The African American Reach and Teach Health Ministry, Freedom Church of Seattle, local churches and health providers will sponsor a day of health and wellness activities as part of the federal Department of Heath and Human Service's "Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day" campaign.

The Seattle Public Library invites preschoolers, parents and caregivers to special story times in October at local libraries around the Seattle area to highlight Fire Prevention Month. Firefighters from the Seattle Fire Department will read books on fire safety and display firefighting equipment

Larry Taylor, left, talks with fellow prostate cancer survivor Leo Ward at the Let's Talk About It Prostate Cancer Education Program, held Sept. 25 at the Safeco Jackson Street Center. The program was designed for African Americans to learn more about this potentially deadly disease. For more information about upcoming workshops, call 206-461-6910 or visit www.multi-culturalhealth.org.

Shawneen L. Betha, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, is Portland's 30th postmaster.

PacifiCorp will be allowed to increase its rates by only 5 percent — much less than the 13 percent hike it had requested from the Oregon Public Utility Commission earlier this year.
The commission is allowing overall rates to go up next Jan. 1 by 5 percent, which would raise the average residential customer's bill by about $3.

A model struts her stuff in the latest fall couture during the first Macys Northwest Fashion Show, held Sept. 21 at the Portland Art Museum. The show benefited the Gerry Frank Center for Children's Care at Providence St. Vincent Hospital.

The Safeway Foundation and the Oregon Partnership joined forces with parents and students of Rosa Parks Elementary School on Sept. 25 to celebrate "Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children." State Sen. Margaret Carter, D-Portland, second from left, joins Sharon Anthony, left, Rosa Parks student Michaela Carter and Oregon First Lady Mary Oberst at the luncheon.

Renee Cleland, left, as Sarah, and D. William Hughes, as Coalhouse Walker, star in "Ragtime: the Musical", playing at the Lakewood Theatre Co. in Lake Oswego through Oct. 29. For ticket information, call 503-635-3901 or visit www.lakewoodcenter.org.

Civil rights leaders, Black Democrats and Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele went ballistic when they…

Sarah Stein, left, visits the Switch Ups booth — owned by Paulette Hague, right, with the help of her son, Andreas Akins, center — at the recent Alberta Street Fair. Hague makes all kinds of creative light switch plates, including personalized plates with photos.