Eileen McClary, pictured here w/family pet Sabel, steps forward as ERA’s new committee chair. Welcome!

Click here to see a calendar of upcoming events!

ERA Gives Back

LGBTQI seniors give to society in myriad ways, and make the world a better place. ERA showed our appreciation by giving back. Through Friendly House Senior Program Holiday Gift Giving Project, ERA Elves gathered, wrapped, and delivered gifts to forty three LGBTQI elders, and provided means for an older lesbian couple who are raising their grandchildren, to purchase food for the holidays. Thank you 2007 ERA Elves! Bounsay Souravong Chen, Delia Brown, Marie Boileau, Valerie Garrison, David Wilson & Kurt Pettit, Chris Luedtke + Jess and Akeke Thompson Family, & Rachel Indigo Cerise Baum.

Vancouver here we come!

On Tuesday, March 4th, we’ll bring the first ever ERA social across the river to Vancouver! We look forward to meeting and mingling in “the Couve!”. We’ll go to Dulin’s for lunch and then explore Old Town Antique Market. (see calendar) ERA hosts monthly Second Thursday socials in the Portland Metro area, recently added monthly Clackamas County Socials on varying Fridays and will eventually add a Washington County Social as well.

Equal Rights...Equal Healthcare

67% of medical professionals reported knowing of patients who received inadequate care or were denied care because of sexual orientation. This means many LGBTQI seniors don’t receive the care they deserve. 75% of LGBTQI seniors report hiding their sexual orientation from health-care workers out of fear of discrimination. On a related note, a 2006 Gallup poll found that for the eighth consecutive year, nurses topped the list as “most trusted professionals,” in the U.S. (Source: National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, NCEMNA). Elder Resource Alliance and Linfield School of Nursing educate nurses and help them enhance their service delivery to LGBTQI seniors. Sherry Archer, Director of Linfield’s Nursing Progam, mandates ERA’s diversity training for all of her nursing students. Quarterly, ERA hosts Linfield students who work with LGBTQI seniors, develop resources and add to service delivery.

Linfield Nursing Students Help ERA Seniors with Health Concerns

ERA’s partnership with Linfield School of Nursing makes quality health assessments and a foot care clinic available for ERA seniors, and helps educate a new generation of nurses. Each quarter, interns visit ERA members in their homes, provide free health care assessments, nutrition and resource info. To schedule a visit with student nurses for home health assessment, and if you’d like to know more about the food box program, contact Rachel 503.224.2640 ext. 152

Newsletters (PDF format)

Spring 2008

Winter 2008

ERA Calendar of Events

Whether you are in the closet or out of the closet, new to your identity or have all ways known......there’s a place in ERA for you!

To secure your seat on the “Fun Bus” Field Trips, please call and register with Rachel in advance. 503.224.2640
or email eracoordinator@yahoo.com

April 2008

Tuesday April 8 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Special invitation from William Warren, co chair of Sexual Minorities Roundtable, to ERA members and their loved ones, friends, partners, health and social service providers, to a Sexual Minorities Roundtable meeting.
At Rainbow Vista Community Center

April's focus is on issues and opportunities to work with members of the law enforcement community (PPB, Gresham Police, Mult Co Sheriff and Mult Co District Atty) and GLBTQI Elders.

Rainbow Vista Community Center,
1350 West Powell Blvd.
Gresham

William Warren is a long time activist for the LGBTQI community.
Please share this info with your colleagues!

Thursday April 10 from 1- 3 p.m.
Second Thursday Social at Niki's Restaurant. Monthly get together for companionship, chat, meet new friends and re connect with existing buddies, network, learn about info and resources. Meal on your own, menu items start at $ 3.75. Niki’s located at 736 SE Grand at Morrison. Buses # 6, # 15

Friday April 11 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
**NEW** Activity
MARKY MARK’s FILM FRIDAYS
on DESIGNATED FRIDAYS at 5:30 pm
Marky Mark; Screening classic and contemporary pearls from his extensive, film collection. BONUS: Do you have a question about film? Come to Film Fridays and ask MM! Film Fridays is free, light refreshments served.
“La Cage aux Folles”
The 1978 French classic which inspired ‘The Birdcage’. Starring Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault as the gay couple who run the nightclub of female impersonators and the engagement of their son to the daughter of the French Morals League president. Bring your beret & enjoy the fun… At Friendly House, 1737 NW 26th Ave.

Tuesday April 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
”Fun Bus Ride” to Byways Café and Macaw Sanctuary. Meet at Friendly House Community Center at 9:00 a.m. sharp. We’ll head over for delicious breakfast at Byways Café. After breakfast, we’ll travel to Macaw Landing Wildlife Sanctuary, a secret hiding place for colorful, rescued Macaw birds, and a variety of other critters: a donkey named Speckles (who thinks he's a dog), an African goose who loves people, a spirited gaggle of geese, Attacus, a rescued horse, chickens, Silkie the rooster, and two Pygmy goats. Along with the farm animals you may spot an assortment of wild animals as well: deer, coyotes, raccoons, beaver, Western Painted turtles, and rabbits.
”Fun Bus Ride,” $5 Suggested donation at Macaw Sanctuary $5.
Byways meal is at participant’s expense.

Wednesday, April 16, from 2 - 4 p.m.
ERA’s second launch of the ginormously successful "Seniors Sharing Stories, Companions on the Road" (3SCOR), a forum bursting with encouragement and enthusiasm for older community
members of all gender identities and sexual orientations, to read
their writing aloud for a warm and appreciative audience.

The next 3SCOR Reading through Elder Resource Alliance will be held:
at Friendly House Community Center conference room.
1737 NW 26th Ave. (corner of NW 26th and Thurman)
Buses # 15, # 17, # 77 stop at NW 26th and Vaughn, two blocks of a tree lined walk to Friendly House.
This activity is free, and light refreshments are served.

3SCOR welcomes all elders, from the whole wide world, to read at this informal gathering.
Open format poetry, stories, plays, stream of
consciousness beat stuff, letters you wrote and never sent 3 a.m. journaling epiphanies, all welcome.

Recognizing that most open mike times are evenings when
transportation maybe difficult for some older community members,
3SCOR readings will be held on various weekday afternoons.

Do you love writing and want to support seniors, many who are new to
reading in front of people? Come over to Friendly House and listen
to fresh new voices! Free. Light refreshments served.

Wednesday April 23 from 2 – 4 p.m.
Providence Elderplace Information Session through Elder Resource Alliance. Concerned about where to find LGBTQI friendly in home support and health care, inclusive housing, and when the time comes, hospice care? Providence Elderplace specialists will present an overview of their services and illustrate how diversity is woven throughout their systems of care for the elderly, by a compassionate team who have a true commitment to meeting the unique needs and concerns of diverse populations. Free, light refreshments served. At Friendly House community center, 1737 NW 26th Ave.
Friday April 25 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Clackamas County Social at Clackamas Town Center Food Court.
Monthly get together for Clackamas County elders and neighboring county allies, for companionship chat, meet new friends and re connect with existing buddies, network, learn about info and resources. Meal on your own. There are several restaurants in the food court, look for signs that say “ERA.” On our tables.
Buses # 28, #29, #31, #71, # 72, #155, #156

Monday April 28th from 2 - 4 p.m.
Joseph Goldfedder, L.Ac.of Brooklyn Community Acupuncture
Through Elder Resource Alliance….
Joseph will present a free informational workshop about Community Acupuncture: An affordable and accessible acupuncture practice model which offers a sliding scale ranging from $15 - $35.
In addition Joseph will speak on the benefits of acupuncture to improve quality of life in mind, body and spirit and will offer free sample treatments.

For more information about Joseph's clinic, Brooklyn Community Acupuncture, you can visit their website:
www.brooklyncommunityacupuncture.com

To learn more about Community Acupuncture:
www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org

May 2008

Tuesday May 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Meet at Friendly House at 8:30 a.m. sharp for a “Fun Bus” ride to Astoria on the awe inspiring Oregon Coast. A reserved table and friendly staff are waiting for us to munch brunch at T Paul’s Urban Café, co owned by gay restaurateur Chadd Paul Flues. After our meal, we’ll have choices about visiting the beach for an invigorating walk, and/or venturing to Astoria’s Columbia River Maritime Museum which features interactive exhibits that combine history with cutting-edge technology. Experience what it is like to pilot a tugboat, participate in a Coast Guard rescue on the Columbia River Bar, and live in Astoria during the height of the salmon fishing. Huge windows make the Columbia River a living backdrop for classic fishing vessels and Coast Guard rescue craft.
Experience first hand how the Bar Pilots work the dangerous wind and waves during a fierce winter storm in the award winning orientation film The Great River of the West.
Walk on board the bridge of a WWII era US Navy Destroyer, see the world class collection of maritime artifacts, and then walk out to the dock to explore the Lightship Columbia, a floating lighthouse.
For those driving themselves, meet us at T Paul’s Urban Café, we aim to arrive between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Lunch on your own. Beach walk free. Maritime Museum entry $8 up to age 64, $7 folks 65 years and better.
$12.00 “Fun Bus” Ride!

Wednesday May 7 from 2:30 – 4:30
ERA business meeting! Learn more about ERA, help plan, develop, shape ERA programming, just visit or get involved! Free. Light refreshments served.
At Friendly House Community Center
Thursday May 8 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Second Thursday Social at Niki's Restaurant. Monthly get together for companionship, chat, meet new friends and re connect with existing buddies, network, learn about info and resources. Meal on your own, menu items start at $ 3.75. Buses # 6, # 15

Friday May 9 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Marky Marks Film Fridays through Elder Resource Alliance
“kiss kiss bang bang”
From 2007, Shane Black, the creator of ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘The Last Boy Scout’, spins his newest tale of mismatched partners. Robert Downey Jr. stars as a burglar who passes himself off as an actor and Val Kilmer is the gay private detective who shows
Downey the ropes of the business. After a dead body and assorted thugs enter the picture, the plot twists more than a New York Pretzel…and laughs and more bodies ensue.
**Wear Sunglasses and trench coats** to receive your private eye “badge”

Friday May 16th from 1 - 3 p.m.
Clackamas County Social at Clackamas Town Centers Food Court. Monthly get together for companionship, chat, meet new friends and re connect with existing buddies, network, learn about info and resources. Look for signs on tables that read “ERA” Meal on your own. Buses # 28, # 29, # 31, #71, #72, # 79 # 155, # 156

Wed. May 21 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Urban trek to Borders Books, Music and Café. Meet in café between 1 and 2 p.m. Look for signs that say ERA on our table. After “coffee talk,” we’ll browse for books and music. What’s your favorite reading and music genres, what flavors do you enjoy? We’ll gettogether at Borders and get to know each other more. Bring a few dollars for drinks and snacks, or you can snap up that book you’ve planned to read for soooo long!
Borders at 708 SW 3rd between Yamhill and Morrison. Buses # 15, # 17

Wed. May 28 from 2 – 4 p.m.
ERA Bingo Bonanza! Come and be with friends, play bingo for fun and to win prizes!
Cards 50 cents each. At Friendly House Community Center. Light refreshments served

June 2008

Wednesday June 4th from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
ERA business meeting. Your excellent thinking invited! Help plan and shape Elder Resource Alliance programming. Get to know each other, monthly raffle for gift certificate to local restaurants, grocers, coffee shops.
At Friendly House Community Center. Free. Light refreshments served.
See address and bus info above.

Friday June 6, from 5:30 - 8:30
Marky Mark's Film Fridays presents:
“The First Wives Club”
The smash hit of the early 1990’s stars Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler as the first wives of successful men, who plot revenge to get what is rightfully theirs. Also starring Maggie Smith, Bronson Pinchot, Stockard Channing, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dan Hedaya, Victor Garber, Stephen Collins, Marcia Gay Harden, James Houghton, Heather Locklear, Ivana Trump and Lesbian actress/comedian Lea DeLauria.
**Wear white and get a special surprise!!** At Friendly House Community Center, 1737 NW 26th Ave. corner of NW 26th and Thurman.

Tuesday June 10th at 8:30 a.m.-returning by 5 p.m.
Hot Glass, Cool Art. Trip on “The Fun Bus!”
”Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect; A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass.”
and Exploring “Chiluly’s Bridge of Glass”
At 11 years of age, Lino Tagliapietra left school to work full time in the glassmaking industry in the glass center of Murano, an island in the Venetian lagoon. This child, who developed into the world’s greatest living glassblower, also proved to be a superb artist and educator. At age 45, Tagliapietra, (who did not speak a word of English) stepped onto an airplane for the first time and made a trip to Seattle. He went on to unhesitatingly share what he knew with artists all over the United States, then all over the world, changing the art of glassmaking. After years of factory production work, Tagliapietra also benefited from his new collaborators, meeting artists who regarded the material and experience in a different light, blowing glass for the creative challenge, and sheer joy.

This is the first ever retrospective look at the legendary Tagliapietra’s art and career in its entirety. The Tagliapietra exhibition represents not only pivotal and renowned series of artistic work covering a period of approximately 30 years, but also designs made for industry and private objects that have never been exhibited.

We’ll also check out Tacoma’s native son Dale Chihuly’s “Bridge of Glass”, a 500 foot long pedestrian bridge that soars 700 feet in the air. Chihuly says of the creation “We wanted something unique in the world, something that is full of color and offers a joyous experience to passersby both night and day.”

We’ll lunch onsite at Gallucci’s Café inside Tacoma Museum of Glass. For those driving themselves, meet the “Fun Bus Riders” for lunch at Gallucci’s between 11:15 – 11:30.

Museum entrance $8/ages 62 and better, $10 adults, plus $10 for “Fun Bus Ride.” Lunch on your own. For more info about Tacoma Museum of Glass, visit museumofglass.org

Thursday June 12th from 1 - 3 p.m.
Second Thursday Social at Niki's Restaurant. Monthly get together for companionship, chat, meet new friends and re connect with existing buddies, network, learn about info and resources. Meal on your own, menu items start at $ 3.75. Niki’s at 736 SE Grand at Morrison. Buses # 6, # 15

Saturday and Sunday June 14th and 15th
Portland Pride Northwest Celebration at Tom McCall Waterfront Park along Naito Parkway in downtown Portland. Come on over and visit our booth! Or volunteer to staff the booth!
Annually, ERA and SHARE (Senior Housing and Retirement Enterprises) share a booth at Pride celebration both Saturday and Sunday between noon and 6 p.m. and we "represent," with a parade contingent in the Portland Pride Parade on Sunday.

I'm signing up ERA Volunteers!!
Would you like to: interact with the public at information booth, help decorate our parade entry, tote n carry, help with set up and clean up?
Would you like to march as part of ERA’s Sunday Pride Parade contingent? All people reading this email are welcome!

Can't help at the booth or with parade directly?
Here's another way to support ERA’s Pride Presence
Donate!
** Money; help defray cost of ERA’s Pride booth rental, parade registration, or rental costs of our mini “float,” (we rent a sporty car that carries LBTQI seniors through the parade.) For many ERA seniors, it is their first time being IN the parade! ERA seniors take turns each year, representing ERA in the parade car.
**printing. Help with cost of printing brochures to hand out at Pride.
** decorating materials, balloons, streamers, glue, glitter, tape, poster board, let your imagination soar! We decorate the car, make signs, celebrate ourselves!
**Donate: We need bottled water, whole fruit/veggie juice and healthy snacks to hydrate and nourish senior volunteers and volunteer allies

Fri. June 20th from 1 – 3 p.m.
Clackamas Social at Clackamas Town Center Food Court. Come and meet your neighbors, make new friends and re connect with buddies. Learn more about ERA and resources, services, activities. Look for signs on tables that say “ERA” Meal on your own. Buses # 28, # 29, # 31, # 71, # 72, # 79, # 155, # 156

Wednesday June 25 from 2 - 4 p.m.
3SCOR Reading; For writers and those who love writing! A great place to practice reading your writing for a friendly audience, and a place for literature lovers to hear great writing! 3SCOR welcomes all elders, from the whole wide world, to read their writing at this informal gathering.
Open format! Poetry, stories, plays, stream of consciousness beat stuff, grocery lists, letters you wrote and never sent, 3 a.m. journaling epiphanies, all welcome.
Do you love writing and want to support seniors, many who are new to
reading in front of people? Come over to Friendly House and listen to fresh new voices! Friendly House Community Center, 1737 NW 26th Ave.
Free activity, light refreshments served.

Sat. June 28 from 12:30 – 3:30
”Civil Writes,” intergenerational poetry therapy. A healing, writing workshop. Together, in a supportive accepting atmosphere, we’ll think about and discuss our coming out stories, where we experienced acceptance or rejection from ourselves or others. We’ll delve into eclectic, nature and animal inspired poetic musings about unconditional love and non judgmental characters of our animal friends, by Denise Levertov, Walt Whitman and Spanish language poets. We’ll build on our discoveries and dreams, utilize Animal Cards to identify our totem animals, see how our “animal attributes,” influence our relationships with selves and others. Observing Walt Whitman’s example, we’ll write a “song of self,” About where and who we were “then and now.” Facilitated by Wendy Thompson, who holds a Master Degree in Fine Arts, is an award winning poet, and has taught writing for over a decade in Portland and Vancouver.
Free activity, light refreshments served. At Friendly House, 1737 NW 26th.

Location

Friendly House Community Center
1737 NW 26th (Corner of NW 26th and Thurman)
Portland, OR
(map)

Friendly House Community Center is located at 1737 NW 26th Ave. corner of NW 26th and Thurman. Buses # 15, # 17 and # 77 are a two block walk to Friendly House.

Questions? Please call 503-224-2640 or email eracoordinator@yahoo.com.

Links

click here to learn more about Portland/Metro-area resources for sexual minority elders!