🌱Zoo Wary Of Bird Flu + EMTs Under Attack + Heat Returns To Portland

The weekend is here, my friends! We've got an action packed Saturday on the agenda, so I'll get right into to doing my job and telling you about today.

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Now, today's weather:

We'll have more than enough sun today and a high of 94.

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. If you make a visit to the Oregon Zoo, you may notice an absence of our feathered friends. The zoo is moving its birds off of display to protect them from bird flu. The highly contagious "avian influenza virus" has been spreading across the country and was recently reported in both Multnomah and Clackamas counties. So far, no cases have been detected at the zoo and keepers are trying to keep it that way. (KATU)
2. If you're one of the many Portlanders who have had their catalytic converter stolen, you may be consoled knowing that some catalytic converter thieves have been brought to justice. More than a dozen local people have been brought before a judge for stealing and selling catalytic converters in Washington County. While much is still unknown about the suspected thefts, court documents show many occurred in Washington County over a span of 18 months with at least 16 suspects. (KOIN)
3. Tenants of NW 23rd Victorian houses face possible eviction and a beloved store in Northwest Portland may have to find a new home after nearly 35 years. That's because the land they are on is up for sale. The land is owned by Legacy Health Good Samaritan Hospital. The lease for the land is up at the end of Jan. 2023. That means the New Renaissance Bookshop, Tara’s Thai Northwest and other businesses may have to relocate depending on the potential new owner. (KPTV)
4. First responders are under attack! Union representatives for American Medical Response workers are sounding the alarm about the escalating number of assaults against paramedics in Multnomah County. “Our EMTs and paramedics are under attack. And we need to put a stop to it,” said Leslie Sloy, the secretary-treasurer at Local 223. “It’s just gotten way out of hand.” Three years ago, KOIN 6 News first exposed how AMR was documenting an increase of assaults to emergency responders in the last few years. That led AMR to start training their paramedics in self-defense. (KOIN)
5. Just when we had gotten through one heatwave, another one is going to smack Portland upside the head this weekend. As I wrote above, today's high temp will be well into the 90s. But that's nothing compared with tomorrow. Weather models continue trending upward for Sunday, lending higher confidence to temperatures near or exceeding 100 degrees. Mid 90s again seem likely on Monday before we gradually cool on Tuesday, and more so on Wednesday. It's possible we see widespread cloud cover and spotty sprinkles by the middle of next week. Yay! (KGW)

Today in Portland:

• If you're in the mood for a fun neighborhood festival, head over to NE Fremont for Fremont Fest. There will be vendors, a kid zone and even a beer garden at the Hi-Top Tavern. This event is courtesy of the Beaumont Neighborhood Association. 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.
• Did someone say festival? If you want more of an international flair, go to Pioneer Courthouse Square for the Chinese Festival 2022. The Chinese Festival will be filled with non-stop entertainment, delicious Chinese food, family activities and much more. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Ohh, they're so cute! *squee* Swing by Pittock Mansion for the Portland Rose Society’s annual miniature rose show. All varieties of miniature roses will be on display in the Social Room after the judging competition. This event is included with general admission. Noon to 3:30 p.m.
• I guess it's the day for outdoor festivals. The Woodstock-Creston 1st Annual Summer Block Party will be at 13th Moon Gravity Well in SE Portland. Music provided by DJ Kris and Rotten Stone. Drop by and support local vendors selling tasty treats, jewelry, apparel and more. 5 - 9 p.m.
• Still not enough festivals for you? Obon Fest 2022 will be at the Oregon Buddhist Temple in SE Portland. Obonfest (Obon) is a summertime Japanese (and Japanese-American) festival commemorating one's ancestors. Central to Obonfest is Bon Odori (Obon dance). These joyful dances invite the community to celebrate and pay tribute to ancestors and those family members who have more recently passed. Each year experienced Bon Odori dancers lead the group, and all are encouraged to participate and follow along. There will also be food, drink and children's activities. 2 - 9 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Travel Portland: "Throwback to this year's Portlandia Mermaid Parade & Festival! This annual gathering is truly one of the summer events that make Portland so special. Its mission is to "celebrate our community connection to Portland's rivers, port histor..." (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: "OPENING OCTOBER 15: “Jeffrey Gibson: They Come From Fire” is an immersive, site-responsive installation by artist Jeffrey Gibson (@jeffrune) that celebrates Portland’s Indigenous history, presence, and vitality. The interior sculpture co..." (Portland Art Museum via Instagram)
• Hey, beer lovers, one of Portland's very own brewers have created a new type of beer! Kevin Davey, the brewmaster of lager-centric Wayfinder Beer, has made what he has dubbed the cold IPA. “Cold IPA mainly differs from New England IPA, because it employs a very high amount of fermentable adjuncts — such as corn or rice, which lighten the body — as opposed to unfermentable adjuncts, such as flaked wheat, oats or maltodextrin, which increase the body,” he says. “Like West Coast IPA, it is aggressively bitter and strong in alcohol —above 7%. But, unlike West Coast IPA, it uses no caramel malts and a cleaner yeast profile.” (Forbes)
• Are you on any of those online dating sites, such as Tinder? Do you feel like you could use a little help to improve your dating profile? Then you may wish to talk to Sarah Ruby Armstrong. She now offers a free feedback service for people and their dating profiles, as first profiled in Willamette Week. (OPB)
• If you're using natural gas to cook or heat your home, I've got some bad news for you. Your bill is about to get bigger. Oregon’s three natural gas utilities are preparing for another round of large bill increases. Last week, they all filed their rate proposals for the winter heating season, which begins November 1. Cascade Natural Gas is proposing a 25 percent increase for residential customers. Avista Utilities is proposing a 19 percent increase. And NW Natural is proposing a 16 percent increase. (Oregon Cub)
• If you're going anywhere in Portland, you're bound to run into an event that's part of Sneaker Week PDX. Sneaker Week has been happening in Portland since 2017, and this year there will be events all over the city. Events with Sneaker Week are free for members. Anyone who wants to attend any of the events can go to the Sneaker Week website. Sneaker Week runs through Aug. 10. (KGW)

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I hope I've got you informed and excited for the day. Enjoy your Saturday, stay cool and meet me back here next week, so I can keep singing you my praises of 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