(Cl, A p ril 8. 2009 l ^ln rtlan ò © bscruer P o r tla n d . O b s e r v e r A u t o R e v ie w 2009 Ford Rex-Limited AWD by K athleen C arr The 2009 Ford Flex is an all- new midsize SUV. This boxy 4- door wagon shares some of its basic design with Ford's Edge and Taurus X crossover SUVs and is available in three trim. At first look of the vehicle you see the Scion from t he front and the rear you might think the BMW Mini Cooper. The box like style and the oversized feel­ ing will over power one at first but the ride and comfort will have you forgetting the size in not time at all. The Flex is distinguished not only by its squared-off shape but by contrasting roof and body colors and use of exterior chrome accents. Flex seats ei­ ther six or seven on three rows of seats. Power comes from a 262-hp 3.5-liter V6 mated to a 6- speed automatic transmission. Available safety features in­ clude ABS, traction control, antiskid system , front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Some of Flex's other features include a rearview camera, power lift gate, voice- activated navigation system with real-tim e traffic and w eather updates, four-panel glass roof, and refrigerated cen­ ter console. Other available fea­ tures include Ford's Sync, which is a voice-activated sys­ tem that controls some cell phone and MP3 player func­ tions, and a cap less fuel filler. The sheer mass makes the Flex a rem arkable highway In Loving Memory J im m ie G re e n A memorial service for Jimmie Green, who died on April 2, 2009, after courageously battling con­ gestive heart failure, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 10 at Caldwell’s, Hennessey, Goetsch and McGee Funeral Home in northwest Portland. Graveside services will fol­ low at Willamette National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. He was bom in Ratio, Ark on Aug 18, 1923 to Harrison and Annie Mae Green. He joined the Navy in 1941 and served proudly on the USS Hydra. After World War II, he went to work for the VA hospital and worked there until he retired in Page A9 News and reviews on new motor vehicles can easily take a seat. The slid­ ing second-row seats afford 40.5 inches of legroom. The window glass is blacked out in every trim level; however for the individual that is a small might find it hard to look out the win­ dow. Taking a Sunday we found that those adults that are over 6 feet tall found the sitting and leg room to be excellent, no more knees to the chest in the *4 back seat. Those who get the Specifications: 3.5L V6 engine: automatic overdrive trans­ privilege of the way-back third mission; 16 city mpg, 22 highway mpg; MSRP $43,120 row will find a useful 38.7 inches cruiser. So silent your brain for­ back roads, it’s a handful; at of legroom when they get there. gets which exit you were sup­ least its low center of gravity Unique interior features will in­ posed to get off at, so stable helps the Flex handle better clude programmable lighting and solid that if the big blue than most CUVs that allows the owner to decide Ford badge wasn’t adorned on The Flex is a fine vehicle in which interior LED lights illu­ the steering wheel, you’d swear which to be a passenger. The minate, and when. The Flex will you were driving a luxury ve­ conventional doors open wide, also offer Ford Sync, a voice- hicle. Its two-and-a-half tons of the step-in height is low and activated communications and heft help make it a pleasure on there's a generous gap behind entertainm ent system devel­ the freeway, but on winding the front seats so even adults oped with Microsoft. It inte­ 1983. He joined the US Army Reserves in the 1950s and served honorably until he retired in 1981. He lived a very good life after his retirement, enjoying garden­ ing, traveling and being with his family and friends. Jimmie met and married Almcta Cole in 1948 and they were married for 41 years. She preceded him in death, along with a daughter Sheila Green and son Steven Cole. He is survived by daughters Gail Green of San Dimas, Calif., Donna Green Nickelberry and husband Nolan of Seattle, and Debra G. Roper and husband Gary of Portland; his sister Jessie Tate of Portland; an aunt Margaret Brooks of San Diego; 9 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and a whole host of nephews and nieces. The family request that remembrances can be made to Urban League Multi-Cultural Senior Center. 5325 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Portland. Celebration of Life Daniel Baldwin A memorial service for Daniel Baldwin will take place at Bossanova Ball­ room, 722 E. Burnside, on Sunday April 12 from noon to 3 p.m. to celebrate the life of a beloved member of Portland’s motor­ cycle and music community. Baldwin died March 28 while riding his motorcycle after being struck by a drunk driver. He was known as "Hippy Dan" amongst his friends and Flying 15 Motor­ cycle Club members and "Quality Dan" by the music community that supported his band Power of County. grates mobile phones and digi­ tal media players and can in­ clude a hard drive with space for up to 23(X) songs. The multi­ panel Vista Roof extends a glass skylight over all three rows of seats. Also available is a real refrig­ erator that can chill drinks rather than simply keep them cold. Ford claims its cool box will chill seven 12-ounce cans, four half­ liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in two-and-one- half hours, or 40 percent faster than a conventional home re­ frigerator. Safety features in the Flex will surpass most minivans. All vari­ ants will come with front-impact airbags, side-impact airbags for front passengers and curtain- style head-protection airbags for all three rows of seats. Full of compassion, creativity, inspiration, love and curiosity, he enjoyed being in nature, whether it was on his motorcycle, building trails, playing music around a campfire, or just soaking up the beauty of the outdoors. The memorial service will be a kid-friendly event with music and a potluck. An open mic will en­ courage members of the music community to bring instruments and join in the festivities. Baldwin was bom on March 11, 1966 to Warren and Eleanor Baldwin of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He is survived by both parents and his sister, Ruth Churak. Donations can be made through a memorial pre­ viously set up for Baldwin’s grandfather, the Norman H. Nye Memorial Scholarship in Engi­ neering fund at the University of Akron, Depart­ ment of Development, Akron, OH 44235-2603. ^Jnxdlaxtb (OhsexAu'r presents The 4th Annual Joyce Washington Classic • * • .4. » .. . Joyce Washington Scholarship 2009 Women’s All-Star Teams Home Team (Gray) Head Coach: Floyd Hall PLAYERS JudeSchimmel Shoni Schimmel Mariah Ladd St. Denaya Brazzle Ariel Reynolds Kristen Swim Mikayla Elliiott Hannah Munger Bailee Jurgenson Aliyah Green Shan'nice Story Zoie Sheng Marin Hobson , i t . , - / n» zohnnß ' H igh S chool A ll -S tar B asketball G ames HIGH SCHOOL Franklin Franklin M ary’s Jefferson Jefferson Franklin Franklin Newberg Franklin Jefferson St. M ary's St. Mary’s Franklin Joyce Washington Scholarship 2009 Men’s All-Star Teams Home Team (Gray) Head Coach: Michael Harper Assistant Coach: Paul Kelly HIGHSCHOOL PLAYERS Terrence Jones Jefferson Roosevelt Larry Richards Derrick Hayes Wilson Nick Kunis Franklin Franklin VladBahjak Franklin Max Snodderly Roosevelt David Jordan DoniiniqueGilles Marshall Tyrone Phillips Jefferson Ryan Robertson Wilson Roosevelt Ashton Murdock Donta Harris De LaSalle VISITING TEAM (BLUE) Visiting Team (B lue) Head Coach: DennisCarline PLAYERS HIGHSCHOOL Kay Phosakham Benson Tyrisha Blake Jefferson Jacque Shaw Grant Monique Carlson Roosevelt Krystal Forthan Jefferson Razja Goodman Cleveland Diamond Ferguson Benson Kiarra Berry Grant Maddy May Cleveland Brittany Raz Cleveland Mia Robinson De La Salle W omen’s Coach of the Year: Cecille Moses Franklin High School In memory of Cory Neal Washington, 1965-1991 Head Coach: Michael Holton Assistant Coach: Michael Mangum PLAYERS highschool JD Esters Lincoln Grant Mike Moser Sunset Michael Holton JR Grant MikeFendall Damarcus Davis Benson Roosevelt Terrell Manlley Perry Dinyain Benson Cleveland Joe Owen Sunset Anthony Holton Lucas Shaw Grant Cleveland Jack Hollowell Zachary Minden Cleveland Men's Coach of the Year: Pat Strickland, Jefferson High School Come see the best of high-school basketball players! Be there to support your school! May 9th at Self Enhancement Inc., 3920 N. Kerby, Portland Doors Open at 3:00 p.m. Girls Classic at 4:30 p.m. * Dunk Contest at 3:30 p.m. Boys Classic at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at The Portland Observer (4747 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd.) $5 for adults, $2 for kids (age 7-17) & Seniors. *Kids 6 and under free. Proceeds raised go to the Joyce Washington Memorial Scholarship Fund For information, call Mark Washington at 503-288-0033 or Floyd Hall at 503-804-9504 CANNON'S _ = = RIB EX PRESS^ Bashor’s I Colimbi^ f| A VI I H U K ’S Portland Community College m o to p iz z a >