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Volume X X V Number 7
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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.