February 5 , 1992...The Portland Observer...Page 7 T he T exas II R estaurant and L ounge Terry Porter Assists On And Off The Court BY BILL BARBER Recently, I was talking to a good friend of mine, who is not much of a sports fan, about some of the finer points of basketball. We were doing okay until 1 said “ Terry Porter is fa mous on the basketball court in the category of assists.” “ What is an assist?” was the discussion-halting question. “ Assists means instead of taking a shot at the basket yourself, you pass the ball off to a teammate that has an even better chance to make a bas ket.” “ That’s sweet..He must be a very considerate and geneious person,” my good friend observed. Sweet?!? Basketball fans have to admit, Porter’s three-point shot is as “ sweet” as any one in the NBA. Opponents don’t think he is sweet when he steals the ball from them. “ Sweet” was obviously meant in a different context. A reference to Terry Porter’s inner man. Not the outer man that basketball fans seem very familiar with. During the subse quent interview I went in search of the “ inner man’ ’ not everyone sees in Terry Porter. “ I’ve been involved with Project Graduation for five or six years,” Por ter stated. “ It is important that we let kids know that when high school stu dents do celebrate graduation that they do it without the use of alcohol, be cause there have been so many tragic things that have happened. So many have celebrated with alcohol and it caused them to lose their lives.” Porter also has been a key fund raiser for a group of local business people called * ‘The Sixth Man Founda tion.” “ Kermit Washington came up with the idea,” said Porter. "Sixth Man gives aid to a variety of people who need it, no matter what the reason. We have helped people who may have lost a job and need money for surgery Photo by Veronica Green by putting on a summer celebrity soft- ball game and things of that nature. We try to get the public out to the game.” “ I’m very excited about the Boys and Girls Club here in Portland. Grow ing up I was really involved with the Boys and Girls Club, so that really hits home,” Porter stated with genuine pride. “ I’ve been involved with that club for the last four or five years and I get a lot of energy and a lot of excitement out of being able to go over there and being able to visit with the kids.” Then there is the “ Exchange Club.” That is some thing Terry and Jerome Kersey cooked up with the Phoenix Suns. “ When we play the Suns in Phoenix we take three students from the Portland metropoli tan area Boys and Girls Clubs. The three kids are selected from those who have maintained a grade point average of at least 2.5, have a good attendance record, and have a recommendation for their teacher and the principal of their school. They are also in good standing with the Boys and Girls Club. When the Phoenix Suns come to Portland, they bring three of their Boys and Girls Club kids with them. If the game is during the week, the kids get to go to school in the other town, and the local Boys Club, in addition to going to the game. Plus they get to come into the locker room and meet the players. These are kids who don’t have the opportu nity to see the world and different cul tures. It really opens their eyes to what else is out there.” Few people know that Terry Porter also set up a scholarship program at his Alma Mater - University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point). There wasn’t any big fanfare. “ It is just something I feel very strong abouL I had the opportunity to 1708 NE Alberta - 287-5145 go to a very good school, and they treated me very well. It is something I wanted to give back by helping the minorities who may get the opportuni ties to get a scholarship. 1 wanted give something back to all those who helped me.’ ’ he finished. You might ask Terry Porter why he goes to all the trouble to be that active in the community? After all, with the kind of money he makes he could just kick back and let life roll by. With his wife Susie, due to have a baby this summer, and commitments off the court, why bother? “ It is the satisfac tion of giving something back” he confided. As I was growing up I had some of the same obstacles that these kids have to try to get over. I want to help them get over them and let them know that there are a lot of things to achieve in life. Talking to Terry Porter gives you the feeling that this man has some real direction to his life. Sure we all know what he does for a living, but he goes way beyond that. He really seeks out a purpose for living with Olympic zeal. When asked how he would like to be remembered by the people in Portland (not just the fans) he responded, “ I hope they will say he is very sincere about trying to help kids realize how much life they have to live, how important it is to set goals and try to achieve those goals. Encouraging them to be a good person and always try to help someone who is in need.” Terry lost both of his parents in recent years. His dad Herman would really be proud of the kind of man he turned out to be. His mom Louise would probably be sitting with some one like my good friend, who is not a sports fan, just talking about how “ sweet” he is. The world is full of givers and lakers. Terry Porter is a giver. A Rhythm and Blues Showcase!! EVERY SUNDAY in a relaxed environment!! The Downhome Blues Jam Sessions 8:00 pm to 12:00 am no cover charge All Musicians are Invited Host Bands For February Feb. 9 - Mel Solomon & The Nightlighters Feb. 16 - Norman Sylvester Band Feb. 23 - Sakiusa & The Bluenotes Mar. 1 - Myrtle Brown’s Destiny Mar. 8 - Norman Sylvester Band Please bring your friends, and join the party! ________ A Boogie Cat Production_______ _____ The Texas II Lounge (Downstairs) Live Music by Andrew Clay - “Sensational Original Funk Mon thru Thur, (8:00 pm) Conference Room Available! for Public, Business or Social Club Meetings Free -- Phone for Reservation 1714 NE Alberta St. 281-2136 D e li c io u s D o w n h o m e C o o k in tf________ Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner and Food to Go Friendly Service Open 7 days a week Two Convenient Locations Texas I - 3530 N. Vancouver Ave. Birth Announcements Larry Darnell Patterson Jr., was bom January 23,1992 to Larry Darnell Patterson and Jeanette Margret Allen Paiterson of 526 N. Baldwin, Portland, Oregon 97217. Darnell Jr. weighted 71b 2 1/2 oz.; his height was 20 1/2 inches. His sisters are Larika, LaMeka, LaQueena and LaKendra Patterson. h is grandparents are Helen and Floyd Pat terson and Perry and Lucious Allen, all of Portland Oregon. Open 7:00 am - 2:30 am Texas II -1714 NE Alberta St. Open 24 hrs. Hrrlc Lcagtre JoÉjmips BOYS AND G IR L S T EE-B A LL ----- KEEP WOODSTOVE FIRES SMALL AND HOT Cub Scouts Pack 75 Big Thunder District Columbia Pacific Council Blue & Gold Banquet Help clean up our air AMERICAN îfc LUNG ASSOCIATION* 1 February 12, 1992 6:30 PM To 8:30 PM Vinyl Siding Installed on Your Home by Experts Bethel Church 5828 NE 8th (Off Jarrett) Portland, Oregon Call ABS Inc. Guest Speaker/Judge Aaron Brown, Jr. 283-0348 If you have any questions, contact Angela Greer, Banquet Coordinator - 284-3996. o f Ongon BB#9291 Financing Available 8 y e a rs G IRLS SOFTBALL ----- 6 to 15 y e a r s BOYS BASEBALL ----- 6 to 15 y e a r s S Ella Jenkins, children's folk singer, is a guest on an all-new week about Imaginary Friends. On Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, premiering in most areas February 24-28 on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Through her songs, Ella Jenkins invites children to imagine and pretend. “ The ability to imagine is one of the most useful tools children need for their learning,"says Fred Rogers and focuses this week on imagination and children’s use of imaginary friends. This segment is part of program #1650 scheduled for February 28. Contact David Newell at 412/687-2990. Photo: Terry Clark 6 to I G N U P S SATURDAY, F e b r u a r y 8, 1992 — 1 1 :0 0 A .M . to 2 : 0 0 P .M . PENINSULA PARK SATURDAY, F e b r u a r y 15, 1992 — 1 1 :0 0 A .M . to 2 :0 0 P .M . PENINSULA PARK SATURDAY, F e b r u a r y 22, 1992 — 1 1 :0 0 A .M . to 2 :0 0 P .M . PENINSULA PARK SATURDAY, F e b r u a r y .2 9 , 1992 — 1 1 :0 0 A .M . to 2 :0 0 P .M . PENINSULA PARK T SATURDAY, F e b r u a r y 29, SATURDAY, M a r c h 7 , 1992 1992 R Y Q U T__ S 1 1 : 0 0 A .M . to 2 :0 0 P .M . PENINSULA PARK 1 1 : 0 0 A .M . to 2 :0 0 P .M . IRV IN G PARK SATURDAY, M a r c h 1 4 , 1992 1 1 : 0 0 A .M . to 2 : 0 0 P .M . IRV IN G PARK SATURDAY, M a r c h 2 1 , 1992 1 1 : 0 0 A .M . to 2 :0 0 PENINSULA PARK YOU MUST ATTEND AT LEAST TOO (21 TRY OUTS DEADLINE FOR SIG N UPS I S MARCH 2 8 . 1 9 9 2 a t 5 : 0 0 P .M .. F o r m s m u s t b e d e l i v e r e d t o 6 2 0 4 N o. M o o r e , P o r t l a n d , K e ith E d w a rd s , P r e s i d e n t ; 2 8 7 -7 3 8 2 C huck W a s h in g to n , C o r r in e P o r t e r , V ic e - P r e s id e n t o f S o f t b a l l ; 2 8 7 -4 4 0 0 S e c r e t a r y ; a n d 2 8 9 - 3 4 0 6 S h i r l e y B e e r s , T eam P l a y e r A REG ISTRA TIO N F E E S : $ 1 5 .0 0 p e r c h i l d $ 2 5 .0 0 p e r f a m i l y P .M . -- L a te R e g i s t r a t i o n s O re g o n 97217. 2 8 4 -4 8 0 5 V ic e - P r e s id e n t; 2 8 9 -8 3 0 6 M a rily n B r i t t o n , g e n t. ) THESE REGISTRATIONS FEES ) ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR C H IL D (R E N )'S BIRTH C E R T IF IC A T E I S REQUIRED. BOUNDARY MAP I xfeAjj&Lt. . a