Portland News and Events for May 1-9, 2015

May Day Fundraiser for Black Midwives

Come celebrate International Midwives Month with a special screening of "Bringin' In Da Spirit," narrated by Phylicia Rashad. It’s a documentary celebrating the history of the Black midwives who committed themselves to holistic answers in the face of powerful misconceptions about the practice.

The event is Friday, May 1, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Terrell Hall, Room 122PCC Cascade Campus, 72 N Killingsworth St.

After the film, Shafia Monroe will moderate a panel discussion with Pastor E.d. Mondiane, Mariah Taylor and Willie Poinsette with reflections on the film and their stories about the midwives in their lives, the role that Black midwives play today and how to get more women to become midwives. After the discussion join the panelist, guests and the ICTC members for refreshments, socializing and purchase ICTC -T-shirts.

This is a fundraiser, reserve your spot by April 28 at www.ictcmidwives.org.

Cinco de Mayo on the Oregon Coast

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the 7th Annual Fish Taco Cook Off! Join us in the Culinary Center in Lincoln City on May 2 from 11am to 2pm. Restaurants from around the region will compete for the best fish taco on the Oregon Coast.

Fresh-made fish tacos from Roadhouse 101 will be available at the event as well as tacos from Pelican Pub and Brewery, Hearth and Table, and Lincoln City Mayor and restaurateur Don Williams. Taste tacos from each restaurant, then vote for your favorite with the Peoples Choice Award.

Ballots will be available during the cook-off at marked locations inside the Culinary Center.

Admission to the cook-off is free with fish tacos available for $1.50 each. Craft beer and local wine will be provided by the Wine Cellar @ the Eventuary, and an assortment of desserts from Captain Dan's Pirate Pastry Shop and My Petite Sweet.

The Culinary Center in Lincoln City is located at 801 SW Highway 101 on the fourth floor of City Hall. Four annual cook-offs are hosted by the Culinary Center: the Jambalaya Cook-Off in February, the Fish Taco Cook-Off in May, the Wild Mushroom Cook-Off on Oct. 3, and the Chowder Cook-Off Nov. 14-15.

For more information, contact the Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau at 800-452-2151 or visit www.oregoncoast.org.

Register Kindergartners Now for Fall

Children who are five years old on or before Sept. 1 are ready to be signed up for kindergarten. School offices close for the summer so it’s important to get the word out early to families and the community. Families needing help determining their neighborhood school should call 2-1-1, email children@211info.org or text their zip code to 898211. Free interpretation is available. “Register for School by June” materials are available at www.multco.us/sun/register

Registering for kindergarten before June 1 is one of the easiest ways to put children on a path for success in school.

Kindergarten transition activities vary by school, but can include summer reading programs, kindergarten transition programs and family orientation. All of the activities are designed to help children become comfortable with the classroom setting and reduce anxiety that parents often feel about leaving their kindergartener on the first day of school. Children learn their teacher’s name, meet their classmates, tour the school and learn basic classroom etiquette—all things that help them get focused for learning earlier in the school year.

Multnomah County Elections: Ballots Are in the Mail

Multnomah County Elections announces that the U.S. Postal Service has begun mailing ballots today, Wednesday, April 29, for the May 19 special election.
Each of the county’s 445,216 registered voters will receive a ballot. Multnomah County voters who do not receive a ballot by Thursday, May 7 can call the county elections office at 503-988-3720.

Multnomah County Elections is asking voters to help test out a new ballot tracking system in this election. Participating voters will receive alerts at several points on their ballot’s journey. Text, email or voice alerts will tell voters when the Elections Division has mailed ballots and when a completed ballot has been received back at the elections office. Alerts will say whether the ballot has been accepted or whether it has a non-matching signature or another defect that requires further action by the voter. Voters can participate by signing up at https://multnomah.i3ballot.net.

A voted ballot can be sent to the elections office with one first-class stamp or by dropping it off at any official drop site in Oregon. To find a drop box locator in Oregon, go online to www.sos.state.or.us/dropbox/#. Multnomah County voters looking for a convenient drop site also can go online at http://web.multco.us/elections/multnomah-county-official-ballot-drop-sites.

Voted ballots must be received by 8 p.m., May 19. For more information about the May 19 election, please visit www.mclections.org.

The St. Johns Bizarre Kicks Off Street Fair Season

The 9th annual St. Johns Bizarre is coming up May 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Now in its ninth year, the Bizarre is the perfect kick off event for Portland’s vibrant street fair season, with an eclectic lineup of local musical talent, dozens of craft vendors and artists, and a beer garden featuring only locally-brewed libations. And, as always, the Bizarre takes place on the same day as the historic St. Johns Parade, a North Portland favorite for 53 years.

On stage this year are: Tango Alpha Tango, Mic Capes, The Shivas, Sapient and Tezeta Band.

And just as in years past, the Bizarre kicks off with some great fun for kids and adults alike with a Western-themed physical comedy performance by Leapin’ Louie followed by a Bollywood dance class featuring music and instruction by beloved Portland mainstays, DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid. We'll also have a Puppet show from St. Johns locals, Puppet Central, a dance performance from The Aspire Project dance studio and a Square dance lead by The Flat Rock Stringband.

All in all, your kids are guaranteed a good night’s sleep after all this fun.

For more info go to www.stjohnsbizarre.com.

For more Portland and Seattle area events see the Community Calendar.