🌱 Portland Rents Continue To Rise+Dangerous Times At Legacy Emanual

Friday is here, people, and what a Friday it is! There's a music event that you need a personal waiver to attend, a BBQ & Brews event and a list of shady hikes if you just want to get away from everything. Here's what's happening today.

Now, today's weather:

Partly cloudy skies and a high of 81 make for a splendid summer day.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. If you're a fan of the Cracker Barrel on Hayden Island, you may need to find another place for lunch. After four years on Hayden Island, the restaurant chain called it quits there Monday and neighbors are disappointed. Not only were patrons surprised at its sudden closure, but Cracker Barrel’s abrupt closure is also shocking to those working there. Cyndi Betance said she was a server there until Sunday night and that the next morning they had a mandatory meeting where they got the news. A statement from Cracker Barrel suggested that poor performance was the reason for the closure. (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. More bad news for Portland renters as inflation affects housing costs! Oregon’s recently passed Rent Stabilization law creates caps on rent increases. The formula caps rent increases at 7% plus the rate of inflation. The rent cap will be finalized in September, but with the latest report showing inflation at 8.5%, that could mean a 15.5% rent cap, which could push the average price of a rental unit in Portland from RentCafe’s reported average of $1,746 to $2,016. (KOIN.com)
3. Working in medicine has gotten more hazardous for workers at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in North Portland. Recently an employee at the children’s clinic, Randall Children's Pediatric Care, was assaulted and robbed while coming into work. For many who work at the medical center, they said it was just the latest incident in a long list of safety issues that have put them in close proximity to danger. “It’s crazy,” said Demiya Johnson, a patient who just gave birth at Legacy Emanuel. “I see a lot of nurses and doctors walking around with mace in their hands.” (KGW.com)
4. The state commission in charge of Oregon’s system of public defenders held an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to decide whether to fire the agency’s director. After four hours, it didn’t. The motion was one vote shy. During the contentious meeting, the commission’s chair, Per Ramfjord, accused the director, Steve Singer, of unprofessional conduct toward the state’s chief judge. That judge, Martha L. Walters, appeared at the meeting to condemn Singer. She called his behavior “bullying.” (Willamette Week)
5. Homeless encampments along the Peninsula Crossing Trail have been removed and nearby area neighbors are pleased, but they say more permanent solutions are needed. “It’s nice to see the neighborhood again!" said Tom Karwaki on Wednesday upon seeing McKenna Park cleared of several homeless RVs and campers that had been parked there for weeks. Three campsites along the trail were cleaned up this week after being given notice by the city last week. But Karwaki echoes concerns we've heard from many Portland residents before: homeless cleanups are only a temporary solution. (KATU)

Today in Portland:

• If you're looking for a music-filled, funkified Friday evening, then get yourself to the Southeast Shakedown. Come dance in this guy's backyard and enjoy two evenings worth of fun music. Tonight's line-up includes Tony Thompson, Old Pup and General Mojo's. I don't know what's going on, but you have to sign a personal liability waiver to get in, so that sounds promising! The fun starts at 5 p.m.
• Swing by for Happy Hour at The Wine Cellar with Andy & friends for a wine tasting game that will take you on a tour around the world of wine! Taste through five wines made from lesser-known varietals, then use your wine knowledge and helpful clues to hunt for the wines in the shop. This scavenger hunt will take your tastebuds on a trip around the world, while introducing you to new wines you’re sure to love! The games start promptly at 5:45 p.m.
• It's comedy tonight at the 4th Wall in SE Portland. A locally sourced standup comedy showcase fresh from the farmers market and it's still only $10. Tickets available at the door. 7 - 9 p.m.
• Do you want a fun Friday night? Then check out the Best Night Ever at the Hawthorne Theater! This is a dance party from your wildest dreams! Playing the music of One Direction, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Britney Spears and more! All ages. The fun starts at 9 p.m.
• For a hallucinogenic, fever dream of a movie, check out Cryptozoo at the Whitsell Auditorium in downtown Portland. Cryptozookeepers try to capture a Baku, a dream-eating hybrid creature of legend, and start wondering if they should display these beasts or keep them hidden and unknown. Meanwhile, a pair of lovers mistakenly find their way into the Cryptozoo, leading to unpredictable consequences in 1960s San Francisco. I'm sold! Showtime is 7 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Portland Audubon: "This American Kestrel was brought to our Wildlife Care Center after she fell from her nest. We were unable to locate the nest to reunite her with her parents, unfortunately. She was too young to survive without assistance." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• The non-profit Free Geek has a mission to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential. If you live in Portland, you should get to know Free Geek and a perfect time to do it is their upcoming block party. This block party will feature great music from a local DJ, family friendly activities, food, beverages, vendors, information tables, tons of raffle prizes from PDX-local businesses and a tech donation station where people can come bring used technology to be refurbished or recycled. (Portland Business Journal)
• With the weather next week, you're going to be looking for some shade. But what to do if you're addicted to the outdoors? Here's a list of shady parks and hikes for those days that you need to be outside, but also out of the sun. (Portland Monthly)
• It's summer and for this season nothing goes together better than beers and barbeque, which is the entire theme of Portland BBQ & Brews happening this weekend at Washington-Monroe Park. Soak up the sun while enjoying beer, cider and spirits along with some delicious BBQ! Live music will be playing all weekend long! Best of all, this event will benefit Special Olympics of Oregon. (Terrapin Events)
• Oregon has so many things to see and do. How do you pick the best options? The Oregonian is here to help with the Ultimate Oregon Bucket List: Natural Wonders Edition. Basically, the places you really need to see around the state. You won’t find anything human-made here. You also won’t find (too many) recommendations for how to experience these places. That’s really up to you. (The Oregonian)
• The comedian John Mulaney is coming to the Moda Center this weekend. He's one of my favorite comedians, but I'm not going to be able to see his show. For the other fans out there, here's some John Mulaney to give you your comedy fix, in case you can't go either. (YouTube)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• JAK CBD — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Online Webinar with specialists for ac repair in Portland (August 22)
• Add your event

That seems like the perfect end of the week. Enjoy your weekend, friends, cause it's going to get hot next week. I'll be swinging by again tomorrow to give you the low down to get you through your Saturday.

— 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? Contact me at portland@patch.com