When the national scenic trails system was created four decades ago, the goal was to build a walking path across the United States. That goal has come closer to reality with President Obama's signing of a bill ...

Louis Boston, president of The Boston Group, and influential business leader, passed away July 5, 2009 at his home in Tigard after a long battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 18, 9:30 A.M. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Northeast 9th Avenue and Alberta Street, followed by a community reception. . . .

Josh Kaseberg,12, of the Ball Playerz, an AAU League; tries to get past Antonio Carter, 12, from the West Basketball team from Vancouver in Saturday's inaugural Z Tournament at Irving Park. The basketball tourney featured 16 teams of 5th through 8th graders at an event in remembrance of the late police officer Mark Zylawy. The event coincided with the 4th annual Re-tilling the Soil event.

A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison with the chance of release after 30 years for his role in the execution-style murders of two men in May 2006. Cevelino Capuia apologized to the victims' families at his sentencing Monday in a Multnomah County courtroom. He pleaded guilty in June to aggravated murder and murder in the separate carjackings of Chai Taphom and Michael Burchett. Capuia was 19 when he helped Shawn Womack rob the victims near an adult video store on Portland's east side. Womack, then 21, shot both men, telling investigators later that he and Capuia decided to find people to rob of their cash and cars, even if it meant killing them. . . .

The State of Oregon last week launched a toll-free Adult Learner Resource Line and website for Oregonians interested in returning to college, or enrolling for the first time. Funded through a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Adult Learner Line is specifically for Oregonians ages 25 and older who are interested in going to college, but need some help and direction on how to enroll, seek financial aid, and generally navigate the process. The Adult Learner Line and website are just one component of the College Access Challenge Grant Program . . .

President Barack Obama's plan to dramatically increase college student aid took its first step Wednesday on what could be a rocky path through Congress. A key lawmaker proposed a bill to boost Pell Grant scholarships for low-income students by linking them to inflation for the first time since the program began. House Education Committee chairman George Miller's legislation would pay for the expansion by eliminating a massive program of subsidies for private college loans. an idea that is opposed by lenders and their many supporters on Capitol Hill. Obama's education secretary, Arne Duncan, said the government should spend education dollars on students and not on private lenders. . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . .

• No Shame Swim Session
• OMSI Hosts NASA Historian
• Karaoke Marathon to Benefit Ethos
• PCC President to Speak on Bond Spending

With the help of Vernon SUN school children Mackenzie Fetsch, Shaheed Muhammad, Tremane Salazar, and Taiylor Yarbrough— artists finished a mural project July 7. The Old Glory created by muralist, painter and children's book writer/illustrator—Addie Boswell—salutes a global village. . . .

Portland's summer concert series is infull swing this week with concerts across the city. The concert series, which will run through the end of August, features bands to please just about every musical taste. Here's a sample of what's on offer this month. The full schedule can be found on the Portland Parks and Recreation Web site in the recreation pages.