🌱 Blocked Sidewalks Prohibit Handicapped + Signatures For Gun Control

Ah, the weekend is here, my friends! Time to fully bask in Portland in summertime. Mind you, it's going to be on the warm side today, so keep some water with you and stay in the shade. Here's what's happening for your Saturday.

First, today's weather:

The heat dome moves in for the weekend. Today will be sunny with a high of 90, but tomorrow will be brutal, with highs predicted between 95 and 100. Stay safe and if you know someone who may be more vulnerable to the heat, you may want to check on them.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. Tents and garbage along sidewalks and bike paths can be problematic, but none are so inconvenienced as the handicapped. The American With Disabilities Act (ADA) federally mandates that sidewalks be clear and at least three-feet wide, especially for those who use wheelchairs. It also requires communities to maintain sidewalks in accordance with that law. But according to a 2018 federal ruling, the city of Portland cannot prosecute homeless people for sleeping on the streets if they have nowhere else to go. However, the city’s Street Services Coordination Center prioritizes removing camps that block ADA access. (KGW.com)
2. TriMet is considering a major redesign for its Hollywood Transit Center. It said in a couple of years, the station could include affordable housing and improvements for transit riders. TriMet and the non-profit 'BRIDGE Housing' have come up with a design that would streamline the transit transfers while putting about 200 units of affordable housing, where the grassy hill is located. (KATU)
3. It’s been a year since Portland’s record-breaking heat wave that killed 96 people statewide. The heat wave prompted a new program called the Heat Response Program, created by the Portland Clean Energy Fund, to help those most vulnerable to heat in the future. PCEF said it plans to install 15,000 cooling units across Portland over the next five years. The organization Earth Advantage said there will be a variety of units installed. Some will be portable cooling and heat pump units, and some will be window units. (Fox 12 Oregon)
4. Back in July 2020, when pandemic measures were going strong, the Portland City Council implemented an ordinance that would temporarily place a cap on the fees food delivery and pickup apps such as Grubhub, Ubereats, and Doordash could charge to restaurants and food carts. The cap was placed at 10 percent of the total order cost for all delivery and pickup order. That ordinance was set to expire at the end of June — but at the city council meeting on June 22 members voted on whether to extend the cap for an additional eight months until February 2023. (Portland Monthly)
5. Organizers of an Oregon initiative petition to require licenses for gun ownership and restrictions on the sale of high-capacity magazines have successfully gathered 90,000 signatures toward putting Initiative Petition 17 on the ballot. Lift Every Voice Oregon, an interfaith group that supports greater gun control, reports it has gathered 30,000 signatures in the past week alone. They need at least 112,020 by July 8, though they aim to gather at least 140,000 — a number that they now say is realistic. (Willamette Week)

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Today in Portland:

• For a truly random Portland event, head to Alder Commons in NE Portland for the Tiny Things Exchange PDX. What is tiny things exchange? Bring anything tiny! Toys, fidgets, random whatevers, art, your own art (!!!), craft stuff, etc! 100% free! Freely give, take, share! 5 - 8 p.m.
• It's summertime and that means the return of the Original Practice Shakespeare Festival. Today they'll be in Lents Park performing As You Like It. Frederick exiled the rightful Duke to the Forest of Arden. Orlando's brother won't raise him right. Orlando and Rosalind fall in love. Frederick banishes Rosalind. The girls escape to Arden (Rosalind cross-dressed). Rosalind gets Orlando to pretend she/he is Rosalind and woo her. A god appears and performs many marriages. Come early to watch them prepare. Showtime is 7 p.m.
• If you're concerned about salmon in the state of Oregon, support them by attending The Rally for Salmon at Willamette Park. People are coming from across the Northwest - representing diverse communities, constituencies, and perspectives. This event is free to attend and all are welcome - you can rally on the water in the morning if you'd like, but it's not required! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• There is an Artist Talk with Wayne Hodge at the Parallax Art Center in NW Portland. Wayne Hodge is an artist whose work combines elements of collage, performance and photography. His practice explores the relationship between history, media and fantasies of race and desire. Register online for this free event. 7 - 8 p.m.
• If you're looking for something to eat today, check out Luau 2022 in NW Portland. Feed The Mass has teamed up with Hammer & Stitch Brewing to throw a summer luau for the community! They're closing down the street from NW 23rd to 24th, The block party street fair showcases offerings from a collective of local vendors and artists and various interactive activities for the whole family! 2 - 6 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Portland Trail Blazers: "A little look at what we’re getting 👀" (Portland Trail Blazers via Instagram)
• Travel Portland: "Peninsula Park is home to Oregon’s oldest public rose garden. If you're looking to get a beautiful shot for the Gram, this is the spot! #ThisIsPortland 📷: @mittytulips #PDX #PDXNOW #TravelPortland #TravelOregon #PortlandOregon" (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "What's the danger of pruning or cutting down trees in the spring/summer? It's nesting season and you could be cutting down a nest and not know it until it's too late. That's what happened with these red-breasted sapsucker babies." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• A rare alignment of five planets that won't be seen again for decades is coming to a peak after the summer solstice when a crescent moon joins the parade in the nighttime skies over Oregon. If you're putting skywatching on your weekend agenda, the weather forecast for the Portland area is for mostly clear skies on Sunday night and clear skies tonight. (Portland Patch)
• I love co-ops. Groups of people joining in for a common purpose are awesome! One of the many reasons I love Portland is because we have so many co-ops. That's why I thought you might be interested in hearing about Cooperative Portland. Cooperative Portland is for people interested in co-ops and workplace democracies in the Portland metro area. They facilitate people getting together and talking with other people in cooperatives for perspectives, and to help each other out. Take a look. (Cooperative Portland)
• While it's not exactly local, Portland is political enough that you will probably be impacted by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. There were several protests Friday and I'm sure there will be a few today. The decision is certainly protest worthy, but, fortunately, we live in a state that already has protections in place for reproductive health. Oregon’s Reproductive Health Equity Act was passed in 2017, which structured Roe v. Wade into state law. The state does not require waiting periods, mandated parental involvement or restrictions on publicly funded abortions. In a statement released shortly after the decision, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer said Oregon is the only state where abortion is fully protected. See how other Oregon politicians reacted. (KOIN)

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Have a fine Saturday out there, Portland. There's lot to do, so you have your pick of fun activities. I'll be back next week to tell you more of what's going on around town.

— 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