Featuring Strings ‘n Things

National Fiddle Champion Carol Ann Wheeler

With John Standefer and Rob Hoffman

Tuesday, February 14^th at 1:30 pm

What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin, anyway? As it turns out, not much, except how music is played on it! Free and open to the public, Cornell Estates is proud to present a Valentine’s Day concert featuring fiddle champion Carol Ann Wheeler, with musical accompaniment by John Standefer and Rob Hoffman on Tuesday, February 14^th, at 1:30 pm. Enjoy listening to the vibrant and diverse styles of fiddle music at this unique performance.

The fiddle has a proud history strongly rooted in the folk traditions of North America, England, Scotland, Ireland and some African nations. Fiddle music is typically fast and energetic, as in the style of old-time music. One of the oldest forms of music, old time music has come to be called just that. Associated with the stories, history and customs of a people and passed on informally and formally through generations, old time music is brought to life by the fiddle.

Carol Ann Wheeler, former Ladies National Fiddle Champion, plays a variety of fiddle styles, including Irish, Scottish, Canadian, Texas, and Gypsy, as well as classical violin. She is proud to preserve America’s heritage of old-time fiddle music and has written numerous instructional books on the topic. Additionally, she has recorded old time fiddle music with the Mel Bay Company.

National finger-picking guitarist John Standefer adds the perfect accompaniment to the violin. John is the winner of the 2002 National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship at Winfield, Kansas and the Open Division winner of the 2004 International Home of the Legends Competition.

Finally, Rob Hoffman began music when he was quite young, playing clarinet. He had a desire to learn string instruments, so he took up the auto harp, folk harp, and with the addition of the Jew’s Harp he created what he fondly refers to as his “Harp Trilogy.” Loving the rhythmic side of music, he explored percussion instruments and various “gizmos and gadgets,” creating some of his own design along the way.

Between Carol Ann, John, and Ron, the trio has more than 140 years of musical experience. We would love for you to join us for this special Valentine’s Day treat!

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, please call Cornell Estates Retirement & Assisted Living at (503) 640-2884.

The Birds of Jamaica

Friday, February 10^th at 1:30 pm

When you think of Jamaica, you probably imagine white sandy beaches, warm water, and hot tropical sunshine. But did you know that Jamaica is also home to a wide variety of birds? Escape the winter with the Portland Audubon Society on Friday, February 10^th, at 1:30 pm at Cornell Estates Retirement and Assisted living as they take us on a 10-day excursion into Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Our tropical excursion begins in Montego Bay, a popular resort destination where we team up with local guide Ricardo Miller. Under Miller’s guidance, we will visit a nearby bird sanctuary famous for providing visitors with up-close views of some of Jamaica’s most interesting birds.

From Negril, we team up with Dr. Ann Hayes-Sutton, who will give us a tour of Marshall’s Pen, her historic estate and home to Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, the Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo and the Jamaican Owl, just to name a few. We will also head into the Blue Mountains in search of harder-to-spot birds, including the Blue Mountain Vireo.

Before heading home, our Oregon Audubon guide will pause on the northeast coast, giving us time to explore the beautiful Jamaican landscape through stories and pictures. And, of course, one last look at the many bird species that call Jamaica home!

The Audubon Society of Portland promotes the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife and their habitats. They focus on the local community and the Pacific Northwest, offering a wide variety of trips, classes, camps, and other programming. Founded in the early 1900s, the organization’s mission is “to use any and all lawful means for the protection of the wild birds and animals for the State of Oregon and elsewhere.”

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, please call (503) 640-2884.

Hillsboro to the MAX

with the Hillsboro Community Youth Choir

Saturday, February 4^th at 2:30 pm

Do you enjoy learning about the past? Then you’ll love Hillsboro to the Max, a production that sets history to music, making the stories of the past come alive right before your eyes! Cornell Estates is proud to invite you to this free musical concert on Saturday, February 4^th, at 2:30 pm at Cornell Estates Retirement and Assisted Living.

Hillsboro to the MAX is a celebration of Hillsboro’s rich history, set to song and dance. The show centers on Alexi and Emily, two sisters who are headed by MAX to their grandmother’s house in Hillsboro. But instead of arriving at the next stop, they arrive in 1843 Hillsboro!

In fact, each stop along the MAX line brings them to a different era in Hillsboro’s history, including 1876, 1908, 1943, 1955, and 1978 before arriving back in their own year of 2012. At each stop along the way, the girls explore Hillsboro’s history by talking with famous historical figures and through popular music of the era.

Written in collaboration with the Hillsboro Historical Society, Hillsboro to the MAX is funded by a Community Arts and Culture Grant from the Hillsboro Arts and Culture Council. Local playwright Linda Needham wrote the entertaining script, and Kay Demlow from the Hillsboro Historical Society is the costume consultant. The revue will also be performed on Sunday, February 5^th, at 3:00 pm at the Venetian Theatre in Hillsboro. Both performances are free and open to the public.

The Hillsboro Community Youth Choir (HCYC) is a non-profit choir committed to promoting excellence in choral music and is dedicated to enriching the lives of youth by instilling a life-long love of music through performance and education. The choir is open to any K-12 students in Washington County and performs several times a year, including Handel’s Messiah with the Portland Chamber Orchestra as well as its own concerts. Founded in 2003, the choir is now in its 7^th season.

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, please call (503) 640-2884.

The History of Elvis Presley

Wednesday, January 18^th at 1:30 pm

Ask anyone today about Elvis Presley, and you will receive a wide variety of responses: latest Elvis sightings, a comment on their favorite Elvis song, or perhaps a story about a Las Vegas elopement with Elvis as the star witness. But who was Elvis Presley? Join Gordon Neal Herman at Cornell Estates on Wednesday, January 18^th, at 1:30 pm and find out!

In honor of Elvis’ January birthday, Gordon will lead us on an expedition into the personal history of The King of Rock and Roll and his music. Born in 1935, Elvis grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, surrounded by a wide variety of musical styles.

2 years after recording his first album with Sun Records, he was an international sensation, starring in movies, TV specials, as well as ground-breaking sold out crowds on his live tours. Although he died in 1977, he is still one of the most iconic pop culture figures. So if “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” then you’ve “Got a Lot O’ Living to Do” as you join Gordon for this exciting presentation.

Gordon is a classically trained pianist who plays jazz professionally. He has led several different jazz groups, toured and recorded with a jazz quintet for 10 years. As a composer, Gordon has written music for wind ensembles, string quartets, and voice, and has worked with several local theater companies as a music director and sound designer composing music for several theater productions.

Gordon has been very active in the arts and education. He was the Fine Arts Program Director for a public broadcasting station and the booking manager for a ballet company. He has taught music history at several colleges, including Linfield College and Marylhurst University, as well as classes for OASIS programs.

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, please call (503) 640-2884.

Friday, January 20^th at 1:30 pm

If you were to hear someone say, “I took a road trip across America,” chances are that images of RVs, gas stations, and long stretches of empty highway would spring to mind. For Bob Kuest, however, the opposite is true. Join Bob on Friday, January 20^th, at 1:30 pm at Cornell Estates Retirement and Assisted Living as he shares his road trip experiences to the Gulf Coast and the Midwest.

Our rather unusual journey begins at the National Churchill Museum (as in Winston Churchill), located in Fulton, Missouri. The museum is housed in a 12^th century church that was relocated from London to honor the location where Churchill gave his famous “Iron Curtain” speech. Walk alongside Bob and Lenora as they take us through a world-class collection of Churchill memorabilia through pictures and stories.

Next, let’s travel on to Lake Peigneur near New Iberia, Louisiana. On the morning of November 21^st, 1980, this 1300 acre lake was only 11 feet deep. Somehow, a Texaco drilling mine accidentally struck a salt mine shaft below, and in the course of 3 hours, the entire lake drained into the salt mines beneath it. Bob will re-tell the tale of the salt miners’ harrowing escape, and how the Gulf of Mexico refilled the empty basin, completely changing the landscape and ecology of the area.

Unlike our first two destinations, our final visit is to a very famous landmark: Carlsbad Caverns. Marvel at Bob’s beautiful pictures of columns, pillars, stalagmites, and stalactites. In his own words, the main Carlsbad cavern is “bigger than the Rose Garden!” It’s also home to several species of bats, and the wildlife area surrounding the caverns are crawling with interesting wildlife.

Tuesday, January 17^th at 3:00 pm

As our population grows older statistics are indicating that the rate of both fatal falls and fall hospitalizations increase with age. Falls are the leading cause of hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries among Oregon seniors. On Tuesday, January 17^th, at 3:00 pm, Bruce Montgomery, a representative from the Hillsboro Fire Rescue’s Community Education Division, will address the important topic, “Preventing Falling Down and Falling Injuries.” The lecture is free and open to the public.

Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but also easy to fix. Montgomery will cover the Hillsboro Fire and Rescue’s fall prevention program which offers six tips that can help keep you safely on your feet. The goal of this program is to make seniors more aware of these hazards and help reduce them. The most frequently noted type of fall resulting in hospitalization among Oregon seniors was slipping or tripping on a level surface; an average of 2,400 falls of this type occurred each year.

Bruce Montgomery presents fire and life safety education to various segments of the Hillsboro community. He also serves as back up Public Information Officer which entails communicating fire and emergency response information to the media and public as dynamic emergency situations arise. Lastly, He serves as Chaplain providing support for individuals and families in our community who have been impacted by any number of traumatic events.

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, please call (503) 640-2884.

Wednesday, January 11^th and Thursday, January 12^th

8:45 am – 12:00 pm each day

In mid-January, Cornell Estates Retirement & Assisted Living Community will once again be hosting the AARP’s Driver Safety Program. This 6-hour driver safety workshop for drivers age 50 and older will be held over two days: Wednesday, January 11^th, and Thursday, January 12^th, from 8:45am – 12:00 pm each day.

Why take a driver safety refresher course? Cars have changed — so have traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads we drive on every day. This course is an excellent way to brush up on driving skills to stay safe!

The AARP Driver Safety Program has offered this classroom course in communities around the country since 1979. It is the nation’s first and largest course for drivers age 50 and older. The program has helped millions of drivers protect their safety on today’s roads.

This workshop is open to the public. There is a $12 registration fee for AARP members, and $14 for non-members. Most auto insurance companies provide discounts for completing this course, so check with your insurance company.

To register, please call Cornell Estates at  (503) 640-2884. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro.

Private Pilot Col. Scott Powell, Retired

Friday, January 13^th at 1:30 pm

Every summer, thousands of people flood the Hillsboro Airport for the annual Air Show. But what is it really like to fly into combat as a pilot? Join us for an intimate window into a military pilot’s life on Friday, January 13^th, at 1:30 pm as Retired Colonel Scott Powell describes his flying career.

Col. Powell’s presentation will cover his life-long pursuit of airplanes, from serving as a US Air Force pilot in Vietnam, to piloting classic planes for the Hillsboro Classic Aircraft Museum and finally as an International Air Ambulance Pilot. He will mix slideshows with history lessons, memorabilia with little-known interesting facts, and anecdotes from 40 years of flying great aircraft.

During his 30 year history in the armed forces, Col. Powell accumulated over 5,500 flying hours in 8 different aircraft. His 650 combat flying hours span 301 combat missions in Southeast Asia during 1971-72, including Vietnam and Okinawa, as well as a distinguished 24-year career in the Oregon Air National Guard. He currently runs a 300 acre farm in the Willamette Valley, flies in the Northwest Air Shows each year in a variety of retired “Warbirds,” and pilots international Air Ambulance Lear Jet missions.

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, please call (503) 640-2884.

Through the Eyes of a Professional Safari Guide

Friday, December 4^nd at 1:30 pm

While visiting the United States as a special guest of Hillsboro residents Jim and Gayle Darr, African Safari Guide, Gerion Kavishe, will take time to come to Cornell Estates Retirement and Assisted Living to share his experiences and insights of his beloved homeland, Tanzania.This program will be held on Friday, December 2^nd and is free and open to the public.

Kavishe, who recently received his PhD, will discuss Tanzania’s geography including the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the deepest depths of Lake Tanganyika, vast plains of the Serengeti, the massive Selous Game Reserve and Ngorongoro Crater the 8^th wonder of the world. Once a volcano, it is now a collapsed crater 2,000 feet deep and 10 miles wide where prides of lions roam.

The audience will learn about African food and culture, African traditions and taboos including the local Maasi and two other primitive tribes. An expert on Tanzania’s flora and fauna, Kavishe will explain the migration of more than one and a half million wildebeest to the nocturnal movements of the predators that stalk them as well other wildlife, including lions and zebras to hippos, flamingos, and more.

Gerion Kavishe is an employee of Ranger Safaris, one of the country’s oldest and most respected tour operators located in the heart of Arusha. The company arranges climbs on Mount Kilimanjaro, bird watching, cultural and historic tours as well safaris for groups and family members. It was while Gayle Darr was on a family safari with her three grandchildren, Riley, Sydney and Parker Hoffman, they first met Kavishe who served as their Professional Safari Guide.

This program is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1007 NE 17^th Avenue, Hillsboro. For more information, call (503) 640-2882.

All About Flutes with Morgan Brown

Tuesday, November 30^th at 1:30 pm

Everyone’s familiar with a flute and a piccolo. But did you know there are actually over a dozen different kinds of flutes, including a bass flute? Join Morgan Brown for our next installment in our Music Matters series on Wednesday, November 30^th, at 1:30 pm at Cornell Estates Retirement & Assisted Living to explore the fascinating world of flutes!

Morgan Brown, Founder and Principal Flute of the Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra, will discuss the various kinds of flutes in the flute family and their place in history, as well as how each flute has its own special sound. We’ll explore how each Flute sounds, what sort of voice they each have and how different materials can make a difference in sound production.

Morgan will bring many “flavors” of flutes from the deep voice of the bass flute to the high voice of the piccolo. Each flute has a different “tonal palette” of sound colors uniquely used by composers through the more recent centuries in many different ways!

This presentation is in preparation for the Rose City Flute Choir, who will be performing at Cornell Estates on Saturday, December 10^th, at 1:30 pm. With about 20 musicians, the Rose City Flute Choir is certainly a unique experience! And with Morgan’s information about the different kinds of flutes, it will be an extra treat!

This event is free and open to the public. Cornell Estates is located at 1005 NE 17^th Avenue in Hillsboro, OR.  For more information, please call (503) 640-2884.