🌱 Crime And Portland Politics + COVID Numbers On The Rise

Happy Earth Day, Portland! And a Friday one at that. Everything's coming up roses here in the City of Roses. Let me tell you about what's going on today.

First, today's weather:

We're actually going to see a bit of sun in the morning, but the rains return in the afternoon. The high temp will be around 60.

Here are the top five stories today in Portland:

1. Crime is a major focus for Oregon candidates looking to unseat incumbent power in the May primary, even as data shows little validity to the notion that overall crime is rising in the state. “My first priority is addressing our growing public safety crisis,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan told KOIN in a January candidate survey before incorrectly claiming crime was up in communities across the state. “Yet we continue to hear calls for defunding our police.” There is scant evidence showing a correlation between police budgets and crime rates, but several Republicans running for governor hope it is still an issue that can help them dislodge the decades long Democratic hold of the seat. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
2. After Portland leaders first revealed they would consider the Portland Expo Center as a possible Safe Rest Village site for RVs and people living in vehicles, some were surprised when the massive complex didn't make the initial list. The Metro-owned venue, located just west of I-5 near the Columbia River, is surrounded by acres of parking lots. To many, it seemed like a no-brainer to use some of that space for homeless campers. But as other cities like Vancouver put plans in place to offer these "safe sleep" campsites, Portland has made little progress. (KGW)
3. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has endorsed Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty in a contested race for Portland City Council that may ultimately double as a referendum on policing in Portland. “Jo Ann gets tough things done, and she does it side by side with the community,” Schmidt said in a statement. “Her steady leadership, drawn from 30 years of meaningful police accountability work and deep knowledge of Portland, brings a crucial perspective to public safety work.” (Willamette Week)
4. Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton, a narrator asks: “Why does safety matter?” Several people then give vague answers about family and community until a woman with a worried expression delivers perhaps the most direct response: “Because I don’t want our county turning into Portland.” Although more than a thousand Portlanders live within Washington County, Oregon’s second most populous county, Barton has made the city a boogeyman in his race for a second term in the nonpartisan prosecutor’s office. (Portland Mercury)
5. The number of new COVID-19 cases daily in Oregon has risen and more than tripled in the past month. Before mask mandates were loosened, the state was seeing around 200 cases per day; the number now is more than 600 per day. The news came in the first public briefing by Oregon health officials in more than a month. Cases are rising, but Oregon is not seeing a similar rise in hospitalizations, officials said. Yet. (Portland Patch)

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Today in Portland:

• Let's get back to the fun, Portland! Hotel Vance is pleased to announce a fun ALL AGES drag queen bingo event! A perfect way to end your spring break with the kids or to start your weekend off right! Prizes will include staycation packages at Hotel Vance, Starbucks gift cards and a few other surprises! Get your tickets online! 5:30 - 7:00 PM.
• Darren Le Baron is here to talk through all things mushroom and mycology in "You Are A Mushroom Having A Human Experience!" Join us at Open Hand Health to welcome back Darren Le Baron presenting his most recent talk about the history and nature of mycology and its human connections. He will reveal to you the amazing world of fungi, in his unusual thought provoking and engaging way. Tickets available online. 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
• SHADES Presents... OH MY! An All-inclusive Dance Party & Music Showcase at the Firkin Tavern. OH MY! is a safe space for POC, APPI, trans, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, and allyship. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to its nonprofit beneficiary Call to Safety. Tickets are available online. The party starts at 8:00 PM.
• Lip Bomb is excited to return to Montavilla Station and celebrate drummer Trevor Raab's birthday! Rock out with us to your favorite songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today! FREE SHOW! No cover charge. And Montavilla Station has great drinks, great bar staff and a great fun laid back atmosphere. The party starts at 9:00 PM.
• See the classic horror film "The Prey" showing at the Clinton Street Theater. Three young couples set off into the mountains for a weekend of climbing, drinking, and sex. But little do they know that they are stumbling into the terrain of a fearsome predator—a wild man, horrifically burned as a child many years ago! Now, he roams the woods in search of his next human prey. Showtime is 10:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Portland Audubon: "We look forward to mid-April every year. Why? The return of the Tufted Puffins to Haystack Rock, of course! 📷: Isaac Sanchez [Image Description: A photo of two Tufted Puffins standing and resting on a rocky outcrop.] #tuftedpuffin #b..." (Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: "🎟️ Free tickets now available online for Sunday! Reserve yours now for our quarterly Miller Family Free Day that includes "Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism." Limited exhibition tickets will be available for walk-in..." (Instagram)
• Friends of the Children - Portland: "🐐 Baby GOAT do-do do-do-do-doo, baby GOAT do-do do-do-do-do, baby GOAT do-do do-do-do-do, baby GOAT! 🐐" (Facebook)
• PORTLAND: "“I wanted to do something to help those struggling, confused, and those that needed to be lifted up during the pandemic.” Denise Williams, owner of Confronting the Storm (@confrontingthestorm), started her non-profit to offer free menta..." (Instagram)
• As Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Chair Deborah Kafoury is termed out, three current commissioners are running to serve as the next chief executive officer for the county. They are joined in the race by employment discrimination lawyer Sharia Mayfield, truck driver Joe Demers and talk show host Bruce Broussard. In anticipation of the May 17 election, The Skanner spoke with the three County Commissioners running for the leadership position about the most urgent issues facing the county. (The Skanner)
• Gardeners can submit their rose garden for a chance to be named winner of the 2022 Royal Rosarian Rose Garden Contest! In 1938, the Royal Rosarian Rose Garden Contest was established as the first sponsored, citywide event to honor the rose, the “Queen of flowers.” The contest was so popular that it immediately became an annual event. The Royal Rosarians are committed to continually improving the contest to showcase the best amateur rose gardens and commercial plantings in Portland, the City of Roses. (KOIN)

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Have an awesome Friday, Portland. And remember to do something nice for the Earth. It's the only one we've got. See you tomorrow, my friends.

— 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.