«r î>\ ♦ Committed to Cultural Diversity »**■» «. www.portlandobserver.eom December 22, 1999 (Elu' ^ o rtía n h (©bserüer w n u i m u n ito a I r i t î> a r (ü SECTION « B Grant awarded to Concordia University by U.S. Bank Winter Break I I When schools close their doors for Winter Break, many youth-serving organizations will open their doors to keep kids active and involved. The Police Activities League (PAL)YouthCenterat424NE 172nd will be open to youth ages eight through high school for recreation, sports, arts & crafts, movies, reading, and special classes, December23,27,28,29,30,from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. cost is $20 for a youth membership which lasts through June 9,2000; or free to PAL members. of Scientology g hurch azaar The Church o f Scientology o f Portland will have a Christmas bazaar, the last for this holiday season on W ednesday, December22 from 11 a.m. to4p.m. at2636 NE Sandy Blvd. Come find that last little needed item while you still can. All proceeds will go to a local charity. For more information, call 963-8121. Concordia University has been awarded a $10,000 grant from U.S. Bank to provide scholarships for N.E. Portland residents. Concordia provides scholarship aid to 85% o f its students. Grants from the U.S. Bank allow the University to select needy students from N.E Portland who show special promise, and provide additional aid, that frequently makes the difference, in allowing them to attend Concordia. C o n d o rd ia’s president, D r.-C h a rle s-E . Schimpert, said, “We are delighted to partner with U.S. Bank in making University education a reality for deserving students. In the past year the U.S. Bank grant made a significant difference in the lives o f several promising young people.” Concordia University was one o f seventy- four non-profit organizations that received recent grants from U.S. Bank in the bank’s third round o f funding this year, which focused on education and community development. “U.S. Bank is committed to working with non­ profit organization that have positive impacts on communities throughout Oregon, “ Said John Rickman, President U.S. Bank. “We are proud to be a partner w ith Concordia University and congratulate them for the way they provide quality education to Oregon stu d e n ts.” M ore th an 130 n o n -p ro fit organizations were awarded U.S Bank grants this year. Concordia University is the only four-year college or university, in N. E. Portland. It has an enrollment o f 1,150. It offers quality programs in teacher education, management, theology and a variety o f liberal arts areas. Additional information about programs and financial aid can be obtained by calling the Admissions Office at(503) 280-8501. From lefl to right: Robert Boyer, member o f Concordia University o f Board o f regents, Linda Wright, Vice President Community Relations at U.S. Bank, and Frederick D Kramer, asst. to president o f Concordia University. ZooLights Festival The ZooLights Festival at the Oregon Zoo, a Metro facility, runs every evening through January 2, except December 24 and 25. Kennedy school gets high marks K u n g F u f o r k id s Auditioning for the Camera TASO is offering “Auditioning for the Camera” on January 8 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Learn the skills to successfully a u d itio n for film , te le v isio n and commercials. Tuition is $50 and space is still available for this valuable workshop. For more information, call 725-3526. t w anzaa Gala and s Ball 5 entleman The B ridge B uilders Third A nnual Kwanzaa Gala and Gentlemen’s Ball will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 26 at the Portland Marriott Hotel, located at 1401 S W Naito Parkway (formerly Front Avenue). Last year, more than 700 community residents attended the second annual Kwanzaa Gala and Gentlemen’s Ball. For more information about Bridge Builders and the Kwanzaa Gala and Gentlemen’s Ball. Please call at 503/285- 1165. N atural Lectures i H ealth A series o f free lectures organized around the classical Chinese triad o f Heaven, Earth and Human Beings will be presented by Todd Luger, a licensed acupuncturist. Learn also how Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with the prevention and treatment o f PMS, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, Infertility and Cervical Dysplasia. The series oflectures will begin on Tuesday, January 11 from 7-8 PM. Seating is limited. Call 503/526-0397 to register. Methane Gas On Thursday, January 6 at 7 PM, the DEQ staff will provide information on plans to install a new system for collecting methane gas at the former Killingsworth Fast Disposal site at NF. Killingsworth Street and NE 75,h Avenue. Other topics to be discussed include the site’s history, landfill gas generation and monitoring, landfill gas collection system operation, and potential new uses for the 24-acre site. For more information, contact Joe Mollusky at 229-6744. Vaudeville Revisited Step back into yesteryear with Vaudevi 1 le Revisited! On January 7,8,13,14, and 15 at 8 PM, Portland State University theater arts students rediscover their roots in this wonderfully creative salute to Vaudeville. The stage on SW Broadway & Market in Lincoln Halls studio theatre (Rm. 115) is glowing warmly with old fashion foot lights, as the actors don grease paint and crack old jokes. $3 is the suggested donation. Call 725-3526. Children take advantage o f the free martial arts classes offered to build their bodies, minds and souls. Free Martial Arts classes for community youths CUMRlRLTtDilQRÏ Through a collaboration between Lutheran Inner City Ministries and Kyle Alexander, black belt in Mo Duk Pai Kung Fu, free martial arts classes have been made available for children aged 8 through 15 right here in our community. Open to both boys and girls o f all races, spiritual disciplines, and physical abilities, classes are held twice weekly Mondays from 4:15 pm to 5:15, and Wednesdays from 3:30 pmto4:15. " There are many benefits from training martial arts," comments Mr. A lexander." Increased focus, improved health, added confidence, and an understanding o f committment and respect are among them." One o f the first programs o f its sort in the country, children involved in Kung Fu for kids have a unique opportunity to experience quality martial arts instruction as well as to blow off steam in a safe, supervised, and fun after school setting. To register your child, or for more information, please call Anthony Vece at 281 -7036. After two years o f operation, what do neighbors think o f McMenamin’s Kennedy School, and the decision to make it a theater, brew pub, bed and breakfast and meeting facility? By general consensus, the answer remains: the best choice under the circumstances, and worth the price. “The McMenamin brothers have created a facility th a t’s an asset not ju st to the neighborhood, but to the entire city,” former Concordia Neighborhood Association chair Ron Fossum says. The Concordia neighborhood wrestled with the issue o f what to do with the deteriorated, historic former school at 5718 N.E. 33rd Ave. in 1995. At Concordia’s instigation the city acquired the property from the Portland School District as part o f a larger exchange o f money and land among several jurisdictions. The city set the first test: the new use had to be something that could support itself, independent o f city funds; a new public community center was not in the cards Other goals that emerged from a citizen task force and a senes o f community meetings were: to save as much of the building as possible; to make at least part ofit available for community use; to make it “an asset to the neighborhood” in both its design and activities; to avoid converting the property to housing ifpossible. This last eliminated six o f 11 proposals submitted when the Portland Development Commission requested redevelopment plans. O f the rest, Brian and Michael McMenamin’s (Please see 'K ennedy' page 2) The Portland Observer takes west coast awards BY [ IK. S I A M UlLlltPoRlLAMD_OB51.RYtR The Portland Observer and its Publisher and Editor in Chief Charles Washington were the proud recipient o f several national awards in a newspaper competition against many other black publications. Five ofthe awards were as follow s 1*' place in Best Prom otional Advertising, 2nd place for Best Sports Section, 2nd place for Best News Story, 2nd place for Best Entertainment Section, and 2nd place for General Excellence. The 16"’ Annual West Coast Black Publishers A ssociation (W CBPA ) convention held recently at the Monte Carlo Resort in Las Vegas. Nevada, brought high praise from attending delegates and corporate sponsors for its substantive program o f workshops. ) speakers and special events. There were several meaningful moments during the four day gathering which was highlighted by the passing o f the gravel from the outgoing President, Brian Townsend, Publisher o f the San Bernardino Precinct Reporter, to the newly elected President, Cloves Campbell, Jr., Co-Publisher o f the Arizona Informant. T ow nsend was honored by his fellow publishers for his excellent leadership, vision and dedication for the past four years, according to Campbell, "W e are very pleased with the direction that Brian has taken our association. He has unlocked new programs and brought a special enthusiasm which has bridged resources in the com m unity.” Chuck Washington, publisher editor in ch iefo/T he Portland Observer, is shown with John J. Oliver, president o fth e National Newspaper Publishers Association. (Please see 'Awards* on page 3) I I