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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 1987)
Page 6, Portland Observer, Decembej 2, 1987 Speak Out W h a t reason w o u ld you give fo r the b lig h te d c o n d itio n in the B lack c o m m u n ity ? by A rn old Pitre * Judy Bird Service Coordinator Housing Authority of Portland Most of these properties are oc cupied by people who are renting rather than owning, and renters do not have the concern for the main tenance of these properties that an owner-occupant would. Some of these people s priorities are out of order. They feel that since they do not own the property, why should they be concerned? Vacated houses are being written off for tax purposes. There is a real lack of concern by the community residents, and there is a lot of land lord neglect. The people who attempt to main tain their homes are the people who are victims of vandalism, because they appear to have more. It is not necessarily true, but the appearance is there. These areas are pooily lighted, and that invited the criminal ele ment. Landlord neglect and the lack of concern of community resi dents all contribute to the blight. It is too bad, because a lot of the blighted properties are located in a prime area and are potentially valuable properties. Judy Pitre Program Director Housing Authority of Portland Black people need to take more interest in their environment. Other ethnic groups band together and solve their own problems. Why can't we? We do have a few things occurring within the community. That is a step in the right direction as far as solving our own problems. Ron Herdon's Saturday School Pro gram is a step in the right direction. But there is a need for involvement from other leaders or potential lead ers in our community. We need to get away from seek ing help from outside sources. We are not doing anything to promote economic growth in our communi ty. What are our banks doing to solve our community problems? We get pawn shops and X-rated movie theaters as signs of our eco nomic growth. The drug houses emerging in our neighborhoods detract from our liv ability, and we are doing very little as concerned citizens to do some thing about it. If we take initiative as a community and stick together, other groups will begin to take us seriously as a race of people. We are living in a potential gold mine. The time is now for positive action. There is power in numbers. Carol Foster Retired Superintendent Not enough pride in our commu nity. There is not enough say-so to determine what happens in our community. Most Blacks are so low on the economic ladder that they have no say in the economic struc ture. There are various committees that work to improve the situation, but they don't seem to have any clout, and they are not well-known by the general community; they do not make themselves available to be effective. Most Blacks are having problems enough trying to "keep their heads above water" and do not have the time to concern themselves with most community problems. It seems that the Black people who are fortunate enough to be finan cially secure are not interested in the Black community problems. They are putting their money in other areas, other communities. We need these people in our com munity. Don Clinton United States Army Reserve Money . . . the lack of. Business people in the Black community are afraid of being robbed, vandalized, and intimidated. People that live in the community are afraid to come out of their houses. The people that are doing the robbing and van dalizing are unemployed, and feel that they need to do these kinds of things to survive. The prostitutes and criminal ele ment along Union Avenue and in the business area of the community discourage business people from starting up in the area. Businesses have been forced out of this area into other areas. Black businesses as well as white businesses. Wholesale Pricing On Groceries Gone Public Did you know that for almost 30 years you could have bought some of your groceries at wholesale prices? The Bee Company, for over 30 years' has offered the public weekly shipments of name-brand groceries at genuine wholesale prices. You'll find canned and packaged goods, pet foods, as well as frozen and close-dated deli products on the shelves. The best feature is that you do not have to buy by the case. You buy just what you want to buy, just the amount you need. Located at 800 N. Killingsworth, just east of I 5, they are open Monday through Saturday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Isn't it about time you save on your grocery bill? PHONE 283-3171 Tbcy'lt Tell You >11 About It YWCA: Catch The Spirit When the 20th century dawned on America, it was greeted by racial segregation, racial strife and racial uncertainty. By the time the cen tury was two years old, 214 lynch ings had taken place. Aware that segregation could tear the country apart, a number of all- white organizations began to work to bring about racial harmony. One of those organizations was the YWCA. • 1893 (Dayton, Ohio): The " Y " chartered the first Black YWCA branch; • 1906: Organization of the National YWCA. At the conven tion, the National Board voted to set up Black branches of the "Y "; • 1913: Eva Bowles became the first Black woman to hold the job of YWCA Secretary. • 1915: The YWCA organized the first interracial conference ever held in the South; • 1919: Organized the first inter racial " Y " clubs for young women. When it moved onto the national level, the " Y " worked for (1) anti lynching legislation, (2) endorsed the establishment of the Fair Em- ploymnet Practices Commission (FEPC), and (3) called for full inte gration in the Army, in industry, and in housing. In a move designed to draw upon its rich heritage, the " Y " has situ ated its Northeast Branch right into the heart of Portland's Black com munity. And the move suits its new director, Connie Carley, just fine. "One of the things that attracted me to the " Y " was its positive history of working with Black w o men. Right here in our own com munity, the " Y " has operated pro grams since 1921. Very few people are aware of that. In the early years, it was located on the site C o n n ie C a r le y where the Elks Club sits now: at Williams Avenue and Tillamook Street. In the '50s, it moved into area church spaces where it became less visible. This gave the impres sion that the Northeast " Y " wasn't functioning. We're hoping to change that perception," she ex plained. The Northeast "Y " will focus on youth activities with an emphasis on the family. Its work with teen parents formerly started in 1973 in cooperation with Portland Public Schools and Children's Services Division (CSD). Since then, after school and summer programs for children have been a major focus. Connie is determined to establish quality programs at the new loca tion. "W hen I came on board, there was already a teen parent program in place, which deals with teen parents between the ages of 13 and 19. Again, keeping in line with our Social Security Q uestion: I’m thinking about taking Social Security early retire ment at 62 next year. But before I do, I would like to know what I will be due. Is there a way to find out? A nsw er: Yes. Anyone at least age 60 can obtain a speedy estimate by telephoning 223-1616 from Port land and 1-800-452-1654 from else where in Oregon. Q uestion: I know dependent children age 5 or older listed on my upcoming 1987 Federal tax return must have a Social Security num ber. Does this new law also per tain to other dependents, both workers and non-workers? A nsw er: Yes. Dependents you may list can include your children, grand-children, adoptive children, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, re latives and both non-relative work ers and non-workers. So long as they are age 5 or older and they are properly listed as a dependent, the new tax law requires that they have a Social Security number. Q uestion: My dentist says I will have to be hospitalized for a dental I BKB i procedure that I need to have done. Will Medicare pay for the procedure and my hopsital stay? A nsw er: Medicare's Part B Sup plemental Medical Insurance gener ally cannot pay for the treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth; root canal therapy; surgery for impacted teeth; or other surgical procedures involving the teeth or structures directly supporting teeth. However, if you need to be hospital ized for a noncovered dental pro cedure, Medicare can cover your hospital stay. Medical insurance can help pay for dental care only it it involves (1) surgery of the jaw or related structures, (2) setting frac tures of the jaw or facial bones, or (3) services that would be covered when provided by a doctor. Part A coverage questions can be answer ed by telephoning 225-5300 from Portland or 1-800-452-7390 from elsewhere in Oregon. Part B cover age questions can be answered by telephoning 222-6831 from Portland or 1-800-452-0125 from elsewhere in Oregon. “FREE” TRIPS CAN COST YOU 3 5 THERE M IG H T BE MORE TO A V A C A T IO N OFFER mission of empowering young w o men and their families, the teen parent program will deal with en couraging teens to finish school. There will be parenting skill classes and tutorial assistance. We will also have a support group where teens can come in and share pro blems and do problem solving. We are looking at a mentorship pro gram, a big-sister program, a foster grandparent program, a nutritional training program, cultural enrich ment . . . We may not be able to establish all of the programs I just mentioned, but you can bet that whatever programs we implement, they will be quality programs. We intend to offer quality alternatives to young women. We want them to feel and realize that they can make it." The Northeast " Y " will also offer a Women's Support Services Pro gram that is currently agency re ferred. It is for women who've been out of the work force for a number of years and need training or up grading of their work skills. The after school program will be expan ded: speakers will be brought in to direct teens through alcohol and drug sessions, special activities will be organized, health and family issues will be addressed, personal development and growth will be emphasized, and children will be taken to leadership camps. "W e need the community's help. We are seeking volunteers to help with the after school program. We need assistant coordinators to or ganize activities, and we need assi stance with our child-care program. In other words, we will accept all the volunteer help the community is willing to give," Connie empha sized. "I urge everyone to get in volved and catch the spirit." Food Applications Taken at Christmas Headquarters People in need of Christmas food and toys can apply for help at The Salvation Army's 1987 Christmas Headquarters at 710 N.E. Holladay St. in Portland beginning Monday, Nov. 30 at 9:00 a.m. The Salvation Army expects to provide food baskets or vouchers to 2,769 families and new toys to 2,142 children between Dec. 21 and Dec. 24. To qualify, a family or individual must earn less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Each applicant must bring a valid ID and proof of address to the Christmas Headquarters. Salvation Army staff and volun teers will enter names of all appli cants into a mainframe computer, which will help 21 Multnomah County agencies keep track of more than 13,200 families this Christmas. People in need of help can call 231-HELP (231-4357). People wish ing to donate food, toys or time can call 238-GIVE (238-4483). BBB o„ T H A N MEETS THE EYE When jomeone o H in you o "free vocation certificate" for travel to a retort, always remember one rule: you never get something for nothing. In virtually oil instances investigated by the Better Business Bureau, "vacationers" were required to make a purchase or attend a soles promo tion. Other conditions set by the promoter may odd other costs or limita tions. Vacation offers vary. Some include transportation, lodging and food, but most offer only a portion of this. Others may offer one free trip when an other is purchased full fore. BBB experience with these certificate offers is that they can be misrep resented. For exomple, while a free or inexpensive portion of a trip may be offered, the full cost of this portion may be mode up by charging a high rate for another portion. The goal of the majority of these offers is to attract as mony people as possible to o location where an often high-powered sales pitch eon be made. Consumers should be particularly wary of unsolicited telephone promot ers which ask for credit cord informotion over the phone. Some have been known to charge fees without the consumer's permission. The BBB strong ly recommends that you never give credit cord information to someone you do not know. Also be aware of regulations in certain states that ore designed to pro tect consumers against misrepresentation by unscrupulous vacation certifi cóte promoters. Some states will take action against those who misrepre sent their offers. Other states olso require certoin types of land or time share promoters to register with their state's ottorney general or real estate com mission. Call your BBB for informotion obout a specific offer before you try to get something for nothing. The BBB also suggests that you not accept an offer unless you ore truly interested in whot's for sale. This bulletin brought to you by the Better Business Bureau ot South Flor.<M Fd u.M .orM l Foundation. In< Christmas Tree Essay Contest The World Forestry Center is holding its fourth annual Christmas essay contest for children 12 years and younger. By entering an essay on "The Importance of Trees at Christmastime," a child may win a Christmas tree for their family! Essays should be fifty words orl; less and neatly printed on 8% x 1T inch paper. Entries should be sub; , mitted by Friday, December 4, and;: must include name, age, address • and telephone number. Incomplete ; entries will not be judged. Each essay will be judged accor>; ding to the writer's age and all es says will be judged on December 4, ; Writers of the ten winning entries will be notified the following week. Ten trees, each six to seven feet’ tall, will be awarded to the top final ists. The finalists may come to the Center during the holiday season,; and select their trees from among the freshly cut Douglas fir trees for sale at the Center's Christmas tree lot. Mail all entries to: World Forestry Center, 4033 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221 For more information, call (503) 228-1367. Children's Holiday Ornaments Children from 8 12 years old can make special ornaments for the holi day season in this class, offered by the World Forestry Center. The class will meet on Saturday, De cember 5 from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Center's Miller Hall Woodshop. Cost for the class is $7 for WFC members and $8.50 for others; parents are welcome to attend free of charge. Children will create their orna ments from cones, spices, bark and other natural materials. Orna ments range from whimsical to colorful, and each is suitable for giving as a small gift or as a tree decoration. For more information, contact the World Forestry Center, 4033 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221, (503)228 1367. Scouts Collect Food For the Needy Saturdays, December 5th and 12th, Scouts from the Columbia Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America, will be assisting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the collection of canned food for their annual Christmas food cam paign. The Boy Scout Council and the St. Vincent de Paul hope to collect nearly 400,000 lbs. of canned food to feed 10,000 needy families during the holiday season. Over 200 Scout units represen ting 5,000 Cub Scouts and Explorers will be participating in this holiday good turn. Scouts receive a special segment patch from St. Vincent de Paul recognizing their participation in the food collection. Those wishing to help the Boy Scouts and St. Vincent de Pau should place canned food in the collection bags distributed by the Scouts. Bags should be placed on front porches for pick-up by the Scouts from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., December 5th and 12th. Tapes and Records DOWNTOWN 631 SW Alder (Just off Broadway) 2 2 6 -0 6 2 4 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK The deepest known depression in the surface of the earth—Marianas Trench—is nearly a mile deeper than the world's highest mountain, Everest, is high.
