Portland News and Events for Aug. 30 Through September 2014

PHOTO: When Jason Washington of Brothers Gaining Equality through Excellence and community organizer DeMarcus Preston decided to start a “Take Back the Streets” movement against violence, the Community Cycling Center stepped up to sponsor their work with a big kickoff event last weekend.

Come to St Andrew for Last Thursday Music

Music in a Sacred Space is presented at  Last Thursday on Alberta, at St Andrew Catholic Church, at  Ninth and Alberta Streets, Aug. 28, from  6-7 p.m.

From  7-8 p.m.,  the St Andrew Gospel Choir  runs through their favorites the way they are to be: vibrant and extemporaneous, under the direction of Willie Binns. Dancing kids welcome.  
Starting at 8 p.m., Catherine and Eddie Murphy and Company, St. Andrew musicians for over 25 years, will present a "fiddle-centric" array of folk, traditional, and international songs and tunes. 
The evening ends with Benjamin Zuelsdorf  sharing jazz, rhythm and blues music.
 Find out more at www.standrewchurch.com.

Mayor Joins Mitchell Jackson for Film Screening

Mitchell S. Jackson on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Mission Theater, 1624 N.W. Glisan St., will join Mayor Charlie Hales for a Q&A following the screening of The Residue Years: The Documentary, which traces the story behind his book, “The Residue Years.” The question-and-answer session will focus on one of Mayor Hales’ top priorities: Young people in Portland's black community. The film starts at 2 p.m., followed by the Q&A until 4 p.m. Tickets are $5, available at http://portlandfilmfestival.com/.

Audition Notice for Portland’s ‘Black Nativity’

PassinArt: A Theater Company is holding open auditions for its upcoming holiday production of “Black Nativity by Langston Hughes,” directed by Shalanda R. Sims.
Open auditions are scheduled for Sept. 4, from 6 to 8: 30 p.m. at Ethos/IFCC 5340 N. Interstate Ave.  The company is seeking singers both males and females males ages 17 and up. 
 Please bring a headshot, or current photo, resume and come prepared with a one minute monologue and song of your choice. 
To schedule an audition, please call 503-235.8079 and leave your name and number or email this information to p[email protected].

Neighborhood Emergency Team Trainings – Sign Up Now

The City of Portland has two scheduled Basic Training classes coming up: one in Linnton in September, and another in New Columbia (Portsmouth neighborhood) in October.

The trainings are designed to train local neighbors on how to take charge and help their block in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster. Space is limited and participants are urged to sign up now.

This class will cover all basic curriculum to become certified as an active member of Portland's Neighborhood Emergency Team Program.

You do not need to reside in Linnton or New Columbia to take the training at either location.

Get links to the signup page by contacting the NET Coordinator Jeremy Van Keuren, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, at 503-823-4421 [email protected]
Also, a two-day Ham radio course is being offered at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13. The class is free and all materials are provided. The exam fee, however, is $14.
If you are interested in joining the class, please email Eric Kosko at [email protected].

The Celebration of Wild Steelhead Returns

U.S Fish and Wildlife and Soul River /NCO  are teaming up with other area vendors to organize a fun-filled, family-friendly outdoor music event, The Celebration For Wild Steelhead.

The weekend celebration kicks off Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. in Peninsula  Park where there will be instructional workshops, giveaways, and a live reggae/blues performance by The Rising Buffalo Tribe. The event runs until 6 p.m.

The celebration promotes ethical and respectful fly fishing and the conservation of Wild North American Steelhead with a fun filled day of music, fly fishing workshops, conservation, and other exciting activities.

There will be free fly fishing instructional workshops that cover fly casting, fly tying, responsible practices, as well as conservation seminars. Soul River will also be giving out free beginner fly rod kits to youth in attendance (quantities are limited).

5th Annual Black Parent Initiative  Symposium

The Black Parent Initiative hosts its 5th Annual Parent Symposium: Saturday, Sept. 6, at Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Ave.

 The Symposium will provide parents and community members with the opportunity to gain practical knowledge about best practices needed when raising Black children.

This year’s Symposium will focus on identifying the giftedness and needs of your child, building healthy cultural identity, and strengthening parental strategies for supporting educational and emotional success both in and outside of the home.

The featured performers, Black Violin is the blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music.

For more information go to www.thebpi.org.

Pet Specials at Multnomah County Animal Services

The Multnomah County Animal Shelter located at 1700 W Historic Columbia Highway in Troutdale is urgently seeking the public’s help adopting or fostering animals for a short period of time in their home.

As the region’s only open-door shelter that accepts all stray animals, the shelter is at 105 percent capacity. 

Throughout the month of August, the shelter is offering a discount on adoptions with its “Pretty in pink” adoption special. All shelter pets designated with the color pink can be adopted for just the cost of a license fee. That's $25 for dogs and $12 for cats.

If you can’t adopt right now? There are other ways to help especially with our community’s cats.

Find out how you can help at www.multcopets.org.

You And Your Racist Brain: The Neuroscience Of Prejudice

Science on Tap is a science lecture series where you can sit back, enjoy a pint, and laugh while you learn,  Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver, Wash. Doors at 6 p.m. event at 7 p.m.
Cost is $8 online advance tickets, $10 suggested cover at the door with beer, wine, pizza slices, popcorn and snacks available.

Dr. Larry Sherman, a senior scientist in the Division of Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) will explore the neuroscience behind prejudice and racism. He will discuss the so-called "cross-race effect" and how the brain can overcome this reaction, raising intriguing possibilities about how prejudice and racism can be reversed.

Listen to experts talk about the science in your neighborhood and around the world. You don't have to be a science geek to have fun--all you need is a thirst for knowledge.
of the cast of the musical "Parade," a theatrical telling of the story of the murder of Mary Phagan and the trial of Leo Frank.
For more information go to www. viaproductions.seatengine.com

Mitchell S. Jackson selected for Everybody Reads 2015

In January, 2015, Multnomah County Library will launch Everybody Reads 2015, the library’s 13th annual community reading project, with Mitchell S. Jackson’s debut novel, “The Residue Years.”

Set in 1990s Portland, The Residue Years is Jackson’s semi-autobiographical account of a family’s struggles in a neglected black neighborhood of a predominantly white city. 

Mitchell S. Jackson received an M.A. in writing from Portland State University and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from New York University.

He has been the recipient of fellowships from Urban Artist Initiative and The Center For Fiction and teaches writing at New York University. His writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, Salon, and Vice Magazine.  

Jackson will speak on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets are available from Literary Arts.

To read more about Multnomah County Library, visit www.multcolib.org.

Entrepreneurship Course for Baby Boomers Coming to Portland

Portland-area residents aged 50 and over soon will be able to learn how to more effectively turn their entrepreneurial ideas into business success thanks to a new program from Kauffman FastTrac® and AARP. “FastTrac NewVenture™ for the Boomer Entrepreneur” is specifically designed to help Baby Boomers who are considering entrepreneurship to hone their unique strengths, experience and expertise in order to start their own businesses.

The 10-week course will meet one evening per week beginning on Sept. 16 at the Avita Business Center, located at 5257 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Portland. In an outreach to its membership, AARP is offering $500 scholarships to 60 aspiring entrepreneurs who were born prior to 1965. Learn more at www.states.aarp.org/category/oregon.

YWCA Clark County Holds Open House for Volunteers

YWCA Clark County will host a free open house on Thursday, Sept. 4, 6-7:30pm for prospective volunteers to learn about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities available at YWCA. Staff will be available to discuss how volunteers contribute to the mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. No reservation is needed.
Opportunities include providing advocacy and support to survivors of assault, representing the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system, offering encouragement and information to women who are incarcerated, and supporting the safety and healing of families experiencing domestic violence. Additionally, volunteers with previous experience can help out in a preschool classroom, assist youth aging out foster care, or provide support for trainings on racism and social change.
To learn more about volunteering at YWCA Clark County, visit www.ywcaclarkcounty.com/volunteer or contact Nichole Peppers at 360-906-9112 or [email protected].

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