This week, as old-timers remember the destructive force of the Vanport flood 60 years ago, a few hundred others are reminiscing about how the flood helped create one of the most important institutions of Portland's Black community.
The Vancouver Avenue 1st Baptist Church, as an observance of its own anniversary in March of 2009, is publishing "Vancouver Avenue Yesterday, Today, Forever: Celebrating 65 Years of a Spiritual Landmark."
It's designed as an exquisite, full-color book depicting the history of its congregation, the families within it, and its church building....

The Office of Youth Violence Prevention is facing a murky future in Portland.
Director Rob Ingram says his office's relatively small budget of $600,000 was slashed in half during preliminary budget talks within city government. Most of that money has since been restored, but the office's long-term future is uncertain.
Cutting Ingram's budget by nearly $300,000 would have devastated the office's mission and goals, causing a massive withdrawal of funds to most of the seven outreach organizations it helps to fund

Lannis Warfield, the son of one of the men wrongfully convicted in the lynching of an Italian Prisoner of War in 1944 at Fort Lawton in Seattle is introduced by Jack Hamann, author of the book "On American Soil" at a National Day of Honor for wrongly charged and convicted Black soldiers on Sunday, May 25 at Fort Lawton.  Mr. Hamann, whose book was instrumental in getting the convictions of 28 wrongly convicted men overturned was the keynote speaker at the event which was sponsored by the National Association for Black Veterans. Sitting below Warfield is U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to combat the declining personal savings rate in the United States, Sens. Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined today in introducing legislation to help older Americans better prepare for and manage their assets in retirement. The legislation, S.3053, will provide grants to Area Agencies on Aging to provide financial literacy services for older individuals.
"We are experiencing a national personal savings crisis," said Senator Smith. "Not enough Americans, including seniors, have the basic financial literacy skills needed to properly prepare for retirement and asset management. A simple investment by the federal government in financial literacy programs can help ensure a safe and secure retirement for many of our seniors."...

The Seattle Urban League Young Professionals organization has again received a strong response for the upcoming 3rd Annual Leadership Development Summit aimed at empowering Seattle's future leaders.
Organizers say the event is geared towards young professionals of color who are interested in personal and professional development but may be unsure where to obtain information. The forum allows networking opportunities with like-minded and seasoned professionals. ...

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

In just one moment, a year's worth of work was lost for local artist F.X. Rosica.. On Friday, May 23, thieves smashed out a window on his car in broad daylight and stole nearly all the work he was scheduled to display next month at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center.

IFCC Creative Director Adrienne Flagg says the theft was devastating to the artist and the center. Unlike some art installations, Rosica was debuting a full year's worth of prints and paintings about the passage of time as we move around on bus, train and bicycles. In addition to the artwork – bright copper plate etchings – specialized tools, prints and sketchbooks were also stolen.

Genetta Williams was born on Oct. 26, 1961 in Portland, Oregon, to Mary Glen Ola Williams -McSwain and the late Deacon L.C. Williams.  She died on May 26, 2008. She was 46. She was a member of Philadelphia Community Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor B.M. McSwain, where she attended Sunday school and sang in the choir faithfully. ...

Sen. Gordon Smith, right, sponsored the Housing and Foreclosure Prevention Fair on May 27 at PCC-Cascade to help offer assistance and advice to homeowners and potential homeowners. The event was designed for people concerned about keeping their homes, or who are interested in buying their first home. Participants included credit counselors, homebuyer educators, experts in first-time home buying, foreclosure prevention specialists, nonprofit housing staff and mortgage professionals.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama was within striking distance of the Democratic nomination heading into Puerto Rico's primary Sunday after top party officials agreed to seat Michigan and Florida delegates with half-votes, riling Hillary Rodham Clinton backers who threatened to fight to the August convention. Clinton won the Puerto Rico vote by a 2 to 1 margin, but still falls short of being able to gather enough delegates. A territory, Puerto Rico cannot vote in the fall general election.
The Rules Committee's compromise decision sought to end a bitter dispute that threatened Democrats' chances for the White House but it was a blow to Clinton, whose struggling campaign had pressed hard for a full reinstating of all 366 delegates from the two states. ...