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7 Great Reasons to Invest in Mutual Funds
By Patrycia L. Taylor Great ideas on how to invest wisely.
Rethink Your Family Vacation By Bartley Felder Simple ways to enjoy spending time with family.
Before You Go Swimming By Dr. Cherita Raines Good tips to remember before you spend time in the water.
Buying Up in a Down Market By Djuna Basconcelo Smart ideas about buying a house in the current housing market.
Bash the Trash By John Bertles A unique group of artist/educators dedicated to raising environmental awareness through the arts.
Roy Jay - Project Clean Slate
By Lora-Ellen McKinney Learn more about how this remarkable man is changing and improving lives in Portland, OR.
Stuck on “Stupid”?: The Gates to PostPost-Racial America
By Lora-Ellen McKinney A discussion about the Henry Gates Jr. sage and race in America.
Bobos - LAPAC’s Teen Summer Musical
By LaChris Jordan This summer program helps keep teens active and off the streets.
Your Hair, Your Style
By Starla L. Fitch Make a personal statement with the way you wear your hair.
Need A Summer Break? Try Victoria, B.C. By Rev. Patricia L. Hunter Learn more about what Victoria, B.C. has to offer.
In Every Issue A Word from our Editor Family Activities Calendar Laugh Out Loud Knowledge is Power Inspiration Food Community Calendar
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Urban Life Northwest, August 2009, Volume II, Issue VIII Publisher/Editor - Starla L. Fitch Copy Editor-Djuna Basconcelo Graphic Design-Miklos L. Fitch Photography - Aiana Poquiz & Miklos L. Fitch Advertising/Marketing - Starla L. Fitch, Hakeem Shakoor, Melissa Reese Contributors- Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D., Cherita J. Raines MD, MPH, Tim Jackson, Patrycia L. Taylor, Djuna Basconcelo, Evelyn Ray, La’Chris Jordan, Bartley Felder, Rev. Patricia L. Hunter, John Bertles Urban Life Northwest is published monthly. Direct all editorial and subscription inquiries to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124-9457, call (425) 533-7802 or visit our website - www.UrbanLifeNW.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without consent. All advertising claims and offers are the sole responsibility of the listed advertiser. Query in advance of article submission; unsolicited materials may not be returned. Subscriptions: $12 p/year US; Canada $16 p/year; all other countries $24 p/year (US currency only)
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We are fast approaching our 1 year anniversary and I am so excited! When I started this magazine in October 2008, I wasn’t sure how it would be received by the community. I knew that there was a need for a magazine such as this in the Northwest, but I wasn’t sure if others saw this need and to my surprise, communities far and wide, see the need, understand the need and have embraced what Urban Life Northwest provides. Our communities understand that there are enumerable “mainstream” full-color, glossy, quality magazines for other communities in the Northwest but Urban Life Northwest is the only magazine of this type in this area for people of color. We are proud to be the magazine that represents communities of color in a such a positive and progressive way.
A WORD FROM OUR EDITOR
This is our eleventh issue. It hasn’t been easy keeping this magazine going but I must give all praise and honor to God for allowing us to defy the odds and succeed in a difficult and somewhat frightening economy. It is our goal to continue to produce a quality magazine that is uplifting and that will encourage us to “Live Life to the Fullest”! As always, I ask for your support. Don’t forget Urban Life Northwest when making your advertising buying decisions. Don’t forget Urban Life Northwest when you have a community event and/or announcement. Don’t forget Urban Starla L. Fitch & Roy Jay Life Northwest …...because we won’t forget YOU! Much love to our advertisers, subscribers and readers. I appreciate all that you’ve done to help us get to this point. With your support, this magazine will continue to grow, improve and be a positive influence on the communities we serve. Look for Urban Life Northwest on Facebook and Twitter! Our cover story is about a remarkable man I met in Portland named Roy Jay, aka “Mr. Portland”. He is an interesting person with a big personality but a much bigger heart. He understands people and it is his desire to help people live a better life, which is why he started Project Clean Slate. The Oregon Convention & Visitor Services guide called him “Mr. Portland” because of his business and information contracts and contacts. To learn more about “Mr. Portland” and what he does for communities in Portland, check out his story on page 12.
“Living Life to the Fullest!” WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING…
Yay!! The existence of this magazine makes living out here a little easier. Thanks K. Heller, added to our guestbook on July 9, 2009
Starla It seems as though you've got it going on...Susan B. Taylor (referencing our July 2009 issue) , you go girl! You can't get any better or bigger than that.
Please send your comments, suggestions and compliments to us via email wpas@urbanlifenw.com, or via US Postal Service to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124
Keep up the good work. J. Gudger, Houston, TX, a ULNW Subscriber, received July 17, 2009
We love hearing from you!
Dear Urban Life Northwest, This magazine is something else! I look forward to picking up a copy every month. I told some friends about this magazine and thought I was sharing a “best kept” secret but I was surprised to find out they already knew about Urban Life Northwest. One friend found you on Facebook. Staying on the forefront of technology is just another aspect of this magazine that keeps me impressed. Seattle needs you, the Northwest needs you, I need you! Thanks! S. Random, Seattle, WA, received July 21, 2009 4
URBAN LIFE MONEY MATTERS
Having a life of financial wealth means having adequate income to split between giving, spending, saving, and investing. Giving allows you to help others and focus on needs outside of your immediate life. Spending is required in order to live life. Saving allows you to prepare for life’s unexpected or expected needs, if you are saving for something specific. Investing gives you a head start on your future life. Mutual funds are one path leading to the road of wealth. Not everyone desires to be wealthy, but for those of us who do; Jean Chatzky, a well known financial journalist, cites two traits that wealthy individuals share. Habitual saving is one, investing in stocks is another. Mutual funds allow you to do both. In her interviews with the wealthy, they said that consistently saving - in both up and down markets - is essential to their financial success. They know that the market is up 70% of the time and that they need to take certain risks in order to reach their goals. In a mutual fund, individuals pool their money to buy stocks, bonds or other securities of a wide range of companies and industries. Each fund has a stated objective. Professional fund analysts spend their days researching how to meet these objectives so that investors don’t have to. Mutual funds are one of the easiest, most effective, and least stressful investment vehicles around. They have long been touted as the common person’s route into the world of equity investing. They give novice investors a chance to share in the potentially high returns of securities. Mutual funds boast the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Affordability – If you don’t have $1,000 or $2,500 or $10,000 handy to open an account, there are mutual funds that allow you to start with a smaller lump sum, and contribute as little as $25 each month. Professional Management – This is a great feature for those who don’t have time or resources to research and buy individual securities, or to monitor their performance. Stated Objectives/Investment Strategy– You determine the kind of performance you want out of your investment, then select a fund that performs accordingly. There are about 20 different objectives including: income, growth, aggressive growth, capital appreciation (also known as an increase in stock price), and principal preservation to name a few. Dollar Cost Averaging – You can take advantage of this feature by making systematic monthly purchases. It allows you to benefit, even in a down market because your dollars buy more shares. Accessibility/ Liquidity - Investing and withdrawals are easy and efficient. Your money can be pulled directly from a bank account into a mutual fund, or from a mutual fund into a bank account. Many funds also have check writing privileges. Asset Diversification – Your investment dollars can be spread across a wide range of companies and industries. In this way you lower your investment risk by offsetting losses in one asset class again gains in another. Asset Allocation –You choose the type of mutual fund you prefer based upon your risk tolerance, for example a bond fund, stock fund, money market fund, sector fund, target-date fund (“set-it-and-forget-it”), or index fund. You can also choose to have an actively managed fund, or one that passively follows the performance of a market index.
Remember: Market performance is never guaranteed. And while, mutual funds are impressive, like other securities, you may experience transaction fees, capital gains tax, etc. You should only purchase any investment after fully understanding your options.
*Patrycia L. Taylor, MBA is a Financial Advisor living in South Seattle. You may contact her at (206) 248-5642.
Pacific Northwest
Orthodontics C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. 2815 S. McClellan Street Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 722-5000 5
URBAN LIFE MARRIAGE & FAMILY
By Bartley Felder If the current economic recession has made you cancel or revise your annual family vacation plans, now is the time to embrace the idea of staying in the same place and doing fun leisurely things as a family. While the rest of the country says the summer months are June, July, and August, we in the Pacific Northwest know better. So when the calendar says August, we know it's time for the family to have some serious fun. Of course global warming has us thinking that a three month summer is possibly on the horizon for us as well. Shortly after relocating to the Puget Sound area, one of the weather reporters said, "I've now been here a year and I've discovered the difference between summer and winter is that the raindrops are warmer." I also noticed that for children the ever so slight variation in the day to day forecasts means as little to them as to their parents - if by chance it is Photo by Miklos Fitch noticed at all. Some teenagers even wear flip flops, shorts, and Tee shirts throughout the entire year. This leads me to the month of August which has been affectionately referred to as our one month of summer on account of fewer rainy days and a countable number of 70 - 80 degree days. If there ever was a time to plan for every minute of sun, surf, and fun, this is it. The endless list of outdoor activities abound from the low-lying valley towns to the many hiking trails leading up to Mt. Rainier with its perpetual snow cap glistening in the bright hot sun, and the many, many miles of coastline beaches beaconing swimmers and boaters alike. The number of family oriented activities range from horticulture festivals where children can pick and/or plant fruit, vegetables, trees, etc.; to permanent as well as temporarily constructed amusement park arenas with their rides, games, and water works; and of course food to satisfy every imaginable taste. If the family's budget consists of little or no discretionary funds, remember the free art walks in Seattle on first Thursdays, the free concerts in the parks and Eastside Cities' malls, and even on street corners; the host of book readings and films at the public libraries, the vacation Bible Schools at a number of area churches, and the many charities who gladly welcome volunteers to help clean up a park or feed the homeless for example. Consider an old fashioned impromptu family picnic in your backyard or at the neighborhood park on the corner. What fun having the kids gather up whatever favorite treats they might find in the "frig" or the "cupboards" along with the dog trailing behind and the old ratty blanket dragging the ground. Summer vacation for kids generally means a break from winter school and for parents, guardians, and caregivers a break from work and the perfect opportunity to re-connect with your kids on another level. So on your family's vacation at home make the most of it and enjoy your time together.
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Bartley Felder is a native of Washington D.C., has a BA degree in Anthropology, who has traveled the globe and loves to write.
URBAN LIFE HEALTH & FITNESS
It’s summer, which means swim season is here. I encourage everyone to enjoy the weather and water while they can. However, be aware that you need to take precautions to protect yourself from recreational water illnesses, before you go for that swim. The Centers for Disease Control offers some helpful tips.
What are recreational water illnesses (RWIs)? RWIs are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. Recreational water illnesses can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea.
Why doesn't chlorine kill these RWI germs? Chlorine in swimming pools does kill the germs that may make people sick, but it takes time. Chlorine in properly disinfected pools kills most germs that can cause RWIs in less than an hour, however some germs take longer. This means that without your help, illnesses can spread even in well-maintained pools.
Who is most likely to get ill from an RWI? Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems (such as those living with AIDS, those who have received an organ transplant, or those receiving certain types of chemotherapy) can suffer from more severe illness if infected.
How can you protect yourself against RWIs? Remember to swim your LAAPS. Look at the pool and surroundings. Here’s what you should notice.
Smooth pool sides; tiles should not be sticky or slippery. Clean and clear pool water; you should be able to clearly see any painted stripes and the bottom of the pool. No odor; a well-chlorinated pool has little odor. A strong chemical smell might indicate a maintenance problem. Pool equipment working; pool pumps and filtration system make noise and you should hear them running. Ask questions of the pool staff. • Are chlorine levels checked during the times when the pool is most heavily used? • What was the health inspector’s grade for the pool after its last inspection? Act by being proactive and educating others. • Learn about recreational water illnesses and educate other users. • Urge your pool management to spread the word about recreational water illnesses. Practice healthy swimmy behaviors • Do not swim if you or your child has diarrhea. • Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting it in our mouth. • Shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. • Take children on bathroom breaks, check diapers often, and change diapers in bathrooms. Safety is always important. • Keep an eye on children at all times, kids can drown in seconds and in silence. • Don’t use air-filled swimming aids (such as “water wings”) with children in place of life jackets or life preservers. • • • •
Protect against sunburn by using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection, and reapply after swimming. And as always consult your doctor if you have any questions. *Dr. Raines is a practicing physician at the UW’s Roosevelt Family Medicine Clinic in Seattle, WA. 7
August 7th – 9th – Don’t miss the Educational Resource Street Fair (EDRSF). Come for the fun and leave with a positive experience and FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES! On August 7th at 6pm enjoy a musical. Saturday, August 8th the EDRSF begins at 11am and ends at 5pm. Sunday, August 9th there will be an Urban Bike Ride starting at 3pm. Location: Peoples Institutional Baptist Church, 159 – 24th Ave. For more info call (206) 323-5959 or visit – www.edrsf.org (SEATTLE) August 22nd – Jump, Bounce and Play – A Family Fun Day and School Supply Giveaway presented by Marantha Community Outreach Ministries. Location: Campground 5016 McKinley Ave. Tacoma, WA 98404 For more info call (253) 951-8980 (TACOMA) August 29th - Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is having a Food and Nutrition Fair. Learn about healthy eating, the value of organic food and children’s nutrition. Everyone is welcome!. Enter our recipe contest and win a prize. Children in attendance will receive a gift. Bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to a local food bank. Location: 2116 E. Union Street, Seattle, WA 98122 in the church Fellowship Hall, Time: 1:00PM-5:00PM For more info call (206) 424-4573 or email pearllegacy@yahoo.com. Volunteers Needed! (SEATTLE) Now – August 30th – Kids Discovery Museum presents, The Zany Rainy Forest. This custom built rain forest exhibit is designed to help kids explore the wonders of the world. It promotes respect for cultural diversity and environmental conservation. For more info call (206) 855- 4650 or visit www.kidimu.org/zanyrainy.htm (BAINBRIDGE ISLAND) Now – September 18th – Boehms Candies Tour will take you through the candy factory where you will receive samples of confections and see how the candies are made. You will also see the authentic Swiss Chalet, and Alpine Chapel where you will learn about the history of the founder, Julius Boehm. For more info, call (425) 392-6652 or visit - www.boehmscandies.com/catalog/ tours.php (ISSAQUAH) Now – September 1st – Visit the Country Fair Fun Park. This park has over 25 rides and attractions geared especially for children. Rides such as the Canoe River one will let kids float their own canoes on our river, perhaps reliving the dreams of an Indian maiden or a young brave exploring the wild northwest! The Barrel Ride is a barrel full of giggles and laughter, as each barrel spins, while all the barrels go round and round. Be sure to bring the entire family and spend the day at the farm! For more info call (425) 333-4135 or visit - www.remlingerfarms.com/remlinger_park_rides.htm (CARNATION)
August 28th – September 7th – Oregon State Fair. Started in the late nineteenth century, the State Fair has become an Oregon family tradition. Families come from all over the state to take in great shows, rides, culinary delights, and animal and agricultural exhibits. For more info call 1-800-833-0011 or visit www.oregonstatefair.org/ (SALEM) All Year Long – Visit The Farm. The Farmyard is great fun for kids of all ages. From the young to the young at heart, everyone will enjoy a "hands-on" experience with America's most beautiful, pettable and friendly animals. For more info call (541) 535-1316 or visit - http://visitthefarm.org/ (MEDFORD) All Year Long – Explore Oregon Coast Lighthouses with your family. Oregon's surviving coastal lighthouses serve as visible, accessible links to the past and monuments to Oregon's maritime heritage. Aided by interpretive displays, historical accounts and a little imagination, you can now gain some insight about what life was like for the light keepers who lit the way for mariners off Oregon's perilous coastline. Climb to the lantern or tower watch rooms at some of the locations and experience the panoramic sights once enjoyed by the light keepers. Hear the sounds of the seabirds and the wind that accompanied their isolation. (OREGON COAST) 8
Now accepting applications for the 2009/2010 school year Pre-K through 5th grade.
Call Today! (206) 723-0580
“Zion Prep Academy has a strong academic emphasis, in a Christian environment. The academy helps student build a strong sense of self-esteem, a strong moral compass, and a sense of purpose in their lives.
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www.zionprep.org
We are very excited about all of the new changes at Zion Prep, including the social development curriculum, and the classes for both gifted and academically challenged students. Our family loves Zion Prep!“ -The Nichols Family
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URBAN LIFE REAL ESTATE
By Djuna Basconcelo Although our area has seen four consecutive months of decreased inventory and an increased number of sold homes, there are still opportunities for those considering a move-up home purchase. Think about it, a little more space, more desirable fixtures and finishes, or a more sought after neighborhood, might be really appealing if the starter home is feeling a bit cramped or success on the job makes the move-up possibility a possible reality. Some people hesitate making a move up now because they fear not getting the most money possible from the sale of the current house is a bad business decision. The average home may have lost 10 to 15% of appraised value in the recent real estate dip. Well, if that is true for the $200,000 home, it is also true for the $400,000 home. So if the current home is now only worth $180,000, the next home is only going to cost $360,000, improving the move up buyer’s position by $20,000. Waiting to recover the lost $20,000 in value on the current home could actually price a move-up buyer out of the market. Add to that interest rates that are potentially lower than those on house notes secured some years ago, the monthly payment on the move-up house may be proportionately lower than on the current property. There are also “deals” to be had because so much of the inventory currently for sale is owned by banks. Banks are into banking, not property management, they don’t want to own, maintain, and pay taxes on these homes and some have been accepting offers most private sellers won’t or can’t accept. A word to the seniors in our communities who have owned their homes for many many years and feel stuck. Maybe the house is too much to manage, clean, and heat/cool, but giving up so much of the equity in a sale while the market is still recovering seems worse than the burden of staying in it. Keep in mind residential real estate values double approximately every 10 to 12 years in our area, and the gain over $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple is taxable on the sale of a personal residence. It is quite conceivable someone who sells a home after 40 or 50 years of ownership could realize profits in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and a good portion the additional money earned in a seller’s market sale could actually be consumed by taxation. If moving “up” is even on the radar screen looking at the big picture is critical in reaching a sound decision that will not only affect lifestyle, but wealth creation in the long run. *Djuna Basconcelo has worked for Keller Williams Realty for 10 years. She specializes in helping her clients find homes that they love. See her website at www.TheReDoc.com
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URBAN LIFE GREEN
By John Bertles Environmental Education is a hot topic these days. More and more schools are “going green” - instituting recycling programs and ecological student-action groups, and addressing issues like sustainability and rapid climate change. Teachers and parents naturally look at this as an opportunity to help kids develop their own ecological awareness. But where to begin? Environmental science is a relatively young field, and educators and companies that create educational curriculum are hard-pressed to keep up with rapidly changing findings. This is also a politically volatile issue, with some politicians and pundits taking extreme stands on both sides of the issue - making unsubstantiated claims while denying others, playing fast and loose with science, and generally engaging in ecological trash-talking, so to speak.
John Bertles - photo by John Maggiotto
Bash the Trash Environmental Arts (BTT) is a group of artist/educators dedicated to raising environmental awareness through the arts while making connections to curriculum. We’ve been offering performances, residencies, professional development and educational consulting since 1988, currently reaching over 60,000 students a year – but always with an environmental focus. Here are a few things we’ve learned along the way.
Photo by Cabel Risdon
When beginning a new program, always start with science. Stay current with new environmental studies and seek scientific consensus as much as possible. Look for multiple studies that have reached similar conclusions rather than single studies that cozily advance the environmental agenda but have not reached a consensus point. It is vital to avoid making unsubstantiated claims that give more ammunition to nay-sayers.
Adapt the message to new research. BTT used to actively encourage children to reuse plastic bottles, but recent studies have shown that some plastic bottles (specifically Lexan #7 plastic) leech harmful chemicals into the liquid. Our decision was to cut that portion of our message and wait for further research. Avoid being preachy. Instead of saying “You should do this…”, try “Here’s what we do…” For example, BTT builds musical instruments from trash, a tangible example of Reusing. In that way we present a working model of what we do to incorporate the environment in our daily life. We have found that the best way to make eco-conscious communities is to start with the children. The kids bring these issues home and end up converting their parents. The parents then bring the issues into their own workplaces. From the school, to the home, to the workplace – that’s the way we’re going to make a difference.
Photo by Cabel Risdon
John Bertles is an educator, composer, instrument builder and environmental activist. The founder of Bash the Trash Environmental Arts, he has performed with Yo-Yo Ma and Wynton Marsalis, visited Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and is on the national roster of Kennedy Center teacher trainers. 11
ULNW COVER STORY
By Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D.
There is no getting around the fact that Roy Jay is excited about the work that he does. There is a good reason why. Most of us don’t think much about our identification documents. We show them when we need to. We tease other people about their ugly pictures and lie that ours are gorgeous. Roy Jay, aka “Mr. Portland” The media have increasingly shared stories about people whose identities have been stolen. There is, however, a large group of people who are off of most of our identity radars. But Roy Jay thought about this group of people in the middle of his insomniac nights, feeling compelled to awaken his Portland African American Chamber of Commerce board members on one middle of the pre-dawn morning. The annual dinner was coming up and Roy could not abide the idea of yet another chicken dinner with a community awardee being funded by a corporate sponsor. Instead Jay had been thinking about helping “people living in the shadows with warrants for their arrests.” Roy is a man with a loud voice, a forceful manner, and a take no prisoners style. It is clear that he is going to solve any problem that steps in his path. Having grown up in a two parent household, but basically raised by a single mother, he appears to have become for others a strong paternal community figure. This is a consistent perception. Oregon Business Magazine reported that “Roy Jay describes himself as a businessman "from the projects," an African-American in the larger business community. His friends describe him as larger than life, one of the few men in Portland who fights consistently to bring educational and economic opportunities to minority communities.” (http://royjay.com ) His mother, Roy says, “was the guiding light” in his life, a woman who gave him the formula for living: to excel, to never forget his roots. She was his friend, his confidante, his teacher and professor, his everything. And at points when life unraveled for him, he found that he “should have done just what mama said.” That is essentially what he now does on a grander scale. He parents the community, teaching skills that people can use to rebuild their lives. Mama would have been proud of her son. He is President and CEO of the Portland African American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (AACCO) (www.blackchamber.info), and was recently elected Vice president of the newly formed National Vice President of the National Alliance of African American Chambers which will make the organization debut at the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington DC in September. He has worked since he was a child, not wanting to be beholden to anyone. “Know the joke about Jamaicans having nine jobs?” he asks. “Well I am half Jamaican.” When reminded that he was then only required to work half as hard, he laughed heartily. He has received numerous honors and awards. In the convention and meeting industry business, he is an important industry name. In November 2006, Jay was named national chairperson by the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners; he was only the 4th chair in 23 years and the first from the west coast. His plan was to take the organization from “good to great!” He was named Newsmaker of the Year (2006) and was recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major For Justice Award in that same year. A leading contender for the 2008 mayoral race, Jay had to disqualify himself when it was discovered that his newly purchased Street of Dreams home was a mere blocks from the Portland city line. And Mama would have been proud of her son’s early morning solution to his musings about the shadow people. Here is what they were. A program that helps nonviolent offenders and scofflaws get prepared to reenter work life by cleaning up their records and tarnished identities. His plan is to get these people to “good.” Their hard work can then push them to “great.” The AACCO board members clearly thought Jay’s idea was in the “good to great” ratio, too. While attending a chamber board meeting, a circuit court judge, called the District Attorney at home, and suggested that this idea be implemented as soon as possible for everyone in the region. A meeting soon followed with all imaginable agencies - Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, Child Support Enforcement Division, Motor Vehicles Department, Social Service agencies, Mental Health agencies, community colleges, public defenders, private attorneys, Portland City Council and numerous members and associates of the African American Chamber. Any group that seemed reasonable to conduct pre-planning services for people wanting to emerge from the shadows, rejoin society and become productive citizens. On July 9, 2005, Project Clean Slate opened its doors, assuming a very large number of people – perhaps 500 – would attend because of the referrals expected from the combined agencies. According to Mr. Jay, “3000 showed up, including gang members from both sides of the tracks, waiting patiently for up to 10 hours! We actually took the court house and moved everything to a local community college”. 12
Roy named it Project Clean Slate, because it helps clear up a significant portion of the county's backlog of unserved warrants, which is particularly helpful for less-serious offenses such as jaywalking or failure to appear in court on a speeding ticket. Connections to necessary social services helps people sign up for the Oregon Health Plan, food stamps or drug treatment if those services are warranted. The African American Chamber had the juice to pull this off. They are highly respected for the work they do and the values they hold. The AACOC is a non-profit organization of individuals and businesses who ban together to advance the commercial, financial, industrial and civic interest of the community. Jay says that nearly 45% of their current 955 members, associates and supporters are not Black It is a civic clearinghouse, a public relations counselor, a legislative representative at the local, state and national levels of government. The Chamber is an information bureau and a research / promotional medium. It is also, says Roy, a place that “refuses to partner with sports groups because sports have been the downfall of young folks. Killing each other over shoes! We are cautious of sports companies. They have to prove to the community that they are seriously empowering young people far beyond scoring points and touch downs”. What I say to everyone I work with in Project Clean Slate is this: We are trying to raise a new generation of men. The Players Manual has expired. It doesn’t work here. If you don’t step up, no one else is likely to help you. Rehabilitating lives is not an easy process and it is not one that incarceration typically provides. In addition to released felons, there are 60,000 fugitives in the four-county area around Roy’s Portland, Oregon community. To become employed, people with arrest records, active fugitives, and other “shadowy” characters cannot begin to live in what most of us consider to be a respectable manner until they can pass a background check. For this, you need to produce identification. This knowledge led to Roy Jay’s insomniac brainstorm. It was why he awakened his friends at 1 a.m. It is how Project Clean Slate was born. We may all be born as tabula rasas but if we write the wrong information on our lives, Project Clean Slate is now available to provide people with an opportunity to wipe their slates clean and rewrite themselves. To date, the program has helped thousands of people regain their driving license privileges, expunged minor criminal convictions (juvenile and adult), arranged for back payment of child support and begun the essential processes to gain, upgrade and maintain employment, housing and other opportunities to reintegrate into society. This, of course, is the lie of our current system of justice for those who have been incarcerated. If few people will hire you because you have been a felon, then there are limited legal options for how you might work and find housing. Most of us have little respect for the challenges faced by those who leave jail and wonder why they return. In many cases, it is as simple as not being able to find legitimate forms of work. Project Clean Slate makes this process easier for those whose truly want to turn over a new leaf. It is not surprising to learn that many of those who seek the help of Project Clean Slate have few skills and limited educational profiles. While their ages have tended to range from 21-29, there has been a recent influx of people in their 50’s resulting from recent program publicity. The program’s clients are racially and ethnically diverse; most program clients (61%) are not African American. Many fit the stereotypes society holds of people who cannot make it. Clean Slate gives them stereotype-busting tools in the form of the knowledge that they can pass a drug test, have no outstanding warrants and tickets, have supportive medical and mental health services to work through problems that have attended their lives. They have jobs to show stability. And the pride that comes with doing a task well. Roy stays on the road much of the time, talking to people in other cities about the utility of such the Project Clean Slate model, receiving awards for his innovation, blowing off steam because he works so hard he may just burst at the seams. He has a lot to share, certainly, especially now that the Clean Slate Bill (HB 3054) has been signed into Oregon law on June 22, 2007. Supported by District Attorney, Judges and Public Defenders, The Project Clean Slate bill, which is based on a highly successful community program launched by the African-American Chamber of Commerce, is a way to help those with past minor criminal and civil offenses on their records start over and reintegrate into the community. Project Clean Slate recognizes that many offenders find the process of returning to their communities difficult and alienating. This, combined with a lack of assistance and options, can lead to a cycle of repeat offending. "When [Chamber President] Roy Jay approached me with the idea of implementing The Clean Slate project on a statewide level, I knew it was an idea whose time had come," Oregon State Representative Chip Shields. “This bill will go a long way toward breaking the cycle for Oregon's former inmates.” The Clean Slate bill was funded at $275,000 for the initial biennium (2007-2009) and is designed to help reformed offenders and the communities to which they return, because when a person successfully turns their life around, everyone benefits. When he is not traveling, he is at home, working away on one of his many computers. Who would believe that Roy is a “computer geek”? Certainly, the computers give him something to do in the middle of the night when he is looking for the next Big Idea and whom in Portland to corral to help him pull it off. So if you are a friend, and he has many, stay tuned at 1 a.m. If the phone rings, its Roy Jay calling with the next Big Thing to help the citizens of the city that he and you love. For more information about Project Clean Slate, visit their website at (www.projectcleanslate.com).
*Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.
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LAUGH OUT LOUD (LOL)
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Tim Jackson, is a nationally syndicated cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer. Monthly, he creates original illustrations specifically for Urban Life Northwest.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Oregon Trivia - True or False Answer these 5 questions correctly and win a 1 year subscription to Urban Life Northwest!
July 2009
1. Has more ghost towns than any other state.
Winners
2. Is the only state without self-serve gas stations.
C. Finkley, Covington, WA P. Phillips, Seattle, WA E. Thompson, Portland, OR
3. The State birthday is February 14th - Valentine’s day. 4. Navy blue and white are Oregon’s official state colors. 5. Eugene was the first city with one-way streets.
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Answers (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Las Vegas
New York, NY Hawaii California Seattle
The first 3 persons to answer correctly will receive a 1 year subscription to our magazine! We would love to mail our magazine to your home or office. This subscription is a $12.00 value! Submit your answers via email to KIP@UrbanLifeNW.com. Please include your name and mailing address so that we may send your prize. **Winners will be announced in our September 2009 issue.**
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URBAN LIFE POLITICS
By Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney
What made Professor Henry Louis Gates angry? Given the national discussion, talk-show tumult, and arm-chair refereeing we have been embroiled in as a result of the July 16, 2009 arrest of Professor Gates in his Cambridge home, America has learned, much to its dismay, that the garden gate is stuck wide open in non-post-racial America. But before talking solutions, let’s discuss why Professor Gates was angry (which also goes a fair ways towards explaining the President’s initial response). There is a promise held out to all children in the United States of America. It is this: if you work hard, you can become whatever you want to be. It is a promise that has had a certain fervency and occasionally bitter poignancy for African American children: if you are an excellent student, work hard at your job, stay out of legal trouble, and create right networks, you can be anything, including – though some have never believed it until now – the President of the United States. Living that dream, Dr. Gates is a literary critic, writer, editor and public intellectual, often referred to as the nation's most famous black scholar. It is a shock then to find your dream of America – and of who you are in it – trampled on inside the safety of your own home; or shackled in handcuffs on your porch, which being outside your home, allows your arrest. Every black person in the country can certainly attest to having been profiled. It is our responses to the profiling – often – that makes the critical difference. My first profiling experience was as a 12 year old uniformed private school student leaving mid-term exams. I stumbled into an anti-war protest and was grabbed by a police officer who ignored white rabble rousers to bean me with his billy club and give me a face full of tear gas. Wrong, yes. Maddening, absolutely. Internationally, I apparently look like a terrorist. I have been seriously profiled in all of its diasporic forms. But never in my own house; nor you, most likely, in yours.
What made Sergeant James Crowley angry? Sergeant James Crowley became angry because he knew that he was, as President Obama later informed the nation, “an outstanding police officer and a good man.” Crowley knew that he had previously been selected to teach a course on racial profiling for a police training academy. Crowley was answering a Cambridge neighborhood call about an in-progress breaking and entering by two black men. Crowley knew that seven homes in the neighborhood had been burglarized the previous week. Apparently, when Professor Gates answered his door, Crowley was unsure if Gates was safe, thinking perhaps that two dangerous men were hiding in the house. It seems from what we have heard about the interchange between the men that concerns about Gates’ safety may not have been adequately communicated. According to Sergeant Crowley, a 911 call came from a passerby reporting that two men were attempting to force open the door at Professor Gates' Harvard Square home. The rest of the story is the same if the word alleged precedes them – travel, jammed door, home owner. By Crowley’s account, Gates refused to show his ID when asked, behaving in a “belligerent and tumultuous” manner. Sergeant Crowley told the press that he then arrested Gates for disorderly conduct after the professor followed him outside. Crowley additionally stated that, though warned, Gates continued his verbal tirade against the officer in spite of several warnings.
What do we know now? If anyone had time to waste a few years ago, there was a fairly forgettable Samuel L. Jackson movie called Amos and Andrew that has overtones to the Gates affair. In it, African American professional Andrew Sterling moved into an all-white New England town, whose neighbors, sure that he was breaking and entering called the police who, sure that no black man would summer there, overreacted and surrounded the house with guns, created a standoff. As Andrew attempts to protect himself from the police with a firearm, one officer, Amos, realizes that the police have made a terrible error and saves Andrew. While it is important that the police did not kill Andrew, we know that this happens. And it did not miss my attention that Andrew could not save himself. The Gates situation had a better outcome, certainly. But what do we know now? Here are two men with large egos both unwilling to admit any wrongdoing, their positions now wedded to the national support they have received from separate quarters. And the corners they sit in fit their primitive brains – this is what people do when their feelings are terribly hurt. It is important to try to understand that every issue has more than two sides. This one has race (white cop black man; white neighborhood, black homeowner), class (white/blue collar), egos unwilling to budge, exhaustion, connections to important friends, two men each at the top of their perches, and a crowd gathering outside. Is it fair to say that white people just don’t get it? That they don’t run the risks incurred for DWB (driving while black)? Police have often acted without equanimity against black people. That America has a black President, a black female media mogul, a black public intellectual (Gates) and will soon have its first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, means that we have come a tremendously long way from the days of Jim Crow. But that all other things being (perhaps equal?), the bad tempers of two good men can still lead to arresting the black one on his own property means that we live in an America where race impedes us less but still defines us. *For the extended version of this article, check out Lora-Ellen’s blog - http://l-emboland.blogspot.com 16
*Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.
URBAN LIFE INSPIRATION
The degrees of success and happiness we achieve in life result overwhelmingly from the actions we take. But the actions which matter most are not those we do every now and then. It is our consistent actions (our habits) which more than anything else determine the direction and success of our lives. Thus, the first key to success is to adopt good habits. However, the problem with the above bill of advice is that in the vast majority of cases our habits are not the result of conscious thought and logical decision making. Instead, our habits tend to be "reactions" to our experiences. If those experiences are disproportionately negative, they will tend to produce negative reactions and when this happens consistently, the mental foundation for the bad habit would have been laid. Always remember that while all experiences count, the ones which count the most in shaping our habits are those which are most emotional and which occur most frequently, especially when we are young. But despite their obvious power and near control over our lives, we do not have to be slaves to our past experiences. Indeed, if those experiences have produced low self-esteem, self-defeating habits and other negative behaviors, we must not be slaves to them. The most important tool to employ in order to take control of your habits (and as a result become the master of your destiny) is to be highly motivated. You must be driven. Your desire for success must be greater than your fear of failure. You must step outside your current comfort zone and take a chance. If you are not currently a highly motivated person, here are some steps you can take to become a more focused and motivated individual. Establish Clear, Specific Goals! Your life goals are the things which give purpose to your life. They are the reason you live. Your desire to achieve these goals will be your greatest motivator. Thus, you must organize your life around the achievement of those goals. Write them down and read (internalize) them at least twice a day. Take An Action A Day! You must establish an action plan which requires that you do at least one thing each day which brings you closer to your goals. Never forget that it is action which turns goals and dreams into realities. Do something each day. Habit is nothing but repeated behavior. Just do it, do it, do it. And one day you will wake up and find yourself taking productive actions without even thinking about it. That is when you would have formed a habit. Instill Emotion! Rational thought and logic can enable us to figure out what to do and how to do it, but it is only emotion that will make us do it. Human behavior is emotionally driven. The two chief emotions are desire and fear. Strong desire will make you take action. But fear can also prompt action. You act because you are afraid of the consequences if you fail to act. I recommend the use of self-hypnosis to instill strong, positive emotional desire. And self-hypnosis can be as simple as retreating to a quiet place twice a day and emotionally repeating positive affirmations. Take Charge! Repeat this mantra, "If it is to be, it is up to me." There may be a host of reasons for current bad habits ranging from having been raised in a dysfunctional home to falling in with the wrong crowd, to just not having correct information. Regardless, if things are going to change for the better, it is up to you. No one else is responsible for bettering your life. If you find someone or a group which helps, that's fine. But the chief responsibility is yours. Stop playing the "blame game" and take charge of your life. * Source - Article by Robert N. Taylor, http://www.getmotivation.com/stories62.htm 17
URBAN LIFE ENTERTAINMENT
By La’Chris Jordan It was late Thursday afternoon at a dance rehearsal at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and Maxie Jamal, the choreographer, tells her dancers, “We’re going to run this twice. Get it in your bones, get in your blood.” No moans or sighs were heard which is amazing because the 50 or so dancers had already been rehearsing for hours. Many of their moves looked stage-ready but Jamal wasn’t satisfied. As the music played again, the dancers began to move with eye-popping accuracy and confidence to the 1995 hit song “Scream” a duet performed by none other than Michael Jackson and his sister, Janet. And did I mention that the “dancers” are 13- to 18-years old? These teenagers could be doing anything – hanging out with friends, shopping, texting, even vacationing with their families. Instead, they chose to be far from the distractions of everyday teen life to rehearse for eight hours a day to prepare for the upcoming production of Bobos, a hip-hop musical written by Ed Shockley and Grammy Award winning composer and best selling novelist James McBride (Color of Water). Teens from Seattle and beyond – almost 200 of them -- will sing, dance, act, and work as production staff in Bobos, which will be performed at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (LHPAC) on August 17-23. This will mark the 13th year of LHPAC’s teen summer musical. The two-hour plays deals with the tough choices facing inner-city teens. Bobos is described as “the future of musical theatre” by legendary arranger Quincy Jones and will be directed by Isiah Anderson, Jr. The musical has won several major awards including the Richard Rodgers Award (the American Academy of Arts and Letters), and the Stephen Sondheim Award for Outstanding Contributions to American Musical Theatre. Anderson, the teen development leader at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, chose “Bobos” because of its current, overarching themes - themes he says is representative of what many young kids are experiencing today. “I have seen many youth get ‘caught up’,” Anderson says, referring to teens he has known who have allowed negative influences to take over their lives. “The kids are often doing what the media is showing them as acceptable. They may sell drugs or steal in order to obtain those things that their parents can’t afford. And soon, they are getting caught up in a life that’s really hard to turn around.” Ironically, the involvement in the 10-week summer program is what has perhaps kept many youth from being idle and getting ‘caught up.’ Every year, teens from all over the Seattle area audition for the summer musical in the hopes of seeing themselves on stage. And many of them do get that opportunity. “I have never turned away a youth,” says Anderson. “Whatever they bring, I’m going to use. The only reason someone is not accepted into the program is because of conflicting schedules with the rehearsals.” Yet Anderson expects full commitment from the students who do agree to participate. And this type of inclusiveness has made an impact. In addition to learning how to dance, sing, and act, the teens learn how to be responsible for each other through what Anderson describes as “self-discipline, self-motivation and self-confidence.” “My job is to give them the ability to step outside of their box,” Anderson says of each teens individual performances. “I encourage them to get perspective from the outside in instead of the inside out. I ask them what they would want if they were seeing this performance. So when they’re on stage, they’re giving the audience what they would want.” And if the rehearsals are any indication of what type of show the summer musical will be, audiences are in for an amazing treat. To find out more about All Teen Summer Musical at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, call (206) 684-4757 or visit http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/centers/langston.htm. *La'Chris Jordan is an award-winning playwright whose plays have been performed in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York. 18
URBAN LIFE STYLE
By Starla L. Fitch
OVE IT OR HATE IT, IT’S YOUR HAIR.
Whether you grew it naturally or bought it from a store, it is yours and it is up to you to make your hair work for you. The look and style you choose for any particular day will depend on your mood and where you are going, so don’t be afraid to shake it up. Wear it short or long, curly or straight, natural or relaxed, no matter what look you choose, you make the hair, the hair doesn’t make you. Celebrities aren’t afraid to wear different looks and we shouldn’t be either. Exercise versatility. Don’t get stuck in a hair styling rut. Variety is the spice of life, so spice it up! The trend at this time is, finding a look that fits you and is best for the occasion. Curly, straight, crimped, braided, long or short any of these choices will work, you just have to find the style that works best with your facial features. There is no particular “day” versus “night” style. Either of the styles shown with this article could be worn day or night, but as I said before, base your decision on where you have to go and what you have to do. The real key to having a beautiful hair style, is finding a good beautician who will help grow and nurture your natural hair but will also help you find looks that will compliment your personal style. To accomplish a particular look, you may want to try braids, a weave or a wig. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Care for your natural hair but don’t ignore the many options available that will help you achieve the hair style you’ve always wanted; one that will make you stand out from the crowd. Whatever style you choose, wear it with confidence!
From top to bottom
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Rhiana Beyonce Jennifer Hudson Halle Berry Tyra Banks
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URBAN LIFE FOOD
By Evelyn Ray 6 slices of thick bacon 3 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped 1 small bag of salad express iceberg lettuce 1 yellow onion, diced 3 green onions, chopped 3/4 cups of celery, chopped 1 medium red pepper, chopped 1 10oz. package of frozen peas thawed and drained 2 cups of shredded cheese 3 tomatoes, sliced 1 large salad bowl Fry bacon until crisp, drain on a paper towel, crumble and set aside. Mix the romaine and salad express together. Once this is done, start layering your salad. Layer 1 – evenly spread approximately 2 or 3 handfuls of lettuce on bottom of bowl. Layer 2 - smooth yellow onions over the lettuce then sprinkle lettuce on top of the onion Layer 3 – sprinkle on peas and top with a light layer of lettuce Layer 4 - spread on the red pepper and top with a light layer of lettuce Layer 5 – sprinkle on celery and top with a light layer of lettuce Layer 6 – spread on diced tomatoes and top with a light layer of lettuce Layer 7 – sprinkle on shredded cheese and top with a light layer of lettuce Layer 8 - sprinkle green onions and top with a light layer of lettuce Layer 9 - generously crown your salad with bacon Any additional shredded cheese, may be added to the top of your salad for more color and flare. Let salad set for a few minutes before serving. Another option is to add a light layer of ranch dressing to the top before adding the bacon and cheese. If you’re calorie conscious, you may want to serve this light and tasty summer salad with ranch dressing on the side. *Evelyn Ray is the owner of Royal Catering. Her dishes have a Southern flare but are influenced by local ingredients. You may contact Evelyn at royalcatering@yahoo.com.
Debbie M. Haggin Owner
Kent Station 441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103 Kent, WA 98032 (253) 859-9769 www.mariehaggin.com 20
Voted Best Gift Store 2009 by Kent Reporter
URBAN LIFE TRAVEL By Rev. Patricia L. Hunter If you have neglected to get away for a summer break, you have one month to make it happen. A relaxing spot by the water sounds fabulous with all the hot weather we have experienced. So why not combine an international jaunt, with romance and ocean views. The place you are looking for is Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is one of the most charming cities in the Northwest. I have spent significant time in Victoria and the journey there is one of the best parts of the trip. I prefer driving north to Vancouver and taking the ferry from Tswwassen. You can also fly to Victoria or take a ferry from Port Angeles. During the summer, ferries leave every hour from Tswwassen to Victoria. On the drive north you may spot Bald Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks and Blue Herons. The 90 minute ferry ride to Vancouver Island is another treat. You might see dolphins or a pod of Orcas as you weave through beautiful islands and sail through the open ocean. Traveling to Canada now requires proof of citizenship at the borders. A passport is always best, but Washington State offers enhanced drivers licenses that can be used at the boarder if driving. A passport is needed for those who are flying to and from Canada. No trip to Victoria is complete without a trip to Butchart Gardens. This fifty- five acre floral wonderland is a delight to all the senses. Master and novice gardeners will be amazed and inspired by the floral displays. If you are splurging on this late summer vacation, you can stay at the five star Fairmont Empress Hotel and treat yourself to high tea. High tea is way more than a cup of Lipton’s. It is a late afternoon delicacy of sweet and savory treats coupled with your favorite beverage. You can have a beautiful time in Victoria on a budget as well. There are wonderful bed and breakfasts, and modest hotels all over Victoria. Beacon Hill Park is another must see. Beacon Hill is at the southern most part of Victoria on the Pacific Ocean. You can look across the straight and see Washington, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Baker. It is a spectacular view. During the summer there are benefit races and concerts galore in this park. Children and adults alike enjoy the petting zoo in the park. Our Canadian neighbors welcome visitors and the currency exchange rate makes the U.S. dollar close to par with the Canadian dollar. It is not too late to plan that last summer trip. Take a few days and stroll the inner harbor of Victoria. You will be glad you did *Rev. Patricia L. Hunter, is a Baptist minister, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM and a columnists for the Seattle Times' Faith and Values section. *Photos by Miklos Fitch
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August 6th (Monthly) – Free First Thursday at the Burke Museum, from 10am to 8pm. See Coffee: The World in Your Cup exhibit from now until September 7, 2009. Location: University of Washington campus, NE 45th St. & 17th Ave. NE. For more info call (206) 543-5590 or go to www.burkemuseum.org (SEATTLE) August 8th– Healthy Aging Community Forum, at the Central Area Senior Center. Come meet and greet community leaders and find out more about this interesting forum. For more info call the CASC at (206) 726-4926 (SEATTLE) August 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th – Take in a Thursday Night Waterfront Concert. Port Gardner Landing is the perfect backdrop for the waterfront concert series. The dramatic marina setting adds refreshing dimension to some of the most entertaining bands in the Northwest. An Everett tradition! For more info call (425) 257 – 7101 or visit - www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=1120 (EVERETT) August 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th – Icicle Ridge Winery once again presents the Thursday Night Summer Dinner Series. Join Icicle Ridge Winery for their spectacular Summer Dinner Series. This sold out event has become a summer time tradition. Chef Leo Haas will delight you with his culinary artistry. Pair with your favorite Icicle Ridge wine for the ultimate food and wine experience. For more info call (509) 548-7019 or visit - www.icicleridgewinery.com/index.cfm (PESHASTIN) August 29th – Maryhill Winery Summer Concert Series presents John Legend -This popular annual event is located in the 4,000 seat outdoor amphitheater at Maryhill Winery. The amphitheater offers sweeping vistas of Mt. Hood, the Columbia River Gorge and will enchant lovers of music, wine and the great outdoors. Show starts at 7:00 pm, gates open 5:30 PM. For more info call (877) 627-9445 or visit - www.maryhillwinery.com/concerts.asp (GOLDENDALE) September 6th – The “ROOTS” Family Picnic Returns to the Community! The Breakfast Group, in partnership with The Northwest Black Pioneers, Roots Group and Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, is sponsoring the 2009 ROOTS Family Picnic. This event is a social gathering in support of closing the generation gap to strengthen family and community ties. Each family should bring: A picnic lunch, including all food, beverages, utensils, favorite games, blankets, chairs, portable grill, etc… A special food table will be hosted for senior citizens! (No Alcoholic Beverages) Location: Jimi Hendricks/Sam Smith Parks at the Northwest African American Museum, 2600 S. Massachusetts St. Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more info call Paul Mitchell (206) 329-6893.(SEATTLE)
ROSES IN THE WATER by La’Chris Jordan
ALALA PRODUCTIONS presents A staged reading of the new award-winning play
Life in the Desire Housing Projects isn’t easy for Clarice Smith and her family. The dead-end job, the drive-by shootings, and the constant struggle to pay the rent have all taken their toll on Clarice and she wants out. With no other options, Clarice enlists in the U.S. Navy against her mother’s wishes. But Clarice’s dreams for a better life are quickly shattered when an unexpected tragedy takes place. A challenging and timely drama with sharp humor, ROSES IN THE WATER touches on the tough choices we're sometimes forced to make. ROSES IN THE WATER was selected for the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival and was named a Finalist in the 2009 Write Movies International Competition in Los Angeles, California. Performance location: Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122. Date: Friday, September 11, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5.00. for more info call 206-245-6792 or visit www.lachrisjordan.webs.com.
August 26th – Social Celebration of our African & African American Dialogue, presented by the Black United Fund, Center for Intercultural Organization and the Urban League of Portland. Location: C.I.O. 700 N. Killingsworth, Time: 6:30 to 8:30pm. For more info contact Sunshine Dixon at (503) 280-2618 or go to www.ulpdx.org (PORTLAND) September 17th – 19th – Blues By The Sea is celebrating 10 years! This is the biggest blues festival on the Oregon coast. 5 reasons to come – Great Tunes, Great Times, Great Location, Great Cause and Great People! For more info visit www.bluesbythesea.com/Blues_By_The_Sea/Welcome.html. (ASTORIA) Thank you Church’s Chicken for sponsoring our Urban Life Community page.
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