Portland Street Response Blocked+Unemployment Down+Wildfires!

Oh, me, oh my, what a day it is in Portland! Pull up a chair and let me tell you all about it.

First, today's weather: Partly cloudy in the morning and clearing up later in the day, but, still, only a high of 75. I'm in heaven with these cooler temperatures!

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. Once again, Portland officials have blocked the expansion of the Portland Street Response team, an alternative to calling the police on individuals in mental health crisis. In May, the majority of the Portland City Council denied funding required to expand the program. Last month, the Portland Police Association denied a request to allow the team to handle crisis in non-publicly accessible spaces such as, you know, homeless shelters. (Willamette Week)
2. More signs that Oregon is recovering nicely from the pandemic as unemployment drops in the state. The state ended last year at 6.3% unemployment and, as of last month, now sits at 5.6% and has added back 64% of the jobs lost during the pandemic. (KXL)
3. Democrats in the Texas House left the state this week to block a Republican bill restricting voting access. Republicans did the same thing, just last year here in Oregon, to block a bill that would have reduced Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions. The two parties seem to have very different perspectives on these events. (OPB)
4. It's wildfire season again, so get ready to see red skies and smell smoke in the air. Luckily, the current wildfires aren't close enough that areas of Portland need to worry about an evacuation warning, but some of the state isn't so lucky. In fact, the Bootleg Fire near the California border is the largest fire in the country right now. The cooler weather that has moved in is a relief to many here in Portland, but the winds that come with it have many people nervous. (KOIN.com)
5. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, part of the American Rescue Plan, is a food industry stimulus program that was supposed to prioritize businesses owned by veterans, women and marginalized groups. Now information on where those grants went shows many of the larger ones went to White-owned businesses. (Eater Portland)
6. I knew I lived here for a reason, but now Portland is officially one of the best places to live in the U.S. Well, officially according to the latest U.S. News and World Reports piece that rated 150 most populous metro areas in the country. Yay!(KATU)

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Today in Portland

• The Critical Race and Culture Research Network presents an online discussion titled Creative Arts as Activism. Facilitated by Dr. Shawn Sobers, it will focus on the conversation about how artists have responded to Black Lives Matter during the pandemic. 5:30 - 7:30 PM.
• Listen to live, and socially distanced, music in Alberta Park at the Songwriter Soiree. All performers will play LIVE into mics in front of the audience. The sound will be broadcast into special headphones which are included with your ticket. Get your tickets online. 5:30 - 11:00 PM.
• The legislative session for the Oregon House of Representatives wrapped up last month, and an active session it was. If you're interested in learning more about it, join Representative McLain, Senator Riley and Representative Sollman for an End of Session Town Hall at the new Hidden Creek Community Center in Hillsboro. Register to attend in person or virtually. 6:00 PM.
• Do you love the streets of Portland? Tonight the Concordia Neighborhood Association is partnering with the Portland Main St. Design Initiative for a walking tour of NE Portland. This is a 1.5 hour walk followed by an optional discussion session over beverages at a local venue. This is a free event, but register now, as space is limited. Meeting location is NE 30th & Killingsworth Plaza. 6:00 - 8:30 PM.
• Gardeners and mixologists alike may be interested in this online class designed to combine both interests. Instructor Anne Parmeter presents Cocktails with Microgreens, where she'll share a few of her favorite cocktails made with microgreens and herbs from the garden. Get your tickets online. Class is from 7:00 - 9:30 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• We always knew that we had the best pizza in the nation, but now that that news is making headlines, everyone's got an opinion and they're challenging Portland's new found status as pizza capitol U.S.A. Well, haters gonna hate. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Portland is a major comic book mecca, so it's kind of a big deal that Floating World Comics in downtown Portland is celebrating its 15th anniversary. That's a long time to be in business and the company is having a sale all weekend to thank faithful customers. Masks are still required in store, but the sale applies to online purchases as well. (Portland Mercury)
• Portland Trail Blazers: "Dame Jr met some friends in Las Vegas" (Instagram)
• Travel Portland: "A recent user review of @olympiaprovisions new Salumeria food cart in Downtown's Pioneer Courthouse Square: "@ericjop..." (Instagram)

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Events:

• Free 30 Min Photoshoots in Camas! (July 18)

That's your big, delicious Thursday stew of goodness from the City of Roses, but I'll be back tomorrow with another big helping of our favorite town. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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.