HOLIDAY SPECIALS

Dingfelder's Delicatessen
Capitol Hill's resident Jewish deli has you covered with a special Rosh Hashanah menu, complete with challah, pomegranate honey za'atar chicken, slow roasted brisket, smoked salmon, matzo ball soup, tsimmes, gefilte fish loaf, and more. Pickup is available from September 24 to October 5.
Capitol Hill
Pickup

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. 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 afternoon, Portland: What a week! If you're reading this you're almost done with Friday! Even if you work Saturday—you're STILL almost done with Friday. Let's get to the news!

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• The Mayor's office has decided to develop a pilot program for ShotSpotter: a controversial technology that uses microphones placed on telephone poles, street lights, and other tall structures in the city to detect gunshot and gunshot-like sounds. The pilot will need to be voted on by City Council before being adopted by the city.

• The face of Portland’s professional cuddling community, Samantha Hess, told the Oregonian's Lizzy Acker that she's quitting the world of cuddling in a profile that flirts with full-on spiral—unique for a 'moving on' piece. Hess said her reasons for closing her business were burnout, bad landlords, and what appears to be just regular ol' human cruelty and despair. What I'm taking away from this is LANDLORDS RUINED OUR CUDDLER.

The anonymous Anti-Banality Union are pretty thinky, but they traffic in 'splosions. Their new work "Earth II" recuts four decades of disaster films into one wild realistic climate change ride.https://t.co/ZQs1Uy3hLd

— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) September 23, 2022

• Holy hell, check out the variety of glaze on display for the 2022 Wing Week. Our paper's incredible food week team brought 27 different bars and restaurants onboard to offer up six wings for $6 for 7 days! 

FRIDAY

COMEDY

Dirty Angel All Stars: Virgo Night
This celebration of Virgo funny folks is curiously planned for the first day of Libra season, but we love Virgos, so we'll allow it. Virgo Night includes critical comedy from Brandon Wayne Little, Jamoudi Webb, Kris Cox, Jake Quanbeck, Esau Hamadanyan, and Mx. Dahlia Belle—we hope they joke about their high standards and analytical prowess.
(Kelly's Olympian, Downtown Portland, $10)

Minority Retort presents: Marcella Arguello!
Latinx stand-up queen Marcella Arguello will share more experiences navigating race, gender, and life as a very tall person at this edition of Minority Retort, Portland's leading stand-up comedy showcase for Black and brown comedians. She'll be joined by funny folks Lee H. Tillman, Juan Duran, and Howie Echo-Hawk.
(Curious Comedy Theater, King, $15–$20)

The Anti-Banality Union (ABU) has been making films for more than a decade, but they’ve never picked up a camera. Instead their work is reminiscent of the Moscow Film School—the world's first film school, where a shortage of film stock meant students repeatedly edited existing works, leading to the montage as we know it. This anonymous collective re-edits Hollywood blockbusters into cinematic collages. 

Their work began in 2011 with Unclear Holocaust, a piece made up of over 50 disaster films, which mostly amounted to watching New York City destroyed over and over again. Then, in 2013, Police Mortality centered on the cinematic identity of police in films spiraling out of control. In 2014, State of Emergence took aim at zombie films—without the shambling undead and instead focusing completely on societal collapse. 

Now the ABU turns its attention to the looming climate collapse that hangs over all of us and our cinematic imaginations with Earth II. Billed as being "an action-packed analysis of Hollywood’s pathological climate grief," Earth II draws from films like the Purge, They Live, Johnny Mnemonic, Independence Day and others—mashing up everything from science fiction to action cinema. 

ABU is in the middle of a nationwide tour, screening Earth II and holding discussions at a number of small cinemas—the Portland stop is at the Clinton Street Theater on Tuesday September 27. Before then, the Mercury sat down for a virtual interview with members of the group, who will be referred to as one collective for the purposes of this piece. 

NEW OPENINGS

Aviation American Gin Distillery and Visitor Center
According to a press release, Portland-based Aviation American Gin, co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, celebrates the grand opening of its new distillery and visitor center today. The spacious new facility features a tasting room, draft cocktail bar, gift shop, and Reynolds' "office," which doubles as an interactive escape room for visitors. “If a grown-up theme park and a bartender fell in love and produced offspring, it would be this gin factory," Reynolds says in the release.
Northwest
Pickup, dine-in

What, dear reader, was the greatest week of your life?

Think back on that moment. Treasure its beautiful memory. Then THROW IT IN THE TRASH, because the Portland Mercury’s Portland Wing Week is about to make every other week you’ve ever experienced look like GARBAGE.

That’s right: From Monday, October 3 to Sunday, October 9, the Portland Mercury’s Portland Wing Week returns—with 27 one-of-a-kind chicken wings available at some of Portland’s favorite bars and restaurants! Even better? Each order of wings will only cost you a mere $6! Yes, it will be amazing—because the Mercury, and our pals/sponsors at Jim Beam and EverOut, wouldn’t have it any other way!

Read on for a complete list of this year’s wings—and once you stop drooling, keep a few things in mind:

Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office will develop a pilot program for the controversial gunshot-detection technology ShotSpotter, according to an announcement at a police oversight meeting Thursday evening. The pilot will need to be voted on by City Council before being adopted by the city.

ShotSpotter uses microphones placed on telephone poles, street lights, and other tall structures in the city to detect gunshot and gunshot-like sounds. When a microphone picks up the sound, ShotSpotter sends local law enforcement the general location of the sound. The intention of the technology, according to the company, is to provide an alternative to police departments relying exclusively on 911 calls to be alerted to a shooting. The program is currently used in over 100 cities, with varying degrees of success.

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. 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! All you "Oooooh, I love Autumn!" people can just sit the hell down, because MY favorite temperatures (low to mid 80s) are coming back this weekend and through Monday! Now let's heat up with some NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Surprise, surprise, another violent Portland cop is let off the hook. OPB reports that Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt will not be charging Officer Craig Lehman for violently shoving a protester, who walking away from him, to the ground, because the office cannot allegedly prove that Lehman acted with a "conscious objective to harass or annoy" the person he attacked. (Reminder that Lehman's actions was just one of 6,000 documented acts of violence by the police during the 2020 protests—nearly all of which were determined to be a-ok within bureau policy.) 

• Mayor Ted Wheeler has decided to give the go-ahead for a pilot program to install the controversial ShotSpotter technology around town—hidden microphones that register what it thinks are gunshots in order to more quickly alert police. BUT HERE'S THE THING ABOUT THAT: The tech isn't exactly foolproof as it's known to pick up car door slams (and other loud sounds) and bring panicky cops to, say, a neighborhood of color with guns drawn. Also, those same hidden mics are listening to you talk, raising privacy concerns. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

Rural Oregon counties, especially in the eastern half of the state, traditionally have not swayed many statewide elections. But if the governor's race is tight this year, they could make a difference. https://t.co/daRbihwcin

— OPB (@OPB) September 23, 2022

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. 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 AFTERNOON, PORTLAND! Expect another partly cloudy day tomorrow with a high of 75—BUT! The heat will return this weekend with highs reaching 86 by Sunday. Now let's heat up with some NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• According to statewide test scores, Oregon students' skills in areas of math, reading, and writing have plummeted due to the constant disruptions of the pandemic—though state educators are determined to get the kids caught up.

Portland Street Response, the city’s unarmed team of emergency responders who are trained to assist in mental health crises, is now traveling around the city in vans filled with useful supplies. https://t.co/LDfWqEL9Uj

— KOIN News (@KOINNews) September 21, 2022

• ICYMI: The Portland business community's sweetheart council candidate Rene Gonzalez has been slapped with a huge $77,000 fine for accepting and failing to report an enormous rent discount he was receiving from local money-bags Jordan Schnitzer. Normally the space would've gone for nearly $7,000 per month, while Rene was only paying... [checks notes] $250 a month?? (Looking to rent space downtown? Apparently Schnitzer's giving it away for a song!)  Our Isabella Garcia has more!

Looking for a new place. Preferably around 3,000 square feet, centrally located downtown Portland, parking included. My budget is $250 a month. Any tips?

— Matt McNally (@mattmcnallypdx) September 22, 2022

Tickets go on sale at 10 am unless otherwise noted.

ON SALE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

MUSIC

Crowded House
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (rescheduled to May 4, 2023 from Sept 30, 2022)

Dave Matthews Band
Moda Center (Sat Nov 5)

Fruition
Aladdin Theater (Thurs Dec 8)

Rejoice introverts and homebodies! Today, September 22, 2022, is the fall equinox, and also marks the official start of sweatpants season. (I, for one, started early.) Assuming you’re not being attacked by fall allergies, this season is also a great time to get outside and enjoy the warm autumn colors, as well as the delightful, sometimes cool/sometimes warm weather. This week we’re highlighting one new music video, along with four upcoming events to consider attending throughout September and October—everything from country to hip-hop and soul to the sweet sounds of Harry Styles. 

MUST-SEE: 

Can’t miss upcoming events.

Casey Neill

While Portland-based indie folk artist Casey Neill typically leads Casey Neill and the Norway Rats, the group's new album isn't expected until sometime in 2023. So Neill is on a solo tour through October, dropping in on three different cities in Oregon, including Show Bar at Revolution Hall. "I’ll be highlighting songs from the back catalog, new ones from the recent digital EPs, and select covers that make me happy," he wrote on his site. Backing up the bill is Seattle-based pop/rock/experimental music duo Braly Sangster—made up of musician / producer Johnny Sangster and Pineola vocalist / guitarist Leslie Braly. (Sat Sept 24, 8 pm, Show Bar at Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, $15, tickets here, 21+)

A Beat Happening

Free, all-ages, producer-focused concert series A Beat Happening is back—after celebrating its five-year anniversary last month—with another killer lineup. Hosted by Luv Jones and Free Tillman, the hip-hop showcase brings audiences to Produce Row’s back patio for a DJ set from producer One Trak, rap from lyricist A’Revolution, and beat sets from Lawrence One Three. Stalwart DJ/producer VNPRT is slated to play—for the first time— a set of all original production, and Slurgeon (of Thirsty City) shows off the release of his 14-track instrumental project, Television Sky. (Sun Sept 25, 3 pm, Produce Row, 204 SE Oak, FREE, all ages)

WELL, HOWDY THERE, BRAINY BRITCHES! It's time once again to put that brainy-brain to the test with this week's edition of POP QUIZ PDX—our weekly, local, sassy-ass trivia quiz. And this week, we'll be testing your knowledge about loudmouth frat boys, a-hole TV personalities, and local rich buttholes who are always spending their wealth on the wrong things. FUN!

Also, guess what? You can enter to win FREE PIZZA from our friends at the always delicious Atlas Pizza, just for taking the quiz and signing up for our brainy newsletters during the last question!

But before we continue... HOW DID YOU DO ON THE PREVIOUS QUIZ? Well... okay... not so great. But in your defense that was a particularly tough quiz! And while you may not have chosen MY selection for "sandwich of the gods," your top answer is tough to argue with!

OKAY, TIME FOR A NEW QUIZ! 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!

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. 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—and happy first day of fall! I've decided to celebrate by catching my first cold in three years, which I wouldn't recommend. I would recommend celebrating with a warm beverage and curling up with some NEWS.

In local news:

• A tenant in Portland’s affordable housing was paying $833 for a two-bedroom for years until this year, when the new property owner increased her rent 50 percent to $1,236 per month. The increase is completely legal due to loopholes in the city’s affordable housing protections that ties the definition of “affordable housing” to the value of Portland’s real estate market. 

• City Council hopeful Rene Gonzalez is getting fined $77,140 for receiving a 96 percent discount on his campaign’s downtown office space, which election officials determined is essentially campaign contribution from building owner Jordan Schnitzer and, thus, in violation of election laws. Gonzalez’s argument is that downtown Portland is so shitty that paying $250 in rent (for an office listed for $6,900) is accurate to the office’s market value.

Judge rules against Washington County’s ban on flavored tobacco https://t.co/7YS2RG3YMf

— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) September 22, 2022

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. 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 AFTERNOON, PORTLAND! "Do you remember? The 21st night of September? Love was changin' the minds of pretenders, while chasin' the clouds away." I remember, too. Now let's get into some Earth, Wind, and NEWS!

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• The Portland business community's sweetheart council candidate Rene Gonzalez has been slapped with a huge $77,000 fine for accepting and failing to report an enormous rent discount he was receiving from local money-bags Jordan Schnitzer. Normally the space would've gone for nearly $7,000 per month, while Rene was only paying... [checks notes] $250 a month?? Plus getting two free parking spaces?? WOW! I suppose Schnitzer actually does believe in affordable rent (at least for his puppet pals). Our Isabella Garcia has more!

City council candidate Rene Gonzalez may have to pay $77,140 in fines for violating Portland’s small donor election laws. https://t.co/BfOmIs1MyQ

— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) September 21, 2022

• Question: How did a tenant who was enrolled in the city's affordable housing program suddenly get served with a 50 percent rent increase from her landlord? And what's worse, why is this completely legal? Our Alex Zielinski takes a deep dive and provides answers.