A significant increase in mental illness and behavioral problems among adolescent African- American males demonstrates the need for new approaches to treatment and better understanding of the complex challenges facing these youths, according to a policy paper issued by Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved, an advocacy group based at Morehouse School of Medicine...

A fundraiser for Seattle jazz legend Buddy Catlett is Sunday, Sept. 14th from 5 to 11 p.m. at The Pampas Room, 90 Wall St., Belltown. Catlett is suffering from a failing heart valve, and friends recently moved him into an assisted living facility. They're trying to raise money to help keep him there as well as help with his medical expenses. Organizers are calling upon the Seattle music community to help share some of their time and talent at the event to help raise some of the money Catlett needs...

Leon Hendrix, the younger brother of Seattle icon Jimmy Hendrix, performs with his band the Leon Hendrix Mysterience at Hendrix Fest, Sept. 7 at Magnusen Park.  The Hendrix Fest, part of the 24th Annual Peace Concert Series, included performances by Cafe Authors and Shotty...

The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers for both local and national disaster responses.

"Our volunteers who are already established locally are the first ones to be deployed when there is national disaster response like Hurricane Gustav," said American Red Cross Serving King and Kitsap Counties Readiness Manager Dave Nichols.  "Now is a good time to fill out an application and get trained to be a disaster volunteer...

Global Rhythms: The Griot's Song, is a one-time only event bringing together three of Mali's most outstanding Griots, or traditional praise singers: Abdoulaye Diabate, Mamadou Diabate, and Yacouba Sissoko. The show is Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Seattle Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave...

The Attorney General's Office is warning Washington residents that they should not provide Social Security numbers, bank accounts or other personal information to callers claiming to be from the government.

Washington consumers who receive benefits have previously reported receiving calls from cons posing as government employees. Government agencies will never call or e-mail you to ask for your bank account or Social Security number; they already have the information...

A Day of Hope and Healing is being held in Seattle to help people overcome their anger, self hate, low self-esteem, rejection, hopelessness, ability to forgive, violence and suicidal thoughts...

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.

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) _ Crews navigated debris-strewn streets to reach people still stuck in some of the thousands of homes flooded by Hurricane Ike, while authorities in the fourth-largest U.S. city imposed a curfew and warned residents that it would be weeks before Houston is fully back up and running.
Heavy morning rains hampered early rescue efforts in the hardest-hit areas of the Texas and Louisiana gulf coasts, while those who had evacuated and tried to return to the Houston area on Sunday found both interstate highways and sidestreets blocked by flooding and debris.
Authorities hoped to spare thousands of Texans -- 140,000 by some estimates who ignored orders to flee ahead of Hurricane Ike -- from another night amid the destruction.
At least seven deaths were blamed on the storm -- two in Louisiana and five in Texas, and authorities worried the toll could rise. Authorities said Sunday three people were found dead in Galveston, including one person found in a submerged vehicle near the airport.
In Houston, a weeklong curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. was announced because most of the city was still without power. Highways, darkened streetlights and pooled water made it difficult to drive.
"In the interest of safety, we're asking people to not be out in the streets in their vehicles or on foot," Chief Harold Hurtt said.
Sunday morning, residents of the tiny community of Seabrook near the Johnson Space Center began trying to return home. They were met by a roadblock, and three Seabrook police officers standing in the rain, turning folks away. At times the line was six to 12 cars deep....