🌱 City Charter Reform Opposition + Shoplifting Liquor In Portland

Live long and prosper, my friends, and happy Star Trek Day! We've got quite a Thursday here. More people are dying than being born, more people are shoplifting booze and we've come in second as a beer city. Obviously, it's crazy day. Let me tell you about it.

First, today's weather:

It's a sunny day with a high of 81. Could this be any better?

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. I was so excited when I heard that Portland was planning city charter reform. I know of many others that felt the same way. So why are so many Portland politicians opposing this change? The charter reform measure proposes many things, including a bid to lessen the power of elected officials by spreading their responsibilities among more people and removing their ability to use city bureaus as political pawns. (The Portland Mercury)
2. The rights of homeless people have come up against the rights of the disabled in the fight for sidewalk access. Ten Portland residents with disabilities filed a class action lawsuit in United States District Court on Tuesday evening, alleging the City of Portland has violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by allowing homeless people to camp on city sidewalks. (Willamette Week)
3. With fentanyl-related deaths surging over the past three and a half years, a Medicaid insurer plans to distribute 20,000 doses of a life-saving anti-overdose medication in the Portland area. CareOregon, a large insurer for the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid system, said those doses of naloxone, worth $3 million, will go to first responders, emergency room doctors and other providers in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties by the fall. (The Lund Report)
4. A newly released population study shows Oregon now has more deaths than births for the first time since such records have been kept. State economist Josh Lehner said, in the last century that replacement rate has been tracked in Oregon, this is the first time we are seeing this trend. Both experts say it's an alarming milestone but not a surprising one since Oregon's birthrate has been declining for years and baby boomers are aging. (KATU)
5. Shoplifting from Portland area liquor stores is at an all time high. WW obtained a list of crimes reported to the OLCC at state liquor stores. In 2018, there was just under $16,000 in shoplifting reported to the agency. Two years later, that number had tripled. Saleem Noorani, president of the liquor stores’ trade group, said this number represents just a small fraction of total theft, most of which is never caught. Thieves know that “nine times out of 10, I’ll get away with it,” Noorani said. (Willamette Week)

Today in Portland:

• Are you ready to dance, Portland? There's a Bollywood Block Party going on at Arleta Triangle Square and if that location isn't a logical quandary for you, I don't know what is. This is a benefit for the non-profit Dance United, who is on a mission to improve the lives of immigrants, refugees, and the BIPOC community by celebrating diversity across cultures and uniting people through music and dance. 6 - 8 p.m.
• Want to laugh? Come out to PREACH, one of the funniest, wildest, silliest shows in NW Portland! Today at Pope House Bourbon Lounge, there's an amazing show hosted by Neeraj Sirnivasen and Robby Sherman! Come confess your sins, laugh, win prizes, eat great food and have delicious drinks in the speakeasy of Pope House. 8 - 10:30 p.m.
• Chris Shuttleworth will be playing at Produce Row Café. Join staple of the Portland and national jazz scene Chris Shuttleworth for an evening of music from the Great American Songbook, jazz standards and more! 6 - 8 p.m.
• Come to the PDX Punky Reggae Party at Alberta Street Pub. Resident DJs Honey-D & Deadsteady Sound playing Dub, Roots, Steppas, Punk, Ska and more. No cover! The music starts at 10 p.m.
• It's Karaoke From Hell at the Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge! Sing karaoke with a live band! The craziness starts at 9 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Travel Portland: "AMAZING! @BellaOrganicFarm on Sauvie Island is known for their "annual inspiring and intricate corn mazes that include relevant designs intended to spark conversation or raise awareness for current issues." This year's theme is “HOPE." (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: "Monday, September 12, 5–8 p.m. join artist Sharita Towne (@trapodelsh3biye) in partnership with Justice for Keaton Otis at NE 6th and Halsey Street to celebrate the first phase of the Keaton Otis Memorial art project. (Portland Art Museum via Instagram)
• The 7th annual Fruit Forward Drive for apples and pears is happening now. Every Saturday during the month of September, Portland Cider Company will accept bushels of your unwanted fruit and press them into a community cider. The proceeds will go to a great cause — ending childhood hunger in Oregon. (KOIN)
• Gouda, salumi, gruyere, oh my! (Was that too cheesy?) The deliciously indulgent Cheese and Meat Festival has expanded to Portland this year, bringing with it an array of Oregon’s finest flavors. Get ready to mingle with artisanal food and beverage vendors showcasing multiple samples of their finest creations on November 12 at the Leftbank Annex in north Portland. (Here is Oregon)
• How could this be? I've listed so many superlatives for Portland, best pizza, best coffee, etc. And now we've come in second? For beer, no less! The vacation-rental website HomeToGo has rated Portland the No. 2 destination for beer lovers. We were beaten by Chicago, of all places. Alas, at least we beat out Denver and Seattle. (Forbes)
• It’s no secret that Portland has long been a world hub for stop-motion animation. Now, with a little help from Jordan Peele, the man behind one of our biggest stop-motion exports is about to make his return to the medium with another Portland-shot project. And we’ve got the trailer to prove it. (Portland Monthly)

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That's your Thursday, my friends. I hope your day is awesome. I'll be back tomorrow to give you more news 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