The race between three developers vying for the Burnside Bridgehead project is in its final stretch–and it seems like the underdog and public’s favorite, Beam Development, may actually have a chance to win. But the race is far from over, and hoping to garner public approval, the other two competitors have begun to mimic Beam’s […]
Phil Busse
Posted inNews
The Bush Patrol
Portland Police Promoted to Prez Protection
Last Wednesday, in one of its first legislative actions, city council sent President George W. Bush a little present: 20 Portland police officers to help patrol his inauguration festivities. They fly out this Tuesday to DC and will be deputized as US Marshals for the $40 million event. It was Tom Potter’s first vote on […]
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On My Soapbox
Inaugurate This!
Like it or not, next Thursday, it becomes official: Bush will be inaugurated for another four-year stint of terror, arrogance and Bible-thumping bigotry. Whatcha’ gonna do? Hopefully a lot! The battle may be over, but that’s no reason to surrender. While Bush may have his way of starting the next four years–with music by Kid […]
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The Woman Behind the Man
A Talk with Potter’s Chief of Staff, Nancy Hamilton
On the campaign trail, Tom Potter consistently promised he would spend considerable time outside City Hall and in the community–a welcome relief from the cloistered Katz. But to a large extent, this leaves Potter’s chief-of-staff as his anchor back at City Hall. The Mercury caught up with Nancy Hamilton just a few hours after she […]
Posted inMovies & TV
No Vacation
The Gruesome Lessons of Hotel Rwanda
Hotel Rwanda dir. George Opens Fri Jan 7 Fox Tower Even if the acting is stiff and the plot a bit too tidy, you’re obligated to see Hotel Rwanda. In 1994 over the course of 100 days, nearly one million Rwandans were slaughtered with machetes and clubs. It’s a killing rate that humbles the Nazis; […]
Posted inBooks
An Interview with Nick Hornby
In High Fidelity, London-based writer Nick Hornby drilled deep into the male psyche, tapping into a shadowy place where emotions are replaced by top five lists, and where songs and ex-girlfriends compete for a spot at the top. The book permanently grounded Hornby on the American literary map, giving him the flexibility to write about… […]
Posted inMovies & TV
I’m Staying Home
Cinematic Confections
No, we’re not talking about the eye candy of Lindsay Lohan or Jude Law. This is the real thing: Sweet, sweet candy, melting in the mouths of our favorite movie stars in long, loving shots provided by filmmakers lining their pockets with product placement dough. Nothing says “great cinema” like kid-targeted commercialism running amok in […]
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Bah, Bum Hug
Council Brings Back Sit/Lie Just in Time for X-Mas
“I’m sorry, but you should be ashamed of yourselves,” Andy Seaton told city council just moments before they ratified an Obstruction as Nuisance ordinance–or, as it is better known, the Sit/Lie Ordinance. Seaton then looked squarely at city council member Erik Sten, who has a reputation for listening to concerns from the city’s homeless. “You […]
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Mission: Unaccomplished
Katz’s Final Speech Full of Sound, Fury–and Little Else
In the introduction to Mayor Vera Katz’s final State of the City address, the emcee ticked off a few of the city’s accomplishments under her watch: Voted “most livable city” by Money magazine. Voted best bicycling city by Bicycle magazine. But a few of her more dubious accomplishments weren’t mentioned: During Katz’s tenure, Portland’s unemployment […]
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Burning Bridges
Residents Tell PDC to Say “No” to Home Depot
The comments had a constant theme: “No big box store.” “National accounts such as Home Depot destroy local economies.” “Keep money local.” On Monday, nearly 200 residents packed into a conference room to express their opinions about a pending development on the eastern edge of the Burnside Bridge. Sponsored by Portland Development Commission, the meeting […]
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Harvesting Litigation
Local Lawyers Look to Cash in on Measure 37
The letter arrived, unsolicited, and read like campaign literature. “While Measure 37 may provide some property owners with compensation or enable owners to avoid restrictive regulations, you should be aware that these potential benefits can be lost if the property is transferred.” The letter from a local law firm–one better known for its progressive ideals […]
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Pepper Sprayed Baby Sale
Activist’s Settlement in Brutality Lawsuit Doesn’t Settle the Matter
Evelyne Moyo is a local French teacher. Two years ago, she went downtown to express her displeasure with President George W. Bush, who was passing through on a fundraising trip. That afternoon has become lore in local history: Pointblank, the cops pepper sprayed an infant. They clubbed and knocked down peaceful protesters. During the melee, […]