There's something about a deadline that makes people jump -- inspiring them to bring back those library books or finally file their taxes.

Oregon and federal officials are expecting the same response to the upcoming midnight Monday deadline to enroll in the new Medicare drug plans without financial penalty.

Medicare has added extra customer service staff to handle questions about the complicated benefits program and increased its online capacity. And the Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program, which handles the enrollment assistance in the state, has extended its hours and is bracing for a few extra inquiries.

As of Friday about 160,000 Oregonians who are eligible for the benefit have not signed up, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

"There's just something about a deadline," said Michael Marchand, spokesperson for the Northwest region of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Attorney Rebecca Duncan, left, with Oregon Public Defense Services, argues a point before the…

The Jefferson Dancers will fill the Newmark Theatre with energy and talent this month in the group's annual concert.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. May 11 and 12; and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 13 in the Newmark, 1111 S.W. Broadway.

The 20-member troupe of Portland high school students will premiere choreographer Sarah Slipper's "Beautiful Madness," danced to the music of Mozart. Slipper has choreographed pieces for the Nashville Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Cornish Dance Theater, Cincinnati Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre.

If a server has ever censored your e-mail, if you have ever been blocked by a search engine from looking at a Web site or a blog, or if you have ever been prevented from receiving an incoming message because of its content, there's a meeting you might want to attend.

Proposals being discussed by Congress could take away your right to communicate freely over the Internet. At the heart of the problem is the "network neutrality" principle, which allows users free access to any Web sites and search engines. Without "net neutrality," users might be barred from certain sites unless they paid for them or unless the sites themselves paid the companies providing the Internet service.

The Oregon Alliance to Reform Media will host a meeting to discuss the problem from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, in Studio A at Portland Community Media, 2766 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Tod Leiweke, left, CEO of the Seahawks, is joined by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, head coach Mike Holmgren, defensive end and Renton native Bryce Fisher, team President Tim Ruskell and Renton Mayor Kathy Koelker, holding jersey, in celebrating the Seahawks' new home.

The Seattle Seahawks plan to build a state-of-the-art training center along the shores of Lake Washington in Renton.

Suzan Dennisa

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s annual Women of Excellence Awards honor women who have made an outstanding contribution to their community.

Vancouver branch President Earl Ford presents The Skanner Publisher Bernie Foster, left, with the 2006 NAACP Diversity Leadership Award.

The Vancouver branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recently honored citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to their community.

Construction is under way at the corner of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fremont Street on a commercial/retail development. Planned by the Portland Development Commission, the project is at the site of the old King Market and is envisioned to be a "gateway" for inner Northeast Portland.

Although construction has already begun on the redevelopment of the old King Market site at the corner of Northeast Fremont Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, neighbors will conduct a ceremonial "ground breaking" next week.

This year's high school sophomores will find out how they did on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning before they leave for summer break, but everyone else will have to wait until September to find out how much progress the class of 2008 is making toward meeting the state's new graduation requirement.

John Edwards

Former U.S. Senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards will deliver the keynote address at The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women's annual legislative conference breakfast.

The breakfast is scheduled for June 29 at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel, 1000 N.E. Multnomah St. The conference runs from June 29 through July 2 at the same location.

The three-day event is open to the public and features speakers and workshops surrounding the topics of emergency preparedness, health, education, transportation, energy and economic development.