We need your input to help shape the future of this project.
Portland, OR â€“ The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO) neutered its 50,000th cat on Friday, September 23, 2011, in Portland. Helping this landmark number of cats underscores the need for our services, and the tremendous amount of work that remains.
The landmark cat was a 5-month old grey and white kitten from Kelso, Washington named Oscar. He was born to a stray female cat who appeared outside the caregiverâ€™s home last fall. He and his two siblings were all neutered at the clinic on the 23rd. His mother was spayed by FCCO earlier this summer. The caregivers feed 13 cats and all of them are now spayed/neutered.
In Portland last year, 6,555 cats were euthanized. The number one reason for this? There are simply more cats than available homes. This overpopulation results in abandoned cats, left to fend for themselves and breeding even more homeless cats. FCCO helps end this tragic cycle, giving both the cats and the community a humane and effective solution: Trap-Neuter-Return.
How many kittens have been prevented? If 50,000 cats had just one litter of four kittens each, there would be 200,000 more kittens. This year FCCO will spay/neuter over 5,000 cats. At just one litter of four kittens each, FCCO will prevent 20,000 kittens this year alone.
What do 50,000 cats look like? The average length of a cat, from head to tip of tail, is 30 inches. Line up 50,000 cats and you have 23.7 miles of feline â€“ thatâ€™s a furry path from Beaverton all the way to Gresham!
Who can help? Anyone feeding feral or outdoor stray cats can bring qualified cats to an FCCO clinic. The number to call for help with feral and stray cats is 503-797-2606 or visit HUwww.feralcats.comUH for more information.
Founded in 1995, the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization supported solely through donations, is a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral and outdoor stray cats living in Oregon and southwest Washington. The goal of the program is to reduce suffering for existing feral cats and prevent the births and suffering of future generations. The program’s services are targeted for feral cats who have caregivers feeding them. The caregivers trap the cats, bring them to a clinic, and return the cats to where they are being fed with a commitment to feed the cat(s) on a permanent basis.
Save the date for Portland Farmers Marketâ€™s Great Pumpkin Event, sponsored by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainabilityâ€™s â€œInclude the Foodâ€ campaign to launch citywide food scrap composting. The event will feature a free pumpkin carving contest and childrenâ€™s costume parade. Kids get the chance to carve their own pumpkins and practice the art of composting by scooping the seeds straight into a Portland Composts! kitchen pail. Enjoy games, prizes, giveaways and an appearance by â€œBlaze,â€ the mascot of the Portland Trail Blazers. Free pumpkins and carving tools provided.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Activities will happen rain or shine.
Pumpkin carving: 9 a.m.- noon (or as long as pumpkins last)
Costume parade for children: noon -12:30 p.m. Bring your ghosts and goblins to the information booth at noon to join the parade through the Market.
Prizes will be awarded: 12:30 p.m. for best carvings. Pumpkins must be carved on-site in order to be eligible.
Portland Farmers Market hours: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University: near the music stage in the center of the Marketâ€™s north block. The Saturday Portland Farmers Market is located at Portland State University in the South Park Blocks between SW Hall & SW Montgomery.
All Portland-area children and adults are invited to carve a pumpkin. The costume parade is open to children. This event is sponsored by Portland Farmers Market and the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainabilityâ€™s â€œInclude the Foodâ€ campaign to launch citywide food scrap composting.
Information about curbside food composting and changes to the Cityâ€™s curbside collection service will be available at the Include the Food information table during the event. For more details on food composting, please visit www.portlandcomposts.com.
Hollywood will host the 37th annual Ross Hollywood Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2011. The parade begins at 9:45 a.m. at Northeast 40th Avenue and Hancock Street and travels east on Northeast Sandy Boulevard to Northeast 48th Avenue.
â€œThis is a wonderful event for Hollywood,â€ said Jo Schaefer, parade co-chair. â€œItâ€™s our chance to show our appreciation for veterans, active military and especially their families who bear the burden when their loved one is deployed. We have many bands and marching entries this year, including the historic horse-mounted Buffalo Soldiers Moses William Chapter of the 9th and 10th Calvary.â€
The Ross Hollywood Veterans Day parade is the only parade in the Portland area held on Veterans Day. Harold Ross, founder of Ross Hollywood Chapel, which continues to sponsor the annual event, first organized it.
Army veteran Dr. George Timmons, 91, Portland, will serve as this yearâ€™s grand marshal. Timmons was originally sent to the Pacific Ocean Theater of WWII as a member of a military band. However, he soon had to trade his trombone for a rifle and became part of the Armyâ€™s 41st Divisionâ€™s fight with the Japanese on Biak Island off New Guineaâ€™s Papua coast. Following his military service he served as assistant dean of education at Portland State University and led a swing orchestra for several years.
â€œThis is an opportunity to say â€˜thank youâ€™ to those who have served in our nationâ€™s military and those who serve today,â€ said Michael Wolfe, general manager, Ross Hollywood Chapel, located in the Hollywood area. â€œShowing our support is especially important to veterans and active military families when our country continues to be engaged in two conflicts affecting many Oregon families.â€
Parade participants will include marching bands, the historic horse-mounted Buffalo Soldiers Moses William Chapter of the 9th and 10th Calvary, military service organizations and marching bands. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops will participate with parents and military veterans.
A memorial presentation at the Ross Hollywood Chapel, 4733 Northeast Thompson Street, will follow the parade. Covered seating will be available for seniors and those with disabilities.
Veterans are also invited to attend a free USO-style show following the presentation at the Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 Northeast 40th Avenue. Hollywood entertainer Tony Starlight, Tony Starlightâ€™s Supper Club and Lounge, will showcase music from the World War II years and refreshments will be served.
The Roseway Neighborhood Association is inviting all Roseway
neighbors to our last General Meeting of 2011 on Tuesday, October
11th at 7pm.
Please join us at the Grace Lutheran Church at
7610 NE Fremont (near NE 76th). We will discuss various topics
affecting our neighborhood as well as hold our General Elections!
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes to pull off our
neighborhood events??! Well, this is a perfect opportunity to join
our board and participate! We will be holding elections for various
officer positions and general board members. Nominate yourself,
or a friend or a spouse! Weâ€™re always looking for new members
to increase the diversity of our board, so come out and join us!
Itâ€™s your Neighborhood Association.
You donâ€™t have to be a board member to come to meetings or
participate in your community though, so donâ€™t be scared off if you
just want to see how things are going. Our general meetings are a
great opportunity for community members to check in and see what
is going on in the Roseway Neighborhood.
We hope to see you there!