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.
Portland, June 28th. A volunteer organization called, Women for Success Portland, celebrated two years of fundraising for items that can’t be donated to Dress for Success Oregon. Melissa Marley, Christine Arevalo, Crystal Combs, Courtney Baggett, Julia Chan and Katie Wilkes joined forces for the cause. In just two years, this entirely volunteer-run organization has raised over $25,000 to buy bras and other foundational undergarments for Dress for Success clients. The mission of Dress for Success Oregon is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
The anniversary party, held in the Celie Ballroom at Kells in downtown Portland, brought in an additional $2,000.
Roberta Pence Williams and Hannah Acock
In addition to raising money, a large part of the Women for Success mission is to connect like-minded women who are passionate about helping others become financially independent. New board member Courtney Baggett said, “One of the main reasons why I wanted to become more involved with Women for Success was because of the connections I’ve made at these events.”
Women for Success is a volunteer-run membership organization that supports Dress for Success Oregon by raising funds for items that cannot be donated. Since June 2010, the group has raised over $25,000 for Dress for Success. They are currently in the process of working with a Dress for Success affiliate in North Carolina to start a similar organization based on the Women for Success model. For more information about Women for Success, visit www.womenforsuccesspdx.org.
Aloha, June 24rd. The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club welcomed Caddies 4 Cure and star athletes like Jerry Rice and Moses Malone. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) The Portland-based nonprofit officially passed the $1 million mark for fundraising in its history, and this year raised over $196,000 alone. Caddies 4 Cure is dedicated to raising money and awareness for causes that meet the needs of children and families in the community. New and returning celebrities at the event included Ken Griffey Jr., Marshall Faulk, Jerome Bettis, Ozzie Smith, ESPN SportsCenter anchors Jay Harris and Mike Hill.
Ken Griffey enjoyed the event with his teammates.
Caddies 4 Cure 2012
The Jerome Bettis JEA team
George Gervin and Marc Haddad played on. The helicopter ball-drop was a hit.
Helicopter-ball drop winner Chris Atkins with Barrett
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 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Oregon chapter. 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.
People still have the chance to contribute by purchasing a Caddies 4 Cure t-shirt from WearsMyShirt.com. The T’s will help fundraise 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.
Lake Oswego, June 24th. The Lakewood Center for the Arts earned high praise from supporters enjoying the creative endeavors of artists like Brandis Sarich who is pictured with her husband, Kevin Sarich. The Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts attracted an estimated 25,000 visitors during its three day run. The Festival included several art exhibits, food booths, entertainment, a Craft Faire and featured a special juried and invitational show of photography.
Anne Schauffler and Danny Schauffler
Tonya Bunick and Bailey Bunick were volunteering through the National Charity League
The festival is a program division of the Lakewood Center for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.
The Festival of the Arts takes place at the Lakewood Center for the Arts and George Rogers Park, both on State Street in downtown Lake Oswego, Oregon USA.
In the park, you will find a juried Craft Faire of 110 booths featuring fine arts crafts, a delightful variety of foods at the Food Court, a wine and beer pavilion, and a variety of musical entertainment on the Park Entertainment Stage. The park also features Family Day Activities, and ongoing demonstrations by the artisans of their craft.
At the Lakewood Center for the Arts, several different art exhibits are featured. The largest exhibit is the Visual Arts Open Show with over 1,100 pieces of art submitted by artists from all over the region. In addition, the Festival also presents a Special Juried Exhibit of fine artwork as well as a series of hands-on arts activities. The Festival also partners with the Lake Oswego School District to present a high quality K-12 exhibit and the Lake Oswego Foundation for the Arts to provide the Lake Oswego Arts Chronicle, an invited visual art exhibit.
Mission Statement
The Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts’ primary goal is to educate by promoting, supporting, coordinating, and exhibiting the arts of the region.
History
The Festival was originally started by the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce and moved under the umbrella of the Lakewood Center for the Arts 20 years ago, as an annual activity of the Center. It is sustained by valuable partnerships with the City of Lake Oswego, Clackamas County Tourism and Development Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Oswego Rotary Club, the School District, small and large businesses, the “Friends of the Festival,” plus more than 500 volunteers who work throughout the year and the weekend to make the Festival the success it is.
The Festival, a sub division of the Lakewood Center for the Arts, a non-profit arts center, is committed to arts education, performance and exhibition. Contributions to the Festival are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our tax ID number is 93-0700108.
This is a weekend to experience, to be educated and to enjoy!
Portland, June 23rd. More than 400 guests gathered at the MotoCorsa Ducati dealership in NW Portland for an unforgettable evening benefiting Make-A-Wish Oregon. Make-A-Wish Junior Board members like Erin Moore, Kelsi Colombi, Joel Parker, Kristin Williams and Kristina Wrobel enjoyed cocktails, dancing, a silent auction, heads or tails games and photo booth while raising $37,000 to grant local wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. The event was hosted by the Make-A-Wish Junior Board, a dynamic group of young professionals who raise funds and awareness for the cause.
Summer Wishes Guests Whitney Humphrey, Megan Hoy, Justin Janes, Tracy Nagy, Cristina Ciorba and Carla Tosar
Make-A-Wish Junior Board member and emcee, Danny Decker, leads the crowd in a game of Heads or Tails
Make-A-Wish supporters Amy McCammond and Robin Shaughnessy arrive at the annual Summer Wishes event
Make-A-Wish Oregon grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. By granting a wish to a child during a time of turmoil for the entire family, Make-A-Wish is often the light at the end of the tunnel for wish kids and family members. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 2,500 wishes in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
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