Ever sick of just renting books at the library? Well now you can check out books that aren’t books! The possibilities are endless. Multnomah County Library has paired up with Amazon.com to offer Kindle for Libraries, a system that lets library patrons electronically check out an e-book to read on their Kindle. Just like a […]
Alex Zielinski
Alex Zielinski is a former News Editor for the Portland Mercury. She's here to tell stories about economic inequities, cops, civil rights, and weird city politics that you should probably be paying attention to.
Posted inGreen
Solar Jobs Heat Up
Sure it’s slow moving, but solar jobs are on the rise. Despite Solyndra’s recent crumble, a new report shows that solar jobs have increased by 6.8 percent since last August. According to the 2011 National Solar Jobs Census, there are now 100,237 solar jobs across the nation with 6,735 created in the last year. Solar […]
Posted inPortland
100 Years of Splendor
Click image to zoom Just when your unwavering faith in Portland’s greatness was waning, history proves otherwise. According to a 1911 Oregonian article, Portland has always been mind-blowingly brilliant. Portland, the “meat-packing center of the Pacific Coast”, seemed to have been the best and greatest in all categories, ranging from top-notch lighting to incredible postal […]
Posted inEvents
Round Up, Round Two
Winners of the adorable R-Up couple contest So I survived my second Saturday of the Pendleton Round-Up of all time — or at least thus far. Things could change pretty fast, as A) there is a one-eyed dog in the house I’m in, and B) Someone just mentioned Crabby’s. Here’s a wrap-up of what I’ve […]
Posted inPolitics
Medical Marijuana Permit Fee May Double
Come October 1, medical marijuana users could face a steep jump in permit fees. The $100 increase (making the price now $200) may be a key way for Oregon’s cash-strapped health care budget to gain a needed $7 million to fund other health programs. The bill awaits budget approval before going into effect the start […]
Posted inEthics
The Continuing Story of Dr. Darm or “When is a Plastic Surgeon NOT a Plastic Surgeon?”
Since the story on Lake Oswego Dr. Darm’s Twitter libel case hit the Mercury almost a month ago, we’ve received a surprising slew of responses from doctors and lawyers alike on one certain aspect: labeling Darm as a “plastic surgeon.” Darm’s attorney, Thomas McDermott, explained his stance in an email to the Mercury : “Dr. […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News!
Bravery, Beer, and Barack: President Obama awards 23-year-old Marine Dakota Meyer with a Medal of Honor after fulfilling Meyer’s one request: to have a beer with the Prez. In Heavy News: Cut off from international aid, Somalians face severe famine and disease. Tens of thousands are already dead — when will the rest of the […]
Posted inNews
Blanchet House Finally Set for Construction
For 12 years, the Blanchet House of Hospitality has been pushing to remodel and expand their current Old Town Chinatown shelter. They’ve hit walls in expansion (remember the much debated Dirty Duck demolishing?), building permits, and funding over the years. Now, the project has secured constructing funding to finally push through with their much-awaited plan. […]
Posted inGreen
Feds Support Oregon’s Electric Cars. Do we?
Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy dropped $485,000 on Oregon electric vehicle (EV) projects and proliferation. Labeled “Energize Oregon”, the recently funded plan has three main objectives: integrating the plethora of in-state EV efforts, develop an EV plan to explain these projects and help boost U.S.’ goal to put 1 million EVs on the […]
Posted inNews
On Pins and Needles
Can Outside In’s Needle Exchange Keep Its Crucial Cash Flow?
Outside In’s long-running needle exchange program struggles to retain its funding.
Posted inNews
Pushing the Envelope
Oregonians Struggle to Keep the Postal Service Afloat
With the postal service on the national chopping block, Oregonians brace for a future without snail mail.
Posted inTransportation
NW Gas Consumption Unchanged Since 1999
According to a recent Sightline study, Northwesterners’ gas consumption has remained relatively constant since 1999, despite population growth. It seems that Oregon and Washington drivers were unfazed by the rocky economy over the 12-year time frame, at least when it came to filling up a tank. It’s also interesting to compare this steady information with […]