Pamela Weatherspoon appointed to OLCC's Board of Commissioners

Pamela Weatherspoon (3rd Congressional District) has been appointed to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s board of commissioners. 

Weatherspoon was born in Southern California and was raised in Southern Oregon. She received her bachelor degree in Communications with a minor in Black Studies from Portland State University. 

Currently, Weatherspoon is responsible for Community Relations for Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Prior to that, she worked as the Community Relations Director and African American Mentoring Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.

She is currently engaged in the community in numerous ways including being a volunteer big sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, board member of the Make it Better Foundation for the Portland Trail Blazers, advisory board for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and the Eliot Neighborhood Association. 

In 2009, Weatherspoon graduated from leadership Clark County and in 2010, she finished a 13-month leadership program with the National Urban League. She is in the current class of the American Leadership Forum.

The five citizen commissioners are the policy-making body of the OLCC. They meet monthly for one or two days to make decisions on liquor licenses, rules, contested case hearings and appointments of liquor store agents. Commission meetings are held every other month at OLCC's main office, 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Room 103A in Portland. Subsequent months, the meetings are held via phone.

Read bios for all OLCC Commissioners

Spring Break 101

Spring Break has arrived! 

Whether you plan to stay in town or take off for some fun destination during the break, it is important to keep safety in mind. Thinking about safety may seem like common sense, but when you add alcohol it is easy to get caught up in the craziness and excitement and make poor decisions.

If you are faced with the temptation to drink alcohol and “party,” don’t forget that: 

• There are stiff legal penalties for consuming alcohol if you under the legal drinking age of 21. 
• Alcohol use could result in spending spring break in the ER, hospital or morgue, or a criminal record. 
• Alcohol use can also lead to unplanned parenthood, sexually transmitted infection and disease. 
• Aspirin isn’t a magic pill. 
  
• According to a study by the American Medical Association, taking aspirin before drinking does not prevent hangovers. In fact, aspirin lowers the rate at which your body metabolizes alcohol. As a result, the effects of alcohol last longer and you may end up with a worse hangover in the morning. 
• Friends don't let friends sleep it off.
• If your friends are too intoxicated, don’t leave them unattended. 
• Alcohol poisoning is a serious danger when consuming alcohol in excess. If someone who is drunk passes out, they’re less likely to be awakened by their need to vomit. You should seek professional help immediately, if someone becomes unresponsive.

Alcohol retailers also play an important role

What can you do? Make sure your staff are properly trained to ID or “card” those purchasing alcohol.See a sample of a standard Oregon Driver License for a driver under the age of 21 

Also, if you suspect someone is purchasing alcohol for someone under the legal drinking age of 21, refuse the sale. 

Reminders for parents

Oregon law prohibits anyone, except a parent or legal guardian, from providing alcohol to a minor or juvenile. A minor is any person under the age of 21 and a juvenile is any person under the age of 18. Parents or guardians may legally provide alcohol to their minor child or ward and only in a private residence when accompanying their minor child.  A parent cannot transfer this responsibility to another adult or provide alcohol in a public place.

If you allow your property and/or home to be used for a party where minors, other than your minor child(ren), consume alcohol in your presence, you may have to forfeit property and may be issued a criminal citation.

If your child is traveling away from home for Spring Break, make sure you have the information you need to keep them safe. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself before your child travels:

• Have you talked with your teens about underage drinking and its consequences?
• Are YOU aware of the penalties and consequences of underage drinking?
• Do you know where your teen is going and who they are going with?
• Is there an adult chaperone?
• Do you have contact information for your child and the parents of who they are traveling with?
• Can your child reach you if they need your guidance or help?

And, if you hear of kids planning to party with alcohol, call the OLCC at 503-872-5070 or 800-452-OLCC (6522).

Spooktacular Spirits

In the spirit of Halloween, here's a list ghoulish potions perfect for your haunted evening. You can find these spirits at Oregon liquor stores. Go to www.oregonliquorsearch.com for more information!

Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Captain Morgan Tattoo

Crystal Head Vodka

Dead Guy Whiskey

Death’s Door

Espolon Reposado Tequila

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut

Kah Tequila

Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Liquore Strega

Lucid Absinthe

 

Redrum Voodoo Spiced Rum

SinFire Whiskey

Stein Seven Devils Rum

Tarantula Azul

Tarantula Plata Tequila

Tequila Chamucos Anejo Especial

Have a safe Halloween! Don't drink and drive, and please celebrate responsibly! 



Oregon Liquor Control Commission 101

 

How many breweries, wineries and distilleries are in Oregon? How does the Oregon Liquor Control Commission help local businesses?  What does OLCC do to keep people safe?  Where does all that money go? What does OLCC do for me? 

Any of these questions sound familiar?  We get them all the time.  Thanks to a grant from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, we’re going to try to answer them – in about eight minutes.

Our new video, “OLCC: It’s Your Business,” covers topics that aren’t normally discussed, but people are always amazed by the answers.  For example, most folks know that our inspectors work with businesses to make sure they are following liquor laws.  But did you know that the alcohol education program offers tips on real life situations – like how to remove a drink from someone who’s had too much?

Did you know that liquor stores in Oregon aren’t owned by the state?  Or, that you can get a selection of 1800 different products at any liquor store in the state – even if it isn’t on the shelf?

Most folks aren’t aware that the OLCC distributes hundreds of millions of dollars to fund state and local programs – like education, healthcare, police and fire. 

You might know that we issue liquor licenses to bars, restaurants, taverns and grocery stores.  But do you know how we do it? 

Bottom line is, we are your OLCC – and you should know what we do for you. From gathering input on new rules that affect you and your community to recruiting volunteers for minor sales checks – OLCC is your business and we want you to be involved.  

Rob Patridge appointed to OLCC Board of Commissioners

Rob Patridge (2nd Congressional District) has been appointed to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s board of commissioners.

Patridge was nominated by Gov. John Kitzhaber and confirmed by the legislature. Patridge grew up on a working cattle ranch in Eagle Point, Oregon and has served southern Oregon as a Deputy District Attorney, President of the Medford City Council, and for three terms as the State Representative from Medford where he was the House Majority Whip and Chaired the Public Safety Sub-Committee of Ways and Means. He also served as the General Counsel for the Rogue Valley Manor/Pacific Retirement Services, President of multi-state real estate development firm and served as the General Counsel and District Director for U.S. Congressman Greg Walden, and as a private business consultant.

Patridge serves on the Board of the Rogue Valley Timbers Soccer Club, Advisory Board for the S.M.A.R.T. reading program, and is active in Scouting.

Patridge has been married for 15 years to his wife Mary and has two children.

The five citizen commissioners are the policy-making body of the OLCC. They meet monthly for one or two days to make decisions on liquor licenses, rules, contested case hearings and appointments of liquor store agents. Commission meetings are held every other month at OLCC's main office, 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Room 103A in Portland. Subsequent months, the meetings are held via phone.

Meet the other OLCC Commissioners

OLCC creates Smartphone app to improve Liquor Law enforcement

The OLCC has created a smartphone app to assist our enforcement staff while they are working in the field. 

The application was developed in-house by OLCC Information Technology staff and provides remote access to alcohol service permit and license information such as license updates and restrictions.

Before, staff either had to wait until they returned to the office to do research, ask the Dispatcher to look up information over the phone, or carry around a bulky tablet that took time to turn on and load the programs.  With the new smartphone app, they can get the information they need right at their fingertips.

Multiple Tools – Not only does staff benefit from the new app, but there are several tools on the phone that help them do their job.  Internet access, Google maps, email, contacts, calendar, reminders, notes, texting, camera, and calculator are all additional benefits of having a smartphone.

Security – The new smartphones are locked down to enforce compliance with state policies.

Convenience – A smartphone can be put in your pocket, or clipped on to your belt, unlike a tablet that has to be carried in a travel case.  The tablets also had short battery life and required an air card.

Saving Money – Issuing a smartphone to 40 enforcement staff not only increases productivity, but also saves the state money.  By combining the services of the phone and data, the agency expects to see a savings in excess of $6,000 per year.

The best part of having these tools is that we can get information we need right away to help the community and licensees.

Keeping teens alcohol-free this Prom and Graduation Season

Prom and graduation are two of the biggest memory making events in a teenager’s life. Many parents get involved by helping pick out special clothes or extending curfew for the night. One area where parents can make the greatest impact is setting firm expectations against underage drinking.

The OLCC and Pernod Ricard, USA are launching a Public Service Announcement campaign on TV, internet and in stores to remind parents how dangerous underage drinking can be. The campaign, “Underage Drinking doesn’t start with a drink. It starts with an excuse,” focuses on things some parents may say to justify their teens’ drinking behavior.

A few excuses pointed out in the PSA include:

• We drank when we were that young and we turned out OK. 
• I don’t mind if he’s drinking with his friends. Just as long as they’re doing it at our house.
• These kids are under so much pressure, I say let’s cut them a break.It’s fine if he takes a sip. 
• My son knows the limit.

“Parents are influential on the choices teens make. The messages we send to our kids can have a life or death impact,” says Rudy Williams, Public Safety Director. “Our partnership with Pernod Ricard, USA is a valuable tool in educating parents on the vital role they play in helping teens make good decisions.”

When it comes to underage drinking, 74 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 say their parents are the number one influence on their decisions about whether they drink alcohol, according to the Roper Youth Report.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more than 21 percent of fatalities involving alcohol and drugs in 2010 had a driver between the age of 15 and 20.

The 30-second PSA will air on KPTV, Fox 12 from April 23 through Memorial Day weekend. Window clings with a graphic from the TV spot (attached below) will be displayed in various liquor stores in Oregon as a reminder to parents when they purchase alcohol.

More information on minors and alcohol can be found on the OLCC website, and information on drinking responsibly can be found at www.AcceptResponsibility.org.

Prom & Graduation Tips for Parents

• Set clear rules about not drinking and consequences for breaking them.
• If you are hosting a graduation or prom after party, do NOT serve alcohol to anyone under age 21. Read about Oregon’s alcohol laws and minors.
• Take inventory of the alcohol in your home and secure it if needed.
• Find out who is driving. One-third of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens each year occur during prom/graduation season (NHTSA). And if a limo is rented, check their policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle.
• Remind your teens to ALWAYS wear their seat belts – it’s the law. 70% of teens killed on prom weekends were not wearing their seat belts (NHTSA).
• Discuss the school's prom rules with your teen and the consequences for violating them.
• Don’t rent hotel rooms for your teens or allow them to attend parties that do not have chaperones.
• Talk to other parents about post-event activities to ensure alcohol won’t be present.
• Be available to provide a timely and safe ride home if needed. Let them know that they should call you if they need a ride home or get into a situation they know isn’t safe — no matter what time it is, no matter where they are.