Good Times and Bad
Mississippi Street Fair
'Voices' exhibit explores
our challenges and
successes
The annual fair returns to
the historic Boise
Neighborhood on
Saturday, July 14
see inside, page 13
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‘City oj Roses’ *5s5|r
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Volum eXXX XI
Number 26
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see inside, page 15
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www.portlandobserver.com
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Wednesday • July II, 2012
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From spoken word artists to costume designers, all ages have dedicated time and energy to create the upcoming 2012 Peace Festival, presented by
Black Women for Peace, organized to promote peace among young people of all ethnic groups, celebrate culture and prevent youth violence. From left to
right: Theresa Smith, Jesse Jones, Nichelle McKinney, Wanda Walden, Regena Warren, and Jeremiah Penn.
Peace Festival 2012 launched to stop youth violence and showcase talents
by M indy C ooper ZT he P ortland O bserver
Youth from across Multnomah County will come
together to share their music, song, dance and spoken
word at the first Peace Festival for youth, Sunday, July
15. •
Presented by Black Women for Peace, the 2012 Peace
Festival event was organized to promote peace among
young people of all ethnic groups, celebrate culture and
dignity and to prevent youth violence.
The Peace Festival 2012, free to all public, will take
place at Portland Center for the Performing Arts ’ Dolores
Winningstad Theatre, located at 1111 SW Broadway at
Teen Pregnancy Woes
As births and abortions decline among
teens throughout the country, the rates for
Among the variety of performers will be students
from Benson High School, Reynolds High School, Da
Vinci Performing Arts, Native American Youth and
continued
on page 5
Consuelo Saragoza, senior adviser o f
According to the most recent Multnomah
Portland’s Public Health and Community Ini County report card, the rate o f teen preg
tiatives, said, “In terms of Multnomah County, nancy for Hispanic teens is six times higher
the disparity ratio has gone up.’’
than any other racial or ethnic group in terms
“N ationally the num bers seem to be of birth rate. For the Native American com
minority communities in Oregon continues to going down, but when looking specifically munity, the rate rose from 1.8 to 2.5. For
rise, unveiling an increased need for preven- at our different com m unities o f colors, it is
continued
on page
tion services and education.
not changing.”
Local minority groups buck national trend
by M indy C ooper /T he P ortiand O bserver
4pm.