Rabid Bats + COVID Ravaged Schools + Religious Exemptions

Hey, neighbors! What's the word? Please tell me that the word is fun. I can work with that. Yeah, let's go with it. Fun! Now, about today...

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First, today's weather:

There's no mistaking that you're in Portland today, because we're not going to see the sun. Despite the clouds, we're still going to see a high of 75. Oh, I can't wait for the rain to come!

Here are the top stories in Portland today:

1. Despite numerous complaints about the organization, the city of Portland plans to renew its contract with Clean & Safe to provide security and sanitation services for downtown. It has been providing such services since 1988 and is paid for by both residents and over 400 downtown businesses. Although security and sanitation services are needed more than ever, homeless and homelessness advocates alike have accused Clean& Safe security guards of harassment. (Oregonian)
2. I guess murder hornets weren't enough, because now rabid bats have been found in NE Portland. The Multnomah County Health Department made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that the bat was found after a dog had been playing with it. The dog is currently in quarantine and, fortunately, is up-to-date on its rabies vaccine. (KPTV)
3. Schools out ... for COVID! Two weeks into the school year and Portland Public Schools are reporting 644 students and staff are out of school due to COVID protocols. These protocols apply to anyone who may have been exposed to COVID through close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. The good news? The school district reports that nearly 95% of its staff is vaccinated. (OPB)
4. Vaccine hesitancy is very real and with the mandates being enacted, many are looking for a way to avoid the jab. One way that is being tried is claiming a religious exemption. How does one separate the truly religious from those merely seeking a loophole? “First of all, the legal landscape is very complicated,” said Lewis & Clark Law School professor Jim Oleske. (KGW)
5. Despite shifts among BIPOC Oregonians in vaccine hesitancy, a new state-wide study suggests communities of color remain disproportionately affected by this pandemic. Though the study suggests five out of every six Oregonians reported being impacted by the pandemic, BIPOC residents were 10% more likely than white Oregonians to report the pandemic dramatically impacted their physical and emotional well-being. (KOIN)

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Today in Portland:

• If you're looking for a unique performance for your Friday night, check out the Portland Playhouse in NE Portland. It's featuring No-No Boy: Asian American History Comes Alive Through Song and Story by Julian Saporiti. This is a 60-90 minute multimedia event which combines original songs, storytelling and archival images to provide the audience with an immersive experience. 7:00 - 8:30 PM.
• I know it's a long time away, but who can wait months to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? You don't have to at T.C. O'Leary's in NE Portland, because it's having a Halfway to St. Patrick's Day event tonight. There'll be Irish dancers from Yeates Academy and Irish music by The Lads. The event is free, but reservations are encouraged. 5:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Legendary jazz keyboardist Brian Jackson will be performing live at Music Millennium and will be signing from his latest album from the Jazz Is Dead series: JID008. Come on down and listen to a jazz legend. 6:00 PM.
• Who doesn't want to have a few laughs? If that's what you're looking for, then get on down to Rainbow City in SE Portland for its comedy show, Hello Sucker. Join stand-up comedians Joyce Nance and Todd Basil at a really fun venue in the Buckman neighborhood. Proof of vaccination required (or negative COVID test). Masks currently required indoors. Tickets available online. 7:30 - 9:00 PM.
• Tonight, The Old Church Concert Hall will feature The Billie Holiday Project. Featuring some of the Bay Area’s finest jazz musicians, The Billie Holiday Project evokes the electric and intimate feeling of experiencing Lady Day live in a 1930s Jazz Club. Get your tickets online. Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Happy Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month, Rip City! Join us through October 15 as we support local restaurants, get involved in the community and so much more. Learn More: trailblazers.com/viva ¡Rip City, Feliz mes de herencia Hispana y ..." (Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "Black-billed Magpies, found east of the Cascades in Oregon, are known for having "funerals." When a magpie finds a dead magpie, it gives out a rattle call, alerting others in the area. As many as 40 have been known to gather and form a c..." (Instagram)
• As a beer lover, I've been hearing about micro-brews for years and years, but it wasn't until I got to Portland that I heard of nano-breweries. These range from homebrewers working out of their apartments and small operations at restaurants and pubs, to elaborate, professional-level operations in garages, and pretty much everything in between. Here's a list of some that you might wish to check out. (New School Beer)
• I always found the ubiquity of Tater Tots in Portland (HUB Brewery even has a Tater Tot Tuesday) a bit odd. That is until I discovered that Oregon is the birthplace of the crispy creations. Local paper the Willamette Week gives us a little history lesson about the fried potato nuggets in anticipation of the Tater Tot Festival. (Willamette Week)
• The friendly folks over at Portland Monthly think we might all be working too hard and would like us to slow down and relax for autumn. To help us out, they've created a list of songs they think will help. And, obviously, all the bands are from Portland. (Portland Monthly)
• Portland State football coach Bruce Barnum is proud of his team and wants you to see them in action at this Saturday's game. So much so, that he’s willing to buy your beer at the game. Maybe we should hear him out. (Oregonian)

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It's Friday and there's a lot going on. I'd say more, but there are only so many hours in the day. So go have fun, but meet me back here tomorrow and we'll see what the weekend has to offer. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors on board. 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? Email me at portland@patch.com.