🌱 Biden Is Coming To Portland + ODOT Considers A Safer Powell Blvd

Happy Wednesday, my little Waterbears! We've got a fine day here in Portland. This hump day will bring us:

• A rent protest in North Portland
• An urban foraging event
• News about the Squishing of the Squash

Let's get on with this pumpkin spice of a day.

But first, today's weather:

Someone is turning up the heat on this sunny day with a high of 78.

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Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. "Community members celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day at a Northeast Portland property, soon to be gifted to the Indigenous community. The former Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst at 909 Northeast 33rd Avenue will be the future home of Barbie’s Village. It will include six to 10 tiny homes to be built on the parking lot. The effort is a collaboration between Future Generations Collaborative, The Presbyterian Church, Great Spirit Church and others." (KGW.com)
2. Hey, the president is coming to Portland! On Friday, Joe Biden is expected to travel to Portland and participate in a “grassroots volunteer event with the Oregon Democrats,” according to a press release from the White House Press Office. "The following day, Biden reportedly plans to participate in a reception for Oregon Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek before delivering remarks on lowering costs for American families." (KOIN.com)
3. "Tenants from 31 households in a North Portland apartment complex gathered Monday to protest their recent rent increases, and to demand that the Portland City Council reverse a policy that made the rent hike possible. Residents of the Prescott Apartments called for a rollback of rent increases up to $400 issued on Sept. 26 by the building’s landlord, the Green Cities Company. The more than 50% increase for the North Portland tenants comes as renters around Oregon brace for a 14.6% increase in the state’s rent cap next year. And the last remaining safeguards from the pandemic expired at the end of September." (OregonLive)
4. "Lines of unruly patrons at a Portland bottle depository forced the owners of the Delta Park Center to hire several armed security officers, according to a new lawsuit trying to make Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative foot the bill for the guards. TMT Development seeks nearly $300,000 from the recycling cooperative, saying the nonprofit agreed to pay any extra charges when it opened a BottleDrop at the North Portland shopping center in 2014. Tensions between the nonprofit and its landlord erupted at the start of the pandemic in early 2020, when the state allowed most grocers to stop accepting empty cans." (OregonLive)
5. The death of local chef Sarah Pliner last week has prompted the Oregon Department of Transportation to consider changes to Powell Boulevard. She was killed when a semi-truck hit the bike she was riding. ODOT Director Kris Strickler released a statement: "Recent incidents on Powell, including a tragic death on Oct. 4, are evidence that this road cannot, and should not, function as a traditional highway anymore. It’s time to make changes to ensure the safety of all users." (KATU)

Today in Portland:

• Have you ever wanted to live off the land, even when you're in the city? Then check out Urban Foraging: Event and Book Signing with Lisa M. Rose at Livingscape Nursery. "Learn about the edible plants that can be found on the streets of Portland! Join Lisa M. Rose as she shares how to identify, gather, and cook 50 common wild foods. After her presentation, Rose will answer questions and sign copies of her new book, Urban Foraging." 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Church of Film presents "Poison For the Fairies" at the Clinton Street Theater. "Graciela, a young and troubled girl, becomes obsessed with witchcraft. She befriends Fabiola, a wealthy schoolmate, and impresses her with her knowledge of the black arts. But what begins first as childish playfulness increasingly becomes more destructive and sinister, until utter mayhem erupts." 8:00 - 10:00 PM.
• "Grease up those fingers, cuz it’s drifting time! The 4th Wall is hosting another Mario Kart tourney. Casual play starts at 5p, tourney at 7. $5 to compete, prizes for the top three winners!" And, yes, they have the new tracks. 5:00 - 9:00 PM.
• "Literary Arts is proud to invite you to Bookmark: A Benefit for Literary Arts, a showing of essential support for and celebration of the stories in our community and the essential ideas and issues they raise. This is a virtual event. You’ll hear moving stories from artists within our community, as well as surprise special guests, performances, and more!" It all starts at 5:30 PM.

• The band playing at the Goodfoot tonight is TheWorst. No, seriously, that's their name. They've been described as the "...glorious love child of Joan Jett & Kurt Cobain," and has gained a reputation as a one-of-a-kind raucous live act. They'll be joined by Dreadlight, Demure and Killing Stations. Showtime is 9:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Portland Audubon: "Appreciation post for female Mallards!👏😍 Often overlooked, female Mallards are worth a second glance. Their mottled brown plumage might make them less eye-catching than their male counterparts but there’s a purpose for that. Since fem..." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• Wow, would you look at all that smoke! I know we can smell it, but there's so much smoke coming from Oregon's Cedar Creek fire and Washington's Bolt Creek fire that NASA can see it from space. (Beach Connection)
• The Oregon Zoo has some new inhabitants: two new red-tailed monkeys, also known as red-tailed guenon, are in its Africa Treetops exhibit. The monkeys “Indi” and “Chichi” are still adapting to their new home, the zoo says, but can periodically be seen exploring their new surroundings or snuggling in the treetop nests. (KOIN)
• The final debate of the campaign for Oregon's gubernatorial candidates takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 19. If you want them to answer some of your questions, the debate is accepting submissions until Friday, Oct. 14. (KGW)
• But who's thinking about the election when it's time for the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta! "In 2004 the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers were looking for a location to do an end-of-season paddle with a handful of giant pumpkins. Today the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, held at the Lake at Tualatin Commons, has grown into an event with a national reputation that draws thousands of people each year." (Tualatin Oregon)
• Are you hungry for more pumpkin-themed events? Then check out the Oregon Zoo's annual Squishing of the Squash. It's happening on Thursday morning when the zoo's Asian elephant family demolishes some of the area’s largest pumpkins. (Oregon Zoo)

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So much pumpkin and not a single pie! Who do I speak to about that? I'm going to go find a manager, but meet me back here tomorrow and we'll talk even more about Portland.

— Dominic Anaya

About me: Doctor, educator and now a writer/artist, I'm just chillin' in Portland, OR with my wife, our ferrets, our chickens and our goats.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Portland Daily? Contact me at portland@patch.com