🌱 Universal Preschool Starts Soon + Oktoberfest Cancelled

Hey, everyone, it's Thursday up in this house. Not quite a Friday, but close enough if you want it to be. Do we want it to be? This is Portland, so, yeah, we want it to be. Maybe that's just me. Maybe I should just shut up and tell you about today.

First, today's weather:

It's another hot day, with tons of sun. The high will be around 93. That's summer for you.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. The OLCC has set a minimum price limit for selling alcohol in the state, but one company may have found a way around that. Sazerac, the Kentucky-based distiller of Fleischmann’s Gin, among many other brands, has figured out a simple work around to offer its products more cheaply than the OLCC says it can — by issuing rebate coupons. Mike Marshall, executive director of Oregon Recovers, said such rebates counteract public health efforts to reduce substance abuse. (Willamette Week)
2. Multnomah County’s free universal preschool program starts next month. The universal preschool idea started out on the ballot in 2020. It passed and after a lot of work, the first set of kids to participate are about to start in September. At a time when it's been difficult to find childcare, this program should come as a relief to many families. From the 1,100 applicants, more than 600 families got a much-needed spot, Barnes said. (KGW)
3. Is the Lloyd District getting a makeover? I may have prematurely written about its impending demise a few months ago. Now, the new space could potentially be an apartment complex, with retail shops on the ground floor, and a Home Depot built behind it. There are plans for more than 700 parking spots for shoppers. JB Bishop worked for the Lloyd Center for three decades, from 1966 to 1996. While he remembers the glory days of the Lloyd District, as an expert in land development, he welcomes the proposed change. (KOIN)
4. Multnomah County is considering banning the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, but the proposal is already getting push back from people in the tobacco industry. Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury acknowledged the difficulty in reducing the use of nicotine products, but with cancer and heart disease as the leading causes of death in Multnomah County, Kafoury said she is ready to say enough is enough. Washington County banned the sale of flavored vape products last year. However, a judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect just last month. (KPTV)
5. If you're a fan of Oktoberfest, I've got some bad news for you. After two years of cancellations, the annual celebration of German culture at Portland’s own amusement park is on hold for another year. Coordinators are saying that staffing and supply issues are to blame. Oaks Park’s Oktoberfest became a Portland tradition in the ‘90s but, like most things, was shut down by the pandemic in 2020. That year, the festival went drive-thru, where visitors could pick up sausages and beer for a more at-home Oktoberfest experience. (The Oregonian)

Today in Portland:

• It's the last Thursday of the month and that means an art celebration on NE Alberta! Several blocks of the street will be closed off for the festivities. Alberta Co-op will be participating this month with a fun-filled locally sourced parking lot event! See what all the fuss is about. 6 - 9 p.m.
• Artist Yuyand Zhang will be speaking at Blue Sky Gallery in downtown Portland. Chinese born, Portland-based artist, Yuyang Zhang, shows a new collection of collages and a series of photographic diptychs which oscillate between found "formal constructions" and social commentary in a media- driven world in his exhibition entitled, stupid little life. 6 - 7 p.m.
• Dylan Santiago will be playing at Steeplejack Brewing. He is a traveling, baritone-ukulele playing, singer/songwriter who grew up in the small city of Keizer, Oregon. He is known for his unique playing style, powerful vocals, and expressive lyrics. His sound can be described as a cross between Jason Mraz/Jack Johnson/John Mayor. 7 - 9 p.m.
• Do you like a little art with your latte? Then come to the Latte Art Throwdown at The 4th Wall in SE Portland. They're teaming up with their pals at Sisters Coffee to host another epic Latte Art Throwdown! This event is FREE to attend, $5 to compete. It's gonna get FOAMY! The action starts at 7 p.m.
• The St. Johns Comedy Fest Kickoff Show is happening at the Curious Comedy Theater. The is also a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood hosted by Susan Rice. Featuring Portland favorites Becky Braunstein and Art Krug! Starring nationally touring Nancy Norton! Norton is the first woman ever to win the prestigious Boston Comedy Festival! Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Travel Portland: "Just your typically incredible Portland summer sunrise. #ThisIsPortland 📷: @misterdalto / @_pevra / @revrides_official #PDX #PDXNOW #TravelPortland #TravelOregon #PortlandOregon #HereForPortland" (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "Would you just look at that face?! You can’t help but appreciate how adorable these tiny birds with the big attitude are. The bright yellow crest may be the first thing you notice about Golden-crowned Kinglets." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• I hope the summer hasn't burned you out on festivals, because there's a great one happening Sunday. The 43rd Annual Middle Eastern Festival will be taking place at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. There will be food, dance, cooking lessons and activities for the kids. Sounds like a fun day to me. (Facebook)
• The multi-venue music festival, PDX Pop Now, is literally happening right now. It started on Monday, but it's going on until Sunday. It's your chance to see a ton of local bands and musicians. If you're a fan of the Portland music scene, you have to check this out. (PDX Pop Now)
• If you're looking for a new bar or nighttime hotspot to explore, Portland Monthly has compiled a list of Portland's Top 50 bars. While it's a worthwhile guide, it offers no criteria by which these bars were chosen. Did the prices factor in? The attractiveness of the bartenders? I kind of want to know these things. (Portland Monthly)
• It's been a while since Portland has seen any rain. Should we be worried? It should ease your mind to know that, as far as dry spells go, we're not even in the top five. We're currently at 47 days without rain. In the number five spot, in 1952, Portland went 55 days without rain. At number one? A 71-day dry spell in 1967. Could this summer make the list? Maybe, but I'm not going to start worrying yet. (KOIN)

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Hey, have a great Thursday, my friends. Whether you're looking at art or checking out some of the great bars of Portland or going to a comedy show, I hope your night is a fun one. I'll be finding my own fun, but I'll still be back tomorrow to talk more 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Portland Daily? Contact me at portland@patch.com