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There are still a few seats available for the big Ronald McDonald House fundraiser this weekend but they are going fast. Guests will dine on top-fare at The Nines hotel while bidding on all kinds of great prizes (we’re particularly curious about the Need for Speed package which includes a ride in an airplane and race car).
To get one of the last tickets, go here.
Janie Marsh - Goodwill's National Graduate of the Year
Every year, Goodwill honors one person who goes through their job training program with the Graduate of the Year honor. It’s tough to earn. In fact, the plaque has never even visited the west coast.
That is until now.
Janie Marsh brought the recognition right to Oregon for her years of hard work towards a goal of a better life.
Drinking and drugs started early for Marsh and she quickly found herself in and out of jail, focused only on getting her next fix. But, when she landed in Coffee Creek correctional institute, she connected with a Goodwill training program.
Once she got her freedom back, she kept and maintained a job and began pursuing an education. Now, she’s headed for a degree from the UO (with help from merit-based scholarships no less) in Landscape Architecture.
Way to go Janie Marsh!
For more info on the Good Work GoodWill does, go here.
All of New Cascadia Traditional's goodies are gluten free
As the economy continues to hit the snooze alarm, we here at GNPDX like to highlight businesses that are doing well in Portlandia. You don’t get much better than New Cascadia Traditional.
It started as a once a week stand at one of the Portland farmer’s markets a few years. Then, they added a second farmers market. Then a kiosk in north west PDX. Now, a full service coffee shop in SE with plans to start wholesale operations soon.
Nifty, huh?
Even cooler, New Cascadia’s products are all gluten free so completely safe for anyone with a wheat allergy (there’s some vegan fare to be had as well).
Not to be biased, the GNPDX has had the chance to sample their treats and believes that the cupcakes served at NCT are better than anyone in town. Period.
Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself at the GRAND OPENING Friday from 8-5. Details are here.
Here’s an idea. Joe is an attorney and has a light work load right now. But he really could use some personal training. Sally is a personal trainer with only a half-full client load, but she needs help around her house. Jackson is a carpenter with some spare time, but wants to update his will.
Would be kinda nifty if this trio could workout a three-way trade, right?
Now they can at Dibspace. The online barter system uses Dibits as a type of currency. Users earn and spend dibits helping each other and in just a few months, it’s gathered thousands of users in Seattle.
The system is starting to get a foothold in PDX. For more info, check out their site.
The Oregon Re-modelers Assoc has pitched in to help Make A Wish in the past, but for the first time, they’re inviting the foundation to the big Re-modeler’s Show. At a special auction gala, people can bid on tons of packages like a garage or kitchen make over while dining on top-quality fare and free drinks.
For more info on getting in to the party, go here.
The Lincoln Restaurant will donate 10% of proceeds tonight to Race for the Cure
Instead of running, a group of hungry diners will be doing their part in the fight against breast cancer by sitting down at a table for a lovely meal in North Portland.
It’s a fundraiser at the Lincoln Restaurant. Owner and Maitre D Chris Welch spoke with GNPDX about the effort. He says a very close friend runs in the Race for the Cure every year and is battling cancer herself. Rather than make their standard, personal donation, Welch and crew decided to let their customers get in on the act by donating 10% of the take tonight to the race.
He won’t guess how much they’re going to raise but he says they have fingers crossed that it tops the $500 mark. Reservations are available. For more info check out their website.
Wilma McFall grew up around horses
When Wilma McFall was a little girl, she was always riding a horse. You could say she grew up on a horse. But at 94-years-old, saddling up isn’t nearly as easy as it used to be.
Enter the Chehalem Springs Assisted Living facility. That’s where McFall lives and later today, she’ll be saddling up again thanks to the Ageless Dreamers program.
It works like Make A Wish but for adults. The wishes tend to be about reliving memories from their past like sledding down Mount Hood or going fishing.
There are lots of ways to get involved. Click here for more info.
There’s a cool new performing company forming right now in Vancouver. They offer free instruction in all things musical theatre at NO COST to families (plus it’s only a two-hour, twice a week commitment so kids can do other things like soccer).
For more info check out the Metropolitan Performing Arts page.
Massage Envy stores across the US are donating part of their proceeds to fight Breast Cancer next week. $10 per hour appointment on Tuesday the 15th which will total between $250 and 500,00.
All the money spent at local stores will STAY at Portland facilities. Appts are booking fast so call now to sign up.
There will be a lot of red around the Rose Quarter September 13th and it has NOTHING to do with the Trail Blazers. It’s the annual STEP OUT walk to fight diabetes. So far organizers have about 1,000 people signed up and expect to raise $200K at the event. Walks are planned all over the country.
For more info visit the American Diabetes Association here.
