June 23, 2010
|lnrtla«b (Observer
Page 9
Arts
' X
EMOTAIMENI
Home Grown Talent Published
Jefferson alum
writes two
children's books
Random House has published
Jefferson High School graduate
Renée W atson’s first children’s
book to be released in stores June
22.
A Place Where Hurricanes Hap
pen records the voices o f four
young friends describing their
lives before, during, and after
Hurricane Katrina. They learn that
even though the world can change
in a heartbeat, it’s people who
shape the character o f a com m u
nity and offer com fort and hope in
the darkest hours.
P h ila n th r o p is t a n d a u th o r
Caroline K ennedy writes in the
book’s forward, “A profound trib
ute to the pow er o f friendship to
heal and give us hope in troubled
tim es. This book explores the im
pact o f a national tragedy in the
m ost personal term s and is engag
ing and whimsical at the same time
— an im pressive achievem ent.”
W atson’s second book, pub
lished by Bloomsbury, will be in
stores July 6 and ready for pre-order
on June 24: What Momma Left Me.
After the death o f their mother, Se
renity Evans and her younger
brother go to live with their grand
parents, who try to keep them safe
from bad influences and help them
come to terms with what has hap
pened to their family.
Booklist writes, “Packed with
events, details, and revelations, this
first-person novel creates a believ
able portrayal o f Serenity, strug
gling through a difficult time but
drawing strength from her wise, lov
ing African American family and
their broader community."
Watson, c lass o f 1996, grew up in
Portland, where even as a child she
was writing and acting. Whether in
school or church plays, in the living
room with her family or in the pri
vacy o f her journal, she has always
had a story to tell.
She has worked in public schools
Advertise with diversity in
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What
Momma
Left
Me
Renée Watson
Renee Watson has two
new books (pictured
above and right).
Peninsula & Lakeside
Girls Carwash
We are hosting a Car Wash
this weekend
Saturday, June 26th
at the Portland Observer
(4747 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.)
from 12:00 to 5:00 PM
Come out and support the kids!
ANNUAL GRAND COMMUNICATION
and community organizations as an at New York City's Lincoln Center at
artist in residence for several years, a showcase for emerging artists.
teaching poetry, fiction and theater Her poetry and articles have been
in Oregon, Louisiana, and New York published in Rethinking Schools,
City. Her one woman show, Roses Theatre o f the M ind and W ith Hearts
are Red, Women are Blue, debuted Ablaze.
JU N E 26-29, 2010
P O R TLA N D , OREGON
EMBASSY SUITES - A IR P O R T
Author Book Signing Thursday
Portland native Renee Watson
will be sign her children’s book A
Place Where Hurricanes Happen
at a celebration for the release o f
the book on Thursday, June 24 at
7 p.m. at A Children’s Place Book
store, 4807 N.E. Fremont St.
One o f W atson’s passions is
using the arts to help youth cope
with trauma.
She has facilitated poetry and
Recycled Arts to Jam Park
Live entertainment, family-friendly activities and
more than 80 vendors selling art made from recycled
items will highlight the Recycled Arts Festival on
Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27, in Esther Short
Park in downtown Vancouver.
The 5th annual event will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
both days. There is no admission charge.
Artists will display and sell art designed and
m ade from reused and reclaim ed m aterials, includ-
theatre w orkshops with young
girls coping w ith sexual and
physical abuse, children who
have w itnessed violence, chil
dren coping with the afterm ath
o f Hurricane Katrina, and chil
dren who relocated to New York
City after the 2010 earthquake in
Haiti.
Watson currently lives in New
York City.
ing m etal, glass and porcelain garden art, recycled
paper books and cards, reclaim ed turned wood
sculptures, jew elry and clocks made from vinyl
records and bicycle tires and gears, and tin can
lanterns and birdfeeders.
Live music, ranging from steel drums to Zydeco, will
be on stage. A juggling stilt walker, puppets from
Mudeye Puppet Co. a children’s tent for recycled arts
and crafts activities will be open both days. Rain
barrels painted by local school groups also will be
displayed.
MOST W O R SH IPFU L
PRINCE H A L L G R A N D LODGE F.& A .M .
-------------------- and --------------------
PRINCE H A L L C R A N D CHAPTER OES
OF OREGON. IDAHO AND MONTANA. INC
M.W GRAND MA.STFR
CARI AS BROWN
GRAND WORTHY MATRON
BRENDA M(X)N