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, December 2nd. Mothers and daughters from the National Charity League, Inc. Portland Chapter supported the Red Sweater Project at their annual holiday tea at the Portland Golf Club. It creates educational opportunities for children in rural Tanzania and was founded by a former Portland NCL member, Ashley Holmer. Former National Charity League Portland Chapter class of 2013 Presidents Mariel Klein and Courtney Hall were among the seniors who also sold baked goods to raise money – both attend Jesuit High School.
Ticktockers like Madeleine and Bess collect school supplies for The Red Sweater Project.
Red Sweater cookies were popular, as were handmade bracelets.
Seniors and their mothers served as hosts for the formal receiving line.
The class of 2013 has been participating in nonprofit work since 7th grade.
Chapter President Debby Murphy with Holiday Tea Chair Carol Alexander
Former National Charity League Portland Chapter class of 2013 Presidents Mariel Klein and Courtney Hall – both attend Jesuit High School
A fashion show featured ensembles from “Free People”, a boutique on Northwest 23rd. Freshman, Claire Jacobsen, opened the show.
Free People Fashion show
Junior Cece Alexander helped organize the show as did emcee from Free People, Megan Dorick
8th Grade student, Shannon Kehoe
Isabel Klein, Adele English, and Megan Gooding
National Charity League History:
In 1925, a small group of women interested in philanthropic work founded the Charity League in Los Angeles. They worked quietly, doing Red Cross work, making layettes and assembling and delivering baskets of food to the hungry at holiday times. Sometimes they brought their daughters with them. By 1938, so many daughters had become involved that they decided to form their own group. They called themselves the Ticktockers.
In 1947, these groups united to become the first mother-daughter charity and took their present name, National Charity League. At that time, the mothers also took their name, Patronesses. The newly formed group decided to expand its program beyond philanthropic work to include educational and cultural activities.
NCL was reorganized and incorporated as National Charity League, Inc. in 1958. The first “Chapter Day” was held in 1959; the first NCL Convention was held the following year. These meetings brought the growing membership together for an exchange of ideas and support.
National Charity League Today:
National Charity League, Inc. has a National Board of Directors, which represents the organization’s eight Regions and more than one hundred forty local Chapters throughout the United States. NCL continues to carry out its Mission — to provide service to its communities while fostering the mother-daughter relationship. Through our volunteer work today, we hope to make the world a better place tomorrow.
Portland, December 6th, 2012. Artists Repertory Theatre announced that Dámaso Rodriguez has been selected as the next Artistic Director beginning in January 2013. Rodriguez takes the artistic reins of the 30-year-old Artists Rep from retiring Artistic Director Allen Nause, who has led the company for the past 25 years. Well known in Los Angeles for his daring, thrilling and visceral work as a multiple award-winning director, Rodriguez will direct the West Coast Premiere of Ten Chimneys, by Jeffery Hatcher, as his Artists Rep directorial debut in April.
Dámaso Rodriguez, photo credit Shawn Lee (2012)
To join Artists Rep in Portland, Rodriguez is leaving his position as Co-Artistic Director of Los Angeles’ Furious Theatre Company, known for its edgy, tightly-wound plays with a visceral aesthetic that he co-founded with an ensemble in 2001. From 2007-2010, Rodriguez served as Associate Artistic Director for Pasadena Playhouse when Artistic Director Sheldon Epps brought Rodriguez on as his protégé after working with him in his Artistic Director capacity with Furious, which began a residency at the Playhouse’s second stage in 2004.
Rodriguez was recently recognized as one of three finalists for the 2012 Stage Directors & Choreographers Society’s “Zelda Fichandler Award,” which is given each year to an “outstanding director who is transforming the regional arts landscape through theatre.” Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Artistic Director, Bill Rauch, won this year’s award.
The artistic leadership will transition over the next six months. Nause and Rodriguez will work together to select Artists Rep’s 2013/14 season and that time overlap will allow for both artistic and staff acclimation to the changeover.
Dámaso Rodriguez, incoming Artists Repertory Theatre Artistic Director offers this statement: “Artists Rep has been built from the humblest of beginnings into one of America’s great theatre companies by an exceptional group of artists, supporters and adventurous audiences. I am honored to follow Allen Nause in leading this extraordinary organization, and to partner with Managing Director Sarah Horton in building upon Allen’s inspiring legacy and Artists Rep’s boundless promise. I believe the company’s exquisite facilities with their intimate, yet expansive, performance spaces are among the most exciting in the world for the kind of visceral, immediate, heart-pounding and audience-moving theatre experiences on which Artists Rep has built its reputation – and those are the kinds of bold new plays I intend to keep producing. It is my intention to continue Artists Rep’s commitment to daring and challenging new work and to build the company’s reputation as a generator of provocative new plays and musicals. I endeavor to create a home for the region’s most talented writers and build an environment and process for nurturing new work that inspires writers from around the world to premiere their work in Portland. Additionally, I intend to expand over the months and years ahead Artists Rep’s Resident Acting Company into a larger Ensemble of Artists that will include writers, directors and designers, as well as actors. I hold a sincere, passionate belief in collaboration and that the ensemble model is the best way to form a community of artists, production staff and administrators. I am grateful to the Board for this opportunity and look forward to becoming a part of Portland’s world-class arts landscape and settling with my wife, Sara Hennessy, and our two children into this beautiful city and exceptional community.”
Artists Rep Artistic Director Allen Nause, who is retiring after leading the regional theatre company for past 25 years, says, “I am thrilled that Dámaso Rodriguez will be the next Artistic Director at Artists Repertory Theatre! I am absolutely convinced that he is the ideal person to lead our theater into the future. Dámaso has an artistic aesthetic that resonates beautifully with Artists Rep’s mission. His leadership experience combined with his collaborative nature will allow him to craft, inspire and guide Artists Rep for years to come.”
Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, in an interview with Los Angeles Times writer Charlotte Stroudt (published January 13, 2008) when Rodriguez was named Associate Artistic Director at Pasadena Playhouse, said, “You only learn this kind of work through on-the-job training. I had a similar opportunity at the Old Globe under Jack O’Brien when he hired me as Associate Artistic Director. I wanted to offer Dámaso the same chance, wherever he ends up.” Epps also said, “I’ve been very impressed with the quality of Dámaso’s work,” he says. “I appreciate his predilection for material that’s different than my own. His aesthetic is slightly off-kilter. But he always works with honesty and deep emotion. And he has a consistent ability to make actors soar.”
Sarah Horton, Artists Rep’s Managing Director, says, “I think Dámaso will help us answer the question that any organization faces when a founding vision leader leaves: How do we evolve and assert our continued relevance without straying from the heart of what’s always made us special?” Horton continues, “His respect for ensemble-driven work and his adventurous aesthetic are classic Artists Rep values. Those qualities are teamed with a drive and curiosity that extend beyond the stage and into the place where the theater lives. I’m very much looking forward to partnering with him.”
Kris Olson, Board Chair and Chair of the Artistic Director Search Team, speaking for Artists Rep’s Board of Directors, says: “We have been at this process since August of 2011, crafting the job profile, casting the net, winnowing the superb candidates to the best of the best, and bringing the top three (of over 100) to Portland for rounds of interviews and receptions with community members. Dámaso will be an outstanding addition to Portland’s artistic community and beyond. He brings the vision, energy and collaborative spirit to Artists Rep’s helm that our audiences have come to expect. I’m sure that in the years ahead, he will attract new audience members with his innovative theatrical sensitivity. We will all be proud to have played a part in bringing this extraordinary talent to our city.”
Dámaso Rodriguez Biography
Rodriguez is an award-winning director living in Los Angeles. He is a Co-Founder of Furious Theatre Company, an ensemble-driven theatre committed to daring, socially relevant new plays of visceral impact, where he served as Co-Artistic Director from 2001-2012. From 2007-2010 he served as Associate Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse, where he directed main stage productions and oversaw programming for the Playhouse’s second stage, including its Hothouse New Play Development Program. His directing credits include work at the Pasadena Playhouse, Intiman Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Laguna Playhouse, A Noise Within, The Theatre@Boston Court, Odyssey Theatre, The Blank Theatre, The Road Theatre and Furious Theatre.
Dámaso is a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, the Back Stage Garland Award, the NAACP Theatre Award, and the Pasadena Arts Council’s Gold Crown Award. In 2010,
Furious Theatre (more) Company was named to LA Weekly’s list of “Best Theatres of the Decade.” In 2012, he was honored as a finalist for the Zelda Fichandler Award. He is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Recent productions: Ruth & Augustus Goetz’ The Heiress (starring Richard Chamberlain), Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes (starring Kelly McGillis) and Austin Pendleton’s Orson’s Shadow (starring Sharon Lawrence) at the Pasadena Playhouse; the reading of Steven Drukman’s The Prince of Atlantis for the Pacific Playwrights Festival at South Coast Repertory, Clifford Odets’ Paradise Lost at Intiman Theatre; Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, Tennessee Williams’ The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under the Elms, Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma at A Noise Within. Furious Theatre credits include the Los Angeles premieres of Craig Wright’s Grace, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s Boom and Hunter Gatherers, Bruce Norris’ The Pain and the Itch, Yussef El Guindi’s Back of the Throat, Richard Bean’s The God Botherers,
Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things, and the world premieres of Alex Jones’ Canned Peaches in Syrup and Matt Pelfrey’s An Impending Rupture of the Belly and No Good Deed, among many others. His film directing credits include the darkly comic feature Pure Shock Value, which was selected as the Centerpiece Film of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and episodes of the web series A G.A.N.G. by screenwriter Matt Pelfrey (MTV’s Skins). More information at: http://www.damaso-rodriguez.com
Artists Repertory Theatre
Portland’s longest-running theatre company, Artists Repertory Theatre celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over the past three decades Artists Rep has made a name for itself offering adventurous plays – comedies, dramas and musicals alike – that are supremely entertaining, thoughtful and provocative. Artists Rep feeds our community’s artistic soul with premieres, re-imagined classics, new play development and educational outreach. More information at www.artistsrep.org
The 2012/13 Artists Repertory Theatre season is presented by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Premiere season sponsors are Ronni Lacroute/WillaKenzie Estate and The Oregonian. Season hotel sponsors are Mark Spencer Hotel and Hotel deLuxe. The 2012/13 radio sponsor is KINK.FM. Other support comes from Regional Arts Culture Council, Work for Art, Oregon Arts Commission, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, All Classical and Maletis Beverage.
Portland, October 30th. Nearly 1,000 corporate and business leaders joined the crowed at this year’s Governors’ Gold Awards where athletes were honored. (Photo credit Andie Petkus) This year’s Governor Gold Awardees include: Orville Roth from Roth’s Fresh Markets. Joe Weston, Wally Rhines from Mentor Graphics, Governor Victor Atiyeh, Governor Barbara Roberts, Governor John Kitzhaber, Governor Theodore Kulongoski, Tamara Lundgren from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Chip Terhune from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Gary Fish from Deschutes Brewery, Leesa Cobb and Aaron Longton from Port Orford Ocean Resource Team.
This year’s Governor Gold Awardees listed from left to right – Orville Roth from Roth’s Fresh Markets. Joe Weston, Wally Rhines from Mentor Graphics, Governor Victor Atiyeh, Governor Barbara Roberts, Governor John Kitzhaber, Governor Theodore Kulongoski, Tamara Lundgren from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Chip Terhune from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Gary Fish from Deschutes Brewery, Leesa Cobb and Aaron Longton from Port Orford Ocean Resource Team.
This year’s Governor Gold Awardees included Orville Roth from Roth’s Fresh Markets
Gerry Frank and Gov. John Kitzaber
This year’s Governor Gold Awardees included Joe Weston.
The benefit luncheon raised $230,000 at the event. One of Special Olympics Oregon supporters was also there, Mariel Zagunis; two time World Championship and a stunning two Olympic Gold medal winner.
Special Olympics Oregon athlete, Travis Koski, address the audience and thanks everyone for their support of Special Olympics Oregon programs and services. Travis is a gold medal winner in the pentathlon, enjoys public speaking and hanging out with his friends.
Nearly 1,000 corporate and business leaders joined the crowed at this year’s Governors’ Gold Awards. One of Special Olympics Oregon supporters was also there, Mariel Zagunis; two time World Championship and a stunning two Olympic Gold medal winner.
Governor John Kitzhaber, awards a Special Olympics Oregon athlete with this year’s Gert Boyle Greatness Award.
From 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.
Special Olympics Oregon holds events in every region of the state, every month of the year, providing athletes the opportunity to be competing and training as often as they choose.
Special Olympics athletes train intensely for eight weeks prior to each State Games event. Volunteer coaches are responsible for training the athletes. Volunteers must complete a certification program prior to becoming Special Olympics coaches and must attend training schools before each season.
Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in the state of Oregon to provide sports training and athletic competition for persons with mental disabilities. SOOR is accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI) and responsible for following the policies and rules established by SOI in the delivery of services in Oregon. It is known as a Program of SOI. A volunteer Board of Directors provides policy decisions and long-range planning for SOOR. The Board employs a staff of people to implement the day-to-day operations.
Portland, December 4th. “It was never in question for this calf,” explained Oregon Zoo director Kim Smith. “(She) was always going to live here.” The calf is the property of a private company, Have Trunk Will Travel, of Perris, California. But, zoo officials says they will retain possession of the country’s newest baby elephant, a 300-pound female pachyderm that hasn’t yet been named, though it won’t own the animal.
Oregon Zoo elephant keepers are asking the community to help them choose a name for the week-old female elephant calf. Keepers have come up with five names and are asking people to vote for their favorite on the zoo’s website: www.oregonzoo.org.
•Jaidee (Thai for “good-hearted”) •Sirikit (name for Thai royalty, literal meaning is “glorious”) •Rakhi (Sanskrit for “love/bond between siblings”) •Lily (following the flower theme of mom’s name, Rose-Tu, or Rose for short) •Siddhi (Sanskrit for “perfection”; wife of Ganesha)
“The outpouring support for the zoo and its newest resident has been incredible,” said Kim Smith, zoo director. “Rose-Tu and her calf are doing well. They’re bonding and comfortable with each other. Now it’s time to give the calf a name that suits her.”
Keepers are considering the following five names:
Jaidee (Thai for “good-hearted”)
Sirikit (name for Thai royalty, literal meaning is “glorious”)
Rakhi (Sanskrit for “love/bond between siblings”)
Lily (following the flower theme of mom’s name, Rose-Tu, or Rose for short)
Siddhi (Sanskrit for “perfection”; wife of Ganesha)
Votes will be accepted through Sunday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. The zoo will announce the winning name on Monday, Dec. 10. Here’s a video of the mother and daughter.
The Asian elephant calf, born Nov. 30 at 2:17 a.m., weighed a hefty 300 pounds at birth and has been described by zoo animal-care staff as a “spitfire.”
“The calf is beautiful, healthy, tall and very vigorous,” said Kim Smith, Oregon Zoo director. “As soon as she hit the ground — before she was even out of the amniotic sac — she was wiggling. And she’s vocalizing loudly. The first time we heard her, the sound was so deep and loud that we thought it was Shine. She’s definitely got a great set of pipes, and it looks like she’s going to be a real pistol.”
Smith said the calf is nursing well, and that Rose-Tu has been very attentive to her — great signs that their bond will be a strong one.
“Our keepers and veterinary staff have put an extraordinary amount of work and care into helping Rose-Tu bring her baby into the world,” Smith added. “The time spent training and preparing has paid off, and the outcome is exactly the one we’d hoped for: Rose is safe and healthy, and she has a beautiful newborn calf. Now that the baby’s here, we’re all excited to watch her bond with Rose-Tu and take her place in the herd.”
It might still take a little time before the new baby is ready for visitors though.
“The main thing determining that will be the strength of the bond between Rose-Tu and the calf,” said Bob Lee, the zoo’s elephant curator. “Rose should allow the calf to nurse regularly, sleep, play and generally act like a calf without trying to stop it and control its movements. Then we’ll determine whether she’s calm and comfortable with staff around. And finally, we want to make sure the calf has had a chance to bond with the rest of the herd.”
The Oregon Zoo is recognized worldwide for its successful breeding program for Asian elephants, which has now spanned 50 years. Rose-Tu’s mother, Me-Tu, was the second elephant born at the zoo (just months after Packy in 1962), and her grandmother, Rosy, was the first elephant ever to live in Oregon.
Asian elephants are considered highly endangered in their range countries, threatened by habitat loss and conflict with humans. Perhaps fewer than 40,000 elephants remain in fragmented populations from India to Borneo.
The Oregon Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, whose species survival plan for Asian elephants is striving to establish a self-sustaining population in North America.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on Asian elephants, polar bears, orangutans and giant pandas. The zoo relies in part on community support through donations to the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General zoo admission is $10.50 (ages 12-64), $9 for seniors (65 and up), $7.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo’s Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $4 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
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