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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1996)
Volum e X X V I, N um ber 50 C om m itted to cultural diversity. We Do More Than Grab Loose Balls! Phuture Flava, Volume 1 TradBlazer Ball Boys Andrew Gilbo, Ronnie Geawood, J.R. Shockley, and Thomas Moyer. RCA Records debuts the first o f an anticipated continuing series o f black music compilations. See Metro, page BI. December 11. I*>»><» New Shirley Caesar project Outreach Convention Choir recording marks a first for Caesar. See Entertainment, page B3. See Religion, page BS. ) r ■ ' - ■ - F ra n c e s ___ _ :.-f- n .n ..r c li v e r s i t y o f ig e n e , O re g o r M 03 7 ic a n x a u l!)!fti i s c o m in g Simpson jury sees new evidence Jurors in the O.J. Simpson wrongful death civil trial saw some new evidence today over the objections of Simpson’s lawyers. The defense law yer were caught off guard by a videotape that was intro duced into evidence by attorneys for the families suing Simpson. The footage showed a gap in dense foliage near the spot where a bloody glove was found on Simp son’s estate. The glove matched one found near the bodies of Simpson’s murdered former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. The video tape seemed to back up the theory that Simpson secretly cl imbed over the fence to get back on his estate after committing the murders. 100,000 still don’t have power Some 100,000 households are still with out power more than three days after storms roared through New England, burying the region in snow and rain and killing five people. Some 650 emergency crews from Canada, New York, New Jersey and Penn sylvania are working around the clock trying to restore power to various New England utilities’ customers. The storms on Friday and Saturday blanketed the re gion with up to 24 inches of heavy, wet snow that felled treesand powerlines. With temperatures dropping into the low 20s, the melting snow froze, making it more difficult for crews to reach fallen powerlines. Texans Vote for Representatives Texas voters returned to the polls Tues day in special congressional run-off elec tions to fill the final three seats in the U.S. House. Poll-watchers are monitoring vot ing in two counties where blacks were harassed in early voting that ended last week and allegations of voter fraud were lodged against the campaign of freshman Republican Rep. Steve Stockman. BFL Children proudly display their Kwanzaa tapastry. by H information centers and co-activity coordi nators for Kwanzaa. The BEC has been in this role since its origination 26 years ago. The BEC is a neighborhood based, com munity funded grade school. Its focus is to orientate children from the perspective of truth: The originators of civilization, and high technology were of African decent. Oth ers in the human family who came later, benefltted from their foundation This particular education benefits all stu dents who attend based on the proper order of human achievement.Kwanzaa is traditional ly celebrated from December 26, through January I annually. “Snow Queen”: a paper cutting for the stage I I Is t e n ...” Hans C h ristian Andersen would say as he be- * J gan his stories. His hands were busy creating fanciful images with pa per and scissors, while children eagerly anticipated the unfolding. Inspired by these intricate cuttings. Other Hand Productions puts paper creations in motion in this classic story. Using a unique form of puppet theater called “Czeck Black”, a curtain of light illu minates a world where puppets dance, float and disappear. Writer and composer, Jodi Eichelberger researched at Andersen's home in Odense, Denmark and his music reflects the classical and folk music traditionsof Andersen’s home land. Mary Harrison, designed the puppet char acters with European paper cutting tech niques, crafting each one from paper and The Supreme Court is poised to decide whether a state can legally confine danger ous sex offenders to mental institutions after they serve their prison sentences. The nine justices heard arguments in a chal lenge to a Kansas law by a convicted, repeat child molester. His lawyer argued that a state cannot constitutionally contin ue confinement once the prison sentence has been served because that amounts to permanent punishment. Federal health officials have stepped into one of the most contentious issues in medical ethics. The Department of Health and Human Services has opened three days of hearings into whether the federal government should regulate how to allo cate livers for transplants. Livers for trans plants are in short supply, with about 4,000 available each year for 7,000 people who are waiting. Last year, 800 people died while waiting for a new liver. A key issue is whether there should be a national wait ing list. derived from the Swahili language of East Africa. Kwanzaa means “First Fruits of the Harvest.” The concept was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1965. Dr. Karenga’s motivation for the ob servance was a desire for African-Americans to create customs that reflect their true culture.Kwanzaa is a time to enjoy family and friends, share food and exchange pre sents. It is a wonderful way to foster unity, teach, and learn about World History, and black culture.Here in Portland, the Black Educa tion Center (BEC), and the Interstate Fire house Cultural Center (IFCC)are the offlcial oliday cultural celebration is rapidly changing in the United States. Portland, Oregon is not an exception. A fat red-nosed santa is no longer politi cally correct in 1996. What is it to the Ger man, the Chinese, and the Islander, the Con tinental African, or the ever evolving Afri can-American? In the next two issues we will explore what this period means to many people. The focus opens with a holiday ritual known as Kwanzaa . It is a burgeoning Afri can-American celebration. The word itself is Sex predator law weighed Transplant debate begins F red H embri There are seven principles of Kwanzaa. Each day over this period coincides with one principle Beyond observance, the partici pants endeavor to physically exercise these aspects throughout the year. Kwanzaa is a time to reflect and pledge anew positive actions for the coming year. The principles are as follows: ♦ Bmoja—Work to keep families. communi ty. and people together ♦ Kujichagulia (coo-je-cha-goo-U-aahj— S elf Determination For Africans to person ally stand to define culture, names, and cus toms fo r self. ♦ Ujinta (oo-jee-ma)—Collective work and Responsibility. To work as one to care fo r their community and to solve their prob lems. ♦ Ujamaa (oo-ja-nia)-Cooperative Eco nomics, joint entreprenurialism, and patron age o f these businesses. By doing this, the black community will benefit monetarily from it. ♦ Nia—Purpose. To strive to make the com munity as strong as possible ♦ Kuunibu (koo-oom -ba)-t 'reativity. Afri can-Americans should do as much as they can to uniquely beautify their homes and community. ♦ tm uni—Faith To strive to believe in self, and the great worth o f african people as a whole. A series of community events will be commence in practical observance Kwanzaa. An Art exhibit will be featured by: Charlotte Lewis, Adrianne Cruz, and the students of the BEC. It is on display at the IFCC through the end of December. Both Cruz- and Lewis are very well re spected multi-medium artists. They blend these different techniques into a wonderful tapestry ofcolor and spirit. The joint work is for sale. Special pieces will be available by closed bid only. All events will serve as fund raisers for the BEC. The Kwanzaa Community Project urges all members of the Portland Community to experience the festivities and gatherings of this most colorful of holiday tradition. For further event listings call: IFCC Com munity Project (503) 823-2000, or the Black Educational Center at: (503) 284-9552. paper products: Gerta, who loves flowers, has hair made from paper which contains Marigold seeds, for instance The styles of script, music, and perfor mance are as delicately balanced as a snow flake. Tickets are available by calling the Tapes try Theatre Box Office at 245-6919. Adult tickets are $8.50 and children tickets are $6.50. Group discounts are also available. Performances will take place at the Miracle Theatre located at 525 SE Stark. The show opens on Friday, January IOth at 7:30 p.m.; continues Saturdays at 11:00 a m. and 2:00 p.m.; and Sundays 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Portland's Leikarringen will feature Danish folk dances before the show on opening night and at other select performances. There will also be a lobby exhibit displaying items from the Danish and Scandinavian cul tures. Other Hand Productions unfolds a story of friendship and steadfast love Girl Scouts Serve The Homeless Christmas Morning very year since 1988, Girl Scouts Scout community to teach their families the have been collecting clothing, real meaning of Christmas as they start the preparing personal kits, coordi day by helping others less fortunate before nating food and volunteering their opening time their own gifts. Participating in this to serve breakfast to Portland's home tradition makes you appreciate what you less on Christmas morning. have so much more,” says Columbia River E TheColumbia RiverGirl ScoutCouncil’s annual Breakfast for the Homeless began as a Gold Award project eight years ago when a senior Girl Scout saw a need in her commu nity and did something about it “The breakfast is a great way for parents, grandparents and other members o f the Girl EDITORIAL HEALTH A2 A4 EDUCATION A5 Girl Scout director of Membership support Linda Lagoy. Girl Scout volunteers dedicate their Christ mas morning to helping others and to pro moting the value of giving. Girl Scouts begin setting up at 5:30 a m. Christmas morning in Pioneer Courthouse CHRISTMAS A6 ARTS & ENT. B3 Square to serve breakfast from 7:00 a m. to 10:00 a.m. This year’s menu will include eggs, pastries, muffins, coffee and hot choc olate. Leftovers are distributed to local shel ters and tables are broken down from 11 a.m. to noon. Last year 250 homeless people attended the breakfast. Girl Scouts distribute fliers around the Portland metropolitan area to let homeless people know the Girl Scouts are donating goods and serving a hot meal at the Square. In addition to Girl Scout volunteers, adults, family and community members participate at the breakfast, greeting guests, helping to serve food and find the right size clothing, singing carols and listening as guests share stories. ’ The Columbia River Girl Scout Council continues to prepare girls to be their best The Homeless Breakfast is one event through which Girl Scouts continue their tradition of service to the community. To volunteer to help with the Homeless Breakfast or to make a contribution, call 1- 800-338-5248 or (503) 620-4567. BUSINESS RELIGION B4 B5 CLASSIFIEDS B6
