Red Cross emergency dispatcher Clarence Harper, above; Reflections Coffeehouse owner Gloria McMurtrey; Loretta Young, manager of the City of Portland's Minority and Women Business program; and Pastor Fred Woods ...
Photo by Julie Keefe

After 52 percent of Californians passed Proposition 8, a law that took away the recently granted right for same sex couples to marry, Promise King decided to take a trip to the Golden State. King, the executive director of the Oregon League of Minority Voters and a heterosexual, says he was disturbed by some voters' willingness to vote for a proposition that restricts the rights of so many people ...

Taking a page from the anti-war movement among soldiers and veterans in the Vietnam era, the Coffee Strong Coffee House has opened its doors to enlisted men and women seeking counseling, resources – or just someone to talk to who's been through combat ...

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….

New Site for Governor ...
Winter at the Library ...
Name Your Heroes ...
Afro-Mexico Forum ...
Caregivers' Support Groups ...

Depression Discussion ...
Infrastructure – A New Deal? ...
Women of Distinction ...
Caregiver Support Group ...

Spoken Word artist Alvin Lloyd Alexander Horn and a half dozen other poets performed Nov. 20 at the Northwest African American Museum in honor of President-elect Barack Obama's victory. Featured spoken word artists included Miz Flores, 6 Deep the Messenger, Ocho Gritos, Blaque Butterfly, Carmen Emerson, Frenchy Conde Lamont and Raquib Muied.
Photo by Susan Fried

With winter approaching and a worsening economy, the City of Seattle wants to improve awareness about a program that reduces utility bills for senior citizens, the disabled and low-income families. "Our goal is that everyone that is eligible in our service area knows about the discount program and has the opportunity to apply for it ...

Two years ago, you couldn't drive more than a mile in some parts without seeing half a dozen store fronts advertising easy, quick cash. All you had to do was pay 521 percent annual interest (APR) and the cash was yours. You had two weeks to pay it back, lest you be charged even more. Most couldn't ...