Willamette Ferry+Clackamas Still High Risk+Mayor Wheeler Recall

There’s a spring in my step and a song in my heart and I just can’t wait to tell you about today! Let’s get going.

Weather

A cloudy Portland day with a high temp of 68. That works for me!

Today’s top news stories for Portland

1. Portland might be getting a ferry along the Willamette River. Frog Ferry will start operations in the summer of 2022 for a 24-month pilot program transporting people from Cathedral Park to River Place in downtown Portland. (KOIN)
2. Alarmed by the recent increase in gun violence, the city of Portland has begun giving out grants to 5 non-profit organizations in the area. This is part of a $6 million plan that was approved in April. The recipients of grant money are Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, Going Home 2, Latino Network, Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization and Native American Youth and Family Center. (KGW)
3. As more Oregon counties reopen due to increased vaccinations and fewer COVID cases, Clackamas and Marion counties remain high risk. The governor's office reports this is because they haven’t vaccinated 65% of their population, which is the benchmark for lower risk status. (KATU)
4. The move to recall Mayor Ted Wheeler advances as the group Total Recall PDX hires Audrey Caines as campaign manager. The task ahead of her? To collect 47,788 signatures in 90 days, starting on July 1st. (Willamette Week)
5. The lyrics of the state song of Oregon have been changed to remove racist overtones. House Concurrent Resolution 11 keeps the original music of “Oregon, My Oregon,” but has changed the words to make the song more inclusive. (The Skanner)

Today’s events in Portland

1. If you’re interested gardening for wildlife and water quality, consider signing up for this free workshop, presented by the Environmental Learning Center. It will be streamed through Zoom and cover pollinator gardens, rain gardens and natural lawn care. Registration is required. Noon to 12:45 PM.
2. Pedalpalooza is going on all summer, but tonight you can get your groove on at the Secret Roller Disco Outdoor Skate Party. The meeting place is the playground of Buckman Elementary School at the corner of 18th and SE Pine. Funky fabulous costumery is encouraged. 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
3. The Polka Dot Downtown music series continues in Pioneer Courthouse Square. You can hear Folk and Americana guitarist Robert Meade performing, Noon to 1:00 PM.
4. How about a little Thursday night poetry? The group North Portland Spoken Word are hosting an open mike night at The Arbor Lodge. Poetry, prose and music are all welcome. 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
5. Maybe you prefer comedy? The Jade Lounge may be the place for you. It's having an open mike comedy night, hosted by Benton Crider and Eddy Churnetski. There will be 25, 3-minute spots. Sign-ups start at noon. 7:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

1. Put on that chain mail, gather your fellow LARPers and prepare to raise a flagon to celebrate Portland’s newest mead hall. Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery has opened in SE Portland, brewing their own mead from local, Oregon honey. (Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery)
2. With Oregon potentially weeks away from being free of COVID restrictions, are Portlanders ready to go back to bars and restaurants? Northeast Portland restaurant Nightingale polled their Instagram followers and over 50% said "no." If you want to weigh in, here’s a poll from PDX Eater. (PDX Eater)
3. If you are willing to brave the bars, make it extra scary by checking out Portland’s new haunted mansion themed club Raven’s Manor. With creepy paintings and drinks from mad scientist mixologists, it definitely promises a unique experience. (Raven’s Manor)

That should be enough stuff to get you through your day. But we all know that there’s always something to do in Portland and I’ll telling you all about it tomorrow.