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P«KV 4
Portland Observer
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Thursday, December 25, 1975
BJC seeks members
The BJC has been incorporated with
the Oregon State Department of Com
merce and a constitution and by laws
have been drafted, which will be
presented for the approval of the
membership. Annual membership dues
are $5.00 and will be valid until December
31st, 1976. Senior citizens over age sixty
are exempt from dues and are eligible for
membership upon written request.
Applications for membership may be
mailed to : The Black Justice Committee,
Box 8562, Portland. Oregon 97207
(Checks and money orders should be
made payable to Black Justice Committee
Incorporated.)
The Black Justice Committee (BJC)
was organized in March. 1975, in
response to the killing of four young
Black men by the Portland Police
Department within a period of six
months. Since its inception the BJC has
been involved in a range of iasues
affecting Black citizens of Portland on
both an individual and a collective basis.
Many requests have been made for
assistance in such areas as education,
police brutality, employment, health, etc.
D<> to limited funds, the organization has
been able to respond to a fraction of the
problems presented. The BJC is inviting
all Black residents of the greater
Portland area to join, to that service to
the community can be e> panded. Monthly
meetings will be held, and a monthly
newsletter published.
CR Bureau opens Salem office
Trail Blazer Wrapup
by Charles Ford
The rumors are flying pretty high through out the city that a deal is in the making to
trade Sidney Wicks; the idea alone is very hard to digest, Sid has been and is still one
of the top forwards in the N.B.A., plus an all around player, switching from time to
time depending on the opposition.
I recognize there are problems within the organization. We could quote you
statistics after statistics on Super Sid during the four years he has been playing for
Portland and I am sure we would all be surprised. He has earned the title, super,
because he is truly a super star in any league and on any progressive club.
It must be extremely frustrating to a player like Wicks who has to continue to
produce far beyond the expectation of anyone else on the club. Quote from the coach,
Lenny Wilkens. about Wicks' play this vear.'He is playing an all around game, check
the assists. rebounds.scoring and you will find him right up front." The New Orleans
Jazz came to town loaded with talent, even without Pistol Pete Maravich, they are a
well balanced ball club, defeating the Blazers in the final quarter 105 to 97. We were in
the game until Coach Lenny Willkens derided to bring in Steve Hawes for LaRue
Martin, who had played a bang up game. Last night was the first loss to New Orleans
in the Coliseum, we won the contest here 106 to 104 and lost 90 to 99 at New Orleans
earlier this season.
We have now lost eight of the last ten games; the road record stands at three and
twelve for the season. Despite a 10-18 record, the Blazers have been out scored by a
total of only three field goals this season: out rebounded opponents 1368 to 1335; lead
in assists 719 to 668. The team has been in most of the games played this season. We
are hurting because no one has been established as the center, because of Walton's
physical (we hope) problems.
Sid is not the real problem with this club. His contributions will live long after he has
gone If Sidney is traded, we hope you will take a look at Geoff Petrie the same as vou
have Wicks.
I-abor Commissioner Rill Stevenson
Rui/ received numerous inquiries from
announced the recent appointment of employers. He said he' prefers to work
Juan Ruiz, civil rights investigator for
with them to avoid discriminatory
the Salem area.
practices than to receive complaints
The commissioner said it was the first
against them. He can be reached at
time a civil rights investigator had been
378 3296 in the laibor and Industries
permanently assigned to the Bureau of
Building
Labor's office in Salem. This is part of the
Ruiz has three years experience with
commissioner’s action program to in­
the Bureau in wage and hour and civil
crease services to all Oregon residents.
rights enforcement. He is fluent in both
The Bureau of labor enforces civil
English and Spanish. He believes that
rights law prohibiting discrimination
Spanish speaking people have been more
because of mental or physical handicap,
at ease discussing their problems with
workman's injury, race, religion, national
him in their own language.
origin, sex, age or marital status in the
areas of employment, housing, public
Ruiz resides in Woodburn with his
accommodation and schooling.
, wife. Aurora, and children, Debbie. Juan
During his first two weeks in Salem,
Floyd and Juan, Jr..
Jordan visits Portland
Vernon Jordan, Jr. will be the guest
speaker at the Urban League of Port
land's Annual Dinner Meeting. Jordan
has been the Executive Director of the
National Urban Ix-ague since January,
1972. He directs an organization whose
103 affiliates, four Regional Offices,
Washington Bureau and New York
headquarters work tirelessly to bring
solid advances to the minority com
munity. His weekly newspaper column.
"To Be Equal" appears in 120 news
papers.
The meeting place will be the Sheraton
Motor Inn Lloyd Center. Dinner will be
served at 8:00 p.m., contribution, $10.
Date, January 29th, 1976.
Tickets and reservations may be
arranged at the Urban League Down
town Office. 718 West Burnside, room
#404
224 0151 or the Urban la-ague
Field Office, 5329 N.E. Union, room *202
288 6517.
Straub seeks youth members
by Allen Jones
SPECTRl'M IN BLUE
Columbia recording artist Ramsey
Lewis has been named Top Jazz Pianist
in the coveted Ebony Magazine 1975
Black Music Poll. Lewis is currently
enjoying tremendous resurgence in the
pop and rhythm & blues record charts
with his Lp “Sun Goddess”.
For many years Ramsey has been a top
jazz and pop artist with such releases as
“The In Crowd", "Hang On Sloopy", and
“Slipping Into Darkness”. Now, he and
his trio comprised of Cleveland Eaton,
bass and Maurice Jennings, drums, are
m onopolizing p rogressive audiences
across the country as did Herbie Hancock
earlier last year.
Our Ms. Brooks, who made her solo debut on A&M with an album titled “Rich Man's
Woman ", is hardly a newcomer. This Lancashire lass, who discovered her full bodied
voice while singing along with Frankie Laine records as a tot, traveled down to
London at fifteen to become the vocalist for a "pally" (dance) band While fronting that
band, Elkie learned how to read music and how to use a stage and she also learned a
valuable lesson in survival on the road in the company of male musicians. Before long,
Elkie knew she was sufficiently tough, self-contained, and ambitious to make it as a
singer; she also knew it wouldn't be any picnic.
Rich Man s W oman reveals a forceful and original singing and songwriting talent.
The struggle was worth it
this is the pay off, for all of us.
When several members of Sam & Dave's band got the urge for independence they
worked all the way from their Miami home base to Los Angeles, picking up a few
volunteers along the way. When they all began to play together, the artistic
frustration they'd been feeling separately melted away, and what was left grew into
mutual feelings of love, togetherness and devotion. It was only natural that Love,
Togetherness and Devotion should be the name of this newly formed group, and that
the intitials L.T.D. be used for short. (NOTE; Carl Vickers, nephew of Portland's Tom
Vickers, plays trumpet, flute, piccolo, soprano sax and does backing vocals. Carl was
formerly with Sam & Dave.)
Community Calendar
The Salvation Army will be serving its Annual Christmas Dinner, Christmas Day
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., for the homeless in our city at the Harbor Light Center located
at the corner of S.W. Second and Burnside. Over 125 volunteers will be involved in
preparing and serving this year's dinner. It is expected that upwards of 1,000 will be
served. All persons not having a place to go for Christmas dinner are invited.
Portland Civic Theatre celebrates the New Year with a gala champagne
performance of YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU, on the Mainstage, December 31st
at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for students and senior citizens.
Kaufman & Hart’s delightful comedy about the eccentric and lovable Sycamore family
In the Blue Room, P.C.T. is offering its annual winter mystery, CATCH ME IF YOU
CAN. It contains both murder and comedy, with an ending that will surprise the most
ardent mvsterv buffs. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN plsvs through February 7th.
Electricity and Plumbing, a four lesson workshop, is scheduled on Tuesdays from
7:00 to 9:00 p.m., beginning January 6th at the Downtown YWCA, 1111 S.W. 10th.
Instruction will be given on how to do simple electricity and plumbing repairs. The
workshop is open to women and men. The workshop is $8 for YWCA member« md
$9.50 for non members.
The North Portland Citizen's Committee will have its General Membership Meeting
«go January 6th at the St. Johns Community Center, 8427 N. Central, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30
p,«n. The agenda includes; election of executive board members, community
development funds, nominations for Planning Commission sub committee.
Film Center features on January 1st at 9:00 p.m. -- Swastiki (19541 documentary on
Nazi Germany comprized of Nazi shot footage.
w w w w ^w w
Kick o ff the n e w y e a r rig h t. Try an
easy w a y o f d a tin g .
C all D ia n a
232 4695
Governor Robert W. Straub is actively
seeking names of youth to serve on the
some 200 boards and commissions in state
government.
"Some boards and commissions seem to
be natural for young people," Straub said.
"The Arts Commission, the Bicycle
Advisory Committee, the Scholarship
Commission
all directly affect young
people.”
Straub pointed out, however, that
other boards and commissions such as the
Committee on Field Burning, the Gov
ernment Ethics Commission, or the
Energy Conservation Task Force also
affect the lives of young people and could
profit from the involvement of interested
and knowledgeable youth.
“Young people ran be interested in
processed prunes, creeping red fescue
and filberts," Straub added. "The point is
that young people have a vast range of
interests and abilities. I want those
young people to be involved in our state
government. I want them to know that
Oregon's government will remain open,
honest and straightforward as long as the
citizens are willing to be a part of it.”
Young people under age 25 may obtain
a complete listing of the state boards and
commissions by writing the Governor's
Commission on Youth, 555 13th Street
N.E., Salem, Oregon 97310.
Application and personal information
forms may be obtained from the same
office.
Citizen of the Week
Life with Plants
Ql'ESTION: Is the poinsettia poisonous?
ANSWER: Botanists and florists still
debate the question and some highly
dramatic but non conclusive national
telecasts have demonstrated someone
supposedly eating a leaf with no ill
effects. It must be remembered that the
plant is a Euphorbia, a long noted group
of plants credited with properties toxic to
man. It is suggested that all persons,
particularly children, learn to respect all
plants used as decorations. Many have
the potential for inducing digestive and
skin disturbance if eaten.
By the time you finish reading this
item, you will know how to grow a beau
tiful house plant. This doesn't mean that
all of your indoor gardening sins now in
progress will be forgiven to the point
where the dozen or so sickly examples of
a garden on the way to total blight will
suddenly become a picture of health but
your least return will be that of knowing
why and how they got that way. First,
understand that no plant ever chose a
house as a place to live. It was most
happy when it was outdoors at the
habitat where nature put it. This location
may have been in small bits of rock at the
edge of the artir snow line or at any of the
intermediate points to and including the
hot, dry and nearly barren desert. First,
what is the natural spread of its root
system compared to the present, dinky
pot where you have crammed it. No
amount of color harmony of the container
witn the room furnishings will offset the
root space requirement of the plant.
Follow your inquiry with a question as to
what temperature is most favorable and
then put a thermometer at the point
where the plant is to hang or stand and
see what proposed location has to offer.
This may require several trials in order
to satisfy both heat and light require
ments of the plant you are about to
acquire. The greatest item for generating
disputes about having everything just
exactly right is the growing media we
have so often referred to as soil even
<
1
*^<<<<<<<<*
though it may be pure sand, all sawdust
or the new light weight miracle bark. A
plant can tolerate a lot of less than
perfect stuff around its roots but it must
get the required amount of air. water and
dissolved nutrients from the media or a
special feeding solution. This doesn't
mean that a plant needs the same
quantity at the same interval every day
or week of the year. Read the need by
observing the growth rate, overall size
and leaf condition. Since most of the
feeding is done by use of liquid solutions,
remember the food must be dissolved for
a plant to get it. At the same time,
remember that a plant noted for use of
little water will not need as much food.
Better keep them on the hungry side than
kill them by daily banquets. Best yet, is
to supply the native growing media and
leave all the bark and “miracle stuff’ to
the experts who have time for making the
necessary adjustment and observation in
order to learn how to properly handle the
substitute growing medias. When insects
or disease strike, first identify the
problem before grabbing a dust or spray.
Indiscriminate applications car do more
harm than good. Apply the proper
material and watch it closely until
recovery is complete. To make a hasty
checklist of don'ts, remember the most
common causes of plant failures are few
and simple and include:
1. Overwatcring.
2. Too much heat.
3. Overfeeding.
4. Insects and diseases.
As you look around the shopping
center, notice the amount oj space being
given to plants.
Since plant stores
remain in business, they are selling
thousands of plants and most of them
survive. You can join the ever growing
list of proud owners of these botannical
wonders by remembering that the daily
care is just as important as for the dog
even if the plant doesn't hark for
attention.
Ms. Rita K. C lin to n is d ire c to r o f th e YW CA W o m e n 's Prison
Project. As the n e w d ire c to r, she is in the m idst o f a d riv e to
raise $90,000 to c o n tin u e the p ro g ra m , th e o n ly o ne o f its kin d
in this a re a . The WPP p ro v id e s c o u n s e llin g , h o u s in g , job
p la c e m e n t a n d tra in in g fo r w o m e n c o m in g out o f p e n a l
in s titu tio n s as w e ll as services fo r those s till in c a rc e ra te d
M s C lin to n has lo n g bee n in te re s te d in corrections. For the
past fiv e years she has b e e n a v o lu n te e r te a ch e r o f Black
S tudies a t th e O re g o n State P e n ite n tia ry a n d has h e lp e d
e sta b lish p ro g ra m s fo r Black inm ates. She w as one o f th e first
to see the v a lu e o f a nd to be w illin g to assist the Black
p ris o n e rs ' c lu b "U H U R U ". In 1971, she b eca m e v o lu n te e r
c o o rd in a to r o f M in o rity Program s a t OSP a n d since th e n has
b e e n w o rk in g w ith the a d m in is tra tio n to h e lp in m a te s a djust
back in to the c o m m u n ity th ro u g h the u tiliz a io n o f c o m m u n ity
resources.
Ms. C lin to n w ro te a n d im p le m e n te d a tra in in g p ro g a m fo r a ll
D e p a rtm e n t o f C orre ctio n s p e ro n n e l.
She w o rk e d fo r som e tim e as a H um an Resource
R ep re se n ta tive
fo r th e M e tro p o lita n
H um an
R elations
C om m issio n.
Ms. C lin to n w as b orn a n d ra ise d in P ortland. She is w e ll
re
e sp e cte d fo r her m a n y services to the c o m m u n ity .
Use all you need
but save all you cc
The People at
Pacific Power