The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) last week agreed
to review and possibly rewrite the state’s archaic happy hour
rules. “Right now, you cannot advertise outside your establishment
for any temporary reduction in alcohol price, no matter what you call
it. It could be the ‘OLCC social hour’ and still not be allowed,” says
OLCC spokesperson Christie Scott. With 49 liquor law inspectors and
10,000 alcohol vendors statewide, the OLCC found it impossible to track
bars’ advertising, especially on Facebook and Twitter. Scott explains
that new rules might likely still ban advertising specific prices, but
phrases like “dirt-cheap PBR brunch” would become legal. SARAH
MIRK
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The Portland Business Alliance (PBA) is the city’s leading
lobbyist, according to city auditor reports released Monday,
October 19. The powerful local business group had 66 personal meetings
and telephone calls with city hall staff during the last three months.
The second biggest lobbyist, the Port of Portland, had only 26
meetings. The PBA spent much of its face time discussing homeless
issues—30 of the meetings related to the Sit-Lie Ordinance,
the mayor’s new sidewalk management plan, and the location of homeless
feeds. SM
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Portland’s first entirely free store has opened up next to
two food carts on SE 11th and Clay. The twist? Founder Ben Aubin hopes the Free Store will become a for-profit establishment. Anyone
can take home free items from the store housed in a wildly painted
school bus, but Aubin’s small team of bike messengers will also deliver
free items to Portlanders’ doorsteps along with a page of paid
ads. SM