Portland gets its annual dose of glitz and glamour this month when the 48th Ebony Fashion Fair — "Fit to Be Fabulous" — makes an appearance at 8 p.m. Friday, April 21, in the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

When Portland Mayor Tom Potter sets up his "listening post" in Northeast Portland on Saturday, April 15, he might consider the name of the location: Reflections Coffeehouse & Talking Drum Bookstore.

SEATTLE—Provocative new African American author Andrea Hairston will read from her debut novel, Mindscape, at 7 p.m. April 17 at the University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E. The event is free and open to the public.

Tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets of downtown Portland Monday to protest a proposed federal law that would make it a felony to be in the United States illegally. The march, which was accompanied by similar demonstrations in more than 100 cities all over the country, is part of a growing movement that is sweeping the nation.

It's time for parents, students and neighbors of local schools slated for closure or change to ask questions and state opinions at several school district meetings planned throughout Portland.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Vicki Phillips is proposing to create 17 new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools across the city

Portland Police Chief Derrick Foxworth is on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation of allegations that he sexually harassed a desk clerk six years ago.

Mayor Tom Potter placed Foxworth on leave Tuesday, saying that the decision was "probably the most difficult thing I've done as mayor." He appointed Southeast Precinct Commander Rosie Sizer as acting chief.

LAKE CHARLES, La.—For Elaine Stovall, getting on a bus for the two-hour trip back to Louisiana to vote for the future of New Orleans was just something she had to do.

"I would have walked to New Orleans if I had to. I would be less than a good citizen if I wasn't out here doing this," said Stovall, 62, a Hurricane Katrina evacuee staying in Houston who traveled 140 miles Monday to vote for the next mayor of New Orleans.

Oregon Health & Science University has good news for Portland job seekers. The opening of a new building at the university's hilltop campus in Southwest Portland is prompting a hiring boom.

OHSU needs nurses, physicians, housekeepers, administrative staff, hospital aides, social workers, pharmacists, technicians, therapists, warehouse workers, housekeepers and other workers to fill up to about 200 new positions for the new Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, which opens in June.

As any full-time caregiver knows, the strain and effort of caring for another human being's every need can be exhausting. But a day of relaxation is in store for caregivers to take time for themselves and learn some techniques for caring for themselves and their care receivers.

More than 60 employersrepresenting hundreds of employment opportunities will be featured at Portland Community College's Ninth Annual Cascade Job Fair.

The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, in the Physical Education Building gym at the college's Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St. The event is free and open to PCC students and graduates and the community.