Kevin Howard, Leroy Haynes, Norma Trimble and Mark Knutson, a group of leaders from Portland's faith-based community gathered around the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on the namesake boulevard to sign a commitment against tobacco.
Yugen Farad Rashad, of LifeWorks NW's African American Tobacco prevention program, organized the group of faith leaders as part of an ongoing campaign against smoking.

The racial gap in colon cancer death rates is widening, a new report says, and experts partly blame Blacks' lower screening rates and poor access to quality care.
Colon and rectal cancer death rates are now nearly 50 percent higher in Blacks than in Whites, according to American Cancer Society research being released Monday ...

Members of the Ebony Rose Ski Club discuss warm clothing with Deek Heykamp.
Downhill skiing can be something of a luxury – especially in hard times, admits Tricia Tillman, the membership director for Portland's only African American skiing club. The sport can also be valuable time spent with family, she says. As one of the lead organizers with the Ebony Rose Ski Club ...

Staff and students at Portland Community College's General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program are worried that the collapse of the Big Three automakers – Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and especially General Motors – could tank their educational program. ...

Gift cards are a common holiday gift, but the Better Business Bureau warns that if consumers are not careful, their gift cards could be worthless in a few months.
With the downturn of the economy many stores are struggling. Though they may be operating through December, some businesses could close locations or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the future ...

Pastor Henry Greenidge sang and gave a great sermon to the congregation of My Father's House Ministry, last week at the Irvington Covenant Church. Greenidge retired from his leadership role at the church last summer, but he's still part of My Father's House Ministry's roster of weekly inspirational speakers.

The harsh economy threatens to make it a cold, cheerless holiday for about 120 low-income residents of New Columbia – many of them kids. Usually Toys for Tots and other charities provide gifts of toys, warm clothes and food for every low-income resident, says Leslie Esinga, New Columbia staff member. This season, Toys for Tots was not able to provide for everyone who qualifies for their services ...

• Discount Swim Lessons
• Job Skills Classes
• Financial Education Workshop
• Youth Writing Competition
• Guest Performers Join 'Black Nativity'
  
  
  

Prints by legendary Seattle artist Jacob Lawrence are on display at the upstairs showroom through December at the Francine Seders Gallery, 6701 Greenwood Ave N. The prints are selected from Lawrence's series The Legend of John Brown, Hiroshima and Toussaint L'Ouverture. Above is "Two Builders Playing Chess." For information call 206-782-0355.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, audiences are invited to join Seattle Symphony for a New Year's Eve celebration, including a performance by Seattle Symphony, an after-party with dessert, champagne toast and dancing to the music of Emerald City Throwdown, plus a countdown to 2009 ...