Americas Hub World Tours

In recent days, we’ve learned more than 200 women and infants were gang raped over a period of 4 days near a UN compound. http://huff.to/aviztJ  Enough is enough!

We’re in search of 1000 people who will stand up for our sisters in Congo today.  Join us by adding your personal note to our letter insisting that Secretary of State Clinton do everything in her power to stop the violence.  It will only take a few minutes!  Then personally invite 5 friends to join you, or invite your whole network.

Let’s declare this horrific incident a turning point for Congo:
http:bit.ly/dmx4om
 
Thank you,
Lisa Shannon
Author: A Thousand Sisters

Our annual bike ride alone the Oregon Hwy 101, Redwood Forest and California Hwy 1, has long been known for its scenic views, from highways that hug the coast to routes that explore the mountains and everything in between. Now people are traveling from around the world to discover all the scenic sites via bike.
Come join us for our 4th annual coastal bike ride and do something good for yourself while giving back to others.

Come join us! September 30th thru Oct 7th, 2010. It’s not for everyone, but if you want a once in a lifetime experience you maybe surprised.

We are also donating all proceeds to fund The Oregon Food Bank and the Royal Rosarian Foundation Field Trip Project (a program in Portland which helps disadvantaged youth).

Run for Congo Women Portland is Just Weeks Away!
Join us on June 26th for a fun and inspiring 3 or 9 mile run or walk in beautiful Forest Park. It’s an exciting time to come together and celebrate the women of the Congo!
Register online and get more details at www.runforcongowomen.org
Not in Portland? Click here to find a run near you and other ways to get involved in your area.
Want to participate but not up for running? We still need volunteers! Please contact Darci at darcinielson@hotmail.com for more information about volunteering on the day of the race.
THANK YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

September 11-12, 2010 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon USA

First annual Portland International Cultural Festival will take place on September 11-12, 2010. The Festival will be a celebration of Portland and surrounding areas rich and transcendent cultural diversity that allows all ethnic groups to come together under one roof. We are expecting 20,000 plus visitors made up with participation by local schools, colleges, churches, synagogues, temples, conference and convention groups, and local and international large and small businesses, destination planners and more.

As a valued member of this great community, we would love for you to participate in this special event. Participation opportunities are available in the form of financial sponsorship, equipment loans, material loans, booth/kiosque space rentals and in-kind donations such as media contribution and complimentary give-always.

A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to The Oregon Food Bank and the Royal Rosarian Foundation Field Trip Project (a Portland based program that helps disadvantaged youth). Companies will spotlight their products and services throughout the event and the festival will consist of food, music, dancing, special presentations and performances, language and cultural learning workshops. I hope you will choose to support our efforts to educate people on the beauty, colors, culture and creative spirit of Portland, Oregon. We cannot do it without you!

If you need additional information, visit our website at: www.PortlandInternationalCulturalFestival.com or call/e-mail:

Carolyn B. Wence, CMP
Plans & Action
wence@spiritech.com

Or

David Penilton, President
America’s Hub World Tours
david.penilton@hubworldtravel.com

Your gracious contribution to this important city event is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Carolyn and David

Lisa Shannon,
Founder of Run for Congo Women and the grassroots movement calling for response to the humanitarian crisis in
DR Congo,
as she celebrates the release of her 1st book

A Thousand Sisters:
My Journey to the Worst Place on Earth to be a Woman

Powells City of Books, Reading and Book Signing,
Monday, April 19th, 7:30 pm
1005 W. Burnside, Portland

Lisa has appeared on Oprah, and in Nicholas Kristof’s NY Times column on Feb. 4, 2010. A Thousand Sisters has received stunning endorsements by no less than Alice Walker, journalist Lisa Ling, the Presidents of Save Darfur and The Enough Project, and pre-eminent Congo author Adam Hochschild (King Leopold’s Ghost).
See www.athousandsisters.com and “An American in Congo” on www.youtube.com

We can all help in some way!

The MET Youth Ambassadors Club is working together with Neighborhood House to meet the needs of hungry
people in Southwest Portland. The number of families seeking food assistance in Southwest Portland has greatly increased this past year.

Please join their effort to help neighbors in need by donating canned food and nonperishables or making monetary contributions. Please bring your donations to the MET Center at 10330 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Tigard OR 97223. Checks may be made out to: MET and brought in person or mailed to MET, P.O. Box 283, Portland OR 97207.

The following Items are urgently needed:
Oil
Canned Vegetables
Grains: flour, cornmeal etc.
Canned Fruit
Juice/Dairy/Beverages (unrefrigerated)
Macaroni & Cheese

The Portland Run for Congo Women date has changed to Saturday, June 26!
· Online registration for Portland and most other scheduled city runs is now available.
· To register at any of the large community Run for Congo Women events, go to:www.runforcongowomen.org. A “Register here” link appears on the same line as each individual city run date on the home page
A Thousand Sisters by Lisa Shannon is now available at bookstores and online and it’s getting 5 star reviews on Amazon.com!

Please mark you calendar and join Lisa at a book event near you: (Portland 4/19, Seattle 4/12, NY 4/14 & 4/15, Chicago 4/22 & 4/23; Oakland 4/25; San Francisco 4/26; Menlo Park CA 4/27; D.C. May 6. Others will develop). For current listings & details: www.athousandsisters.com/events.

Thank you for caring, for your ongoing support, and for passing our news along to your friends!

-The Portland Organizing Team

“Former South African freedom fighter-turned-president Nelson Mandela made a rare public appearance Thursday as the nation’s parliament met to honor him on the 20th anniversary of his release from prison.

“President Mandela united this country behind the goal of a nonsexist, nonracial democratic and prosperous South Africa,” President Jacob Zuma told lawmakers.” Learn More!

The Ethiopia Project will have one final fundraiser before it leaves March 21st for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  We have 1,800 pairs of shoes, and with your help we are securing the future of this non-profit to continue work within Ethiopia. 

The event will be happening at the Pope House Bourbon Lounge on NW 21st and Glisan. 
Appetizers will be served at 6pm, entree’s at 6:45pm, and dessert sometime around 7:15pm.  Your first beer is free, and made possible by Deschutes Brewery.  100% of your purchases of Deschutes Brewery will be donated to The Ethiopia Project, while your admission and all other drink sales for the night will have a portion donated to The Ethiopia Project.  Here is a sample of the menu for the evening (all catered by Pope House Bourbon Lounge):

Pope House Bourbon Lounge Portland, OR

Monday, March 08, 2010
event website | contact event
Online Registration Closes
Friday, March 05, 2010 at 11:00 PM ET

 100% of the proceeds from that go directly towards The Ethiopia Project.

Nicholas Kristof will feature Lisa Shannon, Founder of Run for Congo Women, in DR Congo in his NY TIMES column on Thursday, February 4th. (This is a new date for those who already knew about it.) See nytimes.com.

Lisa is deep in the area of Congo being terrorized by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). She is posting revealing, on-the-gound blogs at www.athousandsisters.com/blog. They are compelling. Be sure to read “Still Nursing” and “Yeah, it’s like that.” as well as the most recent ones.
 
Lisa will return to Bukavu to lead the 1st Run for Congo Women-Congo on 2/28.  Our sisters will be running to pay it forward by raising funds to help other Congolese women.  Please empower their effort by making even a small donation at www.runforcongowomen.org
MARK YOU CALENDARS NOW (and invite your friends to do the same), for:
APRIL 1st Lisa’s book, A Thousand Sisters, will be released. Savings available now with preorder at Amazon.com & Powells.com. 
Consider forming a book club; it is a great read — No less than Alice Walker gave it a stunning review. Other endorsers include Journalist Lisa Ling, the Presidents of Save Darfur and The Enough Project, renowned Author on Congo Adam Hochschild, and Actresses Emily Deschanel and Robin Wright.
Visit www.athousandsisters.com to view the great book video trailer and watch for postings of her book tour and national media events.
MONDAY, APRIL 19th, PORTLAND, join us at Lisa’s book launch party for A Thousand Sisters at Powell’s, 7:30 PM.  Bring your friends!
JUNE 19th, PORTLAND RUN FOR CONGO WOMEN (3 or 9 mile trail walk or run). 
WANT TO HELP?  YOU MATTER! 
JAN 31st.  For those in Portland, the 1st Portland Organizing Team meeting will be held, 5-7 PM, 1517 SE Holly, Portland OR 97214.  All are welcome.
Thank you for adding your voice to those being raised for the women and children of Congo.
Ann Shannon

www.athousandsisters.com
www.runforcongowomen.org
www.womenforwomen.org