Kids Without Borders: Building Bridges A World Away

(Left to Right) Barry Childs (Africa Bridge), Joe Vithayathil (Fox 12), Oliver Muggli (Front Row) and the Amani Marimba Band

In 2004, a fourth grade class at Willamette Primary School in West Linn, Oregon got a visit from Africa Bridge Executive Director Barry Childs. Little did Childs know that his presentation was going to set a very special little boy, named Oliver, on an incredible life path. Over the next five years Oliver would stay involved with fundraising and activities Africa Bridge was doing in Tanzania, helping to raise thousands of dollar for school supplies, medicine, school house construction and uniforms. The fact that the children his class and school were helping were on the other side of the world didn’t matter. Oliver felt a connection to them and understood the importance of giving these children the same opportunities he had access to here in the States.

Today Oliver Muggli is a robust and energetic fourteen years old, but he is not your typical teenager. Your typical teenager doesn’t devote their idle hours to making a documentary video project for a non-profit organization helping to rid Tanzania of poverty and educate their children. Your typical teenager doesn’t form a marimba band especially for a fundraising gala and give up a Saturday night at the movies to perform. And your typical teenager doesn’t drag themselves out of bed during summer vacation for a 5am television promotion in the rain.

“Kids in Tanzania need help,” said Oliver Muggli. “More than we do here. They need medical aid, they need supplies, they need money for farming. They need help to survive and that’s more important to me than playing a video game or something.”

Like we said, Oliver Muggli is no normal teenager–he’s extraordinary and so is his documentary video. When we heard about it, we knew we had to share it with you. Check it out below.

So if you’re worried about the next generation being too consumed with video games and trashy reality TV shows to make a difference, remember that Oliver is extraordinary, but he is not alone. There are thousands of children all over the world striving to make something of themselves and effect positive change. Oliver is fortunate. He’s had the opportunity to be educated and thrive, but he believes (and we agree) that a solid education should be extended to every child in this world–not just a privileged few in developed nations.

“It’s a different mindset,” said Oliver. “I guess we’re a bit spoiled here. It’s a given that we get to go to school, so it becomes a bit of a chore. But when going to school could save your life in the future–and kids in Africa know that because so many of them don’t get to go to school–then it’s worth it.”

So thanks Oliver! Thank you for reminding us of the powerful spirit the young embody and that it is a gift that needs to be nourished.

We hope you’ll help support that spirit and give children a world away the same opportunity for an education that our own kids get here in the States. It only takes $25 to send a child in Tanzania to school for an entire year. That’s five lattes!

There’s still time to purchase tickets to the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala on Saturday, August 29. Visit http://www.africabridgegala.com to reserve single seats for $75 each or a table for $700. Oliver and his marimba band, Amani, will be playing, along with the great Obo Addy and Sébé Kan. The organic gourmet meal by Charles Stilwell + Devil’s Food Catering will be to die for. And Lisa MacCallum from the Nike Foundation, will be speaking, as well as Africa Bridge Founder Barry Childs. It’s a night you don’t want to miss! We hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it this year and would like to support the work being done by Africa Bridge with a donation, visit: http://africabridge.org/support-us.html

It’s Almost Party Time…

There’s something magical about the organic rhythm of an African drum beat that forces you to dance. We were taking a stroll down Hawthorne Avenue in Southeast Portland and became entranced by a street performance connected to Hawthorne Day. Young and old alike were gathered on the street corner, held captive by the group’s musical powers–and it got us really excited for the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala coming up on August 29th.

We aren’t the only ones ready to feast on Charles Stilwell + Devil’s Food Catering’s African-infused delectables, move to the soulful sounds of Obo Addy and Sébé Kan and get inspired by Africa Bridge founder, Barry Childs, and The Nike Foundation’s managing director, Lisa MacCallum. Our friends at ReTree International– partner to Africa Bridge and local crusader against deforestation worldwide–are pretty stoked as well. We wanted to share some of the words ReTree’s Ed Buursma wrote about why ReTree International supports the work Africa Bridge does in Tanzania and why we all should too.

Dear Friends,

“As you probably know, ReTree has been involved in an annual tree planting program in Tanzania since 2005.  Our partner in this effort is an organization called Africa Bridge, which is headquartered right here in West Linn.

In 2005 AB president Barry Childs invited ReTree to begin a tree planting program in the villages in SW Tanzania where Africa Bridge was active in trying to improve the lives of the people there, particularly the children. Not only were they struggling with the effects of poverty, but they were dealing with the impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has ravaged families and left many children orphaned due to the high rates of this disease.  AB has worked hard with the people there and made tremendous strides in all areas- health, education, economy, agriculture, etc.

When Africa Bridge arrived less than 50% of the children in the Rungwe district were in school; now over 90% attend. Farming cooperatives have improved agricultural and economic conditions.  Clean water sources have been developed and a new medical dispensary is being finished; just a few examples of their work.  What they have done there has been impressive and most importantly, rather than imposing solutions, AB has involved the local population in developing and implementing solutions to these problems.  The locals have enthusiastically embraced this partnership.  ReTree’s part of this effort has been to develop a tree planting program with schoolchildren and last January we completed our 4th annual planting project.  I can personally attest to the good work that AB has done in Tanzania having travelled there with my family twice in recent years to participate in the tree planting and I’ve witnessed what is happening.

Obviously work like this requires funding and both Africa Bridge and ReTree have been generously supported over the years by folks like yourselves.  On August 29 Africa Bridge is hosting a Gala, or Ngoma, to celebrate their work there and to raise funds to continue these efforts.  Please share [the details] with anyone you know who may be interested.  I urge you all to consider attending this wonderful event so AB can continue doing the incredible work they have been so successful with.  As I said, I have seen first hand what has been accomplished and it’s truly impressive.  It’s so important in these tough economic times to keep this vital work going.  And this sounds like a great end-of-the-summer party!”

Ed Buursma

ReTree International

Join us for a night of festive celebration and inspiring dialogue on how to uplift humanity out of poverty–one child at a time. The Africa Bridge Harvest Gala takes place Saturday, August 29th, at 5:00pm on Nelson Farms, Sauvie Island. Visit http://www.africabridgegala.com/registration to get your tickets today!

Obo Addy’s Circle of Life is Filled With Rhythm + Soul For Humanity

World renowned Ghanaian drummer, Obo Addy, can tell you a little (OK, a lot!) about the power of music. In his native Ghanaian culture, music holds a sacred place in all of life’s events. More importantly to note, there is always purpose behind the choice of song, rhythm or dance. They say that music is the “Universal Language” because it can convey the spirit of a moment to any who will lend an ear. With that in mind, think of what we learn about our fellow human beings by listening to their song, taking on its emotional graces and opening our minds to life experiences that are vastly different than our own.

If we apply that knowledge to our world view, the picture quickly becomes intensely more vibrant. We have to live and act with intent. No longer can we run our businesses or make our products with only profit in mind. Even when grocery shopping, we have to look at where our food comes from, what went into it and whether the community who grew it is getting a fair shake. We have to look at the whole picture, just as a drum master would look at his/her ensemble. Each instrument serves an important role and the well being of the whole is entirely dependent on the well being of each individual—otherwise the song will never sound as sweet as it should. Unfortunately, there are many communities on our planet whose songs are not being sung. They are struggling to survive and humanity isn’t thriving as a result. Each little thing we do should serve a cause and set up a positive result—whether it’s a spectacular drum solo or a young girl finishing school—healthy, happy and on her way to success in life.

So when we see an organization like Africa Bridge working in the world, providing holistic, positive change for entire communities in Tanzania, we have to believe that the power of music, the power of change and the power of the human element is strong in the world. Now it’s up to us to spread the word. Maybe our contribution won’t be as grand as Obo Addy’s stellar global performances that expose thousands to new sounds and soul, but it still counts toward a more prosperous and healthy humankind.

The Obo Addy Drummers and Dancers will be performing at the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala, August 29, 2009 at Nelson Farms on Sauvie Island. It’s going to be a night of amazing music and you’ll get to hear the inspiring story behind the work being done by Africa Bridge in Tanzania. To join us at the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala register online at: http://www.africabridgegala.com/event_registration or call 503.226.2377.

Where’s Our Hallelujah Chorus? It’s With The Girls.

It might be raining men, but we’ll say hallelujah when girls and women receive equity in the developing world. We sometimes forget—since we live in a society where, for the most part, girls and women are respected, revered and given the same level of opportunity as their male counterparts—that life is not so grand for our sisters in developing nations.

Despite extensive evidence that an empowered female population results in more stable, developed and successful communities, girls are frequently denied education, a public life, civil rights and the opportunity to be economically viable in developing regions worldwide. Adolescence has been identified as a make or break life stage for a girl and that’s why The Nike Foundation has honed in on girls as the gatekeepers to prosperity. Check out www.girleffect.org and find out for yourself (in 2mins or less) why investing in girls can change the world.

Wonder woman Lisa MacCallum, Managing Director of The Nike Foundation (NF), is convinced that it won’t be technology saving the planet from despair—it will be an adolescent girl, given all the opportunity in the world to live her dreams. Consider these startling facts:

• 75% of HIV-infected youth in Africa are female.
• 70% of the world’s out-of-school youth are girls.
• 500 million women on our planet can’t read or sign their name.
• 25-50% of girls become mothers before the age of 18 in developing countries.
• Pregnancy is the leading cause of death worldwide for girls ages 15-19
• When a girl in a developing nation receives just seven years of school, she will marry four years later and have 2.2 less children on average. (That’s a standard American family less, by the way).
• If given an economic opportunity, she will also reinvest 90% of her income back into her family, as opposed to 30-40% for men.

Still not convinced that investing in girls will provide a necessary tipping point?

Lisa would remind you that there are over 600 million adolescent girls in the developing world alone That’s 600 million chances to change the world and a large percentage of those girls are being denied that opportunity. Families are making short term economic decisions when it comes to their girls. In a rural environment she will be pulled out of school to marry (for a dowry) to an older man. In an urban environment, she will likely have to rely on a sugar daddy to pay her school fees and other things… in exchange for sex. When a girl reaches adolescence and the only asset she has is her body…. That has dire consequences for things like HIV infection rates and as a result the health and prosperity of the next generation.

Change that picture to include a girl who is educated, connected to her community, entrepreneurial, engaged and committed to doing her part to uplift her community and we would easily change the course of history for the better. Operating humanity with only 60% of our human potential engaged and productive just doesn’t make sense. But that’s what we’re doing right now. Is anyone really surprised that things aren’t as they should be?

So what can we do? Give a girl a fish? Or teach her to fish? You’ve probably already guessed the correct answer (teach her to fish!) and that’s just what The Nike Foundation is throwing all of their energy into. It’s a multi-pronged effort. First they look at affecting the girls directly through programs that educate, provide basic needs, give financial opportunity and encourage economic participation—while also tapping into the talents and insights of communities in developing regions through involvement in program development and implementation. The Nike Foundation also invests in a tremendous amount of research to understand what investments work for girls and why and also to measure investment impact. Finally and critically, NF is working hard to get girls more specifically on the agendas of governments, NGOs and businesses and as a result encourage the significant levels of investment and focus this untapped opportunity represents.

It’s a world-changing mission – an inspiring vision they’re putting out there, which is exactly why we’re bringing Lisa to speak at the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala on Saturday, August 29th, 2009. Africa Bridge started in Tanzania with the primary purpose of uplifting children (though they consequently affect entire communities) out of poverty through education, financial skills and economically-based village cooperatives, which administer micro-loans to their community members.

It’s The Girl Effect at work in the world, proving it’s power and saving the planet one Tanzanian village at a time.

We can’t wait to hear Lisa MacCallum share her powerful vision at the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala and we know you won’t want to miss it. Join us for a night of inspiration + celebration!

Read more on The Girl Effect at:
http://www.girleffect.org

For more on Lisa MacCallum and The Nike Foundation, visit: http://www.nikefoundation.org

To join us at the Africa Bridge Harvest Gala register online at:
http://www.africabridgegala.com/event_registration or call 503.226.2377.

Good Morning! This is Your Wake Up Call. It’s Time To Change The World.

Africa Bridge Founder Barry Childs in Tanzania 2006

There are things we’d rather not have sticking around. Toxic chemicals, radioactive waste, all those plastic water bottles + bags—just to name just a few. On the other hand, truly sustainable and BENEFICIAL endeavors—now those are ideas we can get behind for the long haul. We recently became involved with one such endeavor and you’re going to flip when you hear how such a simple concept is drastically changing lives in the best possible ways.

In 1998 Africa Bridge Founder Barry Childs returned to Tanzania after an almost 40 year absence. Childs spent his youth in the African nation, but left for the West at 17. Upon his return, he was overwhelmed by the beauty of the land and the spirit of the people, but also shocked by the poverty that marred both. While on this trip, he had a wake-up call—literally, at 3 a.m.—and decided in the wee hours of the morning that he was going to do something about it.

Do something about it he certainly did! It all started with the children, as Childs explained in a recent interview with us.

SE: What is the mission of Africa Bridge? What do you hope to accomplish when you start working with a village?

BC: What we’re really focused on is children and we want to do things that are sustainable by the communities where we work,” said Childs. “We started creating these co-ops—income generating cooperatives—that support the families of the most vulnerable children. The problem is not that the kids have no place to go—they do—the problem is that the families that take them in cannot afford to feed the kids properly, clothe them, send them to school, etc. So if we find a way to enrich the families, the families find ways to take care of the kids.

SE: So how do you make that happen? What is the process?

BC: We create a co-op, put capital into the co-op, and the co-op—not Africa Bridge—gives micro-loans to families that take kids in. And then when they pay back the capital with interest, more families can come into the co-op. We teach them to be more effective farmers, dairy farmers, or run piggeries, or grow maize or potatoes—or whatever—and then we support them for two years to make sure it’s working well and then move on to another community.

In addition to that, the other big problem is that there are just so many kids, orphans in this area, I want to say one in three—they’ve got government support, they just don’t have the resources to support that many kids. And the kids need social work and legal support, so we’ve trained people in the community to provide social support and paralegal support and that’s really exciting. So basically, we’re helping the community to take care of the problem and then we can move onto another community. That’s sort of the crux of what we do.

SE: Can you talk a little more about the micro loan concept, which has become internationally renowned for uplifting people in developing communities out of poverty, and how it differs from the American credit system?

BC: What you’ve probably heard most about is the Gramin Bank, and the founder of that got the Nobel Prize. And that is actually a bank. I think the key concepts of that, which make it different, are that most people receiving credit through microloans are—they don’t have any money. They’re mostly women and they don’t have any collateral. Our [Western] basis for giving credit is mostly to men who have money, and they have collateral. They’re sort of totally opposite.

The interesting thing is that in general the microloans are paid back much more effectively. The default rate worldwide on microloans is less than five percent. In fact in the communities where we’ve given microloans, we’ve only lost one or two, and we’ve recovered just about everything. It’s wonderful. And the way we actually do micro-loans is different than the way you hear most in the press about.

We actually create a co-op in a village. Then we teach them how to be bankers, how to account for money, how to be better farmers—and then we actually give them the capital amount, a grant, so we actually give them the money and then THEY issue the micro-loans. So people aren’t paying the money back to Africa Bridge, they’re paying it back to their community. And as the capital is paid back, more people can come in. So as the capital expands, the potential expands and so does the whole community.

SE: So Africa Bridge doesn’t actually “recover” any of their capital? The money that’s invested stays in the community?

BC: Yes. It’s a revolving fund. So that fund just keeps revolving in the community and keeps on going in perpetuity. So, do you remember how I was telling you that we train them to do the social work? So the farmer who takes the capital starts a cash crop of potatoes. She harvests them, and every time they harvest they pay back the money. So they don’t pay back the money every month, they pay back when they harvest a crop. They pay back capital and interest. The capital goes back into the capital fund. Half the interest goes into the capital fund. The other half of the interest goes into the social work fund. So the money keeps revolving and generating money to support social work and the co-op. It’s a very organic way of running the program.

Organic? Sustainable? Life Changing? We like the sound of that. So much so, that you’ll be hearing a lot more about the projects going on in Tanzania from us over the summer. Come and hear from Barry Childs at their annual celebration on Sauvie Island in Portland, Oregon – The Africa Bridge Harvest Gala is Saturday, August 29th. Buy tickets today! Stay tuned for Africa Bridge success stories and future plans. Childs has embarked on a six-week trip to Tanzania and we’re sure he’ll have lots to share when he returns!

GoGreen ‘09 Conference Line-Up Announced!

Business Owners Get Their Green On at GoGreen ‘09
40 Business Leaders Share Secrets and Value to Building a Sustainable Business

Social Enterprises, Inc. is thrilled to announce the full-day itinerary and speaker line-up for the second annual Go Green Conference, which will take place in Portland on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the Gerding Theater in the Pearl District. Go Green ‘09 will present the regional business community with the unique opportunity to learn from over 40 local business leaders, who will share their expertise on a variety of sustainability topics, aimed at giving business owners and professionals new ideas and strategies for increasing sustainability in all areas of the workplace.

GoGreen ‘09 will offer participants concrete steps and solutions for making their business more sustainable through interactive panel-style sessions with valuable Q&A opportunities during each topic.

Featured Conference Topics/Sessions for 2009:

• Portland’s Best Sustainable Business Showcase: Learn from Portland’s 2009 BEST Business + Oregon’s 100 Best Green Companies Award Winners
• Electric Vehicles: Investment, Implications and Economic Opportunities for Business
• Social Media and Your Sustainable Message: Maximize Outreach through Online Forums
• Writing Your Sustainability Plan: Develop a Framework and Process to Advance Sustainable Objectives
• Authentic Storytelling in the Age of Green washing: An Interactive Dialogue and Discovery of Fact, Contradiction and Possibility
• Improve Your Sustainability Credentials: Opportunities for Continuing Education and Certification
• Oregon on the Leading Edge: Public and Private Initiatives Creating Economic Opportunities
• Carbon Footprint Analysis: Tools for Measuring and Reducing Your Company’s Environmental Impact
• Growing Green Ideas: Develop Solid Business Plans to Increase Funding Opportunities
• Trendsetters: Business Culture Shift to Sustainability

Featured 2009 speakers include Governor Ted Kulongoski, Kate Brown/Oregon Secretary of State, Jeff Cogen/Multnomah County Commissioner, Susan Anderson/Director, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, Rob Bennett/Director, Portland+Oregon Sustainability Institute, Scott Marshall/Associate Dean, Portland State University, Nik Blosser/Founder, Celilo Group, Carrie Farrar/The Standard, Marsha Willard/Founder, AXIS, Inc, Ruta Stabina/University of Oregon Sustainability Leadership, Charlie Allcock/Portland General Electric, Mark Perry/Nissan Americas, Anne Weaver/CEO, Elephants Delicatessen, Sarah Hall/Wells Fargo, Scott Davis/From the Rooftops, Mark Brady/Oregon Economic Community Development Department, Josh Skov/Principal, Good Company, Colin Sears/Portland Development Commission, Alison Sokol Blosser/Sokol Blosser Winery, Gary Hirsch/On Your Feet, Mike Mercer/Northwest Earth Institute, Clark Brockman/SERA Artchitects, Michael Jung/Silver Springs, Chris Enlow/KEEN and Jason Graham-Nye/Founder, gDiapers to name just a portion of the line-up.

Eco-entrepreneurs Ericka Dickey, Founder of Social Enterprises, Inc. and Stephanie Knight, Founder of Greenlemonaide started the Go Green Conference series because they saw a need for knowledge and idea sharing regarding the best and latest sustainable business practices. They wanted to create an event that would have a sizeable positive impact for businesses like their own, the local community and the environment. The result is a learning laboratory with leading experts, committed eco-minded business owners and green community activists to forge a new business model which looks upon the green line and the bottom line as equally important.

Full-Day Registration is $150 for a full day pass, $125 with the purchase two or more.

We hope you will join us!!

Living Future + Bouquet of Hope = Fantastic Week of Events

It is so nice to finally rest after 4 straight back-to-back days of events by Social Enterprises last week May 6, 7, 8 and 9th. Living Future ‘09, Cascadia’s annual conference, was at The Nines this year. Gina Franzosa and her team created a magnificent conference program kicked off by a fascinating keynote by Janine Benyus ~ a natural sciences writer, innovation consultant, and author of six books, including Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. Learning all about Biomimicry was something that everyone should invest in. The Nines was a beautiful venue and the conference went off without a hitch!

On Saturday, May 9th ~ The Bouquet of Hope burst forth on the scene and left many of us with tears in our eyes after Sister Cathie Boerboom’s “stories” about the homeless and abused women she helps every day at Rose Haven (over 100 each week in Portland). The School of Oregon Ballet Theater and Aaron Meyer’s performance, amongst the MOST amazing event set by PDXGabe Designs and our Fete de le Fleur competitors ~ Swanky Tables (winner!), Starflower, Quince Flowers & Events and Anna Mara Flowers ~ was a sight to behold. Thank you Jasmine Photography for a most fabulous photo gallery of this event. HUGE KUDOS to the amazing Social Enterprises team and most particularly to Mai Tram Tran, who I now cannot live without!!!!

KOIN6 Morning News covers Bouquet of Hope

World Renowned Violinist, Aaron Meyer, plays for Oregon Ballet Theater Dancers on the KOIN 6 Early Show (5.4.09)

We got so lucky the other day. Yes, we had to be conscious at 5AM to partake in the fun, but being present to see Kacey Montoya + KOIN 6 Morning Show’s coverage of Oregon Ballet Theater dancers performing with world-renowned violinist Aaron Meyer playing in the background was a once in a lifetime experience.

Except it wasn’t. Or it won’t be after Saturday evening’s Bouquet of Hope Gala, benefiting Rose Haven Women’s Center. And that means you have time to get in on the action too! We promise that you don’t want to miss this experience and neither does Mom.

Don’t believe us? Check out the KOIN Video and our photos from our morning w/KOIN 6 Early Show + get a sneak peek at a few of the things we have in store for you Saturday. Sister Cathie from Rose Haven was there, as were Swanky Tables and Anna Mara. Of course, we already mentioned the illustrious Aaron Meyer and the spectacular OBT dance crew.

Go to: www.bouquetofhope.com for information and tickets for this spectacular event!

BOH

Blooming w/Opportunity: Oregon Ballet Theater & Bouquet of Hope

OBT's Performance of Swan Lake

What do a ballet company and a women’s shelter have in common? On the surface—not much. One is filled with children & accomplished dancers striving for perfection; the other provides a place for abused and/or homeless women & children to survive in safety and begin the process of personal healing.

Yet they both are motivated by the same thing: The daily quest for something better. Whether it’s a better life or a better tour jeté, they all struggle & endure in their pursuit—and that quest is something that Christopher Stowell , artistic director of Oregon Ballet Theater (OBT), calls beautiful. We couldn’t agree more.

In that quest, those involved with Rose Haven work tirelessly to provide social services resources, medical care, abuse and psychological counseling and addiction services to women in need in the Portland area. They offer women the opportunity to thrive and bloom in a safe and nurturing environment. That is what OBT gives to its dancers and the Portland community as well, through an experience with the art of ballet—the chance to grow. So while OBT and Rose Haven are unlikely partners on paper, in reality, they are a dynamic combination. These are two organizations that understand the power of opportunity. That’s why we are so excited to have Oregon Ballet Theater performing at the Bouquet of Hope Gala, benefitting Rose Haven. The beautiful ballerinas and handsome danseurs will be a tangible, visual symbol of the deeper beauty found in the quest for something better by the dancers and the 100+ women and children that Rose Haven helps every week.

We hope you will join us for this amazing event! In addition to a spectacular performance by OBT, the internationally acclaimed violinist Aaron Meyer will also be present to thrill our attendees with an intimate concert amidst the decadent floral designs from Portland’s finest floral artists and scrumptious delights by Artemis Catering at LUXE Autohaus.

BOUQUET OF HOPE
benefit for Rose Haven

WHEN:   5pm, Saturday, May 9th

WHERE:   LUXE Autohaus

410 NE 17th Avenue

TICKETS:   $65 per person

$600 per table (seats 10)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:   www.bouquetofhope.com

A Floral Affair

While out strolling through our neighborhood today, we were captivated by an extraordinary site. All the trees, shrubs and gardens in our neighborhood were budding. Thing is, they have been budding for some time now. We’ve just been too busy to notice. Too busy! Certainly there is no prettier time in Portland. While we’re busy working, shopping, kid-shuffling and errand-hopping, there are flowers budding out there. Flowers budding!

As we pondered our misfortunate state of oblivion, we began to gather some of the budding flowers on the tree limbs arching overhead. The resultant bouquet was as pretty as any market-fresh variety we could have purchased. And of course it made us think about the Bouquet of Hope benefit for Portland women’s center, Rose Haven.

As the set of the Fete de la Fleur (a showcase of freshcuts by local floral designers!), the Bouquet of Hope on Saturday, May 9th will have a remarkably grand floral presence. The best part is that the event combines all the perfect elements for an affair done right. Passed hors d’eouvres, seated dinner by Artemis Foods, silent auction, double performances featuring the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre and renowned Internationally-acclaimed violinist Aaron Meyer…

PLUS cocktails, cake by Karren’s Cake and a flower-filled ambiance… it’s just one of those events you look forward to all year. Invite Mom as a special treat during Mother’s Day weekend. Brunch is so last year (and the year before, and the year before that, and…).

www.bouquetofhope.com