12 JUStpUt
JULY 21.2006
A
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ourteen years ago, an
inspired group of Our
House of Portland staff
and volunteers found a
unique, grassroots way to
raise money. Dinner at My House
for Our House involves a wide
variety of people who support the
vital services that Our House
provides through a tremendous
amount of fun, entertainment and,
of course, fixxl.
“A dedicated and creative group
of hosts and chefs open their homes
and restaurants to throw parties
ranging from six to 75 guests," says
Jennifer Niederloh, events manager
at Our House. “They range from
Richard Lawson (left) and Charlie Frasier get ready to host
barnyard hoedowns to intimate,
their '50s feast as part of Dinner at My House for Our House.
formal, multicourse affairs—many
with live entertainment.” Tickets to attend these
Simmons can attest to the value of participation.
dinner parties range from $75 to $150. According to
“It’s so worthwhile,” says Cramer. “Because we’ve
Niederloh, the series raised $ 113,000 for Our House
spent most of our lives running our business
last year, and $ 120,000 is this year’s goal.
[Flowers by Dorcas], we didn’t have as much time
According to honorary chairwoman Lisa
to volunteer. Once we retired, Our House became
Schroeder, chef and owner of Mother’s Bistro and
our passion.” According to Cramer, it’s not only the
Mama Mia Trattoria, guests and hosts “are part of a
wonderful people who reside at Our House, but also
collective of individuals that are simultaneously
the people on the staff who are so upbeat that make
giving, receiving and enjoying.”
them want to do all they can.
Most people participate in the event for the
“Last year, one woman bought all eight tickets
love. “The need for a facility like Our House in our
for a dinner we hosted,” says Cramer. “A group of
community is great,” says Charlie Frasier, co-host
eight women in their 60s who were all college
with Richard Lawson for the “Bring Back Those
friends came for one of their annual get-togethers.
Burgers!” dinner party. “When people are dealing
They’re all bringing their husbands to the dinner at
with H1V/A1DS, it is important to give them as
our beach house this year!"
much care and comfort as possible.”
Cramer and Simmons will hold an old-fashioned
Lawson and Frasier, with celebrity chef Nancy
gourmet picnic, “Sea, Sand and Surf,” July 23 at
Lee of Nancy’s Kitchen in the Pearl, are hosting
their house overlooking Haystack Rock at Cannon
the biggest dinner this year by opening up Lawson’s
Beach. For $85, 20 guests can enjoy a summer after
home to 75 guests Oct. 21. According to Lawson,
noon of friendship, the music of the Bossa Boys steel
their dinner sold out last year, and their goal is to
drum band and homemade ice cream.
sell out again this year.
Other dinner parties of interest include
“Our emphasis is on those famous burgers that
“Wanda’s Wild Night at Crush" hosted by Woody
were the king of food in American cuisine from
Clarke, Mitch Calhoun and friends Oct. 15. For
the 1950s through the 1970s,” he says. “We try to
$120, 10 guests will be tantalized by a five-course,
emulate the burger emporiums like Yaws
farmer’s market fresh dinner of Northwest seafood
Topnotch and Jolly Jean’s. Nancy is the chef and produce. Throughout the evening, Wanda,
descendant of those places.”
Crush’s own “drag witch,” will delight with her
in addition to ’50s decor and music, Lawson’s
Tarot, potions and charms.
home, according to Frasier, is reason enough to get
You won’t want to miss John Hannana and
in on this special evening. “The big seller here is
Ralph Arnold Ill’s “Faites Simple.” For $150, 10
Richard’s home itself,” he says. “The 6,000-square-
lucky guests will indulge their senses Nov. 11 at
foot Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home offers an
Villa Alta Foresti. Souffles Renverses, Coq au Vin,
incredible art collection and awesome views of the
champagnes...it’s all gixxJ, oui?
Columbia River.”
With more than 60 different public dinner
According to Lawson, this dinner is the com parties ranging in size, menu, theme, venues,
plete antithesis to what is vogue in dinner parties.
celebrity chefs and entertainment, you will have
“Doing something different is a treat. We captured
no problem finding one that will suit your fancy.
a uniqueness no one else offers. Plus, it’s hard to do
You might even get it in your head to host your
own next year! ©
a five-course dinner for 75 people." While others
are more comfortable with formal and less inclusive
ways of giving, Lawson says, “Maximizing the
collection of money with our resources at hand is a
gixxl way to approach this.”
Event co-chairmen Bob Cramer and Allen
For more information about DINNER AT M y HOUSE
for O ur H ouse visit uw. ourhouseofpordand.org/
dinnerseries. To make reservations call
503-736-9276. Many dinners sell out quickly.
MARTY DAVIS
by Malka Geffen