Portland, September 11th, 2012. Thousands of volunteers joined forces to help local charities including the Oregon Food Bank. 175 volunteers repacked 49,376 pounds of food at OFB on the Day of Service. It was the eleventh anniversary of 9/11/2001 and volunteer groups honored the victims, survivors, and the many who rose in service in response to the tragedy, including first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, public safety officers and members of our military.
Rocky Norris repacks food at the Oregon Food Bank’s Maybelle Clark Macdonald Volunteer Action Center
Desiree Davenhill pitches in.
Volunteers were urged by Hands on Greater Portland to, “Pay tribute to the victims, survivors, and heroes of 9/11 by engaging with friends, family, and neighbors in volunteer service to communities across the region.” The organization has year-round volunteer opportunities at over 300 different nonprofits. “Whether you are working, parenting, in school or retired, Hands On Greater Portland offers you a variety of ways to get involved while meeting your schedule and interests. Volunteer for a one-time project. Volunteer for a few weeks. Volunteer after work or on the weekends. Volunteer alone, with family, friends or co-workers,” they explain.
The City of Portland Parks Bureau’s Community garden was another place to volunteer.
Some volunteer projects provide opportunities to come together and serve local community needs, side by side. Here’s a video with more information on how to volunteer with Hands on Greater Portland.
Mt. Angel, September 8th. Lederhosen and Dirndls were all the rage at the kick-off party for the 47th annual Oktoberfest. The party launched the four day celebration for rural community, 40 miles south of Portland; Oktoberfest runs through Sunday, September 16th.
Steven and Laura Miller and Nick and Imelda Wavra – members of the Kleinstadtler Dancers who performed at the Kick Off Dinner and are saving a special new dance for Mount Angel’s 2012 Oktoberfest.
Michele Fennimore – Oktoberfest Director
Over the past 47 years ago, the Oktoberfest organization has donated over three million dollars to Mount Angel schools, churches, civic organizations, youth activities, senior services, hospitals, and scores of other worthwhile causes. Additionally, civic and non-profit organizations also earn money by manning food booths. Last year these grossed $616,000.00. For many, Oktoberfest is their major fund raising activity of the year.
Ted Schacher, Nick Splonski and Bill Bischoff join S-Bahn in singing
Dean and Molly Westbrook have a polka moment
Jim Hoke – Oktoberfest Sponsor
Oregon’s oldest and longest running Oktoberfest began in 1966, following a tradition of over 125 years of harvest festivals under various names and formats. The community founded by German pioneers in 1867, with its surrounding agricultural countryside bears a striking resemblance to rural Bavaria, making an Oktoberfest a natural choice. Organizers expect 350,000 people to come to Mount Angel and soak in the Bavarian charm.
At the festival you’ll find over 50 little food chalets with Bavarian treats; a large arts and crafts show; a new Bavarian Biergarten, family Weingarten and interactive family Alpinegarten. There is free entertainment on the village bandstand featuring the sounds of the alpine country and a free Kindergarten on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a sports program that includes golf and volleyball tournaments and a high school football classic, a 200-vehicle cruz-n car show and more.
Portland, September 11th. Portland firefighters Wes Laux, Billy Quick, Dwight Englert, Neil Martin and Ed Hall worked on the cleanup at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. They were among hundreds of firefighters who went to New York City to help with the cleanup. More than 300 New York firefighters were killed when the World Trade Center towers fell in the attack. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) held a ceremony in remembrance of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives eleven years ago. Of the 2,977 people who died, 343 of those were with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
Speakers included Fire Chief Erin Janssens, Lt. Damon Simmons, and Lt. Aimee Rooney. In addition, Portland Fire personnel read the name of each fire fighter from FDNY who perished on that day. The bell was rung in remembrance of the lives that were lost on 9-11
9/11 Memorial Ceremony held at the Campbell Memorial in Portland
In addition, PF&R hosted a “Day of Silent Reflection” at the Historic Belmont Firehouse from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The Firehouse is located at 900 SE 35th Ave. where the community was invited to come and see the slideshow and 9-11 bronze sculpture.
On Saturday, September 8th, the Historic Belmont Firehouse marked its 100th Anniversary during the annual Belmont Street Fair.
Many of the visitors expressed what a privilege it has been to have the station in this neighborhood all of these years. Although it no longer serves the community as an active fire station, it continues to add to its legacy of community service by educating both youth and adults alike about the proud history of the fire service and safety.
1914 Station 9 with Engine 9 and crew
The streets were filled with Portlanders walking the closed street, shopping and enjoying culinary offerings by some of the city’s best chefs.
About Portland Fire and Rescue:
Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) promotes a safe work environment for all people who live and work in Portland and the surrounding areas.
PF&R is Oregon’s largest fire and emergency services provider. We provide an extensive range of public safety services including fire prevention, public education, response to fire, medical, and other emergency incidents, and disaster mitigation. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-11, PF&R was comprised of about 750 employees with a Bureau operating budget of $90.7 million.
PF&R operates 30 engine companies, nine truck companies, two fireboats, a rescue, and three squad units, including two specialized units for Chemical and Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) response, and a specialized unit for Hazardous Materials (HazMat). These units allow PF&R firefighters to provide emergency services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency response is provided from 30 stations, which are strategically located throughout the City of Portland to maximize resources and provide the quickest possible response times.
Portland, September, 6th. The Friends of Tryon Creek announced in its inaugural year, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program had nearly 100 Lake Oswego participants. The Friends are kicking off the second year to promote naturescaping, wildlife stewardship, sustainable stormwater management, and invasive species removal through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program.
Wilma McNulty received Gold-certification in February
“The Backyard Habitat Certification Program is a great way for residents to have fun in becoming a key part of regional conservation efforts. Every backyard matters and this program is there to support and recognize homeowners every step of the way”, said Matthew Collins, Education Director for the Friends of Tryon Creek. “We have accomplished so much in year one and look forward to building upon that success going forward.”
The Friends of Tryon Creek in partnership with the City of Lake Oswego, the Audubon Society of Portland, and the Columbia Land Trust launched the Backyard Habitat Certification Program in Lake Oswego in August 2011. This program, developed by the Audubon Society of Portland and Columbia Land Trust, provides assistance and incentives to residents with small lots (an acre or smaller) who seek to restore native wildlife habitat to their backyards.
For a number of years the Friends of Tryon Creek have taught “Landscaping for Conservation” workshops with similar goals: To reduce water use and the need for fertilizers and pesticides while providing a healthy yard with lots of habitat. The Friends will continue to offer Landscaping for Conservation workshops and encourage residents to prepare for the certification process by attending one of them. They provide an ideal opportunity to prepare applicants for what to expect from the certification process and how to best prep their yards. Please visit this link to sign up for a Landscaping for Conservation class with the Friends of Tryon Creek.
About the Friends of Tryon Creek
The Friends of Tryon Creek are a catalyst for cultivating a lifelong relationship with nature using Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Oregon’s only urban state park, as our classroom. We are known throughout the region for our exceptional environmental education programs and stewardship opportunities.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area is located at 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd in southwest Portland. The 670-acre park currently welcomes over 385,000 visitors each year and is home to over 200 species of birds, mammals and amphibians. Visitors enjoy miles of hiking trails, a paved bicycle path and equestrian trails.
The Friends of Tryon Creek was founded in 1969 by a group of forward-thinking individuals who came together to preserve the unique and historic forested canyon that borders Lake Oswego and Portland and turn it into a park. Today, the Friends, a private non-profit that receives no direct state funding, continues to utilize the park as a classroom for their environmental education programs as well as leading efforts to conserve and restore the park to a more healthy and flourishing ecosystem.
Portland, August 30th. Independent Film Channel actors, Fred Armisen (also of SNL fame) and co-creator, Carrie Brownstein, talked with reporters at a special luncheon. Portlandia, the charming comedy series, has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. The nominations include: Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series, Jonathan Krisel, for episode “One Moore Episode” and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Jonathan Krisel, Karey Dornetto, Fred Armisen, and Carrie Brownstein. The 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 23rd.
Jonathan Krisel-co-creator, writer and director of the show, also works on SNL directing digital shorts.
Filming for Portlandia takes place entirely in the Rose City and self-described best friends, Armisen and Brownstein, have actively supported Portland non-profits, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls and the In Other Words Feminist Community Center. Cast members live in Portland during the summer, and filming for the third season will continue through September but will be modified to accommodate Armisen’s SNL schedule. He plays President Obama on the show and says he hopes Obama wins in November because, “He’s awesome.” Armisen likes to play the President, “I like doing anything for SNL, ” but also thinks Obama would be best for the country. (The SNL connection has also paid off for Portlandia because the series has snagged popular late night cast members like Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig.)
According to IFC, “Each episode’s character-based shorts draw viewers into Portlandia, the creators’ dreamy and absurd rendering of Portland.” An assortment of guest stars inhabit the city including: Chloe Sevigny, Jeff Goldblum, Penny Marshall, Heather Graham, and Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Sex & The City). MacLachlan plays Portland’s fictitious mayor.
Kyle MacLachlan with Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, and Jonathan Krisel
Hallie Goldfarb, Sarah Takenage and Marie Moore
The third season of Portlandia will premier on IFC in January.
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