GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)


• Exit Interview With Outgoing JOHS Director Shannon Singleton

Outgoing JOHS Director Singleton addresses the inner workings of the region's largest homelessness agency, the public's misgivings about its output, and hopes for the future.

Shannon Singleton

• THE TRASH REPORT

Your doctor called and said you aren't getting enough garbage. Rectify the situation with this edition of THE TRASH REPORT from Elinor Jones! This week: Mariah wants to own Xmas, and our new fave Brad Pitt conspiracy theory! 🤫

MICHAEL LOCCISANO / GETTY IMAGES

• Forest Grove High School's Electrifying Mariachi Tradición

Forget the world's tallest barber shop pole, Forest Grove is now known for the High School’s Mariachi Tradición!

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland

• Dozens of Community Groups Call on Portland to Rescind Zenith Permit

Twenty community and environmental groups are calling on Portland leaders to rescind the land use permit granted to oil transporter Zenith Energy in October, claiming that the city should have collected public input before the decision.

Isabella Garcia

• HEAR IN PORTLAND

In this week's music column from Jenni Moore, we're loving new releases from Volcanic Pinnacles, Milc, and Rules.—PLUS hot news about upcoming shows from TEKE::TEKE, Jinx Monsoon, and BenDeLaCreme.

SAM WOYWITKA

• Afuri Restaurant Employees Announce Independent Union Drive

Following the lead of other local union drives, Afuri workers chose to form an independent union—allowing other local restaurant workers to join.

RESTAURANT WORKERS OF PORTLAND

• Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Dances With Darkness

Review: Brilliant Portland-made animation, masterful narrative reworking, and it could have gone harder on the fascism.

Courtesy Netflix

• John Waters Will Celebrate His 77th Birthday in Portland

Clinton Street Theater has planned a week of John Waters' cult films in honor of his 77th birthday.

GREG GORMAN

• Get Ready for the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK—An Entire Week of Festive $7 Specialty Cocktails!

Lots of fun, ho-ho-holiday cocktails stirred up by Portland's best bartenders... and only $7 each! Coming at you November 8-December 4! 🍸🎀

• SAVAGE LOVE

In this week's column: The boy who got away... and are straight boys who date trans women still straight or are they something more?

Joe Newton

WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!