ROCKIN' GRANNIES

On Friday, February 2, six "angry grandmothers" planted rocking chairs in front of the NE Broadway Army/Marine Recruiting Office, in protest of what they say are misleading recruiting techniques. The grannies—members of the newly formed Surge Protection Brigade (SPB), which is against President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq—blocked the center's doors for several hours. "At one point, frustrated recruiters physically pushed two of the protesters aside to squeeze through the back door," says the SPB's Bonnie Tinker. Just before noon, police moved in to arrest them. "They also took three rocking chairs into custody," Tinker says. Last Friday's protest is the third consecutive weekly rally in front of the recruitment center. AMY JENNIGES

CHASSE LAWSUIT?

Several sources say it's looking increasingly likely that Tom Steenson, the attorney working on behalf of James Chasse Jr.'s family, will file a civil suit at the end of this week. Chasse died in police custody on September 17, but a grand jury did not return criminal charges against the officers involved. Steenson's office has refused to comment. Stay tuned to Blog Town, PDX—portlandmercury.com/blogtown—for updates. MATT DAVIS

TIME OUT!

On Monday, February 5, Governor Ted Kulongoski called for a "temporary hold" on nearly all Measure 37 claims currently being processed in Oregon. If adopted by the state legislature, the move would give local governments some breathing room—until June 30 or later—while lawmakers consider revisions to the law.

Kulongoski's proposal exempts single-family housing projects, allowing "mom and pop" claims to go forward—while putting the brakes on claims by large developers. The Joint Legislative Committee on Land Use Fairness will consider it over the coming few weeks. SCOTT MOORE