www. port landobserver.com
Committed to Cultural Diversity
February 6. 2008
Johnson to
Notre Dame
Roy Makes All-
Star Roster
M etro
First Blazer
player in seven
years honored
11,1 |J n rtla « b ÖDhserucr
See sports page B IO
Lincoln High
School star wins
high acclaim
See sports page BIO
Cultural Center Celebrates Black History
‘Facets of Africa'
honors diversity
In honor o f Black History Month, the Inter­
state Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N. Inter­
state Ave., presents "Facets of Africa” with
matinee theater performances and art exhibits
that celebrate the rich texture and diversity
within African-based cultures.
In this vibrant family show, IFCC presents
artists and storytellers from a variety of African
countries and African-based cultures. From
G hana to New Orleans "Facets of Africa”
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The local cast o f ‘Black Like Me' features Victor Mack, Omar, Jerrod Neal, Aly'ce Williams, Jalyn Owens,Yolanda Suarez, and
Kwik Jones.
‘Black Like Me’ Kwik Jones’ tragic tale
»
Local playwright Kwik Jones brings his play
"Black Like M e” to the Interstate Firehouse
Cultural C enter in north Portland for a series o f
perform ance during Black History Month.
This will be Jones’ last full production in
Portland before he moves to New York to
produce the hit play “Voices.”
Black Like Me was inspired by members of the
Los Angeles chapter of the Black Panther Party.
Lane, a college student, fights alongside with
friends in hopes to bring change. But she quickly
finds herself in a w ar that leaves her scarred,
scared and wanting out o f the movement.
Trapped, she struggles with where and who she
can turn to.
The local cast is com prised of Victor Mack,
Omar, Jerrod Neal, A ly’ce W illiams, Jalyn
Owens,Yolanda Suarez, and Kwik Jones.
Shows are scheduled through Feb. 24 with
nightly performances at 8 p.m., Thursday through
Saturday, and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tick­
ets are $15 with discounts for groups by calling
503-473-6649. The 1FCC is located at 5340 N.
Interstate.
Caton Lyles, who specializes in tradi­
tional West African and Afro-Cuban styles
of hand drumming, will perform in Facets
of Africa at the Interstate Firehouse
Cultural Center in north Portland.
Advocates Vie for Mayor, City Council
Share passion for
city, social issues
R aymond R endi . eman
T he P ortland O bserv er
Tw o advocates from P o rtlan d 's
black com m unity are the latest candi­
dates seeki ng election to the City C oun­
cil.
Mayoral candidate Beryl M cNair
and co m m issioner candidate Fred
Stewart share a passion for housing,
health, education and equality.
Both candidates face a May 20
election date with understanding that
the results will significantly change
Portland’s political landscape. They
seek positions that would guarantee
high levels o f city governm ent filled
with those w hocare about basic needs.
ForM cN air, the m ayor’s position is
about taking care o f everyone, no
m atter w hat th eir background or
struggles may be.
“My main goal is to get i n the trenches
for those who have been underserved,”
says M cNair, who currently works at
the Portland veteran hospital. "Being
a people’s candidate, I know I can
make a difference in this city.’’
Stewart sees high stakes for the
com ing term s o f office.
“W e’re going to be tested over the
next several years." he says. “W e've
by
Beryl McNair’s running for mayor to take care of
everyone, no matter their background or
struggles.
got a recession coming here, and that's
one way or another going to effect
how much government can invest.”
/^om m u nity
C a 1 e n d a r
Fred Stewart enters a race for City Council with
years of experience as a neighborhood activist,
professional and father.
M cNair argues for a systematic
réévaluation o f the city budget for
sm arter use o f resources. The newly
assist clients by appointm ent only on W ednes­
days, from I to 5 p.m. at the Rockw ood C om ­
m unity office, 18709 S.E. Stark. For reserva­
tions, call 5 0 3 -8 16-1530.
returned Human Rights Com mission,
forexam ple, would receive more sup­
port with her as mayor, and she plans
Architectural Heritage C enter. 701 S .E .G rand
Ave., hosts a sem inar to dem ystify the lan­
guage of architecture. To register,call 503 -2 3 1 -
7264 or visit A H C .org.
Politics and the 2 0 0 8 Elections
Sunday, Feb. lOat 3 p.m. in Reed C ollege's
Kaul A uditorium . Mary Frances Berry,
form er chair o f the U.S. Com m ission on
Civil Rights and co-founder o f the Free
South Africa M ovement, will give a talk on
race, politics and the 2(X)8 elections, to
help celebrate Black History Month.
Homebuyer Programs
Catch the Authors
P D C 's hom ebuyer-assistance program s ad­
dress the gap in hom e ow nership rates be­
tw een whiles and com m unities o f color. For
inform ation about the new and expanded
h o m e b u y e rs' a s sista n c e p ro g ra m s, visit
pdc.us/nhporcall 503-823-3400.
Thursday, Feb. 28. at 6:30 p.m .. In ( )ther W< rrds,
8 N.E. Killingsworth St., will host the reading
night featuring five gay/lesbian/transgender
a u th o rs. F o r m o re in f o rm a tio n , v is it
inotherwords.org or call 503-232-600 3.
Tax Help in Rockwood
Vocabulary of Architecture
S aturday. A pril 19 at 9 a.m . th*.' second
annual parade kicks off. the p a ra d B to m m it-
V IT A tax aide lor low- i nc< >me families wi 11
1
Mary Frances Berry
Saturday, Feb. 9. from 10 to 11:30 a.m.. the
82nd Avenue Roses Parade
to make sure more buildings are con­
structed to house homeless and low-
income people.
On the growing demand for low-
income homes in the city, Stewart
says. “The bottom line is that the
future of solving the housing issue is
the partnership between public and
private." a sentiment that M cNair
upholds with her vision o f equal allo­
cation in the endeavor toward re­
spectable places of employment and
residence for all.
Stewart, 43, who was president of
the King Neighborhood Association
for almost 10 years, draws on experi­
ence struggling as black bank worker
and real-estate agent in Oregon to
argue that the only way to approach
city priorities appropriately is to have
a good understanding of what it takes
to survive here.
“What we need is a person, whether
they're black or white, who comes
from a wide breadth of understand­
ing." he says. “That person needs to
be able to walk into any room and be
an active participant, an active part­
ner. with everybody and every group
that wants to make positive changes in
this city."
Stew art'searliest memory involved
the grief surrounding Martin Luther
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tee recen tly an n o u n ced the availability ol
sp o n so rsh ip s and requests for en tries and
volu n teers. For m ore inform ation to about
p a r t i c i p a t i n g , c o n ta c t 5 0 3 - 4 8 4 -6 2 2 5 .
For v o lu n te er o p p o rtu n ities, contact 503-
252-9143.
King School Benefit
Tuesday. Feb. 26, from 5 to 11 p.m.. bring your
fam ily and friends to M cM enam in's Chapel
Pub; hall of the ev en in g 's proceeds will be
donated to purchase m uch-needed playground
equipm ent for King School.
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