During periods of economic decline entrepreneurs are most likely to bear the brunt economically. Do not bury your head in the ground waiting for things to get better. Look how your business can leverage this time to actually increase your opportunities to outsmart larger competitors who, during a downturn, carry on with business as usual or are unable to adapt quickly. Proactive small business entrepreneurs can actually thrive....

LifeWorks NW, non-profit provider of mental health and addiction services throughout Multnomah, Washington and Clatsop counties, announced today that it has elected its 2008-2009 officers on the board of directors.

Portland Community College's Small Business Center is a community-based resource offering everything from classes to useful marketing tips. Based at the Lloyd Center Mall in Northeast Portland, the center is part of a statewide network funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

The Metro Council last week voted to reappoint Ellis "Ray" Leary to serve a second term on the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission. Leary was nominated by the City of Portland as its representative on the regional Metro commission overseeing the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Portland Center for the Performing Arts....

Los SuperSones Trio will perform traditional Cuban dance music at "The Sounds of Cuba: Afro-Cuban Folklore in the Countryside to Salsa in the City" from 3  to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at The Seattle Public Library, South Park Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S.

Minority, women and emerging small businesses involved in construction contracting can attend a meeting next week to find out about upcoming projects looking for competitive bids in their fields....

Elaine Hayes, wife of Ralph Hayes, autographs a book about her husband for Rudolph and Eleanor Hill at a tribute honoring the late historian and teacher...

Looking for some thumb candy?...

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Jurors had been told to ignore what they knew about O.J. Simpson's past, but for many observers, the line connecting the former NFL star's murder acquittal last decade and his new conviction for robbing memorabilia peddlers couldn't have been clearer.
The attorney for the family of Ronald Goldman -- who was killed along with Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson in Los Angeles in 1994 -- said he thought his hounding of Simpson for years to collect a $33.5 million wrongful death judgment pushed him to a desperate gambit to recover personal items he had lost.
"We drove him into that room to grab the sports memorabilia before we could seize the stuff....

Some inmates in Georgia jails are being registered to vote in the Nov. 4 election ... the sheriff's office helped 376 jail inmates request absentee ballots and registered an additional 441 inmates for the upcoming election....