Urgent Care services for patients at Kaiser Permanente at Interstate will be sharply curtailed starting Aug. 1, Kaiser announced last week. The service – designed for patients who need prompt medical care rather than emergency services — was originally offered 24 hours a day for a $30 co-pay; now it will be available weeknights from 5 p.m. until midnight and on weekends. Switchboard operators, and a brief postcard mailed out last week to Kaiser members, advise patients to either call the advice nurse for an appointment or go to Kaiser Sunnyside Emergency Room in Clackamas – which charges a co-pay of $100 per visit. ...

A new report on North and Northeast families' eating habits shows that, although more good-quality food is available than ever, many – if not most – are having trouble bringing it home. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership has released the report, "Everyone Eats! A Community Food Assessment for Areas of North and Northeast Portland," to identify local policy and community-based solutions to food insecurity and convince lawmakers to include the issue in city planning decisions. ...

After more than 33 years of service to the county, Wilma Smith, Oregon's first African American Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, will be retiring.
Her retirement comes at a time when there aren't many nurse practitioners of color to take her place.
Smith says she entered the profession in Mississippi, at a time when few Blacks were being admitted to historically White colleges.
"I couldn't get into the University of Mississippi in 1965 because at the time they only let in the token Black," Smith says, who didn't let it get her down. Like most things in life, Smith says every time she saw one door close, another would open. ...

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.

The United States military has relied heavily on National Guard and Army Reserve units in the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These soldiers are expected to fight equally on the battlefield, but a recent government audit by the Department of Veteran's Affairs concluded that when these veterans return home, their medical and other veteran's benefits are not handled the same as active duty personnel.
"Of the more than 800,000 Iraq and Afghan veterans that are eligible for Veteran's Administration care since 2002, fully half of them are members of the National Guard and Army Reserves," said Senator Patty Murray during a recent Senate hearing.
The hearing, held July 23 by the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, discussed an audit report which found a lack in education, outreach and implementation of benefits to veterans, especially to those in the Army Reserves and National Guard.
Among its findings were that more than 65,000 veterans did not receive initial outreach letters regarding their veteran benefits because of "incorrect ineligibility determinations." Over half of these veterans were from the National Guard and Army Reserve.  ...

Each paper or plastic bag the local store uses to pack your groceries will cost you 20 cents, starting on New Year's Day.
The Seattle City Council this week became the first city in the nation to exact a financial penalty on shoppers by charging a fee on disposable bags.
Another new law bans some polystyrene food containers.
"These new laws are an integral part of the City's Zero Waste strategy — and translating Seattle's environmental values into concrete actions," said Council President Conlin in a statement. "They will help marine life, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and move our city toward a sustainable future." ...

An examination conducted by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) reveals that Paramount Equity Mortgage, Inc. (Paramount), a licensed mortgage broker headquartered in California, has engaged in a number of deceptive lending practices.  As a result of the findings, DFI has given notice that it intends to revoke Paramount's license to do business in Washington, fine the firm $500,000 and require restitution for Washington borrowers. ...

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.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The House of Representatives issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and segregation laws.
"Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. ...

The Umoja Fest African American Day Parade is Saturday, Aug. 2 at noon, taking off from 23rd Avenue and traveling south on 23rd to Judkins St. 
The African American Day Parade features drill teams from across the state and the return of the NW Hip-Hop Culture Float and parade troupe presented by 206 Zulu and many other exciting entries.
Following the parade will be the Classics & Customs Car Show and the Hip-Hop Live Stage featuring two days of performances ...