Portland, February 8th, 2013. The SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) gala at the Portland Art Museum drew nearly 500 people and raised $360,000 for the nonprofit. Kristin Apana, a performer from the Hawaii Club of Pacific University, entertained supporters with with a traditional Tahitian dance. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) The theme was the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are.
Tori O’Keefe enjoys the social hour with SMART Board Member Michele Daterman, Tom O’Keefe and Kent Lewis.
Knowledge Universe CEO Tom Wyatt with “Timber Joey” Webber and SMART Board member Liz Large of Knowledge Universe. Knowledge Universe was the presenting sponsor of this year’s SMART Gala.
Skylar Derthick of Northwest Children’s Theater portrayed Max from Where the Wild Things Are for the opening of the program.
From left, longtime SMART Volunteer Harriet Langmas of Bend, Oregon, received the 2013 Outstanding SMART Volunteer Award from SMART Executive Director Chris Otis (right) at the 2013 SMART Gala. Langmas has been a SMART volunteer reader for 21 years.
From SMART:
SMART’s mission is to engage community volunteers to read one-on-one with PreK-3rd grade children who need literacy support. Participating children also receive new books each month to keep and read with their families. Today, we are committed to achieving our vision of an Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed. SMART is currently in 246 schools and Headstart programs throughout Oregon. Since 1991, SMART has served more than 152,000 Oregon children, and given away more than 2 million books.
Portland, February 9th, 2013. Young Audiences supporters embraced the “Young At Art” theme during the nonprofit’s spring gala at the Multnomah Athletic Club. 225 guests cheered 5th Graders from Salish-Ponds Elementary School who performed their original material to captivate the audience. The event raised funds for local arts education programs. (Photo credit, Edis Jurcys)
Warner Munro, Board Member, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund; Robin Mesher, Board Member, Young Audiences; Julie Brock, Account Executive, Business Development at NAVEX Global and Page Mesher, Owner, Off the Wall Magnetics
Dave Halsey, Vice President, Patrick Lumber Co.; Jill Abere, Vice President, Branch Manager at Chubb Insurance; Ken Abere, Partner, Cosgrave, Vergeer, Kester LLP; Judy Rompa, Executive Board Member, Young Audiences
With Julie Emry as their host, 225 guests enjoyed entertainment by Broadway Conductor Kurt Crowley with vocalist Rebecca Teran, 5th graders from Salish-Ponds Elementary School, and Young Audiences advocate Julianne Johnson. After the program supporters danced the night away with Portland dance band 5 Guys Named Mo.
Young Audiences Supporters Rick Mayo and Dalene Neville
Young Audiences is the region’s leading source of varied arts in education services and programs. For more than 50 years this organization has used the arts to engage young people, develop problem solving and creative thinking skills, and increase academic achievement. Young Audiences relies on the support of foundations, individuals and corporations that share our heartfelt commitment to improving the lives and educational opportunities for every child.
Marie VerMeer, Columbia Sportswear and Julianne Johnson-Weiss, Performer, Recording Artist, Choral Director and Arts Advocate
From Young Audiences of Oregon and SW Washington
Young Audiences of Oregon was founded in 1958 as a local chapter of the nation’s largest arts-in-education organization. In 1989, the Portland-based organization merged with a smaller chapter in Vancouver to become Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington. We have steadily grown in scope and programming, evolving from presenting only classical music performances in our early years to currently offering a full range of educational arts programming in multiple disciplines and cultures – the only arts organization in the region to do so.
Portland, February 12th, 2013. The Baghdad Theater echoed with mortifying memories for the 4th annual Valentine’s benefit: “It’s Not Me, It’s You: Stories from the Dark Side of Dating!” Jimmy Radosta (center) hosted storytellers sharing about their worst dates: Clockwise from left, Meagan Kate, Meredith Shield, Lori Ferraro, Arianne Cohen, Michael Heald, B. Frayn Masters, Ted Douglass and Erin Ergenbright. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus.)
Attendees purchased “Love Boxes” containing mystery gifts donated by local businesses to support Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. Photo by Andie Petkus.
“It’s Not Me, It’s You” drew hundreds of supporters of reproductive rights. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Bagdad Theater has served as the home for “It’s Not Me, It’s You” since 2010. Photo by Andie Petkus.
About Planned Parenthood Advocates
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the political arm of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon engages in educational and electoral activity including public education campaigns, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.
In 2002, we formed Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, which is a statewide, non-partisan political action committee that supports pro-choice, pro-family planning candidates for office. ChoiceAdvocates.org
Milwaukie, February 7th, 2013. Exceed Enterprises marked its 30th Award’s night with a festive celebration. The party at Gray Gables Estate in Milwaukie drew an upbeat crowd of 230 people including Scott Hatley, founder of the nonprofit Incight and an Exceed board member. He received Exceed’s most prestigious award from CEO, Ken Fosheim. (Photo credit, Jamie Smith) David Pearson, an Exceed employee, accepted his “Spirit of Exceed” award from Operations Specialist, Melodie Lewis. Exceed’s staff provides a safe and nurturing working environment for more than 170 adults.
Thirteen awards were presented, including:
Employees of the Year: John Farley and Ray Sehorn
Spirit of Exceed: David Pearson, Kristina Vigna and Marlene Lewis
Business Partners of the Year: Lockwood Products and Coca-Cola
Community Support Award: Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Community Partner Award: The Nonprofit Association of Oregon
Advocacy Award: Dean Walter from Georgia-Pacific
Staff Member of the Year: Dena Meyers
Volunteer of the Year: Carole Matthews
Londahl-Risley Award: Scott Hatley
“This year’s Recognition Night was a very special evening that celebrated Exceed’s exceptional stars,” said Ken Fosheim, Exceed’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is a great honor to recognize such a talented group of individuals.”
It was a lighthearted evening for staff as well.
Larry King, Executive Assistant, poses for a picture in the “photo booth.”
Established in 1968, Exceed Enterprises is a non-profit organization that excels in providing vocational and personal development services for people with disabilities. Exceed serves the Portland metropolitan area offering a variety of options and opportunities through rehabilitation services, community-based & on-site business environments, personal services and community activities.Our community and business partnerships enable people with disabilities to contribute to society through meaningful employment and increased independence, self-confidence, and dignity.
VISION: Cultivating a world of success for people with disabilities.
MISSION: Invest in the success of persons with disabilities through the creation of service and business ventures that return both social and financial dividends.
Portland, February 21st, 2013. They’re rolling out the red carpet in Los Angeles, but over 950 miles from Hollywood, Laika films dreamed up a real winner. The studio’s stop-motion film, ParaNorman, is nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. The comedy thriller features a misunderstood boy who speaks with the dead. He takes on ghosts and scary grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
ParaNorman was directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler. It’s Based on an original story by Chris Butler. The Academy Awards will be handed out Sunday, February 24st, with the show starting on the West Coast at 5-pm. In addition to ParaNorman, Laika experienced critical and commercial success with the stop-action film, Coraline, which received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Animated Feature. Laika has Oregon roots, with Travis Knight serving as President and CEO. The studio is owned by his father, Nike co-founder and Chairman Phil Knight.
Additionally, Laika has begun production on TheBoxtrolls. The new movie will be released nationwide by Focus on October 17th, 2014. The Boxtrolls is a 3D stop-motion and CG hybrid animated feature based on Alan Snow’s bestselling fantasy adventure novel Here Be Monsters. The voice cast includes Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, Academy Award nominee Toni Collette, Elle Fanning (marking her fourth movie with Focus) and Tracy Morgan (30 Rock).
The Boxtrolls is a comedic fable that unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class, and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least, that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells.
Portland, February 2nd, 2013. 45th Parallel’s “Club Mod, a Century of American Music” was an artistic celebration hosted by Robert McBride. The All Classical Radio host offered historical perspective on the music from the 45th Parallel, he’s joined on stage by artistic director, Greg Ewer, Adam LaMotte, Susan Smith, Justin Kagan and Hillary Schoap. 10-year-old Max Ball, here with Greg Ewer, was surprised and delighted to have his composition Piano Quartet performed by 45th Parallel. Max Ball received a well-deserved standing ovation. (Photo credit, Joe Martin Cantrell) The 45th Parallel brings together musicians from the Oregon Symphony, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and others for special performances.
Robert McBride, All Classical Radio, hosting Club Mod live in his grandmother’s living room, otherwise known as the Alberta Rose Theatre.
Cello fellows: 45th Parallel’s Justin Kagan and Nancy Ives, Oregon Symphony principal cellist sharing a few laughs after a great show.
Susan Smith gets physical with George Crumb’s Makrokosmos. Who knew the piano strings could be played that way.
Here’s an example of a performance from artists of 45th Parallel.
45th Parallel, founded in 2009, produces and presents chamber music concerts featuring some of the most exciting musicians of the Pacific Northwest with occasional guest artists. Creative programming and intimate concert experiences are hallmarks of 45th Parallel, which endeavors to bring the Northwest’s rich chamber music culture out of the living room and onto the stage. We have brought performers together from the Oregon Symphony, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and others, in some of the most talked-about musical evenings in Portland during the last few years. See our Musicians page for a complete list of past 45th Parallel performers.
Portland, February 9th, 2013. A capacity crowd of more than 300 supporters turned out for the SnowCap Community Charities 11th annual Valentine’s benefit. Solen and Jeremy Wilebski considered a game of Texas Hold ‘Em against past auction chair Tom Weldon, but folded. (Photo credit, LeeAnn Gauthier) Supporters donated a record $94,000 to help SnowCap provide food boxes to 8,000 needy people, per-month, in east Multnomah County. The need for assistance has doubled over the past few years.
Kirsten Wageman coordinated SnowCap’s event and thanked volunteer cashiers Debra Robertson and Rhonda Rowan. (Photo credit, LeeAnn Gauthier)
SnowCap Executive Director Judy Alley attributed the boost over 2012’s $63,000 to a $10 increase in ticket prices and, “an incredibly generous donation from Old Chicago Restaurants’ CraftWorks Foundation of $15,500.” Alley explained, “We were seeking $15,000 to pour new foundation slabs for the warehouse expansion and we received sufficient funds to get that project started right away.” She also credited a final donation of $1,600 from longtime SnowCap supporter Alyson Huntting. SnowCap is expanding its warehouse to meet increased food box demand from needy individuals and families in the east Portland area. Communities served by SnowCap include Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview and Parkrose.
Business partners like Vestas Americas make soup kits, candy bags for stocking stuffers, and raised $1600 dollars for Snowcap over the holidays.
“Our numbers grew during the recession from 4,000 served each month to more than 8,000 currently,” Alley adds. SnowCap provides a food pantry services at its location at S.E. Stark Street and 178th, and through a mobile food pantry that meets food needs at schools and low income apartment complexes. In addition, SnowCap provides heating assistance, a clothes closet and a community garden for low income people living in East County.
Major sponsors of the annual SnowCap fundraising event include Pacific Power, Alyson Huntting (cq), Portland General Electric, On Point Community Credit Union, Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, and Covenant Presbyterian Church. Auctioneer JillMarie Wiles sold vacations, classes, restaurant dining, private dinner parties, golf outings and fishing trips at the Holiday Inn Portland-Airport event.
“We are thankful the community has stepped up to support needy families in this serious economic downturn,” Alleys says. “Many people are struggling with unemployment and underemployment. Many are finding their low wage jobs are not sufficient to feed a hungry family. New requests for assistance are made every day.”
Here’s more information about the history of SnowCap:
In the mid 1960’s, the basic life needs of many in East Multnomah County were not being met by any agency or organization. About 25 area churches stepped in to help fill the void felt by so many residents. SnowCap — Suburban Neighborhoods Operation Witness Community Action Program — was born on January 16, 1967.
The purpose of SnowCap was to discover the real needs in the area, communicate them, and assist residents, church and community leaders to meet those needs individually and cooperatively. The organization adopted a philosophy that “SnowCap will cross lines of race, religion, national origin, and economic status, hoping to coordinate and act as a barometer, correcting conditions which call for improvement.”
The area covered by SnowCap was bounded by East 82nd Street, the Columbia River, and the Clackamas County line — including Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village.
Originally three centers were set up. Rev. Wendall Jacobsen, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran was overall coordinator. SnowCap — the church-community action program of the Greater Portland Council of Churches — was born.
The three centers merged in 1968 and headquartered at Savage Memorial Presbyterian. SnowCap was run entirely by volunteers until 1969 when Sister Gemma Kennedy was voted in as full-time director. She was released indefinitely from her teaching assignment with the Franciscan Order, and served until 1979 when Jenny Steward became Director.
In 1977 SnowCap had opened a Gresham office located at Trinity Lutheran which provided only food and informational/referral services.
By 1980 there were 39 actively participating churches. SnowCap gave away $86,400 worth of food and fed 12,350 people. Doug Rogers became Director in 1981.
By 1983 SnowCap was serving 36,000 people. Requests for help increased 155% over 1981, the last “normal” year on record.
In 1987 SnowCap celebrated its 20th anniversary, had 145 volunteers, one-full-time worker and 7 part-time workers.
In 1991 Judy Alley became Director. SnowCap’s budget of approximately $200,000 included two full-time staff members and three workers on token stipends. 200 volunteers worked for SnowCap. Over 58,000 people were fed and half of those were children.
On SnowCap’s 25th anniversary in 1992, more than one-half million people had been served by SnowCap.
By the 40th Anniversary 1.4 million people had been served. SnowCap had a staff of 7 and a budget of $500,000. New programs included English language instruction, community gardens, and home delivered food boxes for seniors.
Portland, February 10th, 2013. A friendraiser as much as a fundraiser, Taste of Temple showcased some of the best culinary talents in Portland. A sold out room of over 350 attendees at the Congregation Beth Israel event to enjoy sampling specialties from more than 30 area restaurants, bakeries, breweries and distilleries. Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana are pictured with event co-chairs Tiffany and David Goldwyn and Ali and Judah Garfinkle.(Photo credit, Steve Bilow) A silent auction, prize giveaway and house party sign-ups – together with ticket sales and Recipe for Success donations – generated over $50,000 for ongoing programming at Beth Israel.
Lainie Block-Wilker, Steve Wilker, Mel Birge and Janet Morgan in front of the Party Sign Up board
Rabbi Emanuel and Lorraine Rose
Rabbi Rachel L. Joseph and Ted Nelson, Beth Israel Trustee
Next year’s Taste of Temple has already been scheduled for February 9, 2014.
February 15th, 2013. With award season upon us, it seems like you can’t turn on the television or pick up a newspaper without viewing the famous. Would you look at those celebrities differently if you knew which stars used their fame to help others? Did you know Tina Fey supports the National Kidney Foundation? (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage) The nonprofit rating organization, Charity Navigator, has compiled a list of celebrities who put their star-power to good use.
Actor Kerry Washington, seen here with Jeff Daniels at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, supports the nonprofit Boys & Girls Clubs of America and V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. (Photo by Michael Buckner/WireImage)
Charities cultivate relationships with stars for their ability to increase the public’s awareness of their charitable endeavors and thus stimulate more donations. Celebrities can be spokespersons, board members or even a founder of a charity. These stars were out at the Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/WireImage)
It is wonderful that celebrities have the power to make us aware of causes that need our support. But the onus is still on us to do our homework before making a contribution. A celebrity’s endorsement simply can not serve as a substitute for researching a charity. First of all, even if you are the number one fan of a particular celebrity, you two probably do not have exactly the same philanthropic interests. Second, the celebrity may not have thoroughly vetted the charity’s finances, commitment to accountability and transparency or its programmatic accomplishments — all steps that savvy donors take before making a donation.
Charity Navigator presented a list of celebrity-related charities to help you determine which may be worthy of a contribution from you. While this certainly isn’t an exhaustive list, it is an extensive list of celebrity-charity relationships. The Charity Navigator rating shows
Charity Name
Rating
A Place Called Home
Al Roker
Africare
Nelson Mandela
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Jimmy Carter
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Afleet Alex, Alex Gordon, Anna Gunn, Bailee Madison, Cindy Crawford, Jordin Sparks, Marc Summers, Peter Facinelli
American Academy in Berlin
Henry Kissinger
American Museum of Natural History
Michael Bloomberg, Tom Brokaw
amfAR
Elizabeth Taylor, Harry Belafonte, Kenneth Cole, Sharon Stone
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Kate Snow, Lynn Swan, Matt Lauer, Nick Lachey, Patricia Heaton, Wayne Brady
The Boomer Esiason Foundation
Boomer Esiason
BRAC USA
Mahabub Hossain
Canine Companions for Independence
Dean Koontz
The Carter Center
Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Danny Glover
College Summit
Don Cheadle
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Jack Hanna
Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation
Gary Sinise
Dream Foundation
Priscilla Presley
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Gloria Reuben, Neal McDonough, Nigel Barker
Elton John AIDS Foundation
Elton John, Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg
Environmental Advocates of New York
Blythe Danner
Fisher House Foundation
Denzel Washington
Free the Slaves
Desmond Tutu
Grassroot Soccer
Ethan Zohn
Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
Betty White
Harlem RBI
Mark Teixeira
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
George H. Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Ronald Reagan
Keep a Child Alive
Alicia Keys
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Michael Bloomberg
Livestrong Foundation
Lance Armstrong
Magic Johnson Foundation
Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Eva Longoria
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Michael J. Fox
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Amy Grant, Bon Jovi, Donny Osmond, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
John Walsh
National Kidney Foundation
Rusty Wallace, Tina Fey
National Organization on Disability
George H.W. Bush
Natural Resources Defense Council
James Taylor, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Redford
Naval Aviation Museum Foundation
George W. Bush
New York Restoration Project
Bette Midler
Oceana
January Jones, Kelsey Grammer, Pierce Brosnan, Ted Danson
Project A.L.S.
Ben Stiller, Julianna Margulies
Rainforest Foundation US
Sting , Trudie Styler
Refugees International
Matt Dillon, Queen Noor Al-Hussein, Sam Waterson
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Al Roker, Billy Bush, Carl Lewis, Cindy Crawford, Hayden Panettiere, Mario Lopez
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
George Schultz, Nancy Reagan, Rudolph Giuliani, Rupert Murdoch, Steve Forbes, T. Boone Pickens
Shelter Network
Maya Angelou
Special Olympics
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bart Conner, Jackie Chan, Maria Shriver, Michael Phelps, Nadia Comaneci, Pierce Brosnan, Scott Hamilton, Timothy Shriver, Vanessa Williams, Yao Ming
Sundance Institute
Robert Redford
The Sunlight Foundation
Jimmy Wales
Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation
Tony La Russa
UCP Wheels for Humanity
Ali MacGraw, Tim Allen
United Nations Foundation
Ted Turner
United Way Worldwide
Dolly Parton
V-Day
Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, Rosario Dawson, Salma Hayek
Vital Voices Global Partnership
Diane von Furstenburg, Sally Field
Water.org
Matt Damon
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Jessica Biel
WildAid
Bo Derek, Harrison Ford, Leonardo DiCaprio, Yao Ming
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Dick Cheney
American Film Institute
Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, Steven Spielberg
American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta
American Heart Association
Andie McDowell
American Humane Association
Paula Abdul
American Parkinson Disease Association
Muhammad Ali
America’s Promise Alliance
Colin Powell
Baby Buggy
Jessica Seinfeld
Baltimore Reads
Cal Ripkin, Jr.
Best Buddies International
David Caruso, Mark Montigny
Better World Fund
Kofi Annan, Ted Turner
Blue Ridge Broadcasting Corporation
Billy Graham
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Ashanti , Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Courtney Vance, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Denzel Washington, Edward James Olmos, Gen. Wesley Clark, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jimmy Rollins, John Mellencamp, John Singleton, Kerry Washington, Mario Lopez, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Queen Latifah, Ruben Studdard, Shaquille O’Neal, Smokey Robinson, Swin Cash, Usher
Camp Boggy Creek
Norman Schwarzkopf, Paul Newman
Camp Sunshine, Georgia
Jeff Foxworthy, Julianne Chambliss, Saxby Chambliss
Careers through Culinary Arts Program
Al Roker, Jacques Pepin, Marcus Samuelsson, Tim Zagat
Celebrity Fight Night Foundation
Muhammad Ali
The Center for Strategic and International Studies
Henry Kissinger
The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation
Chi Chi Rodriguez
Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
Doris Roberts, James Gandolfini, Jamie Lee Curtis
The Children’s Health Fund
Paul Simon
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Christopher Reeve
Coalition for Clean Air
Ed Begley, Jr.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Sigourney Weaver
Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation For Autism
Doug Flutie
Eisenhower Fellowships
Christie Todd Whitman, Colin Powell, George H.W. Bush, Henry Kissinger
Entertainment Industry Foundation
Charlize Theron, Katie Couric, Pierce Brosnan
Farm Aid
Dave Mathews, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Willie Nelson
Freedom Alliance
Oliver North
The Fresh Air Fund
Mariah Carey, Tiki Barber
Geffen Playhouse
David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg
Gilda’s Club Chicago
Gilda Radner
God’s Love We Deliver
Joan Rivers
The Goodman Theatre
Brian Dennehy
Green Dot Public Schools
Oscar De La Hoya
Greenpeace Fund
Bono
Habitat for Humanity International
Jimmy Carter
Healthy Child Healthy World
Amy Brenneman, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Olivia Newton-John
The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund
Julia Roberts, Paul Newman
Horizons National
Brian Williams
Human Rights First
Sigourney Weaver
Hunter’s Hope Foundation
Jim Kelly
In Defense of Animals
Elaine Hendrix
International OCD Foundation
Elizabeth McIngvale, Jeff Bell
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Jim Courier, Pam Shriver, Patrick McEnroe
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Michael Bloomberg, Wynton Marsalis
Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation
Joe Torre
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Caroline Kennedy
Joslin Diabetes Center
Ray Allen
KICKSTART
Chuck Norris
Literacy Partners
Liz Smith
Make-A-Wish America
Chris Webber, Grant Hill, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Donnalley, Michael Johnson
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Bob Hope, Michelle Obama, Ronald Reagan
Mitchell Institute
George J. Mitchell
The Museum of Modern Art
Michael Bloomberg
Museum of the City of New York
Michael Bloomberg
My Stuff Bags Foundation
Michael Reagan
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Thurgood Marshall
National Constitution Center
Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Sandra Day O’Connor
National Inclusion Project
Clay Aiken
National Women’s History Museum
Meryl Streep
The Nature Conservancy
Michael Douglas
New York City Ballet
Michael Bloomberg
New York City Center
Joanne Woodward
Operation USA
Julie Andrews
The Paley Center for Media
Kim Cattrall
Positive Coaching Alliance
Barry Zito, Bart Conner, Bill Bradley, Dean Smith, Doc Rivers, Dot Richardson, Herm Edwards, Kerri Strug, Larry Brown, Nadia Comaneci, Phil Jackson, Ronnie Lott, Summer Sanders, Tony Dorsett
Pro Kids Golf Academy
Ernest H. Wright, Sr.
The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival
Jimmy Smits, Kevin Kline, Liev Schrieber, Michael Bloomberg, Morgan Freeman, Nora Ephron, Sam Waterson
Race to Erase MS
Avril Lavigne, Tom Arnold, Tommy Hilfiger
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Christina Ricci
Riverkeeper
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Room to Grow
Uma Thurman
Santa Barbara Zoo
John Cleese
Several Sources Shelters
Stephen Baldwin
SOS Children’s Villages-USA
Sarah Ferguson
Spirit of America
George P. Shultz
Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
Lee Iacocca
Symphony Space
Alec Baldwin, Cynthia Nixon, Stephen Colbert, William Hurt
Portand, February 12th, 2013. The newest residents of the Oregon Zoo will be pretty in pink. This month, 21 lesser flamingos arrived from the San Antonio Zoo. After about a month of acclimation and observation to ensure the birds’ health, the flamingos will wade into their home in the newly remodeled Africa Rainforest aviary.
The pink birds will meet the public March 23 at the reopening of the Africa Rainforest aviary, which has been closed for remodeling since November. The flamingos’ new home boasts a pool especially designed for them, a new nesting area, and separate holding areas for the flamingos and for the ducks, pochards and ibises that share the aviary.
Northwesterners may not be used to seeing pink flamingos — except for the lawn variety. The birds have not been part of the Washington Park landscape since the early 1950s, when three flamingos were given to the zoo by the Meier & Frank Co.
It’s fitting that this flock will make its Oregon Zoo debut just in time for spring break, since flamingos often put people in mind of Miami and other getaway destinations. But animal curator Michael Illig hopes the aviary’s flamboyant newcomers help visitors think of the lake regions of eastern Africa, where most of the world’s lesser flamingos are born.
“The flamingo is such a gorgeous, social bird,” Illig said. “When people make a connection with the flamingo, they become curious about where the birds come from and the challenges they face in the wild.”
The smallest species of flamingo, the lesser flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) stands nearly 3 feet tall and weighs 3 to 6 pounds, with a wingspan up to 41 inches. The Oregon Zoo’s lesser flamingos come to Portland from the San Antonio Zoo, which is phasing out its flock. All of the flamingos are males, but Illig says the zoo plans to add females and begin a reproductive program in the future. The zoo’s flamingo population will be managed under a cooperative program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member.
With a global population of more than 2 million, the lesser flamingo is not considered an endangered species. There is cause for concern, though: Some of the birds’ main breeding sites are facing risks due to industrial pollution and human encroachment.
The primary habitats of the lesser flamingo are shallow, brackish lakes in the Rift Valley of eastern Africa, where three-quarters of the population is born. A smaller population lives in India. The birds have specialized salt glands that allow them to excrete excess salt they ingest, letting them take advantage of habitats other animals cannot.
Lesser flamingos feed on spirulina, a blue-green bacteria, which thrives in alkaline lakes and contains the photosynthetic pigments that give the birds their pink color. At the Oregon Zoo, the flamingos will eat a specialized diet that contains the algae they need. They’ll scoop food out of the lagoon in much the same way they do in the wild, dipping their beaks upside-down into the water and sweeping them back and forth to filter food.
The Africa Rainforest lagoon renovation is part of a larger, donor-funded aviary upgrade project. Cascade Marsh, in the Great Northwest habitat area, is also reopening after renovation that included new netting, a new vestibule and pole caps to preserve the aviary structure.
The aviary upgrades are part of an effort to improve habitats, enhance animal welfare and make the grounds more sustainable, but these renovations were not funded by the zoo bond measure passed by voters in 2008. The aviary improvements were funded entirely by donor contributions through the Oregon Zoo Foundation.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on Asian elephants, polar bears, orangutans and giant pandas. Celebrating 125 years of community support, the zoo relies in part on donations through the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs.
The zoo opens at 10 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
Information provided by the Oregon Zoo’s Hova Najarian
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