The staff at KBOO, Portland’s left-leaning community radio station, has voted overwhelmingly to unionize in response to scuffles with management. Earlier today, eight of the station’s nine paid employees voted to unionize under the auspices of the Communications Workers of America, Local 7901, said Madelyn Elder, the union’s president. One ballot was not filled out, […]
Portland
Posted inFood and Drink
Union Way
I was a little bummed when Red Cap—the queer bar across the street from the Ace/Clyde Common—went out of business, and I didn’t blink an eye when Aura slipped permanently into my well of unconsciousness. Now that both are gone, it’s been officially revealed (-ish) what will be taking its place: Union Way is set […]
Posted inPortland
Fluoride 2013: Let’s Just Start Drinking a Poison We All Agree On (Hint: It’s Alcohol)
Portland’s fluoride fight, presumably settled tomorrow, is drawing bemused headshaking from all around the country—even up north in Seattle, where I spent a few minutes this morning talking about fluoride on KIRO-AM (710). But let’s be honest here. The polling is looking terrible for fluoride. And despite our own personal best attempts to fire people […]
Posted inPortland
This Week’s Letters Section
Ahem, as predicted, this week’s letters section is quite the journey. In fact, we doubled the size of it in an attempt to give space to the many, many responses to our endorsement of fluoridation. Whichever side of the debate you’re on, it’s a colorful read. My two favorites… Anti-fluoridation: TO THE MERCURY VIA VOICEMAIL—I’m […]
Posted inPortland
Portland’s Scientology Party a Rousing Success, According to PhotoShop
via Head over to Gizmodo for the heads up on how Scientology’s PR department made Saturday’s big, secretive event look like a massive success—with the help of computer magic! Poorly used computer magic! Meanwhile, Mercury pal Tim Nelson checked out the scene on Saturday. His tweets are worth a read. I hope he eventually got […]
Posted inPortland
SCIENTOLOGY ALERT! Portland’s Scientologists are Doing… Something?
Dirk VanderHart Alas, what exactly that something is? We aren’t sure! The stretch of SW Third in front of the organization’s newly expanded and rennovated offices—which happen to be right by the Mercury‘s offices—is largely blocked off. Several Klieg lights, turned on and bright even in the middle of the afternoon, are set up on […]
Posted inFashion
Meet Michelle
As you may have heard, Portland continued its uncanny televised streak a couple weeks ago by having yet another apparel design representative win Project Runway, which—while there’s no getting around the fact that it’s reality TV, and all that comes with that—does necessitate an actual skill. Prior hometown winners have taken the money and run […]
Posted inPortland
The MOD Real Estate Column Returns with House #1
A couple weeks ago we introduced new writer Ronald Quiroga and his real estate-centric column over on MOD, and today he’s back with his first specimen. If you were to split up the personalities of prospective homeowners, some would be the type who love big old houses with personality and weird details that need a […]
Posted inPortland
Seen Today in PDX
Did someone lose their dope? It’s in this tin seen on SW Ash & 3rd. (AND NO, I DIDN’T SMOKE IT.)
Posted inFood and Drink
Sword + Fern Is Back: New Curtains, News, and Projects
So maybe my excitement led me to get a little out of hand with the subject tags of this post, but that’s only because Sword + Fern—the gem of a shop helmed by Emily Baker, who makes jewelry but also stocks local apothecary, art, clothing, vintage nicknacks, books, and more—just keeps becoming a better and […]
Posted inPortland
Hi. Please Register to Vote. Okay? Okay.
Do you lay awake at night because someone might “force” something “poisonous” on your water? Or that “wingnuts” will shout loudest and drown out “sane science”? Do you give a shit about Metro’s ability to manage open spaces? Or how about our city’s continuing commitment to helping disadvantaged children thrive? Of course you do! So […]
Posted inEvents
Portland Made Launch Party Tonight!
The goal of Portland Made is just broad enough that it takes a minute to wrap your head around. It’s an online hub that ultimately aims to include every single product that is manufactured in Portland (not just tea towels and stationary but mattresses, bikes, and eventually food products), where visitors to the site can […]