Listen, if it's okay in the world of pop music for DJs to remix snippets of classic songs in order to rap over them, why shouldn't a hip-hop era filmmaker be able to do the same thing with an old movie, especially if its copyright is expired and its now part of the public domain?  That's precisely what we're dealing with in the case of "Rebirth of a Nation," a sophisticated overhaul of D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" ...

Stacy Spikes is the founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Urbanworld Film Festival, the premiere showcase for urban and ethnic films ... Over the years, his goal of celebrating filmmakers of color has successfully created a bridge in Hollywood between studio and independent films. . . .

Oregon lawmakers last week passed food quality standards for olive oil, with legislation introduced by Portland resident Paul Knauls Jr. State senators Friday approved a bill banning additives and fillers such as peanut oil to "extra virgin" olive oil – the finest quality oil, produced by the first pressing of the olives — sold in the state of Oregon, as well as creating new labeling requirements for the product. . . .

If you still receive your television signal off your old rabbit ears, take notice: On Friday June 12, your television set will no longer receive a signal from local stations. But it's not too late, digital converter boxes are available at local retailers and $40 converter coupons are still available until July 31 . . . .

If you still receive your television signal off your old rabbit ears, take notice: On Friday June 12, your television set will no longer receive a signal from local stations. But it's not too late, digital converter boxes are available at local retailers and $40 converter coupons are still available until July 31. A digital converter box will need to be connected to every television that receives a signal from an analog antennae. . . . .

Kamaria Lyles 7, a member of the Dearborn and John Muir Elementary School Seattle Cirque and Acrobat Teams (S.C.A.T.S.) jumps rope while balancing on a ball during the 17th Annual Beacon Hill Festival Saturday, June 6 at the Jefferson Community Center. The festival featured music and entertainment from around the world. . . .

In honor of Oregon's 150th birthday and the volunteers who make Oregon a better place to live, three winning volunteers were chosen to ride PGE's "Take Care of Oregon" float in the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade, June 6, including De La Salle North Catholic High School senior Shantel Monk. . . .

At least three King County residents have reported to local hospitals with a life threatening illness, likely caused by the use of cocaine contaminated with a drug used to treat animals, health officials reported last week. Called levamisole, the contaminant critically reduces a person's white blood cells, causing a condition known as agranulocytosis, where the affected person loses ability to fight infection. . . .

Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Nancy Anderson (right) with Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Executive Director Barbara R. Arnwine. On the 45th anniversary of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has honored Microsoft Corporation for excellence in diversity at its 10th Annual A. Leon Higginbotham Award Dinner in New York June 3. . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .