Fences For Fido Lends a Hand on Warm Springs Reservation

Fences For Fido Lends a Hand on Warm Springs Reservation

Portland, OR. Despite the challenging impact of COVID-19 the nonprofit, Fences For Fido, is still going strong. Volunteers (like the one pictured above) helped build 17 fences and shade structures as well as 30 dog houses on the Warm Springs Reservation. They also provided critical veterinary care for 40 dogs. Fences For Fido works to improves the quality of life for dogs living outdoors by building fences free of charge for families who otherwise keep their dogs on chains, tethers, and in small enclosures.

Kelly Peterson, co-founder and emeritus board member, explains why the project was a priority. “As a result of COVID-19, Indian Reservations across the country have been disproportionately impacted, both financially and physically. That’s why Fences For Fido has committed to supporting the Warm Springs Reservations, one of the hardest-hit communities within Oregon.”

Fences For Fido team working on the Warm Springs Reservation build

On October 3rd this dog got a fenced space to roam from the Fences For Fido team.

For the first two months of the pandemic, the nonprofit focused on keeping past and present families together by delivering dog and cat food. Now the organization is getting back in gear. Fences For Fido has new protocols in place for volunteers and families, such as wearing gloves, masks, and following social distancing guidelines, allowing fence builders to safely help families again.

In addition to free fence building, they also provide shade structures (in Central Oregon), warm dog houses, dog food, and critical vet care, as well as spay/neuter services. “We all might be in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat,” said Peterson.

Fence builders are out in the field every weekend; their services can be found throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington in places like Olympia, Hood River, Prineville, Albany, and Newport. Residents of Oregon and Southwest Washington are welcome to apply online for services at no charge. Click here to access their application web page.

Fences For Fido volunteer helps groom a dog while their new enclosure is constructed.

In addition to delivering dog and cat food to families in need, Fences For Fido assisted in the collection of three full trucks of donated pet food and supplies to communities in need during the recent Oregon wildfires.

“Fences For Fido have been helping families and dogs in need for over a decade. We believe wholeheartedly that helping people is helping pets which is why we are so grateful to our families for the trust they place in us, to honor the love they have with their four-legged family members,” said Peterson.

Fences For Fido has been improving the quality of life for over 2,200 dogs since 2009. They average about 13 fences a month and are prepared for any kind of weather. The nonprofit also was a part of passing legislation in 2014, that limits tethering in the states of Oregon and Washington.

According to Peterson, “Through laws and leading by example, Fences For Fido will continue extending compassion to both people and their pets.”

Over the past several months, Fences For Fido has helped remove barriers for families who don’t have access to humane pet care by building a total of 27 free fences, 50 dog houses, shade structures, and provided vet care for more than 60 dogs.

From Fences For Fido website: Fences For Fido improves the quality of life for dogs living outdoors by building fences free of charge for families who keep their dogs on chains, tethers, and in small enclosures. In addition to the fence, we also provide an insulated doghouse for each dog as well as spay/neuter services and emergency veterinary care when needed.

When a dog is unchained, a transformation begins. It starts with what we call “zoomies:” The running, jumping, exuberant joy our Fidos display once unchained – many for the first time in years. That visible happiness puts smiles on the faces of our volunteers and most importantly, on the faces of our client families who through this process begin to connect with their pets in a more meaningful way.

American Heart Association Finds Pandemic Hobbies Beneficial

American Heart Association Finds Pandemic Hobbies Beneficial

Portland, OR. During the pandemic, most people are spending more time at home and many have taken up new hobbies or found time to dive back into one they previously enjoyed. Physicians at the American Heart Association say that expressing creativity can be good for your health, especially during the pandemic, because having a hobby can relieve stress.

(Attila Csaszar/Moment, Getty Images)

A mother and daughter practice yoga a home.

James C. Kaufman, professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, says that the process of creativity is valuable for people in many ways, both mentally and physically. Taking up a hobby can help because it’s fun. When people are having fun it’s a break from the stresses and concerns that may be troubled them throughout the day. Writing is also found help; when people organize their thoughts, it also relieves stress. Lower stress levels, lead to lower heart rates and improved mood.

From woodworking to calligraphy, building scale miniatures or collecting coins, action figures or antiques– Hobbies are as unique and varied as the people who pursue them.

Activities that are growing in popularity this year are gardening, exercising, spending time outside, playing a musical instrument, and even knitting. When people vary their hobbies by engaging their bodies and minds in different ways, it keeps both the brain and body healthy. And better yet, the benefit does not come from doing a hobby well or masterfully, it just comes from engaging yourself in the hobby.

Are you looking for a hobby? Here’s a video from Bustle about how to find a hobby as an adult.

Here’s a link to a Bustle article about finding a hobby as an adult. 

From the American Heart Association: “Maybe it was the meme that pointed out how Shakespeare used his time in quarantine to write “King Lear.” Maybe it was all those photos of sourdough bread in your social media feed. Maybe you’re just bored. Whatever the spark – you’re ready to take on a hobby. Good idea, experts say.”

From American Heart Association:

Our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities. We’re committed to ensuring that our workforce, workplace and mission have a shared impact across America’s diverse populations.

 

Barack Obama Urges Financially-Able Americans to Help Those Hurt by COVID-19

Barack Obama Urges Financially-Able Americans to Help Those Hurt by COVID-19

Portland, OR. Former President Barack Obama urges financially-able Americans to help those hit the hardest by COVID-19 by sharing the link to Charity Navigator’s Coronavirus relief list. It features highly-rated, trustworthy charities who have created funds to support communities around the world affected by the outbreak. This growing list of nonprofits includes nonprofits like  DirectRelief, Children’s Hunger Fund, and Americares.

Obama tweeted, “The best part of my job was meeting people like this— ready to make a selfless act in a time of need. Many Americans are already making deep sacrifices to keep our communities healthy, but if you’re able to, consider helping those hit the hardest.”

Interested in funding response and recovery efforts for those affected and for responders? The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, a charity that has earned a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and is also a trusted philanthropic partner of Google, has a COVID-19 Response Fund. This fund allows donors to give now to support preparedness, containment, response and recovery activities.

Charity Navigator’s Chief Relationship Officer, Kevin Scally, shares that there was a 500% increase in dollars donated through Charity Navigator’s Giving Basket. “Thanks to awareness raised by Former President Barack Obama and other philanthropic leaders, we saw a 500% increase in the dollars donated to a wide spectrum of nonprofits in a year over year comparison of March 19 giving. This is a heartwarming indicator that, even in trying times, Americans band together to help those who help others.”

Here are more categories to explore:

Medical Services

Partnering with medical teams to combat COVID-19

The organizations featured below are the top six nonprofits in this cause, based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view an expanded list of charities supporting this cause, click here.

International Rescue Committee

Doctors Without Borders, USA

Heart to Heart International

Save the Children

Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston

Howard Brown Health Center

Relief Supplies: Health & Medical 

Providing much-needed medical supplies to hospitals and health facilities

The organizations featured below are the top six nonprofits in this cause, based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view an expanded list of charities supporting this cause, click here.

Fistula Foundation

Water Mission

Matthew 25: Ministries

Direct Relief

Good360

Convoy of Hope

Cross-Categorical

Providing much-needed assistance across multiple areas

The organizations featured below are the top six nonprofits in this cause, based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view an expanded list of charities supporting this cause, click here.

CDC Foundation

Americares

Haitian Health Foundation

Preemptive Love Coalition

Gary Sinise Foundation

GlobalGiving

Funding Local Organizations

Partnering with local organizations to ensure communities across the country have the resources and support they need

The organizations featured below are the top six nonprofits in this cause, based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view an expanded list of charities supporting this cause, click here.

International Community Foundation

BrazilFoundation

United Way Worldwide

Education & Awareness

Raising awareness of ways to prevent COVID-19 and how to cope with the stress it’s causing.

The organizations featured below are the top six nonprofits in this cause, based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view an expanded list of charities supporting this cause, click here.

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

Sewa International, Inc

Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc.

Prevent Child Abuse America

ActionAid USA

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Healthcorps

Relief Supplies: Community Support & Services

Supporting the safety nets of our society and protecting the most vulnerable.

The organizations featured below are the top six nonprofits in this cause, based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view an expanded list of charities supporting this cause, click here.

Givedirectly Inc.

Family Promise

Crisis Aid International

Asha for Education

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Memorial Assistance Ministries

Charity Navigator analysts work throughout the year to research and rate thousands of nonprofit organizations and share the evaluations free of charge on CharityNavigator.org. Lists of highly-rated organizations are curated by Charity Navigator and published in response to crises as Hot Topics. Charity Navigator users direct millions of dollars of donations to organizations included on these lists which all must have a three- or four-star rating.

 ABOUT CHARITY NAVIGATOR:

Charity Navigator is the world’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator. The organization guides informed giving by evaluating the financial health, accountability, and transparency of charities and by providing data for about 1.7 million nonprofits, accessed more than 10 million times annually. Charity Navigator does not charge the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a 501(c)(3) public charity itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations, and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America’s charitable givers. 

Harper’s Playground Still Going Strong During COVID-19

Harper’s Playground Still Going Strong During COVID-19

Portland, Or. Harper’s Playground is still open and remains a great place for all kids, including those with physical challenges, to play. But this year, the nonprofit has moved its annual benefit online. From October 1st, through October 8th, the organization will hold a virtual auction and raffle while highlighting recent projects and playgrounds. Click here to check out the offerings.

Harper’s Playground is an organization that helps build all-inclusive playgrounds featuring modifications for kids with physical challenges. The nonprofit usually hosts events like a Community Play Day and Rhythm & Play, but both have been postponed until 2021. Despite recent COVID-19 limitations, the organization’s unique playgrounds remain open due to their wide inclusive spaces that support social distancing practices. These parks give children and families new places to explore during COVID-19, unlike some other more crowed play structures.

Volunteers from Harper’s Playground work with the Portland Timbers during the pandemic.

Volunteers at Harper’s Playground are still able to lend a hand during the pandemic as well. The organization recently worked with the Portland Timbers and held a clean-up at the flagship park, Arbor Lodge which is located in North Portland.

Harper’s Playground began in 2009 with a simple walk in the park. Harper, daughter of founders Cody and April Goldberg, wished to play in the neighborhood park but couldn’t reach the structure when her yellow walker stuck in the wood chips. From then on, Cody and April have dedicated themselves to creating inclusive spaces where all children are free to play. The original Harper’s Playground opened in 2012 and founder Cody Goldberg stated that he would “turn Harper’s Playground into a non-profit that would help other communities build playgrounds like the one we had already built.”

The inclusive playground model.

The organization now helps build playgrounds across the globe, from Anna and Abby’s Yard, a park here in forest grove Oregon, to the Tokyo Sports Playground in Japan. This park is to open in partnership with Nike for the upcoming 2021 Olympics. 

From the Harper’s Playground: 

Harper’s Playground inspires vital communities by creating inviting playgrounds for people of all abilities. We envision a more inclusive world, one playground at a time.

Maurice Lucas Foundation Raises Over $600,000 at 10th Annual Gala

Maurice Lucas Foundation Raises Over $600,000 at 10th Annual Gala

Portland, OR. The Maurice Lucas Foundation held its 10th annual gala on September 18th. The virtual event attracted over 1,000 foundation supporters, and the nonprofit was able to raise over $600,000. Donations will be used for scholarship programs to support under-served students at six high schools in Portland as well as Harriet Tubman Middle School and Parkrose Middle School. It will also go toward the foundation’s academic, character building, and athletic programs for kids and young adults. KOIN-TV news co-anchor Ken Boddie and auctioneer Johnna Lee Wells co-hosted the virtual gala (as seen above). The gala featured videos of students whose lives have been changed through the foundation’s programs.

The Lucas family toasts during the gala. From left: David Lucas, Maurice Jr., and Pam Lucas.

The goal of the Maurice Lucas Foundation is to challenge students to grow and become resilient people and strong leaders through its programs and with counseling, mentoring, and coaching. The nonprofit focuses on students from middle school up to high school and beyond, working to help the kids learn their own potential through sports and education.

Emcee David Lucas holds a photo of his late father, Maurice Lucas.

Nike exec Howard White receives the Enforcer Award.

During the event, the foundation awards its annual Maurice Lucas Enforcer Award to the person who does the best at motivating and empowering kids, which were characteristics Maurice Lucas was well known for. This year the award was given to Nike executive Howard White of Portland.

From foundation board chair Todd Hanchett:

“Throughout his long career, Howard has always shared his knowledge and experience with others to enrich the lives of children and those around him. He has focused on being a positive role model to children around the world through his Believe to Achieve programs. Howard exemplifies the spirit of the Maurice Lucas Enforcer Award.”

From David Lucas:

“We created the Maurice Lucas Foundation in 2010 to honor my dad’s memory and continue his legacy of helping children in the Portland area. Now, after 10 years, we can proudly say we’ve used tutoring, character development, mentoring, sports and partnership to help 2,238 students and their families and another 4,320 youths through basketball camps and teams. We are committed to serving even more in the years to come.”

A replay of the gala can be found here.

Private Jet Travel Takes Off During COVID-19 Pandemic

Private Jet Travel Takes Off During COVID-19 Pandemic

A lifestyle story: Portland, OR. Private jet rentals in the Portland area are becoming more popular during the pandemic as people look for alternatives to commercial flying. Not everyone owns their own jet, or “P.J.,” as they’re called. As a result, according to Forbes Magazine, the number of jet rentals across the country is taking off. A spokeswoman for NetJets, a private-jet rental company, says inquiries for flights shot up from the previous year, and have only continued to grow as the pandemic has stretched on. During the pandemic, calls to NetJets have been up over 60% from the previous year.

For those who don’t want to be in America, a recent report found that the superrich are paying as much as $2.6 million for international citizenships, then zipping out to said country on their private jets.

Part of the boom in private jet travel could also the lower price as jet fuel has hit rock bottom. Additionally, the CARES act suspended a 7.5% federal excise tax or FET on air transportation through January 2021. For consumers, this means private jet travel is about 15% – 20% less than normal.

EvoJets is one of the companies which offers service in the Portland area. It flies out of PDX, Hillsboro, Troutdale, and the downtown Portland heliport which is located in northwest Portland, not far from the Steel Bridge. Popular destinations are Vail, New York, Aspen, Bend, and many other locations.

The cost to charter a private jet can range widely in price, based on flight time and the type of aircraft.

Some trips are more affordable, with a cost per seat just slightly more than some first-class tickets.

Breaking down the different ways to jet:

Approximate starting cost What it actually means
Approximately $3 million upfront (depending on the jet, of course) plus additional maintenance, staff, and regulation costs Full ownership gives you total control over your jet setting experience. You have access to the jet at any time, typically use the same staff and pilot, and can even rent your jet to other travelers as an investment income stream.
$500,000 upfront plus fixed management and maintenance fees You’re essentially paying for a share of a plane, rather than an entire jet, not unlike a timeshare. How much equity you purchase in a specific jet often dictates the number of hours you can fly in it.
Depending on the trip and the type of jet, costs hover between $4,000 (shorter trip, midsize jet) to $13,000 (longer trip, large jet) Chartering means paying as you go, and essentially means booking a one-off every time you jet.

 

Here a list of Private jet companies compiled by Departures Magazine:

NetJets

A leader in the private aviation industry, NetJets offers fractional ownership programs, which offers travelers the luxury of an aircraft all to themselves, and the ease of near-instantaneous access to a jet. The fleet is comprised of some of the best jets in the business, from the Cessna Citation Latitude and Longitude to the 14-passenger Bombardier Global 6000. They often run partnerships with coveted seasonal destinations (like Cape Cod or Walt Disney World Resort in the summer) and every one of their flights is pet-friendly.

Wheels Up

Wheels Up has a charter marketplace where you can book your next flight through their app or website, with the option to instant book select jets. Core, connect, or business members also have access to members-only jets, including the King Air 350i. The eight-person jet has unprecedented noise cancellation technology and the ability to many lands closer to your destination because of the King Air 350i’s short-field capabilities.

PrivateFly

PrivateFly can jet you to almost any airport around the globe, and provides 24/7 access to a team of experts who can help you find the right jet for any scenario. They make it easy on travelers with top routes to choose from, like New York to Miami, New York to Los Angeles, London to Paris, and more.

Central Jets

Central Jets is working to shake up the private aviation industry, because they’re the first company to allow users to charter jets directly from owners. They’re essentially eliminating the middleman, which seriously reduces fees. And Central Jets offers 24/7 concierge service and up to 50% off flights to those paying €199 to use their platform.

VistaJet

VistaJet owns over 70 large cabin Challenger and Global private jets, and their passengers have flown to 1,900 airports all over the world since their launch in 2004. VistaJet has most recently launched The VistaJet Wine Program, the first global in-air vino program, and VistaPet, designed for passengers who want their four-legged family members to travel in style, too.

Flexjet

Flexjet offers a multitude of flight options, from jet leases to fractional jet ownership. Fractional owners can be on their jet a mere 10 hours after calling for one, and jet card holders can secure one in 24 hours.

Forbes magazine explored the phenomenon of more private jet trips and came up with the following conclusions:

“We’ve seen a massive surge in inbound request and new customer acquisition,” in the last 90 days, said Magellan Jets’ President, Anthony Tivnan. The private jet and charter company reported a 117% increase in customer acquisition for June.

“There are about 8.2 million households in the US with a net worth of two million or more. The majority of them weren’t flying private before,” said Tivnan. “We are seeing a huge shift in that narrative now it is a health and safety concern.”

With some commercial carriers are refusing to close off middle seats, many people who would typically fly passenger airlines are just not interested. In addition, flying private gives customers more control over their entire trip – from avoiding TSA lines to waiting in line for check-in. Chartered aircraft are estimated to have 30 times lower risk for Covid-19, according to GlobeAir.

Instead of ferrying business travelers or offering charters for milestone events like a birthday or football game, private jets are ferrying people to domestic destinations in the United States.

Monarch Air Group, a private jet charter provider, saw an increase in demand based on the total number of booked flights, which rose 125 percent year-over-year; compared to June 2019. And 52% of their secured charter contracts from June 2020 were from new business.

“We used to see New York to the Hamptons, now we see Florida to the Hamptons,” said David Gitman, President of Monarch Air Group. “People who wouldn’t normally charter are chartering.”

Magellan also reported an increase in flights to second-home destinations like Jackson Hole, Boseman, Aspen, the Carolinas or Savannah.

“Last year we would have the vast majority of trips going to Italy or southern France. We just don’t see that,” said Gitman. “We see a lot of people traveling to their second home…These are people who would usually travel commercial. So either there is no flight or they are in a risk category.”

As commercial airlines limit their flights, private is also becoming an easier way to get between locations. “It is not just getting on a direct three-hour flight anymore, now you are talking about a whole day of travel. Two or three congested airports,” said Gitman.

“When you think of the airlines, it is a bigger issue than just the experience on the flight,” said Gitman. “Right now it’s impossible to practice social distancing on a plane. The airlines have to figure that out.”

Boeing Provides $700,000 in Assistance to West Coast Wildfire Vicitms

Boeing Provides $700,000 in Assistance to West Coast Wildfire Vicitms

Seattle, OR. Boeing announced $700,000 in grants from the Boeing Charitable Trust to help local communities with the ongoing humanitarian and environmental crisis caused by wildfires burning along the West Coast. Boeing is providing $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support its fire relief efforts in WashingtonOregon and California. Above, American Red Cross volunteer Kalen Pippins, helps to get meals ready to deliver to evacuees from the Oregon wildfires who are staying in hotel shelters in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross)

“On behalf of Boeing employees across the globe, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the West Coast wildfires,” said Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun. “As these wildfires have ravaged the Western United States, the American Red Cross has stepped up to answer the call at this critical moment of need, and we are happy to support them in their critical work. Through our partnership with the Red Cross, we will help bring recovery and relief efforts to those who have been displaced – and whose lives have been impacted – by these destructive fires.”

American Red Cross volunteers deliver meals to evacuees at a hotel that is being used by the American Red Cross as a shelter in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross)

Sifters are loaded into a truck that will deliver them to families affected by the wildfires in Silverton, Oregon. Sifters will be used to salvage items remaining at burned homes. (Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross)

Additionally, Boeing is donating $200,000 to provide food assistance in these states where significant numbers of the company’s employees live and work. $100,000 is being given to Northwest Harvest in Washington, and $50,000 apiece to the Oregon Food Bank and Redwood Empire Food Bank in California.

“Thousands of our families, friends and neighbors have been displaced around the west,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and the company’s senior executive in the region. “We are committed to helping them through this exceptionally challenging time.”

Boeing’s grant to the Red Cross will provide shelter, food and essentials for those who have been displaced from their homes due to the wildfires. These funds will also assist in the ongoing evacuation and aid delivery response in impacted communities.

“The Red Cross is working around the clock to help hundreds of thousands of people forced to evacuate from their homes due to the CaliforniaOregon and Washington wildfires. We have taken extra safety precautions due to the pandemic to ensure people feel safe as we support the communities impacted by the wildfires,” said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “We are extremely grateful for Boeing’s support, which allows us to provide shelter, food and comfort to help people in need.”

From Boeing:

Consistent with Boeing employee gift match programs, the company will also match qualifying employee contributions made to eligible nonprofits for wildfire relief efforts.

Game-changing innovation will always be at the heart of Boeing. And just as our business has evolved to meet the challenges of a global marketplace, so has our approach to community engagement.

Through purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with our strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide. This includes improving access to globally competitive learning as well as workforce and skills development and supporting our military and veteran communities.

See how Boeing and its employees give their time, talent and resources in communities around the world.

24 Hours of Kerr Virtual Gala Raises Over $400,000 for Albertina Kerr

24 Hours of Kerr Virtual Gala Raises Over $400,000 for Albertina Kerr

Portland, OR. Supporters gathered virtually to support Albertina Kerr’s life-saving Children’s Mental Health Services during the 24 Hours of Kerr virtual gala. The community raised more than $400,000 to serve children, teens, and their families in crisis.

Kerr leaders say, “During this historic time, so many kids and families are struggling. From the fear of an invisible illness, the fight for racial justice, and raging wildfires to social isolation and remote learning. For some kids, this new reality is unbearable, worsening their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation.”

The virtual gala on September 12th was co-hosted by Kerr’s CEO Jeff Carr and Kerr Ambassador Johnna Wells. Evening highlights included: client and family stories, watch-to-win prizes, the culmination of an online auction, and the announcement of the winner of the Golden Ticket ultimate beach getaway. (photo credit, Raise Agent)

Kerr Board Member David Wilson and his mother, Deanne Foster shared their inspiring Kerr story.

Marsha Buono, a Kerr volunteer for 39 years, remarks on what makes Kerr special.

Amy Laing, along with other Kerr families, clients and staff, shared their magic moments.

According to Albertina Kerr, last year, over 600 youth (5-17 years) facing a mental health crisis received life-saving care from Kerr’s dedicated team of mental health professionals. “These unsung heroes help children, teens, and their families survive and thrive. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure youth facing a mental health crisis have access to Kerr’s vital mental health services. Support of Kerr’s short-term crisis care and community-based outpatient services will help expand this essential, life-saving care to serve more children and teens in the coming year and beyond.”

From Albertina Kerr:

Since 1907, Albertina Kerr has been caring for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens. Today, empowers people experiencing intellectual and/or developmental (I/DD), mental health challenges, and other social barriers to lead self-determined lives and reach their full potential.
Learn more at: AlbertinaKerr.org

Watch event: https://www.avstream.me/kerr

Junior League Volunteers Help With Rose Haven School Supply Giveaway

Junior League Volunteers Help With Rose Haven School Supply Giveaway

Portland, OR. While the school experience has changed during the pandemic, the need for school supplies has not. Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, children, and gender non-conforming folks, experiencing poverty, trauma, and other issues. The nonprofit held its annual School Supply Giveaway in August. Over the course of two weeks, it supplied 265 children with all they need to get studying again, no matter where they live.

The Junior League of Portland provided volunteers to help with distribution.

Nike donated hundreds of brand new backpacks. Rose Haven converted its outside courtyard to a physically distanced, safe space for families.

Each child was given a grade-appropriate box of supplies. The packages were filled with paper, pens, calculators, binders, and more. This year’s giveaway offered families books, new clothing donated by Macy’s, family hygiene packs and more.

Organizers say that they’re pleased. “In the midst of all that is happening in our world and our community, it was so refreshing to spend time with our children! With them, we find so much hope for the future.”

From Rose Haven: Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, children and gender non-conforming folks experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home and other disruptive life challenges. We break the cycle of homelessness by providing meals, clothing, first aid, mailing addresses, hygiene, restrooms, showers as well as educational programs and guidance through medical and social services. By meeting basic needs and building trust, we empower our guests to explore long-term change.

Portland Art Museum Has “New on View” Offerings, Including an Early Picasso

Portland Art Museum Has “New on View” Offerings, Including an Early Picasso

Portland, OR. The Portland Art Museum (PAM) has some new art on-loan to display this fall.  One notable offering is Pablo Picasso’s, Portrait of Lola, The Artist’s Sister. This painting (seen above) suggests how much the twenty-year-old artist rapidly assimilated and innovated upon the techniques of his predecessors and peers.

About the painting:

Maria Dolores Ruiz Picasso was called Lola by her family. Picasso drew and painted his younger sister many times while he was an adolescent and teenager. This work on loan captures Lola at seventeen years old in 1901, the year that marks the beginning of Picasso’s famous “blue period.” The portrait shares the somber mood and cool colors that characterize that first mature body of work, created over a brief, three-year period. It retains some of the realism that Picasso-the-student would have observed and admired in paintings at Madrid’s Prado Museum by Spanish court painters Diego Velazquez and El Greco. He merges this influence with the stylistic trends of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists that he would have seen on his first trip to Paris in 1900.

Another standout is an early painting by the German expressionist painter Max Beckmann, Die Barke (The Skiff) which is on view now at PAM.

Throughout his career, Beckmann painted the sea as a subject matter full of allusion and symbolism. The artist often drew from his own life experiences to create images conveying life’s triumphs and great tragedies. Die Barke (The Skiff, seen on the left) depicts a vivacious party rowing out on calm waters. 

In late 1925, Beckmann and his wife Quappi traveled from their home in Frankfurt, Germany to Italy for their honeymoon; the bright color palette and sensuous figures seem to reflect this time of love, promise and pleasure. The Skiff is hanging next to The Mill (1947), a fixture in the Mary Beth and Roger Burpee Gallery. The pair form a compelling contrast. In the 1940s during World War II, the Beckmanns fled to Amsterdam to escape the Nazi regime. In The Mill, the artist depicted people tied to a Dutch windmill and crowded into a cage with a dark green sea churning in the background, serving as a vivid reminder of the destruction and trauma of years just past.

Two very special works on loan are now on view in the Jubitz Center’s Schnitzer/Novack Gallery on the second floor: Morris Louis, Number 38 and Donald Judd, Untitled (DSS 25).

Both paintings date to 1962, and this unique opportunity offers insight into a significant year for each artist. Number 38 is Louis’s final “stripe” painting made in the last year of his life. It demonstrates his masterful control over the process of staining raw canvas with diluted paint. The Museum’s collection is rich in other color field painters, and visitors will see a range of works created with this process hanging near this piece. The Judd wall-mounted work is one of his earliest “specific objects,” a phrase he used to describe his works that were neither painting or sculpture, yet contained elements of both mediums. While Judd came to be regarded as the master of minimalism, this work reinforces his attention to the expressive qualities of industrial materials. The pairing shows how artists took different paths but still moved away from illusionism and the representational in art in the early 1960s, forging the experiments in stripped-down abstraction that characterize Modern art in mid-century America.

From Portland Art Museum:

Welcome, we are excited to see you. We have been thoughtfully planning for our reopening under the guidelines set forth by the Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control.  This planning has been a thorough process that considered many variables and included connecting with medical professionals, government officials, and peer institutions across the city and country.  We’ve studied our facilities and infrastructure to understand what’s possible in this time of social distancing and made changes to best serve our staff and public in the safest possible way. Our reopening plan includes a shared belief that each of us plays a role in a safe reopening. The Museum and our community are in this together.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT

In the interest of personal safety and community health, visitors and staff are required to adhere to safety precautions while in the Museum. Thank you for helping our community stay safe and healthy. An inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public spaces where people are present. Covid-19 is extremely contagious.

  • New Hours: The Museum will be open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10–11 a.m. Members only)
  • Face coverings required: Ages 2 and over.
  • Social distancing: Visitors must maintain 6 ft distance.
  • Advance ticket sales: Advance tickets are strongly encouraged; capacity is limited and it is possible that some times may fill up by the day of your visit.
  • Museum Grounds Café closed
  • Coat/bag check closed: Please leave larger bags and backpacks at home.
    Individuals experiencing disabilities will be allowed to keep their bags.
  • For your safety and the safety of the art, please do not touch.

If you have Disability Access Requests and are unable to reserve tickets online please contact us on our Disability Access line at (503) 276-4284 or via email at [email protected].

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

We have taken the following precautions to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff.

  • Staff wellness checks conducted before shifts.
  • Hand sanitizer available for guests and staff.
  • Increased cleaning in high touch areas.
  • Plexiglas shields at admissions and shop checkout areas.
  • Designated routes to promote social distancing.

Help us protect our community!
Do you have a fever or cough, or are you experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms? Have you been exposed to anyone with these symptoms? ​If so, please join us at a later date.