Portland, December 3rd. The Wonder Ballroom on NE Russell was all aglitter with young lovelies for the 8th Annual Levé Charity Ball. Levé board member Anne Lawrence, Levé president Kiernan Doherty and Levé vice president Megan Dobson were thrilled to have record-breaking attendance with 650 guests. Levé is a nonprofit formed by young professional women; each year members organize a special event and select a worthy beneficiary for their fundraising. This year’s beneficiary, the Loaves & Fishes Center, is slated to receive over $45,000 from Levé.
Levé guests Lindsay Kantor, Lindsay Ferrin and Ashely Posey pose for a shot with Levé board member Anne Lawrence (second from right) after purchasing drawing tickets.
The Levé Charity Ball featured a silent auction, live music with Manimalhouse and DJ Yaz, local bites and free champagne.
It was standing room only at the popular charity event
Loaves & Fishes Centers has been meeting the nutritional needs of Portland’s elderly since 1970. The mission of Loaves & Fishes is to enrich the lives of seniors and assist them in maintaining independence by making nutritious food, social contacts, and other resources accessible. To the extent possible we will also serve disabled and institutionalized individuals. Loaves & Fishes Centers provides Meals-On-Wheels to homebound seniors and group dining at 30 locations in Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties. Several of our centers offer ethnic menus. Meals are also available to qualified seniors on weekends.
Portland, December 1st. Veteran journalist and author Tom Brokaw thrilled a sold out crowd at a Literary Arts event at the Schnitzer Concert Hall. Lewis and Clark College was one of the sponsors and Tom Brokaw gave President Barry Glassner and his wife, Betsy Amster, a copy of his new book, The Time of Our Lives.
Tom Brokaw was gracious at a VIP book signing after his lecture
After writing extensively about the “Greatest Generation” of World War II and the experiences of his own generation in the ’60s, Brokaw’s most recent book, The Time of Our Lives: A Conversation About America, examines the changes and challenges facing the latest generation of Americans.
The Book signing after the lecture was held at the Heathman Hotel which is lavishly decorated for the holidays
Lewis and Clark President, Barry Glassner, is the author or co-author of 10 books, including The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things, released in 1999 with an updated edition issued in 2010. Glassner is married to Betsy Amster, a literary agent and president of Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises. Betsy is also a member of the Board of Directors of Literary Arts.
Wednesday, November 30th. The Hilton Portland and Executive Tower was filled with happy holiday celebrants including Midge Dobbs, Shawn Whittemore, the event Chair, and Kristina Lazos from the Hilton. It was a night of networking, live music, and dancing. The Portland Gala was a combined partnership between Oregon’s leading associations that serve the meeting, event and travel industries. The event benefited Boys and Girls Aid.
Carter Jones, Christina Safford, Sue Corning
Stephanie Castellucci, Delana Tate Maxwell, and Jessica Church
The event is popular with professionals who organize special events
The group included professionals from the following organizations: Meeting Professionals International – Oregon Chapter; National Association of Catering Executives, Wedding Network USA; Association of Catering and Event Professionals; Green Meeting Industry Council; Hospitality Sales Marketing Association International; International Special Events Society, Oregon Association of Bridal Consultants, NW Wedding Pros and Wine Country Wedding Professionals.
Maddy Abulencia and Laura Graham collect for Boys and Girls Aid
Kami Aguilar, Karyn R, Lisa Marie Hunt, Linda Smith
Rose Richardson, Ron Richardson from Digital Popcorn, Alesia Zorn
Portland, November 29th. Hands to Hearts International’s (HHI) held its first annual Affair of the Heart and welcomed over 50 guests. The event took place at the Diapers HQ on NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Kim and Jason Graham-Nye, owners of gDiapers were hosts for the evening. Laura Peterson is the HHI Founder & Executive Director. HHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of orphaned and vulnerable children and economically disadvantaged women around the globe.
Guests enjoyed sari tying demonstrations
Hands to Hearts International's (HHI) first annual Affair of the Heart fundraiser
Laura Peterson, HHI's founder & executive director, poses with board member David Pyle
HHI is providing resources for an estimated 100,000 women, men and children around the world. It surpassed the fundraising goal for the evening thanks to donors. Now through December 31st, supporters are able to double or triple donations thanks to the generous Greenbaum Foundation.
HHI founder and executive director, Laura Peterson (far right) and staff member Nicole Banta (2nd from right) celebrate with guests
The evening featured:
•Indulge in free chair massages
•Learn to wrap a traditional Indian sari
•Savor light food and drinks
Portland, November 19th. 365 attended the The International School Annual Auction. It raised Over $200,000. That money will will support operational costs as well as faculty professional development and increased technology for classrooms. Pictured are: Board President Scott Kerman, Auction Sponsor Elisabeth Kang of Green Apple Dental, and Auction Sponsor Dr. Jill Speaker of Creekside Medical. This year’s event, which celebrated Chinese culture, and was held at the Portland Art Museum for the first time. The evening included a silent and live auction, a dinner and social time. It was Chaired by Linda McGeady and Joel Simon.
The International School provides a multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Spanish, Japanese or Chinese language and culture. Children become fluent in another language, at home in other cultures, and engaged in math, science, social studies and arts. The International School is Portland’s first International Baccalaureate elementary school. It was founded in 1990 and today educates over 460 students from age 3 through 5th grade.
The Speed Rack competition took over the Leftbank Annex last month. It’s an event created for female bartenders to promote female bartenders and raise money for breast cancer research. Sixteen women competed head to head in the intense test of speed and accuracy. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus)
The Judges: Audrey Saunders, Charlotte Voisey, Misty Kalkofen, and Portland celebrity female impersonator Poison Waters.
Rebecca Trujillo, Adam Ho
Anu Apte with Daniel de Oliveira and Ricky Gomez with Lacy Hawkins
The Creators of Speed Rack: Ivy Mix, Lynnette Marrero
Conceived by Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero of LUPEC NYC and produced by Lush Life Productions, Speed Rack aims to promote women from coast-to-coast in an engaging, fun and fast way through a round robin style speed competition. And the winner was…
The Winner! Miss Speed Rack Portland: Melissa Cross
The competition held in Portland on on October 23rd moves from city to city. Sponsors included: Absolut vodka, Beefeater gin, Cointreau liqueur, Herradura tequila, Woodford Reserve bourbon, Plymouth gin, Famous Grouse scotch, Brugal rum, Pierre Ferrand cognac, Rhum Clement, Rhum JM, Becherovka, Kahlua, Pernod, Chambord, Korbel, Barritt’s Ginger Beer, Perfect Puree, St-Germain, Fever Tree sodas, and Rogue beers, among others.
Nearly 450 community members celebrated the unveiling of the 2011 Doernbecher Freestyle at the Portland Art Museum. The event raised $360,000. Doernbecher Freestyle is a partnership between OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Nike. Each year, a group of special Doernbecher patients who have triumphed over serious illness are selected to design unique Nike shoes which are sold at Nike stores nationwide and online to raise funds for the hospital. (Photo Credit, Michael Schmitt & Marisa McKenney) To buy the shoes on-line, there’s the link: Nike’s DOERNBECHER COLLECTION.
Nike’s Elliott Hill & Michael Doherty smile with Doernbecher Foundation Executive Director Mary Turina, OHSU President, Dr. Joe Robertson and Dr. Stacy Nicholson, Chair of Pediatrics, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
Dirk Davis, VP of Sales for Unified Grocers and Doernbecher Foundation Board Member, and his family gather around Dacia Kasenga’s design
Haleh Simi with husband, Ziba President & Founder and Doernbecher Foundation Board member, Sohrab Vossoughi pose with Doernbecher Foundation Executive Director Mary Turina
Guests at the October 8th unveiling enjoyed the opportunity to create their own t-shirt using elements of this year’s collectible shoes. They also had the chance to meet the patient designers and bid on their one-of-a-kind designs.
Paul & Nancy Frisch sit with Howard Hedinger and Patient designer Isaiah Scott poses with former Portland Trail Blazer Terry Porter
Portland, November 10th. Nearly 400 guests gathered at the Cascade Crest Banquet Hall in the Oregon Zoo for the Partner with Thomas Edison breakfast. The annual event raises funds for financial aid, technology and professional development at Thomas Edison High School. This year, the special event raised $152,500 and left organizers, “Most thankful to our donors for their support.” (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus)
Sandi McDonough, board member, Patty Farrell and Stacey Graham, board member
Outstanding Thomas Edison students
Supporters crowded the Oregon Zoo Ballroom at the special breakfast event
Patrick Maguire, Director and Josh Klonoff, student speaker
Paula and Todd Jacobson, Edison parents
Thomas Edison High School, founded in 1973, is the only high school in Oregon and SW Washington that is specifically dedicated to serving high school students with learning disabilities. It is a four year, fully accredited school named after Thomas Edison, a known dyslexic. Students have average or above average IQ and have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Portland, November 11th. In Grand Slam fashion, the Portland After School Tennis & Education Sip, Serve & Celebrate benefit was sold out! Danice Brown, the Program Director was joined by Justin Gimelstob, 1998 Australian Open and French Open mixed doubles winner, and Judy Ma, Event Planner. (Photo Credit, Mariel Klein)
Vicky and Chris Elsenbach
Justin Gimelstob, the former ATP tour pro and Tennis Channel broadcaster made a special trip to Portland to be a part of this event. Sheila Hamilton, from Kink FM radio, was the emcee and hit around on a mini court with the students. The benefit raised $132,000.
Demo match with KINKs Sheila Hamilton
W. Glen Boyd and Tiffany Boyd
Tennis players, Ristem, Natisha and Miguel
Tony and Sherryl Reser
Laura Rossi, Gina Clementi, Dan Margolin, Shawn Menashe, Gretchen Matthey
Libations included a Grey Goose Vodka Martini Lounge along with wine tasting from Zanzibar Cellars and Majestic Fine Wines and Brews from Widmer.
Carol Briggs, Jim Petrusich, Wendy Hill, Dana Petrusich, David Hill
Brian Marcinek, Malissa Marcinek, Katrine Johannessen, Nick Ehlen
Lisa Gangelhoff, Todd, Gagelhoff, Heidi Kehm, Brad Kehm
The event was sold out
From the Portland After-School Tennis & Education, Inc.:
We are a non-profit youth development organization for k-12th grade students. Our year around program creates effective partnerships with families, schools and volunteers to achieve academic and athletic success. Through one-on-one tutoring, tennis lessons, direct instruction, a strong emphasis on nutrition/fitness and parent education our program develops strong student athletes and prepares them for a productive future.
A nonprofit new to the Portland launched in high style this fall. The benefit fashion show at the Mercy Corps Northwest building on SW Ankeny drew a supportive crowd. BACKBONES is providing free one-on-one support for people with spinal cord injury and their families.
The event showcased beautiful clothing and lovey models
The nonprofit is striving to build a peer network through telephone, in-person or web-based connections and encourage growth by the sharing of experiences and ideas. At events like the fashion show, BACKBONES creates an inviting atmosphere where people can ask questions, learn from each other in an informal setting and make lasting friendships.
The crowd enjoyed special touches
(Photo Credit, for the September 30th event: Michael Raines, Daniel Raines and Ricky Guillen.)
Joel Amador, Heidi Schindler, Brooke Maylie, Loehn Morris, Joanna Christiansen
Rose City Rollers selling raffle tickets and sporting sunglasses from the sponsor, Groupon
The fashion show is the first of many events BACKBONES hopes to hold in the Portland area.
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