Barely half of Seattle residents who are eligible to receive food stamp assistance actually participate in the federal Food Stamp Program, according to a report released this week.
Seattle joins five other cities at the bottom of the food stamp participation list, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Food Research and Action Center program. The report takes a look at the food stamp participation in America's largest cities.

Intiman Theatre and the Rev. Patrinell Wright, founder of the internationally acclaimed Total Experience Gospel Choir and a performer with Intiman's holiday show, "Black Nativity: A Gospel Play," are teaming up for two special events.
Wright and Jacqueline Moscou will lead the fourth Black Nativity workshop from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in the Intiman Studio, 305 Harrison St. in the Seattle Center.

Juana Rose Hernandez, left, and Richard Wilhelm look at the Vanport historical exhibit at the New Columbia Community Education Center on North Trenton Street. Wilhelm and filmmaker Sue Arbuthnot spent over three and half years documenting the deconstruction and reconstruction of Columbia Villa and New Columbia developments. Juana Rose lived in the old Columbia Villa, and attends Rose Parks Elementary school at New Columbia. Of note in the exhibit is the presence of the original Vanport housing numbers, which have been sanded down to their original cedar base and placed as the background wave in the exhibit.

A grass-roots effort under way to rename Portland Boulevard for civil rights heroine Rosa Parks passed its first milestone Wednesday when the proposal was aired at a Portland City Council meeting. The council unanimously passed a resolution to change the North Portland street's name to Rosa Parks Way.
An enthusiastic contingent of supporters filled council chambers for the hearing. The plan was conceived by the Albina Ministerial Alliance — a coalition of local clergy — and is being championed within the council by City Commissioner Dan Saltzman. A vote on an ordinance to make the name change official could come up before the council as soon as next Wednesday, Oct. 25.
"The hearing was overwhelmingly positive," said the Rev. W.G. Hardy, of Highland United Church of Christ, who testified at the hearing. "There was an excellent turnout, good representation from the community."
Hardy said the choice of Portland Boulevard is a good one for a range of reasons, not the least of which would be its symbolic intersection with several streets, including Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

It's time to sharpen the pencil: Ballots from Multnomah County soon will be appearing in a mailbox near you.
Multnomah County will send out general election ballots beginning Oct. 20; they must be returned to the elections office no later than 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Check the division's Web site, www.co.multnomah .or.us/dbcs/ elections/, for locations of drop-off boxes. See part 1 on October 5 for measures 39-42, and part 2 on October 12 for measures 43-45. This week, The Skanner completes its overview of the statewide ballot measures. Two of them — Ballot Measures 46 and 47 — are similar, and supporters and opponents tend to discuss them at the same time. As a result, we are looking at them together, as well.

The Chief's Forum, a policy advisory group for Portland's chief of police, is seeking nominations of neighbors and officers who helped their communities become safer places to live and work.
The annual awards and recognition ceremony will take place Monday, Dec. 11, in the auditorium of the Portland Building. Deadline for all nominations is Nov. 13.
"There are many groups and individuals out there who go above and beyond in making their neighborhoods safe for residents and children," said Chief Rosanne M. Sizer. "Yet, because of their good nature and devotion to serve, these people don't know how many lives they impact.

Leticia Young, left, Alexander Young and Darleen Young pick up some health information at the Family Health and Kidney Expo, held Oct. 14 at Qwest Field. The event offered opportunities for free health screenings and information on kidney disease and other health issues.

Resolving to stop the spread of HIV, local Black leaders will host a forum Sunday, Oct. 22 to engage community members in the fight against a disease that disproportionately impacts them.
Titled "HIV in Seattle's Black Community — A Call for Leadership NOW!" the forum will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center's Multipurpose Room. The free event is open to the public; additional information is available on the Web at www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/blc.
African Americans and foreign-born Blacks make up 22 percent of new HIV/AIDS cases in King County, yet only represent 6.5 percent of the population. Nationally, 68 percent of all women infected with HIV are Black, and African Americans represent half of all new cases.
"Until we have a vaccine or a cure for HIV, prevention is our best plan of action," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "I commend our local leaders for owning the growing problem of HIV in the African American community and stepping up to work for a lasting solution.
"Ending this epidemic requires a community-wide response based on knowledge, action and compassion," Sims added.
Participants will:
• Hear Dr. Maxine Hayes, M.D., Washington state health officer, discuss how HIV disproportionately impacts the health of African Americans in King County.

"What country tested a nuclear device the other day?" PBS award-winning talk show host and best-selling author Tavis Smiley asked a group of Seattle high school students. After a student answered correctly — "North Korea" — Smiley pulled out a $20 from his pocket and handed it to the surprised high school senior. "The first thing about being a leader is you have to be aware. In order to be aware, you have to be awake to the world around you," Smiley said.

OLYMPIA—More high school students are graduating and fewer are dropping out, according to a new report released by state education officials.
About 74 percent of students in the Washington class of 2005 graduated within four years, an improvement of about 4 percent over the previous year. Officials said the numbers reflect both an improvement in student retention and a change in the way the state keeps track of dropout rates.
"It's better school systems, better educational opportunities for students and better information systems," said Lisa Ireland, data and research analyst for the state school superintendent's office.