‘City of Roses’
www.portlandobserver.com Volume XXXX1, Number 5
Wednesday • February 2, 2011
Established in 1970 Committed to Cultural Diversity
Jefferson’s Middle College Point Man Damon Hickok is a key figure in school’s future BY CLIFF PFENNING
THE PORTLAND OBSERVER At the public meeting promoting the Middle College at Jefferson High School, parents and students heard from a variety of speakers, including Self-Enhancement Inc., founder Tony Hopson, Jefferson Principal Toni Hunter and Portland Community College Cascade Campus President Algie Gatewood. They didn’t hear from Damon Hickok, although he got acknowledged several times for his efforts. Hickok is in charge of the Middle College program on the PCC Cascade Campus, which makes him something akin to a coach of a sports team as he works to produce a healthy program while attracting new students. His outlook on the Middle College program is similar to a college coach as well. “We have a great program here and we want it to reach as many kids as possible,” says Hickok, 39. “I’m on the lookout for kids who are doing things above and beyond going to school because they’re good candidates for success here. “But, they have to want to come here. They have to put that effort in. They have to be able to walk across the street, make that first, basic, commitment to be in our program. If they can’t do that, they’re not going to be successful here,” he said. The Middle College program will become the main focus at Jefferson in the fall when the new school year begins. It’s such a major selling point to parents that Jefferson’s name will change to Jefferson High School – Middle College for Advanced Studies. While students are not required to engage in the Middle College program currently, they will be in
Damon Hickok works to get Jefferson students ready for college as director of the Middle College program at Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus, which sits directly across Killingsworth Street from the north Portland high school. the future, starting with the upcoming freshman class. During their four years, they’ll take between two and 15 classes on the PCC campus.
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Film Director Opens Festival Series puts Africa and black history into focus Portland Community College’s Festival of African Films, organized by dedicated volunteers, is bringing an acclaimed director to Portland this week to kick off the 21st annual event. The festival honors Black History Month and is held Acclaimed film director Mahamat-Seleh Haroun will be in Portland this week to help kick off Portland Community College’s 21st Cascade Festival of African Films and attend a screening of his award winning film, ‘A Screaming Man.’
Thursdays through Saturdays from Friday, Feb. 4 through March 5. It will open with the visit of Mahamat-Saleh Harun, who will show his latest award-winning film, “A Screaming Man” at the Hollywood Theatre, 4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd. on Friday, Feb. 4. The director fails from Chad and lives in France. “A Screaming Man’ won the prestigious Jury Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 and Haroun’s previous films have been festival favorites over the years. Attendees will continued on page 21
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The
Portland Observer
Black History Month
February 2, 2011
February 2, 2011
The
Portland Observer
INSIDE
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Black History Month
This page Sponsored by:
LOCAL NEWS BLACK HISTORY CALENDAR
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FOOD
Thabiti Lewis
a "Letter to My Cousin," which serves as a guidance letter to Lewis's own cousin as well as to any young person who aspires to a career in professional sports. He goes on to explain how a majority of black collegiate athletes are exploited by the sports industry with little compensation and often without the education promised with their scholarships. Lewis then challenges readers to view the sports industry with a keen eye on hiring opportunities and racial equality on and off the playing field. "I am challenging people of all ages, races and ethnicity to be what I call a 'true baller' or 'Baller of the New School,' which is intellectual, critical, innovative and unafraid to challenge the flawed affirmative action, and post race narratives we are bombarded with daily.
Through essays, my book examines how racist sports media coverage perpetuates, rather than alleviates, racial tensions in our society. I want readers to understand that the icons they see are not the norm and do not reflect the dire social, educational and economic status of many people of color in America," said Lewis. Lewis lectures widely on topics such as hip-hop, film, black masculinity, race and sports in America. He has been a columnist and freelance writer for The Source, the St. Louis American and News One. His work has appeared in several book anthologies and in publications such as Mosaic Literary Magazine, Oregon Humanities, Crisis Magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and AmeriQuests. Lewis's book tour includes stops in Philadelphia, Seattle, Iowa City, Iowa, and Kansas City, Mo. He will discuss his work and sign copies of his book at 12 p.m. March 1 in the WSU Vancouver library. "Ballers of the New School: Race and Sports in America" is available through The Bookie, Borders, Powell's Books, Third World Press, Amazon and his website, ThabitiLewis.com.
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Governor Hires Rights Advocate
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CLASSIFIEDS
Local professor challenges notions of progress Thabiti Lewis, associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts at Washington State University Vancouver, has published a book challenging the notion that sports culture is a pioneer for racial progress. "Ballers of the New School: Race and Sports in America" is a thought-provoking analysis of minorities in the sports industry that critically re-examines the mythologies and social uplift narratives that dominate our culture. Sports are often hailed as a way for minority athletes to achieve fame and wealth. In his book, Lewis deconstructs the Cinderella story of scoring big in the major leagues and asks why there is little minority representation at the corporate level. Lewis contends that American sports have not contributed to racial progress as much as our culture has been led to believe. "This is more media spin than truth. It's a figment of imagination aided by modern technology armed with 24-hour sports reporting, unlimited sports television channels and a culture that cultivates anti-intellectualism," said Lewis. "Ballers of the New School: Race and Sports in America" begins with
pages 10-14
SPORTS OPINION
Sports Culture and Race
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Gov. John Kitzhaber has hired an Oregon attorney with a civil rights and victim rights record as his general counsel. Liani Reeves received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Willamette University. She has worked at the Oregon Department of Justice in many capacities, most recently as the deputy chief trial counsel. She’s also served as an attorney for the National Crime Victim Law Institute to promote, advance and enforce crime victims' rights. Reeves served as the co-chair of the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association from 2002-2008. She Liani Reeves
received the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Willamette University College of Law honoring work and dedication toward the ideals of equal civil and human rights and was recognized as an up and coming leader by the Portland Business Journal. She mentors law students and has been named Mentor of the Year by both Willamette and Lewis & Clark College. “Working as the Governor's general counsel allows me to continue in public service working on issues with broad implications throughout the state,” said Reeves.
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The
Portland Observer
Black History Month
February 2, 2011
February 2, 2011
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Portland Observer
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Black History Month
Community Events Enrich Black History Month brings films, concerts and lectures The city of Portland is sponsoring Black history month with free events open to the public, ranging from historical films and figures, jazz concerts and musical tributes, African American biographies, intellectual speakers and lectures, poet laureates of the Harlem Renaissance, and much more.
against violent racists. In doing so, Williams not only challenged the Klan-dominated establishment of his hometown of Monroe, N. C., he alienated the mainstream Civil Rights Movement, which advocated peaceful resistance. Documentary plays Thursday, Feb. 3 at noon at the Water Pollution Control Lab, Bybee Conference Room.
Check your calendar during the entire month of February, and mark down these event dates that you can't afford to miss!
Community Events • Black History Month Proclamation, Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m., City Council, City Hall, 1221 S.W. Fourth Ave. • Portland’s Lost Black Neighborhoods: Guild’s Lake, Vanport City and others, Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Kaiser Town Hall, 3704 N Interstate Ave. Exhibit of historical photos shows people and life in once proud communities devastated by industrial development, urban renewal and flood waters.
Films
• George Washington Carver, a documentary of his extraordinary journey from being born a slave to the end of his life with presidents and corporate titans who valued his friendship. Millions of Americans benefited from his innovations. His scientific genius is legendary, but less known is his remarkable path to greatness, defined by a life-long passion for serving others. Plays Thursday, Feb. 10 at noon at the Water Pollution Control Lab, 6543 N Burlington Ave.; and Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, 5001 N Columbia Blvd.
• Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind. Garvey was a visionary and a manipulator, a brilliant orator and a pompous autocrat. In just 10 years following his emigration to the United States as a laborer in 1917, Marcus Garvey rose to lead the largest black organization in history, was taken to prison in handcuffs, and was eventually deported. The documentary plays Tuesday, Feb. 8 at noon in the Portland Building, 10th Floor, Lodge Pole Room.
• Hughes’ Dream Harlem. Langston Hughes was one of the most prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance and is often referred to as Harlem's poet laureate. This film shows how Hughes successfully fused jazz, blues and common speech to celebrate the beauty of Black life. Plays Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m., Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mt. Hood Room.
• Rob Williams Biography. A dramatic story of the often-forgotten civil rights leader who urged African Americans to arm themselves • For My People: The Life and Writing of Margaret Walker. This
film gives the long-overdue recognition to one of the seminal figures of American literature. Margaret Walker has been described by scholar Jerry Ward as "a national treasure" and by Nikki Giovanni as the "most famous person nobody knows." Documentary plays Tuesday, Feb. 15 at noon at the Portland Building, 10th Floor, Lodgepole Room.
sents a vivid drama, combining Music the personal and the political, about one of the most enigmatic figures in 20th-century American history. One of the first "freedom riders," an adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph, Rustin was intelligent, gregarious and charismatic, but was denied his place in the limelight for one reason - he was gay. Film plays Thursday, Feb. 17 at noon, Water Pollution Control Lab, Bybee Conference Room; and Tuesday, Feb. 22 at noon at the Portland Building, 10th Floor Lodgepole Room.
• In Search of History: The Night Tulsa Burned. Eyewitness accounts, archival film, and dramatizations recount the 1921 race riots in Tulsa, Okla. Film plays Wednesday, Feb. 16 at11 a.m. at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, • Fatal Flood: In the spring of Mt. Hood Room. 1927, after weeks of incessant rains, the Mississippi River went on a rampage. Racing south from Cairo, Ill., the river blew away levee after levee, inundating thousands of farms and hundreds of towns, killing as many as a thousand people and leaving nearly a million homeless. By the time it reached New Orleans, the flood had not only altered the landscape of 27,000 square miles, it had widened the abyss of race relations in the Deep South. Documentary airs Thursday, Feb. 24 at noon at the Water Pollution Control Lab, • Brother Outsider: The Life of Bybee Conference Room. Bayard Rustin. Documentary pre-
• Jazz with Thara Memory, Wednesday, Feb. 2 at noon at the Portland Building, 2nd Floor, Auditorium. • Sherman: A Jazz Opera, Friday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Ethos at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave. Tickets are $15 general admission; seniors and students $10. • Reception and Musical Tribute to Black Jazz Music in Portland; Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m., honcontinued
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The
Portland Observer
February 2, 2011
Black History Month
Community Events continued
from page 5
oring Sweet Baby James, Bobby Bradford and others with special guest Esperanza Spalding, City Hall.
Speakers • Deliberate Destruction: A Look at the historical displacement of Portland’s black community. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Emanuel Hospital and the Portland Development Commission demolished a black neighborhood for a planned - but never funded hospital expansion. The expansion exposed serious flaws in how the PDC operated while also demonstrating the housing constraints and discrimination faced by Portland's African American population. The legacy of the Emanuel Hospital project continues to echo today and newly discovered documents raise troubling questions about why the destruction was ever allowed. Presented by Professor Felicia Williams, Portland State University Black Studies Department; Monday, Feb. 7 at noon The Portland Building, 10th Floor, Lodgepole Room. • Gwen Trice: Loggers Daughter, Thursday, Feb. 10 at noon, Water Pollution Control Lab, Bybee Conference Room. • Dr. Karen Gibson, PSU Urban planning Department, presents lecture on Albina’s past as a vice district, Monday, Feb. 14 at noon at the Portland Building, 2nd Floor, Auditorium.
• Revisiting the 1968 “Report on the Problems of Racial Justice in Portland.” Dr. Karen Gibson, PSU Urban Planning Department, presents a talk on the summer of riots and how the federal government appointed the Kernere Commission to look at the root causes. They found that racial injustice was pervasive and the Portland City Club came to the same conclusion when they examined the racial situation in Portland. Prof. Karen Gibson uses the 1968 Portland City Club Report "Problems of Racial Justice" to examine what Portland was like in the late 1960s and how the search for racial justice remains relevant today. Monday, Feb. 14 at noon, the Portland Building, 10th Floor, Lodgepole Room. • “Black Political Power and the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement in Oregon.” Dr. Ethan Johnson tells how the Civil Rights movement spurred black communities across the U.S. to become active in fighting racism in other countries, most notably in South Africa where apartheid was federal law. In Oregon, the anti-apartheid movement focused on divesting PERS money in the state accounts from businesses operating in South Africa, but doing that required the state legislature and the governor to pass unpopular legislation. Prof. Johnson looks at the racial context in Oregon during the 1970s and 1980s and how that shaped the Black-led anti-apartheid movement in Oregon with some surprising results. Monday, Feb. 28 at noon at the Portland Building, 10th Floor, Lodgepole Room.
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Portland Observer Auto Review
Tested vehicle information: 3.6L Horizontally-Opposed DOHC Engine: 5-Speed Automatic Transmission with Manual Mode; 16 City MPG, 21 Hwy MPG; MSRP $32495, Tested Vehicle Price $36920.
2011 Subaru Tribeca Limited/BTD BY KATHLEEN CARR
The 2011 Subaru Tribeca has a seating for seven, standard all-wheel drive, which is standard separating it from other SUV’s. It has a responsive engine and great handling. Tribeca is loaded with technology and giving drivers the latest in all-weather safety and performance. Subaru 2011 Tribeca's 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine produces 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a five-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. It engine is responsive and meshes well with the transmission. Shifts up and down are managed almost seamlessly. When using the SportShift, the Tribeca will shift up a gear automatically at engine redline (because it assumes the driver forgot it was in manual mode); it will not, however, drop down a gear without the driver tapping the lever forward. We often found it easiest to simply put it in Drive and let it do its own shifting. All Tribeca’s use an all-wheel-drive system that sends 55 percent of the power to the rear wheels in normal driving. The Tribeca AWD system constantly powers all four wheels rather than switching the rear ones on and off in reaction to wheel spin. It works like a charm, leaving drivers to experience fuss-free traction while maneuvering variety of situations. The downsize of the AWD is that it lessens the fuel economy of this vehicle. The overall handling of the vehicle is smooth and sporty. Tribeca Limited adds leather upholstery, three-mode heated front seats with driver memory, Bluetooth, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio and additional interior ambient lighting for the console. The Tribeca has a monotone exterior paint scheme, xenon headlamps, silver roof rails, a sunroof and a back-up camera with a small display in the auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Tribeca overall is a great vehicle that can adapt to any weather condition with great handling. It has a stylist exterior with a very comfortable interior. The Tribeca offers easy maneuvering with a great turning radius.
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Black History Month
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Black History Month
CALENDAR for February2011 SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
1 Black History Month
6 New Zealand Day
7
2 Chinese New Year
Groundhog Day
8
3
9
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
4 Sri Lanka Day Portland Opera presents Turandot (runs until 02/12/11)
5 Portland Seafood and Wine Festival
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12
17
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25
26
Jefferson High School Multicultural Film
Call Me day
Portland Seafood and Wine Festival
Throw Down Your Heart 512 N. Killingsworth St. N. Portland Library
5:00-&7:30pm
13
14
15
Valentine's Day
20
21
27
28
Intl. Friendship Week (20-26)
Forget Me Not Day
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Friendship Week (17-23)
Mardi Gras
22
23
24
Start A Romance Day
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The
Portland Observer
February 2, 2011
Black History Month
Arts&
Entertainment
Black History Concerts at Ethos THE LAW OFFICES OF
Patrick John Sweeney, P.C. Patrick John Sweeney Attorney at Law 1549 SE Ladd Portland, Oregon Portland: Hillsoboro: Facsimile: Email:
(503) 491-5156 (503) 615-0425 (503) 244-2084 Sweeney@PDXLawyer.com
Neighborhood center hosts 3 original productions Ethos Music Center at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center in north Portland will host three original productions in February that honor the stories of black artists and musicians in celebration of Black History Month. During the weekends of Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 11-13, Ladies with the Blues presents “Billie’s Blues—Tonight at Mama’s Jam” and “No More Pity Party Blues.” The audience is taken back to New York in the late 1930s and witness to the struggles and
Billie Holiday self-discovery of the great Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday. “No More Pity Party Blues” is a creation of award-winning actress and singer Brenda Phillips. Through a combination of jazz, blues, and spoken word, Phillips employs her
talents to their full blues capacity as she sweeps the audience up in a melodically heart-wrenching vocal performance. “Sherman: A Jazz Opera” will be showing on the weekends of Feb. 18-20 and Feb. 25-27. Featuring Janice Scroggins, Reggie Houston, and LaRhonda Steele, this production centers around the life of saxophonist Sherman Thomas and the role Portland played in the jazz world during the 1940s and 50s. The production is a preview of a larger project Ethos hopes to embark on in the near future that further illuminates Portland’s impact in jazz history. Thara Memory and S. Renee Mitchell provide the musical score and the libretto. For more details, visit ethos.org.
Brown has a career spanAfrican American Read In ning over 40 years. -- Concordia University invites the community to hear local Slough Celebration -- On Friday, celebrities and leaders read works Feb. 4, 6-9 pm, the Columbia Slough from their favorite African-American writers at the 15th annual African American Read in, Watershed Council invites the community to the 12th Sunday, Feb. 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hagen Annual Slough Celebration and fundraiser; includes dinner, drinks, silent auction, award presentations, creCampus Center. ative videos, and live music. Melody Ballroom, 615 S.E. Differences and Similarities -- ‘Collective,’ an arts Alder St. For tickets, visit columbiaslough.org or call project by Portland ce- 503-281-1132. ramicist Hsin-Yi Huang, was conceived as a means Mysteries of Ancient Egypt -- Through cutting-edge to explore how individu- modern technology, the Orals blend conformity and egon Museum of Science and individuality to function Industry will take visitors on a in an interconnected and journey back in time to experiinterdependent society. Her works are on display at ence the mysteries and wonthe Portland building, 1120 S.W. Fifth Ave., through ders of ancient Egypt in the new exhibition “Lost Egypt: Feb. 11. Ancient Secrets, Modern Science,” now playing through Last Polar Bear exhibit -- At May 1. the World Forest Center Discovery Museum, photographer Discount Admission -- OMSI visitors pay only $2 per Steven Kazlowski documents person for general admission on the first Sunday of each the devastating urgency of glomonth as well as discounted admission of $5 to the bal warming’s impact on the Planetarium, OMIMAX Theater and USS Blueback Arctic in the photo exhibit, The submarine. Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World. Show runs Doll and Teddy Bear Show -- For all ages, Saturday, Feb. through April 3. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, Norman Sylvester Band -- Boogie Cat Norman Northeast 33rd Avenue and Marine Drive.
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Sylvester and his band performs Friday, Feb. 4 at the Live Jazz -- Every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11 West Linn Saloon; Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Top Shelf p.m., the Third Degrees Lounge at the River Place Hotel, in Vancouver; and Friday, Feb. 11 at Clyde’s. 1510 S.W. Harbor Way. No cover or minimum purchase. Murals Exhibit -- The exhibit “Walls For more information, visit pdxjazz.com. of Heritage, Walls of Pride: African American Murals,” showcasing murals from Portland artists and all over the country takes place at the Oregon Historical Society through Feb. 13.
Music Millennium Free Shows -- The Music Millennium, 3158 E. Burnside, hosts in-house live performances. Enjoy free music and the opportunity to meet artists. Call 503-231-8926 for a schedule.
Explore What Makes You Tick -- OMSI’s new highly interactive exhibit “Identity: An Exhibition of You” Mel Brown Live -- Portland jazz giant Mel Brown explores the physical, psychological and social eleperforms at Salty’s on the Columbia every Friday and ments in your life and challenges our notions of perSaturday night. Known as the “Gentleman of Jazz,” sonal identity.
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Black History Month
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Earn Money!! Consign your gently used clothes and For more info see KrisAnn’s Been There
Ethan Crystal is a spider who may be getting too big for his own skin in ‘Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly, an Oregon Children’s Theatre musical now playing at the Newmark Theater, downtown.
Opening in February at 7831 SE Stark Street
Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly Musical based on bestselling books Oregon Children’s Theatre pre- at the Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW sents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and Broadway. a Fly, now playing through Feb. 20 Is Spider getting too big for his own skin? Will Fly find her superhero powers in time to save her Aunt Rita from peril? Will Worm learn to stand on his own two feet…even though he doesn’t have feet? The world premier musical in-
vites you to take a look at the world from a bug’s perspective. Perhaps you’ll see that their lives are not all that different from yours. This play captures all of the droll humor and whimsy of the wildly popular books by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss. For tickets and more information, call the box office at 503-228-9571, TicketMaster at 503-790-ARTS or visit ticketmaster.com.
Paintings by Kay Bridge Rosa Parks and Annie Oakley, a painting from Kay Bridge’s American Icon Series. The Mt. Hood Community College Visual Arts Gallery presents the works of artist Kay Bridge now through March 11. . A reception with the artist will be held Saturday, Feb. 5 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located on the MHCC Gresham campus and is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., weekdays. The show is free and open to the public.
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Arts&
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH Conrad Herwig - The Latin Side of Herbie Hancock ON SALE $12.99 CD Conrad Herwig and his Latin Side band "Latinize" one of our greatest composers in an album that boasts contributions from special guests Eddie Palmieri and Randy Brecker. Recorded live at the Blue Note, ‘The Latin Side of Herbie Hancock’ is an adventurous foray into advanced writing and infectious rhythm.
Entertainment
Combs to Star in Hawaii Five-O (AP) -- CBS says musician-actor Sean "Diddy" Combs will guest star on an upcoming episode of "Hawaii Five-O." He will play NYPD Detective Reggie Williams, who arrives in Honolulu on the hunt for the men who committed a crime against his family. The network said that several of Combs' hit songs will be featured on the episode, slated to air this spring. Combs' other acting credits include "Monster's Ball" and an Emmy-nominated performance in "A Raisin in the Sun." "Hawaii Five-O" stars Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan. It regularly airs Mondays at 10 p.m. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Outdoors Comes Indoors A fishing pond with live trout will delight kids, and the whole family will enjoy the hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest outdoor toys, tools, tips and gadgets at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen Show and Sport Fishing Boat show, opening Wednesday, Feb. 9 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 13 at the Portland Expo Center.
EMMANUEL Church of God in Christ United 4800 NE 30th Ave. Portland OR 97211
503-335-8772 You are cordially invited to worship with us in these services: Sunday Service Sunday School 10:00 A.M Y.P.C.E. 6:30 P.M
Pastor & Wife – Bishop & Mrs. A.L. Wright Worship Service 12:00 Noon Evangelistic Service 7:00 P.M.
Weekday Service Tuesday Night: Bible Study 7:00 P.M. Friday Night: Regular Service 7:30 P.M. Prayer Meeting & Seminar: Monday - Friday 12:00 Noon
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Black History Month
Conrad Herwig - The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter ON SALE $12.99 CD This third installment in Herwig's Latin Side series features silky virtuosic musicianship applied to intricate, intelligent, original compositions. Shorter's tunes are well known and highly regarded as being flexible enough to suit a variety of instrumental lineups. Since he's gathered his own multi-horn groups in the past, the sound of these arrangements doesn't stray too far from his initial conceptions.
McCoy Tyner - Guitars ON SALE $12.99 CD/DVD Along with a trio of Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette, Tyner invited guitarists Bill Frisell, Derek Trucks, John Scofield, Marc Ribot, and banjoist Bela Fleck for this album. ''It was great, and each guy had his own concept and own sound which is very, very important on any instrument, '' said Tyner. The CD is accompanied by a state of the art DVD featuring songs with each special guest guitarist and bonus footage.
James Carter & John Medeski - Heaven on Earth ON SALE $12.99 CD Saxophonist James Carter and organist John Medeski (of the pioneering jam-band, Medeski, Martin & Wood) lead a supergroup featuring Christian McBride (bass), Adam Rogers (guitar) and Joey Baron (drums). Recorded live at the Blue Note in New York, together they carve out a groove that captures the buzz and vitality of jam-jazz at its most exhilarating.
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Afro-Brazilian Seduction Brazil’s Grupo Corpo dancers with their incomparable mix of classical ballet, modern dance and Afro-Brazilian movement returns to Portland for a Wednesday, Feb. 9 White Bird performance at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets start at $22 and are available at ticketmaster.com.
Supporting Military Families (AP) -- Michelle Obama made a stop on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to salute America's military families. The first lady appeared on Thursday's episode of Winfrey's talk show, describing how "months go by where birthdays are missed" because military families have multiple deployments. Her appearance came three days after President Barack Obama announced new government-wide initiatives to support military families, including programs aimed at preventing suicide and homelessness.
Michelle Obama also spoke Thursday to new soldiers at their graduation ceremony at Fort Jackson in central South Carolina. The first lady has become an advocate for military families. She has traveled to military installations to talk with service members about their needs and concerns and has urged Americans to help them. Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey (right) poses with first lady Michelle Obama during taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
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Super Saturday Kicks Off Tax Season Free help and advice on Earned Income Tax Credit Key Bank is teaming up with the non-profit CASH Oregon and AARP to provide free tax preparation on what it is promoting as “Super Refund Saturday” Feb. 5 at Lloyd Center. The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Suite 2010. A primary target is help with basic assistance on tax preparation, but there’s also assistance with taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit. The EITC was established to provide tax relief for low income citizens and can turn into a refund between $457 and $5,666. But the credit annually goes unclaimed by as much as a quarter of eligible households. The EITC is calculated according to the number of qualifying children as compared to earned income. Taxpayers with no children still qualify if their income for 2010 was
Volunteer tax preparers get ready for a surge of Portlanders seeking help with the tax forms. From left are Jose Soto, Marya Gonzalez and Jerald Robinson, all with KeyBank; and Camille McDonald with CASH Oregon. less than $13,460. Families with three or more children making less than $48,362 would earn $5,666. Those interested in attending Saturday’s event or future CASH Oregon tax help dates should bring all documents relating to filing a tax return, including W-2 forms, 1099 forms, unemployment forms, proof of child care payments, Social Security card for yourself and each dependent, other IRS forms as appropriate, bank account information, valid photo ID and your previous
year’s tax return. CASH Oregon (Creating Assets, Savings, Hope) was established to provide free tax preparation for residents of Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington County. The organization is sponsoring a second tax help day on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Northside Family Support Center, 7650 N. Commercial Ave. Additional events are also scheduled through April 16 with more information available on the website cashoregon.org or call 2-1-1.
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Portland Observer
Must Sell Brand New Hovaround Motorized Chair $1400 or best offer Call George at (503) 284-9906 (503) 449-9770
February 2, 2011
Black History Month
Packers, Steelers set to Battle Sunday Both teams have Oregon connections BY CLIFF PFENNING
Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year on Monday. Polomalu graduated from Douglas High School in southern Oregon. Rodgers attended Portland’s Jesuit High School for a term before his family moved to Chico, Calif., where he developed into a standout quarterback and played at the University of California. He threw for 3,922 yards and 28 touchdowns this season as the Packers finished 10-6. The Packers are led defensively by linebacker Clay Matthews, who was a finalist for Defensive Player of
the Year. Matthews, who led a poll among voters on nfl.com for Defensive POY, is the older brother of Casey Matthews, a standout linebacker for the University of Oregon. Green Bay, which has won three Super Bowls since the National Football League and American Football League merged in 1966, earned a playoff spot on the final week of the regular season and played all three of its postseason games on the road. The Packers are favored to win by 3 points.
THE PORTLAND OBSERVER One-time Oregonian Aaron Rodgers will lead the Green Bay Packers against the six-time champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl Sunday in Dallas, Texas. More than 100,000 fans are expected for the game, which annually attracts the largest television audience of any program worldwide. The game can be seen on the FOX Network (KPTV Channel 12) with kickoff set for 3:29 p.m. Pittsburgh is playing in its third Super Bowl in six years having won in 2006 over the Seattle Seahawks and 2009 over the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who sat out the first six games of the season due to a league-imposed suspension, threw for 3,200 yards and 17 touchdowns as the Steelers finished 12-4. He guided the team to its previous two Super Bowl titles. The Steelers are also led by safety Troy Polamalu, who was named the Super Bowl XLV kicks off Sunday at 3:29 p.m. in Dallas, Texas.
SPORTS BRIEFS BY CLIFF PHENNING
Benson Hoops on Roll Benson won its 11th straight boys basketball game Saturday, 98-58 over Franklin, and remained No. 5 in Class 5A. The Techmen entered the week atop the PIL at 7-0 in league games. Roosevelt, No. 6 in Class 4A, lost to Class 6A Grant, 59-56, as part of three game losing skid. Marshall had a five-game winning
streak snapped by a 50-49 loss at won 11 of its previous 12 games. Crook County Friday, but entered The Cougars are aiming for their the week at No. 10 in Class 4A. first trip to the state tournament.
St. Mary’s Chases Title
PSU wins Dam Cup
St. Mary’s entered the week with a six-game winning streak and was atop the Mt. Hood Conference having lost just twice this season. The Blues haven’t played in the state tournament since 2004. Portland Adventist entered the week at No. 6 in Class 3A girls’ basketball having
Portland State rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Eastern Washington 77-70 in women’s basketball Thursday, which earned the school the first Dam Cup, a new championship series to build rivalry between the Big Sky Conference schools. The Viking men lost against the Eagles.
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February 2, 2011
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Middle College Point Man continued
from front
“The Middle College isn’t something they’ll get to until their junior or senior year, but it’s part of the curriculum,” says Hickok. “The program is designed to get students prepared to succeed in college even at the most basic level.” The district will learn this month what the public’s first reaction to the new focus school is as students within the Jefferson attendance boundary register to attend either Jefferson or one of the neighboring comprehensive curriculum schools – Roosevelt, Madison or Grant. Benson Polytechnic High School and the Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women are other focus school options for Jefferson attendance area students. The registration process for attending Jefferson begins Friday and runs through Feb. 28.
“When you think about what college costs these days, that’s a tremendous amount of money you can save,” Gatewood says. “If you transfer those credits into the University of Oregon, it’s like $16,000, and that’s just one year.” The current Middle College format is also available, and will continue to be available to students at Roosevelt High. While the Middle College can be a cost savings for students looking to save money on their advanced studies, it’s also designed to attract students who are not headed to college – at least not when they register. These students will still be required to attend two classes at PCC. School and campus officials say it’s these students who are likely to draw the most reward from educators on both campuses, Jefferson and PCC. “Middle College is set up to show
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Black History Month
every student is going to want to succeed. The expectations for every student are going up.” The Middle College program will also include a technical program established for specific trades such as becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. While last Saturday’s public meeting at Jefferson promoted the Middle College program, it also pro-
moted the advanced partnership the school is developing with Self-Enhancement, Inc. Students at Jefferson will have regular access to the programs and facilities at SEI, which founder Tony Hopson promoted passionately. With student access to PCC and SEI, Hopson said the school is primed for success. “I can see this being THE school to attend in just a couple years,” Hopson told the audience, which included several dozen SEI students. “Everyone is going to want
to go to Jefferson.” Hickok says he’s excited about the Jefferson’s future, especially because he oversaw more than a dozen students from the I Have A Dream Foundation there prior to moving to the Middle College program. “When I took this job, it was originally only for nine months, but I loved the idea,” he says. “I loved working with the people at Jefferson, I live down the street and this is my kids neighborhood school. This school is very important to me.”
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Tony Hopson, Self Enhancement president and chief executive officer, addresses more than 250 students and family members packed into the Jefferson High School library Saturday for information about the future Jefferson High School Middle College for Advanced Studies. Jefferson has had a Middle College program since 2007, when the school district and PCC teamed up and hired Hickok and an assistant to locate students and manage them through the program. The students attended classes at PCC in addition to their regular studies, either at night or in summer. Virtually all of these students have been at an advanced level in their courses and more than 85 percent successfully complete their classes. At Jefferson High – Middle College for Advanced Studies, students will attend PCC as part of the curriculum by simply walking across Killingsworth for those classes. When the class ends, they’ll walk back to Jefferson and continue their day. Their curriculum can include as many as 15 classes (45 credits) at no cost. If students elect, they can also take 15 additional classes in the evening or summer, again at no cost, and graduate with as many as 90 credits, which can be transferred to schools across the nation. PCC promoted free credits as a major selling point to the program.
the kids who think they’re headed to college what it’s like, especially the speed of classes … that you might have an assignment to read 60 pages in a night and then remember what you just read,” says Hickok, a Grant High graduate who has worked for Upward Bound and the I Have a Dream Foundation. “But some kids don’t have the idea they can actually go and succeed there. Some students who took just one class with me here, are going here now and that’s an equal success story.” While students with little or no exposure to a college dream will attract plenty of attention from educators at Jefferson school eager for them to succeed, their expectations will be that those students will want to succeed. “We’re going to provide the support our students need, and that might involve me staying in touch with the instructor and telling them they’ve got a Middle College student in their class and to talk to me if there seems to be an issue like they’re not showing up,” Hickok says. “But we’re going to expect
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Black History Month
February 2, 2011
Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com.
OPINION
Mark Twain Would be Pleased Exposing a gap between rhetoric and reality LEE A. DANIELS Mark Twain would be pleased, wouldn’t he? The heated reaction to the publishing of a new edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with the word “nigger” changed to “slave” continues unabated in the mainstream media and the blogosphere. One thing it proves is, on the one hand, the power of Twain’s imagination and fictive skill and, on the other, his grasp of reality. He knew that the issue of race was the sharpest point of the enormous question of what it means to be an American (with the question of white Americans’ attitudes toward Indians – “injuns” – close behind) – and what kind of nation America is. So it was in the late nineteenth century, when white Northerners betrayed the promise of Reconstruction and gave white Southerners dominion over black SouthBY
erners as “compensation” for the defeat of the Confederacy. So it remains today. Why else would the decision to remove the word “nigger” from just one of the scores of the available editions of Huckleberry Finn cause, as Twain might say, bring such a ruckus? Not only has the controversy provoked the usual puffed-chest, and wrong-headed, cries of censorship, but it has also produced thoughtprovoking commentary about child-rearing practices , about the competence of elementary and secondary school teachers and the narrowness of high school curricula, and about pedagogical practices in general. It has done so precisely because the word “nigger” remains one of the most contested words in the American lexicon. This is part of the point author Lorrie Moore makes when she writes that “No novel with the word ‘ kike’ or ‘bitch’ spelled out 200 times could or should be separated – for purposes of irony or pedagogy – from the attitudes that produced those words. It’s also impossible
that such a novel would be taught in a high school classroom. And if it were taught, student alienation might very well contribute to another breed of achievement gap.” Both Joel Dreyfuss, editor of TheRoot.com and Moore, indirectly and directly, respectively, argue persuasively that Huckleberry Finn is too complex to be taught in high school. That’s a discussion worth having. Indeed, one can say it’s part of the continuing value of twain’s Huckleberry Finn: The teaching of it remains so problematic for the larger society precisely because it’s easy and voluminous use of “nigger” represents the attitudes and practices of the white American majority of that era. In doing so, Twain exposes the chasm between the rhetoric of the American Ideal and the appalling reality of America as it was. And, although many do not want to hear it, his story continues to ask a powerful question: How wide is the gap between the rhetoric and the reality today? Lee A. Daniels is Director of Communications for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Editor-in-Chief of TheDefendersOnline.
Meet the New Media Monopoly NBC-Comcast merger falls short on public good DAVE SALDANA For more than a century, American law has recognized the destructive power of corporate monopolies. When one company controls an entire resource, means of production or delivery system for products, it gets an unfair advantage over competitors. It can overcharge them out of existence or drive them into bankruptcy. Since Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, our government has tried to ensure that monopolistic business practices don’t destroy fair pricing and consumer choice. Then how can it justify the merger of Comcast and NBC Universal, which the Federal Communications Commission approved on Jan. 18? The FCC is supposed to reject any media merger that doesn’t advance the public interest. But Comcast’s takeover BY
of NBC will give one mega-corporation control of too much of what we watch and how we watch it. The deal creates not just a new media behemoth with the ability to throttle competition and stifle innovation, but a completely new model for media organizations and how they operate. Where Comcast and NBC go today, AT&T, Verizon, Disney, Time Warner, and Viacom are soon to follow. The era of the megamega-merger is upon us. Comcast is already the country’s largest cable and home broadband provider. The new Comcast will own production, content, and distribution for local television stations, national networks broadcasting in English and Spanish, and numerous cable channels and movie studios. One company will soon account for 20 percent of all network and cable TV viewing hours. That should worry you. Why? Because when one company, motivated solely by profit, can choose what news to cover and how to cover it, you may not be getting the full story. When it can exclude competing ideas or
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perspectives, whether for political or economic reasons, you may be denied a full hearing on the issues. And that’s bad for democracy. Want to see what this looks like in action? Search MSNBC’s website for its coverage of the controversy surrounding the merger. If you look very closely, you might find a short blurb from Fort Wayne, Ind. that mentions consumer concerns in passing. NBC Nightly News reported the deal, but anchor Brian Williams failed to mention the intense opposition to the merger or the serious concerns about it. If a media company can keep opposing views off your TV and computer screens, you’ll never know any different. Comcast has a history of using its control over cable and the Internet to bottleneck information and cripple competitors. The company has already been caught blocking the legal file sharing of such things as barbershop quartet music and the King James Bible. More recently, it’s been accused of deliberately congesting its broadband network to slow down content delivery and of raising fees for such competitors as Netflix who deliver
online video to their customers. Now, with a slew of popular NBC programs in its hands and the accompanying leverage, what’s to stop Comcast from doing even worse? The FCC and the Justice Department imposed temporary conditions to make the merger more palatable, but there’s not enough sugar to sweeten this rotten deal. And the conditions, inadequate to begin with, are only as strong as the FCC’s willingness to enforce them. The agency’s hands-off approach to the biggest media merger in recent memory isn’t a good sign. There are plenty of laws against one thing or another, but without a cop on the beat, what good are they? Monopolies are dangerous. We can expect corporations to be concerned only with padding their bottom line, regardless of the public good. But when regulators like the FCC become more concerned with pleasing corporations than protecting the public, we’re all in big trouble. Dave Saldana is an attorney and journalist in Washington, D.C., where he serves as communications director for Free Press, a media advocacy group.
The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property of the newspaper and cannot be used in other publications or personal usage without the written consent of the general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such ad. © 2008 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. The Portland Observer--Oregon’s Oldest Multicultural Publication--is a member of the National Newspaper Association-Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc, New York, NY, and The West Coast Black Publishers Association
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OPINION
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Wanted: Gun Laws for 21st-Century Weapons Our need to evolve with the times BY DONALD KAUL
Before the Tucson shootings are lost forever in the mists of time, we might do well to ponder the various reactions to the outrage. President Barack Obama responded as a president should, with dignity and eloquence. I thought his speech at the memorial service in Arizona was one of his strongest. He set the bar pretty high. "If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let's make sure it's worthy of those we have lost," he said. Amen to that. House Speaker John Boehner, who has set the leadership bar fairly low during his time in Congress, didn't clear it. Justifying the House not passing a resolution to honor the victims, he said, "We feel a litany of unwanted emotions that no resolution could possibly capture." Boehner choked up a little when he said it, but he also chokes up at basketball games. He then refused the president's offer of a ride to Arizona for the memorial, preferring to stay a few minutes at a similar Washington event before going off to a fund-raiser. Congress responded in a congressional way. It issued sympathetic noises and then talked
about increasing security--for members of Congress. No murmur on gun control legislation. The American people--a lot of them--responded by buying guns. Gun sales surged in the wake of the shooting. Apparently people see themselves standing in a shopping mall, taking dead aim on a gunman who's spraying the place with bullets, and bringing him down with a single shot. Lots of luck with that. Life seldom imitates Clint Eastwood movies. Even when it does, you rarely get to be Clint. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's answer to Eva Peron, took the opportunity to excoriate "journalists and pundits" who dared to link the sometimes-violent rhetoric she and her Tea Party cohort use in political battle. "Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not be manufacturing a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn," she said. "That is reprehensible." In other words, she--the Divine Sarah--is the victim here, not the people lying in their blood in Tucson. In any case, "blood libel"--an ancient and absurd belief among anti-Semites that Jews use the blood of Christian children in religious rituals--is a curious phrase to use in connection with the gunning down of a Jewish lawmaker. "We know violence isn't the answer," said Sarah. "When we take up arms, we're talking about our vote."
Or, to quote Humpty Dumpty: "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean-neither more nor less." I guess it was just bad luck that Ms. Palin put a gun sight over Gabrielle Giffords' district during the run-up to last year's elections. Poor Palin; poor, poor Palin. She just can't catch a break. I know I am speaking to the wind. But after all is said and done, the Tucson shootings stand as a condemnation of our gun laws--or lack of them. To believe, as the Supreme Court seems to do, that the Constitution guarantees the right of every person to buy a weapon that can kill dozens in seconds is to believe that the men who wrote that document were idiots. They weren't. They were 18th-century creatures of the Enlightenment who were conscious of their limitations in laying down rules for the formation of a nation. The country would evolve, they knew, and the Constitution would have to expand and evolve with it. Weapons of the 21st century aren't those of the 18th. Yet a majority of our Supreme Court chooses to ignore the "well-regulated Militia" part of the Second Amendment and focus exclusively on citizens' right to bear arms. For this they went to law school? I fear that "Supreme Court" is becoming an oxymoron, like "jumbo shrimp." OtherWords columnist Donald Kaul lives in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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February 2, 2011
Black History Month
National Association of Minority Contractors – Oregon (NAMCO)
CLASSIFIED/BIDS PORT OF PORTLAND Possibility. In every direction.TM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES The Port of Portland is a regional government operating airports, marine terminals and industrial parks in the greater Portland metropolitan area, to fulfill its mission of providing competitive cargo and passenger access to world markets while enhancing the region’s quality of life. To view current job openings and to access the application form, visit the Port’s website at www.portofportland.com or call the job hotline at (503) 415-6002. The Port of Portland is an AA/EEO employer committed to workforce diversity and affirmative action.
Project Name – Powell Butte Reservoir No. 2 Phase 2 Owner – City of Portland Bid Date – February 15, 2011 @ 2:00 pm PCL is requesting scope of work and bids, Monday, February 14, 2011 @ 1:00 pm PCL Construction Services, Inc. 15405 SE 37th Street, Suite 200 Bellevue, WA 98006 P – (425) 454-8020 F – (425)454-5924 Description of Work: New twin-cell 50 MG Reservoir, pipelines, new valve and flowmeter vaults (both inside and outside of the Powell Butte Nature Park) and modifications to existing piping & vaults in the ROW. The project also includes new interpretive center building with perimeter enhancements and new parking lot, a maintenance building and yard, single-family residence, trails and other park improvements, civil /site improvements, landscaping, electrical/ instrumentation improvements and incidental construction. We are requesting bids from Subcontractors and Suppliers, including Minority and Women owned businesses, and Emerging Small Businesses for the following: concrete – forming, placing, and reinforcing steel; masonry; metals; rough and finish carpentry; waterproofing; sheet metal; doors and windows; painting and flooring; fire suppression; plumbing and equipment; HVAC; electrical work; earthwork; exterior improvements; utilities; waterway and marine construction; piping and support; and handling equipment-cranes. Documents are available on PCL FTP site or in PCL’s office in Bellevue, WA Email – seattlebids@pcl.com for FTP site information Questions regarding site work, vault and reservoir related work contact Glen Lamoreaux @ 480-829-6333 Questions regarding park center, maintenance building, singlefamily residence, park trails, fencing, landscape and irrigation contact Derek Pizzey @ 425-519-7325.
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Executive Director Position Available NAMC Oregon is seeking a Full time Executive Director to serve as lead advocate and administrator for a growing diverse organization.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS METRO ZOO Land Use Consultant Services for: Oregon Zoo Conditional Use Master Plan and Environmental Review RFP 11-1825 The Oregon Zoo, a department of Metro, a metropolitan service district organized under the laws of the State of Oregon and the Metro Charter, located at 600 NE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-2736, is hereby requesting sealed proposals for Land Use Consulting Services.
DEADLINE, NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON DESIGNATED FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS Sealed proposals are due no later than 3:00 p.m., February 9, 2011, in Metro’s business offices at 600 NE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-2736, Attention: Karen Slusarenko, Procurement Analyst, RFP 11-1825. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK Work consists of preparation of an updated Conditional Use Master Plan application and technical support to Oregon Zoo staff on the updated Comprehensive Capital Master Plan. The land use planning work involves submitting the updated Capital Master Plan for City conditional use and environmental review and approval. The land use work will require close collaboration with Zoo planning staff and the Capital Master Plan consultant team. WHERE TO FIND DOCUMENTS Requests for Proposals can be viewed and downloaded at Metro’s website http://www.oregonmetro.gov, click on “Doing Business With”, then “Requests for Bids and Proposal”. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Metro may accept or reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, or waive irregularities not affecting substantial rights if such action is deemed in the public interest. Metro extends equal opportunity to all persons and specifically encourages minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses to access and participate in this and all Metro projects, programs and services. Metro Code provisions 2.04.100 and 200 require all Bidders to follow and document a specific good faith outreach effort to State-certified Minority, Emerging and Women-owned Businesses. Certification of good faith compliance and a declaration of any actual utilization pursuant to both programs are required at the time of Bid Opening. (Construction Only) Metro and its contractors will not discriminate against any person(s), employee or applicant for employment based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical handicap, political affiliation or martial status. Metro fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see www.oregonmetro.gov.
The ideal candidate should be experienced with the issues facing MBE’s today, with administrative attributes, strong organizational skills, and be detail oriented, thorough in completing processes and an effective communicator. The candidate should be intuitive in anticipating problems and proposing solutions. The successful candidate should anticipate gaining a global view of DBE and MBE issues thru our National Organization NAMC. This position requires a strong basic motivation and interest in seeing our members succeed, Business Development skills, basic knowledge of contracting and the bidding process, Non profit strategic planning, Fund Development expertise, Government Relations, and meeting planning skills, Green technology experience is also a plus but not required. The successful candidate for this position must be a self-starter, immediately responsive to issues and have the ability to function with minimal supervision and direction. Salary commensurate with experience please submit a cover letter and resume to NAMC Oregon 10350 N Vancouver Way, # 102, Portland, Oregon 97217 or electronically to, john@oneillelectricinc.com the position will remain open until filled. More information about NAMC Oregon can be found at our website www.NAMC-Oregon.org Interviews will be scheduled with applicants meeting criteria. No Phone Calls Please Adherence with this process will be greatly appreciated.
Public Notice Worksystems, Inc. (WSI) has an allocation of Employer Workforce Training Funds from the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development available for incumbent worker training. Approximately $344,000 will be awarded to businesses in Multnomah and Washington counties through an open procurement. Proposals from interested businesses are requested at this time. To review the proposal solicitation and associated timeline, please go to: http://www.worksystems.org/ ResourcesFunding/FundingOpportunities/tabid/161/Default.aspx Equal Opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. This project is 100% funded with a grant through the State of Oregon and US Department of Labor. Worksystems, Inc. reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted.
February 2, 2011
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PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY FUND OREGON ATTORNEY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, RECEPTIONIST AND MEETING PLANNER The Oregon Attorney Assistance Program is looking for applicants with a wide variety of skills, including superior communication and people skills, organizing skill, the ability to field crisis phone calls, meeting planning skill, bookkeeping skill, and sufficient proficiency with software to produce promotional flyers for events. Our small downtown Portland office includes working with lawyers; working independently and taking direction; setting and meeting deadlines; organizing; and following through. The position requires maintaining a high degree of confidentiality. Ability to use Microsoft OS is required; familiarity with desktop publishing programs and proofreading skill is preferred. Competitive salary, excellent benefits including PERS. Send resume and cover letter to:
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Black History Month
Film Director Opens Festival continued
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have the opportunity to meet the director and learn about his artistic process, his vision and the cultural foundation of his work. Every year, the Cascade Festival of African Films attracts more and more visitors to its nearly twodozen film showings. Last year, a record 5,500 people attended the festival and, since its inception in 1991, more than 54,000 film enthusiasts have attended films. The festival is offered to the public free of charge and at convenient locations that include: PCC’s Cascade Campus,705 N. Killingsworth St., The Hollywood Theatre and McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. “The purpose of the festival is to educate people about Africa through films by Africans and to build community by bringing people together to view African films and discuss issues of significance,” said native South African Mary Holmström, a co-founder and organizer of the film festival. “The festival has become a wellestablished Portland community event with a growing audience
each year,” Holmström said. “It includes African expatriates looking for community, African Americans drawn to African issues, students from local colleges and high schools, academics, retirees, returning Peace Corps volunteers who are seeking ways to share their knowledge and experiences with other Americans, and community members with an interest in diversity and cross-cultural experiences.” In addition to Haroun’s visit, PCC will welcome directors Cambria Matlow and Demetrius Wren to the festival to present their documentaries. Matlow will show her film, “Burning in the Sun,” on Thursday, Feb 17. It documents a young man’s journey to improve the lives of those in his homeland, in Mali, by building solar panels. ren will present his documentary, “Streetball,” on Thursday, Feb. 24. “Streetball” is a documentary about soccer’s Homeless World Cup, following the South African homeless team through selection, training and competitions in 2008 and 2009. The Cascade Festival of African Films has expanded from an initial
four-film program to an annual offering of 20 to 25 feature and documentary films. Popular festival events include the Opening Night Gala, the Thursday Evening Documentary Series, Family Film Day and Women Filmmakers Week. An important offshoot of the festival is the African Film Collection in the Portland Community College Library, where all of the videos and DVDs purchased by the festival are housed. It is one of the largest collections of African films in the Pacific Northwest and is accessible to students, faculty and the public. Plus, the popular Family Film Day will highlight the film, “White Lion,” directed by Michael Swan from South Africa. It features a rare white lion’s struggle to survive alone on the African plains, and a young boy’s determination to protect him at all costs. Baba Wagué Diakité of Mali, artist and author, will serve as host and storyteller. And, on the last weekend, Women Filmmakers Week showcases films from Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Mali. For more information, visit africanfilmfestival.org.
Application deadline February 11, 2011. No telephone calls please. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Portland Development Commission Request for Proposals # 10-19 Foster-Lents Integration Partnership Investment Strategy Proposals due February 25, 2011 by 2:00 PM (Pacific) The Portland Development Commission (PDC) is seeking sealed competitive proposals from qualified and experienced firms or teams for the development of a work plan and possible implementation of the Foster-Lents Integration Partnership Investment Strategy. The full RFP can be downloaded from the PDC website at http://pdc.us/rfp1019. A voluntary pre-proposal meeting for the RFP will be held on February 10, 2011 at 9:00 AM (Pacific). Instructions for attendance at the meeting can be found in Section 1.5 of the RFP. Proposals must be received no later than the proposal due date and time listed above at 222 NW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209. Fax, oral, or email proposals will not be accepted. Direct all questions regarding this RFP to Daniel Spero, 503-823-3291 (direct) or sperod@pdc.us (email). PDC encourages participation of M/W/ESB firms in this and all contract opportunities.
Dr. Billy R. Flowers (above center) and his skilled staff are ready to help those in need.
Part 3. ALLERGIES: Why Chiropractic often works more effectively than drugs.
Q
: Nothing else has ever really helped my allergies. What can Chiropractic possibly do?
A
: First, take a look at the word itself. “Allergy” is a shortened form of “altered energy.” Way back when patients first complained of allergic symptoms, it was obvious to the physician who coined the term that somehow, the body’s energy configuration had shifted and caused the problem. Chiropractors now know that the central nervous sys-
tem controls the body’s flow of energy. We also know that when the spinal column is out of alignment, it interferes with the central nervous system’s flow of energy. When those nerves leading to the eyes or nose or throat are being interfered with, “altered energy” symptoms result. By correcting the source of the problem, not
just the symptoms, Chiropractic can often provide complete, lasting relief. Without drugs or drowsiness. For help with your allergy-related problems or answers to any questions you might have about your health, your will find that Chiropractic is often the answer. Call us for an appointment today.
Flowers' Chiropractic Office 2124 NE Hancock, Portland Oregon 97212
Phone: (503) 287-5504
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Portland Observer
February 2, 2011
Black History Month
Black Pioneers Host Celebration celebrating Black History Month and Oregon’s African American history at the organization’s annual fundraising Gala Celebration to be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7:15 p.m. at the Salem Conference CenOregon Northwest Black Pio- ter, 200 Commercial Street SE. neers chairperson Willie Richardson The red carpet event will feature invites the community to join in a social hour beginning at 6 p.m. and
Commemorating local histories, contributions
BIDS REQUEST FOR BIDS METRO PARKS & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES and MERC BLOCK 26 PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT: IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION RFB 11-1838
dinner and program begin at 7:15 p.m. The guest speaker is Rodney J. Reynolds, founder, publisher, and chief executive officer of American Legacy, the premier magazine of African-American history and culture. A reception for Reynolds will be prior to the event. American Legacy Magazine, in its 2010 Fall Edition announced its annual American Heritage Awards of which Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers was a recipient. The program will also present its annual awards as follows: Pillars of Leadership and Service, former First Lady Mary Oberst; Trailblazer Award, Charles Jordan; The “Or-
Rodney J. Reynolds egon First” Award; Carrie Halsell Ward; Organizational Giving, Willamette University; and three educational scholarship recipients
will be announced. Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers is nonprofit group whose purpose is to recognize and commemorate the contributions of pioneering African-Americans in the historical development of Oregon and Washington and to educate Oregonians about the history of African-Americans in the Northwest. The cost for the gala is $40 per person and $20 to attend the private reception. Proceeds will benefit the organization’s scholars and scholarship programs. For tickets and information, contact Willie Richardson at 503-5404063 or visit oregonnorthwestblackpioneers.org.
The Parks and Environmental Services Department of Metro, a metropolitan service district organized under the laws of the State of Oregon and the Metro Charter, located at 600 NE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, is hereby requesting sealed bids for Block 26 Plaza Redevelopment: Irrigation and Landscape Installation on behalf of the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission.
DEADLINE Sealed bids are due no later than 2:00 p.m., February 23, 2011 in Metro’s business offices at 600 NE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-2736, Attention: Julie Hoffman, Procurement Analyst, RFB 11-1838. PRE BID MEETING A voluntary Pre-Bid meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at 600 N.E. Grand Avenue, Room 370, Portland, OR 97232-2736. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK Work consists of installation of irrigation and landscape as part of construction of a new plaza facility located at 834 NE Martin Luther King Boulevard Portland, Oregon. The work includes all labor, equipment, and materials required to install all components of the provided design. This Scope of Work is a part of an overall Block 26 Plaza Redevelopment Project for which Metro is acting as its own General Contractor. All bidders submitting a bid for public improvements over $50,000 Bidders certify that they will pay and comply with the minimum prevailing wage requirements of ORS 279C.800-279C.870 and if applicable 40 U.S.C.276a. WHERE TO FIND DOCUMENTS Bidding documents can be viewed and downloaded at Precision Images, 900 SE Sandy, Portland OR, 503-274-2030, www.precisionimages.com or by making an appointment with Julie Hoffman, Procurement Analyst, 503-797-1648, julie.hoffman@oregometro.gov. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Metro may accept or reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, or waive irregularities not affecting substantial rights if such action is deemed in the public interest. Metro extends equal opportunity to all persons and specifically encourages minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses to access and participate in this and all Metro projects, programs and services. Metro Code provisions 2.04.100 and 200 require all Bidders to follow and document a specific good faith outreach effort to Statecertified Minority, Emerging and Women-owned Businesses. Certification of good faith compliance and a declaration of any actual utilization pursuant to both programs are required at the time of Bid Opening. Metro and its contractors will not discriminate against any person(s), employee or applicant for employment based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical handicap, political affiliation or martial status. Metro fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see www.oregonmetro.gov.
To Place Your Classified Advertisement Contact: Phone: 503-288-0033 Fax: 503-288-0015 e-mail: classifieds@portlandobserver.com
February 2, 2011
The
Portland Observer
Happy 99th Birthday! Zelma Scarborough sends out a thank you to everyone who made her 99th birthday a wonderful memory. The longtime Portland resident celebrated her birthday on Jan. 22 with a luncheon with her family and friends which was enjoyed by all. She was born in 1912, in Yazoo City, Miss., the fifth child of 10 siblings. She has two siblings left, a brother, O.D. Richardson and sister, Cornelia Montgomery, both living in Portland. She graduated from Magnolia high School in Vicksburg, Miss., and later moved to Portland in 1942 to work at the shipyards. She then worked until retirement at Emanuel Hospital. The wife of the late founder of Scarborough Oil, she now spends her time knitting and watch- Zelma Scarborough celebrates her 99th ing sports, especially the birthday. Trail Blazers. She is a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Zelma thanks her sister Cornelia and daughters for planning her wonderful birthday celebration. She also gives heartfelt memories of her son, Ed Scarborough and sister, Ardean White, both who passed away last year.
Black History Month
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FOOD
Whole Wheat Pancake Art A dash of inspiration and some simple pantry staples transform plain-old pancake batter into canvases for creative spirits. Warm up the griddle and get inspired with these fun ideas for flapjacks. 4 Servings.
Ingredients • 1-1/4 cups (300 mL) whole wheat flour • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) sugar • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) baking soda • 1-1/4 cups (300 mL) buttermilk (or 1 cup yogurt mixed with 1/4 cup milk) • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) vegetable oil • 1 egg • Vegetable oil for griddle • Maple syrup or fresh fruit
Instructions 1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. In another bowl, stir together the buttermilk (or alternative), oil and egg. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overbeat the batter (it will deflate). Fill a squeeze bottle (like an empty ketchup bottle or similar) with batter. 2. Brush a griddle or large skillet with vegetable oil and place over medium heat. When a drop of water sizzles and evaporates instantly, you are ready to begin creating your pancake masterpieces. See below for ideas. 3. When one side of the pancake is golden brown and bubbles appear on the top side of the pancake, flip over carefully and bake the other side until browned. Serve with syrup or fruit. 4. Creating your pancake masterpieces: Using the squeeze bottle, squirt out circles and squiggles and shapes onto the griddle. Work quickly because they will cook and solidify in seconds. Also, you can create designs by adding batter at different times. For instance, squeeze out your initials onto the pan (backwards, of course), then cover completely with batter (use a spoon for large amounts). The initials will show up darker than the background pancake. --Here are some more ideas for designs:-• Happy face: Squeeze out two little eyes and a smiling mouth. Let bake for just a few seconds, then cover completely with batter. • Teddy bear: One round spot for a nose, two spots for eyes and a smiling mouth. Let bake for just a moment, then cover completely with batter to make the face and add two round ears at the top. • Mouse: Similar to the teddy bear (above), only add whiskers when you do the nose. • Flower: Squeeze out round middle, let bake for a moment then surround with round petals. Add a stem if you're brave. *Secret message: Write something (backwards!) on the griddle. Cover with batter. Give it to your brother. Be nice. • Jackson Pollock pancake: Make random squiggles and splotches with batter. Let bake, then spoon batter over it to cover. Fabulous! You're a genius.
Black History Month
February 2, 2011