Home electronics retailer Video Only will pay $630,000 and carry out anti-racism measures to settle two discrimination lawsuits, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Monday. 
According to the agency's suit two employees faced repeated slurs and jokes about their race, national origin, and religion ...

The Electronettes, one of Seattle's most electrifying drill teams, marched in the 66th annual Lake City Summer Festival Grand Performance Parade Aug. 2.  The official Seafair event included a vintage car show, street fair, events for kids and a great parade featuring the infamous Seafair Pirates. The Electronettes also participated in the Umoja Fest parade earlier that day.
Photo by Susan Fried

While the wave of home mortgage defaults has not deluged the Pacific Northwest, many experts say it will – soon.
In the meantime, the Seattle Urban League is hosting a series of free events designed to keep homeowners in their homes by educating mortgage holders before they face a financial crisis.
First, the organization is holding two counseling-based sessions to help mortgage holders learn about their financial obligations and document any potential difficulties that may arise in the future over their home debt.
Then, in October, a bigger event is planned featuring representatives from many home mortgage lenders who will meet with their clients to work out their financial problems and conflicts on the spot.
"The majority of people who call us don't know what type of mortgage they have ...

Ballots have now officially been mailed to all registered King County voters – but elections officials need more volunteers in the polling places for absentee voters who may miss their chance to mail their ballots back in.
Many of the jobs include a stipend for training and Election Day service....

Seattle City Light recently held public meetings on July 8 and 15 to discuss the future of its Integrated Resource Development Plan. The city had a rigorous media and marketing campaign, hoping for a large turnout and energetic public discussion, but the meetings did little to provide for greater public insight....

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

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

When John Wolfe googled "African American psychologists" in Portland and couldn't find one, he knew the problem was more than just perception.
Wolfe is now trying to bridge the gap between the need for therapy in the community and the available supply of professionals.
Just like his father before him, John Wolfe had always been drawn to the career of social work.

The first fundraiser for the 2009 Youth Summit features local artists, Madgesdiq, right, Blacque Butterfly, Ro Deezy, X, Mic Crenshaw and Yonasda Lonewolf-Muhammad of the Lakota tribe, in a program this Saturday, Aug. 9 from 1 to 8:30 p.m. at the M.A.C.E. Center, 126 NE Alberta St. Organizers are calling for "a DAY of FUN and Entertainment for a Positive Purpose of Peace and Unity for our Community." Tickets are $10 adults, $5 for youths, $3 for anyone with 5 cans of food....

Valeria Gil, 12, takes a turn on the miter saw cutting a long piece of painted lumber while her instructor and other campers watch at the Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.'s Building Girls Summer Camp held on the campus on University of Portland. The cut lumber will become part of the finish work on one of two separate garden sheds that will be donated to community gardens at the end of the camp. Left to right, Paula Pacheco, 12, Hannah Campbell, 13, Valeria Gil, 12, and Katie Hughes, Building Girls Summer Camp lead instructor.
Photo by Shanda Tice