In 1993, Hamedah Hassan was sentenced to live the rest of her life in a federal penitentiary. Hassan – then known as Stephanie Lomax -- didn't rape, murder or kidnap anyone. Her crime? She was marginally involved in her cousin's crack cocaine business. She babysat the kids, ran small errands and occasionally wired money for him – she says she never touched the drugs ....

Jefferson High School Alumni Association is planning a huge tailgating party for the Oct. 3 Homecoming Game against Roosevelt. The cars will begin lining up on the west side of the football field for the school's 100th birthday festivities.
Alumni are encouraged to bring as many of their fellow classmates, friends, and family as they can. Organizers are also trying to find people with old cars that represent the 10 decades the school has seen....

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

Imagine the chaos if a tremendous earthquake …

The Bayer Corporation survey found that women, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and that the result could hurt the nation as a whole. The findings of the study should alarm whoever is going to be the next president of the United States the report stated. Minorities are seen as perhaps the saving grace for the country if America is going to keep its place as the leader in the STEM industry, the report noted.
 "What is most dramatic about this survey is the extent to which the Fortune executives speak with one unequivocal voice on these issues," said Dr. Attila Molnar, President and CEO of Bayer Corporation.  "Almost without exception, they overwhelmingly recognize this country's great need to tap the potential of the entire STEM talent pool, and the importance of doing so at every point on the development continuum...

See a film and help fight hunger at the 28th annual Cans Film Festival, Thursday, Sept. 25.
Donate three or more cans or boxes of nonperishable food at any Regal Cinemas in Oregon and Clark County, Wash., and receive admission to a movie and a small popcorn..."As the cost of food and fuel rises, more people seek emergency food," says Rachel Bristol, the food bank CEO. "The food that moviegoers donate during Cans Film Festival helps regional food banks of the OFB Network fight hunger in their local communities."...

"Fair Housing Practices & Avoiding Discrimination"...
Childrens Fund Meetings...
Purchases Help Fund 'Beyond Bars' Program....
Fritz, Lewis to Debate Oct. 8 For OLMV....
Debate Date Debated....

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith is calling for community members to join a citizens' committee to on student enrollment and transfer issues.
The district says the panel will explore both the policies and practice around school choice, enrollment and transfer, with topics such as priority and preferences in the school choice lottery, guarantees in student assignment and other important issues....

Black Americans have a higher occurrence of colon polyps, according to a new study. This is a significant finding considering the incidence of colon cancer among Black men has increased and remained unchanged among black women during the last 20 years....

Oregon Partnership's 24-hour crisis lines are reflecting the stress and strain of an economy that sees more people out of work, homeowners unable to pay their mortgages, and families worried about their savings.
"It stands to reason that when the unemployment rate goes up and prices do too, so does the tension level for more....