Vandals Thwarted + Magic Mushroom Therapy + Earthquake Report

New week, who dis? It's me, fellow Portlandites, and I'm here to talk about all the things that make this city what it is. Not that I've got that exactly figured out, but let's forget that for a second.

First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day, but that won't stop Mr. Sun from giving us a high of 90 today.

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. If the goal of white nationalists was to strengthen Portland's resolve to fight racism and inequality, then good job! Over the weekend, a mural featuring the faces of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery along Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was vandalized and Patriot Front stenciled across it. Inside of 24 hours, the community came together and restored it. (Willamette Week)
2. Demonstrating how charitable some Portland neighborhoods can be, Neighbor to Neighbor, a program run out of the New Hope Church in the Lents neighborhood, have teams of volunteers that can help others with cleaning, yard work and donations. It was started in 2012 with the goal of supporting widows, widowers and people with disabilities with whatever services or repairs they may need around the home. (KGW)
3. Last November, Oregon voters approved a measure that would legalize the use of psilocybin, or "magic" mushrooms, for therapeutic use. At the start of this year, the Oregon Health Authority began its years-long process to develop the licensing rules and regulations for psilocybin products and services as a form of therapy for mental health conditions. This week, the Psilocybin Board for the Oregon Health Authority is releasing its research on “magic” mushrooms’ effectiveness on behavioral health conditions like depression. (KOIN)
4. The Portland region has been fearing a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake for a while now and the city has been trying to prepare for such an event. On Monday, a report commissioned by the City of Portland and Multnomah County was released, which gives an analysis of how such an event would effect the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub—a group of fuel storage and transfer tanks located along the Willamette River in Northwest Portland. (The Portland Mercury)
5. Yesterday, the city's Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program (HUCIRP) posted eviction notices around the homeless encampment at Southeast Portland's Laurelhurst Park. Complaints about the camp have grown, including everything from trash accumulation to the brandishing of firearms. The Portland City Council intends to evict the campers by the end of the week. (The Portland Mercury)

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Today in Portland

• Native American tribes have a deep and extensive history in Oregon. This afternoon, there will be a virtual presentation, through Zoom, on Kalapuyan Tribal History, through the Hollywood Senior Center. Presenter Dr. David G. Lewis will discuss their 14,000 year history across the Willamette and Umpqua Valleys. Register online. 1:00 PM.
• They'll be live bluegrass music at the Southeast location of Hopworks Urban Brewery tonight. See the Portland Radio Ponies as they play at the bar and you sample the fine brews from one of Portland's best local breweries. 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
• The Hollywood Theater is giving you a time machine back to the 70s by showing Smokey & The Bandit on 35mm print. Watch the classic duo of Burt Reynolds and Sally Field as they race across Texas to Georgia with a vengeful Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) on their tail. That's a big 10-4, good buddy. Show at 7:30 PM.
• I guess it's a great night for free music, because the sweet singing folk-rock duo Dead Lee will be at the Laurelthirst Public House in NE Portland tonight. In case you've never heard of them, one part of that duo is Brian Koch of local favorite Blitzen Trapper. 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
• While downtown Portland is showing signs of recovery from the events of the last year and a half, many still have grave concerns about the future of downtown. If you are one of those people, the City of Portland's Downtown Clean & Safe would like to hear from you. It's hosting a virtual listening session tonight to hear what services the community would like to see. Register online. 6:30 - 7:30 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Every now and again, local paper the Willamette Week suggests places to eat around town. This week includes birria (Yum!), vegan cheesesteaks and crunchy Vietnamese salads. (Willamette Week)
• As you will frequently hear me talk about, wildfire season is here. The Oregon Department of Emergency Services would like you to be prepared by reminding residents of the three levels of evacuation notices and what they should have in their "Go Bag" in the event of an immediate threat. (KXL)
• The salmon is an iconic species for Oregon, such that it has graced some of our license plates over the years. Now, the state has given Oregon's salmon-themed license plate the first spiffy new make over in over 20 years. Check it out here. (OPB)
• If you know me (and now that I think about it, probably very few of you do), you know I'm all about keeping Portland weird. I've just found an organization dedicated to that exact same thing. Weird Portland United is a non-profit with the goal of fostering Portland's unique innovative culture, amplifying its creative expression, and incubating an even weirder future. (Weird Portland United)

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That's a wrap. Tuesday is yours on a platter, but don't get too full, 'cause there's another feast tomorrow and we're both invited. See you then. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some 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 reach me at portland@patch.com.