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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 1978)
Page » Portland Observer Thursday. May 4. 1978 The Outrageous Michael St.John UNION AVENUE STREET PROJECT PUBLIC MEETINGS PLANNED ' “»1 » *B rt1«nd « r w re » l4 e n t< <nb butine»»«» heve * > ' ColuW h ' dp“ U11r OOStlno», being co n ilb e rs d fo r N . ( . Union Avenue between 5Î _ Nl J u s ln e " S i x » t o n , end the J o in t ly tpontored k> the Union * ,.n u o e r i l < . n 9 A 4 » r i j r v t s m l t t t e ^ K ^ « » From Hollywood C ity o f 1 'o rtU n d . 41« plonnod fo r Roy 1978. ’ *e lo c a tio n «no t> « w ■ A Hello People . . . Reger Meeety, star of Leadbeily, is one busy, movin' and shakin’ young man. He is one of a number of Black performers who have been working with the youth of Watts, and now Roger has written and produced a show called Hollywatts. It's a show about life in the Black areas of America . . . and it's currently breaking all records and playing to SRO audiences at the Speakeasy Theatre in Hollywood. Roger told me that when the current engagement ends, the show will go on the road, maybe as far as off-Broadway. It’s the kind of show we need, an upbeat ahow that says talented young Blacks are doing something . . . putting their frustrations, their hopes and ideas and dreams into something artistic, something that will pay off. No more of that “bum, baby, burn" of the late ’60s. Hollywatts is a grabber of a show, and it spells out loud and clear for all to see: "We believe . . . we will believe.” C ir c le tno w o tln g d o t* v o it convenient fo r you end LQHBARU IF you l i v e . w ork, o r own p ro p e rty on o r near HE Union Avenue. you a r» encour«qed to p a r t ic ip a t e ■ a t one OF these Im portant m eetln q t. Ih u rtd ey Hey 4 , 1978 7 :3 0 -9 :0 0 on TR A FFIC PROBLEMS MEED ACTION Tuetdey Hey 9 , 1978 1 2 :0 0 -1 :3 0 on AINSUORTH Thursday Hey 18, 1978 7 :3 0 -9 :0 0 on killincsuorth A M I? LOCATIMI: P o rtland Development Co« ■ H e lo n O ffic e <008 N.E. Union Avenue at Union and Shaver FREHONT DIANA ROSS JEAN TERRELL Entertainment Guide SPECTRUM IN BLUE - JEAN TERRELL There are certain very special people whose presence lights up a room. In Jean Terrell’s case, it's not a question of just physical beauty, it’s a light that radiates from a serene inner beauty, and it’s enough to light up the world. With three of her brothers and a friend who played drums, Jean became part of a little group that was constantly rehearsing. Her brother, the future world heavyweight champion. Ernie Terrell, decided to put all that family talent to work. “Ernie was one of the innovators of sportsmen getting into entertainment. We'd sing and rehearse everyday Ernie would rehearse me so hard. My brother was really an inspiration." Ernie Terrell turned pro and his group. Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights, was booked into Chicago's popular Whiskey Au Go Go. “We sang whatever was popular at the time. I remember we sang some Sam Cooke things, some Dinah Washington and Brooke Benton's kind of music." The group began touring successfully, appeared on the Johnny Carson Show, and one night at the Fountainebleau Hotel in Miami, Berry Gordy, then the president of Motown Records, dropped by to say hello. “He saw the show and afterwards asked me if I'd be interested in singing. I knew Diana Ross was leaving the Suprêmes, but I didn’t have the wildest idea that I’d ever be asked to join. But he asked me if I’d be interested in singing with the group, and I said I didn't know if I could do something like that. People had told me that I sang like Diana Ross, and they said I sang like Dionne Warwicke and everybody else. You can’t say that you don’t sound like these people if you’re singing their songs. I would take on their characteristics. I suppose. I did a Diana song and I guess he thought, well, she can sing like Diana." Without auditioning. Jean Terrell moved in to replace Diana Ross with the Suprêmes. “My thoughts were that I wouldn't let myself be overwhelmed by this. I'd just try to do it and keep calm and relaxed about it. So from there, we went right into rehearsals and recording." With Cindy Birdsong and Mary Wilson, Jean Terrell went into the studio to find that critical hit record - and the first one out went gold - it was “Up the Ladder to the Roof.” Next step was learning and rehearsing a dozen songs. “I had to do most the leads, and I had to remember all those songs and steps and attitude we had to have as a professional group. I had to do it, it had to be done. It was quite a bit. We worked very, very hard. We had to make sure that people were aware of the change and could relate to the change and not feel like something was missing." The new Suprêmes hit the road, had a string of hits - “Stone Love, “Nathan Jones,” “Floy. Joy" and “Everybody's Got the Right to Love" for a total of seven gold records - and worked eleven months out of the year. The adventure came to an end four years later at the end of 1973. Jean left the group, met and married Juan Thompson, an advertising man she'd met on location in San Francisco, and had her first son, Jason She was preparing to return to the business, when her second son. Jonathan, came along, "and that kind of closed the door again, because 1 didn't want to just leave my children and pursue my career without giving them a chance to grow up with their mother.” Through a friend, she and Linda Lawrence, who had replaced Cindy Birdsong in the Suprêmes, went to Ron Nadel's Tentmakers management company with the idea of instituting their own group. The plan never jelled, but Tentmakers were also representing producer Bobby Martin, who decided that he’d produce a solo album with Jean Terrell. Jean's debut A&M album, “I Had To Fall In Love," is the striking result. A strong religious undercurrent illuminates Jean's life. “When you begin to rely on the Creator, it has to change your personality. The personality I have now is not like the personality I had years ago with the Suprêmes. I wasn't spiritually-minded then, but now I am. I work on being a more loving person which helps me feel and see - it makes me more aware of the more important things. That is one of the advantages of working with someone like Bobby Martin." And if any lingering doubts remain, “I Had To Fall In Love" reveals a person who cares about the people she's singing for. May 6th - Irvington Parade and Fab-. Irving Park. 9:00 a.m. Clowns, balloons, game booths and jugglers will highlight the Albertina Kerr Center for Children's Secend Annual Benefit Carnival on Saturday, May 13th at Wynne Watta School, 930 N.E. 162nd Avenue. Admission is free and hotdoga. popcorn, soft drinks and snow cones will be sold at refreshment stands during the 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. carnival. Bring the entire family and have a ball. Proceeds will go to the care center’s summer camping program for children. A health fare, featuring information on all aspects of health and preventative care, will take place May 24th, in the mall of Portland Community College’« Cascade Center, 705 N. Killingsworth. Those organizations who have agreed to have displays in the mall are the Oregon Red Cross, the Oregon Heart Association, Multnomah County Community Health Nursing, the Oregon Retina Clinic, the Oregon Sight Foundation, the Oregon Donor Program and Al-Anon. Also, the Portland Fire Department will have its rescue unit available and Buck Ambulance will have a paramedic team at the college to demonstrate its coronary unit. The Women's Health Clinic has agreed to set up a booth and will explain how to use the new home pregnancy testa available on the market. Exhibits will be on display from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend free of charge. Firehouse Theater, 1436 S.W. Montgomery, presents “Civic Contemporary Dance Theater's Annual Spring Concert." Directed by Susan Valencia it will be presented on May 5th and 6th at 8:15 p.m. and on May 7th at 3:00 p.m. For reservations call 248-4737, box office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. Admission is $2.50 adults, $1 senior citizens, and 50c children. Members of the Dolores Circle, an auxiliary organization of the Children's Nursing Center at Providence Child Center, 830 N.E. 47th Avenue, are planning their fourth annual Plant Side, Thursday and Friday. May 11th and 12th, preceding Mother s Day. May 14th. which will be held each day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Child Center. Proceeds of the sale will be used toward the benefit of children in the Nursing Center and a building modernization program. For further information call 234 9991. 1978 marks the 16th annual occurrence of the St. Johns Parade. This Saturday. May 13th community parade is the highlight activity of the St. Johns Parade Week. Aa the first appearance of the season in the Portland area of many bands, courts and various other groups, the St. Johns Parade unofficially heralds the new season of community parades and events. For entry information call Flora Colburn 225-6630 or 8t. Johns Parade Committee, P.0. Box 03093, Portland, Oregon 97203. Festival Booth Information contact Ed Jones 286-1897; additional information. Rod Shramek, 285-0551/289-0682, Joe Hustad, Jr., 286 9663. "Raising Kids Alone" — Adrian Greek, Director of POSITIVE ACTION CENTER, will conduct an introduction to practical skills and information for dealing with situations that arise in families of parents raising children alone. Such factors as increasing personal and family self worth, maximizing family resources, teaching values, and making effective decisions will be included. Starts May 9th for three Tuesday evenings - 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Fee $20 per person. Featured in the June issue Featured in the June issue INCEST . . . the truth is fin a lly being to ld by those personally involved. ALEX HALEY . . . his life after Roots, the ner vous breakdown, the bad debts that R eaders D igest paid to avoid un pleasant p u b lic ity DANIEL “ CHAPPIE” JAMES . . . USA's firs t four-star Black general and the abuse he took to get those stars ANDREA AND LIANNE . . . tw o soul sisters who have it all and show it all BILL LUCAS a w ide open interview BRAND NEW FOR YOU . . . the ju icie st, m eatiest, mo3t outrageous gossip magazine o f them all NATALIE COLE . . . helps launch first issue w ith inside story o f her c lim b from daughter of Nat King Cole to superstar DIANA ROSS .. how greed and m oney may be driving her blin d KELLEE PATERSON . . . re veals how she made a fairy tale com e true PLUS . . . sports, stage, TV, m usic, m ovies and the fam ous M ichael St. John C o nfiden tial colum n. PLAYERS MAGAZINE INSIDE GOSSIP JU N E ISSU E—ON SALE NOW JUNE ISSU E—ON SALE NOW DON’ T MISS IT < Also check w its your coe- w n l t y o r q e n ll lt lo n i to Find out t h l t R ro je c t w i l l be on t h e i r «qendet. DON’ T MISS IT Beach School remembers Beach Elementary School will cele brate its 50th Anniversary on May 18th. Beach student«, staff, alumni and friends will meet artists and craftsmen of the neighborhood who will demonstrate their talents during the school day. There will also be historical exhibits of Beach School and video tapes of its history. A reception will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. On Friday, May 19th, will feature a cornerstone ceremony on the lower play ground from 1:15-1:46 p.m. Featured will be the Jefferson Cluster Band, Color Guard Youth Group, and a presentation of cornerstone contents left by 1928 graduates. At noon Friday a no-host luncheon will be held and that evening there will be a reception for graduates, students, pa rents, principals and staff of today and yesteryear. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OR WRITE RHOTT PETER D. TRYON UNION AVENUE PROJECT MANAGER C IT Y OF PORTLAND 4 00 S . R 6 t h AVENUE PORTLAND OREGON 9 7 2 0 4 9 03 - 2 4 8 -4 9 2 8 BROADWAY wfibiEP E SHOP IE N O W S Community Calendar ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT MEN'S MAGAZINES d is tric t. M AVNARDJACKSON When Richard Nixon (remember him?) was President, he named Pearl Bailey the Ambassador of Love when she performed for him at the White Houae. Well, when Pearl, whose heart is as big as Griffith Park, called San Clemente the other night to find out how Pat Nixon was feeling, the former President's secretary told her that Mr. Nixon had no idea who she was. I know who Pearl Bailey is . . . who's Nixon? Ethel Merman has just written a book about her life called, what else. Merman. She discusses everything (well, almost everything) that has happened to her during her legendary career. One of the moat cryptic insults every published is her chapter on former husband Ernest Borgnine. It consists of two blank pages. Ethel and Ernie were married for just one week! Diana Raas' performance in The Wfa is winning raves and wild applause in the editing rooms of Tinseltown where the movie is being put together. These insiders are already talking about an Academy Award for Diana on the basis of her super acting and singing job. Maybe that's one reason why. in the city of Philadelphia, even though Diana is not due to appear there for many weeks, there are no more tickets for sale. While in New York I was asked to appear on the Jae Franklin TV show, and one of my fellow guests was another one of those Elvis imitators. Thin one had even gone so far as to have plastic surgery to resemble the late, great Elvis. Julian Bond has already announced that he is retiring from the political arena and has entered negotiations with a TV network for a prominent position. Smart move. Not only is Julian one very, very smart man, but there really is nowhere for him to go in politics in Georgia. Despite Jimmy Carter and Maynard Jockaoo. the rednecks are still firmly in control of that State Houae. © 1978 Players International Publications PUiyFRS INSIDE GOSSIP For soaa t ie « now I t has been apparent t h a t Union Avenue Is not adequately m eeting the tra F F Ic c ir c u la tio n needs oF the a re a . Union Avenue Is a m ajor no rth -so u th a r t e r i a l In Ml P o rtla n d and I t now c a r r ie s over 18.000 v e h ic le s per day w ith o u t m ajor Improvements since 1930. The Avenue con tain In te rs e c tio n s w ith some oF the htqhest a cc id en t ra te s In the C it y . H o to r H ts have complained oF narrow and s h lF tln « la n e s , lim ite d le F t -t u m a a t . s ig n a ls , saFety c o n F lIc ts w ith parked c a r s , and conqestlon a t peak hours. Some m o to ris ts a r t avo ld ln q Union Avenue by uslnq o th e r p a r a l le l s tr e e ts 1n the ad jacen t nelqhborhoods w hichdeqrad the r e s id e n t ia l c h a ra c te r oF the nelqhborhoods an< removes business tra F F Ic From Union Avenue. This P ro je c t Is needed to Improve the c a p a c ity am saFety oF HE Union Avenue as a m ajor C ity a r t e r t « ’ to a s s is t In ramovln« through tra F F Ic From tha r e s id e n t ia l nelqhborhoods, and to Improve the Avenue's appearance and d e s i r a b i l i t y as a buslnas- s SHAVER N I RICHARD NIXON v I t t u e t to 1» d ltc u tte d < t th e te » « t i n « » Include tre F F Ic Flow on Union Avenue and In th« neighbor^ noo dt, p e d e ttrle n te F e ty . T? tu rn » , end Avenue <ppeernnce. This P ro jo c t I t In the p re lim in a ry detlq n tt< q e ,» n d proposed m n ts i r t s t i l l op«" to change How H tlw t w it tim e For you to review th« P ro je c t and vo ice your ¡•omnents' and tu q q e ttlo u t FOR B R A N D S you know V A R IE T IE S y o u lik e S IZ E S y o u w a n t • ÍS A I I J - | M ilw a u k ie • ISth'A loit lii’ntide • 1 îînd ANI Ohitin • N lo n T b r r r d a * O « v « l* y • R n l « « g h M ill» P l a i n • ' B i n d m S f D iv is io n • O a k G rav e • I Alb A SI Mfirnwn • 3 3 rd A N ! H a n ttx k • 3 9 t h A S I D iv is io n o 3 3 rd A W e tt lu m u tí» • LaA a O tw o y o 9 0 A Av« • M in g C ity uMinn jbidit JOE’S PLACE SEE SPORTS ON GIANT SCREEN TV. The Friendly Tavern >BEEI j e f o * Owner u ’ 1 ' SEKVI D W ERT il 1801 NF. Albert* 288-8768 WOMEN! YES ALL! Regardless of who or what: Black, white, ex-eon, gay. or any others! In a dream, God told me to rescue all repressed people: and he gave me the tools to do the job. The first tool is intended for use with the most continuously repressed people in history: WOMEN! but especially, poor women. Should a woman's chances for equality go down the tube, tied to issues of her morality? Why are special groups trying to atop legal abortions for poor women? W ly is woman's physical nature used to block her progress and to keep her in bondage? Why is it that women, particularly poor and teenage women, are held as property mortgaged to the dogmatisms of an international cartel? How and why are women used as hostages in the conquest for empire and control of society by the merchandize™ of God's mystery? if you want solutions for your dilemnas, come to the King Neighborhood Facility (Cafeteria) 7:30p.m. M ay 17th 4015 N.E. 7th It's free, and I'll be there: Leonard Poff. 4
