While trophies and certificates are nice, sometimes the ability to torment an authority figure can be the greatest motivator when working with children.  Click here for photos of a recent fundraiser at Clear Lake Elementary School where two faculty members put up their own  egos in a challenge to the students.

A fourth grade teacher took the Nickelodeon approach, voluntarily taking a massive bucket of slime by the student who raised the most in the school’s  jog-a-thon.  Then, the school’s music specialist had his shoulder-length hair shaved clean off, taking him from rocker to cueball in a matter of moments (the hair was donated to Locks of Love).

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There’s the Rose City, Track Town and now Tree Campus USA.  Oregon State University has been named one of nine Tree Campus USA sites by the Arbor Day Foundation.  This is the inaugural year for the award that is bestowed based on each school meeting several, tree-related requirements, but Corvallis itself has been designated a Tree City USA site since the turn of the millennium.

                Every year, OSU plants about 50 new trees, tacking on to the 5,000 already on campus.  The title of Tree Campus USA also comes with 100 new trees to plant.  The timing couldn’t be better as staff point out that funding for new foliage on the campus has been declining.  There are already plans to go for a repeat; OSU will reapply for the honor in 2009. 

                The honor comes with a bit of irony, however, as the Oregon State mascot is the beaver . . .  sworn mortal enemy of the tree.  GoodNewsPDX has been told by one completely ignorant source that one condition of receiving the honor be that the school facilitate a peaceful negotiation between a family of beavers and a grove of mighty oaks.

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Here’s something you don’t see every day: average citizens, floating around a lake strapped to massive pumpkins.  It’s happening in Tualatin (and not for the first time we’re told).

The Fourth Annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta kicks off Saturday at 10 AM.  Contestants will pilot themselves around the Lake at Tualatin Commons in massive pumpkins (600-1,000 pounds).  All the gourd captains will be in costume and there will be plenty of entertainment on land for those not wishing to float along the waves inside a Jack O Lantern.

At this point, there is no word on plans for the vessels after they have sailed, but we are told by one culinary expert that all those pumpkins could make one hell of a pie.

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 If your car comes with a three-prong plug, you won’t need to scour Oregon City for an outlet anymore.  Oregon’s own “OC” is unveiling a new plug-in station on Main Street between 12^th and 13^th for electric cars.  

The free station opens to the public on Tuesday the 28^th.  Oregon City resident Mark Mongillo gets the first honors.  He rides around in a 1959 converted Fiat, comically called the “Fiamp.”

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Portland is now home to the BEST nursing school for men in the nation.  The American Assembly for Men in Nursing recognized the University of Portland with the honor thanks to enrollment growth and for ongoing support of teaching guys in a field that is typically dominated by women.

In five years, enrollment of guys has jumped by 75% and graduation rates have jumped 88%.  That’s compared to a generally flat rate of male enrollment and graduation in baccalaureate programs nationwide.

Credit for much of the growth goes to the late Terry Misener.  He passed away last year, just shy of a decade serving as the dean of the University’s nursing program.  The school will begin awarding grants in his honor this year.

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More than a dozen religious groups (all faiths) have answered the rallying cry of  Samira Godil.  Godil, the executive director of the Southwest Community Health Center in Multnomah Village, has seen the resource of free and low-cost health care  grow in use from 1,100 patients visiting  to over 1,600 with clinic hours nearly doubling in the process.  While need exploded, donations dried up.  In fact, while clinic visitors grew by nearly fifty percent, donations dropped by the same amount.

            So she reached out to various faith groups and they have responded remarkably, kicking in tens of thousands of dollars and dozens of volunteers to keep the clinic doors open.  Plus, a one-hundred thousand-dollar grant from Providence will lead to a new location, doubling capacity.

            You can read the full story from the Portland Tribune here:

http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122471305762326800

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Every year, the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction (i.e., “Head School Guy”) awards various institutions of learning and knowledge the coveted “School of Distinction” honor.  The acknowledgement is based on exceeding state averages in Math and Reading and only the top 5 percent get the proverbial merit badge.

                For the SECOND year in a row for Woodland Intermediate School and the first time that the TEAM Alternative High School has been tapped.  They credit their success to family involvement and continuously studying and implementing the latest and most effective teaching trends.  A special award ceremony was held locally for those who could not attend the state-wide party in Seattle.

The recognition comes with a plaque for display within the school, but, sadly, no life time supply of Lipton Iced Tea or Fabulous Cruise to the Bahamas.

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Three professors (one each from WSU Vancouver, Willamette, and Gonzaga) are staring at a check for $382K and some change, courtesy of the National Science Foundation.  The trio wants to develop the “Northwest Distributed Computer Science Department.”  Essentially, a network connecting campuses all over the Pacific Northwest in order to share ideas and resources.

                Aside from the practical, work-related applications, the NDCSD will be a great recruiting tool.  Organizers plan to host classes and meetings with kids in K-12 education as a way of introducing them to the field.  You can check out more info on the program online (where else?) at http://ai.vancouver.wsu.edu/nwdcsd

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You know that old bowl in the back of your downstairs cupboard that could be a rare pure silver heirloom, passed down for generations . . . . or could be something made out of tin your grandmother bought with Green Stamps?  Now you can clear up the confusion AND benefit a great cause.

            This weekend is the annual Palmer / Wirfs Antique and Collectible Show at the Expo Center.  In addition to pawing through piles of  jewelry, toys, china, glass and kitchenware, you can also have your own collectibles and antiques evaluated by experts.  There’s a $7 door charge for the Saturday and Sunday event, plus $5 per item you want evaluated.  All the proceeds go to the Sunshine Division, the year-round food and clothing relief agency that partners with the Police Bureau.

            For info on the event go to www.palmerwirfs.com

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Blazermania, Rip City, Greg-Oden-Malaria, whatever you want to call it, as we approach tip off of the new Trail Blazers season, excitement in Portland is reaching a fever pitch in regards to our lone professional sports franchise.  And while fans are usually accused of looking at their home team through a special lens, it is safe to say the people of Portland are NOT necessarily staring through Rose Colored Glasses.

            In a survey of all the NBA GMS, the Blazers are getting a lot of credit for having a decent squad and making incredible moves in the off season.  Notable  in the poll, that Rudy Fernandez is considered one of the most underrated acquisitions all season, that the Blazers will be the most improved team in 2008-09, that Greg Oden is in the running for Rookie of the Year (would be twice in three years for Portland after Brandon Roy got that honor in 2006-2007), AND that, of the rookies this season, Oden will be the best player in five years.

            Read the whole survey here: http://www.nba.com/2008/tipoff/10/21/gmsurvey.rookies/index.html

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