Camp Howard Celebrates 60th Camping Season with Party for 350 Supporters

Camp Howard Celebrates 60th Camping Season with Party for 350 Supporters

Mt. Hood near Sandy, July 20th, 2013. Camp Howard celebrated its 60th anniversary in style with tours, a barbecue and the “Countryfied” band to entertain guests. The day began with a special thank-you event for the Champions of Faith and other individual donors. According to leaders, “Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and Camp Howard exist to give youth opportunities to gain confidence, have wholesome experiences, practice and grow in Christian values and make great memories in the process.” Camp Howard, named for Archbishop Howard, is located between Corbett and Sandy.

Camp Facility Manager, Karen von Borstel, Rita Deplanch early Camp Howard staff with Fr. Gimpl, Sister Krista von Borstel, Executive Director

JP Fogarty instructs the target sport programs at Camp Howard.

John Tomassi tests out the 100 foot slip and slide at Camp Howard

Tatyana (Taty) Krochta, Cabin Counselor – Mini Camp

Ryan Kain, Recreation Director at Camp Howard  (UP & Lasalle HS)

Ryan Kain, Recreation Director at Camp Howard (UP & Lasalle HS)

Countryfied western band plays for Camp Howard’s 60th anniversary

Only A-Frame still at Camp Howard is preserved and used as a staff break room.

 

Mt. Hood is one of the magnificent features viewed from Camp Howard. 

Summer Program Director, Bill Fogarty gives a camper a ride to the camp nurses station

Country western band “Countryfied” played on Horton Field bringing delight to all in attendance. Event guests said they could here the music playing all over the campsite. Bandleaders, Mark and Ron Mobley from Kent, Oregon, were classmates of Sister Krista and Karen von Borstel, in Central Oregon. They were extremely excited to add Camp Howard as one of their Pacific Northwest tour events. 

Story submitted by: Sister Krista von Borstel, Executive Director

From Camp Howard:

In our 60th year, Camp Howard has already had a very successful season with camper registrations. As of July 25, 2013, the registrations have reached 1,450 total, which is the second highest total since our record-breaking year in 2011 when Camp Howard hit 1,513 total campers. 

Campers have been pleasantly surprised this summer with the renovation of the Star Deck this season. The original Star Deck was built in 1988 by the Knights of Columbus from Gresham, Oregon. It was a treasured feature of the camp for many years and unfortunately had to be taken down in 2009. Camp Howard raised the funds to rebuild it almost immediately. Earlier this spring, Schommer and Sons came up to the camp and assembled the Star Deck. The kids have been wild about it all summer! We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the anonymous donor and the Champions of Faith sponsors for their support of this endeavor. 

As Bill Fogarty begins his second season as Camp Director, he could not be happier with Camp Howard’s success. Fogarty is a parishioner at St. Juan Diego in Northwest Portland and has assembled a first class staff to work with the youth and provide an extraordinary summer of fun for the campers. 

Camp Howard is experiencing some of the best days in its history under the steady hand of its exceptional leaders working to present the most positive possible experience for campers. In addition to Fogarty, Karen von Borstel keeps the grounds and facilities in top-notch shape and operates a pool and kitchen that have received exceptional reviews from the Clackamas County Health Inspector. The Inspector recently mentioned that Camp Howard is the most well kept camp she inspects. In fact, she sent her own child to Camp Howard, which is another feather in our cap! 

The Camp Howard mission is to facilitate a camping experience for youth from all walks of life to provide a week of recreational fun based on Christian values. The goal was originally established by the founders of the camp back in 1952 and has been adhered to ever since. From the looks of the evaluations and responses from campers and parents, those ideals are succeeding. 

Camp Howard would like to thank all of those who have contributed to the improvement of the camp through the Champions of Faith Benefit Dinner, individual donors, especially Joseph Weston, and the Christ Child Society for their support over the years. 

Project Lemonade Holds Sweet Benefit to Help Foster Kids

Project Lemonade Holds Sweet Benefit to Help Foster Kids

Lake Oswego, July 17th, 2013. “When Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade!” That was the message supporters embraced at a benefit at the home of Eric and Stephanie Fifer in Lake Oswego. The party raised over $3,000 to help Portland foster children do some needed back-to-school shopping, made possible through a special program called Project Lemonade. With merchandising help from Mario’s staff, Project Lemonade volunteers collect clothing and create a special store for the kids.

Cheryl and George Scherzer

Cheryl and George Scherzer

Rhonda Meadows, Stephanie Fifer and Tom Grant

Rhonda Meadows, Stephanie Fifer and Tom Grant

At the event highlights included performances by Tom Grant and vocalist Craig Irby Jr. Board member Rhonda Meadows provided her personal story explaining why she started the nonprofit. She found herself welcoming a foster child into her own home but he arrived with only a brown paper bag and almost nothing in it. While taking this young boy shopping for much needed clothing and personal items, he was overwhelmed with being able to choose brand new items; his first ever.

Brianna Finney, Austin Blythe and Paula Brooke

Brianna Finney, Austin Blythe and Paula Brooke

This year the Project Lemonade store is operating in space donated by Felton Properties at 514 SW Sixth Avenue in downtown Portland, on the max and bus lines August 2 - September 1, 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM with referral and appointment. Staffing is provided entirely by volunteers.

This year the Project Lemonade store is operating in space donated by Felton Properties at 514 SW Sixth Avenue in downtown Portland, on the max and bus lines. It’s open August 2 – September 1, 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM with referral and appointment. Staffing is provided entirely by volunteers.

From Project Lemonade:

Our program gives Portland area foster children the unique opportunity to shop for new and nearly new clothing to start the school year at no charge to them or their foster families. Volunteers work tirelessly to offer the over 2,000 Portland foster children with, what for some, could be their first shopping experience. Caring individuals collect clothing and accessory donations and then create a welcoming kid-friendly store. Many of these kids are two to three grade levels behind because they are moved from place to place with no where to call home. They often blame themselves for what has happened which can effect their self image dramatically. The generosity of many of Portland’s largest clothing retailers and manufacturers, as well as countless individual contributors, has made this positive experience possible. Children can choose clothing that fits their taste, personal and style — so important to the self image of every school-age child.  The mission of Project Lemonade, a 501(c)(3), is based upon the belief that starting the school year with new clothes gives children greater confidence and builds their self-esteem so they feel good about themselves, regardless of their living situation and thereby increasing their prospects for success in the coming school year.

For more information, make a donation, offer clothing or to volunteer please visit: www.projectlemonadepdx.org ; or email [email protected].

Splashy Flotilla Brings Fun to Willamette for Third Annual BIG Float

Splashy Flotilla Brings Fun to Willamette for Third Annual BIG Float

Portland, July 28, 2013. “Come on in, the water’s fine!” That’s the slogan The Big Float organizers want you to remember after seeing over 2,000 water-lovers  take to the Willamette River.  The event benefits the conservation organization, the Human Access Project.
The event included an inner-tube parade and bands on a barge. The Big Float is open to all ages. All floaters must wear a life jacket. It's a safe voyage, not a race.

This year, instead of crossing the Willamette River, people floated downstream. They launched from Marquam Beach and took out at the Tom McCall Bowl – on the west bank of the river just south of the Hawthorne Bridge.

This year, instead of crossing the Willamette River, peopled floated downstream. They launched from Marquam Beach (same as last year) and took out at the Tom McCall Bowl – on the west bank of the river just south of the Hawthorne Bridge.

The event included an inner-tube parade and bands on a barge. The Big Float is open to all ages. All floaters must wear a life jacket. It’s a safe voyage, not a race.

Several local bands took turns playing on a barge while supporters listened from the water and the riverbank.

The rainbow pirates brought water guns.

The rainbow pirates brought water guns.

Our photo crew sailed into port yelling "Ahoy!"

Our photo crew sailed into port yelling “Ahoy!”

The jumbo turtles were pretty fast on the water.

The jumbo turtles were pretty fast on the water.

Steve Humphrey, Sara Daley and their mini boaters!

Steve Humphrey, Sara Daley and their mini boaters!

From the Big Float:

Despite public perception (which we are trying to change), the Willamette River is approved for summer swimming, except in the now very rare instances when Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) conditions are present.With the Big Pipe project now complete, it’s expected that a CSO will occur only once every two summers (but very likely never again). You are more likely to see a whale swim up the Willamette than see a CSO in summer! Oregon DEQ states that when CSO conditions are not present, “the Willamette River is safe for swimming and other recreational uses.”Questions? Click on the link below for official explanations of Willamette River water quality from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services and City of Portland Office of Healthy Working Rivers.  Additionally visit the Bureau of Environmental Services Willamette River Water Quality Page to check in on weekly monitoring results at eight sites May-October.
Local Kids Benefit From Sand in the City

Local Kids Benefit From Sand in the City

Portland, July 21st, 2013. Did you put your toes in the sand at  Yoshida’s Sand in the City? The Nike team won the Golden Shovel for 1st place, the OMSI’s team came in 2nd, Turner’s group was 3rd. Hoffman’s team won the Competitor’s Choice award and Pacific Power won the Mayor’s Choice prize. 135 yards of sand were hauled into Pioneer Square for the event this year.
Over $150,000 was raised for the children’s programs.Organizers say over 10,500 children in our community will benefit–kids who are helped by the following beneficiaries:

Angels in the Outfield – program for children that are victims of crime or child abuse
Forward Stride – after-school therapeutic horseback riding program for children
Friendly House After-School Program – after-school care for at-risk children attending Chapman Elementary School in NW Portland
Sports Buddies – Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest – Mentoring support program for children facing adversities
Kids on the Block a program of Impact Northwest – An educational puppet program helping children make good decisions in difficult situations

Working together as a team to design a sand sculpture that can be built during a 6-hour competition using 5 cubic yards of sand or less.

Working together as a team to design a sand sculpture that can be built during a 6-hour competition using 5 cubic yards of sand or less.

Here are some details:

Work Area — 12 ft x 14 ft. Twelve people are allowed on the team plot with a maximum of 16 team members in the sand sculpture area. Design support may be provided by architectural representatives.

Here’s a fun BBC video on building the “perfect” sandcastle.

You can learn more about the nonprofits who benefited by clicking on the links below!

angelsintheoutfield-logo Angels in the Outfield    Support for children that are victims of crime or child abuseLearn more about Angels in the Outfield
 
forwardstride-logo Forward Stride    After School Therapeutic horseback riding program for childrenLearn more about Forward Stride
friendlyhouse-logo Friendly House After-School Program Project Return – after-school program for at-risk childrenLearn more about Friendly House
kidsontheblock-logo Kids on the Block A program of Impact Northwest  that uses puppetry to help children develop positive attitudesLearn more about Kids on the Block
big brothes-1logo Sports Buddies A program of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest  – Mentoring support program for children facing adversityLearn more about Sports Buddies

 

Patriots Jet Team Adds Sparkle to 2013 Oregon International Air Show

Patriots Jet Team Adds Sparkle to 2013 Oregon International Air Show

Hillsboro, July 27th, 2013. The Patriots are known as the premier civilian-owned jet aerobatic team and top pilots didn’t disappoint at the Oregon International Air Show. The team debuted in 2003 with two planes and have grown to the six Aero L-39 Albatros Team; many members are former Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, and Snowbirds.

The Patriots Jet Team is the show's headline act for 2013.

Since all of the Patriot’s pilots are volunteers the team only performs at about twelve air shows every year. All of the money raised by the Patriots is invested back into the team, and to support the Patriots Jet Team Foundation which serves to educate teens and provide aviation career paths.

The Air Show is also making a difference  in Oregon. Since 1988, more than $1.3 million has been given to local charities and non-profit organizations. The Air Show is a strong supporter of schools and encourages community involvement and volunteerism. A list of beneficiaries is below.

Here are some photos from the big weekend:

Fireworks helped kick things off!

Fireworks helped kick things off!

Stunt planes entertain the fans.

Stunt planes entertain the fans.

In this video, pilots explain their daredevil techniques:

Benefactors of Air Show dollars include:

Adventure without Limits
Albertina Kerr
Alternative Services of Oregon
Amy Roloff Charity Foundation
A Place of Worship
ARC of Multnomah County
ARC of Washington County
Bag & Baggage Productions
Bethesday Lutheran Home
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Boys & Girls Aid
Boys & Girls Club: A Safe Shelter
Boy Scout Troop 240
Boy Scout Troop 581
Boy Scout Troop 606
Candlelighters: Children with Cancer
Cascade Behavioral Healthcare
Celebrate Hillsboro
Chehalem Youth & Family Services
Children’s Cancer Association
Christian Youth Theater
Clackamas Firefighters Pipes & Drums
Clark Co. Veteran’s Assistance Ctr.
Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum
Community Access Services
Community Action of Wash. Co.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
DePaul Youth & Family Center
Edwards Center
Eliot Group Home
Essentials Health Clinic
Evergreen Middle School Endeavor Program
Folk Time Inc.
Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce
Forest Grove Elks
Forest Grove Elkettes
Friends of the Carpenter
Friends of the Children
Friends of the Cornelius Library
Good Neighbors
Girl Scout Troup 42293
Harmony Housing
Hillsboro 20/20
Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce
Hillsboro Community Foundation
Hillsboro Elks Lodge 1862
Hillsboro Library Foundation
Hillsboro Rotary Club
Hillsboro Schools Foundation
Hillsboro Tuesday Market
HomePlate Youth Services
Homeward Bound
Hospice & Palliative Care of WA. Co
Independence Northwest
The Inn BRS Programs
Inukai Family Boys & Girls Club
Lifeworks NW
Luke-dorf Inc: Safe Haven &
Hartner House
Make A Wish
Meals on Wheels People
Memorial Fund for Veterans of WA Co.
Mobility Impaired Golf Association
Mt. Wave Search & Rescue
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Assoc. for Black Veterans
NAMI of Wash. County
Newport Chamber of Commerce
No. Coast Down Syndrome Network
NW Council of Air Shows Found.
Northwest Senior Theater
Off the Couch Events
The Olalla Center for Children & Families
Oregon Crusaders
Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard
Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals
Oregon Hunters Assoc. of Tualatin Valley
Oregon r.i.s.e. Center
Oregon Symphony Association
Oregon Youth Authority
Orenco Presbyterian Church
Providence Health Foundation
Portland Homeless Family Solutions
Portland Rose Festival Foundation
Public Safety ChaplaincyPublic Safety Reserves:
-Hillsboro
-Clackamas CountyWashington Co. Explorers
Quiet Waters Outreach
Rebuilding Together Wash. County
Returning Veterans Project
Red Cross Blood Drive
Rotary Club of McMinnville
Royal Rosarians
Salvation Army – Tualatin Valley
Self Determination Resources Inc
Society for Design Engineers
Sonrise Church: Food Pantry
Special Olympics
St Mary’s Home for Boys
Starlight Children’s Foundation NW
Supporters of Comm. Sr. Center of Hillsboro
Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters
United Cerebral Palsy
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2666
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall
Virginia Garcia Memorial Found.
Wash. Co Bicycle TransportationCoalition
Wash. Co Health & Human Services
Washington County Museum
Westside Community Focus
West Tuality Habitat for Humanity
Young Life – Hillsboro
Youth Contact Inc.
Youth Village Oregon

Schools

Barnes Elementary
Beavercreek Elementary
Beaverton School District:
Aloha-Huber Park Elementary
Kinnaman Elementary
Oak Hills Elementary
Chinook PTSA
Echo Shaw Elementary – Cornelius
Elmonica Elementary
Emmaus Christian
Faith Bible Christian
Fern Hill Elementary – Forest Grove
First Cong. United Church School
Forest Hills Lutheran School
Gaiser Middle School
Hillsboro Schools Foundation
Hillsboro Schools
David Hill Elementary
Groner Elementary
Jackson Elementary
Lincoln Street Elementary
Minter Bridge Elementary
W.L. Henry Elementary
W.V. McKinney Elementary
Century High School
Glencoe High School
Hillsboro High School
Liberty High School
Horizon Christian
Kelly Elementary – Portland
Marrion Elementary – Vancouver
Montclair Elementary
Mountain View Comm. School
Nevah Shalom
Scholls Elementary
Springwater Environmental
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Celebrates 80th Anniversary

Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Celebrates 80th Anniversary

Mt. Hood, July 25th, 2013. The idea that everyone deserves the chance to attend a fun summer camp is the concept  which launched Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp 80 years ago. This week, the camp celebrated its anniversary and the big bash drew hundreds of supporters.

Thursday night barbecue skits

The 80th anniversary celebration included a barbecue and the beloved camp skits.

Looking through historical photos

Visitors spent time looking through historical photos.

Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp in the 1930s.

Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp in the 1930s.

Camper Emily with her counselor

Camper Emily with her counselor.

Nestled in the forest near Rhododendron, Camp Kiwanis serves about 630 campers every summer. While having fun, campers learn new social skills, independence and confidence.

Guests look through the camp archives

Guests look through the camp archives

Here’s a collection of some photos from the past:

Vintage Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

Vintage Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

Vintage Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

Vintage Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

Vintage Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

Vintage Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp:

We offer children and adults with disabilities an opportunity to leave behind their routine lives and taste the freedom of the outdoors – to go beyond limits that they, and others, have set for them.
We provide a caring, welcoming environment where campers are challenged to do their best, yet their special and personal needs are met.
For counselors who work with campers one-on-one, it’s often a life-changing experience. For campers, it’s “a little piece of heaven”.

Kiwanis Name 
The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” It was coined from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis.

Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick. They develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric cancer research, and much more. No problem is too big or too small. Why? Because working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone.

When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream, and succeed, great things happen!
As Kiwanis clubs and members, we see it everyday!

Eight Arts Organizations Now Housed at Artists Repertory Theatre

Eight Arts Organizations Now Housed at Artists Repertory Theatre

Portland, July 26, 2013. Creative fires are burning brightly at the busy Artists Repertory Theatre facility. Recent arrivals to the building are Profile Theatre, Polaris Dance Theatre, The Red Door Project and Traveling Lantern Theatre Company. Artists Repertory Theatre is continuing its relationship with Portland Shakespeare Project, Portland Revels and Portland Area Theatre Alliance. The big red building at the corner of SW 15th and Morrison has become a bustling arts campus, housing a diverse group of eight complementary arts organizations that now make their home within Artists Rep’s red walls.

Artists Repertory Theatre

Artists Repertory Theatre at the corner of SW 15th and Morrison.

Over the past two years the goal of turning Artist Rep’s building into an important hub for both emerging and long-established arts organizations and artists has come to fruition. Relationships and activities that began informally, from long-term administrative residencies to rotating art installations featured in the Morrison Stage Lobby, to hosting a wide variety of performances by guest producing entities in its two spaces, has resulted in nearly non-stop activity and opportunity for artists and audiences alike. The development of the facility as a shared home for the arts has been embraced as a core value by the organization’s board of directors and staff.

“It’s thrilling to see this facility become a true community resource for the arts,” said Sarah Horton, Managing Director, “and I know we’ll all be stronger organizations for it.”

Recently appointed Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez continues, “These residencies yield not only practical benefits and creative opportunities for our resident companies, but for Artists Rep. The leadership of each of these carefully chosen organizations values an emphasis on partnership, synergy and collaboration. Over time, I expect we’ll discover countless ways for our organizations to share resources and further our individual missions.”Recent arrivals to the building are Profile Theatre, Polaris Dance Theatre, The Red Door Project and Traveling Lantern Theatre Company. We are continuing our relationship with Portland Shakespeare Project, Portland Revels and Portland Area Theatre Alliance.

Performing at Artists Rep:

Portland Shakespeare Project celebrates its third summer season performing two plays in repertory at Artists Rep.

Profile Theatre has newly relocated administrative offices in the building and will begin its 16th season profiling the work of Sam Shepard on Artist Rep’s stages in January.

Traveling Lantern Theatre Company will begin weekly Saturday morning performances of interactive theatre for children in the Alder Lobby on August 17.

Administrative offices at Artists Rep:

Polaris Dance Theatre has recently moved its offices to Artists Rep, but will continue to perform right up the street at Polaris Contemporary Dance Center at SW 15th & Taylor.

Portland Area Theatre Alliance continues to serve the theatre community out of its office at Artists Rep.

Portland Revels, longtime tenant on the East side of the building, will remain and continue to produce at the Scottish Rite building across the street.

The Red Door Project is a recent office space addition to the facility’s growing community.

Artists Rep’s 80,000 square foot building takes up a city block nestled between downtown and Jeld-Wen field in the emerging Goose Hollow district.

About Artists Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theatre company in Portland. Artists Rep is committed to world-class acting, directing, design and stagecraft that support new playwriting and aspires to embody great literature, moving audiences to truly feel— to experience —storytelling in a way that only the best live theatre can.

Portland’s premiere mid-size regional theatre company is led by Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez and Managing Director Sarah Horton. For the 2013/14 season Artists Rep will offer nine bold and entertaining new plays written by internationally acclaimed playwrights, and guided by esteemed directors. Artists Rep productions will feature the work of a core group of accomplished Resident Artists, each with a shared history and a shorthand for collaboration, working alongside guest artists from Portland and beyond.

Resident Artists include: Kristeen Crosser (scenic & lighting designer), Michael Mendelson (actor/director & artistic associate), Vana O’Brien (actor & co-founder), Rodolfo Ortega (sound designer & composer), Allen Nause (actor/director & former artistic director), Jeff Seats (scenic designer) and Todd Van Voris (actor & artistic associate).

Ronald McDonald House Patients Visit Mummies of the World at OMSI

Ronald McDonald House Patients Visit Mummies of the World at OMSI

Portland, July 9th, 2013. A special outing engaged patients and their families as they escaped for an afternoon to experience Mummies of the World. American Exhibitions, Inc. and OMSI partnered to help folks at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland experience the exhibit.

About 70 local Ronald McDonald House child patients and their families visited. OMSI and the Mummies of the World exhibitioners donated tickets for them to come see the Mummies.   Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, opening at OMSI Friday, June 14 for a limited Pacific Northwest engagement. The presentation in the Portland will mark the eighth stop of the exhibition’s exclusive tour of the United States. (Photo by Gia Goodrich courtesy of OMSI)

About 70 local Ronald McDonald House patients and their families visited. OMSI and the Mummies of the World exhibitioners donated the tickets. Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. The presentation in the Portland is the eighth stop of the exhibition. (Photo by Gia Goodrich courtesy of OMSI)

Patients and their families were able to experience the exhibit first-hand: 40+ real human and animal mummies, more than 100 artifacts, including sarcophagi, tools and clothing and some hands-on interactives. More information about Mummies of the World: www.mummiesoftheworld.com. The exhibit opened June 14, 2013, and will close September 8, 2013.

Coming up,

Mummies of the World exhibition and OMSI have joined forces to collect school supplies for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland as youth members begin the 2013-2014 school year. From July 27 through August 11, museum guests who participate will receive $2 off adult admission to see Mummies of the World – limited to (2) adult guests per party.

Collection of basic school supplies include but are not limited to:

  • Pens & pencil packages
  • Notebook paper
  • Notebooks
  • Pocket-folders
  • Glue sticks and various art supplies materials
  • Backpacks
  • Binders
  • Calculators
  • Lunchboxes

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children, and supports initiatives to improve pediatric health.

Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, featuring an astounding collection of 150 specimens and objects including real human and animal mummies, and related artifacts from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Ancient Egypt. The blockbuster exhibition will be opening at OMSI in Portland, Ore. for its exclusive Pacific Northwest debut. More information is available online at omsi.edu and mummiesoftheworld.com.

Portland Woman Travels the World to Promote The Sport of Roller Derby

Portland Woman Travels the World to Promote The Sport of Roller Derby

Portland, July 17th, 2013.  Flat Track Around the World is a feature-length documentary following Juvie Hall as she, “Searches for the soul of women’s flat track roller derby.”  Currently one of the fastest growing sport in the world, roller derby is described by its fans as the intersection of feminism, international development, and grassroots, community-level change. It is having an impact on the women who play, their families, and communities.

In her first few years of playing roller derby for the nonprofit Rose City Rollers, Juvie Hall, found herself growing and changing—both physically and emotionally. The strength, confidence, and community she gained from women’s roller derby empowered her to transform her life and find her passion and voice. Filmmaker Cynthia Lopez follows Hall’s travels to find out In the how roller derby is impacting women worldwide.

With filmmaker Cynthia Lopez documenting the journey, Juvie will travel to and skate with women’s roller derby leagues in nine countries around the world: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, France, Norway, Israel, Russia, Singapore, and Australia. This diverse itinerary includes wealthy countries, poor countries, countries with highly populated urban areas, countries with mostly rural communities, countries with numerous and well-established roller derby leagues, and countries where roller derby is new or isolated.

The goal of the documentary is three-fold:

  1. to explore whether roller derby is a universally transformational experience for the women who play it, regardless of cultural or socio-economic differences;
  2. to discover how women around the world are harnessing the power of roller derby to change their own lives and communities; and
  3. to spread the love of roller derby and encourage more women to tap into its transformational power.

The women had a fundraiser  at At Large Films, as well as conversation about an unconventional movement that is changing women’s lives and possibly fueling a global revolution.

Cynthia Lopez and Ellen Bergstone

Cynthia Lopez and Ellen Bergstone

Jacki Gethner, Visakha Seon, Jefferson Lee, Tess Yinger

Jacki Gethner, Visakha Seon, Jefferson Lee, Tess Yinger

Juvie Hall and Cynthia Lopez
Juvie Hall and Cynthia Lopez

Derby player Juvie Hall and filmmaker Cynthia J. Lopez are co-producing the documentary series Flat Track Around the World, taking viewers on an epic world-wide roller derby adventure, sharing the first-hand stories of women whose lives and communities have been impacted by this sport, and exploring the possible long-term impact of this “fourth wave of feminism.” A global revolution is in the making and Flat Track Around the World is on the front lines.

Portland Shakespeare Project Educates and Enriches with Vibrant Offerings

Portland Shakespeare Project Educates and Enriches with Vibrant Offerings

Portland, July 13, 2013. Audience members are embracing the Portland Shakespeare Project’s The Taming of the Shrew. Artistic Director Michael Mendelson directs the play, “I am excited to explore the lengths a person will go to to transform somebody they love into the person they wish them to be.”

Crystal Munoz (Servant), Maureen Porter (Kate), James Farmer (Petruchio), Sam Dinkowitz (Hortensio), Photo Credit: David Kinder

Crystal Munoz (Servant), Maureen Porter (Kate), James Farmer (Petruchio), Sam Dinkowitz (Hortensio), Photo Credit: David Kinder

(R-L) David Heath, James Farmer, Ted Schulz, Nikolas Hoback, Maureen Porter, Nathan Dunkin (front), Joel Patrick Durham (back), Grant Turner, Photo Credit: David Kinder

(R-L) David Heath, James Farmer, Ted Schulz, Nikolas Hoback, Maureen Porter, Nathan Dunkin (front), Joel Patrick Durham (back), Grant Turner, Photo Credit: David Kinder

This summer, Portland Shakespeare Project also offered a unique, one-week advanced, conservatory-style program to train high school students as theatre artists capable of performing both Shakespeare and contemporary texts. Michael Nehring is the director of the second play of the season, “The Tamer Tamed” and was also one of the instructors of the Portland Shakespeare Project’s High School Shakespeare Performance Conservatory.

Michael is Professor of Theatre at Chapman University in Orange, California. He is an accomplished actor, director, choreographer, and teacher. He has been a founding member of several successful theatre companies including Shakespeare Orange County, for which he has played leading roles such as Prospero, Shylock, Benedick, Iago, Malvolio, Polonius, Caliban and all the Shakespearean fools.

Michael Nehring taught the Portland students. He’s is Professor of Theatre at Chapman University in Orange, California. He is an accomplished actor, director, choreographer, and teacher. He has been a founding member of several successful theatre companies including Shakespeare Orange County, for which he has played leading roles such as Prospero, Shylock, Benedick, Iago, Malvolio, Polonius, Caliban and all the Shakespearean fools.

Local theatre students were enthusiastic about the intense, one week workshop.

Local theatre students were enthusiastic about the intense, one week workshop.

Luisa Sermol is a classically trained actress and teacher who has been part of the Portland Theater community for the past 25 years.

Instructor Luisa Sermol is a classically trained actress and teacher who has been part of the Portland Theater community for the past 25 years. She is a graduate of the Julliard School of Drama, and holds a Masters in Education from Lewis and Clark College and a BA in English Literature from Portland State University.

Portland Shakespeare Project expects to add at least one additional show during the year. It will also be offering a variety of classes for actors and educational programs for audience members.