Portland observer., October 13, 1977, Page 5, Image 5

Portland Obeervor
Thursday. October 13. 1977
Page 5
4-H director brings positive approach to yooth program
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HUMM INGBIRD
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LYON*« - NEW R E S T A U R A N T IN TOW N
The newly opened Lyon » Restaurant boated a preopening champagne dinner
reception Monday night. They wined and dined nearly 200 Portlanders from 6:00-9:00
p.m. Commissioners Jordan, McCready and Ivancie were only a few of the VIP's in
attendance.
Lyon's Restaurant is a Northern California based chain that prides itself on its good
menus, decor and efficient service. This particular outlet reminds me of the famed
“Library Restaurant." in Mendam. New Jersey. Not only noted for their food, but the
thousands of “books" in wall bookcases; they are lent out or given away, but must be
replaced.
The Lyon's is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The atmosphere, food, and service
are very good.
Denny's is just across the street - but why bother.
SPECTRUM IN BLUE
H U M M IN G B IR D
When Jeff Beck disbanded his celebrated Rough and Ready group in 1972, a rare
and vividly original new band was created when Beck's former backup musicians
bass player Clive Chaman, keyboardman Max Middleton and vocalist/guitarist Bobby
Tench decided to work on their own music freed from the inevitable constraints of
serving as a backup band. W ith Conrad Isadore on drums and guitarist Bernie
Holland. Hummingbird was born.
For several months, between their individual commitments. Hummingbird began
laying down tracks and in the summer of *75. the new band’s debut A& M album,
Hamuagbird. was released. It established a strong cult following among musicians
and musical connoisseurs and received a shower of praise from the critics.
Originally. Hummingbird planned to become both a recording and performing band,
but with the various members tied up in individual projects they weren't able to follow
through with live performances. By year's end. Conrad Isadore had moved to the U.S.
to work on his songwriting and record an album of his own.
While touring with Beck. Max Middleton met the legendary drummer Bernard
"Pretty* Purdie. Hummingbird's producer/manager lan Samwell approached him to
join the band and Hummingbird headed back to the studio.
“I ’d enjoyed playing with Max so much." Purdie recalls “that I thought it would be
fun and a treat to play with him again. I reckoned that if everybody in the band was
only half as good as Max we'd have a fantastic band. I wasn't disappointed."
Nor was anybody else; in fact, the energy was such that the basic tracks for the
second album were laid down in just four days, and their own awareness of the band's
potential was reflected in the album's title. W e Caa't Go On Meeting Like This.
Growing admiration was an effect of Hummingbird's next move. Recognized that
the roots of their music were more American than English, the band expressed the
desire to ‘crack the egg' from the inside by recording their third album in the States.
W ith Robert 'Crackle' Ahwai. a new and brilliant rhythm guitarist aboard (Bernie
Holland had dropped outl. Hummingbird winged across to A&M 's studios in
Hollywood. And at last the band seems to be whole - “ever since Crackle joined, it's
been like the last link in the chain has fallen into place,” says Max - and. like a dream
come true Hummingbird in full flight can now be experienced on their new album,
Diaasead Nights.
"Hummingbird is five people with different musical ideas,” explains Max. “and
everybody gives and takes a lot. so no m atter who writes the material, it will
eventually sound like Hummingbird." The sound of the 'Bird' is one that darts back
and forth across musical categories as if they didn’t exist, a contemporary blend of
rhythm and roll, rock and soul with jazz, latín and Caribbean inf)uenees:sophistication
with a hard-edge.
W ith the opportunity to take all this new-found togetherness out on the road at last,
Hummingbird should see their initial cult following metamorphose into mass acclaim.
There's more than one side to the man
who directs the Portland Urban 4-H
program...indeed more than two.
Ira Daniel Mumford, checking in az
gourmet chef, a pied piper with children,
former heavyweight boxer, entertainer
on royal command and astute business
man. is in charge of one of the nation's
most active centers for inner-city 4-H
programs.
He is a man with a dream to establish
4 11 as, “more than a program for children
who want to know about cows and
horses."
4-H youth projects are underway in
urban schools, churches, recreational cen­
ters, parks and private homes.
As
Mumford says, “you name it. and we've
got it...and if we don't, we’ll get it."
A positive approach to problems effect
ing the lives of young people in urban
Portland is what puts Mumford a head
taller.
In spite of a barage of set-backs;
economical and environmental, he doesn’t
accept defeat.
“There are more than 4,000 youngsters
in the Portland Urban 4-H program
today...learning to develop themselves as
useful citizens; learning crafts, skills,
personal relationships and having fun
along the way."
Mumford was a member of the board of
directors for Urban 4-H for three years
before accepting the director's head
aches.
“There are problems, and we are
solving them.” is his continuing theme.
He looks at division, whether between
races, attitudes of financial stalemates, as
“just another hurdle to get over, then get
on with the job.”
“Be positive, and get it done” frames
his working image, and results are a
coordinated group of 4-H staff workers,
anxious to fulfill projected goals for the
year at the Portland Urban Center.
The program won it’s wings under
Mumford with the Ebony Ensemble, a
group of talented singers who were
invited to perform all over the state and,
before audiences in California. “We used
to use the word ebony. Now we're talking
about all kids, there's no separatism. The
ensemble now is an integrated group."
“We learn and we have fun. That’s
what it's all about.
W ith 4-H we're
talking about ‘heads', 'hands,' 'health' and
‘hearts' of all youngsters.
All four
represent something within every child
that needs nourishing."
Mumford is quick to acknowledge his
successes have come with God's help and
the power of prayer.
Mumford was graduated from high
school in Durham, North Carolina, and
attended Palmer Memorial Institute on
an athletic scholarship, winning all state
football honors. He has attended Oregon
State University and Portland State
University, majoring in business and
psychology.
During his years in the Unites States
Navy, World W ar II, he entered heavy­
weight boxing competition, winning 35
fights before being decked by Archie
Moore. Then there were years in the
entertainment world, with performance
before heads of state in Sweden as a
highlight of his singing career.
Youngsters from fourth to 12th grades
are invited to join Urban 4-H in Portland.
There are hundreds of project areas and
new programs constantly are being
adapted to fill the special needs of the
inner city.
From Kung-fu to karate, engines to
elephant lore, cooking, camping, crafts
and skills, 4-H is focusing on continued
growth and expansion.
4-H was established in the mid-
1800’s by an Act of Congress as an
adjunct to the national land extension
service; a program to assist farmers in
the development of pioneer lands.
The first 4-H’ers received assistance on
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IRA MUMFORD
their farms when they needed new
agriculture methods and support. Young
people were urged to share their prob­
lems and their advantages with others in
similar situations.
Now the program has moved into the
cities, all over the nation, to provide fot
the special needs of the inner city young
people. It is a part of the extension
service of Oregon State University in this
state.
Volunteer leaders are needed, and
adults over 18, with an interest in young
people are invited to contact 4-H at the
King Neighborhood Center, 287-1770.
Leader training is available and volun­
teers need no previous experience or
special skills to qualify for the program.
The King Neighborhood Center is in
Portland at 4815 N.E. 7th Avenue.
Family weekend to be held at YWCA camp Westwind
The setting for a special family week­
end, October 15th and 16th. will be
Westwind. the Portland YW CA camp,
located in Lincoln County. Because of the
interest inspired by previous mother/
child, parent/child. and family camps
during the summer, the Adult Program
Department at the Downtown YW CA
has decided to sponsor this first family
weekend at Westwind. Persons of all
ages, children and adults, who have
enjoyed the camping at Westwind for the
past 40 years, or those who have never
seen the camp, are invited to attend.
Participants need not be YW CA mem­
bers to take part.
This family weekend will also be an
opportunity for single or weekend pa­
rents to do something special with their
children. For two days and one night,
with meals provided, participants will be -
free to take walks on the beaches, explore
the forests and coves, and participate in
long or short invigorating hikes. Some
crafts and activities, including rap ses­
sions dealing with family-oriented con­
cerns, will be available for those wishing
to take part.
Westwind is located on some of the
most beautiful coast land in the Pacific
Northwest.
Near Otis, the camp is
situated just south of Cascade Head, with
the ocean and beaches on one side, and
th mouth of the Salmon River and its
estuary on the other. Westwind offers a
completely unspoiled, non-commercial en­
vironment accessible only by motor
launch. There are 700 acres of beaches,
woods and meadows, a hidden lake, rain
forests and mountain streams. In the
marine gardens tiny crabs and ghost
shrimp thrive in the estuary, and salmon
and steelhead use it on their return to
spawning grounds. The YW C A group
will stay in cabins hidden by natural
vegetation, and enjoy the lodge facilities
in this rustic setting.
According to Marilyn Brown, Adult
Program Director, "The fees for the
Westwind weekend are being kept as low
as possible so that all interested families
may participate.”
Fee for weekend
including meals, snacks, and night's
lodging will be just $12 for each child and
$16 for each adult. Advance registration
is advised. Further information is avail­
able through the Adult Program Depart­
ment at the Downtown YW CA, 223-6281,
ext. 50.
W H A T 8 HAPPENING IN ENTERTA IN M ENT
• 14th - Law Rawls in concert at the Civic Stadium.
■ 16th - Cal Tjadar will appear at the Jazz De Opus, two shows - 5:00 and 10:00
p.m.
Vacuum repairs
> 18th - Nell Sedaka in concert at the Paramount Northwest.
> 88th and 22ad - Pearl Bailey in concert at the Civic Auditorium.
all makes
JordoB hosts elected officials
will address issues of employment, econo­
mic development, utilization of the media
for potential Black political candidates,
human rights and welfare reform, and
other issues of concern to existing and
aspiring Black public officials.
Commissioner Charles Jordan will host
the Northwest Conference of Black Pub
lie Officials on Friday. October 21st and
Saturday. October 22nd. at the Benson
Hotel. The organization is a sub-chapter
and affiliate of the National Black Poll
Political Caucus serving the Region X
area. One of many primary goals of the
organization is to be a catalyst and
resource group for all Black persons
interested in serving in a capacity as an
elected or appointed public official.
A reception is planned for 8:00 p.m.
Friday evening in the Crystal Ballroom of
the Benson. Worship sessions scheduled
to commence Saturday morning at 8:80
Commissioner Jordan encourages full
participation by all Black Northwest
public officials and extends an invitation
to any and all community groups, organ!
zations, and interested persons concern
ed with Black political representation.
Persons planning to attend the con­
ference may register at the Benson on
Friday evening or Saturday morning.
SHOP
IENOWS
FO R
BRANDS
•
287-9420
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PORTLAND
CLEANING WORKS
NORTH S N.E. PORTLAND
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