National Arboretum in the city's northeast section. Police checked drivers' identification and turned away those who didn't have a "legitimate purpose" in the area, such as a church visit or doctor's appointment.
The checkpoints were announced after eight people were killed in the city last weekend. Most of the killings occurred in the police district that includes Trinidad. Already this year, the district has had 22 killings -- one more than in all of last year.
The checkpoints have drawn harsh criticism from civil rights groups.
"Trinidad should not be treated like Baghdad," said Mark Thompson, the leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP's) local police task force....

Part one of a two-part series
Jefferson High School students were angry as they walked out of school with picket signs and marched across North Killingsworth Street, stopping traffic with chants of "Save our school." "A lot of other schools have a lot more than us," said Freshman Erica Maranowski during the protest. "We don't have the same opportunity." Seattle residents would have recognized the scene ...

Two teenagers were arrested around midnight on Friday, May 23 during a break-in at Jefferson High School. According to Portland Public Schools spokesman Matt Shelby, the two suspects didn't steal anything but caused a considerable amount of damage, including smashing five computer monitors in the main office, 20 computer monitors in the library, pushing a soda machine downstairs, damaging lockers and several doors. It is unlikely the computers will be able to be replaced by the end of the school year....

This week, as old-timers remember the destructive force of the Vanport flood 60 years ago, a few hundred others are reminiscing about how the flood helped create one of the most important institutions of Portland's Black community.
The Vancouver Avenue 1st Baptist Church, as an observance of its own anniversary in March of 2009, is publishing "Vancouver Avenue Yesterday, Today, Forever: Celebrating 65 Years of a Spiritual Landmark."
It's designed as an exquisite, full-color book depicting the history of its congregation, the families within it, and its church building....

The Office of Youth Violence Prevention is facing a murky future in Portland.
Director Rob Ingram says his office's relatively small budget of $600,000 was slashed in half during preliminary budget talks within city government. Most of that money has since been restored, but the office's long-term future is uncertain.
Cutting Ingram's budget by nearly $300,000 would have devastated the office's mission and goals, causing a massive withdrawal of funds to most of the seven outreach organizations it helps to fund

Lannis Warfield, the son of one of the men wrongfully convicted in the lynching of an Italian Prisoner of War in 1944 at Fort Lawton in Seattle is introduced by Jack Hamann, author of the book "On American Soil" at a National Day of Honor for wrongly charged and convicted Black soldiers on Sunday, May 25 at Fort Lawton.  Mr. Hamann, whose book was instrumental in getting the convictions of 28 wrongly convicted men overturned was the keynote speaker at the event which was sponsored by the National Association for Black Veterans. Sitting below Warfield is U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to combat the declining personal savings rate in the United States, Sens. Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined today in introducing legislation to help older Americans better prepare for and manage their assets in retirement. The legislation, S.3053, will provide grants to Area Agencies on Aging to provide financial literacy services for older individuals.
"We are experiencing a national personal savings crisis," said Senator Smith. "Not enough Americans, including seniors, have the basic financial literacy skills needed to properly prepare for retirement and asset management. A simple investment by the federal government in financial literacy programs can help ensure a safe and secure retirement for many of our seniors."...

The Seattle Urban League Young Professionals organization has again received a strong response for the upcoming 3rd Annual Leadership Development Summit aimed at empowering Seattle's future leaders.
Organizers say the event is geared towards young professionals of color who are interested in personal and professional development but may be unsure where to obtain information. The forum allows networking opportunities with like-minded and seasoned professionals. ...

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

In just one moment, a year's worth of work was lost for local artist F.X. Rosica.. On Friday, May 23, thieves smashed out a window on his car in broad daylight and stole nearly all the work he was scheduled to display next month at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center.

IFCC Creative Director Adrienne Flagg says the theft was devastating to the artist and the center. Unlike some art installations, Rosica was debuting a full year's worth of prints and paintings about the passage of time as we move around on bus, train and bicycles. In addition to the artwork – bright copper plate etchings – specialized tools, prints and sketchbooks were also stolen.