OREGON  ANNUAL  EVENTS

Columbia River Soap Box Derby The Columbia River Soap Box Derby local race is an annual event held during the June. The winner of the race will be eligible for a trip to Akron, Ohio as our representative in the World Championship All-American Race

Classic Wines Auction Winemaker Dinners Dinner/Lunch   03/06/2003   6:30 p.m.  $100 per person Various restaurants in Portland The region that helped make pinot noir one of the most celebrated red wines in the world is gearing up for an event not to miss, the annual Classic Wines Auction, March 6-8, ranked the sixth largest charity wine event in the U.S. by Wine Spectator magazine.  Kicking-off the three-day affair are intimate Winemaker Dinners, March 6, at top Portland restaurants. Limited to 10 guests each, the exclusive dinners feature winemakers from two wineries paired with chefs from the city's top tables.  Other events include the Ambassadors Dinner, March 7, and the signature Classic Wines Auction, March 8.  Since its inception almost 20 years ago, Classic Wines Auction events have raised nearly $6 million for Metropolitan Family Service, which helps local children, families and adults in need. This year, it will involve two additional Portland nonprofits with the same focus: Boys & Girls Aid Society, and Tuality Healthcare Foundation's ¡Salud! Program.  Tickets for Winemaker Dinners are $100. For more information, contact Judy Anderson, Auction Director, at 503- 232- 0007 x106. To make reservations for Classic Wines Auction events, call 503- 232- 0007 x107.

Greatest of the Grape 33rd Annual Wine Tasting   03/08/2003    7-11 pm   $45 per person Greatest of the Grape, Oregon's oldest wine event, features more than 24 top Oregon Wineries matching their finest wine with the culinary talents with regional restaurants in an aesthetic setting of local artisan displays.  New to this year's event is a professional judging panel:  Rebecca Murphy, executive director of the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition,  Cole Danehower, editor of the Oregon Wine Report  and Cameron Nagle, editor of Northwest Palate will select the "Critic's Choice Platinum Wine Award", as well as gold and silver level wines. As always, ticket holders will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite wine. The wine receiving the most votes wins the Greatest of the Grape.  Guests will also enjoy the ambiance and live music by Don Latarski and Rue de Blues. A silent and live auction will be held, featuring rare library wines, one-of-a-kind artwork and superb gift packages. A complimentary shuttle will be available from Roseburg.  Tickets for this gala event go on sale February 1, 2003 for $45 each and can be obtained from       Abacela Vineyard & Winery 541-679-6642     Melrose Vineyards 541-672-6080

Oregon  Home schooling In Oregon, home schooling is legal if parents notify the county Education Service District (ESD) that they are homeschooling and demonstrate "adequate academic progress" by submitting achievement test results.  These legal requirements apply to students between age 7 (on September 1) and age 18. High-school-aged students have no additional legal requirements. For children under 7, the family can educate however they want-- there are no legal requirements.  http://www.efn.org/~light/

Redsides Rodeo Saturday & Sunday, September 27 & 28, 2003 Redsides Rodeo Join us for the 7th annual Redsides Rodeo, a freestyle whitewater kayak competition at Redsides Hole on the McKenzie River.

The Oregon Wine and Art Auction 07/19/2003    4:00 PM - 9:00PM     $125.00 per person The 11th Annual Oregon Wine and Art Auction with the theme "Wine on the Vine" will be held July 19, 2003, at Adelsheim Winery, 16800 NE Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132  The Oregon Wine and Art Auction is an annual fund raising event held by the Rotary Club of McMinnville at a Yamhill County winery. This premier event features bottles of Oregon wine not generally available to the public and original art from local artists.  This event will benefit Emanuel Children's Hospital and other Rotary Club of McMinnville projects.  The Oregon Wine and Art Auction  1301 NE Hwy. 99W Box 200  McMinnville, Oregon 97128  Tel. 503-883-0323  http://theoregonwineandartauction.org/