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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2004)
Page A2 (EFje Jìnrtlanò ODbseruer Search Narrows continued from Front March 03,2004 Local Business Promotes Max Safety A contract to address security and public safety issues on the new Interstate Max light rail line in north Portland has Daniel LaVista been extended for a local business. CEC, Inc., 8245 N. Interstate, has been in charge of public safety and security during construction of the 5.8-mile line front the Rose Quarter to the Expo Center. The company, owned by Charles Cais son, an African American, is now provid ing education services to address safety James Middleton issues for kids in nearby schools and daycare centers. Caisson is helping local kids learn the U niversity o f Iow a. F orm er PC C President Jesus “Je ss” C arreon left the college in July. T he board hopes to have the district p resident po si tion filled by late M arch, w ith a start date in July. P o r tla n d C o m m u n ity serves I OO.(MX) students and o p e ra te s th re e c o m p re h e n s iv e cam p u ses, including the C a s cad e C am p u s in north P o rt land, along w ith five w orkforce train in g and ed u catio n centers, a sm all business d evelopm ent c e n te r and ed u catio n outlets in h u n d red s o f co m m u n ity and b u sin ess locations. dangers surrounding the tracks. Because the trains are quick and quiet they can surprise someone not looking both ways when approaching the line. Bill Bruce of Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., project manager for the Max construction, said Caisson’s firm has done of great job of keeping security during the construc tion and addressing public safety issues. TriMet recently hosted the first ride along theentire Interstate Max line. About 160 guests attended the “First Ride to Expo” event, including elected officials area business owners and area residents. The running of test trains will continue on the line as Tri-Met prepares for a May 1 grand opening. photo by M ark W ashington /T hf : P ortland O bserver Darryl Peterson o f CEC, Inc. (from left), Bill Bruce, Interstate Max project manager for Stacy and Witbeck General Engineering and Contractors, and Charles Caisson, owner o f CEC, a north Portland inspection and safety business, pause during a recent celebration marking the Interstate Max's first ride to the Expo Center. The line opens to the public in May. Moonstar Beams with Energy Since M oonstar opened its doors in December at 7 4 1 O N E . M artin Luther King Jr. Blvd., patrons have been enjoying the elegant lounge and family res taurant rivaling any downtown bistro. Moonstar is enticing the neigh borhood to sample its all-Ameri can soul food and full bar at a grand opening party from 8 p.m. to close on Friday, March 5. The night will feature free ap petizers and specials, no cover charge, festive decor and live music with The Noah Peterson Soul'Tet and DJ Breeze. Moonstar has a conference room for private parties and meet ings and happy hour specials seven days a week foom4:30to7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. to close. Deejays spin jazz, blues and clas sic rhythm and blues five days a week, with live shows on Fridays. Well-known northeast Port land entrepreneur Jack Chung is the ow ner o f M oonstar and Yosief Embaye is the general manager. Chef A1 Brinson cooks up adi verse and tantalizing menu, sure to please nibblers and din ers alike. For more information, call 503- 285-1230. A Man with Answers continued TALK RADIO W eekdays 7:30-9 a m with REAL PEOPLE FROM your COMMUNITY R&B, SOUL & W eekdays 7 -9 p m HIP HOP JAZZ, AFR0TAINMENT, HIP HOP & MORI- SATURI) AYS 4 - 1 1 PM O ffice : 503-231-8032 C ali the 0J! 503-231-8187 W W W .KBOO.FM C ommunity R adio from Front ancing o u t p o p u la tio n and a c h ie v e m en t d is p a ritie s at schools on Portland’s east and west side. “If you have (a surplus of ) buildings on the eastside, and overcrowding on the westside, how do you attract west side stu dents to eastside schools?” he asked. Poe explained the district’s need to feature special focus pro gram s, in c lu d in g language emersion instruction and top rate teachers in eastside schools. “Had we done that with Meek, we would still have that school for community kids," said Poe, referring to Meek Elementary School in northeast Portland, which closed last May because of budget cuts and low enroll ment. Poe and Derry Jackson, the other African American on the school board, were the only board members voting against closing Meek. MOONSTAR B ar & G rill GRAND OPENING C ome C elebrate w ith us With four newly-elected school board members, Poe speculated that the elementary school would have remained open had the vote taken place today. “I believe the new board would have considered a number of fac tors besides school size and are more in tune to (the impact of) the ment of Schools and Community Partnership. “I’ve always been into youth development,” said Poe. “How do you build the next generation?” To address his question, Poe has founded several nonprofit or ganizations aimed at educating high-risk youth, including the We have to inspire our youth, especially African Americans, to move toward financial independence so all communities can succeed economically. - Lolenzo Poe, Portland School Board co-chalr and director of the Multnomah County Department of Schools and Community Partnerships. closure of a school on one side of Youth Empowerment Coalition, the river versus the other," he said. which provides employment place Poe’s day job also reflects his ment for under-achieving groups passion for education. He is the and the House of Umoja, a residen director of the county’s Depart- tial education facility for gang-in volved youth. “We have to inspire our youth, especially African Americans, to move toward financial indepen dence so all communities can suc ceed economically,” Poe said. With so many common sense answers toproblemsafflicting Port land, Poe may extend his sphere of influence to city politics. “I’m not running for mayor,” he assures, “but if the city really says it needs minority representation, 1 would stand for it.” According to Poe, running for office today would be political “sui cide.” “I’m not sure Portland wants African-American representation,” he said, citing the few minorities holding public office or appointed to powerful commissions and com mittees in the city. “I'm discouraged about the num ber of African Americans running for public office and I think the entire city should be outraged and asking the question, how much longer?” Again, he offers a solution. Poe suggests creating leadership and development programs to train people of color to ft II city leadership positions. “I think w e're one issue short of being a great city,” said Poe. “Can we really live up to celebrating di versity and inclusivity at all lev els?” 7« onemu < F riday M arch 5,h 2004 8PM-CL0SE m Family Atmosphere Food Customer Service Children Welcome Until 9:00 pm Happy Hour 7 days a week 4:30pm-7: 30 pm -11:30 to Close Eat, drink dance and have fun DJ. B reeze - 5 days a week- (Eagle Entertainment) Jazz, Blues and Classic R& B A dvertise w ith d i v e n i r in I l ! *' Featuring T he N oah P eterson S oul ‘ T et 503*285-1230 Fax: 503-285-3796 I (Dbscruev Call 503-288-01 >33 ads (0’ port I andob sten er. cot 11