Portland, OR. Nearly 300 guests came together in celebration of Ride Connection’s 30th anniversary at its annual Going Places gala. A gracious customer, Carolyn Tracy, shared her story of how having access to transportation changed her health and her life. Elaine Wells, Ride Connection’s Executive Director of 24 years will be retiring in June; she was honored by Julie Wilcke Pilmer, Ride Connection’s deputy director and incoming Executive Director. The event on May 18th raised a record-breaking $119,000 and brought the organization only $5,000 away from its ambitious three year campaign to raise $1 million, which ends June 30th. The night ended with a heartfelt standing ovation to the organization’s outgoing Executive Director of 24 years, Elaine Wells. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Ian Jaquiss, Disability Awareness Trainer & Outreach Specialist at OHSU, and Jan Campbell, Information Specialist at Aging and Disability Services at Multnomah County
Kim Wilson, Owner at Holst Architecture with Kirsten Gwynn and Ben Ott, Designer at Holst Architecture
Carolyn Tracy shared her powerful story of how Ride Connection’s services saved her life.
Margaret Clark, Ride Connection volunteer and supporter
Ride Connection provides transportation services to older adults and people with disabilities in the Portland metro area. By offering a range of services from rides, training on transit or transit fare assistance, Ride Connection helps people who would otherwise be socially or physically isolated.
Portland, OR. The results are in and some local nonprofits, like B’nai B’rith Camp, are cheering. #OregoniansGive raised $1,543,163 on Tuesday, Nov. 29th. There were 5,908 donors and 12,680 gifts which will benefit 190 nonprofits. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Northwest Children’s Theater and School had the fourth most donations. (THE JUNGLE BOOK Directed by Sarah Jane Hardy. Produced by Northwest Children’s Theater and School. PHOTO BY: David Kinder)
Portland, OR. Oregon’s annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival called “Art In The Pearl” is off and running through Labor Day. Artists must submit their work in advance and only 130 were selected for the festival. “And They Danced!” is a hand drawn & hand cut paper insect sculptures made primarily using archival paper stock, illustration ink & acrylic paint. This collection, by artist Jennifer Ivory, represents larger-then-life butterflies from around the world.”Art In The Pearl” is free and has been named one of the top 10 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the country (source: Art Fair Source Book). The festival fills the Northwest Portland Park blocks with art, theater, music, and hands-on activities for people of all ages. Over one hundred artists show and sell work ranging from fine wooden furniture to beautiful paintings to photography, glass, clay, metal, jewelry, and more.
Here’s a sampling of what you can see this year:
“Introspection” is a hand sculpted mid fire figurative stoneware vessel containing 20 hand built ceramic stones, and antique miniature hand mirror, electric fired. It’s by Artist, Kina Crow.
“Matrix” was created using found automotive sheet metals and vintage license plates which were welded and riveted to steel panel. It’s finished with a clear enamel. Artist: Anthony Hansen
“Hot Tea” This piece is thrown in 2 parts + the spout. The handle is extruded. Body is altered. Glaze is sprayed. Artist: Gail Pendergrass
This is a booth with glass art by John Fields.
“Barn Door Credenza” is reclaimed Douglas Fir, antique barn door rollers, fabricated metal rail, milk paint. Door slides side to side along rail. Artist: Elliot Stith
Portland, February 1st, 2015. The Rose City Rollers are one of the top roller derby leagues in the country and the sport is gaining in popularity. The organization is run by volunteers. The nonprofit also raises money for other charities including “First Book Portland.” First Book Portland serves low-income families in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties by addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy–access to books. Rose City Rollers presented First Book with a check for $1,000 at the January Season Opener at Memorial Coliseum and collected 138 books from fans and league members for the organization.
The Break Neck Bettie’s Team taking a lap on the flat track.
The Guns and Rollers Team.
Roller derby used to be somewhat scripted. Now all of the games and plays are real. It follows the WFTDA rules developed for skater safety and competitive sports play. Elbow jabbing, for example, now gets a skater sent to the penalty box. The Rose City Rollers have no professional players. Skaters spend countless hours practicing and training, as well as working volunteer jobs to keep the league running.
Here’s all you need to know about the sport:
MISSION STATEMENT The Rose City Rollers develop women of attitude, athleticism and passion to play a hard-hitting sport of speed and skill. As pioneers in the rebirth of roller derby RCR continues to foster its growth. The league’s goals are to serve our community by empowering women and girls, providing entertainment for our fans and supporting charitable causes. (We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, formed in 2004, and a founding member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.)
VALUES Dedication- The dedication of fans, community and league members are the driving force of our success, and allows RCR to be self-owned and self-managed. Athleticism- Roller derby both requires athleticism and provides and outlet for fostering athleticism. RCR enables self-identified women of all levels of ability, ages and body types to train to play a sport. Empowerment – We express desire for our members to feel empowered by providing varied opportunities for personal growth. We foster individual empowerment through commitment to skate training, responsibility to teams, and work within the RCR community. Entertainment- Both the sporting and theatrical aspects of RCR entertain our fans, which is critical to the generation of revenue to meet our goals and to increasing the popularity of the sport, which fosters a sense of community. Community- We strive to be responsible members of each of the various communities that we belong to and on whom we rely for our success.
Visit our Homepage for information on events, try-outs, team standings, livestreaming links and much, much more!
http://www.rosecityrollers.com/
What are the teams?
Rose City Rollers is a league that consists of 4 home teams, 2 travel teams and a junior derby team (Rosebuds). Home teams include the Break Neck Betties, Guns N Rollers, Heartless Heathers and the High Rollers. Our travel teams are made up of all stars from the home teams: the Axles of Annihilation and our nationally ranked “A” team, the Wheels of Justice. We also have an expansion team, the Gorge Roller Girls, out of Hood River in the Columbia River Gorge.
What other teams do the Rose City Rollers play? Home teams play head-to-head with other home teams. The Axles of Annihilation take on competition from across the Northwest. The Wheels of Justice compete in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and take on the best teams from across the country. Once in a while, we’ll throw in a few surprises to keep our fans on their toes.
How much do games cost? Currently admission to games (also known as bouts) costs $14-$20 per person. Find out more on the Tickets page. Season passes are available, pro-rated as the season goes on so they’re always a good deal.
Where can I go see a game? We currently hold bouts at the Memorial Coliseum and The Hangar at Oaks Park. Maps and directions are available on the Locations page. Check out our Events page for upcoming bouts.
Can I join a team? We have tryouts every few months for our Fresh Meat training program. Check the tryouts page for further updates on the exact dates.
If you have skates and gear, you can play derby with our Wreckers recreational team! It’s a great place to get started on derby skills if you’re thinking about trying out.
Rose City Rollers play women’s flat track roller derby. Competitive league players and Wreckers must be over 18 years old. Teenagers should check out the Rosebud program. Men interested in playing derby should contact Portland Men’s Roller Derby.
How is the game played? Are there rules?
Basics: The pack starts four blockers from each team in the “pack” behind the pivot starting line. One jammer from each team lines up at the jammer start line behind the pack.
At the first whistle, the pack takes off. When the pack passes the pivot start line, a double whistle blast sends the jammers to start fighting their way through the pack. The first jammer through the pack without fouling any opposing players is called the “lead jammer” for that jam.
After the initial pass through, jammers receive one point for each member of the opposing team they pass. Jammers don’t need to be the “lead jammer” to score points. Each jam lasts a maximum of two minutes, but the “lead jammer” has the right end the jam at her discretion by placing her hands on her hips.
If you’re new to derby, keep an eye on your favorite team’s jammer. Then, watch the blockers to see how they help or hinder her.
Rules: Flat track roller derby has very specific, standard sporting rules. We follow the most recent version of the WFTDA rules. Have questions? Ask a roller girl. We tend to be pretty friendly off the track.
For those who don’t want a 30-page technical explanation, here’s a real simple video explanation:
How is the winner determined?
Whoever has the most points at the end of the last jam wins. The last jam occurs when the game clock reaches zero. Tie scores at broken by a final over time jam.
For bout outcome records, check our Statistics and Standings page.
What are the positions? Who is the girl with the star on her head? Roller derby has 3 player “positions.”
Pivot: Sets the pace for the pack and is the last line of defense. Wears a helmet cover with a stripe. Can become the Jammer through passing the star. Otherwise just another blocker.
Blocker: Plays offense and defense at the same time. Tries to stop the opposing team’s Jammer, and knocks around the opposing team’s blockers to help her own Jammer.
Jammer: Scores points by passing members of the opposing team. Wears a helmet cover with stars. Only the Jammers score points.
What are the penalties? What’s that referee whistling and waving about? Some of the most common penalties include use of elbows, blocking another skater in the back, and passing out of bounds (cutting the track).
What do these words mean? What’s a Bout? What’s a Jam? What’s a Pivot? This lexicon is intended to be a primer for new fans explaining the basic concepts of the game and the terms you’ll hear referring to our sport and gameplay. This is not a complete list of derby technical terms or rules. Terminology and definitions based on WFTDA ruleset published December 2009. Definitions influenced by the WFTDA rulebook glossary and Silicon Valley Roller Girls derby glossary.
Portland, December 6th, 2014. The Spinners, Illusionist Hart Keene from America’s Got Talent, Erik Swartz from Laff Factory in Los Angeles, and The Brown Sisters from Portland packed the Oregon Convention Center Ballroom for community leader Roy Jay’s annual “Spam and Velvetta” Holiday party. Audience members were encouraged to donate to various local charities. Roy Jay’s nonprofit also gave away use of a Toyota for a year, along with other prizes to say “Thank You” for support.
Roy Jay addressed the crowd.
New Portland Police Chief Larry O’Dea and wife Kay were among the 750+ people attending the Roy Jay annual “Spam and Velveeta” holiday event.
Retiring Portland Police Chief Michael Reese and his wife enjoyed the event.
CPA Joel Forbess and wife Tracey enjoyed the entire evening.
Marcia and George Hocker bought their tickets months before the event and got some of the best seats in the house. “Portland needs more first class events like this” says George. “Thanks Roy Jay for what you do for our communities”
The Spinners were a big hit with the crowd.
The event also recognized returning veterans and their families. Complimentary seating provided by KBNP Radio, Enterprise Holdings, TradeYa, Inc and Roy Jay Enterprises. Thanks to Roy Jay’s partners and members of the African American Chamber, the event encouraged the audience to donate to local nonprofits such as Lines for Life, M.I.K.E. Program, Highland’s Haven and Project Clean Slate.
Grand prizes this year included a 2014 Toyota Prius, Portland Trailblazer courtside seats, color televisions and much more. The 750+ guests enjoyed a nonstop professionally produced event that has become the “must attend” event of the holiday season. Jay says that his Las Vegas and Portland staffers are already working on a list of potential 2015 performers that are on the short list including Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Kool and The Gang and The Pointer Sisters.
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