"To be sure I must; and therefore I may assume that your silence gives consent." - Plato

We, the 107ist Board of Directors on behalf of the Timbers Army, want to publicly state that Georgia HB 757 is a huge step back in terms of equality and acceptance for people from all walks of life. And, while we are elated to hear that Gov. Nathan Deal says he will veto the bill, we are at the same time dispirited in the lack of official response from MLS and Don Garber.

As MLS is ready to welcome Atlanta United FC as one of its newest franchises, we would expect this matter to be of utmost importance to the league and its leadership. We would be remiss if we did not recognize and applaud the leadership shown by Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta United FC and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, in denouncing the proposed legislation.

The Timbers Army from its inception has endeavored to create an inclusive atmosphere; a place where anyone who joins us feels welcome and safe. We are proud to be associated with a club who shares our vision in this regard, and has spoken out publicly on matters of equality.

However, we are deeply disappointed that MLS has chosen to sit back and remain silent with regard to HB 757.

To that end, we call on Don Garber and MLS to join others, including the National Football League, in  speaking out in opposition to this abhorrent legislation, and to be proactive in the future when the rights of others are threatened.

Respectfully,

The 107ist Board of Directors on behalf of the Timbers Army

Stig and Travis, a couple of Timbers Army members, have taken it upon themselves to start a GoFundMe to purchase the last championship ring from the Timbers and have it donated to the 107ist. The ring is part of a Stand Together auction, and any money raised from its sale goes back into the community.

Under their proposal, The 107ist would house the ring in the Fanladen and hold it on behalf of the supporters.

While the 107ist board supports this effort, we are not contributing any money out of the 107ist coffers - all money will come directly from supporters via the GoFundMe.

If the GoFundMe fails to raise enough money to successfully win the ring, the money raised will be donated to the 107ist and used for charitable purposes. If the GoFundMe raises in excess of what is needed to win, the excess will be donated to the 107ist as well.

The bottom line is any money raised ends up going back into the community as charitable giving, and maybe the supporters get their own ring.

The auction is Wednesday, so the timeline to raise the funds is compressed.

If your believe in this effort and  have a few dollars to spare, the GoFundMe can be found here: Campaign is no longer active.

Want to go to DC? Salt Lake? New York? Houston?

If so, you're now able to purchase your tickets for these matches!

If you'd like to buy away match tickets, simply visit http://timbersarmy.org/ta-tickets/away-tickets-travel/away-tickets and you'll be able to purchase there.

Please note some of the games coming up soon, such as Orlando and Los Angeles, are nearly sold out. If you've tried to buy LA tickets and they were sold out, the Galaxy made some more tickets available for us!

We'll announce our Seattle and Vancouver away closer to that event date, as per usual.

If you're interested in blogging for the Timbers Army/107ist, please email us at support@timbersarmy.org and include the following:

• Your name and email address
• A writing sample or links to prior work
• What subject areas you'd like to blog about (yes, we know it's about 'The Timbers', but be a little more specific... how about 'New Fan Perspective' or 'North End Culture' or 'T2 Analysis' ...I'm sure you get the idea!)
• How frequently, at a minimum, you plan to blog (We need a variety of posting frequencies. One-off blog posts are also accepted.)

Thanks! Spread The Love!

—by Matt Lindley

Winning a championship can have a very definitive effect on a professional sports team, especially one with a strong supporters group like the Timbers Army. The biggest impact will likely be an influx of new blood into the North End, so as a service to our newest TA, I humbly offer the following:

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT, N00BS!
EPISODE 1: TWO TEAMS — ONE CUP!

Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew

So, who do we play this week (or, what did Matt learn on Wikipedia)?:
The Columbus Crew were an inaugural member of MLS and had the first ever MLS Draft pick: USMNT legend, Brian McBride. In 1999, they moved into the first soccer-specific stadium in United States history. 16 years later, that stadium hosted an MLS Cup final. (Things did not end well.) Speaking of MLS Cups, the Crew won one once! That’s right! In 2008, the Crew won an MLS Cup under head coach Sigi Schmid. Schmid promptly resigned his post to live out his dream of opening a dessert bakery in the Seattle area.

Last time we saw them... Time flies when you have a three-month off season.

What to watch for…: NEW COLUMBUS UNIFORMS!! 

They might be wearing these beauties. Prepare for the drunk guy behind you to make pee jokes… a lot of pee jokes. 

Player to watch for: Kei Kamara. Despite his choice in hairstyle, he finished second in the league in scoring. He’ll be coming in hot and probably want to make a statement against team that ripped the MLS cup from his grasp just three months ago. 

Know your fellow supporters: The Columbus supporters are called the “Nordecke” and were born out of a merging of the team’s original three SGs [that stands for “supporters groups,” kids]. They will likely travel well, considering the circumstances. 

FUN FACT! “Nordecke” is German for “Hey, youse guys look thirsty down there!” Hospitality at its finest. 

Match prediction: Being opening day, this one will have all the bells and whistles:
Epic tifo? Check.
Pre-game ceremonies? Check.
More than one annoying person in your section that co-opts WAY too much British slang? “I’ll be right chuffed, guvna!” 

As far as the match, the atmosphere will be insane, but the Timbers always come slow out of the gate, so I’ll have to guess… 

2-1 Timbers :)

Good news! Ray Terrill has graciously stepped forward to donate season opener tickets to be raffled for a good cause. Thanks to Ray, we have a pair of tickets in the CLUB SECTION to the season opener, 1:30pm Sunday, March 6th v the Columbus Crew.

Match tickets will be raffled in memory of Pantelis "Pondo" Kosmas, beloved TA member and Mad Greek Deli owner who died unexpectedly on February 14th. Tickets are two (2) club seats. If you would like a shot at having these opening match tickets, you can donate below.

$5 gets you one chance at the tickets, $20 gets you five chances. All proceeds will go toward supporting local youth soccer, in memory of Pondo Kosmas.

Drawing will be held Friday, March 4th at 9pm at the fanladen. Winner will be notified via email.

Thank you for your support for youth soccer in Pondo's name.

—by Matthew Lindley

My two biggest passions on earth have always been music and football, and nothing pleases me more than when the two meet in the middle ground of supporter culture.  This marriage is never more apparent than in the Timbers Army. It’s in the electro call to action of Popinski Popcast and the punk pep rally of Green Flag; it's Ridgy and the departed Urruti dancing to Justin Bieber and Sean McAuley dropping classic rock earworms at the Championship Rally. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, this melding of support and song can even find its way into the realm of… country music.

We are pleased to announce that the Second Annual Duane Graf Homebrew Competition will be held Sunday, May 29th, at 9 a.m. at Lompoc Sidebar, 3901 N. Williams. The winning entries will be brewed at Lompoc, Widmer Bros, and new this year, Base Camp!

The categories are:

Pride of Cascadia: Pale Ale, IPA, Imperial IPA, Cascadian Dark Ale, and Northwest Red

Full 90: anything sessionable. The goal is a beer that you can drink for the full 90 minutes of watching a match: blonde ales, golden ales, Kölsch, and pale lagers are good examples, but this is a sessionable summer beer category, so whatever you think fits.

BundesOregon: A beer with both an Oregon and German twist to it. A German style with Oregon flair; Oregon beer with German flair; be creative! The only caveat is no long fermentation styles like lagers or sour beers. (Base Camp needs to be able to fit it into their brew schedule.)

The category winners are selected by a panel of judges who are not necessarily picking the best BJCP style, but what best represents the categories.

Entries may be dropped off at these locations:

• FH Steinbart Co. — 234 SE 12th Ave, Portland
  
• Bader Beer & Wine — 711 Grand Blvd, Vancouver
  

** Entries must be received by Friday, May 27th **

To enter, bring two bottles of each beer, tagged with this label, located here and a completed entry form. The fee is $10 per entry; $5 per entry for 107ist members. Please make checks payable to 107ist.

Judges will also be needed! Some experience would be wonderful, but not necessary. Please let me know.

If you have any questions, contact peter.keith.107@gmail.com. Also check out the Timbers Army Fermentation Corp on Facebook.

Crossing West Burnside has long been a concern of the community, city planners, and the 107IST with notable concern for the intersections of 18th, 19th and Alder at the Firefighters Park. On match days especially, with the large number of us taxing the system, accidents have been an unfortunate inevitability in this high crash corridor. As many of you know, one of our members was hit by a car here last season and really touched close to home the need for improvements. While her recovery has been going well, it is important for us to act to reduce the likelihood of it happening again, with more devastating results.

Some funding has recently become available for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to study this complex intersection and they are looking for comments from the community. If you are a transportation professional, active user of the city’s bicycle and pedestrian system, or simply interested in the subject matter, please review the project site, check out the presentation, submit your comments to staff, and participate in the dialog below to help the 107IST make collective recommendations and raise appropriate concerns. The window for comments only runs through February 29th so, please help us inform the process as best we can by participating. 

Additionally, there has been talk in the community of hosting a charrette to study the area and how the local transportation infrastructure can be improved. If you are interested in participating, please email Stephan.Lewis@107ist.org so we can gauge interest.

Other factors to consider:

• While the main presentation focuses on the “Preferred Alternative,” many other alternatives are not off the table. Some of these include decoupling 18th and 19th, and having car traffic both ways on 19th and bikes both ways on 18th; connecting the bus island to the Firefighters Park and having Alder traffic travel around the south sides of the park; and more.
• Trimet may expand the route of the Fremont line 24 to cross the Fremont Bridge and travel north-south along NW 18th and 19th into Goose Hollow. While this plan will provide better transit access to and from the stadium for those along its route, it could further complicate this W. Burnside crossing.
• If the Fix Our Streets Portland campaign is successful at the ballot this spring, 20th Ave is slated to become a “Neighborhood Greenway” with increased pedestrian and bicycle facilities. How will this connect around the stadium, and how will it affect the study area?

• If SW Alder St is to have two-way bicycle traffic, how will it impact the intersection being studied? Also, how would it connect to the stadium?
• Could this site contain more bike parking? Bicycle parking is at a premium in the area on match days and, with the FO’s bike parking on Morrison disappearing shortly after matches for them to reopen the street, many are forced to leave the area after matches when they could/should hang out for a while before beginning the journey home.

The 107IST is what it is because of the volunteer work of so many of our members. We have a great knowledge base within our ranks that can be tapped to address this issue. Together we can show the community how we do what we do.

Let’s do this, Portland.

107ist volunteers show off their work at The Children's Book Bank book cleaning day on 2/20/2016

Volunteers signing in for their 3 hour work shift. Participants noted how fast the time flew by!

THANK YOU to the more than 30 dedicated 107ist volunteers who spent the day before the Simple Invitational cleaning books for donation to local elementary-school children. Because of your hard work preparing more than 700 used books at The Children’s Book Bank, almost 100 students at Bridger, Chief Joseph/Ockley Green, Sitton, Rosa Parks and James John schools will be able to select 8-12 lovingly restored books to call their own. We also want to thank The Children’s Book Bank for hosting this volunteer event and for their tireless efforts to support children’s literacy in the Portland area.

Shawn Jaquiss from The Children's Book Bank provides detailed instructions on how to clean each book. Like the Timbers Army, the CBB is all about "Quality, not Quantity".

Even if you missed this chance to spread the love, there’s still plenty of time to support The Children’s Book Bank by participating in the 2016 Booked! Drive. We will be collecting gently used children’s books through the 3/19 match against RSL, so stop by with your book donation any time the Fanladen is open. Booked librarians also will be available before every pre-season and regular season match through the end of the book drive to accept your donations. Our goal is to collect 107 books before 3/19.

Inga and Matt Ward putting care and artistic flair into making these books ready for a child to love.

Bilingual and multicultural books are greatly appreciated! Only about 1 percent of donated books received by The Children’s Book Bank contain multicultural content, but more than 74 percent of children served by the nonprofit organization identify as biracial or ethnically diverse. Suggested titles are listed on the 2016 Booked! Drive page.