Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, February 11, 2009, Black History Month, Page 9, Image 9

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    'Sportiani» (Obacrucr B i s c k H ÎS tO iy M o n t h
Februaiy II. 2009
Page A9
B lack H istory M onth
Queens of Blues, Jazz
Nordstrom offers
exclusive CD
In celebration of Black History
Month, Nordstrom has partnered with
jazz singer Lizz Wright to create an
exclusive CD that is being sold to
benefit the Thurgood Marshall Col­
lege Fund.
The CD, entitled The Royal Blues
- Celebrating the Queens of Blues
and Jazz, and featuring acompilation
of songs recorded by iconic black
female blues and jazz vocalists, will
also include W right's rendition of the
epic Sam Cooke song "A Change is
Gonna Come.”
“This song is a great anthem for
human rights and I love that it’s really
about change,” said Wright. “I just
imagine the faith and the courage
that makes this song have such con­
viction when I think about when it was
released and what was going on it
America at those times. He sounds
like a prophet to me.”
The Royal Blues CD also features
tracks from most influential female
voices in the history of the blues, in­
cluding Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald,
Etta James, Sarah Vaughn and Shirley
Horn.
“I have such deep admiration for the
other singers on this compilation. People
like Aretha Franklin who I grew up
listening to. She’s the sound of home,”
said Wright. “I’m very excited to be a
part of this album.”
The release marks the second CD
compiled by Nordstrom in recognition
of Black History Month. Last year,
Nordstrom donated all after-cost pro­
ceeds from its Immortal Soul gospel
CD to three non-profit groups that
provide music education programs to
youth in underserved communities.
The Royal Blues will be available
for purchase for$ 18.95 in all Nordstrom
stores and online at nordstrom.com.
All after-cost proceeds from the
CD sales will go to the Thurgood
Marshall College Fund, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to developing
and preparing a new generation of
leaders by providing leadership devel­
opment, scholarships, resources, op-
E c o n o m ic S tim u lu s
continued ¿ ^ J r o m Front
analysis o f the bill is correct in
asserting that som e projects
may not get off the ground for
nearly two years, and has some
m isguided tax cuts.
But she points out that some
econom ists have argued that
the country could still be hurt­
ing by the tim e projects get roll­
ing, and there are still plenty of
other good aspects to the fed­
eral stimulus.
"W henever you have an in­
frastructure proposal, it creates
jo b s at every stage," she said,
adding that it will create jobs in
the long-term. The package is
loaded with tax cuts aimed at
spurring green energy technol­
ogy. Such technology already
has a strong foothold in the
local econom y, and will only
accelerate with the bill, she said.
M arcus M undy, the presi­
dent and chief executive officer
o f the Urban League o f Port­
land, has been keeping a close
eye on the federal stimulus, and
is encouraged by the green en­
ergy com ponent o f the pack­
age, since the Urban League
has training for ju st such em ­
ployment.
"It's right in line with what
we're doing at the League," said
M undy.
He added that the state stim u­
lus is also prom ising, but points
out that m any state program s
may be shortchanged without
federal dollars, w hich the fed­
eral stim ulus provides. Mundy
is also concerned that funding
for com m unity organizations in
com m unities are color might
have funding slashed as the
final package is crafted.
"W e're locked at the hip," he
said o f the relationship between
the state and federal govern­
ments.
S ta te E c o n o m is t T om
Potiow sky is also optim istic
about the green energy com po­
nents of the federal package
that could help make Oregon
the green energy center o f the
world. He is also encouraged by
the direct aid to the state, which
will help it balance the budge,
and keep it from slashing pro­
grams.
"There's a lo, in there that's
going to help us out." said
Potiowsky, who explained that
every industry in the state's
econom y has been ravaged,
save health and education. He
added that the housing market
is mangled, the tim ber industry
(a I arge source o f income for the
state) took a hit, and m anufac­
turing and high-tech industries
have been squeezed.
So what will be in the future
for O regon?
Racial Profiling Group Meets
B lack H istory M onth w ill
launch a series o f co m m u n ity
m eetin g s w ith P o rtlan d C ity
C ouncil m em bers d esig n ed to
address racial p ro filin g by law
en fo rcem en t.
T he first sessio n w ith C ity
C o m m issio n er A m anda F ritz
w ill take place S atu rd ay , Feb.
21 from 1 p.m . to 2 :30 p.m . at
R ed eem er L u th eran C hurch,
5431 N .E. 20th A ve.
T h e activ ist group O regon
A c tio n is s p o n s o r in g th e
e v e n t.
For m ore in fo rm atio n , call
Ron W illiam s, O reg o n A ction
organizer, at 503-282-6588.
New Prices Effective May 1,2007
Martin Cleaning Service
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Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
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Minimum Service CHG
$45.00
Carpet Cleaning
2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area
Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: I small Hallway)
1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00
(Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area • Hallway Extra)
Stairs (12-16 stairs) $25.00 (With Other Services)
Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Up-and-comingjazz phenomenon Lizz
Wright lends her voice to an exclusive
CD celebrating iconic black female
blues and jazz vocalists, available at
Nordstrom stores in celebration of
Black History Month.
portunities and advocacy to public
historically black colleges and uni­
versities, students and alumni.
" Typically we fol low the gen­
eral m acroeconom ic trends,"
said Josh Lehiner, an econom ic
analyst with the state's office o f
economic analysis. He explained
that O regon tends to follow the
rest o f the country econom i­
cally.
Potiow sky predicted that the
recession will "technically" be
over this sum m er or fall, m ean­
ing that the econom y will no
longer be retracting. However,
he said that people will still be
hurting, and the econom y won't
fully recover until m id 2010.
•
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Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning
Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning
Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment
Spot & Stain Removal Service
Scotchguard Protection
UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
Sofa
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Loveseat
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Sectional
Chair or Recliner $35 - $49
Throw Pillows
$5.00
(With Other Services)
See Flyers for Additional Prices
Call For Appointment
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(503) 281-3949
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Tak&Tim£toSfaat?£
A LITTLE HISTORY.
Black History Month is about discovery. And with routes from the
Carolinas to New York, Florida to DC, and all points in between,
Amtrak makes it possible to discover history in any part of the
country. Relax in roomy Coach seats, grab a bite to eat from the
dining car, or take in the views from the lounge car. Amtrak is the
perfect way to connect with fam ily as you reflect on the past and
build possibilities for the future.
We welcome everyone on board - especially those with a heart for
discovering history. And best of all, kids ages 2-15 ride half price.
Amtrak. Getting there is half the fun.
Kids ages 2-15 ride half off.
For more information:
Oat! 1 -800-USA-RAIL ohmh . Amtrak.com.
■ * ^ A M T R A K
Children ages 2 15 recetw a 50% discount off the regular full adufl rail fare Up to two children nr paid adult Offer not valid
all times and other resfnrttons may apph Amtrak is a registered service marti of the Nationa « v treed Passenger Corporation
on all trains at
I