CORVALLIS—What's in a name? Maybe plenty if you want to rent an apartment.

An Oregon State University survey found that an ethnic-sounding name can be a factor in whether an applicant gets an apartment.

The study, co-authored by William Loges, an OSU assistant professor in new media communications and sociology, sought and found differences in replies to online housing inquiries from people with names associated with Caucasians, Arabs and Blacks.

Despite a less-than-stellar economy and a scarce job market, North and Northeast Port-land residents Amanda Salama and Molly Kline are choosing to start their own business.

The two 26-year-olds who have college degrees and professional experience, made the decision despite the risks — they have opened Ink Promotions.

Hundreds of Black elected officials descended on Portland over the weekend of May 31 to June 2 to attend the Region X conference of Blacks in Government Inc.

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Matt Essieh

Matt Essieh immigrated to Oregon in 1980 to attend Southern Oregon State University. Now, the one-time immigrant is an American citizen with a company that employs 21 people and does business nationwide.

His Beaverton-based business, EAI Information Systems, creates computerized systems for banks, brokers and insurance companies to help clients make and keep track of their investments.

Author and storyteller Baba Wague Diakite, left, is joined by Ghanaian master drummer Obo Addy, center, and his band, Okropong, at the May 25 Africa Culture Night and Benefit at Jackson Middle School.

The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is joining the national organization in launching a nationwide initiative to end illegal government spying by the National Security Agency.

Responding to reports that phone companies are turning over private details about Americans' telephone calls to the National Security Agency, the ACLU of Oregon and ACLU affiliates in 19 other states have filed complaints with public utility commissions or sent letters to state attorneys general and other officials demanding investigations into whether local telecommunications companies allowed the National Security Agency to spy on their customers.

In science fiction, robots take on diverse forms — such as R2D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars, Robby the Robot from "Forbidden Planet," or the cold steel behemoth, GORT, from The "Day the Earth Stood Still."

These images have be-come cultural icons, representing what most people think of when they hear the word "robot." But in the real world, robots also take on diverse forms, ranging from service-friendly vacuum cleaners and precision mechanical arms that help build cars, to playful robotic pets the whole family can enjoy.