We’ve never actually met but we did kiss as we slid past each other at a bar in Spokane called Mootsy’s about 5 years ago. I lived in seattle at the time, you were working on the new Davenport hotel.
I think about it every so often,
it was super hot and felt totally natural.
Who knows, maybe you’re here now too...

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The Lynnwood Apartments (in brown brick)Google Maps

According to a PFR press release, however, firefighters found no traces of hazardous chemicals in the air upon arrival and "the odor dissipated with natural airflow." At least one woman sought medical care after the incident.

Longtime Lynnwood resident Erik Henriksen (who also happens to be the Mercury's Executive Editor) offered a bit more information.

According to Henriksen, contractors were installing a new boiler in the apartment complex this afternoon—and propped the usually-locked front door open. That's when an unidentified person ran inside the building, pepper sprayed the hallway and everyone in it, stole a contractor's cell phone, and left.

"My first thought was, 'I hope everybody's okay,'" said Henriksen, who was not in the apartment at the time. "My second thought was, 'Shit! I hope all my shit is okay!' My third thought was, 'This is the wildest thing that's happened in my neighborhood in like two weeks, since that adorable owl flew into the Barley Mill and then refused to leave for like a day and a half.'"

Erik Henriksen

Erik Henriksen

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Not so long ago, Portland seemed to be a sleepy little town filled with Sunday drivers and no one seemed to care. That Portlandia joke about you go, no you go wasn’t far from the truth. I swear I didn’t hear a car horn honk for the better part of ten years, let alone people (young woman in a Subaru) yelling asshole because I’m turning left (at 20th and Stark at 2:30pm on a Thursday). I guess turning left is a dick move now. Still love Portland, but the times, they are a changin’.

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Parkrose High School Parkrose High School

Granados-Diaz was arrested on May 17 after carrying a shotgun—carrying one bullet—on school property. He never fired the weapon, and was detained by a Parkrose staff member shortly after appearing with the gun.

On Thursday, Granados-Diaz pled guilty to bringing a loaded firearm into a public building. Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill ruled that, since Granados-Diaz admitted that he had only intended to use the gun to shoot himself, he should be rehabilitated via mental health care—not time in prison.

“The purpose of this resolution is two-fold," said Deputy District Attorney Parakram Singh, who litigated the case, in a press release from the Multnomah County District Attorney's office. "It ensures Mr. Granados-Diaz receives mental health treatment to address his suicidal ideations and it ensures a level of accountability for taking a loaded firearm into a school."

According to the press release, the criminal investigation revealed that Granados-Diaz had been suicidal for several months before the Parkrose incident.

Along with receiving mental health treatment, Granados-Diaz's probation includes completing 64 hours of community service. It also mandates that he doesn't enter Parkrose High School, communicate with any Parkrose students (at least, without approval by his probation officer), or possess a firearm "whether it is real or simulated." If he wants to return to school, Granados-Diaz "must participate in safety planning with his probation officer."

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, the Portland Suicide Lifeline is 503-972-3456. And for those outside of Portland, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-273-8255. You can also text "help" to 741-741.

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PSU students protest the administration's decision to keep armed police officers on campus at a Thursday board of trustees meeting. blair stenvick

That’s one key takeaway from a new campus safety plan, announced Thursday, that looks a lot like PSU’s old safety plan—a plan that largely wasn’t followed through on after the university’s board of trustees voted to arm campus police officers in 2014.

The new safety plan comes over a year after the death of Jason Washington, a Black man who was shot by PSU campus police officers outside an off-campus bar in June 2018. Washington’s death sparked outrage among many PSU students, and reignited a campus movement calling for the disarming of campus police officers. It also prompted university administration to hire private security consultancy firm Margolis Healy to review PSU’s security practices, and address the question of whether they should include armed officers.

Margolis Healy didn’t recommend disarming campus police—but it did find that after deciding to arm some campus officers in 2014, PSU failed to carry out a comprehensive campus safety plan. That plan included officer sensitivity and bias training, close police oversight from the University Public Safety Oversight Committee (UPSOC), and regular opportunities to review safety protocol and seek PSU community feedback.

“The board of trustees made many implicit and explicit recommendations [in 2014],” said Steven Healy, CEO of Margolis Healy, at a board meeting in March. “Many of those recommendations were not fully implemented. Some were ignored.”

The new campus safety plan, announced by PSU Interim President Stephen Percy at a board meeting Thursday, comes with many of those same recommendations: enhanced oversight, increased training, and solutions for dealing with mental health and addiction problems that aren’t police-centric. And this time around, Percy told reporters after the board meeting, there will be follow-through.

“There was some training that may not have been done as systematically or fully as possible [after the 2014 decision],” Percy said, “but those are the things we’re doubling down on moving forward.”

When asked by a reporter why officer training that might have prevented Washington's death had not already occurred, Percy answered that “some of the training has been happening, but I’m not sure you can train for every single event you can have.”

PSU Interim President Stephen Percy takes questions from reporters after Thursday's board meeting. blair stenvick

“The board will ask the president to report back to us regularly on the implementation of this plan,” said Vice Chair Margaret Kirkpatrick at Thursday’s board meeting.

The campus safety plan also includes some new ideas. PSU will increase its number of unarmed officers from six to 10 (there are already 10 positions for armed officers, though only six are currently filled). Ten hired “student safety ambassadors” will be responsible for interacting with campus guests, providing safety escorts, and alerting campus officers to unsafe situations on campus. And the university will review how campus infrastructure—things like lighting, building access, and walkway accessibility—can be improved from a safety standpoint.

Before Percy introduced the plan, Kirkpatrick acknowledged that “no single approach will satisfy every member of our community.” That became clear as students, many of them holding signs calling for disarming officers and boycotting PSU, booed and hissed while Percy described the plan.

Several students admonished Percy and the board for not disarming campus police during a public comment period. Olivia Pace, a former student who graduated in June and has been part of the movement to disarm campus police since 2015, responded to Percy’s hope that the new plan will improve trust between students and the administration.

“It’s not going to happen,” Pace said, “as long as we feel like Black and brown people can be killed by a police officer with a gun on this campus.”

Washington’s wife, Michelle, also spoke during the public comment period. The couple’s three daughters sat on either side while she talked through tears.

“Our whole world has been destroyed,” she told the PSU board. “These students back here told you years ago that this would happen, and you didn’t listen. … I feel like no one’s listening, and nothing’s going to change, and this is going to happen to someone else.”

Members of PSU’s student union handed out “Boycott Portland State University” flyers after the meeting, urging people to “spend their money anywhere but here.”

The board was largely supportive of Percy’s plan, saying it balanced the need for security with the concerns of PSU students and faculty. One trustee asked Percy what he thought the largest hurdle will be in carrying out the plan.

“The biggest challenge,” Percy said, “is to pull us all together.”

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Guardino Gallery’s 13th Annual Day of the Dead Show
Guardino Gallery, which has held shows every month for the past two decades, is kicking off Día de los Muertos celebrations early with a group exhibit featuring dozens of artists. Be sure to check out Orquidia Violeta’s stunning piece, Looming Objects, which placed second at SHIFT this year and pays homage to her migration roots as well as the children who were lost crossing the US/Mexico border this year. Guardino Gallery, 2939 NE Alberta, Tues 11 am-5 pm, Wed-Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sunday 11 am-4 pm, FREE

Super Drag! 2019
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Bradley Angle, a local nonprofit that offers a multitude of services (including affinity-specific programs) to support survivors of domestic violence, is partnering with beloved drag queen Poison Waters for a happy-hour extravaganza. Poise will perform, and attendees can participate in a silent auction and raffle—all in support of Bradley Angle. Darcelle XV Showplace, 208 NW 3rd, 5 pm, $20

Food Not Bombs PDX
The first Food Not Bombs was founded in 1980 in New Hampshire following a protest to stop the Seabrook Nuclear power station. Today, grassroots chapters all over the globe have followed suit to provide meals and groceries to anyone who needs them. They’re also always seeking volunteers! Stop by the Friday food prep time at Kailash Ecovillage to lend a hand or check online about other opportunities to help out. Kailash Ecovillage, 4311 SE 37th, 2 pm, FREE

Creating a World Beyond Policing
Alex S. Vitale, professor and author of The Endof Policing, will participate in a panel discussion alongside local prison abolitionists. They will examine the history of police in Portland and what alternatives could look like. Q&A plus organization share to follow. Vegan food served, with childcare and ASL interpretation available upon request. Dismantle Change Build Center, 14 NE Killingsworth, 6 pm, FREE

The Bombing of Osage Avenue
The Philadelphia police department led a raid in the Cobbs Creek community in 1985, targeting MOVE, a Black liberation organization with headquarters in the neighborhood. It resulted in the deaths of six adults and five kids, as well as destroying dozens of homes. This 1986 documentary from director Louis Massiah and writer Toni Cade Bambara spotlights the experience of the residents that survived the attack. Tonight’s screening benefits the prison literacy org Liberation Literary. Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 3:30 pm, $6

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
Enjoy music, a marketplace of indigenous-made arts and crafts curated by Indigenous Come Up, and several speakers, including presidential candidate Mark Charles and Chauncey Peltier (son of jailed activist Leonard Peltier) at this community event celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Great Spirit Native American Fellowship / United Methodist Church, 3917 NE Shaver, 4 pm, FREE (donations suggested)

Portland InFARMation: Becoming an Educated Eater
Friends of Family Farmers, a nonprofit focused on advocating for Oregon farmers and socially responsible agriculture, is hosting a seasonal series called “Becoming an Educated Eater.” Kick back with a slice and a beer, and learn about how and why you should vote with your dollars by supporting local CSAs and farmers markets. Lagunitas Community Room, 237 NE Broadway, 6 pm, FREE

IPRC Print Spree: 2nd Annual Print Show & Sale
The Independent Publishing Resource Center is again teaming up with a gaggle of 20 super talented artists to produce and sell limited-run art prints (editions of 25). Curators include Kate Bingaman-Burt, Niko Courtelis, Fruit Salad Club, Last Heavy, and the IPRC. For 30 bucks a pop, you can support the IPRC, artists, curators, and your aesthetics with a new print. Early arrival at 6:30 pm costs $10 but includes two drink tokens and first dibs (FREE after 7:30 pm)! Tillamook Station, 665 N Tillamook, 6:30 pm

Stories Under the Bridge: Screening and Reception
Join Cheryl Leontina, a recent graduate of Portland State University’s Master of Architecture program, for an artist talk centered around her project, “Stories Under the Bridge,” and screening of documentary shorts produced by Outside the Frame. For the project, Leontina visited with Portland’s houseless community by bike, collecting their stories and experiences. The exhibit will be on view through Tues Dec 31. Lincoln Recital Hall, 1620 SW Park, 5:30 pm, FREE

Para un mundo sin fronteras: Variety Show for Pueblo Unido
Sway to the sounds of Bajo Salario, a band paying homage to the Latin American musical revolutionaries such as Mercedes Sosa, Atahualpa Yupanqui, and Oscar Chavez, as well as “post-post-hardcore” band Mujahedeen at this benefit for local nonprofit Pueblo Unido. Cruzroom Annex, 2338 NE Alberta, 7 pm, $10-20

Welcoming Spaces: Gender Inclusion in Bodywork
Trystan Reese is a trans educator and storyteller known for his stellar social justice-centered facilitation and his own trans pregnancy story as shared in outlets like CNN, People, and the Washington Post. Join him for a workshop specifically for wellness and bodywork professionals seeking to increase inclusivity for trans and non-binary community members. Bring something comfy to sit on and register in advance on Eventbrite. PDX Power Yoga, 1915 NE MLK, 2 pm, $100

Reproductive Rights Rock
The lineup for this benefit concert in support of the National Network of Abortion Funds is positively stacked. Catch the Interference, Whysir, Lazy Universe, Garden Hoe, and Millennial Falcon servin’ up post-punk, new wave, psychedelic rock, and acoustic jams for all who dare venture into Brentwood-Darlington’s premier dive bar. Misdemeanor Meadows, 6920 SE 52nd, 7 pm, $5

The Pig Lebowski: Fundraiser for Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary
Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary knows how to throw a rad fundraiser in support of the animals! You can sample foods from beloved vegan restaurants such as Aviv, Fatsquatch, and of course No Bones Beach Club, and enjoy plenty of activities including a cute photobooth, live DJ, and a bitchin’ raffle. General admission includes food and a beverage of your choice. Spring for the VIP ticket ($100) to get access to an exclusive happy hour with tasty appetizers, meet and greet with Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary owners, a swag bag, and open bar. No Bones Beach Club, 3928 N Mississippi, 6 pm, $20

Reparations: A Revolutionary Demand
Days of Reparations to African People is an annual speaking tour that brings discussions of reparations into municipalities across the country, with a specific aim toward educating white community members. Hear from Omali Yeshitela and Penny Hess, chairwoman of the African People’s Solidarity Committee, at this vital community conversation. No one turned away for lack of funds. PICA, 15 NE Hancock, 7 pm, $5

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Nacho lovers, rejoice! The Portland Mercury’s Nacho Week is serving up specially crafted, full-sized plates of inventive, delicious nachos at over 40 locations. And best of all, THEY’RE ONLY $5 EACH! Make you and your stomach happy October 14 - 19 with the Portland Mercury’s Nacho Week (brought to you by Corona USA and Hornitos Tequila)!

THE NACHOS: 23 TOTchos!
WHAT’S ON THEM: House tots, creamy Mornay cheese sauce, pickled jalapeños, Castelvetrano olives, and fresh scallion
WHAT THEY SAY:“Chef Cameron Dunlap wanted to create a nacho dish that challenges the conventional definition of ‘nachos,’ with a north-of-the-border comfort food element. Crispy potato tots, creamy Mornay sauce, and our house-pickled jalapeños come together in a way that says ‘chilly Northwestern perfection’ for the incoming autumn season!”
ADDRESS: 529 NW 23rd
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3-10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, not available during brunch.

THE NACHOS: El Cubano Nacho
WHAT’S ON THEM: Tortilla chips, Swiss beer-cheese sauce, mustard-braised pork, Pilsner dill pickle chips, and spicy mustard sauce
WHAT THEY SAY:“A cuban inspiration, a nacho twist, and as much Pacific Northwest beer as we could get in there!”
ADDRESS: 412 NW 5th
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no modifications.

THE NACHOS: Tarochos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Taro chips topped with Kalua pig, Longboard kimchi queso, green onion straws, and shaved radish
WHAT THEY SAY:“Brah, so onolicious!”
ADDRESS: 2454 E Burnside & 5200 SE Woodstock
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no delivery services, no substitutions.

THE NACHOS: Duros Supreme
WHAT’S ON THEM: Fried duros seasoned with Tají­n, topped with cotija cheese, house chorizo, pickled onions and hot peppers, then drizzled with cilantro aioli
WHAT THEY SAY:“This is our take on the classic wagon wheel street snack, which is usually doused in lime or lemon juice and hot sauce. Tajín takes the place of the citrus/chili element, and we pile it with local cotija and other house-made accoutrements. Crunchy, spicy, and with loads of complementary flavors.”
ADDRESS: 121 NW 9th
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Wed 3-10 pm, Thurs 3-11 pm, Fri-Sat noon-11 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, one order per person per day, no substitutions. We’ll try not to run out, but since most components are made fresh daily, we might. If we do, we’ll have more the next day.

THE NACHOS: Greek Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Homemade tortilla chips, house-made tzatziki sauce, house-braised shredded beef with Greek seasonings, feta cheese, fresh tomatoes, pepperoncinis, fresh cucumbers, house-pickled white onions, kalamata olives, and parsley, sprinkled with sumac
WHAT THEY SAY:“This is a generous portion of nachos that will leave you feeling full! This is a variation from our normally available gyro nachos. We swapped out the traditional pita chips for tortilla chips, because we are trying to cater to the gluten-free crowd that couldn’t enjoy the pita chips. We updated the gyro meat to a slow-braised, Greek-style shredded beef to offer a very Greek, very delicious Greek-style nacho!”
ADDRESS: 6219 SE Foster
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 4 pm-2 am
THINGS TO KNOW: Absolutely NO TAKE OUT !! Or to go orders on the nachos!! NO Adding any ingredients! This is any assembly line that has a rhythm and a beat to it. When you add or take stuff off, it stalls the assembly line and makes your order take longer as well as other peoples’ orders. So please keep this in mind with trying to customize your nachos.

THE NACHOS: El Pollo Grande
WHAT’S ON THEM: Big’s spiced tortilla chips, ground chicken chili verde, queso sauce, smoked corn salsa, cotija, and cilantro
WHAT THEY SAY:“Goddamn, that’s delicious.”
ADDRESS: 4570 SW Watson
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no substitutions.

THE NACHOS: Rockfish Ceviche NOTchos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Pickled serranos, red onions, lime, taro chips, and avocado crema
WHAT THEY SAY: These are NOT’cho Mama’s Nachos
ADDRESS: 250 NW 13th
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Thurs 4-10 pm, Fri 4 pm-midnight, Sat 3 pm-midnight
THINGS TO KNOW: Available in cafe/bar only.

THE NACHOS: Boke Togorashi Not-Choze!
WHAT’S ON THEM: Szechuan pork and garlic chive with togorashi Tillamook cheese sauce over crispy house-fried wonton chips
WHAT THEY SAY:“You’ve never had nachos like these before.”
ADDRESS: 1028 SE Water, Suite 120
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11am-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in Only, No Substitutions

THE NACHOS: BRIX Chips
WHAT’S ON THEM: Braised roasted pork shoulder, Swiss cheese fondue, grilled tomato salsa, cilantro cream, and tortilla chips
WHAT THEY SAY:“BRIX Chips comes as inspiration of a ‘comfort food appetizer’ before dinner is served.”
ADDRESS: 1338 NW Hoyt
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Fri 11 am to close, Sat 3 pm to close
THINGS TO KNOW: On Sat, nachos available after brunch at 3 pm.

THE NACHOS: NotchYo Fries
WHAT’S ON THEM: Chili lime-coated fries topped with taco-seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, and pickled jalapeños
WHAT THEY SAY: Chef/Owner Derek Coughlin wanted to create an elevated nacho fry dish that incorporated his love of the Taco Bell Fiery DLT as well as his love for obnoxiously delicious nacho cheese.
ADDRESS: 676 SE Morrison
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 8 am-10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, cannot be combined with other offers.

THE NACHOS: Carlita’s Ardiente Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: House-made tortilla lime chips, black beans, white cheddar queso with fire roasted jalapeños and Fresno red peppers, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, cotija, and cilantro
ADDRESS: 1101 NW Northrup
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Thurs 4 pm-midnight, Fri 4 pm-1 am, Sat 12 pm-1 am
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no minors inside.

THE NACHOS: Chilaquiles de Casa
WHAT’S ON THEM: Chilaquiles are made with our oven-baked tostadas and are topped with red and green sauce, queso fresco, and Mexican crema
WHAT THEY SAY: Whether during the morning or in the evening, these nachos would give you a taste of Mexico. From chips to toppings, everything is made in-house.
ADDRESS: 422 NW 8th
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-2 pm, and 4-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: This dish can be made vegan upon request.

THE NACHOS: Chow Chow Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Braised chicken, corn salsa, chimichurri crema, and wonton chips
WHAT THEY SAY: This is an ode to an old dish we experimented with as a burger for Burger Week, it was called the Chow Chow Burger. These are our Chimichurri Chow Chow nachos.
ADDRESS: 2600 NE Sandy
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 4 pm-2 am

THE NACHOS: Mediterranean Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Pita chips, feta cheese fondue, pickled peppers, salsa verde, za’ atar, scallions, and Castelvetrano olives
WHAT THEY SAY:“Our unique Mediterranean take on a classic snack!”
ADDRESS: 1001 SE Water
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 pm and 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no substitutions, available for lunch and happy hour.

THE NACHOS: Waffacho
WHAT’S ON THEM: Seasoned waffle fries, queso sauce, taco-seasoned beef, tomatoes, olives, and pickled jalapeños and green onions, topped with fire-roasted salsa
WHAT THEY SAY:“It’s what dreams are made of.”
ADDRESS: 3276 NE Killingsworth
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no minors.

THE NACHOS: Hong Shao Rou Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Tortilla chips, red braised pork, red chili cheese sauce, scallion, and cilantro
WHAT THEY SAY: We wanted to create a nacho that incorporated a really classic Chinese element. That’s where the hong shao rou (red braised pork) comes in. Something a little sweet and spiced to go along with the chips and cheese.
ADDRESS: 803 SE Stark
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only.

THE NACHOS: Sas-squash
WHAT’S ON THEM: Blue corn chips, chili-roasted winter squash, corn milk queso, cilantro, red onion, green chiles, and chocolate mole
WHAT THEY SAY:“Not nearly as elusive as their namesake, Sas-squash nachos’ footing is in big, fall flavors.”
ADDRESS: 520 SW Broadway
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Fri 11 am-11 pm, Sat 4 pm-11 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: No substitutions. Gluten-free and lacto-ovo friendly.

THE NACHOS: The Supreme Leader
WHAT’S ON THEM: Fried wontons, Tillamook cheddar/jack, kimchi, and Gochujang
WHAT THEY SAY:“Dot’s has literally sold hundreds of thousands of nachos over the course of our existence–so of course we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to participate in Nacho Week! We are taking this classic bar snack to the Far East, and bringing you ‘The Supreme Leader.’ We fry our wontons in-house and season them perfectly before topping them in Tillamook cheddar and jack. We toss in minced pickled jalapeños and bake until they’re perfectly melty! Then we top them with kimchi and a drizzle of Gochujang!”
ADDRESS: 2521 SE Clinton
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Fri 2 pm-close, Sat 4 pm-close
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, limit one per customer.

THE NACHOS: Crispy Pork Belly Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Pork belly, brown sugar-glazed and fried crispy. Served on a base of tortilla, queso blanco, flamed grilled red peppers, and green onion
ADDRESS: 1233 N Killingsworth
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3 pm-11 pm

THE NACHOS: Ig”nacho” Anayalator
WHAT’S ON THEM: Blue corn tortilla chips, housemade refried black beans, pork carnitas, Oaxaca cheese, pickled jalapeño, carrots and radishes, salsa verde, and cilantro crema
WHAT THEY SAY:“Named after our hero, the inventor of the modern-day nacho: Ignacio Anaya Garcia. We’re pretty sure ours are better though. You be the judge.”
ADDRESS: 921 SW 6th
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-11:30 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no additional coupons or discounts, no modifications.

THE NACHOS: Nacho Special
WHAT’S ON THEM: Smoked pork butt, roasted chiles, onions, and special cheese sauce
WHAT THEY SAY:“These nachos cost $5. You’ll like these nachos. These nachos are special.”
ADDRESS: 4847 SE Division
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3-10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: No takeout, no problems.

THE NACHOS: Nacho-roni
WHAT’S ON THEM: Juanita’s tortilla chips, topped with spicy creole pulled chicken, cajun nacho cheese macaroni, and fresh-cut pico de gallo
WHAT THEY SAY:“We took the best elements from nachos and smashed them together with our famous cajun food to create a saucy, spicy mash-up. Every element in this dish works so well that you’ll wonder why this wasn’t a thing before now.”
ADDRESS: 301 SE Morrison
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 4 pm-2 am

THE NACHOS: Truck Stop Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: The base: deep-fried white corn tortillas sprinkled with salt and Tajín. The sauce: our queso—or, as we like to call it, liquid gold! The toppings: spicy pickled jalapeños and crumbled queso fresco
WHAT THEY SAY:“GIVE AWAY ALERT! If you’re lucky, you’ll receive your nachos in an official Truck Stop Nachos trucker hat! If you’re not lucky. you can buy one!”
ADDRESS: 938 N Cook
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Fri 3 pm-midnight, Sat noon-midnight
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, limit to one order per person, minors permitted until 9 pm.

THE NACHOS: The Pastrano
WHAT’S ON THEM: House-made seasoned corn chips, house-made dill pickle queso cheese sauce, pastrami, white onions, tomato, and a horseradish spicy brown mustard
WHAT THEY SAY:“Pastrami and cheese sauce, oh my! Our inspiration for this delectable dish comes from our love of New York-style delis—with a twist. We offer a range of flavors that excite and stimulate the palate. What better way to incorporate this flavor combination but in nachos? Munchies, anyone?”
ADDRESS: 6618 SE Powell
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3 pm-midnight
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no minors, no substitutions.

THE NACHOS: Tata-totchos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Tater tots, chipotle cheese sauce, ground taco beef, green and white onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and sour cream
WHAT THEY SAY:“Totchos and ta-tas!”
ADDRESS: 633 SE Powell
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11am- 2:30 am
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only. Can be made vegetarian. Tip the dancers!

THE NACHOS: Mole Man Nacho Savage
WHAT’S ON THEM: Mole sauce, roasted chicken, Hatch chile crema, black beans, fried plantain, and pickled red onion
WHAT THEY SAY:“This nacho is the cream of the crop, oh yeeeeeah.”
ADDRESS: 2828 NE Glisan
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-11 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: No take-outs. Only tap outs.

THE NACHOS: Barbacoa Beef Nacho
WHAT’S ON THEM: Corn tortilla chips, house-made nacho cheese sauce, shredded barbacoa brisket with a crema drizzle and a pickled jalapeño relish
WHAT THEY SAY:“We make everything in house, from the chips to the toppings. The brisket, which is the real star of this dish, is marinated and braised in a Guajillo pepper sauce, then shredded by hand.”
ADDRESS: 7995 SE Milwaukie
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3 pm to close
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no substitutions. Sorry, no vegan or vegetarian options.

THE NACHOS: Nach’yo Mama’s Fries
WHAT’S ON THEM: Tasty fries topped with vegan chz, black beans, tomatoes, onions, vegan sour cream, guacamole, and spicy jalapeños
WHAT THEY SAY:“All the best nacho toppings—stacked and satisFRYing! These 100 percent plant-based epic nacho fries are everything!”
ADDRESS: 4121 SE Hawthorne & 11 S State Street, Lake Oswego
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Portland: Mon-Fri 11 am-10:30 pm, Sat 9 am-10:30 pm. Lake Oswego: Mon-Fri 11 am-9 pm, Sat 9 am-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, No substitutions.

THE NACHOS: Viva La Elote
WHAT’S ON THEM: Tortilla chips smothered in queso blanco, then topped with roasted sweet corn, fresh cilantro, and chili powder
ADDRESS: 3746 SE Hawthorne
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-midnight

THE NACHOS: The Double Stack
WHAT’S ON THEM: Fried smoked chicken, three local Mexican cheeses, roasted poblanos, queso, and pico de gallo
WHAT THEY SAY:“We wanted to give people something fun, exciting, and decadent. We brined our chicken in pickle brine before frying. It’s served on top of our house tortilla chips and covered in Salem’s Don Froylan Queso Oaxaca, Queso Botanero, and Queso Cotija. Throw in some roasted poblano peppers, house-made queso, and pico de gallo, and you have a delicious double stack of smoky, crunchy, cheesy nachos.”
ADDRESS: 2100 SE Clinton
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 2 pm-2 am
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no minors. We also have a vegetarian option.

THE NACHOS: Kimchi Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Homemade chips, cashew poblano cheese sauce, Gochujang soy curls, sriracha aioli, sesame seeds, scallions, and kimchi
WHAT THEY SAY:“Our kimchi nachos are totally gluten free, totally plant based, and are spicy, tangy deliciousness!”
ADDRESS: 3928 N Mississippi
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon, Wed-Thurs 4-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm (closed Tues)
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only!

THE NACHOS: Sellwoods Spicy Buffalo Totchos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Crispy tater tots smothered with jalapeño and pepper jack queso and topped with Lompoc Brewing’s Lomporter-braised beef
WHAT THEY SAY:“Join us for Oaks Bottom’s first Nacho Week! Our inspiration comes from our fan favorite ‘totchos.’ Try out our new spin on them this week!”
ADDRESS: 1621 SE Bybee
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, available until 10 pm.

THE NACHOS: Heatwave to the Flavor Zone
WHAT’S ON THEM: Juanita’s corn chips topped with melted pepper jack cheese, roasted jalapeños, black beans, charred corn, and chopped Mama Lil’s pickled peppers, drizzled with a house-made queso sauce featuring Mama Lil’s peppers. Garnished with fresh cilantro and Mexican crema
WHAT THEY SAY:“We’re driving straight into that sweet spot where heat and flavor meet in a spicy showdown.”
ADDRESS: 700 NE Dekum
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: No substitutions or modifications.

THE NACHOS: Nachos Volcan
WHAT’S ON THEM: A heaping mound of freshly made chips, melted Monterey Jack cheese, salsa fresca, guacamole, sour cream, salsa Suzy (spicy salsa), and roasted jalapeños
WHAT THEY SAY:“A delicious, spicy explosion of flavors! Inspired by a family salsa recipe.”
ADDRESS: 3832 SE Hawthorne
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-10 pm

THE NACHOS: The 9-Os
WHAT’S ON THEM: Mango, avocado, cilantro, habanero, pico, queso, manchego, pinto, with Dorito
WHAT THEY SAY:“Welcome to the 9-Os. We’re mixing some crazy cool wild flavors of awesomeness! Try our refreshing, tangy deluxe nacho basket with nine ingredients ending in ‘O.’ Experience the 9-Os at Retro Game Bar, where video games and nostalgia rule! Vegan option available, also totally rad! We’re all that and a basket of nacho chips!”
ADDRESS: 6720 NE MLK
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3 pm-2 am (21+), Sat 11 am-3 pm (all ages)
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, minors allowed Sat 11 am-3 pm.

THE NACHOS: Basic Bitch Beef Brisket Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Tortilla chips with brisket and ground-beef taco meat, green chili cheese sauce, pickled jalapeños, red onion, radish, black olives, and sour cream
WHAT THEY SAY:“Those brisket burnt ends in there are ridiculous.”
ADDRESS: 7712 SE 13th
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no delivery services, no substitutions.

THE NACHOS: Sushi Nachos
WHAT’S ON THEM: Crispy wontons topped with avocado, cucumber, spicy mayo, unagi sauce, and spicy tuna
WHAT THEY SAY:“A sushi roll-inspired take on nachos.”
ADDRESS: 214 SW Broadway
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 4:30 pm- 10 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no minors after 10 pm.

THE NACHOS: Totchos Con Jefe
WHAT’S ON THEM: Housemade cheddar tots topped with queso, ground beef, black olives, onions, sour cream, and salsa
WHAT THEY SAY:“For the perfect mix of nostalgia and flavor, come on in and indulge in some good old-fashioned cheesy goodness.”
ADDRESS: 1355 NW Everett, 3449 N Anchor, 22 NE 2nd
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 8 am-11 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Only available modification: no ground beef (vegetarian).

THE NACHOS: Elote Nacho
WHAT’S ON THEM: Corn tortilla chips smothered in queso blanco and topped with fire-roasted corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, pepino and Tají­n
WHAT THEY SAY:“Chef Beatrice grew up eating elotes (or as she calls it, it ‘corn in a cup’) on the streets of Chicago. It is the perfect snack on the go! She was inspired by this delicious Mexican street food for her Nacho Week dish.”
ADDRESS: 1403 SE Stark
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no substitutions.

THE NACHOS: The Wurst Nacho
WHAT’S ON THEM: Wood-fired carne asada with a roasted chipotle aioli, Monterey Jack fondue, fresh tomatoes, onions and cilantro
WHAT THEY SAY:“Between vintage racing at the track and alcohol consumption, the people over at Wurst had to direct their fleeting moments of clarity to the task at hand. The words ‘rad,’‘delicious,’‘that’s the shit,’ and ‘goddamn’ were mentioned periodically.”
ADDRESS: 724 E Burnside
WHEN YOU CAN EAT THEM: Mon-Sat 3 pm-until we run out
THINGS TO KNOW: Dine-in only, no minors, no substitutions.

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Stay up to date on Portland news and politics. Looking for fun? Here are the best Things to Do in Portland today.

At Equality Town Hall, Elizabeth Warren Perfectly Delivers a Zing-a-ling Zinger.Mario Tama/Getty Images

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! There's not a single question that we can't make this right, 'cause it's you I need every day and night. LET'S GO TO PRESS.

Former EU ambassador Gordon Sondland, the Portland hotelier and contributor to the Mayor Wheeler and Trump campaigns, has announced through his lawyers that he will testify before Congress despite the president's insistence that he stay silent. (Boycott his hotels anyway.)

Trump blocked US ambassador Gordon Sondland from testifying before Congress about his role in the Ukraine negotiations.

Sondland’s influence in Portland isn’t as easy to obfuscate.https://t.co/EJmnU269vt

— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) October 11, 2019

Congress is also questioning former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch today, who was fired months ago because she didn't show Trump enough loyalty. She was on the scene when Giuliani allegedly tried to kickstart Ukraine's sham investigation into the Bidens. UH-OH!

Democrats are now pushing Pelosi to expand the Trump inquiry beyond Ukraine, since his corruption obviously runs deep (so deep it'll put your butt to sleep).

After Trump informed Congress that he and his administration are refusing to cooperate in the impeachment inquiry, House Democrats have issued subpoenas to two people integral to the Ukraine investigation: known corrupt creeps Rudy Giuliani and Rick Perry.

More bad news for Trump: An appeals court has rejected the president's plea to stop a House subpoena that calls for Trump to release eight years of tax documents.

Trump's mounting desperation is also resulting in more disgusting behavior at his campaign rallies such at the one yesterday in Minnesota, where he crapped all over Somali refugees.

However! At the same time Trump was spreading hate....

I could kiss you Minneapolis! Thousands of protestors outside Trump rally. #TrumpMinneapolispic.twitter.com/fxYc0FvVlE

— ERIC BALFOUR (@ERICBALFOUR) October 11, 2019

Facebook—which is a garbage platform that's sowing lies and destruction—has given the okay to political ads that spread blatant lies... you know, like the ones Trump says on the regular. (Tell me again why you're keeping your account?)

CNN held an Equality Town Hall last night where candidates answered questions, and the spotlight often fell on protesters who correctly insisted that not enough attention is being paid to murders of 19 Black transgender women.

ALSO at the CNN Equality Town Hall:

How would I respond to someone who says marriage is between one man and one woman? #EqualityTownHallpic.twitter.com/8uNXqXI5n7

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 11, 2019

A week after suffering a heart attack and then saying he was going to tap the brakes on his hectic campaigning schedule, Bernie Sanders is now saying he "misspoke" and will be hitting the campaign trail as vigorously as before.

Remember these? A fast moving wildfire is prompting evacuations in California's San Fernando Valley.

Congrats go to new WNBA champions the Washington Mystics who defeated the Connecticut Sun, 89-78.

And this is how I'm going into MY weekend (like Simone Biles winning her fifth world championships individual all‑around gold medal). How about you?

Simone Biles with the mic drop! 🐐🐐🐐

pic.twitter.com/htYUVKkYbE
— Poor Lawyer (@poorlawyer) October 10, 2019

IN LOCAL NEWS: The Parkrose High studentwho brought a gun into school has been sentenced to 36 months probation and mental health treatment, and our Alex Zielinski has more on the story.

Speaking of guns, the PSU armed guards will stay armed following the release of a new school safety plan that our Blair Stenvick notes looks suspiciously familiar to the old plan.

Wife of Jason Washington, a man killed by campus police officers in 2018, told PSU board:“These students told you years ago that this would happen and you didn’t listen... I feel like nothing’s going to change, and this is going to happen to someone else."https://t.co/p0g743KqFu

— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) October 10, 2019

Neal Keny-Guyer, the longtime CEO of Mercy Corps, has stepped down after accusations of serial sexual abuse were leveled at co-founder Ellsworth Culver who was allowed to stay in his position for more than a decade.

Come for the story about a suspect who entered an apartment building, pepper-sprayed workers, and made off with a cell phone, and stay for... pictures of an owl? That's Portland, folks, and our Alex Zee reports.

ARE YOU HUNGRY? Then may I interest you in the Portland Mercury's upcoming Nacho Week? OH! AND YES, YOU DO LOOK SEXY!Tickets for HUMP! 2019 are right here. (Oh, and psst! Check out the new, very sexy, and decidedly NSFW HUMP! trailer here.)

Now let's look skyward to the WEATHER: Another sunny, breezy day with a high of 65 (and Saturday is looking pretty good, too)!

And finally... please heed this IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Some of y'all need this lesson pic.twitter.com/Pm4gljKskG

—🎃🦇Jack-o'-lisha🦇🎃🧀✌🌊🤘🌊 (@Cptnrwrpnts) October 10, 2019

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Fall is the season where leaves turn gold and amber hues enrich the landscape, so it only makes sense that the rich golden wonderfulness of NACHO WEEK begins here and now, right? That's not the only wonderfulness on the menu, of course: A pair of hometown heroes return for nights full of ha-has; Zadie Smith shares stories, Tyler the Creator gets weird, Ural Thomas brings the Pain, and so much more. Hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.

The Portland Mercury's Nacho Week
Ever since we announced that the Portland Mercury's Nacho Week was coming in 2019, nacho-lovers (and totcho-lovers, and whatever other kind of -cho you're enamored with eating) have not only rejoiced, but waited with bated breath for an idea of what sort of cheese-drenched goodness would available to them at the low low cost of $5. WAIT NO LONGER, you fine aficionachos! YOUR DAYNACHO WEEK, brought to you by Corona USA and Hornitos Tequila, HAS FINALLY COME! (Starts Mon, Oct 14, Various Locations, $5, click here for participating venues)

Tyler the Creator, Blood Orange, Goldlink
Tyler, the Creator’s debut album Goblin definitely wasn’t for everyone, but luckily, the artist’s career trajectory shows he’s not afraid to evolve. Personally, I enjoy that the rapper/singer/producer/director has been making pretty, sonically profound hip-hop (with wayyyyyy fewer instances of anti-gay slurs) as of late. With all its sonic and thematic genius, it’s no wonder Igor is Tyler, the Creator’s first number-one album on the Billboard 200. Having seen Tyler, the Creator at Memorial Coliseum for his “Flower Boy” tour, I can confirm he’s quite the entertainer. During Tyler’s set, the all-ages audience will be subjected to an energetic, vulnerable, at-times-theatrical display. (Mon Oct 14, 7 pm, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, $26.50-56.60)JENNI MOORE

Chris Ware, Lynda Barry
Powell’s City of Books does not seem large enough to contain the might of these two dynamos of the indie comics world, Lynda Barry (One! Hundred! Demons!) and Chris Ware (Jimmy Corrigan). Since Barry was recently awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant, I predict a madhouse for her alone—not to mention her new book Making Comics, which continues the outstanding comics art instruction of 2014’s Syllabus. Ware’s last big (literally enormous) work Building Stories met similar acclaim and since Rusty Brown sounds like a return to a more accessible book-sized comic, I would expect every comics fan in Portland to show. May the odds ever be in your favor! (Mon Oct 14, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)SUZETTE SMITH

Aldous Harding, Hand Habits
Aldous Harding’s odd brand of uneasy listening is unpindownable. Simultaneously familiar and alien, like a childhood home remembered in a dream, the New Zealand folk singer/songwriter seems to be sending dispatches from a sideways world, one where Nick Drake’s lilt and Marlene Dietrich’s growl live in glorious accord. Her latest album, Designer, doesn’t contain anything as immediately thrilling as “Blend” or “Living the Classics”—both of which appeared on 2017’s Party—but a slow reveal suits Harding. When she clobbers you with the stark and stunning penultimate track, “Heaven Is Empty,” you’ll be too turned around by her strange magic to see it coming. (Mon Oct 14, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $20-24, all ages)CHRIS STAMM

Lucero, Vandoliers
For a band with a sound so deeply rooted in their home city's musical past, Memphis alt-country and punk rock outfit Lucero sure spend a lot of time on the road. Tonight they swing back through Portland for a headlining show at the Hawthorne Theatre. (Mon Oct 14, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $25-30)

Black Lips, Blue Rose Rounders
Fresh off a co-headline tour with Danish punks Iceage, the long-running garage rock act out of Atlanta brings their rowdy live show back to town for a stop on their West Coast tour. (Mon Oct 14, 9 pm, Dante's, $20-25)

Kazu
After nine albums with Blonde Redhead, Japanese musician Kazu Makino steps out for an intimate Portland stop on a North Ameican tour supporting her solo debut, Adult Baby, which was released in September via her newly-minted record of the same name. (Mon Oct 14, 8 pm, Polaris Hall, $20-23)

The Manhattan Transfer
The long-running jazz vocal and a cappella group out of New York City make their way back to town for a headlining show at Revolution Hall supporting their latest album, The Junction. (Mon Oct 14, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $55-65)

Zadie Smith
Award-winning, best-selling, highly acclaimed author Zadie Smith comes to Portland's Revolution Hall to read from and talk about her first-ever short story collection, Grand Union. Admission includes a copy of the book. (Tues Oct 15, 7:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $37)

Babymetal, The Hu
The creation of kawaii metal, a Japanese genre that features adorable pop moppets fronting power metal bands, felt downright inevitable. Especially after being confronted with Babymetal, the most popular group to emerge from this subgenre. Watching the trio of young women throwing down synchronized dance moves in matching goth schoolgirl outfits as they sing about chocolate, karate, and female foxes, the whole thing still feels wholly market-tested and manufactured. Which would be obnoxious if it weren’t so damn fun. (Tues Oct 15, 8 pm, Roseland, $49 & Up, all ages)ROBERT HAM

Winonafest: A Winona Ryder Themed Drag Show
Tacky Wacky Inc presents a Winona Ryder-themed drag show, with an array of talented performers bringing characters from Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Stranger Things, Little Women, and more to life on the Crush stage. Hosted by Wolfgang X, with music by DJ Aurora. (Tues Oct 15, 8:30 pm, Crush, $12)

Son Volt, Peter Bruntnell
Jay Farrar is an old soul. He has been since at least 1992, when he stripped most of the punk power and fury from his band Uncle Tupelo and recorded an album of prewar traditionals and acoustic originals called March 16-20, 1992. His longtime project Son Volt has always had an anachronistic feel, whether tackling road-weary roots-rock (as on the band’s classic 1995 debut Trace) or classic country (see 2013’s Honky Tonk). Son Volt’s 2017 album, Notes of Blue, continues this theme, exploring a frenetic, electric strain of the blues inspired by 20th-century legends like Mississippi Fred McDowell and Skip James. Present as always is Farrar’s voice, one of the most distinctive in roots music, and his reliable cache of cozy melodies. Listening to the guy sing is like opening an old leather book. The appeal never wears off, no matter how many times you do it. (Tues Oct 15, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $27.50-30, all ages)BEN SALMON

Altin Gün
Few bands were as blindsiding during this year’s Pickathon as Holland’s Altin Gün, and the resonance of their groovy, psych maelstrom still lingers. On the band’s sophomore record, Gece, they splice funky rhythmic witchery with squalling guitar fuzz and Anatolian melodic flourishes. It’s a recipe for introspective meditation or a no-one’s-watching dance fit, or maybe both at once. Funktastic tunes like “Anlatmam Derdimi” or “Yolcu” pop in and out of twisted sonic territory, invoking a hypnotic realm of exotic psych-rock that is extremely welcome. Continuing their stateside invasion following their triumphant Pendarvis Farm appearances, Altin Gün in the relatively intimate confines of Mississippi Studios will be something else. (Tues Oct 15, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $18-20)RYAN J. PRADO

Bush, Live, Our Lady Peace
Bush were probably always going to be dismissed as grunge carpetbaggers but cosplaying as Nirvana on the Steve Albini-produced Razorblade Suitcase sealed the deal. Gavin Rossdale and company were straight-up shameless. They also utterly misunderstood their own strength: writing huge, dumb anthems with the sharp edges of a milkshake. The band’s debut, Sixteen Stone, is a pop monolith that reaches stratospheric heights on “Glycerine,” which might be an even better power ballad than Candlebox’s “Far Behind.” That’s about as good as radio-friendly unit-shifters got in the mid-’90s, and we can never take that away from them. (Tues Oct 15, 7 pm, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, $23-171)CHRIS STAMM

Fink
British producer and singer/songwriter Fin Greenall, better known by his stage name Fink, brings his ambient folk, indie rock, and blues through the Doug Fir Lounge for the Portland stop on his latest North American tour. (Tues Oct 15, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $16-18)

The Regrettes
We could all learn a lesson or two from Los Angeles’ brutally honest punk band the Regrettes—lessons like it’s always better to speak your mind, music is generally better when it’s louder, and there’s no such thing as too young. The band self-released their debut EP Hey! in 2015 when singer Lydia Night was just 14 years old, and caught the attention of Warner Brothers Records. In 2017, they released their first full-length, Feel Your Feelings Fool! Night delivers unapologetic lyrics with just the right amount of sarcasm over melodies that teem with infectious pop hooks, catchy guitar riffs, tight punk drums, and youthful rebellion that updates the classic riot grrrl sound. (Wed Oct 16, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $16-18, all ages)DELANEY MOTTER

Amy Miller
On a recent episode of Amy Miller’s podcast, Who’s Your God?, a guest comedian explained why he was toning back on angry humor. By contrast, he said, Miller’s stage rage could be read as empowerment. “Or crazy,” Miller interjected with a laugh. That sort of shit is what makes Miller a comedy hero. She’s clever as hell. Her jokes are fresh and sweetly dangerous, and she’s also still willing to engage and destroy common fallacies. Now that she lives in LA, we get to see her about once a year, and this is it! Don’t miss out, Portland. You know you love her! (Wed Oct 16, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $15-23)SUZETTE SMITH

Desmond Meade
Voting rights activist and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Desmond Meade heads up the latest installment of the Oregon Humanities Think & Drink lecture series at the Alberta Rose Theatre. (Wed Oct 16, 7 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $15-30)

Lithics, Sun Foot, Collate
Lithics minimalist post-punk pulses and chirps, manically pushing forward and pulling back, while building insistent loops before pretending to fall apart, as vocalist Aubrey Hornor brings an understated, bordering-on-spoken-word nonchalance. This restraint, at least on record, keeps the tension high, while also keeping something bubbling below the surface, waiting. (Wed Oct 16, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-14)JOSHUA JAMES AMBERSON

Richard Powers
An evening hearing from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Overstory, reading from the book and discussing the very real and not fictional conflict between humanity and the rest of creation. Admission includes a copy of the book. (Wed Oct 16, 7:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $28.95)

Delta Rae, Frances Cone
The Durham, North Carolina-hailing folk-rock, Americana, and blues outfit headed up by siblings Ian, Eric, and Brittany Hölljes bring their harmony-laden sounds back to town for a headlining show at the Doug Fir Lounge. (Wed Oct 16, 8 pm, Doug Fir, $25-28)

Ayokay
Los Angeles-via-Detroit DJ and producer Alex O'Neill, better known by his stage name Ayokay, brings his unique blend of pop- and R&B-informed EDM to the Holocene stage for an all-ages show supporting his latest album, we come alive. (Wed Oct 16, 8 pm, Holocene, $16-18, all ages)

Matt Braunger
Bridgetown Comedy Festival co-founder Matt Braunger is based in LA now, but he still returns to Portland often to deliver his self-deprecating, non-toxic-dude brand of standup. “Do you recognize the fact that you’re wearing a hockey jersey and basketball shorts, you pile of crap?” Braunger implored of men who complain about their marriages on a Conan guest spot. On his recent standup special Live in Portland, Braunger even manages to make “wokeness”—the most exhausted comedic topic of the decade, I’d argue—feel fresh and funny. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $20)BLAIR STENVICK

Ural Thomas & the Pain, Tribe Mars
Led by Ural Thomas (a seasoned soul singer from Portland’s Albina district) and including local drummer/producer Scott Magee, Ural Thomas & the Pain formed in 2013 and have rightly been rising in popularity ever since. Their aptly named 2018 LP, The Right Time, is a collection of timeless R&B and soul. Much of the album’s track list pulls from material that’s decades old (some are from 1968’s Can You Dig It… Live!), but the vast majority feels relevant and in tune with the current vintage-soul renaissance being embraced by newer, younger artists à la Black Pumas and the War and Treaty. The show’s trusty openers are interstellar hip-hop/jazz fusion band Tribe Mars, another locally based, magical unicorn of a band the city shan’t take for granted. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-24)JENNI MOORE

IPRC Print Spree
Last year was the Independent Publishing Resource Center’s first every Print Spree—a gallery show and sale featuring $30 prints by 20 local artists. To our delight, the IPRC’s decided to do it again—this time starting the event with a panel discussion with print artists and curators. All proceeds from the print sales will go back to the artists and the IPRC’s print space. (Thurs Oct 17, 6:30 pm, Tillamook Station, free)BLAIR STENVICK

Hozier
Fresh off the release of his sophomore album, Wasteland,Baby!, Irish singer/songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known professionally by his stage name Hozier, brings his soulful blend of blues, folk, and indie rock to the Theater of the Clouds for his biggest Portland show to date. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Theater of the clouds, $36.50-56.50)

Beethoven v. Coldplay
Hot on the heels of their Brahms and Radiohead mashup, conductor Steve Hackman and the Oregon Symphony bring you on another century-spanning musical experiment that sets out to pair Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony with some of Coldplay's biggest hits, including “Fix You,”“Paradise,” and “The Scientist.” Note: Neither Beethoven nor Coldplay will perform on this concert. (Thurs Oct 17, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $25 & Up)

The Delines, Shelley Short
Fresh off the release of their latest full-length, The Imperial, the local country rock and soul outfit headed up by Amy Boone, Willy Vlautin, and a who's who local musicians takes control of the stage at Polaris Hall. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Polaris Hall, $15-17)

You Need Help
A new stand-up showcase that adds advice to the jokes so that you leave with a little knowledge on top of all the laughs. Christian Burke and Jenna Vesper host, with sets (and advice) from Dylan Carlino, Kat Buckley, D Martin Austin, and Corina Lucas, with live music by Cloudlines. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Bit House Saloon, $5)

Rick Wakeman
The renowned and prolific English keyboardist, songwriter, producer best known for his multiple stints in the progressive rock band Yes brings the "Grumpy Old Rock Star Tour" to Portland for a headlining show at Revolution Hall. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $45)

Lubec, Helens, Being Awone
Portland noise pop and indie rock stalwarts Lubec hit Turn! Turn! Turn! to celebrate the release of their latest, Against Nature. Like-minded locals Helens and Being Awone round out the proceedings. (Thurs Oct 17, 8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $5)

Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!

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Fox Searchlight Pictures

Lucy in the Sky is not good, but it’s a little hard to pinpoint why. It’s based on the story of Lisa Nowak, the astronaut who, in 2007, drove from Houston to Orlando wearing a diaper, chased down the guy she had an extramarital affair with, and attempted to kidnap his new girlfriend. Sounds like it should make for a pretty good movie, right?

The diaper’s not in the movie, and Nowak here is called Lucy Cola; she’s played by Natalie Portman in a Dorothy Hamill bob and a stretchy Southern accent. Lucy drives to the San Diego airport, not Orlando’s, and there are other changes, too—rather than rehashing a tabloid scandal, Lucy in the Sky would rather use it as a jumping-off point to explore character and interiority. In the right hands, this would be a good sign for a smart movie.

And the hands seem to be right. Lucy’s directed by Noah Hawley, whose track record on television has some exceptional high notes (Fargo), and even his lower ones (Legion) are usually because of an excess of ambition—too many good ideas rather than a lack of them. Hawley’s a terrific writer and a remarkable visual stylist; his debut feature film should be something worth leaving the house for.

And yet. Lucy in the Sky is flat and cold and terribly dull, despite decent work from Portman and her co-stars, including Jon Hamm as her philandering astronaut flame, Dan Stevens as her steady-as-a-rock husband, Zazie Beetz as the other woman, and Ellen Burstyn as Lucy’s foul-mouthed, chain-smoking Nana. The opening sequence, with Lucy performing a spacewalk above a vast, unreal blue marble, is the movie’s high point, and it’s meant to be deliberately anticlimactic when Lucy comes tumbling back down to Earth and finds it wanting.

Part of the problem is that we know exactly what’s going to happen. We know she’s going to cheat on Stevens with Hamm, and we know she’s going to kinda lose it when Hamm gets with Beetz, and we know she’s going to put on a wig and get in a car and drive a very, very long distance in order to intercept them. Hawley’s interested in all the grace notes that happen along the way, which is fine—but this is quite a plot, and the main thrust of it here is totally dampened, which robs the movie of any sense of fun.

Nevertheless, there are some good storytelling ideas. Lucy has the hallmarks of what should be a terrific character—she’s a brilliant woman with plenty to prove, and she’s not just dealing with the relative disappointment of everyday life on Earth, she’s got the entire boys’ club of NASA to contend with. Hawley’s directorial eye is generally alluring, too, as he futzes with aspect ratios and color palettes to convey Lucy’s inner emotions.

But there are also some bad storytelling ideas, primarily in the form of the character of Lucy’s niece, who strangely accompanies her on the drive from Houston to San Diego. I don’t know if this niece is based on any real-life counterpart, but she's unwanted baggage—literally symbolic of the extra weight women have to carry around while men (e.g., Lucy’s deadbeat brother) avoid responsibility. It’s clunkily handled, and at odds with the nature of Stevens' husband character, a kind and selfless presence in Lucy's life. The addition of the niece to the mix is quietly baffling whenever it's not outright annoying.

Those good and bad storytelling ideas, taken together, don't amount up to much, and I think it’s because Hawley doesn’t interact with the entirety of the story itself. Instead he picks and chooses the themes he wants to play with and ignores the other stuff, creating a rigged game-board that suffocates any sense of drama. Hawley’s clearly enamored with Lucy, who seems to be more or less his own creation—but this comes the expense of the very real Nowak, a far more tragic and confounding person than Portman’s Lucy ever ends up becoming. Nowak’s actual story is the furthest thing from boring, but Lucy in the Sky is exactly that.

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Paramount Pictures

Ang Lee's Gemini Man isn't a bad movie so much as it's a missed opportunity. Considering the talent assembled in front and behind the camera and the 20 years (that's right, 20 years) of development time, you'd expect either a powerhouse of artsy action cinema or at least a trainwreck for the ages. But Gemini Man isn't either of those. It's just... kinda boring.

Will Smith plays Henry, a world class assassin with (get this) one more job until retirement. Obviously, that one job goes horribly awry and globe-trotting espionage escapades ensue, with secret agent Danny (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and some guy they know who owns a plane (Benedict Wong) along for the ride. Oh, and a billionaire military contractor (Clive Owen) cloned Henry in the '90s, and the clone is trying to kill everyone and that's why there's a de-aged Will Smith on the posters!

Lee, never one to sprint when he can saunter, appears to have selected only the lowest-energy takes he could find, then strung them into a very sleepy The Bourne Identity cover song. There used to be a time when even a bad Will Smith movie was a good movie because it had Will Smith in it, but not even two Will Smiths can save this one.

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Gianni Fiorito

The disclaimer that opens Sorrentino's film insists that Loro (Italian for “them”) is a work of fiction, inspired by the true story of the media magnate who became the most powerful man in Italy. But it’s a thin disguise. The details of Berlusconi’s attempts to return to politics after being ousted in 2006, his enormous ego and vanity, and the infamous bacchanals he participated in are all here—and through Servillo’s impeccable performance, the underlying desperationrises to the surface, overtaking the copious amounts of naked flesh and the slavish worship of wealth that's on display.

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Wapato JailMultnomah County

The sprawling North Portland facility—which cost $54 million to build—has sat empty for 17 years, after unexpected budget cuts kept Multnomah County from ever opening its doors. In 2018, after finally paying off the bond that funded the unused jail's initial construction, Multnomah County decided to sell the property to the private sector for $5 million. It landed in the hands of Jordan Schnitzer, a wealthy Portland developer who wanted to turn the space into a "community wellness center" for homeless Portlanders.

His proposal, backed by the Portland police union and a small coalition of fellow developers, was contingent on the idea that the public sector would decide to lease the property from him and bankroll his vague plan to turn it into a massive homeless center.

But without a funding source to renovate the outdated complex—or support from any elected officials or homeless advocacy organizations—the plan has fallen flat. At a Thursday press conference in Wapato, Schnitzer said he has decided to raze the building by the end of the year.

"I am sickened that this is going to be demolished in the next few months," said Schnitzer, president of Harsch Investment Properties. "Unfortunately, after 18 months we don’t have anything in writing that lets us... do a lease."

Schnitzer, joined by a small group of supporters, used Thursday's media spotlight to scold elected officials and homeless services providers for not buying into his plan.

"I’ve never come here in an arrogant way and said, 'I know what this should be.' ...This is too big a project for Jordan to say, 'Okay, I'm going to pull this all together,'" said Schnitzer, referring to himself in the third person. "We need political leadership to stand up and not criticize Wapato."

Political leaders have spent the past decade trying to turn the pricey building—located 11 miles from downtown Portland—into something that would make up for the millions of tax dollars spent on it.

According to Multnomah County Commission Chair Deborah Kafoury, the commission has, over the past decade, considered making it a massive co-working space, a drug and alcohol treatment center, and a warehouse for the Port of Portland.

In 2016, the county commissioned a study to evaluate whether or not Wapato could operate as a homeless shelter. The report estimated it would cost $950,000 to renovate and $1.6 million each year to keep operational—far more than the cost to expand already-existing homeless services in a more accessible location.

According to a new analysis by nonprofit Volunteers of America, it would cost an estimated $16.4 million to turn Wapato into Schnitzer's "wellness center" and cost $18.4 million in yearly operational costs.

In the past few months, the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), which represents both the City of Portland and Multnomah County, opened three new homeless shelters and centers offering a total of 260 beds. One of these facilities, the River District Navigation Center, functions similarly to Schnitzer's plan, with private donors helping fund the construction of a JOHS-run resource center.

In a statement released after Schnitzer's press conference, Multnomah County said that its priority is funding longer-term housing programs rather than mass shelters.

"We’re glad that Jordan Schnitzer has reached the conclusion that he can’t afford to warehouse people in this remote jail," the statement reads. "The $18 million a year that Wapato supporters say they need to fund Wapato, will create 1,000 permanent homes with support services instead. We’re not willing to take funding from those families getting rent assistance, from the people in apartments and shelters, and kick them to the street, just to throw good money after bad."

The county's also in the process of opening a walk-in homeless resource center in downtown Portland. Dubbed the Downtown Behavioral Health Resource Center, the space is intended to help houseless people experiencing addiction or mental illness get set up with temporary and long-term housing, counseling, and peer support.

"We’re glad that Jordan Schnitzer has reached the conclusion that he can’t afford to warehouse people in this remote jail,"—Multnomah County

In his announcement, Schnitzer acknowledged that the county didn't support his plan—but said he believed that Mayor Ted Wheeler was open to the project.

"I’ve known Mayor Wheeler for a long time.... I think he is very smart [and] well-educated," Schnitzer said. "I think it's a complex situation being a mayor of our present city council... that’s a whole other discussion."

This was likely a quiet nod to Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who has remained a strong opponent to the Wapato plan since entering office in January. In an email to the Mercury, a spokesperson from Wheeler's office said the mayor fully supported the statement issued by Multnomah County—a clear signal of his disinterest in Wapato.

Schnitzer also used the opportunity to shake his finger at the region's top homeless services providers for not supporting his plan. In an email to the Mercury, Central City Concern spokesperson Susan Wickstrom said the nonprofit is not involved in the Wapato plan. George Devendorf, director of Transition Projects, was more straightforward.

"Transition Projects has been consistently opposed to the ideas floated in recent years to convert the Wapato facility into a mass service site for people experiencing homelessness," Devendoft wrote in an email to the Mercury. "While additional services are undoubtedly needed to support people experiencing homelessness in our community, we do not believe that Wapato represents an appropriate or cost-effective option."

In the past, other homeless-centric organizations, like Sisters of the Road and Portland Homeless Family Solutions, have expressed their skepticism about Schnitzer's idea.

Volunteers of America (VOA)—a nonprofit that provides residential alcohol and drug treatment—is the sole nonprofit that's backed the Wapato proposal. On Thursday, VOA of Oregon President Kay Toran said she thinks Wapato could work as a treatment and job training facility. Three men who've gone through VOA treatment programs were invited to speak at Schnitzer's press conference, where they spoke about their past struggles with homelessness and addiction.

While Schnitzer stressed that he truly cared about Portland's homeless population, few of his statements reflected that passion.

After shaking a box full of syringes and chiding "addicts" in his initial statements, Schnitzer told the group of reporters: "Speaking of junkies, I am one!" With the VOA alumni standing behind him, Schnitzer explained how he was a "junkie" for philanthropy work and sitting on the boards of nonprofits.

He called out public officials and homeless people for suggesting that homeless shelters would work best downtown, where most of the city's homeless resources are located.

"The friends that I have that are former addicts, they say the last place those recovery programs need to be is downtown, where there’s alcohol or drug dealing going on on the corner," Schnitzer said.

Schnitzer did not invite any people who are currently houseless to the press conference to confirm or deny any of his assumptions.

After shaking a box full of syringes and chiding “addicts,” Schnitzer told reporters: “Speaking of junkies, I am one!” Schnitzer then explained he was a “junkie” for philanthropy work and sitting on the boards of nonprofits.

"Not in a mean way, but where is it that there's a right for homeless people to occupy the streets of downtown Portland?" Schnitzer asked, saying it wasn't "fair."

He said he was "heart-broken" for police officers because they didn't have enough options to know "what to do with these folks." He also said his "heart goes out" to tenants occupying his properties in downtown Portland who have to see people sleeping on their doorsteps every day. He extended that sympathy to people who attend the Portland Symphony at downtown's Arlene Schnitzer Hall.

"Of course, my mother’s name is on the symphony hall," he said. "...[The Portland Symphony] tell us that subscribers are canceling because they don’t want to come downtown at night and deal with the hassle of the homeless people."

It was also frustrating, he said, to hear out-of-towners' critique Portland's homeless problem.

"We don’t live in Mexico City, in India, and see those slums. We don’t live in Brazil," Schnitzer said, adding: "I don’t know what that would be like, I’ve never been to those places."

Schnitzer says he plans to raze the building and replace it with a warehouse that will employ between 30 and 100 people. But he said there's still a chance for someone else to solve his problem.

"If someone in the next two weeks comes through with something I can sign," he said, "we [will] stop the demolition process and have it repurposed for the community."

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Alex Zielinski

"For the last four years, I’ve realized a dream of serving this wonderful community in the state and the city that has always been my home. My heart, my focus, the issues that are the most important to me–they’re all right here," wrote Wheeler in a statement published on his campaign website. "We’re strongest when we work together as one vibrant, powerful, engaged community. So I’m here, and I’m ready to keep going for these next four years."

According to Amy Rathfelder, Wheeler's deputy campaign manager, he will formally kick off his campaign on Monday, October 14, at an evening event in Southeast Portland. The public event will be attended by several local leaders who support Wheeler's run, including City Commissioner Nick Fish, State Representative Janelle Bynum, Metro Council President Lynn Peterson, and Portland Business Alliance CEO Andrew Hoan.

If re-elected, Wheeler would be the first Portland mayor to serve a second term in 16 years.

In his statement, Wheeler lists several accomplishments he's made since entering office in 2017, like putting "strong, capable women in senior leadership positions," creating a new kind of unarmed police employee position, limiting plastic straws and utensils in restaurants, and spearheading trash clean-up programs.

One of his "proudest moments," Wheeler notes, is when he organized a large group of community leaders to speak out against white supremacy days before the Proud Boys, an alt-right extremist group, held a rally in downtown Portland.

"This is the kind of strength we can show when we join together and stand up for our values," he writes.

Wheeler, who first hinted at his decision to run in 2020 in a May interview with the Portland Tribune, currently has just over $110,000 in his campaign war chest. According to the Secretary of State's campaign finance records, Wheeler's campaign hasn't received a donation since August.

Wheeler already has several opponents in the race, including police accountability advocate Teressa Raiford, progressive urban policy advocate Sarah Iannarone (who ran against Wheeler in 2016), environmental scientist Ozzie González, environmental lawyer Michael Burleson, and community activist Mark White.

Wheeler is currently in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he's attending the 2019 C40 World Mayors Summit.

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danchooalex / Getty images

Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) approved the ban this afternoon, a week after Governor Kate Brown requested it be enacted. Oregon is one of several municipalities that have enacted temporary bans on vape products, following news of a mysterious vaping-related illness that has injured over 1,000 people and left 24 dead (including two Oregonians).

At a press conference this afternoon, OLCC Executive Director Steve Marks said that while it’s understood that consumers of vape products are taking “some level of risk” by vaping, it is the state’s job to manage that risk.

“Like with any other public policy, it’s about, 'How much risk do we need to protect each individual from, and how much risk do they assume?'” Marks said. “In this agency, it’s going to be a balance… [but] we need to keep people safe while doing it.”

The ban will cover all flavored vape products—which, according to an exhaustive press release from the OLCC, means “products that contain natural or artificial flavors including, but not limited to, chocolate, coffee, cocoa, menthol, mint, wintergreen, vanilla, honey, coconut, licorice, nuts, fruit, any candy, dessert, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, herb or spice.”

The ban will also extend to vape products flavored with non-cannabis terpenes—a name for the organic compound found in plants, including cannabis, that affects scent and flavor. This means vape products that are 100 percent cannabis will still be allowed.

According to OLCC officials, non-cannabis terpenes can include potentially dangerous additives—and those ingredients are sometimes protected as trade secrets that aren't explicitly identified on the label.

Cannabis companies are required to include general information about whether a product contains flavors and non-cannabis terpenes on the label, meaning dispensaries should be able to distinguish between permissible and impermissible products.

“If it has a non-marijuana terpene or some other flavoring ingredient, a compliant label would list that,” said TJ Sheehy, the manager of OLCC’s Marijuana Technical Unit, at the press conference.

Sheehy said that although OLCC’s cannabis tracking system is not able to provide precise numbers, he estimates the vape ban will affect only about 10 percent of Oregon’s total recreational cannabis product sales.

Cannabis industry professionals at the press conference scoffed when they heard that figure.

Rachel Knox, a Portland doctor who studies the health effects of cannabis, told the Mercury she thought the ban was short-sighted, and emblematic of a bigger problem with the state's approach to regulation "not being informed by science." She compared vape products to cigarettes and alcohol—while both substances have caused exponentially more deaths, the state isn't moving to ban them.

"Are more people going to start smoking cigarettes now?" Knox asked.

There are an estimated 4,000 tobacco retailers in Oregon, and it's estimated the majority of them sell nicotine vape products.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will enforce the nicotine side of the ban, with the help of local police authorities and secret shoppers. OLCC officials will begin calling all licensed cannabis retailers this weekend to make sure they understand the particulars of the ban, and start conducting random store visits once it takes effect on Tuesday.

While the ban is in effect, Brown will convene a task force to consider the best strategies for long-term vape product regulation. At the same time, OHA will conduct a public education campaign encouraging people to quit vaping and the OLCC will consider how it can strengthen its regulations around cannabis vape products.

It isn’t clear, however, whether the OLCC has the resources necessary to do the job.

While the OLCC currently requires testing for mold and mildew in all cannabis products, Marks said “we haven’t had all the technology and focus” for additional regulations. Marks noted that Washington state recently hired a public health officer for its recreational cannabis program, and that he’d like to see Oregon make a similar investment.

“We will do some testing and sampling of products,” Marks said at the press conference. “But one of the issues here is, who’s qualified to do that testing, and what testing capacity exists in-state or even nationally at this point?”

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Ben Rothstein / Netflix

The point’s not so much to tie up any loose ends, but for Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan—who wrote and directed El Camino—to simply pay a visit to the world he and the Breaking Bad team so carefully constructed over that groundbreaking show’s five seasons. In addition to Jesse, we’re reunited with a few select residents of that indelible world, both in the film’s linear continuation of the story and in several flashbacks, although to say anything more would definitely be spoiling the fun.

And El Camino (it’s named after a getaway car for good reason, as you’ll see) is not only a wonderful reminder of how good Breaking Bad was, but how it was good. The storytelling is patient and thoughtful, and the suspense is expertly doled out by Gilligan. He once again shows his affinity for tradespeople and honest, hard-working craft, even within the world of thieves. In El Camino, for instance, copious amounts of research must have been done in the fields of vacuum repair and welding.

Breaking Bad’s spinoff prequel show, Better Call Saul, has proven itself to be marvelous on its own terms. But the further it gets away from the original recipe, the more it becomes its own thing, a window into its own unique world. El Camino, too, is its own thing (and that thing is an episodic thriller, with tinges of the noir and western genres), but it’s much more strongly connected to the original Breaking Bad, playing with that show’s grand arc to achieve its emotional subtleties. During the first hour or so, I initially thought it was a thing could stand completely on its own, and perhaps it can (you’ll have to ask someone who’s never seen Breaking Bad). But knowledge of the world, and what came before this particular chapter, only enhances the experience.

It’s just really good, much, much better than it needed to be. Aaron Paul surpasses his work in the series, playing an older, darker, wiser but not necessarily more enlightened version of Jesse. And the new characters—there aren’t many—are just as strong, particularly a cop played by Scott MacArthur, who was recently misused in The Righteous Gemstones but is fantastic here.

Plus, El Camino has—okay, one tiny spoiler here—Jesse Plemons singing along to Dr. Hook’s “Sharing the Night Together.” It might be the greatest thing you see all year.

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Cider RiotWm. Steven Humphrey

According to a media release from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), Kealiher "suffered critical injuries" as a result of the collision. He was transported to a hospital in a personal vehicle, but did not survive.

"The Multnomah County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the victim and determined the manner of death was homicide and the cause was blunt force trauma," PPB notes.

According to the Oregonian, Kealiher "was hit after leaving Cider Riot" and "identified as an anarchist."

Roses at the site of the suspected homicideWm. Steven Humphrey

Past reporting shows that Kealiher, a Portland native, frequently participated in anti-fascist demonstrations in Portland, where he often used the pseudonym "Armeanio Lewis." Kealiher was quoted under that name in a Washington Post article about the tumultuous protests that took place in Portland following the November 2016 election.

On Saturday afternoon, KATU's Ric Peavyhouse shared this interview with Kealiher from one of those protests:

In Nov 2016, we interviewed Sean/Armeanio at an anti-Trump protest at PSU. He helped organize the protest in support of a Sanctuary Campus: https://t.co/6eBsoN1Pie#LiveOnK2pic.twitter.com/LvCAGJUr7N

— Ric Peavyhouse (@RPeavyhouse) October 13, 2019

Cider Riot was the focal point for a violent clash earlier this year, when the Portland cidery, a gathering spot for local anti-fascist activists (antifa), was targeted by members of Patriot Prayer, the alt-right group based in Vancouver, Washington.

Shortly after 12 am on Saturday, PPB officers were dispatched to the area near Cider Riot, responding to a report of gunshots heard in the neighborhood. PPB officers found the SUV, which had crashed into the side of a building. There was evidence of gunfire in the car.

According to PPB's press release, homicide detectives believe "there are witnesses and community members with information about this incident and the chain of events that led up to it." Those with information are asked to contact Detective Scott Broughton at 503-823-3774 or Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Rico Beniga at 503-823-0457 or Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov.

The Mercury may update this post as more information becomes available.

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We all know Portland as the “strip club capital”. But Portland, you need to do better.

Some of you don't realize (and some of you do, but feel entitled anyway): dancers DO NOT get payed by the clubs, they pay a "house fee" in order to work! So, after dancing for hours (not to mention the amount of emotional labor involved) if people aren’t tipping (and this happens, A LOT), those dancers can go home OWING the club money.

Because dancers are independent contractors, clubs make money off the dancers while dancers sometimes make nothing. The clubs aren’t going to change anytime soon; they make too much money off the backs of their entertainers, and there are no repercussions for customers freeloading. THAT is what makes clubs exploitative, not the act of dancing naked itself.

So be a decent human being: pay your entertainers. WE SEE YOU, sitting at that table that you think is just far enough away. We see you cheating free glances when you think we don’t notice. This is stealing someone’s time and energy, and it is NOT okay.

When you tip, think about it; do you really think $1 or $2 dollars is adequate? How much would you spend on a latte or a cocktail? A performer revealing her naked body while trying to make YOU feel special deserves more than a couple bucks. Period. “Just here to watch the game"? Do us a favor and go to Red Robin or someplace people are not trying to pay their rent by entertaining you. Just "having a business meeting" and don't intend to tip? Have some respect and go to a regular bar. Portland, let’s make this a win-win for EVERYONE involved. Now that you know better, DO better.

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It's cold out, but it's not too cold. Just brisk enough to put a little extra pep in that step, to move you from one Autumnal adventure to the other and enjoy the best of the Fall season in Portland, with an abundance of arts, music, movies, and food events to keep your entertainment plate stacked like a Thanksgiving dinner. Check out our curated menu below, and don't forget to visit our Things to Do calendar for even more quality fun!

Ta-Nehisi Coates
Literary Arts presents a night soaking up knowledge direct from award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, in conversation with fellow bestseller Renee Watson, as they discuss Coates' previous works as well as his first novel, The Water Dancer. (Mon Oct 21, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $15-85)

HUMP!
The HUMP! Film Festival has been bringing audiences a new kind of porn since 2005. The festival features short dirty movies—each less than five minutes—all created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one for a weekend. The filmmakers and stars show us what they think is hot and sexy, creative and kinky, their ultimate turn-ons and their craziest fantasies. Our carefully curated program is a cornucopia of body types, shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes—all united by a shared spirit of sex-positivity. HUMP! is a celebration of creative sexual expression. You will see films at HUMP! that shock you. You will see films at HUMP! that make you laugh. And you will see films at HUMP! that turn you on. You will also be touched by the sincerity and vulnerability with which these films are lovingly made. HUMP!’s main mission is to change the way America sees—and makes and shares—porn. (Nov 8-23, Revolution Hall, $20-25, click here for dates and showtimes)

Danny Brown, Ashnikko, ZeelooperZ
Often shallowly depicted as merely a party rapper, Danny Brown contains a multitude of substance. Tonight Brown’s gap-toothed grin will no doubt get the good times rolling, but don’t miss the fascinating self-laceration that’s going on between his lines. (Mon Oct 28, 8 pm, Roseland, $25, all ages)

National Theatre Live: Fleabag
Third Rail presents a hi-definition screening of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the hit TV series Fleabag, broadcast to Portland's World Trade Center Theater from London’s West End. (Sun Oct 20, noon; Sat Oct 26, 4 pm; World Trade Center Theatre, $23)

Sleater-Kinney, KAINA
The pioneering Pacific Northwest indie rock outfit headed up by Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker returns to the Crystal Ballroom stage for a headlining show supporting their new St. Vincent-produced album, The Center Won’t Hold. (Tues-Wed Nov 19-20, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $35-40, all ages)

Macbeth
Portland Center Stage presents this "stripped-down" production of the classic tragedy, with three of Portland's strongest acting talents (Chantal DeGroat, Dana Green, and Lauren Bloom Hanover taking on all the roles, while the score is performed via Heather Christian's shape-note song. Directed by Adriana Baer. (Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, Through Nov 24, Ellyn Bye Studio at the Armory, $25-62)

Lucy Dacus, Liza Anne, Sun June
It makes sense that Lucy Dacus has catapulted to such high acclaim; the directness of her writing, and the subdued music she drives it with, is a great study in earnest songwriting. Following Dacus’ 2016 debut, No Burden, she hit the road and seems like she’s hardly been off it, what with her immediate post-“No Burden” tour forming of Boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. 2018 was even more a stepping-out party for Dacus, as her follow-up LP, Historian, basically floored everyone who’s heard it and landed at or near the top of numerous Best of 2018 lists. If you haven’t invested any time listening to Dacus yet, what the fuck are you waiting for? (Wed Oct 23, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $18-20, all ages)

Cher, Nile Rodgers, Chic
The legendary pop star brings her "Here We Go Again" Tour to the Moda Center to perform a set of hits, deep cuts, and songs off her latest album, Dancing Queen, a tribute to the music of ABBA. (Tues, Nov 19, 7:30 pm, Moda Center, $64.95 & Up)

The Portland Book Festival
Formerly known as Wordstock, the Portland Book Festival is now saddled with a stultifyingly boring name—but it’s still crammed with great authors and events, so we’ll allow it. This year’s fest features eight billion booksellers and publishers selling their wares (from Southwest Portland’s Annie Bloom’s Books to San Francisco’s McSweeney’s), plus readings, discussions, workshops, food, film screenings... and that’s not even getting into the reliably fun, reliably boozy (and reliably free!) Lit Crawl! (Sat Nov 9, 9 am, Portland Art Museum, $15-20, all ages)

Killer Pumpkin Fest
A one-day mini-beerfest focused on the wonderfulness of taking pumpkins and turning them into beers, with Rogue providing a whole bunch of actual pumpkins to bowl, decorate, carve, and/or smash, with the kitchen providing a special pumpkin menu to pair with the abundance of pumpkin ales to sample. Also featuring costume contests for kids, grown-ups, and even your dogs. Proceeds benefit Camp Ukandu. (Sat Oct 26, 11 am, Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery, $5, all ages)

Frankie Cosmos
Frankie Cosmos (AKA singer/songwriter Greta Kline and her backing band of Lauren Martin, Luke Pyneson, and Alex Bailey) bring their infectious and tender indie pop back to the Wonder Ballroom for an all-ages show supporting their latest Sub Pop-issued album, Close it Quietly. (Thurs Oct 31, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $17-20, all ages)

Big Freedia, Low Cut Connie
New Orleans artist Big Freedia has been credited with the rising popularity of bounce music, and her shows are said to be some of the most activating, fun, twerktastic parties around. (Sun Nov 17, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25-28)

'80s Video Dance Attack's Monster 2-Floor Halloween Party
The annual '80s Video Dance Attack Halloween Party returns to the Crystal Ballroom and Lola's Room with a special spooky installment to kick-start your Halloween weekend. The top floor is classic Dance Attack experience (except with way more candy corn), while Lola's Room puts a strong focus on the New Wave hits, so if you're feeling a little post-punky or goth, you know where to go. Come dressed to impress for a chance to win a big prize in the costume contest. (Fri Oct 25, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $25)

Hustle & Drone, Karma Rivera, Kileo
When you get a chance to hear Portland electro-pop trio Hustle & Drone show off their latest adventures in dance, you should probably take it. That goes double when they are celebrating the release of a new album, which happens to be the case tonight. Be one of the first 25 through the door and you'll take home a free CD of the band's latest, What an Uproar. (Thurs Nov 14, 8:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $7)

Nicole Byer
Helium hosts a weekend of stand-up with the Los Angeles-based comedian and actress who came up in New York City as a student at the Upright Citizens Brigade and went on to become the host of Netflix's hit comedic reality bake-off, Nailed It, as well as make appearances on MTV’s Girl Code, 30 Rock, @Midnight, and Conan. (Nov 21-23, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $17-33)

The Get Up Kids, Kevine Devine, The Whiffs
The second wave emo pioneers out of Kansas City keep their reunion going strong when they swing through the Doug Fir Lounge for an intimate Portland show supporting Problems, the band's first new full-length since 2011's There Are Rules. (Sat Nov 16, 8 pm, Doug Fir, $27-32)

Y La Bamba
Portland-based singer/songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza brings her beloved indie-folk and pop project to the Doug Fir Lounge for a two-night stand celebrating the release of her new Tender Loving Empire-issued EP, Entre Los Dos. (Thurs-Fri Oct 25-26, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $16-20)

Crime Junkie Podcast: Live
Get your true crime fix when host Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat bring their popular podcast to the Revolution Hall stage for the Portland stop on their first-ever live tour. (Thurs Nov 7, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35, all ages)

Thom Yorke
This has been a plentiful year for fans of Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s wobbly falsetto, around which he builds the majority of his ethereal, noise-touched pop ballads. Last fall he waltzed in with his first feature score, for Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake, which was terrific if overpowered by the titular “Suspirium” track. (Keep it on the record; just, for god’s sake, get it out of the movie.) In June, haxxors stole over 16 hours of Yorke’s MiniDisc recordings with the notion of ransoming them and—being truly unmoved by this threat—he offered them up to his fans, donating the profits to environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion. (I bought it.) Weeks later, Yorke’s third solo album Anima hit number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart, his first record ever to do so. You can expect a night of quiet, delicate musical majesties so no talking, and no shouting for “Creep.”(Tues Oct 22, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $59.50)

The Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Festival
The annual Beaujolais Nouveau festival returns to the Heathman, where notable winemakers bring their best versions of Nouveau to the restaurant, and it gets paired with culinary miracles via some of the city's best chefs, and live music by Heather Keizur. KGW's Brenda Braxton and Ashley Korslein host. Proceeds benefit Pueblo Unido. (Fri Nov 22, 6 pm, Heathman Restaurant, $65-1800)

Jonathan Richman
With a conversational vocal style and a wide-eyed worldview, Jonathan Richman writes songs that are deceptively simple and utterly heartwarming. The former Modern Lover plays stripped-down acoustic sets backed solely by drummer Tommy Larkin, but don’t worry about him getting lost in the large Revolution Hall—Richman has a way of making even the biggest show sound wonderfully intimate. (Sat Nov 2, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $20-25)

Jenny Slate
Ask me whom I’d like to be stuck on a desert island with, or be our next president, and my answer is the same: Jenny Motherfucking Slate. She’s the absolutely hilarious actress/comedian known for so many of your favorite roles, including Mona-Lisa Saperstein on Parks and Recreation, Liz B. on the Kroll Show, and the voice of viral sensation Marcel the Shell with Shoes On as well as Missy from Big Mouth! She’s charming, funny as fuck, and you should beg, borrow, and steal to catch the Portland stop on her Little Weirds book tour at Revolution Hall. Sorry if I’m being overenthusiastic and creepy, but I like her. (Mon Nov 11, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35-40)

Laura Gibson, Chris Pureka
Goners, the fifth album from Portland singer/songwriter Laura Gibson, is both the latest installment of her expertly crafted, eerily spectral folksongs and a vista onto new musical territory, where violins and Wurlitzers provide the backdrop for Gibson’s haunted, heartfelt lyrics. In other words, Goners is the newest terrific piece of work from one of Portland’s best. (Sun Oct 27, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-25)

Jupiter Hotel's Holiday Movie Sleepover
The Jupiter Hotel links up with Movie Madness to bring you a Thanksgiving-sized helping of festive films. Book a room for four to eight people, add the genre of film you prefer (horror, rom/com, traditional, comedy, or action), and Movie Madness will have a selection of movies catered to your taste when you check-in. Feel free to swap whatever you don't like at an on-site library, and be sure to hit up the front desk for tasty concessions and holiday treats. (Thurs Nov 28, 4 pm, Jupiter Hotel, $60-80)

Immortal Technique, Chino XL, Poison Pen
Immortal Technique comes from a long line of hip-hop truthsayers who carry the torch of infinite wisdom that was first lit by KRS-One, further fueled by Chuck D, and then detonated by Ice Cube. Beginning with the incendiary "Dance with the Devil" and then across four successive and critically acclaimed albums, Tech has developed a signature style that skillfully fuses battle rap acidity with intense book knowledge and an acute consciousness for global conspiracies. (Mon Nov 4, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $25-30, all ages)

We Hate Movies: LIVE!
New York City-based comedians Andrew Jupin, Stephen Sajdak, Eric Szyszka, and Chris Cabin bring their popular bad-movie podcast to the Aladdin Theater stage for an all-ages Portland stop on their latest North American tour. (Thurs Nov 7, 7 pm, Aladdin Theater, $25, all ages)

Lindy West
The Witches Are Coming is the timely new cultural critique from writer, comedian, and activist Lindy West, author of the New York Times bestselling memoir-turned-critically acclaimed Hulu TV series Shrill. (Thurs Nov 21, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)

Brother Ali, Evidence
After nearly two decades in the game, Brother Ali is still delivering some of the most insightful, personal, and impressive hiphop out there. And for all his considerable conscience, the man's sets flat-out thump. See him every time he comes through town, Portland. (Fri Nov 15, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $22-26, all ages)

My Father's Place Thanksgiving
One of Portland's most legendary bars is, once again, open on Thanksgiving and not really putting on any airs about it: If you want a turkey or ham dinner fixed up for you, they can do that. If you'd rather drink your Thanksgiving, they can do that too. (Thurs Nov 28, My Father's Place)

The Holiday Ale Festival
For the 24th straight year, Pioneer Courthouse Square gets tented, heated, and filled with over 50 specialty winter ales from some of the best brewers in the country. Come down spread some holiday cheer while indulging in an array of delicious Belgians, barleywines, stouts, and sours you won't find at the supermarket, and capitalize on the opportunity to talk to the geniuses responsible for making all these delicious suds, too. (Wed Dec 4-Sun Dec 8, Pioneer Courthouse Square, $40-100)

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Friends mourn the death of activist Sean Kealiher at a Sunday night vigil.Alex Zielinski

For Indigenous Peoples' Day, listen to the podcast #ThisLand by the extremely talented @rebeccanagle. It's a super informative and engaging exploration of how native rights are disregarded for the convenience of white people. https://t.co/N1WV67SbbF
— Sarah Mirk (@sarahmirk) October 14, 2019

Japan Underwater: Typhoon Hagibis drenched Japan over the weekend, causing catastrophic flooding in and around Tokyo and leaving at least 50 dead.

Murder the Press, But Make it Art: A (fake) video depicting Donald Trump brutally murdering members of the media and his political opponents was aired at a conference for Trump supporters at one of his resorts last week. Apparently, it was played as part of a "meme exhibit."

Standing In Your House While Black: A Fort Worth cop shot and killed a 28-year-old Black woman in her home after a neighbor called a nonemergency police number to make sure she was safe (he was worried because her front door was open at 2 am). It appears the officer assumed Atatiana Jefferson was breaking and entering—when she was just up late playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew.

This gentleman is heavy on my mind + heart this morning. He called the police concerned about his neighbor. The police murdered her. If you believe in a Power Higher than yourself, join me in prayer + peaceful meditation for James Smith. #AtatianaJeffersonpic.twitter.com/0iDjm0uhwT
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 13, 2019

Chill Pro Quo: Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador who tried to persuade the Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden's family, is set to testify before Congress this week. According to the Washington Post, he's going to tell lawmakers that he was just following Trump's demands and that Trump's desire to withhold military funds to Ukraine "was a quid pro quo, but not a corrupt one." Pass the popcorn.

Portland Drops Provenance: Oh, did we mention Sondland is also a major Portland hotelier and campaign donor? This weekend, protesters marched in downtown Portland, calling for a boycott of Sondland's Provenance Hotels.

Close To Home: Early Saturday morning, 23-year-old Sean Kealiher (an activist who also used the pseudonym Armeanio Lewis) was hit by the driver of a SUV shortly after leaving Cider Riot, a Northeast cidery popular with anti-fascists. After someone fired bullets into the SUV, the car crashed into a wall, and those driving the car fled the scene. Kealiher died en route to the hospital. Police are investigating his death as a homicide, and have yet to make any arrests.

A group of fifty gathered w/ flares and candles near NE Everett & 9th this evening to memorialize Sean Kealiher, the 23-year-old man who died after being hit by an SUV early Saturday morning. pic.twitter.com/dkIq2ompPp
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) October 14, 2019

So Much For the Mutter: Yer boi (our boi? their boi?) Ted Wheeler is going to make his official re-election campaign announcement this evening. He'll be joined by several local politicians and business leaders who support his run.

Guy With Money Didn't Get What He Wanted For Once: Billionaire developer Jordan Schnitzer has bitterly admitted that he won't be able to turn a giant empty jail into a homeless person warehouse. He used some choice words to express his grumpiness. Example: "Not in a mean way, but where is it that there's a right for homeless people to occupy the streets of downtown Portland?"

The Life and Death of Great American Vaping: Oregon's 180-day ban on flavored vaping products starts tomorrow. Then what?

𝘗𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘺𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. #SNLpic.twitter.com/Q45eJzQuEm
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) October 13, 2019

ARE YOU HUNGRY? Today's the first day of Portland Mercury's Nacho Week! OH! AND YES, YOU DO LOOK SEXY!Tickets for HUMP! 2019 are right here. (Oh, and psst! Check out the new, very sexy, and decidedly NSFW HUMP! trailer here.)

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