Oregon
updated
8:23 a.m.
From a Seattle soccer fan site, we get this projection: Portland have sold 5,000 season ticket deposits and but there is little doubt they will be able to fill every seat of PGE’s intended 24,000 capacity when MLS kicks off in Oregon in 2011. I'll bet that when it comes time to talk to the PGE Park neighbors about parking, the numbers won't be quite so big. Meanwhile, Little Lord Paulson of...
Jack Bog's Blog - 7:05 a.m.
I can't quite make it out, but I think this says that the close-in east side of Portland is about to get parking meters and Greg Goodman parking garages. Not to mention apartment towers and national chain retail storefronts. Out go those dirty, unwanted industrial payrolls! Good times in our multi-modal Mecca....
Jack Bog's Blog - 6:20 a.m. - 2 clicks 
"Book Reading Party" Bud Light Super Bowl Ad 2010 Commercia Uploaded by rosebudmag . - Sitcom, sketch, and standup comedy videos. I didn't watch the Super Bowl so I didn't see the commercials but I began stumbling on a lot of sites where an intense conversation rant is taking place over the sexism in the Bud Lite commercial. Many of these are accompanied by the video of the ...
JoyStory - 2:20 a.m. - 2 clicks
Last week, congressional candidates - incumbents and challengers - reported on their campaign finances through the end of 2009. It's a useful snapshot of where those races stand. Which candidates are rolling along - and which ones are struggling? First, the easy ones. Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Congressman Greg Walden have no challengers thus far, and are both sitting on big warchests. Blumen...
BlueOregon - 1:46 a.m.
Not being a Legislature regular — I've been four or five times, for just a short time — I have not had much experience with lobbyists. I've seen them on tv and read their words in various places, but damn; it's nothing compared to seeing one in action. And I gotta tell: I did not like what I saw. The Senate Consumer Protection Committee held a public hearing on SB 1045, sponsored ...
T.A. Barnhart - 12:26 a.m. - 5 clicks
Work on the environment community’s agenda for the special session resumes Tuesday. The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee becomes the unofficial epicenter in the afternoon when it takes up two of the most important green bills of the session. Starting with…. SB 1032: Bisphenol A Ban The committee is done taking testimony on the bill, so it could [...]...
Natural Oregon - Mon 11:45 p.m.
TUESDAY: Ban The Bag The Portland Chapter of Oregon Surfrider gets serious about a bill before the legislature to ban single use plastic bags in Oregon. Tonight’s meeting is about giving members the tools for activism, presenting, and engaging in the Ban the Bag Campaign. The chapter has previously supported a 20-cent per bag fee in Portland. [...]...
Natural Oregon - Mon 11:45 p.m.
We have been waiting and waiting and waiting for the appointment to fill the vacancy on the National Labor Relations Board. This is very important for all workers and particularly for those involved in Union organizing campaigns. Democratic Senator Ben Nelson issued a statement today stating that he will filibuster Craig Becker's appointment. At the same time as the Democratic National Committ...
Willamette Reds - Mon 10:42 p.m. - 5 clicks
Two recent stories (via Planetizen: here and here ) make the connection between health and how we design our urban environments and transportation systems: Five New York City departments have jointly released a document titled " Active Design Guidelines: A new definition for sustainable cities ", covering everything from Urban Design to where to put the stairwells in buildings (hint: make...
Portland Transport - Mon 10:29 p.m.
A number of news snippets have come across the transom in the last week that warrant mention here at the big Blue O, and they're brought to us it seems by the letter "e". Two are endorsements, both going to Oregon Democratic Gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber. The first (and quite belated on our part) is Steve Novick. From last week's campaign press release: Former US Senate candidate and gras...
BlueOregon - Mon 9:42 p.m.
The Metro regional government is “almost” at a decision on urban reserves. The latest plan, as proposed by a committee called the Core 4, includes setting aside 27,000 acres for urban reserves and 270,000 acres for rural reserves. That leaves about 2300 acres in the “undecided” category. It’s the latest step in an unbelievably complicated process that [...]...
Natural Oregon - Mon 9:41 p.m. - 2 clicks
"In the world today all culture, all literature and art belong to definite classes and are geared to definite political lines. There is in fact no such thing as art for art's sake, art that stands above classes or art that is detached from or independent of politics...Now love may serve as a point of departure, but there is a more basic one. Love as an idea is a product of objective practice. Fu...
Willamette Reds - Mon 7:34 p.m. - 6 clicks
The Goldschmidt lieutenants at the Port of Portland sure know how to ladle it out to those guys. I can't believe we're building a new headquarters for the Port -- its second in 11 years -- in the midst of a recession teetering on the edge of a depression. What a waste of money....
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 7:21 p.m. - 6 clicks
After three hours of discussion, the public talks to reach a Good Neighbor Agreement between Sisters Of The Road Café and Portland police are still unresolved as the two parties work to address a chronic nuisance warning against the Old Town/Chinatown institution. Last summer, after police reported an increase in nuisance calls related to Sisters’ corner [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Mon 6:10 p.m. - 3 clicks
"Me no need fancy teleprompter." Sarah Palin was at it again last weekend, blathering away in her dizzy, half-baked manner; spouting lots of cotton candy rhetoric, finely-tuned to appeal to tea-bagger ears; driving "serious" Republicans to distraction. And while it is perhaps best to just ignore her (the way one might ignore the public histrionics of a mentally-debilitated homeless pers...
Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing - Mon 6:05 p.m. - 3 clicks
This year, when you do your 2009 taxes, there's another opportunity to do something small to help combat the power of big money in our politics. We political junkies call it the "Check for Democracy" or the "Klonoski check-off" (in honor of UO prof and former DPO chair Jim Klonoski) - but the state calls it the Political Party $3 Checkoff. Thanks to 2009's HB 2004, here's how it works: When you're...
BlueOregon - Mon 5:24 p.m.
No region of the world has more strategic value to powerful U.S. transnational corporations and the military industrial complex than the arc of countries stretching from the Middle East to Central and South Asia. If wars are going to be fought in the 21st century, the probability of them occurring in this region is high. And the reasons are simple. If you are thinking terrorist actions (which are...
Willamette Reds - Mon 5:23 p.m.
"From My Altitude" (Desde mi Altura), the inspiring and insightful art exposition of 28 paintings created by Cuban Five hero, Antonio Guerrero, will tour the month of March at the Fenorio Gallery in Eugene, Oregon. In Eugene, Oregon, Antonio's exhibit will open with a reception at 7:00 pm, Friday, March 5, at the prestigious Fenorio Gallery, 881 Willamette St., and will be on exhibit throughout ...
Willamette Reds - Mon 5:23 p.m. - 2 clicks
by: Jon Isaacs If you haven't had a chance to read this excellent piece , written by Richard Cockle of the Oregonian, about the Wind Energy developments that are set to go up in the Steens Mountains, I strongly recommend it. ...
OLCV Blog - Mon 5:04 p.m. - 8 clicks
Posted by Aaron Johnson, Policy Advisor 15 Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters are volunteering their own time to take part in a humanitarian effort that will traverse the countryside of Haiti offering aid. The volunteers will take water, food, clothing,......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Mon 2:33 p.m. - 2 clicks
Sometimes I think you could rob Congressional Democrats by telegraph : House Democrats say leadership has their work cut out in convincing the public to support a tax increase on those making more than $250,000. Centrists and liberal Democrats told The Hill they support allowing President Bush’s tax cuts on those making more than $250,000 to expire, but said leaders must win public support by...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Mon 2:33 p.m. - 3 clicks
This last week, I watched a great episode of Oregon Field Guide. It had a section detailing how wind farms in Oregon are doing damage to bat species. You can see the episode here (it's the middle story in this half hour show). Now, it's true... you drive up the Columbia River Gorge these days, and it's quite a sight to behold. Turbine after turbine after turbine. And...
DailyKos (Oregon) - Mon 1:51 p.m. - 5 clicks
Oregon’s environmental community just scored its first big win of the special session. The House approved HB 3613, a bill that bans offshore oil and natural gas drilling in Oregon’s territorial waters. An e-mail alert from Toby Van Fleet of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters says the vote to approve the bill was 38-21. It now [...]...
Natural Oregon - Mon 1:06 p.m. - 6 clicks
The House is expected to vote this week on changes to Oregon’s Business Tax Credit. Better known as BETC (pronounced Betsy), the tax credits have played a huge role in boosting renewable energy in the state. BETC has turned out to be so popular, that legislators are now worried the credits have become too expensive. Late [...]...
Natural Oregon - Mon 1:06 p.m. - 10 clicks
Here’s a story they’ll be able to tell their grandchildren. Last Thursday, folk singer Peter Yarrow sang a couple of Woody Guthrie tunes for kids at the headquarters of the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland. Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) dropped by to see the agency’s memorial to Guthrie, who wrote more than two dozen [...]...
Natural Oregon - Mon 1:06 p.m. - 4 clicks
Thanks to Notice Software of Portland, we’re now able to offer a free iPhone application for Natural Oregon. To download it, follow this link or from the Follow Us section in the column to the right of this story. ...
Natural Oregon - Mon 1:06 p.m. - 5 clicks
Want to spend a week this summer with some of the nation's best-known outdoor writers, practicing the craft of outdoor writing in writer-friendly Missoula? The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) will host its first Goldenrod Writing Workshop at the University of Montana in Missoula August 1-7, 2010. Open to both novice communicators and published professionals, the week-long...
New West Bend - Mon 1:06 p.m.
A friend of ours whose son attends Tulane University forwards this message that students received this morning from the president of the university, Scott Cowen: February 8, 2010 Dear Students, There are certain moments in life that are transcendent and transformative and are too wonderful for words. Sunday's Super Bowl victory was such a moment. It was a victory that went far beyond football...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 12:33 p.m. - 2 clicks
What a thrilling Super Bowl last night. The onside kick. Brees with 32 completions. And Sean Payton making some of the gutsier calls seen in a Super Bowl. How much fun do you think New Orleans had last night? It was a win larger than football, and anyone who's spent any time in the Crescent City can tell you how much the Saints are part of the their culture. This was a big weekend for New Orleans,...
BlueOregon - Mon 11:50 a.m. - 2 clicks
The official election results are not even available yet, but pollster Adam Davis and the Oregon Business Council’s economic advisor John Tapogna are already attempting to rewrite the history surrounding this momentous election. In an op-ed in The Sunday Oregonian, they write As a tax analyst and pollster, respectively, we saw dozens of politically viable alternative tax packages that would have r...
BlueOregon - Mon 11:27 a.m. - 5 clicks
We've known for years that when somebody steals a vehicle in Portland, the city authorities don't seem to care much. How about 30 vehicles ? I'll bet they still won't lift a finger. Maybe the state will figure it out....
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m. - 5 clicks
Portland city commissioner Dan "Legend" Saltzman did what he does best today -- he showed up and sat there. It was at the funeral of the unarmed man who was shot in the back and killed by Portland police last week. Saltzman's appearance was a nice gesture, to be sure -- better than you'd get in similar circumstances from Katz, Adams, Leonard, or Potter -- but as the farcical grand jur...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
It's Snowpocalypse 2010 on the East Coast, but here in El Niñoland it's nice enough to get out and do something about the yard. We've got a big climbing rose bush that makes our Mays spectacular , and it's gotten too big for its britches. When it's all leaves and thorns, it's a lethal opponent, but it's not too bad when it's asleep for the winter. And so out there we go....
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m.
The City of Portland sold around $73 million of bonds last week to raise money for use by its water bureau. The winning bidder in the competitive sale was Banc of America Merrill Lynch. The city sure is into borrowing money from Bank of America these days; it was also groveling before that institution last week for a short-term loan of the $12 million it needs for the senseless re-renovation of ...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
Here 's a hysterical "only in Portland" moment. Some guy is out there convincing people to invest $250 in "a profitable and vibrant vermicomposting collective" that he hopes will make money selling worms for composting and worm poop for fertilizer. Among the investors? The city's creepy mayor, who not so long ago couldn't come up with $250 to pay his own mortgage. Now he's reportedly plunked ...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
As a guy who grew up rooting for the New York Football Giants of Sam Huff, Andy Robustelli, Jim Katcavage, Alex Webster, and so many more, I find that there's something in the sight of a smart, durable, experienced quarterback in a Colts uniform that makes me need to root for the other side. Just as we respected Unitas but cheered our lungs out for Tittle, I'm respecting Peyton but pulling...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m.
Here's an interesting one -- the grooming code for uniformed Portland firefighters. "Cosmetics, if worn, must be conservative and in good taste." Who gets to enforce that one -- the commissioner-in-charge?...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
Now we've got Fred Meyer stores on TV telling us to use reusable bags for our groceries, because "it's the right thing to do." It is the exact same slogan that we get in stickers on our recycling and yard debris bins from the City of Portland: "It's the right thing to do." This particular saying is starting to stick in my craw. At our house we recycle, compost, and do everything we can to respe...
Jack Bog's Blog - Mon 11:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
Special this week: TJ and Carl propose a jobs bill I can get behind! (You can also play along with the "Lost Limerick Challenge" at p3 .) ...
Loaded Orygun - Mon 11:09 a.m.
For security's sake, this week's Loaded Orygun/KPOJ Oregon news limericks--written by me--were buried in an empty buffalo wings box in the end zone at Lucas Oil Stadium until 7.30am this morning, at which time they were unearthed and read by quizmaster TJ of Loaded Orygun, and answered by Carl, Christine, and Paul, on the KPOJ 620AM's Carl + Christine show. They're now posted at LO . I had a go...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Mon 11:09 a.m. - 4 clicks
District folks are not educators and do not understand what being a teacher means. They don't 'get' how schools function and the role that teachers play....
PPS Equity - Mon 11:09 a.m.
The Portland Public Schools board of education is set to approve a contract with the U.S. military to take $320,000 in exchange for access to elementary school children. The Starbase program , funded from the US Department of Defense recruiting budget, has been raising parent hackles since at least 2006. It is up for re-authorization at tonight's school board meeting, in the midst of two shootin...
PPS Equity - Mon 11:09 a.m. - 4 clicks
Of course, there was pressure from the Council Of Europe Commissioner For Human Rights and the requirements of the European Union. As well as pressure from the LGBT Community. The law provides strong protections for all people against discrimination based on: gender, race, colour, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, political, religious or philosophical beliefs, econom...
Willamette Reds - Mon 11:09 a.m.
At the beginning of the year, Randy announced that he would be pursuing significant changes to the Independent Police Review function of the City to ensure that it has the resources and authority it needs to be most effective in......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Mon 7:08 a.m. - 3 clicks
In Friday's State of the City address, Mayor Adams outlined several interesting ideas for transporation: A Streetcar in Lents Portland was a streetcar city and it shall return to being a streetcar city. And by "city," I mean citywide. The Mayor showed a visual simulation of a streetcar on Foster, and the development it would stimulate. And best of all, the streetcars are built r...
Portland Transport - Mon 4:28 a.m. - 9 clicks
I hope it was a sign of the times in the West Salem Starbucks this afternoon. I'm tired of the Democrats in Congress passively putting up with Republican lies. If it's true what Obama said during his campaign, We are......
Hines Sight - Sun 10:41 p.m. - 20 clicks
As I think y'all already know, I love to cook. And I love to use special occasions as an excuse to play around with something new. So today's annual Super Bowl party with the same basic group of friends that get together every year was just such an occasion.......
Preemptive Karma - Sun 10:18 p.m. - 2 clicks
The City of Portland has an iPhone application that lets you report potholes, graffiti or other issues. You can include a photo and/or a GPS or map location. I don't think I've seen an official announcement, so I suspect this is a beta or soft launch. ...
Portland Transport - Sun 9:03 p.m. - 4 clicks
The legislature is working under a tight timeline to complete important business during a month-long special session. The economy and what’s been happening to Oregon’s workers are rightly taking center stage. The House and Senate revenue committees will see lots of action, as we all know that those committees – not the appropriating Ways and Means Committee – are the big spenders. They decide the ...
BlueOregon - Sun 8:49 p.m. - 6 clicks
The Oregon gubernatorial candidacy of Chris Dudley has prompted Salem Statesman-Journal Executive Editor Bill Church to ask whether athletes can make good politicians. Best reply, from Tim Pfau: Do investment bankers make good politicians? So Union organizers? Do porn stars? Do editors? Do aluminum window salesmen or ministers, or teachers, or unemployed factory workers? Goofy questions, aren̵...
Ridenbaugh Press (Oregon) - Sun 8:23 p.m. - 10 clicks
Super Sunday: a national institution, a de facto holiday, a revered tradition, a manifestation of All That Is Wrong in America. Take your pick. Today is the day. It's been nearly 20 years since I gave up on the NFL as anything other than a gaudy, over-hyped pageant designed to extract wealth from the hoi polloi. I have no emotion invested in the game, nor indeed in...
Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing - Sun 7:22 p.m. - 2 clicks
It's like a classic Shel Silverstein poem : And so it piled up to the ceilings: Coffee grounds, potato peelings, Brown bananas, rotten peas, Chunks of sour cottage cheese. It filled the can, it covered the floor, It cracked the window and blocked the door With bacon rinds and chicken bones, Unlike Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout, who famously would not take the garbage out, Portland is ta...
Loaded Orygun - Sun 6:01 p.m. - 6 clicks
Given that this is the Teabaggery bunch, maybe the WaPo is taking it seriously enough : Sarah Palin watch: She looks trim, fit -- and brimming with energy and plans By Ann Gerhart It had been a while since we had seen Sarah Palin live and in person. And then she popped onto stage Saturday night at the National Tea Party convention in Nashville, and we made these observations: 1) She's lost a ...
Chuck Butcher - Sun 1:46 p.m. - 13 clicks
Lately in some places it has been a real popular passtime to kick the left; mostly over its reaction to the Senate HCR bill. A lot of this fervor was generated by Jane Hamsher over at Fire Dog Lake (no i won't link her) for making a campaign against Rahm Emmanuel and hooking up with Grover Norquist - a swear word on the left. Now equating Jane to the Democratic Left is a lot like calling the Weath...
Chuck Butcher - Sun 12:43 p.m. - 9 clicks
I did. The problem is that it is winter and money is tight which means distractions are bit difficult to come by and the level of stupidity is way past ignoring. I tried not seeing the political news. The problem is that any local venues contain it and my intellect is simply incapable of tuning out egregious stupidity committed by power. Once that's happened I'm simply incompetent at keeping q...
Chuck Butcher - Sun 11:25 a.m. - 11 clicks
The US Senate has rules intended to slow legislative rushes prevent egregious nominations, all well and fine. Richard (Jefferson Davis) Shelby (R-Airbus, Toyota) has put a hold on 70 Federal nominations because French Airbus isn't guaranteed a Federal Contract and the Alabama FBI office didn't get a bomb research wing. What we're talking about here is massive Federal spending in Alabama that thi...
Chuck Butcher - Sun 11:25 a.m. - 2 clicks
Anyone who has ever been to the zoo has watched the monkeys throw poop and play with themselves. If you were a child you probably had your parents trying to stand between you and the display. There are no parents in Teabaggery and no particular evidence of evolution above monkeydom, either. To start somewhere near the beginning, there was no Teabaggery as GWB trashed something like deficit reco...
Chuck Butcher - Sun 11:04 a.m. - 4 clicks
City Council Work Session to discuss options to manage continuing decline in Development Services revenues The construction industry in the United States has suffered a catastrophic decline, and Portland is no exception. The City's permitting agency, the Bureau of Development......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Sun 11:04 a.m. - 4 clicks
Prof James Moore in the "Sunday Oregonian” : The public employee unions won. It appears that the union message that corporations were getting away with $10 a year in taxes, and that very few people were in the higher income tax bracket, swayed a large number of voters. Voters bought into the idea that the new taxes would bring specific services to communities. This election to defend the...
T.A. Barnhart - Sun 10:27 a.m. - 18 clicks
I think the whole Palin-writing-on-her-palm business isn't worth anyone's bother. People do that all the time. I've done it sometimes. I call it my "palm organizer." I like to think that joke never grows old, though it probably does. If you're on the left and you want to be appalled by Palin's performance at the Tea Party Convention and subsequent Q & A, there's ample reason, but there...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Sun 10:24 a.m. - 5 clicks
By Sara Petrocine When you work for an elected official, part of your job is to point out differing perspectives on various issues. A variety of opinions can help shape a conversation, sometimes providing new insight, and other times, strengthening......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Sun 7:47 a.m. - 4 clicks
But it lacks that cachet of somber lunacy that we've come to expect from the Crap News Network, ever since Ted Turner foolishly sold it to the creepy crypto-Rightie establishment Time/Warner and turned it from a serious news organization to whatever it is these days. ...
His Vorpal Sword - Sun 7:47 a.m.
What kind of week has it been? Obama bearded the GOP lions in their den; Toyota gets some bad brakes; the military inched closer to ditching DADT, while the Maverick went the other direction; the Tea Partiers convened, and America waits to see the abortion issue finally adjudicated at the highest level. Let's begin with this week's Daryl Cagle toon round-up . p3 Picks of the Week: Mike Lucko...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Sun 7:20 a.m. - 2 clicks
These are a few of the videos I found while researching Oregon rivers as part of my work for my Book Drum project for The River Why by David James Duncan. Most of the novel is set on Oregon rivers. I gave the video featuring our local Rogue River the top position. And it looks like I've been partial to Southern Oregon and the coast in spite of having grown up between the Columbia a...
JoyStory - Sun 12:20 a.m. - 7 clicks
Liz and I returned a short time ago from a benefit dinner for the Family Bridge Homeless Shelter in Hillsboro, Oregon. The organizers had kindly invited me to be the guest speaker. There was a good crowd at the dinner......
Chuck Currie - Sat 10:09 p.m. - 4 clicks
I attended a volunteer orientation held by The Archimedes Movement (aka We Can Do Better ) this afternoon; really, a dry run of future orientations. A good idea, something more organizations should do: monthly opportunities for people to learn about an organization and find out how to get plugged in effectively. It also allows the organization the opportunity to connect with new volunteers and...
T.A. Barnhart - Sat 8:29 p.m. - 6 clicks
… would still have to have a warning for those suffering from phenylketonuria. Today in Please Make A Note Of It: A Japanese company which is one of the many worldwide manufacturers of the insanely popular artificial sweetener aspartame have rolled out a new brand name for its product … AminoSweet.......
Preemptive Karma - Sat 12:23 p.m. - 9 clicks
(In tribute to Thursday's "Build It" rally at Portland City Hall in support of the 2030 bike plan, I was going to use the original Devo "Whip It" video this morning, but I had forgotten just how creepy-weird it was. Not at all the thing for a Saturday morning when the sun's trying to come out. I'd also forgotten about the existence of Guess jeans. Maybe some other Saturday mornin...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Sat 10:49 a.m. - 9 clicks
No: the newly crowned king of Stoooopid is the Universal Executive who greenlighted this insane notion and whoever aided and abetted it. What's next for "high concept" Hollywood? "Blocks! -- The Movie"? ...
His Vorpal Sword - Sat 10:44 a.m. - 8 clicks
Portland Fire & Rescue saves multiple businesses from fire A fire broke out on Sunday morning at the Modern Hippie located at 4912 SE Division. Just 27 minutes after the initial call to 9-1-1 was made, firefighters had the fire......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Sat 6:47 a.m. - 5 clicks
Trailer I don't want my thoughts to die with me. I want to have done something. ~~Temple Grandin My frustrating experience with 'writer's block' earlier this week flummoxed me. I don't often have the problem of not being able to find ideas or get words onto the paper or screen. My problems are with turning what I start into a finished piece. I figured out by Tuesday evening tho...
JoyStory - Sat 2:09 a.m. - 5 clicks
With a decision on the Palomar pipeline due any day now, two environmental groups are stepping up their efforts to keep it from being built. On Saturday, Students Against LNG will be hiking to a spot in the Mt. Hood National Forest where the proposed pipeline route crosses the Clackamas River. Then next week, Bark is leading [...]...
Natural Oregon - Fri 9:13 p.m. - 5 clicks
Here's the opening of a TNR thumbsucker from yesterday by Jonathan Cohn: In the last week and a half, Obama has rediscovered his voice on health care--telling audiences he is determined to achieve comprehensive reform, not some piecemeal version, and that he is willing to fight for it. And, administration officials say, the sentiments are genuine. I'm not sure what it is about that final se...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Fri 6:25 p.m. - 7 clicks
It wasn’t all that long ago that the Oregon State Parks system was on the brink of collapse. After years of budget cuts, park maintenance had fallen so far behind that more than five dozen state parks were in danger of shutting down. But a group of Oregonians came to the rescue, and in 1998 voters overwhelmingly [...]...
Natural Oregon - Fri 5:06 p.m. - 5 clicks
Interesting analysis of male-female differences in a New York Times story about cable channels Spike (aimed at guys) and Lifetime (aimed at gals). Here's the conclusion of "Damsels in Distress, Bozos in Heat": From the NY Times: We can, from......
Hines Sight - Fri 3:29 p.m. - 6 clicks
Ah, it's so satisfying to be proven correct. Especially when it's global warming deniers who are being proven wrong. Back in November I said, based on obvious evidence, that the hacked emails from a climate research center at the University......
Hines Sight - Fri 3:09 p.m. - 10 clicks
With Oregon on the verge of a big increase in electric vehicles, a new report is out with some ideas on how to make EV use grow even faster. This summer, Oregon will be one of four test markets for the EV Project, a plan to deploy 4,700 electric cars and more than 11,000 charging stations. [...]...
Natural Oregon - Fri 2:44 p.m. - 4 clicks
If I were on Oregon State's basketball team, I'd be concerned that the proofreaders at my school's advertising agency missed this particular typo....
Isaac Laquedem - Fri 1:31 p.m. - 10 clicks
Joseph Rose of the Oregonian covered the recent main break at SE 109th and Division caused by a motorist running over a fire hydrant. Water Bureau Public Information Officer Jennie Day-Burget gets some much deserved recognition in the article for......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Fri 12:42 p.m. - 5 clicks
Rep. Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley) is not a happy camper down at the Lege. I'll share this with you without comment: Hat tip to WW's Hank Stern. Discuss....
BlueOregon - Fri 12:01 p.m.
All day today, Portland's lite-rock station K103 is running a radio-thon fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. Make-A-Wish, of course, is the organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. They provide hope and happiness to children and families that need it most. Anyway, Bob Tiernan - the chairman of the Oregon Republican Party - just called in to the ...
BlueOregon - Fri 12:01 p.m. - 9 clicks
New guidelines for homeless campsites could land before council in the coming weeks By Amanda Waldroupe Contributing Writer As of late January, the settlement negotiations to a year-old class-action lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Portland’s camping ordinance have stalled, with litigation proceeding. “I had very much hoped that the settlement would be in place right now, given that it...
For those who can't afford free speech - Fri 12:01 p.m. - 5 clicks
The following is the letter to city commissioners — addressed to Parks and Housing Bureau Commissioner Nick Fish — regarding proposed changes in the city’s camping laws with regard to people on the streets: December 18, 2009 The Honorable Nick Fish City of Portland 1221 S.W. Fourth Avenue, Room 240 Portland OR 97204 Re: City Camping Ordinance Dear Commissioner Fish: It was a [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Fri 11:43 a.m. - 16 clicks
The economic crisis has brought suffering to every part of the country and every section of the working class. As in past recessions, this crisis has fallen most heavily on communities already suffering, and particularly on people of color and immigrants. This is true of every aspect of the crisis, including foreclosures and evictions and state and local government layoffs and cuts in services. ...
Willamette Reds - Fri 11:23 a.m.
Anger over the U.S. Senate’s use of the filibuster, in particular how the GOP can now use it bring all legislation to a grinding halt, is understandable and well-placed. More insidious, and even less democratic, is the rule that allows a Senator — one single Senator — to place on hold the President’s nomination for appointed office. While the rule serves a good purpose in keeping an...
T.A. Barnhart - Fri 10:49 a.m. - 2 clicks
For the next two weeks— Street Roots will be collecting responses from readers about the organization. We need five minutes of your time to help support the newspaper, vendor program, our advocacy work and how we can grow the organization. Street Roots Readers Survey. Filed under: Street Roots ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Fri 9:41 a.m. - 2 clicks
Anand Giridharadas’ article “Stitching the World Together” in the NY Times considers “the pilgrims and explorers of our own age.” I’ve written and distributed flyers saying “Make Portland an International City: Create strong foreign language programs, Gain a competitive edge......
Global Strategies - Fri 9:23 a.m. - 9 clicks
Here are the blog posts referenced on KVOT this morning. click to visit Some Real Astroturf in Oregon Sour Power: Tea Party Express? I covered this in 2005. (Cited by Crooks & Liars‘ Susie Madrak): Swift Boat Moms in Winnebagos 30 Aug 05 (cited by SourceWatch) Yup. Same folks: Melanie Morgan, Mark Williams, Russo Marsh + Rogers, Deborah Johns, ETC. [ "Republican public relations [.....
His Vorpal Sword - Fri 9:03 a.m. - 7 clicks
One way to track the viability of a campaign is to track how much money is being raised. So without further adieu, here are the balances of the campaigns: CANDIDATE ----------------------------- Dudley $348,000 Kitzhaber $342,000 Bradbury $22,000 Alley $44,000 The Oregon Attorney General is not enforcing any of the limits on campaign contributions enacted by the voters as Measu...
Independent Party of Oregon - Fri 9:03 a.m. - 15 clicks
Feb 4, 2010 SALEM –Senate President Peter Courtney unveiled legislation Thursday that will open the door to private community programs providing medium and long-term child care for families in crisis. “These are tough times for many Oregonians. Parents have lost jobs and families have lost their homes. Too often it’s the children who suffer most,” Courtney said at an afternoon press conference...
Benton County Democrats - Fri 8:20 a.m. - 4 clicks
Turns out if you do youth outreach in an election you have higher youth turnout. If you read my take on the returns from the Massachusetts special election for the US Senate race then you know that Mass had some issues with reaching out to young voters. There was some confusion about who was going to do it.. or if it was going to happen... Someone even suggested the youth outreach was "wel...
DailyKos (Oregon) - Fri 4:03 a.m. - 12 clicks
(Adapted from a colloquy on FaceBook) The retarded Liberal Democrats. Disability Advocates Accept Rahm Emanuel’s Apology For ‘Retarded’ Comment Huffington Post Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver personally accepted an apology from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday, days after comments surfaced in which Emanuel used the word “retarded̶...
His Vorpal Sword - Fri 4:03 a.m. - 2 clicks
So maybe there's hope that before my RP progresses to total blindness there will be a solution that could restore the ability to read. It's amazing the intricacy of the science involved and of the cooperation among scientific, educational and governmental institutions along with for-profit corporations to coordinate the research, development and manufacture aspects of a proj...
JoyStory - Thu 9:40 p.m. - 4 clicks
From the Architecture Foundation of Oregon: PDXplore : Design in Progress February 4 - 26, 2010 Come experience a growing collage of maps, drawings, ideas and questions about the Columbia River Crossing. This dynamic exhibition will evolve throughout the month as members of PDXplore engage in numerous discussions, add information, and accumulate layers of visitor participation. Pa...
Portland Transport - Thu 9:22 p.m. - 18 clicks
As noted by Carla at BlueO, Kevin's at it again, taking advantage of a political opportunity and dressing it up as concern for the peoples. As far as it goes, though, I like the imagery of the Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance going up against (presumably) the Oregon Crime Alliance, an apparent subdivision of the World Crime League, which Buckaroo Banzai ably fought throughout his long and storied career...
Preemptive Karma - Thu 9:03 p.m. - 12 clicks
America can sleep safer tonight, knowing that defenseless corporations have had their rights to free speech restored to them via the Citizens United ruling. Why look-- here comes some corporate free speech right now, in the Senate Anti-Trust subcommittee hearings on the Comcast merger with NBC-Universal: You know what I'll bet Specter thinks is the most brilliant thing Comcast's executives ...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Thu 8:28 p.m. - 5 clicks
In response to my recent burka post , “Decent Exposure: Women without veils, Men without pants,” The Red Electric’s Berlin correspondent wrote that the clash of cultures in Germany is no laughing matter. She has a friend, a pediatrician, who often confronts the great divide between manifestations of Islam and Germany’s secular culture. Our correspondent shares two examples. An Arab couple with...
The Red Electric - Thu 8:04 p.m. - 8 clicks
I was in the Oregon State Capitol on Wednesday, 2/3/10, for a hearing on a Mandarin bill (here) before the House Education Committee. The Committee was also hearing HB 3660, which was LC 15 and comes from the Online Learning......
Global Strategies - Thu 7:01 p.m. - 4 clicks
In an e-mail to the community, school board presiding co-chair Trudy Sargent writes that the district has informed state mediators that negotiations for a teacher contract have reached an impasse, 583 days after the last contract expired. Now that an impasse has been declared, both sides have seven days to publish final offers, after which there is a 30-day cooling off period. That means a teache...
PPS Equity - Thu 3:00 p.m. - 6 clicks
That was a shocker. I was at a Bible Study today. Women's Bible Study in a mainline Protestant church that is not generally considered a "liberal" church. As we were breaking up (our one Fox News watcher had left). The discussion turned to politics. Obama had just spoken at the "National Prayer Breakfast" and he had taken on the "Birthers" (sort of). And people were saying "Finally". But mo...
Willamette Reds - Thu 2:28 p.m. - 5 clicks
A very large main break occurred overnight near SE 109th and Division after a motorist ran over a fire hydrant, putting several businesses but no residents out of water. The break occurred on an 8" water main, and the Water......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Thu 1:34 p.m. - 5 clicks
Today the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workgroup chaired by Commissioner Jeff Cogen issued its final report to Governor Kulongoski. The 65 page report charts the course for Oregon to play a major role in a new transportation system—-one run largely on electricity and other alternative fuels. The report was produced by a taskforce that included key leaders in the automotive, utility, high-technolo...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Thu 1:34 p.m. - 4 clicks
The President’s proposed FY 2011 Defense budget is just out. It proposes spending way too much. Defense spending, IMHO, now threatens our national security. Our nation is more at risk from our failing educational system, from our crumbling infrastructure, from......
Global Strategies - Thu 12:43 p.m. - 3 clicks
Are you considering solar panels or a solar hot water system for your roof? It is probably more affordable than you think! Maybe you should get involved by attending one of Solarize Northeast's upcoming "The Basics of Going Solar" workshops. A grassroots effot aimed at saving energy and saving neighbors money through bulk purchasing, Solarize Northeast is based on the very successful Solarize ...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Thu 11:24 a.m. - 2 clicks
Oregonian article about the Portland Timbers beginning the work to prepare for the arrival of Major League Soccer. Oregonian article about City Council passing a Major League Soccer deal for PGE Park. Daily Journal of Commerce article about the MLS......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Thu 11:24 a.m. - 6 clicks
Next Wednesday night, February 11th, at Rigler K-8 School there is a community meeting on the space issues Rigler is facing. The school is bursting at the seams, and enrollment is growing, which continues to exacerbate what is already a real problem. The cafeteria and auditorium are undersized for the enrollment increase that came with the switch to K-8. There is not a space large enough to ac...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Thu 11:24 a.m. - 6 clicks
The wait is over! The latest edition of Street Roots rolls off the press tomorrow morning for a very personalized delivery in your neighborhood by your local vendor. He’s not the only face you’ll recognize this weekend: The home team’s advantage: Former NFL quarterback Joey Harrington focuses his gaze on Portland’s front lines. Joanne Zuhl sat [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Thu 10:50 a.m. - 3 clicks
This was the third in a series of meeting with immersion parents and students as part of Portland Public Schools’ High School Redesign process. About 120 parents and students gathered on 2/2/10 at West Sylvan Middle School to hear PPS......
Global Strategies - Thu 10:50 a.m. - 4 clicks
The past few mornings as I commute in to work, I've noticed an ad on KPOJ on behalf of the Anti-Crime Alliance (ACA), narrated by former Sherman County District Attorney Tara Lawrence, the group's Executive Director. Kevin Mannix is a Director with the organization. The ad paints a scary scenario of a registered sex offender and convicted burglar breaking in to a woman's home and attacking her. La...
BlueOregon - Thu 10:27 a.m. - 5 clicks
by: Toby Van Fleet One of the Oregon Conservation Network's Priorities for a Healthy Oregon passed out of committee this morning and will soon be up for a vote on the House Floor. As amended, House Bill 3613 would implement a ten-year moratorium on offshore drilling in Oregon's territor...
OLCV Blog - Thu 9:45 a.m. - 12 clicks
President Obama and Secretary Clinton both spoke out today at the National Prayer Breakfast against the proposed anti-homosexuality act under consideration in Uganda. The law calls for the death penalty and jail time for gays and lesbians. Some of the......
Chuck Currie - Thu 9:29 a.m.
Parent Rob Boime questions the emphasis on focus options in Portland Public Schools high school redesign plans in an op-ed in today's Portland Tribune . Boime worries that plans to have upwards of 35 percent of students attend focus option schools would worsen inequities, and he urges planners put emphasis on community high schools first....
PPS Equity - Thu 9:29 a.m. - 8 clicks
Calling it a "historic moment" and a "terrific first step," conservationists applauded President Obama's budget request that included, for the first time, money for "environmental literacy" for the U.S. Department of Education. Great news, but keep in mind that it's only the first step....
New West Bend - Thu 8:44 a.m. - 4 clicks
Welcome to another edition of "Today in Bad Faith", where we examine that strange beast called Religion and see how 21st Century American culture has turned it into a spiritual version of the It's Alive baby. All Rosary'd up? Good. Here we go. 1. We Know Worship When We See It, and That Looks More Like Sk8ing. (via) The Oregon Tax Court has decided that The Truck Stop, an indoor skating park in Be...
Preemptive Karma - Thu 4:45 a.m. - 9 clicks
moar funny pictures Seriously. I'm having a hard time facing the blank page/screen. I say writing is what I want/am/do. I say story is my joy. I say OK I'm going to show up. But minutes after confronting the white space I am overcome by sleepies or antsies. I either can't sit still or I can't keep my eyes open. Me, the Insomnia Queen, seems to have finally found the magic sleeping ...
JoyStory - Thu 12:24 a.m. - 4 clicks
City Council takes up the plan at 2pm today (Thursday). Please come out and join the rally at 1:30 outside City Hall and then help fill the chambers at 2. Find out more about what you can do to support the plan at the Build It campaign site . ...
Portland Transport - Thu 12:23 a.m. - 5 clicks
The Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll that casts such an ugly light on Republicans seems to be causing no small end of huffing and puffing everywhere (and more ZOMG!!!111!!!-brand fake outrage amongst Republicans) would perhaps be more earthsaking in my own gut if it weren't for the fact that it fairly confirms what I've always suspected about the GOPpers in the aggregate. Look at it this way, it would...
Preemptive Karma - Wed 10:50 p.m. - 8 clicks
HB 3628, which authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to contract for Chinese and other foreign language teachers, passed unanimously out of the House Education Committee and will go to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. The bill......
Global Strategies - Wed 10:40 p.m. - 4 clicks
If I lived in Portland (Oregon), I'd be extremely wary of calling 911 if a mentally troubled person was causing a disturbance. Recently a policeman shot an unarmed man in the back. Distraught over his younger brother's death, witnesses say......
Hines Sight - Wed 10:00 p.m. - 14 clicks
By Amanda Waldroupe, Staff Writer Oregon is becoming known nationally as “a hub” for human and sex trafficking. The convergence of I-5 and I-89 makes Oregon “a particularly vulnerable place for trafficking,” says Chris Killmer, the program manager of Catholic Charities’ human trafficking program. Oregon’s proximity to California and Mexico, as well as Southeast Asia, its [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Wed 9:18 p.m. - 3 clicks
Story By Carmel Bentley Contributing writer How do I notice what I don’t notice? How do I notice what I don’t know I don’t notice? This poem, which begins on the first page of “Remember to Wave,” (TinFish Press, 2010) by Portland poet Kaia Sand, challenges both author and reader to acknowledge what is no longer visible — entire communities removed from [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Wed 9:10 p.m. - 7 clicks
From Rocky Rivera, one of the greatest rappers around, who has a new album out: My album has been nearly two years in the making, and yesterday I was finally able to see it materialized. I've been poring over every detail of it sonically, aesthetically, financially, and emotionally and I hope that you feel it when you buy the cd. There's something different about downloading it off the internet ...
Willamette Reds - Wed 8:05 p.m. - 5 clicks
I'm not here to upset your religious apple cart, except to say this: What is acceptable as a matter of religious practice and belief is NOT acceptable as a matter of public debate on policy. We make policy based on FACTS, no matter WHAT our nickels might say. ...
His Vorpal Sword - Wed 7:00 p.m. - 2 clicks
Michelle Cole, The Oregonian: Many Oregon employers would be prohibited from using a job applicant's credit history as part of the pre-employment screening process if a bill being considered by the Legislature becomes law. The Senate Commerce and Workforce Development Committee held a hearing Wednesday on Senate Bill 1045, which would limit employers' use of credit checks unless the information is...
Preemptive Karma - Wed 6:59 p.m. - 7 clicks
Gabor Maté’s “In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction” is a look at addiction and drug policy based on the author’s experience as a doctor working with addicts in the impoverished downtown eastside neighborhood of Vancouver, B.C. The Downtown Eastside has lately been subjected to intensified police repression as Vancouver prepares to [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Wed 5:00 p.m. - 3 clicks
I only thought these people existed on television, in certain areas of the country, and, in the spirit of full disclosure, in parts of my family. Certainly, not in liberal-loving, alternative-transportation-worshipping, scarf-wearing Portland. My ears perked up as a group near me in a downtown coffee shop started discussing how government leaders were asking churches to [...] ...
For those who can't afford free speech - Wed 5:00 p.m. - 2 clicks
Listen to the show (mp3, 27.1MB) The theme of today's show is bike activism in Portland, focusing on efforts to gain support for the 2030 Portland Bicycle Plan, which provides a road map for making Portland a truly world class bicycle city with 25% ridership in the next twenty years. The city council will be voting on the plan tomorrow, February 4th. Guests include Evan Ross of Portland...
Portland Transport - Wed 2:01 p.m. - 8 clicks
This morning, The Oregonian weighed in on the 10 percent increase in earned time eligibility passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2009. That increase in eligibility was part of HB 3508-B . The easy out for the Legislature is to abandon its effort to save a few million tax dollars a year by increasing earned time for nonviolent offenders in Oregon's prison system. After all, apparently there's enoug...
BlueOregon - Wed 1:54 p.m. - 7 clicks
The agreement to undertake a $31 million renovation of PGE Park to bring Major League Soccer to Portland passed this morning in a 4-1 vote by the Portland City Council. Mayor Adams and Commissioners Leonard, Saltzman, and Fish voted in......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Wed 1:06 p.m. - 7 clicks
Here's what I said at Council this morning, 2/3/2010, when voting on the Development Agreement for Major League Soccer at PGE Park. My staff and I are confident of our facts. I am posting the information with comments open, so anyone who disputes the data can offer corrections. First, I acknowledge the good work our negotiating team led by Ken Rust has done in get...
City Commissioner Amanda Fritz - Wed 12:46 p.m. - 9 clicks
The Bend Bulletin's hierarchy appears to make no apologies for it's decidedly conservative editorial stance on issues. They came out with full-throated opposition to protections for the Metolius and banged the drum against Measures 66/67, for example. But interestingly, they seem to have a problem with allowing strong, dissenting voices in their letters to the editor too. At least in one case. Ben...
BlueOregon - Wed 11:43 a.m. - 3 clicks
By Matt Blevins of Portland, Oregon. Matt is a vice president with M+R Strategic Services and works with Renewable Northwest Project which advocates for increased renewable energy development across the Pacific Northwest. Today in Salem, the House Revenue Committee is meeting to consider changes to the state’s Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC). At issue is the increasing cost of the program in a t...
BlueOregon - Wed 11:43 a.m. - 6 clicks
Willamette Week article about community activists and their varying levels of effectiveness. Willamette Week blurb about the Made in Oregon sign probably not being relighted until the summer. Willamette Week article about the deal to bring Major League Soccer to......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Wed 10:46 a.m. - 6 clicks
Want to do something good for our local environment in the great outdoors? Join the Multnomah County Green Team for the next Volunteer Cleanup Day of the Green Team's Adopt-A-Road site! The Green Team is a sponsor of a segment of roadway in East Multnomah County, Marine Drive between Interlachen Lane and 207th. Cleanups last about two hours. We usually meet for lunch afterwards. ...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Wed 10:46 a.m. - 10 clicks
The original open thread for topic suggestions has grown quite large, and isn't always easy to find. I'm going to experiment with starting monthly open threads. Here's one, just two days late... To get things started, here's a link (sent in by a reader) to an interesting article on how vehicles with bicycles on the roof or cargo carriers were running into trouble with the rules on extra-he...
Portland Transport - Wed 10:46 a.m. - 6 clicks
There's been a lot of talk in the run-up to the special election and in its aftermath about whether Oregon and its legislative leaders are "business-friendly". I've had some fascinating conversations with advocates and legislators in recent days about what term means - not just in theory, but also in practice. Let's start by stipulating a few things: Businesses, large and small, are the primary em...
BlueOregon - Wed 10:23 a.m. - 6 clicks
Multnomah County Health Department was featured in a series of videos, Public Health in Action, produced by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. According to the foundation, “under the leadership of Lillian Shirley, the department has persevered amid severe financial constraints by capitalizing upon technology and staff capabilities and finding new ways to help people before they get sick in ...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Wed 9:48 a.m. - 6 clicks
Members of a controversial church in Oregon City, Oregon, whose followers eschew any medical treatment, were convicted yesterday of criminally negligent homicide in the death of their teenage son. This is an important development that may help to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect by members of this congregation. ...
DailyKos (Oregon) - Wed 9:48 a.m. - 5 clicks
Note to readers : This post won't make a lick of sense to anyone who isn't familiar with the Advanced Squad Leader game system. My old friend and ASL nemesis, Dave Hauth, is back! Fresh off our recent Red Barricades game, in which I finally seem to have found an effective counter for his "fortify the riverbank" strategy, Dave is ready to give it another go. Th...
Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing - Wed 9:48 a.m. - 3 clicks
With all due respect to "Layla" (7:10), "Hey Jude" (7:11), and "Ina-Gada-Da-Vida" (17:05) all of which were to come, the boy certainly managed to pack a lot in to a mere 1:48. From 1958 (one of ten singles he released that year). ...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Wed 9:21 a.m. - 4 clicks
moar funny pictures It seems the very act of sitting down with intent to write instigates a chorus of wails and whispers and yowls and hisses. You'd think someone had just pulled a cat's tail deep in the recesses of my mind and that cat was wreaking havoc near and far with claw and larynx. The first instinct is to clap hands against ears which surprisingly works to hush the hullabaloo ...
JoyStory - Tue 11:09 p.m. - 4 clicks
Twitter allows you to keep tabs on the quotidian happenings and passing thoughts of not only your friends and colleagues, but also the far-removed rich and famous. For example, this appeared about half an hour ago on my Twitter home page: MarleeMatlin RT @Alyssa_Milano This day in history Feb. 2 1990 De Klerk dismantled apartheid in South Africa promised free Nelson Mandela >INSPIRATIONAL! Let...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Tue 6:41 p.m. - 7 clicks
From Kaia Sand and Michael Munk: My ongoing Remember to Wave poetry walk is now out as a book from the good people at Tinfish Press . This poetry/essay/mixed media collection is locally based (investigating the political history of Portland Expo Center--internment of Japanese Americans in 1942, the Vanport flood in 1948--as well as present day goings-on such as trade shows, Rose City Roller Derb...
Willamette Reds - Tue 5:20 p.m. - 9 clicks
Ron Maurer All three northwest states elect a superintendent of public instruction; Idaho’s is partisan, Oregon’s and Washington’s nonpartisan. But that’s often just a formality; often, voters have a pretty good idea of what they’re getting on the partisan scale. Oregon’s superintendent, Susan Castillo, was appointed and later elected to the state Senate a...
Ridenbaugh Press (Oregon) - Tue 5:06 p.m. - 8 clicks
The Portland Water Bureau received a Aa1 bond rating from Moody's for its recent revenue bond issuance. The Aa1 rating is among the highest of any water agency in the United States, as only a dozen or so have achieved......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Tue 4:22 p.m. - 5 clicks
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and the Interfaith Project on Homeless Children and Families invite you to a day of activities on Feb. 12 at the Oregon State Capitol to help draw attention to the growing number of homeless families statewide......
Chuck Currie - Tue 4:01 p.m. - 4 clicks
State Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) has announced his intention to run against Susan Castillo, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction. The O's Betsy Hammond reports: With the election less than four months away, Maurer is the only candidate who has said he will run against Castillo. After ousting a scandal-damaged incumbent in 2002, Castillo faced only token opposition, from an opponent ...
BlueOregon - Tue 3:49 p.m. - 4 clicks
Welcome to another edition of Upside/Downside, where we take a critical look at something that happened in the zeitgeist somehwere and look on both sides to evaluate the yin and the yang in everything. In this video (which you view at your own risk) we see The Talented Mr Limbaugh, rather unfortunately, taking up the invitation of the lady onstage to dance to a Lady Gaga song. Downside: Rush Limba...
Preemptive Karma - Tue 3:48 p.m. - 4 clicks
Followers of Christ church members Jeff and Marci Beagley guilty of criminally negligent homicide. It's not a "Measure 11" (mandatory sentencing guidelines) crime, so the judge has some latitude. Probation is not outside the realm of possibility, apparently.......
Preemptive Karma - Tue 3:48 p.m. - 6 clicks
The Oregon legislature is holding a special session this year, as a sort of pre-test of what annual sessions might look like. The legislators won't face the flood of bills that they have to consider in the regular (odd-year) sessions,......
Isaac Laquedem - Tue 2:50 p.m. - 10 clicks
This from Too Much, the weekly summary of who's winning the class war (probably not you), a useful weekly e-publication to read if you're masochistic enough to really want to have an idea of how far behind the hyper-rich you are and how hard they're willing to work to keep you there (people like me, in other words), a good read on exactly what Measure 66 and 67 represents, why it's necessary, and ...
Preemptive Karma - Tue 2:49 p.m. - 7 clicks
During his State of the Union address the president said: “In the 21st century, one of the best anti-poverty programs is a world-class education.” His budget, however, doesn't match his rhetoric as far as homeless students are concerned. The National......
Chuck Currie - Tue 2:09 p.m. - 3 clicks
Consistent with my theory of why conservatives can't do satire well , Steve at No More Mister Nice Blog explains Howard Kurtz's failure to understand that Jon Stewart putting the needle to Obama doesn't mean Stewart and the entire left have given up on him. Minute's up. ...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Tue 12:23 p.m. - 6 clicks
KGW story about claims that a police officer was transferred for going up the chain of command to report concerns about his supervisors' performance. This circumstance is among the reasons Commissioner Leonard is focused on improving oversight of the Police......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Tue 12:01 p.m. - 5 clicks
Over at his Price Tags blog , Gordon Price speculates that bans on driving while texting and calling will encourage people to take transit so they can keep their cell phones active and in-use. And the Infrastructurist speculates that the iPad will make commuters so productive on transit that they'll leave their cars behind. Somehow I don't think it's that easy, but we'll take all the hel...
Portland Transport - Tue 10:41 a.m. - 7 clicks
As Portland teachers approach two years without a contract, Portland Jobs with Justice is calling on parents to join the fight for a fair resolution. Come find out how you can help. 6-7 p.m. tonight , February 4 PAT office, 345 NE 8th Ave. Dinner and child care provided RSVP to Margaret, 503-236-5573 or margaret@jwjpdx.org ...
PPS Equity - Tue 10:41 a.m. - 6 clicks
Oregon Women Lead Sponsors Two February Workshops for Salem Area Pro Choice Women to become Successful Political Candidates How to Run for Office--for women who want to get elected & those who want to help Two Saturdays February 6, & 20, 2010 10 am- 2 pm at Salem's New YWCA Presenters: Michelle Stranger Hunter, Executive Director,Pro-Choice Oregon; Laura Taylor, Deputy Director, Pro-Choice O...
Willamette Reds - Tue 10:41 a.m. - 6 clicks
A Sea Change-Documentary DATE: Feb 11 ORGANIZATION: Salem Progressive Film Series MORE INFO: www.salemprogressivefilms.net DESCRIPTION: Salem Progressive Film Series-Second Thursday documentary- A Sea Change A Sea Change documents how the pH balance of the oceans has changed dramatically since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution: a 30% increase in acidification. The film presents in a ...
Willamette Reds - Tue 10:41 a.m. - 6 clicks
In my post yesterday riffing on Pew's findings of their latest Public Knowledge Survey, I made a hash of bringing two points together. Paul Gronke, who does political thinking for a living, took me to task. (He wasn't the only one.) Briefly, the two points I was trying to make are fairly basic. The first is that we can't know whether there was a unifying message from the Massachusetts senate elect...
BlueOregon - Tue 10:05 a.m. - 4 clicks
Professor Howard Zinn 1922-2010 I first read A People's History of the United States on the recommendation of brother Calee in the late 90s. The book, first published in 1980, made quite a stir in scholarly circles due to its alternate perspective on the history of the United States. It's purpose, according to its author, was to present American history through t...
Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing - Tue 10:05 a.m. - 3 clicks
TriMet issued a statement crowing about the success of the Westside Express rail line (the one that runs between Wilsonville and Beaverton, nicknamed "WES"). It opened one year ago, and according to TriMet 42% of the people who ride WES......
Isaac Laquedem - Tue 9:23 a.m. - 6 clicks
All Multnomah County libraries, Library Administration and The Title Wave Bookstore will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, for Presidents Day. Library locations and normal operating hours are available here, at www.multcolib.org/hours . ...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Tue 9:00 a.m. - 2 clicks
A significant number of us in the Democratic wing of the Democratic party have been calling for Rahm's head for a while now. Now The Quitter's got the memo that Rahm Emanuel is … well, a rude bastard … is trying to get on our bandwagon. It's developed that, when considering those liberal groups who've said they plan to run issue ads against Democratic candidates who are against single-payer, he de...
Preemptive Karma - Feb 2 - 9 clicks
This just in: Oregon Media Insiders is reporting that Michael "The Savage Wiener" Savage is going from KXL to KPAM: Michael Savage is making a run for the border, immigrating from KXL (750) to KPAM (860), where he will air from 3 to 7 pm. Savage objected to being bumped to 7 pm by KXL's new afternoon newscast, says Brian Jennings, KXL's program director. Savage objecting to some fact-laden program...
Preemptive Karma - Feb 2 - 16 clicks
The Oregon Environmental Council would like you to support SB 1059 . The bill (PDF) would direct the Departments of Transportation and Land Conservation and Development to develop land use and transportation "scenarios" to reduce greenhouse gases and create administrative rules to direct the six major metropolitan areas in the state to create plans to meet State greenhouse gas goals. Thi...
Portland Transport - Feb 2 - 10 clicks
The DNC is walking a dangerous line of so angering the base of its party that it risks expanding the moratorium on DNC contributions started by Gay activists. That movement was started by LGBT leaders who saw the Democrats as a political party that has been happy to take money, energy and votes from us but once in office didn't hesitate to throw us under the bus. Most recently the Moratorium...
Willamette Reds - Feb 1 - 8 clicks
Stereotypes: we're all prone to them. The worst kind are unknown to us, prejudices that aren't obvious because they seem so reasonable. I was looking for a place to park my Burgman scooter in downtown Salem yesterday. Heading for the......
Hines Sight - Feb 1 - 11 clicks
moar funny pictures Today is the beginning of my new year in terms of my goals and intentions. I wrote January off as a long vacation due to the multiple disruptions caused by my three week out of town trip coupled with the acquisition of my netbook on January 2nd to replace the laptop that died in mid December. But the packing, unpacking and traveling are over now and I've had plenty ...
JoyStory - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
Burka-gate in France needs some serious analysis. I’m here to help. As I understand it, the burkas (and headscarves and billowing, shapeless abayas) are intended to suppress lust among men folk. Based on extensive personal research, I’m inclined to think it doesn’t work. Instead it triggers wild, fill-in-the-blank erotic fantasy. No, the best way to stay the libidos of males is to require t...
The Red Electric - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could decide where your tax money went? If you support Oregon's wildlife, you’re in luck…for now....
Oregon WildBlog - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
Check out the new Potland Central American Solidarity Committee newsletter here . Pcasc is a volunteer-driven organization. Please volunteer to help out if you can. Let them know what your skills and interests are by doing the volunteer survewy on their site. They are looking for some design/artistic skills for a flyer for the late February anti-mining tour: The Race to the Bottom in Central...
Willamette Reds - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
Make Portland Fire & Rescue's blog part of your daily routine! The Fire Blog is filled with interesting stories, statistics, and insights about Portland Fire and Rescue, in addition to news releases about every noteworthy call responded to by the......
Commissioner Randy Leonard - Feb 1 - 6 clicks
America cedes the Moon and outer space to pretty much everybody else. Tell Martin Landau and Barbara Bain to stand down; we won't need them after all. (To those who don't get the title reference, this was from a decaf coffee commercial back in the late 60s)......
Preemptive Karma - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
Saturday night's Winterhawks game was not only a blast, it was a huge success that will directly impact Oregon's environmental legacy. The Winterhawks used the game--which was Mascot Night--to raise money for the Oregon Conservation Network , a coaltion of nearly 50 leading enviro groups around the state which work together to pa...
OLCV Blog - Feb 1 - 4 clicks
January 29, 2010 CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074 molly.woon@state.or.us Senate Democrats prepare to move legislation expanding aid to unemployed Senate committee will hold hearing Monday, move bill on Wednesday. SALEM – This coming Monday, on the opening day of the February session, the Senate Commerce and Workforce Development Committee will hold an informational hearing on exten...
Benton County Democrats - Feb 1 - 4 clicks
Hi, my name is Bill Bradbury and I'm running for Governor of Oregon. I'm very excited to announce today that the former Democratic National Committee Chairman, Governor Howard Dean, will be headlining a fundraiser for my campaign in February. It's terrific having his support! ...
DailyKos (Oregon) - Feb 1
We are accused by our opposition of engaging in moral relativism. It is a self-serving criticism that implies that we have no moral or ethical compass, that we lack any standards for behavior and that we are therefore inherently unfit to hold or use political power. That this criticism comes from a racist right-wing which has made its peace with militarism and imperialism the world over while enjo...
Willamette Reds - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
You gotta be here to appreciate the excitement. Take the House Environment and Water Committee, chaired by the hunky (ok, that's enough of the America's-sexiest-teacher stuff) Ben Cannon. In less than ten minutes: introduce all the committee members, adopt committee rules, crank through a work session in which Rep Jefferson Smith "passionately" introduced two bills for the committee to address...
T.A. Barnhart - Feb 1
Astute listeners may have noticed a pronounced lack of TJ on this morning's Carl + Christine show on AM620KPOJ. According to my briefing, this was because the Torrid One missed an early morning bus connection. Live by TriMet, die by Trimet. And you probably thought they sent a limo for him, not to mention picking all the red M&M's out of the bowl in the green room. Anyway, for whatever reas...
Persuasion, Perseverance, and Patience - Feb 1 - 4 clicks
"PUT OREGON BACK TO WORK RALLY" on Wednesday, February 10 at 12:00pm. Event: PUT OREGON BACK TO WORK RALLY--"TIRED OF BEING UNEMPLOYED?" What: Rally Start Time: Wednesday, February 10 at 12:00pm End Time: Wednesday, February 10 at 1:00pm Where: JOIN US AT THE CAPITOL, FRONT STEPS Thank you! ...
Willamette Reds - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
A City judge in Ithaca, NY ruled in favor of five former restaurant workers, giving workers a precedent for taking action against unfair employers. The workers took their claims for $8100 in unpaid wages to Small Claims Court. The decision was reached without objection from the restaurant's owner or manager - neither of whom attended the trial. Ithaca in upstate NY has been hit ...
Willamette Reds - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
Rocky Barker at the Idaho Statesman has posed a question at his blog: “So Oregon’s vote [passing two tax measures at the polls], coupled with Idaho’s deep cuts in education, social services and all state government services, gives people on both sides of the issue a real chance to prove who is right. Will the state [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Oregon) - Feb 1 - 6 clicks
This week, approximately 8,000 Multnomah County parents will receive letters stating that their children must be immunized or will not be admitted to school on the school exclusion date of February 17, 2010. The number of this year’s letters is slightly more than sent in 2009 due to adding the Hepatitis A vaccine requirement for first graders and the Tdap (pertussis booster) for eighth graders. ...
Commissioner Jeff Cogen - Feb 1 - 5 clicks
And the progressives, the "liberals," the "intelligentsia," the "digerati" sit, to quote CBS's Bob Scheiffer out of context, "like a dog watching television. [They] saw the lights and images, but did not seem to comprehend their meaning or see any link to reality." ...
His Vorpal Sword - Feb 1 - 9 clicks
I just learned that the first segment of rail for the Streetcar Loop project will be laid on NE Grand today! ...
Portland Transport - Feb 1 - 4 clicks
Someone ought to tell the leaders of the Chalkboard Project that no one uses a chalkboard anymore. ...
PPS Equity - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
by: Toby Van Fleet A story in Saturday's Salem Statesman Journal lays out environmental priorities for Oregon's special legislative session, which started today and last only four short weeks. ...
OLCV Blog - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
