Blues and BBQ benefit Parkrose restaurateur

See photos of East Portland Chamber of Commerce members having fun, while they support a fellow Chamber member at their “BBQ-4-Bob” ‚Ä¶

Holly Moss, Richard Kiely and Julia Farman ‚Äì the organizers of the BBQ-4-Bob event ‚Äì pause, after receiving a warm round of applause for their efforts. See the “Photo Album” below ‚Ä¶

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Through hard work, Bob Hodges and Margaret Erikson took a building that was once a bank branch, then a failed teen club, and turned it into a first-class destination for both barbecue and blues music.

The great tastes and sounds we’re writing about are in Parkrose, at Beale Street NW, 10721 NE Sandy Blvd. (just east of Parkrose Hardware).

Even more, Bob and Margaret opened their hearts, and restaurant by organizing one of the most-successful-ever hurricane Katrina relief efforts, benefiting NW Medical teams.

When Bob became ill, and was in the hospital for weeks undergoing major surgery, his friends from the East Portland Chamber of Commerce threw a BBQ & Blues for Bob event on June 29.

Richard “When it comes to printing, if its somewhere in the ballpark, it’s not a home run” Kiely, of Home Run Graphics–the event’s chief organizer–said, “I felt the urge to help Bob and Margaret. So, with help from our Chamber friends, we put on the party.”

In all, the event raised $3,425 ‚Äì and boosted Bob’s spirits.

Photo Album
Take a look at the fun this Chamber group had while supporting their friend!

It wasn’t all “giving”. Guests at Beal St. NW also “got” their fill of the finest barbecue in the Pacific Northwest ‚Äì from ribs, to sausage, to chicken and brisket ‚Äì they dined on meat so good it didn’t need sauce (but the sauce was great!). The “fixins” included their famous corn bread muffins, corn-on-the-cob, salads, and more.

A separate raffle held at the event was for a Fender Stratocaster Guitar, supplied and donated by the event’s main sponsor, Home Run Graphics. The lucky winner, Holly Moss (of The Bookkeeping Company), donated the fine musical instrument to Richard Kiely. Holly has a beautiful singing voice; guess she didn’t want learn to play an “ax”! Richard was thrilled.

Prize packages galore! Participants were treated to nine big bundles of joy, each of which included restaurant coupons, candies, and an unusual battery-operated device.

Sandra (of The Bookkeeping Company) won the dream vacation lodging package supplied by Frank Ryan from NW Senior News.

In all, more than 120 people came to the party/fund-raiser and enjoyed food, fun and music.

Richard presents Margaret and Bob with a check for the proceeds of the event at a recient East Portland Chamber of Commerce “Good Morning East Portland” event.

Learn more
You can find out more about the this group by checking out their web site at www.eastportlandchamber.com.

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