🌱 City Council 'Very Ineffective' + Record-breaking Weather

It's another Friday in Portland and I think that is just peachy! Before I forget, I want to remind you that President Biden comes into town today, potentially impacting downtown traffic. What else is happening in town today?

• Unseasonably warm temperatures break Portland records
• A burlesque show that wants you to vote
• A celebration of retro gaming

Pull up a chair and let's chat!

But first, today's weather:

Wow, plenty of sun and a high of 79. Are we sure it's October?

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Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. Now here's something you don't see every day: A man "armed with machetes" led Portland police on a chase Wednesday morning. Reports first came in Wednesday morning that a "man armed with two machetes was menacing security guards at the Eastport Plaza shopping center. When officers tried to stop the man, he jumped in a car and sped away." Police used "spike strips to deflate the car’s tires about a mile from the shopping center but the man fled on foot near Marshall High School." He is still at large. (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. Last month, Portlanders with disabilities filed a class action lawsuit against the city of Portland, stating that, by allowing street tent camping on sidewalks that block wheelchairs, the city is failing to uphold the Americans with Disabilities Act. Portland City Attorney Robert Taylor wrote to one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers Sept. 12 that the lawsuit should widen its scope of defendants. He is saying the lawsuit should include Multnomah County, Metro and the state of Oregon. (Willamette Week)
3. Recent poll numbers find that most Portland voters describe City Council as "very ineffective." The poll was conducted by Portland-based DHM Research. Eighty-five percent of Portland voters call the City Council ineffective, including 59% who say it’s "very ineffective." Only 9% of voters polled said the council was effective, and all of them said it was only “somewhat” so. Other takeaways include 74% of Portland voters saying that the city is headed in the wrong direction. (The Oregonian)
4. The warm weather continues! So much so, in fact, that we're breaking records. This past Sunday marked the seventh day in October that was 80 degrees or higher; the previous record was six days. In addition to breaking that record, Oregon has set a few daily record-high temperatures so far: Oct. 8 climbed to 87 degrees and Oct. 9 reached 85 degrees. Will we be breaking more records? Looking ahead in the weather forecast, I'm going to say yes. (KGW)
5. "A panel looking into the actions of the Portland Police Bureau during the 2020 protests listened to personal stories at a virtual town hall. The review is coming after the Department of Justice found PPB is slipping further out of compliance with a 2014 settlement agreement, due to their use of force at the 2020 protests — which includes instances where police clashed with protesters and fired tear gas." If you have an experience related to this that you'd like to share, the panel wants people to email them. (KOIN)

Today in Portland:

• Let's hear it for those Blazers! Come to Moda Center to help them "tip off the 2022-23 season during this year's Trail Blazers Fan Fest. See your new-look Trail Blazers as they play an intrasquad scrimmage at this FREE EVENT with food, fun and prizes for all Blazers fans!" Doors open at 6:00 PM.
• Talk about Rock the Vote! Tonight is Rhinestone the Vote at the Alberta Abbey, a pair of burlesque shows "intent on inspiring more people to register to vote as well as encouraging all people to vote this November." Starring Red Bone, along with Lola Coquette. Showtime is 7:00 PM.
• Local author Garrett Cook's new book, Charcoal has arrived! Come join him, along with Nathan Carson, John Skipp, Wendy Wagner and the Danger Slater to celebrate Charcoal's release at Mad Hanna! Nathan Carson will be spinning records afterwards! 7:30 - 9:00 PM.
• Onstage live vintage radio show Tesla City Stories will be at The Old Church. "The shows of the TBC run the gamut from sitcom to thriller, from mystery to romantic-comedy, with forays into westerns, sci-fi and horror to boot. But all of these shows, regardless of genre, are tied to the fictional locale of Tesla City." Showtime is 8:00 PM.
• Is it time to get some therapy? Dance Therapy at No Requests! "Dancing is shown to have benefits for both physical and mental health, dance can reduce stress and we all know improve your mood." Dance Therapy showcases the best Portland-based house music DJs as well as regional, national, and international house music DJs. The music starts at 10:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Oregon Historical Society: "Sixty years ago today, on the morning of Friday, October 12, 1962 — Columbus Day — a massive storm hit the coast of northern California. Originally named Typhoon Freda by meteorologists and called the Big Blow by many, it may have been t..." (Oregon Historical Society via Facebook)
• According to some poll numbers, it looks as if there's a fair chance of Oregon voting in a Republican governor. Oregon Democrats are nervous enough that they're calling on President Biden to give them a boost. Displeasure with state and local government is seeing more voters lean right than ever before. This piece asks the question, "Is the Red Wave Finally Coming for Oregon?" (Portland Monthly)
• Dust off that Atari, because retro gaming is coming to Portland! The Portland Retro Gaming Expo will be at the Oregon Convention Center starting today and going until Sunday. Nostalgia is the theme of the evening at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. There will be arcade games, a Tetris competition and pinball machines set up that attendees can play for free. (OPB)
• As if Biden's visit won't cause enough traffic woes, the Morrison Bridge will close to all traffic including vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians from 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14-17 as crews work on an ongoing painting project. But wait, there's more! The bridge will close again from Oct. 21-24. Plan your trips accordingly. (The Oregonian)
• Speaking of Biden, if you've got an extra $10,000 lying around, you can get your picture taken with him. He's coming to Portland to join Tina Kotek for a fundraiser tomorrow. A $10,000 donation to Kotek's campaign gets you a photo-op with the Commander-in-Chief himself. How would that be for your Instagram! (Willamette Week)
• If you support the proposed City of Portland Charter Reforms through Measure 26-228, the Urban League of Portland would like to talk to you. They're teaming up with Portland United for Change to engage in door-to-door canvassing to generate support, and they're looking for volunteers. (The Skanner)

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It's a Friday, people, and that's where my work ethic goes to die. So I'm calling my day early, but I'll still be back tomorrow to celebrate the weekend in 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