-X ’ UM • « • . * ' ‘ »2 < . ■ lm P or i la n d O bserver • M arch Z-'fTr<g - P agi A3 5, 1997 W a itin g C h ild r e n Matthew and Michael are dash ing and spirited African-Ameri- can/Caucasian brothers. They are two of over 300 Or egon children waiting for an adop tive home. Like many siblings, these two enjoy a remarkably close relation ship. As best buddies, they spend quality time playing with one an other. Whether its tiding bikes, ma neuvering toy cars or frolicking with the neighborhood children. Matthew and Michael have extra reserves of drive and go-power These brothers will be respon sive to parent(s) who can lovingly provide them with adequate super vision and attention. They’re a ter rific pair! Oregon agencies waive or re duce fee for the adoption of Oregon’s children in state care. Matthew and Michael, ages 10 and 7 and pre-adoption trainings are of fered statewide. To learn more about adoption and the children awaiting homes. contact The Special Needs Adop- tion Coalition at 1 he Boys and Curls Aid Society . (503) 222- 9661. Work Force Training anticipated Continued from Metro ♦ pool their resources,” he added, not ing that “instead o f spending $300- 400 to send one person to a class, it could be lowered to only $100.” These grants could go to newly established consortia to cover their initial organization costs, he said Priority would be given to such groupings of businesses that include employees and their representatives in the design and implementation ot the programs. Tailored training packages would be available. The training provided under this legislation would not replace estab lished state-certified joint labor- management education and train ing program. Some o f the funding might be used for building training centers, he noted. Federal participa tion in funding would be likely. “Oregon must shift to a service, information and communication- based economy in which high qual ity, skilled workers and advanced technology are the critical factors of production to continue to be com petitive in today’s global economy,” said Apgar. “This means work orga nizations must restructure the work in ways that permit highly skilled Oregon workers to become produc tive. Another key point of the legisla tion is to promote development of industry and skill standards, avoid ing duplication of effort. The Em ployment Department would take a lead role in most of the provisions of the legislation, with the governor’s office, the Office of Economic De velopment Department (OEDD) of Education and the Office of Com munity College services acting as partners in the effort. In some cases guaranteed train ing loans would be available through OEDD These would include train ing program administration and de velopment expenses; course mate rial development,; acquisition and installation costs; trainer salaries and employee wages, tuition, fees and expenses; and other education re lated or job training expenses. Apgar called the employer-based training “an essential vehicle for economic and technical change.” “The ability of Oregon's employ ers and employees to respond rap idly to these changes will determine the state’s adaptability and competi tiveness,” he added. Apgar said Rep. Wooten is in the process of seeking co-sponsors for the bill and is likely to attract support from several Portland legislators who have already expressed a strong de sire for training legislation. Apgar said Senate President Brady Adams and state Labor Com missioner Jack Roberts were lean ing towards supporting it Rep Mar garet Carter is seeking federal fund ing to create a pilot program for training unemployed Black and His panic men to pay them a stipend while they train. She is also looking for legislation to promote hiring of at-risk young people. She said she would support The Oregon Labor and Industry' Training Act. Similar legislation was approved by the state senate when it was con trolled by the Democratic Party in 1993, but did not get the nod from the Republican led House. In 1995, it “never even made it out of the House,” said Apgar. “There seems to be more bi-parti san support in 1997,” he said, citing extensive media coverage of the search by employers for trained work ers. “Getting people into the job market and then moving them up with greater skills is a great selling point," said Apgar Apgar said co-sponsors in the Senate include Kate Brown (D-Port- land). Sue Cast iI Io( D-Eugene), Avel Gordly (D-Portland) and Randy Leonard (D-Portland). Supporters in the House include Lee Beyer (D- Springfield), Margaret Carter (D- Portland), Barbara Ross (D-Corval- lis) and Tom Whelan (D-Salem). Kids & Drugs on Hawthorne Unfortunately none of the kids in question showed-up so about 10 of us adults sat around and had a good talk about the issue. Several mem bers of the group think kids feel hopeless and don’t participate Some of us fear many have now been scared off by a recent drive-by shooting at Roots R evolution Records on Belmont Street. (It’s a miracle no one was hurt or killed, two bullets were shot through the front window Monday (2/17), about 5 p.m. As far as we know the police do not have any suspects in custody). Floyd Landrath (235-4524). di rector o f the A nti-P rohibition League, speculated this incident could be related to anti-drug groups, or independent vigilantes. Mr. Landrath also pointed out the bibli cal injunction about violence begets more violence; he implied that re cent use offeree by the police against kids at Coffee People may have acted as a green-light to those individuals who live to hate, or just get paid to. Mr Landrath also criticized local ABC affiliate. KATU-TV for sensa tionalizing “drugs” and trivializing the issue of homeless youth in our community. “They didn’teven men r* w?L>*iÎÂk*^ RT’ tion the drive-by, a drive-by that could have easily taken a young life. I guess that shows how much KATU really cares about kids, they have to get killed before they become news worthy,” Landrath said. Paul McAdams (731-2555), a league volunteer, recounted being hit over the head one night a few weeks ago on I lawthorne by a group of men who kept saying “We’re go ing to get the slackers out of here.” No one was quite sure what that means, but it obviously has to do with people this group considers undesirable. As with the drive-by we know of NO arrests Of course there is more than one issue here and there was general agreement that bigger social issues, like “drugs” and violence for ex ample, are major contributing fac tors to the problems we see here in our community. It as also agreed that “drugs” represent the biggest single "change” (for the worse) from the days when most of us were the age of the kids we are now talking about The group seemed to favor a sug gestion from Jonathan Cook (233- 8111), a program supervisor from Yellow Brick Road (a local youth program), that more effort be put on “out-reach” to kids on the street. Mr. Cook talked about programs con ducted downtown that go out on the streets and gives kids information about where they can go if they need help. Everyone agreed something like that was needed here too. No one disagreed that youth must be treated with respect and dignity if adults expect it in return. Our mes sage to kids must be "we care about you.” Mr. Cook also mentioned that Harry’s Mother (a local youth shel ter) was going to use a vacant lot in the neighborhood to set up a veg etable garden and local youth might also be able to get involved. He’ll follow-upand let us know next week. Bruce Chaser (23 8-0143), a mem- berofthe Hawthorne Blvd Business Association, received unanimous support for the idea of a “ Y outh Care House." Next “ Kids & Drugs on Haw thorne" Meeting is Tuesday Feb 25 7:30 p.m at the Phantom Gallery. 3125 Se Belmont Street. Portland: Sponsored by the American Anti- Prohibition League. Living trust mills shut down Attorney General Hardy Myers today warned Oregon’s senior citi zens of unscrupulous salespersons selling living trusts and announced that two "living trust mills" have agreed to cease operating in Or egon and to reimburse victims As surances of Voluntary Compliance today were filed in Marion County Circuit Court against Jim Wirth ot Eugene and his company Estate Preservation Consultants and Lib erty Trust & Associates of Sacra mento, California. No violation of law was admitted. “Estate planning is a serious subiect which should be handled by competent Oregon lawyers who have expertise in the area,” Myers said. “Salespersons who are not competent to give advice on com plex legal documents are selling living trust and creating financial time bombs ” Wirth, a non-lawyer, targeted homeowners 60 years of age and older by using contact lists gener offering information on how to avoid probate by buying living trusts often are followed up by high-pres- sure door-to-door sales Booths at state and county fairs and senior expositions also offer living trusts. “only a skilled attorney familiar with estate planning can tell you whether, on the whole, a living trust is right for you, your family, and your assets.” Myers said “1 oo often, we have seen seniors with small estates buy expensive living trusts when simple wills would have accomplished what they needed." Since March of 1995. the Depart ment o f Justice has initiated 34 civil investigations into living trust sales. Consumers can request com plaint forms and information on living trusts by calling the Attor ney General's consumer hotline at (503) 378-4320 or (503) 229-5576 (Portland only) or write Financial Fraud, 1162 Court Street. N.E., Salem. Oregon 97310 ated by mailers sent to the Eugene and Bend areas. Consumers returned the mailers indicating they wanted information on living trusts. Wirth sold approximately 100 trusts. Wirth agreed to not sell living trusts in Oregon He also paid the Department of Justice $ 1,250 for its Consumer Education Fund and $5.000 to be used for restitution to consumers who purchased living trusts and who complain to the De partment within the next 60 days. Non-lawyers representatives of Liberty Trust & Associates sold more than 30 living trusts to Oregon se niors in Dallas. Albany. Grants Pass and other communities. Owner Rob ert Brogan of Citrus Heights, Cali fornia agreed to not sell living trusts in Oregon and has one year from today to reimburse victims. Senior citizens are specifically targeted by living trust companies using advertisements in magazines and newspapers offering free semi nars or workshops. Mail promotions F un , F ood &. Music T he T ower of P ower C oming M arch 22 nd at the C hinooic W I nds Casino at Lincoln City Join Us M arch 22nd for... • Music, Fun & Games (3:00 p.m. Shuttle) • Or Just Fun & Games (1 1:00 a.m. Shuttle) Leaving from 4747 N.E. MLK Jr. Blvd./The Portland Observer Free Butter with Paid Tour Ticket Tour Ticket with Concert Included #30.00 Each or Two for $55.00 Tour Ticket without Concert $10.00 Each or Two tor $1 5.00 For more information contact Danny at 288-003 3 Tickets avaialahle at FAST1XX 1 -800-99 2-T IXX, and The Portland Observer Sponsored in part by C h inook W in d s and ¿Elii’ JJovfkiiiti (Dlierruer newspaper It » ■ ♦ * - Grand Opening Celebration March 13, 14 & 15th at 432 N. E. Killingsworth, the cross street is Martin Luther King Blvd. (MLK). Now there’s a BLIMPIE® restaurant in your neighborhood! We use only quality meats and cheeses for the tastiest subs in town. Come in and enjoy the BLIMPIE® difference. ♦ During, the Grand Opening we will offer drawings and prizes, face painting clowns, balloons and Buy One 6 " regular Sandwich get one Free. The restaurant is open Mon.-Thurs. 10am to 12pm., Fri.-Sat. 10am-2am and Sunday 1 lam-11pm. Mayor Katz proclaims “George Bell Day” George Bell has several years under his belt as a high-voltage ex ecutive at the B onneville Power Administration. But he's not just a conductor of electric ity, he’s a maestro behind many scenes in Portland’s arts, cul ture. and community networks These are just two reasons why Portland Mayor Vera Katz is honoring Bell with the procla mation of Feb. 27 as "George Bell Day.” In her proclamation. Katz rec ognized B ell’s “long d is tin guished service at the Bonneville P ow er A d m in is tra tio n " and “praised the contributions of the strong...men and women who have paved the road of opportunity for all.” After 32 years, Bell worked his way up from a design engineer to senior vice president at BPA. where he manages more than 1.900 employees in the transmission ser vices department. The secret to his success? “Well there arc five.” he says. “Come early and stay late. Don't be afraid of any task Steer clear of unneeded confrontation. And, pre- sume everyone wants to do a good job - that will make you friends and supporters. Finally, stimulate and motivate other to wards results.” His palate of culture-enhanc ing volunteer activities includes serving as Chairman of the Port land Center for the Performing Arts advisory committee, Port land Center Stage Theatre Com pany board of directors, the Lake- wood Center for the Arts board of directors, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council board ot directors. SUBS « S41ADS BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE Free Regular 6" BLIMPIE® Sub Sandwich with the purchase of any Sub Sandwich of equal or greater value. Please present this coupon betor ordering Not valid it altered or duplicated One order per coupon One coupon per customer per visit. Customer must pay any sales tax due Not good in combination with any other offer. Cash value 1/100 of 1C Offer expires 4/1/97 Offer good at: I&a>Jheuttrfu£>1Àinf. T I I I I I I I I I FREE DRINK AND CHIPS Free 22 oz. drink and regular bag of chips with the purchase of any 6" or larger BLIMPIE® Sub Sandwich. (Value Menu not included.) Please present this coupon befor ordering Not valid if altered or duplicated One order per coupon One coupon per customer per visit Customer must pay any sales tax due Not good in combination with any other otter Cash value 1/100 ot 1e Otter expires 4/1/97 Otter good at: Id