Multnomah Athletic Club’s mission: Enrich lives, foster friendships, and build upon traditions of excellence in athletic, educational, and social programs.
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FEATURED
32 The Transformative Power of Tai Chi
A New Year’s resolution becomes a new fitness obsession with a little help from one very welcoming community.
ATHLETICS
ON THE COVER
Maria Siri-Follen serves in the sun on the MAC’s Outdoor Tennis Court. Photo by Brandon Davis, design by Julia Omelchuck, and art direction by Jen Gillette.
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For a long time, movement was something that happened around me, not to me. I was moving constantly, just never in a direction that felt like mine. I used to joke that the only movement in my week was sprinting from the car to the school pickup line. That’s not entirely an exaggeration. My husband and I are the architects of our family’s schedule: coordinating rides, practices, pickups, and somehow still trying to carve out an hour for ourselves somewhere in the margins.
Ashley Fenker SECRETARY & TREASURER
This is the year of “Move with MAC,” part of the club’s Lifelong Athlete initiative, and I’ve been sitting with what that phrase actually means — not as a theme on a calendar, but as a personal question worth answering. What does movement look like for a family that’s always in motion but rarely moving for themselves?
It turns out, it looks completely different for everyone under our roof.
My husband has his Fitness Room ritual down cold: cycle to warm up, row for cardio, finish with weights. He’s refined it over time into something that’s entirely his own; a rhythm that clears his head and sets up his day. I’ve always admired that about him. The consistency. The way he protects that hour like it matters, because it does.
My in-laws have found a pace and a program that keeps them strong and confident, and watching them explore what fitness can look like at their stage of life has quietly changed how I see this club. It’s made me pay closer attention to various corners of the MAC I used to walk right past, such as, programs designed not for the most athletic version of you, but for wherever you are. There’s something genuinely moving about watching people figure out what their body can still do, and what it’s capable of next.
My kids have found their movements through the MAC’s Youth Sports programs. Watching them grow in confidence, not just athletically, but socially, has been one of the unexpected gifts of our membership. The club showed up for them in ways I didn’t fully anticipate, and that quietly gave something back to me I hadn’t realized I’d lost.
And somewhere in all of that, I found something I hadn’t been looking for: a
Monday morning class where my phone was in a locker and nobody needed anything from me for 60 minutes.
That’s it. That was the shift.
It sounds small. But if you’ve spent a few years, or a few decades, being the person who holds everything together, you know that 60 minutes of moving on your own terms isn’t small at all. It’s the thing you didn’t know you were missing until you suddenly had it back. I walked out of that class a little sweaty, a little surprised, and genuinely lighter than I’d felt and longer than I want to admit.
What I love about this club is that it meets every version of you. The version that wants a structured, punishing workout. The version that needs a gentle re-entry after a long time away. The version that’s navigating a new stage of life and looking for something that fits. The version that’s finally, after years of putting everyone else first, ready to try something just for herself. There’s room for all of it here, and that’s not a given. It’s something worth naming out loud.
Move with MAC isn’t a challenge to do more. I want to be clear about that, because I think a lot of us hear “movement” and immediately feel behind. It’s an invitation to do something. Whatever that something looks like for you, right now, in this season of your life.
As a family, we’ve stopped thinking of the MAC as a gym, social space, or sports club. It’s become the place where we all land, at different stages, for very different reasons and somehow it holds all of us. My husband finds his rhythm. My in-laws find their strength. My kids find their confidence. And I am, finally, finding my 45 minutes.
Whatever movement means to you this year, I hope you find your version of it here. And if you happen to see me looking slightly lost outside a studio I’ve never been in before, do say hello. I’m still figuring it out.
I have a feeling that’s exactly the point.
Board Leadership Update
Following a recent Board of Trustees vote, Secretary Ashley Fenker was selected to serve as Treasurer, filling the vacant role. She will continue serving as Secretary while also assuming Treasurer responsibilities as the board operates with 11 trustees for the remainder of the current term.
A Brand Like No Other
We are proud to announce that we have launched Christie’s International Real Estate Evergreen which delivers bespoke marketing and brokerage services for the world’s most discerning clientele. Spanning six continents, its exclusive network unites leading firms and top-performing professionals in luxury property sales, development, and consulting. We look forward to being of service to you in Oregon and SW Washington.
Board of Trustees
President Daniel Williams
Vice President David Hanna
Treasurer Ashley Fenker
Secretary Ashley Fenker
Trustees
Soren Andersen
Heather Chapman
Jim Hall
Julie Kim
Tina Lee
Tory McVay
Jiwon Park
Mitzi Piva Raaf
General Manager
Charles Leverton
Executive Leadership Team
Culinary & Events Senior Director
Erik Anderson
Chief Financial Officer
Mary Averette
Communications Director
Bryan Bansbach
Chief of Staff
Laura Boley
Director of Human Resourses
Kimberly Ceroni
Technology Director
Mark Marcelline
Fitness & Performance Senior Director
C.J. Martin
Athletic Director
Lisa Miller
Engagement Director
Derek Pratt
MANAGER’S COLUMN
This month, our nation celebrates its 250th birthday.
Two hundred and fifty years is an immense number. It reflects one of the world’s longestrunning democratic experiments and the sacrifices, triumphs, failures, and dreams that carried America from its founding to today.
Charles Leverton GENERAL MANAGER
That milestone made me realize something. At 135 years old, the MAC has witnessed more than half of the American experiment. Our community is older than 5 states and nearly as old as 4 more. Entire generations have lived within the story of this club.
For most of our history, we have thought of ourselves as a young institution compared to the nation around us. Yet if future generations care for it as faithfully as those before us have, we will find ourselves in a truly remarkable position.
From this point forward, the MAC will always be more than half the age of the United States.
Every year that passes brings us closer, relatively, to the nation’s age. The older this community becomes, the more it begins to stand alongside the enduring institutions of our nation. That realization changes how I think about stewardship.
When you are building something that may last for centuries, your perspective shifts. Decisions become less about the next budget cycle, project, or decade. They become about generations.
The members who came before us understood this. They built pools they might never swim in. They funded projects they would never fully enjoy. They created traditions for people they would never meet. They built rules intended to evolve with the era in which they would be applied. Most importantly, they understood that stewardship is an act of optimism.
Like every enduring community, there are moments when life becomes difficult. Yet when I walk through the club this summer, I see something else. I see children racing toward camps with oversized backpacks and boundless energy. I see athletes competing on courts, in pools, and across our fitness spaces. I see members gathering over meals and reconnecting with friends. Ultimately, I see a club thriving and a community filled with optimism.
Good communities, like good families, rally together. They adapt and invest in the future even when the present requires sacrifice. They also build because they believe the next generation deserves the same opportunities they inherited, understanding that differing opinions help us remain resilient and that the priorities of one generation may not be the priorities of the next.
Decisions become less about the next budget cycle, project, or decade. They become about generations.
That is the work before us now.
The work of recovering from the May 2 clubhouse incident continues, but so does the work of imagining what comes next. We are discussing future spaces, programs, traditions, and experiences. We are also evaluating how to create stronger social spaces, continue investing in athletics and fitness, improve technology, and make it easier for every member to find their place within this community.
The children running through camp this morning will someday become committee chairs, trustees, volunteers, coaches, and community leaders. They will inherit decisions made today, just as we inherited decisions made before us.
Now it’s our turn. Our responsibility is not simply to restore what exists today. It’s to leave this place stronger and healthier than we found it – to build something that will earn the gratitude of the next generation.
FACES OF MAC
Up & Running
In the battle against brain cancer, there is no gray area — it requires everyone to go all in. One member is helping to lead this year’s charge when the Head for the Cure 2026 Portland 5K hits Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Sunday, July 26.
“When we found out we could bring it to Portland, I was so excited,” says survivor Lauren Braun, who first participated in the event 2 years ago in Seattle. It was started in Kansas City in 2003 and now takes place in 20 cities across the country.
“We raised a whole bunch of money up in Seattle, and we got to talking with the organizer. My husband asked, ‘Can we bring this to Portland? They ended up saying yes, and now half of the money we raise is going to Providence, OHSU, and Doernbecher.”
Last year, in its inaugural Portland run, the 5K raised $130,000, filling Gabriel Park past capacity with more than 800 attendees, necessitating the switch to a larger venue. For Braun, just being able to complete last year’s event was an accomplishment in and of itself, and the outpouring of assistance and encouragement she received blew her away.
“It was really awesome to see basically everyone I know supporting me. My whole family was in town for it, my husband’s whole family was in town, so many friends came. I felt really loved,” she says.
“On the other side of that, there were a lot of survivors there. One guy was in a wheelchair, and somebody had to push him the whole race. I just felt really lucky to be feeling good. I think that it’s because I am a mom and I have a son who has a lot of energy, and he needs a lot from me.”
It was while dropping him off at school 4 or so years ago that Braun first started shaking and having auras, like focal seizures.
“I just felt like my mind was running through mud. I had a constant migraine, and it went on for weeks,” she recalls, and initially doctors thought her symptoms were caused by anxiety. Eventually, a series of events — that included losing the ability to speak — led to her getting a CT scan. A grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumor was discovered, and she was given roughly 18 – 24 months to live.
“I was not in the headspace to even know what was going on because I was so confused. It’s a brain tumor. I was 36. There is no way I could have had a grade 4 tumor,” she thought.
“I am really lucky that it was operable because for a lot of people, it’s like a smear on their brain, and you can’t really operate on that.”
After 2 surgeries, doctors were able to remove the whole thing. It hasn’t come back since, and for the past year, Braun’s scans have been completely stable. Having just passed her 4-year mark in February, she attributes a lot of how she’s feeling today to her focus on fitness in as part of her recovery, including taking classes and working out at the MAC.
Still, she remains pragmatic and focused on the fight ahead, not just for her but for everyone dealing with a similar condition.
“I’ll never be in remission, and I was really healthy when this happened. I was a health coach and a runner. It was just a complete shock. I didn’t think that could happen to me because I eat so well, but I think it can happen to anyone.”
With that in mind, she invites members to join her at the 5K later this month — registering with a team or as an individual — or consider making a donation on behalf of another participant. “There’s a way for everybody to be involved, and given that something like 5% of all the money raised for cancer research goes to brain tumor research, we need all the awareness we can get.”
Every MAC member has moments when they shine extra brightly. Know a member who’s won big in their respective sport, been honored for a professional accomplishment, or made a difference in their community? Suggest them to be featured in Faces of MAC by emailing wingedm@themac.com.
2025 Head for the Cure Participants
FACES OF MAC
Laps Around the Sun
Dr. Kamm Prongay says she often gets her best ideas when she’s running. Sometimes those ideas are about running, which can create a physical-mental loop that is, evidently, better for longevity than circling any track.
This year, Prongay turns 63, but she looks a decade younger. That’s at least partially because she’s an ultrarunner who decided more than 20 years ago to run a mile for every year she’s been alive. All on her birthday!
“It was a lot easier when I was younger. By the time I got a little bit older, I was like, ‘Maybe I want to stop doing that,” she says. “Pretty quickly I realized I’d have to spread it out to a week, and then I realized there was no way I was going to crank out 63 miles in a week because I also had to work!”
So, while running, the emergency veterinarian by trade had her epiphany. “What if I ran 63K rather than 63 miles? I can bike 63 miles, and I certainly can swim 6,300 yards. Then, the 63 sun salutations are just for fun,” she explains, laying out a plan that she would execute the week of her birthday, March 22, of this year.
The math and mindset that made this seem like a less-daunting undertaking are worth exploring at length, but suffice it to say that
Prongay is a rare bird. In previous years, she’s run all 31 miles of the Wildwood Trail on her birthday, knocking out a chunk of that year’s commitment in the process. While serving in the Navy, despite the other exertions her job must have entailed, she ran laps around her ship, with 20 equaling 1 mile.
“The point is that habit of exercise,” she says, adding that she looks for every opportunity to instill the same drive in her nieces and grandkids. “I want them to say, ‘Oh, look, Aunt Kamm did that. I want them to know that Liz (Prongay’s wife) raced the Western States 100 at 60. I want them to have that as an example that they can be lifelong athletes.”
She also wants to give credit to the MAC coaches and trainers who helped her to prepare for this year’s challenge. Those shout-outs include Hannah Crocker and Matthew Melito of the club’s adult Swim School for their excellent stroke coaching, Aria Jeremiah for inspired strength training, and Patrick Fisher for motivating her to get back on her bike.
“The point is that habit of exercise. … I want my grandkids to have [me and my wife] as an example that they can be lifelong athletes.”
“They’ve all been fabulously encouraging,” Prongay pronounces.
Looking ahead, Prongay can’t say what form her birthday challenge will take, but it promises to be both an adventure and proof of the power of determination. She’s currently got her eye on a 150-mile Washington bike trail that goes from Port Angeles to the coast.
“I think what was so fun this year — because with each passing year, the original goal is just going to get harder and harder — was asking, okay, what can I do to be creative with it? Who knows what I’ll do next year?”
FACILITY UPDATES
The Reading Lounge Renovation Is Underway
As construction begins, the Reading Lounge Steering Team is excited to share the final renderings of the updated Reading Lounge. These renderings include selected furniture, carpet, and finishes, as decided through collaboration between the Steering Team, member consultants, and valued partners.
Looking east toward the fireplace
Looking west toward Concierge
Impact Reminders
• Stadium Terrace unavailable for Timbers and Thorns matches
• A temporary quiet space available on the fourth floor
• Work areas available in Centennial Lounge and Work From MAC
Summer Restaurant Hours
Sunset Bistro
Open for Summer
Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 10:30 pm
Sunday, 11 am – 8:30 pm
Splash
Open for Summer
Monday - Saturday 12 – 8 pm
Sunday 12 – 7 pm
1891
Closed for the season.
Sports Pub
Monday – Friday: 6 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 8:30 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
Sunday dinner service resumes on Sept. 6.
PHOTOS BY BRANDON DAVIS
Looking south toward the Turnaround
Looking north toward the Sports Pub
Built-in bar detail
Scan to visit the Reading Lounge web page for continued updates.
CLUB IMPROVEMENTS
For the most up-to-date information, visit themac.com/group/ pages/facilities/updates
While summer brings increased activity throughout the club, it also marks an important season for facility improvements. Across the MAC, projects are underway to restore impacted areas, invest in club infrastructure, enhance athletic and social spaces, and plan for future improvements. Below is an update on several projects members may see taking place throughout the coming months.
General Club Improvements
These projects support the ongoing maintenance, reliability, accessibility, and long-term functionality of club facilities.
Parking Structure Elevator Improvements
July 5 – Aug. 10
Beginning July 5, both elevators serving the MAC Parking Structure will be temporarily unavailable while the club completes a significant elevator improvement project. The work includes upgrades designed to improve reliability, enhance performance, and support the long-term operation of the elevators. The project is expected to continue through approximately Aug. 10.
During construction, members can continue to access the club via the Fourth Floor Entrance, Skybridge, exterior stairways, and the first-floor crosswalk to the Main Entrance. ADA parking will be relocated to the first floor of the garage near the Salmon Street ramp and crosswalk for the duration of the project. Additional Child Care drop-off and pick-up parking spaces will also be available near the Fourth Floor Entrance.
Fifth-Floor Tennis Court Improvements
August – September
The fifth-floor tennis courts are scheduled to receive a series of improvements, including new insulation, lighting, and curtain replacement. During the anticipated 6-week renovation, the fifth-floor courts will be temporarily unavailable, while the outdoor courts and courts 5 – 7 will remain available. Additional information regarding schedules, programming impacts, and court availability will be shared as the project approaches.
Reading Lounge Renovation
Summer – Fall 2026
Guided by years of planning and member feedback, the Reading Lounge is being renovated to better support everyday use while preserving the character and comfort members value. Construction is underway, with the space expected to reopen in the fall.
Incident Recovery Projects
These projects to the recovery of impacted spaces, including restoration, renovation, and future planning efforts.
Tier 1: Like-for-Like Restoration
Returning impacted spaces to their original function, appearance, and use following the May 2 incident.
First-Floor Carpet Replacement
Summer 2026
The Main Lobby and first-floor common areas will receive new carpeting as part of ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the club’s shared spaces.
First-Floor Brick Repair
Summer 2026
Restoration work on the brick floor wall just east of the Main Entrance in the Main Lobby.
Tier 2: Restore and Renovate
Restoring impacted spaces while incorporating improvements, upgrades, or renovations as part of the recovery process.
Ballroom Refresh
May – August
The Ballroom will be renewed floor to ceiling, including new lighting, new carpet, AV upgrades, and more.
Tier 3: Future Planning & Design
Exploring long-term opportunities for certain impacted spaces through planning, design, and evaluation.
26 Founders, MACtinis & Game Room
Planning and design work is underway for future improvements to some social spaces, including 26 Founders, MACtinis, and the Game Room. The club is currently evaluating opportunities to enhance these areas while preserving their role as welcoming gathering spaces for members. Project planning remains in the early stages, and details regarding scope, timing, and potential impacts are still being developed. Additional information will be shared as plans progress.
Mezzanine Level
Planning and design work is underway to evaluate potential improvements and future opportunities for the impacted Mezzanine Level spaces.
Help Shape MAC’s Future Through Board Leadership
Now Accepting Board of Trustee Interest & Recommendations
Submit Your Interest Form
If you are interested in being considered for a trustee position, or if you know someone who would be a strong addition to the board, you are invited to take the first step by completing a brief form on the BOT Nomination page at themac. com, which you can access by scanning the code. Trustee Interest and Recommendation Forms are available beginning July 6. The Trustee Recommendation Forms are due by Sept. 10 and Trustee Interest Forms are due by Sept. 17.
For 135 years, member leadership has helped guide the MAC through periods of growth, change, and opportunity. Each year, the club begins the important process of identifying members who are interested in serving on the Board of Trustees and helping shape the future of the MAC.
As outlined in the club’s bylaws, this process begins with the appointment of a Nominating Committee by the current Board of Trustees. The bylaws require a past president to serve on the committee, with the immediate past president typically asked to serve as chair. Having recently completed my term as president, I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the club in this capacity and helping identify the next generation of club leaders.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the long-term governance of the MAC, overseeing the club’s financial health, strategic direction, and continued success on behalf of the membership. As the Nominating Committee begins its work for the coming year, we are seeking members who bring a passion for the club, a commitment to service, and the leadership experience needed to help steward the MAC into the future.
Potential trustees come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many have served on MAC committees, while others bring valuable experience from professional, civic, nonprofit, or volunteer leadership roles. What they share is a willingness to dedicate their time, expertise, and energy to serving the best interests of the club and its members.
If you are interested in being considered for a trustee position, or if you would like to recommend a fellow member, we encourage you to complete the brief interest form available at themac.com or by scanning the code at right. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 17. Trustees are elected by the membership and serve a three-year term beginning in February 2027. During that time, trustees are expected to:
• Attending monthly board meetings and reviewing materials in advance to engage in informed discussions
• Serving as committee liaisons during their first and second years
• Taking on one of four officer roles by the third year, with varying time commitments
• Dedicating, on average, 10 hours per week to board work, with officers often contributing more.
Serving on the board is both a significant responsibility and a unique opportunity to give back to a club that has meant so much to generations of members. I encourage you to consider participating in the process, whether by expressing your own interest or recommending someone whose leadership would help strengthen the MAC.
— Ken Meyer Nominating Committee Chair and past Board of Trustees President
2026 Board of Trustees
COMMITTEE VOICES
Behind the Scenes: Committee Work That Makes a Difference
Each quarter, The Winged M highlights the vital role of MAC members and the committees that shape the life of the club. As a Triathlon & Running Committee member, Jessica Dorrington shares her dedication to movement and its benefits, alongside her story of joining the committee system.
WM: What role does movement play in your life, and how has marathon running shaped your connection to the MAC?
JD: Honestly, movement is everything to me — both personally and professionally. As a physical therapist, I say “movement is medicine” to my patients all the time, but I truly live that conviction, and I have since I was a little kid lacing up my shoes for the first time.
The marathon came later — about 7 years ago — and it genuinely changed things for me. Life got busy, and I didn’t put my health first. Then I signed up for a marathon. I own a clinic, I have a family, and there are a hundred reasons on any given day to skip a workout. But when you’re training for a marathon, you just go, because the goal keeps you accountable in a way that’s hard to replicate with anything else.
As I started setting personal bests, I knew strength training was what would give the most gains — injury prevention, power, efficiency. Marathon training made the weight room non-negotiable for me. And that’s how I found my people at the MAC. The weight room and the Early Birds led to the Tri/Run Committee. It’s been this beautiful chain of connection, and I’m grateful for every link in it.
WM: What inspired you to get involved with the Tri/Run Committee, and how does that work connect to your own experience as a runner?
JD: I’m really passionate about it — but I want to be honest about how I got there, because I think it’s a story worth telling.
I didn’t walk in and immediately commit. I was asked to consider at a time it didn’t work with my career. Then, I started by just attending meetings as an observer, with no pressure and no obligation, because I wanted to understand what the work actually looked like before signing up for a 3-year commitment. What I found genuinely surprised me — the level of care and coordination that goes into everything the MAC offers is remarkable, and there are people behind every program and event who are pouring real time and heart into it. That’s what drew me in.
Jessica
Dorrington,
Tri/Run Committee Member
I started by just attending meetings as an observer ... What I found genuinely surprised me — the level of care and coordination that goes into everything the MAC offers is remarkable, and there are people behind every program and event who are pouring real time and heart into it. That’s what drew me in.
On the committee, I’ve tried to help expand our perspective on what “running” actually means — because it’s not just marathons. It’s trails, it’s the track, it’s speed work, it’s recovery, and there’s a whole world of running I want our community to have access to. How do we educate our community about their running programs with biomechanics of their sport at the heart, and how do we help members train and have access to events that perk their interest in all that running and triathlons can offer them? Those are the questions that light me up, and I’m so glad to be at a table where they matter.
WM: Is there a race, training moment, or club experience that stands out as especially meaningful to you?
JD: Oh, there are so many — but two come to mind immediately.
The first is the Early Birds. They have this tradition where on your birthday, you get to pick the route — even if you haven’t been in months — and when you show up, they celebrate you like it’s the biggest day of your year. It’s such a small thing, but it means everything.
The second is the track workouts I started organizing — what I lovingly call the “Oval Office.” We had over 11 people show up at one point, which honestly blew me away, and watching runners — some of them very experienced — discover what adding real speed work could do for their training was one of those moments I’ll carry with me for a long time.
WM: What would you tell a fellow member who’s curious about getting involved — whether that’s joining a committee or taking on a new fitness goal like a marathon?
JD: For the committee: Just show up first. That’s literally what I did — I asked if I could sit in on a meeting before committing to anything, and that low-key introduction turned out to be the most important step I took. Most committees are happy to have curious visitors, and you’ll know pretty quickly whether it’s the right fit for you and the right season of life to say yes.
For a big fitness goal — a marathon, a new discipline, anything that feels a little intimidating — my advice is to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just take the next small step, because every workout you lay down becomes part of the foundation you’re standing on. That’s not a cliché, it’s just physiology. Progress is built in layers, and the days you show up when you don’t feel like it are often the most important ones — not because of what you accomplish that session, but because of the person you’re becoming by doing it.
The MAC makes all of it easier, honestly. Whatever your goal is, there’s a community here that will meet you where you are. Find your people and let them pull you forward — that’s what this place is for.
COURTESY JESSICA DORRINGTON
What can $25 really do?
Because your $25 is never just $25.
On its own, it might not seem like much. But together with hundreds, even thousands of others, it becomes something powerful.
• It ’s a kid stepping onto the field for the first time, finally able to play a sport with their friends.
• It ’s a student becoming the first in their family to go to college and knowing someone believed in them along the way.
• It ’s a person living with a disability joining a team not on the sidelines, but fully in the game.
• It ’s a parent watching their child find confidence, connection, and friendship.
• It ’s a neighborhood nonprofit opening its doors all summer long, offering a safe, joyful place for kids to grow and belong.
Small gifts, given together, create access, belonging and opportunity. They show every young person and family we serve that a community stands behind them.
So no, $25 doesn’t change the world on its own. But together, it changes everything.
This is what collective impact looks like.
Support the MAC annual fund drive powering the Multnomah Athletic Foundation.
House Committee
Monthly Report
The House Committee enforces the rules of conduct for members and guests by investigating infractions and recommending sanctions to the Board of Trustees. Recent board actions are listed below, along with reminders about the applicable rules. Members can review the Club Rules at themac.com/group/pages/ club-rules or scan the code.
Suspensions
• A 63-year-old member with 29 years of tenure was suspended for 3 months for violating club rule Verbal Abuse of a Member, Nonmember, or Staff. This disciplinary action was taken when the member became verbally aggressive and displayed intimidating gestures towards staff members who were handling an unrelated emergency.
• A 13-year-old member with 2 years of tenure was suspended for 2 months for violating club rules Physical Abuse of a Member, Nonmember, or Staff and General Behavior Unbecoming a Member. This disciplinary action was taken when the junior member consistently pestered his peers, including cursing and pushing, despite being asked to stop the behavior.
• A 15-year-old member with 4 years of tenure was suspended for 2 months for violating club rules Disregard of Guest Policy and General Behavior Unbecoming a Member. This disciplinary action was taken when the junior member signed in an athletic guest as a social guest, and when confronted by staff, misrepresented their recent facility usage.
Rules Reminders
Verbal Abuse of a Member, Nonmember, or Staff: Including but not limited to verbal or non-verbal offenses, inappropriate gestures, and threatening or harassing language.
General Behavior Unbecoming a Member: Any behavior deemed inappropriate for a member of Multnomah Athletic Club, regardless of reference to specific Club rule.
Physical Abuse of a Member, Nonmember, or Staff: Including but not limited to physical violence or threat of physical violence.
Disregard of Guest Policy: Violating guest or event attendee policies, including but not limited to failing to register athletic or social guests, failing to pay applicable guest fees, disregarding frequency.
Know a member who has accomplished something extraordinary or is making waves in the MAC community? Submit them and their achievements for a chance to be featured in The Winged M! Send tips to wingedm@themac.com for consideration.
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Richard “Dick” C. Zimmerman Jan. 17, 1932 — Sept. 11, 2024
Dr. Richard “Dick” C. Zimmerman, 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sept. 11, 2024.
Dick grew up in LaGrande, Oregon. He attended University of Oregon on a track scholarship. He will forever hold a state high school record for high hurdles, as after achieving his record, the state switched high school track and field events from yards to meters. At University of Oregon, his track coach was the well-known coach Bill Bowerman. Dick’s interest in attending medical school took precedence over his track interests, therefore he gave up his track scholarship. He was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, graduating in 3 years. He then went on to University of Oregon’s medical school and an orthopedic residency. Throughout his college and residency years, he received many academic honors and accolades. This was followed by an Air Force commitment. Dick’s interest in becoming a pilot was not an option due to a color-blind vision test failure (much to his disappointment), though he was able to become a flight surgeon and was an integral part of his unit.
Later, Dick joined the Portland Orthopedic Clinic. His specialty was hip and knee replacement. He was the first orthopedic surgeon in the Northwest region to perform a hip replacement surgery. His office was an important part of training the orthopedic residents at the University of Oregon’s medical school, as well as staffing for the care of children at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. He donated his expertise and time there halfday/weekly for 25 years. Dick’s clinic worked closely with the orthopedic staff and level one trauma center at Emanuel Hospital.
Dick enjoyed keeping fit. He became a MAC member in the early 1960s. He worked out at the MAC regularly, even into his late 80s. Among some other physical activities of note were the fact that he went on a trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp (before trekking
there became so popular), and with the help of his orthopedic trek-mates, even met and assisted Sir Edmund Hillary with his on-site clinic in caring for locals. He completed Cycle-Oregon twice and took several cycling trips to France & New England with wife, Linda. Dick was also an avid skier.
He had often said that he had to work on his “right-brain” skills to balance his “left-brain.”
Dick was a school board member at Jesuit High School and was also a member of the Beaverton school board. Dick was one of the leading orthopedic surgeons of his time and has many honors for his accomplishments throughout his career. He was dedicated to sharing his knowledge of orthopedics to so many in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Dick leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years, Linda Zimmerman; his children Jane Zimmerman, John Zimmerman (Jessie Ramey), daughter in law Karla Zimmerman (widow of son, Robert); his stepchildren David Hunt (Jackie Loprinzi), Kari Mackay (Dave) and Kevin Hunt (Nikki), as well as his 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. Dick was predeceased by his brother Bob Zimmerman, by his sons Robert and Peter Zimmerman, and by his stepson Darin Hunt.
Dick was a wonderful, loving man. He was loved tremendously and is deeply missed.
A funeral mass for Dick was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Portland.
Robert H. Bay (Bob)
May 19, 1946 – April 17, 2026
County and as an associate in a small downtown law firm. He then went on to work at the family magazine and book wholesaler, Bay News Company.
He loved his noontime full-court basketball for about 20 years, and played in the house league. Bob also took an old man exercise class from Joe Loprinzi even before he was an old man. The first time he ran more than 4 miles was on Joe’s 60th Birthday run, and he then joined the noontime running group, traipsing all over town. He ran a marathon in 1980. He and his wife, Maryanne, and running buddies did many of the scheduled runs sponsored by the club, and the yearly Cascade Runoff. After most of his running buddies quit running, he continued working out on the stationary bikes and in the weight room.
Robert H. Bay (Bob) was born in 1946 and died on April 17 after a long battle with cancer. Bob grew up at the MAC — Sunday’s prime rib dinner with his family, learning to swim with Jack Popochenko, and taking boxing lessons from Roy Durst. As an 8th grader he played on the club’s Pop Warner football team. Bud Lewis even taught Bob how to drive! After high school, college, and law school, Bob began using the club’s facilities again. He worked as an attorney for the City of Portland and Multnomah
But Bob felt the most significant impact of the club was how it helped him and Maryanne raise their son Alex, who took boxing from Roy Durst and Karate when Junki Yoshida started the club Karate program. This program helped teach the life lessons that athletes usually learn, with an emphasis on helping their classmates grow within their sport. Alex became one of Yoshida’s black belts, which was and still is a very close small group of athletes. Alex got his PhD from Stanford and has been a History Professor at Chapman University ever since. They have two sons, Kage, and Max, who also share the family’s interest in physical fitness. Since 2021, Bob joined Maryanne in the aquatics classes offered. This group of pool pals has provided love and support as Bob battled his cancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 10 at 3 – 6 pm, in the Lownsdale Room.
Maureen Laflin Cantlin
Dec. 1, 1946 – May 10, 2026
Maureen Laflin Cantlin passed away peacefully at her home at Smoke Tree Ranch on May 10, 2026, after a courageous and brief battle with acute leukemia. She was born in Edgerton, Wisconsin on Dec. 1, 1946, and raised by Pat and Lloyd Laflin in Lake Forest; Illinois, Minocqua, Wisconsin; and Palm Springs, California.
Maureen attended The Foxcroft School and went on to graduate from Wellesley College (class of 1968), later earning a master’s degree in education from Lewis & Clark College — a testament to a lifelong curiosity that never dimmed. Over the years, Maureen became a licensed pilot, a finance executive, a dedicated teacher, and an avid bridge player. She brought the same quiet excellence to each chapter of her life. In 1974, Maureen married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Cantlin. The following year, they moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon, where they built their life and raised their two children, Alan and Elizabeth (“Betsy”).
At home, Maureen was in her element. Whether she was tending to her roses or walking one of her beloved dogs, she gave the same care and attention to everything she loved. Maureen was an exceptional baker. When Alan and Betsy were young, she ran a business selling croissants out of her kitchen. Croissants with homemade strawberry jam became Maureen’s signature treat, one she reliably rolled out every Christmas morning until she passed.
A Foxcroft classmate said it best: “Maureen was the best of us.” Those who knew her would not argue. She had a rare gift — the ability to make any room warmer, any situation better, simply by being present in it. She loved deeply and was loved in return. Maureen leaves behind a world that is quieter for her absence. She will be missed.
Maureen is survived by her husband Dick; her children Alan (Jessica) and Betsy Jones (Ben); and her four grandchildren, Daphne and Tate Cantlin and Jackson and Parker Jones.
SAVE THE DATES!
• Thursday, July 23
The Fall 2025 Activities Guide is viewable online.
• Thursday, Aug. 6 Registration opens. Scan the code to add both dates to your calendar.
CLUB SCRAPBOOK
Community Day
Members gathered to celebrate club camaraderie and resilience! This fun-filled evening kicked off summer with games, challenges, and attractions.
PHOTOS BY BRANDON DAVIS
1. Jolie Ziegler, Christina Schlegel, Isabella Morss
2. Tug of War 3. Isabella Berry, Cedric Berry, Kamryn Heyward 4. Zach, Holly, Archer, and Emily Yensen 5. Theo, Christine, and Sloane Tiu 6. Madeline and Cameron Clay 7. Gabe Zonca, Beckett Jervis, Sarin Jervis 8. Zoe, Emily, and Xander Rusk 9. Steven, Crystal, Catherine, and Mary Gassert 10. Sarah, Pat, Violet, and Elise Thomas
2 3 4 5 7 8 9 6
11. Aerial view of Community Day 12. Conor Arthur, Camila Arthur, Mame Yaa Ankoma-Mensa, and Michael Arthur 13. Elizabeth Perrott, Troy Banker, Michael Banker 14. Stephen, Mabel, and Amanda Mcfarland 15. Molly, Connor, and Cameron Reiten 16. Parachute games
MelloMacs Spring Sing Along
The MelloMacs and Lincoln High School’s Vivace a cappella ensemble celebrated an afternoon of musical classics, from Motown to Broadway to the Great American Songbook.
17. Mark Bajorek, Dede Priest, Tina Bardavid and Cathi Howell
18. MelloMacs with their harmonies in full swing 19. Nick Musgrove, Larry Tardie, Collins Musgrove, Banks Musgrove and Aly Musgrove
20. Vivace a capella ensemble from Lincoln High School
CLUB SCRAPBOOK
Dance Jersey Jam
Junior Members representing their favorite teams danced the night away with a live DJ!
Junior
CLUB SCRAPBOOK
Winestock
Members sampled wine selections from more than 20 wineries, and ordered more of their favorites.
PHOTOS BY BRANDON DAVIS
26. A member enjoys a pour of MAC Private Label Rosé from Adelsheim Vineyard. 27. Jessica Lorenzen, Naomi Heckroth, and Chelsea Wiater 28. Lena Braun and Catarina MillqvistHunter 29. Shahrzad Fakhravar and Behzad Fakhravar 30. Jennifer Macoubray and Kristi Stokes 31. John P. Ward, Josie Pinomesa, Jose Pinomesa, Peter Stark, and Sharr Stark
CLUB SCRAPBOOK
Spring Sprint Triathlon
Members showed off their athletic prowess, competing in a timed swim, bike, and run.
At this year’s Drag Queen Bingo, MAC was proud to present a donation to Pride Northwest, a local nonprofit dedicated to the support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
PHOTOS BY BRANDON DAVIS
Drag Queen Bingo
PHOTO BY BRANDON DAVIS
36. Ian Morton and Daniel Williams
Property.
Licensed OR Principal Broker and WA Managing Broker
SHAPING NEW HABITS WITH TAI CHI
Love Your Routine & You’ll Never Work Out a Day in Your Life
Text by Jake Ten Pas
Photos by Brandon Davis
Do you need to move more? But you just finally got comfortable, don’t have time right now, are bananas busy at work, and were already planning to start next week, when life finally slows down?
Me too.
These are the confessions of a Tai Chi drama queen. Not that there’s anything especially dramatic about Tai Chi, but there is about me. I don’t so much flow through the 24 forms of MAC’s Beginning Tai Chi class as lurch from pose to pose, stuttering through theatrical tableaus like a glitching Mortal Kombat fighter.
“Finish him!” I sometimes imagine instructor Julie Little thinking. Except she never would.
From my first day of class, she’s had a faith in me that keeps me coming back, in spite of my aversion to exercise. Little is a former schoolteacher who has likely always been adept at coaxing turtles from their shells.
Rather than put me out of my misery, she lobs encouraging critiques, reminding everyone in class to keep their back foot down and arms gently curved.
She comes in strength, and she comes in peace, as conveyed by the juxtaposed fist and extended hand that accompany every bow. Balance is central to any Tai Chi practice. It’s the reason many of my classmates first showed up, although I suspect something else keeps bringing them back.
I’m also a regular now, having only missed one week since the beginning of January. I love it and have improved greatly over the months. The first few weeks were spent hiding in the back row, wrestling with my own selfconsciousness. Now, I’m stepping up to the front of class and showing what I know to the folks newer than me, and it’s been a surprisingly enjoyable journey for someone who has a doctor-diagnosed exercise allergy.
Continued on page 34
Tales of Tai Chi
Julie Little
During her 35 years in education, Little taught just about every type of student from grade school through high school, and it shows in the way she approaches each new practitioner of Tai Chi. She started learning the discipline as a way to enjoy her local botanical garden in San Antonio, but Little soon found an allure to flowing through the forms regardless of the location.
“I just loved it,” she says. “I did lots of kinds of dance prior for fun, and I have a spiritual practice that connects to Tai Chi. It was a moving meditation that I knew was going to work for me.”
Little says Tai Chi is a great antidote to the ego-monkey mind that so many people wrestle with, and it can be a great way to force yourself to slow down and be mindful at the same time.
In order to support members of different fitness and practice levels, Little regularly breaks her class down into multiple smaller groups, meeting students where they’re at and working on various aspects of the 24-form practice.
“I like to give each new person my personal attention for at least 15 minutes because I’ve been in their shoes and can talk about that,” she explains. “I’ve worked with all types of students, so I can teach to whatever they need.”
While receiving feedback from Judy Evans, Jake Ten Pas tries to keep a straight face.
Julie Little harnesses her chi.
SHAPING NEW HABITS
Tales of Tai Chi
Christine Mercier & Irlene Begay
Mercier and her mom, Begay, started taking Tai Chi late in 2025 and are a great visual reminder to other students that this is a practice that can be done at any age. Begay is in her 80s and attends class on a walker, but that doesn’t stop her from following the forms to the best of her ability.
“Tai chi has been very helpful. As I see her move, I try to guide her and remind her to be safe. At times, she tries to do the hand motions when she should be holding onto her walker,” Mercier says.
But Begay still has a rebellious twinkle in her eye and points out that she’s always been self-sufficient. “When I was home by myself, I used to clean, mop, and chop up bushes. I walked all the time, and I want to keep moving. The teacher makes it really easy and shows you how to move, and I do.”
“You can learn at your own pace, and because there are different groups within the class, mom can go with the slower group and I can choose whichever one I feel like that day,” Mercier explains.
“I think we both learn something new every single time.”
Continued from page 33
How did I go from being an all-star of athletic antipathy to a middling minorleaguer of meditation in motion? And more importantly, why am I so excited about it? Tai Chi walk this way to find out — and then step over to my classmates’ tales to get other important perspectives.
Zero to 50
I vowed to take Tai Chi on New Year’s Eve in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Obligatory resolutions usually inspire contempt in me, but strong medicine was necessary.
In September, I turn 50, and I haven’t worked out with any kind of consistency since COVID. Thus far I’ve been fortunate in maintaining muscle and not gaining weight, but it can’t last forever. If I don’t use it, I’ll hasten the day I lose it, and I can’t imagine not being able to blanket a new city in footsteps.
Tipped off by an attentive algorithm, my phone had been serving up terrible Tai Chi walking ads for 6 months. You may have seen some variation of a fake podcast where a forlorn husband/wife is asking a super-hot fitness model how they can help their spouse, or themselves, get their groove back.
The pitch is simple: Do less than 10 minutes of Tai Chi walking every day for a month, and you’ll be so ripped nobody will recognize you anymore. If this were true, witness relocation would be infinitely easier! The appeal of a simple solution to complex issues surrounding health and physical appearance is obvious, but it so often isn’t. Some of us would rather do anything else than push ourselves physically for health alone. I’m a devoted sci-fi and horror fan, and yet the most bizarre concept I’ve ever tried to wrap my mind around is that there are people who actually enjoy running.
For some members, my “kinesiophobia” will sound equally far-fetched. In my time at MAC, I’ve interviewed world-class athletes, fearless competitors, and data-driven selfimprovers who delight in exercise the way I do in reading, writing, or listening to music. I like to think I’ve succeeded in telling their stories because I relate to their passion if not always to what precisely inspires it. If you are one of these action heroes, please don’t judge me.
This story is for the others like me, who are struggling to figure out how to “Move with MAC.” As I write this, I’m a month into taking Ellové Technique again after
Christine Mercier attends Beginning Tai Chi with her mom.
A walker doesn’t stop Irlene Begay from parting the horse’s mane.
Brad Evans
If Beginning Tai Chi had a mascot, it would be Evans. A semi-retired physician, avid cyclist, and former professional musician, he does as much to make new students feel welcome as anyone else in class. After suffering back and shoulder injuries, he says Tai Chi has given him a new lease on life, and he passes his enthusiasm for the practice onto everyone around him.
6 years away. Maybe by the time you read this I’ll have added a third workout to my weekly regimen.
You are not alone in feeling unsure of your body, rusty in your practice, or intimidated by the plethora of offerings here at the MAC. If you can find just one class that doesn’t sound like torture and commit to going once a week, that’s a foot in the door. After that door is cracked, you may be shocked to see how similar those inside are, not to mention how welcoming they can be.
How I Got My Groove Back
It’s been said that the best exercise is the one you’ll actually do. Men are often programmed to think we should be lifting weights or running or playing in a sports league. Whatever we do, it has to be hardcore.
But here’s the thing: Unless we’re talking about punk bands like the Dead Kennedys, I hate hardcore. Personally, I find making time in my schedule to exercise daunting enough that I don’t want the exercise to be physically and/or intellectually painful. Some will say
that it should be for maximum results, but in this case, I would direct those people to first sentence of this section.
Hiking and walking in the city were always my speed. I’ve enjoyed yoga, mat Pilates, and in the past, I would even dip into a class like MAC Strong or spinning. But after a number of years only spinning my wheels, Tai Chi has been the perfect re-entry into an exercise routine.
Beyond balance, Tai Chi, when done properly, engages the core and builds strength and flexibility while reducing stress. It can improve cardiovascular health, reduce joint pain, and enhance cognitive function without stressing the body. In the past 6 months, I’ve even lost and kept off around 10 pounds.
Far more importantly, though, it’s a lot of fun. When I told my best buddy that I’d started Tai Chi, he said, “Oh, yeah, slowmotion karate. I could probably use some of that.” While that comparison is a good way to get a general idea of what Tai Chi looks like, I
Continued on page 36
“I started early on in Julie’s classes, and I really enjoyed the openness of it. I flourished in that, and then I started learning more about Tai Chi, reading books about it, and specifically the medical benefits of Tai Chi, and who could benefit from it,” he says. “One of the things that I enjoy specifically about this class is anybody can come in.”
He also relishes Little’s constant reiteration that there is no wrong way to practice these forms.
“There are no mistakes. The fact you’re showing up and doing something is important.”
Despite regularly serving as the leader of one of the smaller breakout groups Little uses to reach different levels of student, Evans says that after 2 solid years of dedication to Tai Chi, he’s still very much learning.
“Now, what I am working on is walking like a cat and really balancing and moving in a very slow deliberate way. I’m always trying to improve.”
A natural leader, Brad Evans is often standing at the front of class to demonstrate form.
Tales of Tai Chi
SHAPING NEW HABITS
Tai Chi at MAC
Find the level that’s right for you. Beginning Tai Chi uses a 24-form practice that can be an end in and of itself, or members can move into Tai Chi, which uses a 48-form practice. For recommendations on where to start, email wellness@themac.com.
Beginning Tai Chi
8:15 – 9:15 am Mondays
10:15 – 11:15 am Tuesdays
12:50 – 1:40 pm Wednesdays
Tai Chi
1:45 – 2:45 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Fan Tai Chi
2:50 – 3:20 pm Fridays, following Tai Chi
Foundations of Taiji
A recurring PRO Series likely to start again in the fall.
Continued from page 35
would also compare it to dance. When you’re practicing with others at a similar level, the synchronization in movement makes it look like a choreographed routine.
It’s as close to country line dancing — or The Hustle — as I’ll ever get.
That choreography can be intimidating at first as you struggle to memorize the moves and flow as seamlessly as possible between them, which is why having a patient instructor and supportive classmates can be crucial if you’re wired like me.
On my first day of Beginning Tai Chi, fellow classmate Brad Evans signed me up for the group email list, and I was given a sheet showing the 24 forms, plus a link to a YouTube video of Little demonstratinging how they’re done. She often advises that if you only practice once a week in class, it’ll take you a year to learn, but that can maybe drop to 6 months if you practice at home.
Having only practiced sporadically on my own, I’ve managed to get the basics of the forms down in 6 months. I still move with all the grace and fluidity of Frankenstein’s monster, but enough of the routine has been committed to memory — or muscle memory — that I spend more time now refining
footwork or slowing down arm movements while intentionally engaging muscle groups rather than thinking, “What’s next and how do I bluff my way through it?”
I look forward to Tuesday’s 10:15 class, feel better afterward, and sleep more soundly that night. In fact, once I got used to the endorphins and lovely feelings of gentle tiredness in my muscles, I started to notice that I didn’t feel that way other days of the week. That drove me back into the softly curved firstposition arms of Ellové Technique.
World Thai Chi Day
Papi Ferunaj and Julie Little demonstrate Fan Tai Chi at World Thai Chi Day.
Before that, I had branched out into Dr. Michael Berletich’s Foundations of Taiji class, which I found to be the perfect complement to Beginning Tai Chi. Focused more on the mechanics of the movement and philosophy behind Tai Chi practice, I learned refinements to the way I was moving by working my way through the 8-position “Mother Form” that he uses for the basis of his practice. Unlike Beginning, Foundations is presently available only as a recurring limited series, so if that sounds intriguing, keep your eye out for that and his 5 Element Qigong offering.
At 2 days a week of taking classes, my wife says my mood has improved, so maybe there’s something to those fake Tai Chi walking ads. Strolling back into the office after an early Tai Chi class, one of my coworkers asked how I felt. “Like I could take on the whole Empire myself!” I replied, and isn’t that the force that keeps you coming back?
Continued on page 38
SHAPING NEW HABITS
What to Try After Tai Chi
For those who also prefer their exercise on the gentler side, here are some suggestions for other classes to check out.
Ellové Technique — This fusion of yoga, dance, Pilates, and fitness is easy to get started in and hard to quit. Participant choose their hand weights, bringing a customizable component to the class, which was invented by two MAC instructors..
Senior Balance, Strength & Stretching — There are a variety of classes designed to help seniors stay active longer and avoid injuries. Tai Chi instructor Papi Ferunaj also teaches Senior Strength, and there are virtual versions of some of the stretching classes for those who can’t make it to the club.
Hatha Yoga — Depending on whether members find holding a pose or flowing through them easier, there are cases to be made for both Hatha and Vinyasa. Typically, Hatha is a bit slower moving and might be better for beginners.
Beginning/Intermediate Pilates Mat — Improve posture, mobility, stability, and strength, with this intro-level Pilates class that can be modified through various props to provide greater challenge for those who are ready.
Continued from page 36
Come for the Chi, Stay for the Ties
Brad, Judy, Christine, Irlene, Julianne, Janet, Barbara, Craig, Susan, Robert, Elizabeth, Elisa, Gail, Sydney, and more wonderful folks whose names I have yet to memorize. Those are some of the big reasons why I’ve been successful in my commitment to taking Tai Chi.
I didn’t go searching for a community, but the MAC’s got a way of bringing people together. How many stories have I written about the sense of community conjured by this clubhouse? While members have long made me feel like one of them, Beginning Tai Chi finally cemented my sense of belonging.
Most of my classmates are older than I am, but many of them are in better shape than I will likely ever achieve. They show up early to class and catch up on recent travels and life events, and they gather socially outside of the MAC.
Sure, there’s accountability inherent in getting to know the people with whom you share workouts, but it’s so much more joyous than that. As a natural class clown, my respectful if unconventional humor has found receptive ears, and those who feel comfortable
and empowered enough to ask clarifying questions help everyone learn faster.
It’s been pointed out to me in interviews that members who’ve lost spouses or experienced other momentous life changes can find new footing among others at comparable points in their journeys. But as another member once pointed out, making friends
Sunrise Yoga is a mixed level class that incorporates a variety of yoga styles and poses.
Senior Strength class is designed to help seniors stay active longer and avoid injuries.
who are different ages than you can enhance the quality of your life, too. It changes your perspective, encourages empathy, and clarifies your own place in the big picture.
As Little said to me my very first day when I explained why I was taking Tai Chi, “If you learn it before you turn 50, you’ll know it when you really need it.” Far from looking forward, I find Tai Chi to be a necessity in my present. Now, Little adds to that advice, noting “there’s a saying that the best day to plant a tree is 100 years ago, and that the next best day is today. Tai Chi is good for you no matter when you begin.”
Life is never going to slow down, but Tai Chi makes practitioners slow down. As my inner tortoise has awakened and toggled my vision to soothing slow motion, I’ve been reminded that a workout isn’t work when you enjoy it. And recommitting to your well-being doesn’t have to cause a lot of drama.
GEAR UP. STAND OUT.
Refresh your wardrobe with high-quality pieces that show your MAC spirit. From everyday staples to performance gear, find apparel at Mporium that fits your lifestyle — on and off the court.
TAX-FREE BONDS
Health Span at Heart of New Space
Specialized Strength Studio Makes Fitness More Manageable
By Jake Ten Pas
Unless someone is eyeing a spot in the record books, lifespan isn’t nearly as important as health span. At its core, the concept is quality over quantity. The MAC seeks to help members achieve both, and the new Specialized Strength Studio is a testament to that commitment.
“The idea nowadays is to try and extend your health span, so most of your years, you are quite healthy. That’s often accomplished by good living habits, including a good diet and staying active, which is very important for cognitive health, not just physical health.” So says MAC Personal Trainer Irvyn Segal, who’s earned a reputation for working well with — and advocating for — the club’s senior population.
That includes listening to their feedback and helping to ensure seniors have a space within the club where they feel confident gathering to work out, catch up, and continue routines that might have been decades in the shaping.
“I’ve talked to people who come in to exercise and are overwhelmed when they go into the Fitness Room, often because they’re not familiar with the changes. It’s a big space with a lot of people moving around. It can feel intimidating. They feel more comfortable in a simplified, smaller, quieter area,” Segal explains.
Thus was born the Specialized Strength Studio, which was thoughtfully laid out to maximize the range of Keizer equipment available, as well as the flow through an alternating push-pull sequence.
“We’ve got a lot of balance gear, a bar for people to work safely, a treadmill from the old weight room with an extended rail and extended tread, which is safer for older adults. We’ve got our adjustable mat table — easy to get on and off — so you’ve got a wide space to do stretches or abdominals,” Segal says.
In essence, it brings together some of the favorite features of what used to be the Small Weight Room and Stretching Room in one
place that is preferred to the last location in the southwest corner of the Fitness Room.
“There was a push from the older membership, and CJ [Martin, Senior Director of Fitness & Wellness] was open to that with the club’s focus on lifelong fitness,” Segal continues. “He asked me to look into what we
Specialized Strength Studio
MAC Personal Trainer Irvyn Segal
could do, and the result offers something for specialized strength, older adults, people with special needs, and anyone else who wants to use that equipment.”
“It’s one of the best things to happen for fitness,” opined member Brian Fennerty during an interview earlier this year. “People were saying they felt like misfits in the bigger room or that it didn’t feel safe with others moving pretty quickly with all kinds of equipment. Now, they have their own space so that they have the opportunity to actually join this lifelong movement.
“I call it Irv’s space because he helped promote it and he’s taken such good care of a lot of them. That is an absolute necessity for the club as it grows older. It was Irv’s doing and CJ’s support that made it happen.”
While Fennerty still primarily works out in the Fitness Room, he reflects the sentiment of MAC seniors who appreciate having exercise options. Likewise, the Specialized Strength Studio appeals to younger members, too.
Christian Casebeer, who recently turned 50, has found the space to be ideal for his own journey of rehabilitation. While playing soccer late last year, he ruptured his patellar tendon, a significant injury for which full recovery can
Casebeer
take multiple years. His goal is to return to running and regular exercise within one.
“I’m now 6 months in, with nearly full range of motion. My next set of milestones revolves around gaining strength. I’ve started working on my tennis serve again and recently walked 9 holes of golf. I still can’t run, but I’m comfortable biking, using the elliptical, and walking on even ground.”
Casebeer recalls thinking the Specialized Strength Studio sounded like a good idea when it was first unveiled but also thought he wouldn’t personally use it for another 20 years. Instead, it’s turned out to be a “game changer” for him much sooner than he expected.
“Practically speaking, everything I needed for my rehab — from early mobility work to strength training — was available in that space and organized in a way that made progression straightforward. I appreciate the attention to detail in how they designed the flow of the equipment in the room.”
And after a few weeks of using the studio, he started recognizing familiar faces — people exchanging nods, encouragement, and advice. “That’s part of what makes the space special. Everyone in the room has their own story, and there’s a shared
understanding. It creates a real sense of community,” Casebeer says.
Segal has been around long enough to see the club community evolve over decades.
The South African native first came to MAC more than 30 years ago as a part-time water exercise instructor, before moving to the old Weight Room, which before the Loprinzi Wing expansion, was located where Studio Three is presently. He was then put in charge of MAC’s Alive & Well program, which offered Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates, Dance for Life, and a variety of senior-oriented programming. That was around 20 years ago, and the program was eventually sunset.
Since members returned following the COVID closure, Segal sees the pendulum swinging back to offering seniors a more robust selection of classes and resources, including the newly-formed Senior Committee, along with this dedicated space that can support a variety of needs and goals.
“A lot of these people have aged incredibly well. Staying active has contributed to their ability to stay young, involved, and engaged,” and the Specialized Strength Studio will continue to facilitate that, he says.
“I think it’s turned out quite well.”
Jim Rudd working with Segal.
Christian
GET TO KNOW GYROKINESIS® A Highly Accessible Way to Move at MAC
Here at the Multnomah Athletic Club, we strive to offer members a variety of group fitness classes for all body types and levels.
Whether you prefer to do MAC Fit classes for the benefit of toning and strengthening, or if yoga is more your speed, we try to make sure there is something for everyone. Every now and then, a new class shows up on the calendar that prompts people to say, “Huh? What is that?”
GYROKINESIS® is one of those classes.
I’ve been teaching this class here at MAC for about 3 years now, so it’s not exactly new, but most people still don’t know what it is — though I do have a small following of very devoted, lovely members who enjoy the opportunity to move in this unique manner.
Focus on Circular Movement
This movement method was started in the 1960s by Juliu Horvath, a RomanianHungarian dancer who sustained a career-ending injury. As with many forms
of exercise, this method was born out of the need and desire to rehabilitate and to move through the world with greater ease. His influences were swimming, tai chi, dance, and kundalini yoga.
The idea behind this method is that the body is meant to move in multiple planes, but so many exercise methods only focus on linear movement. Linear movement has its own set of benefits, but circular movement helps increase range-of-motion, flexibility, coordination, balance, cognitive function, and more.
Each exercise focuses on circular movement, using repetitive motions in tandem with specific breath to help unblock stagnation in the body. This helps increase joint mobility. While mobility is the focus of the movement, there is also an element of deep core strength that is emphasized, in a more subtle way than in other types of classes.
What Takes Place in a Class?
Each session has seated, standing, and floor components, but most of my 45-minute class is done sitting on a stool, with just a few exercises done on the floor and standing. We break class down into different planes of movement, and then we move through a sequence of exercises in each plane of movement. Each exercise is repeated several times with corresponding breath. These exercises are low impact and accessible for almost everyone, and modifications can easily be made for those with injuries or limitations.
Whether you are someone with joint issues, a back injury, or just someone who wants a less stiff spine and generally more mobility in your joints, this method is worth trying.
Come join us on Wednesdays from 11 –11:45 am in Studio Three! Your spine will thank you.
— Sarah Laks, Pilates Lead Instructor
Karen Cole sits down to get started for class. Laks leads members through a sequence.
The Patterns of Peripheral Arterial Disease
What to Look Out For & How to Find Your Next Steps
By John Dussel, MD
David was the kind of patient I remember. Sixty-three years old, gym member, walked daily and loved golf. He had been dismissing his calf tightness on his 18-hole days to age. “I’m not 30 anymore,” he thought. He had been quietly backing off his mileage and was now regularly using a golf cart. By the time he sat across from me, the arterial supply to his left leg was more than 70 percent blocked. One injury to his foot or a day of dehydration and we’d be talking about something far more serious than a loss of mileage.
What strikes me about David, and the dozens of patients like him I see every year, isn’t that he ignored his body. It’s that he was paying close attention to it. He adjusted his lifestyle to support his disease. He rested when it hurt, stretched, massaged; he did everything an intelligent athlete is supposed to do. The problem is that peripheral arterial disease is exceptionally good at impersonating athletic wear and tear, and the more fit you are, the better it hides.
I’m a vascular surgeon. I operate on blood vessels, the human plumbing that gets blood from your heart through the 60,000 miles of vessels in your body. I’m also a swimmer, runner, lifter, a MAC member, and the father of 3 boys who I fully intend to keep chasing around for a very long time. I’m writing this because in my years of reading this magazine, I recognize in our MAC community a lifelong commitment to health and perseverance, which can be directed to keeping us active throughout our lives.
As we age, through a combination of time, genetics, lifestyle, and risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure, the walls of the arteries accumulate plaque. Think of it like mineral buildup inside a pipe: the interior diameter narrows, flow drops, and the tissue downstream receives less oxygen than it needs, especially under demand.
In the legs, this is called “peripheral arterial disease,” or PAD. When the narrowing is mild, you feel nothing. As it progresses, the first sign is usually claudication: a cramping, aching, or heavy fatigue in the calf, thigh, or buttock that comes on during exertion and disappears within a few minutes of rest. In severe cases, there’s pain at rest, wounds that won’t heal, and tissue that begins to die. Until my partners and I get involved.
John Dussel, MD
Roughly 8.5 million Americans have PAD. The prevalence approaches 1 in 5 adults over 60. Many of them don’t know it.
Here’s the part that matters most if you’re reading this magazine.
Claudication, the cardinal symptom of PAD, is almost indistinguishable from the way a working muscle feels during hard exercise. Calf burn on a long run. Thigh fatigue on the StairMaster. Heavy legs in the pool. Every experienced athlete has felt these things, attributed them to accumulated training load, and pushed through or backed off accordingly. That instinct is usually correct. But this can also lead the average PAD patient to go 3 or more years before a diagnosis.
Active people have 3 compounding disadvantages. First, high pain tolerance. You’ve spent years teaching yourself that discomfort is not a stop signal. Second, fitness confidence. When you work out 5 days a week, the idea that something is mechanically wrong feels implausible. Third, and most insidiously, adaptive behavior: you slow down, shorten your runs, skip the hard efforts, and the symptom obligingly retreats. The disease progresses quietly while you believe you’re making sensible training adjustments.
So, what’s worth paying attention to?
Most calf tightness is not PAD. This is not meant to send anyone spiraling into health anxiety after a hard interval session. The goal is pattern recognition, not paranoia.
Here’s what makes vascular claudication distinct from normal muscle fatigue — it’s reproducible. Claudication-style pain comes on at roughly the same point in a workout, not randomly. David knew he could get from his cart to the green and back with no problem but he had completely stopped walking the fairway. He could make it as far as he “could hit a pitching wedge,” before experiencing pain. It’s location-specific, typically in one leg more than the other, often isolated to the calf or thigh. Critically, it resolves quickly and completely with rest; not after stretching, not after changing position, just stopping. Within 2 – 3 minutes of standing still, it’s gone. Enough time to line up a putt or get a drink from the water fountain. Then the pattern starts again and the pain returns at roughly the same threshold.
Normal muscle fatigue doesn’t work that way. It lingers, responds to stretching, and is worse the day after a hard effort. Vascular claudication has an almost mechanical, on/off quality that sets it apart once you know what you’re looking for.
I recognize in our MAC community a lifelong commitment to health and perseverance, which can be directed to keeping us active throughout our lives.
Beyond exertional symptoms, a handful of other signs are worth noting: absent pulses in your arms or legs; a wound on your foot or lower leg that’s taking unusually long to heal; one foot noticeably colder than the other at rest; unexpected hair loss on the lower leg; toenails that have become thickened and slow-growing. None of these are diagnostic on their own, but in combination, or alongside exertional symptoms, they belong in a conversation with your primary doctor or your vascular surgeon.
Continued on page 46
PHOTO COURTESY
JOHN DUSSEL
5 Signs Worth a Conversation with Your Doctor
1. Calf, thigh, or buttock cramping that comes on predictably during exercise and clears within 2 – 3 minutes of rest, then returns when you start moving again.
2. One leg or foot noticeably colder than the other at rest.
3. A wound on your foot or lower leg that is slow to heal.
4. Unexpected hair loss or skin changes on the lower leg or foot.
5. Exertional symptoms that are consistently worse in one leg than the other.
The Easiest Next Step: Ask your primary care physician for an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test at your next visit. It takes 2 minutes, requires no preparation, and gives a clear picture of blood flow to your legs. If you have any of the above symptoms, a personal or family history of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, or a history of smoking (even years ago) it’s worth asking for.
Continued from page 44
The MAC membership skews toward exactly the demographic where PAD lives. Active adults over 50, many of whom manage their genetic or acquired cardiovascular risk factors through lifestyle rather than medication. While fitness is genuinely protective, it doesn’t close the door to PAD entirely. Former or current smokers, even light ones are the most at risk. Anyone with a family history of heart disease or stroke. People with well-controlled diabetes or hypertension who feel protected by their numbers.
Being fit shifts the risk curve meaningfully, but it doesn’t reset it. The patients I worry about most aren’t the sedentary ones who know they need to see someone. They’re the 65-year-olds who’ve been quietly backing off their training for a year and haven’t mentioned it to their physician because they assumed it was just aging.
If any of this is sounding familiar, that’s the point.
The good news is genuinely good. PAD caught early is very manageable. The firstline treatment for mild to moderate disease is supervised exercise. I’m not being ironic. A structured walking program that builds gradually through the discomfort threshold stimulates the growth of collateral vessels. Your body actually reroutes around the blockage which improves both symptoms and long-term outcomes. The kind of movement the MAC is built around. It isn’t just prevention, it’s medicine.
For more advanced disease, minimally invasive options like angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy are often done outpatient with minimal recovery. Open surgical reconstructions are reserved for the most severe cases. The spectrum of treatment is wide, and outcomes are meaningfully better when things are found early.
The single most useful screening tool is an ankle-brachial index, or ABI. A healthcare provider places blood pressure cuffs on your arms and ankles, takes a few readings,
and compares the results. It takes 2 minutes. A normal result is reassuring. An abnormal result tells us exactly where to look and how urgently. It requires no specialist referral, no special preparation, and is covered by insurance. Ask for it at your annual physical or come get screened by Oregon Vascular Specialists.
The Lifelong Athlete isn’t just someone who keeps moving. It’s someone who stays curious about what’s happening underneath the movement. Someone who treats their body as a system worth understanding, not just a machine to be pushed. Knowing the difference between a hard workout and a vascular signal is just another form of athletic intelligence.
Your legs have been talking to you your whole athletic life. It’s worth knowing all the things they might be saying.
John Dussel, MD is a vascular surgeon practicing in the Portland area and a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club since 2021.
Content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. Please consult your doctor for personalized medical advice.
$1,350,000
ATHLETICS
Maria Siri-Follen focused in on her serve.
BRANDON DAVIS
This Summer in Racquet Sports
Stay In-the-Know About Upcoming News & Offerings
Upcoming for MAC Tennis
Fifth-Floor Tennis Court Improvements
The fifth-floor tennis courts are scheduled for an upgrade this August. Improvements include new insulation, lighting, curtain replacement, and more. During the renovation, the fifth-floor courts will be temporarily unavailable, but scheduling for outdoor courts and courts 5 – 7 will be open. The fifth floor courts will reopen in September.
USTA 55+ and Mixed 18+ League Registration
Ready to compete? Join a MAC Tennis team and face off against other Portland-area clubs. Matches are competitive, with winners advancing to playoffs, sectionals, and nationals. USTA membership and MAC registration are required.
Play begins in September and participants must register at themac.com to be eligible to play. This is for experienced players who are certain of their level and ready for competition. Scan to register.
New from MAC Pickleball
Tennis in the Park
Thursday, Aug. 13 6 – 8 pm
Spend an evening getting to know other MAC Tennis enthusiasts while enjoying casual grass court tennis play on the field at Washington Park. Scan to register.
Benefit Beyond the Clubhouse: Expanded Pickleball Access Through RECS
Tualatin
Starting July 1, members can take advantage of a new partnership with RECS Tualatin designed to provide additional opportunities to play pickleball.
MAC members are eligible for a discounted RECS Tualatin monthly membership rate of $99 per month (regularly $140) through December 2026. To enroll, simply present your MAC membership ID at RECS Tualatin when creating your account.
Membership benefits include:
• Pickleball court reservations up to 14 days in advance
• 2 inc luded court reservations each month
• Access to all pickleball group play programs, including round robins, ladies’ nights, and more
• Additional opportunities to connect and play within the local pickleball community
Whether you’re looking for more court availability, additional organized play opportunities, or a place to play closer to home, RECS Tualatin offers a great complement to your MAC pickleball experience.
For more information and registration details, visit themac.com/group/pages/pickleball.
Racquet Labs Demo Day
Sunday, Aug. 9 5 pm
Test the latest Selkirk, Holbrook and CRBN pickleball paddles with the Racquet Labs team. They’ll be onsite to help you try, compare, and find the perfect paddle for your game. No registration required.
’80s Adult Climb Night Highlights Climbing Community
The Climbing Social Exceeded Expectations and Maximized Member Fun
By Sarah Lydecker, Climbing Gym Supervisor
Climbing is all about community — and what’s more fun than sharing a pint with friends after a great gym session? Sharing a pint while dressed in full ’80s fashion and climbing together! Talk about a night that really glowed — this event was totally neon the mark.
The Climbing Committee hosted an Adult ’80s Climb Night on April 17, and the event was a bodacious success. Originally capped at 20 participants, demand quickly exceeded expectations. The limit was raised to 30 and then pushed further, with a final total of 33 attendees, making it the MAC’s largest adult climbing social to date.
From start to finish, the event showcased how much fun MAC members have when they climb together. The energy was electric (and maybe just a little fluorescent), with members laughing, connecting, and cheering each other on.
The evening’s success was driven by a dedicated subcommittee — Melody Chen, Avery Cook, and Erica Passmore — who spent months planning and refining the event. “The staff were super supportive of the committee
in putting the event together,” said Melody Chen. “It was great to see climbers of all experiences having fun and trying new things.”
Every detail helped the night shine, from a curated ’80s playlist and disco balls to costumes, interactive climbing games, and door prizes. “It was fun seeing my climbing buddies dressed in their finest ’80s fashion and meeting new climbers,” Meg Hollinger said.
Highlights included a specially set speed route for friendly races and games designed to encourage members to meet new partners. Door prizes ranged from free belay lessons to climbing gear and Mporium gift cards, ensuring everyone left with great memories.
Climbing Gym staff were instrumental in the event’s success, bringing energy, support, and expertise throughout the night. “I had a great time working ’80s climb night,” said Climbing Gym Coordinator Sydney Johnson. “Getting dressed up and seeing everyone else in costume made the evening light and whimsical, and I look forward to more in the future.”
“The camaraderie, fun, and costumes that I witnessed at ’80s Climb Night are proof that the adult climbers of the MAC crave community — and more importantly — love to be together,” said Jenna Chan, Climbing Instructor for Crux Club. “The MAC is lucky to have an enthusiastic Climbing Committee that cares deeply about listening to and meeting the needs of their fellow club members.”
Climbing Committee Chair Avery Cook added, “’80s Climbing Night was an absolute blast. The retro theme brought a lot of energy, but the best part was meeting members and sharing a fun evening together around climbing.”
Looking ahead, the next Committee Climb Night will take place on Oct.16. With capacity for up to 60 participants, the future of these events is brighter than ever.
If you’re interested in getting involved, reach out to the committee or email climbing@themac.com. One thing is certain: this community is positively radiant — and we can’t wait to do it again.
at MAC at Sawbuck Kick Off Matchday
Join fellow supporters 90-minutes prior to kickoff for select Timbers & Thorns matches with themed food and beverage offerings, chef-attended action station, and specialty cocktails. Scan the code for match dates and details.
Climbing Team Readies for Nationals
On April 11 and 12, MAC Climbing hosted USA Climbing Bouldering Divisional Championships. This event brought together the 250 best youth climbers from Oregon, Washington, and Alaska to compete for the opportunity to participate in the USA Climbing Bouldering National Championships.
MAC had 25 athletes competing, with 17 advancing to the second day of competition, and 6 qualifying for National Championships. In the Male/Open Under 19 category, Brooks McLemore placed 2nd, Reeder Smith placed 4th, and Alec Hoffman placed 5th. In the Female Under 19 category, Sonja Weatherill placed third, and Uma Deenadayalu placed 4th. In the Female Under 17 category, Emmalyn Lee placed 7th.
Ruby Thalheimer placed 1st and was Divisional Champion in the Female Under 13 category, however that category does not compete at the National level. The MAC Climbing Team placed second overall.
On May 2 and 3, MAC Climbing traveled to Vertical World Seattle to compete in USA Climbing Lead/Top Rope Divisional Championships. Akin to the Bouldering Divisional Championships, this event hosted the best 250 youth climbers from Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. These climbers competed for the opportunity to participate in USA Climbing Lead/Top Rope National Championships.
Of the MAC’s 25 competing athletes, 18 advanced to the second day of competition, and 6 qualified for National Championships. In the Male/Open Under 19 category, Brooks McLemore placed 3rd, Reeder
Smith placed 5th, and Alec Hoffman placed 8th. In the Female Under 19 category, sisters Tejal and Uma Deenadayalu placed 1st and 2nd, respectively. In the Female Under 15 category, Francis Berg placed 5th. Marley Long placed 3rd and was on the podium for the Female Under 13 category. The MAC Climbing team placed 3rd overall.
The Climbing Gym, mid-tournament.
Tejal Deenadaylu spots her next hold.
Member Numbers: Walk Across America Mileage
Walk Across America is a national program that allows members to create annual mileage goals, with end-of-year rewards. The idea is to set a mileage goal that is reasonable, attainable, challenging, and motivating. MAC members may join at any time.
For more information or to submit mileage, please contact Claire Galton at galtoncc@gmail.com.
Mileage as of May 31, 2026
Ann Blume 11,487
Ann Durfee 50,708
Norm Frink 22,756
Claire Galton 48,137
Dave Huffman 5,228
Robert Jarrett 1,578
Bridget Kelly 144
Harriet Maizels 32,711
Brad Nelson 1,510
John Popplewell 7,441
Dee Poujade 18,759
Carrie Stucky 34,791
Vong Vu 8,435
Ellen Wax 7,059
Barbara Wetzel 33,250
Cassidy Campanian
Adventure Awaits!
MAC Members Show Their Favorite Ways to Stay Active Around the World.
From Oberalppass, Switzerland, down to the North Sea, the Netherlands, Marianne Rudd followed the Rhein River for almost 1000 miles.
COME SUPPORT THE PORTLAND FIRE AT MODA CENTER!
July 9 7 pm vs Las Vegas Aces
July 22 7 pm vs Dallas Wings
July 31 7 pm vs Indiana Fever
Aug. 2 12:30 pm vs Los Angeles Sparks
Aug. 6 7 pm vs Toronto Tempo
Aug. 8 5:30 pm vs Seattle Storm
Aug. 12 7 pm vs Minnesota Lynx
Aug. 23 4 pm vs Washington Mystics
Aug. 30 4 pm vs Golden State Valkyries
Sept. 17 7 pm vs Phoenix Mercury
Sept. 22 7 pm vs Golden State Valkyries
MAC Members have access to discounted ticket pricing across the season. Scan the code to learn more.
Brad Wolverton chasing the wind, kite surfing in Maui.
Supper Clubs 2026
Third Tuesday, July & August
5:30 – 8:30 pm
The Social Activities Committee presents the 2026 Supper Clubs! This summer, visit the Sunset Bistro to enjoy festive food specials, cocktails, music, and decor to match the evening’s theme. Reservations can be made via Open Table and the menu will be available while supplies last.
July 21
Pan Asian Street Fair
Aug. 18
Mediterranean
Toastmasters
Mondays
7 – 8 am
Toastmasters is where confident speakers are made. Build strong communication and leadership skills through real practice and direct feedback. Meetings are held weekly on Zoom. Contact memberevents@themac.com for the Zoom link or questions.
Duplicate Bridge
Wednesdays
12:30 – 4 pm
Explore the strategic world of duplicate bridge, a variant designed to eliminate the luck factor in card distribution. These games are ACBL sanctioned, and participants can win masterpoints. The games are led by David Brower and coffee and cookies are provided. This event is for members 18 and older, and prior bridge experience is recommended.
Sawbuck Sushi Class
Thursday, July 9
6 pm
FBA0709
Learn the techniques to making delicious and authentic sushi from expert and Executive Chef Rodrigo Ochoa. Then, take away the equipment you’ll need to make your own sushi at home.
MAC Wine Ride
Sunday, July 12
9 am – 2 pm
ODE0712
Enjoy a relaxed ride through Oregon’s picturesque wine country at one of MAC’s most beloved summer cycling events. After the ride, participants ages 21 and older are invited to Torii Mor Winery for lunch and wine tasting.
Trivia Night
Monday, July 13
5:30 – 8 pm
SAE0713
Compete for prizes while sipping a hosted drink, with dinner concessions available to buy. Sign up as a team or come solo to be randomly assigned to a team.
World Cup Watch Party at Sawbuck
July 14 – 15 & 19
11 am
FBY0719, FBY0715 & FBY0714
Catch every moment of the World Cup semi-finals and finals on the big screen at Sawbuck! Rally with fellow members, enjoy match-inspired concessions and specialty cocktails, and experience the electric atmosphere as the world’s biggest tournament crowns its champion.
Youth Programs:
Dungeons & Dragons
July 16 & 30
4 – 7:30 pm
YPJ603
Select July and August events and classes are presented here. Additional experiences are listed on the Events and MAC@Home pages at themac.com.
Register online! Find your event by searching the Quick Register Number (QRN) which is shown after the date and time.
(Example: FBA0709)
Explore fantastical worlds and fight mythical monsters with the roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons! Each session offers a unique experience encouraging communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.
Chris Stapleton
Pre-Concert Tailgate
Friday, July 17
5 – 7 pm
Turn up the fun in the Turnaround before the Chris Stapleton concert at Providence Park! Enjoy BBQ and drinks while playing lawn games, then head in for the show. No registration required.
Join the Tailgate in the Turnaround before the Chris Stapleton concert.
20s/30s Pool Party:
Vegas Night Swim
Saturday, July 18 7 – 10:30 pm
STE0718
Ready to hit the strip’s hottest swim club? Lasers, neon, and fog swirl together with hiphop and EDM at this Sin City soiree.
History Book Club
Monday, July 20 6:30 – 8 pm
This month’s book is Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel.
Summer Senior Mix & Mingle
Monday, July 27 4 – 6 pm
SSE0727
Connect with fellow MAC seniors and get to know new faces! Make friends, mingle with the crowd, and enjoy light bites on the Second Floor Terrace. Members are encouraged to continue the evening with dinner at the Sports Pub or the Sunset Bistro.
Evening Literary Group
Tuesday, July 28 7 – 8 pm
Join the Evening Literary Group in Kamm for a lively discussion — reader’s choice!
Continued on page 58
COURTESY CHRIS STAPLETON
JUNIOR LOUNGE
JULY EVENTS
A space for children ages 7 – 14 to hang out solo or with friends.
SUMMER HOURS:
12 – 5 pm Monday – Friday
Fitness Gallery Activities
9 am – 12 pm Monday – Friday
9 am – 1 pm Saturday
EVENTS: 9 AM – 12 PM
Friday, July 10
Perler Beads Craft
Wednesday, July 15
Friendship Bracelets
Thursday, July 23
Mad-Lib Station
Friday, July 31
Positivity Wall
Visit the Junior Lounge page to see the full event calendar.
August
Toastmasters
Mondays
7 – 8 am
Toastmasters is where confident speakers are made. Build strong communication and leadership skills through real practice and direct feedback. Meetings are held weekly on Zoom. Contact memberevents@themac.com for the Zoom link or questions.
Duplicate Bridge
Wednesdays
12:30 – 4 pm
Explore the strategic world of duplicate bridge, a variant designed to eliminate the luck factor in card distribution. These games are ACBL sanctioned, and participants can win masterpoints. The games are led by David Brower and coffee and cookies are provided. This event is for members 18 and older, and prior bridge experience is recommended.
Racquet Labs Demo Day
Sunday, Aug. 9
5 pm
Test the latest Selkirk, Holbrook and CRBN pickleball paddles with the Racquet Labs team. They’ll be onsite to help you try, compare, and find the perfect paddle for your game. No registration required.
Early Birds Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, Aug. 12
5:45 – 6:45 am
EBE0812
All early risers are invited to indulge in curated ice cream flavors and seasonal snacks. Members, friends, and family can expect a morning filled with tasty treats and connection.
Hoop It Up at Outdoor 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Wednesday, Aug. 12
5:30 – 9:30 pm
BBE0812
Compete in this 3-on-3 competition at Portland Heights Park featuring round-robinstyle action with single-elimination playoffs.
Youth Programs: Dungeons & Dragons
Aug. 13 & 27
4 – 7:30 pm YPJ604
Explore fantastical worlds and fight mythical monsters with the roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons! Each session offers a unique experience encouraging communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.
Tennis in the Park
Thursday, Aug. 13
6 – 8 pm TEE0813
Spend an evening getting to know other MAC Tennis enthusiasts while enjoying casual play on the field at Washington Park.
Continued on page 60
Scan for the MAC Junior Handbook Club Rules.
Scan to Register
My MAC Playschool
2026-2027
Preschool REGISTRATION
Still Open
Sign up now for the Sept. 2026 – June 2027 School Year
My MAC Playschool offers a warm, play-based learning environment for the club’s youngest members, ages 2–6. With thoughtfully designed curriculum, each class supports cognitive growth, social-emotional development, and school readiness while nurturing curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Families can feel confident knowing their children are in a safe, enriching, and community-centered setting at MAC. All classes offer an early drop-off option starting at 8 am., an optional lunch hour, and multiple ways to extend your child’s day depending on age.
Please make sure your children who are enrolling in the program have their own member numbers. To register your child on your account, email membership@themac.com. All classes follow the PPS calendar for holidays and closures.
STRAWBERRY
(AGE 2/2.5 BY SEPT. 1)
Age 2 by Sept. 1
TU/TH 9 am-12 pm YPJ500
Age 2.5 by Sept. 1
M/W/F 9 am-12 pm YPJ501
Scan for details
BLUEBERRY (AGE 3 BY SEPT. 1)
M-F 9 am-12 pm YPJ502
HUCKLEBERRY (AGE 4 BY SEPT. 1)
M-F 9 am-12 pm JYPJ503
More on site fun for kids ages 6 & younger at MAC.
To make a reservation with MAC Child Care, or for more information, contact Child Care at 503-517-7216 or childcare@themac.com.
CHILD CARE
M, TU, W, F 8 am-5 pm TH, SA 8 am-9 pm
Closed at 6 pm if no reservations. SU 8 am-2 pm
FREE CHILDCARE WHILE DINING AT SUNSET BISTRO TH, SA 4-9 pm Reservation Required
Call 503-517-7216, email youthprograms@themac.com, or check themac.com for fees, rules, closures, holiday hours, and more details.
Summer Senior Mix & Mingle
Friday, Aug. 14
4 – 6 pm
SSE0814
Connect with fellow MAC seniors and get to know new faces! Make friends, mingle with the crowd, and enjoy light bites in Duniway/Couch and the Second Floor Terrace. Members are encouraged to continue the evening with dinner at the Sports Pub or the Sunset Bistro.
History Book Club
Monday, Aug. 17
6:30 – 8 pm
This month’s book is 1944: FDR and the Year that Changed History by Jay Winik.
Yoga in the Vines
Sunday, Aug. 23
10 am – 1 pm
YOE0823
Engage all your senses with an outdoor yoga class among the vines at the Stoller Family Estate. Also, take a walking tour through the scenic vineyards and delight in a catered lunch and wine tasting.
Holiday Fashion Show
Model Casting Call
Sunday, Aug. 23
10 am – 12 pm
SCE0823
Showcase your talent on the runway and become part of MAC’s annual fashion show, taking place Dec. 9 – 10. The casting call is open to members 18 and older with all levels of modeling experience; prior experience is not necessary. Registration is encouraged, but interested members may drop by Lownsdale anytime during the casting call.
Cultural Chef’s Table
Thursday, Aug. 27
6 – 8 pm
FBA0827
Explore a variety of cultures through an immersive culinary experience with Chef Rodrigo Ochoa, along with a complimentary drink.
Thank you to the volunteers and staff who made Community Day a huge success!
Save the Date
Comedy Club
Thursday, Sept. 3
SCE0903
Registration Opens July 5
Basketball Meet & Greet
Wednesday, Sept. 9
BBE0909
Registration Opens July 11
Dinks & Drinks: Fall Brawl
Friday, Sept. 18
PBE0918
Registration Opens July 20
Senior Committee
Breakfast Bistro Takeover
Saturday, Sept. 19
SSE0919
Registration Opens July 21
MAC Talks: Arts & Culture –Hosted by the Senior Committee
Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 20 & Nov.3
SSE0922, SSE1006, SSE1020, SSE1103
Registration Opens July 24
Volunteer next at the Fall Family Festival!
Friday, Sept. 25
5:30 –7:30 pm VOL0925
We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers to create memorable experiences by assisting with crafts and running activity stations. Please email lbonsignori@themac.com to sign up.
Early Birds Oktoberfest Gathering
Wednesday, Sept. 23
EBE0923
Registration Opens July 26
Volleyball Meet & Greet
Thursday, Sept. 24
VBE0924
Registration Opens July 26
Tennis Club Championships: Singles & Juniors
Sept. 24 – 27
TEE0924
Registration Opens July 26
Fall Family Festival
Friday, Sept. 25
SFE0925
Registration Opens July 27
PHOTOS
ADVERTISER INDEX
Ways to Reach Club Concierge
concierge@themac.com
Text or call 503-517-7235 themac.com/group/pages/contact-us
Facilities 503-517-6656 Lost & Found 503-517-7235 MAF 503-517-2350
Maintenance 503-517-6665
Membership 503-517-7280 Mporium 503-517-7290
Procurement 503-517-6673
Restaurant Reservations 503-517-6630
From the Archives
The MAC’s outdoor tennis tradition dates back to the 1890s. Generations of members have rallied, competed, and refined their game on these courts — and the tradition continues today, as seen on this issue’s cover.
