Portland, OR. Thousands of Oregon Beatles fans have been visiting the Oregon Historical Society’s (OHS) new Beatles exhibit. Over 100 objects and interactive elements fill the gallery, some on exhibit for the first time. One of the most prominent cases features Paul McCartney’s jacket from The Beatles’ historic 1965 Shea Stadium concert.
This display case at OHS shows the jacket which was worn. McCartney also wore this iconic jacket when The Beatles performed in Portland, Oregon, at the Memorial Coliseum on August 22, 1965.
Curated by the GRAMMY Museum and Fab Four Exhibits, this exhibit, called Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles!, covers the period from early 1964 through mid-1966, a time when the band affected nearly every aspect of pop culture, including fashion, art, advertising, media, and music. Here’s a video of the 1965 Shea Stadium concert, which was the first of its kind:
Later, Ringo Starr said about the concert: “If you look at the film footage you can see how we reacted to the place. It was very big and very strange. I feel that on that show John cracked up. He went mad; not mentally ill, but he just got crazy. He was playing the piano with his elbows and it was really strange.”
Paul McCartney said, “It’s like this: You make a noise and they make a noise, and it’s the noise together that counts. It’s the bible, really, with Cecil B. De Mille and 60,000 extras.”
The Oregon Historical Society’s version of the exhibit also features the original performance contract and rider to bring The Beatles to Portland, as well as an original press pass.
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney wave from limo as they leave the Portland Airport for the Coliseum. Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
This mock-up of The Beatles’ “Ed Sullivan Show” setup from Feb. 9, 1964, is part of a new exhibit.
Other exhibition highlights include:
Ringo Starr’s black-on-black striped suit worn in The Beatles’ debut film A Hard Day’s Night and Ringo’s Abbey Road crosswalk jacket
Paul McCartney’s original handwritten lyric sheet for the song, “What You’re Doing” (August 1964)
Handwritten set lists from The Beatles’ concerts, including the earliest known set list (Grosvenor Ballroom, June 1960) and the one used onstage at the group’s first-ever American concert (Washington D.C., February 11, 1964)
Gold records of I Want To Hold Your Hand and Rubber Soul
Venue contracts from the band’s American tours
An eye-popping display of mass-produced merchandising items
Kid-friendly interactive elements including a virtual drumming lesson from Ringo and a playable home-made skiffle bass
The exhibit featuring many photos of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and John Lennon is on display at the Oregon Historical Society through November 12, 2019.
A new film premiering June 28th called, Yesterday is also likely to bring The Beatles to a new generation of fans. Here’s a synopsis of the new film: A struggling musician realizes he’s the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after waking up in an alternate timeline where they never existed. Here’s a trailer for Yesterday:
Here’s more information about The Oregon Historical Society:
Location
Oregon Historical Society 1200 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 97205
Multnomah Co. Residents (with proof of residency*)
FREE
Adults
$10
Students & Teachers (with ID)
$8
Seniors (60+)
$8
Youth (6 – 18)
$5
Children (5 & under)
FREE
*Proof of Multnomah County residency can include a State Issued Identification Card, Driver’s License, or utility bill. Library cards and TriMet passes are not valid forms of ID.
Portland, OR. More than 500 people attended the annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Gala to support efforts to spread science education across the Pacific Northwest. Governor Kate Brown, Piper Park, Kathy Rudd and Pat Reser were on hand for the May 4th gala. The benefit, which took place at OMSI, grossed more than $1.5 million through sponsorships, ticket sales and an auction, making it the nonprofit museum’s most successful event to date. This year’s gala, titled ‘Diamond Jubilee,’ commemorated OMSI’s 75th anniversary.
Trond Ingvaldsen, Turid Owren, Jon Jaqua, Kimberly Cooper and Wally Van Valkenburg
Marcia Randall and Kristin Rogers
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle and wife Ann visit with Senator Ron Wyden (center)
Marcus Lintner, Linda Rae Hickey and OMSI Emeritus Board Chair Gary Maffei strike a pose in the Durham and Bates Photo Lounge. Photos by KLiK Concepts (Kenton Waltz and Erin Riddle)
Courtney Cooper, Christine Vernier, OMSI President & CEO Nancy Stueber, Dan Stueber and OMSI Emeritus Trustee David Vernier enjoy the cocktail reception.
Sisters Kathy Deggendorfer and Sally Bany visit with OMSI Emeritus Board Chair Gary Maffei during the cocktail hour.
Guests are showered with confetti as the record-breaking $1,535,000 total is announced.
Governor Brown celebrates the evening with the Starella Sisters.
Guests enjoy the Gala After Dark after-party.
Thomas Lauderdale, China Forbes and the entire Pink Martini collective entertain OMSI’s guests at the Gala After Dark after-party.
OMSI celebrates the notion that everyone can be a successful science learner. Regardless of where they live or how much money they have – everyone has the right to feel the joy of curiosity, the thrill of exploration and the power of innovation and problem solving. This is why funds raised at the gala are used for the museum’s statewide education outreach efforts, financial aid programs and a multitude of learning and development initiatives.
“It’s so important for everyone to have access to science and technology,” said Nancy Stueber, president and CEO of OMSI. “Science learning starts with the spark of curiosity and asking questions. We want to keep the spark alive with hands-on learning experiences. The money we raised at the gala will help us further our goals for science learning, both in the experiences we will create and the access we can provide.”
OMSI has been a part of Oregon’s community for 75 years. Founded in 1944 by a group of volunteers, who wanted to show Oregonians and the world just how special and unique this place is, the museum continues to put the “O” in its name as it serves all of Oregon. From the very beginning, the museum was built by the community for the community.
“This year’s gala was a resounding success because it demonstrates the level of commitment and support we have from the community,” said Love Centerwall, vice president of development at OMSI. “As a private, non-profit organization, about one-third of our annual budget comes from our generous donors. OMSI’s quality experiences, financial aid program, and broad reach would not be possible without them.”
Anyone can get involved and assist OMSI in its ongoing efforts to extend science-learning across Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Visit www.omsi.edu/donate or send an email to [email protected] for more information.
About OMSI
Our Mission
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) inspires curiosity through engaging science learning experiences, fosters experimentation and the exchange of ideas, and stimulates informed action.
OMSI is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and relies on admissions, memberships, and donations to continue our educational mission, programs, and exhibits.
Portland, OR. Let’s Festival Around the Globe was the theme of the 2019 Grand Floral Parade on June 8th.
Mya Brazile, a Senoir of St Mary’s Academy
Mya Brazile, a Senoir of St Mary’s Academy was selected Queen of Rosaria and rode with her court on a flower-laden float. Queen Mya aims to study Computer Science at a four-year university and become a Computer Scientist with skills in web design and coding.
There were hundreds entries in the parade including one from the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association, an entry from Alaska Airlines and a mini-float from Sapporo, Japan. The parade is the culmination of the Rose Festival which annually draws an estimated 500-thousand people to the Rose City. For more than 100 years, Portland families, visitors and community groups have enjoyed the Grand Floral Parade along a 4-mile route as it winds through city streets and across the river.
Hillmann Lueddemann Jr. Sweepstakes Award (Most outstanding float in the Parade) was awarded to Reser’s Fine Food.
The Governor’s Award for best depiction of life in Oregon went to Spirit Mountain Casino’s tribute to Willamette Falls in Oregon City.
The Clown Prince is the Rose Festival’s Official Mascot.
The Grand Marshal Award (Best depiction of whimsy) went to Fred Meyer.
The Queen’s Award (Most Creative float in the parade) went to Meals on Wheels People.
President’s Award (Most effective overall floral presentation) went to Cambia Portland Classic.
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Award (Best depiction of community spirit) went to Alaska Airlines.
A complete list of the winners, including bands, is below. Additionally, here are more snapshots of Portland’s biggest parade:
Equestrian awards, included the Vern Hulit Award for Excellence in Preparation, Organization and Presentation went to the Pendleton Round-Up Court.
Native or National Costume, Individual/Pair honors went to Happy Canyon Princesses, Kaia John & Kayla Fossek.
The State, Regional or Association Queen winner was Miss Rodeo Oregon, Taylor Ann Skramstad.
The One More Time Around Again Marching Band has been a fixture in the Portland Rose Festival Starlight and Grand Floral parades since 1985. It’s one of the largest adult marching bands in the country.
One More Time Around Again Marching Band majorettes
Puddles, the Oregon Duck mascot, made an appearance.
Rosarian Prime Minister Don Thacker
The Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers
Sister City Sapporo Japan’s float celebrated 60 years of friendship.
Sailors from the USS Independence
Black Chamber of Commerce. PCRI and the Urban League of Portland
Here’s a complete list of winners:
Royal Rosarian Award (Best craftsmanship and workmanship)
Portland Kaohsiung Sister City Association
Rose Society Award (Most effective use and display of roses)
Unitus Community Credit Union
Rose Festival Directors Award (Best depiction of volunteerism)
Royal Rosarian Foundation
Rose Festival Court Award (Best example of enthusiasm and teamwork)
Greenbrier / Gunderson
Grand Marshal Award (Best depiction of whimsy)
Fred Meyer
Theme Award (Best presentation of Rose Festival theme – Let’s Festival!)
Portland Rose Festival Foundation
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Award (Best depiction of community spirit)
Alaska Airlines
Peg Roseboro Award (Most artistic design and presentation)
Portland Rose Festival Tribute Float
Dick Powers Picture Perfect Award (Best Mini-float)
Sapporo. Japan Mini-Float
Parade Queen Award
New Westminster Hyack Festival Mini-Float
Parade Chairman Award
Battle Ground Mini-Float
Judges Award: Extra Mention
Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival Mini-Float
BAND AWARDS
Band Sweepstakes (Best Band in Parade)
Sumner High School – Sumner WA
In-State Open (100 or more)
First Place – Oregon City High School – Oregon City OR
Second Place – Tualatin High School – Tualatin, OR
Third Place – Canby high School – Canby OR
In-State Division A (99 Members or Less)
First Place –Centennial High School – Gresham, OR
Second Place – Hillsboro high School – Hillsboro, OR
Out-of-State Open (100 or more)
First Place – Prairie High School – Battle Ground, WA
Out-of-State Division A (99 Members or Less)
First Place – Battle Ground High School – Battle Ground, WA
Second Place – Columbia River High School -Vancouver WA
Third Place – Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial High School – Kaohsiung, Taiwan
CAPTION AWARDS
Out walkers/Parent Support
Sumner High School – Sumner, WA
Cheerleaders
Oregon City High School – Oregon City, OR
Flags/Dance Team
Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial High School – Kaohsiung, Taiwan
ROSE FESTIVAL EQUESTRIAN CLASS ENTRIES AWARD LISTING
Vern Hulit Award for Excellence in Preparation,
Organization and Presentation
Pendleton Round-Up Court
Native or National Costume, Individual/Pair
Happy Canyon Princesses, Kaia John & Kayla Fossek
Fancy Dress
Maggie Constantino and Cloud
Equestrian Group
Clark Co. Fair Mounted Patrol
Horse Drawn Wagon or Carriage
Special ‘T’ Carriage Co. – Teresa Ritchey & Roy
State, Regional or Association Queen
Miss Rodeo Oregon
Rodeo or Fair Queen
Miss Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo, Makenzie Matthews
Portland, OR. The Barber of Seville is considered one of the great comic operas and Portland Opera is staging a large scale production at the Keller Auditorium on June 7th, a matinee on the 9th, and two more evening performances June 13th, and 15th. John Moore as Figaro, Aleksandra Romano as Rosina, and Jack Swanson as Count Almaviva star in the production. Gioachino Rossini’s opera tells the story of the Count Almaviva, who has fallen for the charming Rosina, and enlists the help of the town barber Figaro to assist in winning her affection. Together they try to outwit her guardian Dr. Bartolo, who also vies for her hand. (Photo by Cory Weaver/Portland Opera.)
A scene from Portland Opera’s 2019 production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Photo by Cory Weaver/Portland Opera.
Here’s a video about the production:
Eduardo Chama as Doctor Bartolo, Jack Swanson as Count Almaviva, Aleksandra Romano as Rosina, John Moore as Figaro, and Adam Lau as Don Basilio in Portland Opera’s 2019 production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Photo by Cory Weaver/Portland Opera.
“This production of The Barber of Seville is high energy and high voltage,” says stage director and Portland Opera General Director Christopher Mattaliano. “We’re embracing the conventions of opera, which can be a ridiculous art form, and not apologizing for it. Rossini’s piece sparkles, and I can’t wait to bring this production of one of the most popular opera buffas back to the stage.”
Portland Opera Music Director George Manahan conducts the performance, in a production created by stage director Christopher Mattaliano, set designer Allen Moyer, costume designer James Scott, and lighting designer Paul Palazzo. The cast stars baritone John Moore, who was last seen at Portland Opera as Papageno in The Magic Flute, as the scheming barber, Figaro. Aleksandra Romano, who made her Portland Opera debut in 2016 as Isabella in The Italian Girl in Algiers, joins the cast as Rosina. Tenor Jack Swanson will make his Portland Opera debut as Almaviva, a role he has recently sung with Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Glyndebourne. Eduardo Chama, last seen as Don Magnifico in last season’s La Cenerentola, will sing the role of Doctor Bartolo.
The cast also features bass Adam Lau in his Portland Opera debut as Don Basilio, former Portland Opera Resident Artist Antonia Tamer as Berta, and 2018/19 Resident Artists Geoffrey Schellenberg and Thomas Cilluffo as Fiorello and An Officer.
Jack Swanson as Figaro and Eduardo Chama as Doctor Bartolo in Portland Opera’s 2019 production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Photo by Cory Weaver/Portland Opera.
From Portland Opera:
The Barber of Seville was made possible by generous gifts from OregonLive/The Oregonian, Remy Wines, Portland Internetworks, and Wave Form Systems, Inc. Portland Opera is grateful for the ongoing support of the Arts Impact Fund, The Collins Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Oregon Arts Commission, and Regional Arts & Culture Council.
Fun Facts
Portland Opera performed The Barber of Seville for the first time in 1966. The company has since performed the opera in 1970, 1976, 1984, 1995, 2004, and 2010. For a visual timeline of the company’s performances of the piece, please see the attached PDF.
Although written by different composers, The Barber of Seville is a prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Both operas are based on a trilogy of plays by Pierre Beaumarchais.
Rossini claimed that he wrote The Barber of Seville in 13 days! He borrowed from his own works to compose this score – you can hear music from six other Rossini operas in this piece.
Tickets and Information
Performances take place at 7:30PM at the Keller Auditorium, with the exception of the matinee on June 9, which begins at 2:00 PM. One hour prior to each performance, audience members are invited to a pre-show lecture on the first balcony of the Keller Auditorium.
The Barber of Seville will be sung in Italian with projected English translations. Portland Opera is a proud participant in Arts for All—providing $5 tickets for Oregon Trail Card holders.
A limited number of rush tickets (for seniors, students, and United States Armed Forces personnel and their families) are available for performances of The Barber of Seville. Student rush tickets are available online on the Monday before the performances. Call 503-241-1802 Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm for more information.
The performance on June 9 at 2pm will include an audio description of the visual and physical events on stage for patrons who are blind or have low vision. For patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing, each performance is visually translated with English text projected above the stage.
Tickets for The Barber of Seville are now available, starting at $35. For more information, and to purchase tickets visit http://www.portlandopera.org or call Patron Services at 503-241-1802. For more information, patrons may also contact the Opera Concierge at [email protected] Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm.
The Barber of Seville Cast and Creative Team
Figaro Count Almaviva Rosina Dr . Bartolo Don Basilio Berta Fiorello An Officer
Conductor Director Costume Designer Scenic Designer Lighting Designer
About 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. Over 150 business and community leaders gathered at the Downtown Portland Hilton for the Chess for Success Game Changer luncheon. Stephanie Kralevich from KPTV was the Master of Ceremonies and posed for a photo board member Gwen Thompson. Business leader and alumna of Chess for Success, Chi Nguyen spoke to the crowd about the effect chess has had on her life, and then she reunited with her old chess coach who also happens to be the King of Chess, Steve Rosenfeld. Chess for Success raised $125,000, which is more money for the program than last year. (Photo credit, Brighid Hackett)
Keynote Speaker Chi Nguyen and her chess coach, the King of Chess, Steve Rosenfeld
Shawn Engelberg, Charlie Engelberg (board chair), Nancy Young, and Curits Young (Executive Director)
The luncheon was held on May 2nd.
Laura Katheryn Smith, Phil Margolin (founder and board member), Gwen Thompson (board member), Michael Malone (Program Manager)
From Chess for Success:
Chess for Success is much more than a recreational, after-school club. It’s an intervention and educational support, provided at no cost to families, that closes the achievement gap for economically disadvantaged and minority youth.
Through learning chess, students develop high-level critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that improve self-esteem, behavior, and academic performance, including attendance, grades, and test scores.
Long-term, our goals include improving high-school graduation rates, participation in STEM programs and careers, and college/workplace readiness, ending the cycle of poverty for at-risk youth.
Portland, OR. Supporters rallied to offer hope to families and support mental health in Oregon by attending the fourth annual Trillium Family Services “Keep Oregon Well” Gala on Saturday, May 18th at The Sentinel Hotel. Trillium Group CEO Kim Scott presented Joanne McClarty with the Lifetime Achievement Award. (Photo credit, Tom Cook)
Emma Chamberlain & Dr. Andy Adler raise their paddles
Emcee: Anna Mallery
Trillium Family Services President Jamie Vandergon
Entertainment by Hit Machine
From Trillium Family Services:
Trillium Family Services is Oregon’s largest provider of mental and behavioral healthcare for children and families and has been ranked as one of the most effective children’s mental health organizations in the state. From residential psychiatric treatment to mental health advocacy in the streets, we are committed to transforming the state of Oregon into a safer, more supportive place for all people to live, work, play and learn. A special thanks to all of our sponsors and table hosts who made this event possible, including:
Presenting Sponsor Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Gold Sponsors CareOregon Jean Meaks-Koch/Positively People The Standard
Silver Sponsors Concordia Kaiser Legacy Park Academy
Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsor David & Shirley Pollock
Portland, OR. The 24th JDRF Hope Gala honored Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer with a “Living and Giving” Award. Board President Merrie Kay Alzola helped honor Arlene and her son Jordan as JDRF Executive Director Judy Summers assisted. The ballroom of the Sentinel Hotel was filled with 450 supporters for the May 4th benefit. Families affected by Type 1 diabetes say they hope to turn “type one” into type none. The over $640,000 raised at the gala for JDRF was record-setting for the nonprofit. JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.
Lisa Tran and KPTV Celebrity Emcee Elizabeth Dinh
Friends of JDRF raised their bid cards high.
Hope Gala Chairs, Suzanne and Larry Mackin
Youth Ambassadors thank supporters for their help
From JDRF:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes both children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. And, at present, there is no cure.
In T1D, your pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone the body needs to get energy from food. This means a process your body does naturally and automatically becomes something that now requires your daily attention and manual intervention. If you have T1D, you must constantly monitor your blood-sugar level, inject or infuse insulin through a pump, and carefully balance these insulin doses with your eating and activity throughout the day and night.
However, insulin is not a cure for diabetes. Even with the most vigilant disease management, a significant portion of your day will be spent with either high or low blood-sugar levels. These fluctuations place people with T1D at risk for potentially life-threatening hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes as well as devastating long-term complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, blindness and amputation.
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our strength lies in our exclusive focus and singular influence on the worldwide effort to end T1D.
Vision: A world without type 1 diabetes
Mission: Improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications
Portland, OR. Approximately 200 guests attended Ride Connection’s first annual “Lunch in Motion” on May 9th at the Sentinel. This new benefit raised a record-breaking $130,000 for the nonprofit, which provides rides for older adults and people with disabilities. At the event, Ride Connection CEO, Julie Wilcke Pilmer and Keynote Speaker and Ride Connection Board Member, Vicki Schmall posed for a photo. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Representatives from Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon pause for a photo before the program.
The Enterprise Car Sales Team kicking off a $1,000 level of giving.
Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington shows support with leaders from AARP and Washington County Health and Human Services.
Here’s a video about the nonprofit:
Supporters raising bidder cards high.
The program featured three customers who utilize Ride Connection services to access healthy foods and fun social interaction on one of Ride Connection’s community shopping shuttles as well as a keynote speech from Executive Director and Gerontology & Training Specialist with Aging Concerns, Dr. Vicki Schmall.
From Ride Connection:
The success of the event is largely attributed to generous matching donors, The Maybelle Clark MacDonald Fund, Fred Meyer and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon. Funds raised at the event will help Ride Connection provide the vital services to keep older adults and people with disabilities moving and healthy in the Portland metro communities.
Ride Connection is a private, non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to coordinating and providing transportation services to people with limited options in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. Our organization has been linking transportation to people in our communities for over 25 years.
We believe transportation is a basic human right. Access to transportation means mobility, and being mobile allows a person to connect with his or her community and other essential life destinations.
Portland, OR. At this year’s Portland Community College (PCC) gala, a sold-out crowd of 600 was taken on a “Voyage to Success”. The evening featured a steampunk theme, student speakers, and a choral performance by Julianne Johnson-Weiss and a group of PCC Sylvania students. Ross Leinhart, Janeese Jackson, Kimberly Cooper and Congressman Earl Blumenauer were on hand. The April 27th benefit at the Portland Hilton raised over $636,000 to support student scholarships. Since its inception in 2012, The PCC Foundation’s Evening for Opportunity has raised more than $3.4 million to help Portland Community College students achieve their dreams of entering the region’s workforce with a family-wage job and become contributors to a vibrant community. (Photo credit, Ronald Cooper and Tom Cook Photo)
Chris and Tom Neilsen, 2019 Patron Award Honorees
PCC President Mark Mitsui addresses supporters
Christy Gardner, PCC Foundation board member John Gardner and former member of the Oregon State Senate and The Campaign for Opportunity Committee Volunteer Chip Shields
PCC Music Department Co-Chair Julianne Johnson-Weiss, Billy Ladd and PCC Elected Board Chair Kali Thorne Ladd
After party entertainers the MarchFourth marching band.
The crowd also celebrated the launch of PCC’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, The Campaign for Opportunity, a movement toward a sustainable, equitable future for Oregon.
“PCC’s Campaign for Opportunity will provide thousands of students with critical
education, and our businesses with the skilled, trained workers we all depend on,” said PCC President Mark Mitsui. For more information, visit pcc.edu/opportunity.
From PCC:
Portland Community College is the largest, most accessible institution of higher education in Oregon. Every year, the college serves about 70,000 students, who go on to become our community’s nurses, firefighters, welders, Web developers, teachers and more.
As the only nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Portland Community College, the PCC Foundation helps students access education by awarding scholarships and building the capacity of PCC to provide vital educational opportunities for our community.
Vancouver, WA. Bank of America announced Meals on Wheels People as its 2019 Neighborhood Builder grant recipient for the Portland-Vancouver market. The Bank of America award includes a $200,000 gift that is being used to open a first-of-its-kind diner for seniors and community members in Vancouver. David Reiter, Senior Vice President, Bank of America, and Suzanne Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Meals on Wheels People, cut the ribbon with the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce for The Diner Vancouver’s grand opening on May 20th.
The Diner Vancouver is located at 5303 E. Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver, Wash. It’s open from 7:00am to 2:00pm daily.
More about The Diner Vancouver, including the menu offerings, is at the link: www.thediner.org.
Marcie Kessel, Development Officer, Meals on Wheels People, with the check from Bank of America.
The diner’s unique model aims to achieve several things: provide choice for senior diners, create a welcoming atmosphere with high quality, locally sourced food, and establish an eating establishment that appeals to seniors, families and the business community. Those age 60 and older who enroll in the Meals on Wheels People program have the option of ordering off a special menu, which meets Older American Act dietary guidelines, and is available on a donation basis. Revenue from paying customers will help support the Meals on Wheels program in Clark County and allow the nonprofit organization to better serve more rural parts of the county. The diner is open daily for breakfast and lunch, is on a bus line for access, and serves comfort food sourced from local ingredients.
Tony Staser, from Meals on Wheels People, poses with attendees from the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
Marcie Kessel, Development Officer, Meals on Wheels People, holding the Neighborhood Builders Award with David Reiter, Senior Vice President, Bank of America.
Through the Neighborhood Builders program, each year the bank provides a local nonprofit with a unique combination of leadership training, $200,000 in flexible funding, volunteer support, and a network of peer organizations across the country. Last year’s local winner was All Hands Raised.
“In every community we serve, we’re continuously assessing that community’s changing, evolving needs. And while many of our core clients are homebound seniors who benefit from our home delivery services, our research showed that more seniors locally are actually healthy and mobile and would benefit from more socialization opportunities. Out of that, the idea for this new diner was born,” said Suzanne Washington, Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels People.
Washington adds that seniors will now have choices around when, what and with whom to eat. She noted that today’s seniors do not fit into the same demographic as seniors a decade or two ago, as they want more menu choice, flexibility in dining times and a more traditional restaurant experience. Besides providing a reliable place for seniors to get a meal, the restaurant — which is called The Diner Vancouver — also allows them to socialize with family, friends, neighbors and patrons.
“This is a new approach that hasn’t been done before within the Meals on Wheels organization. Here in the Portland-Vancouver area, we’re both an entrepreneurial and philanthropic community, and the thoughtfulness that went into this new diner model really interested us at Bank of America. This project is truly addressing an identified community need in a creative and innovative way,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America’s market president for Oregon and Southwest Washington. “This unique project is an example of what our Neighborhood Builders program seeks to support, which is impactful programs and solutions that address local community needs.”
Monique Barton, senior vice president at Bank of America, added: “Over the many years that we’ve partnered with Meals on Wheels and supported them philanthropically, we’ve seen first-hand how impactful their work is. We’re excited to be directing this additional support to ensure even more local seniors have nutritious options while maintaining their independence. We’re optimistic that this new diner will make a real difference in helping Meals on Wheels People achieve even more financial sustainability, to further expand its resources to address need in Clark County and throughout the Portland Metro region.” Barton noted that over the past 15 years of the BofA Neighborhood Builders program operating in the Portland market, this is the first time it’s being earmarked for a project in Vancouver, Wash.
Suzanne Washington said that so far, feedback from the community has been strong. “Right out of the gate, business has been robust. In the first few days we were open, we’ve had amazingly positive response from seniors and the community alike. We’ve also seen a lot of multi-generational diners coming in together. The Diner is truly moving us closer towards achieving our vision of no senior going hungry or lonely — all while providing an additional revenue stream, and creating new workforce development opportunities in the region,” she said. “I’d call that a win-win-win!”
In addition to sharing the news about 2019’s Neighborhood Builder winner, BofA’s Hinshaw also relayed that going forward, the Portland-Vancouver market will select two local nonprofits each year to be recipients of Neighborhood Builder $200,000 awards, up from one in recent years. Local nonprofits can learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/neighborhoodbuilders.
From Bank of America:
Through the Neighborhood Builders program, we deploy capital and build cross-sector partnerships to advance nonprofit leaders addressing economic mobility and social progress issues in the communities we serve. Since 2004, we’ve invested more than $220 million in 49 communities — including Portland — partnering with more than 1,000 nonprofits and more than 2,000 nonprofit leaders by delivering flexible funding, leadership development and a network of peers. Fifteen years on, Neighborhood Builders is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments in nonprofit leadership development. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about or www.bankofamerica.com/oregon.
From Meals on Wheels People:
Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives one meal at a time since 1970. They provide 5,000 nutritious meals every weekday at dozens of neighborhood dining sites throughout Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties and through Meals on Wheels delivery to homebound elderly. Their service not only alleviate hunger and social isolation, but allow seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care. For more information, visit www.mowp.org.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
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Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
