Ron Saxton, abruptly canceled a meeting that was scheduled months ago with some Oregon's more low profile prominent African American business owners and professionals. No explanation, just simply a call from one of his staffers at 2:30 p.m. indicating that Saxton would not be in attendance at the meeting that he had previously agreed to.

Lauren Hicks, left, Mark McDonald, Jeanne Lyday, James Smith, Linda Mashia-Jones, Eddie Barnett and Rickey Brame — all alumni or friends of the Jefferson High School Class of 1969 — cook up some grub Oct. 20 at the Jefferson Tailgate Party before the Democrats' homecoming game against Madison High

Earlier this year, for the first time in its history, the Portland Police Bureau admitted that yes — racial profiling happens in Portland. That revelation, coupled with a recently completed series of community listening sessions on the issue, have led to an unprecedented opportunity to make the bureau accountable for — and eventually eliminate — racial profiling, said the director of a local grassroots activist organization.
"I think that we have a very unique opportunity here in the city," said JoAnn Bowman, executive director of Oregon Action, one of the organizers of the listening sessions. "We have a City Council that's paying attention and has actually made public statements of commitment to eliminating racial profiling from the police bureau.
"We have a police chief who has been very open to community input and insight … . We're at a very fortunate time where we have community organizations, city government and the police bureau all singing from the same songbook."

There's a "vibe" on Northeast Alberta Street that wasn't there 10 years ago. It's changing from being a street of vacant buildings and marginal businesses to becoming an avenue of edgier restaurants and boutiques with a population as diverse as its shops.

Jamon Kemp, 6, tries his hand at tennis at the Tennis Block Party, held Oct. 22 at the Amy Yee Tennis Center. The free event featured interactive games for all ages.

Washington's public schools chief will not recommend that the WASL math and science high-school graduation requirements be delayed, though some education groups and legislators say students need more time.
"To delay math and science will slow down progress in two areas our future depends on," said Terry Bergeson, head of the state office of public instruction. Gov. Christine Gregoire has also opposed delaying the Washington Assessment of Student Learning standards.
Nearly half of 10th-graders did not pass the math section of the WASL last spring. The passage rate was worse for minority students, with just 23 percent of African Americans and 25 percent of Hispanics meeting standards. About 35 percent of sophomores passed the science portion of the WASL.
These students — the Class of 2008 — will be the first required to pass the WASL math, reading and writing tests to earn a high school diploma. Passing the science section will become a graduation requirement in 2010.

Since 1977, the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County has served the hungry and provided relief to individuals and families in crisis. But now, the program is the one in crisis. In desperate need of donations to keep feeding the hungry, the program is turning down requests for food. It has suffered cuts in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Washington State Emergency Food Assistance Program and grants from King County cities.

Seattle Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas, who has faced scorching criticism over plans to close several schools, said Friday he will step down when his contract expires next August.
"This is a personal decision I have made in the interest of my family," Manhas said at a news conference. "I believe I have fulfilled my responsibilities as superintendent."

U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., center, joins Dietrich Williams-Mott, left, and Robert Mott, owners of D&R Catering, in their Northeast Portland home. Hooley has been an inspiration for the two entrepreneurs, both in their business development and their political involvement.

Steven Bullock, right, interim director of Multnomah County's Office of Community and Family Services, speaks about emergency preparedness at an African American Health Coalition gathering last week at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club.