Jesus, it’s already mid-May! Time’s not linear but this year is just whizzing by! I hope everyone kissed their mammies, buried the hatchet, or were able to do something nice for themselves on Sunday! Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays are celebrations of life that—even if you don’t get on with your parents or dislike being the center of attention—carry with them a certain connective, nourishing energy that can should be harnessed as we continue roasting marshmallows over the fires of a million burning Teslas. 

P.S. The Mercury will be relaunching our Spotify channel soon! Give it a follow and keep your eyes peeled for the official launch with tons of playlists updated on the daily! 

P.P.S. Happy birthday to our very own Robert Ham—wish him many returns and check out some of his stellar writing!

It was announced this morning—May 13, 2025—that the Portland Trail Blazers are up for sale. This is part of a long term plan by the owner of the NBA franchise, the Paul G. Allen Estate, to sell all of its sports holdings, fully moving its assets into the philanthropic sector. 

I’m a 33-year-old gay man in a big city. I am currently in a five-month relationship with a wonderful, sweet man who loves me very much. I love him too. Prior to this I was in a throuple for three years. That relationship was toxic. I was the new addition to the throuple, and I was more in love with one of them. There were a lot of jealousy issues, and a lot of hurt that took me a long time to get over when I finally moved on. Truthfully, even when that relationship ended, I was still very much in love with my main partner from that throuple. Our sexual chemistry was unlike anything else, and the deep passion we have for each other was unmatched. But we did break up. And I spent a lot of time healing. And now I met this wonderful man.

My main ex from the throuple — the one I loved most — just reached out to let me know that he and his other partner broke up and he wants me back. All of a sudden, my ex is telling me how much he loves me, how much he wants me, and how he wants to be my only partner — all of the things I would’ve killed to hear him say a year ago. I now find myself torn between my new boyfriend, who has done nothing wrong, and my ex, a man I love so much and have this INCREDIBLE sexual chemistry with but who really hurt me. It should be noted that I am incredibly submissive in bed, and although my new partner tries to be dominant, it doesn’t come naturally to him. My ex was fantastic in that role. And if I’m being honest, I have to admit that that kind of sexual play is something I need in a relationship. I’m torn and don’t know what to do. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but find myself in the impossible position of choosing between two people I care deeply about. Help!

Tormented Over X In Chicago

“When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.” — Oscar Wilde

You spent three years in a throuple that turned toxic — or maybe was toxic from the start — and when it ended, all you wanted was for the one guy you loved (most or at all) to choose you… and he didn’t. So, you did what people are supposed to do when a relationship ends: you moved out, you moved on, you met someone else. And now the relationship gods have decided to fuck with you: the man you wanted is single and now he wants you and only you — so, your prayers have been answered, but a year too late.

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, 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 can’t 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! We’re in the thick of spring, where one week you’re moseying around in shorts and a t-shirt and the very next you’re back in a sweater and raincoat. We’re likely in for more rain today, with a high of 63 degrees and a low of 50. If you’re bummed about this week’s drizzly forecast, just remember, we all need to hydrate, and the foliage is no exception.

In Local News: 

• Cold case solved: A body found more than 40 years ago off the side of the I-5 freeway in Oregon has been linked to a serial killer in California. Oregon State Police say with the help of police in Orange County, California, they were able to ID a John Doe as 30-year-old Larry Parks. Parks’ body was found near Woodburn in 1980. Police linked DNA to Randy Kraft of California, who is already in prison after being convicted in 1989 for killing 16 men. Kraft, often called the “scorecard killer,” has been in prison in California. He was arrested after being pulled over for driving erratically in 1983. During the traffic stop, a Highway Patrol Officer found the body of a US Marine in Kraft’s passenger seat and a “coded list” in his trunk that was later assumed to be a list of victims. Investigators believe Kraft may have actually killed nearly 60 people before his conviction. 

DNA samples led to the identification of the unknown victim as Larry Eugene Parks, whose body was found in July 1980 along Oregon’s Interstate 5.

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— USA TODAY (@usatoday.com) May 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM

This week's batch of don't-miss events covers everything from J Balvin to Simple Minds: Alive & Kicking Tour and from Rebecca Solnit with Lidia Yuknavitch to the Pink! Rosé Festival.

MONDAY

LIVE MUSIC

Momma: Welcome to My Blue Sky Tour
School friends Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten started the band Momma in 2015 outside of Los Angeles and have since moved to Brooklyn, added a drummer and bassist, and signed with Polyvinyl after the label cold emailed them. While their early music might've been categorized as ruminative and lo-fi, Momma has really tapped into their power as an indie rock band with the singles from their recently released album Welcome to My Blue Sky. The songs are stuck in my head, and I take every opportunity to scream-sing them in my car. Indianapolis band Wishy opens the show with pop punk-tinged grooves. SHANNON LUBETICH
(Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn)

Hi everybody, and welcome to the Trash Report! This is an extra special column. because it's for the upcoming FOOD EDITION of the Mercury. Hey, it turns out there isn't enough gossip about food to fill up a whole column, so I'm doing the things that celebrities do when they go to the Met Gala, wearing whatever they felt like instead of sticking to the theme and then giving some lame explanation for how it's connected, so here we go: We all know that one joy of food is that it brings people together in community, and an important part of any community is talking shit about other people in said community. As such, this column is on theme. Boom. 

So let's get to it!

Politics are Salty

The well-done steak currently running this country recently hosted the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House. Carney deftly dealt with the megalomaniacal Trump by complimenting his gaudy mansion and real estate acumen before telling him to STFU about the Canadian state thing. Trump was nodding along before he even realized he was getting read for filth, and it was stunning to watch. I loved it. No notes. There needs to be a Canadian version of the Italian chef's kiss hand for this, like some weather-addled fingers posed as if holding a hockey stick, or a cup of Timmy Horton's coffee. I like when Canada is nailin' it in the news because I like thinking that my favorite Canadians Celine Dion and Mike Myers are happy at the same time.

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, 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 can’t 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!👋

It's a return to spring today and tomorrow with showers (and maybe even the odd thunderstorm) along with highs in the upper 50s. Now if this is the type of weather that depresses you 🙋‍♂️, then here's something that should cheer you up: Starting today it's the arrival of the Mercury's HIGHBALL WEEK, featuring delicious, creative cocktails made by 41 of Portland's best bartenders! But it only lasts until this Sunday, May 18, so get out there and drink the clouds away! And now let's guzzle a tumbler of NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS

• Oregon's Democratic legislators are in a bit of a pickle trying to decide how to fund and implement the state's long-anticipated, multibillion dollar transportation package—and activists are piling on the pressure to make sure such necessities as public transportation, biking, and walking needs are taken care of... because NEWSFLASH! Not everyone can afford to purchase and insure vehicles, such as those wildly oversized (and under-utilized) pickup trucks that mostly result in damaged streets, wasted fuel, and repeated road rage incidents. And in this informative article from our Taylor Griggs, activists are saying that the current proposal from the Dems "gives lip service to safety, equity, and climate stewardship, [but] legislators need to make sure those goals can be financed, or they will never be realized." Get smart, and read it all here.

As the Oregon Legislature works on a major transportation package, advocates say it's crucial the final bill includes enough funding for public transit and safe streets— and, many say, the current framework doesn’t go far enough. 

www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...

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— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) May 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM

CALLING ALL BOOZE LOVERS!

It's the triumphant return of the Portland Mercury's HIGHBALL! That's correct: It's an ENTIRE WEEK (now through May18) of specially crafted, original cocktails mixed by the best bartenders in town… and get this, they're only $10 each! 🤯 We've teamed up with the finest bars and restaurants in Portland—along with our cocktail-lovin' pals at Travel Portland and Jim Beam—to bring you this one-of-a-kind booze-tacular! At each of Highball's 41 (!) locations, you'll find $10 specially crafted cocktails, and even better? They'll be available ALL DAY (not just during happy hour)!

TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE GORGEOUS, DROOL-WORTHY DRINKS HERE!

Stay tuned to portlandmercury.com/highball and the Mercury for announcements—then plot your strategic course with the Highball map and set sail on a river of booze! You'll get even more hot tips if you sign up for our email newsletters and follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook!

Say, do you love the Mercury’s Food and Drink promotions (such as Highball, Burger Week, Pizza Week and more)? Then please consider becoming a recurring contributor to the Mercury. We would never be able to do these fun things without you!

So, are you ready for HIGHBALL? Great! Just remember a few friendly rules:

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.)

• Shoofly Vegan Bakery Employees Locked Out After Disputes With New Owner

Staff say paychecks were late twice in a row, and the cafe's new owner abruptly canceled all wholesale delivery contracts with local cafes. Employees recently voted to unionize. Now they want to buy the business.

• POP QUIZ PDX!

This week's trivia includes: the Real ID deadline, dumbass ideas from dingbat Republicans, and everything you know about the area's newest fast food sexpot, Jollibee! (See how well you score!)

• Advocates, Transit Agencies Say Oregon Legislators' Transportation Package Proposal Falls Short 

With public transit and safety programs on the line, Democrats are under pressure to find more funding. A gas tax increase and higher registration fees could be part of the solution.

Hilda Perez lives with her family in Forest Grove, where she relies on the bus to get around. While Perez said “public transportation has been a lifeline,” it’s not always easy or safe for her to use. After moving to a neighborhood with minimal public transit service, Perez said she now is forced to walk 40 minutes to the nearest bus stop, making it much harder to get around town. 

“I've had to rely more and more on my young children and my husband just to get where I need to go. That is not right,” Perez said to a crowd in front of the Oregon Capitol at a rally in April. (She spoke Spanish, which was translated to the crowd in English.) “I believe the Oregon transportation package needs to expand transportation options while keeping costs down for working families and people with low incomes.” 

Perez was referring to the long-anticipated, multibillion dollar transportation package the Oregon Legislature is expected to pass this session. The bill will fund the state’s transportation system and shore up new sources of revenue for roads, rail and transit, bike paths, and bridges. 

Break out of the rut of wasted weekends with our cheap and easy guide, which will point you towards things to do from the St. Johns Bizarre to Björk: Cornucopia and from a Mother’s Day Rally and March to Wrangle Your Rights: A Comedy Show for Abortion Access. For more suggestions, check out our top picks of the week.

FRIDAY

VISUAL ART

Group Art Show
The stylish Mississippi record shop Mint Records is also a gallery, installing works by locally loved artists like Alyson Provax in recent months. I'm looking forward to the shop's first-ever group exhibition, which includes pieces by Ash Wyatt, Kepi Ghoulie, Nicci Graves, Cecelia Meneau, and personal fave Sean Christensen. The show reception on May 9 should be a good time–scope the artworks, have a drink, then enjoy plenty of record browsing. It's always nice to have something to do with your hands at these things. LINDSAY COSTELLO
(Mint Gallery Records, Boise, free)

If you appreciate the Mercury's interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. 

Good Morning, Portland: We're looking at some nice weather for Friday and Saturday, and some nice rain on Sunday. The Catholic Church has a new pappy, and he's a g-d-m Chicagoan, which means, there's a non-zero chance the new pope has tried Jeppson's Malört. Let's hit the news—much like Jeppson's Malört, it somehow gets worse as we go.

IN LOCAL NEWS:
• A security guard at the preschool of Jewish community center Chabad Lubavitch of Oregon shot a man in the building's parking lot Thursday. While there's still not much information about what unfolded before the shooting, the school released a statement saying the guard was "threatened and assaulted" and "used his licensed weapon to defend himself." Portland Police told reporters and the school that they did not believe the interaction was related to religious or cultural bias.

• A recently-filed suit reveals that the Portland Pickles have sued Disney for trademark infringement on their name. Attorneys representing the team say that the use of a similar name—Peaks Valley Pickles—in the Pixar-animated Disney TV show Win or Lose risks diluting and devaluing their brand.

From 2019 to late 2023, Björk toured her immersive audio-visual concert experience Cornucopia around the world. The concerts clocked in at almost two hours, with the Icelandic goddess singing and dancing onstage the entire show. Sadly, the Pacific Northwest wasn’t a stop on the tour, but there’s now another way to experience the abundant splendor of Cornucopia.

On Wednesday, May 7, filmgoers got a chance to experience Björk’s Cornucopia on the big screen as part of a diffuse world-premiere event. Portland’s Westside film darling, Cinema 21, screened Björk: Cornucopia—the concert film capturing her Lisbon, Portugal date in September 2023—to a sold out audience. 

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 events—our 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!

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Alison Moyet on May 14 at Crystal Ballroom! 

To celebrate 40 years as a solo artist, Alison Moyet releases Key, a collection of 16 reworked singles and deep cuts, alongside two brand new tracks. Moyet's solo work has been defined not only by her refusal to repeat herself, but by that extraordinary voice: a voice big enough to fill a stadium and yet intimate enough to make you feel as though she's singing just for you. Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Wed May 14, 8 pm, $45-$60, all ages

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see The Bouncing Souls on May 29 at Revolution Hall!

Iconic punk rock outfit The Bouncing Souls returns to Rev Hall with anthemic punk tunes and undeniable stage presence—don’t miss a chance to see them LIVE once more! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, Thurs May 29, 8 pm, $40.68, all ages