🌱Safe Rest Villages Added + Psilocyban Board To Voice Conflicts

It's the weekend, peoples! Time to celebrate. Although, when one lives in Portland, I guess it's always time to celebrate. Here's what's going on today.

First, today's weather:

It's a cloudy day with a high of 45. Rain comes on tonight.

Here are the top five stories today in Portland:

1. Portland is focused on building Safe Rest Villages, transitional housing units designed to help move people from the streets into homes of their own. On Thursday, Portland City Council member, Commissioner Dan Ryan announced locations for four new villages. They will join the two that are already underway at the Sears Armory and the Menlo Park Park & Ride. (Portland Patch)
2. Oregon Democrats on Thursday unveiled a sweeping $400 million policy agenda to ease the state's housing and homelessness crises, less than two weeks before the short legislative session comes to a close. Lawmakers propose breaking out the $400 million by putting $165 million toward homelessness relief statewide, including "rapid rehousing" and added shelter space. Those funds would pay for a second round for what's called Project Turnkey 2.0 to repurpose hotels and other kinds of buildings into housing or shelter space. (KGW)
3. State health officials are lifting Oregon's indoor mask mandate for public places and schools on March 19, 12 days before the initial end date. According to the Oregon Health Authority, hospitalizations continue to drop statewide and are projected to reach pre-Omicron levels - 400 or fewer people per day - by March 20. Also on Thursday, Gov. Kate Brown announced that she will lift the state's COVID emergency declaration effective April 1, though most of Brown's executive orders were lifted in June 2021. (KPTV)
4. A rally in support of Ukraine was held at downtown Portland’s Salmon Springs Fountain after Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine. The “Support Ukraine, Stop Russian Aggression” rally is being held by the Ukrainian-American Cultural Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington. For people with friends and family in Ukraine, watching the invasion unfold is heartbreaking and terrifying. (KOIN)
5. The advisory board that is tasked with crafting the rules for Oregon’s nascent psilocybin industry voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a motion that requires all board members to verbally disclose their personal and financial conflicts of interest — potential, actual or anticipated — during its next monthly meeting. Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board member Rachel Knox, who chairs the equity subcommittee, introduced the proposal at the Feb. 23 monthly meeting. (Willamette Week)

Today in Portland:

• If you're longing for the 80s, you may want to visit the Ponderosa Lounge & Grill to see Notorious. This Duran Duran tribute swaggers onto the stage, emulating the smooth, sexy synth pop of the world-wide mega-hit making band with studio precision. They strut on a dime, it's discord and rhyme. Get your tickets online. The fun starts at 9:00 PM.
• Oregon’s booming distillery industry is on fire. Visit The Redd in SE Portland tonight to celebrate the best of what Oregon has to offer in whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, aquavit and much more! Oregon Distilled features 30+ distillers, 120+ different spirits, 5 impeccable chefs, fine food vendors, and cocktails all in the heart of Portland’s Distillery Row. Your ticket gets you a commemorative glass, entry to the event, small plates from the chefs and tastes from the distillers. 5:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Join the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes for its 13th Annual Dinner & Auction, Mission : Possible. Surround yourself with business leaders, philanthropists, and community leaders for an unforgettable evening to celebrate the life-changing programs and impact of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes. Tickets available online. 5:30 - 10:00 PM.
• Come to OMSI After Dark tonight for PROMSI for a fun night out! Dress up in your best prom dress from whatever era was your favorite, test your trivia knowledge, and explore the science of love and attraction at OMSI After Dark. There will be science demonstrations, exhibitions and a Best Pick Up Line Contest. Not to mention the dance party. Get your tickets online. 6:00 - 10:00 PM.
• The Portland chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon will mark the 80th Day of Remembrance by exploring "the present-day struggle for reparations for Black Americans and the critical role that solidarity between communities has in addressing systemic racism." Portland Taiko will perform, followed by a screening of Jon Osaki's film, Reparations, and a panel discussion including the director, State Senator Lew Frederick, and Nikkei Progressives member traci kato-kiriyama. This is all happening at McMenamins Kennedy School in NE Portland. Register online for this free event. 1:30 - 3:30 PM.

From my notebook:

• I bring you more drone footage from Waypoint Aerial Imagery. This time they're flying through Wedgehead Bar and Pinball Arcade. Music by Left on Tenth. (YouTube)
• In the 1950s, Oregon’s Mt. Hood was home to a unique and ridiculous-looking aerial tram. Despite the mountain’s growing popularity with skiers during this time, the tramway shut down almost as quickly as it was built. So what happened? (YouTube)
• Mardi Gras is Tuesday, and @everoutportland has a list of places to get food to celebrate, from king cake to beignets—laissez les bons temps rouler! (Instagram)
• At 2 p.m. Sunday, join the Portland Art Museum online for the virtual opening lecture for "Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection" with Alberto McKelligan Hernández, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Of Art History, Portland State University. (Instagram)
• The Portland Spring Home & Garden Show can help turn your inspiration into reality. Tammy Hernandez took a tour of the show and found out why it's the perfect place to browse for ideas, connect with a variety of vendors, shop inspiration for a new kitchen, closet or amazing outdoor living space. The Portland Spring Home & Garden Show runs through Sunday, February 27 at the Portland Expo Center. (KATU)

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Thanks for reading and have a great weekend everyone. Enjoy the day and come on back next week and we'll talk all about Portland.

— 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.