3K COVID Deaths + Shootings Near Record + Far-Right 'Love' Melee

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Another day, another dollar, am I right? Well, I guess I better earn that dollar by telling about what's going on today.

First, today's weather: A mix of sun and clouds brings us a warmer day than yesterday, but still a very pleasant high temp of 82.

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. As they say, the show must go on, and Portland performance venues have been hard at work trying to get audiences back in their seats. Audiences this fall will be required to wear face masks, and at most venues they will also need to provide proof of either vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. Venues have also added robust cleaning regimens that disinfect buildings following every performance. (OregonLive)
2. Far-right groups came to Portland over the weekend, to hold a rally on the anniversary of the violent clash that took place downtown last year. They were met by far-left protesters for a similar clash. Smoke bombs, fireworks and pepper spray were all part of the melee. One man with a handgun opened fire downtown on what appeared to be a group of anti-fascists. (OPB)
3. The westbound span of the Fremont Bridge was blocked to traffic Sunday night, as illegal street racers took over, setting off fireworks and doing donuts in the street. A Portland Police Bureau spokesperson confirmed that police were aware of street racers on the bridge, but said they did not have the resources to address the incident. (KATU)
4. Portland marked its 61st homicide over the weekend, with a shooting that took place at a nightclub in Old Town. With this latest killing, Portland is on track to eclipse the city’s previous record number of homicides, 70 in 1987. (Willamette Week)
5. The pandemic rages on as Oregon surpasses 3,000 dead from COVID-19. OHA's latest COVID-19 modeling projects a grim outlook: if transmission stays the same, Oregon could see cases increase exponentially to a rate of 1,750 cases per 100,000 people over the next two weeks. That would translate to roughly 5,250 new cases per day and 300 new hospitalizations per day between Aug. 25 and Sept. 7. (KGW)

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Today in Portland

• It's Tuesday and that means live bluegrass at Hopworks Urban Brewery in SE Portland. Grab a pint of fresh hop Abominable and listen to some great tunes. Sounds like a perfect evening. 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Los Angeles band Water Tower will be playing at the Alberta Street Pub tonight. This indie-folk/bluegrass revivalist band will be joined by Woodland Empire for a double bill of fun. COVID precautions will be in effect. Get your tickets online. 6:00 - 10:30 PM.
• Black gamers take note, because tonight is Gamer's Paradise! Hosted by the PDX Suite Spot, this ongoing event is specifically for the Black gaming community of Portland and surrounding areas. As with most other hobbies and interests, there is no real safe space or hang out for Black gamers so Gamers Paradise was created to change that. Get your tickets online. 6:00 - 10:00 PM.
• If you're into a jazzy sound with sultry, female vocals, then check out the Rachel Brashear 5 this evening at the Laurelthirst Public House in NE Portland. With a cost of zero to get in the door, the price can't be beat! 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland Art Museum: "This sculpture by Marie Louise Feldenheimer, mounted in the Museum’s outdoor sculpture court, captures the beauty of the rhododendrons native to the Pacific Northwest. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on all that this piece sees ..." (Instagram)
• Hey, did we just become the murder capitol of America? Well, sort of. But statistics are tricky things and Portland might not be as bad as people are making it out to be. (Willamette Week)
• As I've reported several times in this newsletter, COVID is bad and this recent surge is putting our healthcare system to the test. Getting vaccinated is one of the most impactful things one can do to help out. Redditor amandainpdx has been posting for some time about vaccination efforts on the Portland area and with full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, she's just posted again. There's even a part about how to get paid to get vaccinated. Ka-ching! (Reddit)
• Did you know that there is a podcast about bridges? I never would have guessed. But if that's your subject matter, then it's inevitable that the City of Bridges gets a mention. In this podcast, the Bridge Boys talk about the double-leaf, Strauss-style, trunnion bascule bridge that is the Burnside Bridge. Enjoy! (Apple Podcasts)
• And last, but certainly not least, I give you the Ira Keller Fountain Merman! Let him be part of your world. (YouTube)

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How's that for a fantastical day of excitement and adventure? See where it all takes you, but meet me back here tomorrow for more exciting tales of Stumptown!. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? You can reach me at portland@patch.com.