🌱 Petitions To Reduce Gun Violence + No Hemp COVID Cure

It's the weekend, Portland, and you know what that means. Household chores! Just kidding, it's a great weekend to get yourself outside if you can. Here's what's going on today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy skies with a high of 48 today. But no rain, so there's that.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. Oregon faith-based organization Lift Every Voice Oregon is hoping to reduce gun violence through two statewide initiative petitions. The organization is promoting IP-17, the Reduction of Gun Violence Act, and IP-18, the Reduction of Harm from Weapons Act. The group needs over 112,000 signatures by July to put the proposals on the November ballot. (KOIN.com)
2. The pandemic, now approaching the beginning of its third year, has been particularly hard on lower-income individuals and families. It hasn't just been a health issue but an economic one. While Oregon officials recognize that there's only so much that they can do, on Thursday they announced that they were taking a major step. The Department of Human Services announced that they've raised the amount of money that a person can earn and still be eligible for food and childcare assistance. (Portland Patch)
3. The omicron variant is spreading quickly regardless of vaccination status, but researchers say they hope omicron is a light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic. Chief medical adviser to the president, Dr. Anthony Fauci recently said “just about everyone” will get infected with the omicron variant, because it’s highly transmissible. Now, researchers at Oregon State University are saying that could very well be the key to making COVID-19 endemic. That means the infection is maintained at a baseline level. (KOIN)
4. An Oregon State study that found compounds in hemp could prevent COVID-19 from entering human cells has been getting national attention. But the lead researcher said the findings are not a reason to start buying up hemp products. Lead researcher Richard van Breemen said CBD products on the shelves of Oregon stores and dispensaries will not prevent you from getting COVID-19. (KATU)
5. The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced on Thursday it will begin accepting new applications again for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) starting on January 26. The state paused accepting new applications in early December due to funding and the need to make system improvements. This will be a limited reopening for three to five weeks, depending on availability of funds. (KPTV)

Today in Portland:

• Come see the hottest rappers compete in downtown Portland at Rumble N The Roses, New Amsterdams (PNW) Premiere Rap Battle League. This round the performers will be Cocakitty, PDX Laine, Arevolution, Lambo Lawson, Scooter Rodgers, Its Denny, Bust Down Fredo and more competing for the battle of the century! Tickets available online. 7:00 - 11:00 PM.
• Get your wrestling fix with Kraken Skulls happening tonight at the North Portland Eagles Lodge. Competing for the DOA Grand Championship are Pitfall Jones and Lucha Ghoul Sonic. And don't miss the Four Way Elimination DOA Tag Team Championship with Konami Code vs. Savage Heart vs. Bash Bros vs. No Lives Matter. Get your tickets online. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
• Muddy Souls will be playing at the Alberta Street Pub in NE Portland. Formed in Eugene's acoustic music scene in the fall of 2019, the Muddy Souls make the trek up to Portland to share their bluegrass and roots sound along with folk-infused rock group Alder Street and old-time Americana trio Fog Holler. $1 of each ticket will directly support this fund and this show will be promoted as part of the city-wide, Portland Music Month. Tickets available online. 8:00 - 11:00 PM.
• Keep it Tight, Betty White is a queer dance party celebrating the 100th birthday of our lord and savior, Betty White! It's going down in North Portland at Shine Distillery. Come join a night of dancing, laughing, and maybe even crying with live DJs, performances, and a Betty White Out—the best dressed Betty wins a prize! Get your tickets online. The fun starts at 9:00 PM.
• Well, it's not exactly SantaCon, but don't miss out on the comfiest pub crawl of the year, The 5th Annual Onesie Bar Crawl! 2 drinks or shots are included with your ticket and you'll have access to exclusive drink specials. The starting point is Dante's in downtown Portland. Check in time is 4:00 - 6:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Travel Portland: "Throwback to the snow we enjoyed a couple weeks ago. It sure was beautiful! #ThisIsPortland 📷: @sanjay_PDX #PDX #PDXNOW #TravelPortland #TravelOregon #PortlandOregon #HereForPortland" (Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "Birders in Portland have been checking a “lifer*” bird off their list this month with the appearance of three Common Redpolls hanging out at Whitaker Ponds! 🤗While they aren’t commonly seen around these parts, they breed in lands that s..." (Instagram)
• Portland Parks & Recreation: "Portland Parks & Recreation will remove two potentially hazardous trees from North Park Blocks: Citywide park, natural area tree maintenance work will increase in the coming year thanks to Parks Local Option Levy! More info: portland.gov..." (Facebook)
• A new exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society features the state's native plants, as seen through the eyes of a botanical artist. Frances Stilwell moved to Oregon in 1969. She quickly set out to discover the plant life here because, she says, plants are what make her feel at home. The mostly pastel collection of 81 illustrations combines her love of botany and art. Stilwell donated them all to the Oregon Historical Society Museum a few years ago and worked with museum staff on the exhibit. (KATU)
• Stuck in a rut? In desperate need of some wonder into your life? Here's a list of 10 Oregon Oddities to shake you out of the every day. Some are a little ways away, others are right in our own back yard. If you ever need encouragement to Keep Portland Weird, these are the sites you need to see. (Portland Monthly)
• Lots of people, including Mayor Ted Wheeler, have been saying that Portland's form of government is outdated. Which shouldn't be a surprise. Portlanders have said this for years and there's even a commission exploring changing the city's charter to address this. If you've been eagerly following what the Charter Commission has been doing, you might consider signing up to get updates emailed out to you. (SignUp)

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So now you're all up to date for your Saturday. Time to get started on those chores. Ah, forget that, I'm putting my hiking boots on. Have a great weekend everyone and remember that I'll be back here next week to do this all over again.

— 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.