Portland Pianos + Addressing Gun Violence + Pandemic Not Yet Over

It's Taco Tuesday! But think of how many other types of Tuesdays there are. Tomatillo Tuesdays? T-Bone Tuesdays? The possibilities are endless. Let's see what type of Tuesday we have today!

First, today's weather: It's a lovely Portland day, with morning clouds and afternoon sun and a high of 79.

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. If you notice pianos popping up around Portland, you can thank (or blame, depending on your perspective) local organization Piano. Push. Play. It rescues and repairs old pianos and puts them in public spaces for people to play. (KOIN.com)
2. Portland was shook by another weekend of gun violence, which included a mass shooting in downtown. Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell responded by putting more officers on patrol downtown, but Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty says that more police are not the answer and activists say what is needed is more community involvement. (KATU)
3. Peter Peacock Blood, owner of Cycle Power Partners and Cycle Holdings, has been indicted for federal loan fraud. On his application to obtain Payroll Protection Program loan money, he inflated the number of employees at his companies. (Willamette Week)
4. The Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon continues to burn with a perimeter over 200 miles long and only 25% containment, and it's not the only fire the state has to contend with. Here's a run down of some of the largest wildfires burning in Oregon. (KGW)
5. Listen up, Portland, the pandemic isn't over! After 11 consecutive weeks of declining COVID-19 cases, Oregon saw a rise just last week. Officials blame the unvaccinated and the delta variant. (OPB)

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Today in Portland

• Local non-profit organization Advocates for Life Skills & Opportunity was founded in 1997 with the mission of supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is holding a Virtual Get to Know Us tour to let others know about the various programs and services. Register online. 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
• Are you super into Marbled Murrelets? I mean who isn't? That's why the Portland Audubon society is holding its 16th annual Marbled Murrelet Ecology & Conservation presentation. Join the organization for this virtual presentation about this imperiled species and the conservation efforts here in Oregon. 6:30 - 7:30 PM.
• North Portland bar, the Fixin' To, brings you a night of music to celebrate Chuck Westmoreland's new album. He'll be joined by local favorites Birger Olsen and Little Sue. Get your tickets online. Show starts at 7:00 PM.
• The Siren Theater wants you to be laughing in the aisles with its stand-up comedy show Pussyfoot. It features Arlo Weierhauser, who won Helium Comedy Club's "Portland's Funniest Person" in 2017. She'll be joined by fellow comedians Kirsten Kuppenbender, Shain Brenden and Derrick Brown. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
• I guess Tuesday is a night for comedy. The Firkin Tavern in SE Portland presents Screwed, a free comedy open mic evening. Hosted by Kellie Irwin and Caroline Smith. Show starts at 8:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Friends, this might surprise you but @damianlillard just hit a triple to give Team USA the lead ️" (Instagram)
• Speaking of the Portland Trailblazers, did you ever wonder how we got the nickname Rip City? This delightful little piece gives a bit of Portland basketball history to explain why. (The Sun)
• The Summer Drive In Movie series is returning to the Portland Expo Center! There will be a line up of local bands and DJs who will play before each screening. First up is Raiders of the Lost Ark, on July 29th, with a pre-movie performance by DJ Gregarious. Check out the whole list of movies here.
• It's summer on Mt. Rainier and that means ice worms. No, this isn't a creature out of Dungeons and Dragons (but that would be SO cool, wouldn't it?), but mysterious, black, thread-like worms that inhabit the Cascade Range. Why are they mysterious? Listen and find out. (KAZU)

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Events:

• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions (July 31)

So, I guess in the end it's Terrific Tuesday! Splendid! Let's go explore the day, but don't get lost, because we've got a whole other day tomorrow. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow 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? You can email me at portland@patch.com.