Catharine Blaine K-8, Madison Middle School, Salmon Bay School, Washington Middle School, and Garfield High School, have been named as five of the 98 "Schools of Distinction" by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for dramatic improvements in student reading and mathematics over the past several years....

Multnomah County today advised voters that Friday, October, 31 should be considered the last day for voters in Multnomah County to rely on timely USPS delivery of ballots in time for the presidential election. Ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4 to be counted. Postmarks do not count....

A Benefit for Dante....
Eyewitness History Election Watch...
Voters League Dinner...
Dr. Cornel West Speaks...

The Josiah Hill Clinic won a $210,950 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for outreach campaigns and healthy environment checkups. They will work with their partner organizations on issues such as reducing toxins, environmentally friendly "green" business practices, and green alternatives for maintenance and building....

A Women for Obama gathering welcomed U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, last week at the home of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and his wife Katrina Wheeler. Pelosi was in town to galvanize support for the presidential candidate.
Photo by Julie Keefe

In Mexico, Nov. 1 – Dia de los Muertos – is a daylong celebration and remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. Special displays are built with candles and sweets and photos of the departed ones.
In North and Northeast Portland several special events are planned around the Day of the Dead, but there's a family that helps the entire community cope – and also commemorate – every man, woman and child who departs this world, every day of the year....

Short of a legal miracle, Carolynn Smith may be permanently legally separated from her two youngest grandchildren on Oct. 30. Smith has been fighting the Department of Human Services Child Services for over four years for custody....

Juniors and seniors in Portland High Schools, subjected to a barrage of advertising and sales pitches regarding their future, are allowed at least one filter – they are allowed to tell their school not to give their contact information to military recruiters. One military recruiter says it is has little difference in the military's ability to attract students. Staff Sgt. Darwin Trotter of the Portland Army Recruiting Battalion says it forces his recruiters to make more face-to-face contact with potential recruits....

Unveiling its first round of significant evening program changes, KBOO Community Radio, 90.7 fm, has cut its soul music programming, but added a nightly hip hop talk show and a Friday night slot for guest artists....

Recently deceased artistic genius Charles Tatum and very-much-alive jazz genius Thara Memory will both be honored at the Charles Tatum Memorial Jam at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m....