Page 4 The Portland Observer Community Tennis Association Formed On Monday April 8th, 1991 the Irving Park Community Tennis Asso­ ciation was established to meet the growing needs of the citizens of the Irv­ ington, Boise-Elliot, Peninsula, Alberta, and W oodlawn Park communities. Summer Tennis Camps, Youth Devel­ opment Tennis Programs, Adult & Senior Tennis Leagues and Programs are a few of the services that this organiza­ tion will offer. The IPCTA will also act as a Community Advocate for greater utilization of the Portland Tennis Cen­ ter, Park Maintenance at Irving Park, and Networking with other agencies and Social Services to insure that the recreational needs of these communi­ ties are being heard and acted on. Other agenda items included the appointment of Temporary Officers to serve until membership increases. Don Johnson will serve as President; Kelly Chatman, Vice-President; Maceo Pet­ tis, Treas; and Bruce Watts, Secretary. The first two items approved by offi­ cers was the summer Tennis Camp at Irving Park and the First Annual Irving park Clean-Up Day. The IPCTA pro­ poses a joint effort by the Irvington Community Association, the Boise - Elliot Neighborhood Association, the Portland Park Bureau and the members of the IPCTA. The day for this event is Saturday, June 15th, from 10:00a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Following the clean-up there will be a Tennis Carnival which will serve as a Kick-Off to the Tennis Camp and for other summer park activities, such as the Reading Tree and the Irving Park Summer Recreational Program. Hot-Dogs, Burgers, and prizes will be available for participants. If you are interested in joining the IPCTA or serving as a volunteer for the Summer Camp, Tennis Carnival, or Clean-Up Day then please attend the next IPCTA on Monday, May 13th, 6:30 p.m. at the Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave. May 1, 1991 BY:ULLYSSESTUCKER,JR. Tiante Tims (Right End) was all smiles Tuesday April 16th at the Memorial Coliseum. Tiante got the chance to work as a guest ball boy during the Blazers matchup against Houston. Way to go tiante! Photo by veronica Green portkwvd GO BLAZERS! trail Wozerz Business Network Grows In Popularity And Attendance The well known commercial slogan “ membership has it’s privileges” , cer­ tainly applies to the growing number of business owners and professionals that are rapidly joining Oregon Business Net­ work. Davis And Cooper: Old Timers Holy Redemer Student Guest Ball Boy ism and the opportunities that they have allowed us” , said a Tigard, Oregon Walter Davis and Wayne Cooper have been in the National Basketball Association for a combined twenty- seven years. Neither has won a champi­ onship ring. Both men are sitting on the edge of a dream. Each agree that the dream has to be accomplished this season because neither will likely be with the Trail Blazers after the 1991-92 season. Despite their limited roles and playing minutes, both men are happy to be a title contender and playing the game they love. Davis, a five time NBA All-Star and rookie o f the year (1978) has had the toughest adjustment to the team. Sporting a career scoring average of 21.6 ppg, his point produc- tion/minutes dropped to 6.2 and 13.7 per contest. Still, the career lows have not affected his attitude or work ethic. “ My attitude is one where I am glad to be here” , said Davis, who spent most of his playing career in Phoenix and Denver before coming to Port­ land.” I’m willing to do anything to help the team become better. I think ev­ eryone would like to play more, but I accept my role. When I get in there for a few minutes, all I can do is give it my best. I try to stay ready.” Until his 16 point out burst against the Houston Rockets two weeks ago, Davis had been struggling with his shooting touch and tentative in the Blazers offense. He was told by coaches to relax, to keep shooting, and more importantly , to keep his head up. Jer­ ome Kersey is a Davis believer. “ Walter is getting back into the rhythm of things” , said forward Jer­ ome Kersey. “ People expected him to come right in and wham, just go at it like he’s been doing all these years. You have to understand that he’s in a new system and it requires a different type of physical conditioning. In Den­ ver, all he had to do was run, set up, and look for his shot. We have a different system here. Now, I really believe that he is more comfortable. You can see it in his shot.” A native of Pineville, NC and a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team, Davis agreed with Kersey ’s assessment May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Governor Barbara Roberts has declared May as “ Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” and asks that all Oregonians join in on this observance. Over 196,000 Oregonians ride motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds for pleasure or as a basic means of trans­ portation. The governor’s Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee and the Team OREGON Motorcycle safety Program arc asking all highway users to “ SHARE THE ROAD” . Last year motorcycle fatalities dropped by 44% from the previous year. Let’s keep that trend going in 1991. TEAM UP!! To­ gether we can make Oregons’ high­ ways safer and more pleasurable places to drive and ride. The D isabilities A dvisory Coalition is offering free Last Tuesday evening,at the Port­ land Travelodge Hotel, the network spon­ sored another three hour “ opportunity” meeting which drew hundreds of atten­ dees, that were greeted by the current reigning Miss Oregon U.S.A., Olga Calderon, from a cross section of O re­ gon business categories as well as major corporations. The standing room only crowd enjoyed what other business and lead organizations have been attempt­ ing to do for years...provide an effective and popular forum for networking, leads and customer referrals at an inexpensive printer. Members and participants are motivated also by the fact than OBN sends out checks and makes cash pay­ ments regularly to their members that refer new members. “ Its like winning the lottery every month” says, Johnny Counterfit, a well known national im­ pressionist and entertainer, who has quietly garnered incentive payments from OBN, as a member, for referring and getting other local businesses and pro­ fessionals to join the organization. (Facilitated by professional counselors) PEER SUPPORT GROUPS For Persons with Disabilities Their Families, Friends & Significant Others Meetings will be held from April through September 1991 on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Hilyard Community Center 2580 Hilyard St. Eugene Call DAC at 485-7718 for information on transportation op­ tions and to reserve interpreters for the hearing impaired. Youth Needed for Litter Patrols Other reasons for the growing popu­ larity of the one year old organization are numerous including a menu of bene­ fits and opportunities that range from a group dental plan to the use of the OBN corporate limousine for an business or personal occasion. Many attendees and first time guests were overly excited about the OBN con­ cept. “ This is much better than anything that we have attended ever before” said a business owner from Beaverton. “ We dropped our membership in several busi­ ness and convention associations this year and stayed with Oregon Business Network, because of their professional­ Operations Officer, indicated that Ore­ gon Business Network memberships are open to anyone in business, a profession or even those who have a part time business or working out of their homes. OBN is truly unique and exciting in its first year of operation. You won’t find any boring speakers, chicken dinners, high priced breakfast meetings or poli­ tics being played here. It’s pure and simple...if you are looking to increase your sales, contacts and referrals, OBN is a must! It’s a high energy operation headed by Portland business entrepre­ neur, Roy Jay. OBN also operates a convention and tourism division for which hun­ dreds of calls per week from visitors arc received on a special toll-free line and referring them to OBN members and other local businesses. The nextOBN meeting date has not yet been set, but those who wish to receive membership details or be on the mailing list should call 244-5794, Ext. 66 for complete information. The Oregon Highway Division is hiring for the state’s youth litter pa­ trols. The division wants to hire 375 persons to pick up trash along state highways this summer. Litter workers also will be eligible to work during Christmas and spring breaks, accord­ ing to Sharon Cumbic, litter patrol coordinator. Crew members earn $5.67 per hour and must be 16 to 20 years old. Crew chiefs will receive an hourly wage of S6.16and must be at least 18 years old, with a good driving record and valid driving license. Interested youths have until April 30 to apply at a local state Employment Division office. Please submit a brief note about your commmunity proj­ ects, events, and happenings, espically pertaining to children activities. Walter Davis Wayne Cooper of his adjustment to the team. “ With me, being a jump shooter, you have to be in good shape. For awhile, I wasn’t playing much and I didn’t feel that comfortable going up on my shot. I was floating one way or the other. Once I got into shape, felt stronger straight up on my jump shot, it had a much better chance of going in ,” he said. When Wayne Cooper, a former teammate of Davis in Denver was not expected to score big points or play big minutes when he signed as a free-agent in 89-90. Cooper’s job is to play good post defense, back up center Kevin Duckworth, and like Davis, provide additional leadership during the stretch run. Waller Davis job is to score points. “ Two different roles,” said Cooper. A first round draft pick out of New Orleans University by Golden State in 1978, Cooper has played in Dallas, Utah, Denver, and this is his second go-around in Portland. He has always been an excellent shot blocker and re- bounder. “ We have to win the cham­ pionship at all cost” , said Cooper. “ This is the year that it has to get done. I feell that it will get done. Everything is falling in place for us. It’s a great op­ portunity to be in this position because it does’nt happen for alot of players. Some players have great careers as All-Stars and never get a chance to play in a championship game. When I look back over my career, I feel as though I’ve had a good career and to be able to gel the ring in the end would be the ultimate. I have nothing to prove and only one goal left, the ring." Cooper acknowledged that he is worried about his number being called as much as it was in the past and he stays mentally prepared to play. Both Cooper and Davis put in extra work outs to m aintain com bat readiness. ’’Cooperand Davis are going to be very valuable to us in the play­ offs” , said coach Rick Adelman. Davis smiles when he thinks about two, old, longtime friends ending up on the same roster as their careers come to an end. “ We have known each other a long time” , he said. “ It would be nice to win the championship together.” Though Davis has been in the NBA (14 years) a year longer than Cooper, he believes that his body is in better shape and laughs when teammates call him the old man of the Blazers. He pointed the finger at Coop and jokes about his older body. “ H e’s a guard” , said Cooper. “ Walter doesn’t know anything about playing down in the hole where you get beat up a lot. My body has been bad for ten years. I was just telling the younger guys that ear­ lier. I’m just glad to be here” . So are the Blazers, their fans, and of course, his “ old friend” Walter, who wants a championship too! Coming Up On “Jesse Jackson” Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5,1991 Butt Out? Smoking: Should We ers and refuse to hire them? What rights More and more businesses, indus­ tries and governments are banning smoking in public places and in private companies. Both advocates and oppo­ nents are mobilizing over the issue: can companies discriminate against smok- do smokers have in 1991? Guests in­ clude Susan Allsop United Smokers Association; Brcnean Dawson, Tobacco Institute; Ahron Leichtman, Citizens Against Tobacco Smoke; Kathleen Scheg, Action on Smoking and Health. Racism & Tracking in the Schools: The Selma Experience Featured Speakers: Hank and Rose Sanders Thursday, May 2nd, 7:30 pm Westminster Presbyterian Church Fireside Room (enter on Hancock street) 1624 NE Hancock Education tracking in schools short changes many students. Particularly hard hit are children from working class families, students of color, and those from poorer neighborhoods. What do we have to learn from the Selma expe­ rience about tracking and inequality in the Portland schools? Hank and Rose Sanders arc leaders in the struggle against tracking in Selma Alabama. They have successfully used the time honored tactics of boycotts and picketing to illuminate the injus­ tice of the tracking system. Hank Sanders is the first African- American State Senator elected in Alabama since reconstruction. He was also Co-chairman for the Jesse Jackson campaign in Alabama in 1988. Rose Sanders is Co-chair of The Campaign for a New South. GRESHAM DODGE PORTLAND'S NO. 1 BLACK OWNED DEALER SHIP Good Credit, No Credit, Good People With Bad Credit... We Understand Your Problems If Divorce Business Or Just Bad Luck Has Force You Into Bankruptcy Or Poor Credit We Can Help With Payments to Fit Your Budget 666-CARS