York Sculptor Revealed + Rental Assistance Delay + Charter Review

It's Thursday, ladies and gentlemen, and you couldn't find a finer Thursday if you sifted through a month of Thursdays, and then you'd have the Time Police after you. And no one wants that, so let's just talk about today.

First, today's weather: Whew, who turned up the heat? Mr. Sun will be with us all day for a warm, but not uncomfortable, high of 85. I guess it is still summer after all.

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. Portland is no stranger to the violent clashes that have occurred when right-wing extremists turn the city into a battle ground. Now, members of Oregon's congressional delegation are fed up. In a letter sent to US Attorney General Merrick Garland on August 30, four Oregon members of Congress urged the country's top prosecutor to investigate criminal activity coordinated by members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing groups in Oregon. (Portland Mercury)
2. The mystery has been solved! The sculptor behind the bust of York, the only Black man to travel on the Lewis and Clark expedition, has been revealed. Richmond neighborhood resident Todd McGrain is the sculptor who not only created the bust, but installed it in its Mt. Tabor location in a meticulously planned, dead-of-night operation. The original bust was destroyed by vandals, but he plans on creating an actual bronze bust to replace it, free of charge. (Willamette Week)
3. Multnomah County claims that rental assistance is on the way, but it might not get to renters quick enough. Officials say some applications for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) will not be reviewed until March 2022 — long after county, state and federal eviction protections are set to expire. Additionally, county officials say it is currently unknown how quickly they can distribute federal funds for approved applications. (Street Roots News)
4. In case you've missed it, the city's charter is up for review and Portland's charter commission wants your input as to what sort of city you want to live in. People can provide comments on preferred city government, how bureaus should be managed and how city councilors should be elected – among other topics. Comments must be submitted online by 8 a.m. two business days before the public meeting. (KOIN)
5. Few subjects are as divisive in Portland as the Portland Police Bureau. With crime on the rise, the police say they are too short staffed to manage a city of this size. Some city council members, such as Jo Ann Hardesty, however, feel that the police bureau should be scaled down. “The police role today is very oversized. They should really be problem-solvers and crime-solvers. Period. The perception that police prevent crime is not real. They don’t prevent crime. Police show up after crime has been committed, and their job is to figure out who did it and then fix it,” Hardesty said. (KATU)

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Today in Portland

• It's First Thursday again, the delightful little art walk that has been a Portland tradition for 35 years! If you're longing for some company, why not join The Very Popular First Thursday Art Walk? This group meets downtown at The Armory and then wanders around looking at art. There's a printable map of the galleries they'll be visiting. They meet at 5:45 PM and start the walk at 6:00 PM.
• What's that I hear? There's a beer tasting? In Portland? Will wonders never cease? Yep, as unbelievable as it might sound, Uptown Beer Co. in SW Portland is hosting a tasting of tasty brews from Binary Brewing. They'll be featuring one of their new beers, Wit's End, an orange and coriander witbier. What a lovely way to spend a Thursday evening. 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
• If you prefer a little music with your libation, check out Eric John Kaiser at the Bethany Public House in NW Portland. It has food, beer and even a full bar — everything a gastropub should be. The groovy tunes start at 6:00 PM.
• Left-leaning podcast The Bitchuation Room will have a special live edition tonight at Alberta Abbey in NE Portland. One part comedy, one part news, and one part scheming for the revolution, The Bitchuation Room is a thoughtful look at leftist politics with a heavy dose of humor. Proof of vaccination required. Get your tickets online. 7:00 PM.
• In the mood for some hip hop? Get yourself to Kelly's Olympian in downtown Portland for a First Thursday hip-hop showcase. Headliner, The Thesis, will be joined by Veana Baby, Mal London, C3 and Ms. Elle. Tickets can be bought online. Show is at 9:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Travel Portland: "@GreatNotion is keeping Portland (and beer) fun, developing some of the most unique beers in PDX. Check out their smoothie beers, sour beers packed with fruits to create a thick body brew with killer flavor. What other Portland breweries..." (Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "When White-tailed Kites aren’t in their breeding season, it’s social time! They’ve been seen hanging out in communal roosts numbering as high as 50 - 100. Becky Matsubara [Image Descriptions: A White-tailed Kite perched on an juni..." (Instagram)
• The FBI started its hate crimes awareness campaign yesterday and would like to hear from Oregonians who have been victims. You'll see billboards popping up around town about the campaign and KOIN 6 news hosted a press conference. Special Agent in Charge of the Portland Field Office Kieran Ramsey discussed 2020 state and national hate crime statistics and the FBI’s Oregon Hate Crimes Campaign. (KOIN)
• The 2021-2022 school year is about to begin and parents, teachers and students have concerns and questions about how to stay safe in light of the current COVID surge. Dr. Malaika Little, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and director of the in-patient hospitalist team at Randall Children’s Hospital, addressed some of those issues in an interview with OPB on Tuesday. (OPB)
• If you're a cyclist and want to help clean up the I-205 bike path, there will be a clean up event this Saturday, Sept. 4th, organized by PDX Remove By Bike. Bring litter grabbers, if you have them, 5-gal buckets and maybe ear plugs (you'll be right near a freeway). The meet is at The Home Depot parking lot on Glenn Widing Rd. Register online. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
• As I mentioned above, the Portland city charter is currently under review. The story I link to is pretty concise, but if you're in the mood for a deep dive into exactly what the city charter is and what it means for Portland, check out this piece from the Sightline Institute. (Sightline Institute)
• If you're a huge nerd like I am, you know it's time for the Rose City Comic Con to draw comic fans and cosplayers alike. What's that you say? During the current COVID surge? If you're thinking of going, please familiarize yourself with the COVID-19 precautions. They are appropriately strict and subject to change. Let's keep it safe to be a fan boy. (Rose City Comic Con)

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First Thursdays are busy here in Portland, so I hope I didn't overload you with information. But you know me, I just can't stop talking about my favorite city. And you just know I'll be doing again tomorrow, gushing about this beautiful place we call home. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. 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 contact me at portland@patch.com.