Portland News and Events for Oct. 4 Through Oct. 25, 2014

PHOTO: Multnomah County’s restorative justice program held a Farm to Table dinner Saturday Sept. 27 at the county’s CROPS farm in Troutdale. The dinner showcased the work of youth in the Hands of Wonder and culinary arts programs.  Youth who complete the program gain work skills and a recommendation.  All the crops harvested at the farm go to Oregon Food Bank. Pictured here: gardens  Jerry Hunter tells guests about the programs at the farm. (Photo credit Helen Silvis)

Portland Fire and Rescue Accepting Applications

Come join us: become a firefighter! We’re dedicated men and women of every race and ethnicity. No matter our background, we can all climb ten stories with a tank of air strapped to our backs. Every day we save lives, property, and the environment. We save people from heart attacks, chemical spills, car pin-ins, and yes, we also fight fires. We are a team, and we’d like for you to join us and become a firefighter.

PF&R will be accepting applications online Oct. 13th -26 to take the firefighter entrance exam, which will be administered Dec. 17.
What does it take to become a firefighter? Compassion. Resourcefulness. Skills. Adaptability. Strength. And most important: a desire to help others. If that describes you, I encourage you to contact our recruiter to learn more about our testing process; call 503-823-3811 or email [email protected].

PassinArt: A Theater Company is holding final open auditions for its upcoming holiday production of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, Directed by Shalanda R. Sims.

PassinArt: A Theater Company is also holding open auditions for its upcoming Spring Production of Smoldering Fire by Kermit Frazier and directed by William (Bill) Earl Ray. Saturday Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4 - 6:30 p.m. at Ethos/IFCC 5340 N. Interstate Ave. The company is seeking 12 - 14 actors, of all ages. Please bring a headshot, or current photo, resume and come prepared with a one minute monologue. To schedule an audition, please call 503-235.8079 and leave your name and number or email your information to [email protected].

Celebrating Nigerian 54th Independence Anniversary

Nigerian Community in Oregon and Southwest Washington (NCOSWA) will host "Nigerian Day Event" on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street, Portland, Oregon.”

NCOSWA has raised funds to support the Northwest Medical Teams, Malaria eradication projects in Nigeria, Doembecher Children's Hospital, to name a few.
Please come and support our efforts by informing your community and friends about the Oct. 4 event, and bring your appetite to enjoy the buffet of African food. And don't forget to bring your dancing shoes. Keep in mind that some of your expenditure at the event will qualify as TAX DEDUCTIBLE contributions.

For further information contact Vitalis Ogbeama, 503-997-4812, or Chief Cosmas Nwerem, 503-421-6500, or Patrick Essien, 503-730-9139.

RACC Seeks Applications for New Public Art Murals

The Regional Arts & Culture Council is now accepting applications for mural funding through its Public Art Murals Program. Applications are due the first Wednesday of every month through June 2015.

Applications and guidelines are available at racc.org/public-art/mural-program. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. RACC’s review and approval process takes 4-6 weeks, and all proposals are reviewed by the Public Art Murals Program Committee, whose members include artists, arts advocates and other creative professionals. For more information, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503-823-4196 or [email protected].

On Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 am to noon, RACC will offer a free workshop to help artists understand the mural application process at the Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark St. For more information and to RSVP, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503.823.4196 or [email protected].

Another route for painting a mural in the City of Portland is through the city’s Original Art Mural Permit, which has different requirements and a fee of $50. Funding is not available through the City’s permitting process. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/50737 for more information.

Independent Police Review Recruits New Citizen Review Committee Members

The Independent Police Review is recruiting volunteers to serve three-year terms on the Citizen Review Committee (CRC) – an advisory body to IPR and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). There are five volunteer positions commencing in February 2015.

IPR, a division of the Auditor’s Office, is the city agency responsible for the civilian oversight of the Police Bureau. CRC members hear community and Police Bureau member appeals of police misconduct investigations, listen to public concerns regarding police conduct, engage in training and other activities to learn about policing, review Police Bureau policies and procedure, and advise IPR.

Due to recent city code changes, the CRC is now comprised of 11 members and CRC members serve on a rotating basis on the Police Review Board in use of force cases. The PRB is an advisory board to the Police Bureau that makes recommendations as to findings and possible discipline to the Chief of Police.

Applications are available at the IPR office in City Hall as well as on IPR’s website at www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/ipr. Candidates must be Portland, Oregon residents or business owners. Applications must be received at the IPR office in City Hall by 5:00 PM on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Delivery can be by mail or in person at 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 140, Portland OR, 97204, or through email at [email protected] or fax at 503-823-4571. If you have any questions, please call IPR’s main line at 503-823-0146.

Dancing Zombies Take Over the World; Portland Hosts 8th Annual Thrill the World SMYRC Benefit

Thrill the World, where hundreds of locals dress like zombies and dance Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” choreography, is coming up Oct. 25, for the eighth year in a row.

Each year, all proceeds from Thrill the World Portland benefit the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC), a local organization that provides services and a drop-in center for queer youth.

Dancers will have to learn the dance ahead of time. Practices will be at Fremont UMC, 2620 NE Fremont in Portland (practices are optional; dancers can learn at home with instructional videos on youtube). Practices occur Sundays from 2-4 pm, and Fridays from 6-8 pm, through Oct. 25.

For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/thrilltheworld.portland or email [email protected]

 Find more news and events in Portland and Seattle on The Skanner News Community Calendar