I*age 4 Portland Observer Thursday. February ». 197*
PH Mason» honor Vickers
IVince Hall U>dge [tistnrt »1, PH A.
will honor Grand Master Thomas R.
Vickers with a dinner on Saturday,
February 2Sth at Knott Street tenter.
Vickers is Grand Master of the Prince
Hall Grand Ixxlge of Oregon.
The Ixxlge» representing Ihstnct #1
are: Enterprise 1-odge, Worshipful Mas
ter Andrew Chiles; Reaver Ixxlge. War
shipful Master Robert Earvins: Acaica
Ixxlge. James Gronner: and Ixigan
Ixxlge. Fred Taylor,
A thirty three degree Mason. Vickers
is serving his second term as Grand
Master He is Deputy of the Desert of
the Prince Hall Shrine lAAONMS I and a
past Imperial Potentate.
He also is a past president of the
Portland Branch. NAACP; a former
board member of the Urban lea g u e of
Portland; past Exalted Ruler of Billy
Webb Ixxlge, IBPOE of W; Director of
Kappa Alpha Psi: and has been active in
numerous organizations and causes.
The public is invited to attend and
express their appreciation for Vickers'
work on behalf of the lo d g e and the
community. This dinner will be held at
7:30 p.m, and will be preceded by a
Friendship Hour at the Masonic Temple,
116 N.E. Russell. Donation is $4 00
Women select Pina Williams
Fat l a m t Band
Entertainment Guide
by Aben J«
SPECTRU M IN B L I T
In 1972. Larry James was playing with the Detfomcs. and recalls going to see Blue
Magic perform at a local Philadelphia Club. When Blue Magic $ regular back up band
struck out for greener pastures. James was also free, having departed the Delfonics
organization He handpicked the members of the band which played behind Blue Magic
for the next five years. “We called ourselves the Magic of Blue, and those were some
great years."
Now anyone who's had a dose of Blue Magic s electrifying performances onstage,
and wondered about giving credit w here-credit is due to the regular bunch of
musicians who back up the vocal group, need wonder no more Fat Larry s Band has
come into its own, and rightly so. Their individual and collective experiences have
taken them across the U.S.. Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Europe: working with
such major artists as Major Harris. the Delfonics. Ben E. King. Margie Joseph, the
Manhattans. Ebonys, and Eddie Kendricks, to name but a few.
“The band prefers doing raunchy. earthy tunes with a commercial flavor, based on
personal experiences and surroundings, love, spiritual guidance, and everyday life,"
beams James "Life. of course, is a process of constant change and growth. By 1974. we
were ready to record as an individual unit, and fortunately . WMOT Records president
Alan Rubens and vice-president Steve Bernstein felt the same wav." It was about that
tune the band decided to take on tee name of their leader, and Fat Larry 's Band signed
to an exclusive recording contract with WMOT Products early in “76.
Their first album was “Feel It" on WMOT Records, distributed by Atlantic. “It was
an all-out. up and up disco album Disco was really happening But today I sense that
a lot of slower songs are more popular."
Fat Larry signed with Stax Records in September “77; his debut S i » t LP is “Off The
Wall." and. all modesty aside, it s anything but off the waff Produced bv Larry James.
Alan Rubens. Steve Bernstein, and the entire band, for WMOT Productions, “Off The
Wall" is a terrific demonstration of this band's versatility and talent.
Larry and Doris James are prolific, and proficient, songwriters. Mamed »Inrat two
years, the couple claims to get a kx of inspiration from the movies. “We re always
going to the movies - I imagine most songwriters get their inspiration from what’s
around them - what they re doing Well, what we do is go to the movies’"
A brilliant example is "Sparkle." the lead track on “Off The Waff" “We had just
been to see Star Mars.
We were driving home afterwards, and Doris started
humming this little tune. She writes most of the melodv lines, and I'm the lyric man
Well, when she started humming. I saw the word sparxle m my head, and visions of
thi* beautiful and totally strange woman with green skin and" see through clothes.
Then, after you get the melody and lyrics down, you have to try to make it believable
That s what all those thunder and lightning sounds are at the beginning of ‘Sparkle.' I
mean, the song is about a very, very strange woman from outer space, and she
definitely sparkles!"
Over the years, there have been almost no changes in the personnel of Fat Larry's
Band - surely a meaningful demonstration of their determination and musical
enjoyment of each other The lineup includes keyboardist Erskine Williams, who also
handies some of the arrangements Ted Cohen on guitar: bassist Larry LaBes.
Douglas (Khalifi Jones and John Bonnie or. saxophone: Art Capehart and John Lee on
trumpets: trombonist Jimmy Lee: and vocalist Darryl Grant.
Fat Larry s Band works quite regularly “Oh. we keep real busy." laughs James
"Were musicians, and we gotta play. It's very simple"
SHOP
IENOW S
BRANDS vou know
VARIETIES yon like
SIZES you w a n t
M itu w w « » .
tb M U e M ra .
The Friendlies» I t n w t x j s s « .
Stores In T ow n | «■ t»«ms>4 x Gcootoy
Since H
Guessippina B. Williams was elected
State Vice President at the recently held
convention of the Oregon Womens' Politi
cal Caucus.
An advisory specialist for the Portland
Public Schools. Ms. Williams has resided
■n Portland for nearly five years. She
taught at Jefferson High School and ts
active in community affairs.
As a result of Ms. Williams efforts in
the OWPC. a minority womens' resolu
non was approved at the state convention
and the by-laws were changed to reflect
the needs of special interest groups.
“1 think the political process is the only
way women and minorities will ever
make significant gains.
We need to
define our own goals and actively pursue
them." Ms. Williams stated.
Also elected to state offices were
Mabei Armstrong, of Eugene. President,
and Robyn Remaklus and Margie Hen
dricks as national representatives.
In connection with the Oregon Wo
mens' Political Caucus, a Minority Wo
mens' Breakfast was held. Attending
were: Pina Williams. Gail Washington.
Barbara Roberts. Delores Leggroan, Sha
ron Steen. Tanya Collier, Ann Stein.
Esther Randall. Gladys McCoy, Teace
Adams. Faith Mayhew. Carol Bryant,
Marta Milligan. Emmons Henry. Anna
belle Bates, and Evie Crowell.
Ms. Faith Mayhew, a Native American
who is from Klamath Falls but now fives
in Portland, presented a resolution estab
fishing the Minority Womens' Caucus as a
special interest group of the Oregor
Womens' Political Caucus. Ms. Mayhew
a delegate to the National Womens
Conference in Houston, said the resolu
tion. which was adopted, was patternec
after the one adopted at that conference
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Senior citizens and low income residents fr e e incom e tax .ire,»ratio«. Where: King
Facility . 4615 NJE. 7th: When: February 9th. 14th. and 16th; Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.;
Who: Volunteers from IRS Vita Program.
The Family I ireus Theater Collective from Portland. Oregon will be performing
"T h e R i.i City FoOfeo," an original musical comedy about older people and housing
Which will be performed on Friday. February 17th. 221 S X 11th Avenue. 8:30 p.m..
price $2.
The Family Circus Theater Collective from Portland. Oregon will be performing
“labor Pains.“ an original play focusing on women and work, and also “To,»cats and
C aderdogs.“ a colorful theatrical comment on male roles. The Family Circus studio.
221 S.E. 11th Avenue, on Saturday. February 18th at 8:30 p.m. for the price of 12.
There will be an NAACP Member<du,> M e e tin g being held on Sunday. F e b r u a r y
19th. at 4:00 p.m. at the Church of God in Christ, corner of Rodney and Stanton.
Everyone is invited to attend
The (ommuaity ( n s fit iso Far School lntegratioa wifi be sponsoring community
forums on Tuesday. February 14th. at Washington High Cafeteria and Thursday.
February 23rd. at Adams High Cafeteria, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Topics to be
discussed will include D History of the Coalition; 2) History of desegregation in
Portland; 3' Early childhood education centers; and 4) Administrative transfers The
outcome of these forums will go into a comprehensive study done by the Coalition to be
turned over to the Portland School Board with accompanying recommendations
'Completion: June 19781. The public is encouraged to come and express their opinions.
Come to a ( o m m a a ity M e e tin g to discuss the Portland Grand Jury's attack on the
People's Health Clime. When: February I2th at 3:30 p.m.; Where: Matt Dishman
Community Center, 77 N.E. Knott ‘.at Rodney. For more information call 281-6000.
The Northwest Artist s Assoriatioa will sponsor a benefit Wednesday. February
8. 1978 at 9:00 p.m featuring the jazz group Tom Grant and Friends, dancer Laura
Stillwell and visuals by Ken Butler. The event wifi be held at 115 N.W. 5th.
.Admission: $2.00. The Oregon Arts Commission Is co-sponsoring the event. For
further information contact: Diane Rader. 226 3372
Portland School Superintendent Robert Blanchard will discuss th e r e to rt of the
(ommuaity (oafitioo for School lategratioa regarding desegregation in the Jefferson
attendance area, on the KPTV Channel 12 “Conversation with the Superintendent"
program on Sunday. February 12th at 9:00 p.m. Topics considered on the program
wifi include background leading to formation of the Coalition. Mr Blanchard's
recommendations to the Board of Education on the Jefferson desegregation matter,
implications of the Board of Education s decision on specialized high school programs,
and future desegregation efforts. The Miperintendent will also respond to questions,
from hostess Susan Keil, in regard to a joint City of Portland/ Portland School District
planning proposal.
The Jackson High PTA is sponsoring a th re e seiHuoo Ka,nd P - s ^ ' - g and
( om ire b e n s io o Seminar for High School students and adults on March 1st, 8th, and
15th (Wednesdays! from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The cost is $36.00. $26.00 for
additional members of same family. The Seminar wifi be taught by a trained A.G.P.
Achieving Greater Proficiency i reading instructor as part of the most widely used
national reading program in the Unite« States. Taught on one out of five college
campuses in America, the course is guaranteed to double your reading speed. It
stresses reading efficiency skills, thereby increasing both speed and comprehension
Deadline for registration is February 27th. A $5.00 deposit must accompany
registration and the balance is due at the first class. Checks should be made payable to
Jackson High School. Sign ups are now being accepted in the Jackson High Student
Store.
ia » a VI
ii^ ta x
m s tix
ISrOAWo.
Pleasure Social
Enterprises
"One dog barky at »»»nothing
Gifts were donated by the soron
during the Christmas holidays and tl
things collected during the first drii
were delivered late in January M
Marian Gilmore. Chapter President, aa
the drive wifi continue under the auspice
of the Mental Health (om m ittee chair*
by Ms. Emmins Henry and Lois Irvin]
the rest bark at him ."
Chinese Proverb
NEVBt HAVE SO MANY
EATEN SO WELL
AND LOST SO MUCH.
WATCHERS
■ ® Y O U ’»€ THH CLOSE TO LOSING WEIGHT
PRINCESS MADDOX
4535 N.E. Grand—249-0582
The Beta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta, Inc. has adopted as one of its
projects collecting household items, ap
pliances and clothing for residents of
Bradley Angle Shelter House. Bradley
Angle assists battered women who need
to get sway from husbands or boy fnends
who abuse them
The Authority.
D o n a tio n $ 2 .0 0
C o to rin g -P rivo te P artios-Social Events
Deltas donate household items
tasted so good.
4 : 3 0 - 7 : 3 0 pm
Inward saturdsi afternoon movie» far community youth
id household i
Theta.
Losing weight n e v e r ^ ^ E I G H X
T ro p ical A tm o sp h o r«
S u n d ays
Marien Gilmore | right ] aad resident of Broadly Angle House i
aad clothing collected lor the home by member» of Delta Si
Eight million people have
been on the Weight Watchers *
Program A program that
teaches you to eat delicious
m eals-within hmits-as you learn to lose weight
We have over six million hours of classroom
experience worldwide a world renowned Medical
Director, expert nutritionists and thousands at trained
lecturers to help you practice what we teach
Once you ve gotten yourself into shape, our
Maintenance Plan shows you how to eat anything you
like and control your weight for life
Join a Weight Watchers meeting today The only
thing you have to lose is weight
s» IX Mvtstaa •w-ec»r
Jazz A Pootry
Twelve voaag ladle» will be .«resented to the Portland community at the Link», lac.
r ir»< Annual Debutante Hall |Froot row. left to right! Camille Hamilton. Debra
Fulfer. (Bock raw. left to right) Karen Jenkins, Melissa Smith, Kelly Jamison. Rita
Martin. Sharon Hartaog aad So.thilia W hite. Nat xctured Benita Talley Jay
W aOace. Dana Eaafey and M art Stray hand f he Ball w ill be held on February 19th at
the Sheraton Hotel Mr». Jeanne Hartaog aad M rs Lydia Roy are Chair;.eroo«.
MADDOX HOUSE OF WIGS
EMANUEL HOSPITAL
2801 N. Gantenbein
Emanuel East, Room B 2
(Nursing Home)
Thurs. 7:00 p.m.
For further information call Collect Portland (5031 297 1021
Weekdays 8:30 5:30
MARANATHA CHURCH
1222 N.E. Skidmore
Sat. 9:30 s.m
Telephone (503) 287-0699
"The Wig That fits You"
2723 N.E. 7»h AVE.
PORTLAND, OREGON
WBGHT
WATCHERS
The A u th o rity
W»| j H T WATCHERS
IN TER N A TIO N A L
INC
A N O # A R ( *E G »fT E A I D TRAO* MARKS O * NC IQMT M A T C H ! MS
M ANHA&St T N Y • W liQ M T NATCME RS IN TERNATIONAL