President Barack Obama and his family are looking for a new church, but his decision represents more than merely settling on a pew. The Obamas planned to attend Easter services Sunday, marking the president's first visit to a Washington church since taking office in January. Aides have been secretive about which church the first family will attend, citing security and the desire not to disrupt services for other worshippers. They also caution that the church Obama visits might not signal that the president has decided on a permanent place of worship. Obama's choice of a permanent pastor is sure to draw scrutiny, given his history with a pastor in Chicago whose bombastic sermons almost destroyed Obama's presidential bid. . . .

If the uninsured were a political lobbying group, they'd have more members than AARP. The National Mall couldn't hold them if they decided to march on Washington. But going without health insurance is still seen as a personal issue, a misfortune for many and a choice for some. People who lose coverage often struggle alone instead of turning their frustration into political action. Illegal immigrants rallied in Washington during past immigration debates, but the uninsured linger in the background as Congress struggles with a health care overhaul that seems to have the best odds in years of passing. That isolation could have profound repercussions.
Lawmakers already face tough choices to come up with the hundreds of billions it would cost to guarantee coverage for all. The lack of a vocal constituency won't help. Congress might decide to cover the uninsured slowly, in stages.
The uninsured "do not provide political benefit for the aid you give them,'' . . .

For one day only, all remaining seats in the 2008/2009 Portland Center Stage season will be on sale for $25. From midnight to midnight on April 15, Portlanders can put their stimulus package tax refunds directly to work on three shovel ready productions: "Frost/Nixon," "Grey Gardens," and Storm Large's "Crazy Enough." Tickets can be purchased by . . .

A recent study indicates that of the major ethnic groups impacted by unemployment during the current U.S. recession, Black men have experienced the greatest job losses since the crisis officially began in November 2007.
"What's missing from national media coverage of this recession is plainly a great deal of [honesty] about who's losing their jobs. This is overwhelmingly a blue collar, retail sales, low level recession . . .

Brad Avakian, commissioner of the Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries, traveled to The Skanner's offices last week to make one thing clear – the economic downturn will not slow down the state's efforts to pursue civil rights complaints. He said that legislature budget cuts are hitting hard at agencies across the board, but that BOLI's commitment to civil rights will remain front and center for his department. Click here to see on YouTube Avakian's explanation on how to file a successful civil rights complaint with BOLI.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams is teaming up with Sen. Rod Monroe (D-Portland) to support a bill that would extend Portland's design review authority to rapidly developing areas of the city. "As Portland aspires to build sustainable, livable neighborhoods, we need tools to ensure that new multi-family housing in our town centers and main streets are of the highest quality," said Mayor Adams. "Good design is not just aesthetic; it's a matter of long-term value, neighborhood livability, and stopping low-quality infill housing." . . .

Marian Anderson couldn't sing at Constitution Hall or even a local high school because of the color of her skin. So the opera singer performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in April 1939 and sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee.''  Unlike other events then, the 75,000-person crowd that had gathered to hear the African-American woman sing wasn't segregated. Blacks and whites stood together. Senators and Supreme Court justices also came on that Easter Sunday. The event came to symbolize the ideal of America's racial equality.  On Sunday afternoon, 70 years later when the U.S. has its first black president, there will be another free concert at the Lincoln Memorial, this one designed to commemorate the 1939 landmark event. . . .

On March 24, 2009, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it will open up converter box coupon applications to those households that have expired or misplaced coupons.  Affected Seattle families that were originally left to shoulder the cost of a digital converter box alone can now reapply for $40 coupons to offset the cost of the box.  However, some affected families who live in single room occupancies or group housing will need donated coupons, since their addresses may not be recognized by NTIA. To help needy families, you can donate unused, unneeded coupons to . . .

With a proposed 18 percent cut in city funding, the Neighborhoods Small Grants Program will be discontinued. This program has offered direct funding for volunteer-driven community projects such as: gardens, helping seniors, tutoring, tree planting, community dialogues, etc. In response, the Northeast Coalition is launching a new Community-Building Fund dedicated to continuing the Neighborhoods Small Grants Program and funding additional community impact programs. . . .

Most people say they plan to use this year's tax refund to pay bills, deciding in this sour economy to be more frugal with their annual windfall.
Fifty-four percent of those receiving refunds said they intend to pay off credit card, utility, housing and other bills, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll released Monday. That compares with 35 percent who said the same thing a year ago.
Only 5 percent, about the same as a year ago, said they planned to go on a shopping spree.
The survey found that 38 percent of those receiving a refund said they plan to spend at least part of it. But the spending appears to be mostly on basic needs: 17 percent said they would use the money for everyday needs such as food and clothing. It was 7 percent a year ago.
Phillip Barks of Aberdeen, Md., said he and his wife, Kristy, have spent their $3,800 refund. Most went toward a credit card bill . . .