estate veteran, Karen Durrett, on the Northern Oregon coast, second homes are getting harder to find. The median price is also up.
In Manzanita, second homes for over $1 million have been snapped up all summer and now there are very few left for sale.
Just south of Cannon Beach there’s a modern oceanfront home for sale with an ocean view for $4,995,000. It’s 3,348 square feet and it sits on an acre.
Today’s record-low mortgage rates are also fueling interest. Since most experts forecast that mortgage rates will remain in the 3% range throughout the year, homebuyers are jumping on the low-cost mortgage train. This could help offset the higher house prices in some real estate markets.
Portland, OR. The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) virtual walk had over 400 participants and raised nearly $50,000 to fund ASO’s programs throughout Oregon and SW Washington. The live-stream event was held on August 23rd. Families, individuals, and supporters walked or ran on their own in their Autism Awareness/Acceptance gear and sent in videos and photos for the montage below.
See all of the participants of the 2020 Virtual Autism Walk in Portland in this video by Robert Parrish.
Organizers say, during this challenging year, the nonprofit’s services are needed more than ever.
You still can donate to the walk at this LINK. Or, make a general donation to ASO at LINK.
Here’s a list of all the winners:
Largest Team:
Wild, Wild Westerlund
Highest Individual Fundraiser:
Joshua Peek
Highest Team Fundraiser:
Team Cameron
T-shirt Design Contest Winner:
Anna Litchman
From Autism Society of Oregon:
The Autism Society of Oregon is Oregon’s leading organization providing resources, education, advocacy on policy matters and support for individuals and families living with autism.
We are committed to these core principles:
• We provide services without regard to a person’s age, race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, income level or level of need on the autism spectrum • We strongly encourage and welcome families, professionals and individuals living with autism with opportunities to participate in our governance, on our committees, and as staff members • We partner with others to advance the well-being of all living with autism • We promote individual choice and self-determination of individuals living with autism, aided by parental and guardian advocacy • We recognize a person living with autism can and should be able to maximize his/her quality of life and oppose any denial of their opportunities • We oppose any discrimination and harm directed towards individuals living with autism and their families
Donations to ASO are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Portland, OR. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in some very hard times for many of our local nonprofits; so much so that some may go under. According to the Harvard Business Review, “In the weeks and months ahead, nonprofits will need a major infusion of cash to keep staff on the payroll, to pay rent and utilities, to provide a semblance of services during this period of social isolation, and, simply, to survive.” The outlook for some nonprofits gets more precarious with each benefit cancellation and each face-to-face fundraising event dropped due to the risk of spreading COVID-19.
In Portland, we’ve seen many nonprofits rise to the challenge by using creative thinking and utilizing virtual fundraising. Donors are prioritizing charities with the fastest and most meaningful impact and shedding bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Businesses that serve the nonprofit sector are seeing that donors are prioritizing organizations that are focused on health and human services. Michael Gorriarán is the President of a business serving nonprofits called Arjuna. The company uses behavioral economics modeling and artificial intelligence to optimize nonprofit outreach to donors. Gorriarán says, “Fundraising contingency plans never considered an issue of this magnitude.” He notes that the pandemic has massively disrupted fundraising campaigns and that virtual campaigns are not producing as much revenue as in-person benefits.
According to the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, 49% of the nonprofits reported adding new clients, services, or programs since the start of the pandemic. If donations drop, they’ll need to find ways to fill the funding gaps.
Harvard Business School recently shared some other thoughts from business and nonprofit professionals on responses needed:
The importance of donors accelerating financial contributions that they might have made later was emphasized.
Unrestricted donations will do more good than restricted.
Donors should give priority to programs with proven interventions to the largest numbers of people, especially if they’re at high risk of having to close their doors.
Priority should be given to nonprofits closest to the frontline and to those serving the most vulnerable.
Halting the outflow of as much cash as possible, including a reduction in fixed costs, should be an immediate priority for nonprofits.
Any partnerships or mergers of nonprofits with similar purposes ever pondered need to be very seriously considered now.
At Portland Society Page we have a list of local nonprofits you can explore on our
Portland, OR. Portland Opera has postponed operas like Tosca, (seen above) but it it will present An Evening with Portland Opera: A Free & Virtual Concert from Rose City. The online benefit concert will take place on Saturday, October 17th, at 7:30 PM, and will be available for free on Portland Opera’s Vimeo and YouTube channels. Hosted by General Director Sue Dixon, conducted by Music Director George Manahan, and directed by Kristine McIntyre, An Evening with Portland Opera will feature guest artists whose performances were canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, joined by the 2019/20 Resident Artists, the Portland Opera Orchestra, and Portland Opera Chorus, under the direction of Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Nicholas Fox. Donations accepted before and during the event will directly support Portland Opera. This hour-long performance, which was recorded and produced safely, will only be available to view for 30 days.
“Although we cannot gather in person, we are delighted to join together to share in an evening of beautiful music,” says General Director Sue Dixon. “We are not alone in facing the very real challenges of this time. The decision to program this concert allows us to celebrate the talent and artistry of the musicians we were going to hear and love this year, be inspired by the vitality of our artform, and connect with the community that is the reason we do the work we do. We hope you will tune in and that we can all find joy and comfort in experiencing music together.”
Guest artists for this special evening will include sopranos Vanessa Isiguen, Alexandra LoBianco, and Caitlin Lynch; mezzo-soprano and former Portland Opera Resident Artist Daryl Freedman; baritones Michael Chioldi, Gordon Hawkins, and Will Liverman; and bass-baritone Daniel Mobbs. They will be joined by Portland Opera’s 2019/20 Resident Artists: soprano Emilie Faiella, mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman, tenor Ricardo Garcia, and baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg. Pianists for the performance include Portland Opera Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Nicholas Fox, Cris Frisco, Steven McGhee, Joshua Quinn, and Carol Wong.
This benefit concert was made possible by ongoing support from The CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Oregon Arts Commission, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Portland Opera is a member of OPERA America.
Artist Biographies:
Soprano Vanessa Isiguen made her Portland Opera debut in 2017, joining the company for the Big Night concert, and singing the role of Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème. Since then, she has joined the company each year for the annual Big Night concert. This year, she was scheduled to sing the role of Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, prior to its cancellation due to COVID-19. Additional recent credits include the title role in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Palm Beach Opera and Opera Idaho, the role of Roberta Alden in Tobias Picker’s An American Tragedy with Glimmerglass Opera, and numerous roles with Opera Tampa. Full bio information can be found here.
Soprano Alexandra LoBianco is scheduled to make her Portland Opera debut in the title role of Tosca, a role she has previously sung at North Carolina Opera and Minnesota Opera. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2019 as Marianne Leitmetzerin in Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. Her credits also include the roles of Leonore in Beethoven’s Fidelio and Helmwige in Wagner’s Die Walküre at the Wiener Staatsoper; Amelia in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera at Florida Grand Opera, and Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Seattle Opera. Full bio information can be found here.
Soprano Caitlin Lynch was scheduled to make her Portland Opera debut this summer as Bea in Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, prior to its cancellation due to the pandemic. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Biancofiore in Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini in 2013 and has since sung the roles of Cynthia in Nico Muhly’s Two Boys, Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and the Countess in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro there. Additional credits include roles with Palm Beach Opera, English National Opera, Seattle Opera, Utah Opera, and the Seattle Symphony. Additional bio information can be found here.
Mezzo-soprano Daryl Freedman made her Portland Opera debut as a Resident Artist as Aglaonice in Philip Glass’s Orphée, and went on to sing numerous roles with the company including Venere in Monteverdi’s Il Ballo delle Ingrate, Dinah in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Sandman in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Concepción in Ravel’s L’Heure espagnole, and multiple roles in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges. She is scheduled to sing the role of Azucena in Verdi’s Il Trovatore in the 20/21 season. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Schwertleite in Die Walküre in 2019 and is a graduate of Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artist program. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Michael Chioldi was scheduled to make his Portland Opera debut as Tonio in Pagliacci in June 2020, prior to its cancellation due to the coronavirus. He has performed at nearly every major American opera house, including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Recent credits include the role of Giorgio Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata with Utah Opera, Washington National Opera, and Austin Opera; the title role in Verdi’s Rigoletto at Austin Opera, and Gerard in Giordano’s Andrea Chénier at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Gordon Hawkins is scheduled to make his Portland Opera debut as Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca. He has previously sung this role with Cincinnati Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Vancouver Opera, and Arizona Opera. He has sung numerous roles with The Metropolitan Opera, including Thoas in Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride, Donald in Britten’s Billy Budd, Marcello in La Bohème, and Jake in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Additional credits include performances with San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Washington National Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the BBC Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Will Liverman made his Portland Opera debut in 2017 with the company’s Big Night concert and the role of Marcello in Puccini’s La Bohème. He was scheduled to return to the company in the role of Silvio in Pagliacci, prior to its cancellation this June. Liverman’s recent engagements include starring as Papageno in The Metropolitan Opera’s production of The Magic Flute, in addition to singing the role of Horemhab in the Met’s premiere of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten and appearing as Malcolm Fleet in Nico Muhly’s Marnie. He also recently appeared as Pantalone in The Love of Three Oranges at Opera Philadelphia, as Silvio in Pagliacci at Opera Colorado, and as Schaunard in La Bohème with Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Additional bio information can be found here.
Bass-baritone Daniel Mobbs made his Portland Opera debut in 2004 as Lord Sidney in Rossini’s The Journey to Reims, and subsequent roles with the company have included the title role in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and most recently, Baron Douphol in Verdi’s La Traviata. He was scheduled to return to the company in the title role of Bajazet prior to its cancellation. In previous seasons, Mobbs has performed with numerous American companies, including The Metropolitan Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Los Angeles Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Additional bio information can be found here.
Soprano Emilie Faiella made her Portland Opera debut as a 2019/20 Resident Artist in An American Quartet: Four One-act Operas, singing the roles of Lucy in Menotti’s The Telephone, Geraldine in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Lola in Moore’s Gallantry. Prior to joining the Resident Artist program, Faiella performed the role of Yniold in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande at Boston University’s Opera Institute. She was a 2016 participant in Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artists Vocal Academy, and in 2017, she was a Young Artist at SongFest, an art song festival and training program.
Mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman completed her second year of Portland Opera’s Resident Artist program during the 19/20 season. She made her Portland Opera debut as Flora in La Traviata and has since sung the roles of Ramiro in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera, Kate Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and two roles in An American Quartet: Four One-act Operas –the Announcer in Gallantry and Sally in A Hand of Bridge. She was scheduled to sing the role of Asteria in Bajazet this spring, prior to its cancellation. Last year, Sherman was a semi-finalist in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, after winning the Northwest Regional Competition. Additional bio information can be found here.
Tenor Ricardo Garcia made his Portland Opera debut as a Resident Artist in An American Quartet: Four One-act Operas, singing the roles of Bill in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Donald Hopewell in Gallantry. He was scheduled to sing the role of Beppe in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, prior to its cancellation. Before joining Portland Opera’s Resident Artist program, Garcia was a 2019 Apprentice Singer at the Santa Fe Opera, and a member of the young artist program at Wolf Trap Opera in 2017. He has recently sung the roles of the Drunkard/Lamplighter in Portman’s The Little Prince at Tulsa Opera, as well as the role of Bajazet in Handel’s Tamerlano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Garcia recently joined the Houston Grand Opera Studio Artists Program. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg made his Portland Opera debut as the Marquis in Verdi’s La Traviata. As a Resident Artist, he sang the roles of Fiorello in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Nardo in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera, was a soloist in the 2019 Big Night concert, and sang multiple roles in An American Quartet – Ben in The Telephone, David in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Doctor Gregg in Gallantry. Last season, he also sang the role of Schaunard in La Bohème with Vancouver Opera. Schellenberg was scheduled to sing the role of Charlie in the Portland Opera premiere of Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. This fall, he joins Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique for the 2020/21 season. Additional bio information can be found here.
From Portland Opera:
Portland Opera exists to inspire, challenge, and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera.
Since 1964, Portland Opera has contributed to the cultural, artistic, and economic landscape of the city and region that we love. We celebrate the beauty and breadth of the opera repertoire with performances that take place in the Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, and the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre at the Hampton Opera Center. The company is also a committed educational partner, touring fully staged operas to schools and community centers throughout Oregon and SW Washington region each year, in addition to a host of other efforts designed to make opera accessible for all.
Portland, OR. Supporters can sign up online for this year’s AIDS Walk which is scheduled for September 12th. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the walk will take place wherever participants are. Following the virtual program, participants will choose a suggested walking route that is the same distance as the walk would be if we could be together. In the Portland/Vancouver area, CAP is creating multiple suggested routes for walkers to choose from; elsewhere, walkers will be encouraged to create their own routes.
All participants are encouraged to wear their favorite face covering and maintain a safe physical distance from others!
For 35 years, CAP has called upon thousands of community members, advocates, and activists to step up and take a stand against HIV transmission. Though this year’s event may look a little different, organizers say it is still critical that people show up to walk (in a safe and physically distant way) in an effort to remind our communities that HIV has impacted each and every one of our lives in some way.
There will be a Live Stream Program on September 12th at 10 AM. The stream will be available at www.aidswalknorthwest.org, as well as on CAP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. During the program, the nonprofit will be honoring the 2020 Heroes of HIV and celebrating the impact the individuals and organizations have made.
Following the live program, teams can head out any time between 11 AM and 2 PM to one of the Walker Check-In Stations to collect t-shirts, walker bags, and prizes.
From CAP:
CAP is the oldest and largest community-based provider of HIV services, housing, education and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington
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