ICTC’s Women Birth Wonders fundraiser this Saturday.

International Center For Traditional Childbearing (on MLK) is hosting “Women Birth Wonders” a silent auction fundraising event, for ages 21+ and a woman only event – this Saturday evening!  Tell us a story about a wondrous woman in your life. Listen to others, mingle, eat, drink and laugh, and maybe even some dancing.  A sisterhood for all women of the world. $20.00 per ticket; enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and dessert, plus great music.

Visit www.ictcmidwives.org to purchase a ticket. ICTC is located at 3821 NE MLK Boulevard.

ICTC has free baby clothes to give, doula birth companion services, Celebrate
Your Pregnancy Day of fun, hot birth topics and fun, as a culturally
specific group for African American women to share concerns while
pregnant.  Child birth classes and breastfeeding support groups. The ICTC
Pregnancy and Family Resource is a healing space for pregnant women and
new parents.

White Out? The Future of Racial Diversity in Oregon

The Portland Playhouse is pleased to host this Conversation Project from Oregon Humanities!

White Out? The Future of Racial Diversity in Oregon
From the Oregon Humanities Conversation Project
Saturday, April 28th, 1:30 – 3:00pm
At Portland Playhouse 602 NE Prescott St., Portland OR, 97211

Willamette University professor Emily Drew will lead participants in a conversation about the challenges to creating racially diverse, inclusive communities, despite the accomplishments since the civil rights era. What does the racial integration of place require of us, and how might we prepare to create and meet this opportunity?
Click for full program description

Free and open to the public!

Old Town Pizza Grand Reopening Party – Thursday, 5-7 pm

Old Town Pizza, on NE MLK Blvd., was set to launch its 7 barrel brewery in mid-March, however a fire two days before the event caused the restaurant to close immediately. On Thursday April 26, Old Town Pizza will officially reopen.
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Out of business for more than six weeks and with over $300,000 in repairs completed, Old Town Pizza will now be able showcase their newly crafted beers. To the rescue were two local businesses while Old Town was down. Rock Bottom Brewery shared their space with Head Brewer, Scott Guckel, to develop a collaborative S.T.E.A.M beer that is now available at both locations. Aviary Restaurant kindly hosted a benefit dinner paired with Old Town Brewing Company’s new craft beers.
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Old Town Pizza is welcoming the neighborhood to join their staff for free appetizers from 5-7pm on Thursday, April 26. On tap will be the brewery’s Pale Ale, IPA, American Wheat, Stout, Irish Red, Winter Ale, S.T.E.A.M., and Porter.
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Established in 1974 with the opening of its original landmark location in Old Town’s Merchant Hotel building, Old Town Pizza is a Portland legend known for its incredible pizza, cozy atmosphere and bustling happy hours. With two locations and a brewery, the restaurant has garnered attention from shows like Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels, The Tonight Show, and The Travel Channel. “An icon, a must, something to check off your To Experience Before You Die list,” says Portland Picks.

King PTA Health Fair and 5k Fun Run This Saturday

The King School PTA will host a health fair in the King Facility lot, home of the farmers market, this Saturday, April 28th. Preceding the fair will be the first annual King 5k Fun Run. Registration for the run is $20 and can be had by emailing 5k@kingpta.org. Registrations will be accepted on-site the day of the run, but t-shirts may be limited.

To see the route map and learn more, go to: www.kingpta.org/5k-fun-runhealth-fair

The King Neighborhood Association will be on hand at the event. Come see us!

Gathering of 100 Women this Saturday at First AME Zion Church

From Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church:

Good morning friends:

I’m sending this message on behalf of “Connected”, the group who has walked in Holladay Park since April of last year as a result of the loss of young brother Shiloh Hampton and the determination to do everything possible to reduce violence. This group is Co-Chaired by Brother John Canda and Elder Rob Richardson and I’m one of nine Board Members. Many people on this e-mail have walked with us or has had a desire to, but have not been able to make it. If you haven’t and wish to, feel free to meet us in Holladay Park or the Lloyd Center Food Court. We have two session times to walk from 30 minutes to an hour (your discretion) one starts at 4:30 PM and the other 6:00 PM each Friday. As we get further into Daylight Savings Time we may consider, as we did last year, making the second start time 8:00 PM. You don’t have to call anyone or e-mail ahead—just show up in either place on any given Friday. We committed ourselves to walk until God tells us not to. Next Friday marks a year since we started and I don’t see any signs we will be stopping soon. All glory to Him.

The North Precinct’s Command Staff of the Portland Police Bureau has lauded the work of “Connected”, often publicly, and states that among other things, our presence or “Ministry of Place”, has help reduce the amount of crime in the park by over 30% between 2011 and 2012.

In recent months there has been a clarion call about 100 women coming together along this same line, but an emphasis might be on supporting the needs of young women as they make healthier choices, need or desire mentoring, and help transforming their lives.

An initial meeting for 100 women is scheduled for this coming Saturday 11:30 AM-1:00 PM at First AME Zion Church on the corner of Skidmore and Vancouver Avenue. We realize there are a lot of functions going on these days, but there will never be a “best time” to schedule a meeting. So those that can make it, please do. A light lunch will be provided and you’re welcome to bring your children if you don’t have anyone to babysit them and/or it will prohibit your attendance.

We envision a sharing of the work we’ve been involved with, discussion you have about where you would like to see this gathering go, an ask from “Connected” about supporting the efforts underway, and direction you decide that day.

Many blessings to all of you,

Pastor H.