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.…

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 Lions Eye Bank last weekend offered free screenings for glaucoma, blood pressure, diabetes, eyesight, and hearing. From left, Gerald Caldwell was the main organizer of the event and secretary of the Lloyd Lions Club; Art Pierce is getting his blood pressure checked by Bill Ruff. The event was sponsored by the Lloyd Lions Club, and was held at St. Philip the Deacon Church at Northeast Knott and Rodney streets.
Photo by Julie Keefe

It might have taken them 16 years to do it, but the Multnomah County Juvenile Services Division says it has finally reduced the overrepresentation of African American youth in detention before trial....

Months after launching a major new initiative on high school improvement, Portland school officials sat down recently to talk with The Skanner about their plans, their goals, and their long-term priorities.
This week, we report on what the officials had to say. Next week, we'll look at the potential downsides and obstacles to massive high school reform.
Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith says three priorities will guide every decision she makes:
Boosting academic achievement for all students;
Increasing fairness and equity throughout Portland's schools;
Building a sustainable school system that can cope with a projected loss...

Two years ago, you couldn't drive more than a mile in some parts of Portland 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.
In April 2006, Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed into law new regulations that limited loans to no more than a 150 percent APR and increased the amount of time you had to pay back the loan from two weeks to 31 days. ...

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Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, The Musical About Love. "Pure Heart! A Broadway Hit!" USA Today "Soaring and Joyful" Time. December 30 - January 4 • One Week Only!  For Tickets ...

Clarence Johnson was born on March 27, 1971 to Debra Payton and Lamont Johnson in Portland. He died Oct. 30, and services were held Nov. 8.
Johnson was raised by his mother and aunt Phyllis. In younger years he enjoyed playing basketball, pop dancing, breakdancing, drawing and hanging out with his friends.
Friends said he was an adventurous young man ...

Hailing from the small West African nation of Senegal, one emerging R&B artist is looking for the same American Dream so many other immigrants have. He wants to be an internationally famous musical sensation. And with tour stops in Senegal, India and cities across the U.S., he might just be on his way. ISSA ...