Portland News and Events for Jan. 24 Through Feb. 2015

PHOTO: In honor of Black History Month, the American Red Cross encourages African American donors to give blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Blood from a donor with a similar ethnic background as that of the patient is less likely to cause complications, particularly for those patients whose chronic conditions require repeated transfusions. Sickle cell disease is one such chronic condition affecting as many as 100,000 people in the United States. All blood types are currently needed to help maintain a diverse blood supply, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Photo courtesy Red Cross

Chess for Success Regional Tournaments

This Saturday, Chess for Success will host the regional chess tournaments for K-12 students in the state of Oregon, Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. at Astor K-8 and Parkrose Middle School.

Students with top scores at the regional tournaments qualify to compete in the Chess for Success State Championships held at the Oregon Convention Center March 13-14.

Playing chess helps students develop high-level critical thinking and analytical skills and builds self-esteem. The regional tournaments give students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and play against opponents from other schools in the same region.

Tournaments give students the opportunity to participate in athletics for the mind. During regional tournaments, students can compete both as teams and individuals. Each child is rated as beginner, intermediate or advanced and will be matched with players of the same skill level. Tournaments consist of five rounds of chess. For more information go to www.chessforsuccess.org.

Portland’s Black Creative Collective @ Work

Stop by the Collins Gallery at the Central Branch of the Multnomah County Library from Jan. 24 through March 8 to check out a curated installation of Portland's Black creatives mobilizing visual art, printed materials, movement, and voice to honor and celebrate the intersection of interests, histories, and cultural production of our community.

Then join the poets, performers, and image makers of Portland’s Black Creative Collective: BrownHall for an art-filled Opening Reception on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 pm.
Featuring: Akela Jaffi Auer, Turiya Autry, Samiya Bashir, Aasha Benton, Aisha Edwards, Diamond Ferguson, Chris Fuzell, Keyon Gaskin, Jamondria Harris, Elijah Hasan, Lin Lucas, Nakeia R. Medcalf, André Middleton, S. Renee Mitchell, Sidony O'neal, Alex Riedlinger, Jonny Sanders, Sharita Towne, Tasha Triplett, David Walker.

Free and open to the public, Collins Gallery, 3rd Floor Central Library, 801 SW10th Avenue, Portland.

For more information go to www.multcolib.org/events.

Help with Grieving

“Seven Strategies: Coping with the Recent Death of a Loved One,” is offered for the next two months at Providence Health facilities. The free, one-hour presentation is open to anyone in the community who has been bereaved in the past year.

The workshop offers suggestions on how to cope during the weeks and months following the death of a loved one, including information on additional resources available in the community. You are welcome to attend any one of the following presentations.

Eastside

Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 11 am – noon or Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 – 8 p.m.
Cancer Center Room C

Providence Willamette Falls Community Center, 519 15th Street, Oregon City, Monday, Feb. 9, 11 am – noon, Conference Room C

Westside

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, (East Pavilion Entrance), 9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland, Thursday, Jan. 15, 7 – 8 p.m. or Tuesday, February 24, 1- 2 p.m., Stanley-Shaffer Room 22

Providence Newberg Medical Center, 1001 Providence Drive, Newberg, Saturday, Jan. 24, 1- 2 p.m., Dundee Room

Because of limited space, registration is appreciated. For more information or to register, please contact Anne Kister at 503-215-4636 or [email protected].

The Million Cat Challenge

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington joins animal shelters across North America to save the lives of one million more cats in the next five years. It's all part of a joint campaign of the Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida and the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.

Animals – including cats – are always available for adoption during shelter hours, 12 - 6 p.m. on Tuesdays - Sundays. For a list of all animals currently available for adoption, visit www.southwesthumane.org, or call 360-693-4746.

All pet adoptions include: Spay or neuter surgery, microchip ID system and national registration, vaccinations, free veterinary exam with a local participating veterinarian, animal training information and low-cost pet insurance options.

The Million Cat Challenge is based on five key initiatives that offer every shelter, in every community, practical choices to reduce euthanasia and increase adoptions for cats. For more info go to www.southwesthumane.org.

The Skanner News Celebrates Photo Archives Project

The Skanner News marks our 40th anniversary in publication – and partnership with the Oregon Historical Society – with a reception and chat about The Skanner News photo archives, Feb. 8 at the OHS lobby, 1200 SW Park Ave.

Speakers include The Skanner News Publisher Bernie Foster and Executive Editor Bobbie Dore Foster; Oregon Histprical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk; curator and archivists Eliza Canty-Jones, Jeffrey Hayes and Jack Falk; and longtime photographer for The Skanner News and former Portland Artist Laureate, Julie Keefe. The event is free, for more information go to www.ohs.org.

Animal-Themed Concert Benefits Portland Animal Welfare Team

Violinist David Ewart and piano accompanist Leslie Garman will perform an animal-themed concert to benefit Portland Animal Welfare Team on Friday, January 30, 2015 starting at 7pm at Tabor Space, 5441 SE Belmont, Portland.

Admission is free, suggested donation is $15 for adult, $5 for child 17 and under. Donations help PAW Team purchase medications and vaccines for the pets of the homeless and those living in extreme poverty.

The Concert in the Key of Woof and Meow features the world premiere of a canine soloist, and there will be a guest appearance by Hugh Ewart, Concertmaster Emeritus of The Oregon Symphony.

The program also includes two works by Vivaldi – Summer (from the Four Seasons) and Concerto for Two Orphans and Piano, as well as newly “de-arranged” selections from “Fiddler on the Woof”, Heifetz’ Round of the Goblins, and three pop-classics about how pets bring friendship, whimsy and peace into our lives.

PAW Team provides preventative veterinary care, exams, parasite control, and vital medications for the pets of people who are homeless or living in extreme poverty. PAW Team’s mission is to keep people and pets together through the most challenging times. For more information go to http://pawteam.org.

For more Portland and Seattle area events, check our Community Calendar.