Gun Scare At PDX + Libraries Reopening + Green New Deal

Hello, my fellow Portlandians! We’re just back from a long weekend, so let’s see what’s in store for Bridge City.

Weather

It’s gonna be HOT! Sunny with a high of 89 today, so pace yourself and stay hydrated.

Top news stories for Portland

1. Drama over the weekend at Portland International Airport, as police arrested a man with a realistic looking pellet gun. A security guard drew his gun to detain the man before police arrived. (KPTV)
2. In the wake of loosening COVID restrictions, 5 Multnomah County Library locations will reopen for limited service. Capitol Hill, Gresham, Holgate, Kenton and Midland branches will operate in a limited capacity for in-building services. (KOIN)
3. A Beaverton, Anti-Vax pediatrician’s medical license is at risk. Dr. Paul Thomas has already had his license suspended by the Oregon Medical Board, but they are now considering making the action permanent. (Willamette Week)
4. Portland’s Green New Deal, AKA the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) has announced it’s first round of grantees, doling out $8.6 million across 45 separate grants funding clean energy projects and workforce development in the Portland area. (Portland Mercury)
5. Seven apple species, thought to be extinct, have been found growing throughout the Pacific Northwest. Volunteers with the Whitman County Historical Society found the apples scattered across orchards in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. One of the species, Kay, was first mentioned in a Milwaukee, Oregon nursery catalog in 1890. (Tri-City Herald)

Today’s events in Portland

• There is a virtual, open mic event happening today at 7:00 PM. Shady Pines Media is hosting this open mic event every Wednesday through Skype. Share your talent with Portland or just enjoy the show.
• Tired of waiting for Portland to get a major league baseball team and need your baseball fix now? Why not check out a Portland Pickles game? Tonight they play the Portland Gherkins at Lents Park at 7:00 PM. Get your tickets here!
• Are you going to be downtown for your lunch hour? Then you could catch the antics of Juggling duo, Circus Luminescence performing on the dots at the Portland Art Museum from 11:30 AM to noon. Not going to be downtown for your lunch hour? You can still catch them streaming through Facebook, Instagram and at PolkaDotDowntown.org.

• Do you have an interest in the transportation issues facing Portland? The Association of Oregon Pail and Transit Advocates (AORTA) will be hosting an informal ZOOM meeting today from 10:00AM to 11:30 AM. This is an ongoing event.
• Pedalpalooza, Portland’s celebration of all things cycle related, kicked off yesterday and have events going all through June, July and August. Tonight there will be Little Hid’n Portland, a meandering bike ride through Portland’s inner east side, which will visit several “fun, little places”. Participants should meet at 6:00 PM at Circle Park in Ladd’s Addition. Please wear masks and socially distance.

Portland Patch Notebook

• An annual tradition, the Waterfront Blues Festival will take place from July 2nd to the 5th. Seating capacity will be limited and they have set up socially distanced seating pods to adhere to Oregon Health Authority guidelines. Find out more information here.
• Disc Golf returns to Portland with the 2021 Portland Open. The Glendoveer Disc Golf Course is hosting this year’s Portland Open Pro Tour. COVID precautions will result in limited seating, so get your tickets now. Takes place from June 4th through the 6th.

• Miss going out to the bars? Then why not go to the best? Well, the best according to Esquire magazine anyway. Portland’s own Scotch Lodge has made Esquire’s list of 27 of the best bars in the country. (Willamette Week)

There you have it folks. That’s a busy Wednesday if I ever saw one!