Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," will sing "The Star Spangled Banner" during the fireworks show following the final performance of the Waterfront Blues Festival on July 4.
Thomas will bring her southern warmth and gospel-tinged voice to the festival at 8:45 p.m. and will close with the festival's grand finale, the national anthem, at 10 p.m. as the fireworks display begins.

In honor of Black Music Month, Gulf Coast artists such as B.B. King, Irvin Mayfield and Patti Austin, visited the White House to cast a spotlight on some of the better-known classics.
New Orleans trumpeter Mayfield performed "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" and Austin performed a selection of her own and Ella Fitzgerald's numbers.
President George W. Bush issued a proclamation declaring June "Black History Month" and recognizing African American artists throughout history who have enhanced and shaped the national conscience.

New federal Medicaid requirements will require 450,000 Medicaid recipients in Oregon to show proof of citizenship when they enroll in the Oregon Health Plan.
But Gov. Ted Kulongoski said the state will make certain that no one who is eligible for Medicaid in Oregon will suffer harm.
"Despite the fact that these new rules will impose a significant burden on the state, we will make certain that the health, safety and well-being of our neediest citizens will not be jeopardized," Kulongoski said.

The proposal calls for siting one 620-bed facility in the North Willamette Valley region, one 360-bed facility south of Linn County on the west side of the Cascades, and at least two non-hospital-level 16-bed secure residential treatment settings east of the Cascades.

Billionaire financier Warren Buffett's recent giveaway of $37.1 billion — mostly to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as two other foundations — fits right in with the City Club's topic of the July 7 Friday Forum: "The Business of Philanthropy: New Trends in Stewardship."
Three of Oregon's largest foundations — the Oregon Community Foundation, the Collins Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust — must wrestle with new developments in giving and receiving every day, and their directors, Greg Chaillé, Jerry Hudson and Doug Stamm, will discuss those developments.

Kids and parents alike will have something to smile about when the Portland Beavers and Portland General Electric join forces next month to present Score One for Safety at PGE Park, corner of Southwest 18th Avenue and Morrison St.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, with the first pitch of the Beavers game vs. the New Orleans Zephyrs set for 7:05 p.m.
This educational and interactive event brings together local nonprofit organizations and government agencies to teach children and their parents the importance of being safe.

The American Red Cross, the Portland Beavers, Jammin' 95.5 FM and Shari's Restaurants are collaborating to present the Celebrate Freedom Blood Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Portland Donor Center, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave.
During summer, the blood supply often is just days ahead of patient need. The Red Cross is trying to collect as much blood as possible before the Independence Day holiday to help ensure a stable supply.

An Army lieutenant who has said he'd rather go to prison than Iraq did not deploy with his unit when it left last week for the Middle East, Army officials said.
1st Lt. Ehren Watada, 28, of Honolulu, who joined the Army in March 2003, has said he would be willing to serve in Afghanistan or elsewhere, but has concluded that the war in Iraq is illegal and immoral.

An aspiring basketball star talks hoops with a Portland Police Bureau officer at the All-American B-Ball Clinic at Irving Park. To learn more about the clinic and other summer activities at the park.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FIRST STEP SPORTS ACADEMY

2006 Breakfast Information

For tickets e-mail [email protected] or come to The Skanner office, located at 415 N. Killingsworth, between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday.

Tickets are $75
(There is a limited number of non-profit tickets available.)
Tables are $750

The 20th annual breakfast will be from 8:30-10 a.m. Jan. 16, 2006 at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97232.

• Please Bring 2 Cans of Food Per Person to Feed the Hungry.

• Small Business opportunities update by The Oregon Department of Transportation

About the Breakfast

This year's theme is "Lessons from Katrina for King's Beloved Community".

The Annual Skanner Foundation Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast will be celebrating its twentieth year in 2006. The breakfast has grown from 100 attendees to over 1,000 and is the largest event in the Pacific Northwest to honor Dr. King. Governor Ted Kulongoski of Oregon will be in attendence and present his proclamation.

Pictured right: Governor Ted Kulongoski

During the event, we award several thousand dollars in scholarships to worthy students who have demonstrated their desire for self-improvement through education. We also present two awards (The Drum Major Award and The John Jackson award) to individuals, community organizations, or businesses that continue Dr. King's work for civil rights in their community. During the past twenty years, over $220,000 has been contributed to the community for educational growth.

Our breakfast offers the opportunity for major comporate sponsors to increase their visibility in our community and beyond. Attendees include representatives from the State of Oregon; The Oregon Lottery; Oregon Economic and Community Development Department; local, regional, and state elected officials; and representatives from national corporations such as State Farm, American Family Insurance, Brown & Williamson, Kaiser Permanente, McDonald's Corporation, U.S. West, and Safeco. In addition, leaders in law enforcement, education, and the religious sector attend, and people in the community from all walks of life.

Related Links

http://www.thekingcenter.org/

www.king-raleigh.org

Nominate an individual or organization

In preparation for its 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, The Skanner is requesting nominations for awards. The Drum Major for Justice award and the John Jackson award will be given to individuals or organizations.

The Skanner is looking for nominations for people who have worked throughout the year to fulfill the ideals the Rev. King stood for: equality, justice, racial harmony, civil rights and peace.

E-mail your name, phone number and the name and phone number of the nominee, along with a short (50 words or less) description of why your nominee should receive the award to [email protected]. Or mail to:
Martin Luther King Jr.
Awards The Skanner
P.O. Box 5455 Portland, OR
97228-5455