Record Breaking Rain + Weekend Violence + Firefighter Body Armor

It's Wednesday, people, and that means we're just that much closer to the weekend. Some call it hump day, as if it's some sort of arduous challenge to survive, but it's just another day here in Portland, so how can it be anything other than fun? Let's talk.

First, today's weather:

Threatening clouds throughout the day, but we should get a break from the rain. And a high of only 64! Bring on the Pumpkin Spice!

Here are the top stories in Portland today:

1. I want to know, have you ever seen the rain? Because Portland sure as heck did. On Monday, the city saw a record breaking 1.80 inches, triggering a flood advisory for the metro area. The previous record was 1.55 inches, set in 1955. (Oregonian)
2. The violence in Portland continues as the past weekend saw 16 shootings, injuring 10 people and leaving another dead. It started on Friday when a gunman opened fire at Silver Dollar Pizza in the NW, killing 34-year-old Jacob Knight-Vasquez. Then in the early morning hours of Sunday, another shooting occurred at a bar in the Lloyd District. Finally, on Sunday evening, three people were shot, one of them a minor, at the corner of NE Fremont and MLK Jr. Blvd. So far this year, police have been called to more than 920 shootings. In 2019, there were 388. (KGW)
3. The Northwest Power Plan, which is currently being redrafted, guides the electricity demand decisions of the Bonneville Power Administration over the next 20 years. Energy experts say the draft of the 2021 Northwest Power Plan is dramatically different from previous versions. One of the changes is an increased focus on renewable energy projects. Another is a decreased emphasis on energy efficiency. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council, charged with updating the plan once every five years, is conducting public hearings online for people in Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. People don’t have to live in the state to testify at its hearing, but state resident comments will be prioritized during the meetings. (OPB)
4. The COVID-19 pandemic has made for a difficult 2021 - 2022 school year, with one of the latest blows being a bus driver shortage, causing transportation woes for many area residents. Portland Public Schools is trying to help out by offering the families of impacted students a stipend of $300. Many wonder if this will be enough to actually help those affected. (KPTV)
5. Portland area firefighters are getting a new piece of equipment. In an effort to keep firefighters safe, Portland Fire and Rescue has started fitting firefighters with ballistic vests. Public Information Officer Terry Foster tells KXL the move is a recommendation from its safety committee. “It’s nothing new,” Foster said, “You’ve probably seen medics with AMR, they have them as well. It’s something we’ve talked about in the past, but it’s something we’re moving on now.” (KXL)

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Today in Portland:

• Blue Sky Books in NW Portland invites you to its Blue Sky Book Club launch with author, photographer and activist Richard Brown. Each month it’ll introduce a book or an article that inspires thought and conversation around art, creative practice, socio-political issues, and other current events. Tonight is a “meet and greet” with the activist and photographer, Richard Brown, as he shares some words about his recently published memoir, This Is Not For You, (OSU Press). This event is free, but online registration is required. 5:30 - 6:30 PM.
• Tonight the Church of Film and the Clinton Street Theater present the documentary Views From Afghanistan. In 1973, a coup d'etat in the largely feudal kingdom of Afghanistan ousts the monarchy, introducing a Republic. From there, until the 2001 US invasion, volumes of unspoken history unfolded, only barely glimpsed by foreign cameras. This screening is a fundraiser for Refugee Care Collective. Showtime is 8:00 PM.
• Musicians Ron Gallo and Becca Mancari will be performing at Mississippi Studios in North Portland. The opening band is Chickpee. Mancari's music is a deceptively upbeat indie pop, while Gallo's is a sound that defies description. Proof of full COVID vaccination is required. Tickets available online. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
• Tualatin Valley Creates will be hosting an in-person networking event for emerging artists at The Village Gallery of Arts in NW Portland. TVC’s networking events are designed to be casual platforms for individuals to connect. At this event you will experience local artists’ work in a gallery setting, discover classes for all levels of artists and find out how this cohort of artists gives back to the community. The gallery welcomes artists of all levels and a wide variety of media. Online registration and face masks are required.5:00 - 6:00 PM.
• The Kevin Deitz Trio brings its brand of classic jazz to Corkscrew Wine Bar in SE Portland. There are both indoor and patio seating available and the bar offers a rotating list of wine, beer, cider and NA options as well as small bites. 8:00 - 10:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland Audubon: "Great Gray Owls hunt by ear and can pick-up the slightest noise even a couple feet below the surface and 100 feet away. Their prey don’t stand a chance! Their amazing hearing ability stems from their asymmetrical ear openings - the left ..." (Instagram)
• Not sure how I missed it, but yesterday was National Voter Registration Day. Well, better late than never, when it comes to reminding all of you out there to register to vote, if you haven't already. Why? Because we have some elections coming and you might want to get involved. In fact, there's a Special Election as soon as Nov. 2nd, 2021. Our next Gubernatorial Primary Election is happening on May 17th, 2022. So make sure you get out there and vote! (Multnomah County)
• Here's one for the record books! The Guinness Book of World Records has proclaimed an Oregon woman's black and tan coonhound to have the longest ears of any dog alive. Measuring an impressive 12.38 inches, the 3-year-old canine has earned her place in history. (KXL)
• Circles in the Sand beach art returns to Florence on October 16 on the beach at Driftwood Shores. A giant labyrinth will be carved in the sand. A public walkthrough begins at 5:00 p.m. Low tide will be at 5:15 and sunset will be at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and will be held rain or shine. Just to give you an example, here's a video of a past event. (Florence Area Chamber of Commerce)
• Portland Parks and Recreation wants to give you a free tree. Planting trees in yards keeps us and our homes cool during the hottest months and helps collect stormwater during the winter. They also clean the air, buffer noise, reduce crime and improve our mental and physical health. On top of all of this, they provide year-round beauty. They're giving away 16 different species of trees, everything from the classic Douglas fir to Ginkgo to Giant Sequoias. See if you're eligible and register online. (Portland Parks & Recreation)

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Like I said, this Wednesday isn't an uphill battle. More like a pleasant stroll along a country road. Just another day in Portland. What might tomorrow bring? Meet me back here and I'll be sure to tell you all about it. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some 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? Reach out anytime to portland@patch.com.