P age A3
T he P ortland O bserver • A pril 20, 1994
Award Winning Novelist Caps Black
History Month At Whitman
from the Before Columbus Founda­
Im agine these acclaim ed ac­ tion, and her second novel, “ Disap­
tresses-Angela Bassettt, Halle Berry, pearing Acts,” is currently the top
Alfrec Woodard and Oprahy Winfrey- best-selling novel by a black writer in
-possibly starring as four black, well- America.
She wrote “Mama”, published in
educated career women in the Holly­
1987,
while working as a word pro­
w ood m ovie v ersio n o f T erry
cessor
and raising her son, Solomon,
McMillan’s best seller, Waiting to
the
next
year she was awarded a Na­
Exhale.”
Those four names rolled off tional Endowment for the Arts Fel­
McMillan’s sharp, penetrating tongue lowship in literature. Since then, she
in response to a question, posed at has written columns and reviewed
Whitman College recently, as to who books for the New York Times Book
might play the leading roles in the review, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and
movie version. McMillan, who spoke the Atlanta Constitution.
Despite her stature in literary
at Whitman as part of Black History
Month, is currently working on the circles, McMillan refuses to accept
screen play of “Waiting to Exhale” labels. “I don’t see my self as a spokes­
while writing her next novel, “ A Day woman ,” she told Whitman audience.
“What I am is an African American
Late and A Dollar Short,”
Approximately 350people filled female author. I write stories. The
a Whitman auditorium expecting only thing I hope is that my work
McMillan to read from “Waiting to makes people feel better. If I wanted
Exhale,” which ranks No. 3 on the to be a real spokeswoman, I think I
New York Times hardcover bestseller would have become more visible. I
list. Instead, McMillan introduced would have gone into politics or wrote
parts of her next novel, which is sched­ non-fiction. This is America. People
uled to hit the bookstores in the fall of like to put labels on you,. Just being a
writer isn’t enough. You have to be a
1995.
“A Day Late And A Dollar Short” spokesperson. I’m not that.”
So, who does speak for or about?
opens in the narrative voice of a lov­
ing, 54-year-old African American “I write about African Americans, or
woman living in Las Vegas, reflect­ so-called ‘blackfolks,’ because they’re
ing on her life and relationship with my family and I’m a part of this
herchildren and husband. McMillan’s family.”
McMillan, who now lives out­
message combines sadness and cour­
side
of San Francisco, said she typi­
age, which her aging character cap­
cally
wakes up at around 5am, works
tures from her hospital bed when she
until
her
son gets up for school, smiles
says:
at
him
at
breakfast, waits until he
“What being sick does is make
leaves
the
house, and then resumes
’ you think about your life in ways you
never stopped to think about before. writing, one chapter at a time.
“ E v e ry b o d y w rite s d if f e r ­
This (asthmatic) attack scared me,
and I thought this was the one, but ently, but I w ork in c h a p te rs,” she
apparently, I’m not ready to go no e x p la in e d . “ I w o rk s tr a ig h t
where just y e t I got too much living through. I sta rt out w riting on the
left to do....I’ve got to make me some co m p u ter. W hen I g et enough
big plans. I’ve had enough little ones dow n—the h eart o f the c h a p te r -
then I add the veins. W hen I ’m
to last me the rest of my life.”
M cM illan’s literary credentials w orking on a book, I work on it
are inspiring. Her first novel,“Mama”, every d ay .”
A lready an aw ard -w in n in g
received an American Book Award
ity
D an N guyen -T an
Multnomah County
Library To Host
Celebration Of
W here’s the place to be April 16-
23? Central Library or any one of the
14 neighborhood libraries that make
up the Multnomah County Library
system! That’s when Check It Out!
1994, a week-long, countywide cel­
ebration of libraries -- featuring over
90 special programs at branch librar­
ies as well as “The Main Event” at
Central on April 23 -- happens.
“Check It Out! is a wonderful
opportunity for fam ilies and people of
all ages to visit their library to enjoy
the programs, listen to music, read,
check out books and celebrate this
library that we all love,” says Ginnie
cooper, director of libraries for Mult­
nomah County. “ And the best news is
that all events are free, thanks to the
generous help of our business and
organization sponsors.”
Library visitors during Check It
Out! week can meet Deputy Chief
John Bunnell, TV star of “ American
Detective” and “Cops”, learn how to
save money with coupons; solve the
“Mystery in the Library”; enjoy clown,
magic, ventriloquism, origami, pup­
pets, square dancers, a master gar­
dener, recycling tips, a hobbies fair, a
health and fitness show, story times,
movies, beading, country line danc­
ing, a book discussion group, a com ­
munity talent show, a bike tour, an
overnight pajama party and much,
much more!
P.S. Volunteers arc still needed
to help at library celebration events. If
you’d like to help, call Sami Scripter
at 248-5461.
The National Performance Re-
view completed one of the first total
make overs of a government agency
today when Secretary of the Interior
Bruce Babbitt signed an order re­
structuring the Bureau of Reclama­
tion.
The overhaul eliminates layers
of management, cuts decision mak­
ing time, improves efficiency, and
saves millions of taxpayers’ dollars.
The estimated long-term savings pro­
duced by today’s actions after Fiscal
year 1995 is approximately $40 mil­
lion a year.
Best know for the construction of
such engineering marvels as Hoover
and Grand Coulee dams, Reclama­
tion is the Federal government’s wa­
ter manager in the arid West. It is also
the nation’s largest wholesale water
supplier and sixth largestelectric util­
ity.
“Americans deserve good ser­
vice from their government. Today’s
action shows government can change
to become more responsive to people’s
needs,” said Commissioner of Recla­
mation Daniel P. Beard. “We will be
able to solve today’s water resource
problems while using fewer taxpayer
dollars.”
“Over the last nine months, hun­
dreds of Reclamation employees told
us how we could serve taxpayers bet­
ter. Today, Secretary Babbitt has
adopted those ideas. The reduction in
managerial layers and a new em pha­
sis on decentralized decision making
will have a significant effect on many
federal water programs and policies,”
Beard said.
University of Oregon President
Myles Brand Accepts Position
At Indiana University
Oregon State System of Higher Education Chancellor Thomas A.
Bartlett today released the following statement:
Terry McMillan (third from right) with Whitman College students (left
to right) Anya Corbitt of Albany, OR; Alioune Kane of Senegal, West
Africa; Julie Fong of Santa Maria, Calif.; Veronica Rubalcaba of
Riverside, Calif.; Adrina Tarver of Portland, OR.; and Marsee Banks
of Bremerton, Wash.
(Photo by Ruben Garcia)
novelist, M cM illan hesitates when
a s k e d to c h o o s e th e fa v o rite
am ong the novels she has w ritten.
“I ’m proud o f the stories I ’ve told.
T h e y ’re like k id s—you love all o f
th e m .”
r Wigland
B la c k H is to r y M o n th at
W hitm an was o rg an ized by its
‘Black Student U nion in co o p e ra­
tion w ith Shari C lark e, d irec to r
of M u llk u ltu ra l S tudenl A ffairs
at the college.
L ^ > J onyou^aœ .
Myles Brand, President of the University of Oregon since July 1989,
today informed me that he has accepted the position of President of Indiana
University effective August 1, 1994.
Dr. Brand has been a dynamic, successful president. He has brought
about many changes that have been valuable fot the University of Oregon
and for the Oregon State System of Higher Education.
President Brand has piloted the University of Oregon during a finan­
cially difficult five years, and the institution has come through in sound
condition.
President Brand is leaving to accept the leadership of a very large and
prestigious institution; in many regards, it is at the forefront of American
higher education. We wish him well, and we will miss him in Oregon.
New Summer Tri-Mot Youth Pass Available
You’ll be glad to hear that this
summer Tri-Met will be making it
easier for youth to get around town
AND to the programs you coordinate.
People 18 and under will enjoy un­
limited travel this summer at a bar-
.
g am p n cewbenlh e T n - M e tB o r to f
Directors approves the new summer
youth pass on April 27.
For $35, youth can purchase a
Tri-Met pass good for travel any-
where, anytime in our service area,
during June, July and August. T hat’s
a savings of $37. The special passes
will be available starting May 20 at
participating schools and Tri-M et
sales outlets. We ’re interested in work­
ing with you to identify how you can
use and help distribute “The Pass” to
those you serve. Promotional bro-
chures will be available at the Youth
Summit on Friday, April 29th. For
more information, pleasecontact Beth
Erlendson in our Marketing Depart­
ment at 239-6438.
One of the Northwest Largest Wig Displays
Wigs and Hairpieces For all Nationalities
E va G abor
N aomi S ims
R enee of P aris
SyntheUv or Human Hair
For Braiding & Weeving
1
Mon - Fr. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 - 5:30 pm
N e a r L lo y d C e n te r
[282-1664
JACOB LAWRENCE:
1105
N .E . B r o a d w a y
T H E M IGRATIO N SERIES
McMurphy's
Appliance Center
A ll a b o a rd fo r th e jo u rn e y o f a life tim e . 6 0 p a n e ls , p a in te d s e q u e n ­
tia lly w i t h a c c o m p a n y in g t e x t , w e a v in g t h e ir w a y th r o u g h h is to ry .
S e e n o n ly t w i c e in its e n t i r e t y s in c e 1 9 4 2 , th is s e r ie s p a in t s t h e
p ic tu re a n d te lls t h e s to r y o f th e A fric a n A m e ric a n m ig ra tio n e x p e ­
Washer & D ryer5199“
Refrigerators From 5129“
Friday &
Saturday
8pm-Midnight
Rabbitt Signs Order To Make
Reclamation One Of First
“Reinvented” Agencies
rie n c e fr o m th e S o u th t o th e N o rth . J a c o b L a w r e n c e c o n d u c ts th is
e m o t io n a l v e n t u r e b y e x p lo r in g t h e s u b je c t s o f s e g r e g a t i o n ,
e m p o w e r m e n t , ju s t ic e , f r e e d o m , e d u c a t io n , v o t in g a n d t h e t r i ­
u m p h o f h o p e o v e r a d v e r s ity . C o n s id e re d his m o s t a m b itio u s a n d
Ranges From *129°°
i m p o r t a n t w o r k , " T h e M ig r a t io n S e r ie s " is a n o n - s t o p t r ip t r a n ­
s c e n d in g t im e a n d p la c e t h a t f o r e v e r m o v e s it s p a s s e n g e r s .
Wednesday
Jam Session
featuring Louisiana style
cuisine at its finest
At Bourbon Street wt'rt proud to offer the finest ribs,
freshest seafood, delicious fettucim and blackened
dishes. Enjoy the big screen TV in our lounge
Open Mon. - Fri. 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm
P o r tla n d A r t M u s e u m
A p r il 1 9 -J u n e 12. 1994
F o r in fo r m a tio n c a ll: (5 0 3 ) 2 2 6 -2 8 1 1
Sunday Closed
Ä
P H IL IP
4011 we WIIK
• *280-3233
Sales • Service ♦ Parts
15900 Boones Ferry Road
in Lake Grove, Oregon
636-0017
“ • ee.w. a
M O R R IS
C O M P A N IE S
IN C
K ra ft Q a n e ra l F o o d s
M ille r B r e w in g C o m p s n y
P h ilip
M o r r i s I n t e r n a t i o n a l In c
P h ilip M o r r is U S A
S u p p o r tin g
th e
s p ir it o f in n o v a tio n .