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Deaf Community Events
Preparing for Your First Deaf Community Event
It is normal to feel at least a little anxious when attending your first Deaf community event as an ASL student. It is okay to feel nervous. Just remember, the same as most hearing people, most Deaf people do not bite. They can, however, sense fear. No, justing kidding. Students' first immersive experience in any language that is foreign to them can understandably cause some anxiety because of a lack of the ability to communicate and a fear of embarrassment from making a mistake in the target language or an inability to understand. In language learning, it is important to acknowledge these feelings and overcome them by realizing that it's okay to make mistakes. Even fluent, native speakers of every language mispeak every day. You are not being tested on your language skills; you are practicing your conversational skills and expanding your vocabulary and comprehension skills in the best environment possible--a real life situation.
While students tend to feel nervous attending their first couple Deaf community events, as they learn through personal experience that these events are just casual, social settings, as they make Deaf friends, and as their proficiency in the language improves, they tend to enjoy the opportunity to both socialize with members of the Deaf community and practice the language.
Before going to your first Deaf community event there is some basic personal information you should be ready share in ASL. Because the Deaf community is much smaller than the general population, it is normal for strangers to walk up to each other and start social conversations, usually beginning with asking for the person's name. This is often followed by asking if the person is deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing. If you are hearing, it is not uncommon for the person you are conversing with to expect you to explain how you are involved to the Deaf community. Thus, you should be ready to sign the following:
- Finger spell your name and share your name sign if you have one
- Sign that you are deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing
- Explain your connection to the Deaf community; for example: an ASL student or Deaf family member
- Share your ASL teacher's name
- Share your hobbies
For ASL students, it is important to remember that these events are not school-sponsored activities, and students are responsible for their participation in these events and for making sure their parents or guardian are aware of their attendance to the events. Students should never attend any of these events alone. At some of the events, such as Deaf community gatherings at coffee shops or restaurants, it is common courtesy to order something to encourage the establishment to continue to support the Deaf community gatherings. Other events listed below involve churches, and students should obtain their parents' or guardian's consent to attend them, the same as all other events. While attending Deaf community events, students' behavior should represent their school and families well.
One last note to remember when attend any Deaf community event, it is generally
considered rude to have a spoken conversation in English with other hearing
people without signing what you are saying in front of Deaf people if you know
how sign, especially at Deaf gatherings. Many ASL students find it useful to
not use their voice at such events, not only to avoid such a faux pas, but also
to take full advantage of the opportunity to immerse themselves more fully in
the language they want to learn.
Upcoming Special Events
LDS Deaf Church Thanksgiving Dinner
Saturday, November 12, 2011
5:00 p.m.
2931 SE Harrison Street
Portland, OR 97214
Regularly Held Events
Regal
Cinemas Open Captioned Movie Showtimes 
Captionfish Open
Captioned Movies
More events listed on deaforegon.com
Event announcements below have been collected and distributed by George Scheler at schelerg@comcast.net.
Weekly Events
ASL (Sign Language) Knitting Group
Every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
8524 SE 17th
Portland, OR 97202
Phone: (503) 258-9276
www.abundantyarn.com
An informal ASL conversation group centered around knitting and other handworks
(crochet, spinning, etc). We can plan projects, discuss patterns and chat about
anything. If you have questions, email hannah@abundantyarn.com
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Deaf Coffee night every Friday at Border’s Café on Lancaster Dr.
in Salem (behind Izzy’s) from 7-10 pm. It is an ASL only event.
Luvdots21@aol.com<mailto:Luvdots21@aol.com>
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Every Monday at South Salem Friends Church, 1140 Baxter Rd. SE, Salem from 4-5
pm. Drink fresh coffee, eat cookies, meet new faces, chat, ask questions about
life. God and stuff.
circuitriderministry@hotmail.com
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Lane Independent Living Alliance (LILA) is offering Sign Language Classes at
99 W. 10th, Eugene in the Atrium Building (across from main bus station). Begins
February, 2006 from 2-3:30 pm. Meets every Thursday, Cost: $15 per month. (cost
includes working with a private tutor as well as class room instruction.) Contact
Linda Diaz or Ingrid Reasoner at warmheart2@msn.com<mailto:warmheart2@msn.com>
or ingytabby@webtv.net<mailto:ingytabby@webtv.net>
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AA & Al-Anon meetings interpreted or conducted in ASL: for times, place
and events go to the following website: http://www.dhh12s.com/meetingschedule.htm
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Oregon & Washington AA & Al-Anon 12 step meetings interpreted or conducted
in ASL: for times and locations email dhh12s@hotmail.com<mailto:dhh12s@hotmail.com>
or check the dhh12s website.
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Evergreen Seniors every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at SWCDHH (on WSD campus),
3015 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
frank@swcdhh.org<mailto:frank@swcdhh.org>
Monthly Events
Salem Seniors on the 4th Friday of each month at Senior Citizen Center, 1055
Erixon St. NE, Salem from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Lunch at 11:30 am. Meeting, games
and fellowship at 12 noon.
Thonap43@aol.com<mailto:Thonap43@aol.com>
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Grants Pass Pizza night at Abbys Pizza, 1560 Williams Hwy, Grant Pass on the
2nd Friday of every month staring on December 8, 2006 from 5-9 pm.
lindaredhair@hotmail.com<mailto:Prettylady1971@hotmail.com>
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Deaf Night at Abby’s Legendary Pizza, 1080 S. Riverside, Medford on the
4th Saturday of each month from 5-9 pm. For info. Contact: Prettylady1971@hotmail.com<mailto:prettylady1971@hotmail.com>
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Karma Café, 8220 SE Harrison St. #115, Portland from 6-9 pm. Anyone who
wants to chat in ASL and have a good time! Open to all levels of ASL. An opportunity
to use ASL and socialize in a great café that serves up wonderful coffee/tea/bubble
tea, WIFI, and more! The 2nd Thursday of every month!
Loriann_kordalis@ddouglas.k12.or.us
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Vancouver Starbucks Deaf night
11502 SE Mill Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98684
First Friday of each month from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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Beaverton Starbucks Deaf night
11405 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.
Beaverton, OR 97005
The Starbucks is in the same building as Fred Meyer's
Second Friday of each month from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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Starbuck Coffee Deaf coffee/chat at Rogue Valley Mall, 1600 N. Riverside, Medford.
Every 3rd Saturday from 5:30 pm to close.
jicvand@charter.net<mailto:jicvand@charter.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Deaf Coffee & Chat at Lisa Hanson’s home/business, 6371 Rogue River
Hwy, Grants Pass every last Saturday from 12 noon until sunset
interpretoregon@hotmail.com<mailto:interpretoregon@hotmail.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Baker City SHHH meets 2nd Monday of the month at 4 pm at Community Connections,
2810 Cedar St., Baker City or contact pegleg@bakervalley.net<mailto:pegleg@bakervalley.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Bend SHHH meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6 pm at the St. Charles
Medical Rehab room, contact: Cathys@coril.org<mailto:Cathys@coril.org>
----------------------------------------------------
Central Oregon Coast SHHH meets 4th Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm at Newport
Chamber of Commerce, Contact bob hall at bhall@oregonvos.net<mailto:bhall@oregonvos.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Lane County SHHH meets 2nd Thursday of the month at 7 pm at Hilyard Community
Center. Contact Leone Miller at vngleone@msn.com<mailto:vngleone@msn.com>
or angora@concast.net<mailto:angora@concast.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Lowestin (Lake Oswego/West Linn/Tualitan) SHHH meets 2nd Tuesday each month
at 2 pm at the Adult Community Center, 505 G St., Lake Oswego, Contact Ed Larson
at edlarson4@juno.com<mailto:edlarson4@juno.com>
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Medford area Chapter of SHHH, contact Jim and Marilyn Hamm at cruzin2thetop@aol.com<mailto:cruzin2thetop@aol.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Roseburg SHHH meets 2nd Monday of the month at 7 pm at the Mercy Hospital Community
Ed Room, 2459 Stewart Parkway, Roseburg. Contact Lorene Russell at rltussell@mcsi.net<mailto:rltussell@mcsi.net>
or Clark Anderson at clarkoa@mcsi.net<mailto:clarkoa@mcsi.net>
----------------------------------------------------
SHHH Salem Chapter meeting the 2nd Wed. of each month at Salem Hospital, 665
Winter St. at 6:30 pm in the auditorium in the basement of the main building.
Contact Kathy & Donald Ladd at shhhsalem@aol.com<mailto:shhhsalem@aol.com>
----------------------------------------------------
SHHH Portland Chapter meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at Legacy
Good Samaritan Hospital in the Wistar-Morris conference room on first floor
of main hospital.(corner of NW 22nd and Marshall St.) hey_foster@hotmail.com<mailto:hey_foster@hotmail.com>
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Faith Lutheran Church,4505 River Rd.,Keizer; 2nd Saturday at 7:30 pm. AA/Alanon
groups get together for a speaker's night. Interpreted JHoltzi@msn.com<mailto:JHoltzi@msn.com>
----------------------------------------------------
LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University; has monthly events that can
have interpreters. Check web page: http://osu.edu/calendar for titles,dates,time.
Contact shawn.tucker@orst.edu<mailto:shawn.tucker@orst.edu> to request
interpreters for events.
----------------------------------------------------
Golden Times Club: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of every month at Epperson Building
on Washington School for the Deaf campus. 10 am to 2 pm Donation: $1 Bring your
own sack lunch on the 1st & 3rd Thursday.
frank@swcdhh.org<mailto:frank@swcdhh.org>
----------------------------------------------------
Evergreen Senior Citizens: Every Tuesday at SWCDHH from 9 am to 3 pm Bring your
own sack lunch and snack. Occasionally, we will have potluck.
----------------------------------------------------
DSC: Deaf Scrabble Club officially ends due to lack of attendance. For those
who which to play one on one, feel free to email me personally at asl.tutor@comcast.net
Religious Events
Salem Alliance Church is a weekend church! It's time for a new schedule....come
and fellowship!
*Saturday activities: Saturday evening interpreted service at 5:00 p.m. in the
main church. Interpreted youth classes for grades K-1, 2-3, and High School
at 6:30 p.m.
*Sunday activities: Sunday interpreted service is at 9:30 a.m. in the main church.
Deaf Fellowship class, in American Sign Language, meets at 11:00 a.m. at 565
Hood St. (across from the church) for high school students and adults. Interpreted
classes for HS students and children in grades 2-3 and 4-5 are also available.
*Midweek activities with Deaf Young Life: Middle School students meet on Monday
evenings. High school students meet on Sunday and Monday nights.
Salem Alliance Church, 555 Gaines St. NE, Salem. For more information, contact
Robyn Brown, Director of Deaf Ministries at rbrown@salemalliance.org or (v)503-581-2129
x241 or VP 503-581-2129.
----------------------------------------------------
Paulist Center (Catholic services), SE 16th & Division, Portland. 1st &
2nd Sundays of the month at 10:30 am; 4th Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm lroby@archdpdx.or<mailto:lroby@archdpdx.or>
----------------------------------------------------
The Circuit Rider Deaf Ministry is available to visit your group of Deaf Christians.
This new Deaf ministry is seeking Deaf/HH groups who are without a pastor or
wanting to get together to See God’s words in ASL. Bringing the Good News
of Jesus Christ to the Deaf world. Preaching, teaching, prayer, healing using
drama and art and counseling in ASL. Contact Bruce Bibby at circuitriderministry@hotmail.com
or call ORS 503-364-7476; South Salem Friends Church.
----------------------------------------------------
Norkensie Church of Christ in Eugene, Or. Has an interpreter available. Please
contact Amanda Corburn for more informationL: musical-girl@juno.com<mailto:musical-girl@juno.com>
or 541-463=1996 (V). If you know where it is and plan to attend, please call
or email to let me know.
----------------------------------------------------
Peninsula Church of Christ, 7470 N. Newman, Portland, Or. Sunday interpreted
worship at 10:30 am. Sunday bible classes at 9:30 am and Wednesday at 7:30 pm.
First Sunday Potluck following morning worship. First Friday Fabulous Family
Fun from 7-9 pm. Minister is Steve Merryman.
smerryman@webcomet.com<mailto:smerryman@webcomet.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Sacred Heart Church (Catholic services), corner of 10th & Oakdale St, Medford.
For information on time contact mafarina@cs.com<mailto:mafarina@cs.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Maple Grove Assembly of God Church, 12700 NE 199th St., Battleground, Wa. Every
Sunday at 9:30 am deaf bible study, 10:30 am deaf worship service; every Wednesday
at 7:00 pm deaf bible study. Pastor Jim & Dawn Smith – jimndawn82@msn.com<mailto:jimndawn82@msn.com>
Ministers Eugene & Linda Gehm– ejgehm@comcast.net<mailto:ejgehm@comcast.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Oregon City Evangelical Church, 1024 Linn Ave., Oregon City, sign interpreting
services at 11:15 am Sunday Service. Website: www.ocec.net<http://www.ocec.net/>
or cjstorey@bctonline.com<mailto:cjstorey@bctonline.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Oakview Community Church of God, 38181 Gilkey Rd. Scio. Morning Worship: Sundays
at 10:30 am. Assistive listening devices available for Hard of Hearing.
----------------------------------------------------
Rogue Valley Christian Fellowship, 2375 S. Pacific Hwy., Medford. 11:00 am worship/11:30
am sermon every Sunday. Bible class at 9:00 am.
541-535-6638 use relay
----------------------------------------------------
Westside Church, 2051 NW Shevlin Park Road, Bend. Sunday services at 9:00 am.
541-923-2897 (v) darhagen75@hotmail.com<mailto:darhagen75@hotmail.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Hope Lutheran Church of the Deaf, 11100 NE Skidmore St., Portland 503-252-0706
TTY/voice;if no answer, 503-667-6703. Rev. David Carstens. Bible Class at 9:30
am and Worship Service at 10:30 am. Worships in room on main level near Pastor
Carstens office. HopeLCDeaf@juno.com<mailto:hopeLCDeaf@juno.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Good Shepherd Community Church, 28986 SE Haley Rd., Boring, Or.
(just off of Haley Rd. and HWY 26) Saturday evening interpreted service
at 5:30 pm. http://www.goodshepherdcc.org/index.html
----------------------------------------------------
New Hope Community Church, 11731 SE Stevens Rd., Portland. 11:00 am services
are interpreted.. Wednesday evening small groups for high schoolers by arrangement.
www.newhopecommunitychurch.org or harriett@newhopecommunitychurch.org
----------------------------------------------------
New Beginnings Christian Center, 3300 NE 172nd Place and Sandy Blvd., Gresham,
OR.. The interpreted service on Sunday is at 10:30 a.m. now. There is a special
section reserved for Deaf and hard-of-hearing. For more information regarding
interpreted services at New Beginnings Christian Center please contact Cheryl
at: CRebman@newbeginningslive.com or by phone at: 1.503.256.6050 ext. 120 or
check us out online at: http://www.newbeginningslive.com/index.htm
----------------------------------------------------
Hucrest Community Church of God, 2075 NW Witherspoon at Troost, Roseburg. Sunday
School-9:30 am; Sunday Worship-8:00 & 10:40 am; Wednesday Bible Study-7:00
pm. Info 541-673-7073
----------------------------------------------------
Westside Church, 2051 NW Shevlin Park Rd., Bend, Or. Every Sunday at 9:00-10:30
am. Darhagen75@hotmail.com<mailto:Darhagen75@hotmail.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Mid-Valley Baptist Church, 1750 SW 3 rd St,. Corvallis, Or 97333 (in storefront,
not church building) has interpreted services every Sunday at 10:30 am and Wednesday
at 7:00 pm bobandlisa11@hotmail.com<mailto:bobandlisa11@hotmail.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Columbia Pres. Church, 805 Columbia Ridge Dr., Vancouver, Wa. 9:30 am services
on Sunday. kwalesboost@aol.com<mailto:kwalesboost@aol.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Christian Deaf Church, 7030 SE Holgate Blvd., Portland 97206. Deaf Worship Service
at 10:30 am. Pastor Eric Martin. cdcportland@comcast.net <http://www.portlanddeafchurch.com/>
----------------------------------------------------
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 840 A Ave., Lake Oswego. 2nd Sunday of
the month. 11:00 a.m. lroby@archdpdx.org<mailto:lroby@archdpdx.org>
----------------------------------------------------
Prineville Christian Church, 1685 SE Lynn Blvd.,Prineville. Interpreted once
a month at 10:45am, Sunday School when no interpreter in basement at 10:45am.
Contact Kathy for dates. kahago@crestviewcable.com<mailto:kahago@crestviewcable.com>
----------------------------------------------------
St. Peter Catholic Church; 1150 Maxwell Rd., Eugene. Contact Lisa Dayton if
you want an interpreted mass on the 3rd Sundays of the summer months.
ldayton@opusnet.com<mailto:ldayton@opusnet.com>
----------------------------------------------------
St. Cyril Catholic Church, 9210 SW 5th, Wilsonville; 3rd Saturday of the month
at 5 pm. lroby@archdpdx.org<mailto:lroby@archdpdx.org>
----------------------------------------------------
Unitarian Universalist Church of Salem,5090 Center St. NE; interpreted services
at 10:30 am every Sunday. Has FM systems. Ramona_uucs@yahoo.com<mailto:Ramona_uucs@yahoo.com>
or 503-364-0932
----------------------------------------------------
Trinity Baptist Church, 1162 "B" St., Springfield. Bible Study every
Sunday at 9:30 am; worship service at 10:50 am every Sunday. Bible Study on
Wednesday’s from 6 to 7:30 pm. If any questions contact Irene Stark at
the following e mail address. Stark39734@aol.com<mailto:Stark39734@aol.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Angel; 15534 E.Marquam Rd. NE; interpreted services
at 10:30 am; 1st & 4th Sundays. 503-364-6003 (TTY)
----------------------------------------------------
Living Hope Community Church, 10702 NE 117th Ave., Van. Wa. Interpreted Service
Sundays at 11:00 am, Interpreted Youth Group Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, other events
and classes interpreted upon request.
www.livinghopecommunitychurch.com
----------------------------------------------------
First United Methodist Church, 600 State St., Salem 11:00 am Sunday services
are ASL Interpreted upon request. Other events and programs offered within the
church are interpreted upon request. rrred@quik.com<mailto:rrred@quik.com>
----------------------------------------------------
St. Hilda's Episcopal Church; 245 W. Main St., Monmouth, Or. Interpreted services
every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Alleluiah Fellowship social activities once a month
as posted on the website: http://www.open.org/-ecdhilda/DMCO.html wmosier357@earthlink.net<mailto:wmosier357@earthlink.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Greater Portland Baptist Church,17800 SE Main St., Portland Deaf Ministry: 9:45
am Deaf Sunday School (all ages); 11 am Worship Service; 6 pm Evening Family
Service (interpreted); Wednesday at 7 pm Deaf Bible Study. deafpastorbob@comcast.net<mailto:deafpastorbob@comcast.net>
----------------------------------------------------
Beaverton Seventh-day Adventist Church, 14645 SW Davis Rd., Beaverton
Deaf Sabbath School at 9:30am; Interpreted Worship Service at 11 am.
Contact: BSDA member Chuck McGehee-360-433-2923 (TTY & VP); pager:
chucktrades@tmail.com; email: chucktrades@comcast.net; 360-813-0064 (V)
----------------------------------------------------
Vancouver Seventh-day Adventist Church, 9711 NE St. John, Vancouver, Wa. Deaf
Sabbath (Saturday) School, at 9:30 am; Deaf Worship at 11 am. Contact: Sandra
Alejo: felissele@aol.com<mailto:felissele@aol.com>
----------------------------------------------------
Salem Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1330 Summer St. NE,
Salem; Deaf Sabbath School at 9:30 am; TV captioned video (It Is
Written) and/or interpreted for worship service at 10:50 am. Contact:
Chuck McGehee-360-433-2923 (TTY & VP); pager:
chucktrades@tmail.com; email: chucktrades@comcast.net; 360-813-0064 (V)
-----------------------------------------------------
Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 SW Cornell Rd., Portland, just off the Sunset
Hwy. Interpreted Worship Service at 11:00 am Sundays. Web address: www.sunsetpres.org<http://www.sunsetpres.org/>
Contact Person: Jil Yates at: yatesjj@aol.com<mailto:yatesjj@aol.com>
----------------------------------------------------
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2931 SE Harrison St., Portland,
OR 97214. Services on Sundays are at 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
----------------------------------------------------
Springfield Faith Center, 600 Hayden Bridge Rd., Springfield. Interpreted service
on Saturdays at 6:30 pm and at 9:00 am each Sunday. There are several people
who sign and would be available for Sunday School, Bible Study, or any other
scheduled events at Church. BJ Hauck 541-485-6524 (TTY/voice) or hauck@4j.lane.edu<mailto:hauck@4j.lane.edu>
© 2012 F. C. Stamps
