For the first time in more than four years, the Housing Authority of Portland will open a new waiting list to receive federal Section 8 rent vouchers.
Applications for a chance to join the waiting list must be submitted before Nov. 17. By applying for the waiting list, applicants will enter a lottery-style drawing to be held next January. The first 3,000 names picked through the lottery will be placed on the waiting list.
"Rent assistance is a very precious resource," said Steve Rudman, executive director. "We are providing access in the fairest way we know, and we encourage anyone in need to apply."

One in seven youth online is sexually solicited, and one in three youth will encounter unwanted exposure to sexually explicit material online, according to a recent study conducted by the University of New Hampshire.
To combat unwanted contact over the Internet, Qwest is joining the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to establish an "online classroom."

In celebration of Pratt Fine Arts Center's 30th anniversary of continuous operation as Seattle's art education and resource center, the center will hold an open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at the center, 1902 S. Main St. The open house will feature demonstrations.

NOTICE
A man calling himself Michael Lawrence has been attempting to gain access to various events in the Seattle area by claiming to be a photographer for The Skanner. Mr. Lawrence is not, and has never been, affiliated with The Skanner in any way. Please ask for and inspect the press credentials of anyone claiming to represent The Skanner. Should you encounter Mr. Lawrence, please call The Skanner's Seattle office, 206-533-9888.

NOTICE
A man calling himself Michael Lawrence has been attempting to gain access to various events in the Seattle area by claiming to be a photographer for The Skanner. Mr. Lawrence is not, and has never been, affiliated with The Skanner in any way. Please ask for and inspect the press credentials of anyone claiming to represent The Skanner. Should you encounter Mr. Lawrence, please call The Skanner's Seattle office, 206-533-9888.

Ron Saxton, abruptly canceled a meeting that was scheduled months ago with some Oregon's more low profile prominent African American business owners and professionals. No explanation, just simply a call from one of his staffers at 2:30 p.m. indicating that Saxton would not be in attendance at the meeting that he had previously agreed to.

Lauren Hicks, left, Mark McDonald, Jeanne Lyday, James Smith, Linda Mashia-Jones, Eddie Barnett and Rickey Brame — all alumni or friends of the Jefferson High School Class of 1969 — cook up some grub Oct. 20 at the Jefferson Tailgate Party before the Democrats' homecoming game against Madison High

Earlier this year, for the first time in its history, the Portland Police Bureau admitted that yes — racial profiling happens in Portland. That revelation, coupled with a recently completed series of community listening sessions on the issue, have led to an unprecedented opportunity to make the bureau accountable for — and eventually eliminate — racial profiling, said the director of a local grassroots activist organization.
"I think that we have a very unique opportunity here in the city," said JoAnn Bowman, executive director of Oregon Action, one of the organizers of the listening sessions. "We have a City Council that's paying attention and has actually made public statements of commitment to eliminating racial profiling from the police bureau.
"We have a police chief who has been very open to community input and insight … . We're at a very fortunate time where we have community organizations, city government and the police bureau all singing from the same songbook."

There's a "vibe" on Northeast Alberta Street that wasn't there 10 years ago. It's changing from being a street of vacant buildings and marginal businesses to becoming an avenue of edgier restaurants and boutiques with a population as diverse as its shops.

Jamon Kemp, 6, tries his hand at tennis at the Tennis Block Party, held Oct. 22 at the Amy Yee Tennis Center. The free event featured interactive games for all ages.