Willamette Valley, Ore. — Thousands of runners, wine enthusiasts, sponsors and spectators will converge at the finish line of the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon, presented by Subaru, in the “great little town” of Carlton on Sunday, September 2. Now in its third year, the race is one of the most scenic half marathons in the country, and features four days of events beginning on Thursday at the Sports Authority store in Beaverton.
Two-time defending women’s champion Carre Heineck is returning to attempt to win her third-in-a-row. The 30-year-old Portland resident set the women’s course record last year at 1:18:44 and looks to better that mark in 2012.
“The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is a big, competitive race, but it doesn’t seem like it, because people are so friendly and supportive,” comments Heineck in a brief moment between being a full-time middle school teacher and the mother of a two-year-old. “It has a great community feel to it. At most big races, you never really talk to the other competitors, but at this race, everyone hangs out. Last year, I met Eva Vail, who finished 3rd and now we’re friends and we train together.”
The 13.1-mile race starts at Stoller Vineyards and winds through scenic Yamhill County in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine region before finishing on North Pine Street in Carlton. A Wine & Music Festival, awards ceremony and other activities follow the race in Carlton. New for 2012 will be the Winery Team Challenge, in which local wineries field teams of runners and compete for the winery trophy.
According to Matt Dockstader, the Event Director, two course changes and new elements such as the Winery Team Challenge have been added to enhance the event experience. “Oregon has such a strong running community which is even evident within the wineries. Many of them pull together teams to compete in the race, which gave us the idea to incorporate this challenge into all our races. It gives it a fun, local flavor, although we draw from all over the country.” Each race participant receives a specially designed technical running shirt, colorful finishers medal with a wine-stopper and corkscrew, plus a Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir wine glass and entry into the post-race Wine & Music Festival, where 24 wineries and one brewery from the region will be pouring. Additional glasses and tickets for the festival can be purchased for friends and family. With so many people visiting the Willamette Valley before, during and after the event, local businesses thrive. “On that weekend, we are extremely busy, especially on race day,” bristles Retta Carl, co-owner of Cielo Blu Restaurant in Carlton. “We get not only the race participants, but also the event staff, the volunteers, and the friends and families that come to watch the runners cross the finish line.” The Health and Fitness Expo is held on Saturday September 1 from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, and is free and open to the public. Under the wings of the Spruce Goose, the expo features exhibitor booths, seminars, wine tasting and packet pickup for registered runners, plus discounts on other Evergreen attractions. Other ancillary events include early packet pickup at Sports Authority in Beaverton on August 30, a welcome reception on August 31 at Grand Cru Estates, a pre-race dinner and a post-race wine tasting tour. Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano will be guest speakers at the Expo. Adam was a 2000 US Olympian in the 10,000 meters and co-authored “Running the Edge” with Catalano. He is also the husband of Kara Goucher, who will compete for the U.S. in the marathon in London.
The primary beneficiary of the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is Carlton Together Cares, a non-profit organization that operates the Carlton Community Center and develops programs for youth and families in the Carlton-Yamhill area. They are largely focused on providing youth with useful roles in the community, and safe and healthy activities.
Registration for the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is still open and can be accessed through the event website, www.run4oregonwine.com. A team competition with six or more runners is offered, in addition to a 2-person relay. A registration price increase goes into effect on Saturday, July 28. The race is part of a series produced by Destination Races, who also produces Wine Country Half Marathons in Napa-Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Barbara and Virginia. For more information on the series, visit www.destinationraces.com. Oregon Sports Authority The mission of the Oregon Sports Authority is to position the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events, franchises and related activities in order to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians and to stimulate the state’s economy. The Oregon Sports Authority was named 2010 Sports Commission of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions. Learn more at oregonsports.org.
Oregon Sports Authority | 1888 SW Madison St. | Portland, OR 97205 | [email protected]
Portland, July 21st. The Organically Grown Company hosted a fundraising party for one of its favorite charities: the mentoring program for homeless and transitional teens called p:ear. Marketing Communications Specialist for Organically Grown, Tonya Haworth, and Marketing Manager, Stacy Kraker, organized the event.
Nate Engkjer, a p:ear employee, Steph Chase, the Development and Community Relations Manager, and Beth Burns, p:ear’s Executive Director
The party was on the Ecotrust terrace at 721 NW 9th Avenue.
Phresh Organic Catering Company served up tomato basil salad, roasted potatoes, and chicken breast with Oregon honey-chipotle barbecue sauce.
Organically Grown Company is employee and grower owned. Every summer the company gives boxes of fresh produce to the p:ear kitchen to help feed hungry teens.
This fundraiser for p:ear had views of the “Sundown at Ecotrust” event happening below.
Mo and Don Mayfield look over the terrace with Tonya McMillan and her son Koen.
Tyler Clear and Brian Cook gave a thumbs-up to the organic food at the party.
Baby May had a wonderful time looking at the terrace tomato plants and blueberry bushes .
Melyssa Sharp, Katie Trudeau and Sean McConahay
Organic Grown Company is the largest wholesaler of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs within the Pacific Northwest. It was founded by farmers who purchase 90% of their products directly from the growers themselves.
Kristi Yoder and Rachel Ebert enjoyed the atmosphere.
Matt Mylet, Jae Easterbrooks and Laurie Landeros take a quick picture after getting some drinks from the inside bar.
Each year “p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives”. Throughout this process, p:ear helps serve around 900 “homeless and transitional young people” who vary in age from 15 to 24.
To truly exit homelessness, kids must develop the internal strength, skills and foresight to make healthy choices. p:ear provides a safe, non-judgmental environment in which youth are trusted to outgrow unproductive and harmful behaviors. We offer individualized mentoring and education programs in a safe, reliable setting designed to foster trust, build self-esteem and to teach homeless and transitional kids – who all too often are regarded by society as disposable, “hopeless cases” – that they are valuable individuals with a future who have something vital to contribute to this community.
p:ear staff and volunteers serve as mentors, friends, and role models, while p:ear’s unique programs create opportunities for young people to grow intellectually, express themselves constructively, communicate in positive ways and engage in meaningful interactions with the larger community of Portland. This is not work that can be accomplished in the short-term. These are relationships based on trust that take years to cultivate and require enormous dedication to sustain.
We are committed to being there for p:ear youth over the long-haul to share failures and successes, mundane events as well as life-altering milestones.
p:ear mentors youth through education, art and recreation.
Portland, July 18th. The annual event is called, “3 Degrees 2 Unite 1 Community.” Organized by Willamette Valley Development Officers, the networking party at Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden offered business and nonprofit leaders the chance to create connections. Debbie Rieke from Project Access Now and Bethany Thomas from Ecology in the classroom and outdoors are pictured with Mary Sullivan from Cleantechopen and Lisa Creamer from Emma Inc. mixed and mingled at 3-Degrees.
Anne Van De Linden from Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Agnes Zach Executive Director of Willamette Valley Development Officers and Michelle Crimmins from De La Salle North Catholic High School
Engred Chai from Brownstein Rack, Gisel Hillard from Washington Trust Bank, Grant Jones from Perkins & Company
Vibrant Table was one of the generous sponsors of the event. Karen Rich, Emily Michel, Auriana Albree, Kathy Hile and Page Winograd represented Vibrant Table at 3-Degrees.
Jeanne Kojis, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Network of SW Washington, Ron Bertolucci, Vice President of Commercial Banking at Sterling Bank, and Marc Heisterkamp from USGBC
Jill Downing, the program coordinator of WVDO, thanked Jane Demarco, the Executive Director of the Lan Su Chinese Garden
Kathy Swift from Capital Pacific Bank, Nichole Smith from Robert Half Account Temps., Chabre Vickers from Big Brother/Big Sister, and Kristen Connor from Capital Pacific Bank
Roy Abramowitz from Perkins & Company, Sara Patinkin from Donate Life N.W., Eileen Reilly from Jesuit High School
Stephanie Hooper from Pacific Continental Bank and Katharine Quince from Store to Door
Heather Olson from Jack in the Box, Jon Connelly from Portland Business Journal, Jill Downing from WVDO and Ian Harnish from Portland Business Journal
Sara Patinkin from the WVDO Board, Kelsey Pine from “I have a Dream” Oregon, Janet Sams from Candlelighters for Children with Cancer
Graeme Byrd from Net Impact, Jude Lieberman from Portland State and Marc Heisterkamp from USGBC
Graeme Byrd from Net Impact with Kimberlin Butler from Grantmakers for Education
Mark Fulop from Facilitation Process and Bianca McCarthy from the Lan Su Chinese Garden
Brennan Wood from the Dougy Center and James Phelps from JKP Fundraising celebrating the conclusion of a great evening with WVDO Exec. Director Agnes Zach.
3-Degrees was sponsored by: WVDO, Capital Pacific Bank, Perkins & Co., Portland Business Journal, Lan Su Chinese Garden.
In Partnership with: Portland Business Alliance, NetImpact-Portland, Young Professionals of Portland.
From Willamette Valley Development Officers(WVDO) serves people raising funds for nonprofit organizations by linking them with others in the community and providing affordable opportunities for their professional growth and education. WVDO is Oregon’s oldest and largest organization for development professionals, with a current membership of more than 800 individuals representing nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes. Founded in 1977, Willamette Valley Development Officers is our region’s premier service organization for nonprofit professionals and leaders.
Contact
Willamette Valley Development Officers 619 SW 11th Ave., Suite 108 Portland, Oregon 97205
Main Website:wvdo-or.org Phone: 503.274.1977 Fax: 503.241.4315
Beaverton, June 23rd. The stars were out at The Tiger Woods Center on the Nike World Campus for “A Night to Chip In”, the Caddies 4 Cure’s annual benefit in support of Northwest children and families. The event, which took place before an annual golf tournament, was hosted by Jerome Kersey and drew hundreds of people. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus)
Javier Colon performance
“Javier has been a long time supporter of our charity and we are thrilled he is returning to perform this year,” said Ryan DuChene, co-founder and president of Caddies 4 Cure. “It is through the generosity of our celebrity guests, supporters and sponsors that we’ve been able to make such a positive impact in our community, and this year’s event is shaping up to be one of our best.”
Jerry Rice, who won three Super Bowl rings playing for the San Francisco 49ers was a popular guest. Many asked for photos with the sports star.
Six-time Major League All-Star, Kenny Lofton and baseball legend, Ozzie Smith
Mike Hill and Jay Harris from ESPN welcomed the crowd.
Flex Alexander made the rounds.
Grant Fuhr smiled with the other guests.
Pro Football Hall of Famer, Sterling Sharpe enjoyed a round of blackjack.
Tennessee Titans’ Jordan Babineaux and basketball great, George “The Iceman” Gervin supported the cause.
A Night to Chip In is part of Caddies 4 Cure’s annual charity event benefiting Randall Children’s Hospital and the Oregon and SW Washington chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Caddies 4 Cure was established in 2002 by Ryan DuChene and Justin Marquart. Friends for more than 20 years, Ryan and Justin founded Caddies 4 Cure as a way to raise money for two charities close to their hearts, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and the Oregon and SW Washington Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2000, Justin and Lisa Marquart’s daughter, Ella Marie, passed away at three weeks old from a congenital heart defect after several weeks in Emanuel’s Pediatric Care Unit. And in 2001, Ryan’s wife, Marci, was diagnosed with MS. Ryan and Marci have become very involved with the National MS Society and hope that their charitable efforts will one day lead to a cure. More information is available at www.caddies4cure.com.
Caddies 4 Cure is also proud to partner with Wears My Shirt to create a t-shirt fundraising campaign at WearsMyShirt.com in support of the events. The T’s will help fundraiser for Caddies 4 Cure and they will also be the purchaser’s entry ticket into a “Photo Contest” where the top 9 “Liked” photo’s will win autographed memorabilia from some of sports all-time greats including Jerry Rice, Ken Griffey Jr. and Moses Malone. Details of the contest can be found at http://www.wearsmyshirt.com/charities/Caddies-4-Cure.html#/charities/Caddies-4-Cure/contests.html
Cannon Beach, July 7th. SOLVE organized an extra beach clean-up this summer to pick up garbage and any debris washing up on Oregon beaches from the 2011 Japanese Tsunami. 109 volunteers collected 850 pounds of debris including a very large Styrofoam cylinder. No hazardous waste was reported. SOLVE is helping clear any tsunami debris found by working with the Oregon Tsunami Debris Task Force. Oregon Parks and Recreation has established 32 drop-offs locations for debris collected on the beach. Debris dropped off at the collection locations must be in official SOLVE bags, which can be picked up at any state park or transfer station in an Oregon coastal county.
Bob Mushen and Carla Moya are SOLVE and City of Cannon Beach volunteers, Jenee Pearce-Mushen is the SOLVE Captain of Cannon Beach volunteers and Director at Pacific Alarm Systems. Charilyn Vantassel is with OBRC
SOLVE volunteers Gary Loveless, Nadine Nordquist and Lisa Habecker
Visitors flock to the tide-pools near Haystack Rock during low tide.
Volunteers Allison and Tess Kehoe, from the National Charity League, Inc., were two of the more than 100 SOLVE volunteers.
Fish, birds, and other aquatic life can mistake small bits of trash for food. This trash travels through the digestive system often resulting in malnutrition, entanglement, and strangulation.
Due to the increased use of plastic and other synthetic materials, marine debris is causing increasing damage to ocean ecosystems and wildlife. Scientists estimate that more than 5 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean is covered with trash, and most of it is believed to be made up of plastic remnants from the world’s shorelines.
SOLVE helps keep Oregon Beaches beautiful.
SOLVE is working with the Oregon Tsunami Debris Task Force which includes representatives of State Police, Parks, Environmental Quality, Fish and Wildlife, Public Health, Transportation and the Marine Board, as well as local and tribal governments, state legislators, community organizations, and federal agencies.
For more information on how to handle beach debris, here’s a website:
SOLVE is a non-profit organization that brings together proud Oregonians (native and newly-transplanted) to improve the environment and to build a legacy of stewardship. By making connections between individuals, business groups, and service and conservation groups through volunteering and education, we are building a stronger tomorrow for this place we all love. This place that, let’s face it, is pretty much the biggest reason why we came (or stayed) here in the first place. We’ll take care of it, together.
The organization originally called S.O.L.V. (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) was created by Governor Tom McCall and other community leaders in 1969 to address the need for community action in the ever-growing state. Today SOLVE is building on their vision with a strategic plan that will guide us as we work to improve the environment of Oregon and build a legacy of stewardship.
In response to what is becoming an unprecedented amount of marine debris in Oregon, SOLVE has taken a leading role with partners Surfrider Foundation, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oregon Sea Grant and Washed Ashore, in forming a plan for a coordinated response. Our group, collectively operating as the Oregon Marine Debris Team, is working in an effort to engage volunteers in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies in marine debris removal projects. A network of 32 drop-off sites on the Oregon coast are now ready to receive beach debris washing ashore from the tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011. The drop-off sites are free and are a combination of state parks and independent recycling and transfer stations located in every county. Visitors and residents can call 211 (or 1-800-SAFENET) to report tsunami debris they see on the beach. The drop-off sites will accept debris in official beach cleanup bags produced by SOLVE. Beach cleanup bags are available at state park campgrounds.There will also be an increased number of beach cleanups scheduled on the Oregon Coast. Join the Marine Debris Team volunteer list if you are interested in helping with this effort.
Pickup trash along the beach the next time you visit the beach. Bags are available at every state park and transfer station along the Oregon coast. Full bags can be left at beach debris drop-off points.
Organize a beach cleanup with SOLVE through the Project Oregon program.
Sign up to volunteer for ongoing beach cleanup efforts.
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