Like so many throughout the world, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Joseph Jackson the "King of Pop."  I cry not only because I will miss his music, his dancing, his giving and generous sprit, I cry because his death represents a very real and everyday tragedy among us--untreated mental illness. For the last few decades Michael appeared to be losing his mind right before our eyes. His odd behavior was dismissed as mere "eccentricity" due in part to his enormous fame and fortune. . . .

Attorney General Rob McKenna Thursday praised the Federal Trade Commission for tackling a Tacoma company that preyed on financially strapped consumers. He urged consumers to take advantage of low-cost credit counseling services. "When you're drowning in debt, you're desperate," McKenna said. "But if you're not careful, your chosen rescuer may toss you an anvil instead of a life preserver." . . .

A reminder program aimed at screening for breast cancer when it is most treatable boosted mammography rates by more than 17 percentage points, according to a new study by Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The program used electronic health records to identify women who would soon be due for a mammogram and reached out to them via postcards, automated voice messages and personal phone calls. . . .

TriMet will be holding open houses and hearings on proposed changes to Fareless Square and service frequency for 24 bus lines. The first meeting is Monday, July 13, at the Liberty Northwest Center, Auditorium, Lower Level, 650 NE Holladay St., Portland, Open house: 11 a.m-2 p.m.; public hearing: noon-2 p.m. A public comment period will be through July 17. TriMet has proposed limiting Fareless Square to rail only and changing the frequency during non-rush hours on about two dozen bus lines. The agency will take public comment on these proposals at two open houses and public hearings on Monday, July 13. You can e-mail comments to . . . .

• WSDOT holds Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goals Webinar and public meeting
• Poetry Slam
• Make a Difference ... Travel with a Purpose
  

• Learn to Preserve Your Family Heirlooms
• OMSI After Dark Announces Summer, Fall Nights
• Tour Portland's Community Gardens, July 18
• Neighbors Invited to Master Gardener Hotline Open House
• Learn to Write Grants
• Self Defense Organization Holds Fundraiser

The recently opened King Farmers Market is now giving Oregon Food Stamp recipients an extra boost. With the help of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, the Portland Farmers Market and the Alberta Food Co-Op, the Foodshare Fund Northeast will give users of Food Stamps an extra $5 at the King Farmers Market. The market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays until Sept. 27 near the intersection of  NE 7th Avenueand . . . .

Although the 2009 Oregon State Legislative session is now over, the problem of the shrinking budget is not. Around the nation, the idea of legalizing or decriminalizing adult marijuana use has been gaining traction among mainstream circles in recent months. Pro-marijuana bills have been introduced by such prominent politicians as Reps. Barney Frank, Ron Paul, and Sen. Jim Webb. A California legislator introduced a bill that would legalize it in the golden state. Even recent polls from the Associated Press and Zogby suggest more than 50 percent of Americans support the plant's legalization. . . .

Won-ldy Paye, and Etienne Cakpo. West African performers from Gansango Music & Dance use masked dance, stories and drumming to share an African festival called "Kaleta," when children make homemade masks and go door-to-door in costume, collecting coins and food treats. For all ages.
Photos by Susan Fried

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The House of Representatives acknowledged Tuesday the use of Black slaves in the construction of the U.S. Capitol, ordering officials to place a marker inside the new Capitol Visitor Center using some of the original stone quarried by those slaves for the building ...