Jackie Lawson talks with Dorothy Hollingsworth and her grandson Melvin Roberts Jr.  on Sept. 2 at Gas Works Park at the 37th annual ROOTS family picnic.  The Roots (an acronym for Relatives Of Old Timers) Picnic is an opportunity for families who have lived in Washington since before 1940 to reconnect. The event featured music and dancing and children's games.

JUBA, Sudan (AP) -- Nasurdin Ibrahim was born in a camp for people who fled their homes during Sudan's civil war and still attends an overcrowded school there, but despite the lack of pens and books, the 12-year-old has a big dream. "I want to be president," he said. ...

Recognizing an increase in gang activity in some communities, members of the Metropolitan King County Council today proposed creation of a gang suppression unit in the King County Sheriff's Office.
JoAn Cox, mother of slain King County sheriff's deputy Steve Cox, led a community petition drive supporting establishment of a gang unit. ...

The American Red Cross is looking for "everyday heroes" from your community. Do you know someone who performed life-saving CPR, pulled a person from a burning building or raised money to help someone in need? ...

The Seattle Human Rights Commission will hold a public meeting on police professional accountability from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the University Heights Community Center, 5031 University Way N.E. 
The meeting is in response to recent news reports about the system for dealing with complaints of police misconduct ...

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What could Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Chris Rock have in common? In two words: Barack Obama. All three are backing the senator for Illinois, in the race for the next president of the United States.

Brian Brauche, of MCE of Oregon, Maque Soria of Millas Inc. and Paul Knauls Jr. of Picual Inc., promote the product Andalucian Girl Extra Virgin Olive Oil, imported from Andalucia, Spain, now available in Portland. The Soria family has been growing olives and producing olive oil in the region of southern Spain for over 10 generations. The olive oil can be purchased from Picual Inc. at 3439 N.E. Sandy Blvd. #632 or by calling 503-875-1039

WithinReach is trying to get the word out to African American families about the various services they offer and to encourage breast feeding. WithinReach, formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Washington, provides health information and referral services to the people of Washington.
They have four toll-free phone lines: Family Health Hotline, Family Food Hotline, Take Charge Hotline (birth control) and the Healthy Kids Now Hotline (health insurance). The Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is a program available ...

Alice Walker, the award-winning author of "The Color Purple" and a longtime activist, will be visiting Seattle's Town Hall to present her new book, "Why War Is Never a Good Idea,"  at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24.
Walker's new book, for children ages 4 to 8, is a heartfelt poem, richly illustrated by Stefano Vitale, which explores the wanton destructiveness of war and its unforeseen consequences. Presented with the University Book Store, tickets are $5 at the door only. Town Hall is located at 1119 Eighth Avenue, at Seneca Street. ...