Oregon

The morning started off a little chilly for the 26^th annual Teddy Bear Parade, but the kids didn’t notice a bit.  Spectators lined the streets of Gresham to see the stream of floats and groups celebrating Gresham wind their way through downtown Gresham, Oregon.   As the parade was about to begin, the parking lot of East Hill Churchwas buzzing with cheer leaders, mascots, balloons, and of course,Teddy Bears.  The Well’s Fargo horses drew quite a bit of attention, as did the Great Dane and Grey Hound rescue groups.

Corey’s Child Care , a local registered in home daycare and preschool also rode in the parade with kids and parents in Vern White of White’s Enterprises’  big yellow Mercedes Unimog.  When asked what they love about marching in the parade, the response was, “We love supporting our community, because without them, we wouldn’t be here, and besides, the kids love it.”  And love it they did, riding in the ex-military transport vehicle as they filled the air with the music of recorders.

 The favorite float this year was George Morlan’s Plumbing’s Animated Lion float.  Spectators young and old love coming to the Teddy Bear Parade every year to see their family and friends march in this annual event, and no one left feeling let down.  The 26^th annual Teddy Bear Parade was a success.  

The Soroptimist International of Gresham, a club for professional women, is presenting the 26^th Annual Teddy Bear Parade in Historic Downtown Gresham on Saturday, September 27^th at 10:00 a.m.  Over 35 groups will be marching in the parade, and nearly 4,000 spectators are expected to attend.

The parade will begin at East Hill Church, 701 N Main Ave, and will wind through downtown Gresham, then back to East Hill Church.

Groups marching in the parade will be holding, displaying, and even dressed as teddy bears.  Hundreds of the furry bears are expected to attend.

The Soroptimist holds this parade every year as a fund raiser for women’s education and homeless shelters. 

The Teddy Bear got its name from President Theodore Roosevelt.  After an unsuccessful bear hunt, a bear cub was captured and brought to him to shoot.  The President declined, dubbing the bear “Teddy’s Bear”, which became one of America’s favorite toys, the Teddy Bear.

Directly after the parade, the Gresham Downtown Development Association will be holding its annual Bike Safety Fair.  This free event begins at noon, and ends at 2 p.m., and will be held in the grassy area near East Hill Church.  There will be games, prizes, booths, and free bike helmets for the first 600 kids.  For more information on this event call (503)665-3827.

On October 26, 2008, the dead will come to life and descend upon cities worldwide to make their bloodthirsty flesh eating presence known, for this day is National Zombie Day.  Have you ever been curious about what it would be like to safely walk among the undead?  Or do you dream of shuffling along in full make up along with them?  Either way, they will be wandering the streets of Portland in search of brains.

The Zombie Walk was first recorded in Sacramento, California in 2001, and was called The Zombie Parade as a way to promote a film festival.  Zombie fans caught wind of the idea, and since then Zombie Walks have popped up all over the world.  On October 29, 2006, 894 zombies set a Guinness World Record at the Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh.  The Monroeville Mall was the set for ‘Dawn of the Dead’.  Unofficial reports have been made since of Zombie Walks in upwards of 1500 people.

Portland’s Zombie walk started in 2005 with only about 70 decaying cadavers, this underground event has grown to over 700 people in 2007, and they’re expecting even more this year.

Zombie Walks worldwide have turned their power towards charity, raising money for food banks, blood drives, and numerous other causes.  Portland’s Zombie Walk is fighting to stop world hunger.  The leaders of the walking dead are asking that all zombies participating in this year’s Zombie Walk to please bring donations of Non-perishable food.  Any non-zombies who do not have a donation will be subject to the mercy of the flesh-eaters.

More information about starting place and time to be announced.  For more information, go to zombiewalk.com.

What is the love of God?  Millions have debated this question for hundreds of years.  Is it in the church?  Is it in the rules of the bible?  Or is it in the strength and heart of the human spirit that is willing to do what’s right in the face of horror and sorrow?

The night was clear on September 16, 2008, when Preston Newby wife, Tara traveled along I-5 in Washington State.  Suddenly, traffic became chaotic, stopping and swerving so they wouldn’t hit a mighty elk that lay in the middle of the interstate.  Along the side of the road was a banged up car with a smashed window.

Preston Newby, 24, a recent alumni of a Portland area Bible college, and Youth Pastor  at Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon, new he had to stop and help whoever was in the car that everyone else was leaving behind.  Telling Tara they had to stop, she already knew he would dash to help.  It’s who he was, and what he did.  There’s no way that he would leave some one behind that might have needed assistance.

When Preston looked in the car, he found a 16-year-old driver who appeared to be injured from hitting the majestic animal.  Tara watched as her husband followed the calling of God as he checked on the driver and called 911.  Something made her look away at the very moment a car veered from hitting the elk, and instead hit her husband.  It’s “by the grace of God” she says, that she didn’t actually see him struck.

What she did see was her husband lying in the road.  Tara ran to him, and held him as she screamed to God to save his life.  Together in Preston’s last moments, the two of them held each other, prayed together, and Tara sang to him to try and ease the horror that seemed to be swallowing them whole.  Preston did not survive the impact of the car that hit him.

Everyone who knew him says that he could light up the room, and that he had a way about him that made people want to be around him.  He had knowledge of the Lord that seemed far beyond his years.  Tara says, “He had this laugh that was just contagious”.

After the series of events that took the life of her husband, Tara’s faith is holding strong.  She doesn’t blame the driver of the car that took Preston’s life at all.  As a matter of fact, she has forgiven that driver completely.  She also isn’t harboring any resentment towards God.  She believes that her husband died serving the Lord, and she will continue his legacy.

The love of God doesn’t dwell solely in the walls of the church, and is not bound by rules, but lies within the souls of his followers, and through Him, we find strength.  While Preston was here, he spread the word of God, and through his death, he will continue to touch lives.

Preston Newby is survived by his wife, Tara, their 16-month-old son, Jacob, and Tara is ten weeks pregnant with their second child.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Lake Bible Church.  This service is open to the public.  Lake Bible Church is located at 4565 SW Carman Drive, near the intersection of I-5 and Hwy 217 in Lake Oswego Oregon.  For more information, contact the church at 503-699-9840.

Watch the interview with Tara Newby at The KATU News Link

Join thousands of others in Portland, Oregon on Sunday, September 21, 2008 in an effort to fight breast cancer in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.  Everyone knows some one who has been affected by this disease.

More than twenty years ago, Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by a promise between two sisters.  Now, they are the largest network of breast cancer survivors in the world.

The Portland race will include both a 1 mile walk and 5k events so that no matter what, you can participate at any level.  For registrations options, go to the registration page.

Volunteers are needed as well.  In 2007, more than 1,000 volunteers made this event happen.  Help is needed to be involved with fundraising, staff, runners, walkers, and more.  Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age unless accompanied by an adult.  For more information on becoming a volunteer for the 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, go to the volunteer page.

Together, we can make a difference and save lives.  One day we will realize a world without breast cancer, but only if we take the time to make it happen.  For more information on breast cancer, or if you have been recently diagnosed, visit the cancer education page.

All year people wait for the Pendleton Round-Up, happening now through Saturday, September 13, 2008.  Thousands of cowboys and cowgirls flock to the city of Pendleton to watch the best in the world compete in events such as the Professional Bullriding Classic, the Happy Canyon Indian Pageant, Barrel Racing, Calf Roping, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Steer Roping, Brahma Bull Riding, cow milking contests, parades, and many other events.

Saturday’s events begin at:

• 6:00 AM with a Cowboy Breakfast at Stillman Park
• 9:00 AM there will be a Tribal Ceremonial Dancing Contest in the Round-Up Arena. This event is FREE.
• 10:00 AM is the Main Street Cowboy Show on Main Street. This event is FREE.
• 1:15 PM RODEO FINALS
• 6:00 PM Main Street Cowboy Show-This event is FREE.
• 7:45 PM Happy Canyon Night Show and Dance.

Tickets are available at the Round-Up Office, or online at ticketmaster.com

 Sunny Han’s Wok and Grill at 305 N Main Avenue in Gresham, Oregon serves up world class teriyaki chicken and yakisoba noodles, delicious sweet and sour chicken, and sticky rice that will keep you coming back again and again. 

23 years ago, Sunny Han got his start in the restaurant business, and opened his Gresham store 9 years later.  Sunny Han’s Wok and Grill has been a cornerstone of Historical Downtown Gresham ever since, serving over 500 people per day.

Employees at Sunny Han’s Wok and Grill support numerous events held in Historical Downtown Gresham.  From Halloween costumes and a candy give-away, to dressing 50’s style for sock hops, and Santa hats for Christmas.  No matter what the occasion, the crew is always making sure that the customer has a memorable time that matches the good food.

Sunny Han’s Wok and Grill is clean, the staff is friendly, and the food is fresh, hot, affordable, and excellent.  This establishment gets a 5/5 star rating for cleanliness, speed of service, level of service, presentation, affordability, portion size, providing information on caloric value and ingredients, supporting the local economy, and food that is mm-mm-good.

For more information, find them on the web at sunnyhans.com or give them a call at (503)666-3663.