The Skanner News

VIDEO: Don't Miss Thara Memory and Curtis Salgado in Benefit for King School

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:22:32 -0700

It’s not often we get to be in the presence of genius. And it’s ever rarer to see how those who possess it can inspire our youth. That’s why you should get yourself along to the King Elementary School Auction this Saturday night.

Gen. Romeo Dallaire Delivers Commencement Speech at Lewis & Clark

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:03:16 -0700

Canadian Senator Romeo Dallaire is in Portland this weekend to deliver the commencement address for Lewis & Clark’s College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 18. The event will be livestreamed so anyone with computer access can watch it as it happens and hear Dallaire’s speech.

Benefit Show for Jefferson High School Junior to Attend Berklee Summer Music Program

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:18:23 -0700

For the past 27 years, the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., has hosted a five-week Summer Performance Program. Young musicians from around the world vie for the opportunity to participate and only few are chosen.

The Skanner News Columnist Bill Fletcher, Jr. in Oregon this Weekend

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:04:14 -0700

Bill Fletcher, Jr., The Skanner News columnist, author and past president of the TransAfrica Forum, speaks in Oregon and Vancouver, Wa., at multiple events this weekend.

Dawson Park Improvement Brings Resources to the Neighborhood Hit Hardest by Gentrification

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:29:29 -0700

Dawson Park is a 2.02 acre neighborhood park located between N. Williams and N. Vancouver Ave. next to Legacy Emanuel. It is within the boundaries of the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area.

VIDEO: Smile You're on Camera!

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:53:20 -0700

Video surveillance cameras are just about everywhere. They watch us at the bank, in the mall on the street and on light rail. In theory they’re supposed to prevent crime. But civil liberties activists say they don’t work. And what’s worse, constant surveillance has put us on a slippery slope to complete loss of privacy.

Chief Joseph Elementary Visited by Chief Joseph's Great-Granddaughter

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:28:43 -0700

Students at Chief Joseph Elementary last week had about the biggest surprise imaginable: The great-granddaughter of Chief Joseph himself came to visit the school library on Friday afternoon.

VIDEO: Portland Turns out to Wish Stevie Wonder a Happy Birthday

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:09:51 -0700

Portlanders turned out to Quartet restaurant, Friday May 10, to celebrate Stevie Wonder’s 63^rd birthday.

Community Members Bridge Gap at PAALF Intergenerational Forum

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:25:20 -0700

The Portland African American Leadership Forum held its second intergenerational forum May 14.

Doctor Has Inspiring Message: We All Can Find Health and Happiness

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:16:04 -0700

Dr. Janice Vaughn will speak as part of the African American Chamber of Commerce After Hours Program: 6:30p.m. -9 p.m. May 14, at the Ambridge Event Center, 1333 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd.

VIDEO: Where’s the Vote on Oregon Gun Bills?

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:38:03 -0700

Four gun bills have been sent back to the Rules committee because they don’t have enough votes to pass the Oregon Legislature. Meanwhile, Multnomah county and Portland city leaders are taking action aimed at reducing gun deaths.

PHOTOS: Dress For Success Oregon Offers Far More than a Business Suit

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:12:58 -0700

A $200,000 grant from Bank of America will help Dress for Success Oregon fulfill its mission of helping women move out of poverty and up the career ladder.

Rent Rise at New Columbia, Big Scare for Section 8 Renters

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:43:46 -0700

New Columbia residents on Section 8 subsidies had a bad shock last week: They received letters informing them their rent is going up by as much as 50 percent. Luckily, the letters were wrong.

Cool Nutz Talks New Album, Sweden, History and Growth of Local Rap Scene

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:27:30 -0700

The veteran MC and Portland music mogul shares his insight on everything from Portland hip-hop history to the business side of music to growing the local rap scene. He will be releasing his latest album “Bars,” on May 11, which also happens to be his birthday.

State Advocacy Commission Chair Apologizes for Racially Insensitive Remarks

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:41:53 -0700

The chair of the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs this month officially apologized to Gov. John Kitzhaber for making racially insensitive comments about Black students and their families during a public hearing.

Busted! Six Myths About Oregon Prisons

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:48:04 -0700

Oregon's District Attorneys are lobbying hard against the Governor's prison reform bill. But Corrections Director Collete Peters, Former Chief Justice Paul Muniz and many others --not known for being "soft on crime" -- are behind it. Here's why...

What Would Oregons Proposed Prison Reforms Do?

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:20:19 -0700

After more than a year of study Oregon’s Public Safety Commission has come out with 19 recommendations to reduce prison spending while improving public safety. This session the Oregon Legislature will vote on the proposals, in the form of House Bill 3194.

UPDATE: Memorial Planned for Young Mother Billie Dee Andrea Pugh, 28, Killed in a Two-Car Crash

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:27:06 -0700

Billie Dee Andrea Pugh, a 28-year-old mother of three, died in East Portland, April 28 at 12:45 a.m. in a car crash. The driver of the other car LaShai Antoinette Williams, 20, was arrested and charged.

Albina Ministerial Alliance to Hold Vigil for Kendra James

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:05:08 -0700

Sunday, May 5 will mark the tenth anniversary of the killing of Kendra James. The 21-year-old Black woman was shot and killed, despite being unarmed, by Officer Scott McCollister during a traffic stop.

VIDEO: Portland’s Mayor Hales Unveils 2013-14 Budget

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:54:28 -0700

Hales unveiled the proposed budget Tuesday at City Hall, saying the budget shortfall of $21.5 million demanded tough decisions. He said the budget looked closely at overtime spending and management structures first. Hales also fixed funding for every City Commissioner’s offices, so they no longer are staffed with bureau funds.

Sen. Merkley Launches Bills to Support STEM and Hands-On Career Education in Schools

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:08:04 -0700

Students at Boise Eliot/Humboldt School demonstrated their love of science in a visit with Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, Monday, April 29. At the school Merkley unveiled two bills he is sponsoring in the U.S. Senate. One seeks to improve education in science, technology, engineering and math –the STEM subjects; the other will focus on hands-on career education.

VIDEO: Catch the Premiere of Project Viewfinder 2013 Wednesday May 1

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:53:55 -0700

The premiere screening of Project Viewfinder will be at 6 p.m. May 1 in the Whitsell Auditorium at Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave. Admission is free.

Young, Gifted and Black: Busting Racist Stereotypes about Success

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:24:30 -0700

This month Portland Public Schools held one of its most important annual celebrations: Young, Gifted and Black. The key to the project is in documenting the young peoples’ achievements through professional photographs and writing. The Skanner News spoke with Young, Gifted and Black founder Reiko Williams about the program.

Rep. Lew Frederick Discusses Why He Supports Expanded Minority Teacher Act

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:07:46 -0700

Some community members have expressed concerns that the bill could have an adverse effect on the presence of Black teachers. Rep. Lew Frederick spoke with the Skanner News via phone to discuss why he supports the bill.

Q&A: Tyree Harris Talks His New Album ‘Financial Aid’

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:58:33 -0700

Tyree Harris is releasing his second full length album “Financial Aid: The Trials and Tribulations of the 21^st Century College Student.”