Witness humankind's largest pilgrimage and one man's historic journey of discovery that lasts a lifetime. Journey To Mecca runs next week, June 15-21 only at Pacific Science Center's Eames IMAX Theater. "Journey to Mecca" tells the story of Ibn Battuta (played by Chems Eddine Zinoun), a young scholar who leaves Tangier in 1325 on an epic and perilous journey, traveling alone from his home in Morocco to reach Mecca, some 3,000 miles to the east. Ibn Battuta is besieged by countless obstacles as he makes his way across the North African desert to Mecca. Along the route he meets an unlikely stranger, the Highwayman . . .

When New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly announced at Omar Edwards' funeral that the slain officer would posthumously be promoted to detective, it seemed liked a genuine gesture toward Edwards and the family and friends he left behind. It was actually pressure from the NYPD that made Kelly promote Edwards. "That was a result of the NYPD asking directly why isn't he being promoted," said Anthony Miranda, executive chairman of the National Latino Officer Association. "We had initially approached him about it and he actually questioned why. He said that he'd look into it.". . .

Just in time for the start of summer, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is opening its seven outdoor pools on Monday, June 22. The outdoor pools, which will be open through August, include Creston Pool, Grant Pool, Montavilla Pool, Peninsula Pool, Pier Pool, Sellwood Pool, and Wilson Pool. In addition, PP&R operates six indoor year-round pools: Buckman Pool, Columbia Pool, East Portland Community Center, Matt Dishman Community Center, Mt. Scott Community Center, and Southwest Community Center. . . .

On June 15, The City of Portland and Multnomah County will introduce an effort to increase participation of traditionally undercounted communities in the 2010 Census. Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish and Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury will kick off the Complete Count Committee (CCC) . . . .

As the nation comes to grips with the horrifying tragedy that struck the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in the District of Columbia this week, its lone victim, 39-year-old security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns, is being remembered as a gentle giant. Johns lived in Temple Hills, Md., and was a graduate of Crossland High School. He had worked at the museum for six years and was also described as a caring family man. "He was a pretty great guy,'' said his 11-year-old son, Stephen Jr., who lauded his father as a hero. The boy added that his dad was someone who always there for him . . .

Girls at the Challengers Boys and Girls Club in South Los Angeles enjoy jump rope. Such facilities may expect more children this summer due to LAUSD summer school cutbacks. Photo credit: Gary McCarthy/The WAVE
More than 225,000 Los Angeles Unified School District families with elementary and middle school students will be forced to find alternatives to summer school this year, following an announcement that the session would be canceled due to declining revenues and the state budget deficit. . . .

DALLAS (NNPA) Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill's federal indictment case, set for trial on June 22, is one that has been included in a study by two professors suggesting that he possibly could have been racially and politically profiled.  He and his wife Sheila have maintained their innocence, according to a released statement.  "Mr. Hill has entered a 'not guilty' plea and looks forward to defending himself against these charges," said Ray Jackson, managing partner of Jackson Law Firm, who is defending Don Hill. . . .

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – U. S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, is pressing the White House and the president's cabinet on the apparent void in federal government advertising in Black-owned newspapers and radio. CBC spokesman Jioni Palmer this week says the CBC anticipates more exchanges in coming weeks as all White House cabinet secretaries have been sent copies of CBC letters on the issue. . . . .

The Albina Community Bank today announced its participation in the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Program's "America's Recovery Capital" (ARC) Loan Program to provide 100 percent guaranteed SBA ARC loans for qualifying small businesses experiencing financial hardship. . . .

John Godey's best-selling novel, "The Taking of Pelham 123," revolves around a quartet of armed crooks who hijack a New York City subway train and threaten to start killing passengers one-by-one if their ransom demands are not met in an hour. Beyond that basic outline however, each director who takes on the project seems inclined to alter the terrifying tale of suspense however he sees fit. . . .