Portland, September 13th. On Thursday, 6,000 Vaux’s Swift were were spotted by the Audubon Society of Portland during what’s described as, “One of Portland’s most spectacular natural events.” Thousands of Vaux’s Swifts gather in the city as they prepare to migrate to Central America and Venezuela. (Photo Credit, KOV Photography)
Every September, bird lovers gather to watch Vaux’s Swifts prepare to roost for the night at Chapman Elementary School (1445 NW 26th Ave., Portland.) As of this week, Swifts have been present in numbers ranging from 2,000-15,000.
Hundreds watch Vaux’s Swifts prepare to roost for the night. It happens one hour before sunset, each night in September
Vaux’s Swifts are using the Chapman chimney as an evening roost during their fall migration, and there’s still time to see them. Grab a seat on the school lawn and in neighboring Wallace Park to observe the birds gathering. On most evenings, Audubon volunteers will be on hand to share information.
Migrating swifts often use chimneys as roosts (places to sleep), and they are likely to return to the same roost year after year. One swift population has been returning to the Chapman chimney since the 1980s, and it is one of the largest known roosting sites of migrating Vaux’s Swifts.
Here’s a video from a Swift Watch:
Here’s more information about the work of the Audubon Society of Portland, which promotes the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife and their habitats.
Conservation: We protect and advocate for birds and other wildlife in our city and across the region. We also work to ensure all Portland-area residents have easy access to nature.
Education: Our expert educators offer environmental camps, classes and trips for all ages.
Wildlife rehabilitation: Our Wildlife Care Center provides specialty care for native wild animals that are injured or orphaned. The center also answers inquiries about living with urban wildlife.
Sanctuaries: We run nature sanctuaries in the mountains, city and coast. They protect habitat, showcase healthy ecosystems, and provide places for people to connect with nature.
Birding: We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in birding by organizing a variety of birding and natural history activities.
Dayton, OR. August 18th. It was an elegant evening at Stoller Vineyards with dinner prepared by award-winning chefs and all proceeds benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest to support life-changing friendships. The event was called “Perfect Pairings” and special thanks went to David Anderson, Genoa; Sunny Jin, Jory; Daniel Mondok, Paulee; and Trent Pierce, Wafu who gave their time and talent.
Big Brothers Big Sisters recognized Nike as its 2011 Corporate Partner of the Year. The award was received by Tim Hershey, Big Brothers Big Sisters board member and Nike Vice President and General Manager, Direct to Consumer North America.
Big Brothers Big Sisters also honored Robert Kessi, 2011 Big Brother of the Year; Julia Marrocco, 2012 Big Sister of the Year; and Ryan Shaw, 2012 Big Brother of the Year. Robert Kessi has been matched with Little Brother Juwan for 10 years.
Some Instagram photos sent in by Big Brother/Big Sister Columbia Northwest show the lovely summer evening.
The Perfect Pairings inaugural event! Duck Pond Cellars and Stoller Vineyards paired their northwest wines with elegant cuisine.
No auction, paddle-raise or table captain collections. If attendees were moved to support the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters, they had an opportunity to fill-in the back of a puzzle piece to complete the “Big Picture”.
Perfect Pairing task force: Steve Wright, Aequitas Capital; Emily Bachand, Stoller Vineyards, Judi Charman, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Jim Clark, Business Strategy Consulting; Tim Hawkins, Ivey; Leslie Tuomi, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Jenny Schwenke, Express Employment Professionals; Tracy Correa, Express Employment Professionals; Rob Wente, Ivey; and Brittney Wright, Duck Pond Cellars.
The Stoller winery is a solar-generating, gravity-flow winery that combines progressive, environmentally-friendly design with gentle, traditional winemaking practices that minimize damage.
Catering services provided by Plate & Pitchfork. Music by Midnight Honey. Event marketing support provided by Ivey.
The Stollers also have a grand opening of their new tasting room. The celebration will be held on September 10th.
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between volunteers and children, ages six through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest has several other events coming up: Organizers invite you to learn how all children can reach their potential at a “Start Something” event: Vancouver Luncheon on September 27, Cowlitz Luncheon on October 23 and Portland Breakfast on November 15th.
Portland, August 11th. The Bite of Oregon is a celebration of Oregon, its food, its people and quality of life. With hundreds of restaurant and dozens of breweries and wineries represented, the Special Olympics Oregon benefit attracts food fans by the thousands.
Sizzling seafood paella was a hit.
“The Usual Suspects” entertain the crowd. It’s the band of Police Chief, Mike Reed.
Viewed as a foodie’s dream come true, the Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s table is an opportunity to experience small gourmet bites from some of the top chefs from around the state.
Eddy Gonzales, Chef Shyam Dausoa from Chez Dodo and Sala Kannan were serving Dholl Puri and Portobello Bury – a Mushroom Curry with Lentil Fritters served Chutney & Pickled Vegetables.
Chef Chris Carriker from the Gilt Club served up Grilled Pork Belly Skewer with Kohlrabi Slaw, Fried Peanuts and Cilantro and Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Chickpea Relish, Goat Cheese & Herbs.
Lilie Boni, Henry Car and Elizabeth Kennedy from Brix Tavern served Smoked Grilled Local Salmon Brochettes with Heirloom Tomatoes & Rocket Pesto.
B. O’Shea, Chef Aaron Gerra, Pamela McConnell, Chef Aaron Guerra CEC, DM – ACF Portland Culinary Team Member with the Oregon Blueberry Commission served Fresh Oregon Blueberries Foster w/ Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Balsamic Reduction.
At the popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions, presented by NW Natural, talented Oregon Chefs battled it out to see whose cuisine reigned supreme.
Lucy Willis from Lucy’s Tropical Juice sold fruit smoothies.
Volunteers Isabel Klein and PJ Hummelt were two of hundreds who pitched in at the benefit for Oregon Special Olympics.
Oregon Brewers were out in force.
Ice cream served up by volunteers, including members of the National Charity League Genevieve and Mariel Klein, was a hit with the kids.
Soul Vaccination, the popular fund and soul band, performed for music lovers.
About Special Olympics Oregon
Here in Oregon, while Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 10,000 participants throughout the state, nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from participating in Special Olympics. Still growing, Special Olympics Oregon is efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving every individual with intellectual disabilities that qualifies to participate in Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. There are three sports seasons throughout the year, with statewide competitions and training in winter, summer and fall.
The nonprofit is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a bang!
Tualatin, July 28th. There were 359 runners and walkers at a popular fundraiser for the Cat Adoption Team. The race raised more than $24,000. The Cat Adoption Team is the largest feline adoption guarantee nonprofit shelter in the Pacific Northwest. It has found homes for more than 28,400 cats since opening in 1998. The CATnip 5k & Mouse Miler is the organization’s largest public fundraising event.
The CATnip 5k steps off with runners and walkers taking part in this USATF twilight event.
The CATnip team of volunteers from Tualatin Petco included Aisha Beck, Noralyn Danielle, Kelly Reese and Karen Duncan.
Here’s a video of some race action:
The event is one of a few twilight run/walks offered; it’s also USATF certified for serious runners. The 5k was completed in 16 minutes this year and the Mouse Miler sprint was pounded out in 5:06 minutes. The CATnip is known for having great participant swag bags, including more than $45 in coupons and gift certificates. Organizers also encourage dogs to participate for the benefit of the homeless kitties.
CAT staffers help out – Pamela and Liz offer participants one of our awesome swag bags.
The CATnip is put on by CAT staff and a small volunteer committee including: Kathy Covey the race director, Jeff Huber the course director and Heather Christensen the donations coordinator.
Closing ceremonies included raffle prizes and awards for fastest finishers – all done in front of the big cat (in orange – Kathy Covey, Race Director; in blue – Aaron Asmus, CAT Executive Director)
The 5k course heads north paralleling the Tualatin river, over the river, enters Durham City Park, does a loop in the Durham neighborhood, returns to Durham City Park, and finally returns to Tualatin Community Park.
We are is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit, limited admission/adoption guarantee cat shelter (we are able to take in cats as we find homes for the cats in the shelter). CAT has its own full-service veterinary Hospital on-site.
A leader in the shelter community with its extensive shelter medicine, adoption, and foster care programs, CAT cares for 400 to 600 cats and kittens on a daily basis with the help of a dedicated team of staff and volunteers at CAT’s shelter in Sherwood, foster homes, and various off-site adoption locations throughout the Portland metro area.
As a nonprofit organization, CAT receives no government funding and relies on the generous support of the public and volunteers.
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
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