Committed to Cultural Diversity
Murals Blessed
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Created to encourage
exercise and fitness
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See page B5, inside
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C a l e n d a r Art Exhibit Binds Two Generations
Veterans Appreciation Day
Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, the World
Forestry C enter Discovery Museum
would like to say “thank you” by offering
free admission to all active and retired
military personnel; visit worldforestry.org
or call 503-228-1367 for more information.
Veterans Day Parade
Sunday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., a 21-gun
salute will kick off the Fort Vancouver
Veterans Parade; contact 360-992-1801
for parade information.
Photography Classes
Mt. Hood Community College will be
offering four special photography classes
to the public; 'Introduction to Digital
Photography’ begins Thursday, Nov. 8;
for complete schedule and registration
information, contact 503-491-7572 or visit
mhcc.edu.
Santa Paws Comes to Town
The Oregon Human Society’s annual
Santa Paws Pet Portrait fundraiser event
kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 10, at eight
local Fred Meyer stores. Get keepsake
photos of your pet with Santa and help
animals in need; visit oregonhumane.org
for dates and locations.
Avoiding Frauds, Scams
Monday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.. Elders in
Action will host this free one-hour semi­
nar at the Standard Insurance Building
auditorium, 900 S. W. 5th Ave. to discuss
common mail and internet-scam avoid­
ance. Contact 503-222-3275 to reserve
seating due to limited availability.
Local women o f honor gather with some o f the young artists o f color who have created artworks and portraits that pay tribute to the activism and accomplish­
ments o f an older generation.
Ranger Lantern Tours
Saturday, Nov. 17, from 7 to 9 p.nt., with
lantern in hand and a skilled ranger lead­
ing the way, explore the history o f Fort
V ancouver, 612 E. R eserve St. in
Vancouver, Wash. Call 360-816-6243 for
more information.
Daddy and Me
Saturday, Nov. 17, parents and children
ages 5 and under are invited to enjoy this
free family event filled with sports, games,
food, contests and prizes; the event will be
held at the McCormack-Matthews Center,
6930 N. Kerby St., from noon to 3 p.m.
4th Annual Turkey Swim
Currently through Sunday, Nov. 18. the
Portland Public Pools will provide an
entry form to all paid admissions at any of
Portland’s Parks and Recreation swim­
ming pools. On Nov. 19, six lucky winners
will receive a free turkey.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
T uesday, Nov. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the
MLC Sun School, 2033 N.W .Glisan, will
host the free workshop demonstrating
how to protect your family from lead
poisoning. Participants receivea free lead-
testing kit. To register, cal 1503-284-6827.
Urban Arts
The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center,
5340 N. Interstate Ave., awakens multi­
cultural awareness through the cutting
edge of art forms including hip-hop dance,
spoken word and television. Classes are
offered throughout the year. Contact 503-
823-4322 or info@ifcc-arts.org for more
information.
Weatherization Workshops
Thursday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.. Wood­
land Elementary. 72(X)N.E. 11 th, will host
the free educational workshops to self-
weatherize your home; qualifying partici­
pants will receive a free weatherizing kit.
Free weatherization is available for se­
niors. Call 503-284-6827 to register.
Green Gift That Grows
Friends of Trees is offering the gif, that
keeps on growing, plant a tree or a grove
in honor or memory of someone; for more
information visit friendsoftrees.org.
Helping the Hungry
The Oregon Food Bank desperately needs
your donations of nonperishable foods
and funds. To find out how you can help,
call 503-282-0555.
Holiday Ale Festival
Beginning Thursday, Nov. 29 through
Sunday,Dec.2,from 11 a.m. to 10p.m.,the
I2th-annual festival at Pioneer Court­
house Square. 701 S.W. 6th Ave., pro­
vides beer lovers the opportunity to
sample some or all of the 36 rare beers
featured.Visitholidayale.com or contact
503-252-9899 for more information.
I
Past, present and future leaders embrace
in L ee P eri . man
T he P ortland O bserver
An older generation of African-Ameri­
can woman activists is embracing a group
of young women artists and future lead­
ers.
Three Portland City Council members
helped host a reception last week kicking
off a month-long exhibit at City Hall of the
art from Project Look Up.
Advanced by the nonprofit Art Up on
Northeast Alberta Street, the project in­
volved the painting of eight foot portraits
of 15 women of honor from the African
American and Native American communi­
ties, living and past, by nine teenaged
girls.
The project was unveiled in May at
Northeast Alberta Street’s Art Quake fes­
tival, and was exhibited this summer at the
slate capitol in Salem.
The exhibit will continue through No­
vember at City Hall. Most of the portraits
are in the office of Commissioner Sam
Adams, who oversees the Regional Arts
and Culture Council, but one or two are in
the office of Mayor Tom Potter and each
of the other three commissioners.
Potter, Adams and commissioner Randy
Leonard took particular pleasure in pay­
ing tribute to two of the women honored,
state Senators Avel Gordly and Margaret
Carter.
“Thank you for being our voices at the
state capitol," the mayor said.
Leonard, a former state representative,
introduced Gordly as being "kindly, pa­
tient and balanced - a good counterpoint
Cm just so inspired by all o f these
young women. When I look into their
faces and hear them read their poetry,
it gladdens my heart.
— Senator Avel Gordly
to me.
Adams said the exhibit subjects in­
cluded "women who have mentored me.”
Throughout, the honorees and artists
expressed their m utual adm iration.
Antoinette Myers, who painted the por­
trait of Gordly, recited an original poem in
which she referred to the politician as a
"warrior queen.”
Gordly, in her turn, said, “The eyes of
the future are looking back at us. but
looking at them, we know the future is very
secure. We can count on them for guid­
ance, direction, and much love, and I love
each and every one of them."
Earlier she told the Portland Observer,
"I'm just so inspired by all of these young
women. When 1 look into their faces and
continued
on pope B5
Church Hall Revitalized for Community Use
Venue seeks
neighborhood
input, activities
by R aymond R endeeman
T he P ortland O bserver
The current tenants of Liberty Hall are
making an extraeffort to in vol ve a broader
section of the community in events and
programs.
It has not been easy keeping the neigh­
borhood center going with its location, at
3 1 1 N. Ivy St., facing a freeway onramp
constructed in 1973 for the Fremont Bridge.
The building was built as a church, but
the congregation sold the building in the
‘90s to Alem Gebrehiwot, owner of the
Queen of Sheba Restaurant. The space
served for a few years as "Yared Hall,”
focusing on African and Native American
music, before its current incarnation in­
volving several nonprofits.
The venue's current leaders have orga­
nized a couple of community meetings
that generated more than just ideas. Sug­
gestions include regular events and
classes.
Not stopping at plans for weekly film
screenings, a rotating “Second Thurs­
photo bv R aymond R endi eman /T he P ortland O bserver
day" art exhibit and build inga community
dem onstration garden, the building's
Wences Cruz joins other community members at Liberty Hall. 311 N. Ivy St.. to discuss the potential for a variety of
management welcomes more involvement
activities at the longtime gathering place which is situated next to an onramp to the Fremont Bridge.
in the coming months.
Dan Denvir of the Portland Central Coalition of Neighborhoods, citing many involve an outreach campaign to find out know is that it's in process, so if people
American Solidarity Committee envisions reasons why the venue is important. It sits what would be “most meaningful" for want to get involved, all they have to do
fostering a venue with energy that feeds on “symbolic" common ground shared by groups that have been left out of the is contact us with a plan." says Denvir.
the Boise and Eliot neighborhoods, areas process so far. Leaders agree that a plan is
Area residents are encouraged to call
off of itself.
short on vibrant neighborhood centers in order to include the working poor anil 503-249-8888 for more information or to
“I'm really impressed with these young
people of color.
people's effort," says Joseph Santos- compared to other areas of Portland.
meet with committee membersduring some
"The most important thing for people to of their upcoming events.
Santos-Lyons says the next step should
Lyons, executive director of the Northeast
i