The railroad passenger reception area at Portland’s Union Station looked, sounded and felt like a Las Vegas casino when Pearl Rotary staged its fourth annual Bet on the Pearl fundraiser.

The Oct. 22 event included gambling (blackjack, roulette, craps), food and drinks, live music by the Fenix Project, and a silent auction that garnered over $20,000 in value of the contributions.

“This was the biggest and best year for our silent auction thanks largely to the broad participation and generous donations of Pearl District and Northwest Portland businesses and organizations,” said past Pearl Rotary President Don Barney, chair of that event.. “We’re very fortunate to have so many local partners join us and help replenish our charitable fund for another year of Pearl Rotary service to the community.”

An estimated $10,000 from the event will be directed to the club’s non-profit, the Pearl Fund. Monies raised from the annual fundraiser are used to fund a wide array of club projects–including computers for a girls school in Costa Rica, support of Open Meadow non-traditional school, student of the month and other efforts with Lincoln High School, and new partnerships in the Pearl area with the Zimmerman Community Center and the Bud Clark Commons.

President Lou Radja summarized the evening:

“What a great turn out for Bet on the Pearl!–a night of fun while making a difference. Thanks to the support of civic, business and individual leaders in our community, our Pearl Rotary Club is able to make a real difference through our local and international service projects. In Africa we say: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.’ Well, together, we went far that night!”

Other Rotarians who joined Barney and Radja in leadership roles were Greg Mottau, fundraising chair; Duane Cook, tickets; Tracy Vicario and Roger Devine, silent auction. Another partner in the event was the Columbia County Rotary Club; members came to the train station to deal the games. In a reciprocal gesture, Pearl Rotarians will do the same in march for its fundraiser in St. Helens.

Pearl Rotary also announced a follow-up online auction. You can bid on items, while advancing Pearl Rotary’s causes, at the Portland Pearl Rotary Online Auction.

Peace through Education is the theme of the Pearl Rotary Club-Portland Rotaract symposium planned for Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Hall. The event features many examples of how Oregon leadership and organizations have contributed to peace and education in schools around the world.
This gathering of interested professionals and students was inspired by the work of Portland leaders whose work continues to help prepare students for a peaceful, productive life. Also stories from the field of community foundations, microcredit, peace actions and global action will be illustrated by 21 speakers and two panels. The luncheon keynote speaker is Julie Mancini, director of Mercy Corps Action Center local and global involvement.

Portland Pearl Rotary President Lou Radja, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will open the conference at 9 a.m., speaking on “The Importance of Schools Today Internationally.”

Also, please see the brochure on the Peace Symposium here.

Rotarians’ efforts at building peace were supported Nov. 2 when the City of Portland passed a resolution, citing Rotary International’s “Respect for cultural diversity and the life and dignity of every person, without discrimination of prejudice; Resolution of conflict within local and global communities; and Reconciliation of differences in pursuit of harmony.”

Also, read Mayor Sam Adams, “the Rotary Peace Committee of Portland and the City of Portland join together to promote peace, understanding and goodwill between our residents in in communities around the world.”

Sharing Rotary’s peace-building seminar with Adams and the city council was Pearl Rotarian Roger Meyer. He was joined in the council chambers by fellow Rotarians Radja and Anne O’Neill (Pearl club) and Al Jubitz, Portland Rotary.

The symposium is open to the public. Student admission is $10 and all others $25, which includes the luncheon, the symposium and the conference syllabus containing resources and speaker summaries. Surrounding the PSU peace-building meeting will be resource tables from the World Affairs Council, Rotaract, Rotary Foundation and Mercy Corps as well as other inspiring groups.

Advance registration may be mailed to Peace Education Symposium, 1220 N.E. 17th Avenue, Suite 11E, Portland, OR 97232. Make checks payable to Pearl Rotary Club. Online registration will open the first week of January.

The depot’s Grand Hall at Portland Union Station will be transformed into a casino as Pearl Rotary hosts its fourth annual Bet on the Pearl event. The 7:30-11 p.m. party on Saturday, Oct. 22, includes heavy hors d’ouvres, drinks, live music by Fenix Project and a silent action.

Silent auction prizes from firms and individuals top $20,000 in total range from a stay at a Bend vacation home to a half-year membership (plus three training sessions) at a Pearl fitness facility. Numerous restaurant and salon gift certificates will be available for bidding, as will fine Oregon wines and wine-tasting experiences. Hotel stays, artwork, flights over Oregon–these and more will be on the BOTP silent auction tables. Here’s the full listing (below).

Fenix Project is a musically tight rhythm and blues band with each band member performing solos on sax, organ and lead guitars. Its leader, Fenix Saunders, is a musical force with his deep baritone voice (and saxophone) performing blues classics.

Tickets can also be obtained from Pearl Rotarians and also by contacting fundraising chair Greg Mottau (503-804-8013) or Rotarian Duane Cook (503-816-7631). And you can buy your “Ride the Pearl Funk Railroad” tickets for the Saturday, Oct. 22, casino night fundraiser online: Register Here.

The Evening’s Prize List (10/16/2011)

1. Casino Winners:

· Top Winner: Outdoor BBQ, Pearl Hardware

· Second Place: Blazer game tix (NBA pending) OR round of golf @ Riverside County Club

· Third Place: Ride the Rails: Antique Engine Family Ride

· Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Places: $50 gift card each

2. Silent Auction Packages:

Blue Table: (bidding closes at 8:45 p.m.)

· Pearl Glow Salon gift certificate ($80)

· Antonio’s Barbershop ($72)

· Egyptian cat artifact ($40)

· Print framing ($40)

· Classic literature pack ($80)

· Saylor’s Country Kitchen ($50)

· Pink Rose Bar/restaurant ($50)

· Monarch Hotel Sunnyside lunch ($42)

· Howard Johnson Sunnyside overnight getaway ($75)

· Dragon Fly coffee ($40)

· The Little Urbanites ($60)

· Pearl Bakery ($40)

· Hallowe’en Costume: New RR Brakeman’s Outfit (Size L): $60

· Blue Christmas Wreath ($50)

Green Table: (bidding closes at 9 p.m.)

· NW District Let’s Eat Out : Daily Café, Justa Pasta Rest., PF Changs ($150 )

· Fun Night Out: On Deck Sports Bar; Brix Tavern, Trader Vic’s ($155)

· Catch a Kegger: Widmer Bros.pony keg, cups, tap loan ($90)

· Wine Tasting in the Valley: (White Rose, Willakenzie) ($420)

· Basket Treasures #1: Gourmet picnic, funtime picnic, gift bskt (RM all) ($130)

· Basket Treasures #2: Gift basket (DB), Urbaca Salon, Studio Blue, Keen shoes ($400))

· Basket treasures #3: Office Max, Portland Center Stage Christmas Show tix, Linus Pauling lecture tix ($276)

· Fitness First: 10^th Av Athletic Club membership, training ($200)

· The New You: Pearl Med Spa, Pearl Glow, D&J Nails ($270)

· Shirt on your Back: Estes Men Shop, Physical Element ($250)

· Spiff Up your Home: Bedding set, Nobal Home, Thea’s Interiors ($285)

· Adding to your Art: Collection: Large framed print ($200)

· Time to Retool: Boxes of tools ($300)

· Going to the Dogs: Dogstar bath, overnight;; Lexi gift basket ($125)

Red Table: (bidding closes at 9:15 p.m.)

· Pearl Fine Dining #1: Trader Vic’s ($100)

· Pearl Fine Dining #2: Oba ($125)

· Pearl Fine Dining #3: Irving St Kitchen ($125)

· Discovering Portland #1: Oregon Historical Society membership ($80)

· Discovering Portland #2:: Zoo membership ($79)

· Discovering Portland #3: OMSI membership ($95)

· Up, Up and Away #1: Discovery air flight ($130)

· Up, Up and Away #2: Discovery air flight ($130)

· Clackamas Getaway: Overnight at Howard Johnson Sunnyside, Clear Creek Distillery pear brandy ($150)

· On the Town: Benson Hotel getaway overnight, Albertina Kerr Rest. Lunch ($200)

· Dessert a month for a year ($250)

· Kids at Play: Children’s Museum membership, NW Children’s Theater tix, Green Frog toys ($196)

· Stay Fit Round the Clock: 24Hr Fitness six-month membership plus three personal trainer sessions (300)

Orange Table: (bidding closes at 9:30 p.m.)

· Fine Wine Adventure #1: Elk Cove Winery ($84)

· Fine Wine Adventure #2: Seufert Winery ($300)

· Fine Wine Adventure #3: Chehalem Winery ($102)

· A Day to Remember (Pearl Med spa, Pearl Glow Salon, Richard Herrera, wine ($50), Piazza Italia ($380 total)

· Beautiful You: Pearl Med Spa, Pearl Glow Salon, Joy’s uptown Style, LaRoq Jewelers ($380)

· California Dreamin’: LA Fitness membership, starter kit; Bob Dylan/Beach Boys discs ($340)

· Treasure Trove #1: King-size, handmade quilt ($800)

· Treasure Trove #2:: Handcarved, painted Santa ($500)

· Treasure Trove #3: Kohler design faucet, lead crystal decanters, Congo style print ($150 plus plus)

· Portland Makeover: Barre 3 Fitness kit, Studio Luxe, Interior design consult ($330 plus)\

· Car makeover (Les Schwab, Green Drop Garage, Bob Brown Tires) ($390)

· Expert Consultation re internet marketing and search engine optimization, two hours ($300)

Gold Table: (bidding closes at 9:45 p.m.)

· Bon Voyage #1: Mexican getaway w/wine ($2,515)

· Bon Voyage #2: Bend vacation home week w/wine ($2,520)

· Bon Voyage #3: Manzanita beach house use, 4 days ($1,100) w/picnic basket

· Bon Voyage to High Utility Bills: Residential solar consultation, bargain installation ($1,100)