🌱 Hardesty's Plan Worked + Week Of Rain Is Drop In The Bucket

Hi-Dilly-Ho, Neighborinos! It's a Wednesday! Not usually a day that screams excitement, but we're in Portland, my friends, where everyday is exciting. Let me tell you what's going on today.

First, today's weather:

It's another day of rain with a high of 54.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. Three months after a pilot project designed to cut down violence and speeding in one area of Portland, city commissioners Jo Ann Hardesty and Carmen Rubio discussed the results. Workers installed 8 traffic barrels near Southeast Woodstock Street and 72nd Avenue as an initial phase of the project. Crews later added another 18 barrels. Hardesty said at that time she would evaluate the program and consider taking further action. In the project’s first three months, there was reportedly a 64% decrease in verified shootings. (KOIN.com)
2. Oregon says "Nyet" to Russian-made alcohol. That's the word from the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission. If you run a liquor store or some other similar place, and you have Russian-made alcohol on the shelves, OLCC says that you have to remove it. It's part of the worldwide reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Portland Patch)
3. A large campsite has been growing in Normandale Park in Northeast Portland, the site of last week's deadly shooting that left one woman dead and five injured, including the shooter. The camp formed after the shooting and neighbors are concerned about how large it has gotten. Several neighbors around the park, who didn't want to go on camera, said people started camping at the park the day after the shooting. It's unclear who is staying at the camp. Some people on social media have said it is a vigil. (KGW.com)
4. Oil terminal operator Zenith Energy is taking its land-use dispute with the city of Portland to the Oregon Court of Appeals. The Texas-based company filed an appeal of a Feb. 3 decision by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, the state’s special tribunal for conflicts over local land-use rulings. LUBA’s decision in the Zenith case allows the city of Portland to strengthen its argument for denying a land-use approval the company needs to continue operating. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
5. While the rain makes some Oregonians feel left behind because they realize that Noah had his ark built BEFORE the rains started, it's a much needed development. The Army Corps of Engineers operates the Willamette Valley Project's 13 reservoirs. The Corps says that it is only 9 percent full as of Monday. So, while the Corps' operations project manager for the Willamette and Rogue River Basins Erik Petersen is happy to see rain, he adds that it's important to realize it's providing an almost-literal drop in the bucket. (Portland Patch)

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Today in Portland:

• Has the never-ending pandemic got you longing for human interaction? Then you should get together with the fine folks of Casual Meetup! They're meeting for dinner and conversation at the NE Portland spot The Radio Room, which has a large, heated patio. How to find them? Look for the glow bracelets. Register for free online. 6:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Join the non-profit Cultivate Initiatives for their Eat & Greet taking place at 1949 SE 122nd Ave. It will be a time to meet their team, talk about the exciting work they do in the neighborhood, and all the exciting work to come! All are welcome and they hope to see you there. Register for free online. 4:00 - 7:00 PM.
• It's a night of live music at The Sïx in SE Portland. Performing will be experimental music bands Body Shame and Puzzle Teeth. Body Shame is a solo abstract synth and drum project out of Portland, while Puzzle Teeth plays fully structured analog noise signals careening between harmonious drones and unrelenting walls of glitching static. Doors at 9:00 PM.
• Grunge/punk band Rainbow Witches will be playing at Kelly's Olympian in downtown Portland. Also performing will be Angeline Moore and The Vagilantes. Tickets available online. Showtime is 9:00 PM.
• Come to Ecliptic Brewing in North Portland for Witchy Watercolor, a beer and Tarot themed watercolor class. All skill levels welcome, beginners encouraged. Your guide, Jes, is a full time dreamer whose passion is celebrating the inherent creativity in us all. Lately, the kids in her life have inspired her to let go and let watercolor. Tickets available online. 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Stay focused on the process 📸" (Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "Family naptime! 😴 It’s that time of year again when Great Horned Owls are nesting. It’s thought that Great Horned Owls nest on the early side to ensure their young are able to care for themselves by the following winter. Both the ma..." (Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: “Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection” is a stunning show drawn from the private collection of Jacques and Natasha Gelman—artists who lived side-by-side with these revolutionary ..." (Instagram)
• As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Oregonians are joining others around the world in support of the Ukrainian people. Some have shown up to protest the Russian actions in person. Last week, at least 200 Ukrainians and their supporters gathered in downtown Portland. The group chanted in Ukrainian and sang the national anthem. Many cars honked in support. A similar event is scheduled for Thursday. Here are several other suggestions as to what Portlanders can do to help the Ukraine. (The Oregonian)
• If you want Portland to give you credit on a utility bill, why not go for a Treebate? Trees help keep our rivers and streams healthy. You can beautify your property and improve your community by planting a tree. Get a one-time credit on your City of Portland water, sewer, stormwater bill for planting a tree in your yard. (Portland.Gov)
• Portland has some great art around town. Spoiler Alert! Tomorrow is First Thursday. The Portland Mercury has your Spring Arts Preview for 2022. Check it out! (Portland Mercury)

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Events:

• Portland Chiropractors Announce Grand Opening (March 15)
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Have a great day, Portland. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, but I think we both know that's a short list of activities. What I WILL be doing is coming back here tomorrow and talking all 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.