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Celebrating
)ÌV6fSÌty__________ August 12.2009
Ask Deanna!
Roy Cements Blazer Deal
All-star negotiates
$80 million contract
(A P) — T rail B lazers general m anager
Kevin Pritchard called Brandon Roy a p il­
lar o f th e fra n c h ise at a p re ss c o n fe r­
ence Friday during w hich he form ally an ­
nounced R oy's m ultiy ear contract e x te n ­
sion.
Pritchard said it w as "an am azing day"
and that he looked forw ard to R oy's fu­
ture w ith the team.
He recalled going out to w atch Roy in
a w orkout before he was first signed to
the team.
"1 rem em b er d riv in g b ack from that
w orkout thinking this is o u r guy, and he's
going to be a p illar o f o u r franchise," he
said. "B randon is a leader. H e's a guy
who cares about his team m ates."
The T rail Blazers have declined to re ­
lease c o n tra c t term s, but R o y 's ag en t
said it's a five-year deal w hich could be
w orth more than $80 m illion. T he fifth
year, ending in 2015, the agent said, is at
Roy's option.
The tw o-tim e A ll-Star, w ho grew up
in Seattle, said he never had any re se r­
vations about signing for the long-haul
NBA All-star Brandon Roy has signed a
new contract with the Trail Blazers esti­
mated at more than $80 million.
w ith team , despite free agency and the
salary cap.
"From my first year in this org an iza­
tion, I knew w here 1 w anted to be," he
said. "1 couldn't im agine being anyw here
but here in Portland."
The 25-year-old Roy led the Trail B laz­
ers w ith 22.6 points and 5.1 assists per
gam e last season. H e's been instrum en­
tal in helping the team w in back a fan
base that had been alienated by the so-
called Jail B lazers o f the past.
C ontract negotiations took longer than
Roy had hoped, he said. It w as fru strat­
ing, but it "is so m ething th a t's part o f
the business."
W hen his agent called to tell him the
deal had finally been com pleted, "I ju st
had this huge sm ile on m y face — o f
relief," he said.
Now, he says h e's "ch o m p in g at the
bits" to get the new season started.
"B eing the best team at the end o f the
season is my ultim ate goal," Roy said.
"I'm chasing the cham pionship."
T he T rail B lazers are still w orking on
an e x te n sio n w ith the te a m 's se c o n d -
le a d in g s c o r e r , f o r w a r d L a M a r c u s
A ldridge. Roy said he hopes a deal gets
done soon.
Refugee Community Focuses on Youth
home. This can lead to identity confusion
or even feelings o f lost identity.
A dditionally, when they are placed in
school in the grades consistent with their
age, but speaking no or little English, they
Over 200 youth from African refugee and
struggle academically and some­
immigrant families living in the
tim
es see no benefit to staying
greater metro area congregated
in school.
at the Im m igrant and Refugee
T his y e a r’s conference was
Community Organization for the
designed to address those feel­
6th annual African Youth Lead­
ings and to encourage and in­
ership Conference.
sp ire the youth to rem ain in
The July 18 gathering was or­
school, stay out o f trouble and
ganized by a com m ittee o f 30
look to a successful future that
African youth chaired by Fatuma
requires
a good educational base.
M ohamed, an 18-year-old from
The
first
keynote speaker was
S om alia w ho g raduated from Hanae Said
Hanae
Said,
a 21 year old Benson
Cleveland High School in June.
High School graduate who is now a junior
The committee members got leadership
at the University o f Oregon. She shared
experience as they determ ined topics for
her own experiences but urged attendees
w orkshops and keynote speakers, identi­
to follow a 5 point pathway to success.
fied and invited speakers, developed the pro­
H er five points were focus on your edu­
gram and timeline, recruited attendees, or­
cation and good grades; balance classes
dered food and worked with the budget.
with positive extracurricular activities; uti­
Often these youth feel caught in a tug-
lize available resources, such as IRCO pro­
of-w ar between their parents and the cul­
grams, Upward Bound programs, and men­
ture they are trying to preserve from their
tors; com m unicate with your parents, who
home countries and their American peers
have sacrificed much to give you a better
and the American youth culture o f their new
life in America and really do have your best
interests at heart, even though they may
not understand much o f the cultural clash
you experience; and the importance o f as­
sociating with the right people - people who
have strong success goals and will share
and support you in your success-oriented
choices.
Y em a M a e sh o w as a ls o a k e y n o te
speaker. N ow a law y er w ith her ow n
firm in C orvallis, M aesho cam e to this
country from E thiopia ju st 16 years ago.
She urged the youth to believe in th em ­
selves and follow their dream s, no m at­
ter w hat anyone else thinks their lim its
are. She offered encouragem ent by stat­
ing that they can co ntribute greatly not
only to this country but also to their co m ­
m unities back hom e.
She encouraged the youth to explore their
background and history and keep in touch
with where they cam e from so that they
can be the link between the past, the present
and the future.
Lunchtime entertainm ent was provided
by Somali Bantu Infiniti, a rap group o f
five young men who perform in the S o­
mali language o f Mai.
Beaverton Hosts World Series
sion is free to all tournament games.
The semi-finals on Aug. 18 and finals on
Aug. 19 are once again televised live on ESPN.
The Portland tournament is the girl's soft-
ball equivalent of the popular boy's baseball
tournament held each August in Williamsport,
Penn.
Helping arrivals
adjust to new culture
The Little League Softball World Series be­
gins Thursday, Aug. 13 at Alpenrose Stadium,
located at 6149 S.W. Shattuck Rd.
The 2(X)9 field features four international
teams and six teams from the U.S., including
girls from Beaverton who qualified as the host
team.
“This year’s field should be very exciting
to watch,” said Sue Seaver, head of the local
organizing committee for the event. Admis­
Real People, Real Advice
\n advice column
known for reality
based subjects!
Dear Deanna!
After a few years of dating I decided to leave a
relationship and go back to an old one. This was
a mistake. The woman I went to lied to me, has a
crazy ex-husband and was pregnant when we got
together. I left this relationship immediately and
tried to go back to first woman. She has forgiven
me but said she will only take me back after 1 have
a DNA test. In the meanwhile, she said if she finds
someone else, then it’s over. Am I wrong for still
wanting her? —Hopeless; On-Line Reader
Dear Hopeless:
You’re a selfish man living in your own fantasy
world. You broke up with this woman fora reason
and got more of the drama that caused you to leave
in the first place. You’re lucky the first woman
didn’t skin you like a cat. The universe has a way
of righting itself so you shouldn’t be surprised if
she decided to take the risk and move on without
you. Regardless of the outcome of the DNA test,
you should prepare yourself to be alone or look for
another love.
Dear Deanna!
1 broke up with my boyfriend over something silly
and now I regret my actions. I thought he was
cheating on me with my best friend but they were
actually buying me a gift. I said some horrible
things to both of them and they're not speaking to
me. I want to get back with him but 1 think he is
looking at my friend because she seems more
mature than me. What should I do if they start
dating? 1 know it’s my fault but it’s going to tear
me apart. —Made a Mistake
; Atlanta,Ga.
Dear Mistake:
You obviously have trust issues if you can’t feel
secure with your mate or your friends. Your foolish
tongue has caused you to lose your relationship
and your friend. The only thing you can do is
apologize to both parties and ask your boyfriend
for another chance. If he says no and goes with
your buddy, then you learned a valuable lesson
and if they’ll do this in your face, you didn’t need
them anyway.
Dear Deanna!
I think I'm in a relationship that is one-sided. In the
beginning my boyfriend and I shared a lot, commu­
nication was good and we talked about our goals.
Now we don’t do anything recreational unless I
make a suggestion and pay for everything. I keep
trying to love him, support him and find out what’s
going on. He w on't respond but he won’t be rude
nor leave the house. I’m very confused and these
mixed signals make it worse. How do I get through
to him? -G o in g Crazy; Toledo, Ohio
Dear Going Crazy:
Your boyfriend has simply fallen out of love with
you. He thinks he’s being nice and respectful but
he’s really being dishonest with you. He has some
pent up feelings and thoughts that will only come
out if you ask direct questions. Y ou should ask him
to share his feelings about the relationship, find
out where you stand and if he wants to be with you.
D on't make assumptions but rely on his direct
response and actions and be willing to take the
good with the bad.
Ask Deanna is written by Deanna M. Write Ask
Deanna! at the email askdeanna I @yahoo.com or
264 S. LaCienega Bird. Suite 1283 Beverly Hills,
CA 90211. Website: www. askdeanna. com