In honor of Oregon's 150th birthday and the volunteers who make Oregon a better place to live, three winning volunteers were chosen to ride PGE's "Take Care of Oregon" float in the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade, June 6, including De La Salle North Catholic High School senior Shantel Monk. . . .

At least three King County residents have reported to local hospitals with a life threatening illness, likely caused by the use of cocaine contaminated with a drug used to treat animals, health officials reported last week. Called levamisole, the contaminant critically reduces a person's white blood cells, causing a condition known as agranulocytosis, where the affected person loses ability to fight infection. . . .

Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Nancy Anderson (right) with Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Executive Director Barbara R. Arnwine. On the 45th anniversary of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has honored Microsoft Corporation for excellence in diversity at its 10th Annual A. Leon Higginbotham Award Dinner in New York June 3. . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

• MLK Blvd. Immunization Clinic Closes
• Urban League Events in June
• Center for Intercultural Organizing Party
• Hair to Home Celebration
• Diversity Fest Seeks Vendors
• Become a Volunteer Emergency Responder

• College Fundraising Event
• Seattle Library Summer Reading
• Tackling Mortgage Problems
• Parks Holds Final Meeting on Delridge Skatepark

Victor Merced, director of the Oregon Housing and Community Services, talks about the importance of affordable green building at the grand opening celebration of the Shaver Green building, 375 NE Shaver St. The apartment building, built to Gold LEED standards, is designed for low-income individuals and families. . . .

A new regional forecast by Greenlight Greater Portland shows that despite a projected loss of 38,500 jobs this year, the region can expect to add 39,500 new residents – including more foreign-born and minority residents than bigger West Coast cities.
The study, called the 2009 Greater Portland Prosperity Index, says the region's 1.6 percent population growth is consistent with Portland-Vancouver's year-over-year increase in the past five years, suggesting that newcomers in general aren't deterred by the decline in jobs. . . .

Some 285 households in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties, most of whom are families with children, seniors and people with disabilities, will potentially become homeless as of July 1, activists charge. On May 26, the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority sent letters to 285 Section 8 housing assistance voucher recipients stating that as of July 1, they would no longer receive rent assistance. . . .

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