Portland, OR. Portlanders are getting a chance to tour several U.S. and Canada ships and meet military service members and veterans. Ship tours continue through Sunday, June 10th. The Rose Festival Court made history on June 9th when Kiara Johnson became the first student from Parkrose high school honored as Queen of Rosaria. Queen Kiara, plans on attending college to pursue a career as a veterinarian or journalist. Each Rose Festival Court member receives a $3500 Scholarship courtesy of The Randal Group to use at a collage of their choice.
Kiara Johnson and her family.
Another first was a canine Rose Festival Parade Grand Marshal named Diesel, a 2 1/2 year-old English Mastiff. Diesel was chosen in a contest benefiting the Rose Festival’s 2018 Official Charity, the Oregon Humane Society.
Diesel rode in a convertible during the parade.
The 2018 parade drew hundreds of thousands of cheering people to the 4-mile route.
The nation’s most storied marching band: the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps make their first appearance in Portland since 1989.
Below is a list of the winners:
2018 SPIRIT MOUNTAIN CASINO GRAND FLORAL PARADE FLOAT AWARDS
Hillmann Lueddemann Jr. Sweepstakes Award (Most outstanding float in the Parade) Alaska Airlines
President’s Award (Most effective overall floral presentation) Reser’s Fine Foods
Queens Award (Most Creative float in the parade) p:ear
Governor’s Award (Best depiction of life in Oregon) Portland General Electric
Royal Rosarian Award (Best craftsmanship and workmanship) Fred Meyer
Rose Society Award (Most effective use and display of roses) Unitus Community Credit Union
Rose Festival Directors Award (Best depiction of volunteerism) Northwest Chinese Alliance
Rose Festival Court Award (Best example of enthusiasm and teamwork) Juega Feliz
Grand Marshal Award (Best depiction of whimsy) Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Theme Award (Best presentation of Rose Festival theme – Play Happy) Rose Festival CityFair
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Award (Best depiction of community spirit) Cambia Portland Classic
Peg Roseboro Award (Most artistic design and presentation) Spirit mountain Casino
Dick Powers Picture Perfect Award (Best Mini-float) Metro Mini-Float
Parade Queen Award Westminster Hyack Festival Mini-float
Parade Chairman Award Lincoln City Mini-FloatBAND AWARDS:
Band Sweepstakes (Best Band in Parade)
Westview High School
In-State Division A (99 Members or Less)
First Place – Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro, OR
Second Place – Aloha High School, Beaverton, OR
Third Place – Lincoln High School, Portland, OR
In-State Open (100 or more)
First Place – Tualatin High School, Tualatin, OR
Second Place – Oregon City High School, Oregon City, OR
Third Place – Century High School, Hillsboro, OR
Out-of-State Division A (99 Members or Less)
First Place – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
Second Place – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
Third Place – South Kitsap High School, Port Orchard, WA
ROSE FESTIVAL EQUESTRIAN AWARD LISTING
Vern Hulit Award for Excellence in Preparation,
Organization and Presentation
Happy Canyon Princesses
Native or National Costume, Individual/Pair
Happy Canyon Indian Princesses
Native Dress – Group
Hawaii Pa’u Riders
Rodeo or Fair Queen and Court
Pendleton Round Up Court
Here’s information on more Rose Festival events:
Join the thrill of the Dragon Boat Race Saturday and Sunday at the Waterfront Bowl area near Riverplace Marina as more than 50 teams push the traditional ornately decorated Dragons to victory. Teams of up to 20 paddlers compete in Women’s, Mixed and Student categories from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days.
CityFair wraps the festival with great food, extra kids fun and Funtastic carnival rides. If they went by too fast on Saturday, come down to CityFair and see them up close as the floats from the Grand Floral Parade put the brakes on and pause for photo-ops along Naito Parkway for the Grand Floral Float Showcase starting at 3:00 p.m. Saturday through 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
Also on Sunday amateur ukulele players are invited to join the first Ukulele Rose Experience and jam session. Led by local musician Rick Huddle and Introducing bass player Matt Lynch, the one hour session will be emceed by comedian & Clown Prince Angel Ocasio. Join the music Sunday, June 10, 20181:30 p.m. ‐ 2:30 p.m. on the Rose City Stage inside CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. CityFair admission is FREE with ukulele and all ages and skill levels welcome! (Bring your music stand).
Since the very beginning of the Rose Festival back in 1907, visiting ships and other fleet-related elements (like submarines) have been making their way to Portland’s waterfront. The City of Portland is known to be a favorite port of call for military (and non-military) visitors — and citizens enjoy making these visitors welcome! One of the purposes of Fleet Week has always been to celebrate and thank the active and reserve military personnel and all veterans. The Portland Rose Festival is extremely fortunate to be one of a few U.S. Ports of Call for a courtesy visit from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy. Their arrival commemorates a relationship with the Navy that has lasted more than 100 years, and over 80 years of visiting Portland during the Rose Festival. It is a significant commitment by the Navy to make the Rose Festival Fleet Week one of the premier Fleet Week events in the country.
Portland, April 3rd, 2013. Excited supporters of the Edwards Center dedicated the new Aloha Community Center. The singers of the Voices Unlimited choir performed in the Community Center’s “Great Room”. The new center, dedicated by special guest Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten and Edwards Center founder Dr. Jean Edwards, hosted over 100 supporters, families, funders, and community members for a lively open house and dedication ceremony. Portland jazz pianist Tom Grant (a family member of one of Edwards Center’s clients) performed, as did opera singers Janet Chvatal and Marc Gremm. Chvatal and Gremm then introduced the Voices Unlimited choir to unveil the new Edwards Center theme song to the packed house.
Exterior of Edwards Center’s Aloha Community Center
A longtime dream of its founders, this community center is a place where people with developmental disabilities can take part in a variety of activities including adult education, job training, nutritious meals, and community events. The building was built with a barrier-free philosophy, featuring accessibility accommodations for people with a variety of abilities, well beyond ADA requirements. However the vision for the center isn’t just a place where adults with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions can feel welcome, but a resource for the wider community as well. By opening its services beyond its usual clients, Edwards Center is creating a place where people across a wide spectrum of abilities can interact and learn from each other.
Dr. Jean Edwards prepares her remarks before the dedication.
Janet Chvatal and Marc Gremm, two internationally known opera singers, perform during the dedication ceremony.
A packed open house proceeded the event.
About the Aloha Community Center
The 11,000 sq. ft. Aloha Community Center features four classrooms, a meeting space for community groups, a kitchen and dining room that serves nutritious, low-cost meals in partnership with Meals on Wheels People, and a cafe to enable job training for adults with developmental disabilities. Open 7 days a week, the center provides meaningful daily activities for people with developmental disabilities and increase interaction with the wider community. The center is part of a larger neighborhood development planned by Edwards Center called the Aloha Project. Later this year ten homes will be built on the adjacent property to support life-long, multi-generational family living for adults with disabilities.
About Edwards Center
Edwards Center has served adults with developmental disabilities since 1972, when there were few services outside of the state institution, the Fairview Training Center. Edwards Center began as a day program that served just 6 individuals and in 1975 opened the first group home in Washington County housing disabled adults in the community. Today they provide homes, jobs, and recreational opportunities in 18 locations serving over 300 Oregonians with disabilities in Washington and Clackamas Counties.
Edwards Center’s mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them reach their highest potential through training, education, employment, housing and social opportunities in safe, healthy and stimulating environments.
Milwaukie, February 7th, 2013. Exceed Enterprises marked its 30th Award’s night with a festive celebration. The party at Gray Gables Estate in Milwaukie drew an upbeat crowd of 230 people including Scott Hatley, founder of the nonprofit Incight and an Exceed board member. He received Exceed’s most prestigious award from CEO, Ken Fosheim. (Photo credit, Jamie Smith) David Pearson, an Exceed employee, accepted his “Spirit of Exceed” award from Operations Specialist, Melodie Lewis. Exceed’s staff provides a safe and nurturing working environment for more than 170 adults.
Thirteen awards were presented, including:
Employees of the Year: John Farley and Ray Sehorn
Spirit of Exceed: David Pearson, Kristina Vigna and Marlene Lewis
Business Partners of the Year: Lockwood Products and Coca-Cola
Community Support Award: Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Community Partner Award: The Nonprofit Association of Oregon
Advocacy Award: Dean Walter from Georgia-Pacific
Staff Member of the Year: Dena Meyers
Volunteer of the Year: Carole Matthews
Londahl-Risley Award: Scott Hatley
“This year’s Recognition Night was a very special evening that celebrated Exceed’s exceptional stars,” said Ken Fosheim, Exceed’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is a great honor to recognize such a talented group of individuals.”
It was a lighthearted evening for staff as well.
Larry King, Executive Assistant, poses for a picture in the “photo booth.”
Established in 1968, Exceed Enterprises is a non-profit organization that excels in providing vocational and personal development services for people with disabilities. Exceed serves the Portland metropolitan area offering a variety of options and opportunities through rehabilitation services, community-based & on-site business environments, personal services and community activities.Our community and business partnerships enable people with disabilities to contribute to society through meaningful employment and increased independence, self-confidence, and dignity.
VISION: Cultivating a world of success for people with disabilities.
MISSION: Invest in the success of persons with disabilities through the creation of service and business ventures that return both social and financial dividends.
Portland, November 9th. The 4th Annual Sip, Serve & Celebrate raised $116,000 for the Portland After-School Tennis & Education which helps at-risk students achieve academic and athletic success. Matt Felton got a big thank you hug from a scholar athlete in the ‘Felton Factor’ program while Executive Director Danice Brown looked on. Matt and his wife Jasmine generously funded the $23k annual costs of the program. (Photo credit, Team Photogenic)
PAST&E Scholar Athletes anxiously wait to make their debut and performance for the guests and patrons.
Organizers say, “This year past board member Matt Felton was honored for all his work and contributions to the program by the creation of ‘The Felton Factor’ which focuses on strengthening participants’ fundamental tennis skills, preparing them for competitive play, and encouraging sportsmanship. The program also strives to improve competitiveness against private-club players who generally have greater resources and training opportunities.
Shawn Menashe raises his auction number to support the PAST&E fund-a-need.
PAST&E Volunteer Wendy Nakatani and Board Member Judy Ma congratulate Kana Wakamatsu for placing the winning bid for the US Open Tennis package. Kana and her husband Jason will get to experience US Open 2013 from the Nike box!
Matt and Jasmine Felton arrive to enjoy the festivities of Sip, Serve & Celebrate!
The event was held at Castaway Portland and emcees were Kelley Day and Mike Chase.
About Portland After School Tennis & Education:
“Our program is located in the heart of one of the most socio-economically challenged areas of Portland and is changing the lives of these wonderful students,” says Danice Brown, Executive Director of PAST&E. “Portland After-School Tennis & Education operates almost entirely on the generosity of our volunteers and individual donors and the money raised from this event is paramount in being able to keep our program going.”
Portland After School Tennis & Education (PAST&E) is a nonprofit whose mission is to create partnerships with families, schools, and volunteers to help at-risk K-12 students achieve academic and athletic success. We accomplish this through one-on-one academic tutoring, tennis lessons, a nutrition/fitness curriculum, parent education, and a “Best in Class” development program serving junior players who excel at tennis. Located at North Portland’s St. Johns Racquet Center, PAST&E impacts the lives of more than 1,000 at-risk children and families every year. For more information, visit www.pastande.org.
Portland, November 2nd. The Oregon Zoo Cascade Crest Banquet Center was filled with four-legged friends for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Fall Luncheon. 330 people attended and raised $75,000. Proceeds support programs at GDB’s Oregon campus in Boring including training for dogs and students and veterinary care for working guides and puppies in training. (Photo Credit, Deb Ryan)
The program featured a dog training demonstration, a keynote address by Paralympic Downhill Skiing Bronze Medalist Danelle Umstead with her Guide Dog Bettylynn, as well as the ever-popular puppy delivery where puppy raisers received their new charges.
Guide Dogs for the Blind veterinarian Dr. Patti Van de Coevering and Arnie.
Guests at Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Oregon Fall Luncheon.
CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Paul Lopez and his wife Deirdre enjoying the Oregon Fall Luncheon hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind.
From Guide Dogs for the Blind:
It all began with a dream—the dream of creating the first guide dog training school on the West Coast. It was a dream shared by Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson, who volunteered their efforts along with many others. They recognized the need to help wounded servicemen who would return from World War II without their sight. They believed in the potential of dogs to serve as guides for the blind.
Our school was incorporated in May of 1942 and began instruction of students in a rented home in Los Gatos, California, south of San Jose. A German Shepherd named Blondie was one of the first dogs trained. Blondie had been rescued from a Pasadena dog pound. She was later paired with Sgt. Leonard Foulk, the first serviceman to graduate from the new school.
Today…
In 1947, the school moved to our present 11-acre location in San Rafael, California, 20 miles north of San Francisco. In October of 1995, we held the first graduation at our new campus in Boring, Oregon, 25 miles east of Portland. We have graduated more than 10,000 teams since our beginnings in 1942.
Both campuses house students in exceptional dormitory facilities which include dining rooms, exercise rooms, libraries, computer rooms and social areas. Both are located near major metropolitan centers, providing graduated training from quiet rural areas to congested city streets and public transit. The dogs and puppies are cared for in meticulous kennels and state-of-the-art veterinary clinics. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever crosses are the breeds used. Professional staff and veterinarians nurture, groom, train and prepare the dogs for their futures as guides.
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