Portland News and Events for Oct. 16 Through November 2014

PHOTO: Hundreds came out in North Portland for the Nigerian Community of Oregon and SW Washington this past weekend celebrated the 54th Nigerian Independence Day, featuring dancing and delicious food, Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Matt Dishman Community Center. Get involved in their events at www.ncoswa.org. Photo courtesy of NCOSWA

Dancing Zombies Take Over the World; Portland Hosts 8th Annual Thrill the World 

Thrill the World, where hundreds of locals dress like zombies and dance Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” choreography, is coming up Oct. 25, for the eighth year in a row.

Each year, all proceeds from Thrill the World Portland benefit the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC), a local organization that provides services and a drop-in center for queer youth.

Dancers will have to learn the dance ahead of time. Practices will be at Fremont UMC, 2620 NE Fremont in Portland (practices are optional; dancers can learn at home with instructional videos on youtube). Practices occur Sundays from 2-4 p.m., and Fridays from 6-8 p.m., through Oct. 25. 

For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/thrilltheworld.portland or email [email protected]

Hill Harper and Traci Rose on Celebrity and Social Change

Award-winner actor and bestselling author, Hill Harper, will headline Warner Pacific College’s 3rd Annual Diversity Lecture Series. The series, on Celebrity and Social Change will run for two Saturdays:

Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, with Hill speaking at the first session and Brown university professor and author Dr. Tricia Rose speaking at the second.

Hill Harper: 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18 at Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Ave, Portland.

Tricia Rose: 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25 at Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Ave, Portland.

How to Advocate for our Children

As part of the, We are Black. We are…. series, Portland African American Leadership Forum will host a meal and discussion on how to advocate for our children inside and outside the school system in order to ensure equitable access to educational and life opportunities. The discussion will be held from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday Oct. 18 at Highland Christian Center, 7600 NE Glisan St, Portland, Oregon.

Enjoy a free warm meal, and free youth programming along with the discussion. We are Black. We are…. also invites community members to a screening and discussion of the movie Dear White People, at 7:30 pm October 24 at the Regal Lloyd Center 10 cinema, 1510 Northeast Multnomah St., Portland.

Know a Family that Needs Clothes?

Families that need clothes are invited to Roosevelt High School community clothes closet. Families can shop for clothes and choose up to two bags. The clothes closet is open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9. The clothes closet is located in the brick building at the corner of North Smith and North Ida between the tennis courts and the football field.

Volunteers Needed to Teach BoyStrength, GirlStrength and WomanStrength Classes

Portland Police bureau’s family services division is looking for volunteers to teach BoyStrength, GirlStrength and WomanStrength classes. Training will be provided. To find out more Call 503-823-7467, email [email protected] or look on the police bureau website under the community tab.

Harvest Hoopla at Charles Jordan and St Johns Community Centers

St Johns Community Center invites children 9 and under to enjoy carnival games, snacks, crafts and more at Harvest Hoopla. 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8427 N. Central. $1 buys 5 game tickets. For more information call 503-823-3192.

Charles Jordan Community Center will hold its Harvest Hoopla event from 6 -8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9009 N. Foss. Free family fun. For more information call 503-823-3631.

Secrets of the Developing Brain

Did you know that the parts of the brain that help us control and regulate our own behavior develop later than the emotional changes triggered by hormones in adolescents? This is part of the reason why teens often take big risks and give in to peer pressure, more than adults or younger children. It may also help explain why depression rates rise during the teen years.

Presenter Bonnie Nagel, Ph.D. will give a free Lecture: 7 p.m. Oct. 16, in the OHSU auditorium. Find out more at www.ohsu.edu.

RACC Seeks Applications for New Public Art Murals

The Regional Arts & Culture Council is now accepting applications for mural funding through its Public Art Murals Program. Applications are due the first Wednesday of every month through June 2015.
Applications and guidelines are available at racc.org/public-art/mural-program. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. RACC’s review and approval process takes 4-6 weeks, and all proposals are reviewed by the Public Art Murals Program Committee, whose members include artists, arts advocates and other creative professionals. For more information, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503-823-4196 or [email protected].

On Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 am to noon, RACC will offer a free workshop to help artists understand the mural application process at the Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark St. For more information and to RSVP, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503.823.4196 or [email protected].

Another route for painting a mural in the City of Portland is through the city’s Original Art Mural Permit, which has different requirements and a fee of $50. Funding is not available through the City’s permitting process. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/50737 for more information.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 2014 Light the Night Walk

The Light the Night Walk, a fundraising event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. starts at 5 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Oregon Convention Center.

The LLS’s Light the Night Walk honors survivors and patients but it’s also a chance for anyone whose life has ever been touched by blood cancer to share their story.

Directly before the walk, a remembrance ceremony will take place to remember all of the loved ones who have been lost to cancer and pay tribute to their lives and legacies. Once the walk starts, lanterns will be held high in the air as supporters march down the Portland Waterfront. Entertainment, food and beverages will be provided throughout the 1.75-mile non-competitive walk.

For more information, or to register, visit the walk online at www.lightthenight.org/oswim, call 971-230-2291 or visit the group’s Facebook page.

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