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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1995)
** w 4 •* •* Volume X X V Number 7 «. Serving the community through cultural diversity ®lje Jtnrtlatth ®baeruer Y n m in u n i t y ✓ a l e n ò a i* Record Store Hosts Artist C lassical M illennium , 3150 E. | Burnside, will host classical guitarist ! Christopher Parkening on Monday from I noon to I p.m. Parkening will be on hand to autograph copies o f his many compact discs and cassettes, including his latest release. Camp Fire Recruits Volunteers Camp Fire is now recruiting volun teers to help elementary school children | develop a sense ofcommunity and partic ipate in service projects. Training for the i “A Gift of Giving" program is provided. J Call Nancy Warnock at 224-7800. The YMCA Fitness and Swim Cen ter, 1111 S.W I Oth, offers Beginnings, a class for women whose physical abilities are restricted by weight, age and inactiv ity. The class starts Monday, Feb. 27 and will be held every Monday and Wednes day from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Non- ! members pay a $45 special introduction rate. Harrison In Concert Elmonica Grade School presents pi- anist/composer Michael Allen Harrison performs in a benefit concert for school arts Feb. 24th at 7:30 p.m. at Westview High School Auditorium 4200 N.E. 185th Ave. Admission is free to K-5th grade students and Elmonica parents and $2.50 for others. Les Femmes Tea Planned Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. “Counter the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys” will be the theme o f the Les Femmes Prospective Cavalier Rites o f Passage Tea at the home of Prospective Cavalier Harold Williams, II. The event is spon sored by the Past Cavaliers and hosted by the Senior Prospective Cavaliers. The Cavaliers, will present a program each hour. The Tea is to raise funds for the Cavalier’s fourth annual rites of Passage Ceremony and to give the prospective an opportunity to host potential sponsors before the annual ball. Kevin Fuller is Director of Cavaliers. Black History Observed The Oregon A ssociation O f C ol ored W om en's C lu b 's annual Black History Program and Salad Luncheon will take place Saturday, Feb. 25 from noon to 2 p.m. at the V ancouver Av enue B aptist Church under the d irec tion o f Lillie Raibon. For ticket in form ation call Layola Brown, chair man. at 281 -2304. Winter Lecture Series Maya Angelou. American author, poet and entertainer who is best known forhe strongportrayalsofAfrican-Amer- ican women, presents an evening lecture on March 6th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the I O ’Connell Sport Center Gymnasium at ClarkCollege in Vancouver Generaltick- et price is $25. Student ticket price is $ 10. SUBMISSIONS: Community C alendar information will be given priority if dated two weeks before the event date. .< B J imi J ohnson andisa and Tyeshia Brown are two young sisters that believe in expressing th e m s e lv e s . Age 16 and 14 respectively, these two young ladies are on a mission. While attending school full time, Mandisa and Tyeshia owns and operates and Espresso Cart located in the lobby of the Multnomah County Juvenile Justice Division. These two hard working young ladies share the responsibility of operating the cart while the other is in school. A ninth grader at Grant High School, Tyeshia says that she now looks forward to each day with renewed enthusiasm. She’s excited about completing her school work and getting back to her customers as the Juvenile Justice Division. “Going to work is tun" stated Tyeshia who spent brief period of time incarcerated at the Juvenile facility. After being released, Tyeshia realized that being away from her family was something that hurt deeply and vowed never to return to the juvenile system as a client. W'hile in the “system", Tyeshia said that she was lucky enough to meet people who truly cared for her and had her best interest at heart. One such person was Tyeshia’s coun selor Kate Desmond who encouraged and supported her throughout her ordeal in the Mandisa Brown and her sister Tyeshia Brown court system. Tyeshia and Mandisa grew up in a fam the idea of youth operating their own busi ated business soon became a reality. ily o f six children (all girls) and were raised nesses. Mr. Ogbum and Mr. Poe thought that The Espresso Cart began with six youth by their mother Ms. Vera Lewis. “Raising a this would be a great opportunity to include but soon only two remained, Mandisa and family of six children can be quite trying young people in the system in a positive Tyeshia Brown. “T o be in charge of your own sometimes" stated Ms. Lewis. The one thing manner at an early age. After all, a majority business is something that I’ve always want that’s kept me going is prayer and the love of the offenses committed by youth are be ed to do” stated Mandisa. This has been a that I have for my children as well as the love cause the lack o f money and a connection to great opportunity to learn all about running that they have given me in return. We all something positive in the lives. Mr. Ogbum your own business and manage your financ support one another no matter what happens” gave Willie the “green light” to look into this es” continued Mandisa. continued Lewis. youth entrepreneurial project. As the business enters it’s fourth month The idea o f starting an Espresso Cart Willie and co-worker Nick Buell began (some didn't think it would last two weeks) was the brain Child of Willie Brown, a Juve looking at business opportunities for youth Tyeshia has noticed a change in the attitudes nile Court Program Coordinator at the time. who had at one time or another been involved of their customers. They are treated with He met with Hal Ogbum who was Director of in the juvenile justice system in hopes of more respect and the people look forward to the Juvenile Justice Division at that time and turning their lives around. With the help of seeing them each day. Tyeshia says that it Lolenzo Poe, Director o f Community and Junior Achievement and others in the com hasn’t always been that way, but the friendly family Services to see what they thought of munity. the idea of a youth ow ned and oper and consistent service as well as a good M A free martial arts and self-defense workshop for children, age 612, will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at One With Heart. 4231 S.E. Haw thorne Blvd. Kids will learn about phys ical and verbal self-defense skills and practice a few beginning martial arts movements. To register call 231-1999. Fitness Class For Big Women SECTION EXPRESSIN’ THEMSELVES bs Martial Arts Day For Kids February 15, 1995 product has brought many customers back repeatedly. One thing these two entrepreneurs have learned is that everyone likes good service and is willing to pay for it. “You never know what to expect when you meet different peo ple but they all deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect”, chimed Tyeshia. Tyeshia and M andisa both agreed that their mom is their role model be cause o f the values that she has instilled in them and her unwavering support no m atter what the situation may be. Also M andisa and Tyeshia realizes that they are role m odels to their sisters, esp ecial ly 10 year old M onique. M onique made it quite clear that she looks up to her sisters and loves them dearly. “ W atch ing my sisters achieve their dream makes me so happy and proud o f them , stated Monique. “ Besides mama, they are my heroes” she continued. One o f the highlights that the Brown sisters experienced was meeting Multnomah County Chairperson Beverly Stein and the Board of County Commissioners. “Being up there on the 15th floor made me feel real good stated Tyeshia. “It also made me real ize that anyone who wants something and is willing to work for it can achieve their goals” added Mandisa. Mandisa believes that youth should not be labelled because labels usually hurt young peoples self esteem. They also can give a false impression about another person. Mandisa wants to be an Interior Decorator and start her own business in Design when she finishes school. She feels that getting an early education in business with the Espresso Cart is a great start. Tyeshia said that her ultim ate goal was to get a college degree in Early C hildhood E ducation and w ork with young people to assist them in achieving their goals. “ I want to give som ething back to those who have help me along the w ay” added Tyeshia. Mandisa and Tyeshia has definitely been a bright light at the Juvenile Justice Division and hopes to shine even brighter when the new complex is completed in early spring. Wet Carpets Comes To Firehouse Theatre rofessional theatre comes to north Portland’s Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center for the w est coast prem ier of Carpets.” The comedy/drama is the final produc tion o f the Oregon Stage Co.’s 1994-95 sea son. Performances started last weekend and run through March 4. “Wet Carpets” is about the mid-life cri ses o f three sisters on the occasion o f “their” daughter's graduation fonn high school. It is a warm and hilarious story o f intelligent, witty and passionate women; a story rich in surprises and captures the spirit and tradi tions o f an African-American family. Playwright Marian X was awarded a New Professional Theatre Playwriting Award in New York in 1992 for the script. Oregon Stage Co.’s production features Jeanette Russell Brown as Nedra Nelson; Merrilyn Jones as Tutelia Nelson and Wanda Walden as Camille Nelson. “Their" daugh ter, Darlene is played by Abigail Lawrence, a Portland State University theatre major who recently appeared in Letters From Dis tant Men. Curtain times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday Feb 19 and Feb 26. Tickets for regular perfor mances are $ 17. Friday and Saturday shows P Moose Honored Portland Police Chief Charles Moose was honored this week with a “Valentine for Valor” award from the Concordia Com munity Assistance Program, an organiza tion affiliated with Concordia College in northeast Portland. Annual Valentine for Valor awards recognize distinguished peo ple who demonstrate courage, a willing ness to take risks to improve their commu nity and outstanding leadership abilities. The organization cited Moose’s national reputation as an expert in community polic ing and in other solutions to neighborhood problems throughout Portland “Wet Capturing the spirit and traditions of an African-American family are Merrilyn Jones Bussell Brown who star in "Wet Carpets, ' now showing at the Interstate Firehouse (from left), Wanda Walden and Jeanette Cultural Center. are $ 19. There is a $2 discount for students, seniors and groups of 12 and more Student group-only performances are also planned. Tickets may be purchased in advance at any Fred Meyer Fastixx outlet or by calling Child Safety Seat Law Enforced Portland Police said they will emphasize enforcement o f child restraint violations this week as part o f a National Child Passenger Safety Week observance Whileall patrol officers will be involved, traffic division officers will have special de tail cars assigned to the enforcement effort, authorities said Drivers not in compliance with the Jaw may be cited for endangering a child passen ger. The law requires that passengers under the age o f 16 must be restrained by a child safety system, safety belt or safety harness. Chi Idren under four years of age or 40 pounds or less, must be secured by a Department of Transportation approved child safety sys tem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 52,000 serious injuries and almost 500 deaths could be prevented if every child under the age of 5 was secured in an approved safety seat. For additional information on safety seats or the enforcement program, contact officer Mike McDonald or the police bu reau’s traffic division at 823-2235. Fastixx at 224-8499. The firehouse theatre is located at 5340 N Interstate Ave. Portland Center Stage Andrea Marcovicci Cabaret Singer And Actress To Present Concert O f Love Songs. In A Benefit For Portland Center Stage Andrea Marcovicci, hailed as the most Sinatra-like’ of the new generation ot cabaret performers (LIFE magazine. 1990), will be presenting a concert titled “Love Songs from the Theatre" a, the Portland C enter for the Performing Arts. Intermediate Theatre on Monday. April 3 1995,7:30pm.
