February 11, 2017 More than 50 people were glad they came to hear professional organizer, Beth Giles, tell us how to start Organizing and Simplifying our time and possessions. Beth specializes in working with seniors, and was able to to tell us how to get started and proceed step by step without a lot of stress.
February 4, 2017 Six of us were thankful that the rain was light and the temperatures moderate as we spent some quality time hiking on the eastern end of the Rock Creek Trail. We started out on TwoPonds drive, where we parked and entered the trail. We enjoyed imagining the ducks on the pond -- the ones our trail scouts saw last summer. :-) We then proceeded to the eastern end of the trail and enjoyed the view of the coastal hills as we returned to our cars.
January 24, 2017 "Every time we open a book to read our expectations are high. It would not be different with An Irish Country Doctor, the book discussed by Viva Village's book club at the January gathering. Long term and new members were not disappointed, enjoying the company, Frieda's delicious snacks, and meeting the residents of Patrick Taylor's fictitious village.
Gathering many elements and personalities, Patrick Taylor was able to write an entertaining, humorous book, much enjoyed by the Book Club members. Coming attraction for the March 28 read: Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Stay tuned for further details." Excerpted from a review by Nilze Sumner.
January 21, 2017 Brainstorming the services we could request and getting to know each other were the two highlights of this Members Only meeting.
January 19, 2017 This restaurant has good food, friendly staff, a quiet atmosphere, and enough tables for our Thursday night group of friends.
December 11, 2016 Tualatin Community Band Concert -- Our group, Sherrie, Frieda and Nilze shared a delightful afternoon of symphony music at the Tigard High School. These musicians are all volunteers ranging from 18 to 80 years old. Sandy Ruff was in the band and it was fun to see her and she said it was fun to play to an audience. We are looking forward to next year's concert. After the concert we went to dinner at P. F. Chang's.
December 3, 2016 Nature Walk to Jackie Husen Park "and the Jordan Woods Trail. We walked past the park directly to the Jordan Woods Trail. It was about .4 miles to the Overlook and we could hear the creek in the valley below as we walked. I look forward to the Nature Walks," said June Stambaugh, "We go a different place each time and it gives me something to look forward to."
November 18, 2016 Fieldtrip Theater Event: NW Senior Theater Holiday Gala. This was a fantastic holiday variety show with humorous skits and wonderful singing. The sets and costumes were colorful and there was a large Christmas tree on the stage that was loaded with sparkling lights. The actors came out into the audience to socialize after the production. It was fun being in the 100 year old Alpenrose Dairy Opera House.
November 17, 2016 Thursday Social at the Thai Apsara Restaurant
November 15, 2016 Book Club, The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Private home near Murray and Allen.
November 3, 2016 Vista Brook Park and the Fanno Creek Trail -- This was one of our most fun nature walks. It was pouring rain and yet seven people showed up in their rain gear to enjoy the lake, the trail partly covered by beautirul leaves, and rushing creek.
October 13, 2016 The Launch Celebration at Westbrook Clubhouse. "There was some of everything — camaraderie, congratulations, dignitaries, original music, a slide show, great food, sparkling beverages, and so much more …A very special thank you to the many, many people who made this celebration a success!" Kathy Brown
October 1, 2016 Nature Walk to Fanno Creek Park along Fanno Creek. We split up so that small groups could walk at their preferred speed. We enjoyed the fresh air and the fall breezes and were inspired by all the people running along the trail.
September 24, 2016 Let’s Get Moving: Staying independent with stamina, strength, balance, and mobility. This was a Viva Village fitness presentation by Jaqueline Sinke.
September 10, 2016 General meeting for Viva Village
September 3, 2016 Nature Walk to Koll Center Wetlands, Fanno Farmhouse, and Fanno Creek Trail. Six of us proceeded two by two at different speeds.
August 28, 2016 Portland Light Opera’s presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic “Iolanthe.” “A Dairy Diary,” by Ross Miller
Ten Viva Villagers took the path to Alpenrose Dairy and its 100-plus year old theater on Sunday, August 28. We saw no cows, but rather a host of fairies in the cast of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe,” a production of Light Opera of Portland’s (LOOP). Iolanthe was one of these fairies, a naughty fairy, it seems. She married a human—a fairy “no-no”— and had a “half-and-half” son (half fairy, half human . . . nothing to do with milk and cream.) But who, we wondered, might a girl fairy marry? (Remember, this is a 19th century musical!) We saw no boy fairies. Also, we saw no girl parliamentarians. (All but two of the men in the cast were “peers,” members of the House of Lords.) Another challenge to credulity: fairies don’t age. The LOOP fairies could sing and dance, but some of their faces showed signs of wear, like ours. Great community theater fun! And though “Iolanthe” was first performed in 1892, some of the lyrics poking fun at politicians, both “liberal” and “conservative”—the last syllable “tive” always rhymed with “jive”— seemed quite contemporary.
August 10, 2016 “Beaverton and Beyond Dine Around Luncheon” to the Chart House in Portland. There were nine of us enjoying each other and the fantastic view of the Willamette River near the Ross Island bridge..