The Portland Development Commission, which has been criticized by some City Council members recently for failing to pay prevailing wages on many of its projects, will examine whether it should adopt a prevailing wage policy. A decision is expected in November.
PDC commissioners decided Wednesday to study the prevailing wage issue, which was the focus of a recent Multnomah County Circuit Court ruling and is before the Oregon State Court of Appeals.
Proposed by the PDC staff, the study will examine the differences in wage standards established by the federal government and the average market wages locally for specific construction trades.
It also will explore how minority- and women-owned construction companies would be affected if they are required to include prevailing wage rates in their bids for PDC projects.
"Minority contracting issues are very high on our list of priorities," said Rochelle Lessner, policy and public affairs director for the PDC. "What we want to hear is how it (establishing a prevailing wages rate policy) would affect minority contractors. The issue has been raised as a concern."

When Keith Jackson attended a weeklong basketball camp 25 years ago, little did he know it would change his life.
The 15-year-old didn't become a great sports star, but while he was learning the fundamentals of basketball, he also explored the fundamentals of being a productive citizen.
"We talked about family, drugs, alcohol, books, education — it was unbelievable," Jackson said. "Even back then when we were snotty-nosed chaps on the track at Whitaker School, Tony (Hopson) and Ray (O'Leary) were having us lay back, look up in the sky and imagine the (SEI) center."

De La Salle North Catholic High School — a North Portland institution that has bucked trends with a rigorous academic program and a demanding on-the-job internship requirement – is seeing its perseverance pay off. The school reached an arrangement with Portland Public Schools to relocate to the empty Kenton Elementary School Building.

The First American Corp., America's largest provider of business information, and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the oldest and largest minority real estate trade association in the United States, announced recently that First American has been named as a NAREB strategic business information and title services partner.
The alliance will extend innovative business resources to NAREB's national network of Realtist members and help increase homeownership opportunities in traditionally underserved African American communities.

Staff members at the Marie Smith Health and Social Center produced an oral history documentary highlighting the lives of 15 seniors living in North and Northeast Portland and are planning two previews.
The project comes after a year of planning and working with caregivers and volunteers in the community to interview clients interested in the project. The two showings will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, and at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in the Marie Smith Center, 4616 N. Albina St.

A group of young onlookers at Self Enhancement Inc's recent neighborhood field day rejoice after dunking an SEI staffer in the dunk tank. SEI will have a 25th Anniversary celebration on Sunday, Aug. 13 at the Self Enhancement Center, 3920 N. Kerby Ave. Festivities will be from 1 to 6 p.m.

Editor's note: Jefferson High School continues to undergo major changes. The Jefferson High Parent/Teacher/Student Association wants the community's views about Jefferson's future. What kind of high school do you want?

Providence Women's Wellness Series presents "When is it Time to Take Charge? Women and Caregiving," a free women's health forum.
The forum will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7

VANCOUVER, Wash.—Youth entering grades four through nine are invited to participate in a free…

The University of Portland is one of six colleges and universities nationwide participating in a pilot program using Flexcar, a car-sharing company designed to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and save energy in the region.