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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2012)
Local News Liv continued from page 1 handbags but there’s no funk, no sassi- ness to the handbags,” says Warfield. “But we also wanted to carry a meaning with that.” “For me they mean to live bold, live loud beautifully, live free. I want the women who carry these bags to feel like they’re personally made for them.” This is Warfield’s first endeavor into the world of fashion. She’s been busy, to say the least, with her music career. As an independent artist she is con- stantly working to not just perfect her craft, but be her own promotion machine. The industry is changing, she says, and going independent is the best way to define one’s self musically. “Social media has taken on this huge, huge role,” she says. “There are no limi- tations for artists right now.” “Being independent for me, is not hav- ing a label saying, ‘You’re this. You’re neo-soul.’ I hate that. I hate that word basically. I am soul period. I’m soul rock. I’m soul jazz. I’m soul electric. I can be any of those things. Independent for me defines that.” Warfield first began honing her skills in the early 2000s on Portland’s karaoke scene. Most of her early life was spent focused on athletics. She was a gymnast for 13-14 years and ran track. Originally from Peoria, IL, she moved to Portland after receiving a track scholarship from Portland State University (PSU). Warfield didn’t sing as a child but while she was in a process of finding herself, she decided to take a risk and sing at the city’s karaoke bars. Initially, she would perform with her back turned to the crowd because she was so nerv- ous. It’s strange to look back on it now, she says, as she remembers being at the bars from 8:00 at night to 4:00 in the morning Wednesdays through Sundays. She soon discovered she had talent but things didn’t get serious until a friend took her to see Linda Hornbuckle. Warfield was blown away and stared at the legendary singer for hours on end. She would go to watch Hornbuckle every week and eventually the singer invited her on stage. “Linda brought me up on stage and my back was turned to the audience,” says Warfield. “She told me, ‘Next time you sing you have to turn to the audience.’ “I would just keep going there. Linda was and still is a big inspiration for why I was just so motivated.” Hornbuckle even convinced Warfield to start her own band. She never consid- ered it until the legend floated the idea to her. Shortly after, she put fliers up all over the PSU campus, looking for inter- ested musicians. She says things progressed gradually and she began get- ting regular gigs. Read the rest online at www.theskanner.com Liv Warfield with BD503 bags Observer continued from page 1 “Chuck Washington was a good publisher. They were always at the City Council cov- ering the development issues that affect us out here in Northeast Portland. They cov- ered stories that nobody else did. “Chuck’s death will leave a big hole in Portland, but I know that his family and staff will carry on and keep publishing because they are professionals and are ded- icated to the community. “He will truly be missed.” Washington was a strong advocate for local schools and improving the economic base of Portland’s minori- ty communities. Last month, when the Portland Observer Foundation sponsored a community banquet to award schol- arships for young people and recognize leaders from the community who are advo- cates for disadvantaged and minority communities, the event showcased the pub- lication’s mission. Washington’s goal as publisher was to create a media outlet that was dedicated to diversity, the African-American communi- ty, but also the Latino, immigrant and newly gentrified communities. As Portland grew in diversity, the Portland Observer grew. With the help of his brothers and wife, Elizabeth, Washington worked hard to ensure that his mother’s legacy as a tireless advocate for the community continued. He established in 1996 the Joyce Wash- ington Memorial Scholarship Fund for graduating high school seniors and commu- nity college students interested in pursuing State baseball team, having captured the highest batting average in the state. In later years, he greatly enjoyed playing golf. Active in community athletic programs and other social service organizations from a very early age, he chose to remain in Port- land for his post-secondary education. He pursued studies in marketing, communica- tions, and political science at Mt Hood Community College, Portland Com- munity College, and finally Portland State University. He was a volunteer coach for community basketball and baseball programs for 25 years, from Little League to Portland summer college baseball. He served as president of Port- land’s District 1 Peninsula Little League, was a member of the NAACP, Urban League, Portland Chamber of Commerce, and the Portland Chapter of the African American Chamber of Commerce. He was a long time sponsor of Self Enhancement, Inc., a nationally recognized non-profit organization for children at risk, and an annual supporter of the Portland Golf Youth Association. He was a beloved mentor to his children, extended family members and other young people from the community. He felt his truly greatest achievements and blessings in life were through his fami- ly. Some of his proudest moments were watching his children graduate from school with advanced degrees in their respective callings: law, medicine, education and eco- science. Delighting in the arrival of each new grandchild, he felt his life had come full circle. Washington is predeceased by his son Christopher, mother Joyce, grandmother Frieda and brother Cory. He is survived by his loving wife Beth; son Rakeem and wife Molly; daughter Chaka and fiancé Matt; daughter Serena and husband Logan; son Omar and wife Makaela; grandchildren Emmanuelle, Jaheim, Nyla, and Marcellus; father Duane; brothers Ronald, Tony, Gary, and Mark; sis- ters Audrey and Denise; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends that were very close to his heart. He will be truly missed. 2009. “In 2009 we had two weapons cases in Multnomah County (involving children aged 12 and younger),” Austin said. “In 2010 we had three. In 2011 we had two. And this case is the second in 2012.” must be held accountable for their actions, but it makes no sense to treat them as if they are the same as adults or older teens. “Most 7-year-olds and 11-year-olds don’t have the mental capacity to think about the consequences of doing something like this,” he says. “They’re short-sighted. Their brains aren’t even developed enough to make choices based on reality. “At 7, children’s understanding of reality is very, very limited. A cartoon might be more real to them than it really is. They can’t distinguish well between what is real and what’s fake.” The law says children as young as these boys can’t babysit, or even stay at home by themselves. In fact, researchers say the human brain doesn’t stop developing until around 25 years of age, and the last part to be integrated is the frontal lobe, which helps us make good choices. Washington’s goal as publisher was to create a media outlet that was dedicated to diversity careers in journalism and/or community service. The newspaper foundation expand- ed on those scholarship opportunities. Washington was a Portland native who loved his neighborhood roots. He graduated from Jefferson High School where he played basketball and baseball, lettering in varsity basketball and baseball all four years. As a senior, he was named to the All City basketball team and to the All Carjack continued from page 1 court to place him in juvenile detention. His mother, Kathryn Charlton said he was not dangerous and asked for the foster place- ment to be continued. Juvenile Judicial Referee Lisa Fithian-Barrett allowed the boy to remain in foster care, with condi- tions. He can’t leave the home without an adult, and he must wear an electronic ankle monitor. So what’s going on when children commit armed robbery? And how are those cases resolved? Dave Austin, communications director for Multnomah County, says the law states that children aged 11 and under should not usu- ally be admitted to juvenile detention. However police have the power to call a judge and ask for special permission to do so if they believe that the child poses a con- tinuing risk. “The law is very clear,” he says. “If we want to take them into custody, we have to have special permission from a judge. There has to be a reason. You don’t just lock up an 11-year-old. “So, if somebody is so much of a danger, police can call and a judge can make that order. But in cases of children 11 and below, there is a very high likelihood that there are other issues going on, maybe with the fam- ily.” Austin said public safety is always the highest priority. During an investi- gation, police look at each case individually, he said, and resources, such as mental health counseling or other services, can be directed to fami- lies and children as needed. “We have to look at all the informa- tion out there and treat each case on a case by case basis,” Austin said. Once police finish their investigation, a report is forwarded to the county’s Depart- ment of Community Justice for additional information or comment, and then to the District Attorney’s office. The DA decides how to proceed. The public safety system has dealt with about two or three weapons cases involving children aged 12 and under each year since Law enforcement has dealt with two or three weapons cases involving children under 12 since 2009 While it doesn’t justify the conclusion that violence among pre-teens is increasing, it does raise concerns, Austin said. “Anytime a child gets their hands on a gun it should be a concern,” he says. Andrae Brown Ph.D., an associate profes- sor at Lewis and Clark College, who has researched youth violence, says children Read the rest of this story online at www.theskanner.com December 12, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 3
