From time to time, everybody can use a helping hand. Whether you're looking for work and need some assistance polishing your resume, or whether you're a business owner trying to get past those critical first few years, a helping hand at the right time can make all the difference.

Fortunately for workers and business owners in certain parts of North and Northeast Portland, just such a helping hand exists.

In partnership with the city of Portland's Bureau of Housing and Community Development, the Enterprise Community Commission is accepting proposals for $187,000 in grants to be divided between private- and public-sector recipients.

Matt Garritt, left, of Pacific Restaurants, receives the Business Award. Pacific Restaurants — which owns such establishments as Stanford's, McCormick and Schmick's and the Portland City Grill — has voluntarily adopted a company-wide nonsmoking policy in all its restaurants and bar areas.

Multnomah County honored some of its most hardworking citizens April 6 when the county health department handed out its annual Public Health Hero Awards. The awards recognize people whose effort and dedication in the cause of a healthy community rise above the ordinary.

African American women need more exercise — and there's a Boeing engineer who's determined to help them get it.
One day a few years ago, Stephanie LaBoo of Kent and her good friend Cynthia Bell-Brazeal challenged themselves to compete in the Danskin Triathlon. As her mother, Joyce LaBoo, cheered them on, Stephanie got inspired to challenge five other friends to compete, too.

Portland gets its annual dose of glitz and glamour this month when the 48th Ebony Fashion Fair — "Fit to Be Fabulous" — makes an appearance at 8 p.m. Friday, April 21, in the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

When Portland Mayor Tom Potter sets up his "listening post" in Northeast Portland on Saturday, April 15, he might consider the name of the location: Reflections Coffeehouse & Talking Drum Bookstore.

SEATTLE—Provocative new African American author Andrea Hairston will read from her debut novel, Mindscape, at 7 p.m. April 17 at the University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E. The event is free and open to the public.

Tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets of downtown Portland Monday to protest a proposed federal law that would make it a felony to be in the United States illegally. The march, which was accompanied by similar demonstrations in more than 100 cities all over the country, is part of a growing movement that is sweeping the nation.

It's time for parents, students and neighbors of local schools slated for closure or change to ask questions and state opinions at several school district meetings planned throughout Portland.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Vicki Phillips is proposing to create 17 new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools across the city

Portland Police Chief Derrick Foxworth is on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation of allegations that he sexually harassed a desk clerk six years ago.

Mayor Tom Potter placed Foxworth on leave Tuesday, saying that the decision was "probably the most difficult thing I've done as mayor." He appointed Southeast Precinct Commander Rosie Sizer as acting chief.

LAKE CHARLES, La.—For Elaine Stovall, getting on a bus for the two-hour trip back to Louisiana to vote for the future of New Orleans was just something she had to do.

"I would have walked to New Orleans if I had to. I would be less than a good citizen if I wasn't out here doing this," said Stovall, 62, a Hurricane Katrina evacuee staying in Houston who traveled 140 miles Monday to vote for the next mayor of New Orleans.