Portland, OR. Edison High School students, faculty, and staff were joined by 300 guests at The Sentinel on March 7th for Edison High School’s “Brilliance Benefit.” The more than $325,000 raised will go toward financial aid, technology, and professional development. At the event, longtime Edison supporters, Emily and John Holmes Alex browse the silent auction with Ginny Blosser.
Winner of the Pat Karamanos Award, Mike Arthur (2nd from the left) and his family are joined by Jesuit Principal, Paul Hogan (1st on the left).
New Edison President Mike Schwab thanks event co-chairs, Karin and Terry O’Loughlin.
Edison Board Member Summer Widmer (center in yellow) enjoys the evening with her guests.
Sherry and Robert Millis enjoy their first auction as Edison parents.
Desiree Baldocchi and Kim Jacobson are ready to enjoy the evening.
Here’s a video about Edison:
From Edison:
Edison is the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with complex learning differences and currently enrolls 100 students.
Portland, OR. The Portland community came out in full force to support the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball which raised more than $800,000 for cardiovascular research. The Heart Ball raises funds for research and highlights the work being done locally, which includes ensuring the availability of healthy foods, safe places to get active, and affordable, quality care. Thousands of people die from cardiovascular disease every day, and we know that many of these deaths can be prevented. Funds raised at the Heart Ball support the AHA’s mission of helping people live healthy lives. At the event, Trey and Betsy Maust visited with Dr. Robert Quintos M.D. and his wife Shelby. (Photo credit, Kenton Waltz)
Josh Hoffman and Kerri Pickett-Hoffman and Nima and Nicole Darabi
Some Board Members of the American Heart Association, Oregon & SW Washington Michelle Weisenbach (Board Vice Chair), President, Oregon & SW Washington KeyBank Jamie Holmes, Director of Marketing, Programming and Creative, KPTV Fox 12 Oregon Nancy Moon-Eilers (Board Chair), Group Director Center Store, New Seasons Dick Clark, CEO, The Portland Clinic Nancy Long, Behavioral Coach, Exit to Next, LLC; Educational/Behavioral Consultant, Education Solutions, LLC Dana Bjarnason, PhD, RN, NE-BC (Board Vice President) Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, OHSU Healthcare; Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs, OHSU School of Nursing Benjamin Prinzing, President, Kadalyst Health Partners
Heart Ball Chair, Edgar Aponte, CEO Rexel United Kingdom
Heart Ball Emcee, Elizabeth Dinh, News Anchor KPTV FOX 12 Oregon
Anthony Mulholland snaps a photo.
Leslie McCall, Executive Director, American Heart Association, Oregon & SW Washington and partner Kartik Nagappa
From American Heart Association:
Thanks to all our 2020 #PDXHeartBall attendees – from our corporate sponsors to our volunteers to our generous donors. We appreciate everyone in our amazing community joining us in the fight against heart disease and stroke.
We’re working to create a world free of heart disease and stroke – a world where everyone can live your healthiest life. We know that true health is influenced by the places you live, learn, play and pray. Our work in Oregon & SW Washington includes working with local industries to improve the health of workers, increasing access to healthy food in our community, teaming up with city and state leaders to promote health policies, and providing our kids with more opportunities to be active in school.
Portland, OR. If you’re planning on attending a spring gala, taking a benefit walk, or participating in any other nonprofit fundraiser, please check the nonprofit’s website before you head out. With Governor Kate Brown ordering no gatherings of more than 250 people in Oregon for four weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most big spring events are on hold. (Photo above is from Human Solutions which provides shelter and/or housing to over 1,000 local families, including over 400 homeless children.)
“Nonprofits are getting crunched between two colliding forces: dramatically increased demand for their services and likely significant declines in resources – and from what we’re already hearing, it will get much worse before it gets better,” said National Council of Nonprofits President and CEO Tim Delaney. “People will be turning to nonprofits for all manner of assistance but nonprofits will be facing down canceled fundraising events, reduced staffing, fewer volunteers, and reductions in other giving because people will have less to give.”
Virtually all local nonprofits are effected, like NW Dance Project. Administrators are reaching out with messages to supporters like this:
“NW Dance Project and most other arts organizations have no contingency budgets in the case of health emergencies like this. It is impossible to close any business without creating hardships for the organization, our cherished artists, and our small dedicated staff. Your support is critical as we navigate these challenges. For those willing to make a charitable contribution, please know that your gifts will help us get through this challenging time. Supportive, fully tax-deductible donations of support can be made on via the button below, our website, and HERE.”
Friends of the Children leaders made a similar appeal:
My message to you all is this – we need you more than ever! Our youth and families need us more than ever! Through this uncertainty, we are building community in different ways but with the same relentless focus on the core of our mission. No matter what, we will continue to serve the youth in our program with grit, hope, perseverance, and love! Click here to donate today and join us in our unrelenting support of our youth.
If you have a benefit that has been rescheduled or a nonprofit you regularly support consider reaching out to the organization to check in. This is an unprecedented and ever-changing community crisis and local nonprofits appreciate your continued understanding, patience, and support.
Portland, OR. Over 200 guests danced their way into the Roaring ’20s on February 29th at the Riverdale School District gala. The benefit at The Redd on Salmon included gaming, dinner, and a live auction which raised $181,000 to support the Riverdale Parent Teacher Club (PTC). Some funds are earmarked for improving the grade school and high school libraries. (Photo credit, Yah Yah Photography)
A glamorous carload of Riverdale Teachers
Tommy and Poppy Gregg
Heather Bogaty and her father, vintage car owner, Don Plumb
Sponsors at this table include Mina and Taft Strickland, PTC Treasurers Judy Chang and Jenny Ko, Aaron Chang, Andrew and Milana Gilligan, Ileana Esquival and Craig Arrowsmith
Auctioneer Matthew DiLorento entertains the crowd.
Mark Cooper and Jay Somera
The Golden Ticket winner was RGS Principal Joanna Tobin. Joanna and her family will be enjoying courtside seats at the Blazers game.
About Riverdale:
The Riverdale School District is an independent public school district. It was founded in 1888 and has always enjoyed widespread community interest, involvement and support. Today, Riverdale Grade School (PreK-8) and Riverdale High School (9-12) serve more than 600 families living in a residential, wooded area called Dunthorpe, located seven miles south of downtown Portland, Oregon, and adjacent to the city of Lake Oswego.
Portland, OR. The Northwest Academy hosted Club Cabaret, “The Mad Hatter’s Cocktail Party” at The Nines Hotel in downtown Portland. The event raised $295,000 for academic programs and student scholarships. Supporters at the February 29th benefit included Amy Hillman, Nicholas & Megan O’Toole, Todd McCoy & Tawnya Fox. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) More than 200 guests came for the silent auction, cocktail party, an original musical performed by Northwest Academy students, and a live auction.
Students perform an original production called, “The Mad Hatter’s Cocktail Party.”
Educators say the Northwest Academy in downtown Portland strives to provide students with an enriching education consisting of developing their fine and performing arts skills, rather than implementing the arts only as a bonus to students education. Northwest Academy emphasizes the importance of the balance of academics and art fostering curiosity and creative thinking.
Mary Vinton Folberg, Chris Schuck, McKenzie Kerman, and Lauren Partington
Serena Schulz-Rodriguez, Sarah Santangelo, Chiharu Olsson, Lori & Peter Buss, James Olsson, Terence Barr, in back row: Marilyn Beach, Bronson & Marisa James
Zach Levow, Joe & Linda Rosinski, and Holly Levow
The Quest Foundation, along with a challenge match from Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, contributed to programs and scholarships for the students.
From Northwest Academy:
Mission: Northwest Academy is committed to inspiring students to discover their intellectual and artistic voices in a creative and supportive atmosphere fueled by curiosity and constructive challenge. Vision: Northwest Academy will be recognized as a center of excellence in proficiency-based education, artfully blending academic instruction and experience. Graduates of the school will be innovative thinkers who chart their own futures and excel in a diverse global society. Core Values: Education in both academics and arts, results in a more complete and balanced individual who, while being productive, also leads an inspired and meaningful life, talented faculty, passionate about their subject areas, and the support of free and open inquiry motivates students’ interest in learning and creative thinking, student engagement, curiosity, and creative thinking expand when nurtured by accomplished and energetic faculty who promote participation and welcome debate, students thrive in an environment where both individuality and collaboration are encouraged and fostered, proficiency-based placement enhances students’ motivation and initiative while allowing a student to work through education at relatively accelerated or a more leisurely personal pace.
Portland, OR. The Portland Opera is reaching out to patrons to explain precautions being made to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Portland Opera also spearheads the Broadway Across America series which commences with Frozen the musical on March 5th. Administrators confirmed, “We intend to stay the course with our public programming schedule.” Administrators explain, “Your health and safety as an audience member is of paramount importance to us, and we want to let you know some of the ways that our team is working to ensure that Portland Opera is contributing to solutions and best practices during this time.”
Oregon Children’s Theater is another organization taking precautions which include the following:
For patrons attending main stage performances, Portland’5 (home of the Newmark and Winningstad Theatres) has taken additional precautions, including increasing the frequency of cleaning and sterilization procedures throughout the entire facility.
For families attending classes at any of our Acting Academy locations, we are working with our partners at Curious Comedy Theater and Multnomah Arts Center to increase cleaning and sterilizing practices. Oregon Children’s Theatre staff and teaching artists are also being trained and empowered to clean even more frequently and to follow the recommended guidelines.
Oregon Children’s Theatre staff and teaching artists are encouraged to remain home should they exhibit any symptoms.
Measures taken by Portland Opera include an extensive deep clean of working spaces and staff has been instructed to follow precautions as recommended by the World Health Organization, in order to mitigate the spread of the disease. Photo by Cory Weaver/Portland Opera.
Portland Opera has also been in communication with Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, who manage and operate its performance venues. The opera has asked for extra sanitation stations and more extensive cleaning and disinfecting between performances. Portland Opera writes it is also confident that the city of Portland will proceed with recommended standards for public health and safety.
Administrators write, “We understand that more cases in the US and our region should be expected, and we realize, as Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated this weekend that the “current risk to the American public is low.” As such, we intend to stay the course with our public programming schedule and offerings. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].”
Additional Information & Resources on the Coronavirus-19 can be found here:
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) honored heroic people and pets at the annual Diamond Collar Awards luncheon. The luncheon took place on February 20th at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Pets and people were recognized for their compassion, dedication, and resiliency. Organizers say the inspiring stories represent OHS’s mission of fostering an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals. Pictured above is Kevvie the dog and Brian August. Kevvie was abandoned in the woods and suffering from gunshot wounds. OHS caretakers say this resilient dog took months to heal and trust again. Her gentle and forgiving nature allowed her to find her forever home with her new family.
Pictured above is Nancy Tonkin-Zoucha and friends
OHS Diamond Collar – Matt Zaffino and Sharon Harmon
“I am always so inspired by the OHS Diamond Collar Award honorees,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS President, and CEO. “Each of the recipients reminds us of the compassion and kindness in our community.” Harmon hosted the awards with KGW Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino.
OHS Diamond Collar – Ilene the kitten and Alanna Lundin
OHS Diamond Collar – George Piter and Squeak
Below are videos featuring the Diamond Collar Heroes:
George Piter: For 13 years, George and his trained therapy cats have dedicated time to visit Salem Hospital and brighten the days of patients and anyone else who may need it.
Ilene the kitten: A tiny but mighty kitten was born without eyes and discarded in the trash in Central California. After being transferred to the Oregon Humane Society for a special surgery, she went on to inspire a family and show the world that anyone can overcome their obstacles with love and determination.
Joyce Briggs de la Fuente: Thousands of cats and kittens were entering Oregon shelters every year. Under Joyce’s leadership, she brought together animal welfare leaders, innovative planning, extensive research and data that launched the Spay and Save Program which provides an easy and affordable option to prevent unwanted litters of kittens. With this new program, Portland is now the safest place for homeless felines.
Kevvie the dog: After being abandoned in the woods and suffering from gunshot wounds, this resilient dog took months to heal and trust again. Her gentle and forgiving nature allowed her to find her forever home with her new family.
More about the Oregon Humane Society:
OHS is the largest humane society in the Northwest and adopts more animals from its Portland shelter than any other single-facility shelter on the West Coast. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption for as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in the care of OHS needs medical attention, the OHS veterinary hospital provides the pet with the same level of care you would want your own pet to receive.
Founded in 1868 by noted humanitarian Thomas Lamb Eliot, OHS is the fourth-oldest humane society in the nation. Eliot initially established OHS to stop the neglect and abuse of draft animals. The mission expanded to include companion animals and, until 1933, orphaned children.
OHS finds homes for more than 11,000 pets each year. The OHS medical team provides free and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for thousands of pets owned by low-income families OHS educators reach more than 12,000 youths and about 2,000 adults annually through humane education programs. The OHS Second Chance program brings more than 8,000 pets annually to OHS from other shelters around the region. In the state capitol, OHS is the driving force behind efforts to improve laws that protect animals and punish offenders.
Portland, OR. Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT) announced the appointment of Marcella (Marci) Crowson as its Artistic Director. She has worked at Oregon Children’s Theatre for the last 14 years, most recently as the assistant artistic director. Her appointment follows a nationwide search by the Board of Directors.
Marcella Crowson
Crowson was first hired by OCT in 2006, when she was charged with shaping and growing a new partnership between OCT and Kaiser Permanente, The Educational Theatre Program (ETP). ETP continues to be a unique collaboration between the two non-profits, using theater as a tool to prompt thought and dialogue about the everyday decisions that shape the quality of our health and our lives.
In 2016, Crowson stepped into the newly created Associate Artistic Director role at OCT, where she guided the development of new plays for young audiences, assisted in season planning, directed productions, and supported the artistic and community work of the company. She has been instrumental in cultivating a values-driven company culture, and initiating the organization’s work to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. For the past four years, Crowson has also served as a board member of Theatre for Young Audiences/USA, the national arts advocacy group for the field.
Recent OCT productions directed by Crowson include: Me…Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall; Jason and the Argonauts; Flora & Ulysses; and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Crowson had a direct hand in the commissioning and development of many of OCT’s most popular original scripts, including Timmy Failure: Mistakes were Made; Zombie in Love; and Storm in the Barn.
“Making art with, by, and for children is the best, most meaningful job in the world,” says Crowson. “I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to step into the Artistic Director position at Oregon Children’s Theatre. OCT has been my creative home for the last 14 years. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the brilliant staff, board, and multitude of artists, teachers, and technicians, immersing myself in an organization that is defined by a legacy of excellence, inspiration, and imagination. It’s an incredible privilege to play a part in forging the next vision for OCT, mindful of our responsibility to our community’s health and vitality, with a continuing investment in new work, while telling great stories onstage that invite us all to imagine and create a brighter future together.”
As Artistic Director, Crowson will work under OCT’s dual leadership model in partnership with Managing Director Ross McKeen, who states, “Marci brings not only a history of accomplishments at OCT, but a strong vision for moving the company forward. I’m excited to collaborate with her on building that future.”
According to OCT’s board president, Amanda Carter-Jura, “Hiring a new Artistic Director is arguably a board’s most important responsibility. From the start, we were committed to conducting a thorough and thoughtful national search. After interviewing a selection of very capable candidates from around the country, Marci emerged as our unanimous choice. We appreciate her artistic vision, her commitment to artistic and educational excellence, her understanding of the staff’s daily and long-term needs, and her deep respect and care for young people.”
About Oregon Children’s Theatre:
Founded in 1988, Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT) has served well over two million children, teachers, and families. Its mission is to create exceptional theater experiences that transform lives. OCT is Oregon’s largest non-profit professional theater for young audiences and a resident company of Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. Performances are held weekdays for school audiences and on weekends for family audiences. OCT serves more than 120,000 children of all ages each year. OCT offers numerous school services including study guides, teacher professional development opportunities, in-school workshops, and an extensive outreach program. In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, the Educational Theatre Program provides free touring productions that promote healthy living. OCT’s year-round Acting Academy offers theater classes for children ages 3-18 and Young Professionals Company, a mentoring program for teens.
Funding for Oregon Children’s Theatre’s 2019-2020 season is provided in part by the Shubert Foundation, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the Oregon Arts Commission, and TriMet.
Portland, OR. Over 3,500 people received the VIP treatment at the Auto Show Sneak Peek Charity Preview on February 19th at the Oregon Convention Center. One couple won a 2020 Audi Q3 45 TFSI quattro, which was provided by Audi Beaverton. Brian and Jennifer Cornilles had the winning ticket for the Audi; they’re pictured with Greg Remensperger who is the Executive Vice President of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association (Brian and Jennifer Cornilles, center) and Jeff Blackwood from Audi Beaverton.
Organizers say they’ve contributed over four million dollars to local charities with the proceeds from the Sneak Peek Charity Preview Party and the Portland International Auto Show. There were 600 vehicles from 35 manufacturers, plus exotics from around the world at the event.
Shannon Inukai-Cuffee, a second-generation dealer and President of Dick’s Auto Group, poses for a photo with Erinn Sowle who is the General Manager of Suburban Ford.
Supporters from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) pose for a photo at The VIP Sneak Peek.
The charities help some of the most vulnerable citizens in the Portland area and the auto show is proud to support their efforts, says Greg Remensperger, executive director, PIAS. “You can’t ask for a better neighbor in your community than an auto show or auto dealership,” says Remensperger. “The auto industry has always been generous, and we are honored to help support these important organizations in their mission to serve.”
Clint Hill and Thuy Lam came in support of Meals on Wheels People and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Portland, OR. Music, dance, artistic freedom, censorship, and a 1920’s lesbian love story, collide with the looming threat of the Holocaust in an award-winning play now being staged by Artists Repertory Theatre. Indecent by Paula Vogel, is part of Artists Repertory Theatre on Tour (ART) season, which is taking place as the company’s theater is undergoing renovation. The play features Michael Mendelson (picture above) and is being produced with Profile Theatre; the production takes place at Portland State University. Indecent is described as a backstage drama filled with music and the history of Jewish theatre. (Photo credit, Kathleen Kelly)
Miriam Schwartz and Jamie M Rea
“Our need to tell our own stories is one of the most ancient needs we have,” says Artistic Director of Profile Theatre and director of the play, Josh Hecht. “It’s not just the telling that is important. It’s the witnessing. It’s the confirmation that comes from speaking our truths and having someone else say, “Yes, that’s me, too. Yes, I recognize that. We may be different, but in this way we are the same.”
“This original production of Vogel’s acclaimed, moving, and ultimately joyous play is a collaboration between Profile Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre (ART), and Portland State University (PSU),” says Dámaso Rodríguez, Artistic Director of Artists Repertory Theatre. “This ambitiousness and scale of this project, which affords opportunities for PSU students to interact with and learn from some of our city’s most accomplished theatre artists, might have been out of reach for all of our companies had we not combined our resources to make it possible.”
Here’s a video about the production:
Indecent runs through March 8th, at Lincoln Hall, Portland State University, 1620 SW Park Ave. ART descriptions include the following: A boldly touching portrayal of the original theatrical company that presented Sholem Asch’s The God of Vengeance. The creator, Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Paula Vogel based scenes off of Asch’s play portraying the risk-taking group that brought the script to the stage.
Tickets are $60 regular price; $30 preview/student/under 35; $15 PSU student with ID. Special Discounts include Sliding Scale Sunday (tickets start at $10): applies to Sunday evening performances, 20for20: 20 tickets available at every performance for $20, Artists Rep participates in Arts for All and the Multnomah County Library’s Discovery Pass Program. Tickets at 503.241.1278 or www.artistsrep.org
Here’s a video about Artist Repertory Theatre:
More about Artists Repertory Theatre:
ARTISTS REPERTORY THEATRE’S mission is to produce intimate, provocative theatre and provide a home for a diverse community artists and audiences to take creative risks. Artists Rep gratefully acknowledges our theatre rests on the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River. Artists Rep is Portland’s premiere mid-size regional theatre company and is led by Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez and Managing Director J.S. May. Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theatre company in Portland. ART became the 72nd member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) in 2016 and is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network (NNPN). Artists Rep’s 2019/20 season can be found here.
Artists Rep has become a significant presence in American regional theatre with a legacy of world, national, and regional premieres of provocative new work with the highest standards of stagecraft. The organization is committed to local artists and features a company of Resident Artists and professionals of varied theatre disciplines, who are a driving force behind Artists Rep’s creative output and identity.
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