Œ lje January 26, 2011 IN S ID E Portlanb (Obstruer This page Sponsored by: Page 3 Fred Meyer Week in The Review What's on your list today?, C areer E ducation page 4-5 H ealth pages 6-7 S ports page 8 Benson Rebounds Techmen energized by season’s success C liff P fenning T he P ortland O bserver The Benson High School boys’ basketball team is on a mission this season to return the program to its former glory. After two seasons in which they didn’t qualify for the state playoffs, the Techmen are atop the Portland Interscholastic League standings and ranked fourth in state. The recent move from Class 6A to 5A has helped, but Benson’s players promote their overall im­ provement as the key to the team goal of winning the state title for the first time since 1990. “Last year we had problems with people coming to practice every­ day, but we’ve overcome that,” says senior Nate Carter. “We want to be good this season. “Even if we were at 6A, w e’d still be doing good.” Benson entered the week at 7-0 in the PIL and 10-2 overall with losses just to Corvallis, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, and Jesuit, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A. The Techmen have two by photo by C liff P fenning /T he P ortland O bserver Benson High School seniors Andrew Andrews (left) and Nate Carter. wins over rival Jefferson, the three­ time defending 5 A state champion, by a combined 50 points. Benson plays host to Franklin Friday. Coach Troy Berry says Benson is a state champion waiting to hap­ pen. “Every team is focused on win­ ning the title, and we’re definitely capable of doing it,” says Berry, who played at Benson. “W e’ve got to continue to improve our ability to sustain our play each game, but w e’ve got a team that can get Benson back to where it belongs.” The Techmen won five state titles from 1971 to 1990 under coach Dick Gray, and have remained one of state’s most consistently success­ ful teams under Don Emry and Berry. Starting in 1981, Benson fin- continued on page 8 ENIEEEAINMENI pages 10-13 '¿ ah O pinion y TH E WEAK Ü N K \ >4 wt>S< or inc i $ cs. Ä *voU * «- pages 14-15 C lassifieds C alendar F o o d p ^ page 16-17 Storytelling Honors NE Portland Hear stories about the history of northeast Portland as told by the people who have lived and worked here. Minnie Bell Johnson, a trustee emeritus arid member of Bethel AME Church for 67 years, will share her stories from the area during a com­ munity conversation, which begins at noon on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, 5431 N.E. 20th Ave. P ortland’s refugee resettlem ent Other speakers will include Paul history; and M ichael Roth with Knauls, known as the “M ayor” of inform ation on the Rose City Park N ortheast Portland; Bernadette History Project. Scott who will present a history of The public is invited to bring Coast Janitorial Service; O.B. Hill, historical artifacts and photos. who will give a talk on the Knott Lunch as well as child care will be Street Com m unity Center; Jam es provided. E. O ’Connor who will give a his­ For more information, call 503- tory o f the Oregon Park site; Polo 5 4 6 -7 4 9 9 or v isit C atalan i who w ill talk about ourcommunityoutreach.org. page 19 20 Stop the Violence Memorial Service M embers of the com m unity are organizing a Stop the Violence m em orial service in honor o f Aaron Cam pbell and other vic­ tims of violence on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. Emm anuel Tem ple, 1032 N Sum ner St. Campbell was shot in the back by Portland Police on Jan. 29 last year after a disturbance at his Northeast Sandy Boulevard apartm ent.. To mark the one year since the death his fam ily and friends is calling for the com m unity’s sup- port at the m em orial service. The them e is "Stop the violence, stop unjust police violence, stop gang violence and stop dom estic vio­ lence.” For more information, contact Emmanuel Temple at 503-287-2223.