John Legend - A John Legend Christmas Picture this: you're drunk on eggnog alongside 20,000+ moms, singing along to silky serenader John Legend's holiday hits from his 2018 album A Legendary Christmas. All you have to do is hitch a sleigh (aka a Lyft) to the Moda Center and shell out some money for a ticket. As I write this, ticket prices are as low as $35, which I consider a major steal. AUDREY VANN (Moda Center, Lloyd District)
Hello my sweet angel baby Trash Pandas! Welcome back to the Trash Report. I'm Elinor Jones, currently recovering from the annual macaroni and cheese cookout I host with my friends. Ever eaten six kinds of macaroni and cheese in one sitting? There are worse things than a cheap rum hangover, and it's being 40 and trying to digest 3,000 calories worth of cheese and noodles and wine in your sleep. Thankfully the only thing I have to do today is wade through the waters of gossip and news to deliver you the freshest, nastiest takes of all.
News!!!!??????
This last week was kind of a big one in the news? I write this as a question because I can hardly believe it and it seems portentous? To start, South Korea declared martial law and then the people rose up so swiftly and uniformly that it only lasted, like, six hours and the president APOLOGIZED and now everything is fine? Over in France, their whole government collapsed when lawmakers cast a no-confidence vote against their brand-new centrist Prime Minister and the leftist and rightist factions are looking at a massive showdown that could set the vibes for Europe's return to fascism?? Then in Syria, rebels rose up to oust the ruthless dictator Bashar al-Assad, and in only two weeks were able to topple 50 years of their family rule and basically this was a series of events that is likely to have global repercussions for years, and we have no way of knowing how it's gonna shake out except for just waiting??? So likes...yikes?!?!??!?!?!? Â
All this to say: WHAT is WRONG with us that we can't effectuate meaningful change in this country?! All this idiot voting and everything is still structurally basically the same! Greatest country on earth, MY ASS!!!!!!
Thankfully, there was just a large earthquake off the coast of Northern California. With any luck, the entirely of the Pacific Northwest might break completely free.
If youâre reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercuryâs newsreporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we canât do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!
GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! đ
It's looking like a partly sunny start to the week (following some morning fog) and highs in the mid-40s. For me it's looking like the start of HOLIDAY ANXIETY SEASON, when I obsess over the perfect time to pick up a tree, nagging everyone to death for their gift lists, attending far too many holiday parties, and desperately trying to ignore the constant harping of Christian Nationalists reminding me that "Jesus is the reason for the season" while simultaneously attacking minorities in the most UN-Jesus-like way. These a-holes need to get the name of Jesus (and Santa!) out of their mouths. Anyway, here's some holly-jolly NEWS!
IN LOCAL NEWS:
⢠Here's your reminder that sometimes a good plan needs time to work: After a rough start, the city-funded North/Northeast Portland housing strategyâdesigned to provide affordable housing subsidies to Black families who have been pushed out of Portland's Albina neighborhood due to gentrification and racismâis starting to show real progress. Once called an "abject failure" by Mayor Ted Wheeler in 2018, and following a course correction, the latest data reveals that the plan has so-far resulted in 116 home purchases while providing "956 home repair grants and 171 home repair loans" primarily for Black people. It has also resulted in the construction of 476 subsidized apartments and 36 townhomes for those who have a history in the neighborhood. It's a small step toward repairing the damage caused by the city's long history of racism, but a good one. Remind yourself of this story the next time those wealthy developers and cynical Portland-haters try to convince you that Charter Reform is a terrible idea.
⢠Incoming city officials are building their teams ahead of their January start dates, with Mayor-elect Keith Wilson choosing veteran politico Aisling Coghlan as his chief of staff, while District 2 Commish Dan Ryan has found his chief of staff in veteran city staffer Kezia Wanner (who ran for a District 3 council seat, albeit unsuccessfully). Our Courtney Vaughn has all the deets on the moving and shaking.
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.)
Street Roots staff recently announced their intent to unionize with CWA, with eligible workers voting unanimously in favor of the decision. Staff say they hope to receive voluntary recognition from the social justice nonprofit's board. â
In this week's trivia quiz: good news and bad for local queer bars, Oregon's award-winning cheese, and it's time to pick a new Portland Santa! (See how well YOU score!)
With nearly $3.3 million paid out to injured protesters, a follow-up assessment highlights Portland Police Bureauâs progress and shortcomings on new policies, crowd control tactics.
A former Portland Fire & Rescue executive who ran for a seat in Portlandâs City Council District 3 has been tapped as Dan Ryanâs new chief of staff.
Kezia Wanner, a veteran city staffer who previously worked in management roles with Portlandâs fire and transportation bureaus, will lead Ryanâs team when he takes office under the new City Council structure in 2025.
Ryan, a current city commissioner, won a seat to represent District 2 in Novemberâs general election. Heâs the only current member of council who will return to elected office at City Hall next year. Heâll serve a four-year term on the new Council, alongside Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Sameer Kanal, who were also elected to represent District 2.
Better Days Cafe Kim Dam of Portland CĂ PhĂŞ and MĂŠmoire CĂ PhĂŞ and roaster Melody Rin soft opened this new coffee shop in the former Haven Coffee Co. space yesterday, Bridgetown Bites reports. The menu features coffee, chai, matcha, and other teas, as well as pastries made by Lisa Nguyen of HeyDay. Richmond
Color Green California-based psych-rock band Color Green first caught my eye because of their band name, which I assumed was inspired by German folk artist Sibylle Baier's haunting acoustic track "Colour Green." The quartet's noisy, plugged-in sound is in stark contrast to Baier's, but to me, Color Green sounds like the product of folk music lovers. On their new album, Fool's Parade, I hear Richard Thompson-esque guitar solos in tracks like "Four Leaf Clover" and "Fool's Parade" as well as layered harmonies Ă la Flying Burrito Brothers on "5:08." They will support the album after an opening set from local alt-country artist Jeffrey Silverstein. AUDREY VANN (Mississippi Studios, Boise, $12)
The Mercury provides its readers with interesting and useful news & culture reporting every single day. If you appreciate that, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. If you read something you like, something you don't like but are glad to know about, and/or something you can't find anywhere else consider a one-time tip. It all goes in the same pot and it all goes to the editorial team. Thanks for your support!
Good Morning, Portland! Enough about cuffing season, tell me about seasonal deer entanglements. Let's hit some slow-news-day news!
IN LOCAL NEWS: ⢠To date, more than 260 people have filed legal complaints over PPBâs policing of the 2020 protests, and the city has paid out $3.3 million in settlements to injured protesters. Following another large settlement of $400,000, news editor Courtney Vaughn asks "how Portland's new independent monitor could help prevent police misconduct?"
⢠This week in DIVERGENT OPINIONS about what can increase pedestrian safety, Portland Bureau of Transportation is getting some vocal clap back for this goofy attempt at reminding pedestrians to check before crossing the road. On Wednesday, PPB's traffic division held a press conference, touching on this year's 25 pedestrian fatalities, among other road deaths. Sgt. Ty Engstrom said that Portland drivers feel as though they can "drive however they want," and that needs to change, KATU reports.
Whether you love it or hate it, it's likely you have strong feelings regarding eggnog. The rich, sweet holiday drink takes many forms, but usually contains some combination of milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, whipped egg whites, and optional booze. It's only here for a limited time, so to help you make the most of 'nog season, we've gathered a selection of options around town.
Deadshot The classy cocktail bar's yearly holiday-themed Miracle pop-up is in full swing, and their "Jingle Bell Nog," a mix of cognac, cream, sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla, and nutmeg served in a cute vintage-inspired mug, has the potential to put even the most ardent Scrooges in the holiday spirit. Hosford-Abernethy
With nearly $3.3 million paid out to injured protesters, a follow-up assessment highlights Portland Police Bureau’s progress and shortcomings on new policies, crowd control tactics.
Ferreira recently accepted a $400,000 legal settlement with the city of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) over a bodily injury lawsuit stemming from brushes with police during and after racial justice protests in 2020 and 2021.
Heâs one of more than 260 people who filed either a lawsuit or formal complaint over PPBâs policing of the 2020 protests. To date, the city has paid out roughly $3.3 million in settlement money to protestersâmost with bodily injury claims.
Luca Guadagnino is a great editor of other peopleâs love stories. With this past spring's Challengers, he took a fairly basic screenplay about tennis bros and queered it up to 11. In Bones and All (2022) he edited down an often-bratty young adult novel into a luminously gory homage to William Egglestonâs photographs of American landscapes. In Call Me by Your Name (2017) he excised its source novel's inexplicable interlude where the two main characters, Elio and Oliver, listen to a poet reminisce about how he once went to Thailand and wanted to fuck absolutely everyone there.Â
In Queer, Guadagnino takes on his greatest challengeâmaking a swoony period romance about William Burroughs, based on Beat author's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. âThis movie for me is much more than a personal biography of the author,â said Guadagnino, in an interview with the film's US distributer A24. âThe novel revealed a truly romantic character who was yearning for love.â Â
This goal is helped by the fact that Queer is set in the 1950s, a particularly swoony era for outfits, and costumed by Jonathan Anderson, who is perhaps a little too good at his job. Even when Daniel Craig (who plays Burroughs under the author's old pen name, William Lee) and Drew Starkey (who plays the object of Leeâs affection, Eugene Allerton) are supposed to be sweaty and disgusting, they look like they are in an ad to sell you something expensive.
After a nearly 10-year hiatus from touring, bluegrass icons Alison Krauss & Union Station are bringing their Arcadia tour to Troutdale next year. Philly indie rock five-piece Mt. Joy has announced a stop in Bend next summer. Plus, Nate Bargatze, âthe nicest man in stand-up,â will bring self-deprecating humor to Portland on his Big Dumb Eyes tour. Read on for details on those and other newly announced events.
Who's ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland's best concerts and eventsâour way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word about some fantastic upcoming performances! (Psst... if you want to say thanks to the Mercury, please consider making a small monthly contribution to keep us alive and kickin'!) And oh boy, do we have some fun events coming at ya this week! CHECK IT OUT!
The Cabin Projectâa group of all women and non-binary Portland-based musicians âcelebrates 15 years as a band! This musical hybrid of orchestral folk, rock, and indie is grounded in haunting choruses, harmonies, and orchestral elements. They celebrated their very first album release at Mississippi Studiosâsee the band once more as they recognize 15 years! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, Thurs Dec 19, 8 pm, $20, 21+
Livingston Taylor and Loudon Wainwright III co-headline in Portland! Enjoy upbeat storytelling and touching ballads when these two iconic American songwriters team up for an evening of music. Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!
Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, Fri Dec 13, 7 pm, $45, all ages
LET'S GO, SMART STUFF! It's time once again to put your brainy-brain to the test with this week's edition of POP QUIZ PDXâour weekly, local, sassy-ass trivia quiz. And in this edition, we're testing your knowledge on a variety of topics including a local queer bar shakeup, which Oregon cheese reigns supreme, and YOUR pick for a new Portland-specific Santa! (Yes, we are that special.) đ đ
READY TO START? Take this week's quiz below, take our previous pop quizzes here, and come back next week for a brand spankin' new quiz! (Having a tough time answering this quiz? It's probably because you aren't getting Mercury newsletters! HINT! HINT!) Now crank up that cerebellum, because it's time to get BRAINY!
If youâre reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercuryâs newsreporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we canât do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!
GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! đ
Grab some sun while you can today, because starting tomorrow showers and warmer temps will return and stick around through the weekend. OH, and speaking of this weekend, it's your last opportunity to enjoy the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK (happening right now)! That's correct: Gorgeous, creative, holiday-inspired cocktails concocted by the best bartenders in Portland, and they're only $8 each! But the fun ends Sunday, so put yer butt in gear, cha-cha! And now let's put our NEWS butt in gear.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
⢠Trump's election win has apparently given new hope to the Greater Idaho Movement (GIM)âthe whining complainers of several eastern Oregon counties who have long dreamed of becoming part of Idaho. The group has petitioned president-elect Trump to support their cause and to use his influence as a "practical problem-solver"âjust a moment while I spit out my coffee HAHAHAHAAHAAAAAAAâto help these obstinate crybabies escape Oregon's satanic progressive policies which CLEARLY benefit them, even though they are too fragile to appreciate it. Despite what Trump or the GIM may desire, such an annexation would require buy-in from both state legislatures as well as the US Congress... but I have a possible second option! Idaho could happily welcome these whining crybabies into their state while leaving us the land, which we'll use to make room for the Americans who might actually appreciate not being constantly shat upon by heartless Republicans.
Portland expands popular free air conditioner program with $10M cash infusion
"City documents show the local tax on large retailers that voters approved in 2018 [the Portland Clean Energy Fund] is projected to raise $1.6 billion over the next five years."
⢠A Vancouver, Washington, man was shot and killed by police last night following an altercation in a Safeway parking lot. Officials say that after approaching the man, a fight broke out between a cop and the suspect who eventually pulled a gun. Police opened fire on the man who later died. The incident is under investigation by the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations.
