🌱 Outdoor Mask Mandate Lifted + Free Parking + Scorched Trees

Turkey Day has arrived, my friends! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I hope it is filled with friends, family and food. But this is Portland, where even during the holidays, there's a lot going on, so let me get right to talking about today.

First, today's weather:

It's a cloudy Thanksgiving, but the rain holds off until the evening and we'll have a high of 51. Splendid!

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. Oregon’s mask mandate for outdoor settings has been lifted, health officials announced late Tuesday morning during a press conference on the state’s ongoing pandemic response. Oregon was the first state to reimplement an outdoor mask requirement for all, regardless of vaccination status, as the delta variant spread during the state’s worst surge so far in the ongoing pandemic. The indoor mask mandate for all, regardless of vaccination status, still stands. (KOIN)
2. Oregon residents are increasingly pushing for the state to divest from fossil fuel companies and other controversial investments, but the state treasury is resisting and putting the onus on the Legislature. In addition to fossil fuel companies whose products are a main driver of global warming, the state employee retirement fund is also invested in a company whose spyware was used against human rights workers, journalists and other targets, and in companies that operate private prisons where detained immigrants were mistreated and some died. (The Skanner)
3. Yet another candidate has entered the race to be Oregon's next governor. This time it's Oregon House Minority Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). In her announcement about her decision to run, Drazan said, “Through these conversations, it has become clear that Oregonians are ready for change. They are tired of the backroom deals, the broken promises and the failed leadership. They are tired of our state consistently being in the national headlines for all the wrong reasons. Frankly, I am too." (KGW)
4. Shopping local comes with an extra perk this holiday season. Hoping to encourage people to shop in the city this season, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is offering free vouchers for “Parking Kitty,” the official parking app for Portland. For every $25 spent at participating businesses, you could get 2 free hours of parking. (KATU)
5. Oregon's sizzling heatwave over the summer did it's fair share of damage and, after surveys by the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources, we're beginning to see just how much damage. They're estimating tree scorching affected roughly 229,000 acres of the state. “By some estimates, it’s probably the largest scorch event in history,” Oregon State University researcher Christopher Still told OPB’s “Think Out Loud” on Monday. “I mean this is a new thing for us to be seeing on Earth, so it’s sort of a dubious milestone.” (OPB)

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Today in Portland:

• There's no shortage of places to get Thanksgiving dinner here in Portland. In fact, here's a short list. One place to consider is Brix Tavern in the Pearl District. Brix Tavern offers a menu of enduring American tavern fare that is as comforting as the vibe, as well as a bar menu filled with select craft beers, handcrafted cocktails. It is taking walk-ins for Thanksgiving dinner. Noon - 8:00 PM.
• Want to burn off some Thanksgiving calories? Go dance them off at the Vitalidad Movement Arts and Event Center. It’s holding a Turkey Social with DJ Armando, spinning Salsa, Bachata and Zouk! Vaccination and mask required. 8:00 - 11:45 PM.
• The Celebration Tabernacle in North Portland is holding a COVID-safe Proper Thanksgiving Feast-ival. A tradition for over 20 years, the Proper Thanksgiving Feast-ival is completely FREE and open to everyone! Noon - 4:00 PM.
• After spending all day with family for Thanksgiving dinner, I'm sure a few of you could use a drink. North Portland spot Bar Bar has you covered with its Bar Bar Holiday Disco, featuring DJ Stormy Roxx and DJ Orso, this event is free and 21+. Proof of COVID vaccination or negative COVID test required for entry. FREE onsite testing may be available. Starts at 7:00 PM.
• This holiday season, we could all use a laugh, so get yourself over to Kelly's Olympian in downtown Portland for The Real Comedy Spot. This is an open mike comedy night hosted by The Real Hyjinx. The show starts at 5:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Bringing the Eastbay to the PNW 😱😱😱" (Instagram)
• Portland, Oregon: "Sunday’s sunset, captured by @__adamblank ! 🌆 Fun fact, during the colder months of the year, sunsets can appear more colorful. This is due to light traveling through a greater distance of atmosphere to reach our eyes! So cherish these..." (Instagram)
• Travel Portland: "@mirakuteipdx is just one of the dozens of delicious sushi spots around Portland. What are your favorite restaurants and rolls? Drop them in the comments below and we'll build your suggestions into an official Instagram Guide! #ThisIsPor..." (Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "What a California Scrub Jay eats depends on what season it is. In the spring and summer this jay can be seen favoring insects and fruit, and in the fall and summer, they change over to eating mostly nuts and seeds. 📷 @hayley.crews [..." (Instagram)
• You’ve spent the whole week prepping the turkey, which turned out dry anyway. You’ve devoured the mashed potatoes, the green bean casserole, and, of course, the pumpkin pie. You’ve tolerated your aunts and uncles for about as long as you can. If you need a break from people in general after all that, instead of spending the Friday after Thanksgiving trampling over crowds, spend it trekking through a forest or a nature park. Here are five relatively easy nearby hikes for post-Thanksgiving fun. (Portland Monthly)
• Okay, I'll admit it, I love goats. So if I find any goat-related material that connects to Portland, I'm going to include it. Here's a video I just stumbled upon about goats at the Oregon Zoo. So cute! (YouTube)

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That's your Thanksgiving, folks. And let's face it, we have a lot to be thankful for. I, for one, am thankful that I live in Portland. I'm taking tomorrow off, so you won't hear from me until Saturday, but, rest assured, I'll be back to tell you more news about our fine city. If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. 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? I'm all ears. You can contact me at portland@patch.com.