What started as Eric Fair-Layman trying to maintain his home has turned into him trying to maintain his community. When Fair-Layman bought a home in Woodlawn, he wanted to start doing odd jobs around the house. “I always felt like that was missing,” he said, “Some deep manly urge or something.” Not wanting to shell […]
Sarah Shay Mirk
Sarah Shay Mirk reported on transportation, sex and gender issues, and politics at the Mercury from 2008-2013. They have gone on to make many things, including countless comics and several books.
Posted inPortland
Port-a-Potty Decoration Squad Strikes Again
On St. Patrick’s Day this year, Water Bureau inspectors arrived for work at a Mt. Tabor reservoir construction project and discovered that overnight the site’s port-o-potty had been transformed into a sparkling leprechaun home! “The residents affected by this project have experienced inconveniences to their lives due to the noise and depth of this project,” […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News?
How Bad is the Economy? Joblessness is the highest in four years, as 51,000 jobs are cut just in July. Can Obama Point Out that he’s Black? McCain’s team gets angry at Obama for “playing the race card”. Did the FBI Drive a Scientist to Suicide? An anthrax researcher kills himself after the bureau announces […]
Posted inNeighborhoods
Clowns & Cars: Last Thursday Dispatch
With buses rerouted and volunteers on hand to hold “No Cars” posters, Last Thursday was set tonight to make a grassroots attempt at shutting down the street and making the event car free. So far, the night’s meeting with mixed results. “A lot of people have been saying, ‘I live here!’” laughed this guy, the […]
Posted inNeighborhoods
The Story of The Lot
While Last Thursday tonight on NE Alberta will see some hubbub in a bottom-up attempt to make the event car free, another intriguing negotiation among neighbors has been unfolding all year right in the center of Last Thursday’s territory. The vacant lot on the corner of 20th and Alberta, across from the popular Mexican restaurant […]
Posted inNews
Men at Work
Day Labor Site Organizers Defend Charges of Failure
Portland’s day labor site clarifies its role after some workers refuse to use the center.
Posted inNews
Send in the Clowns!
Last Thursday Aims to Go Car Free
Neighbors take action to get cars off NE Alberta for Last Thursday.
Posted inNeighborhoods
Will Clowns and Posters Make Last Thursday Carfree?
Remember the colorfully-painted junker cars that blocked NE Alberta during June’s Last Thursday, making the event carfree for the 67 minutes it took police to tow them? Well, tomorrow the plan is to keep things legal, while still trying to make the Last Thursday safe for wandering: volunteers from the Vernon Neighborhood Association are slated […]
Posted inBikes
Sexy Bike!
To find this week’s hot ride, I spent the morning staking out Stumptown Coffee on SE 34th and Belmont, where a line of beautiful bicycles always stretches down the block. Admittedly, Roberto’s bike wasn’t the sexiest of the bunch, but his outsider thoughts on Portland bike fashion (he’s fresh from Santa Cruz) and the jaw […]
Posted inArtsy
Dragon Out, Granite Lanterns In for Old Town
Right now in Old Town, some of the last pieces of a long public art saga are falling into place as artist Brian Goldbloom installs two steel and granite lanterns on the corner of NW 3rd and Flanders. The sculptures were meant to reflect the history of various ethnic groups that have lived in the […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News!
Rock Star: Obama gives his big speech in Berlin, complete with DJs, thousands of adoring fans and vagueness on political issues. Iraq Scars: The U.S. will allow 5,000 Iraqis refugee visas to America, up from a measly 50 in 2006. Bookish Banditas: Cuban women (and librarians) are the most vocal critics of their government – […]
Posted inNews
WELCOME TO THE BEST OF 1988 ISSUE
A Step Back into Portland’s Past—20 Years, to be Exact
It’s the 20th anniversary of 1988—and to celebrate, the Mercury is taking you on a trip back in time to that fateful year when… well, okay, not a lot of stuff happened. However! For those of you (and us) who have only recently arrived in Portland, a glimpse 20 years into the past reveals that […]